[h2]Kalla[/h2]

"You wished to speak with me?" Sev asked, his voice still distorted from the air spell cast upon his throat.

[color=6A5ACD]"That is right,"[/color] Jeevak started as he looked out to the stretching sea of sand. [color=6A5ACD]"I came when I sensed the power awaken in that young man. I was quite surprised to find that there was another person here born of gruskan blood.[/color] 

Jeevak turned to Sev, "My name is Jeevak, King of the Grandis Empire. I wish to return to Death's Pass and rebuild our country.  Return it to the once vivid and rich land it used to be, and re-establish a home where my people will no longer suffer the ignorance and violence this world has subjected them to. What is a King without a country and people for him to serve? My request, though simple in word yet not in action, is that you would join me in turning this dream into a reality. The gruskan people have been trampled on for far too long. They deserve to have a place where they don't have to hide behind masks and trickery just to eek out a meager existence. That is what I want, even if I have to find the Oracle herself to make it come true."[/color]

 He crossed his arms and looked back out to the sands, [color=6A5ACD]"Places like this are rare. We both know it. So many are unnaccepting of us merely by birth.... If you wish to aid me, I can provide you with anything you may require. If not, well then, I can't say it wouldn't be dissapointing, but it would be understandable to stay with what you know vs the ramblings of what one could think is a strange traveler. Though the invitation will always be open."[/color]

"So you've come to recruit me for your little project?" Sev asked skeptically, "and, more importantly, you expect to be able to just carve out a place for 'our' people without any pushback or loss of life? Or are those just sacrifices you are willing to make?"

"If you speak true about being willing to let me go my own way, then that is my preference. I've no interest in fighting a war for a people I don't consider myself one of, nor a king I've never met," Sev said in a serious tone, his body tensing as he prepared for a violent reaction, ready to summon magic in an instant if needed.

[color=6A5ACD]"Stay your hand, young one, I said I have come here peacefully, these sands have seen enough blood today,"[/color] he said calmly, not even worried about what Sev could do. He moved on to Sev's statement. [color=6A5ACD]"No, not quite. The land we will return to is the land of our forefathers. A blighted land that no man dares to tread and that I will make rich and vibrant once again. If someone were to take up arms against me wanting the lives of my people secured, then so be it, I will meet them on the battlefield. I tire of being witness to the lamentations and deaths of gruskan people based on superstition and hate alone. I will defend those who I have been given the power to defend, and I judge the heartless who see only with the eyes of loathing, fear, and violence,"[/color] Jeevak replied passionately. There wasn't a waver in his voice or a second to spare for thinking, every word he spoke he spoke honestly. [color=6A5ACD]"If you wish to walk your own path, I can not force you down a path you wish not to tread. If you do take your own path, know that the gates of Grandis will be open for you should you change your mind.[/color]

"All nobles claim to fight for 'their people,' and every time they really mean they'll make their people fight for a cause the noble thinks is important. Anyone can speak of a greater good, an end to suffering, but none can deliver, not even the gods," Sev was seething at this point, slightly concerned by his own anger at what the man was saying, "you're righteous path will end not with the chosen land for 'our kind' but another kingdom built upon exploiting those weaker than you. All you'll have changed is who is weak and who is strong.

"By the end of this you'll become exactly what you claim to fight. No man, no syphie, grusk, or any creature, be they mortal or divine can resist the temptation of power. And I'll not have anything to do with it," Sev finished summoning a wave of magical power to form a massive illusion augmented with wind magic. Gale winds ripped up great clouds of sand that rapidly formed to create the head and body of a massive dragon. Great claws made of swirling sand dug into the dunes as the beast lowered it's head to roar, emitting a torrent of sand that engulfed Sev and Jeevak. Flesh tearing sands carried on a magical wind ripped through the two for a few long seconds, hiding both parties in an all encompassing torrent of dust.

Moments later the winds grew still, sand that had earlier been blown with the strength to scour the flesh of any in their path grew still, gently settling to the ground to reveal Sev had used spell to flee. No matter how good Jeevak's senses, magical or mundane, he was certain the miniature dust storm would have hidden him as he made his way back into town, cloaked in a veil of invisibility.

Jeevak sighs and shakes his head as the partial grusk lost his temper and comparitavely threw a magical tantrum. He didn't seem phased at all by it and instead let him go his own way as he said he could. He looked down at hs tw hands and clenched them into fists for a moment before relaxing them. Picking up  the mask from his side, he placed it on. [color=6A5ACD]"I only ever desired the power I needed to accomplish my own goals, nothing more,"[/color] he said to himself, [color=6A5ACD]"Hmm, one for two isn't all that bad... Kitchi, I know you are there. What have I told you about stalking me? If you want to ask me something you should feel free to ask."[/color]

Just then what seemed to be a small girl in a red cloak and mask popped up from one of the rooftops and hopped down. oddly, she seemed to have a sword strapped to her back and was wrapped up in a restraint jacket as well, and the look of her legs hinted to something that wasn't quite human in overall shape. "Found it! Found it! Me get? Pretty please!?" she hopped up and down excitedly.

[color=6A5ACD]"Ah, the treasure of the desert... You may go, Kitchi, but be careful. I sense an old friend there..."[/color] Jeevak warned.

"Will do! See later!" the girl seemed to chirp happily before dashing off blinding speed, kicking up sand in her wake.

Jeevak looked down at the ground where she was standing and saw that there was a candy wrapper on the ground, which for him, explained a lot. He sighed, knowing exactly who ay have supplied the half pint with the sweet treat.

As Sev reappeared from his illusion within town, having ditched the disguise when unseen, he scowled at himself. Why had what that man said made him so angry? Sure he didn't care for kingdoms or nations or laws, but he hadn't been threatened with anything. Perhaps it was how arrogant Jeevak was in simply claiming Sev as one of 'his people' without asking? As a wandering Battle Mage Sev had spent his life being his own person and for someone to come up and declare 'you are mine' was arrogant and insulting, but worthy of this level of anger? Sev didn't know.

With a quiet sigh Sev took a meandering path through town trying to find his way back to the tavern by a scenic route as to not be linked to the events that had happened at the temple then outside of town.