A Wizard's Demise

A Wizard's Demise

by

Jordan Holloway

Word Count: 3464

It was a cold winter's eve as the sunlit horizon bellowed down on the knight. Sir Francis of Qinella had journeyed a long way to arrive back at the castle. To his dismay the drawbridge was raised so he could not enter the castle grounds. He had sent out one of the fastest Commanders to let his king know of his return with news of the treacherous wizard. Their kingdom has been in a feud with a neighboring fief for some time now. And there were talks of an uprising against his royal King Steiger. Word eventually spread to the ear of the king, of an evil wizard who goes by the name of Yoric the Enchanter.
The previous week, the King knew he had to act quickly on behalf of his kingdom to ensure nothing would come of this rumored tale. He thought this would be a perfect opportunity for his future son-in-law to show he was ready to become king one day. His daughter, Princess Isabel, had chosen wisely for a mate. Sir Francis was a very skilled swordsman and diplomat. A double edged sword as he liked to call him. He was going to send Francis out with a few of his trusted men on a scout mission and report back with news of this so called wizard.
Sir Francis and the 5 men trekked through the rich, thick forest. If they stayed a steady pace they should reach the next fief in 2 days time. Luckily, the men did not have any trouble along the way. But to their astonishment, when they reached the town no one was seen. The first place they checked was the tavern, knowing many men loved the ale. When they went inside what they saw shocked them. Blood splattered the walls. And on each wall was an odd symbol that did not look familiar to any of the men. It was a capitalized Y with three circles on the left right and top of the letter. The only thought that came to Francis, this must be the symbol of possibly the alleged wizard.
They decided to keep looking for anyone in the town. They searched nearby businesses and homes and finally the last place left to check with the local church. The soldier leading the way opened the door. Each of them stopped on the threshold gawking at the most gruesome sight they have ever seen. Spread all around the room were countless bodies of men and women and children. And there in the middle of the sanctuary crouched a snake-like creature with tusks of a wild boar and legs of a wolf. Blood and hair were tangled within its mandible. They have never seen such a creature before. Each of the men quickly drew their blades.
A man appears behind one of the piles of bodies, “You really think you have what it takes to beat my lovely serpentine? Before you get to hasty let me introduce myself, I am Yoric. Some have given me the name The Enchanter. It does have an interesting ring to it, doesn't it?” He walked slowly around the room, looking over the bodies with no sense of humanity left within. “What do you want? Why did you murder all of these people?” asked Sir Francis. “They stood in my way. I plan to take this kingdom and rule for all of eternity. But first, Sir Francis, I must pay my respects to your king. He has something that does not belong to him. But that is not your problem because you will not be leaving this building alive.” responded Yoric confident in his creation.
As soon as Sir Francis heard these words, he knew he must send a warning immediately to King Steiger. He nodded to his Commander, who knew exactly what Sir Francis was asking him to do. He turned and started to run as fast as he could back towards the castle to inform the king. Sir Francis turned back to Yoric with an inquisitive look. “Wait, how did you know my name? We have never met before” asked Sir Francis. Yoric looked directly into those questioning eyes and smiled. “I know many things and many people. Now I must take my leave. And I hate to inform you but your man is already dead. If you think my beautiful serpent is the only beast in this land, you are mistaken.” with those last words Yoric suddenly vanished.
All of a sudden the entrance doors closed abruptly and the building started to shake. Two of the soldiers were caught off guard with what was going on; they failed to notice the snake lunge and gouge their stomachs right open spilling their internals out. The other soldier huddled towards Sir Francis knowing his skills with the blade. Francis quickly slashed at the beast but was astonished at how fast it was. It rolled away with ease and snarled at the blade. Francis knew he must be careful in how he approaches the beast. But before he could process the rest of that thought, the snake started to run around slowly pushing them towards the center of the room knowing this will be the easiest way to kill its prey. The soldier surged forward hoping to wound the animal but slipped on the blood covering the wooden floors. The snake creature without fear dove on top of the soldier and started tearing the tender flesh. Sir Francis knew this was his one and only chance to strike. He jumped forward with the sword coming down in a deadly arc slicing the head clear off. He pushed the rest of the animal off the soldier, but he was too late. The soldier looked up into Sir Francis' eyes and knew the last grain of sand had dropped in his hourglass of life. Sir Francis knelt next to the soldier and embraced the young man until the last breath escaped into this cruel world.
Sir Francis searched the room for Yoric somehow knowing he would not find the wizard, but needed to cover all the bases. The wizard had disappeared just as predicted. He picked up a splintered wood piece from a pew and smashed a window to get out of this hell of a church. Once outside, he gathered his bearings. Then knowing he must warn his king and future father-in-law, he rushed out of the town. On the way, his only thoughts were of his commander's well-being and how to save his kingdom from the demented wizard.
