“Very well, thank you!” replied Aetos cheerfully. “I am…” I began. “No need to introduce yourself. I know very well indeed who you are!” stated the wizard with a quick side to side wave of his right index finger. Then, he began looking me over. “Oh, deary me,” he gasped. “What is it?” I inquired, looking at his puzzled face. “Oh dear, oh dear, oh my, oh my!” continued Aetos shaking his head and completely ignoring my question. He then stood there in silence, occasionally murmuring to himself. “For Pete’s sake! Will you please inform what is wrong!?” I finally interjected in a most infuriated tone. “It’s what you are wearing!” answered Aetos, seeming distressed. “My clothes are perfectly appropriate for my day. Speaking of my day, I actually really must get going. First, I need to desperately head to the markets. After that, I must come and put the groceries away. Thirdly, I was going to exercise my ponies. Next, I was going to surprise my cousin, Ophelia, by stopping by her house and checking on her. Oh, the poor dear is sick with a cold, if you must know. Finally, I have to come home and finish my cleaning for the day and go to bed,” I stated, trying to move down the path. “I do not care how busy you are! You have been chosen by your companion, and of course me as well, to come on this journey. You have no choice! Now let’s see about this clothing situation…” answered Aetos. I didn’t enjoy this uninvited wizard’s plan in the least! I just stood there with my face in a scowl, muttering to myself. “Aetos, do please tell me what is wrong with my clothes,” I asked, changing the subject back to apparel. “Oh, never mind that!” replied Aetos. Next, with a swish and a flick of his wand, along with a few magic words, my old clothes were gone. Now I was dressed in a lavender tunic with silver tie string, tall gray stockings, black travel boots, and a royal purple cloak and matching hood. “Much better!” “Woah! How did you do that?” I inquired, looking over my new garments, amazed. My question was not a very smart question, but at the time, I thought it to be a most necessary one. “Oh, just a little wizarding magic,” chuckled Aetos flipping his wand in the air and catching it with incredible ease. “You said I would have a companion on this adventure. Who is it?” I asked, still puzzled by how my clothes went from old to new in the blink of an eye.
