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The Wizard's Apprentice

"The Wizard! 'Tis the Wizard come to the feast!"
"Why camest thou Wizard - and what dost thou seek
In our humble village? We wish no trouble with thee."
"Thy pardon, O Mage, pray, let us be!"

Nary a word did he speak to that fear held crowd.
Straight through trembling throng to square's center he strode;
Gazing on one and all. Strange silence echoed loud.

Every head present succumbed and bowed.

"What welcome is this?" queried the Wizard.
"Wherein lies the basis for thy fright and thy fears?
Why do you weep and for what reason shed tears?
Look upon me! Hear the learning of my years."

"Hearken! To me thine absolute attention.
So shall ye learn of this, my visit's intention.
Lose now thy hunger for Harvest's Celebration.
Heed well my words; know thy destruction!"

Chill wind on all hearts blew; chilled to the bone.
Each soul gathered did hear that cruel wind's song
As it moved and it moaned amongst people and stone.
It chilled every heart - yea, chilled to the bone.

The Sun, in fear, hid his face from the day.
Black night, descended. Hope faltered and then changed
To Despair; forever transformed to Utter Dismay.
Dreading to hear, yet bereft of escape.

Again that evil wind blew and chilled to the bone.
As it moved and it moaned amongst people and stone.
No bird left singing. Time, its courses had flown.
These are the words that the Wizard then spoke.

"Ye discern me a Wizard, and well that you should.
I am the Maker of Kings who spill, greedily your blood.
Master of burning heat and like burning cold,
The Ancient! In Hell's fires have I stood."

"I have viewed this world from atop the mountains.
I have rocked and shaken it upon its foundations.
I have stopped rivers and enslaved nations.
See now my power's manifestation."

A great trembling shook all the earth. A trembling
Greater still, possesed each and all of that doomed assembly.
We fell to our knees in great quaking, dissembling.
Begging, pleading - "Show us thy mercy!"

The evil one lauged a laugh empty of mirth.
Lightning seared heaven, scorched black the earth,
Illuminating our faces held by thirst
For release from coming demon's birth.

"I am the Grande Vizier of field, stream and wood.
Crossroads, river, darkest night - their sway, my hood.
When shadows blur distinction of evil and good,
The Time Between Times feeds my blood."

"The elements are mine to wield as I choose.
My power is great! Greatest! Hear me you fools.
No one can withstand, or my will refuse.
Hear me O people - My name is Rule!"

So again did death's foul wind begin to

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