The Saint had moved his Cathederal to the Steppe near dragon. He thought the steppe people with their disorganized religion open to the doctrine of Justice only the Saint could bring. They has of yet proved unpredictable. They did not oppose or resist but lacked the ability thus far to commit to the Saints banner. It was not his only goal.
The Empire was his prize. Red Paladin had a claim to the throne and curing the plague would make him a hero among the people. Act justly and the treasure will follow. He had found a way to kill the small golemns but the problem was expanding the area of effect. For that he had another solution. The Red paladin was tasked with finding a Kale Star Gate for that purpose.
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Prince Rajah entered the Cathederal flanked by the leaders of his harem. He had been summonned by the Red Saint. This Saint showed up from nowhere or so they say. Prince Rajah's people had been wandering with out homes for over a year since Gulg fell and the Crusader armies marched through their jungles. He led them to Dragon looking for a home and only found corruption and dishonest cut throats who demanded loyalty tribute and even the selling of his people to slavery for their arena, all whom he did not trust. His people were a proud people, a good people with honor and the rats of Dragon had none.
So his people continued homeless, some would say leaderless. The pride was loyal to him as they were his father King Drugo. He was mighty in battle and the hunt and never gave the pride reason to doubt. He died as the armies of Gulg attacked the jungle. Without the king Rajah could not hold their ancient homeland and they fled.
Now he walked through the great expansive room of the Cathederal admiring the lights as they danced through the colored windows and painted the room with strange hues. Organ music echoed and filled the vast space along the columns and pews. At the far end was an altar of some kind and what seemed like a throne or stage.
"Prince Rajah and chief concubines as summoned by the Voice of Justice. The Red Saint." A herald called out among the organ music which stopped promptly. The man dressed in red and religious robes held a marvelous staff in his hand that must have been made of gold and adorned with jewels. Was this the saint? The man motioned the Kajitt forward.
The young Prince stepped lightly but with grace through the aisle and approached the altar. It was then the old man spoke. He spoke in calm tones with confidence and purpose, "Welcome Prince. The cause of justice requires something you have in your possession." He is direct and wants something of mine, perhaps this was a trap. "I am attempting to remove the golemn plague from the world and save millions of lives that would otherwise unjustly end. To do this I need the Horn of Valere."
The prince's hand went to his side grasping the horn. "This horn is the symbol of nobility to my people. How our roar is heard across the jungle. Our pride and heroes are bound to it. We have so little I can not part with this too."
"With out it millions will continue to die. Millions will die that you could have saved. It is unjust for I to take something that belongs to you, so I will not take it by force. I will offer what I think is fair payment -- to be enfranchised as members of the Red Army and subjects to the Crystal Empire. You will have a home and a purpose, something that you've been lacking. If not I will hold you for trial for preventing the cause of justice and when found guilty strip you of your property for punishment."
The prince did not know what to think. Here was a powerful man who had summoned him with his people on the edge of extinction. His pride nowhere left to go and with no options were offered a ray of hope. This Saint could grant them a home, but he also had the power to kill them all and take what he wanted. Was the fact that he was asking before taking a sigh this man had honor, the stories seemed to say that, or was it simply a sign of arrogance.
"May Drugo forgive me." He said after a long pause and laid the horn upon the Altar of the Saint.
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