Ok. Here's the next chapter of Magician. Sorry it took so long. But some
psycho person wanted me to continue and I can't ignore the pleas of the
insane. That would just be immoral. : |-
Act 2 has really turned into more of a soap opera and less of a comedy, something I didn't really intend, but since people still seem to be reading I shall continue down the same path.
Chapter 16: A Magician's Duel: Summoner vs. Zhon!
Zhon sat sipping coffee with Warriv next to him at Atma's bar. Liliah took her cup of milk and half sipped/half licked it up. Other than her lapping no sound was heard amidst the early morning chill.
"Eudora's still giving me the cold shoulder." Warriv announced. "I never knew how cold the night could be without her..." Zhon simply frowned still not interested in Warriv's love life. "How are Dru and Ki-Ki doing?" Warriv asked casually.
Liliah looked up from her cup of milk as Zhon shifted in his seat uncomfortably. Warriv set his cup down waiting for an answer.
"Not good." Zhon sighed.
"I saw her crying last night." Atma said barging into their conversation.
"Oh." Was all Zhon said wondering why everybody else's love life was everyone's affair. As if right one cue, Deckard Cain ambled in his joints and bones creaking and cracking as he leaned on his knobby cane. Cain's cane seemed to creak as well as he came into the bar. All the sudden, Atma's bar seemed a lot more busier than before. Liliah's ears flattened against her head at all the new comers.
"The poor girl." Atma said. "I remember getting into fights with my husband..." A tear fell down her cheek. Zhon and Warriv sighed knowing what would happen next. "I wish we had never gotten into those fights! It was over silly stuff really!" Her voice cracked and everyone looked downcast as they knew that the dam behind her eyes was about to break.
Deckard Cain's Cane accidentally hit the side of the table as he walked by and Liliah's milk splattered onto the floor.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Atma cried.
The whole town must have heard her wailing as lights were turned on and grumbling and shouting were heard. Atma paid no heed and continued her wailing. Just then, Griez ran into the bar, saw the milk spill and Atma crying.
"Oh it's ok Atma dear. There's no need to cry over spilled milk."
"It's not that..." Atma sobbed. Griez wrapped his arms around the woman as everyone looked on. "It's... my husband... and Ki-Ki and Dru..." She stumbled.
"There, there." Greiz said petting her head and led her upstairs. Warriv turned to Zhon and winked and the hussle in the bar started again.
"I sometimes admire Greiz." Warriv said. "He's gets a pretty girl and all he has to do is be a shoulder to cry on."
"It's almost as if he's got her right where he wants her." Deckard Cain chuckled. Geglash who had been sitting at another table turned and said, "Who Greiz? Nah, I think it's the other way around. He'll do anything for Atma. Gives her gift all the time... Atma may be torn up about the fact that her husband and kid died. But I think that sometimes she only pretends to be sad to get Greiz to do stuff for her..."
"How could you say that? Her family died!"
"Yeah..." Geglash said sadly and turned away back to his drink which he drank from morning till noon.
"So what's going on with your assistant and the Paladin?" Deckard Cain said licking his lips ready to hear gossip. Zhon looked around uncomfortably as all eyes seemed to be on him. (Except Liliah's who was licking the milk off the floor.)
"You know what you should do?" Warriv said stroking the stubble on his chin. "You should get those two back together."
"Yes..." Deckard Cain said drooling. "Your assistant looks much prettier when she's happy." He smacked his lips and Zhon felt grossed out.
"Say..." Warriv teased. "I'm surprised you haven't found yourself a woman yet, Zhon."
"You mean he's not with the cat?" Cain asked pointing to the cat woman. She looked up smiling goofily and purring contentedly and went back to licking the milk off the floor.
"I..." Zhon said uncomfortably.
"You're not gay are you?" Geglash said turning toward him almost eagerly.
"Um... no." Zhon said annoyed.
"Oh..." Geglash said drunkenly and turned away disappointed. Warriv and Cain both laughed heartily. Zhon got up quickly.
"I guess I'd better go talk to Drognan. I'm sure he has my next quest."
"Yes." Warriv said getting up as well. "I'd better go wait around my caravan in case Eudora needs to find me."
"I think I'll stand by the well and whistle at all the woman who walk by." Cain mentioned. Zhon got out of their as quickly as possible...
