Roxi's Mountain

He has waited a thousand centuries and now that his wait is over, with a wave of his hand, the horde of beetles return from whence they came. The book of rules says he has to tell her the good news. Pushing himself out of the stuffed chair, he has never had to do this before, his pets failing him when he needed them the most. Walking to, there amongst the jars and wax candles is a jewelry box. Opening its lid, sets aside a cloth overlapping a tiny glass bottle. There she is. It won’t be long before she calls him king. And she, his queen. “Are you awake?”

“I am now.”

“All four passed the first challenge.”

“You sound surprised.”

“Somewhat. Alright, in you go.”

“Wait.”

“Ready to give up?”

“Never. Mind my words, wizard. You will be brought before the king for all you have done.”

“You say that every time. It’s ok, I won’t hold this against you. I promise.”

“You’re scared because the four made it through, aren’t you. I can see it in your eyes.”

“This time will be no different from the last time the two of us spoke.”

“That rattle in your voice tells a different story. Got a cold?”

“Off you go.”

Covering the bottle, and after the lid is closed, for a moment he stares at the jewelry box. So, the four made it through. Let’s see how they fare with their next trial. Walking back to the stuffed chair positioned just so in front of the hearth, he captures his image in the mirror. Aged he looks, the book of rules telling of the consequences. Seated in his chair, stares into the fire while his mind takes to imagining how his life is going to be in the near future.