Upon the horizon of the desert, one might first think it is a mirage, given the way that the heat in the desert causes the distorted effect over each of its dunes, but even as Erevan got closer, he could see the faint line of a person walking in his direction was not fading, and instead was growing larger as the time passed, what once was a dot, became a speck, and a speck became a humanoid shape, and then that shape became a person. Now only a hundred or so feet out, the person stopped and stared at Erevan from afar, he wore a blue cloak and had white hair on his head, yet seemed young, with tan skin and a stoic look on his face.

Erevan stares at the other figure for a few seconds before looking around. He considers the vastness of the desert and the probability of running into another soul before reaching a major settlement. Erevan wore brown pants and a green cloak underneath a few disjointed pieces of armor. The man sets his ballista down slowly before calling out to the figure.

"I mean you no harm! I'm just traveling by!"

The figure walked up another thirty or so feet and tilted his head as if considering what the person was saying, before stating. "Hello, traveler." The man stated, squinting his eyes and putting a hand over his forehead to block out the sun. "What are you doing out here, all alone with no caravan or otherwise?" The man looked both ways down the desert and then to the large crossbow. "Where are you headed?"

Erevan approaches another thirty feet as well, narrowing the gap between them. He stops and place his hands on his hips. Squinting his eyes in the intense light.

"I'm heading to Kaesero, and I'm traveling. Exploring even. And I don't exactly trust others so easily as to be in constant company. And believe it or not, I'm under the impression no mount would be able to carry me and my weapon of choice."

The man stood still, and his eyes squinted a bit further, his eyes becoming only slits on his face before he continued walking forward, now only fifteen feet away from the man, he spoke. "I was heading to Seong, or the Academy of Legend, whichever you like to call it. My friend is there. Why are you traveling? If you aren't so mobile with your weapons." He points to the ballista.

"This thing? I can carry it with one hand." Erevan smiles smugly, proud of himself and his strength. "I'm traveling because I have no bounds, no shackles, and I intend to keep it that way. With my freedom, I will go where I want and ensure that anyone I meet has the same freedom."

The man looks and finally takes his hand from his head and sighs. "It doesn't look that heavy, but I can appreciate the sentiment of traveling for the sake of traveling, though I prefer to stay in one place. I only visit because the girl that I am visiting is here. Say, do you know a good gift? Are you a womanizer?" He smiles a calm smile and walks forward gently across the sands, not leaving a single footstep behind as he walks, holding his hand out to the man to shake.

Erevan doesn't hide his eyes darting down to the sand and then back up to his hand. His eyes dart to his blue cloak and then to his hand again before he reciprocates the shake. "You some kind of mage? You could get something real special if you were. If not, try something that connects to what she likes."

He rubs his chin for a moment and closes his eyes with a calm and calculated breath. "Perhaps a notebook, and pencil. Perhaps a magical writing implement." He hummed and scratched the underside of his chin. "I'm a mage, of sorts. Though I wouldn't worry too much about it. I'm a cleric." He smiled lightly and looked off into the distance. "Did you want me to carry that for a few miles?" He points to the ballista again. "In exchange for some talk?"

Erevan smiles and steps back. "I'd love a break. And maybe you could get a quill and notebook that write on their own with a simple command or a thought." Ervan's voice staggers as his brain catches up to his mouth. "Wait, you're a cleric? Any chance you can remove curses? I'd even pay on top of having a wonderful conversation with you."

The man thinks for a moment. "I could get you a remove curse, yes! Though, it's a wonder what the efficacy of my removing would be, but I can certainly try. I'd have to pray for an hour first, if you'll allow me?" He also puts his hand out to take the ballista, clearly the man didn't seem to be worried about it's weight at all, and had a completely straight face.

"I was bitten by a werewolf. Nothing big, but if you can remove it then I'm willing to wait. Oh, the name is Erevan Burkwood." Erevan hands the 400 pound Ballista to the man.

The man grabs it and hefts it onto his shoulder before realizing that he would be praying, instead putting it on the ground next to him, and getting down on his knees.

"This will take an hour, so get comfortable... He would do the required ritual.

He chanted some nonsense words that seemed not all clericy, such as "War, wrath, and death". Erevan lies down during the hour. Idly listening to the man chant. When he removes the curse Erevan feels a sigh of relief escape him.

“I suddenly feel like I had a bath. Got rid of that icky feeling.” Erevan stands and stretch. Hearing his bones crack.

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The priest stands, stretch as well, and pick up the ballista. Yawning as he held out the siege weapon with his other hand to Erevan.

"Here you go." The Priest says. “You barely had any of the curse left in you. Seems like it probably wasn’t going to affect you even if I hadn’t done anything.”

“Good to know.” Erevan scratches his chin. “That’s been weighing on me for a bit. So, this girl of yours is an academic then?”

The man gives him a sagely nod, closing his eyes for a long moment before stating.

