"Zoran," he said, softly, while staring at the leaping flames, "what have ye done?"

As a Ninth Level Wizard, Zoran had been the court mage at Hampstead Castle for decades. He was a close confidant of Queen Francis, and was especially fond of the young princess. Then, eight years ago, Calibex had appeared at the castle gates, seeking an audience with the learned mage. The younger wizard wished to train under Zoran, to learn of the older master's knowledge. Flattered, Zoran agreed to take Calibex as a student, and for the next three years, shared with the young mage the secrets of his spells, charms, illusions, divination and most importantly, the art of teleportation.

Already an accomplished magician in his own right, Calibex was an eager and bright student, quickly absorbing all of the knowledge which Zoran offered him. When Calibex had learned all that the older wizard could possibly teach him, he killed Zoran, being careful to make it appear as if the aged mage had died of natural causes. Unaware of this treachery, King Harold, knowing only that Zoran had apparently trusted Calibex sufficiently to share with him all of his arcane knowledge, raised the younger mage to the position of court wizard--just as Calibex had planned that he would.

For the next few years, Calibex secretly plotted against the royal family, intending eventually to bring an end to the Hampstead reign. Queen Francis had never fully accepted or trusted the younger wizard, however, and so must have at some point before his death, gone to Zoran in secret and obtained a protection talisman for her daughter, Isabelle.

Calibex suddenly slammed a fist down on the arm of his chair in anger, and cursed the spirit of the dead wizard for interfering with his plans. Just as quickly, he calmed himself. "I shall still win this battle, Zoran," he said to the flames. "You have brought about merely a temporary delay."

The wizard rose from his chair, pulled the cowl of his robe back over his head, crossed both arms against his chest...and vanished. When he was gone, the flames in the fireplace sputtered and died, leaving the hearth once again cold and dark.

To be continued...