Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #16 July 2015 | Seite 43

through the air, hitting the wall beside the doorway
and sliding to the floor in a crumpled heap. “I will
deal with you later. Your death will be very slow and
exceedingly unpleasant.”

wizards together are no match for me. I will deal with
your friends and that mutinous Captain soon enough.
First, I would have some sport with you. I will know
all of your secrets, one way or another. You seem to
have strong feelings for Juliana. I will start by letting
you watch me torture her and kill her.” She gave a
raucous laugh that reminded Simon of the old crone
in his visions. “I have no remorse. You are no more to
me than that rat, hiding in the corner.” The rat scurried
into the shadows.

Simon was at a loss. How could this woman,
who looked like his mother, behave like this? He
rushed over to Juliana and held her limp body in his
arms. Her eyes flickered open. “I’m alright, Simon.
Don’t worry about me.” She coughed, and a small
trickle of blood ran from her mouth. She struggled
to sit up and, slowly and painfully, she removed the
chain and locket from her neck. “Wear this, Simon. It
will help you to see the truth.” Simon took the locket
and slipped it around his neck. Immediately his head
cleared. He heard the words of Manfred the Magician.
Be strong Simon. Fleischaker is rightfully yours.
Take up the Sword. Control the Sword. He gently laid
Juliana back on the floor and stood up.

Simon felt a flash of pity for the witch, but it
was quickly followed by anger and hatred. He had
only ever felt such emotions before when thinking
about his stepfather. He stood tall and faced Freda.
The words that he spoke came to him without
thinking. He wasn’t sure whether it was he or another
that spoke them. “I have come for the Sword.”

The woman moved into the light. She was
middle-aged, neither beautiful nor ugly, slightly
overweight with a plain face and long black hair that
was showing signs of grey. “Do not hurt Juliana again,
witch!” Simon ordered.
“So, you see through my disguise, Simon. It’s
very useful to make people see the person they most
admire or love. It makes them less likely to try to
hurt me. You want to hurt me, don’t you? I’m afraid
that won’t be possible. Please put down your sword.”
Freda’s words were syrupy, sickly-sweet but with a
hint of a threat to counter the redolence. The witch
gestured and Simon felt his arm moving, without his
approval, to lower his sword to the floor. He didn’t try
to resist; after all, he was finished with this sword.
“My spies in the dungeon saw you and your
friends arrive. You travel with strange company. I
never heard of a dwarf and an elf working together
before. Who are you? Why are you here? Do you
think that a mere boy can threaten Freda, the most
powerful Witch Queen that has ever been? Even two

The witch laughed. “You! A puny boy. Two
wizards could not even touch it. It is protected by my
strongest magic. Don’t make me laugh.”
“Know you that I am Simon the Red,
Everlasting Hero. I come to reclaim what is rightfully
mine, tak