THE PRICE OF A WISH

Once upon a time in a land far, far away of Sorea, there existed a mysterious woodland feared by all. Deep within it a cottage weathered by time stood, making the enchanted place seem more eerie . A beautiful young lady with magical prowess by the name of Cassius, alone inhabited the place. Her name alone could bring shudders to the hearts of grown men.

Cassius had the ability to grant wishes to those in need…for a price. However the greed of the human heart could not let such temptation rest. The townsfolk disregarding the consequences came to her for aid.

The ease at which they had their wishes granted drew more people and before they knew almost half of the townsfolk had visited her at least once. Until one day they reaped the consequences of their actions. The people who had their wishes granted faced with damaging results, rushed in droves to Cassius’s cottage and begged her to take back those wishes.

“I have told you all before you made your wish, now what’s done is done. I’m unable to undo your wishes ” explained Cassius to the agitated crowd.

“You should have made it more clear. How are you going to fix this!” yelled one man at the forefront. His words resonating with the crowd .

Cassius glanced at the person who spoke and upon finding him to be the mayor, an annoyed look flashed in her eyes, “You made the wish so the consequences are yours to bear. Now Leave! while I’m still asking. ” Her green eyes flashed as the wind picked surrounding the trespassers.

Silence rang throughout the woodland as darkness seeped into the light. It was in that moment it became abundantly clear who they were trying to threaten. Sparing no time to think, the townsfolk ran away tripping over themselves in their escape.

Outside the woodlands, they collapsed to the ground as their fear settled down. The man who spoke earlier said in self-righteous fury, “we cannot let her get away with this. Something must be done about this witch.”

The people of Sorea filled with the dissatisfaction failing to see the blame within themselves, vilified whom they thought was the cause of their pain. Cassius. Thus in their anger a strange tale was born of a wicked witch who tempted the people and spread inhumane curses.

Cassius shunned and isolated by the people, felt that it would be a pity to not realize the accusations against her name. Hence one night the sky lit up, and then a voice as though whispered into their ears were heard by the Soreans,“isolation for one, isolation for all, error by one, error by all. Repent and one chance you may receive. May this enchantment weave in your soul and seep in your heart, for I, Cassius of the Magics, stand by my word.”

A veil shrouded the entire town seconds later and the once empty town was at once awakened , as they leapt running outside to find almost everyone was searching around for the voice.in their panicked reached a consensus and rushed towards the town gates only to find out that they cannot leave. Suffocation which spread around in the crowd was further made unbearable the women clutching their children and wailing in despair.

The Mayor Peter said, “lets go to the witch Cassius maybe we could convince her into change her mind.” All rose to the feet helping those as they all rushed to the woodlands only to find out that even there they were blocked from entry. Shouting, crying and screaming for Cassius became the norm a few days later, however with no response to their plea , numbness filled their hearts , and they grew cold.

Darkness had spread in Sorea and hope was nowhere in sight. Days turned to months to years. Before they knew it two years had elapsed and a knight with his troops arrived…

****

The knight rode into town one day with his company, steel blue eyes sweeping over the despondent people who looked neither alive or dead. The pungent scent of despair clinging to their skin. The town in faded beauty of a mockery of it’s former self. The perusal only last to what was but a moment before it landed on one who wore the clothes for a mayor

“All kneel before his Royal highness Henri of Tribani, ” said the knight Judea as he gestured respectfully towards the man who appeared to have been molded into the definition of regal perfection. The people failed to obey the order swiftly causing Judea to hit his fist on the armored chest once, and the response of the troops resounded twice in turn.

Clarity slowly shone in their eyes as it became apparent that these were actual people and not the figment of their imagination. Everyone present fell to their knees as wails filled with grief sounded throughout the town center, “We are saved, we are saved…” The words were repeated in unison.

“My people, your rumored pleas have reached our ears, and we have come to aid, ” the calm voice of Henri silencing their cries.

