PULP & POPCORN

Page 51
Ageless, his face unlined by worry, the Agent of Order appeared to be dressed in the
light that had carried him into the court. The children all stopped crying, comforted by his
presence. He made a single gesture towards the Magician’s elaborate device and it simply
blew away like dust.
Noel dropped to his knees and cast his sword away. “Oh, god, what have I done?!”
The Magician produced another small bottle from somewhere deep in his robe and
raised his arm to throw it at the ground. Another gesture from the Agent of Order and the
Magician turned to stone, frozen with his face a grimace of hate and rage.
The Agent of Order glided across the room to where the Magician stood and, with a
single sharp tug, snapped his head from his body.
When the Agent of Order turned to Noel, the mighty king trembled at the thought of
his own punishment.
He could not look the Agent of Order in the eye as he drew closer. There was no wrath
on the Agent’s face, no anger. There was only sad understanding.
“Rise, King, and look in my eyes.”
Noel shook his head, almost sobbing from fear. He stole another glance at the broken
Magician. “I tried to resist. I did not know what he wanted of me.”
“I know what happened. Rise.”
Seeing no out, Noel stood, ashamed, and looked into the Agent of Order’s eyes. As he
did, he felt a calm wash over him, his fear forgotten.
“If it is life beyond your years that you want, then life you shall have. A thousand years
without age or illness.”
“What are you?” Noel asked, astonished.
“I represent the Order you sought to violate. I am here to restore the balance you have
upset.”
“Will you turn me to stone as well?”