Bottom of the Bottle

The bookshelves were home to many of his most famous pieces. He had the works of Dudley, a renowned blue mage, and a few of his own printed works as well. Nate was very proud of the monks that had written his spell books for him. None of them could read, or chaos would have been unleashed, but wrote beautifully. He withdrew a thick, hollow book from the shelf nearest his favorite chair (the one on the right). From it he took out his pipe and the herb he would put in it. He settled into the chair and lit the pipe, safe in the knowledge that if anything was happening in the castle the voice he instilled would let him know.

An hour later Nate finally fought his way back from the swirling images and leapt to his feet. Nate was in a hurry and forgot to invoke the spell that allowed him to cross through the final wall. The room had no door, he wasn't even sure why it had been built. He had cast a spell on the wall that allowed him to pass through it but only with a spell. As he rubbed his head from the impact he muttered the words and the wall shimmered long enough for him to cross through it. He didn't need to throw an explanation towards Smee on his way out, the torturer was used to seeing the magician hasten away from the room.

Nate hurried up several flights of stairs and down a few long hallways towards the King's throne room. He was about to go up yet another flight of stairs when he remembered he could transport himself wherever he wished to go. He cursed himself silently, but not seriously, and disappeared in a puff of gray smoke. Nate found he was usually disoriented after smoking his special herb. He couldn't help but love the heavy perfumed smell it gave off. It made premonitions so clear, it was worth the befuddled head he had to put up with. He reappeared moments later before the King.

"King Wizzen I need you to do something for me!" Nate yelped.

The King, no longer surprised when his sorcerer dropped in unexpectedly gave him a cool stare. Wizzen had learned that the best way to deal with the fright the wizard caused in him was with a cold outlook. One couldn't have the King cowering every time he had to speak to his wizard. Wizzen's eyes narrowed in suspicion as he wondered what the sorcerer was up to. He considered the request for a moment before conceding. Nate had never given him cause to distrust him, even if he was an evil wizard.

"What is it Nate?"

"You must send for the witch Emhaia Marie. You must do so immediately or all lives will be at stake!" Nate was impassioned in such a way Wizzen had never seen before.

The King nodded to the guards at his side and asked quickly, "Where shall we find this witch?"

"In the Forest of the Damned. Don't let the name fool you, it is perfectly safe. Nothing in the forest should be able to harm you," Nate informed the two guards.

"Sh'should, Magician?" one stammered.