The Last Wish of a King
There once reigned a king named Rothric, who was known across the many lands for his wisdom and just rule. He held sway over the simmering seas in the East, the ragged mountaintops in the North, the dense, whispering forests of the West, and the sun-basked deserts of the South. King Rothric was a benevolent leader, respected and loved by his subjects.
One Spring, King Rothric fell ill. His once overpowering presence began to diminish, and his robust laughter that used to echo through the halls of the grand castle became a faded murmur. The kingdom was washed with dread. The skies wept, and the kingdom contorted under the shadow of despair.
His trusted magus, Elikire, advised King Rothric to use the magic of the Crystal Glade to ask for a boon. It was rumoured that the sacred trees of the glade would grant the truest wish of a pure heart.
So, Rothric, despite his dwindling strength, embarked on the journey. The kingdom watched in silence as the king meditated under the trembling glow of the crystal trees. There, bathed in that ethereal light, the dying king didn't wish for longevity or power, as many would expect a monarch to do. Instead, he made a peculiar wish. He wished for the happiness of his subjects and for prosperity and peace to linger over the kingdom long after he was gone.
Impressed by his selflessness, the trees granted his wish. A few days later, the king passed away, his heart filled with contentment. The kingdom mourned his death but not for long. For, as the days passed, even in the absence of King Rothric, the kingdom bloomed. The seas were calm, the crops fertile, and the seasons predictable.
The once feuding bordering kingdoms signed a lasting truce, poverty was replaced with abundance, and the feared beasts of the forest turned docile. The spirit of King Rothric seemed to have woven itself into the very fabric of the kingdom. The prosperity and peace the king had wished for his people was now their reality.
Indeed, Rothric departed, but he left behind a rich legacy that detailed the greatness of human spirit and selflessness. His wisdom continued to echo in the grand halls of the castle, his spirit lived on in every joyous laugh, every fruitful harvest, and every peaceful slumber under the kind moonlight. His life and reign became an enduring tale told and retold through generations. His wish, a testament to the wisdom of a selfless leader, a light that shone brightly even in his absence.
The tale of King Rothric serves as a reminder to all: power does not corrupt when held by a heart that values the happiness of others above its own. Prosperity for all isn't in gold and gems, but in joy, peace, and a shared respect for all life. King Rothric's reign, though it had ended, still cast a golden era over his kingdom, continuing to shape it, embracing his people, in his enduring wisdom and love.