He saw a bellow of smoke coming from within the castle grounds as he drew nearer. Immediately, he feared for his beloved and king. Unfortunately, he could see the drawbridge in a distance raised. Knowing the wizard must have arrived before the commander could bring warning. Thoughts of panic plagued his mind. As he advanced to the moat, a figure of some sort caught his eye in the nearby shrubbery. Sir Francis immediately wrenched his sword out and slowly began to make his way to this object. Within three feet, the panic shot up ten fold. Lying there was the commander, instantly knowing he was dead. The bottom half of the soldier was missing and the stench was horrendous at this range. Whatever the wizard's plan was on defeating the king, he made sure nobody stood in his way.
Francis heard a minute rustle in the leaves behind him. He swiftly ducked and slashed out blindly but did not connect. At that pivotal moment, a paw with massive claws had swung at the little human the same time. Sir Francis crouched amazed at what he saw. He thought they were a myth, a drunk man's fable. He had heard travelers passing through tell of stories of man and beast intertwined in the same body. There before him was a lion with a man's head. “Very good, most do not hear me coming. I am a Sphinx. And because you have made it past the first defensive test, I will give you two options. One, you can try and fight me in a battle. But I warn you, I have never lost a fight. Or two, you must answer a riddle. If you shall answer correctly, you will leave unscathed and I will grant you one desire you seek. The choice is yours, but only one man has ever answered correctly.” asked the Sphinx.
Sir Francis thought long and hard on the decision. He knew he was an excellent fighter but on the other hand he was a very intelligent man. He decided to take the lesser of two evils and go with this mysterious riddle. “I will heed your warning of combat and take you on in the battle of wits. What is this riddle you speak of?” questioned Sir Francis. “Very well, the riddle is 'There are two sisters: one gives birth to the other and she, in turn, gives birth to the first. Who are the two sister?' Take your time but the longer you take the more time you let your foe advance on the castle” answered Sphinx. Francis was puzzled but knew if he can figure out the pieces. There is a good chance he can come up with the correct answer. So he started to repeat the riddle inside his head. 'Two sisters, one gives birth to the other and she, in turn, gives birth to the first.' he could reasonably deduct that is not physically possible so it must be an adage for something else. The sun was setting quickly. Sir Francis knew he couldn't waste much more time if he were to save the castle. He looked into the sky and saw the sunset over the horizon. A thought arose, could it be that easy he questioned himself. He looked into the Sphinx's eye and answered “The two sisters are Day and Night. Night gives birth to a new Day and vice verse.” The Sphinx smiled which scared Sir Francis. He wasn't sure what was about to happen if he had answered correctly or not. “The answer you have given is...correct. Very good. What is it that you desire?” asked Sphinx. Francis did not need time to think of what mattered most. “Get me into the castle grounds!”
Before he had a chance to blink, he appeared right near one of the watch towers within the castle. He stated towards the area where is fiance and king live. But to his horror that is where the smoke was coming from. He saw a girl waving frantically in a room above, but when he got closer it wasn't just some girl. It was his fiance. He yelled up to her to stay right there and he would come save her. The smoke was consuming much of the stairwells. He could see the flames starting to grow on the other side of the castle.
Sir Francis reached the princess's room. But it would not budge, somehow the door had been locked. He was going to have to kick the door down. One. Two. Three kicks. He was able to unhinge the massive oak door. He ran in looking every which way and then he saw them in the corner. “Help Me!” cried Princess Isabel. Yoric had a knife to her neck. “Please, just let her go. She is innocent. She means nothing to you, take me in her place.” shouted Sir Francis. Yoric started to inch his way to the door with her still in his arms. “Very good. Beating my lovely serpentine and the Sphinx. I have underestimated you. No, I believe she has much more use when the time comes. She is a valuable resource being the king's daughter. Besides I have matters to attend to elsewhere. You must please excuse us.” calmly stated Yoric.
Yoric grabbed the princess by the arm and started leading her to the king's bed chambers. Sir Francis followed their lead but stayed intelligently behind to keep the princess out of harm's way, knowing the evil Yoric can do. While following Sir Francis began to wonder how Yoric knew where the king's sleeping quarters? He made every left and right perfectly like he had been to the castle before. It just didn't make sense. His thoughts then traveled to the possibility of an informant within the castle.
Yoric and the princess had reached the doorway of the king's room. There were two knights holding firm against the entry making sure the king was safe. Sir Francis shouted a warning to the guards but it was too late. Yoric the Enchanter had said an incantation that obstructed the knights airways. They were soon writhing on the ground grabbing their necks. Francis could do nothing as he approached the young men. He knew no magic. Both the soldiers eyes yelled for help, yearning the agony to stop. A moment later, their wish had come true. Francis quickly prayed for their souls. At the same time, Yoric and Isabel had entered the bed chambers while Sir Francis had stopped to check on the knights.
The king was ready, standing next to an elegant tapestry hanging on the North wall. He had his sword out waiting for the young magician. He had not expected the wizard to have his daughter in tow.
