It had been two years since the kidnapping of Prince Daymore Gibson, and not once had the Dark Realm been suspected, except for a couple of worthless rumors in newspapers that hadn't been based on fact. Now, the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Darkness sat in the parlor of the Storm Palace. The eldest of King Evan's daughters approached him this evening.
"Father, Daymore cannot become king unless Kiona, LeVette, Aisha and I are all married off to the heirs of other thrones. I'm to be the successor of the Throne of the Kingdom of Darkness!"
"Dearest Devon. I've always wanted a son to take my place, and ---"
"I knew it! I'm not good enough for you, am I?"
King Evan sighed in exasperation.
"It's breaking a rule of thumb, Daddy! The eldest child is to take the throne, female or not!"
"I'm not breaking the rules, I'm merely bending them a bit," the king said, standing up. "And if someone dares to object, then I shall go so far as to have you and your sisters married into the Light Realm to carry out my wish."
Devon looked at the small toddler playing on the floor. He stared up at her, and his brown eyes met hers from under dark lashes. She ran her hand through the child's black hair and kissed him on the head.
"Yes, Father," Devon said, and she then retired to her room. . .
NINE YEARS LATER
"When is Father coming home, Mother?"
"Soon, Jezebelle. Soon."
Queen Maria, her three daughters and her son were in the drawing room of the Dream Palace in Rainbow Valley. The queen had yet another one of her terrible headaches, and she was stretched out on a chaise lounge. Scents of lavender and chamomile wafted through the air after Princess Amariah lit a few aroma therapy candles.
Amariah was the oldest out of the royal children born of Queen Maria and King Raymond Young. She would take the throne of Rainbow Valley if she wasn't married off to another heir first. Queen Maria had been trying to get Amariah acquainted with Prince Bryan of Summer Falls and Prince Chet of Springtime Forest, but the girl was only twelve, and she was simply uninterested.
"Oh, I hope you're right, Mother," remarked Princess Avadean, Amariah's younger twin sister. "I mean, he's been on this trip for what seems like ages!"
"Yes, and he hasn't been home a day since he left! Not even for a visit on the holidays!" Princess Jezebelle added.
"Oh, hush up," Amariah snapped. "Father's a busy man, and he's forced to deal with a lot of things, being the king of all the Light Realm. Besides, it's only been a year and eleven months since he left. I've been counting."
Jezebelle stuck her tongue out at her sister, and the queen frowned in disapproval.
"Father doesn't even know about Julius, does he?" Avadean asked quizzically, glancing at the boy across the room.
The two-year-old prince was sitting on the floor, playing with his toy horses and knights. Once in a while, he would squeal or giggle, but most of the time he was silent.
"No, he doesn't know about Julius. He didn't even want a fourth child. Oh, he's going to be so upset when I tell him," Queen Maria said, warily.
Amariah sighed. "It's too bad that you didn't learn you were pregnant until after he was gone," she said, adjusting her skirt as she sat down.
Princess Jezebelle was now curled up in a chair, studying the wallpaper. She was nine years old and already very pretty. She had dark, curly hair that hung to her waist, unlike her straight-haired, blond sisters. Queen Maria sat up.
"It isn't easy governing a kingdom by oneself for nearly two years, after all. And through a pregnancy, delivery and recovery, nonetheless!" she exclaimed.
"What is Father doing anyway?" Avadean asked.
Maria thought for a few moments. "Well, from the messages he's sent me, he's been to Springtime Forest to help solve a nasty rodent problem, to Summer Falls for some lumber and such things for our new stable addition, and to Autumn Springs to finish the task of erecting new fountains in a city park. I believe he's finishing up his trip in Winter Plains, where he's negotiating with King Homer about a new stable boy."
"Why, isn't that a bunch of silly things to be taking up so much of Father's time? I think ---"
Amariah was cut off by a loud and noisy commotion outside, and she and her mother and sisters got up to see what it was. Julius stayed where he was, because the affairs of a town are of no interest to boys his age.
