Three horses were freshly killed outside the stable, which Laurna sensed rather than saw. When life was taken she knew it. It did not matter who was planning the siege, all she had to know that it was coming soon. She went back upstairs to prepare. She assumed it was the Charr, but also had a lingering thought that it could be the cabalists. Either way, she could not do protect everyone single-handedly. She sent a mental thought to Leolen, and did not need to make it complex.

Invaders. Danger. Charr or Insurgents. Main Hall, she sent to him with as much empathic force she could muster. He sent his own weak, but still receivable reply.

I’m coming, and with that she ran back upstairs to get her weaponry. The last hunt she had been was one month ago, and now she was aching for action worse than ever. Laurna was more excited than fearful, and since her husband would be at the designated place and time, things would be most entertaining.

“Maybe this won’t be a boring night after all,” she whispered to herself as her formal gown hit the floor.

Jesar and Kelma hastily downed their potions at the first sign of dusk, and made their way through the burgeoning nighttime crowd. The exit was clear, and only a few guards were on duty. The glamours had worked particularly well. The two adventurers looked sixty years older than they did, and their clothing was that of peasantry. Kelma took the rear guard, and Jesar had point.

“Going back to your farmland eh?” a soldier asked as they neared the exit, looking them up and down.

“Yes, we must get up early, there are many chores that need to be done!” said Kelma with a falsely aged voice.

“Well, go on through. The sun has set, and anything that happens outside these gates is not our responsibility. Try and leave a bit earlier during the day hours, there are fewer dangers then,” said the guard didactically.

“We’ll be careful to do that next time sire, and we apologize,” Jesar stated as he moved through the gates. Their horses were stabled just outside the portcullis, and were easily obtained. As they rode out of the city into the darkness of night at full gallop they dismissed the glamours once they were out of sight of the city.

“I thought it would have been more difficult than that,” Kelma sighed. She was still tense, and did not feel as if their journey of a few hours would be good a good one.

“We are not near the town yet, and do not forget there are Charr trade envoys moving towards Khylo. My mother would rather eat a bowl full of maggots sooner than let them in willingly, but politically she has no choice,” Jesar said bitterly.

“If we run into them what’s the plan?” Kelma wondered.

“Stay as low profile as possible. They’ll probably outnumber us twenty to one. Their excuses of big business does not aptly explain their numbers,” he grumbled.

After a fifty clastrons they neared the city, and finally had caught up with an encampment of Charr who did not look as if they were dealing in trade. Jesar headed toward a rock outcropping for cover, and Kelma followed. They had weaponry, but it was being prepared for use, not for sale. A few Charr Elder Shamans were actively invoking war spirits, and blessings upon their allies. It surprised him that none of the night watch patrols had stumbled upon the band. What was worse is that the estimates that Jesar had figured were completely wrong. The group outnumbered them at least forty to one, and did not look inattentive. Getting around them would mean sacrificing time. That was a luxury that came in short supply currently.

“Well, what now. This is a lot worse than we expected. Should we split up?” Kelma suggested. “We’d have more of a chance that way if..” she broke off when she saw Jesar’s face.

“No, we stick together. Splitting up would be too risky, and there is no guarantee that they will take any prisoners if one of us gets caught,” He added angrily.

“Jesar, we’ve been partners for three years now, and friends too…but, if we don’t set that aside for –“ she began, but was again interrupted.

“Hush. I’ll have none of it. I have an idea to get us around them anyway. We’ll just pass through the camp on foot and run the last five clastrons in,” he said matter-of-factly.

“What? Are you insane? We’ll be Human Pot-pies by the time we’re through!” she said astonished.

“Well, the whole encampment is not covered in light. I can make us invisible if we stick to the shadows. I can easily see a pathway that would lead us strait through the whole mob easily. The enchantment lasts as long as night lasts, and after we get through them we can keep it up until we hit the gates. Understand?” he countered.

“Your absolutely crazy Jesar, but that’s why I...” she sighed, looked away in mid-sentence, and jumped off her horse.

“Are you alright Kelma? I can’t do this if you’re not all here. I need you to be strong just until we get through. We can do this together easily. We’re still alive so I haven’t been wrong thus far, right?” he added.

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m just being foolish…I just don’t want anything to happen to you,” she said suddenly.

