32

Fortunately, you're unlikely to have to fight anyone and even more so to have to do it without your magic. You hope.

And that brings you to the present day, more or less: basking in your fame and freedom, teaching yourself new magical tricks.

Until late this evening, when a pair of royal soldiers burst into your home just after you'd gone to bed, took you by the arms, and dragged you through back alleys to the palace.

They were armed, and they wouldn't tell you what they wanted with you. As you were half-asleep and outnumbered, and all your current wealth and splendor came from the crown, attempting an escape seemed imprudent, but you thought you might at least try to make the method of transportation less uncomfortable.