Lord Jamie The Second

The castle of the opposing faction sat on a hill with a steep cliff at the back and a large drop into a forest area below.

Two guards stood outside the main Chambers of Lord Jamie who was not seen or heard from seven days. His right hand stood outside, next to Lord Jamie's advisor.

The advisor wanted to open the door against the wishes of their Lord.

We have not seen him in seven days. Maybe he has finally died due to the fumes that he inhales from those potions that he creates, his advisor shouted.

His right hand, Sir Matthew tried to diffuse the situation by stating that their Lord will beckon for us when he wants us.

The dead cannot beckon, said the advisor angrily and we could be under the pretence that we are still being ruled by him.

As the advisor was just about to push the door, it suddenly swung open and an exhausted Jamie stood before them.

Come in gentlemen, he stated even though I do not recall summoning the both of you. Lord Jamie walked to the double doors of the balcony and opened it, letting sunlight in.

Sorry to interrupt you, Matthew immediately added. Your advisor seems to have a matter that he wished to bring to you urgently.

Lord Jamie walked around them as they stood in line with the doorway. I am listening, he responded with his tone becoming more serious.

It is nothing my Lord, said the advisor. Sorry to disturb you.

Nothing!? Questioned Lord Jamie. You decided to come all the way up here to my chamber, with intention of disobeying my command of opening my chamber door…. To ask me… nothing?

The advisor was about to speak when Lord Jamie cut him off by continuing to speak.

"Here is a fun fact that you may not have taken into advisement however I will educate you today, Lord Jamie said harshly. Advisors are a dime a dozen.

Isn't that right Matthew, my right hand? Before he could speak, Lord Jamie opened his mouth and out of it came the most intense burst of flames that Sir Matthew had even seen.

The heat incinerated the advisor leaving only his feet, ankles and a small portion of his leg in the place where he once stood.

Matthew's body was still in shock as he was standing very close to the advisor.

Get someone to clear that up, Lord Jamie answered pointed to the feet of the advisor. I am going to get something to eat, he continued as he left the room and headed for the banquet hall.

Lord Jamie sat at the banquet table as he partake of food as one who have not eaten in weeks. After he was finished and he sat back, his right hand began to update him of the happenings that had taken place in his absence.

My Lord, since your absence King Richard has been killed by King Henry causing a grasp for power in these lands by the local bandits and the Duke Of Stanley.

What do they know about power, Jamie laughed out loud. After he had finished laughing, he said well we all have to die some time he mentioned, in response to the death of King Richard.

With respect, my Lord, are you accepting the fact that even you will die someday, asked Matthew?

No, I am not because I plan to live forever responded Lord Jamie or at least for 1000 years, he continued.

Matthew thought for a moment about the arrogance of his Lord and then he continued, we are now being pushed into open and direct conflict with Duke of Stanley and the 'Water Maiden' he stressed.

When Jamie heard the words, The Water Maiden, he let out a snicker and then he spoke. "Do we have any information on her whereabouts?"

"None at this time, my Lord but we have spies looking for her encampment. The moment we find it, I will personally send our best to capture her.

Alive, is the word that you missed. I want her alive, stated Lord Jamie and concerning The Duke Of Stanley. He is not even worth wasting my time as I am now. .

Looking directly at Matthew he said "I have now transcended above the petty disputes of those who are mere human beings!" His voice had suddenly become deeper and there was a shine to his eyes.

Come Matthew! Walk with me he said as they left the banquet Hall and headed for outside the castle.

Standing in the castle grounds, Lord Jamie looked around on the ground and said 'hand me that jagged stone!'

Matthew handed it to him and then, holding the stone, Lord Jamie made it catch a fire. A gust of wind and heat blew around Lord Jamie which caught Matthew by surprise.

Still holding the flaming stone, he aimed at the sky in the direction of the castle of The Duke Of Stanley and threw the stone far away, into the distance.

The flaming stone disappeared in an upwards direction, never to be seen again.

The air which had become heated when he was about to throw the stone, now returned to its original state.

"By the end of the week, The Duke Of Stanley will be no more," chuckled Lord Jamie in a sinister tone. "Count yourself a contributor to his demise."

"Well, I need some sleep," continued Lord Jamie as he began to head back to the castle.

With a bit of dread building in Sir Matthew, he asked Lord Jamie, "My Lord. Might I inquire where you were for the entire seven days?"

Lord Jamie turned to Matthew and smiled revealing teeth that were not looking as human as it once was.

'I visited a world parallel to our own with great flying beasts of the sky. There, I slayed one and consumed his heart….. In that manner of speaking.'

Now, I must rest, he continued, leaving Matthew speechless about what he had heard.

Lord Jamie now seemed different from the potion making, court wizard that he once served.