Morena's Tale

[Rosedragon]

THE SECRET HEROINE OF DAVENTRY

Many people have heard the story of the brave Sir Graham and how he became king of Daventry, and how he later rescued the fair damsel Valanice and made her his queen.  But few have heard the tale of the good and brave maid who saved Valanice’s life, and tried to rescue her lost child.

   In Kolyma, three years after Valanice was born, another baby girl was born to proud parents. Sadly, the girl’s parents died when she was a very young child and her grandmother, a kind old lady named Anya, who owned an antique shop, raised her. The girl’s name was Morena, and she was a carefree, spirited child with a taste for adventure. Morena’s grandmother taught her well, the girl learned to read and write and do arithmetic.

   Morena had many friends in Kolyma. The first friend she made was Amaranth, a young white witch who was also a poor urchin. Amaranth introduced her to Valanice and Genevieve. Even though they were older than her, they were great friends. She also knew a girl named Veronica, whose father was a woodsman. Besides the girls, there were some boys in the small village that were Morena’s friends.

   Morena’s granny was friends with Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother, and Morena got along with Little Red Riding Hood, who’s real name was Scarlet, and babysat her some times.  Every Sunday she went to church with her granny at the Monastery of the Blessed Wilbury. Father Wilbury baptized Morena.  Morena also knew a good little fairy named Florinda.

   However, things were not always pleasant in Kolyma. The evil witch Hagatha was always out to catch new victims. The cannibal witch’s teeth had rotted with age, so she could only eat either the very old or the very young. Besides Hagatha, the vampire Count Dracula prowled around at night looking for prey whose blood he could drink. An old enchanter also roamed the woods looking for victims to turn into frogs.  A stealing dwarf would occasionally jump and rob travelers, but he was more of a nuisance than a danger.
   
Morena’s love of adventuring got her into trouble sometimes. She had a fine adventure when she was ten years old.  It started on a balmy spring day when she was out picking flowers in the meadow with Little Red Riding Hood. The two of them laughed and talked as always.

   â€œHey Red, have you been to the beach lately?” Morena asked her.
“No. Why?” Red replied.

   â€œWell, I heard a rumor that there’s a mermaid that likes to sunbathe on the rocks there.” Morena told her.

   â€œA mermaid? Really? Oh, that would be so neat if I could see a real live mermaid!”

   â€œWhy don’t you go with me to the beach and we can see if we can find her?” Morena suggested.

   â€œRight now?” Red paused. “I don’t think so. I’m getting hungry, and it’s time for lunch. I’m going to my grandma’s house; we’re having lemonade and cupcakes with our chicken salad. Want to come?”

   â€œNo, I’m going to the beach to look for a mermaid. Bye Red.”
Little Red Riding Hood waved goodbye to her and left. Morena walked to the shore.


   

[Rosedragon]

On the sandy beach she found a couch-shaped rock in the blue water, and sure enough, a mermaid lay on the rock. Morena stared at the beautiful mermaid with clear skin, long blond hair and a sparkling green tail in awe. She was a plain girl herself, with freckles, brown hair, brown eyes, a long nose and a thin body. She would never be that beautiful.  

   Morena swam up to the rock and talked to the mermaid. The mermaid did not respond, but only looked at her strangely. Perhaps mermaids cannot speak, or maybe they speak a different language from humans.

   Morena offered her bouquet of wild flowers to the mermaid, who took it gratefully. In return, the mermaid gave her a large black pearl. Excited with her treasure, Morena could hardly wait to show it to her granny. She ran home.

   As she left the beach she passed by the cave where Hagatha lived. Morena saw the hideous green-skinned witch emerging from her cave. Quickly she ran out of there and through the woods to her own home.  

   Suddenly she was knocked to the ground, the wind blown out of her. The dwarf thief had caught her. He took the black pearl from her hand and ran off with it.

   Morena was furious. Now she had nothing to show her granny! Since the day was getting late, she went home empty handed, but she swore that she would recover her pearl tomorrow.


   The next day, she left her house early in the morning and went to the tree where the dwarf lived. A door had been built into the hollowed out tree trunk. The door lead to an underground passageway that lead to the room where the dwarf lived.  Morena climbed down the ladder and walked into the dwarf’s chamber. Unfortunately, the dwarf was home!  She tried to run, but he caught her. The dwarf tied up Morena with rope and put her in a corner.

   â€œHey, I know you, you’re the old lady’s granddaughter, the one who owns the antique shop. I’ll bet she has some valuable items in the antique shop. I wonder what she’ll give to have you back.” The dwarf said. He decided to hold Morena for ransom, so that the old lady would give him some treasures from her store. The dwarf sat down at a table and struggled to write a ransom note. He didn’t seem to be able to read or write.  

   â€œI can write. If you untie me, I’ll write the ransom note for you.” Morena offered.
“Hah! I don’t think so. You’ll try to escape.” The dwarf didn’t trust her.  The dwarf ended up drawing a crude picture of Morena being held captive by him, and the payment of gold or jewels he desired.  

   Morena struggled against the ropes that held her while the dwarf worked on his note. He had bound her hands behind her back, pinned her arms to her sides and bound her feet. She could not free herself from her bonds.

   When the dwarf went out to deliver the ransom letter, Morena managed to wiggle over to the table and found the dwarf’s carving knife. She cut the ropes. Once free, she quickly searched the room and found the black pearl hidden in a trunk. She ran out of the tree house and went home.

   Night had fallen during the hours of her captivity. Morena found her way home to her granny’s store in the darkness. Granny met her at the door. “Morena!  Where have you been you naughty girl? I was worried sick about you.” Morena told her granny the story and showed her the pearl. Morena went inside, ate supper and went to bed. From then on, she avoided the dwarf’s tree.
   
   The months passed since her first adventure with the pearl. Morena spent more time with Philip, a fisherman’s son who lived in a house on the beach. Philip wanted to become an adventurer and sail to far away lands. Another male friend was Rupert, the son of a farmer, who wanted to be a knight. It seemed like her friends’ dreams of heroism would never come true; they were poor peasants and would probably be stuck in their parent’s way of life. Morena spent time with her friends after cleaning her grandmother’s store. She was curious about all things, and she asked Amaranth to teach her magic. Amaranth protested at first, knowing that her grandmother would not approve, and that magic was dangerous and difficult to learn. Morena first learned about herbs and then about symbols of protection, Amaranth was reluctant to teach her more than that.  Most of the people of Kolyma lived in a village nestled at the foot of the mountains, and they feared magic, because the main practitioners of magic in their country, Hagatha and the old enchanter, were evil.

   While playing with the boys she learned how to fight. Rupert helped her carve a wooden sword. Philip taught her how to swim well and how to catch large fish for supper.
   As the years passed, Valanice and Genevieve grew more beautiful. One summer day they sat by a lake watching the fairy Florinda sprinkle pixie dust on the flowers.