"The king! The king! He's back!" someone cried.
The four of them exchanged glances, and then dashed outside after Queen Maria persuaded Julius to leave his toys.
"King Raymond! Hurrah for King Raymond!"
Sure enough, the Grand Carriage of Rainbow Valley, pulled by its magnificent team of Shire draft horses, was trundling up the cobblestone street toward the castle. It was driven by the regular driver, James, but next to the driver sat a young boy with freckles and fuzzy red hair.
Queen Maria and the princesses could hardly contain their excitement, but little Julius hadn't the faintest clue about what was going on. Soon, everyone quieted down and went back to their everyday activities. Maria guessed that later that week there would probably be a parade for the king's return, and it would most likely be the kind the country of Eurania called the "March of the Royal Guard."
King Raymond greeted his wife with a kiss and bowed to her when they separated. "Please excuse my delay, darling, but Homer is quite the debater! And I was also held up in Summer Falls when ---"
"No need for explanations, Ray. All that matters is that you're home with us."
Raymond smiled and handed Maria a bouquet of roses, and the red-haired boy bounded up to them.
After a hasty bow, he said, "The horses are all taken care of, Sire!" King Raymond chuckled and placed a hand on the boy's head.
"Might I introduce you to Ira? He's our newest page in the stables!" The boy bowed again and grinned proudly.
"Pleased to meet your acquaintance, dear boy," Maria said, gently.
Ira ran off, and the king kissed and hugged each of his daughters, then noticed the scrawny boy holding onto the queen's skirts.
"And who is this?" he asked, eyeing the child's strikingly familiar nose and ears.
Queen Maria sighed. "I fear we should go inside. Raymond, before you come in, have James show Ira around."
Solely confused, the king did so, and then entered his castle for the first time in almost two years. The family made their way to the lounge, and everyone sat down.
The boy climbed onto his mother's lap and stuck his thumb into his mouth. He had hair as dark as Jezebelle's and eyes as blue as the twins'.
"Ray, I don't know how to put this, so I shall just be frank with you."
The king raised his eyebrows, and Maria went on.
"This boy is your son, and his name is Julius."
King Raymond felt a smile tugging at his lips, and tears stung his eyes. "He. . . he is? This darling child is my son?"
Queen Maria and the princesses all nodded. "It took place shortly before you left on your many quests! I know you only wanted three children, but I just couldn't give away a royal child, and miscarrying on purpose was out of the question, so ---"
King Raymond held up his hand, silencing his queen. He stuck his arms out toward the boy, and grinned. Julius cautiously toddled over to the man and stared up at him. He took his thumb out of his mouth and a long string of drool followed.
"Da-da?"
King Raymond hugged the boy and kissed his head. The boy's hair smelled sweetly of rosemary and aloe. The tears slipped down the king's cheeks, and he drew his handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe them away.
"What a pleasant surprise," he said, looking up. He blew his nose, tucked the handkerchief away, and stood up.
After giving Julius a pat on the head and nodding to the rest of his family, he briskly walked out of the room, intent on seeing what else had changed in the castle since he had been gone. Queen Maria sighed contentedly.
"Well, girls. That went better than I had thought it would. . ."
* * * * * *
Prince Daymore Spencer sat on an examination table in a Dark Realm clinic. It happened to be one of the most renowned clinics in all of Eurania, and it only took care of the people that could afford its high fees.
"I'm afraid we can't treat him here, Your Highness," the nurse said, checking Daymore's pulse. The boy coughed and then sneezed. His eyes were watery, and he hadn't been eating well.
"Why not?" King Evan snapped. He was afraid that he would have to take his son to a specialist, and that would cost him even more of his riches.
"It's just a minor cold," Doc Williams said, coming into the room.
King Evan breathed a sigh of annoyance. "A cold, Daymore? A cold?!"
