The large doors of the citadel silently swung open as the man approached, beckoning him inside. At first unnoticed he casually strode toward the kings meeting room, passing by the guards without resistance. A strange silence fell over the room as the temperature dropped sharply by a few degrees. Slowly he edged his way around the room with an unhurried ease that captured the attention of most of those in the room. Picking up an empty chair which was set off to the side, he reversed it and placed it in the corner. Seated now, a soft shimmer seemed to emanate a few feet around him, keeping afloat the dust that had been drifting through the room.

The hairs on the backs of every neck in the room were at full attention. "Who do you think you are to enter my chambers unannounced and unexpected?" stormed the king, his face flushed with fury. Guards started moving into place before the man, awaiting the obvious orders that would come to seize the man. Thoughts of torture and pain filled their minds. "Well, outlander? Answer me!" stormed the king. The newcomer seemed unconcerned at the outrages of the king and his men. Ignoring them, he reached into his tunic, pulling clear a small book, which he began to read silently as the moments progressed. "Seize him!" ordered the king. The guards surged foreword, only for their fingers to strike a solid wall of nothing. Confused, one of the guards struck at the barrier with his fist to no avail. The second guard drew his sword, as the blade struck the barrier the man cried out in pain. Dropping the sword, the first guard watched as the blade turned to crystal, shattering as it struck the ground. The guard who had struck the barrier was also slowly turning to crystal; his screams filled the room only to be cut off when his lungs crystallized.

Most of the attending residents of the meeting fled the room as more guards rushed into the room surrounding the man. "Stop!" commanded the king. With swords drawn the guards waited for the command. The king made his way across the room, sitting in front of the man. "Your magic is impressive sir, but I still demand your name." said the king, his words seeming to hang physically in the air. The man sighed softly then placed a slim strip of silk in his book to mark his place. As the man looked at him the king felt the thrill of fear flow through him. When the man spoke, his voice unraised, rolled like thunder filling the room. "My name is Grale, and you mortal, have no right to demand anything from me. I give and take as I please, for this is my world." The king's face went pale as the man spoke, his mind awash with thoughts of the terror to come.