The moon was setting in the west. A sign that the morning would soon be calling. The lab had been his for the last twenty two hours and his lease would expire soon. He turned the hour glass again.
Two more hours. He thought. His heart raced in anticipation. Returning to the table where his project lay immobile. He turned to the tome on a nearby table. The recipe was clear, but required precision that rattled his already fraying nerves.
He pushed the thick gloves back onto his aching fingers. The medium with which he worked was cold and leached the heat from his body with each careful caress. Though his hands were cold, sweat dripped from his brow. Months has been spent in pursuit of this project and it had involved personal peril. Now that he was at the final stages he could barely contain his joy.
A knock came at the door. “Master Gladring, you have a visitor.”
“I do not wish to be interrupted! Send them away.” His response was sharp and rebuking, maybe more than he had intended, but now was a critical time and he did not, could not tolerate an interruption.
“The gentleman insists on an audience.” Came the voice from beyond the door.
Gladring slammed his sculpting tool on the table and pulled his gloves from his hands. He stormed over to the door still wearing the specialty gown necessary to effect his work.
He flung the door open enough to address the interruption. “Who calls!” He demanded of the clerk.
“A Mr. Sagar.” He replied.
Gladring felt his face flush and knew that his discomfort was obvious to the man at the door. “Very well, show him into the parlor and I will be by directly.”
Gladring entered the parlor a few minutes later. A refined gentlemen dressed impeccably sat composed in the stuffed chair near the low burning hearth.
Gladring mustered all his composure to address the man before him. “Mr. Sagar, what may I help you with this evening?” He had been an admirer of the gentlemen before him for some time. Envious really, for the man before him was wedded to the most exquisite specimen of femininity he had ever laid eyes upon. Lady Orphea Sagar was nothing less than the most beautiful woman of her generation. Thousands of women would be born and die in the shadow of her beauty and he was the one to claim her love and affection. Gladring’s blood elevated at the sight of the man. Galling was his presence and it tugged at his baser self. But for this man… He trailed off.
“Mister Sagar. The hour is late, or early. To what do I owe this visit.”
The hawkish man before him studied him for a time before replying.
“It should be obvious to you why I am here at this inauspicious hour. You have something of mine and I mean to have it returned.”
Gladring blanched and nearly fell before steadying himself on the doorframe. “I’m not sure what you mean?” He said, buying time to gather his wits.
“Its no use playing coy. You know very well what I mean. The necklace.”
“The what?” Gladring replied, surprise rolling across his face.
“My wife loaned you the necklace for your artists rendition of the portrait and I mean to see it returned. We have a function this day and I must insist that you return it!”
Relief settled in to his demeanor changing his stance and revealing a more relaxed version of himself.
“Yes, I will recover it presently.”
With that the middle-aged wizard turned from the room and quickly moved to his lab. On the table before him sculpted in ice was the form of lady Sagar. Every detail lovingly reproduced, including the necklace. He carefully unlatched the locket and removed the length of gold and gems. He was only too happy to return the trinket, for the real value lay on the table awaiting the final enchantment to bring it to life.
Returning to the parlor, Gladring extended a hand, revealing the necklace.
“Your handling of this matter has greatly displeased me Mr. Gladring. You may find our hospitality lacking in the future.”
With that Mr. Sagar stood, retrieved the necklace and departed from the room. Before he closed the door he turned. “I expect our business is concluded. We will speak of this no further.” With that the door closed and Mr. Sagar was gone.
Gladring returned to the lab. Happy to return to his work. He moved his face close to the head of the inanimate ice sculpture.
“We will arrange for a special holiday you and I. Some place far from here. Be patient my love, Only a few hours remain ‘till we can be together.”