   â€œI love summer, when it is warm and flowers are in bloom.” Morena said.
“So do I.” Said Valanice. “There’s not much to do during winter. I’m glad we have long summers in Kolyma.

   â€œFlorinda keeps everything lush and green.” Genevieve said. “We are lucky to have a kind fairy like her to protect us from Hagatha.”

   Florinda overheard them, she giggled and sprinkled pixie dust on them. Genevieve sneezed. Morena dipped a finger in the lake. “You two are so pretty. I wish I could be beautiful when I grow up. I’ve been changing. Granny says I am no longer a little girl, I will be a maiden soon.”

   â€œAnd then you’ll have to worry about boys, and find a husband.” Genevieve said.
Morena blushed. “I don’t know about that. I want to have adventures before I settle down and get married.”

   â€œYou have plenty of time for adventures.” Said Valanice. “Speaking of such, I heard that a prince from a foreign land is coming to Kolyma in search of a bride.”

   â€œReally? Are you sure? You’re not joking with us are you?” Genevieve gasped.
Valanice laughed. “Calm down Genny. I’m sure you’ll get your chance to meet him. No, I’m not joking, I heard this from my father.

   â€œYour father is Lord Cedric. He’s a noble of Kolyma, next to the prince of Kolyma there’s no one higher in rank than he. I think this prince would be interested in you, Val.”

   Valanice twirled a lock of auburn hair around her fingers. “I don’t know, I’m not ready for that yet. I’ve met our own prince, and he seems to like me. I don’t know if I want to fall in love and get married so soon.”

   â€œYou’re fifteen, you’re old enough for romance.” Genevieve said.
Morena’s attention wandered as they talked about boys. She looked at her reflection in the water. She was certainly no beauty. She was skinny and plain, with mousy brown hair and brown eyes. Her nose was too long and she had acne. She wondered if the boys would like her even though she was not pretty. She secretly had a crush on Rupert, but she didn’t want her friends to know that.

   

[Rosedragon]

 Just then, a familiar voice hailed then. It was Veronica. “Morena, your granny wants you to come inside and help her clean the shop.” Morena sighed. “I have to leave now. I must go help my granny. I’ll see you later.” She told her friends.

   At the antique store, Morena’s granny was unpacking some crates of new merchandise.  On the counter stood a gilded cage with a live nightingale in it.

   â€œI sent Veronica to fetch you. I need some help getting these new antiques ready for sale. I’ve swept and dusted the store already.”

   Morena walked over to the birdcage. “Where did this nightingale come from?”
“I bought him today from a traveling merchant, which is where I got most of this stuff. Isn’t he adorable? That merchant sold a lot of caged songbirds, and I felt sorry for the poor little things. This one has the sweetest song. I think he needs some tender loving care. You can help me take care of him. I thought we needed a pet around here. Now, start polishing the silver. I am lucky to have gotten these antiques for such a great deal. The nobles of Kolyma will be happy to have some good china and silver for their table.”

   Morena started polishing the silver kettles and platters. There were so many pretty things in her grandmother’s store. Besides the silverware and china, there were jewelry and fine clothes, clocks, furniture, musical instruments, swords, and statues. The prices for the items in Granny’s store were reasonable, and she had business from even the most impoverished of Kolyma’s citizens.

   A few days later, Morena and her grandmother went to Scarlett’s house to have tea with Scarlett and her grandmother.

   â€œWhat a lovely home you have, Margaret. I love what you’ve done with this place.” Said Granny to the other grandmother.

   â€œThank you Anya. So nice of you to come and visit me. I’ve made tea and some cakes and bread for you.”

   â€œ Your cakes are so delicious. I brought the spices you asked for from my store.”
Margaret, Little Red Riding Hood’s grandma, set the table for tea. Morena and Red helped her. They sat down and Anya poured them tea. Morena’s granny had such a lovely name.  

   â€œDid you hear about this prince who is coming to Kolyma? I heard he is our own prince’s cousin.” Said Margaret.  

   â€œEveryone that comes in my shop has been talking about this royal visitor. Rumor is it that he is searching for a bride.” Anya said.

   â€œI’m afraid that vile creature Hagatha may have it in for the maidens who this prince courts. She’ll be so jealous of any girl that he lays eyes on. She hates pretty young girls, more so for the beauty that she lost.” Margaret said.

   â€œBut Hagatha was never beautiful, was she? How could she ever have been pretty?” Morena was puzzled.

   â€œHagatha may have always been evil, but she was not always ugly. In her youth, she was a beautiful young sorceress. But she was cruel, and she played with men like toys, broke many hearts. She also was cruel to animals, and she even caught a fairy one time and pulled her wings off. That fairy was Florinda’s sister. Because of her evil deeds, the fairies cursed her to become as ugly on the outside as she was on the inside. Since then, her skin turned green, her ears became pointed and long and her eyes red. Now that she is old, she is even more hideous.” Anya shuddered as she talked about the witch. “Let’s not discuss such unpleasant things any further.”

   Morena and Red looked at each other in amazement, to have learned that Hagatha had once been as comely as their friends. They all agreed that she deserved to be cursed with ugliness.

   The months passed as Kolyma waited for the prince’s arrival. A royal ship was spotted along the coast. Prince Charles van Thorpe of  Manhaven arrived at the village of Kolyma. The villagers greeted him with joy. Many of the maidens were waiting for him at the docks, and offered him bouquets of flowers.

   â€œPeople of Kolyma, I am very happy to be here, and am delighted with your warm hospitality.” Said Prince Charles. “I have come to visit my cousin, the ruler of this fine land.  I am also on a quest to find a bride.” At this many, of the damsels giggled and swooned.  â€œMy cousin will be holding a ball to night at which all of the people of Kolyma are invited. I wish you all would attend and have a good time.” At last, the prince walked down the path that lead to his cousin’s castle, followed by some guards and servants.

   The ball was magnificent. The common folk and nobles mixed freely with each other, and everyone had a good time. Prince Charles met many fair damsels, but he was particularly smitten with Genevieve. Genevieve was sixteen, and her golden hair, sparkling blue eyes and charming smile captured the prince’s heart. Throughout the prince’s stay, they fell in love with each other as they spent more time with each other. When the prince left a week later, he took Genevieve with him as his bride.
   Morena sighed as she watched the ship depart from Kolyma. She would miss her friend, and she was a bit jealous of her.

   â€œI’m sure Genevieve will be very happy with Prince Charles. Now she will be a princess.” Valanice said as they stood on the shore.

   In a few months, Valanice would have her sixteenth birthday. Morena was looking forward to the party.


