The Smolder

Krueger had always been a solitary child, preferring the quiet confines of the castle's chambers to the bustling chaos of the world outside. While other children frolicked in the sunlight, he remained ensconced within the shadowed halls, lost in his own world of imagination and wonder.

Inside his dimly lit chamber, Krueger found solace amidst the dusty tomes and forgotten relics that lined the shelves. With nimble fingers, he traced the intricate patterns of ancient artifacts, his mind alive with curiosity and fascination.

One fateful day, as Krueger explored the depths of his sanctuary, his keen eyes fell upon a peculiar object nestled among a collection of forgotten treasures. It was a small contraption, crafted from brass and wood, its purpose obscured by the passage of time. With a sense of childlike wonder, Krueger examined the device, marveling at its intricate design.

As he turned the object over in his hands, Krueger discovered its secret—a small compartment filled with embers, glowing faintly in the dim light of the chamber. It was a firestarter, used to kindle flames in hearths and lanterns alike. Entranced by the device's mysterious power, Krueger felt a surge of excitement course through his veins.

With trembling hands, Krueger ignited the embers, watching in awe as flames flickered to life before him. The warmth of the fire filled the chamber, casting dancing shadows upon the walls and ceiling. In that moment, Krueger felt a sense of joy and exhilaration unlike anything he had ever experienced before.

Lost in his newfound fascination, Krueger wandered from room to room, his mind ablaze with possibilities. Eventually, he found himself in the king's chamber, where a grand hearth stood sentinel against the cold. Without a second thought, Krueger approached the hearth, the firestarter clutched tightly in his hand.

As he reached out to kindle the flames, disaster struck—a wayward spark leapt from the hearth, igniting the drapes that adorned the room. In a matter of moments, the fire spread, engulfing the chamber in a raging inferno.

With a sense of panic rising in his chest, Krueger fled the scene of his unwitting transgression, the sound of crackling flames echoing in his ears. Fear gripped his heart as he raced through the labyrinthine halls of the castle, desperate to escape the consequences of his actions.

As he emerged into the cool night air, Krueger's gaze fell upon the smoldering ruins of his father's chamber. Guilt weighed heavily upon his conscience as he realized the extent of the damage he had caused. But it was not until he returned to his mother's chamber that he understood the true cost of his recklessness.

There, amidst the charred remnants of their home, Krueger found his mother, her hand scorched and blistered from her efforts to extinguish the flames. Tears welled in his eyes as he beheld the sight, the weight of guilt bearing down upon him like a heavy shroud.

"It's okay, my child," his mother whispered, her voice a gentle reassurance in the midst of chaos. "Please, go play outside. Let the sun heal your troubled heart."

Just then, the queen entered the chamber, her eyes widening in horror as she beheld the devilish flames that licked at the walls. But in her confusion, she dismissed the sight as mere trickery of the light.

End of Chapter 4

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