Night had fallen as the endless rain lashed down upon this sleepy hamlet. A day’s ride from the great castle, they were enclosed inside a protective stockade. Who they expected to attack them, was known only to themselves.

Standing upon the high tower stood a very strange man indeed. Buried inside thick woollies, he stood with his legs apart and arms splayed toward the menacing sky.

“Erdom, richvat, hear me, oh hear me.”

The villagers stood and watched in silent awe. They watched as the storm began to abate. They watched as the stream of water changed to a light drizzle. They watched as the millennium rain ended at long last.

Charly had been asleep, dreaming of tea at JO JO’s when he was suddenly grabbed.

“You must see this mate. It’s ruddy amazing.”

Charly was none too pleased of course.

“This had better be worth it.”

He entered the apartment and walked towards the open window. Or should I say the small hole in the wall. For a moment, everything looked normal to his sleepy mind.

“Isn’t it great?”

He glanced at Grant then back outside. The blue sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds that rolled by slowly.

“The rain has stopped,” he muttered at last. “I never thought I’d live to see the day.”

“You should see the king mate. He’s cock a hoop.”

When they entered the king’s chambers, he was indeed very happy.

“A great day eh Charly?”

“Yes it is. Obviously, nature has restored herself. Be warned though. Abuse her again and she’ll bite back.”

“No worries there,” the king said. “We live in harmony with nature now.”

Charly joined Grant outside, watching as the clouds flitted by.

“It’s almost miraculous,” Grant said. “We can throw away the woollies now.”

Charly glanced at the very old poncho.

“Someone already has mate.”

As the king emerged beaming he said, “This calls for a visit to the next hamlet.”

“What’s it called?” Grant asked.

“We use no names here,” the King reminded him.

“Remember to take bodyguards,” Charly said helpfully.

“Can we come too?” Grant asked.

“Of course you can. Nobody would try anything with Charly around.”

As the king made the arrangements Grant whispered into Charley’s ear, “I’ll blame you if they do.”

Charly grinned.

The small force had nearly reached that distant hamlet. With six knights at either side and Charly at the rear, the king was indeed well protected.

“Nice to see the sun eh?”

“Yes Grant it is.”

A rider approached and rapidly dismounted.

“We send greetings sire.”

“Accepted of course. This is simply a courtesy visit.”

“We understand sir.”

The king’s steed broke into a gallop and Charly coaxed his own to follow suit.

The gates were open as they arrived. The villagers cheering the arrival of their monarch. Amongst them was the village head, a short puffy man of some worth.

“Greetings sire.”

As the king dismounted with his guard, he reciprocated.

“A fine greeting indeed. You need not have troubled yourself.”

The head lowered his voice.

“May we speak in private?”

The king noted the grave look and assented to the request.

“I wonder where they are off to?” Grant asked.

“Probably to talk about the tax rate my boy. You know what councillors are like.”

The village head lived in a larger wooden home than the others. The thatched roof added to its importance.

“What is this about?” the king asked.

The head shuffled his feet nervously.

“I’m as open minded as the next man sir, but something strange happened overnight.”

“Please explain yourself.”

“The wizard arrived telling everyone that the rain would cease, and that he would make it happen. He stood atop yonder tower and said some kind of incantation. Then the rain did stop.”

“He used magic to accomplish this? You saw this with your own eyes?”

The head nodded.

“Now he demands tribute sire. A goat per day to feed himself.”

To the king this information smacked of high treason.

“Only I have that right. What a scoundrel!”

“I hope no retribution will be taken upon my own people for his deed?”

The king shook his crowned head.

“You are not to blame. The wizard should have known better.”

The king thought for a moment and called in a guard.

“Fetch Charly and Grant for me.”

When they entered, they noted the monarch’s changed mood.

“Take my knights and travel to Skull Peak. There you are to put the wizard to the sword.”

The two friends were utterly shocked at this order.

“The wizard sir? What has he done?” Charly asked cautiously.