(------------------%------------------)
Zhon Te-Fe-air now waited outside Jerhyn's Palace. He had called a meeting. Liliah was off to the side licking her paws in the sun. They were supposed to go into the palace and discover an arcane sanctuary and fight a summoner posing as Dragnan's friend. No one seemed to be here yet as Zhon tapped his foot impatiently.
Then he saw Eudora walking toward him. "Hi Eudora." He said waving. She grimaced in return and then suddenly looked sick. "Are you ok?" He asked. She put her hand to her mouth and now ran to the side of the palace to throw up. He grimaced at the sounds.
She came back to the front of the palace and snarled at him. "What's wrong?" He asked. She raised her blade threateningly.
"Don't tell anyone what just happened, OK?" She threatened.
"Ok..." Zhon said raising his hands peacefully.
Then Ki-Ki came storming up with Wolf scampering behind her. "Hi Zhon honey." Ki-Ki said a litle grumpily and frowned.
"Lil!" Wolf said upon seeing the Panther woman and hugged her. She looked clueless as her ears twitched in confusion.
"Where's the Paladin?" Eudora asked Ki-Ki sarcastically.
"I don't know and I don't care."
"Ki-Ki don't you think..." Zhon started.
"Zhon, honey..." She interrupted. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Heh, you know you two were meant to be." Eudora said darkly. Both Zhon and Ki-Ki looked at her surprised.
"Oh yeah... but..." Ki-Ki stumbled over her words. "What about you and Warriv? I don't see you two together anymore!"
"That's none of your business!" Eudora argued putting her hand on her stomach as if it pained her. Then her eyes narrowed slyly. "Maybe I'll just take the Paladin for myself..." She laughed sarcastically.
At first Ki-Ki looked shocked and then as if she were gonna hit the assassin. But then she turned toward the castle doors and said calmly. "Aren't we supposed to be going in there?"
Dru came running up next. He was carrying a new sword and shield. "Sorry I'm late!" He said breathlessly. Ki-Ki scoffed and turned her back to him. Zhon sighed and noticed the Paladin's new weapons.
"Where did you get those?" He asked.
Dru held up his sword. It had a blue hue to it as it sparkled in the sun light. "Fara gave me this one and I bought the shield from her too."
Ki-Ki turned facing Dru. "I knew it!" She said simply and turned back toward the palace. "Are we going Zhon dear?" She asked.
He sighed and nodded his head and led his band wagon of heroes into the Palace which held the arcane sanctuary...
(------------------%------------------)
They made their way through the palace and into the arcane sanctuary. They scared away wraiths, vampires, and goat men easily. The wraiths feared the various amulets the group wore. Dru protected them from the unholy vampires but it could have been the cross on his shield that scared them away. Yet the goat men were for some reason scared of Wolf's howling and Liliah's yowling. Together they made noises that could have woken the dead but scared them instead...
They cam up upon the Summoner reading a book. Everyone gasped when they saw him. For a bad guy he actually was kind of short but handsome at the same time. His face waqs tan and he had deep blue sparkling eyes. His hat outlined hi head and his decorative fingers clasped around and ornate and tall staff. He looked up from the book and smiled showing off dazzling shiny teeth. Ki-Ki found herself lost in his smile from his sparkling teeth to his perfectly pink lips.
"Why's it's the magician." The Summoner said in a cheerful voice. "I was told you were coming and I am so glad that you are finally here. I am looking forward to showing you some magic tricks that I know. As a fellow magician I was eager to meet with you."
Ki-Ki ran up to him and made sure Dru was watching. "I'm Ki-Ki." She said stroking the Summoner's arm. He looked down confused and then smiled.
"You must be the magician's beautiful assistant..." He said taking her hand and bowing before her.
"Yes, but I would be your assistant any day..." She said dreamily.
"Ki-Ki?" Dru asked nervously. She clung onto the Summoner upon hearing Dru's voice.
"And who are you?" The Summoner asked seriously eyeing the Paladin's amulets and Shield. Zhon stepped between the two.
"He is another one of my assistants..." Zhon explained.
"I am?" Dru asked but Zhon hushed him.
"Very well." The Summoner said. "I challenge you to a duel, magician. A magician's duel." The Summoner waved his staff in the magician's way to say a duel. Zhon took out his wand and waved it to say his acceptance.
"My own assistant died some 200 years ago." The Summoner mentioned casually. "Is it ok if I use one of yours?" He said looking at Zhon's companions most particularly the woman.
