V THE WARDEN
Will the Fool pass this test along his journey?

The path leads the Fool over rugged rocks and narrow trails. Onward, ever onward toward the dark mountains. Dark clouds seem to gather above the mountaintops as if to proclaim a warning. But the Fool has no choice: to become a Wizard, he must perform magic and tricks for the King. And for that, he needs more of these cards, and to get these cards, he must find the Magician. And where else should he start, if not at the court of the Honourable Little King? At least there he can ask if anyone saw in which direction the mysterious stranger left the castle. Right?

Again, the days and nights pass as the Fool puts one foot in front of the other. But it is no longer as easy as it was at the beginning. The path ascends and descends, up and down, and he has to watch where he steps. You can’t juggle while walking like this.

After he has been on his way for quite some time, the path splits. A narrow trail leads to the left and, in the distance, makes a bend behind which it disappears. There on the horizon, the Fool sees that the terrain is becoming flatter. Does this path lead through the mountains? To the right, a small turnoff branches away. If the Fool hadn’t been concentrating so hard on his steps, he probably would have missed it. It is well-trodden but has apparently not been used for a long time, as thorny vines block the passage. One cannot see where this path leads. But further back, the highest, darkest peaks rise up. This must be the shortcut through the mountains the King spoke of.

Slowly and carefully, the Fool steps onto the overgrown path. He has to be careful that the thorns don’t get caught in his trouser legs and scratch him. Step by step, he moves forward, until the thorns eventually give way to sharp-edged rocks. The path between the rocks is so narrow that a donkey would barely fit through. Now it gets even darker, and it’s not because of the mountains, but because of dusk. Night is falling. But further ahead, where it is much darker still, something seems to be glowing.

When the Fool gets close enough, he recognizes burning torches, and behind them, even more darkness. Oh, it is a kind of tunnel or cave. The path leads into the mountain! Involuntarily, the Fool tries to walk more quietly and not to jingle. And who lit these torches, anyway?

Then a figure appears in the tunnel entrance. Tall and broad, it stands out against the firelight. »Who seeks to pass the dark gate?« a deep voice resounds, frightening the Fool half to death.
»Um. The Fool. I would like to pass through the mountains, to …«
»Impossible!« the voice thunders, »passage is permitted only to the initiated. I am the Warden of the Mountains, and the mountains do not tolerate strangers. Go back. Go away. There are other paths for your kind.«

The Fool almost turned back. The last turnoff wasn’t that far away and … »No.« What voice is speaking from within him? »I cannot go back. I want to go through the mountains to the Honourable Little King. I have something important to do.«

»So, so, to the Honourable Little King. Take the path through the valley. It is safer. I cannot let you pass here. Even if I wanted to. The path through the mountains is only for pros. It is too dangerous for the likes of you. You would never arrive. And what do you want there, anyway?«

»It’s a long story. Please, let me pass. I have a gold coin, I can pay you.«
Interest flashes in the Warden’s eyes as the Fool rummages in his pockets. But in vain. The gold coin is no longer there. He must have lost it. He pulls his hands from his pockets and looks at the scarred skin. No, he hadn’t dreamed that.

»Seems you have no gold after all, you Fool. I would have been surprised. Where would someone like you get gold coins from? Stolen gold, perhaps. And everyone knows that brings bad luck.«

Stolen? No, no, no, he is not a thief! »No, I didn’t steal it, it was given to me.«
»Aha,« the Warden plants his hands on his hips combatively, »and for what would someone give you a gold coin? What can you even do that would be so valuable?«

True. The Fool has to admit he’s right. What can he do? He can’t even do card tricks. But … »I can make fire fly!«

»Fire doesn’t fly, every child knows that. Birds fly. Fire does not.«
»Wanna bet?« the Fool retorts, now also a little combatively. »I bet that I can make fire fly.«
»Impossible.«
»Fine. What if I can make the impossible possible?« the Fool asks, his heart pounding.
»Well,« the Warden replies, »then you would be some kind of Fire-Wizard, I suppose. But I don’t believe it.«
»Are Fire-Wizards allowed to enter the mountain?«
»Yes, they are. They may enter. But I don’t know if they ever come out again. Fire alone is not enough.« The Warden shrugs.

The Fool knows what he has to do. He nods so energetically that the little bells jingle: »But they may enter. I will make fire fly, and you will let me pass. Deal?«
The Warden nods as well. »Deal.«

The Fool’s heart is in his throat as he approaches the torches that illuminate the entrance. He takes out the first one and feels its weight in his hand. The Warden opens his mouth to say something but closes it again as the Fool takes the second torch from its holder. The entrance grows darker, and the Fool’s face is lit by the firelight as if he were burning from within. He takes the third torch. Two in his right hand, one in his left. He feels the imbalance of the pitch-soaked heads distinctly and tries to balance it without burning himself.

For every throw, there is the perfect moment. He has always known it. He could always feel it. It’s coming closer. Closer. Then it is here.

One.

Two.

Three.

The torches are in the air. Throw. Catch. Throw. Catch. Don’t stop. Don’t get burned. Throw. Catch. Throw. Catch. One. Two. Three. One. Two. Three. Stay loose. Concentrate. Play. Throw. Catch. Throw. Catch.

»That’s sorcery!« the Warden exclaims after a while. »The fire is flying! You are a Fire-Wizard! Unbelievable!«

Three.

Two.

One.

The Fool catches the torches and holds them tightly. Thank you, fire. Thank you. »Will you let me pass now?

»Yes! You may enter, Fire-Wizard. Take a torch with you; the mountains are dark and full of dangers. You will need the light. Do not stray from the path. Watch your step. And take this with you. I got it from a wizard once and have no use for it. Perhaps you can use it.«
The Warden hands the Fool a small piece of paper and steps aside with a slight bow.

»Thank you, my friend, I can.«
The Fool bows as well, hastily swallows something that seems to be stuck in his throat, and steps into the dark tunnel.