NOTE: The featured image was generated by AI

Once the King decided he wanted to see magic. Not the sleight of hand that passed for magic in those days but an honest to goodness Wizard casting spells.

So the King sent out a proclamation asking for such a person to come. He offered a heft coffer for proof of the Wizard’s skill. Those that didn’t prove themselves would be beheaded.

Many interesting weeks passed. A lot of people trying to prove themselves to be Wizards or Witches or what not. None succeeded. But the King wasn’t put out too much. He liked a good beheading, and there was a nice variety coming his way.

One day a man calling himself a Warlock came to the court. Unlike the other applicants he made no moves, performed no acts. He just stood there and said, “You’ll have your proof soon enough.”

Well the King didn’t like this guy at all. The others at least PRETENDED. So he ordered the guards to seize the Warlock and drag the fool off to the dungeon.

He then brought the Executioner to the throne room. With a cruel smile he suggested the fellow find himself a dull ax. For the next time the job needed doing, you understand.

That morning, out the Warlock went for his date with the block. A crowd gathered to watch him go. The King, knowing what he knew, was nearby, eager for the first drop of the ax.

The Executioner shoved the Warlock into position on the block. Then a strange thing happened to the King. He went from standing where he was to kneeling on cold stone. Rough hands were on his person, holding him down. No matter how much he struggled and cried out they wouldn’t let him go.

A man walked into view and knelt beside the King. To the King’s absolute shock, this man looked exactly like him. From the crown on his head to robes on his form, the very image.

This man gave the King a cruel smile, then, before the ax dropped, said one thing.

“Is that proof enough for you?”