Vibrant, colorful flower pedals spun into a blurry circular shape. Tanius Magnus rolled the stem of a wild flower between his index finger and thumb, eyes closed as he savored the the sweet aroma. He sat against the wall of Britanny, a small Andoran town on the southern border along the killing fields of Meekash Canyon. He sold flowers to townsfolk and travelers from the outer wall, and had for some time now. The people of Britanny had allowed him to operate outside their city, but they were weary of entry. Black Mages were not a popular kin among common human folk like Andorans, although they upheld a cautious respect for the reputation of the dark skinned folk for being attuned to magic and having a rather large, intimidating physical build. Tanius opened his solid white, smokey eyes slowly, glancing up from his wild flower at a group of men clad in black armor. Among them, a tall warlord in full plate armor. He held a decorative longsword at the ready in his left hand. The men remained silent, and Tanius-although aware of what was about to transpire-remained perfectly calm and polite. He took a bouquet of wildflowers in hand, holding it up to the mysterious black knight. "Flowers, good sir?" He said kindly in a deep, rumbling voice. The knight slapped the bouquet out of Tanius' hand violently with a swift right backhand swing. Tanius took a deep breath, locking eyes with the man from behind his black full helm. ---------------------------------------------------------- The stench of smoke and death hit Wedge Armstrong like a brick wall as he made his way toward a ruined town on horse back. He was accompanied by a group of lawmen and rangers. Among them were Hector Shaw and his eldest son Ruffus. As they drew nearer to the devastation, Wedge dismounted his white horse in a panicked state, rushing to the body of a slain Black Mage slumped against the city wall. Hector and Ruffus were right behind him and the others broke off to inspect the rest of the town. The three men stood before the fallen warrior of The Veldt. "Poor bastard didn't stand a chance," Hector said indifferently, a touch of compassion in his rough, tired old voice. Wedge lowered his head, closing his eyes tightly in pain. Tears streamed down his tanned, weathered cheeks. He took a moment to swallow his grief and collect himself, shaking his head every so slightly. "He could have killed them all, " he explained, voice still strangled by his sorrow. Ruffus looked at Wedge quickly, an expression of confusion across his youthful face. "Who was he to you?" he asked curiously. Wedge took a moment. "My sensei... His people, the ones who fought for us against Zenobia, they took a vow of peace when the war was over." Ruffus was speechless. He stared at the fallen Kel'no Synn master with admiration and confusion. 'Why wouldn't he fight? He just let these people die." Wedge turned around, heading back for his horse. "You had to have been there to understand, kid," Wedge explained calmly. "Where are you headed, Armstrong?" Hector asked him as he mounted his horse. "I'm going to find the people who did this... And I'm going to kill every last one of them."