“I’m running late for my appointment. Would you mind terribly if you activated my portal stone for me? I’m afraid I’m not as strong as you and lack your power.”
When in doubt, she always found a well-timed ego-stroking compliment worked. He blinked, glanced over his shoulder to the other side of the wall, and then nodded.
“Toss it up.”
Trying not to hide her smile, she threw it. He caught it deftly and pointed to where he was going to activate the portal. Within moments, a bright light tore a slice through the fabric of space. The light grew in size until it became a giant circle, her destination showing through the middle in a brightly blurred scene of snow and ice.
This was it.
Her heart pounded. She experienced a flicker of doubt at leaving her friend, but knew it was for the best. If she couldn’t even see the Ice-Witch on her own, then what was the point of going on this quest?
She tossed a grateful smile at the guard, and then walked through the portal.