nexus_crossings | Return of the Mage

The stone tower has remained in its distant reaches of the Nexus, a constant looming landmark at the border of the Wilds. But its owner and inhabitant has been silent and missing for so long now, hasn't he? The only reassurance that he's not dead is the family that has made their home on the outskirts of the tower, tending to the chao and rebuilding their own life after fleeing Azeroth's Westfall. Only they have been graced with rare glimpses of the Mobian mage, who otherwise has locked himself inside, working obsessively on...something.

So the sudden pillar of smoke that rises from the landmark might be cause for notice, if not alarm. It swirls and grows, soon gathering itself into a singular column of dense smog and streaking towards the central plaza. And there in the middle does it descend, pulling its billowing shape into something more solid. The gruesome form it ends up taking is none other than the long-absent Ixis Naugus, jeweled staff in hand, cape pulled around his shoulders with his claw.

He casts a surveying look around, taking in the usual views and the present people. After doing so, his face splits into a toothy grin and he poses his question:

"Well? What have I missed?"

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Just whom he wasn't expecting to see after he made his return to the Nexus, Jon lifts his head up as he holds the reins of his horse in order to keep it from running in horror at the sight of Naugus. The war horse gives a hard yank on the reins and neighs in displeasure at being kept there. And the black horse follows it up with a loud snort.

Jon just looks at the display and he rolls his eyes. "Seems like we've both missed what happened. But from the looks of things, there appears that there was quite the fight." Between what Lord Snow doesn't quite know.

"I take it you wanted to be here to help defend the Nexus."

The horse gets about the same reaction as the dire wolf last time these two met. Ixis Naugus squints as if in disbelief and suspicion at the sight of it. "Your pasha looks...bizarre. Grotesque even." You know, in case you didn't notice. You're welcome.

"And of course I wished to be here to defend the Nexus! It is my home now, for better or worse! Who else is better equipped or qualified to be its greatest line of defense? However, fret not, Sir Snow. I shall be putting all my energy towards investigating the reasons the anti-violence fields fails and shore up whatever issue it seems to be having."

Ghost is hunting out in the wilds without any supervision from Jon, as if the dire wolf has done so before countless times back home. And who is Jon to deny the wolf the right to hunt. But the horse's nostrils flare, ears flatten back, and yank on the reins again.

"He'll be fine, Naugus. He just never saw anything like you before, and well he is a horse. They get spooked by someone who farted real loud, or if he saw his own shadow." Jon tries to keep the horse calm, but after another tug on the reins and he simply lets it go and the horse goes running off with some of Jon's gear.

At least it is summer here, or it feels like summer. "The anti-violence field failed? That must have been some impressive magic that would have caused that to happen. I've been a bit busy back home. But I'm here for now, but I'm not exactly sure how I can help." He tries to smile, as he looks up and he takes a good look around him to take in the plaza.

"I'm not a wizard."

"A horse? No, no. Horses are people. A race of Mobian. This is like a streaking pasha who's somehow been grafted with the face of one. How profoundly unsettling. Send this monstrosity away." He's gratified indeed when that ends up being the situation whether it was for his sake or not.

"Good on you for recognizing your shortcomings either way. Perhaps I will have need of a hapless yet strapping young Overlander to...carry things. Test things. Tell me, have you ever been a sorcerer's assistant?"

Run now. This can go nowhere good.

Jon has no clue as to what a Mobian is but he can't but help but to hold in a smile and snort. The whole thing is a bit funny in some strange and twisted sort of way. "He's still more scared of you, but he isn't exactly a problem now."

He raises an eyebrow at the thought of being asked to carry things. "I've been an assistant before, but I believe I've been dealt a greater hand. I'm no servant now, but the True King of the North." Jon's voice is full of confidence as he stands there looking a little defiant in the face of Naugus.

Standing down a whole armies and winning is a good feeling, but Jon isn't stupid. He still has quite a bit of work to do at home before he can think of being stupid. And who knows if the anti-violence field is working now.

"A king, you say!" Brows and ears alike go up, perhaps impressed or simply curious. "Well, perhaps the tables have turned appropriately then. I have had a long and illustrious career as a royal court mage back where I came from. Perhaps if you'd ever care to consult on matters arcane, I could be convinced." Ixis Naugus makes a show of examining his nails, clearly staged for the fact his hand's gloved and that it's the crab claw to boot. "For compensation, of course. I'm always happy to curry royal favour."

"I'll be more than willing to consult you if we deal with anything of the sort. But I think your services are best needed here." Jon is serious, and he is a little worried about the people here he has met since his arrival.

Ghost finally comes trotting back from a successful hunt, but the dire wolf keeps his distance from Naugus.

"But I want to know if there is anything that I could do to help the people here. The lingering smell of a battle, I know that smell all too well. Along with the sights." He sounds serious, and despite having to tend to rebuilding the armies of The North after reclaiming Winterfell. "I've ran successful campaigns before, and I'm willing to lend my hand."

Ixis Naugus frowns slightly at being turned down, even if for the moment. He's so used to being well in demand, or at least EXPECTS to be. Because he's that big of a deal, you see. But all the same, he nods once. "Understood, your highness. Any time you require consultation, my tower is where to locate me." He points in its direction helpfully, over towards the borders of the wilds. It's a pretty visible landmark from nearly all directions.

"As far as helping the good people of the Nexus, I had been speaking previously with one Jim Kirk. And while he's SLIGHTLY the reason that this latest invasion happened all, he's a fine one to ask about organizing more pragmatic means of assistance. At least they've already dealt with the removal and interment of the dead. What a fright that would have been to return to. And the smell? Vale's Bones."

Jon can't even think to explain some of the people he's met here to the remaining men who he needs to fight an army of the undead. Wun Wun was a little easier, but even then there is a lot of discomfort with the Northern Men and Wildlings. Taking a deep breath, Jon looks up to Ixis.

"If things go bad, I'll be sure to ask you for help."

He rests his hand on the hilt of his sword, and he tries to think if he has ever met with Kirk. "I'll have to find him, and ask him if there is anything that I can do that can be of service to the people of the Nexus."

Return of the Mage

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