Peter paced nervously back and forth. “How much longer, Elnor?” he asked.
“Just a little longer, Peter. Try and relax. Realize that the energy coming from Hastings will affect my spells. I’m doing my best to locate your daughter, but it is difficult,” said the wizard.
Elnor was the King’s personal sorcerer. People tried to guess his age, but from the stories he told, they could only rationalize that he had to be at least 300-years-old. Occasionally he wore a beard and a pointy hat, with long flowing dark blue robes. But as he was talking to Peter, he was clean-shaven, dressed in a tan cotton button down shirt, with a dark brown leather vest over it. He had on black pants, and dark brown boots. His brown hair was combed straight back. If someone did not know any better, they could have mistaken him for a commoner.
“And it is difficult for me to relax, Elnor.” Peter impatiently responded. “Who knows what that monster will do to my daughter?”
Suddenly a cloud of smoke appeared in the room. Peter and Elnor stared at the smoke, until a small man was slowly visible through it. Eventually, Matthew could be seen, and he was shaking his head.
“Peter, Peter, Peter.” Matthew mocked. “You’ve trained me to be civilized to women. Don’t you have faith in me?”
Peter slammed his hands in front of Matthew, and through gritted-teethed said, “You little…”
Matthew shook a finger towards Peter, “Ah, ah, ah. Peter. Temper. Temper. You do not have to worry about Sarah, though. I am simply talking to her. She is being treated very well in my castle.”
Peter continued to glare at Matthew. After several tense seconds, he demanded, “What do you want?”
“I am inviting you back to my castle. I know, we left on the wrong side of things last time, but this time should be better. I’m sure you’ll have proper manners when you arrive.” Matthew stated haughtily.
Peter still glared at Matthew, but his face changed slightly in shock. After recovering, Peter more calmly told Matthew, “Can’t we just talk now? What reason would I have to go back there?”
Matthew tensed up and stomped his foot. He screamed at Peter, “If you do not show up, I will kill your daughter, how about that?”
After several deep breaths, Matthew calmed down and continued. “Besides, I have some big news to tell you. I’d rather not tell you here, as it is better told face-to-face. Be at my castle in two days. I’ll be expecting you.
Elnor, it was good to see you again.”
With that Matthew bowed and disappeared in another cloud of smoke. Peter stared at the spot where Matthew was, wondering what he should do. Elnor slowly approached Peter and asked, “Peter, will you go?”
Peter lowered his head, “looks like I have no choice, my friend. I never was good at diplomacy.”
Elnor smiled and joked, “That trait has spread to Matthew I see.”
Peter chuckled and visibly relaxed.
Elnor’s eyes narrowed as he seriously said, “I know that man was Matthew, but I did not recognize him. He used some strong spells to contact you. I am greatly worried, Peter.”
Peter looked up. With questioning eyes he asked, “What do you mean, Elnor?”
“I mean, Matthew has some strong magic with him, Peter. Your simple protection spells and the chants I taught you are not going to be enough when confronting him.” Elnor exasperatedly said.
“You make it sound like I must fight him. I’ve had to deal with plenty of lords like him in this very castle, Elnor. It will not come down to a fight.” Peter said as he looked away from Elnor.
Elnor sighed and responded, “I know your feelings for him, Peter, but that must not distract you from the obvious. You both are too stubborn to compromise to one another. You may have to kill him to free your daughter.”
Peter quickly turned around to face Elnor. With blazing eyes, he stared at Elnor, asking him if it was true with his eyes. Elnor simply nodded, looked down on the floor, and turned away. Peter sighed and turned away as well.
Peter asked, “What should I do then?”
“I noticed Matthew’s ring upon his finger,” Elnor recollected. “If my suspicions are correct, that ring is the source of his magic. Be careful, Peter. I have not seen that ring since the Hgih Lohc Wars. That ring is very powerful and dangerous.”
“Is there anything you can do to help me?”
“I can place stronger protection spells upon you. Other than that, I can only enchant your sword with a powerful spell that can possibly counteract Matthew’s magic. There are no guarantees though, Peter.” Elnor sternly warned.
Peter shook his head in agreement, and said, “Then let’s get started.”
Peter than faced Elnor and said in wonderment, “By the way, Elnor, the HL Wars were over 500 years ago.”
Elnor became puzzled as he tried to remember. After awhile he replied, “Yes. I suppose so.”
Peter stared in shock at Elnor. Finally, he shook his head, threw his hands in the air, and said, “Wizards.”
Peter stood in his own private room in his cabin in the mountains. He stared at the clothes he owned, and slowly approached them.
Peter was wearing cotton dirty-white shirts, underwear, and socks. He put on his second layer of a silk shirt and silk pants. He, then, put on a layer of chain mail that covered the shoulders and arms, and came all the way down to his knees. Next, he put on his leather vest that covered the chest and midsection. Lastly, he put on his leather gloves.
After dressing himself, Peter went to where his armor was stored. He knelt down before them, and prayed. The back of the armor glowed with a symbol and slowly disappeared. Peter finished praying and stood up.
Peter put on the chest plate that also covered his back and stomach. Then, he put on steel boots and gauntlets. He slung his scabbard over his shoulder, and slid his left arm in its proper spot to pick up his shield. He unsheathed his sword, and stared at it. The sword was glowing a bluish hue, and was radiating immense energy.
Peter sheathed his sword, and looked upon himself in a full-length mirror. He stared at his legs disapprovingly, and said, “The chain mail always looks like a skirt.”
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