The artwork used is by Joakim Ericsson, whose other works can be found here: https://www.artstation.com/joakimericsson
Calsavar sighed as the ship drew closer into the port.
“I can’t believe I still put up with this,” he mumbled.
“Put up with what, sir?” asked the guard.
“The royals,” Calsavar answered, “they treat me like I’m some kind of traveling show!”
He held out his staff for the guard to look at more closely.
“You see that?” he said, “That’s real, genuine craftsmanship! And they want me to, to conjure rabbits and summon flowers to be put in their precious horses’ manes!”
The guard looked at the staff for a moment.
“Can… can it do that?” he asked.
“Of course it can!”
Calsavar sighed again and shook his head.
“I was made for more than this, Robert, I really was,” he said.
“Why don’t you just… show them what all your fancy magic can do?”
“If I did that, they’d have me out there on their front lines, demanding that I scorch their enemies,” Calsavar answered, “and I can’t do that.”
“Why not? It’s been a good help in our travelin’, that’s for certain,” said Robert.
“Magic isn’t about tricks or destruction,” said Calsavar, “it’s about co-existence. All that power contained in one artifact? It has to be tempered, used correctly – and above all, it has to be used in balance with nature.”
Robert rolled his eyes.
“Summonin’ fire like that? As far as I’m concerned, you’re nature.”
“And yet if a thunderbolt were to strike right now, no magic in the world would save me. Magic is a tool, not a limitless force. I just wish the royals understood that.”
The guard thought on this for a few quiet moments.
“What are you intendin’ to do then, about the royals’ visit?” he asked.
Calsavar stared carefully at the ship. The royal family began to disembark.
“Perhaps if they understood what happens when magic is not used properly,” he said.
He turned to Robert with a gleam in his eye.
“Hold on a minute now,” said Robert, “you’re not suggestin’ to harm them, are you?”
“No, no, nothing like that… only… what if the rabbit is angry when I conjure him? Or I happen to summon a feast of food that is all too salty?”
He chuckled at the idea.
“Yes, yes I think that will do nicely.”
Robert’s apprehension slowly faded, and he grinned along with Calsavar at the thought.
“Would be funny, to see them all spit out the food like it was rancid,” he said.
“Now you’re getting it, my friend,” said Calsavar.
He straightened his cloak.
“Now then,” he said, “what say we go give them a proper welcome?”
This prompt was found on the subreddit r/writingprompts here: https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/hbhjws/ip_a_royal_visit/
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