The Plain Sorceress by Wen Wen Yang

Knocks interrupted me from writing my spells. “What now?” I grumbled as I stood from the large oak desk and proceeded to the door. The knocks continued. “Coming!” I shouted. “Impatient mortal.” I mumbled under my breath. Reaching the door, I grasped the gold handle of the door, but did not open it. “What do you want?” I failed to use my most menacing voice.

“I am the prince and I seek the sorceress.” A male’s voice answered. I frowned. Why couldn’t it have been a lesser mortal, at least then I could have just dropped him into my moat. I roughly pulled open the door. A handsome, by mortal terms, prince stood before me. He was earth haired and green eyed, muscular, though rather thin. A bright armor adorned his body, though the blacksmith obviously intended it for a larger knight. The crest of a dragon slayer covered his chest plate and shield. I frowned at the sight of him.

“Why do you wish to see the sorceress?” I asked, not giving any sign of being whom he sought. Of course, any one, who didn’t already know I was the sorceress, wouldn’t know about my powers from my mere appearance. I suppose look plain. I never bothered for gowns. They were far too fancy when most of the time I stayed in my castle or moving invisibly to one of my beastly friends’ homes. The trousers I wore were loose and rough, though comfortable, and the tunic was able to fit at least another me within its dark folds. My dark hair, possibly messy by another’s standards, hung past my shoulders, unlike the mortals who tied it in strange patterns. My face probably looked no better, plain, without high cheekbones or a seductive gaze mortals seem to expect from sorceresses.

His eyes traveled down my body, judging it. “I have no time to explain it to you.” He stated bitterly, casting a sneer at me. “Where is she?”

I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Since I am in a good mood, come in.” I threw open the door and quickly walked back to my desk. My large spell book lay open and glowing, as it often delights itself in doing in the presence of a mortal. I sat comfortably in my throne-like chair. The impressive emblem of sorcery on the top of the back showed over my head. I must remember to thank Kawthar again for the chair.

As I turned back to the prince, I saw his wide-open eyes and mouth. I smirked. “Well, mortal? Were you not seeking my aid?” At my words, he immediately dropped to the floor. The metal clang of his armor echoed through the castle. He rested his forehead on the cool stone floor, waiting for my approval for him to stand. I decided to let him remember humility.

“Did not expect a sorceress to be without a large chest and bottom, fiery hair and clear blue eyes?” I asked bluntly. He kept silent. “Now,” I started, feeling like I had done enough. “Stand. I don’t want to clean up your humiliation from my floor.” Well, one more insult wouldn’t hurt him.

He stood immediately, clanging in his armor. “I have come to ask for your aid.” He starts, not bothering with apologizes for misjudging me. I frowned at him, but didn’t stop him from continuing. “I must save a princess.”

“Your sister?” I asked, though I knew no brother would save his sister, even for enlarging an ego.

“No, I wish her to be my bride.” He answered, his chest held high. He would have made a good mortal woman, thrusting his chest higher than his head.

“Is that all?” I asked, disinterested. Then again, I never expected more from mortal requests.

“Yes, can you do it?” He was challenging my power. I should have sent him back to his castle without his arms, but I was kind that day.

“Of course, what keeps you from her?”

“A dragon in the northern caves captured her.”

“Fine, go to him after today but before tomorrow night. Politely ask for her and the dragon will give you your bride. If you try one strike at the dragon, no matter what, he will eat you both, slowly. Got it?” I knew the latter portion would be a lie, but Melqart would certainly hurt the prince.

“Yes,” He turned to leave then quickly turned back to me. “What is the price?”

I shrugged, wondering what I could get from a mortal. “Just come back here no more than one day after you get her. If you do not return to pay the price, I will kill both of you even slower and in a more painful manner than the dragon will!” I threatened and waved my hand. The prince was immediately on the other side of my closed door. I sighed and glanced at my spell book.

“Yes, please call him.” I asked the book. It glowed brilliantly, obeying my request. The pages of my spells turned murky, watery.

“Coming!” A dark voice shouted from beyond the darkness. As the image focused and brightened, I saw my friend’s face staring back at me.

“Ah, so my enchantment for your pool worked!” I greeted him with a smile.

“Yes, yes, of course your enchantment worked.” The blue dragon’s black eyes turned away from me to something I could not see. “Shut up!” Something whimpered in the distance.

“Problems, Melqart?” I asked politely as I tried to get his attention back on me. His smooth face turned back as his nostrils flared.

