I used to write fantasy, but I moved more towards real-life. People say I have the imagination for fantasy and sci-fi. -shrug- I just dunno. I found this beauty in my virtual archives. What do ya'll think?
The forest was quiet and peaceful during the times of winter. Snow rested in the boughs of the trees and on the forest floor. The snow was a pure white, when the sun hit it the snow would blind one that saw it.
Past the muffled forest was a castle. This castle was tall and the largest in the land. Not even the King knew all of the secret passages. The King was young, only 32. His wife was a prize indeed. The Queen was a year younger at thirty-one. However, she looked in her mid-twenties, perhaps younger. Her hair was a light brown and her eyes a lovely caramel. She was curved in all of the right places and she demanded perfection. She was tall, making her all the more beautiful. She was at least three-fourths of a head taller than her husband.
Queen Joanne was never cruel. She was always kind to everyone, be they the lowliest slave or the highest bishop. This kindness made her very popular in the kingdom.
That winter she was pregnant, almost full term. According to the midwife Joanne was to have a baby girl. Joanne and King Rupert Avrilian still hadn't figured out a name for their daughter. There was only two days until their daughter would enter the world.
In the late afternoon a guard entered the room with news of a visitor. "Let him in," Rupert said. Joanne was lying in the bed, her enlarged stomach prominent. Rupert sat beside his wife on the bed as a man entered. He wore a fur coat and a robe of emerald color.
"My Lord, my Lady. It has come to my attention that you are expecting a child," the stranger said. "Yes we are. She shall be born in two days," Rupert said. The stranger held up a hand. "That is where you are wrong my Lord. You are to have a son," the stranger said. Rupert sat up. "Who are you? Why are you here?" Rupert said. "My name is Balthazar. I am a warlock and come from the land across the ocean," the man said.
"It has come to our attention that your son carries a disease within him. This disease is deadly and is highly contagious. If he isn't treated quickly after he is born, he will die and the disease will spread throughout the kingdom like wildfire. I must ask of you to allow me to take him to my home to treat him. If not, I will have to take him by force," Balthazar said. His emerald eyes sparkled as he watched the expectant parents. Everything he said was a lie.
He had come because the child in Joanne's womb was a sorcerer. His job was whenever a sorcerer was identified, he was to find him or her and take them to the land of Kilian. "Is that a threat sir?" asked Rupert. "I am merely saying that the disease your son carries could wipe out your entire kingdom in less than two weeks," Balthazar replied. "Why has it not affected my wife?" asked Rupert. "She is immune to it because she houses the boy. Her immunity nullifies its affects and keeps it from spreading to others," replied Balthazar, clasping his hands before him.
"Very well. You may stay in the castle until my wife gives birth. You may take our son to your homeland to heal him and rid him of this horrid disease," Rupert said, scratching his light brown beard.
Balthazar's eyes flicked to the books on the bed and hid a smile. "If I may, may I suggest a name for your son?" Balthazar said, his gaze going back to the couple. "Of course," Joanne spoke for the first time. "Renar Asrilo," Balthazar said. "Very well, Renar Asrilo it is," Joanne said. Balthazar bowed and slid out of the room quickly, hiding a smile.
Balthazar took Renar Asrilo Avrilian away two days later. Balthazar fed the boy with cow's milk as he traveled with the child. Renar was a quiet child, sleeping most of the trip. Balthazar brought him before the Kilian council after a couple months of traveling. The council was in meeting for over three hours while Balthazar waited with the child. As he waited he watched as a child of a mere three years of age walked past, literally walking on air. Balthazar had learned levitation at two years of age. He scoffed to himself as he continued to watch the child walk along. The youth was still wobbly as he walked, meaning he was the same on the ground.
Balthazar looked up as the child's caretaker came over and picked the child up, reprimanding him with a harsh slap on the thigh. The child began to bawl and the two walked off. Balthazar shook his head and glanced at the sleeping child in his arms. Renar was sleeping peacefully wrapped up in his blanket.
"Balthazar, they have made their decision," came the voice of the female warlock at the door. Balthazar nodded and stood. He entered the council chambers and bowed. "The child is to spend the first thirteen years here in the castle. On his fourteenth birthday he is to assigned to you, Balthazar, as your apprentice," the oldest of the warlocks said. "Sir, I already have an apprentice," Balthazar said, surprised. "Johs is dead as far as you're concerned Balthazar. He has turned evil, you no longer have the right to call him your pupil," the Master Warlock said. Balthazar's eyes widened slightly but he nodded. "Of course sir. It shall be done as you request."
The Master Warlock nodded and Balthazar left. "Where is Jolani?" asked Balthazar to the female warlock. Jolani was the caretaker of the students under three years of age. "She's right behind you sir," the warlock replied. Balthazar turned and closed his eyes in shock. He opened them and shook his head. "Don't do that Jolani," Balthazar growled. "I apologize Balthazar. This must be Renar Asrilo Avrilian," Jolani said, taking the boy from Balthazar's arms. "Yes, it is. His time in the castle is the usual time, thirteen years," Balthazar said. Jolani nodded. "Of course. Goodbye Balthazar," Jolani said and walked off with the child.
