I began to suspect that Rott was trying to manipulate me. It started innocently. My liege, you have been pouring over your books for days. You must seek a distraction or risk driving yourself to madness. Or, in reiteration of his previous insistence, My liege, if you are obsessed with gaining satisfaction and amusement through tormenting Gallivur, I have suggestions to help you temper your boredom.

Never once had I expressed any interest in the performers. That's where it always led. What I took to be an offhanded slight had grown into a fixation I wouldn't humor. I did not long for the antics jugglers, or singers, or fire breathers. I could summon my own fire if I were inclined. The charlatans and vagabonds, the lot of them, paled in comparison to the Great Lordavis, Ruler of the Kingdom of Ever-Worms and magus unparalleled. I was compelled to confront Rott when his unrelenting whinging carried on.

"I don't have time to waste on theatrics," I said.

It is more than theatrics. I think you would enjoy it. It would do wonders for your wellbeing.

"For your wellbeing, you mean. I have a kingdom to obliterate and a champion to crush. I'm busy." I would not waste any more thought upon the matter. I smoothed the page before me. It was one of many in a large tome written in a lost and forgotten tongue. I read with ease, owing in no small part to the curio burrowed within me. Ostensibly, it was a catalogue of powerful magicks and rituals. It seemed mostly a rambling narrative of the author's painfully boring existence during the writing process.

The Eye of Oozing Life is a powerful relic thought to be lost in the depths of the Seas of Nod. I recall the summer I went to the seaside for the first time. A vendor was selling a marvellously sticky concoction referred to as a 'taffy'. This creation struck me as the very definition of sublime. The way it melted in my mouth brought to mind the legends of the Eye of Oozing Life melting through the carapaces of those unfortunate enough to find themselves on the receiving end of its horrifying might. The taffy held a salty, sweet flavor, reminiscent of a fig...

So on and so forth. I tried very hard to keep my focus, if only to block out Rott's nagging. We two alone occupied the library. It was a tremendous room, well stocked and, for the palace, well lit. It had been Revergnols' pride and joy. A rabid bibliophile and consummate magician, I had been fortunate to inherit a treasure trove of knowledge that catered to my predilections. Unfortunately, there was no system of organization. An infinite collection of literature with no classification.

I would find something that caught my fancy. I always did.

How long has it been since you went anywhere, my liege? Distracted by my thoughts, I had successfully ignored Rott's personal quest to irritate me. I arched my back, straightened in my seat, and hunched anew over the table to feign as though I found the text exhilarating.

...The taffy held a salty, sweet flavor, reminiscent of a fig. When selecting a fig, you must first ensure the quality of the fruit. Consider its hue, its viscosity, and its odor...

My liege? I asked, how long it's been since you went anywhere?

"Shut up," I said.

Surely one night out, needled the Rott, would do more to help than to harm.

"There's a reason I killed everyone off." I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't blame the book and I opted to blame the worm. "I do not like people."

To walk among them might inspire new ways to torment them.

I liked that idea. It was a weak appeal to my sadistic qualities and I saw through it, but I liked it the same. "Taking a detour to observe these performers, is that also going to inspire me?"

It might, Rott shrugged. The unapologetic sass. Were I any less fond of him, he would have ended in a sopping pile of his own innards.

"No." I laid my palms upon the tome and stared. I had to focus. I had to devise my next move. It had to be perfect. I had to utterly dominate Gallvur and Fourmikari. Yet I could absorb nothing from the accursed volume. The words swirled together in an illegible script. I was getting nowhere.

My liege, I don't ask for much.

Rott wasn't owed anything. "You serve me."

That fixed him. He didn't say anything further. I pour half-heartedly through the remainder of the tome uninterrupted. Revelation never formed and I tossed the worthless publication aside. As Rott slithered quickly to retrieve the discarded item, I folded my arms and buried my face.

"I am so very frustrated," I announced into the tabletop. There had to be something novel that could be undertaken. It had yet to cross my mind. I couldn't possibly have exhausted every avenue. Fourmikari was one measly kingdom. They were no match for me.

Rott hesitated. I have heard Esopterah has a great and powerful secret weapon at their disposal. Perhaps if you were to enslave them, they would tell you more?

