[ WP ] I was n't trying to overthrow the kingdom . I was just trying to get back home .

`` 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 life-force. 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 ca n'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 ca n'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 did n't have to waste any more of his life-force 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 have n't the ambition to become such. I was n't trying to dethrone you. I was n'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 would n't have reacted in such a manner, but this time, he could n'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 life-force 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 have n'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 do n't want me to attack you, but you wo n't risk losing everyone's loyalty by ordering your men to attack their family and friends. But do n'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 do n'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.