"Yes, she's a student at the academy, I only had met her recently, but I intend to see the end of it, and I will certainly approach her with your idea in mind. Shall we walk for a bit in your direction?" He tilts his head and gestures forward. "Tell me of yourself as well, Erevan?"

Erevan pats the helmet on his side thinking over the question.

“I’m from the North, between the Shadowed Gate and Yokind-Burg. So by my hair you know I’m a Raven. But by my face you know I have no tattoo marking me as a Raven. That could set us up for a conversation.” Erevan says, obviously feeling uneasy.

The man hums once again, and looks to the north as if in faux wonder, raising his eyebrows somehow unenthusiastically he states.

"The Shadowed Gate? Yokind-Burg? I've been in that area recently, mostly in Provencia below it visiting old friends. Are you some sort of legendary protector or otherwise?" He gives a calm smile. "I am Cedar by the way, Cedar Stallard, it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, and hopefully a continued one."

“Not legendary in the slightest. You could see me as a charming rogue. Not exactly very well received in my homelands. With the whole Raven thing.” Erevan decides to blindly trust Cedar.

"I could definitely see your charm, you should try and see if any ladies around might be interested in you, and maybe you could get the Yokind-Burg ladies to understand too by shooting your ballista. Hell, I could endorse your shenanigans. Not with money, but force if you'd like." The man laughs lightly, but his smile doesn't really change as he speaks, maybe a slight hint of a more jovial nature as he said.

“I would love a wingman, but I don’t know how many other people are into ballistas. Kind of my thing, you know? And whoever ends up fancying me is gonna have their hands full. I can get quite clingy.” Erevan smiles slyly as if enjoying his own joke.

"Hmmm? Well, unfortunately I'm going to be taken pretty soon." He smirks a bit wider, before looking away towards the city that comes into view after they hurdle one of the dunes. "But I'm sure a girl would love a clingy guy, because, well... Girls are needy, guys are needy too but." He tilts his head to the side. "There's a girl and guy for every girl and guy, so just look and you will find. I will just put up a big sign for you." He taps the man on the shoulder with a small laugh before walking a bit faster towards the city. "Where do you stick around so I could find you again, if you want?"

“You can find me in Yokind-Burg selling siege weapons.” Erevan describes a house that the man could always ask for him at. “I still have something akin to family up there still. You’ve got me thinking about partners now. I guess it’s pretty normal to fall in and out of love. I should try it.”

The man nods. "Yes, yes maybe you should, love is one of the greatest things in life aside from hate. I might say they would be equal in strength if I wasn't such a wrathful man." He laughed loudly this time, but stopped and shook his head. "Only joking... But, well. I'm sure you'll find out what it's like, and see if it's your thing or not. I certainly enjoy the thought of it."

“Maybe I’ll have to get a partner so we can go on a double date. That might be enjoyable.” Erevan seems to truly enjoy the company. “I’ve been considering keeping myself open to relationships with other Champions. As they might be the most compatible since we would share a somewhat similar lifestyle.”

"I've taken interest in all kinds of people, but few fail to meet my true expectations, often they end up just being so... Boring? I suppose, this girl truly was special when we met, very fun to be around... If you understand what I mean." He winked at Erevan.

“If she is so special to you. Tell her. Life is short and love is one of two most powerful things, apparently.” Erevan smiles brightly.

"Wellll..." He scratched the back of his head and shook it. "It's not like that yet, but I plan to confess to them sometime soon, I swear." He mumbled deeply underneath his breath. "I only need to meet her first..." Laughing out loud and holding the back of his head, he walked towards the city gates and said to Erevan. "I suppose we're splitting up here, however unfortunate it may be." He holds his hand out to Erevan one more time and seeks to go another way.

“Good luck. I’m hoping the best for you. May she be as special as you are and smart enough to recognize it.” Erevan drops the ballista, take Cedar's hand, and bro-hug him.

The man is cold as ice even in the sweltering desert. He pulls away from Erevan, nod to him, and leaves. The hunter considers the sensation odd, but has something more important to do. He turns and seeks out the nearest tavern to find an adventuring guild contact, The Spice Rack.

A tiefling man inside lets Erevan know where the man is. The hunter informs him that the man who contracted them is a slaver. The contact pays Erevan and then sends for guards as Erevan goes to the man’s home and sets his ballista up outside of it. The man walks out and glares at Erevan.

“Who the fuck are you?” The slaver calls out.

“The man you just paid to set your slaves free.” Erevan yells across the street.

“You what!” The man storms across the street. “I paid good money for them!”

Guards swarm from around his house and grab him from behind. One slams manacles around his hands. And they begin to drag him off.

“I’ll have you killed for this!” The man screams as Erevan smiles.

The hunter returns to the waystone. He must have reached Kaesero much quicker than his co-workers would have reached Seong. He decides to teleport that way and wait for them. Stepping through the portal that envelops him he steps out into a bazaar. The smell of the ocean and cool winds hit him even as the hot sun continues to beat down.