Calytrix's Journey

Chapter I: The Evil King II

Just as I predicted, the guards came to my room early in the morning. I rested well thanks to meditation. I answered the door as soon as their knocking became unbearable.

"Lady Calytrix, the king wants to see you. His liege is waiting for you in the treasury," a guard said.

"I don't have a choice, do I?" I said, trying to ease my bitterness. 

Once more, the guards seized my hands and hurried me along. Though I could have walked independently, they left me no alternative. A bit more sense and gentleness would have been preferable.

Being called to the treasury by the king came as a shock. I imagined it to be somewhere else. Somewhere other than the throne room. I never imagined it to be the second most significant location within the palace. The guards' conversation last night revealed that the treasury had been emptied, and this was my opportunity to prove what they claimed. It's possible the demon called me to become a pawn in his abhorrent plots. I decided to exorcise it as soon as possible. Halting before an enormous wooden door, the guards paused. It resembled the one outside the throne room, but was uncarved. I was pushed inside, the door closed, and only the king and I remained in the treasury.

One could only describe the vast space as an expanse of emptiness. The guards spoke the truth. I could hardly believe my eyes. There was nothing at all in the room. There wasn't a single gold coin, piece of paper, or piece of jewelry in sight. In the middle of the room, the demon-possessed king waited for my arrival.

"You're here little witch," he said, looking down on me again." As you can see, I'll be needing some of your cooperation, as the last witch helped me."

I gave him an icy glare. The last witch was involved in this demonic activity. Hearing that another witch from my birthplace was involved in something so awful caused me pain.

"Don't give me that look. It isn't a poor deal. I'll profit and share some of the wealth with you," he continued.

"Is cooperation related to committing harmful acts against children?" I asked.

"Yes, among other things- but think about what you'll gain. What luxury you'll be able to live with," he said. "You probably can't even imagine all the fun you'll have since you lived in a small, poor village with nothing in it."

"Don't insult my village!" I said in a louder voice than I planned.

Although my village was small and poor, it was my cherished home, and I wouldn't tolerate anyone speaking ill of it. That was exclusively the villagers' right.

"Do you like that dirty village?" The king asked. "You'll have full control over how to invest your rewards if you accept. You can make that village look like a worthy place for people to live."

I had lost my desire to continue the conversation. The anger was bottling inside of me and I was ready to let my flames out.

"Dona mihi mala auferte potestaem spirituum sunt. Colligat ignem sacrum," I started the incantation.

"You dare to turn against me?!" said the demon angrily.

"Spiritus ignis malignus eras," I continued.

The fire spirit must have heard my call. I felt a burst of energy inside my body.

"Hunc liberum hominem. Mitte malum quo pertinent illud."

My focus on my spell prevented me from hearing the demon's angry words. The purifying flames I summoned prevented him from approaching. Therefore, I ignored his behavior. Anything he said to me was more or less an insult, and that wouldn't change with this situation. It's probable that the insults only worsened.