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[Rufus Oryan]

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Rufus walked slowly around the reflecting pool just within the walls of the Palace of Nujel'm. His sandals gently pressed against the blades of grass as he moved closer to the marble pool, sitting just at it's stairs. He lifted his hand to his face, brushing his hand against the Crescent shaped marking under his eye, then moving to his chin to rub his beard. He took in a deep breath, letting out a loud sigh. Rufus raised his head a bit, looking to the opening leading to the reflection area. He could feel someone getting close, there energy resonating from far away. As the gentleman approached the opening, he noticed Rufus, staring to his direction before he had even reached his destination.

"Lord Rufus, I showed lady Tyra Dragonbane to her room. Is there anything else you would have me do?"

The man stood at about Six feet or so dressed in bronze armor with a kryss dangling at his side. His crimson cloak held with two pins, one bearing the Humanis symbol, and the other with a Serpent and the initials O A on opposite sides.

"Lord Rufus?" The man spoke again with a deep bellow.

Rufus narrowed his eyes a bit, tilting his head, "No Rashid. Did you know that I named my son after you, friend? Because your ideals and understanding of the spirit was so great. Upon his birth, I knew that his calling would be great...his purpose something much different than mine. Of all my teachings, Spiritmancy and Anskitan belief systems, you still hold true to them. I imagine young Rashid to do the same."

The man stepped forward, pushing his cloak to the side, "Aye friend, you have been quite honest over the years. In your absence much has changed. My studies have not changed, and I still do carry the banner of the Order of the Anskitas because I do believe in the balance you profess. Your ideals are mine."

Rufus stood up slowly, "Have I ever told you of Alarin? When I dream at night, I think of a being who's thirst for knowledge was the driving force in his existence. He did thirst for power as well but, he existed long enough to pass on to me the one gift he had shown none other. I have always connected spiritually with the energies around me. I know this to be true....But he passed on to me a gift, the ability to craft things all within thought and the control of those energies. Spiritmancy he called it." Rufus lowered his head for a moment, muttering a few uninterpretable words. As Rufus looked up, he grinned a bit before speaking, "But with that comes the urge to be closer to those energies. Oh how I long for Umbra. I am attracted to the dark energy there. To live with no bias comes at a heavy price friend."

Rashid lowered his head a bit, "I believe I do understand. Though with your connection to the Burning Empire, I am sure your passage will be unlikely. And with you coming back into your position in Nujel'm, you are far too important to just go wondering about the land of the unsavory."

Rufus gave a dismissive wave with his hand and a smug look, "I do not care about the rules. It has never bothered me before. I've lived just within...or just outside those imaginary lines for so long. My spirit is true to the ideals I believe in. Balance. Finding my place in Nujel'm is a grand feeling all the same. Something I would not give up for any reason. I do think of Sarah oft though." He shakes his head a bit, taking in a deep breath, "And now I shall handle the diplomacy for the Burning Empire, and take my place as Sultan again. There is much to be done. Preparations should be in order."

Rashid gave Rufus a puzzled look, "Preperations, sir?"

"Yes, Rashid. I have found a teacher for my son. A member of the Ebon Skull...If Rashid is ready to continue his lessons, then there will be some sacrifice. I have also arranged a meeting with Cal Hurst of Blackmarsh to begin diplomacy with other nations, and then there is this grand idea I have been thinking of. Let us go into the palace friend, I will tell you all about it."

Rufus turned slowly; his crimson cape trailing behind him. As he approached his friend, he patted him on the back, "Let us make haste friend...A great order that my teacher began shall continue...we should begin quickly."
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"Balance - the harmony between the Principles of Order and Chaos...Harmony, Dedication and Rationality, the three Principles of Balance, are our highest ideals."