A light fae, standing a head above everyone else, was next. His skin, darkened almost black by the sun, glistened as only the fae could glisten. His hair was yellow Like most light fae and was arranged in cornrows that ran down past his shoulder blades. He wore green leathers that looked almost painted on. He moved with the natural grace of the fae, and people automatically moved out of his way. He stopped before Daniel and Amy and gazed at them with one blond eyebrow raised.

Daniel stared back at him. "Can I help you?"

The fae's eyes narrowed. “Get off the path, you imbeciles. You are blocking everyone." His voice was melodic, his fae accent strong.

Daniel immediately disliked him but didn't know why.

Daniel frowned and then squawked. He and Amy were levitated a foot off the ground. They were moved sideways off the path. And then the levitation disappeared, and they dropped to the ground. Daniel Landed easily but caught Amy as she fell back.

"Hey!" he yelled and looked at the fae, but only saw his back as he continued down the path and away.

"Serves you right, you ore dick," said a male voice, overly loud.

Snickers erupted from the other adventurers walking quickly past them.

Daniel turned his head to the voice and saw two slim men, dressed in spell caster robes, standing near them and sneering.

The one on the right, wearing an expensive light blue robe with a red sash around his waist, had been the one to speak. His companion, dressed in a similar blue robe, was grinning but with malicious delight shining from his eyes.

The one on the left looked Daniel and Amy up and down. "And just who the fuck are you two?"

Daniel glanced at Amy. She looked worried. He turned toward the two spell casters and put Amy slightly behind him. "That's none of your business."

The one on the right glared at him. "We decide what is our business.

Answer Denal. Who are you two?"

Daniel looked at Denal and could see he had his hands in front of him, cocked strangely. “Again, that is none of your business."

The one on the right actually hissed. It was almost comic to Daniel.

He took a step forward. "Do you know who I am? Who we are?"

Daniel could feel magic gathering. “I have no idea and frankly, I don't care. Manners go a long way in this world. I suggest you gain some."

Denal actually smiled then and Daniel felt a twinge of trepidation.

“Maron, let's deal with this upstart. We can use spells outside the classroom now."

Maron grinned and then made a gesture. Daniel had barely a chance to register that Maron had moved his hands when magic hit him and ran scorching along his nerves. His muscles clenched against his will and the need to scream was denied to him as the muscles controlling his diaphragm and voice were stolen from him. He fell, losing balance, rigid as a stone. He felt Amy trying to grab him, but he was too heavy, and he fell sideways, like a tree, to the ground. His nerves were on fire and his need to scream was bottled up and made it all the worse.

He could faintly hear Amy screaming, and he fought to gain control of himself. The pain was agonising. His vision darkened. He couldn't breathe. Just when he thought he was going to die, the pain vanished, and Daniel could move freely. He lay on his side, his face pressed into the grass, panting. Memories of the pain kept him lying there.

He waited for it to return and knew this time it would end him. He heard laughing all around and he turned his head just as Amy pushed him onto his back. She leaned over his face.

"Daniel! Daniel! Are you okay?"