King Filfuhr contemplated the exotic oil lamp before him. The other, lighted, lamps in the room gleamed off it, casting strange shadows on the scarred wooden desk he sat in. This late, after a difficult case like the one he had just heard, Filfuhr often sought the calm of his old nursery-turned-schoolroom—now his sixteen-year-old daughter’s classroom—and wished for someone to give him counsel.

Odala’s latest teacher, however, had resigned to raise a family. Now on top of his kingly duties, he was tasked with finding a wise, skillful teacher willing to teach just one student.

Only slightly less troubling was awarding ownership of the lamp. Two merchants each claimed it, and three hours of argument had not produced sufficient proof either way. Neither was willing to concede, so Filfuhr had declared he would consider overnight and rule in the morning.

“I don’t suppose it even is magical.”

Smoke rose from the spout. Suddenly a man stood before him, wavering like a flame. He appeared both ancient and young at once and laughed in a low, kindly way. “True enough. The magic isn’t the lamp’s.”

Filfuhr blinked three times, then accepted what his eyes saw. “Why didn’t you appear three hours ago and settle the debate?”

The genie’s smile vanished like smoke in the wind. “Neither owned my lamp. Or me.”

Filfuhr nodded. That solved the case.

“And I only grant wishes to those I judge worthy.”

“What about advice?” Filfuhr asked without thinking.

The genie studied him. “What troubles you?”

“My wife’s dying blessing was for my daughter to be a wise, just queen ‘when taught by an excellent teacher to love knowledge,’ but the midwife added a curse to it.”

“Curse?”

Filfuhr shook his head, frustrated. “She thought girls shouldn’t rule, and muttered ‘Try to teach a girl to love knowledge and she’ll marry the teacher.’ Now, it might simply be the dour prediction of a sour crone, but it may be a backdoor curse. To be safe, Odala has only had female teachers. But now, just when she needs the most excellent teacher, I must choose scholars who smile too wolfishly at the idea of teaching a future queen.”

The genie’s form solidified for a second. “I could teach her.”

“Without her falling for you?”

The genie glowed like a flame. “I am not free to marry.”

A weight lifted from Filfuhr’s shoulders. “Then this will be your classroom.”

“One condition: I grant no wishes while I teach.”

“Agreed. No one will have access to this room but me and my daughter.”

««–»»

Princess Odala left the throne room and turned toward her old classroom instead of her bedroom. After four years of Narj the genie’s tutoring, Father had proclaimed Odala ready to rule by his side.

But what about Narj? King Filfuhr had refused to discuss it tonight.

Odala knew Father enjoyed interesting conversations with the genie, but it wasn’t right to keep Narj like a treasure. Especially considering all Odala had learned of history and human nature from Narj’s excellent instruction. Greedy people would always harm good ones to control Narj’s power, just like the wicked faerie who had bound him to the lamp and the two merchants whose dispute had brought Narj to her.

Odala didn’t even hesitate before the door. “Narj, I’ve come to free you.”

The lamp gleamed on the teacher’s desk. Odala frowned at its stillness. “It can be done. I remember asking you the first day you taught me.”

Smoke rose and suddenly Narj was frowning back at her, arms crossed. “I cannot, nor will I, ask that. You know very great magic is required to separate a genie from his lamp—even more to free him entirely.”

Odala mimicked his posture. “Haven’t you taught me well? What kind of pupil doesn’t show gratitude?”

Narj grimaced. “Please, Odala.”

“I must.” She would offer far more than freedom, if only he would accept.

Narj closed his eyes and shook his head. “Filfuhr will be furious if I put you in danger. And if you fail-”

“Father will be fine. Besides, he loves you almost like a son.”

Narj interpreted her expression and paled. He whispered, “Filfuhr’s curse.”

Odala blushed but met his gaze. “Nevertheless.”

Narj swallowed, and Odala realized he was afraid for her. Did he actually return her feelings?

“Your mind is made up?” he asked.

“Yes.”

Narj sighed heavily and swept one arm toward his lamp. “Come forth to your trials. If you fail, you take my place.”

««–»»

The lamp’s chamber was golden and darkly glowing. Narj’s voice boomed strangely around Odala. “Your first trial: choose the most valuable object.”

Odala slowly circled the chamber, winding between mounds of objects of incredible wealth. When she had seen everything, she asked, “Valuable to whom?”

Narj’s sternness wavered with a smile. “You.”

“What I value most is not an object. But I choose the lamp we’re inside because it represents knowledge and discovery.”

An invisible gong sounded. Narj relaxed. “An acceptable answer.”

The objects turned to mist, which rematerialized as heaps of junk.

“Your second trial: choose the least valuable object.”

“To me?” Odala didn’t hesitate. “This lamp-”

Narj’s eyes widened.

“-because it is my dear friend’s prison.”

“Odala-” he began. A gong interrupted him.

Narj exhaled relief. “You passed again.”

She smiled at him. He knew so much, yet she understood something he did not.

Again the objects changed.

Narj’s form wavered nervously. “Your final trial: select for me one object, both desirable and undesirable.”

“A gift for you?” Odala tapped her cheek. This was unexpected. She circled the room slowly three times. Finally, she handed her choice to Narj.

“A stalk of celery?”

She laughed at his bafflement. “Desirable because it is a gift from your beloved-”

His form turned bright red, and Odala knew he loved her.

“-and undesirable because it is celery.”

The gong sounded once more. A fierce rush of air whirled around them. When Odala opened her eyes, they were in the classroom. Narj was solid. The lamp was gone.

“How did you know the answers?” Narj stared at the celery.

Odala smiled. “The answers were all the same.”

He met her eyes. “Love?”

“The only magic humans have, but very powerful.”

Narj returned her smile. “Now the student teaches.”

“Then since you no longer teach me, may I wish? I wish to be your friend and love forever.”

Narj kissed her. “That wish, I will grant.”

A cautious knocked sounded at the door.

Filfuhr entered. “Narj, what will we do with you now that you aren’t Odala’s teacher- Odala! I thought you went to your room.”

Odala smiled, first at Filfuhr and then at Narj. “Narj is free now.”

“What? How?”

Narj opened his mouth, but Odala spoke first. “I passed the tests to free him.”

“You did what?” Filfuhr’s face slowly turned dark red. “And you let her?”

Narj spread his hands helplessly. “She was determined.” A small smile turned up his mouth when he caught Odala’s smirk.

Filfuhr glared at his daughter. “I know.” It softened to stern fondness. “That was too risky, Odala.”

Odala patted Filfuhr’s shoulder. “We’re both safe. And it was for the county’s good, too; you know how ruthless people can be about power and treasure.”

“Indeed.” Filfuhr nodded sadly. “But how? You are no sorceress.”

Narj’s cheeks reddened. Odala smiled and took the former genie’s hand.

“Love,” she said.

Filfuhr blinked three times, then accepted what his eyes saw. Teary-eyed, smiling hugely, he embraced them both. “Not a curse, but a second blessing. Welcome, my son!”

«« THE END »»