“His excellency, we beg of you to seek justice for us ,” pleaded Mayor Peter his voice a sign of the weariness that had sunk into his bones. He then in a rush introduced himself as Mayor Peter of Sorea.

Judea glanced at the kneeling crowd before him before his eyes landed on the seemingly empathetic Prince Henri, then just as quickly he cast his gaze aside. A bored look threatening to appear on his face.

“It is that witches fault, your excellency, " said Peter who still rested on his knees. “She had cursed our people and her evil has spread even to our children.” Venom lacing every word he spoke, as though if Cassius were here he would dare to eat her alive.

“Yes,” Murmurs grew in the crowd as their assent was heard all around.

" Is that so? Henri said lightly as the blue in his eyes deepened . “This evil must truly be stopped. Lead the way.” Peter leapt to his feet and rushed forward as though he wished he could fly all the way to the woodlands. Peter then stopped at the edge of the woodlands face pale as he retreated backwards

“The wicked witch Cassius lives in there, your highness, ” his voice laced with fear different from the earlier hatred.

Careless eyes had glanced backwards at the previously rowdy crowd and only focused on the mayor when he heard Cassius’s name being uttered.Feeling the weight of his gaze, uncomfortable expression flitted across the Mayor’s face for a moment wondering if he had said something wrong, and only relaxed when Henri put away his gaze.

“Please bring justice for your subjects and purge this evil from our lands, " said Peter. Once more they all knelt to the ground in plea.

“i will bring justice,”stated Henri as he signaled his men to ride forward.

Deeper and deeper into the woodlands they rode failing to see their expressions morphing from eagerness to something sinister in nature.

The witch will die today, that thought passed through the minds of those present.

****

The knights waged on following his majesty, the sound of the hooves the only sound being heard in the eerily quite woods. The distorted trees loomed over them silent and watching. If they were unnerved none of the showed it and just moments later when the cottage came into view, their horses made an abrupt halt, agitation visibly clear.

Henri released an inaudible sigh and alighted* from his horse and handed the reigns* to Judea once it was evident that it still refused to go any further, despite his urging. “You are to remain behind, i will go alone from here.” Prince Henri then raised his hand to halt any talk from Judea, “That is an order. Judea, you are in command until my return.”

“I obey your command,”said Judea as his eyes trailed after his royal commander who drifted further and further away. He watched as he crossed over the creepy cobble stone pathway surrounded by murky water on both side.

Henri reached the door of the cottage in quick strides an without any thought opened the door and walked in. His gaze was immediately attracted by the warm inviting atmosphere the living room gave, different from what the exterior of the house would have otherwise implied. The scent of freshly brewed tea sifting* in the air, a subtle reminder of home. In his perusal a sight that made everything in the room fade out of view stood slightly leaning by the door door focused on him.

The air froze as sea green eyes met royal blue from across the room. Wavy midnight hair being pushed back as the silk dress fluttered in the cool breeze. It was unclear who moved first but one moment they were across the room from each other and the next moment Cassius found herself lifted into powerful arms being spun into circles.

“Cassius,” Henri said in a gruff voice gently setting her down, “missed me?”

“You wish. What are you doing here anyway, Henri ? ” asked Cassius with her head tilted to the side, their eyes arresting each other once more.

“I’m here for you.The future queen of Tribani is here, where else should I be,” asked Henri as he lightly squeezed her waist before stepping back from her. “Are you done with your experiment? The rumor of a vanished town wouldn’t have reached me otherwise.” Responding to the silent query in her eyes.

Slipping from his grasp she asked teasingly, “What do you think.” Retreating backwards until she stood by the packed bags that came into view. Henri’s eyes slid from the packed suitcases and trailed back until they reached the tilt of Cassius mouth before they stopped at the shade of green he loved.

“Then let’s go home, my Cassius, ” said Henry as reached into the air pulled what appeared to be a wand handing it to her, “for you, a little gift for my fairy.”