“That’s ok, because nothing will. We’ll talk more when we get to Khylo, and after we prepare the militia. I promise,” He stared at her intently, and surprisingly kissed her on the cheek. She blushed and looked at him in a different way now. She wanted to cry. All of the things she felt were confirmed, and now she was more afraid than anything else.

“Ok, but lets just be careful,” and with that she pulled away from him and waited for him to prepare the spell he needed to cast.

Laurna was furious. Three groups of cabalists had snuck into her castle, and were using Charr weapons and ancient magic to start their own party of sorts. The courtly magistrates were the first to be picked off, and from there the brawl for survival began. A few had escaped to alert the city militia but it did not seem to help. She hoped that their guild allegiances were in order, and that the ruling guild, her own, was the most important.

“Where the hell is our support!” Leolen stated as he started casting a Siphon Soul spell on a cabalist wizard. He weakened visibly and started to convulse. Shortly after that Leolen felt uncharacteristically good.

Laurna shifted in next to him. “Perhaps they are dawdling with other insurgents. To think that this is a localized event is absurdity. The Charr have had only twenty-four hours to be in our city, and already their stink is causing chaos!”

“We have no evidence that the Cha-“ he stammered as he barely dodged a blow from a Charr Axe Warrior glamoured as Charr Noble. Laurna tucked and rolled to the side of the new enemy.

“Right. Well, I guess that’s just a friendly hello then?” She responded as she plugged three flaming arrows into her husband’s assailant. From behind her crept a war sword wielding cabalist with glowing black tattoos all over his body, including his face. He roared a primal scream and came down with the blade atop Laurna, which only bit into a five inch thick Ironwood gauntlet instantly formed on her right arm. Leolen didn’t wait for him to try and pull the sword from her arm, he ran towards the fiend and extended his left hand, which had taken a skeletal look to it. Once touched, the man instantly crumpled to the ground wilting into ash as he fall.

“This is getting tiresome, lets get to the exit and see what our city is looking like,” he stated as an explosion ripped through the side of the whole building, which was five stories high. Perched on the third, their sight was not a good one.

“No need for that now…” Laurna replied as they looked at the horrific vista. The city was divided into two sections. The closest to them was the city militia who was defending the central keep valiantly, and the other was a group of cabalists who were casting random, but very explosive, evocations upon the whole place. Laurna and Leolen turned around and noticed the royal guard had finally come, and made quick work of the remaining assailants. Pansama stood at the forefront, and spoke first.

“Lady, reports are coming in that a siege on all of Tarna is taking place. Our scryers are receiving requests from help from many cities. The Empire may fall if caught this badly off guard. Already telepathic transmissions from Mesmers in three out of five of our largest cities have stopped. I would not assume the best,” she said with a low heart.

“Thank you Pansama. I knew you’d be the one I could rely on for information,” Laurna paused briefly. “Tell me, how did the enemy get past our great wall? I had personally had not expected it myself, only a fool would miss three large groups entering the city with such murderous intent,” she inquired.

“They must have snuck in during the commotion my Lady, the events inside the castle were taking place before the battle on the outside. A few nobles called our guard about the dead horses in the main keep’s stable, and we withdrew from the Northern Wall to investigate the situation,” she stated half-heartedly.

Laurna saw a her look away while that statement come out of her mouth.

“I did not tell anyone about any dead horses, and I certainly did not let any noble dwell so deeply into our keep wench!” she screamed as she quickly unsheathed her sword from her back and decapitated the Chief Guard in the blink of an eye. A blue and purple smoke arose from the corpse, and started filling the room. An image appeared in the smoke, and spoke.

“So, you found my little pet’s secret out so quickly! Alas, she was truly a lecherous one! So sad! Well, either way, you have two hours to surrender or I’ll have my forces flatten this metropolis, and the people within it. Understand?” stated Skrane’s image.

“Ah, I figured it was you. I was right to not trust you from the start you bastard. For your information, we won’t surrender. Orrians are not ones to run from a battle, even if we have no chance of winning!” Laurna roared at the cloud.

“Oh, I see, then perhaps you’ll do so for your child eh? He’s coming for you now, but I think that he’ll have a tough time getting through the gates.” Skrane then showed them a picture of the Northern Wall held by a group of power mad cabalists summoning storms, and throwing lighting at random targets.

“You son of a…” screamed Leolen. Skrane interrupted him though.

