`` so what , '' he snaps , scooting closer to me . i begin take off before he has a chance to respond and begin to feel tears stinging my eyes . shouting over her shoulder that shed be back sometime . and maybe he was simply gone . he was still young : perhaps twenty-five years or so , although a light brown beard gave him the appearance of being a few years older . just as long as you all remember that the job has to be done no matter what the cost , said the wizard . 