The sand pirates made quick work of the slugs, their dark blades flashing in the harsh sunlight. The last of the creatures fell, and an eerie silence descended upon the desert. Yara and the dragon stood still, watching the men warily as they approached.
The leader of the sand pirates, a tall man with piercing green eyes partially obscured by a cloth mask, stepped forward, his gaze shifting between Yara and the dragon.
Yara sheathed her daggers, attempting to appear non-threatening, though her heart raced with anxiety. The sand pirates were known for their ruthlessness, and she had hoped to avoid them at all costs.
"Travelers," the pirate leader greeted in a deep, gravelly voice muffled by the scarf. "You seem to have encountered quite a bit of trouble."
The dragon snorted, clearly unimpressed. "We had it under control."
