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Pete said. ‘Do you have a point to make?’
    â€˜Well yes, little one, I do. I am here to challenge you.’
    â€˜By gum, that rhymes.’
    â€˜What’s that, Bob? Oh yes, it did indeed. I am a poet and once again I was unaware of it.’
    â€˜Jolly good show though, old man.’
    â€˜Thank you, my evil sidekick.’
    â€˜HELLO? Can we get to the point please? I have a wedding to get to.’
    â€˜Sorry, McGoo.’
    â€˜That’s McGee,’ Pete said, trying to keep a straight face. Smithers and Molloy were having their first bonding moment, laughing like crazy at the whole scene. They looked at each other, realised they were both laughing, then put on their serious faces and turned away from each other. Tahnee just rolled her eyes.
    â€˜Yes, of course: McGee. Sorry. Now, McGee, I am going to set you a series of challenges, each one more difficult than the one before, to see if you are truly worthy of being the hero to my villain.’
    â€˜Oh,’ Pete said. ‘Will it take long? I really do have to get home.’
    â€˜Yes it will take long! It will take lots of long!’
    â€˜Oh. Okay, well, sorry, funny-voice, but I will have to say no. I just don’t think challenges and quests are who I am any more. Try again in a month. I might be ready then.’
    â€˜No! Most certainly not in a month! Now!’
    â€˜Right. Well, that’s a no from me then.’
    â€˜Really?’
    â€˜Really.’
    â€˜Oh, come on, just a couple of little challenges? To warm ourselves up?’
    â€˜Nope, I am not going to be distracted. I have things I need to do. I promised Mum I would help her with the wedding. Knight training starts up again soon too.’
    â€˜It won’t really take long though. I was pulling your leg off. It will just take a little long.’
    â€˜Nope.’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜I don’t think so.’
    â€˜I do think so.’
    â€˜No! I’m over running off on challenges and quests. People I love get hurt. People I love die. I’m done. It’s time for me to grow up.’
    â€˜Time to grow up? You are ten, or eight or something.’
    â€˜Fifteen, my friend, and now our very odd conversation has to finish. Bye for now.’
    â€˜Oh, come on. I really need to …’
    The voice faded out as the group of friends rode on. They realised that if they kept moving, the voice couldn’t speak to them. Every now and again (which was when Syra could re-focus on them) they would hear a ‘Pleeeease?’ or a ‘Do as I say’ faintly in the distance, but that was it. After a little while they looked at each other and burst out laughing at the total weirdness of the whole thing. Then they kicked their horses into action and galloped off.

    Syra Tanooth was disappointed. He had really thought that Pete McGee would take him up on his challenge. He looked forlornly at Bob.
    â€˜Well, Bob, it seems we are finished before we even began.’
    â€˜Not at all, old bean,’ Bob replied. ‘You did hear the young chap mention a wedding, did you not?’
    â€˜Well, yes, I think I did hear that.’
    â€˜Righty-o then: would a wedding be the perfect place to cause some chaos, perhaps? Would it give this McGee fellow no choice but to face us?’
    Syra’s eyes slowly lit up. Then the whole room lit up. Then the forest around his house lit up. Then he did a quick spell to put out the flames so the forest didn’t burn. Then he turned everything to black and darkness fell.
    â€˜Yes. Yes, Bob, you are right. I am the Master of Darkness , and now my power shall be lit up for the world to see—that and I do like wearing a tuxedo. I don’t know what we will put you in; you have an awful figure to dress. Perhaps a muu-muu? But that is for later. Come, Bob, we must plan our attack.’
    With that he swirled his cape around his shoulders and moved off to the planning room.