Magistra Margarita

 

 

Once upon a time...

"Gravity seems to have stronger grip in this forest."
"Yes, Your Majesty - it is the Force of Evil Incarnate, the Beast of Highfell Manor."

He has the Silver Chalice.

Magistra of Dimity Deep wants it.
She's riding with her guardsmen to the Dank Moor where Hugo, the Man-Beast rules with an iron fist the lifeforms unfortunate enough to reside there.

He is not generally regarded to be a pleasant or erudite ruler. In fact, his reputation is that of a cruel tyrant. He wears a dead ferret on his head to hide his shiny pate.

Magistra Margarita wants the Silver Chalice to bring about peace in the war between the people of her domain and that of the Technicians. It has gone on throughout her life.

It started when the Technicians began to decline to provide instruction manuals for the devices they had created. Instead, they presented arcane hieroglyphics and obfuscating arrows - untranslatable and useless to the end users.

The folks of Magistra Margarita's Land known as Yiim Yéetel Kaab deeply resented the Engineers arrogant disdain and refusal to present clearer and easy to follow instructions. This caused them to come together to oust them from the country.

All out war followed, which was unfortunate for the common people because the Engineers had skillz of which those not of their status had no access.
The wealthy folk declined to send their children to fight in the army so those of the poor were disproportionally killed or wounded.

The Magistra Margarita knew that this war of attrition was of not benefit to her country or its people because there were fewer farmers and harvesters and fishermen and nursemaids and generally anyone who provided a service to keep the kingdom alive and thriving.
She knew she had to get the Silver Chalice in order to complete the magic spell given to her by the Seaside Witch. She also knew that time was of the essence.

It was disheartening to realize that the only way to gain possession of the magic cup was to deal with the brutal Beast of Highfell Manor. He wanted to be the King but the Wise Elders declined to give him any more power than he was already abusing.

She had brought some gifts to exchange for the Silver Chalice. She also had several courtiers known for their diplomacy skills. They rode along with the hooves of their steeds sounding like thunder.

At long last, they reined up at the grim and forbidding drawbridge of Highfell Manor. The Brute appeared at the gate immediately and the visitors drew back as one in horror at his grotesque features - like unto that of a rotting gargoyle.

"Whatever you desire will come at a high price," the monster shouted, "You'll regret even asking for it." And he laughed offensively, quite without humour.

Attempting to give him the option of pretending compassion for a fellow ruler, the Magistra spoke softly with a lilt in her voice, "Your help is needed to help put an end to the warfare that is decimating my country, sir. Can you see the tears in my eyes as I weep for my people?"

"Ah ha ha. No. I don't believe those tears are real. I don't care how your country fares. Say...what is it you want? My seers predicted your arrival but gave no details. Tell me what you want and what you're willing to pay to get it. I may or may not grant your wish."

"Oh, kind sir, your benevolence is unknown among the nations of this world but I suspect it lies awaiting its chance to show itself. What I need is the famed Silver Chalice which you keep buried in a barrel of straw under the stairs to your highest resting room. With this cup, I will be able to cast a spell that will end the horrific uncivil war amongst my people. To gain this boon, I offer you great treasure."
Her guardsmen put trunks of gems and gold before the Brute who stands stolidly, unmoved by the splendour.

"No, no. no, that's not going to do at all. I have plenty of that stuff already. It means nothing. Now, what might bring me around to acceding to your wishes is to have access to your fine body for a night. It's very appealing, in its own way." He stands there leering like a drunk espying another large tankard of grog.

Margarita bridles with disgust, "Forgive me for indulging in stating the obvious, but I am not a commodity to be haggled over in this matter. I am the ruler of a country and am of higher status than you, little man. Do not invite my wrath or you will regret it."

"Well, then, in that case, this conversation is finished. Be on your way. Take your useless baubles with you - they're pointless when a giant of a man like me has vast storehouses of goods."

"Without the Silver Chalice, I cannot work the spell that will save my country. I demand that you exchange it for some other object that you desire."

"All right. I'll tell you. Since you are able to cast spells, change my hideous repulsiveness into manly beauty so I might attract a wife who won't gag whenever she looks upon me. For that, I'll gladly hand the Chalice to you and I'll even gift wrap it with strands of emeralds to match your glorious eyes."

"Will you avow before all the creatures of this world that your promise will hold?"

"I am a man of my word. I may be ugly, but I do have integrity. Besides, if you can transform my appearance, I'll be in a very good mood."

"Very well, then," said the Magistra. She takes some fetishes from her travelling bag and proceeds to mumble some complex phrases, then pulls down a lightning bolt from a cloud and aims it at the Beast.

He falls to the ground in a seizure, groaning and gesticulating, flailing about, heaving and writhing.

Then, just as suddenly, he settles. Sits up. Wipes his face with a towel handed to him by a page. And sighs deeply.

"I don't know what you did," he smiles through perfect teeth, "But I feel great."

Margarita hands him a looking glass. "I believe that I've kept my side of the bargain."

The Brute gazes at himself in fascination. He makes some faces to ensure that he's really seeing himself.

With tears in his eyes, he turns to the Magistra and bows down before her.
"The Chalice is yours. I am a man of my word and you did as you promised. I thank you, most happily."

The Brute became known as The Benefactor.
Magistra Margarita saved her countryfolk from uncivil war.
They all lived happily ever after.

©Ellen Pepper 2025

Yucatec Maya - Yiim Yéetel Kaab = Milk and honey