“Uh-uh-uh. Temper, temper Leolen. You were such a pivotal role in all of this you know. You’re the best negotiator here and I would anticipate you to make an offer that both of us could proffer from. What do you say?” Skrane said plainly.

“Before I make an offer on anything…who are you? Seriously, what do you have to gain from the destruction of so much beauty?” Leolen inquired.

“I’ll put it simply. I’m a demon Leolen. My purpose and cause is destruction in and of itself. I am a sadist, and have been one since my wretched birthing. Now, any other questions?” Skrane answered.

“Yes. What is it you want that badly, besides destruction, that makes you so delicate in handling this situation? You could have just mustered an army and laid waste to all of it easily right?” Leolen added playing on the demon’s arrogance.

“Well, I can reveal that I do have a great interest in Laurna’s son, Jesar. He seems to have a certain power I would love cultivated into something more than humanity can give him. You could say that’s the whole reason for all of this, but I think of it more as an added bonus,” Skrane replied coldly. Leolen did not need to know anything further. Jesar had shown great skill in the dark arts, and given time would easily surpass Leolen in skill, and in battle. How to make this demon falter because of that fact was his next move.

“So, if you get Jesar, you’ll leave this place and stop waging a war?” Leolen offered.

“NO! I will not have my son…” Laurna was cut short by Leolen’s hand, and eye. He had a plan, and she was forced to trust him on it. Grudgingly she silenced herself.

“Jesar as my pupil would indeed grant you a reprieve from my current…affairs. Ultimately it would be up to him if he decided that he wanted to level this city.” Skrane suggested. “How about we let him decide who he wishes to run with? With an infinitely powerful demon, or his family, either way he’ll have some great future, right?”

“Jesar will decide for himself whether or not he chooses to be your student. I believe I have taught him everything a human being should know about the dark arts, and given that I know he’ll make the best choice.” Leolen countered. “We’re through talking. We’ll meet outside the city, and let him choose his place then. If he goes with you, then it shall be so, and you can do what you wish. If he chooses to stay, you leave this realm and go back to your home plane, deal?”

“Very well then. I do feel that he will choose me, and I believe we have come to an agreement. I’ll forestall my minions just outside the city, and I’ll be waiting,” and instantaneously the smoke vanished, and Skrane’s likeness disappeared.

Kelma had enough of running from the horde that was chasing them. Jesar did not anticipate runic alarms to be setup near the center of the camp, and it had totally foiled their plans of sneaking through undiscovered. After the alarm sounded, he and Kelma began to sprint as fast as they could, which was not fast enough for the long winded Charr. Kelma had given Jesar one sprint potion to gulp down before they entered the encampment and justly so. They could run as fast as horses, and still they had to deal with being overrun.

Kelma turned and began casting the little magic she did know. The spells were elemental based, and to be used in ultimately dire emergencies. If now was not the time, then there were never would one. The spells handed down to her from her father, Klas, were incredibly powerful. Klas had lived his whole life not needing to cast the spell she was about to, and yet she felt justified in doing it. She stopped and turned, and shouted to Jesar one last command.

“RUN, get away from me as fast as possible!” she stated.

“What? I’m not leaving you here to face them alone, its foolish!” he growled back. The horde was advancing incredibly fast, and he started to pull on her shoulder. That little action caused him to be thrown twenty feet.

“This is not minor magic Jesar, go now, or die with them! I’ll be lucky if I survive the casting. Its already been started. We’ll both never reach the city so go now! Its already in flames! HURRY!” she screamed as lightning began to stream out of her hair and eyes. White flames began erupting from her fingertips, and the sky itself started churning in circles at a horrendous rate.

“I LOVE YOU!” Jesar screamed at her, but did not need an acknowledgement to know that love was returned ten fold.

She looked at him once more, and levitated thirty feet into the air. Twin twisters sprouted from the now roaring sky, and tore a vicious line behind the Charr. The two columns of chaos were traveling at a speed which no man or beast could outrun. Jesar had taken off at full sprint, and nearing the wall of Khylo. By the time he looked back at the scene he was four clastrons away. It sounded like he was right next to the cursed vaccums though. He ignored the urge to run farther and stared. The twisters had almost swallowed the whole horde of Charr, and her right along with it. If she was alive there was no way he could confirm it for quite a while. With the aid of his night vision he could easily make out the forms of Charr flying in every direction being impaled on storm driven shrapnel, which mostly consisted of their own weapons and armor.