The prince looked up. "Sorry, Father. I feared that this was the beginning of some terrible disease. It sure feels that way."
Daymore nonchalantly brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes, and blew his nose. At the age of twelve, the boy had a very high-and-mighty ego and was very adventurous. His hair was the color of ebony, and his eyes were as hazel as the walnut. The prince had a tan complexion, and when he smiled (which was rare), he had perfectly straight and perfectly white teeth. He was a newcomer to the pubescent years, and already very handsome.
As the king and his son paid for their visit to the clinic and left, Evan said, "You need a haircut, Daymore. Don't you want to look sharp when you meet Princess Tanea?"
Daymore sent his father a glare. "I want nothing to do with her, Father. I don't wish to get involved," he said.
King Evan sighed. He hated it when his son rebuked him or refused his wishes.
"Besides," Daymore went on, "if I marry Tanea, I can't become king. She's the heir to the Throne of the Kingdom of Fire."
Evan shook his head. "I am King of the Dark Realm, and I make the rules, Daymore. You are heir to my throne. Therefore, if you marry Tanea, she becomes your queen. End of discussion."
Daymore frowned and snorted. "Why can't I just pick out three or four commoner women, or gypsies better yet, and have them be my concubines?"
"I thought I said ---" King Evan stopped in the middle of his sentence. He had been about to tell his son off for not listening, but thought about Daymore's question instead.
After a moment's thought, Evan sent his son a horrified glance. Daymore only stared smugly at his father as they mounted their horses.
"Do you wish to do so?" the king asked, his voice shrill.
Daymore laughed. "It would never get boring," he replied.
Evan shuddered. He had a feeling he knew the 'it' his son referred to.
"Well," he scoffed, "I forbid you to do so. My mother was married to a gypsy, and he was horrible. I hated him, and I do not wish you to have a gypsy concubine. Or any concubines, at that. A very horrid picture in my mind, dear son."
Daymore chuckled, but said nothing. Eventually, he got up the audacity to argue again.
"Princess Tanea is nice, but. . ."
"But?"
"But I'm looking for something more."
King Evan nodded once and murmured a sharp, "Hunh."
"Besides, Father, I'm only twelve, and I needn't think about marriage yet."
The king sighed and settled himself on the point his son had made. It was true.
Daymore looked around at the scenery as he and his father made their way back to the Storm Palace. The Dark Realm was far from pretty with its dead-looking trees, screeching crows and many graveyards, but it was where the prince had grown up, and it provided him a home. But, being the curious young boy that he was, he was interested in seeing the Light Realm for real. He had only seen pictures in textbooks from the castle library, his father's study, and in the private academy where he went to school with other young well-to-do boys. Daymore often had dreams about the Light Realm, but he was nervous about telling them to anyone other than his governor Jack, considering most Dark Realm dwellers hated the Light Realm and hated the mention of it as well.
Daymore sighed and leaned back in the saddle to look at the sky. It was an odd color. Sort of more gray than blue. Then Daymore fixed his gaze once again on the road ahead. Suddenly, he sneezed, and just as he reached around to take the handkerchief out of his back pocket, he blacked out. The prince slumped in the saddle, and lolled to the side. He fell off his horse, and his leg got tangled in the stirrup. The horse shied and began dragging Daymore's body in the dirt. King Evan caught sight of all this and promptly stopped his son's horse after a fierce struggle. He inspected the boy and found that his right leg was bent out at an odd angle. The limb was clearly broken.
DAYMORE'S DREAM
Father and I were in some sort of cave, looking for something.
"It was here! I know it was here! We've got to find it Daymore! We need to get out! An entrance just doesn't disappear!"
I looked down at my feet and mumbled, "It does when rocks fall in front of it."
Father sent me a look, and bent down to pick up one of the smaller rocks. "See Daymore? This is why we have servants. And why they didn't accompany us on this trip still escapes me!"
"Um, Father? You requested that they not come along."
