AN: So bloody hot outside recently; just make sure everyone drinks a whole lot of water if you're walking around under the sun, and stay away from sparkling beverages 'cause they'll dry you out faster.

As always, thank you all for reading thus far. If you've any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to voice them.

____________________________________

"What the hell is going on?" cursed a Human with strips of tanned cloth wrapped around its face and head. Only the eyes, which were a dull green, were visible as the rest of its body was covered in a mixture of loose linens and strips of cloth. This was so, as the world was a desert paradise of nothing, but sand, rock, and its ever burning day-star.

This Human, by the by, was standing atop a wind worn wall of the common stone situated about the world, and was looking out towards a large expanse of sand dunes where a convoy was supposed to appear. However, it was three turns late, and anyone it had sent out to locate the convoy had vanished without a trace. Thus, the frustration and cursing being ensued from this one.

"Sergeant," called out another Human, but was upon the sanded ground which was blocked from much of the wind by the wall. This one, however, was a portly male with bright coloured silks laid about his flesh. Rings adorned each of his fat fingers, with a different coloured bauble attached to them. Around the neck of this one was a heavy chain of gold with odd markings engraved into its surface, of which meant it held a high office, and was considered a minour Nobleman.

Now, the facial features of this one was covered, as much as the one atop the wall was, but it failed to hide the fact that this Human had enough flesh about his neck to give off the illusion of have three or four chins. Whilst within his right hand were three, fine gold chains. Each led to one of three females wearing only enough to cover their nipples and that which was between their legs. No. They were not children, nor were they of a different race. For this world only had Humans upon its surface at this time.

Of which meant that these females were also Humans, and appeared to be very dehydrated in the eyes of the one the one called Sergeant. Who desired to give them a mouthful of water from his own canteen, but stopped as soon as his eyes fell upon the one leading them around.

"Magister," he growled with a low and dangerous breath, "to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"Now, now Sergeant," waved the portly male, who watched as the other slowly made their way down the worn steps, "We know who has your leash, so simmer down." The other grimaced whilst this one grinned greatly under the strips of cloth. "Good man. Now, where is the convoy?"

"I. Don't. Know," he spoke slowly, not at all enjoying the fact that he had to stand in the presence of one such as he, "We've sent scouts out, and they've yet to-"

"I don't want to hear your excuses, Sergeant. Just find the convoy swiftly. I'm expecting a very importan-"

The other's eyes widened greatly, as a pool of blood slowly soaked through the portly Human's silks. This was so, as one of the females had found herself with a knife, and was repeatedly stabbing his shoulder and chest with a look of desperation in her eyes. Of which caused the victim to gurgle something as his eyes rolled back into his head, before falling backwards and atop the woman who was killing him.

"What the-?" began the Sergeant, who slowly made his way forward towards the fallen Magister. However, the moment he leaned over the body, he noted a large shadow above his own was growing larger. Of which was the last thing he saw, as a being in endarkened silks fell upon his body with a wickedly curved spear pushing into his chest.

This was only the beginning. For as the Sergeant fell from the weapon, others in dark silks leapt over the walls, silently screeching as emerald flames scorched the city hidden behind the walls the Sergeant was meant to protect.

*****

At this point in time, Sarah was aghast at the scenes playing out before our eyes. Whereas Brutus and I were simply taking notes to implement at a later date. For we had grown curious about the desert world, as we had not visited one. No. The Plains of Desolation do not count, as they are magickally created, not naturally formed.

"How could you let something like this happen?" she demanded, turning towards our persons with an accusation in her eyes, "They're taking innocent lives, Karastak."

"Yes, I know," was my own reply, as I briefly glanced at the scene before turning back to my notes.

"Why aren't you doing something about it?" Her own clawed hands were upon min, as she stared into the constellations that were my eyes with a plea that would have been ignored if it were someone else.

To which I sighed and pulled her form upon the sofa, hugging her close to my body. "Sarah, this world that you see is the canvas in which my and mine have prepared. Those that were sent to the desert world, with their tools of war, hold the paintbrushes with which they will use to create a masterpiece. Now," slowly, I pushed her at arm's length in order to stare into her eyes, of which seemed to be on the verge of tears, "this is what it means to paint with the colours of war, my dear. Unfortunately, others will call it an ugly venture, for it only destroys life.

"However," a single digit was held up in front of her muzzle, which was parting so that she may speak, but snapped shut almost immediately, "wars such as these always gives way to life in the end."

