The princely man made his merry way on over to the Foothills. He'd been here a few times and on every occasion he had been met by a different herd member. Each had been kind to him in their greeting. None more so than the Chieftess Gossamer. However, this time he was a little more unsure of himself. Preaching the greatness of the Sun God after all he had done to the land already was sure not going to be met with pleasant stares. Torasin just hoped he didn't make too many enemies in his quest for healing magic. Maybe there would be a chance to apologize for it later. Who knew. This land was strange and the paint hadn't quite adjusted to it yet.

Kiba was stretched out across his bonded's back, taking a well deserved rest from watching the twins. His two sons were full of the joys of life and seemed to grow too quick for Tor's liking. Already they chaffed to explore the world for themselves, Nym more so than Abel but still... They were so young. Another reason for Torasin to gain this magic. The protection of his sons was vital to him.

Slowing to an easy walk, the steed eased his way across the rocky terrain. The early morning sun already heating up quickly but it didn't seem to have quite the edge in the Foothills. For that he was glad. The journey was a pleasant one and Torasin enjoyed to travel the region anyway. Hooves brushed the surface gently, keeping his pace slow and expression one of friendship.

Torasin took a deep sigh of relief. Query. The friendly mare he had first come across in the Oasis of Anarore was the one fate had chosen to greet him on this day. She seemed surprised and Tor looked happily at his bonded, "yes, this is Kiba. My brown dragon companion whom I wouldn't have to this day without the help of Solstice, he's a little curious so you may have to excuse him" the brown gave the paint a mock offended look before gliding off to meet Query. He chirped in a colourful greeting and proceeded to move into a dance of flips and twists. Torasin rolled his eyes and put his mind to task.

She is the last one I need he reassured himself that he was doing the right thing. This magic was important for protecting those around him. With that in mind he took a deep breath and began to speak. "I'm here so I can tell you of the Sun God." He paused, this was harder than he thought. Telling those two unicorns may of been hard on him physically but to actually muster the strength to say a speech was quite a bit easier. This was surprisingly hard with someone he knew, it didn't require the theatrics which he was rather good at. Instead it was like... Notifying someone. Imagine if it was Mirage... Torasin flinched away from the thought and continued onwards. "He has told me to tell individuals of his power and glory. As you may of heard the Dragons Throat fell and Ra, the favoured servant, was killed in the plight. This does not sit well with our mighty Sun God, his power is unconceivable! The land will pay for insulting him as such, his Divine Majesty will bring about a bright and flaming glory to this land once more. No one can withstand his might! The Edge has already paid the price and no doubt the Foothills will be next. Residents should heed warning, the Sun's arm reaches far and wide, none will escape his glorious light!" Torasin had to stop himself from cringing at some points. So much for less theatrics he thought dryly to himself.

For now, all he could do is wait for Query's reaction. Once he was done here, the paint could finally return to the Veins.

Torasin sighed in relief. Query didn't seem to understand the full implications of what he was actually doing. The Sun God had done many things to the land, maybe if the mare knew more she would of turned on him. Instead she asked questions and the more she asked the more frightened she seemed. Torasin watched her finish, concern lining his golden face. Forgive me Query he thought to her, the questions she asked were going to be hard to answer. Finding his voice once more Tor was about to reply when another approached.

Well, approached may not be exactly what she did.

Solstice appeared from, in Torasin's eyes, nowhere. He heard her before anything else, the stallion never knew she had such fire in her. The always so sweet Solstice he once knew was now shouting at him, with quite a bit of venom. Not that the paint could blame her, he was a traitor. He was also trying to help them, but they wouldn't know the true meaning behind his speeches. All they saw was him helping their enemy. He wasn't sure which was worse, being beaten up by unicorns or facing friends who thought him a traitor.

What would Mirage think to hear you talk about your glorious Sun God?

