Part I
The Last Castle
``Most of you were in your infancy on that dreadful night. Your horrible parents, the witches, came from the east, the west, the north and the south. From all over the world, they gathered under the crescent moon. They came with one dreadful purpose in mind; to destroy the world!
They made their magic brew filled with death and hatred. When the potion was heated, lightning flashed and the clouds turned a sickly green. Ooze came down from the sky and the winds raged leaving behind a path of destruction.
The tempest was born.
The storm nearly destroyed all life on earth. Nothing would have been left if it were not for our brave King Imilias. The fearless King stood upon the highest tower of the castle. He held his staff firm and stood steadfast against the brutal sky. He shouted his powerful spell and placed a magic protection on the castle. We were saved.
Now, no evil can ever enter these walls. The castle was saved, the last remains of civilization. Unfortunately the rest the world perished that horrible night.
Your parents, the witches were put to death for their treachery, but our most generous King took pity on you. He took you in to raise you as his children, even though you are the children of the witches. But remember this; the tempest still waits at the threshold. Whenever you have an impure thought or try to rebel against the king, whenever you break rules and become disobedient, it becomes stronger. It knocks at the tower. It calls your name, but do not listen to it. It awaits the day when one foolish child opens the door and lets it in. A foolish child LIKE THE ONE SITTING RIGHT HERE,” said the school teacher pointing to a boy who was drawing pictures in class.
``Fritz Kindermocher!`` the teacher continued, ``were you listening?``
``Oh absolutely,`` answered the startled boy. Fritz was a thin child with long bangs and little round glasses. ``I was taking notes Sir.``
``I see drawings on your desk,`` observed the school master.
``Oh absolutely Sir.``
``So tell the truth Fritz, were you taking notes or drawing?``
``Oh absolutely!``
``Absolutely what?``
``I was absolutely drawing notes Sir.``
``Drawing notes?`` said the school teacher both annoyed and perplexed. He had never in his life heard of a child making such an excuse.
``Oh, yes Sir,`` said Fritz with enthusiasm as he started to hold up his illustrations. The artwork was very good for a child his age. ``You see here’s a picture of king Imillias and here’s a picture of the witches. You know I think I drew the nose too big. Don’t you think so? I mean I’ve always imagined that witches have big noses, but then again I am the child of witches and according to genetic theory if both my parents were witches and if witches have big noses than wouldn’t I have a big nose, unless I got the recessive gene for small noses. I mean my nose is a little long and pointy, but not as much so as I’ve always imagined witches having. Really, if you think about it than. . .
``Mr. Kindermocher!” shouted the school teacher.
``Yes,`` answered Fritz a bit startled again.
``We do not draw notes.``
``Oh, but I thought . . .``
``No! We do not draw notes.``
``Oh, alright.``
``Now children this is why . . .``
``Oh, since we are talking, I have a question,`` interrupted Fritz.
``Yes?`` said the school teacher with annoyance in his voice.
``What happened before?``
``Before?`` questioned the school teacher not understanding why a child would ask such a question.
``I mean before our parents destroyed the world, what was life like?``
``And why would you need to know this?``
``Well I’m just curious.``
``Yes, you’re curious, just as your parents were curious when they mixed the deadly brew. Curiosity destroyed civilization young man. Do you want to destroy it again? Do you intend to finish your parents work?``
``Oh, no Sir.``
``As I’ve told you before, all that remains of the world lives within these castle walls. You should be thankful to his highness for letting you live here in safety. If you were sent away you would die within seconds. There is nothing you need to know about the world. Someday your curiosity is going to lead you down a dark path Fritz. You will spend thirty minutes in the thinking room after class. That should give you time to consider your place in the palace.``
``Yes Sir.``