My father stopped moving rocks and said, "Did I?"
I nodded sheepishly.
"Well, why didn't you stop me?!" he shouted. He backed me up to the wall of the cave and held me there by my throat.
"I don't know! I don't know!" I hollered.
Father stuck his face very close to mine, stayed there for a moment, and then let go of my neck. Without another word, the two of us began to work together moving the rocks. . .
* * * * * *
Prince Griffin Eisenman wandered aimlessly through the streets of the capital city of Rainbow Valley. The sun shone warmly on the kingdom, and he decided that he had never seen a more beautiful place. The grass was green, the sky was blue, and the pleasant view of the castle's high ramparts towering above the rooftops of commoner houses was a sight for sore eyes.
He had practically had to beg King Raymond to let him off by himself, but he was ten years old and perfectly capable of handling his affairs alone. Griffin watched as blacksmiths hammered horseshoes into shape, as bakers took fresh bread out of the ovens, and as merchants called out to passersby. The city of Flantell was teeming with people and activity. Much more so than his own quiet hometown. Durrattston was almost more of a village, really. The hustle and bustle of Rainbow Valley's capital city excited the boy. But, he had a mission to complete, and he reluctantly brought his attention back to the task at hand. He was there to find a jeweler so he could buy his mother that gorgeous ruby brooch she had wanted so badly the last time he and his family were in Flantell.
Nobody here in Rainbow Valley recognized him as royalty except for the royal family of the kingdom. Which, Griffin was thankful for. He hadn't wanted to be flagged down by overly exuberant commoners. The sun was beginning to burn Griffin's pale skin. He was used to the cold. Back home, the prince wore a velveteen and fur coat, red in color. His sister Lilaina's was blue.
Winter Plains was a pretty place. A white blanket of snow always covered the ground, trees and houses. The snow often sparkled when the sun did shine, and the quaint little brick houses were always lit from insidewith a warm yellow light. Griffin remembered how his horses' big hooves would plunge into the new layer of snow, and how the snow would crunch under the carriage wheels. Yes, Griffin reflected upon it fondly, and he would soon be back there. In the place he loved.
But not yet. He first had to fulfill his duties here in Rainbow Valley. The young prince entered a jewelry shop and walked up to the glass counter. He asked the jeweler about a ruby brooch and laid the gold his father had given him into the man's hands.
"You've chosen a good one," the jeweler told Griffin as he carefully applied a gold chain to a huge ruby. "I suspect that it's for someone special."
"Yes sir," the boy replied, "my mother."
The jeweler smiled as he counted out Griffin's change. He handed the precious stone to the prince and said, "I think she'll like it. Have a good day, young man!"
Griffin waved and left the shop. Now he had to take care of the business with King Raymond's daughters. What had he said their names were? He had mentioned one in particular, but Griffin couldn't quite remember. . . What color was her hair? The young prince fingered his own dark locks and quickened his pace. He wished he didn't have such high cheekbones. Would the girls care?
Griffin Eisenman ran on toward the palace, pushing and shoving his way through the mingling crowd and knocking over a few pedestrians as he went. . .
* * * * * *
"Well, his leg is broken, Your Majesty. We shall have to apply a splint."
Prince Daymore and King Evan were back in the clinic.
"Yeah, yeah. . ." the king muttered.
The doctor bent over the prince's fractured leg, and pulled it up so it was straight. He applied pressure to the break as he wrapped a flat piece of wood to the leg with gauze. Daymore winced in pain and began to whine.
"Don't. . . oh, ow! It hurts!"
"What are you doing to the boy?! Is he supposed to be screeching like that?!"
The doctor held up a hand. "King Evan, I know what I am doing. I specialize in fractured bones. But, more importantly than your son's broken leg, we found something else that should be considered. And something quite interesting at that."
King Evan unfolded his arms and shoved his hands into the pockets of his trousers.
"What?" he spat. "What did you find out about my son?"