   The old witch Hagatha was watching the recent events of Kolyma with growing jealousy and anger. How dare those pretty girls steal away the available young men? In her youth she had turned all of the boy’s heads. Now she was repulsive to look at, all because of that wretched fairy’s curse. Hagatha vowed that she would make the people of Kolyma pay for their happiness.  
   
Morena and her granny had grown very fond of their pet nightingale. They fed him breadcrumbs and berries and gave him fresh water. The bird liked the attention he got and sang sweetly for them. One night, Morena woke up by a crashing sound. She got out of bed and went to see what was wrong. At the back door she heard the cackling of the wicked old hag. The nightingale was gone! Hagatha had broken into their house and stolen the bird.  Anya cried when she realized that her pet nightingale was gone.

   Morena’s heart lightened after the loss of her pet when it came time for Valanice’s birthday party. She wore her best pink dress to the party. Her granny came with her, and it seemed like the whole village celebrated the young lady’s sixteenth birthday. Rupert and Philip were there, so was Veronica, Red and Amaranth. The party was held in the garden of Valanice’s house. Colorful streamers and flowers decorated the place. Valanice’s parents, Lord Cedric and Lady Cognice, had prepared a wonderful feast for the guests. A musician played a lute.

   Morena had been very careful when selecting a gift for Valanice. She gave her an exquisite glass unicorn. Little Red Riding Hood gave her an embroidered handbag, Veronica’s present was a carved wooden jewelry box her father had made, Amaranth gave her an herbal love potion, Rupert brought her a small silver dagger, and Philip’s gift was a comb made of whalebone. Her parents gave her a magic bronze amulet, a hand mirror, a bottle of perfume, a silk sash and some hairpins.  

   Valanice had never looked lovelier. She wore a sea green silk dress trimmed in lavender. She wore flowers in her long, wavy auburn hair. She smiled happily at her party.    

   

[Rosedragon]

However, the happiness was short-lived. As Valanice was blowing out the candles on her cake, a cloud of smoke appeared in front of her. Hagatha had showed up to ruin the party.

   â€œI’ve had more than enough of you people having your happy little get-togethers while I suffer in misery in my cave. You will all pay for forgetting how powerful I am. This maiden and her beauty has brought you much joy, now I will take her and bring you suffering!” the crone seized Valanice by the arm. “She belongs to me now! I will lock her up where the world will never see her beauty again.”

   â€œNo, let me go!” Valanice cried out. Hagatha slapped her across the face. “Be silent, wench!  You will pay for flaunting your beauty. You will wither away without the light of day, and all your loves ones will suffer from your absence. I will not tolerate pretty young things like you any more!” With diabolical laughter, Hagatha disappeared with her.

   Cedric and Cognice cried and tried to stop the witch, but to no avail. Everyone screamed and gasped at the tragic turn of events.

   â€œAmaranth, where could Hagatha possibly have taken her? We must save Valanice!” Morena said. The two young white witches set off to find Valanice. Amaranth and Morena came to the mountains, where a deep, wide chasm had ripped across the land.

   â€œWhere did this chasm come from? I’ve never seen it here before.” Asked Morena.

   â€œHagatha must have created it.” Amaranth replied. “I will try to find a way to cross it and rescue Valanice. Go get help from Father Wilbury and the other villagers.”

   Morena ran back to Valanice’s house, where Father Wilbury had attended the party. She found the priest praying in a secluded spot.
   
“Father Wilbury, we need your help. Amaranth may have found where Hagatha took Valanice.”
   
“I am sorry, child, but I am not a man of action. I may be match for Hagatha spiritually, but physically it would be suicide to fight her. Don’t worry though, the Lord will look after Lady Valanice in her time of trouble.” Morena then tried to rouse Valanice’s parents.
   
“It’s hopeless my dear. If that creature could just waltz in here and steal our daughter, how could we ever hope to stand up against her? We have no idea where she has taken Valanice!” Cedric and Cognice sobbed in each other’s arms.  

Morena could not find Rupert or Philip anywhere. With a heavy heart, she went home and collapsed in her granny’s arms. “What are we going to do?” Morena sobbed.

“I fear that Hagatha plans to ruin Kolyma and leave the people broken.” Morena said. “Hagatha destroys anyone who is good and happy, because she is miserable and cannot stand for anyone to be happy. She was the one that brought about the death of your parents, and would have killed you too when you were a wee babe had not the monks and fairies protected you.” Said her granny.
“What?! You mean Hagatha killed my parents? Why have you never told me this before?”

“I was afraid to tell you for fear that you would try to take revenge. Your mother, Lorraine, was not very beautiful, but she was very clever and kind, and in this way one your father’s heart. Your father was a handsome man, and Hagatha desired him, she was mad with jealousy when he married your mother. She plotted to kill them both and eat you. A year after you will born she invaded your house and killed your mother father. But Lorraine had put a protective charm on your blanket, so Hagatha could not harm you. The fairies knew you were in trouble, so they came to the house and drove Hagatha away.” Anya told the story to her granddaughter.

“Hagatha will not get away with her evil deeds! I swear she will pay for murdering my parents and kidnapping Valanice.” Morena vowed angrily.

“Now child, you mustn’t say such things! Do you think that I have not thought about revenge myself? I have longed for justice for the death of my son and daughter in law, but the truth is she is much too powerful for us to handle.”

Morena said nothing more, but she would not give up. She searched for Amaranth the next day, but could not find her anywhere. She then believed that Hagatha must have killed her.  Morena went to see Rupert and Philip in the village, and talked to them in a whispered hush about what happened.

“I’m glad you taught me how to use a sword and bow, Rupert.” Morena said. “I wish I could become strong enough to defeat Hagatha.”

“But Hagatha is a witch. You will need magic if you are to fight her. You can’t fight magic with brawn.” Rupert replied.

“Then I will become a good sorceress, and I will make her pay for all of the people she has killed.” Said Morena.

“I think Hagatha killed Amaranth.” Philip said. “Amaranth knew magic, but apparently it wasn’t enough. We should wait for a hero to come along and rescue Valanice.”

“How long will that take? Where will we find a hero?” Morena asked.
“Heroes come in all walks of life.” Rupert told her. “A man who meets a challenge honorably and bravely can become a hero. Heroes are often chosen by destiny. Usually heroes choose their own destiny. I’ve heard many stories of fair maidens locked in towers, and a hero always comes along to rescue them. Someone will come to rescue Valanice.”
   â€œI hope you’re right.” Morena said sadly.
A gray cloud had settled over her head, but with it came a fierce fire of determination. She would not let Hagatha win. Morena searched the attic of her granny’s antique store, and found some old books on magic. She studied them diligently. Morena’s friends noticed that she was growing distant, and spent more and more time alone.

