Shen Ju Rong could hear the sounds of the city behind him until the thick mists closed. Then, silence, heavy and oppressive crowded in around him. His horse whinnied quietly, then snorted, but the sounds were swallowed in the wet clouds around them. Shen pulled on the reins and halted. His confidence was gone. He turned in his saddle, the wet leather creaking, to look behind him. He could turn around if he dared, but he could see nothing and risked getting lost. There was nothing to fear, besides. Quiet was not a foe.
Shen turned back around then held his breath. It wasn't completely silent any longer. It started as a low growl that came from every direction, then a shuddering rumble and a flash of scales on their flank. Shen's horse sidestepped and let out a screaming neigh. A hot burst of air cut through the mists, and Shen's horse bolted. No amount of pulling stopped his animal, and the rattling undulation of the monster beside them kept easy pace.
They were at a full gallop when the beast flashed quickly in front of Shen, causing his horse to rear back with enough force to knock Shen to the ground. The horse raced left and vanished into the darkness. Shen felt a blast of hot breath at his ear. "Dross'noct. Shu dreckt meng el'enk." It's breath was rancid, its voice a polyglot cacophony of words. The creature was absorbed in the mists.
Shen dropped onto his back, catching his breath, sweat pouring from his body. He had to think. He had only a moment before the scream of his horse reached him and was abruptly silenced. Suddenly, the dead and mangled equine was dropped at his side with a sickening thud. Shen the found himself staring into a red eye the size of his torso.
These same eyes adorned the tops of many temples in the Imperial Capitol. Ice ran through Shen's body. The red dragon pulled back his lips into a sneer that revealed all his teeth. "Welcome to the mists," he hissed.