"He seems to have a considerable amount of power," the doctor replied, turning to face the king. Daymore looked down at his bandaged, and now very stiff, leg.
"Excuse me? Of course he has a large amount of power. He's my son, after all!"
"No, Sire. Not that type of power. Magical power."
"What?! What are you talking about?!" King Evan demanded.
Doc Williams sighed. "Ever heard of the Euranian Stone?"
"Certainly. Who hasn't? And I happen to study it extensively. But why does it have anything to do with Daymore?"
"Your son holds the same kind of magic that the Stone is said to have."
"What?! But. . . but. . . but it's only a legend!" the king protested.
Doc Williams shook his head and shrugged. "Not by looking at Daymore, it isn't. According to the legend, there's a curse that was put over the Euranian Stone, and it afflicts the first boy born in the Year of the Cardinal when it comes around every ten years. Daymore's one of them."
"What does the curse do?"
"Well, as far as we know, we can detect the magic presence of a powerful demon-like creature inside of him, but we aren't sure what it has to do with the legend."
King Evan's nostrils flared, and his eyes flashed. "You mean to tell me," he began, frowning deeply, "that my son has some kind of a demonic presence?"
"Well, not in so many words. Right now he just holds abnormal magical abilities. Very, very powerful magic."
"Well how can I get rid of it?"
"That's the problem. You can't, sir. But I could run some more tests on your son for an extra fee, if you wish."
"Never mind!" Daymore groaned and got to his feet. He winced again as he put weight onto his bad leg.
"Then you'd better be careful, Sire," Doc Williams called as King Evan whisked his son out the door.
The pair left the clinic once again, and headed toward the Storm Palace, as before. But this time, they stayed silent. . .
* * * * * *
As Griffin entered the Great Hall of the Dream Palace, he looked around. The floor was tiled pale blue and white, and a crimson carpet covered the staircase ahead. The armor of famous knights and statues of past rulers lined the walkway, and portraits of the royal family hung on the whitewashed walls. Sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows and skylight, and on the balcony to the left, a butler appeared. He called out to Griffin.
"Prince Griffin! King Raymond Young has ordered that I take you to Maid Leona. She shall prepare your outfit for dinner, and you will meet the king in the lounge at eighteen-hundred hours, because dinner is at nineteen-hundred hours sharp!"
Griffin followed the butler up the stairs and to a room full of fabric, sewing supplies, and half-made dresses and jackets. A sleek woman with brown hair was seated on a stool in the middle of the room. She was stitching a beautiful magenta gown, and needles and pins were held between her teeth. But when the butler cleared his throat after entering the room, the woman looked up and beamed at Griffin. She removed the sharp objects from her mouth and stood up, opening her arms graciously.
"You must be Prince Griffin! Oh, it's so great to have you here with us in Rainbow Valley!"
Leona threw her arms around the boy and gave him a quick squeeze. "I'm guessing that you expect me to whip up something handsome for you, right? For when you meet the princesses?"
Griffin nodded shyly. Leona grinned again.
"Oh, absolutely, honey! Now, Albert, you scoot on out of here, and I'll get to work on Mister Griffin."
The butler bowed and left the room. Leona once again turned toward the prince. "Please step up on my stool, sir, and I shall measure you."
Griffin did as he was told, and the maid began her work.
She chose a pair of tan breeches, a pair of dark brown, leather boots and told the prince to put them on. While he was doing this, Leona picked out a pale blue velvet fabric for Griffin's jacket, and found a white satin dress shirt. After taking a few more measurements, Leona set to work on sewing the jacket, and three hours later it was finished.
As Griffin tried it on, Leona clasped her hands together and cried, "You look smashing in blue, Prince Griffin!"
The boy blushed and hopped down from the stool, thanking Leona. She shook his hand and curtsied as Albert appeared in the doorway.
"It is now four o'clock, sir. You may do as you wish until six. But I do advise you to be careful about your new attire."
