Metamorphosis (standard:fantasy, 1000 words)
Author: Ian Hobson	Added: Aug 09 2004	Views/Reads: 4008/2422	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
I wrote this for a competition: 1000 words max. – story to start with the words 'Given the amount of time Brantley had been down the hole, it was amazing his single, lid-less eye could still focus.'

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

looks and ragged clothing, Brantley stopped, fearful of what new 
humiliation might lay in store for him; until the king beckoned him, 
ordering him to come closer.  As he drew nearer to the king and queen, 
he saw that Chiron stood close by, and that beside him stood another, 
much older, man.  A man that he did not recognise. 

'So this is the little Cyclops.'  The man stepped forward and looked
closely into Brantley's eye.  'I have heard of them, but never seen 
one...  I am Durghal.  Please tell me your name?' 

'My name is Brantley, sir...  Prince Brantley.' 

At this there was a gasp of disbelief from the courtiers and Queen
Esmeltha began to weep silently. 

'But Prince Brantley was not an ugly one-eyed creature,' said Durghal. 
'I am told he was a handsome boy, with two good eyes.  Why do you claim 
to be him?' 

'Because I am him... at least, I was him.' 

'Murderer!' shouted one of the courtiers. 

'You killed the prince!' shouted another. 

'Silence!'  King Branghust spoke for the first time, then looked at
Brantley.  'You were found wearing my son's clothes, and your hands 
were stained with blood.' 

'I told you father; I was attacked by... this.' Brantley pointed at his
own chest.  'And I stabbed the creature with the sword that you gave 
me.  Then...  I can't remember.' 

'Where did you stab him?' asked Durghal. 

'Through the heart.' 

Durghal nodded.  'I believe him, your majesty.  I believe this is your
son.' 

'But how can it be?' asked the queen. 

'It is a curse.  But one that can be broken.  Just as Prince Brantley
must have broken it for another.' replied Durghal.  'Many years ago the 
king saved my life.  Now it is time to repay the debt.' 

With surprising speed for an old man, Durghal produced a dagger and
stabbed Brantley through the heart, and then with Brantley's blood 
still on his hands, he thrust the dagger into his own heart. 

It was then that the impossible happened: As Durghal bled to death, he
began to shrink and distort, and his two eyes merged and became one.  
But before he died he saw the reverse happen to Brantley, and heard the 
cries of joy that came from the king and queen. 


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