Dev seemed more relaxed after hearing the elfess' tale of how the two met, "and what of the dwarf, you don't get those scars and tattoos from doing good deeds," the former guardsman stated sarcastically.
"Khaz Axzen is a different story; I can see the goodness within him. But he has a shadow over his soul; he struggles with his own demons." Kimba replied. "The first century of his life was spent as a slave; the last thirty five in the barbaric arenas of Siraq and Saumecca as a gladiator. Unlike Sarel Duthar, who is running away from his heritage, Khaz is searching for his. But right now he is clan less, and to a dwarf, that makes him worse than a criminal at least in his own eyes and the eyes of most of his kin."
"In all mother nature’s creations there is planted two seeds. Both seeds grow as we grow like trees in the forest. Each seed struggles with the other to take root in the rich soil of our souls. One tree is evil; it grows black and twisted; that tree bears the ugly fruit of anger, jealousy, greed, arrogance, inferiority, lies, ego and hatred. The other tree is good; it buds with the fruits of joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, kindness, benevolence, generosity, truth and faith; it shines with the warm, white light of goodness. Which seed wins this struggle is up to us Dev. The seed we nurture, feed and water will overcome the other and flourish." Kimba sat back and sighed, exasperated and tired.
"Khaz Axzen's hard life has dictated which seed to nurture for survival, but the good one is still in there fighting for supremacy. The good in you, Dev, has been nurtured all your life. You can't allow it to be overshadowed by events you cannot control or undo."
Cold early morning wind off the bay howled outside causing the wooden walls to creak and the torch light to flicker. The druidess saw the firelight dancing in Dev's dark eyes which momentarily softened and moistened as the memories of his murdered wife tumbled through his mind. She was murdered at the hands of Primus Creed and the cult of Hisseesha. Kimba could see the war being waged within him and said a silent prayer for his soul.
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