Jesar turned and kept running. His time was up, and when he got to his mother, the beast behind all of this would pay greatly.

Laurna waited outside the city wall in her best Imperial Tarnian War Armor. It looked exquisite, and was light as feather. Red and Green flavored with leaf designs and glossed with hints of chrome all over, she outshone her other soldiers easily. She engineered it herself, and had Leolen make it to her specifications. Her thoroughbred war horse had some slightly modified armor on itself as well, and a knack for kicking anything that got too close to it. Laurna had insisted that the horse not be broken fully when it was born, and that it should be let to roam the wild. The breeders were against it, but did as they were told. When the horse returned nine years later, it was calm as a dog under her touch. Laurna motioned for her troops to move forward in one solid line, and looked at Leolen trotting on his own black horse next to her. She had noticed the twin twisters from across the lightning streaked sky, and wondered what in the gods name would cause such a storm to arise from nowhere in the middle of night.

“Leolen..” she said with a cracked voice.

“I know, that spell is not used unless things are bad. That’s a desperation spell used by Klas’s Guild. It hasn’t been cast in decades, but from the look of it, it could be no other.” He responded to her.

“That’s not making me feel any better. My son is with that girl, and if she cast that power upon whatever was against them, I do not like the odds of Jesar’s survival!” she stormed.

“Do not worry. I know he is alive still. If he were not Skrane would have advanced his troops on us again. He will not budge if he has a chance to sway Jesar to his cause.” he consoled.

“Why didn’t you tell me Leolen? Why didn’t you tell me he had so much power in him? I would have been more protective if I had known.” she uttered with contempt.

“If I had told you, then you would have treated him differently. Treating a person differently because of what they are capable of is never the right course of action. He would find out himself in time. You should be more concerned with yourself though.” Leolen countered.

“What? Why? I never had any..” and then she thought about what she was about to say. The premonitions, the random spells she cast without thinking, the fact that all of her druidic power came to her suddenly, almost without effort hit her.

“And now you know why Skrane is doing this while you two are apart. I have told you repeatedly to practice your art, and you did not. The fellow druids in your Guild yield to you because they can sense your power. Your leadership skills are in addition to that fact, and it took me years myself to realize you were the only one that did not know what you were capable of Laurna.” he replied.

“I see, now. People have to make their own choices no matter what happens. If I had known, I would still have wanted to be a ranger.” She realized.

“And he still would have wanted to be a Dark Master. He did not become a Necromancer, or any other profession that did not feel right to him. The option of choice is the greatest thing humanity has. To infringe upon his choice at an early age, surely would have driven him into insanity.” Leolen calculated.

Laurna nodded back, and felt reassured, “Him being unstable at any point could be frightening. I venture we did our best then, and no other route could have been taken.”

“And so the stubborn Lady gets it finally…”

Jesar had finally arrived at his fateful location. Skrane appeared before him while he was in mid-stride, and he stopped before the demon to size him up. No one else was around, and he had never met the being before him. Skrane did not bother with glamours any longer, and let his wings fan out before Jesar, and his horns show on his semi-human face.

“So, you’re the little boy I’ve been sensing for the last fifteen years from miles off. Do you know what you can do Jesar? Do you know what lies within you?” he asked enticingly.

“I don’t know who you are, but I’ll cut you down where you stand if you choose to get in my path!” Jesar drew his black long sword from his back and pointed it at the demon with a murderous look in his eyes.

“My name is Skrane,” he looked at the black sword “Ah, that thing, yes. I remember the day I had it delivered to your doorstep. I think its time to be rid of it. I’ll replace it with a better weapon.” Skrane said as he twitched two fingers, making purple fire envelope the length of the blade. Jesar dropped it immediately, and gazed at it in dread. He had trusted that sword with his life many times, and many times it had come through for him. As it seemed to crack, black fire erupted from it, and smoke along with it. Forming before his eyes was a sixteen foot tall demon that looked very weak, and tired.

“Kanz, its been such a long time. I hope you found the wielder of the weapon appealing, yes?” Skrane stated.

“Yes, master. He has so much power inside of him, and I could not have asked for a better fate.” Kanz uttered, still weak from his release.