“Mortal women are so sensitive! Perhaps you should grant them all stone hearts.” He suggested as his eyes narrowed, looking back at the mortal in his cave. “I give her all she asks for: food, clothing, all except freedom of course. I even let her play in my horde. What do I get in return? Crying and whimpering!” He roared as he turned back to her.

“Be kinder.” I suggested with a smile. He finally looked back at me with a smirk.

“Look who’s talking.” We paused, smiling at each other.

“Just wondering,” he started, breaking past the silence. “Why did you call me?”

“Oh,” I frowned at my forgetfulness. “I need you to release that princess to the prince who will come to you before tomorrow night.”

“Thank you!” Melqart roared with a wide smile, showing all his sharp teeth. He turned again. “Hear that? You are getting out of here soon!” He turned back to me. “Remind me next time to never mention virgins in front of mortals when I attack a castle. Why would they ever think I want to eat them? So bony and loud! I would have let her go, but if they thought a mortal girl could escape a dragon, then I could never strike fear in their hearts again!”

“Fear is always a helpful ally.” I smiled back at him. “If the prince tries anything,”

“Kill them?” The dragon’s eyes shone mischievously.

“Perhaps just break his sword and send him flying off the cliff.” I supplied.

“Mortals can’t fly.” Melqart corrected.

“I know.” We smiled mischievously.

A loud knock the next day told me of the prince’s success in retrieving his bride. They entered. She shone in a brilliant, though slightly torn, golden gown, exaggerating her large front and back. Her hair matched it perfectly. Her eyes were pale, gray as if the darkness and light had mixed in them. I pitied her.

“What is the price?” The prince demanded after the usual bow.

“First,” I pointed to him. He vanished from sight, moved into one of my maze courses I used for the titans to enjoy themselves. He would be preoccupied long enough for me to complete my plans.

“What happened?” The innocence in the princess’s voice pierced my sardonic thoughts of the prince running in circles in the maze.

“He is busy, for now.” I answered as I turned my attention to the next phase of my plan. “I need your consent for my next act.”

“What is it?” She cringed from me.

“Nothing harmful, trust me.” I gave her a pressing look. Finally, she nodded. “Good, now, stay still and don’t speak.” A fire ring encircled the floor around her to ensure her immobility. The fire, of course, was an illusion. An invisible shield covered the area just outside of the fire
ring, keeping her hidden.

I pointed to the area directly before my desk. The prince reappeared, his face flushed from the running. “Alright, she has agreed.” I said with a small smile.

“What has she agreed to?” The prince questioned immediately.

“To trade places with me, as the price. She will have my body and I will have hers. Of course, I will have my knowledge and she will have her...mind. Now, I sent her away to prepare for the transfer. She will be here soon and all will be done. She’ll be your bride soon afterwards.” I looked away to a doorway.

“What? I won’t allow it!” He thundered with a fist banging onto my desk.

I placed a curious look on my face. “What is the matter?”

“I will not have my bride looking like...like you! I need a beautiful wife I can carry on my arm and have other men adore. Not a to-be queen who looks like a peasant.” He roared, not afraid of insulting me.

I sighed. “If you do not pay, she will return to the dragon.” I shook my head as if he had the authority to make to such a decision.

“So be it. I could easily say that the dragon already ate her and find another princess!” The prince stated and glared down at me. I smiled back and narrowed my eyes. His face contorted, in pain. He opened his mouth to release a scream. A croak emerged. He was now a frog on my desk.

“Wait! Stop!” The princess jumped over the fire ring and out of the invisibility shield. She rushed to my desk and picked up the frog. He tried to jump from her hands at me.

“Why?” She asked with pained eyes.

“Would you have preferred a toad?” I asked, staring at the prince.

“No! Why did you change him?” Tears started to gather in her eyes.

“What did you think of the dragon?” I asked patiently, not completely changing the topic. “He….he was scary. He shouted a lot. He gave me food and clothes. But, he wouldn’t let me leave. But,” she stopped between a sob and lifted the frog.

“He saved me from that! He said he loved me.” Tears trickled down her cheeks.

“The prince would have returned you to that. He wanted you only for your beauty, as a queen who will gain the envy of others. Really, do you want him?” I reasoned as I glared at the frog. He remained silent.

“I suppose I do not. What happens now?” She asked as she still held the prince in her hands.

“You will return to your castle, tell them to stop with the virgin sacrifices for dragons. The dragons just want food. Give it cattle or something like that.” I turned back to my spell book. Then, remembering the last portion of my spell, I looked back up at her.

“Oh, keep him from princesses who may be seeking a partner to practice kissing. Don’t want him turning back into a prince do you?”

The End