Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Memory (07/10/08)
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TITLE: Prince Alexander's Amnesia | Previous Challenge Entry
By Joshua Janoski
07/16/08 -
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This was the plea of a young man who stood hunched over, hands holding his stomach. His whitewashed face had lost any hint of peach coloring, and his breathing was heavy. A scarlet cape with scorch marks was draped around his neck. The marks created a black trail that led to a large burn hole in the middle of the silky fabric. The sword sheath strapped to the young man’s side dangled loosely from his belt. His crown hung sideways atop his head. The boy’s entire body was damp with perspiration.
“Well aren’t you a big mess!”
Not the kindest words to say to someone in distress, but they were true. The words came from the mouth of an old man standing in the doorway of his home, looking down at the boy. The old man had a long gray robe with a matching gray pointed hat. His long beard, with streams of gray and white hair, completed the ensemble.
“I need…your…help.” The young man struggled for air as he clinched his stomach tighter than ever.
“Well get inside before you faint!” The old man scolded.
The boy stumbled into the entrance, his crown tumbling to the floor.
“So what caused you to seek me, Prince Alexander?” the man inquired.
The young man looked at the elderly gentleman in shock.
“I…I…I’ve…lost my memory. I…don’t know…who I am! I was told to…come inside here…for assistance in getting it back. Are you a wizard? Am I really a prince?”
“Yes and yes. I am Incanus the Great, and you are indeed Prince Alexander, heir to the throne.”
Prince Alexander removed a hand from his stomach and placed it onto his clammy forehead.
“If I’m a prince, then how did I lose my memory? Why can’t I remember who I am? Please tell me oh great wizard! Gaze into your crystal ball and explain this to me!”
“What an excellent idea!” Incanus said, grinning as he walked over to a desk. He picked up a round ball. The ball was black except for a spot of white on one side. Within the white spot was a black number eight.
Incanus shook the ball and gazed deeply into it.
“Ahh there we go. The Magic-8 ball is showing that you had a run in with a fierce dragon. You were trying to rescue a fair maiden from the beast. You stormed into the dragon’s cave with your sword and began taunting the giant creature. The dragon ignited you with his fiery breath, leaving you smelling like roast pig and singeing your cape. You escaped, but during your run out of the cave, you fell and hit your head, only to wake up without your memory intact. Your majesty, you are suffering from amnesia.”
“So what…can I do about it?” Alexander asked worriedly.
“You must rest. Here, lay down here and close your eyes. I will give you a potion that will restore your memory as you sleep.”
The prince plopped onto the soft leather couch. The wizard dropped two small tablets into a glass of water, making it fizz as the tablets dissolved. He handed the glass to the prince, who took two gulps before passing out face down on the couch.
“How Cute. He’s sleeping like a baby.” Incanus said, as he took off his beard and hat, revealing a handsome young man not much older than the sleeping prince. At that moment, an older gentleman walked in the front door of the house.
“Ben! What’s going on?” the man asked.
“Dad, it’s a long story. Adam and I went to a Lord of the Rings costume party, and I told him not to drink, but he snuck off and did it anyways. I came home early, but he ended up stumbling in like this.
“How did his costume get burnt?”
“Well it was either a mishap with a lighter or else a ferocious dragon.” Ben said with a snicker.
“You go to bed. I’ll deal with your brother tomorrow regarding this. I’m glad you don’t drink, Ben. Getting drunk makes you look like the King’s fool and not the King.”
“Yes dad, I agree.” Ben said as he climbed the stairs towards his bedroom. He turned back around and snapped a couple of quick pictures of his brother while his dad wasn’t looking. He began laughing.
“This is one memory that I will never let Prince Adam…I mean Alexander ever forget.”
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Very wise words from the father "Getting drunk makes you look like the King’s fool and not the King.”
Well done, very well done indeed.
What a great read. I'm so glad I got in on the fun!