Jason and his companions left the Temple of Tula'tag without Alexei. True to Charaustra's prediction, the M'l'kai opted to stay with her Azru and rebuild the temple. After a brief goodbye, Jason took one last look at her before moving through the Azalai portal to the next temple. A bright room materialized around him, and he blinked as Char and Genhyl exited the portal after him. The room of black stone was lit by many torches, and a brightly glowing orb of crystal sat on a pillar in the center.
"Welcome to the Temple of K'dan," a soft voice said. Jason turned and examined the petite, green-skinned Azru. She was wearing robes of brilliant red that matched the L'mdanan sun. Jason made a short bow to her, which she returned. "The Children of the Sun will join us momentarily," she informed him. He nodded to her and took a look around the central chamber. The room was very clean, and the floor was intricately patterned in black stone and colored crystals.
*At least it's quiet,* Char observed. Jason nodded, but he still felt edgy... off, somehow. He just wanted for all this to be done with.
Finally, the two M'l'kai entered the chamber, flanked by four Azru and three Azalai. They were not carrying the Amulet. Jason was immediately suspicious, and Char did not look happy either as electricity crackled softly down her spine.
"Greetings," the Son of the Sun stated. "Although we appreciate your visit and the work that you have done to protect our temples, we cannot surrender our Amulet to you."
Jason stared at him blankly for a moment, not even sure how to react to that statement. Nothing better sprung to mind, so he asked, "What?"
"We do not believe that any one person should possess all of the Sacred Amulets. That would bring much danger to our world," the Daughter of the Sun explained. "We will keep the Amulet here. It is safe. None of the offworlders have discovered it, and none will."
"You can't be serious," Jason said, still not believing what he was hearing. "We were asked to collect the Amulets by your people, by the Azalai of Dalan. We have risked our lives to carry the Amulets to safety and protect your people from slaughter. Now, you are refusing to allow us to complete our mission?"
"I am sorry, but yes," the Son of the Sun said with finality.
Jason felt anger well up in him. "You cannot do this. The Amulets will be returned to the gods. It has been foreseen. If they are not, you could be dooming your Temple, or even your world!"
"Regardless, we will not give you the Amulet of K'dan," the Son insisted.
Charaustra growled, her electricity flashing along her back in miniature bolts of blue light. The Vis Astrum went cold inside Jason's pocket.
*You dare to defy the will of Dalan and the other gods?* she demanded, lowering her head into an aggressive position. The Azru at the sides of the M'l'kai immediately moved in front of them, as though to protect their leaders from harm. Charaustra snarled.
"The will of the gods is known to no one," the Son of the Sun remarked coldly, "including the Children of Life. We will not surrender the Amulet to you. The Azalai will provide you transportation to the next temple. You must leave."
With that, the M'l'kai turned away and exited. Their entourage watched Char and Jason warily as they went. Two of the Azalai remained at the door, awaiting the departure of Jason and his friends.
Charaustra growled again, her eyes flashing dangerously. *We must take it from them,* she hissed angrily. Jason had to admit he felt the same way. To travel through all they had been through and then be refused by two L'mdanans who thought they knew better than the rest of the temples was madness.
"No, Char," Genhyl said, playing the voice of reason. "We will go to the next temple and report their refusal. There, we can gain council on our next course of action.
Char still snarled angrily and turned away from the door in disgust. *To think that they didn't trust us,* she projected angrily to Jason alone. *To think that they thought they had an option. What do they mean by interfering like this? They are damning their own people.*
I don't know, Jason admitted bitterly. This is madness.
*We could have taken it from them, Azru or not,* she added darkly.
We could have, yes. But should we have? I don't think so. They offended us, yes. I am angry, yes. But it is not our decision to make. We will have to consult the other temples.
*They are lucky...* Char sneered, obviously not willing to let this insult go. Jason simply nodded absentmindedly and turned to the Azalai.
"I believe we are ready to depart," he told them. They slithered forward to perform the correct spell. As they began their chanting, Jason stood, stoic and emotionless. Genhyl glanced at him in concern, not liking what he saw in Jason's eyes. It was anger, as well as a cold denial of that anger. Genhyl certainly did not like what he saw in Charaustra in those moments after the M'l'kai denied them. It was rage, pure and simple, and rage in a Glass dragon was not something he wished to witness. He stuck close to Jason as they entered the swirling portal. Char trailed behind, baring her fangs at the Azalai before stepping through.
Background from Absolute Background Textures Archive. Storyline and characters created by and copyright © Rachel "Indyana" Gratis, 2001-2004. Dragon from Veniam Mactare.