Merlianianious's mood didn't improve as he watched the others entering, the boy who wasn't a boy took to playing with fire and Merlianianious had the sudden desire to thump the child over the head with his staff.<span style="font-style: italic">Yes it's a great idea to play with fire in a wooden building, no chance of anything bad happening not at all!</span>he thought sarcastically his eyes narrowing. And the woman he didn't even know her name. Like him she shied away from people he noticed, yet she seemed interested in other human, or humanoid, or whatever company.<br/><br/>"This?!" he thundered turning to meet the Chieftain's gaze.<br/><br/>"These are not all those who will come with you Merlianianious, but they are the beginning," the Chieftain answered in a grandfatherly kind voice. He pushed himself up and looked over those gathered before him. Ignoring the angry Merlianianious who stood leaning heavily on his staff glaring daggers at the man. The Chieftain addressed the gathering, people crowding the doorways to hear his speech.<span style="font-style: italic">rubish</span>Merlianianious grumbled to himself as the man began to speak.<br/><br/>"I have gathered you all here, those who made it and those who shall be met along the way, have been foretold as our salvation. You are the pride of Esmaria and must now go and represent her, take with you what you need and find us salvation from the Demons who now plague our lands and who seek to destroy our world and way of life. The blessings of life be with you all," With those words spoken the chieftain looked over them and offered a grim smile.<br/><br/>Merlianianious grumbled about old man and nonsense words and stormed out, not even waiting to see if anyone would follow him. He headed down the road, through the gate and started walking down the trail leading away from the village, away from his home, away from everything. For some foolish reason Merlianianious was taking up this quest even though he'd rather be doing anything else.