Griffin nodded. "I'll try, sir."
So, the prince sauntered off, wanting to have a look around the castle so he wouldn't have to ask the servants where everything was. It would be embarrassing, not to mention degrading. So, for the next two hours, the prince tried to find his way around the palace. It was twice the size of the one he lived in at home, and he thought it would be exciting to stay in such a different abode.
At six o'clock, Griffin made his way to the lounge, and found King Raymond standing in front of one of the huge picture windows. The burgundy curtains were fluttering in the slight breeze, and the scents from the candles still wafted through the air, even though they had been put out hours ago. The king's hands were tucked behind his back, and he was breathing deeply. Prince Griffin, afraid he might disturb the man's moment of silence, tiptoed quietly across the polished wood floor. The pale pink rug in the center of the room would have helped to silence his footfalls, but it did him no good, because the king heard him before he reached it. Raymond whirled around and smiled kindly at the young boy before him.
"Ah, glad you made it on time, my boy."
Griffin nodded.
"Pleasant day out, isn't it?" the king asked, motioning toward the window.
Griffin glanced in that direction and managed to stammer, "Y, yes. . . sir."
Raymond smiled again and placed a heavy hand on the prince's shoulders. "The weather is quite pleasant here. I thought I wouldn't be able to stand it while I was in your native kingdom. Too cold for someone like me."
The prince cleared his throat, trying to think of something to say. Eventually, the king spoke again.
"Are you excited about meeting my daughters? They're all very nice girls. I think you'll enjoy their presence."
"I'm sure I will, sir."
Raymond gave Griffin a pat on the back and the two of them walked to the dining room together. The servants were setting the table, and the strong aromas of delicious foods came from beyond the kitchen doors. When the prince turned around to comment on how good everything looked and smelled, he found that the king had disappeared. But the next thing he knew, the queen and the four royal children entered the dining room, and stood at their places. Maria was to the left of her husband, Amariah to her left, then Avadean, followed by Jezebelle. Julius sat in a high chair near his mother.
Griffin seated himself in the chair to the right of the king's, across from Maria. But to his dismay, everyone in the room, including the servants, regarded him with contempt. What was going on? Why were they staring at him with such disbelieving glances? Then he realized that no one had been seated yet. So, the boy stood up just as King Raymond entered. The king walked up to his place at the table and seated himself, placing a napkin on his lap. He then motioned for his family and guest to sit. They did.
It all seemed so gallant to Griffin. His family never worried about gallantry, but perhaps the Royal Family of Rainbow Valley thought this a special occasion, since they had a guest. The long, cherry-finished table was able to seat eighteen, and a large chandelier adorned with diamonds hung above the table's center. The tablecloth was white and lacy, and a vase of carnations sat in the middle.
Griffin sighed out of pleasure.
"I apologize for not having time for formal introductions, Griffin," King Raymond said. "We shall attend to that after the meal."
He clapped his hands twice, and the servants began to enter one by one, carrying the trays of courses.
When they were all finished, the royal family got up from the table and left the servants to clean up. They went to the parlor, and King Raymond lit his pipe. He took a good puff, then pointed the end of it at Griffin.
"Might you introduce yourself, Griffin?"
The young prince stood and quietly said, "My name is Griffin Eisenman. Pleased to meet you." He bowed.
"Speak up, boy!" King Ray demanded.
Griffin repeated himself, louder this time, and the king nodded satisfactorily.
Queen Maria stayed seated, but said, "You're very polite, Mr. Eisenman."
The princesses all giggled, and the eldest of the girls stood up. She looked only slightly older than Griffin.
"I am Princess Amariah. Delighted that you could join us, Griffin," she said.
She sat back down, and her twin stood. "I'm Avadean. Twin to Amariah. Pleased to meet you."
Then, the youngest got up. "Princess Jezebelle Young's my name, and flirting is my game. Got it?"
