Legend of the Magibird

The Blessing

We returned to my father Lord Vlad's castle in high spirits. On the way I had been apprehended by the guards for what had occurred at the Iris Inn, but I paid all debts and damages from a tribute of gold I had received from the nobles of Ranvig Castle as a reward for freeing them from the duke.

When I had returned wearing the necklace to my father's throne room, he widened his eyes and raised himself up from his throne fast.

"My son Bratko, you have come back with the necklace!"

He ran towards me and embraced me. Then, he put his hand on my shoulder.

"You and Boyan were gone for two weeks! I was afraid both of you had disappeared or worse, died. Where is Boyan, and what were you doing all this time? Who is this pretty woman with you?" he asked.

I bowed down to my father and rose back up, took off the necklace and gave it to him. Then I pointed to Lada.

"This is Lada, the duchess, or at least former duchess of Ranvig"

Lada bowed to the king and shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you, young Lada."

"I'm glad to meet you as well, Lord Vlad."

After this, I explained my whole journey to my father.

"Oh, it is a shame that both of you got distracted once again at the Iris Inn! And that you got into a fight there! Though I am thankful that you were able to get out, and you repaid the debts and damages, so I can forgive you for that. But I am also saddened that you brother turned against you, and now he is gone, probably dead."

My father looked down at the floor.

"There was nothing I could have done, Father. He got the fate that he tried to give me".

He raised his head again.

"But what a magical coincidence that this bird you pursued turned out to be this beautiful woman who found your mother's necklace! And you did a good deed in freeing her from Duke Gniewko! He was my greatest nemesis, and I dreaded the day when we would cross paths again! This is like a true fairy tale, one that shall be written and remembered for days to come! You know what, I think you should keep my necklace. You earned it. I am proud of you."

My father took his necklace off and gave it to me.

"Thank you very much, Father. I am flattered. Me and Lada would like to marry. Can we have your blessing for the marriage to go forward?"

My father smiled and raised his palm.

"Of course, you have my blessing. I think you have found the perfect woman. I can sense and see your bond, and I know you will both take good care of each other. She is beautiful and fertile. You will produce excellent and strong heirs."

The throne room door opened, and Boyan walked in panting. He was hunched forwards; his face was covered with grime and had a cut on his cheek. His white chemise was torn, worn down and dirty, as were his black wool pants which had been torn below the ankle. He had a thin frame, and I could see the bones on his neck.

I would have felt sorry for him if he hadn't left me for dead. At seeing him, I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth. But he stopped in front of me, knelt and brought his hands together. My father also walked forward.

"Bratko, my brother! I am a disgraceful, wicked person who does not deserve your forgiveness for leaving you for dead! I had the chance to help you escape, and we could have completed the task ourselves, but I was selfish, jealous, bitter! I deserve to be punished severely for what I have done, cast out by the respectable people of the kingdom forever! But I cannot ask for your forgiveness, brother! I can only request it!" pleaded Boyan.

I stared at this man below me, reduced to a dirty and weak wretch who looked like he had gone through hell, like he hadn't eaten in days. His voice and facial expression showed me that he truly felt sorry, that he truly asked for forgiveness. He was sincere, unlike in the cliff where he had lied through his teeth. He had suffered the fate he had left me to, yet he had escaped. I guess I could forgive him.

"Boyan, I forgive you. You are still my brother and I love you."

I grabbed his hands and raised him up from the ground. My father leaned towards him.

"You attempted to kill your brother and you expect to get away with it scot-free?!? Absolutely not! You will be thrown in the dungeons!" he yelled.

I extended my hand towards my father.

"Father..."

Lord Vlad turned to me.

"He's had his punishment already and learned his lesson, there is no need for any more punishment" I said.

I then looked my brother in the eye.

"Your time will come, Boyan".