"What do you mean?" Sarah's eyes widened at my statement, not at all sure what I meant.

"Do you know why people go to war?" At the shake of her head, I continued with, "There are many reasons for war. Such as greed, the want of your neighbor's more fertile lands, a damaged pride, the lust for another that they cannot have. Or even desiring more and more even though you have enough, the wrath of a nation scorned, perhaps simply just being lazy, as diplomacy takes too long and war is quicker. All of these things, and more, are why people go to war.

"On the other hand, if one nation wars with another, there are always casualties on either side. Which means there are fewer mouths to feed when it is done and over with, as well as the hope to bring in more life after much of the Elders have passed on."

Upon these words, however, she became confused even though I had explained my thoughts. To which Brutus spoke up after pausing with his own note taking, "What My Lord God is speaking of, is the fact that there is more room to grow after the wars are over and done with. Whereas without such a thing, the nations and worlds will grow stagnate with overpopulations. Hence the need to cull the many beasts and monsters out in the various worlds.

"For if you allow one type of beast, or group of monsters, to grow, then they can be quite the problem later on. It's the same with these wars."

"Oh," she mumbled slowly, still not at all sure what she had heard.

"Enough of this," my voice boomed throughout the room, which called the pair to stare in my direction with confusion mixed with curiosity, "Come, my Lady Sarah. Let us leave the room and take a walk through the garden. I am sure the Gnomes have planted much of what I desired, and wish to show it off to you." To which I held out my right, clawed hand in an offering towards one such as her.

Of course, she took it with a smile upon her features, as I slowly pulled her close to my person. Whereupon she did grip my right arm whilst leaning her head upon my shoulder, as we made our way to the door. Thus leaving Brutus in charge of the observations of the score of worlds my Guild had been tasked with occupying.

The walk to the garden was a slow one, as she had preferred to continue clinging to my arm as we stalked down the muffled hallway leading to the area. No. It was no long as silent as it was in the beginning, as the sounds of children being children wafted through the air around our persons. Of which came from the entryway in which we were heading.

"Hmm?" Sarah hummed softly, her ears twitching towards the sounds as we rounded a corner. To which we came upon a sight of three Kobold pups yipping and yapping at Robby who was in the process of passing out flavoured cream to the rest of the children. Of whom were of a variety of fluffy Beastfolk as their chosen race. Whereas the Elder who had become a Vampire, and his servant named Shiro, were nowhere to be seen at present.

"Boss," called out the Wolfman, whose facial features brightened considerably as he noted my Kobold self striding towards his position. Which then grew curious as his eyes drifted over towards Sarah's form, before snapping back towards my own. This, of course, caused the trio of pups to turn and yip excitedly as they each spied my person. Though, they did not move from their spot, as they had been promised a sweet treat.

Instead, the left corner of my lips twitched in a smirk at the scene before us, whilst Sarah simply stared with curiosity. "This is Robby," I held out my left, clawed hand towards the Wolfman, whose fur had become a bright orange in colour as his transformation settled in completely, "He is one of my newest servants, and has yet to be fully integrated with the rest. Robby," my attention turned towards the other, of whom had caused the whole of the children to stare at our persons, "this is the Lady Sarah. My betrothed."

This announcement caused his eyes to blink with surprise. To which he leaned in closer to ask in a hoarse whisper, "But Boss, how do you get 'it' up if you're... You know?" Of course, Sarah heard such a question, and giggled quite audibly as she knelt to one of the girl-children who had tugged on her dress. Who then desired to be lifted into the air, which was then given whilst they giggled together.

"I know what I am, Robby, and so does she," I deadpanned, "This conversation will not go anywhere, so I suggest you drop it." Of which he did so, as I moved on to taking Sarah's hand and gently pulling her towards the garden. Yes. We took the child with us, but the garden was not completed. For much of the area was still in the process of being developed so that the Gnomes would be able to use their magicks to cause the plants to grow faster.

However, as they are small and could only perform such deeds slowly, I was called to mitigate such a thing. To which I called out to Command once more, and summoned in more help. This time in the form of a large, white tree with golden leaves.

To those of whom do not know what this tree is, it is a White Oak which takes in the light given off from the moon to continue its life cycle. As opposed to its daylight cousins who desire the day-star's rays in order to continue with their own cycles. The only significance this one held, was the fact that it had a Dryad Matriarch, and was able to help in the process of growing the garden before our persons.