Page 41 of These Violent Delights

The castle pushed back.It, too, was a legend.

“Move.”She pushed harder, grinding her will into the unyielding stone.

The castle shivered.

Zelda’s eyes shot open, glowing with white fire.“You’re a moving castle!Now move!”she shouted.

At first, nothing happened.The castle remained silent, defiant.Then, deep within its structure, a low rumbling began.The grinding of gears echoed through the halls as the castle slowly awakened.

The sound grew louder, and with a sudden jolt, the entire castle began to shift.The floors trembled, and the walls groaned as the ancient magic stirred to life.

Zelda grinned fiercely at the stunned Quill.“You’ll want to hold on to something.We’re going for a ride.”

The soldiers clearing bodies out of the way saw four massive stone wheels emerge from the base of the castle, which started rolling down the hill like an unstoppable force.The gargoyles took to the air, their cries of exhilaration mixing with the grinding of gears.They soared above, hooting and hollering, as the living castle rolled forward, an unstoppable juggernaut of stone and magic.

In the nearby grasslands, Ozzy fought desperately against the cult members, the odds heavily against him.His mind was working feverishly on a plan when a thunderous rumbling filled the air.He glanced up to see the living castle barreling down the hill, with gargoyles flying above it.

For a moment, he could only stare.“What the...?”

His battle ram, which had never fled a battle, succumbed to primal fear and bolted with the rest of the rams.“Retreat, make way!”Ozzy yelled, as that was the only sensible thing to do.

The cult members froze, their eyes widening in shock and fear at the sight of the moving fortress, and then they, too, fled.Unfortunately, most of them were on foot.They were doomed.

The castle rolled into the fray, scattering the cultists with its sheer size and power.The gargoyles swooped down, joining the battle with cries of joy.

A daughter of legends, indeed.

Wedding

Ozzy and Zelda weremarried on the grasslands outside the castle, as it was the only place spacious enough to accommodate the throngs of guests.The field was transformed into a grand celebration space, filled with the laughter and chatter of friends, family, and allies from far and wide.Brightly colored banners fluttered in the gentle breeze, and the scent of fresh flowers mixed with the lingering aroma of earth and grass.

Gargoyles perched on the battlements watched over the proceedings with interest, while the living castle itself seemed to hum with quiet contentment.Games had been set out to amuse the guests, and the party went well into the night.

Uncle Tank would have approved.

Zelda, radiant in a green gown that shimmered like dragon scales, stood beside Ozzy, who looked equally regal in his battle armor.Their hands clasped together, they exchanged vows under a canopy of wildflowers, the sunlight dappling their faces through the leaves above.Their voices, strong and unwavering, echoed across the grasslands as they pleaded their loyalty and love.

---