"Um... no." Zhon was about to say but was interrupted by Ki-Ki.
"I'll be your assistant!"
"Ki-Ki!" Both Zhon and Dru said at the same time. She looked over at them guiltily and then hid her guilt with a vain look.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Eudora whispered lowly to Ki- Ki. "I admit the Summoner's good-looking, but he's still a bad guy."
Ki-Ki stepped in front of the Summoner. "It's just a little competition between magicians." She said almost casually. "No one should get hurt..."
"This isn't just some ruse to make the Paladin jealous, is it?" Eudora snickered.
"Of course not!" Ki-Ki laughed as if Eudora had made a joke. But then she looked over at Dru to see if he was indeed jealous.
"I thank you for agreeing to be my assistant, Ki-Ki." The Summoner said bowing to the woman. With a wave of his hand a bouquet of flowers appeared in his hands. Ki-Ki "oohed" and took the flowers blushing.
"I can do better than that." Zhon said and with a flip of his wrist a dozen red and white roses appeared in his hand. He gave it to Dru to give to Ki-Ki, but she would not accept.
"We are just getting started magician!" The Summoner said in a haughty voice. He rubbed his hands together and zapped Dru's flowers which turned into bats and flew away. Zhon zapped Ki-Ki's flowers, which turned into doves and flew away.
"Zhon!" Ki-Ki complained since he had 'destroyed' her flowers. Luckily she held onto one which had been left behind.
"Sorry..." Zhon mumbled and then turned to the Summoner. "Can you do this?" He challenged the Summoner by tapping his mouth with his wand and spewing forth fire from his mouth. Both Wolf and Liliah began clapping. Dru stood next to Zhon clueless as to what he should be doing as the magician's "assistant." Eudora stood off to the side with her arms crossed only a little amused by the magic show...
The Summoner did not look amused at Zhon's fire spewing act. He shook his staff and ice came spewing from his mouth so Zhon had to duck to get out of the way...
"Whoa!" Zhon said avoiding the ice.
"Oops. Sorry." The Summoner said but Zhon suspected that it was no accident.
(------------------%------------------)
Two hours later they were still exchanging magic tricks. They had already done al the card tricks and the disappearing tricks. Now they were onto tricks involving weapons...
Zhon juggled Eudora's blade and Dru's sword and the Summoner juggled axes loaned to him from some goat men. The Summoner now had one of his goat men in a basket and was sticking swords through it. Everyone grimaced at the screams inside. Zhon counteracted with his own trick by putting Wolf into a basket doing the same thing. Wolf laughed instead of scream as each sword was stuck into the basket.
The Summoner's goat man just out of the basket bleeding but still alive. Wolf stepped out of the basket with no scratches or cuts what-so-ever. Liliah clapped and cheered along the side lines.
The Summoner was tiring out but Zhon still looked energetic. "Now for the final trick..." The Summoner announced. A coffin-like box appeared in front of him. "We shall both cut our assistants in half." He ushered Ki- Ki into the box as she looked on with complete trust in her eyes.
"Ki-Ki, no!" Zhon stopped. "I've been the only one who has cut you in half... who will I cut now?" Zhon complained. She didn't answer.
"You'll do." Zhon said looking over at Dru.
"What? Me!?" Dru said appalled.
"I can't use Eudora..."
"No way!" Eudora yelled.
"And Wolf and Liliah are both too small..."
Finally Dru was ushered into a box despite his down cast face. He looked rather awkard with his head and feet sticking out.
"Are you sure this is safe?" Dru asked uncertainly.
"Yes of course. I'm a professional." Zhon assured the Paladin as he began sawing through the box. Dru gulped as sweat began to pour out of his pores in uncertainty. He looked away and over at Ki-Ki and the Summoner who was also sawing away at the box Ki-Ki was in. Ki-Ki meanwhile was studying the Summoner and Dru caught her looking at the Summoner in admiration. Why would she like the Summoner? Dru found himself feeling jealous and quickly said a prayer of forgiveness.
But he had to admit even for a very old Magician who was supposed to be the bad guy, the Summoner did look good. He looked over at the Summoner still sawing away at Ki-Ki's box. He imagined the Summoner looking down evilly down at Ki-Ki about to spill her insides. Then when he looked over at the Summoner, he did look kind of evil as he glared down at the woman in the box.
