It wasn't too hard to convince you that it would be beneficial if we split up and searched separately. We'd cover more ground that way, I explained, and your own excitement at the thought of winning this ridiculous contest did the rest of the persuading that I had intended to do myself.
Seeing you off, I turned towards the entrance of the beach, ready to deploy my plan of finding a well shaded spot in the seaside marketplace to loiter in until the sun set. As I crossed the sands, something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye.
A rather tall and elaborate looking sand castle stood unattended several feet away from the marketplace. I gave it a passing glance, but soon stopped to give it a second one after I noticed what sat on the highest tower of the structure. It was a large conch shell.
Seeing an opportunity present itself, I stared down the shell, thinking that I might as well take it and present it to you later in order to avoid the nagging and chiding that would ensue if I had decided to return empty handed. And so, I raised a finger and sent out a small blast of kheji to knock the shell off its perch, watching as it landed in the sand unceremoniously.
I bent down to pick it up and examine it for damage, but before my fingers could graze the surface of the shell, a loud, nasal voice erupted from behind me."That was a really cool trick! Never thought I'd meet a sorcerer in a place like this."
I quickly turned around and found myself face to face with two unfamiliar women. The orange haired one was pointing at me, and I assumed it was she who had addressed me so brashly.
"I see. I'm quite short on time at the moment," I started, but was soon interrupted as the orange haired woman swooped in and grabbed the conch shell from beneath my fingers.
The green haired, shorter woman who accompanied her laughed at the sight, and I felt my mood instantly sour.
"Ah. I believe this is ours," the orange haired woman said with a wink. "But as a fellow sorcerer, I can't help but be curious. Where did you learn your craft? The way you manipulate magic so subtly, yet so accurately, it's quite magnificent. "
"I don't have time for this," I said, reluctantly brushing aside the comment she had made as a 'fellow sorcerer'. The gall she had, to imply that she even matched a fraction of my prowess. But starting an argument was disadvantageous compared to removing myself from this situation altogether.
"Oh, but don't you want this?" the orange haired woman said, tossing the conch shell between her hands as if it were a toy. "I wouldn't mind parting ways with it, granted you give us some of your coveted time. I would feel safe, even, knowing it was in such a good looking man's possession."
"I would be careful making such crass comments," I said slowly, feeling my hand twitch as it yearned to set her bright orange hair on fire.
"He's a feisty one!" the green haired woman burst out into laughter once more, and her companion joined in. Having had more than enough, I turned to leave. Yet as I took my first step, I found that a shimmering force immobilised me, preventing me from escaping.
I grit my teeth as I realised the orange haired woman had cast some sort of spell. But very well. If she wanted to play by these rules, it seemed I would be forced to oblige.
Using what I deemed an appropriate amount of power, I shattered the confines of her spell, watching as the shimmering air crackled and popped in response to my counterspell. The reaction sent out a wave of energy, knocking the two women off their feet, and I smiled slightly as I heard their sounds of surprise as they were sent flying to the ground. Perhaps that had been a little too much power. But that was of no concern, really.
Without another word, I made my leave, heading straight into the marketplace and paying little heed to the apprehensive looks people near the entrance were giving me. It was fitting for weaker beings to fear those greater than themselves, after all.