[color=fdc68a][b]Magister Khalophis[/b][/color]

Answering Zahra's question, Khalophis said, "[color=fdc68a]No, he wasn't chosen by my Cult, but I'm certain he's a fine lad all the same.[/color]" A mischievous smile broke across the older man's features as he said, "[color=fdc68a]Come, let's see if we can't liven him up a bit.[/color]"

Khalophis stood up, and hoisted Zahra to sit up on his shoulder, tickling her face some with the feathers in his collar. With her vantage point above the crowd, he directed her to point out Radaam to him, wherever he was. He departed with a brief word to his colleagues, and the two set out in the crowd. Other Sorcerers that saw him coming immediately cleared from his path, usually bowing to him as they shuffled out of the way. A few in particular, usually those with little birds on their brooches, made a sort of salute as they acknowledged him, twining their hands together to resemble wings.

After a short while and only a couple of diversions to watch entertainers or scoop up tasty snacks, the pair eventually found its way back to Radaam, approaching him from behind. Two other Novitiates were with him, who were at such an angle that they could see Khalophis approach. Once he was close enough, he set Zahra down for her to run and greet her brother, and strode up to them behind her. He cut an imperious figure when standing at his full height, as his colorful robes seemed to practically come alive on his tall, willowy frame. With a thought, he haloed his body in a corona of heat-shimmers, making himself seem as ethereal as a desert mirage.

He laid one if his radiating hands on Radaam's shoulder, grabbing his attention as he announced his presence, "[color=fdc68a]Sorcerer-Novitiate Esi,[/color]" Khalpohis said, in the most authoritative voice he could muster, "[color=fdc68a]I have just had a most entertaining conversation with your dear sister. She is wise beyond her years, I would heed her closely if I were you.[/color]" Retracting his hand, he crossed his arms across his chest and continued, "[color=fdc68a]That aside, allow me to extend my personal congratulations to you on your commencement. We will expect much of all of you very soon.[/color]" Recognizing Khotanebre as one of the Novitiates with Radaam, he turned to address him personally. "[color=fdc68a]Sorcerer-Novitiate Bekenamun, I see you are integrating well among your peers. How is your father?[/color]"

The Novitiate and the Magister had met, if only briefly, years before, at a small gathering on another noble family's estate. Various aristocrats, politicians, Red Order officers, and other notable figures had gathered to schmooze and consolidate support for some political venture or another. Khalpohis had been in attendance, representing the Cult of the Phoenix, and spent quite some time conversing with the nobility and Sekhmet masters, including Lord Bekenamun. Kho himself had been dragged along to this affair, as he often was, and the genial Sorcerer had even sat and shared some light conversation with the boy. The Cult of the Phoenix held the reputation of being the most bellicose among the Cults of Heka, the destructive potential of their pyromantic arts heavily valued by the Ruiners of the Red Orders. Khalophis was noted to have a surprisingly ambivalent attitude toward the Red Orders' presence within his own Cult, where most other Magisters held them at arm's length.