Upon arriving in Thrapsanos, he saw the frozen lake right outside the village. A glowing, mesmerizing white ice, glittering under the summer sun, piercing through your eyeballs if you looked directly at it for more than four seconds. He knew right away that that ice was magically created. Which means there was another witch in town.


Hektor knew that he couldn't go around asking people if they were witches, nor could he take the other witch on an actual fight. He was an extremely book smart and well-studied guy but he had zero confidence in his spell casting skills, let alone the fact that he left the coven before he completed the basic training. He may have spend five years roaming freely, significantly improving his knowledge on earth, herb, weather and fire magic, but his combat skills are next to none, as he avoided conflict like a demon avoids black salt. So, he spent the next two days drinking in the local inn, pretending to be there for the festival, asking random questions and eavesdropping.


Disappointingly enough, people only talked about how the cursed lake ruined their plans and is probably a ruse from the neighbouring region, and the unpleasing dissapearence of a young maiden that used to work there. They were saying her bosom was sweeter than the wine she served and many men stopped coming after she left. Thinking she eloped with some merchant, they never looked for her.


For days Hektor searched but he found no witch, only remnants of his magic. However, using water magic he was able to locate a person inside the lake. When he went to look for them he realised it was a young woman, that, according to the descriptions he heard, he recognised as Lena, the maiden of the inn. That was certainly the work of the witch, and he needed to find a way to undo it. As he stood on the bank of the lake, he realised it was his time to exceed himself, to test his knowledge and power, since this is the most difficult situation he has ever been into. He shifted his focus inwards and slowly started feeling that familliar pinching in his spine. This warm, tickling sensation spread quickly across his body, to all his limbs. He started walking towards Lena and with every step he took on the enchanted ice his hands grew warmer and his body started shaking lightly. He put his palms together and a steel rod emerged between them. He hit the ice with all his strength but nothing happened. <<I don't know what i was expecting, it's magical ice...>>, he thought to himself, scratching his head with the rod. He then begun trying everything around, even collapsing one of the banks. Nothing worked. Suddenly, a bolt of lightening jolted in front of his feet and he was taken aback. Startled, he looked around to find the cause of this and there he was, hovering above the lake, smiling kindly at him.


<<I sensed you were searching for me.>>, he said, lowering to Hektor's level but still hovering. <<Well, i am here. What can i do for you?>>. Hektor had lowered his power levels after the bolt but remained on alert. He was uncertain of how to feel about the witch before him. He was not older than him, with frizzy, light brown hair drooping around his pale face, his grey eyes brightened by the reflection of the ice around them. His matured features were tensed, despite looking friendly at first glance. Hektor decided to play dumb, a strategy that helped him a lot before.

<<There is a woman trapped in the ice, and you seem quite strong. Can you help me get her out?>> he pretended not knowing all of this was his doing. <<I'm Luke, by the way. Your name, kind witch?>> bowing slightly, with open hand gestures to be more persuasive. But he wasn't. The other laughed agrily.

<<You really think you can fool me?>>, shouted, spitting a little on Hektor's face. He landed and started striding around. <<I know who you are! You are a legend among the witches. Hektor the Rogue. A worthless witch, full of ideals and empty of power. You didn't even finish the Camps!>>, he giggled to himself, hiding his eyes with his left palm, thinking of how rediculous of a notion that was. <<And now what? You want to free my bride? How?>>. Hektor stood frozen, trying to keep his cool.

<<Your bride?>>, he exclaimed. <<Is ice captivity part of the wedding ceremony? >> Now, he was starting to get angry. <<And you may know my name, but i have never heard yours.>>