All of Kolyma suffered from the loss of Lady Valanice, and Genevieve and Amaranth were gone also. Lord Cedric and Lady Cognice were heartbroken, and became ill. They died after months of despair, and Hagatha burned their house down.  Prince Stuart of Kolyma had taken to shutting himself up in his castle with his servants, and ignoring the problems in his kingdom.

Morena’s hunger for revenge turned into a thirst for knowledge. Anya appreciated the attention she paid to studying books, but worried that she was not spending enough time with her friends that girls her age should. Morena was careful that her grandmother never found out she was studying magic. She soon mastered all the basic spells in the old worm-eaten tome, and wanted to learn stronger magic. Despite her desire to become a sorceress, she never studied black magic. She was careful not to cross that line. She went to the fairies for more secrets of the arcane arts. Florinda gave her a small scroll of mystical words and symbols, and told her to memorize it and return to her within a week.
She practiced mundane martial skills too. Morena had acquired a bow and arrow, and a sword from the antique shop. She set up a target behind the shop, and practiced her archery every day.

   One day as she was shooting her arrows at the wooden target, the old enchanter came by and tried to catch her. The wizened old man raised his hands and started to mumble the incantation. Morena quickly cast a protective spell to ward off the enchantment. The enchanter was enraged when his spell did work. Morena aimed her bow and shot at him. Her first arrow missed, her second arrow hit the skirt of his black robe. Angered further, the old wizard tried a more powerful spell. Morena dodged his spell and hurled an energy ball at him. The enchanter now realized he was no match for her, so he left.

In Hagatha’s cave, the enchanter paid the wicked witch a visit. “Ah, Nimrod, my old friend, to what do I owe the honor of your presence?” Hagatha greeted him.
   
“This is not a social call, Hagatha. I have come to discuss business. That homely girl that lives at the antique store, she is becoming quite a problem.”
   
Hagatha’s red eyes glinted with hatred. “Ah yes, the one that got away. I almost had her as my dinner when she was a baby. What has she done?”
   
The enchanter’s face reddened with anger. “I tried to curse her, to change her into a frog like I did with all the other people, but she resisted my spell! She seems to be able to cast magic, and not only did she ward off my spell, she shot her arrows at me and threw an energy ball at me!”

   â€œOf all the impudence. The Master will not be pleased when he hears of this. You know how much he hates heroes who stand in his way.”
   â€œWe must punish this little wench. She shall die for defying us.” Nimrod said to his comrade.”
   â€œYes, I quite agree. If she becomes more powerful, she might try to rescue Valanice.”

Morena suspected that Hagatha was plotting to end her life. But she didn’t care. Someone had to stand up to her. A year after Valanice was kidnapped, Florinda flew up to her outside of the monastery, in a great hurry.

“Why are you so excited, Florinda?” She asked the fairy.

“I’ve just heard news of a hero in a foreign land. My friend the fairy Gloriana has told me about a knight who recently became king in the land of Daventry. The old king, King Edward, had no heirs so he sent his best knight on a quest to recover three missing magical treasures. The knight succeeded in his quest and became king after Edward died. His name is Graham.” Said Florinda.
   
“But what does this have to do with us?”
“The new king will be looking for a bride soon. He might be the one to rescue Valanice.”

“Oh, that’s great! I hope he finds out about her soon, and comes to save her. Poor Valanice must suffer terribly, being locked up by that horrible hag. I wish I could find a way to contact her.”
   
“Perhaps there is a way. I think Valanice is being held in an enchanted land, one connected to Kolyma by a magic portal. Let’s go by the mountains and see what we can find.”
   Morena and Florinda went to the place where the chasm separated them from the high mountains. Morena saw that a rickety, old wooden bridge with holes crossed the chasm. It would be dangerous to try to cross it. For Valanice sake, she would try. Gingerly, she put her foot on the bridge. Carefully she stepped across. On the land on the other side, there was a strange blue door. Morena looked at the door and tried to open it. It was locked. She read the inscription, but had no way to find the key. Morena sprinkled some fairy dust on the door. She managed to pick a splinter of wood off of the door.
   
“With this, I can make a magic mirror that will allow us to see where Valanice is. We may even be able to talk to her.”
   
“Wonderful! Let’s go before Hagatha catches us.” The would-be heroines went back to Morena’s house.
   
“How do we make the mirror?” Morena asked in the privacy of her bedroom.

“First, we need an ordinary hand mirror that we can cast the spell on to make it a scrying mirror. We also need a clear crystal on a chain, when shone through sunlight its rays will illuminate the mirror. The spell ingredients are simple, a personal object from the person you wish to contact, sea water, fresh spring water, rose hips, lavender, sage garlic and pixie dust. I have the pixie dust of course.” Florinda explained the spell to her.
   
Morena had a gold-framed hand mirror in her drawer, and she had a hair ribbon from Valanice. She found the other spell ingredients in the locked trunk where she stored her arcane equipment.
   
“Lay the mirror out in sunlight first.” Morena set the mirror on her windowsill. “Then mix the salt and fresh water together in a pot.” She did so. Next the fairy told her to add the rose hips, lavender, sage and garlic. The potion was heated on a brazier. When it melted and cooled, she dropped the ribbon into the mixture. She carefully poured the potion over the hand mirror. It sizzled as it contacted with the glass, and steam rose up from the shiny surface.
   As she was about to finish the spell, her grandmother opened the door and came into the room. “Morena, I need you to- what on earth are you doing?” Morena gasped and dropped the little pot she used to mix potions. Florinda flew out the window.
   
“I was er…I was um….cooking…” she stuttered.
“Cooking? In your room? With a mirror and crystal? That doesn’t look like cooking to me. You are trying to do magic, aren’t you?”

Morena could no longer lie. “Yes, granny. I was about to cast a spell to contact Valanice. The truth is I have been doing magic for some time now. Amaranth and Florinda taught me. I never use it to hurt anyone, I want to help Valanice and save Kolyma from Hagatha. I was afraid you’d be upset if you found out.
   
“Well of course I’d be upset! Black magic is what killed your mother and father. Hagatha holds the kingdom in terror with her evil power. And now you are using that same power which nearly destroyed you. I know you are young and do not know any better but you must stop at once. These forces are far too dangerous to be messed with. How could you meddle in witchcraft behind my back! The disasters you could cause! What if our home is blown up during one of your experiments? You could release a demon or other such monster from the netherworld during an incantation. Magic is the weapon of the Devil. Give up such foolishness, for my sake. I will speak to Father Wilbury about this. Perhaps he can help you off that crooked path.” Anya sobbed and collapsed to her knees when she finished her lecture. Morena ran to her side.
   
“Granny! What’s wrong? What have I done? Are you alright?”

