What type of doggo is that <| sep |> Open this gate . The mage ' s cold voice rang out , clear across the square . I ' m sorry sir , but by order of the king . The guard trailed off as the mage ' s eyes started glowing . Everyone had magic , and everyone could use it , but it was their lifeforce . No one drew on it without thinking , for there was no way to recover it . Open . The . Gate . I am a foreigner in this city , and I wish to leave . I can ' t . The guard ' s reply was cracked , and almost whispered . As the glow in the mage ' s eyes brightened , he stumbled back , screaming . NO ! I swear it . I physically can ' t open the gate ! No one can ! The king wills it to remain shut , and it does ! The voice that followed was layered with deep and powerful magic . It remains shut no more . The gate groaned , the large slabs of metal and stone seemed to flex . Then , all of a sudden , they burst outwards . The mage could have used a simpler spell , one that simply opened the gate , but he completely destroyed it . The slabs broke into chunks , the chunks into shards , them into smaller shards , and the smallest of shards broke into dust , which floated away on the wind . The gate was no more . The mage dropped to his knee , a large portion of his life used up to destroy the gate , and everyone just stood there , unable to hide their awe . Slowly , the mage stood back up to his full height . His face had paled , and his voice wavered a little as he spoke again . If any among you are tired of living under the thumb of a ruler who shuts off his own city , you may come with me , and never again live in the shadow of his terror . His words were simple , so they moved many . His voice was shaking , no matter how powerful a magic he had just wielded , he was still a human , just like them . He had been willing to sacrifice that much of his own power , to remove a symbol of oppression from the world entirely , now only notable for its absence . This had promoted him to the rank of a hero of the people . He walked , haltingly , through the hole in the wall , and was followed , not immediately , but later , by those who hated their lives within the walls . People from all walks of life had followed him , including those sworn to the service of His Royal Majesty . They caught him by nightfall , and they camped together overnight . He told tales of his homeland , and what they were leaving the cruelty for . He told them of freedom , which they had gained by leaving . He warned them that their lives would not be easy , but they would at least be their own . None turned back . They all pledged to carry on , with him , and to make sure that he didn ' t have to waste any more of his lifeforce on the journey . Eventually , only a few people were left awake , they claimed that they would keep watch , but eventually , sleep claimed them too . Dawn came , and with it , a lone figure striding towards the camp . He was dressed in a cloak of purple , a black shirt and trousers , lined with silver , an ornate belt , from which hung an elegant sword . His long , golden hair was almost allowed to fall as it naturally would . It was constrained , ever so slightly , at the top of his head , by a crown of gold , diamonds , rubies , and sapphires set along it . He came with the grace of a monarch , and the rage of a dragon . He had expended a lot of energy , long ago , to keeping that gate shut . The mage went to meet him , wearing the same brightly coloured clothes that any peasant might , no weapon upon him , no crown upon his head , and his messy dark hair bound , as best it could be , behind his head . His skin was no longer paled from his efforts , his gait was normal . The two met a hundred paces from the camp , where none could hear them . So , the new king comes to meet me himself . The king commented drily . His voice was clearly on accustomed to commanding his lessers . No new king , I ' m afraid . I haven ' t the ambition to become such . I wasn ' t trying to dethrone you . I wasn ' t trying to overthrow the kingdom . I was just trying to get back home . It matters not , what you were trying to do , but rather what you managed to do . Do you see ? You must have snuck into my city in the dead of night , over the walls , thinking that you would be able to simply leave during the day if you wished . You were around long enough that you disagreed with my style of reign , and you decided that you would leave with a commotion , so that all could see the one who cast their chains off . You may not have meant to try to overthrow my kingdom , but you most certainly did try to overthrow me . The mage was silent . The king ' s speech had made sense . Normally , he wouldn ' t have reacted in such a manner , but this time , he couldn ' t bear to see the king ' s atrocities continue . I see that you are beginning to understand your position , so I shall give you this advice , from one king to another . These people are now loyal to you . You would figure this out sooner or later , but there is a rule , never told to the commoners , about magic . If a person truly gives you their loyalty , a small fraction of their lifeforce will flow from them to you , and will keep you alive as long as people believe in you . It is why I have ruled so long , and become so cynical , and why most of the captains of my guard haven ' t even considered leaving . They ' ve been around almost as long as I have . Why tell me this ? Because , it would not do to have you attack me . I am hoping that your gratitude , your sense of honour , and what logic you possess will tell you that I should not be attacked . Leave me and mine alone , and I shall extend the same courtesy to you . Do we have a deal ? The kings tone was dangerous as he asked the last question . The mage thought about it . He sighed . I need make no such deal . You are afraid of me , and the people I have rescued from you . No , you don ' t want me to attack you , but you won ' t risk losing everyone ' s loyalty by ordering your men to attack their family and friends . But don ' t worry , your mind may have turned to war , but I think only of peace . I will not attack you , not as things stand , but nor will I be your ally , implicitly or no . Please , leave us now . We have many leagues to cover before we come t these people ' s new home . The king snorted softly , and shook his head . Foolish boy . You don ' t realise how dangerous of an enemy I can be . However , I must consolidate my kingdom before I can turn my mind , and armies , towards such a goal . Goodbye , your majesty . The last two words were twisted and ugly . The two turned from each other , the king walking through empty fields towards the city , and the mage towards his new people , and his home .