Legend Of The Young Warlock

One Step Closer

The Next Day.

~A dungeon~

"Is it true what they say about you, stranger?"

A pale faced man with smears all of his face, spearing the goatie, bulky eyes and pierced nose, called at Kie who was seated at the other end of the pit. The pale faced was opposite him, his back to the cold wall, a wierd and unnecessary smile feasting on the delicateness of his cheeks.

Kie glared at him and looked away quickly. A side of him was buried in the wall, he would occasionally look up at the rim of bars at the top of the pit, covering the mouth of the pit.

Earlier that day had they killed an adder which had crawled into the pit. And the next few moments comes with no promises for either of them. No guarantee or faults.

"Do you wish to remain silent until you hear your sentence?"

The man came on again. Kie didn't spare him a glance this time. He continued,

"You probably want me to tell you how I ended up here."

He picked a stone with sharp edge and hurled it at Kie without warning. Kie was quick to grab it; the stone had made for his forehead. He ogled the man as the fellow chuckled,

"I think I know your type. You're the type forged in penury and hardship. You do not care whether or not a person is superior to you. Whatever you would have, you would."

He paused as Kie looked away again. To the top precisely.

"I was told by a group of ladies that there lived a sorcerer at the remote part of this land who prepares potion for ladies and help them keep their youth, but they pay with their wombs."

Kie's interest had been picked. His eyes said it all.

"So, I went in search of this sorcerer. Probably he would have a trick up his sleeve for men too. But all I found was an old man who couldn't even remember his name. And since he couldn't give me what I wanted. I sent him where he belonged. He has already overstayed his welcome -- robbed nature."

He chuckled again, revealing his yellow teeth; yellow from casks of mead and ale.

"And so, words got to crazy Wealene and he would have my head on a platter. He had said to slate the judgement for his daughter's birthday, but you have robbed him of that. And robbed me of seeing the beautiful princess just once. If I could only sniff her gown, oh... life wouldn't have been better --"

Kie hurled him that stone and it hit him. On the left shoulder. He flinched. Then started laughing again.

Then he stood up and began to walk towards Kie. Kie held up one of his hands and he stopped. The fellow resumed,

"Tell me. I will give you whatever you want. Who made you the magic... who cast the spell that made her declare you her prince? Please tell me. Say the words. And I'll tell you where my treasures are. They will be yours provided you leave here with your head on your neck."

"How foolish!!!"

Kie shot with disdain, spitting on the earth. His shoulders pushed up in contempt, a suitable ogle complementing.

"What's the essence of being wise when I can become her fool?"

The man argued. Kie kept his expression abreast. The man continued,

"If you would not tell me how you did it. Would you at least let me touch her gown before I'm beheaded. It won't matter for how long. I've only seen her from distance, please help me meet her. I'll be your slave in the afterlife, discarding all my honor and treasures."

The irritation stalking Kie's face was too conspicuous to stay hidden. He was glaring at the man as though he would stab him in several places till he comes to his senses.

"To hell with your Princess. Even if her filthy finger touches me I'll wash myself in the lake for several days to cleanse myself of the irritation!"

The man stared at him as though he had just been shot. His gaze bedazzled, as though he was hearing those words for the first time in his life.

He drew closer to Kie,

"You do not wish to marry the princess? The great princess for whose course, the lips of hundred men move in odes?"

"I would kiss the arse of Talia instead."

Kie spat on the earth again. And suddenly, the pale faced fell on his knees, putting both his palms together in a heartwarming plea. His words soft and tempo lapping,

"I beg you. Please before you reject her, tell her you have a friend who would die for her. That you would rather she marry me instead if you. Please do this for me."

The man crawled to him and grabbed his legs kissing his knees. Kie for a moment lost it, but as soon as he had a hold on his sanity, he pushed the man away. But he kept coming.

"Do you want to die??"

He kicked the man, but the man kept munching,

"Please, my Lord. Do this for me."

Kie stood up suddenly, knowing that he wouldn't rid himself of the man with mere words.

* * *

~The Palace~

"I would advise that my Lord, you see through the eyes of the princess since she hasn't made such decision before. Or request."

Jaith, the commander of King Wealene's army, and his special adviser quoted on his knees.

"Maybe I should have your eyes instead."

Wealene threatened and Jaith tossed his head down in plea. Then suddenly came the voice of the Princess from the lobby which led from her chamber,

"Father. Father. Do I even mean anything to you?"

Samantha was hurrying with her, trying to caution her but she had gotten to the throne.

"Can't I have what I want at least for this one time? Must I always do what you want?"

Wealene turned to Jaith,

"Stand up. How many hours did I say the princess must be held in her chamber?"

"6 hours."

Jaith bowed. Malisa kept looking from Jaith to her father unbelievably,

"She'll be on a full lockdown henceforth. Till I have the head of that insolent clodpole on a platter by tomorrow evening."

He stepped off the throne as Malisa sprung at him,

"You are kidding father, aren't you? I'm your daughter not a slave!!!"

Wealene picked his scanty beards,

"Perhaps you should start acting as one."

He walked away as Malisa yelled, the guards in her way,

"I bet what they say about mother is true."

Wealene halted and spun around, his face grim. He started walking back to her,

"My lady."

Samantha muttered as Malisa took a step back. The king got to her and leaned forward, and... kissed her on the forehead. He pat her shoulder.

"She's stressed. Get enough rest."

He walked away. Malisa grunted and yelled, babbling. But those were just light threads to Wealene's fire.

"I'll see you to your chamber, my lady."

Jaith proposed, touching her softly.

"Get your filthy hand off me."

She turned and began to hurry to her chamber crying. Samantha hurried too but she barked,

"Go away. I'll be alone. What use do you have?"

Samantha bowed,

"My lady."

She watched Malisa hurry into her room.