Warm orange-red rays of April's setting sun tenderly lit fresh light green leaves of small trees along the banks of Rhine. Joyful sunbeams rushed through old streets of Basel's city center, waking still sleeping after cold winter, nature. A big snow-white bird started its charming song high in the skies, making constantly hurrying people stop and enjoy few moments of the wonderful evening.

A neatly dresses waiter placed six fancy glasses, richly decorated with Haribos and other candies, on a table.

- Vielen dank! - El smiled and pulled one of the glasses towards her.

- And why for the God's sake are you here? - Arcada frowned staring at the black-haired man in front of him.

- You really think I'm doing it voluntarily? I've lost her a wish at chess... - Deas rolled his eyes.

- Oh, come on! You both must show some respect! In the end, it's the twins’ birthday and they wanted you to come! - El declaimed strictly waving her forefinger.

- Sure, your pet puppies definitely chose a wrong turn if they end up inviting two magicians over 300 years to their 13th birthday... - slowly replied Deas sipping his cocktail.

- And one of them is the most wanted criminals of all dimensions. - Arcada added irritably.

The three heard a loud noise. Sam showed Ada a bowling master class knocking down a strike. Nick chose a ball, suitable for the little witch, and explained her how to hold it correctly. The girl's first attempt wasn't very successful but apparently, she enjoyed this simple human's game. El smilingly observed the kids.

A tall man in a bright red t-shirt knocked down all the pins on the neighbor lane. He triumphantly waved his hand and winked the redhead on the way back to his table. Deas frowned and carefully followed the man with his eyes.

- You see! It is not that difficult; you just need to target in the middle! - Sam was explaining with enthusiasm as the kids approached the table.

- And make sure not to step over the line! And! You are not allowed to use magic! - Nick added laughing.

- Oh, as if I need magic to beat you both! Soon enough I will take the first place from you! – Ada puffed out her cheeks.

- I will buy you a medal if you manage to! – Sam chuckled.

- By the way, how did the award ceremony go today? – asked the older twin pulling his cocktail.

- Ah, it was very nice. Iduna really made an effort to sound as if she was really proud of me! – El grimaced.

- Yes, but when she put that medal on your neck, I thought for a second that she wanted to strangle you with its ribbon! – laughed Ada.

- Oh, she did try! But yeah, way too many witnesses. So today she let the hero, who stopped her senseless war, live. – the witch waved her head – But well, I am not the only one who deserved the award actually. This was brilliant teamwork.

- Right, you three have a lot of potentials. But you should act more responsibly next time! – Arcada added strictly.

- True. I honestly didn’t expect that you will be able to master that much magic, when we only stared. – agreed El.

- Aw and how about me? – D grinned with the fakest smile ever.

- Sometimes we have to work in teams with those whom we hate. – huffed the old wizard.

- Anyway, what did further investigation say about this man? – Nick rubbed his chin.

- They didn’t find anything. So, the council just concluded that he was a necromancer, who lost his mind after dealing with the dark magic. A pretty disappointing result, as for me. – answered Arcada.

- But that makes no sense. Evil just for evil? No, who would believe in that? – Sam objected with indignation.

- Should I remind you that people of all dimensions believed in all the legends about me without any doubts? – Deas raised his eyebrows.

- Well, you also supported those legends with your actions during the wars. – the old teacher replied with reproach.

- I was protecting my home and remaining people! The end justifies the means! – frowned the necromancer.

- Not always, D. Especially when the means affect others. You taught me this yourself. – El kindly smiled – This time we managed to do protect your Terra without much blood.

- But I still don’t understand why Iduna decided to do this all now after so many years? There must be something… - Sam said quietly.

- Watch out my friend, I have a very bad feeling that we will find out about her intentions soon enough. – the redhead answered laughing – But we will think about it later. And now, let’s just enjoy this nice day at Terra Maria.

The man in the bright red t-shirt stood up again and casually walked towards the lane winking El once again. The young woman smiled coquettishly.

- Does this guy have an eye nervous tic or what? – huffed Deas.

- What to try your luck in bowling as well? – Nick stared at the young wizard.

D kept silent for a second but then nodded and headed to the lane. He grabbed the ball and threw an angry look at the guy standing right next to him. The man in the red t-shirt swung his hand with the ball and made a step forward but instantly tripled and fell down making a loud noise. Deas smiled satisfied and threw his ball rather indifferently knocking down only two pins.

- Wow! That wasn’t much for such a great magician! – laughed Sam as the necromancer returned to the table.

- Oh, don’t worry. I knocked down everything I wanted. – D proudly grinned.

The day was coming to its end. Fresh air, heated by the warm sun during the day, pleasantly enveloped everybody who decided to go outside that evening. El looked at her two teachers, who were already passionately arguing about something again; then at the kids, happily chewing tubes of their bubble waffles; and then moved her eyes to the Rhine, slowly floating under the bridge. The witch found a big two franks coin in her pocket and clenched it in her hand for a moment.

- Let this all last a little bit longer. We will be ready when the time comes. But please, not today and not tomorrow. – whispered the redhead throwing the shining coin into the deep river.

The End.

The story of the Necromancer and her friends will continue in Necromancer II. The Hidden Prison.

Read Elliot’s Diaries for more interesting details of the story.