Ceremony
"Two against one, Michaela…" Xander remarked with a gleam in his eyes. "Do you truly believe you can withstand this challenge, witch?"
Michaela's expression darkened further. "Are you implying that you intend to kill me if I refuse to accompany you to that location?" she inquired, as a protective barrier enveloped her. It was widely acknowledged that every sorcerer's Achilles' heel was close-range combat. Indeed, this vulnerability had led to the downfall of many.
Upon reflection, their true adversaries would be a formidable knight like Soren and an assassin who could meld seamlessly into any backdrop. With this realization, it dawned on Michaela that this entire scheme was a meticulously orchestrated trap.
The Emperor created a trap for her.