"Ki-Ki! Look out!" Dru yelled as the Summoner brought the saw above his head.
"What's going on?" Zhon asked as Dru struggled to free himself from the box. Dru ripped out of the box as splintered wood flew everyone and Zhon was knocked aside. Dru pushed the Summoner aside and the saw went flying.
"Excuse me?" The Summoner said but Dru had punched him in the face.
"DRU? What are you doing?!" Ki-Ki asked.
"He was trying to kill you!" Dru said breaking the coffin-shaped box that Ki-Ki had been in and pulling her out.
"What are you talking about?" Ki-Ki said leaving Dru and going to the Summoner's aid.
"I expect you to keep your assistant under control..." The Summoner said a bit cross.
"I am not the Magician's assistant!" Dru argued. "I am Drusabon from the house of Light and Paladin of the New Order! And I am here to stop you from doing any evil!"
"Dru! Why don't you leave him alone!" Ki-Ki said from the Summoner's side.
"Is that so?" The Summoner said tapping Dru with his cane instantly making the Paladin feel freezing cold.
"Summoner!" Zhon called. "Are we going to finish this duel or what?" He asked.
"We have to fight him..." Dru said shivering.
Ki-Ki hugged the Summoner and stuck her tongue out at Dru who was really, really cold. The Summoner looked from the freezing Paladin and back to Ki- Ki and smiled.
"There is no need to fight me." He said. "You have won the duel Magician. I suppose now you want to know the correct symbol of Tal Rasha's tomb?" The Summoner said and traced the symbol using magic in the air. Ki-Ki oohed and rubbed her hand against his chest.
"Uh hum!" The Paladin cleared his throat still shivering.
The Summoner turned to Dru and said, "I may not have won the duel but maybe I did win something, eh?" He said winking and looking at Ki-Ki. Ki-Ki giggled and looked away blushing.
(------------------%------------------)
Well? Is that it? Will the Summoner give up so easily? Is this the last we shall see of him or shall Ki-Ki get herself a new, undead, and extremely old boyfriend?
And how's that for non-violent ways? I knew some were saying Zhon didn't seem as pacifist like he used to be so this chapter was for you.
If you want to meet the Summoner's icy cold breath... then don't bother to review. If you like staying warm, then leave a review. Hmm... I wonder what that says about flames. @_@
Act 2 has really turned into more of a soap opera and less of a comedy, something I didn't really intend, but since people still seem to be reading I shall continue down the same path.
Chapter 16: A Magician's Duel: Summoner vs. Zhon!
Zhon sat sipping coffee with Warriv next to him at Atma's bar. Liliah took her cup of milk and half sipped/half licked it up. Other than her lapping no sound was heard amidst the early morning chill.
"Eudora's still giving me the cold shoulder." Warriv announced. "I never knew how cold the night could be without her..." Zhon simply frowned still not interested in Warriv's love life. "How are Dru and Ki-Ki doing?" Warriv asked casually.
Liliah looked up from her cup of milk as Zhon shifted in his seat uncomfortably. Warriv set his cup down waiting for an answer.
"Not good." Zhon sighed.
"I saw her crying last night." Atma said barging into their conversation.
"Oh." Was all Zhon said wondering why everybody else's love life was everyone's affair. As if right one cue, Deckard Cain ambled in his joints and bones creaking and cracking as he leaned on his knobby cane. Cain's cane seemed to creak as well as he came into the bar. All the sudden, Atma's bar seemed a lot more busier than before. Liliah's ears flattened against her head at all the new comers.
"The poor girl." Atma said. "I remember getting into fights with my husband..." A tear fell down her cheek. Zhon and Warriv sighed knowing what would happen next. "I wish we had never gotten into those fights! It was over silly stuff really!" Her voice cracked and everyone looked downcast as they knew that the dam behind her eyes was about to break.
Deckard Cain's Cane accidentally hit the side of the table as he walked by and Liliah's milk splattered onto the floor.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Atma cried.
The whole town must have heard her wailing as lights were turned on and grumbling and shouting were heard. Atma paid no heed and continued her wailing. Just then, Griez ran into the bar, saw the milk spill and Atma crying.
"Oh it's ok Atma dear. There's no need to cry over spilled milk."
"It's not that..." Atma sobbed. Griez wrapped his arms around the woman as everyone looked on. "It's... my husband... and Ki-Ki and Dru..." She stumbled.
