Short Story: Esbert and Vigilda by Evgeny Khvalkov

Evgeny Khvalkov’s short story is a wonderful combination of fantasy and magical realism making it an enjoyable read.

Have you heard the story of Esbert and Vigilda? It is not difficult to tell it!

Prince Esbert, the heir to Valfiarne, a tiny kingdom on the northwestern shores of the Middle Sea, lost his old parents – the king and queen. Before their death, they took a promise from their son that he would give Matilda, his younger sister, to the first groom who wooed her. The prince agreed without thinking because his sister was still very young and there was no talk of marriage yet. Several years have passed.

Once, when the young king Esbert with his retinue returned from hunting and everyone sat down to dinner, an unknown knight, all dressed in black, appeared at the gate of the castle. Esbert ordered to let him in and he entered without raising the visor of his helmet. Standing in the middle of the hall, the Black Knight announced that he had come to woo the princess.