“I…I feels so weak and sick. The strain is hard on an old woman’s nerves.”
Morena helped her to her room. Granny lay down in her bed. Morena ran off the make some tea. She knew simple healing spells, and she made herbal tea. She forgot about the mess in her room. Morena began to cry, fearing that her spell casting had caused her grandmother to suffer a stroke. She tended to her grandmother as best she could.
When grandma was asleep she cleaned up the failed experiment in her room. She had spilled the potion all over the floor. At least the mirror was not broken.
   
The next day she made breakfast and tiptoed into granny’s room. She was still asleep. Granny woke up around noon. “I feel much better now, after resting,” she said.

“Do you want to talk?” Morena asked.
“Yes. I cannot forget what happened yesterday. You have been practicing magic.”

   â€œPlease, granny, magic is not as bad as you think. I only use good magic, and I only want to do good things. I want to stop Hagatha and rescue Valanice. You said that Hagatha killed my parents. I want to punish her for that, and for everything else she has done to hurt the people of Daventry.” Said Morena.
   â€œI am glad you want to help your countrymen, but I have warned you against following the path of vengeance. However, you are fourteen now, and old enough to make your own decisions, I cannot stop you. Please promise me that you will never use the dark kind of magic.”
   â€œI promise, I will never turn to evil. I will never be an evil witch like Hagatha.”
“I can’t say I approve of magic, but you’re at that stubborn age when you must find out things for yourself. I wish that you can find some way to save your friend Valanice. You are right; something must be done to stop Hagatha. I’m quite hungry now. Do you have breakfast ready?”
   
“Well, actually now its time for lunch.”  

“My goodness, I really slept late!” Morena brought her grandmother a bowl of porridge.
Things were better from them on; she did not have to hide anymore.


Valanice stood at the rail of the balcony of the crystal tower. She had looked out on the view of the tiny, enchanted island many times during the long year of her imprisonment. The pink sky, blue sand and exotic, huge foliage that took over the island had lost their sense of strangeness to her, now they were an everyday sight. She often sang to herself to on the balcony, or wistfully dreamed about being rescued from the tower by a handsome young man. As the days dragged by, her hope had worn thin, and she became sadder. She leaned against the rail and thought of her mother and father. As she did so, a tear escaped from her blue-green eyes. Valanice closed her eyes and brushed the tear away. She had spent hours crying since she had first been locked up in this tower, and when she saw what delight her grief had given her captor, she vowed not to cry in front of Hagatha again.
   
No birds came to visit her by her window. The only sound was the roaring of the lion that guarded her door. Hagatha came to visit her every other day, bringing bitter water, moldy bread and cold, greasy gruel for her prisoner. The tiny room at the top of the tower she was imprisoned in was mostly bare, save for a small, hard bed, an old, battered dresser with a broken mirror, a rusty trunk and a chamber pot.
   Despair was like a shadow at her back, waiting to shallow her in its monstrous claws and devour the light. Would her hero ever come to save her? Would she be old and haggard when the dashing prince broke into the tower? Was the old witch’s evil magic too strong for those who fought on the side of good?
   Not wishing to think about it anymore, Valanice threw herself upon the uncomfortable bed and curled up, giving in to her tears at last. Depression pounded upon her like a storm. It had been a year. How many years was she to endure this?

   Hagatha and her partner in crime, Nimrod the enchanter, were preparing a trap for Morena. Morena needed to go into the forest to gather herbs for her spells. She had a garden behind her store, but there were certain kinds of herbs that only grew in the wild, fertile soil of Kolyma’s woods. Today she needed to gather mushrooms. She always wore the magic amulets of protection that she had made, and she had several ointments that warded off dangerous creatures that she rubbed on her skin.
   
Morena found the type of mushroom she was looking for growing underneath a pine tree, and she picked several of them and put them into her basket. As her basket was becoming full she heard a child’s voice calling for help. She dropped her basket and ran to the source of the call.  
   

[Rosedragon]

She followed the screams to a thorny thicket in a dark, shadowy part of the forest.
A little boy was caught in the thorny hedge. There was a large snake near his feet.
   Morena cast a paralysis spell on the snake, and the killed it with her sword.
She went to the crying child. “It’s alright. I’m here to help you.” The little boy looked up. He suddenly grinned nastily and his eyes glowed red.
   
“Too bad for you. You’re the one that needs help!” The image of the innocent child changed into the vicious Hagatha. Morena screamed as the thicket came alive and seized her, the thorny vines snaked around her arms and legs, holding her down and digging into her flesh. She struggled to break free from the monstrous plant’s bindings.
   
Hagatha cackled insanely as she watched her enemy’s helplessness. “Time for a barbecue!” Nimrod appeared. He cast a fireball spell at Morena. Morena’s eyes widened as the fire flew towards her, aiming at her heart. It hit her, but the spells of her amulets, combined with the ointment, provided ample protection against the dark magic. Already the vine-shackles on her arms were loosening. She could feel the flow of her power and got ready for a defensive move.

“What went wrong? You bumbling fool! Let me try!” Hagatha threw a lightning bolt at Morena. Morena managed to jump to the side and the lightning bolt severed her bonds. She broke free and threw a fireball of her own at Hagatha. Hagatha dodged just in time. “How could you possibly resist my spells?! You will pay for this! I will get you some way!”

Morena knew she had to get away fast to tend to her wounds. The enchanter was advancing upon her. She threw a handful of dust into his face. While he was blinded and sneezing, she cast an energy bolt at Hagatha, and then ran off into the cover of the trees. The thorny vine monster that the evil sorcerers had created had been sickened and weakened by Morena’s magic skin lotion. Its tentacles were now limp.

Morena fled through the forest, hiding behind the large trees. She was very fast and the protection spells were strong, she was very grateful that they worked. Her own magic had done nothing but infuriate Hagatha, it seemed to damage her very little. She snatched up her basket of mushrooms from its hiding place behind the bush and went home.

Granny commented on Morena’s scratches and the condition of her hair and clothes, and Morena had to tell her the story.

   
   Morena was much more wary from then on. She never went out after dark and she spent more time in the company of friends when she did go out.  Florinda taught her more of magic. Rupert’s parents disapproved of his dreams of becoming a knight, and he had more work to do on the family farm. It was the same for Philip. Another year dragged by.
Rumors passed that Prince Stuart was ill, no one had seen him leave his castle in months. He had blocked off the entrance to his mountain castle, so that no visitors could even find the path to the castle.

   As the months dragged by, a strange merchant visited Kolyma. He wore odd, baggy white clothes and a turban on his head. He sold an old brass lamp to Morena’s granny. Morena knew the lamp was magical and suspected it contained a genie. She could feel the winds of change blowing. Soon, a hero was coming and they would be delivered from Hagatha!
   One day she went to see Florinda after Granny bought the lamp.
Florinda was excited. The fairy took her to a magic pond in the forest.
“Remember King Graham of Daventry that I told you about? Well, he’s been king for over a year now, and he has not found a bride to his liking in his own kingdom. Shouldn’t he go on a quest to find a queen?”

