The old mystic lived in the swamp for so long that he became a legend to the villages surrounding villages, which avoided the deep swamp for fear of witches and monsters. They were no match for him.
He had been a hero once, forced into hiding by the Dark Lord’s ascension. The spirits gave him a prophecy: He would train the hero would save the world, but only if he stayed hidden.
The mystic felt the horrors inflicted by the Dark Lord’s armies, but told himself that it was necessary to wait.
When the boy arrived, he was a disappointment.

“A house in the swamp” by Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Everyday Drabbles © 2025 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0