The Malifestro Quest


"Quick, after them!" says Juranda. "Maybe they can tell us what's going on."

They dash after the elves, down the wide corridor of the castle. The elves are fast, but they soon enter a hallway which ends in a dead end. They turn, trapped, a look of terror in their eyes.

"Don't hurt Max," says the first elf, covering his eyes.

"Don't hurt Fred," says the other elf, trying to hide behind Max.

"Don't be silly," says Bivotar. "We don't want to hurt you. We just want to find out where we are and what's going on."

Max cautiously uncovers one eye. "Not going to hurt Max?"

Bivotar and Juranda shake their heads.

Fred peeks out from behind Max. "You've not been sent by Malifestro?"

"No," Juranda answers. "At least, I don't think so. Who's Malifestro?"

"Malifestro . . . ," begins Max.

" ... powerful wizard.... ," Fred continues.

" . . . eats elves like us for breakfast," Max concludes.

"That reminds me," says Bivotar. "I still haven't had breakfast."

The elves try to hide behind each other. "Don't eat us!" they whimper.

"I'm not going to eat you," Bivotar says gently. "Why are you two so frightened?"

"Evil times in Castle of Zork," says Max.

"Malifestro more powerful than anyone imagine," explains Fred.

"He lives in distant land where magic stronger than here in Land of Frobozz," adds Max.

'And now Syovar prisoner, no one can stop him," says Fred.

"Syovar! A prisoner?" says Juranda. "Where? Tell us more!"

Bit by bit, the elves reveal that the evil wizard Malifestro used a powerful spell to capture Syovar. Malifestro is holding Syovar for ransom in his own castle, far beyond the Flathead Mountains. The ransom includes a wealth of gold and jewels, half the land of the Kingdom of Zork, and ten thousand men to be enslaved by Malifestro.

The Knights of Frobozz, two thousand of the best soldiers of Zork, led by the noble Ellron, started out to rescue Syovar. Whether it was the awful power of Malifestro or the treacherous passes through the Flathead Mountains, none of the knights has been seen since.

Fear and despair have settled across the land. All order has vanished, and bands of thieves roam the highways and towns. It seems likely that Malifestro will easily conquer the entire kingdom.

"Most likely Malifestro will start here if he invades," says Max.

"So everyone has fled castle," says Fred.

"Except a few servants like us," adds Max.

"Too frightened to stay and too frightened to leave," concludes Fred.

"Oh, you poor things," says Juranda.

"Juranda, we have to do something. We must go and rescue Syovar."

"You can't!" gasps Fred.

"Wizard kill you," Max points out.

"Or eat you, like elves."

"Or turned into snails."

"Or boiled in oil."

"Or banished to snake pits."

"Or chained to Snow Monster of Snurth."

"Stay here in castle, with us."

Here are your options: