The Legendary Mage novel Chapter 58

"This is Lord Marak of Lord Viperbane," announced one of Marak's guards haughtily.

"Ha," Marak laughed, nodding, expecting Celesse to be impressed or at least look at him differently upon hearing of his status. But he was disappointed; Celesse showed no interest whatsoever.

"We are not receiving guests today. Please leave," Celesse insisted for the third time.

Tyral cautioned, "Lord Marak is a distinguished guest of the Cobalt Strike order, and as a Golden Protégé, Lady Celesse represents the image of our order. Shouldn't you be a bit more polite?"

"No harm done; it's our first meeting, and we're still getting to know each other." Marak was uncharacteristically magnanimous. His smile was unwavering as he glanced at Alavin, who was bending over with arched eyebrows, looking back at him.

Alavin adjusted his breath, slowly rose to his feet, and met Marak's gaze.

Marak purposely asked, "And who might this be? Is it customary to appear before guests without proper attire? How does Lady Celesse come to associate with such a boorish individual?"

"I'll say it one last time, please leave. You're not welcome here." Celesse outright invoked her Combat Magic, a semi-transparent energy ripple pulsating silently around her.

This was the mark of an Advanced Mage, an energy shield!

At Novice Mage Stage I, there would be a single transparent ripple, with Stage II producing two layers, and so forth, up to Stage IX with nine layers.

Marak ignored her, and asked Alavin again, "Am I speaking to deaf ears?"

Tyral chuckled to himself. "Ha, just as I expected." Marak, with his haughty nobility, meeting a beauty like Celesse, and Alavin, the tough-as-nails individual, was sure to stir up trouble.

Alavin laughed in irritation. "It's my own house; why should it bother you whether I dress or not? If it offends you, feel free to leave. Did I ask you to stay?"

"How dare you!" Marak's guards shouted in unison, incensed that someone would dare talk back to their lord.

Tyral stepped back with a snicker, "Fight, let them fight, and may it be fierce."

Marak sneered, "Interesting. Lady Celesse, is he your hound? He barks quite fiercely on your behalf."