[Rosedragon]

“Yes, King Graham could be our perfect hero. But he doesn’t even know about Valanice!” Morena answered the fairy.

“Then we must tell him. He has a magic mirror, one of the three treasures he recovered on his quest to become king.  We can contact him by that mirror.” Florinda touched the surface of the pond with her wand. Numerous ripples rose from the surface. Then a castle could be seen, Castle Daventry, the home of the king of Daventry. The throne room of the castle was shone, and on a gilded throne sat a man in a red shirt wearing the crown. He looked worried, as if his mind was wandering.

“That’s him. King Graham of Daventry.” The king stood up and went to the mirror. Morena saw the reflection of the man’s face in the water.  He was dark-haired, blue eyed and handsome. His face showed a strong will and a good heart.

“Mirror of Merlin, show me where I can find a good maiden, pure of heart and fair of face, to be my companion and my beloved wife, to sit by my side as queen.” Graham implored the mirror.

“He’s asking the mirror to show him Valanice!” Florinda was filled with joy. She waved her tiny arms and cast the spell of communication, and used the mirror and pond’s magic to show the king what he needed to know. She showed him the land of Kolyma, and the magic door that lead to the enchanted land where Valanice was imprisoned, then she showed him the crystal tower and Valanice herself.

The look on Graham’s face was clear, it was love at first sight. He had to rescue Valanice.  King Graham took up his adventurer’s hat and prepared for the journey to Kolyma to rescue to lady he had seen in his vision in the mirror. Valanice would be saved at last!

[rosellafan]

Wow Rosedragon... the creativity and storytelling is just oozing from this one.  I love the imagery and the running themes on Hagatha's hatred toward beautiful things, and Morena's lamentation on how she wishes that she were not such a plain girl.  It adds a depth and realism to the characters.  Keep up the awesome writing  

[Rosedragon]

Thanks, Rosella! I've worked hard on this one, I changed it from it's original format to make it deeper and more interesting, I wanted to show depth with my characters.

[Rosedragon]

THE SECRET HEROINE OF DAVENTRY

CHAPTER 2

King Graham stood on the bow of his royal ship, breathing in the salty sea air. His heart raced with excitement. Soon he would be in Kolyma, where the woman of his dreams awaited him. The magic mirror had told him the story of Valanice of Kolyma. His heart was moved when he learned how the damsel had been unjustly imprisoned by the jealous hag. He had never met the girl, but somehow, he felt as if he knew her, from a dream, from a past life long ago, as if they were meant to be together. He would brave any danger to find out if she was destined to be his true love.

   Valanice stirred in her sleep. She dreamt of a tall black-haired man coming to rescue her. He was the hero of her dreams, a brave knight and adventurer. He wore a red shirt, blue trousers, and a hat with a red feather. He was kind and generous, brave and clever. She did not know his name, but she knew that he had the noblest heart more than any king deserved. He was on a royal ship crossing the ocean. She heard Hagatha in her cave, stirring her brew, with Morena’s pet nightingale to keep her company. Hagatha shrieked and cackled and cursed and muttered, bitter as always.
   â€œNo one will save my pretty caged bird. I will kill all the knights and princes that dare try to free her. I’m looking for some fresh meet for my brew. Heroes will certainly warm my pot of stew!”
   Then she saw Morena in her dreams with a look of determination on her face. Morena was casting a spell. “Hagatha will be stopped!” she said. The image of Morena faded away as she saw a castle in another land, and then she heard babies crying.
She woke up before she could dream anymore.

   King Graham gave orders for his ship to wait for off the shore of Kolyma. When his quest was finished, hopefully he would return to Daventry with a bride. He explored the beaches first and looked for any useful items left lying around. He found a rusty gold trident and a clamshell on the beach. To surprise, under the shell was a beautiful bracelet of sapphires and diamonds. Who would leave a valuable bracelet lying around on a beach? Well whoever had abandoned it obviously didn’t want it, it was his now. Graham kept exploring and found rocks protruding from the shore that lead to a cave on land. The adventurer shuddered in fear when he saw two skulls on sticks positioned outside the entrance to the cave. A bat symbol was carved over the cave entrance. A foul stench wafted from the mouth of the cave. Surely this must be the witch Hagatha’s lair. Graham thought

[Rosedragon]

. Graham thought he should stay clear of this dangerous place. He quickly left.
   
He came to a meadow to the south with flowers and a butterfly fluttering in the breeze. It was much more pleasant than Hagatha’s cave. He saw a cottage in the distance.
At the cottage he saw that it was a pleasant and charming place. The wood and brick cottage was very neat. Flowers grew in the window boxes and the picket fence was in good shape. Graham saw a strange metal box on a wooden post and wondered what it was. On the side was written the words ‘Grandma’s mail.’ So this was a mailbox. He had never seen one before. Mail in Daventry was delivered by horses and was handed over to the person receiving the letter by the messenger. The king received royal messages and if he was busy the letter was given to a minister. Out of curiosity he opened the mailbox and saw a basket, in which was bread, tea cookies, a packet of tea, berries, oranges, and small cakes. Graham took the basket.  

   He decided to pay a call to whoever lived in the cottage, so he knocked on the door. A shaky, weak voice called from inside, “Come in,” so he came in.
   Inside the house an old lady lay in an elegant brass bed in a flannel nightgown, with a nightgown on. She looked like she must be ailing, she seemed pale and weak, and she coughed when Graham came in the house. Her house was clean and cozy, a fire burned in the hearth, frilly curtains fluttered by the windows, the furniture was polished and flowers filled pretty vases.

   â€œGood day madam, I am sorry to disturb you, I did not mean to barge in on you like this.” Graham said.

“It’s quite alright young man, normally I would offer you a cup of tea and chat with you, I enjoy visitors, but I am ailing. I have caught a cold recently.” Grandma said as she coughed again.

“I am a visitor to these lands. I would like to help you. Let me see if there is something I can do to help you get better.” Graham said. He searched his belongings. He took out the basket of goodies. “I found this in your mailbox.”

“This belongs to my granddaughter Little Red Riding Hood. You should return it to her. She usually is out in the meadow gathering flowers.”

“Alright, I will do that.” Graham left Grandma’s house. He went by the meadow next to her house and waited for Little Red Riding Hood. When she showed up he talked to her.

“Mister, can you help me find my basket of goodies? I lost it while I was picking flowers. I want to give the goodies to my grandma.” She said.

