"Order! I call you to order!" King Theo was shouting. His usually orderly courtroom
had errupted into a chorus or shouts and objections. On trial today was one convicted of being a witch. Under
normal circumstances, this was an excusable crime. However, this witch had cast a curse on the entire Kingdom.
Once the crowds had settled, Theo glanced around, observing the disdainful expressions of his subjects. They sat on
rough wooden benches, a mark of their meanger status. The nobles which made the jury were draped in their finest silks
for the occasion. It wasn't every day that they were able to flaunt their riches in front of the peons. Then his
eyes came to rest upon the old woman in front of him. She was garbed in a dark woolen cloak, which overed her entire
body. It had a hood, used to keep the woman from the elements, but was used today to keep her from the stares of the
people. Her face was horribly misfigured. The results of various beautification spells which had back-fired.
The only normal feature on her face was her eyes. Their insense turquoise color bored through the King's heart.
"Let me review these charges against you, Carmen," which was the witche's name, "This gentleman says he saw you writing of
the doom of the Kingdom. As far as anyone can discern, that would mean you know such doom. And if you
are so knowledgable, there is a good chance you are the cause of this fate." As he realized he had taken the audience's
attention, he continued in a more sincere tone, "I don't like to condemn for 'a good chance', but there is no evidence
in your favor. Do you have anything to say on your own behalf?"
"Everything you have said is true. But it was not a curse i was writing, but a prophesy.
A way to defeat the Kingdom's doom, if you will. Fifteen years hence, this demon plague will descend upon the Kingdom.
Led by a necromancer, they will have every power to destroy the entire continent. Except one. Your eldest son
shall wield the only force capable of defeating this innumerable army," Carmen the witch stated.
The King retorted, "That is simply impossible. A single person cannot defeat an army!
And how come none of the clairvoyants can see this 'impending doom'?"
"It does not matter, you shall kill me whether i can defend myself or not," Carmen answered.
"However, I ask you to send your eldest son to my heir when the time comes, and your castle is overrun with the hordes of
demons."
Theo was turning a lovely shade of burgundy at this point, being told what to do was not
one of his favorite things. Carmen, on the other hand, seemed to be the one handling the situation. With
a final conviction, Theo scorned, "Burn her!"
At this the peasants errupted into cheers. It had been a while since the last burning,
and they needed a cause for celebration. Carmen just looked at him, smiled, and said to herself, "My prophesy is comming
to fruitation already."