“You bound that thing in my sword? All this time I’ve been using a demon as a weapon?!” Jesar fumed.

“Jesar, Jesar, Jesar. Calm down and realize that this was always the path you were meant to walk. Kanz just guided you down it,” Skrane suggested.

“I don’t serve anyone but my city you foul bastard,” Jesar sharply retorted.

“Such big words coming from such a puny, immature child as yourself. Very well then, so be it. You want to fight me, then let us fight,” Skrane offered as he conjured another sword of equal likeness to his old one. “You’ll find it’s almost the same as your old one, and weighs a bit less. It also can throw bolts of black flame if you will it so. Give it a try!” Three minor, but foul imps appeared from nowhere and started toward Jesar. He commanded his sword to kill them and it did. Three black fireballs erupted from the sword in different directions turning each imp into a pile of burnt flesh.

“Master, they are almost here now,” Kanz said calmly, regaining his power with every second he was out of the prison.

“Good, I’ll be sure to let them see for themselves that dear Jesar will be coming home with us,” Skrane said cockily.

“I’ll never side with a damned demon!” he shouted.

“I think you’ll feel differently when I show you this,” Skrane lifted a hand mirror to Jesar’s face and what he saw disturbed him terribly. Kelma was nude, and drawn on a stone slab. “If you look just about a half-clastron away,” Skrane gestured to the East “you can see where she is. Why don’t you wave at her, eh? I bet she is getting lonely out there!” he laughed maniacally and looked back to see an approaching Laurna with her entourage. Jesar struggled with himself. He loved Kelma. She had been his friend, battle companion, and now he wanted so much more for her than death on a cold rock.

“Let her go, she has nothing to do with me. I’ll come with you just let her leave. You have my word,” Jesar said.

“Ah, I see, now we are willing to bargain once what you desire most hangs in the scales, eh?” Skrane said three more words, and motioned widely with his left hand. “There, she’s free now. Ah, so quick she is, look at her run to us. She’s so lively, and well endowed. I can see why you have such a taste in her. Lets just bring her here now.” Skrane motioned again, and Kelma was in his arms like a dear lover.

“KELMA! NO!” screamed Jesar.

“Don’t worry about me Jesar. I’ve handled bigger scum,” she said shivering, and grinding her teeth.

“A bit cold are we dear? Here’s a bit of cover for your delicate self,” he taunted as he covered her in a summoned holocaust cloak. “Now go join Laurna’s force over there. I have what I came for, and you should be a good little girl, and run along now.” Without weapons Kelma was not much of a fighter. She had exhausted her casting capacities for the next two days, but could not stomach the thought of walking away from Jesar.

“I’ll stay here, until they arrive. I want to hear what you have to say to him. After all, I love him too,” she said while smiling at him, and then turned to face Laurna’s oncoming war party.

“Well if that’s the case, then I guess we’ll just have to have a heart to heart group communication, right?” Skrane looked at Jesar with hateful eyes. His fingertips came together, and he pointed at Kelma. The cloak was no cloak, but a vile monster of sorts that opened its eyes for a brief moment when he and Skrane looked at it. Skrane mentally sent out to Jesar.

One word and she dies. Come with me, and she lives. It’s that simple.

Jesar ground his teeth, and looked down at his sword. He hated what he was about to do, but figured it was not something he had a choice in. He sent a reply to Skrane mentally.

When I come with you, dismiss that beast.

Oh, I will, don’t you mind that.

“JESAR!” Laurna shouted with the zeal of a delusional monk. “Are you ok? Tell this vile being that you are coming with us now!” she demanded.

“I’m not. I’m going with him. Now, take Kelma, and find her some better cover. Make sure she gets into a good job inside Khylo. She hates traveling.” Jesar said without flinching, and without emotion.

“What? Why Jesar? Have we not been good parents to you?” Leolen asked not knowing why. Leolen dismounted, and held a crying Kelma. Then Leolen knew why, and he most certainly knew the cloak she was wearing was not a cloak at all. He played along still, and didn’t disturb the foul shade.

“You have heard the boy’s answer all, he is coming with us for his higher education. Isn’t that right Jesar?” Skrane shifted from his left foot to right, and prepared to dismiss the cloak by positioning his fingers.

“You are correct Skrane. I am your new pupil,” Jesar stammered.

