The great wizard of the Western Isles had spells that could make gold, raise a King to power or destroy armies but he was wise enough to never use them.  He spent his days learning and in contemplation of the wonders of the world. 

However, the enchantments of a beautiful young woman can lead even wise men to folly.  She asked to become his apprentice.  Her offer was to work.  For this she would earn the opportunity to learn from him what ever he would teach. 

He had misgivings but convinced himself that her talent for skrying was of great use to him.  She could "see" what was happening far away from his tower.  She demonstrated how she could look into the flames of his brazier and see events in the castle of the King.  The old wizard accepted her into his household.  In time he became quite fond of her.

When she confronted the wizard he explained, "You have learned all of the spells it is safe for you to know.  Without greater wisdom you could damage the fabric of time.  To raise a man to King or destroy an army may not be true to destiny.  When the branching of events is moved too far or too fast the warp of existence may be snarled or torn.  That may cause wars and massive madness."

"But surely there are ways to avoid disaster."  The girl stepped closer and gazed into his eyes.  "You have told me that magic permeates all things.  There must be a way around such evil.  How else might a wicked sorcerer be stopped from destroying the good and pure?"

"Yes." Said the wizard, "There is a spell called 'the Fan of Destiny' and it is very subtle but dangerous in its own way.
It kills without destroying the purpose of the victim's soul."

"I don't understand.  How is it done?"  She sat down to receive his teaching.

"Imagine the destiny of a man's soul as a tree branch.  Each twig or sprout leads back to the base of the limb.  There are many paths to the basis of his being.  The Fan of Destiny gives the magician a choice as to how the victim will proceed to his death.  Some twigs are short.   Sometimes the path to a man's ending is very short."  The old man sat down beside his pupil.

"How elegant it is."  A quizzical look crossed her face.  "It does no harm but to the target of the spell.  If the killing is justified it would do no damage at all.  Why do you keep it with your untouched scrolls?"

The old man shook his head.  "You truly do not understand. If you had sought wisdom as devotedly as the skills and knowledge I have given; you would know why.  No act happens without repercussions.  One life impinges on others.  The destiny of one intertwines with many people.   It is true that no great tear would happen in time and no madness or cataclysm would befall us all.  But any death deprives us and a premature ending might have frightening effects on the course of history."

The girl stood, smiled sweetly at her teacher then stroked his beard and said, "I shall go to my chamber and skry the crystal ball.  Thank you for your wisdom."  She turned away from him and walked sensuously from the room.  This time he did not follow her since he had much to consider about the future.

The next morning she startled him from a deep sleep.  "Master, it is terrible.  Jevreal, the wizard of the East, has started a spell that will destroy your magic.  He is constructing an homunculus, an image of the Western Guardian, and is preparing to do it great harm.  Wake, you must do something before he can act."

Startled by the urgency of this sudden plea; the old wizard stood then staggered, still half asleep, to the shelves where he stored the powerful spells.  He muttered half to himself.  "This will require the Fan of Destiny."  He removed the guarding spells from the stacks of scrolls and reached for one ancient roll of parchment.

Moving more quickly; he placed his magical tools on the long table.  The girl brought the thurble and candles.  She ignited the flames.  He unrolled the scroll, studied it for a moment then began an exorcism of evil influences on the work he was about to do. 

The beautiful young woman glided to his side.smiled. then made a quick gesture with her hand.  The wizard slowly folded into her arms and she guided him to his couch.  He was sleeping peacefully when she started the first incantations of the Fan of Destiny.

At the opportune time she visualized the old man's life as a tree branch.  Then she named one of the burning candles for the shortest twig on the branch.  With words of power she extinguished all the other candles.  Now all she had to do was wait for the remaining flame to burn out.  She sat back and watched the old wizard sleep his final hour. 

But he did not stay asleep.  Suddenly he rose from the couch and walked to her.  He smiled sadly and placed his arm around her youthful body.  He looked deep into her eyes and said, "It would seem you were not destined to become a powerful sorceress.  I am grieving for the loss of your beauty."  He thrust his dagger under her ribs and up into her heart. 

After placing her on the couch he stood by in momentary mourning.  There was little time and the candle was burning short.

With surprising efficiency the old man carried all his scrolls of magic to the fire in the brazier.  While the spells were burning he wrote a short explanation of the events.  His last words were, "It would seem that I am to be the last Magician of the Western Isles." 

When the bodies were found he was slumped over the table with pen still in hand.  The one candle had burned itself out.  I learned this story from what he wrote just before he died.