Artistic Science

end-of-necrosis:

writing-prompt-s:

A sorceress comes to your kingdom and says, “In three days, I shall bring my army to your kingdom and conquer it. But be warned, whatever technology or people you use to defend yourself, we will use to attack you.”

And so I sat there, awaiting my demise. The stone of my last bastion surrounded me, crumbling, flaking, all but lost to the ravages of time. Yet I am not scared, of course not. I have lived a long life, I have done more than I ever could have dreamed but not it was all coming to a close. I expected it to happen just a lot sooner than it did. 

The Sorceress was coming, her stride long and powerful as it was when she came three days before, her army behind her, banners in the wind but as she entered my throne room, she was confused, her brows furrowed tightly as she stood at the end of the hall, wan daylight making a halo of her head, blurring the details of her face. “What nonsense is this, you mad old fool? Where are your soldiers, your cannon, your people?! Did you think I would just let you surrender? I came here to kill and conquer, not to be handed the kingdom freely.”

I went to speak to her but a coughing fit interrupted my words and it took a few moments before I responded. “I don’t give in, Sorceress, I don’t surrender. That’s the thing though… I know about your magic.” I wheezed with a chuckle, pushing my body up, old bones protesting. I took the scepter of my office and with its help I walked down the dais towards her, the click of gold on stone loud in the echoing hall. “An oath and it is binding but you made a mistake with your wording. Any people or technology I use to defend myself you will use against me. If I use none, then there is nothing to attack me with.” I told her with a grin and her eyes narrowed.

The witch stormed towards me with the slap of bare feet and grabbed the front of my suit, bunching it up in her fists and pulling me close with more strength than I thought she had in that lithe frame of hers. “What is the secret, old man? What trap do you have planned?” She hissed, her breath smelling of garlic and blood.

“Not a trap but a trick, my friend. After all, what about technology you already possess?” My words didn’t tip her off enough, good. She staggered back and looked down at the hilt of my dagger, ornate, bejeweled and rammed deep into her chest under her ribs. She coughed and looked up at me in perfect time for my scepter to crack across her jaw, sending her to the ground where she bled out.

“I used no people for you to attack me with and technology you already possess… The oath is fulfilled.” I told her corpse before shambling back to my throne. Bloody mages were always too confident.

(via end-of-necrosis)