Theokingofme

You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.”

((How do you respond?))

I look around the room and take in the dimly lit atmosphere, my heart pounding in my chest. I am filled with a sense of unease and mystified at the old woman's words, telling me she had been expecting me. I cautiously sit and the woman peers intently at me, urging me to tell my story. Despite my fear and doubt, there is something about this woman that makes me feel safe and I begin to tell her my story, hoping for some kind of clarity.

"I remember when I was a young boy, walking along the dirt road that led from our farm to the nearest town. The sun shone down hot and intermittently, casting a perfect distillation of light to glisten on armor, shields and shining spears. I watched in awe as a line of armoured knights strode past, their steeds clanking with strength and pride. With their great swords held high above their heads, my heart was filled with admiration and envy until the line of knights disappeared from sight. I wished and wished I could one day be an honorable knight, sworn to serve and protect my people, while bravely defending my country and the peace of the land. Deep down I knew it could never be, that my dreams were all but a fantasy. But, I still clung to the dream, believing if I was brave and true, I would be able to join the knights one day. Until that day came, I decided to stay rooted on the farm and make the best of my life, keeping the dream to a chimerical existence."