Vistara

Kyran strode through Vistara with a purpose, drawing murmurs of curiosity regarding his intent as he passed by men and women plying their trade or working in the street between the huts and cabins. The expression on his face was not one that invited questioning, however, and he went unhindered as he made his way right up to the Chief's hut.

"Chief!" he called out from in front of the door, "I need to speak with you! Now."

There was a long pause before the door to the hut swung open and the hulking form of Goliath, the village's chief emerged from within. The giant of a man looked down at Kyran with suspicious, challenging eyes. "What do you want, boy, that you have to shout so brazenly from my door for?"

Around the pair, villager stopped what they were doing to gawp at the confrontation between two of the more influential figures of the clan. Despire Goliath's height advantage Kyran met his gaze uncowed. "I've come to speak with you about Connor and the young girl." he said, "The way in which your men and you yourself treated them is unacceptable."

"Pah!" Goliath spat amusedly, "Is that all? It's no concern of yours, little wolf, how I treat runts. You may believe me to be callously cruel for no reason, but you could not be further from the truth." He folded his arms, shaking his head. "Left to their own devices, boys like the outcast will remain boys for the rest of their lives. I do what I do not to torment them, but to push them into becoming men. When the day comes that he grows a spine and acts as a warrior should, then he may begin to earn my respect. Until then, he will have none of it."

Kyran scowled, "You should not impose your own ideals upon every man, woman and child in the clan. Being chief does not give you that right. Not all men wish to be warriors, and you ought to accept that."

"And of course, you are the one to stand up for him, Kyran." Goliath snorted, "Without your magic you're just like him. Weak. Not worth my time." He shook his head again and turned back towards his hut, "I tire of this nonsense, begone with you and-"

The chief cut off as the door to his hut slammed shut in front of him, propelled by a powerful gust of wind. He turned back to Kyran with a glower. "Don't push your luck, boy, you might be a mystic but do not think you can defy me so brazenly without consequence." he growled.

"Do not think that you can abuse your power so thoroughly without the same, Goliath." Kyran retorted angrily, "This clan is tired of your archaic ways. Not just for the way you have abused Connor, but for when Nuerenna and Aventia took up swords and axes and spent their days training in secret, only to have you label them fools and worthless upon them petitioning to be allowed to join the ranks of your warriors. For every mother who has lost a son in one of your raids upon other clans for the sole purpose of stroking your own ego. For-"

"Silence!"" Goliath yelled, stepping forwards and bringing the back of his hand forcefully across Kyran's face. The smaller Naturan staggered to the side with a hiss of pain. He brought his hand up to his cheek and felt wetness where the chief's clawed hands had slashed across. Anger flaring in his chest, he turned back around to face the chief with a rush of magic gathering in his body. Kyran stopped, staff clutched tightly and magical winds swirling about him in readiness. "Go on then!" the chief bellowed, "What are you waiting for, boy, or with all the power in the world are you still too weak to use it?"

Taking a deep breath, Kyran stepped back and lowered his staff, releasing his magic. "I do not need to strike you, Goliath. Look around. I've already won where it matters."

Goliath looked up, then, casting his eyes around at the crowd that had gathered to watch them. At least half the tribe must have been assembled there watching wide-eyed as their chief struck the young mystic who many of them were personally close to. The chief grimaced as he saw the shock and disapproval in many of those eyes. "You are wrong, boy." he growled, "You challenged my authority but are too much a coward to fight me for it. You are the one who has lost his honour today." Even as he spoke it, Goliath was far from sure the words rang true in the ears of most of the onlookers. "Do not speak to me of this again unless you are willing to put your strength to the test."

With that, the chief turned and stomped back into his hut, slamming the door closed behind him. As Goliath disappeared from view, one of the women of the village ran forwards to where Kyran was still nursing his slashed cheek. "Kyran! Let me take you back to the healer's hut, you should get that wound dressed immediately!"

Kyran shook his head, "Later, Aria. I need to speak to Connor. I'll be fine. It's little more than a scratch." he said, smiling to her.

"Kyran, there's blood running down your face, that's not a scratch."

"I've had worse and walked it off."

"This isn't a discussion. You're coming with me. Spirits know what that oaf has underneath his claws that might infect the wound. I have to at least dress it, I can do more when you get back."

Kyran sighed. "Very well..." he said, allowing the healer to lead him off in the direction of the healing hut as the crowd began to disperse. He might not have been able to deter Goliath, but he at least had the feeling that Connor would now find a lot more support here than he might have been expecting.