Delivering a Threat

"No. You have to help me, but I can't give you the book."

"And regarding Gareth, then I don't believe that he will harm me. Think of everything I've done for him and now I've even given him his freedom."

Ceriden sighed. So that was how it was going to be. "Oh, please, don't pretend for a second that anything you did for Gareth was done out of compassion or love. We both heard what you said to him recently." Keeping Gareth on his side for this upcoming conflict was critical, as Gareth was probably the only being nearby that could seriously harm him.

Ceriden took a breath and continued. "I said that handing off the book was non-negotiable. So if you are not willing to pay me as you agreed, I am no longer obligated to help you. Which is unfortunate..."

And this was where Ceriden was going to make dear Sabina regret crossing him. "You see, I was willing to do the despicable deed of murdering an innocent man for the sake of your spell if I had the opportunity to acquire that book by doing so, but since I can't get that book from helping you, I'm afraid I'm going to have take it through different means. Sabina, I can't let you walk from here with that book, because if I do so, you will just find another mage to help you sacrifice an innocent person for this obscene quest of yours. That man's blood will then be on my hands because I didn't try to stop you."

Raising his voice in an attempt to sound menacing, Ceriden stated, "So here is what we are going to do. You are going to get off your horse, hand me the book, then you are going to untie the spy, and lastly, you are going to get back on your horse and leave. If you do not comply with these demands, I will kill your horse..." As Ceriden delivered his threat, he realized that he would probably not be able to follow through with it. Having already used an increadible amount of magic already, he doubted he'd be able to focus enough power to be able to deliver the force or voltage to the horse necessary to actually kill it. He could probably still produce enough energy to create a telekinetic blast capable of knocking Sabina off her horse however.

"And don't think about sending anyone after us either," Ceriden growled as he primed the later spell. Also as precaution, he ordered his wraith to be prepared to spook the horse if Sabina tried to make a run for it.