"There, there." Greiz said petting her head and led her upstairs. Warriv turned to Zhon and winked and the hussle in the bar started again.
"I sometimes admire Greiz." Warriv said. "He's gets a pretty girl and all he has to do is be a shoulder to cry on."
"It's almost as if he's got her right where he wants her." Deckard Cain chuckled. Geglash who had been sitting at another table turned and said, "Who Greiz? Nah, I think it's the other way around. He'll do anything for Atma. Gives her gift all the time... Atma may be torn up about the fact that her husband and kid died. But I think that sometimes she only pretends to be sad to get Greiz to do stuff for her..."
"How could you say that? Her family died!"
"Yeah..." Geglash said sadly and turned away back to his drink which he drank from morning till noon.
"So what's going on with your assistant and the Paladin?" Deckard Cain said licking his lips ready to hear gossip. Zhon looked around uncomfortably as all eyes seemed to be on him. (Except Liliah's who was licking the milk off the floor.)
"You know what you should do?" Warriv said stroking the stubble on his chin. "You should get those two back together."
"Yes..." Deckard Cain said drooling. "Your assistant looks much prettier when she's happy." He smacked his lips and Zhon felt grossed out.
"Say..." Warriv teased. "I'm surprised you haven't found yourself a woman yet, Zhon."
"You mean he's not with the cat?" Cain asked pointing to the cat woman. She looked up smiling goofily and purring contentedly and went back to licking the milk off the floor.
"I..." Zhon said uncomfortably.
"You're not gay are you?" Geglash said turning toward him almost eagerly.
"Um... no." Zhon said annoyed.
"Oh..." Geglash said drunkenly and turned away disappointed. Warriv and Cain both laughed heartily. Zhon got up quickly.
"I guess I'd better go talk to Drognan. I'm sure he has my next quest."
"Yes." Warriv said getting up as well. "I'd better go wait around my caravan in case Eudora needs to find me."
"I think I'll stand by the well and whistle at all the woman who walk by." Cain mentioned. Zhon got out of their as quickly as possible...
(------------------%------------------)
Zhon Te-Fe-air now waited outside Jerhyn's Palace. He had called a meeting. Liliah was off to the side licking her paws in the sun. They were supposed to go into the palace and discover an arcane sanctuary and fight a summoner posing as Dragnan's friend. No one seemed to be here yet as Zhon tapped his foot impatiently.
Then he saw Eudora walking toward him. "Hi Eudora." He said waving. She grimaced in return and then suddenly looked sick. "Are you ok?" He asked. She put her hand to her mouth and now ran to the side of the palace to throw up. He grimaced at the sounds.
She came back to the front of the palace and snarled at him. "What's wrong?" He asked. She raised her blade threateningly.
"Don't tell anyone what just happened, OK?" She threatened.
"Ok..." Zhon said raising his hands peacefully.
Then Ki-Ki came storming up with Wolf scampering behind her. "Hi Zhon honey." Ki-Ki said a litle grumpily and frowned.
"Lil!" Wolf said upon seeing the Panther woman and hugged her. She looked clueless as her ears twitched in confusion.
"Where's the Paladin?" Eudora asked Ki-Ki sarcastically.
"I don't know and I don't care."
"Ki-Ki don't you think..." Zhon started.
"Zhon, honey..." She interrupted. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Heh, you know you two were meant to be." Eudora said darkly. Both Zhon and Ki-Ki looked at her surprised.
"Oh yeah... but..." Ki-Ki stumbled over her words. "What about you and Warriv? I don't see you two together anymore!"
"That's none of your business!" Eudora argued putting her hand on her stomach as if it pained her. Then her eyes narrowed slyly. "Maybe I'll just take the Paladin for myself..." She laughed sarcastically.
At first Ki-Ki looked shocked and then as if she were gonna hit the assassin. But then she turned toward the castle doors and said calmly. "Aren't we supposed to be going in there?"
Dru came running up next. He was carrying a new sword and shield. "Sorry I'm late!" He said breathlessly. Ki-Ki scoffed and turned her back to him. Zhon sighed and noticed the Paladin's new weapons.
"Where did you get those?" He asked.
Dru held up his sword. It had a blue hue to it as it sparkled in the sun light. "Fara gave me this one and I bought the shield from her too."
Ki-Ki turned facing Dru. "I knew it!" She said simply and turned back toward the palace. "Are we going Zhon dear?" She asked.
