"I was one of the lucky ones," Magnus replied. With the bandages tightly back in place, he noticed that Drake was getting increasingly perplexed about what he was telling him. 

"That isn't something I can really answer you," Magnus admitted. "Simply, because I don't know for sure," he said. "I was still in Asyut when the Time Death took place," he told Drake, being completely honest. "But, I know people who CAN tell you, or at least explain it better. Lord Drae and Lady Angela, specifically. The Keeper didn't experience it, but as the God of Knowledge he can explain better. Lady Angela, however, she was like you. Part of her came from another world, possibly even the same world," Magnus said. 

"As far as the angel you seek… Chances are she was from the other world, but there is no saying that she might not be here as well, in the same way you are," he said, trying to give Drake some hope. 

He suddenly felt something come over him and he looked at Drake, an almost stern, fatherly expression coming over his face. 

"Sometimes, Drake, people are sent to you because you need them. Destined, not fated." 

He looked away again, the expression vanishing as he gazed out over the ocean. "Do you have a place to stay while you are here in Abed?"

Drake slowly nodded at Magnus as he explained how Lady Angela and Lord Drae would probably be able to answer his questions.  Still, it's not a guarantee.  I'll keep searching, though… 

As a strange feeling came over Magnus, a similar feeling came over Drake as the Sea Spirit started speaking as if having read the young man's mind.  "You speak as though you know of this…as…"  He looked away.  No.  It must be the same for him as for me.  This is definitely something destined.  

As with Magnus, the strange feeling was fleeting, and as the Sea Spirit gazed back to the ocean and asked of Drake's lodgings, the young man replied with a shake of his head.  

"I don't have anywhere to stay.  I was probably headed for an inn if I could find one.  At worst, I could sleep under the stars again like usual.  And there is still a but of daylight left, so I had planned on doing some basic shopping.  I'm in need of some simple necessities, as a lot of mine are falling apart, or have broken.  Do you know of a good place to stay?"

"There is a difference, there is a choice," Magnus confirmed for Drake. He waited for his questions to be answered before he looked back at Drake. 

"I've been granted a private apartment while I stay here to recover. There's an extra bed if you are in need of a place to stay. It may not look it, but Abed has a dark side, and people have been snatched up off the street, especially outsiders who don't have a place to go," he said. He slowly began getting to his feet again. It was a slow, painful process but he did manage to get up. 

"We can get you outfitted with new gear too. Abed has fine wares as far as fabrics and textiles. Weapons and such, you'd be better off going to Karith or Iria, at least on this side of the Nyella," he said. He motioned for Drake to follow him. 

It seems as though Magnus has a high standing, even with the Gods here.  I wonder if that's because of what happened to him.  Drake stood up alongside Magnus, though with much less effort.  Part of the young man wanted to help, but there was a sense from Magnus that the Sea Spirit had a form of pride in doing it himself, so Drake instead took a few steps towards the ocean to strethc.  As Magnus motioned for him to follow, Drake turned away.

It's strange how things like this can happen.  This…destiny.

"I should be fine on weapons.  My cloak is pretty much in tatters, and I'm fairly certain my coin pouch was stolen a few days ago…unless I just lost it."  He made a quick mental note of everything else he might need.  He was running low on food and water, but those were easily hunted without wasting much coin.  Maybe camping supplies.  Stars are fun and all, but it does get cold at night…

"Are you sure you're up for it though?  I don't mind doing the most of it myself…"

"We should be able to find you something functional enough for your needs then," Magnus said confidently as he began walking again. He reached into his pocket and retrieved what looked like thin wooden rod. However, it rapidly grew in width and length until it was a suitable staff and walking stick that allowed Magnus to move a little easier and quicker. 

"Heh, I'm not about to be condemned to an immobile life because of a curse that was wrongly bestowed. Besides, the more I move about, the more it flushes life to these withered limbs of mine. Try and keep up if you can!" the Sea Spirit chuckled as his hair was caught by the wind and tossed. 

It was slow going back to the city walking with Magnus but it proved to be a pleasant walk. Once in the city they were met with the opulence the holy city was known for. Spice carts and exotic food stalls lined the streets, and streamers of bright colors created a festival of color above their heads. The smells of cooking meats, and breads were divine, and children laughed and ran past the two men as they played their games. 

They located a clothing stall and Magnus helped find Drake a sturdy traveler's cloak that would last him quite a while on the road and keep him warm on the chilliest of nights. He did insist however, that even with rapid advance of Terra, if Drake planned on going to Zets'Ki, he was most definitely going to want cold weather gear in the mountains. That wasn't something he was likely going to find in Abed however, where it was typically warm all year long. 

"Do you have a trade Drake?" Magnus asked as they walked. "You are built like a fighter, but you look a bit underfed," he commented. They passed a vendor selling meat pastries and Magnus paused and bought a couple before offering one to Drake. "But if you've been on the road a lot, you probably have to hunt for your food. That's a tough task during Glaciem…"

The travel to the city was indeed pleasant.  Even at a slow pace, Drake enjoyed the relaxing stroll into Abed.  The city of Abed was indeed as grand as it had been built up to be.  Drake had heard other travelers and their tales of the grandiose street stalls of exotic foods and trades. 

