All of a sudden, before them appeared a shimmering image of a face, the image being tinged in the same green that tinged the boiling clouds over head. The face spoke:
"I am Zordemon, Lord of the Realm of Safaervold. WHO ARE YOU!"
"No one," answered Wendolin. "Travellers."
This did not satisfy or please the evil image floating before them. "WHO ARE YOU!" it repeated.
"I already told you," replied Wendolin cooly, calmly.
"YOU ARE THE PALADIN. YOU AND YOUR PITIFUL 'ARMY' HAVE INVADED MY REALM. BEGONE LEST I DESTROY YOU WHERE YOU STAND!"
"If you knew who we were, why did you bother to ask? By the way, you've tried to destroy us already, Zordemon. We were quite unimpressed with your failures."
Zordemon's disembodied face turned noticeably red as anger welled up to fill it. "YOU THINK TO MOCK ME PALADIN?! YOU PUNY EXCUSE FOR A WARRIOR! YOU WOULD NOT DARE MEET ME ALONE AND FACE TO FACE. YOU HAVEN'T THE COURAGE!"
Wendolin formed a wry smile on her face before answering. "You're right, Zordemon, a face like yours would strike fear into anything that's human. Didn't your mother have any children that lived?"
The others in the party snickered. The floating image of Zordemon's face shimmied, flared brightly even as the redness of his face intensified and his eyes very nearly appeared to be bulging outwards in their sockets. Zordemon was very angry indeed, observed Wendolin. She looked back at the others. "Stay together, now," she said.
"YOU MISCREANT WENCH WITH YOUR RUNNING DOGS... BEHOLD THE POWER OF ZORDEMON..." The face quickly faded out and boiling clouds lowered noticeably. Suddenly, the heavens were split asunder by blinding flashes of lightning that struck all about and onto the protective shield of the huddled group. Ear-splitting thunder followed immediately on the heels of each strike. Hailstones the size of walnuts pounded mercilessly on them, but none passed through the shield.
Eme-Redser was straining to maintain the shield. Veins on her neck stood out as the onslaught continued. Jayhawk too appeared stressed, more so to the others than at anytime since he joined the quest. His eyes were flashing myriad colors of green, gold and red. Randorian, closest to him, saw the deep concentration on his face and the age lines that seemed to become visible with each passing moment. One lightning strike after another hit home. Each time, a line deepened on Jayhawk's face or formed where one had never been before. Randorian was puzzled. Was it pain or fear? He had never known the minstrel to look this way before, or ever be fearful in the face of the many dangers they had faced before.
Then, with nearly equal suddenness, the onslaught of electrical charges and hailstones ended. The image of Zordemon's face appeared once more. But the face was haggard, creased and ancient in appearance. Hair that was black was now streaked in gray. His eyes were dull and colorless. "We shall meet again, Paladin," the face said in a nearly imperceptable whisper. Then the image faded from sight.
Eme-Redser's eyes were closed and she teetered in her saddle, nearly falling out except for the very quick reaction of Randorian who leaned over to steady the Elven Queen.
Jayhawk was slumped in his saddle. Slowly he began to elevate himself to his normal sitting heighth. Randorian could see the lines on his face begin to fade and the normal color of his eyes return. The humming sound around them had ceased when Zordemon's face disappeared for the last time. The others appeared to be unharmed.
Jayhawk breathed deeply to refresh himself. New thoughts crossed his mind. This Zordemon is indeed very powerful. We must not underestimate his power. The closer we get, the more powerful he will be. We have won this day, but there is no guarantee we will win the next. We must be exceedingly careful.
Quietly, they progressed across the plain beyond the Titan Hills and into the area of the Plateaus of Dispar. Camp was made, and for the first time since the journey began, Gillandra provided each traveller a demitasse cup filled with a spirited elixir. "The time is right, methinks, to enjoy this special brew," she said as she poured each a small amount. They all brought their cups up in toast to each other, then brought their cups to their lips. And indeed they each enjoyed their elixir... to their very last drop.