By Annu aka M. E. Bartley

Email: a_chan007@yahoo.com

Completed: 09/28/05

Rated: E

Summary: The Pastmaster remembers part of his, and Queen Callista's, past.

Author’s Notes: Wrote this little “ficlet” out when I was without my computer in a notebook. Decided to type it out and post it for the heck of it. Just a bit of insight to my own take on the Pastmaster’s beginnings and how he came to fall for Callista.

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The Pastmaster. That was the name given to me when I was accepted into the Magic Council those centuries ago. It was because my magic centered on time and my vast knowledge of history. Despite my achievements, I still failed in winning the love of my beloved Callista. Magic could be used to make her return the love I have for her, but it was forbidden. That wouldn’t have stopped me but I wanted her true love, not false love from a spell.

I do not know why she never felt the same of me as I did for her. We were once good friends. Perhaps it was our heritage. She was the daughter of Megalith City’s King, whereas I was the son of a peasant, a blacksmith. I was fortunate to have the local mage discover me and my magic potential and take me in as an apprentice as a young lad. That is how Callista and I first met.

It seemed the princess had magical abilities which she was able to control with the aid of a magic amulet which had been in the royal family for generations. I was able to use and control my own powers through a time piece my master mage had created for me.

Callista and I were the only pupils the mage had, and we worked well together. However, as we grew to be friends, her affections towards the mage grew as well. He was several years older than we were, but Callista admired him and found him attractive when she became a young woman. Our mage returned her feelings. They both did nothing, for such a relationship would not be permitted.

Time passed and though I had done everything to try and subtly woo her, Callista only saw me as a friend. I had even been accepted into the Magic Council before she, but only a hug was my congratulations gift from her. One evening during a harvest moon festival, I sought out to find Callista as per request of the king. I located her, but I wish I hadn’t. She was in the embrace of the mage, engaged in a kiss.

I grew angry at this. How could she do such a thing with him?! I was more her age. Furious, I crept away unnoticed and informed the king. He too was not happy, but he let the mage profess his love for Callista. The king heard the mage’s words and decided to allow their courtship.

I, however, would not allow such an atrocity. Arming myself with my magic watch and a book of spells called the Tome of Time I stole from the mage, I sought my revenge. My master mage and I held a magic duel. I was at my prime while he was losing his touch. I defeated him and went to claim my prize. Callista would not have me. Not only had I murdered her beloved mage, during the duel, the evil magic consumed me, both my soul and body. It changed my appearance to this horrid looking form. A small price to pay, however, for my victory.

The Magic Council was most displeased. They came and captured me to save Callista. They took away my Tome of Time and put me under a sleeping spell after my sentencing trial. Sealing me away in an enchanted box, they buried me for what they thought would be for all time.

They were wrong.