For the next hour or so James was left in his now familiar position, sitting on a side table in Elspeth's dining room staring at his ceramic frog prince reflection. He couldn't wait for the witches' male guest to leave and his captor to return in the hope that he might at least be given the opportunity to regain some influence over his fate.
Eventually he heard footsteps making their way down the staircase and in his direction. Soon the distinguished, elegantly dressed figure of Horatio emerged in the background of the reflection James had been forced to view since before the wizard had arrived. To James' horror, rather than heading for the exit Horatio continued towards him, stopping in front of his resting place, a bitter smirk on his huge face as he leaned slightly to address the ornamental amphibian.
"James, wasn't it?" He sneered with a hint of menace "Let's get a proper look at you"
In the blink of an eye, James was a full sized human again. Though he knew nothing of magic or how it worked the instantaneousness of this transformation told him he was dealing with someone far more powerful than Elspeth.
"Thank you" James spoke meekly.
"Oh, I don't think you should be thanking me James" the sorcerer replied with amusement. It was the first clear sign to the young man that his plight may be about to become even worse.
Though James was able to speak, blink and move his head he quickly realised he was otherwise paralysed, his naked body frozen an an undignified frog like squatting position on Meredith's side table like a crude, living decoration. His legs were spread apart, his hands resting on the wooden surface below him. Everything was on display, nothing was left to the imagination.
"I can't move" James told Horatio hopefully.
"No, you can't" the older man confirmed harshly.
"It's not what you think it is. I ..." James began, but the wizard held his hand aloft to silence him. There was clearly no room for negotiation.
"Be quiet" Horatio ordered "Since you and Elspeth are so close I'm sure she will try and reverse my spell. Let's hope the old girl is up to it"
"What are you going to do to me?" James asked with dread. The wizard stroked his beard and smiled.