Everyone knows the traditional story of Snow White, fairest in the land. The story of an evil queen, bent on destroying her husband's only daughter, to become the most ,
this is only a skewed version of the true tale, changed by years of storytellers, and years of lies.
The old tale weaves a far different pattern. It was not for vanity's sake that the queen tried to rid herself of her stepdaughter. It was in fact rooted in her own survival.
I will now tell you the real story, as it was told to me by an old storyteller. His name and origin he did not reveal, as if the very sound of his name would reveal him. To her.
Once upon a time, When the country was still young, there lived a king and queen.
Now, by no means were they rich. There was no sprawling castle, no well groomed bushes and magical , this was a young kingdom, and still very poor country had only just come into being, and its king, named Basil, was rumored to have gained his title through deception,and more than a little Magic. His first wife, Elizabeth, had been the youngest daughter of a poor noble, and because her dowry had been so small, no other noble would court her. However, Basil needed an heir, and Elizabeth was very beautiful. His daughter had become an old maid, now eighteen years of age, so when the king made an advance the poor noble had immediately sent her to br the king's bride. The young woman was so enchanted by the idea of being a queen, she happily married him, and paid no mind to his strange comings and goings.
The rumors were true, the king was indeed a soothsayer of the worst kind, a sorcerer of astonishing power. He had a secret place in the woods, not far from his own castle walls, where he would go whenever he wished to call out to the dark forces. A raven, blacker than the very night, always waited,
perched on the lowest branches, when he would arrive. Given the proper incantation, this raven would transform into a demon, one who called himself Ghedes. He had promised Ghedes long ago that he would offer up his soul to the Devil himself if he was granted the power over the Dark Arts.
So far, this had brought the king his power, and the promise of the country's prosperity. Yet king Basil was unsatisfied.
Basil's feet hardly made a sound, only the faintest whisper of his boots through the grass. It was time to make his request. A quick glance behind him. No one was following. No one ever followed. He made his way through the trees. At length, he came upon his special place, a clearing, where one tree stood. Perched upon this tree, on the lowest branch, was the raven. A single gleaming eye watched him as he prapared for the ritual. One blood red eye observed his incantation.
" Come to me, shadows, find your Master. Creatures of night, I bring to heel. Ghedes, come, I summon thee now. It has come time to make my deal."
A sickening croak was heard from the raven, and it began to change. It's feathers melted, producing a vile stench which quickly filled the space in the clearing. It's bones made awful creaking noises as they stretched and changed. Wings became hands, claws became feet, and all the while the raven cried out pitifully. Then its croaking faded. A tall figure now stood upon the branch, with its face hidden from view by the shadows of the tree's canopy. Then a voice, calm and oily, was heard.
" Why, if it isn't my good friend Basil. How has it been, Basil? I haven't seen you in a while."
"Quiet yourself, demon! I am here to make a deal, not listen to your blathering!"
The Demon laughed. " Oh, is Basil in a bad mood?" he taunted, as he stepped down from the lone branch.
He sighed. "Very well then. No small talk. Make your request."
King Basil straightened, arrogant in his power. Raising a hand, he spoke with a voice deep and powerful:
" Lords of the Darkness, my wish shall be, an heir be born as strong as thee."
Now, Ghedes was bound to grant any of his wishes, but he was no fool, and did not wish to be ruled over.
A grin slowly spread across the demon's face. " As strong as me, eh? Basil, you flatter me. But, as you very well know, I'll need some sort of compensation for this kind of deal, and your soul is already forfeit."
He had already formed his plan, but he hunched over befor the soothsayer king, as if thinking. He remained like that for some time, before suddenly rising, as if an idea had just revealed itself.
Now he stood in front of the king, and said this:
" Oh, king, your wish is my command. Whatever your will, so is that of the darkness. A fine strong child you shall have. However, two things I must ask of you, that this be small acts."
The king smiled. If only two things were asked of him, he would surely agree. He nodded his head to the demon, that he may continue.
From his robe, Ghedes produces a small vial, and a long gleaming dagger of silver. " Take this vial and put three drops into your wife's wine each night. Do this until she is pregnant."
He then raised the dagger, and its point caught the moonlight.
" The second, oh great king, is such a small matter." His eyes shone brightly in the night.
" I regret that I must mention it. Take this dagger, this small dagger, and cut your wife once she has cried out in labor. Only a small cut, a very small cut, on her brow, is needed, for such a small matter."
He had the king staring at him, enraptured by the gleam of the dagger and the gleam in his eye.
The demon sheathed the dagger, and the king quickly looked up at the demon. Ghedes smiled.
"Do these two things, Basil, and your child shall be very strong indeed." His hand glided out from his body,
and snaked around the shoulder of the king, as his other arm handed the king his two objects.
Basil was delighted. "These acts you request shall be done. I will go and begin immediately, as it is almost time for the evening meal." His hgaughtiness rreturned, and he pushed away Ghedes' arm.
" So long as you keep your end of the bargain, I shall be satisfied. But if the child is not what you promised,
I shall cast you even further into the depths of Hell."
With that, he exited the clearing.
Ghedes rolled his eyes. " Further into the depths... that pompous ass. Oh, he'll get his child, alright. And quite the child she will be." He leaned against the lone tree.
" He must not know who the fuck I am." He disappeared, and a raven, blacker than the very night, flew into the sky.