Wish Number Three - Granted

Written for the Daily Flash Fiction Challenge with a word limit of 300.

The prompts: This story must contain the words: Stage, Ribbon and Lamp

Wish Number Three - Granted

The heavily muscled arms hung at the warrior’s side, limp with fatigue.

In his left hand was a sword so heavy that only one such as himself had the ability to wield it with deadly effectiveness on the battlefield.

His right hand held the lamp, but only for a moment longer. A tired sigh was followed by distant thud as the now-empty vessel hit the ground; released by fingers that no longer cared.

It’d been a glorious run - ever since he’d found the Genie’s Lamp ten years ago. Now the run had come to an end. A final wish was granted, setting the Genie free. A final wish that, as it turned out, set him free as well.

It had been such a simple wish; especially when compared to the scope of the previous two.

Wish number one had been for wealth beyond measure.

He quickly grew bored of having every whim indulged by throngs of hanger-ons seeking to share in his good fortune.

Wish two kept him satisfied much longer. “Make me a great warrior. Let my life’s stage be the battlefield.”

And so it was.

Boredom was rare when a chance arrow or lance could end everything in a moment.

For ten years he’d led his followers into endless battles. They never lost.

They never lost until … today.

Now his men lay all around him. The opposing army kept their distance so he could make whatever peace he required before they brought his reign to an end.

The third wish still soothed his soul. “Let me remember her.”

A red ribbon floated down from the sky. A slight breeze brought her smell.

Wish granted.

A smile spread across his mud-caked face and he raised his sword. With a yell of triumph, he charged the waiting army.


Word Count 300