[center][h2][b][color=20B2AA] Jandar Varan[/color][/b][/h2][h3][color=20B2AA]Eldra, Shalador[/color][/h3][/center]
Jandar could feel his teeth grinding together as he stared at Fatima, who happily pranced inside. With a shuddering inhale and exhale, he shook off a small part of his panic. He couldn’t just remain here and gibber incomprehensively; he had to act, to function. The Warlord turned to Dareen, only peripherally noting that any other inhabitants were fearfully keeping to themselves. He gazed down at the Pruulish witch, who was obviously distressed. His mouth twitched unpleasantly as he realized that he couldn’t afford to spend his time dealing with her. [color=20B2AA]“I am going inside,”[/color] he stated, surprisingly calmly considering everything that was going on. [color=20B2AA]“Whether you'd prefer to follow inside or wait here…take care,”[/color] he told her. What else could he do? Jandar nodded at Dareen, turned around, and entered the bookshop himself.

Proceeding was like wading through waist-high mud; slow, arduous, distressingly endless. All because of that deepest, darkest power. Jandar was viscerally aware, that he could lose his figurative footing and be sucked in to drown at any time. Whenever [i]that man[/i] took offense or perhaps even decided to act on a whim. Worst, Jandar could not reveal himself to be Kaeleeran in front of such dubious characters as the shopkeeper. The Warlord forced himself to move forward with a brisk pace, approaching Fatima. [color=20B2AA]“Cousin,”[/color] he once again reprimanded, letting annoyance and exasperation suffuse his tone. He saw the one-armed proprietor heading his Lady’s way as well, and glared at the male. This situation absolutely [i]did not[/i] need more people. Jandar scowled, moving to stand protectively between the Queen and the owner of the shop. [color=20B2AA]“Scram, old man,”[/color] he snapped, a growling undertone to his voice as he gazed disdainfully at this annoyance. He was fairly certain Fatima hadn’t actually entered with the purpose of browsing or buying anything, so they could do without one more complication. Now, the question was only when [i]he[/i] would deign to appear.