Once upon a time... for it's not a proper story, lest it starts such... there was a young Prince of the city of Vespar.
Now, this young ruler was a just and noble man, and was... or so he thought... happy and content with his life, and the place he held within it. Fer he had the love and respect of his subjects, was wealthy beyond imagine, and was in love -- with all his heart -- with a fair and beautiful lady.
Now, one day, a ragged ol'begger did appear at the gate of the palace and demanded to see the Prince. Well, of course, guards being what they are, scoffed at the bundled figure... for, of course, no guard would let any person simply approach royalty... and told him to get moving on his way, or they would remove his head.
The begger fixed them with a baleful stare and said, "Your prince shall wish to see me, for I am a mighty mage!"
Now, you knows how guards can be... a wee bit thick, and certainly slow... and they unsheathed their swords, and started advancing on the figure!
"Begone from this place," they cried, "or our steel will meet thine neck!"
The begger looked at them again, and drew hisself up to his full height... which was, frankly, remarkable... and intoned a word of power that stopped the guards dead in their tracks!
He then reached up ter his head, gripped it hard, and without another word......lifted it directly from his shoulders! He stood there, in the desert heat, arms raised, disembodied head in hands... and said ter them, "You WILL take me to your Prince afore you raise my ire!"
Now these guards, not being able ter understand such magic... for as I said, they was guards, and thick as bricks for it... fell back and let the figure pass, thier swords clattering to the ground!
The stranger strode to the chamber of the Prince... (having placed his head
back on his shoulders without a mark!)... and, upon reaching the center of
the court, bowed down before the Prince.
"Your Majesty, I am a poor wanderer, but I bring you a gift of magic
rare." He reached into the rags, and produced from there an apple. "This
apple is the fruit of life. Those who eat it are granted immortality."
Now, the Prince was not a fool, and he called fer proof of the claim. So, the traveller produced a wee small knife, and cut the smallest of pieces from the apple in his hands, and showed it ter the Prince.
Now, the Prince had a pet mongoose by his throne. The stranger picked the mongoose up in his hand, fed it the piece, then cast the wee creature into the fireplace! The fire was burning bright, and the flame grew in intensity.... but when the Prince looked within, the mongoose sat there in peace... the flame not hurting it one bit!
Now, like I said, the Prince was not a fool, and so he asked the stranger, "Tell me, sir, why would any with such a gift not use it themselves?"
The stranger nodded at this, as if it were expected, ane replied, "I do not have one reason, Lord, but three.
"First off, such gifts should be enjoyed by the young, and I am old indeed.
"Second, I wish to remain on the karmic wheel of death and rebirth... my eventual rewards will be much greater than this."
The Prince nodded once, quickly. "And thirdly...?" he said.
"And thirdly.... ...I am afraid."
The Prince took the fruit into his hands, and tried to give the man gold... but the stranger would have none of it, and just left, out in the night.
Now... The Prince, as I said, loved a lady more than life itself... so he strode ter her bedchamber, and presented her with the apple... telling her of the stranger and his words. For her, he would refuse it... so she might keep her youth and beauty 'til the end of days.
But, the Prince did not know that she was unfaithful ter him. She did lie with the Captain of his Guards. And when night fell, and the Prince was asleep, she went to his Captain... and professed her eternal devotion by giving him the fruit, untouched.
Now the lady was not the only crumb -- the Captain had a bit on the side too. A courtesan in the town, pale and loverly, and he gave HER the fruit. The courtesan though, recognized that royal favor could do more for her... (for she was very poor, indeed)... than eternal youth, so she crept to the palace... and timorously offered the Prince the apple, begging his favor.
After paying the courtesan handsomely...(enough fer 20 men ter live like King's until there time was gone)... then he called his lady, and his Captain, and had them slain. (without torture, I add, for he, as I said, loved her with all his heart)
He then dressed himself in the poorest rags... proclaimed his brother the new Prince of the city... and, walking out into the center of the crowded marketplace... bit deep into the apple... and was never seen again.