A Petition to Magic

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“My darling husband,” began Cathryn as she placed a plate of watery scrambled eggs on the table in front of Marcus, “I do not know what we will serve the children tonight. We ate the last of the cow yesterday.”

“Don’t fret,” replied Marcus gruffly. “You can make soup tonight, from the bones. I have been granted an audience with Queen Celeste today. Tonight we shall have a new cow!

Marcus and Cathryn had had a hard year. They had slaughtered their last cow the week before, forgoing milk in favour of food for themselves and their four children. They could have slaughtered a pig instead, and had milk and meat, but Marcus had wanted beef, not pork, and so that was what they had. Now the cow was finished, and Cathryn wasn’t sure how long the bones would last.

Marcus had a plan. The new queen, Queen Celeste, was young and stupid, and desperate to prove herself. He had secured himself an audience with her that very day. Normally, queens didn't concern themselves with the troubles of simple farmers–the queendom had magistrates for that. But the new queen was desperate to show her concern for her people, and thus had agreed.

Marcus was planning to accuse his neighbour, William, of sneaking in a week before, and stealing his cow. William was a rich man who lived alone. He was also naïve, and it was unlikely that he would be able to convince the queen that he had not stolen Marcus’ cow.

“I’m not sure about this, husband,” said Cathryn. “William is such a nice man. I would not want to see him get into any trouble. Besides, the queen has a wizard, Solon. He could simply divine the truth, regardless of what you say.”

Marcus snapped, “What has William ever done for us? Like the rest of them, he would be content to let us starve! I promise you, my dear, I will not lose one minute of sleep over whatever happens to him! As for Solon, it is well known that he has not performed any magic in a month. Not since the Queen’s mother died. Some say he has forgotten how!”

Just then, the children began filing in for breakfast. “And you boys,” screamed Marcus. “You useless, useless boys! Perhaps if you pulled your weight on the farm, we wouldn’t have had to slaughter the cow!”

The eldest, Jeremy, stepped in front of his three brothers, and spoke. “Father,” he said, “we’re truly sorry. We would give anything to get poor Lucy back. We wish you hadn’t had to kill her!”

Marcus gave Jeremy a sharp backhand across the face. “Don’t talk back to me, boy,” fumed his father, his face red with rage. “What a stupid name for a cow! And who gives a cow a name? Stupid, stupid children!”

Jeremy tried to hold the tears back as he rubbed his cheek. Cathryn reached down and gently took his arm. Glaring at her husband, she led Jeremy and his brothers to their seats at the table.

She went to dish up plates of breakfast for the boys, while Marcus got up from his unfinished plate and declared, “I’m going to feed the pigs, and then make myself ready for the queen.”