Heya everyone!  Here's a short little chapter I think I've named appropriately.  Not very long, but I think it has enough detail and climax to make it an efficient chapter all by itself.  Enjoy!

Chapter 9:

Interlude

"Settle down everyone.  Troops.  Commanders.  Quiet…Settle down every…Shut up!"  Ozzie rapidly began tapping his finger against the podium, his short-term patience completely used up as the crowd timidly lulled to a hush.

"Ahem," He glared down at his minions scornfully, "Good evening all," A cough from the far side of the room caused the mystic to pause and turn, his stare piercing through the latent faces before him, a sight that caused the entire room to become even more soundless.

"As I was saying," He grumbled loudly turning back to the podium, "I'm sure you're all wondering why I called you here this evening."  The fat mystic's demeanor began to lighten a bit, "As you all have probably heard -- since God knows you all gossip enough – Janus, the elite magician and apprentice to yours truly has returned to us."  A smile ran across his chubby face; and although he tried quite hard not to show it, one could tell it had malevolent intentions.

"After a bit of conversation," Ozzie again cleared his throat, "I must say that Janus is just as disappointed as I am in last week's poor excuse for a battle."  His sour demeanor returned and the rustling audience was hushed once more.  "So without further adue, I would like to welcome Janus back to Medina."  Ozzie moved back from the podium, allowing the boy to make his way to the front of the hall and then behind it.

The hall remained completely silent, except for the few shifting chairs and random coughs, a tension filling the void between the speaker and his large audience.  Janus looked out onto the staring faces.  They were void and expressionless, staring up at him with no particular interest especially in that fact that no one was sure what to expect other than a good reprimanding for their pitiful behavior on the battlefield.

Janus, on the other hand, could feel the tension pressing on his stomach harshly.  He'd never spoken in front of a crowd before, particularly one as large as this.  He swallowed, his eyes spanning the mass of faces before him.

"I can't let them see my nervousness," He mused, "I must speak with dignity and authority."  He cleared his throat, "It's time for the lone wolf to become the pack leader."

With one deep breath he set his face in a stern manner, "Fellow mystics," His voice came out strong and unwavering, "I stand before you today as a dead man."

He paused to listen as muffled voices echoed throughout the room at the absurd comment.

"I was left for dead on the battlefield much like many of you allies and comrades were."  Again he paused, creating a greater pressure between him and the people.

"You should be ashamed of your battle.  Your comrades' blood taints the ground because of you lack of strength."  His spite pierced through every mystic heart, bleeding out their pain of kin lost and disappointment of betrayed skill.  "If anyone disagrees with my remark, let him stand up."

No one dared to move.  All knew how disorganized and cowardly they had been and none would argue against such a point.

"How can this be remedied?"  Janus's bold query broke through the ensued stillness.  "How can we relinquish our dignity?"

A smile, wicked and scheming, crossed his face, "The answer lies within the leader.  It lies within the sole thought of one mystic, giving all to the many.  Who in turn, offers everything back to him."

"I, the once dead, can become the resurrected and lead you from this dark misery of defeat to a light of proud victory.  If you will join with me, we can attain this light, this victory.  We can remove this human plague that infests so much of this world and fill its void with our own kind."

The mass began to buzz with sound as every heart stirred toward the common goal.  "Join me, help revive me and I will train you.  Together, nothing will be able to defeat us!  For I am no longer the taciturn Janus you once knew me to be.  I am another soul turned toward this desire.  I am the hope for the future!  I am Magus!"