He sighed and nodded his head and led his band wagon of heroes into the Palace which held the arcane sanctuary...
(------------------%------------------)
They made their way through the palace and into the arcane sanctuary. They scared away wraiths, vampires, and goat men easily. The wraiths feared the various amulets the group wore. Dru protected them from the unholy vampires but it could have been the cross on his shield that scared them away. Yet the goat men were for some reason scared of Wolf's howling and Liliah's yowling. Together they made noises that could have woken the dead but scared them instead...
They cam up upon the Summoner reading a book. Everyone gasped when they saw him. For a bad guy he actually was kind of short but handsome at the same time. His face waqs tan and he had deep blue sparkling eyes. His hat outlined hi head and his decorative fingers clasped around and ornate and tall staff. He looked up from the book and smiled showing off dazzling shiny teeth. Ki-Ki found herself lost in his smile from his sparkling teeth to his perfectly pink lips.
"Why's it's the magician." The Summoner said in a cheerful voice. "I was told you were coming and I am so glad that you are finally here. I am looking forward to showing you some magic tricks that I know. As a fellow magician I was eager to meet with you."
Ki-Ki ran up to him and made sure Dru was watching. "I'm Ki-Ki." She said stroking the Summoner's arm. He looked down confused and then smiled.
"You must be the magician's beautiful assistant..." He said taking her hand and bowing before her.
"Yes, but I would be your assistant any day..." She said dreamily.
"Ki-Ki?" Dru asked nervously. She clung onto the Summoner upon hearing Dru's voice.
"And who are you?" The Summoner asked seriously eyeing the Paladin's amulets and Shield. Zhon stepped between the two.
"He is another one of my assistants..." Zhon explained.
"I am?" Dru asked but Zhon hushed him.
"Very well." The Summoner said. "I challenge you to a duel, magician. A magician's duel." The Summoner waved his staff in the magician's way to say a duel. Zhon took out his wand and waved it to say his acceptance.
"My own assistant died some 200 years ago." The Summoner mentioned casually. "Is it ok if I use one of yours?" He said looking at Zhon's companions most particularly the woman.
"Um... no." Zhon was about to say but was interrupted by Ki-Ki.
"I'll be your assistant!"
"Ki-Ki!" Both Zhon and Dru said at the same time. She looked over at them guiltily and then hid her guilt with a vain look.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Eudora whispered lowly to Ki- Ki. "I admit the Summoner's good-looking, but he's still a bad guy."
Ki-Ki stepped in front of the Summoner. "It's just a little competition between magicians." She said almost casually. "No one should get hurt..."
"This isn't just some ruse to make the Paladin jealous, is it?" Eudora snickered.
"Of course not!" Ki-Ki laughed as if Eudora had made a joke. But then she looked over at Dru to see if he was indeed jealous.
"I thank you for agreeing to be my assistant, Ki-Ki." The Summoner said bowing to the woman. With a wave of his hand a bouquet of flowers appeared in his hands. Ki-Ki "oohed" and took the flowers blushing.
"I can do better than that." Zhon said and with a flip of his wrist a dozen red and white roses appeared in his hand. He gave it to Dru to give to Ki-Ki, but she would not accept.
"We are just getting started magician!" The Summoner said in a haughty voice. He rubbed his hands together and zapped Dru's flowers which turned into bats and flew away. Zhon zapped Ki-Ki's flowers, which turned into doves and flew away.
"Zhon!" Ki-Ki complained since he had 'destroyed' her flowers. Luckily she held onto one which had been left behind.
"Sorry..." Zhon mumbled and then turned to the Summoner. "Can you do this?" He challenged the Summoner by tapping his mouth with his wand and spewing forth fire from his mouth. Both Wolf and Liliah began clapping. Dru stood next to Zhon clueless as to what he should be doing as the magician's "assistant." Eudora stood off to the side with her arms crossed only a little amused by the magic show...
The Summoner did not look amused at Zhon's fire spewing act. He shook his staff and ice came spewing from his mouth so Zhon had to duck to get out of the way...
"Whoa!" Zhon said avoiding the ice.
"Oops. Sorry." The Summoner said but Zhon suspected that it was no accident.
(------------------%------------------)
Two hours later they were still exchanging magic tricks. They had already done al the card tricks and the disappearing tricks. Now they were onto tricks involving weapons...