I lifted my face. "Did you, really?" Before I was offered another lie, I put forth, "Hear that from your friends in the traveling troupe, did you?"

My liege.

"It's meaningless if it's not Fourmikari," I lamented. A sudden flash of light disrupted the heavy mood. The ring upon my right hand flickered in warning. Rott scooted backwards at the unexpected development.

Intruders, my liege? There was real worry in his voice. Rott did not do well with conflict.

I waved a hand over the red stone. A small projection appeared above the jewel, ghostly in nature. A figure, obscured by traveling clothing, trudged through the abandoned and overgrown streets dragging a large chest behind. The constant pauses and uncertain glances at the surroundings belied an uneasy confusion. A lost traveller. I made a dismissive sound and brushed the image away.

"Not worth it," I declared. In the same breath, I called out to no one in particular, "There is an intruder on the north side of the Marketplace. Take care of them." I turned back to Rott. "Where were we?"

Surely there must be something you'd enjoy.

"Yes," I agreed. "I would enjoy lopping Gallivur's head off."

Within the performance troupe, my liege, exasperated the worm.

"What is your obsession with this troupe?" I leaned closer. "For that matter, where did you even learn about it? No one talks to you."

Sheepishly, Rott admitted, We found a flyer in the west tower. The drawings were very well done.

"'We'? As is in 'the lot of you'?" Dropped by one of Gallivur's companions in the stalemate battle nights prior, no doubt. Laying amid the shattered remains of the Hailferno Sphere. I did not want to think about it and my defeat.

It looks wonderful, said Rott. Dancers! Animal tamers! A variety of clowns!

"You are a clown. You were prepared to wet yourself at the mere possibility of an intruder."

We are a kingdom, insisted Rott. Do you think we might ever invite a troupe of performers here?

I laughed derisively. "If only to murder them for sport!"

Rott reflected. After a period of thought, he replied, Would we see the clowns first?

"I'm not inviting a theatre troupe into my kingdom," I growled.

The argument carried on long after we departed from the library. Crossing a parapet from one tower to the other, my eyes settled upon a flurry of motion below. The palace walls were high, higher still from their perch atop the rocky mountain peak. A cloud of dust. Worms. More motion. I rested against the merlon and surveyed the scene. It was impossible to discern from the distance.

It was nothing magic couldn't resolve.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

I called forth a portal, abandoning Rott to investigate closer. I reappeared five meters above the fray and hovered silently. The intruder, sans chest, scampered across the skeletons of former cottages, issussing curses and screams as my loyal subjects narrowly missed latching on to legs.

Approximately one and a half meters in height, drab clothes in drab colors, and a pair of spectacles. That was my initial impression. When a minute passed and the idiot remained alive, I decided it behooved my intervention. I cleared my throat loudly. The worms pulled back and the intruder, halfway up the side of a collapsed wall, peered skywards.

"You're trespassing," I lilted.

There was a short cry of shock. Then, "You're flying?"

Not the response I anticipated. I crossed my arms and maintained my height. "Get out."

The intruder slowly descended. An eager worm launched, setting off a chain reaction of similar attacks from his kin. The hapless interloper was back up in seconds. I cackled wildly. Quivering, there came, "They're trying to kill me!" Amended,"You're trying to kill me!"

"Yes," I acknowledged.

"Well," insisted the stranger adamantly. "Don't." I shot a dark look. The intruder relented, cowed by my disatisfaction. "...please?"

"I'll consider it," I said, stroking my chin. With a nod, I decreed, "Very well. You can go."

Nothing. No movement.

"Clever," I praised.

"What did I do to you?" whined the intruder. "I'll go. I promise, I'll leave."

I landed upon the dirt, greeted by an enthusiastic chorus of my liege. As the annelids swarmed across my feet, I folded my hands behind my back and made an act of examining the poor soul as though he was an oddity. "You're very far from home, aren't you?"

Uneasy. "Is this Fourmikari? I was heading for Fourmikari."

My mood soured. Fourmikari. Accursed Fourmikari. "No," I said dryly. "It is not." Gesturing broadly at the debris and disrepair, I declared, "You are in the Kingdom of Ever-Worms."

"Good name," muttered the intruder, nodding vigorously in sycophantic self-defense. "Very fitting."