“Aren’t you going to ask about my curse? They are your subjects after all, ” questioned Cassius as she waved the bags away and a charmed bracelet appearing on her wrist. Capturing it in his palm as fingers circled around it, Henri raised it to his hand before a laying a feathered kiss then brought it back down.

“Their actions kept you away from me and they still hoped for your death,” he drawled carelessly. " Why would I care about what happens to them? ”. However he quickly changed his words once he saw the look in her eyes, “ I jest, let’s go and say goodbye.”

Together they both stepped out of the cottage and with a lingering glance backwards Cassius closed the door for the last time. They made their way to where the knights stood waiting, and as they arrived, Judea jumped from his horse an action which was mirrored by the rest of the men. Kneeling in respect he said to Cassius, “ Welcome back your royal majesty.”

“it’s good to back Judea,” said Cassius who then turned and glanced at Henri who moved to lift her onto his horse. However he stopped in his tracks as magic pulsed around them , “I know a faster way,”and as soon as the words were spoken they found themselves appearing before the startled townsfolk who did not expect them to appear in such a way.

****

“It’s the wicked witch, she has come out, ” said the Mayor, as he retreated back in fright with his people.

“It can’t be! Did Prince Henri fail to slay her, ” said one townsfolk.

“Kill the witch” ““Kill her,” the words echoed among the people who had at some point had grabbed picks, axes and hoes wanting to get rid of the witch Cassius. Their heightened fear subconsciously making them ignore the seething man who stood at Cassius’s side

“oh…who exactly do you want to kill,” the cold tone shockingly cutting through the crowd.

In unison the people saw the man who dwarfed Cassius’s hand, and the cold blade shimmering in the light. In hind sight they knew that this was the same man from earlier however his demeanor made them to aware of the things that the had subconsciously ignored earlier. For instance how was it that they were able to come into this town after years of being isolated, and how they could easily can access to the woodlands which had not been open to them.

Face pale and fear palpable in the air they fell to their knees, something that had been doing the entire day. “Forgive us, please have mercy on us!” said the Soreans.

Stormy blue eyes fell on the mob before him, something deep inside him simply wanting to kill them, but the slight squeeze on his had let those thoughts simmer down. Tilting his head down, Cassius lightly shook her head as this was her fight.

Taking a step away from him, Cassius approached the agitated crowd that shifted backwards on their knees. “The people of Sorea, why don’t you ever learn, ” Cassius whispered and for a moment it was as though they were brought back to two years before.

“Mayor Peter, why didn’t you advice your people to change. You keep making the same mistakes and because of it you gambled with the chance I gave you.”

“No, no, no, please no, ”begged the Mayor shuffling forward hands rubbing against one another,“ please just one more chance! ”.

“You will never change… you don’t even know where you went wrong, ” she said as though she was talking to herself. Emotionless eyes judged him cutting deep into his soul, “unfortunately for you all, I’m out time and out of chances to give you.” The words caused the despair to spread once more.

“Our children…please spare our children,” begged one woman in the crowd. Cassius eyes shifted over to the woman who knelt clutching her child to herself, and she lingered there for a moment.

Letting out a sigh she turned her head to gaze a the man who had his gaze quietly trained on her then back at the crowd she raised her wand and enchanted, “ The children will be banished from Sorea, their memory will be wiped . However for everyone else the curse shall remain until the day the children have atoned for their parents actions. Only then will the town come back to existence once more. Let it be as I said.”

The veil from two years ago lit up in shimmering red before it disappeared again. All the children from the town disappeared to areas unknown and parents who lost their children cried in grief, however they knew that this was the mercy granted to them.

Looking at the people before her who appeared catatonic he took another step backward until she was at Henri’s side.

“i thought you would not give them a second chance,” Henri whispered in her ear. Only to be met with a questioning look ,“Never mind. Are ready to leave?”. His answer was the portal emerging beneath them and with a swish they disappeared.

So did the town.

****

Years later a fairy tale was born and with it a town near a mysterious woodlands appeared.

Maybe happily ever after takes time…and a second chance.

The end.