It was lucky for Drake that he managed to keep a hold of a small amount of currency, since indeed his coin pouch had been stolen.  With the aid of Magnus and a silver tongued merchant, Drake came away with a well crafted cloak, though he had an inkling he may have overpaid.  Still, for the quality, Drake was plenty okay with what he spent.  It was, of course, then that Magnus mentioned that he would likely need more cold resistant gear. 

"I…may not have the coin for that, even if they sold the equipment here, to be honest," Drake replied sheepishly.  "I haven't exactly had the opportunity to work around here yet."  It was here, that Magnus asked of Drake's trade.  "Well, I've kept up mostly doing sword for hire, odd jobs.  Mostly monster hunting or deliveries.  Nothing that can be considered a real job.  I can hold my own in a fight, if it comes to that, though…"  His stomach grumbled.  "I might not eat as well as I should…"

"I think I'd like to do something that lets me travel a lot.  Maybe a trader or merchant.  But…I've not had the funds to really start a business.  It's probably nothing more than a fools dream."  He looked down.  "Still, there's always a chance for the future, right?"  He smiled once more.  "I can't let that get me down."

He heard Drake's stomach rumble and pushed one of the meat pastries into his hand. "Eat," he insisted with a bit of a laugh. "Parvpora is a continent of magic. Magic and advancing technology that Canelux doesn't have. The ingenuity of the dwarves and gnomes and the unique magical properties of this land have made it a thriving one if you are talented in magic. If not, well, then a sword for hire or a physical laborer is about all there is to have offered. People tend to let magic do the talking here, and very few actually pay heed to the deities here, even the ones that come from among them," Magnus said. "Though if you have a stomach for it, you could always take to the trader's work here. If it isn't coming from the sea, it's coming from the sky. Most trade routes are taken through the skies because of their speed and efficacy, however periodically they are forced to go by foot if a Void Storm has rolled through the city or area they are trying to deliver goods to," Magnus explained to Drake. 

"There is also the option of skipping over the Nyella to Canelux. You'd find good work there as a sword for hire. A land with rife with Gods is never short on people needing aide from those willing to help. First Darkness and Desire, creating their problems, now Life and Death locked in a wager over the wills of the mortals they oversee," Magnus laughed. "I only can imagine what will befall us when the Keeper and The Mother's newest child comes. Still in the womb and I've seen the things the child can do to affect her parents. Lord Drae's been walking around Tar Eisalae with pink hair of all things," he chuckled. 

As soon as the meat pastry was forced into Drake's hand, it was gone.  He hadn't realized just how hungry he had been.  He barely had the chance to chew before swallowing, and almost choked.  With a spur of coughs, he apologized to Magnus on his unruly behavior, and thanked him for the food.  As he listed off the possible opportunities for work, Drake ticked each one off in his mind.  "It doesn't seem as though I'll be able to find any decent work here…I haven't the slightest inclination to magic, and being human doesn't really sit well with teaching myself even the basics.  I don't have enough coin either to invest in some lessons…"

"My trip North might have to wait awhile…" he mused to himself.  "If I work in Canelux for awhile, I might be able to get back here within the next…"  He sighed.  "Why does living have to be so complicated?" 

"Still, it seems I'm better suited for work there than I am here."  Drake let out another sigh, "Though I'm not sure I'm keen on the Gods and their…'problems' as you put it.  We mortals have a load of our own issues…wouldn't the Gods issues just be like ours but…well, more catastrophic?"  He shivered at the thought.  Though, secretly, he was amused at the thought of a pink haired God, even if it was from some uncontrollable magic. 

"I guess once I'm done here, I'll be heading across the Nyella."

"I said finding a job here would be difficult, not impossible. Iria and Karith have lots of high born families always looking for security details to protect families. Especially people who have wealth in magical items. And even though Parvpora may be a magic driven continent, that drive is what becomes its weakness. The Void Storms makes using magic a dangerous thing when the magic is pushed back into the world. One who doesn't rely on magic would not be as prone to danger as the many mages who make this place their home," Magnus said. 

"And if it is magic you are wanting to learn, you'll want to learn from the best, which would put you closer to your goal than not," Magnus suggested. "Don't feel like you are rushed. You are welcome to stay with me as long as you are here. As a matter of fact, if you think you can handle it, I'll pay you to help me out around Abed. Believe it or not, but this city isn't as safe as it looks, and unfortunately someone like me in my state is going to be a bit of a target," Magnus said. "This way, you don't have to feel like you are taking advantage of any hospitality," Magnus said. "And here you won't have to deal with the sticky mess that comes with the deities," he added with a bit of a laugh. 

Drake's eyes lit up at the prospect of a potential job.  "If I can handle it?  Of course I can handle it!" he replied with a cocky smile.  His sudden change in mood got a few stares from the locals, but Drake didn't mind.  He had found someone not only willing to help him monetarily, but who was a decent individual.  That seemed to be a mass rarity, as many of the previous jobs Drake had completed was done under a contract with, well, not the most savory of sources.

"I accept, if you're sure that I won't be too much of a bother," the young man said.  "As for magic, I…I'm not very, erm…mana inclined.  I've tried some basic spells in the past, with less than acceptable results.  I don't think it's really my forte."  He smiled, "But when it comes to a fight, even if it's against magic, I can promise that I'll protect you, even at the cost of my own life."  

"So, Magnus, what would you like to do next, if I'm to escort you through the city?"