“No! No! Let her go. I will give you anything you want. Please just don't hurt my daughter, she is all that I have left.” pleaded the king. Sir Francis had entered the room during the king's speech and began to move slowly towards the king. Yoric had sensed his presence, holding Isabel between him and the young skilled swordsman. “Well gentlemen I believe we have ourselves a little conundrum. This is what is going to happen. King you are going to give me what's hiding behind that tapestry and I will give you the princess and leave here alive. If you don't give me what I want, your lovely daughter will be cut open like the pheasant on your dinner table every evening.” stated Yoric. Sir Francis had no idea what the wizard was speaking of. But whatever the object was it was worth the life of his only child. “Give him want he wants King Steiger. Whatever you have hidden cannot be worth Isabel's life.” Sir Francis implored. The king's face became saddened. “It's not that easy Francis, what lies behind the tapestry is an ancient rune. It foretold that whoever shall speak the words written shall be immortal.” explained the king. He knew immortality would be a curse more than a blessing after so many years of servitude to his country. “Please Father. Give him want he wants.” begged Princess Isabel.
The king turned away and pulled back the tapestry. There in the carved out crevice laid the scroll. He carefully edged the old parchment out. Holding it in his hand, he extended his arm out with the scroll. “Now give me my daughter, you have what you came for” the king proclaimed. The princess grabbed the knife and methodically grabbed the scroll and stabbed her father in the chest.
The king dropped to the floor not understanding. He gaze towards Isabel left questioning. His eyes clouded with death. Sir Francis was stun at what just happened. Isabel walked back over to Yoric and gave him the scroll and knife; then the two passionately kissed. This brought Francis out of the trance. “Why? How could you you kill your father? And I don't understand why are kissing Yoric?” appealed Sir Francis. “Ah poor Francis always a step behind. Do you really think you have what it takes to rule a kingdom? I have known Yoric all my life. We use to play together as kids when my father took me on his annual assemblies to his fief. And as the years passed my Father had sent me out in his place to these gatherings. That is where Yoric had told me his plan of becoming immortal and wanting his only love beside him for all of eternity. I love you Francis, but I cannot pass up immortality. Never growing old or weak. I am sorry.” explained Isabel.
“Well done my love, the plan almost worked perfectly. Francis was suppose to die by my serpent. But oh well, my fiendfyre, cursed fire, that I had invoked earlier will take care of him. Now for your reward my love.”stated Yoric. She happily turned towards Yoric waiting for him to reveal the rune. So they can live happily ever after just like he promised. He smiled down at her and then thrust the knife in her belly. “And I am sorry. But in order to become immortal I knew the only way to get close to the king was to use the closest person to him. And for that I will be eternally grateful.” vowed Yoric.
Sir Francis drew his sword and slashed at Yoric. He had lost the two closest people to him. Now the only goal was to kill the wizard. Yoric managed to duck the killing blade just in time. He knew all he had to do was get out of the castle. The fire will take care of Francis and consume everything else in its path. Yoric dodged a few more wild strikes by Francis. He was able to spin out into the stairwell. Sir Francis started towards the magician still slashing furiously. Yoric began running down the stairs. The smoke was getting worse the farther he went. He realized the fire had spread quicker than he imagined. It now devoured all of the first floor. Yoric had nowhere else to run too. He arrived at a balcony and stared down. The whole area was blazing furiously.
Through all the smoke Francis had momentarily lost Yoric. Knowing there is only one way up and down the stairwell. He proceeded downward. Yoric knew he had escaped Francis for the time being and realizing the only way out was to hurry up and read the rune. He unrolled the script and started speaking the words written. Half way through Yoric looked down feeling his body internally changing, becoming stronger. Francis arrived unexpectedly at that moment and slashed at Yoric cutting his hand off which held the scroll. Yoric could do nothing. He saw the scroll floating down into the hellish abyss. He had no other choice. He must finish reading the inscription. He must become immortal. Nothing else mattered. A few burns can be healed over an infinite amount of time.
Sir Francis watched in horror as he saw the wizard jump into the flames. He ran over to the edge knowing Yoric had committed suicide jumping for the scroll. The smoke was too much, he heard the agonizing screams below. Yoric had grabbed the scroll with his one good hand, but it was too late. The flames had lit the bottom of the paper on fire. The rest of the words could not be read. Immortality could never be. The blaze was deathly, scorched his skin within seconds. Death was imminent. He would die a man. A wizard struck down by his own curse. The fates were cruel.
Sir Francis knew he could not make it out through bottom exit. He decided to jump out a window a few stories up. Broke both his legs on the fall. But he was alive. And from all that had happened that day, he could be thankful for that.
In the days that followed, word had spread quickly around the kingdom of the wizard's demise. The story foretold Yoric the Enchanter had killed the king and princess will a fire spell. And that Sir Francis had arrived too late to help the royal family. But was able to trap and kill the wizard in the fire. Sir Francis had kept the princess's betrayal a secret. He had felt so much grief and hurt that day. Nobody else needed to know the entire truth. She was dead and that was punishment enough.
Sir Francis legs did heal with time. And because of his heroic acts he was elected the next King of Qinella. As the years passed, King Francis became a mighty king and was loved by his kingdom. He eventually married. She was a beautiful vibrant diplomat from one of the smaller fiefs nearby. They had met while discussing a peace treaty. He loved his bride and they would have 3 children, 2 boys and girl. And although he awoke many nights of terrors of what had happened, he counted himself one of the luckiest men alive.