The sequel to The Sorceress Shuffle in which young Riss Cobalt faces someone she thought she'd NEVER see again
Would-be Lover, Come Back:
An Early Adventure in Sorcery
Mini AiS #20
It was midmorning, and there I was, just walking along the dirt road of the small town, minding my own business, when from out of nowhere there came a cry.
“THERE YOU ARE!!!” a masculine voice called out from somewhere behind me.. “I FINALLY FOUND YOU, MARISSA COBALT!!!!!”
The voice was all too familar. It was a voice I’d happily thought I’d never hear again. A shiver went down my spine when I heard it and I stopped dead in my tracks. The townsfolk around me hurried off, and shopowners on both sides of the street for a whole block suddenly closed up shop, locking doors and slamming shutters shut.
“No way,” I thought. “NO WAY! It can’t be him. He’s dead. I know it. I killed him myself!”
I slowly turned around. Stepping out of a nearby alley was a man in his thirties, with long brown hair and wearing a black sorcerer's robe. My mouth fell open in astonishment.
“D...D...Diablerio!” I said disbelievingly. “But...But....How...”
“Did you really think you could defeat me that easily, Marissa Cobalt?” he said as he strode confidently towards me.
“Actually, I did,” I said. “But how did you manage to survive the Ground Split?”
“The Ground Split is a most impressive and devestating spell, I admit,” he said, coming to a stop in front of me and staring me in the eyes. “And that such a young girl as yoursefl was able to perform such a powerful spell so effortlessly is amazing. But you see, my dear, it was nothing for me to Teleport away before it was too late.”
“I see.” I’d underestimated Diablerio, I realized. Well, it was my first real battle since leaving home, after all. I guess a mistake like that’s only natural. I’ll be sure to not make that mistake again. “So,” I said, standing up under the pressure of his gaze, “I take it you’ve spent the last week tracking me down so you can get revenge. Right?”
“Partially correct. I spent the last week tracking you down, but not for revenge.”
“Oh? Then what for?” But as soon as I said it, a memory came to me from our last meeting and I thought I knew what the reason was.
“As I said before, my dear, I want you to join me. Marry me. Please! I’ve never met a girl like you before: so lively and beautiful, and a sorceress so powerful as to be able to almost defeat me, as well. I...I...” He dropped to his knees in front of me and clasped his hands together pleadingly. “I LOVE YOU! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE MARRY ME!!!”
So shocked was I that all I could do was stand there with my eyes widened and my mouth hanging open. I’d expected he’d come after me to get me to marry him, but I’d though it would be for a reason like joining our powers to take over the world or something. What he’d said and done was totally unexpected.
Suddenly, Diablerio grabbed me in a tight hug. “PLEASE!” he cried to me.
Diablerio’s sudden move snapped me from my stupor. “AHHHHHH1” I screamed “GET OFF OF MEEEEE!!!” I lifted a leg and kicked him off, a move that also sent him tumbling back a few feet.
“But...Marissa, dear,” he said as he climbed back to his feet and advanced towards me again, “won’t you marry me? I love you!”
“Of course I won’t!” I said. “And stop saying that! You’re creeping me out!”
Ignoring me, he continued on. “Marissa Cobalt, I love you! Marry me!” Then he reached out to embrace me again.
“YAAAHHH!” I screamed. “Fireball!” And I tossed the hastily cast spell at Diablerio. But it exploded harmlessly against a shield he’s somehow and somewhen errected and Diablerio cackled. “Dang it!” I said in frustration.
Then he reached out for me again. “Maaaarisssssaaaa, my love,” he said. He had a greedy, lustful look on his face that sent chills down my spine.
“YIIIIEEE!” I screeched and punched Diablerio in the face. He staggered back, and I took the opportunity to make a run for it.
I ran down the street as fast as I could. I didn’t dare look behind me to see if he followed me. I turned a corner and ran down that street for a while. Then I turned another corner, and then another. When I thought I’d put enough distance between us and that I’d lost him if he’d been following me, I ducked into an alley to catch my breath. I leanded up against a wall and stood there, panting. After I’d caught my breath, I decided to brave a look outside the alley, to see if the coast was clear. I creeped forward and stuck my head out. As soon as I did...
“Marissa, darling!” Diablerio cried, and made a grab at my head.
“AAAAHHH!” I screamed, and tossed a Dagger Bolt Shock at Diablerio. The dagger-shaped bolt of lightning fizzled out harmlessly against a shield around Diablerio.
“Dammit!” I said, and as Diablerio laughed and grabbed at me again, I shoved him roughtly aside and ran off down the street again.
I turned corners and corners, all in a hope to lose my would-be suitor. I ducked into another alley when I thought it was safe. As I stood there, catching my breath, a tingle went down my spine. I looked up, and saw a gleefully cackling Diablerio floating in the air above me.
“There you are, my love!” he called to me.
I groaned and ran off again. I didn’t bother trying an attack spell on him again. I knew he’d have another shield around him. There had to be some way to get rid of him for good that didn’t require the use of magic attacks. As I ran, I saw a weapons shop. That gave me an idea. I took a quick look around to see if Diablerio was anywhere to be seen. Not seeing him anywhere, I ducked inside the weapons shop.
Less than five minutes later, I stood outside the weapons shop with 20 gold pieces gone from my coin pouch but with a short sword strapped to my waist and hidden by my cloak. I brushed bangs of blue hair from my fourteen-year-old face and looked around for Diablerio. I didn’t have to look long. I hadn’t been outside five seconds before he floated to the ground in front of me.
“Marissa, my love,” he said, “please, stop running and say you’ll marry me.”
Hoping my plan would work, I smiled sweetly and said, “Oh, all right. I’ll marry you.”
“Really?? You will??”
I nodded.
“Oh, Marissa!” he cried
Then he stepped towards me and reached out to hug me. I took a step forward to meet him, and at the last second drew my short sword and plunged it through his heart. I knew that any magic shield he had cast about himself couldn’t prevent an attack from a non-magical weapon.
Diablerio gasped and gave me a shocked look. “But...but...” he said, “I...I thought you said...you’d marry me.”
“I lied,” I said bluntly
Then I pulled my short sword from his chest and sheathed it. Diablerio gasped and fell to the ground where, after a few more gasps, he finally gave up the ghost.
I heaved a sigh of relief, then knelt beside him and closed his eyes. Then I stood and went back into the weapons shop where I explained to the owner what had happend and asked him to contact the authorities to deal with the body. Then I left and quickly made my way out of the town before I could get into anymore trouble.
The third in The Seventh Circle Series. Join the Seventh Circle and friends as they battle against the forces of the Black Order, the four demons, and contiune their quest to find the Soulstone.
Second in The Chronicles of Illúmaril series, author Gary Caplan's The Return of the Ancient Ones is a distinct tale that illustrates how one's fiercest enemy can become one's most aggressive ally.
Winner 2012 NABE Pinnacle Book Award in Fan
