[BandarLover]

The moments following Babadar's encounter with Jasmine and the build up to his meeting with Bandar's Council Elders went by in a blur. He distinctly remembered being met on the road by several Yavana. All of them seemed to know what had transpired even though Babadar had not yet told anyone about his experience. He heard their adulation in his mind despite the fact that they never moved their lips when they spoke to him (Another interesting fact about Yavanas - even though Babadar was too simple of a creature to notice - was that despite the fact that they appeared in both male and female forms, they were completely devoid of any gender specific reproductive genitalia). It was strange, Babadar had always figured they couldn't speak and was just now beginning to appreciate the gifts that come from being Chosen. His small entourage followed him as far as the valley that led to the great tree city of Bandar, before they slipped away unseen. It was a bit unnerving to Babadar; one moment they were there, the next he was alone before the great Outer Wall.

Bandar was laid out in a roughly circular shape around a sweeping crop of trees that were taller than any others on the slopes of Mount Kailasa. The simple, inter-connected huts of the Atavi were built within the tree branches themselves. The larger Bandar apes preferred living in huts on the forest floor. The smaller Markata monkeys lived wherever they could, some even building small lean-tos against other dwellings. They were everywhere, even now as evening began to set and the rest of the Bandar residents were settling down. Babadar was met by a small retinue of Bandar warriors. He recognized their larger, scarred leader as Grafe-Ro, which literally meant Scarred One. He appraised Babadar with his one good eye for a few brief moments. Babadar, as usual, found it difficult not to stare at the three whitish scars that ran down the left side of Grafe-Ro's face from forehead to jaw line. Grafe was a commander of the Outriders, an elite force of warriors that patrolled Bandar's borders and kept it safe from predators. Grafe earned his namesake by single handedly killing the largest tiger ever reported within Kailasa's forests. And while he may have lost an eye, along with several other patches of fur on his body, he had gained the most famous trophy in Bandar. The Elders claimed it was the Father of Tigers that he had slain and rewarded Grafe with a higher place in the Bandar Caste. He was one of the few allowed to carry a sword wherever he went.

"The Elders wish to see you," he finally said in his low, gravelly voice. He turned abruptly on his heels and lead the way to the Common House.

Any other time this would have made Babadar very nervous, but instead he felt a soothing wave of calm coursing through his body. He had intended an audience with the Elders sooner or later.

At the doors, Grafe halted and motioned for Babadar's sword. No weapons were allowed inside and Babadar readily complied. Inside, all of the elder gurus were present, as were the younger yogis. All eyes centered on Babadar as he entered the chamber. He muttered a quick prayer to Jasmine.

"We expect an explanation for your actions Babadar."

It was Sharlynn, the oldest of the guru who spoke. Babadar had by now figured out that the yavanas must have communed with the elders earlier. It was no matter, he had thought long and hard about what he would say to get the elders backing for his plans.

"Brother Sharlynn-" He began before being interuppted.

"Who are you to speak to an elder so, as if we were equals?" The old white- furred guru rose unsteadily, pointing an accusing finger in Babadar's direction. "You have no rights here and you will know your place!"

Whatever Babadar was going to say had left him as he stood shocked and terrified. He had thought the elders, if they indeed knew what had occurred to him, would have been happy to know that Jasmine's return as near. Sharlynn, laughed contemptuously, and Babadar knew his thoughts had been heard.

"You are no prophet, Babadar. No goddess would chose such a poorly crafted vessel as you for such a sacred duty. Only the Elders can make that decision, you know this from our own teachings. What answer do you have for this HERESY!"

Babadar was all too aware of every gaze that was turned upon him. He felt parched, his tongue suddenly swollen in his mouth. And his head swam before him. He was dangerously close to panic and can be forgiven for not remembering what happened next.

"FOOL!" Babadar boomed in a voice not entirely his own. His countenance seemed to grow, while the elders all recoiled at his sudden outburst. His eyes glowed a fierce white light and they stared directly at Sharlynn. "HOW DARE YOU QUESTION MY CHOICES! YOUR PURPOSE IS TO DO MY BIDDING!"

Sharlynn fell bodily to the floor, struggling to raise himself up but it was as if an unseen force held him firmly in place.

"M-m-mistress-" He started.

Babadar's eyes flashed, and he thrust his fist into the air. A blinding light flashed forth, causing all present to shriek in pain. When they finally gathered their senses, Sharlynn's smoldering body still lay on the dirt floor and Babadar was supporting himself against one of the far walls.

"What...what happened?" He asked, genuinely perplexed. He blinked madly; his eyes felt hot in their own sockets and his body felt stretched and sore. When his eyesight returned, he noticed the entire assembly of gurus and yogis had dropped in obeisance to him, heads bowed and arms outstretched with palms raised to the sky. The last thing Babadar thought before he passed out was that somehow, Bandar would be united with the Yavanas in their assigned task of preparing the world for the return of Jasmine.