“First thing we need to cover is the Great War.” Aero states, “It’s the crux of everything that has shaped the kingdom. Everything is as it is now because of it.”
The Beast nods as he settles into his hidden corner to relax and listen.
Prince Aero takes note that the Beast is purposefully blocking the cave. The beast must be trying to hide something.
“A Sorcerer had cast a spell that the King had asked for, but it caused the death of the Queen. Some say it was a fertility spell, others say it was a vanity spell to make her appear younger. But whatever it was, the Queen died.”
“Sounds like he trusted the wrong Sorcerer to me. But I am sure the guild just sent him one of their most respected to be his personal wizard.”
“What guild?”
“Back in the time of respected magic, the Sorcerers’ Guild functioned as a business to provide services for the people. They would send an envoy to serve the crown.”
Aero thinks on the life he could have had with a family magician to make life easier. Another mental note to go over later.
Aero continues “King William went mad with rage and declared war on all things magic…”
The torch light fades as he speaks before going completely out.
“Don’t worry, in a few minutes you will be able to see better without the light.” The Beast explains.
Aero is unsettled. Whatever poise the light had given him was gone. He is alone in the dark with a behemoth troll, or monster, or goblin. His features don’t really fit any known category.
“Your heartbeat has increased. Makes your blood smell better, relax. I am interested in what you are saying and I’m not real hungry right now. Please continue.”
Aero hopes he is joking as he continues.
“As support began to spread for the king, reports began being shared throughout the kingdom of all the negative effects that the spells had caused. A groundswell rally of people fed up with the magic formed the greatest army the crown had ever mustered. Of course, magicians had its supporters too. Battles were fought in every corner; the historians say that blood was shed on every rock from the Raging Sea to the snows the Iron Mountains.”
“And I was locked in this cave the entire time…” The Beast says with remorse.
“It was a three-year war, with constant fighting. Known engagements number over ten thousand, with countless deaths. We know for certain that the Minotaur race was obliterated, the Skymen were reduced to bare numbers and are only found on Peel Island in the Golden Ocean out west. Rumors have persisted for centuries that a small number of the Strongwood Witches are hidden away on the island, but there have been several excursions to find them over the years without a trace. All paid the price for opposing the crown.”
Aero collects himself as he begins to finish the story.
“The war culminated in the first six months of King Paul’s reign. His brutal tactics forced the opposition to the cliffs of what was once known as the Popalu Shores, where all the magicians no matter their classification were thrown into the rocks below the bluffs. Some saw three ships being loaded by some that are presumed to have made it to the beach during the massacre. Paul created the Western Defense the next morning. The force still patrols the entire western border watching for anything to land on the shores. Paul also renamed the place Red Rock Bay as a celebration of his victory”
“How long did it take the crown to realize that the magic was still in affect?”
“Couldn’t have been too long. Many of the crown force carried weapons with magic properties. The King carried the Royal Blade, the five Gilbert Knight’s carried their Warhammers to name a few. The crops that were boosted by magic continued to grow in abundance, families came forward to the crown with complaints of the curses upon them still being in place. All these factors along with Paul’s brutal reign destabilized the kingdom to allow for the first Civil War in Kingdom history. Paul’s reign lasted less than three years. His younger brother William gained enough support to oust Paul, but before Paul could be captured and executed, he disappeared. Not only him, his wife and two children. He took the Royal Blade with him.”
“So, the outcome of this Great War was that the people with the ability to create new magic or alter old magic or could end all of the negative effects of any spell were killed or maybe exiled? Then all of the magic already in place has been left unchecked for all this time?” The Beast asks.
“And all of the people alive have been forced to live according to that magic without hope of escaping ever since.” Aero responds.
“I’ve been in this cave all of this time hoping that a sorcerer or witch or mage or anyone would wander by and release me. There was never a chance of that.”
Aero can hear the frustration in the Beast’s voice. The Beast is stuck in the cave by magic, he understands the horror of his words; there never was a chance of escape. At the same time the Beast is realizing that he never will leave the cave.
After a short silent period of obvious deep contemplation, the Beast speaks.
“Aero, please don’t say another word tonight. I can’t handle any more of this. Let’s sleep.”
Aero agrees but does so by remaining silent. Aero reflects on the past few hours, which he must call a success. He thought he would be dead by now, instead he has built the foundations of a relationship with a mythological figure.
Just as the Beast is reflecting on his wasted hopes and pondering his past, Aero’s mind creeps toward the fact that his trip to Meego may still be in his future.
Relics of the Old Age 