Once again my hands went behind my back. "What to do, what to do..." I looked to the assembly of worms. "How shall we play with our new friend?"

We will chew!

We will rend!

We will devour from the inside out!

"Many fine choices," I cooed.

"Nolwud, My name is Nolwud." I had not asked for a name nor did I care. I ignored the outburst. As I fawned over the worms, the intruder again cried out, "What if we make a bargain?"

"A bargain?"

Nolwud nodded. "I'm not very strong and I can't fly. I don't think I stand a chance."

"No," I said. "I don't think you do either."

"That won't be any fun for you." A pointed glance at the worms. "If you mean what I think you mean by 'play'."

I purred. "What do you think I mean?"

"I think," Nolwud entreated, "it would be more fun for you if I gave you a challenge."

I dismissed the remark. It would be a riddle or a 'game of wits'. I would be asked to agree to some carefully worded agreement and be bound by technicality. I had dealt with this on occasion. A precocious and smug solution employed by those who fancied they could outsmart the wicked magus. "No, thank you. I have enough challenges. There's no need to make us equal."

A new offer. "I have money."

"I have a kingdom."

"I can't die here." Backed into a corner and running out of options, people would argue anything. "I'm on the cusp of a magnificent discovery. If only I had a bit more time..." Yes, time. Did I look like an hourglass? Did I have sands to share?

"You won't get any from me," I said bluntly.

"I need to get to Formikari." Nolwud vastly underestimated the situation, or my compassion, or both. "There's a traveling troupe of performers." Not this again. Nolwud blathered on, ignorant of my growing ire. If I had to listen to one more speech about the blasted performers, I would set fire to every inch in sight. "They're well known and well regarded. They're bound to attract wealthy patrons. If I can get even one look my way for a minute--"

"A moot issue," I interjected. "I've already decided your fate." Nolwud wouldn't find it pretty. Personally, I considered the spray of inner fluids on par with high art.

"Wait," insisted Nolwud. "Wait, please."

I turned away, flicking my wrist. The conversation was concluded. There were other matters at hand and I wouldn't be derailed. Gallivur needed to suffer and I needed to be the one responsible. Distractions were best left for the underlings. They could have at it. "Have fun," I said, trudging in the direction of the palace. The worms squirmed with delight, lauding my charity. I would return to my business.

I stopped. Perhaps I would watch for a brief period. I peered over my shoulder, glancing behind to catch a glimpse of the onslaught...

I woke, face down and breathing dust. I coughed, rolling on my side, and winced in the unforgiving sunlight. I was sore, my whole body wracked with ache. My joints were locked tight, my jaw clenched. Groaning, I sat. Around me, in the ruins of Nova, stunned worms twitched spastically. A sequence of events played out behind my eyes. I recalled everything.

My lieeeeeege, whimpered the nearest worm, his voice pained.

"What happened?"

A tiny bauble, my liege. From the pocket.

It wasn't difficult to piece together. Nolwud had tricks. I hadn't been laid out long. The sun bobbed in approximately the same spot. I considered my ebbing injuries again. "Electricity?"

Yes, my liege. Outward. We were trapped in a bubble of lightning.

I spied the bauble in question. It stood in the tall grass encroaching the former streets. When I had managed to pull myself together, I collected the object and turned it about in my fingers. Small, blue, and unimportant, it appeared to me a metallic marble. It did not give off an aura of magic. A construct of some nature. I couldn't begin to understand the ways of complicated science.

The subsequent inconvenience was going to be a greater complication. Slights against the Lordavis of the Kingdom of Ever-Worms did not go unpunished.

Ever.

I cursed aloud, scrubbing my face with the heels of my palms. The embarrassment! The shame! If the Great Lordavis deigned to personally appear, the Great Lordavis should have acted. I never considered that the sniffling trespasser might possess the means to fight back. What did this say for my reputation? What would the Gallivur think if word got out I'd been upstaged by a hapless no one, a bumbling traveller who had stumbled into my realm by accident?

The worms, regaining their senses, rallied around to fret over my health. I punted the nearest one aside, spitting indignities into the gathering crowd. I was enraged. I would murder Nolwud before the aspiring inventor got far. No, even better, I would make an example and show the world what it meant to dally with a magus of my caliber.

I knew exactly where to go.