As lady Ramia disappeared from his vision the magician Cornelius tried to remember her words, for he valued them greatly. Her temper and rudeness was one of her greatest assets, for she was honest and fearless, qualities that would make a poor diplomat, but a fair advisor. Cornelius was never above taking other people's advice, they reflected the human behind them so well...

With a wave of his hand the forest once again fell silent and peaceful, though no one was around to hear it, and all that sounds of a marching army flooded back to the mage. He didn't enjoy the noise at all, but knew that he had to suffer through it. Displacing sound like that was difficult in its own way. Not complicated or hard, but taxing... 
The chalice disappeared from his hand together with whatever fluid it had contained and with nothing else but a large quantity of time ahead he opened the chest and brought out a thick leather-bound book. The lid closed again on its own and Cornelius sat down to read.

Several hours later the army arrived at a lake with a small copper house sitting alone on a tiny island close to the middle of it. The soldiers whispered about a strange shadow in the water that followed them around. Cornelius found they were right. No magic had to be used, the shadow was huge and could be seen clearly with the naked eye. There was power nearby as well, partially hidden by the metal plating of the house, but whoever lived there could bend magic, much like Cornelius and his fellows. Suddenly a man stepped out of the house and Cornelius could get a clear view of his power. There wasn't much, and most of it was raw talent. A few years at a proper university would do the man well, he might even become great.
King Tyros demanded a boat to be built and while the whole army waited Cornelius tried to speak to his king. He warned his sire that the man on the island was no ordinary man, that he had power, and requested that the king should bring him along for protection, but king Tyros refused. The king said that advisers and diplomats would only complicate the matter, that a talk man to man was needed. 
Cornelius tried to change his king's mind, but to no avail. Once the boat was done the king went on board and kicked off without waiting for anyone. The mysterious shadow lurked between him and the island, but a strange power was cast from the copper house, a sleeping spell, and the shadow sank to the bottom. 

Cornelius joined the other advisers and listened to them talk and bicker and argue about what would happen. One of the fools even suggested that they should have the archers fire a volley across the lake to show the strength of the army, as a warning to the stranger. A single angry look from the lord general Issiam was warning enough. 
In this case Cornelius agreed with the general. The act could only be seen as an act of aggression, and if the man had any violent plan in store for the king, it would only serve to spur him on. 
Besides, the man couldn't possibly have that much magical talent and still be blind. There were at least five greater mages present in the army, and enough power between them to turn the little copper house into a butterfly, with or without passengers. 

Some time later the aura of power coming from the house disappeared. Only the talentless amongst the advisers kept talking. Those with the power to sense magic knew what had happened. The king appeared and threw something in the lake before he washed himself and paddled across. Another march was ordered and Cornelius returned to the baggage train. 
Later, when the king revealed what had truly happened many saw fit to openly doubt and defy the lord within earshot from the troops. Cornelius was one of very few who said nothing. 
“Cornelius!” said one who sought to further damage the king's reputation. “Talk to him! Tell him that it was wrong!”

“I will do no such thing!” Cornelius sneered. He was never above hitting someone who deserved it on the head. Verbally, if need be. He moved closer to his king, poking a historian in the ribs with his staff when the man wouldn't move. He sensed that the situation could get ugly, and the mage had subtle ways to control a crowd that weapon-bearing body guards didn't seem to understand. Luckily it was never needed. The king ordered a march at dawn and left for his tent. Cornelius followed him there. A body guard tried to stop him outside, but quickly changed his mind.

“Your advisers are fools, my lord. Why you even bothered to bring half of them is beyond me. Most have already made up their minds about the entire campaign, and it will be hard to change them after this.” The kings mouth never opened, but his eyes spoke volumes. Cornelius continued, but with calmer words.
“You put yourself in needless danger today, even after I warned you about the man being more than ordinary, you refused to bring even one guard. Why?”