Griffin smiled. He liked this one. Oh, did he like her. Jezebelle. She's the one King Raymond had mentioned. Griffin laughed as the family rolled their eyes and the king slapped his forehead.
"You are beautiful, my maiden," Griffin said. He bent down and kissed her hand. She giggled girlishly.
Griffin thought Jezebelle to be attractive and humorous! King Raymond smiled as he watched Griffin and his daughter hit it off. They sat in a corner of the room, talking and flirting.
"I'm happy for them," the king declared.
Queen Maria sighed. "As I am, but we were supposed to have Amariah married off first," she complained.
"Well, if Griffin and Jezebelle marry, then she's going to become queen. Lilaina has her eye on Prince Bryan of Summer Falls. So that makes Griffin heir to the throne!" King Raymond drew on his pipe again.
Queen Maria let her knitting fall into her lap. "I suppose I had better stop trying to get Amariah interested in Bryan. Perhaps I should enforce Chet, then."
The king sighed. "What if you let her decide for herself, dearest?"
Maria sent her husband a look.
Then, Julius ran up to his father and held out a toy knight with a missing head. The toddler had his thumb in his mouth again.
"Where's his head, Julius?" Raymond asked.
"Gone!" the child chimed, proudly.
Raymond looked over to where his son had been playing and saw that the boy had constructed a makeshift guillotine. The knight's head lay not too far away. . .
* * * * * *
It was late that night when King Evan returned to his castle. His sword was placed above the mantle way in its scabbard, and his horse was back in the royal stables.
"Did you find them, Father?" an overly excited Daymore asked.
"Yes, son. We found them, but I fear that it is time for you to head to your room."
King Evan left the boy to attend to himself and retired to his own room. Milianna was standing beside the bed, dressed in her nightgown.
King Evan removed his cape and hung it up, then began to undress. His wife watched him silently. He turned toward her as he was buttoning his satin pajama top.
"Did you find the runaways?" she asked.
"Yes. . . yes we did. And we secured them. We shall have to keep a tighter reign on those ones. I don't want another slave of mine trying to escape to the Light Realm."
The queen shuddered at the mention of the other realm, and Evan paused a moment, stroking his black beard. "Hmm. . . perhaps we should even put them in the stockades for awhile."
Milianna shook her head. "Maybe strong control was what made them turn on us in the first place."
Evan sent the woman a glare, and said, "Leave the affairs of this castle, kingdom and realm to me."
Milianna pursed her lips and nodded curtly. "Alright. But what was wrong with Daymore? What did the doctor say?"
King Evan snorted. "He said that our son has magical power. Hmph. The same kind that's in the Euranian Stone."
"Isn't it just a legend?" the queen inquired.
"That's what I thought, but apparently, it isn't."
The couple climbed into bed, and Milianna called in a servant to put out the torches that illuminated the room.
Evan sighed and slipped an arm around his queen. "We had to waste our time in clinic twice today."
"What for?" Milianna asked.
"Well, the first visit was to find out what was causing his sneezing and runny nose."
"So what became of that?"
"He has a cold, Milianna."
"Oh, silly me."
The queen giggled, and Evan went on with his story.
"After the first visit, Daymore fell off his horse because he blacked out for some reason. He ended up with a broken leg. So we went back for a second visit. That's when Doc Williams told me about the presence of power they had detected. But anyway, about this Euranian Stone. Maybe Daymore and I should look for it. Legend has it, that it will bring happiness to anyone who should find it. Maybe it will cure our problems."
They were silent for a minute or two.
"But what does the Stone have to do with our son?" Milianna asked.
Evan sighed. "I'm not sure. Maybe that's why we should go. To sort this mess out and find out what this power is."
Milianna sat up. "I'm worried, Evan. When are you going?"
"As soon as Daymore's leg heals. Now lie down and go to sleep." King Evan kissed his wife, then rolled over and fell into the clutches of his dreams. . .
