The king was presented with gemstones that contained ancient magic. This treasure troubled the court wizard, who devised a plan to seize it for his experiments…
A Magnificent Gift
Once, His Majesty Sirian received a magnificent gift from his allies—a small chest filled with precious stones that sparkled like stars in the night sky. The royal wizard, Cornicus, quickly realised what was behind it all—of course, it was elven magic! The perfect cut of the stones also must’ve played a role in their enchanting glow.
The King Was Against the Research
From the very day the allies’ gift arrived in the treasury, the wizard kept persuading the king to conduct one experiment after another, each requiring sparkling stones filled with ancient magic. His Majesty Sirian repeatedly refused, unwilling to risk his magnificent collection—no one knows what might happen during these magical experiments, not even Cornicus himself…
Treasurer Propsey – a Good Fellow
The wizard decided to not give up despite the king’s obvious refusal and was determined to achieve his goal by other means. He befriended Propsey, the treasurer, who had unrestricted access to the treasury; his role was to meticulously count the king’s money and ensure that no dishonest individual stole a single coin.
Cornicus joined the treasurer at the tavern at least three times a week. Although he was somewhat wary of developing a taste for wine, he was willing to take the risk for the precious gems crafted by skilled artisans and magicians.
A Daring Theft
One fine day, Cornicus persuaded Propsey to pilfer five magical gems. After all, the king never accounted for them, and the loss would surely go unnoticed. Cornicus promised to return everything following the experiment.
Propsey consented, enticed by the prospect of obtaining something extraordinary. The court magician discreetly withheld the fact that the sole reward awaiting the treasurer, should he fail to restore the gems by the autumn audit, would be a ticket to the gallows or the guillotine, depending on His Majesty Sirian’s mood. But why trouble Propsey with such knowledge? Especially when all was sure to proceed favourably—there was no need to frighten a good fellow!
All or Nothing
Under the cover of night, the treasurer smuggled the magical stones out of the palace. It’s best to leave out the information of the place he used to hide them in! This was a necessary precaution, for the palace guards had a habit of searching anyone who appeared suspicious—which undoubtedly included the treasurer, preparing to leave once the clock struck midnight.
Cornicus brought Propsey along—he required an assistant for the ritual and was reluctant to involve apprentices, lest they inadvertently reveal the secret. Such a slip would spell the end of his reputation, his membership in the Academy of Sorcery, and, most certainly, his head, which the executioner would swiftly and painfully sever from his body.
The Price of a Mistake
The conspirators rode on horseback for nearly two hours. At last, they reached the Moon Valley, where an ancient altar still stood. Cornicus intended to awaken the spirits of his ancestors, seeking to gain the profound wisdom of those who had crossed beyond the mortal realm.
The wizard performed the ritual and summoned… God knows what! The phantoms scattered in all directions, and a sinister aura began to spread from the altar, annihilating all living things. Fortunately, Cornicus managed to retrieve the gems from the altar. The wizard and the treasurer hastened back to the palace.
We Had Nothing to Do With Any of This!
Propsey returned the gemstones to the chest, faking indifference towards the riches as if he had never contemplated taking them. Cornicus hurried to consult the chief advisor, eager to report on the peculiar magical anomaly observed by his helpers. Of course, he lied shamelessly—who would ever find out?
In the morning, the king dispatched a sorceress, a mage, an archer, and a warrior—some of the kingdom’s finest—to the Moon Valley. His Majesty entrusted them with an investigation into the strange anomaly and to ensure that no ghosts or other sinister entities could breach it and enter our world again. Now, we shall see whether they are up to the task.