“Good then.” Skrane twitched his fingers and the shade around Kelma growled and started to shift, but began to burn instead of maul the girl. Then Skrane saw why, Leolen had made a holy rune on her chest and when the shade attacked, Holy Magic punished it. The demonically summoned shade started to wilt as light swirled around it, and wrought death unto it. Skrane knew that with both Laurna and Jesar present his chances of survival were greatly diminished. He instantly began to cast the exit spell he prepared and started for the dark portal in front of himself. He would have made it through, but suddenly there was a tree of dense wood in front of it. Leolen then dismissed the portal with disenchantment.

“So, backstabbing me are we?” Skrane replied. “Well, it was fun I guess, but I do not think our arrangement will work out,” Skrane then waved his hand and reality itself seemed to shift as the remainder of the cabalists and Skrane’s Charr appeared from nowhere and began surrounding Laurna’s entourage and the rest of the group. “I always get what I want!”

“I think not!” shouted Laurna as conjured roots and whip vines tore through her would be ambushers with ferocity never seen before from druidic magic.

In fact, the magic seemed almost dark. Those not rent to pieces in seconds were pinned down, and lost much of their bluster. Skrane’s last defenses had been fully penetrated. Laurna knew the extent of her powers now, and he was in a bind like no other. Laurna looked as if she was ready to destroy everything around her, and Skrane finally feared for his well being. Skrane got even more agitated when Khylo’s vanguard started delivering a massive beating to the leftovers his wounded force.

“It was laid down thousands of years ago! Not yet, this is not how it ends!” Skrane interjected.

As fast as his army appeared, he transformed himself into a four horned, twenty foot tall monstrosity that resembled a Charr. He roared a great bellow, grabbed Kanz, distended his jaw, and devoured him whole. The power infusion gave Skrane more power to see his way out of the mess he was in.

“Like hell it doesn’t!” screamed Jesar as he leapt with his new sword strait at Skrane. Jesar bounded up the huge demon’s leg, and summoned a vicious bone spike from his knee and tore open the monster’s chest with uncanny strength.

“A little girl taught me that move, and my mom taught me this one!” he hollered the words to his final spell as he grabbed Skrane’s skull viciously and jumped away from him. Skrane looked around, and felt no different at all.

“Looks like your pathetic magic failed you weakling! Now I’ll taste your …what? What’s this?” Skrane pondered as tiny flowers started appearing all over his body. Slowly, but surely nature’s beauty seemed to rampantly grow unchecked throughout his demonic form.

“What, you intend to kill me with flowers? HAHAHA! Fool -“ Skrane gurgled, and started to choke as roots plowed through his trachea. Soon afterwards a gigantic Nightwood tree that appeared at least 3,000 years old burst from the demon’s body and took hold of the demon-fertilized ground. An epic explosion of energy erupted from where Skrane stood, and gore rained down. Purple blood, and bits of carnage soaked what was left of Skrane’s army, and Jesar’s allies.

Khylo had been the only city spared from the renewed Charr invasion, and cabalist insurrection. Fortunately the Northern Wall had held decently, and they were in a fortified position because of it. Other enemies soon followed in their wake to snatch up claims of land, and rich natural resources, and to enslave populations of humans. Two empires had fallen, but many heroes had been made.

“So I guess we should probably make things a bit more official?” asked Kelma who had just woken up from a beautiful night’s rest in the arms of her lover.

“I venture we should tell my parents. I mean, after all rebuilding an empire and inheriting a throne is tricky business when done alone.” Jesar said groggily.

“You’re damn right you venture!” Kelma said as she pulled a pillow out from under Jesar’s head and started thomping him over the head with it. Just then the door opened.

“Ah, so I see you two have finally made..well..um…yes, just don’t let your mother know, ok?” Leolen said hesitantly as he started to withdraw from Jesar’s room.

“LET ME KNOW WHAT! IS SHE IN THERE!!? IS SHE!!?!” screamed an all too familiar voice “WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY SON!! NO!! I WON’T HAVE IT!! THEY’RE NOT EVEN MARR..” she was unfortunately unable to continue screaming with Leolen’s hand over her mouth and him pulling her away.

“Yes, lets get married today. I may have been able to kill a demon, but I doubt I could survive the wrath of my mother.” Jesar said while he got dressed.