He cringed at the last question. So far the stallion had been blessed to not of run into Mirage whilst he was completing his task. The mare he had first met in Helovia, and her dragon, would probably think he had betrayed them too. Kiba had flown back to his bonded, scowling at Solstice as he did so. You shouldn't think bad of her, she thinks I've betrayed her and Mirage he said silently to the brown. Kiba looked at Torasin and sent him a wave of sympathy. Solstice seemed to of stopped speaking and the steed's mind was still reeling when Rishima showed up.

Torasin could of cried there and then. The all too familiar sister of Mirage calmly walked into their little gathering, clearly not impressed with the stallion either. The obsidian sister didn't even bother with questions to start with, instead she began with the accusations. Torasin's thoughts denied everyone of them. A griffon was with her too, since when... He didn't get a chance to think about it as Rishima went on with her own speech. The steed wincing on nearly every word. Her new bonded creature, white in colour, hissed in back up. From near Tor a low warning trill sounded from Kiba as he flew in front of his bonded in a warning like gesture, his wings thrashing at the air. Rishima ended her tirade with the last question giving Torasin a chance to salvage whatever friendship bonds they had left.

There was a pause, what should he say? What could he say? He couldn't go back on his own speech, that would be pointless to his task. Those before him were of the Qian or allied, ironic that the ones who name him 'traitor' where the ones Torasin wanted to protect the most. He needed this power. Not a power to harm or hurt, a power to heal those he loved. Taking in a breath, Torasin finally managed to speak. "My reason is simple. Yes I do seek power, but not the kind you're thinking. I was once a healer and I want to be that again, to the Qian. The only one who can grant me this power is the Sun God... If I must betray my friends in order to save them, then I will. I must do as he tells me to." The steed kept his voice firm but his eyes betrayed him, there was a hurt there. He didn't want to be a traitor in their eyes, he loved each and every one of them. He wanted to deny every statement they had thrown at him, but he must complete this task first.

Torasin waited anxiously, green eyes first turning to Query. The poor mare seemed a little lost in the fray and the steed felt his heart lurch in sympathy. It wasn't the most comfortable situation to be in when you were caught in the middle of an argument you knew nothing about. Kiba still hovered in a protective stance in front of Torasin, a low noise of disapproval murmuring under his breath whilst his brown scaly tail flicked in the air. The former healer turned next to Solstice, another mare whose friendship he valued dearly and hoped he hadn't lost this day. She had listened to his speech with no interruptions and now his fellow paint stood silent. Torasin wondered what she thought of him now? Did Solstice think he was a traitor now too? Her silence gave him a little hope that he had changed her mind.

It was Rishima, however, who was the one who remained unconvinced. She mentioned the Earth God and the Worlds Edge, clearly his reasoning hadn't won her over and Torasin gritted his teeth. Although the moon stamped femme had more bite in her than Mirage, Torasin wished not to be her enemy. Not now or ever. The task that had been set was not one the tobiano would of chosen nor did he like it, but if it saved lives then Torasin would go to any length to attain it. Drawing in a breath the paint first addressed his bonded. "Kiba, relax boy. I am in no danger here." He pressed a sooty velvet nose to his bonded's rough scales.

Turning back to Rishima he considered his next words carefully before responding. "I went to the Sun because it is healing with fire and considering recent events he seemed the most logical choice. Maybe with the knowledge you have given me, in hindsight the Earth may of been better, but I am not as well versed in the law of Gods here as you are. I... Don't like these words I speak either and as for the Worlds Edge..." Torasin winced as he remembered the ashen brute and fearsome appaloosa, the pain as the former's horn ripped into his thigh.

"I am sorry for their plight but-" he motioned to the slowly healing scar shaped like an 'S'. "I think I got what I deserved." However one part of Rishima's statement worried him greatly. Had the Sun harmed Mirage? He felt his teeth grit even harder at the thought but calmed himself as he thought of the willfull mare. I think I would of known if something bad would of happened.

He looked at the obsidian femme with an apology in his eyes. If you hate me I won't blame you... But at least I will be able to protect you all better. With that thought Torasin remained silent. There was only one more thing he could say.

"I'm sorry for offending any of you. Rishima... Solstice... Query."