Chapter 24: Letter from Wazzledon

The course of the next week was not the best for anyone in Coldwind. Villagers began leaving after the first night, unable to rebuild their charred homes or remain in the place where many of their families had died. Hawke's arrival brought hope, especially to Alice, but he also brought bad news.

The entire College of Wizards had been destroyed; the entire tower had been cast down and now lay in ruin. The majority of the teachers and remaining students had escaped, including Headmaster Lawrence and Hawke, who decided to chase Bethany to Coldwind. And Mr Patient continued to mourn the loss of his wife, but he never left Mari's bedside. Cornelius made more potions to keep the Vampire disease at bay in Mr Patient's blood at bay and even used sun blocking charms on him so he could keep going out in the sun.

Mari's condition had improved greatly; she was now awake and eating, the poison in her blood had gone and Harnor's Werewolf blood had shown no side effects so far. Harnor was also walking around now, if a little weak from his wound but still light hearted as ever and smoking from his pipe.

Cornelius, Alice, Hawke and the Hatter also took extra precaution, they began setting up repelling charms, protection spells and intruder charms to protect Coldwind, and nothing could appear or disappear into Coldwind now unless they were extremely powerful.

They all ate breakfast around the study table, more villagers had left the night before, and Coldwind was effectively a ghost town now. They all ate in silence, no one could think of anything to say, not even Alice who always had something weird and interesting to say. At that moment something zoomed through the window, hit Hawkeye and knocked her off her perch before landing on Phillips plate. It was a roll of parchment, obviously sent by magical means.

Phillip unrolled it and began to read:

Dear Head Priest Phillip

I am sad to report that the increasing number of Shadows and Dark creatures appearing in the Gammerdrok has gained the attention of our "king" and must be dealt with. We have received word that a large army of unknown numbers is sweeping the continent and destroying everything in its path. King Thaddeus and General Tiberius are gathering our army with the help of some Dwarven machinery (mainly catapults) and are setting up fortifications at the ruins of Menalise to make a stand.

We request that you come to the ruins and bless the soldiers, with the Shadow army getting closer each day these men are going to need all the help the Gods can give them.

Be quick, the roads are dangerous these days.

In good faith.

Wazzledon, senior Court Mage.

Argamir jumped up from his seat, "Wazzledon?! Bloody hell that old blighter is still alive, I was sure Thaddeus killed him when he took control of the throne." Phillip put the letter down, "No, Wazzledon survived, he doesn't like the king at all, and in fact he tried to kill Thaddeus after he killed your father Aramir."

Argamir was surprised at these new facts, but didn't have much time to think before Phillip stood up. "Well, looks like I'm going to Menalise…wish me luck" he said to everyone as he put on his cloak and began packing his supplies, but Argamir stood up and grabbed his arm.

"If you're going there then I am too." He stated clearly. Phillip shook his head, "I can't allow that Argamir." The Hatter also agreed, "He's right kid, if King Thaddeus finds out who you are then you and Phillip are dead men."

Argamir looked at Phillip, "If Wazzledon is alive it means I need to see him, and if Spellbound is there it means I need to get it."

Cornelius also shook his head, "out of the question Argamir! Spellbound will be with Thaddeus at all times, there is no way you'll get it from him." Arthur was now curious, "what's Spellbound?"

Argamir faced him, "the sword of Kings my friend, a sword which is by rights mine and needs to be destroyed. It's a sword that can block or deflect any spell including killing curses." Argamir then turned back to Phillip, "look I promise to not get in trouble, if I do I won't lead them to you, but I need to see Wazzledon, please?" Argamir pleaded.

Phillip hung his head and sighed, "fine then, but if you get caught by Thaddeus or the guards, you're on your own. You'll be my "bodyguard" and your name is Carver, understand?" Argamir nodded and began packing his things. Both Phillip and Argamir waved their fellows goodbye and set off down the path, out of Coldwind on their three day journey.

"At least that good for nothing king is now making a stand against Shadows, it might help us to locate the third Tome." Flourence said to Cornelius as they all walked back inside, Cornelius didn't look hopeful though, "yeah but they're walking into a blood bath."
"Speaking of Tomes, did Galeron ever tell you what we needed them for? Or any idea where to find the next one?" Flourence asked, Cornelius glanced at Arthur and their eyes met each other's. Arthur could see it, for those two seconds he could tell that Cornelius was in fact…sad.

"No, he never said" Cornelius replied, before walking away quickly and locking himself in his room.

Another week had passed, Mari was now out of bed and walking around, but cried every day now when she thought of her mother and her father's condition. Cornelius and Harnor were standing over scrolls and papers for most of the week, eating very rarely as they continued trying to narrow down any place a Tome could be, they had believed one to be in Elven ruins and maybe another to be somewhere in Solstice, but they still weren't sure of the last one.

At last Harnor swept the papers off the table. "AHH! This is useless! Why didn't Galeron ever tell us?! We could have help, or found the Tomes earlier, and then we wouldn't have this crap to deal with!" he yelled in frustration.
"Look, don't you think if Galeron knew then he would have told us? Now, stop moaning and get on with it!" Cornelius ordered.
"What? Are you ordering me about Cornelius?! Who do you think you are? Leader of the group?!"
"Yes, in fact I am leader of this group, and it's my job to make sure we get the Tomes no matter who lives or dies!"
"You sound just like a Follower! Not caring who dies or who you kill! Why don't you join them? I hear that Dark Magic is very popular these days!" Harnor yelled. Cornelius pulled out his wand and aimed it between Harnor's eyes, but at that moment they heard it, a pop outside the Cottage.

"Someone's appeared in the village" Harnor whispered. Cornelius generally looked scared, "it's Him, only He could possibly get past our protection charms."

They both split from their fight and ran out of the study, "Hawke, Alice, Hatter, and Arthur wands out, He is outside." Cornelius ordered. They all grabbed their wands, (with the exception of Hawke's staff and Hatter's cane) and Harnor grabbed his bow. Damon and Mr Nord where already home, so was Mari and Mr Patient, Flourence was out on patrol.

Cornelius was the first to burst through the door, followed by Harnor and The Hatter, then Hawke and Alice, last Arthur came out, all pointing their weapon of choice at the newcomers.

It was impossible, truly impossible what they saw. Phillip stood in front of them, supporting an injured Argamir who had an arrow in his shoulder. Phillip was very pale, no colour filled his face, and his eyes were completely dark as if he was possessed. Phillip blinked and the blackness of his eyes disappeared. "I got it" he whispered and both he and Argamir collapsed to the floor.