Zhon juggled Eudora's blade and Dru's sword and the Summoner juggled axes loaned to him from some goat men. The Summoner now had one of his goat men in a basket and was sticking swords through it. Everyone grimaced at the screams inside. Zhon counteracted with his own trick by putting Wolf into a basket doing the same thing. Wolf laughed instead of scream as each sword was stuck into the basket.
The Summoner's goat man just out of the basket bleeding but still alive. Wolf stepped out of the basket with no scratches or cuts what-so-ever. Liliah clapped and cheered along the side lines.
The Summoner was tiring out but Zhon still looked energetic. "Now for the final trick..." The Summoner announced. A coffin-like box appeared in front of him. "We shall both cut our assistants in half." He ushered Ki- Ki into the box as she looked on with complete trust in her eyes.
"Ki-Ki, no!" Zhon stopped. "I've been the only one who has cut you in half... who will I cut now?" Zhon complained. She didn't answer.
"You'll do." Zhon said looking over at Dru.
"What? Me!?" Dru said appalled.
"I can't use Eudora..."
"No way!" Eudora yelled.
"And Wolf and Liliah are both too small..."
Finally Dru was ushered into a box despite his down cast face. He looked rather awkard with his head and feet sticking out.
"Are you sure this is safe?" Dru asked uncertainly.
"Yes of course. I'm a professional." Zhon assured the Paladin as he began sawing through the box. Dru gulped as sweat began to pour out of his pores in uncertainty. He looked away and over at Ki-Ki and the Summoner who was also sawing away at the box Ki-Ki was in. Ki-Ki meanwhile was studying the Summoner and Dru caught her looking at the Summoner in admiration. Why would she like the Summoner? Dru found himself feeling jealous and quickly said a prayer of forgiveness.
But he had to admit even for a very old Magician who was supposed to be the bad guy, the Summoner did look good. He looked over at the Summoner still sawing away at Ki-Ki's box. He imagined the Summoner looking down evilly down at Ki-Ki about to spill her insides. Then when he looked over at the Summoner, he did look kind of evil as he glared down at the woman in the box.
"Ki-Ki! Look out!" Dru yelled as the Summoner brought the saw above his head.
"What's going on?" Zhon asked as Dru struggled to free himself from the box. Dru ripped out of the box as splintered wood flew everyone and Zhon was knocked aside. Dru pushed the Summoner aside and the saw went flying.
"Excuse me?" The Summoner said but Dru had punched him in the face.
"DRU? What are you doing?!" Ki-Ki asked.
"He was trying to kill you!" Dru said breaking the coffin-shaped box that Ki-Ki had been in and pulling her out.
"What are you talking about?" Ki-Ki said leaving Dru and going to the Summoner's aid.
"I expect you to keep your assistant under control..." The Summoner said a bit cross.
"I am not the Magician's assistant!" Dru argued. "I am Drusabon from the house of Light and Paladin of the New Order! And I am here to stop you from doing any evil!"
"Dru! Why don't you leave him alone!" Ki-Ki said from the Summoner's side.
"Is that so?" The Summoner said tapping Dru with his cane instantly making the Paladin feel freezing cold.
"Summoner!" Zhon called. "Are we going to finish this duel or what?" He asked.
"We have to fight him..." Dru said shivering.
Ki-Ki hugged the Summoner and stuck her tongue out at Dru who was really, really cold. The Summoner looked from the freezing Paladin and back to Ki- Ki and smiled.
"There is no need to fight me." He said. "You have won the duel Magician. I suppose now you want to know the correct symbol of Tal Rasha's tomb?" The Summoner said and traced the symbol using magic in the air. Ki-Ki oohed and rubbed her hand against his chest.
"Uh hum!" The Paladin cleared his throat still shivering.
The Summoner turned to Dru and said, "I may not have won the duel but maybe I did win something, eh?" He said winking and looking at Ki-Ki. Ki-Ki giggled and looked away blushing.
(------------------%------------------)
Well? Is that it? Will the Summoner give up so easily? Is this the last we shall see of him or shall Ki-Ki get herself a new, undead, and extremely old boyfriend?
And how's that for non-violent ways? I knew some were saying Zhon didn't seem as pacifist like he used to be so this chapter was for you.
If you want to meet the Summoner's icy cold breath... then don't bother to review. If you like staying warm, then leave a review. Hmm... I wonder what that says about flames. @_@
