By Richard LeBlanc
Chapter Ten
Within his fortress, Tmelan returned. The news of the fall of the three armies and the jade Dragon had not escaped his notice. he knew that his foe now knew who he was and most like knew where he was as well. he knew that playing it this way would lead to this, but orders are orders.
"He has slain every minion that i have thrown at him - even that Jade Dragon. He is a tougher foe than i first thought. None the less, I can't exactly run away. I played this hand - and now i have to use it." he said to himself. he walked out to his balcony. There was nothing around his empire save desert.
"I know you are coming. I will be ready." he said to himself as he walked back into his chambers.
Far away - but within visual sight of the fortress, Toymaker and Thortan had stopped.
"So what is the plan?" he asked.
"The plan is - I sneak in - you stay out here and wait." he replied.
"But what if soldiers come out and start looking?" he asked.
"That - i can remedy." he replied. he waved his hand at the man and then smiled.
"There. Problem solved. You're invisible." he stated.
"I can still see me." he retorted.
"I can see you too - so could that Tmelan guy if he looked hard enough - but no minion he is using will be able to spot you so long as that spell holds. Bare in mind though - that is an enchantment - and they aren't my strong suit. Do something stupid and the spell won't save you." he warned.
"Kind of like that veil?" he asked.
"Exactly." he replied.
"So - how will i know when you're done?" he asked.
"Do i really need to answer that?" he retorted.
"No - i guess not - not after some of the stuff I've seen." he admitted.
"Wait here. The show will begin soon enough - and i asure you - it should be well worth the wait." he stated. Toymaker waved a hand in front of himself. Thortan watched as Toymaker slowly begame ghostlike - and then vanished from sight all together.
"Good luck." Thortan stated.
"Thanks. Hopefully - luck will not be an issue." Toymaker's voice replied.
Mere moments later, Toymaker was at the edge of the plainswalker's empire. Dozens of soldiers armed with special artifacts were doing rountine patrols. on several occasions he was almost discovered - but circumstance prevailed and he went on undetected.
Now where would that wizard be? Toymaker asked himself. He slowly looked around the streets around him and then slowly looked up. There he saw the front side of the fortress that seemed to go all the way up to the sky.
Well, that answers that. he told himself. he picked up his pace and hurried towards the towering fortress. Almost twenty minutes later - he was outside of the main entrance. Before him were two guards that had no idea that he was there.
Go in through main entrance - set off every alarm - or? he thought to himself as he looked up. Up there - almost two stories up was a balcony. He knew it wasn't Tmelan's - the one he saught would be near the top if anywhere.
Here we go. he thought. he waved his hand and cast a jump spell. he hopped up and slowly descended onto the balcony. he looked around for any indication that he was detected or if he had tripped some sort of alarm - but neither was the case.
Step on - get in castle - step two - find plainswalker that has been playing games with me - step three - get the final piece of the puzzle. Simple as that. he told himself as he silently crept into the castle. His eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. By the sounds he was hearing - the two that were in the room were - somewhat distracted with each other and wouldn't notice him unless he walked over the bed.
That's right - keep doing what - you'r doing. he thought as he silently slipped passed through the room. he then leaned against the door and listened to see if there was any activity in the hall outside - he could hear none. he carefully opened the door and slipped out.
"Did you hear something?" a man's voice asked in the dark.
"No." a female replied with a giggle.
Moments later, Toymaker had rapidly made his way upward and finally found himself at the top of the fortress. Before him was a door - a magical one. as soon as it opened - the master of the place would know that he was there.
"Choices - choices. Direct approach." he said to himself. he pointed a hand at the door. four powerful fireballs exploded into the door and blew it off its hinges. The wizard inside looked at the smoking doorway.
Hiding is pointless." Tmelan stated. he waved a hand in that direction. the spell of invisibility faded - Toymaker smiled and entered the chamber
"Tmelan - at last we meet." he stated coldly
To be continued...
