The Secret Pact of Elm-Tree Castle
Once upon a time in the ancient town of Glastenbrook, there stood a majestic structure, the Elm-Tree Castle. Despite being set against a backdrop of richly-forested green hills, the grandeur of the castle overshadowed everything else around. Built in the 15th century, it was home to generations of the Margraves of Glastenbrook — a legacy marred by rumors of a centuries-old pact.
The story starts with King Edward, the first Margrave of Glastenbrook. Renowned for his wisdom and fairness, he was admired by his subjects. However, his heart bore a murmuring lament. He longed for a child, an heir to his legacy.
Seeking guidance, Edward sought out the wisdom of the ancient witch, Eustacia, hiding amidst the hills. As the sun sunk beneath the horizon, coloring the sky with hues of orange and crimson, the desperate King knocked on the witch’s door. On hearing Edward's plight, Eustacia spoke of a secret pact: an unbreakable bond that required an unthinkable price. If he was willing to pay, Edward would be blessed with an heir. But every fourth generation of his lineage would bear his curse. They would be beset with great misfortune, their life a cacophony of despair, unless they sought out Eustacia and paid the price anew.
Edward was hesitant, he looked down at Eustacia's outstretched hand, trembling. After a moment of intense deliberation, the desperate king succumbed. His eyes alive with resolve, he shook the witch's hand and sealed the dreaded pact.
Decades turned into centuries and the story of King Edward and his pact faded into the realm of folklore. Until Edmund, the twelfth Margrave, found a parchment while exploring the dungeons of the castle. It was a letter from Edward himself elucidating the secret pact. Edmund was the fourth generation and was now bound by the curse. Life in the castle took a dark turn as tragedy after tragedy befell Edmund. His wife succumbed to a deadly illness and his land was struck by a severe drought.
Knowing no peace, Edmund journeyed through the still familiar green hills to find the witch—Eustacia. The ancient witch was still waiting, as though unaffected by the ravages of time. He was offered the same terms as his ancestor. Reluctantly, Edmund agreed, for he saw no other alternative. He prayed that the future generations would stand strong and break the cycle.
Centuries later, the witch's curse thwarted, Ebba, the sixteenth Margrave, a strong-willed woman with fiery red hair. Having heard the tales of the pact passed through generations, she refused to accept her ancestors' folly, and took it upon herself to outwit the witch. As darkness enveloped Glastenbrook, Ebba climbed the winding paths to Eustacia.
Eustacia, though surprised, explained the terms of the pact. Ebba listened intently and agreed. But she added an unconventional price; the witch's promise to never approach any future Margrave. Taken aback, Eustacia refused.
Unexpectedly, Ebba drew from her pocket an ancient seal, a gift passed down from her ancestors. It was a witch's trinket, capable of binding an oath. Intrigued and bound by the fascination for her own artifact, Eustacia agreed. She vowed never to contact a future Margrave and the oath was sealed in the trinket. And so, Ebba, the cunning Margrave, outwitted Eustacia, ensuring that the witch’s curse had finally come to an end.
Back in the Elm-Tree Castle, years turned into decades, decades into centuries, but the curse never returned. A harmonious sense of prosperity and good fortune washed over the kingdom of Glastenbrook. Thus, one woman’s bravery transformed the tale of a dreadful pact into an unforgettable legacy of wit and courage. The ancient Elm-Tree Castle still stands tall to this day — a reassuring symbol to one and all, a symbol that rumours can be defeated and curses can be lifted. All it takes is a brave heart.