[b]A few minutes prior to the events at the temple...[/b]

A black steed walks into Kalla. Its mane is braided and decorated with golden rings. On the horses' back is a man, sitting on a saddle made of a black leather that blends perfectly with the horse. Hanging on the sides are four large pouches each decorated with the flower of the Red Saints, braided in with white strings. 

As the man walks into town, he makes a detour and stops right by the stables. Hopping off the saddle, he gently pets the horse before taking the reigns and leading it to the stablemaster. Reaching into a pouch near his belt, he pulls out a large sum of coins handing them over to the man managing the stables. Despite the mans protests, the new arrival insisted on him keeping the payment. Still baffled, the stablemaster took the horse and led it into the stable. 

Moving his hood back, the new arrival scanned the roads around town before heading toward the main square. On his way there, he noticed a large group of people heading toward the temple. Given the time of day, he found it strange that so many of the townsfolk were heading toward the temple and decided to head over and investigate.

Following the crowd, he stopped seeing the commotion right in front of the temple doors. He kept a low profile, putting his hood over his head before heading into the large group of townsfolk. As he made his way through, he accidently bumped into one of the townsfolk. A young man wearing red silks with intricate designs. His blonde hair and golden jewelry were hard to miss. 
[color=9C27B0]"My apologies."[/color] 
Said the new arrival, as he continued moving through the crowd. Aerex barely felt him brush against him, but heard him apologize. 
[color=FFD117]"Oh you didn't bump into-"[/color] By the time Aerex was able to reply, the man was already gone. He had barely seen his face, but recalled the embroidery on his cloak. A white flower.

A few moments passed, and Kalla's Chief Dorron emerged from the temple. Seeing the familiar face, the hooded man had the urge to call out to him but desisted from the idea as the Chief began to speak. The man waited patiently for Dorron to finish his speech, paying close attention. From what he gathered, it appeared that one of the outlying tribes had attacked Kalla and Dorron was out for vengeance. 

The crowd seemed to lose interest as Dorron called for volunteers. He wanted to gather a posse to deliver some good old fashion Kalla justice. As the crowd dispersed, the man approached the Chief. The man stood out from the crowd. He was unusually tall and wore an outfit typical of Portea nobles. What made him stand out even more was the decoration on his cloak. An open flower embroidered into the fabric with white strings.

The chief stood in the square, next to the large statue in its center, a monument to the first varuk tribe to make the settlement. As the crowd dispersed, either to prepare or return to their daily tasks, Dorron saw a familiar face appear from the center of the crowd.  "Well, well, if it isn't my old friend Eduard coming out for some fresh air! I'm afraid you came during some troubling times. One of your expeditionary teams are here as well. How do you fair these days, brother?" he said, holding an arm out to clasp wrists and shake arms in greetings, even if Dorron seemed to dwarf Eduard.

Eduard reciprocated, shaking the Chiefs hand and giving him a small smile. [color=9C27B0] "Eager to get to work."[/color] Said Eduard. [color=9C27B0]"Though I must ask about the Red Saints in Kalla. Do you know them?"[/color]

"Aye, by name anyway, haven't had much time ta meet them proper with all this about kidnappings and attacks on Madame Valia. Neev and Vog are in the temple. Vog seems ta be Neev's guard, she's the one healed Valia when a foreigner found her wounded in her home."

[color=9C27B0] "You mentioned kidnappings?"[/color] Eduard asked, lowering his hood.

"....Aye... Some of Valia's students stopped coming to their lessons. The first day, was one thing, but the next people were wondering where they had gone, and when they weren't with Valia, people had panicked. When a few others disappeared, people stopped going altogether. Madame Valia came to me about it, but we weren't sure who was behind it. But today, when they attacked Valia, she killed the two men that intruded, and it turns out they were mercenaries contracted by the Calabris family. I'm calling volunteers to find and eliminate these mercenaries." Dorran took a long breath before looking at the sky to the northwest. "When we find them.... We will destroy them."

Eduard picked up on Dorran's anger right away. It was an indescribable fury that he kept contained with sheer will. A part of Eduard felt pity for the mercenaries. They had no idea who they had messed with. 
[color=9C27B0]"I'll accompany you. Make sure that the girls are uninjured when they are returned. That is if we find them."[/color]

"I would be glad to have you by our side, and we will find them, mark my words." Dorran said with a nod to Eduard. "If you need and supplies or need to make any stops, I would do them now. I'll be heading out with whoever is here in two hours by sand sail."

[color=9C27B0]"I will."[/color]Replied Eduard, glancing behind him before turning back to the Chief. Briefly he appeared distracted, but it vanished as soon as it appeared. [color=9C27B0]"I'll be back soon."[/color] He said, turning around and heading toward where Aerex the tailor and his friend were standing.

---
Bidzil was looking towards the cheif as he talked to the man who brushed by Aerex. After yearing what had happened , he turned to Aerex, [color=F4A460]"I think I'm gonna go... help the volunteers. Will come in handy to know how to navigate the sands if I'm on my own as well."[/color]

[color=FFD117] "I think they will need all the help they can get."[/color] Replied Aerex, glancing at Eduard as he approached.  [color=FFD117]"It was nice seeing you again."[/color]

[color=F4A460]"It was nice seeing you as well. You take care of yourself," [/color]Bidzil said, patting him on the shoulder. [color=F4A460]"I should head to the market, get things prepared for the trip."[/color]

The pat on the back made Aerex take a step forward involuntarily. He chuckled, and nodded. 

[color=FFD117]"Yeah. Stay safe out there. I'm almost always in my shop if you need me."[/color]