avatarT. Mark Mangum

Summary

The website content tells a story of a king who, in an attempt to save his dying queen, sends his subjects on a perilous quest for the mythical Ever Tree's fruit, which is said to grant eternal life; despite the efforts, the tree is never found, and years later, a mysterious figure with a prolonged lifespan appears.

Abstract

In a fantasy setting, a king grapples with the mortality of his queen, seeking the fabled Ever Tree whose fruit is believed to bestow immortality. Despite the collective efforts of knights, nobles, and commoners, the tree remains elusive, and the queen succumbs to her fate. Years after the kingdom's decline, a man who claims ties to the lost knight Sir Larwen surfaces in the old capital, displaying an unusual longevity, hinting at the possible existence of the Ever Tree's magic.

Opinions

  • The author, T. Mark Mangum, expresses a deep love for science fiction and fantasy genres, citing influences from classic works like "Star Wars" and "The Lord of the Rings."
  • The tale suggests that some ancient legends, like that of the Ever Tree, may hold a kernel of truth, as evidenced by the prolonged life of the man who later appears in the story.
  • The narrative conveys a sense of futility in the face of destiny and mortality, even for those with great power and resources, such as the king.
  • The story implies a reverence for the written word of ancient chroniclers, like Clavius, whose accounts are treated with a mixture of skepticism and hope.
  • The author seems to value the enduring nature of storytelling, as the tale of the Ever Tree persists through generations, influencing actions and inspiring hope even in a world that has moved on from the old kingdom's reign.

Mortality

Flash Fiction, Fantasy, Micrfiction, Monsters, Magic,

Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash

Glow the Ever Tree … Life eternal death does wait … Man cannot escape

From the writings of Clavius the philosopher and magician.

“Why must she die father? You are king, can’t you keep her from dying?”

“My daughter, there are some things not even a king can control. I am so sorry.”

“What of the Ever Tree? If it is real, couldn’t you have the knights of the realm seek its fruit for mother?”

“I fear my dear, this is just a fable for the young at bedtime.”

The king inquired of the Mages and Philosophers. For he wished the queen to live.

“My Sovereign, there have been three great cataclysms since the days of Clavius, the chronicler who speaks most about the Ever Tree. While there are none who believe Clavius to be a Fable Maker, there are also none who believe anything from that age to still be whole through the three cataclysms.”

“So there is a chance that the Ever Tree exists,” The king asked?

Upon affirmation of the tale, the king called for his knights, nobles, and even the commoners to be given notice. If any should seek, find and return with fruit from the Ever Tree, to preserve the life of the Queen; unimaginable reward awaits.

So, many did seek the Ever Tree, The Kings Knight. Sir Larwen, the most notable of all. Alas, none returned from their quest with mercy for the queen. Some including Sir Larwen returned not at all.

Many years later. After the Kingdom had fallen as Kingdoms do, a young man rode into the city which had been the old crown but was just a city in a new nation now. He presented papers that proved his claim upon the lands that had belonged to Sir Larwen. There he dwelt many years aging slowly even living beyond the death of his children and grandchildren.

© 2022, T. Mark Mangum

I am T. Mark Mangum. From an early age, I was hooked and addicted to the imagined, unfathomable worlds of Star Wars, Star Trek, Conan, the Lord of the Rings, and many others. I love writing fiction tales. I love writing in multiple genres. However, my favorites are Sci-fi and Fantasy fiction. I am a father of six; we have two cats and two dogs. Tabletop gaming is a passion.

More fiction tales from me

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Flash Fiction
Fantasy Fiction
Magic
Monsters
Microfiction
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