“I just talked to your grandma. I found your basket of goodies in her mailbox. Here you go.” He gave her the basket.

“Thanks mister! This will make my grandma very happy. Here, take my bouquet of wild flowers in exchange for it.” The little girl gave him her bouquet of flowers in gratitude.

Graham left the meadow. He came to a church, the monastery of the blessed Wilbury.
The young king knew he would need god’s help to find true love, and if this young woman locked in the tower was his true love, he would need divine protection to succeed in rescuing her. With hope, he entered the church, decided to pray and purify himself. Perhaps the monks could help him. The church was very plain and simple, with white washed walls and wooden pews, and unadorned wooden cross on the altar. A plump monk in a plain brown robe knelt at the altar, deep in prayer. Graham knelt at the altar and began to pray too, pleading with God that his mission with be successful and that this maiden would be his queen, that the evil witch that held her prisoner would be defeated and punished. The monk noticed Graham for the first time and rose after finishing his own prayers.
   â€œGood day my son. God bless you. I am Father Wilbury. What is your name?”

“I am King Graham of Daventry, Father. I have traveled far in search of a bride, a lady suitable to be my queen. When I heard of Lady Valanice and how she was locked up in crystal tower by Hagatha, I knew she must be the woman destined to be by my side. A king is nothing without a queen, which is why I pray for divine protection and assistance  
in my quest.” Graham explained to the monk.

Father Wilbury took the silver cross from around his neck and gave it to Graham. “Take this cross, it will protect you from evil on your journey. God honors the sacred institution of marriage, especially for royalty, it is a must. The people of Kolyma dearly love the sweet maiden Valanice, and we have all prayed for a long time for a hero to come and rescue her. Now at last our prayers are answered. God bless you, good King Graham. I believe you will rescue Valanice and marry her if she loves you in return. Please wear the cross at all times. God speed my son.”

“Thank you very much father. You have given me much hope.” Graham slipped the cross’ chain around his neck. He tucked it into the front of his shirt. He nodded his head to the monk and left the church. Graham went south and came to a lake with a boulder on the bank. There was a hole in the boulder, and to his delight, he discovered a sparkling brooch of sapphires and diamonds! He took the brooch.


   Meanwhile, as Graham was on his journey through Kolyma, Morena followed his progress. She stayed hidden and watched him as he gathered useful items, explored, and talked to people. She had been watching the moment he landed on the beach. She was pleased to see that King Graham seemed to be a capable and clever adventurer. Florinda also watched the heroic king closely.
   â€œFlorinda, I think you should keep a close eye on King Graham and give him one of your protection spells. It will help him if he encounters Hagatha.”

   Florinda met graham at the lake. After he got the brooch he looked up and saw the small, pretty fairy with pink gossamer wings.
   â€œGreetings good King Graham. I am here to help you. I will give you a protective spell so that evil forces may not hurt you, but it will only last for a short while.” She said to him. The gentle fairy started to sprinkle pixie dust over him. Graham watched in fascination as the sparkling star-like dust settled on him in a spell that made him feel invincible to evil magic.
   â€œThank you kind fairy” he thanked the fairy.
“You are most welcome.” With that Florinda disappeared.  Graham continued on his way, going north he crossed back to the church, kept going and came to a chasm, deciding to ignore it for the time being he came to a forest and found some pine trees. One large pine tree had a large knot with a hole above it. He climbed up the boulders and bushes near the roots of the large tree and looking into the hole discovered a mallet, which he added to his pouch.

Going east through the forest he came to another section where a huge oak tree had a door carved in it. How odd. Why would a door be carved in a tree? Someone must live here. He opened the door and discovered it was the entrance to a subterranean home. Below the roots of the hollowed-out tree was a platform with a ladder. Graham climbed down the ladder and came to a dwarf’s home. The dwarf was absent. A fire with a pot of soup bubbling over it occupied the middle of the lair. A wooden chest was tucked away in the corner, and there was a table made from a tree stump and chairs also made from stumps. Graham took the soup, then looked inside the chest. Inside there was a pair of earrings. He grabbed the earrings. They were made from sapphires with diamonds around them. Having obtained the treasure, he decided to leave before the dwarf returned.

Graham walked on through the forest and met the dwarf thief in one part of the forest. He quickly ran in the other direction to avoid being robbed by him. The hero came to a big lake shadowed by trees. A fallen log lay near one side of the lake. The log had a hole in it. Graham wondered if something could be hidden inside the hole. He peered into the log and saw a beautiful necklace of sapphires and diamonds. Who was it that left this jewelry lying around? Graham quickly grabbed the necklace. Why would anyone abandon something so magnificent and valuable?  As he was admiring the jewels who should arrive on the scene searching for prey but the wicked witch Hagatha herself. The old green skin warty crone was cackling and licking her gums when she spotted Graham.
“Ah what a handsome young man. You must be the hero come to rescue my captive. I’d like to invite you to dinner.”
Graham quickly ran away from her. Hagatha chased after him. She was stopped by the fairy’s spell. “Curses! That blasted fairy put one of her spells on you! One day I will catch that fairy and pluck her wings off! I will make her suffer just like her sister did. You and all of the other goody two shoes will pay for what you did to me. You will all suffer and die at my hands. I will get you yet.” Angry that she could not touch him, she stormed off to her cave.  Graham sighed in relief.  Glad to be alive, he decided to go somewhere else. In a shaded part of the wood he found a tent stake leaning against a tree.
“This will come in handy if I have to go up against a vampire.” He said to himself as he took the stake.  He thought of Little Red Riding Hood’s grandma and decided to return to her with the soup.

Graham walked back to grandma’s house and entered. There was a wolf in grandma’s bed! What should he do? Thinking that the poor old lady might be in danger he quickly drew his trusty long silver dagger and when the wolf attacked him he ducked down and stabbed the wolf in the gut. The animal was not prepared for this and died on his blade howling. Graham suffered a scratched shouldered as he through the body of the dead beast off of him. Where was grandma? Was she safe? Grandma stepped out of the armoire in the corner, trembling. She shuddered and held onto the armoire door as she gave a hacking cough.
“Oh, thank god it is you good sir. You saved my life! That terrible wolf would have killed both me and my granddaughter, I am very glad she is not here.”
Graham helped grandma get back in bed. “It’s a good thing I came back here when I did. I brought you some soup.”
“Oh thank you. You are indeed a kind soul” Graham fed grandma the soup.
“I feel much better now. In return for your kindess and for saving me from the wolf you must have something, please look under the bed. You might find something useful there. My husband was a hunter, and besides hunting animals he would hunt all manner of strange beasts and monsters. He was a very brave man, but he earned himself many enemies, and an early death. He would bring home artifacts from the creatures of darkness he killed. That was why the wolf wanted to kill me and my granddaughter Scarlet, it was an evil creature and my husband had killed members of his family.”
Graham looked under the bed and pulled out a black cloak and a fine ruby ring set in gold.

