The next day Galahad left the town of Furnace to the sounds of clanging hammers and woof of billows as the townsfolk attempted to renew the art of fine steel work that had not flourished here in many years. Galahad was happy to hear the joyful work and left contented as he passed through the gates.

As of on queue, the unkindness of raven circled around him and followed him through the desolate, strip mined lands. By nightfall, all but a few had flown off and Galahad had to stop at the very edge of the depleted fields. Galahad made camp alone with but one raven as a vigilant spy.

Late in the night a fireball streamed through the sky filling the night with an eerie green light. It was as if someone as bolted a viridian arrow over him, and it landed not far away. Once again Galahad readied himself for an encounter because an event like this was always an ill omen.

From the spot of the fallen meteor the sounds of clanging came and the Wizard of Metal appeared at the edge of the camp of Sir Galahad. The wizard had come to parley so Galahad invited him to his camp under the strictures of the “open hand and bound blade.”

The wizard asked Galahad once again to leave the land as he had come and if he did so he would be escorted away under the peaceful banner of the King. He would then not raise arms against Galahad and thus this little war would be avoided, for he told Galahad that he did not like his skill, but it was something that he was wiling to use if he were forced.

Galahad explained that he was bound to this quest as part of personal honor. For he had made a promise to himself that if the portents should ever show themselves that he would free the land from the Dread Dictator. And if he was not true to himself, what kind of knight would he be after all. The wizard had to agree, such faith in himself was worthy and indeed the sign of a true warrior and that he would regret such an insignificant battle such as would soon follow, for he would then have to kill Galahad, and a noble warrior would lie in ruins after.

Galahad agreed, the battle would be futile, but what was he if he did not honor his own promises and his loyalty to the land. But the wizard was not done, he had one last offer. Galahad could join with the Wizard of Metal and the two of them could defeat the Dread Dictator together. Galahad pointed out that he would then be replacing the Majesty of Misery with a Wizard of War, and what real improvement would that be? The wizard would have to be true to his nature, and thus Galahad would have to dedicate his life to opposing the wizard once the King was removed.

Thus the palaver ended and the two agreed to meet the next day on the field of battle five miles further long the knights’ path.