“Attempted high treason of course. Now away and do my bidding.”

Charly shrugged his shoulders and took his friend outside.

“So, we’re off to kill the wizard are we?”

Charly gave Grant a filthy look.

“Hah...Wizard indeed. Come on then, we have another hard ride ahead.”

It was just before dawn when they drew close to the crystal bed and the ominous Skull Peak to the left.

“You don’t really think he is a wizard do you?” Grant asked.

“Probably just some old codger who’s got ideas well above his station.”

Overhead, the stars twinkled down as the swung towards the peak.

“Everyone dismount,” Charly ordered before dashing to the nearest rock.

“I see that you are taking no chances then.”

“Why should I?”

From their position, a soft glow could be seen near the summit.

“It must be a cave,” Charly whispered.

He glanced at the knights.

“You lot stay here a moment. Hey Grant, can I have that white cloth
that you are not carrying?”

His friend grinned and brought it out.

“What are you up to?”

“I’m going to give him a chance.”

Charly stood waving the material.

“We come in peace.”

A strong voice soon replied.

“Then enter in peace.”

Charly scrambled forward and found the illuminated cave quite easily. He saw the so-called wizard quietly stirring a potion that hung over a well lit fire.

“I’m from the king sir.”

“I know who you are and why you are here.”

The wizard glanced back and Charly saw him for the first time.
He was younger than Charly had expected with piercing green eyes.

“What has enraged the king so much?” Charly asked.

The wizard laughed.

“I asked for tribute in payment for my service.”

“What service was that?”

“My magic stopped the infernal rain of course. Had you not noticed?”

Charly shook his head.

“That sir was an act of nature.”

The wizard stopped stirring and turned completely.

“I agree. You see I appealed to the goddess.”

“She answered you?”

“The rain stopped didn’t it.”

Charly wandered over and peered inside the black iron pot.

“What noxious concoction are you making here?”

The wizard laughed.

“A simple salve to heal burns. Now what are we going to do about you
I wonder?”

Charly detected the hidden menace in that question.

“If you return to the king sir, you would at least get a hearing.”

The wizard shook his head.

“You were ordered to kill me were you not?”

Charly nodded.

“How did you know though?”

The wizard grinned.

“By magic. Of course I cannot allow this to happen.”

“You won’t come quietly then?”

“Wait and see.”

Charly was disappointed and returned to the waiting knights.

“He wants to make a fight of it.”

“Is he armed?” a knight asked.

“Only with knowledge. A simple rush should put an end to this sad
affair.”

Charly led the way as the knights drew their swords. As they
approached, a hideous apparition suddenly appeared.

“Crikey! Fall back.”

The company did so as Grant stared at the huge Cyclops.

“Where the hell did that come from?”

Charly shook his head.

“Seems he may be a magician after all. Look, let me try something.”

Charly took a small rock and tossed it toward the immobile monster.
When it passed harmlessly through its body, he nodded with understanding.

“He’s buying time Grant. That’s just a ruse. Let’s get him.”

They dashed forward as the knights clanked behind. With swords drawn, the friends entered the illuminated cave and stared in disbelief.

“Where is he?” Grant asked.

Charly shook his head and scanned the empty space.

“Even the cooking pot has gone.”

The knights entered and Charly re-sheathed his sword. Shaking his head he whispered, “The bird has flown but don’t ask me where.”
They returned to their mounts and Charly ordered the knights to return to the king.

“So where are we going?” Grant asked.

“To the castle and home of course. I just hope that the king does not decide to punish me.”

He need not have worried. By the time the monarch reached home, he was in a far better mood.

“No doubt he sprouted wings then.”

“Seems so sire. Will that be all?”

“Of course. You know Charly, perhaps it’s time to promote you.”

“To what rank sir?”

“To captain of the guard.”

“Thank you.”

Very glad to see another side to Foxley, :) I like it so far...

Ta...

More power to your elbow

I love this piece. Great.

Ta...