Fiction|Writing Challenge

Faigol's Great Escape

When a wizard is ready to leave prison, he leaves!

Don’t know Faigol’s previous antics? Check out the beginning here!

Rolling to his side on the simple cot, his head pounded like little explosions were going off where his brain once was. Faigol ran his hand down the length of his weathered face, pausing to grip his scraggly, gray beard as he attempted to push himself upright.

Prying his heavy lids open a smidge, he squinted against the glaring morning beams shining into the room — illuminating his barred wall and could-be predicament. Prison? How did he get in here?

Faigol attempted to jog his memory but quickly abandoned the task due to the continuing warfare in his skull. Parting his dry lips, his tongue created a loud suction sound as he glanced toward the quaint table for something to replace the missing saliva in his mouth.

He picked up the dented, tin cup and brought it to his nose. Gingerly sniffing the contents, he mumbled, “Lemon wine?”

Faigol took a huge swig from the cup, emptying half the contents. He nearly choked on the liquid as he swallowed, coughing profusely.

“What in tarnation kind of wine is this?!” He glared at the unholy fluid with bits of pale, yellow pulp floating in it. “It tastes like a salty lemon!” Faigol threw the contents of the cup across the room before tossing the cup back onto the table.

Faigol reached into the folds of his robe for his trusty wand filled with nicks and gouges. Not feeling it in it’s sewn holder, he uselessly patted the sides of the cloth, causing billowing dust clouds.

“I’ve been robbed!” Faigol’s eyes frantically bounced around the room when they came to rest on the beloved extension of himself lying in the sunny warmth on the sheriff’s desk.

Reaching into his mud-caked boot, he pulled out a backup wand. Aiming at the meager barricade of bars, he recited an incantation any fledgling wizard would know.

The rough steel bars glowed like molten metal from a furnace, then disintegrated into a blurry portal. Faigol stroked his shaggy beard and stared at the malfunctioning wand.

Poking the portal with the crooked wand, Faigol mused aloud, “Where in tarnation does this go?”

Before he finished speaking, blue shimmering light formed before him then exploded into brilliant, blinding colors. When Faigol dared to open his eyes, an open book floated between himself and the portal.

An angry, judgemental tone emanated from within the riffling pages as the scent of ink filled his nostrils. “Faigol, by order of the Faerie Court and signed by your own hand, a resolution was formed forbidding you to use magic for three score days.”

Faigol tried to interrupt the book’s tirade, snapping, “I did no such thing!”

Reaching for the book, jagged, metallic teeth formed around the perimeter of the leather cover, resembling a bear trap. The book nearly severed the wizard’s fingers before he was able to retract his arm, clutching his fist to his chest in shock.

The magical book’s teeth vanished as quickly as they had appeared. Ancient text formed on the smooth pages, glowing sky blue and commanding attention.

Faigol leaned forward, peering at the text. Sure enough, his curving signature boldly declared his agreement to the terms.

He scowled and pondered what retribution the Faerie Court may require of him for this unknown act of defiance.

Before the book could utter another word, or the Court had an opportunity to appear in his midst, Faigol barged past the book — through the shimmering portal, and into the unknown.

The wizard’s abruptness to pass caused the book to split in two as it latched onto his robe, joining him in another world.

Faigol rapidly blinked against the harsh sunlight. The two book halves transformed into large pups on either side of him upon entering this world.

His eyes wide as moons, Faigol stood frozen in the middle of the road watching a team of horses barreling toward him.

In an instant, the pups morphed into gargantuan, snarling beasts — towering above the wizard. A low, rumbling growl emanated from the pair, drool falling in large globs to the dusty street below. Their necks stretched toward the horses, the beasts bit at the air with a loud chomp of their teeth.

The horses skid to a stop and reared up in fear with their nostrils flared. In a frantic effort to flea the vicious beasts, the horses turned sharply — overturning the wagon they were pulling. Immobilizing them all.

The beasts receded to the adorable pups with which they began, profusely licking Faigol’s tremoring hands as the townspeople began to pour out of the shops.

The sheriff and his deputies approached, their spurs jingling as they walked. “You saved the town from the Woarley boys!”

Faigol watched, confusion slowly giving way to stardom, as several men carried large chests from the wagon into the bank.

The sheriff clapped the wizard on the back, “You’re a hero!”

Faigol smiled broadly and pat the pups on the head. “Good job Mercy and Vengence!”

Next: Faigol Falls In Love

Don’t know about Faigol’s Antics? Read the collection below!!

2 pt - resolution
1 pt - new drink - Lemon water w/salt (salt for hangover)
1 pt - previous story - Faigol
1 pt - glowing book
1 pt - accidental portal
1 pt - book splits in two
1 pt - book/dog-beasts/pups
1 pt - my dog - Mercy
9 points Total

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