“Sir, I never did ask your name.” Grandma said.

“Oh pardon me, I am King Graham of Daventry. I am here of a quest to rescue Lady Valanice from Hagatha’s tower.”

“That is wonderful. I am so glad a hero has arrived in Daventry. Perhaps when you get the time, after your quest is completed, you could go and look at our fine village nestled at the foot of the mountains. My name is Margaret, I am the widow of Sir Gavin the hunter. My little granddaughter is named Scarlet, even though everyone calls her Little Red Riding Hood or just Red. By the way, that ring and cloak belong to a vampire; I think it may be Count Dracula. I believe he was the one who killed my husband. I am just thankful my husband is dead and in heaven and not an undead vampire. Be warned Graham, should your quest take you near Count Dracula’s island, use the utmost caution. He is extremely evil and very clever, and the leader of vampires. He has fed upon our people for years, and no one goes out at night. Slaying him will be no easy task.”

“Thank you for your help Maragaret. I wish you a complete recovery from your illness.”
Graham bowed slightly and left grandma’s house.

Deciding he had enough treasure, he know had to get on with his quest. Graham had to cross that rickety old bridge no matter how dangerous it was, and find a way to open the enchanted door to seek his beloved. Bravely he walked across the rickety rope and wood expansion bridge and looked at the mountains on the other side of the chasm. The magic door was there; it was bright blue and seemed to lead to nowhere. It was securely locked and bright golden letters were written on the top. They said:
“Whoever wishes to seek the key for this door,
Will definitely make a splash.”
That must mean that the key is hidden underwater somewhere. But what type of water was it? The lakes around here would be too shallow for a good hiding place, so surely it must be in the ocean. Graham headed to the shore.

At the beach, he came to where some sculpted rocks protruded from the water. On a couch shaped rock, lo and behold there lay a mermaid! She was stunningly beautiful, in a fishy sort of way, with long curly wet blond hair covering her upper body, smooth suntanned skin and a fish tail from the waist down that sparkled like emeralds in the sun. The mermaid waved her tail back and forth in the gently lapping waves, and she beckoned slightly with her right hand.

Graham stepped up to the water’s edge and called out to the mermaid gently. She looked at him strangely and shook her head. Apparently she did not understand his speech. He wondered if perhaps a gift might be a more appropriate way of making friends with her.
He thought about the jewelry he had found, but he really wished to save the sapphire jewels as a present for his new bride, and the ruby ring of Count Dracula’s was not appropriate. Ah, the flowers that Red had given him, surely she would like those! All women liked flowers, and the mermaid could not come on land to pick flowers herself, so perhaps she would appreciate a fresh bouquet of wild flowers.

Graham swam up to the mermaid’s rock and held out the bouquet of wild flowers. The mermaid was delighted with them. She took the flowers and held them up to her nose to smell them. She smiled at Graham. She put her fingers to her mouth and whistled, then jumped into the water. Graham waited, wondering what was happening.

   A sea horse, that is a sea horse big enough for a man such as him to ride, rose out of the waves. It even had a saddle attached to it’s back. Graham mounted the sea horse and it dove under the waves. Graham was surprised, he must be under the merfolk’s protection, for he could breath under water as if the water were air! He guided the sea horse forward. The horse took him forward. Graham looked with fascination at all the sea creatures at the ocean floor. The picked-clean bones of a whale could be seen, and fish swam around him. Sponges, coral, seaweed and kelp grew on the sandy bottom of the ocean. A shark swam close to Graham and became interested in him. Graham moved his head back as he saw the shark’s snout, eyes and jaws with sharp teeth moving closer. Then a ringing noise was heard, and the shark quickly retreated and swam away. Graham sighed in relief. He continued on and rode through a stone archway. There, on a shell and mother of pearl throne sat King Neptune, mighty ruler of the ocean. His skin was green and his fish tail sparkled as it fanned out over his throne. He had a flowing, greenish-gray beard and wore a crown made of gold, shells and pearls.
   
   Graham attempted to speak to him. Bubbles came out of his mouth. King Neptune made a gesture with his right hand. Now Graham could hear with quite well.
   â€œI see you have befriended my daughter, human. I bid thee welcome in my undersea kingdom.”
   â€œThank you, your majesty. I am King Graham of Daventry.”
“King Graham of Daventry, would you by any chance know where my trident is? That nasty land-dwelling witch Hagatha attacked my daughter the mermaid, and to defend her I used my trident to summon up a tidal wave to drown the old witch, and in the process lost my trident. I believe she might have stolen it from me. If you can find my trident, I will reward you handsomely.”

“Hagatha does not have your trident, I have it right here. It was on the beach when I came to Kolyma.” King Graham gave King Neptune his trident.

“Thank you, King Graham.” Neptune waved his trident over a large clamshell and it opened to reveal a gold key. He then gave him a glass bottle with a large sheet stuck in it. “Someone through this bottle in my ocean. Please take it and help clean up my ocean. Look inside the clamshell and take the key. I believe you will need that for your quest.”

[Rosedragon]

Graham took the bottle and the key. As he was riding the sea horse back up to the surface, a small sea serpent attacked him. The sea serpent came out from behind the remains of a wrecked ship and swam strait for him. Graham kicked his horse, urging him to go faster. The serpent reached him and wrapped his coils around he horse and him, the sea horse bit the serpent in the neck, it retaliated by biting back. Suddenly the shark from before arrived and attacked the serpent. The shark seized the serpent and pulled it away from Graham. Graham gasped as he watched the shark make quick work of the sea serpent. The sea horse swam to the surface. Graham waded to the shore. Glad to be back on land he shook the water out of his clothes and rung out his hat.    

   Graham quickly went to the magic door and unlocked it with the gold key. It opened to reveal another door. He had to find another key for this door. He was a bit disappointed. This door was green. The inscription read,
   â€œWhoever wishes to seek the key for this door,
   Should set their sights high.”

 Graham looked around him. Above him the sheer rock walls of a mountain soared high into the sky over the chasm and valley. How on earth could he climb the mountains? Even if he had rope, there were few footholds at all and he could fall to his death. He ran a hand of the rough boulders of the mountains and could not find a handhold. If only he could fly like a bird and find that key!  
   Feeling dejected, Graham crossed the rickety bridge back to the normal side of Kolyma. The antique store was very close by. Perhaps something in there could help him.
He saw that the sign in the window of the charming little shop said: “Open”. So he walked in, and a little bell chimed as he entered. The shop was cozy, charming and tidy. A small brick fireplace burned cheerily in one corner next to a suit of armor. A tea table with four chairs for tea was set up in the middle along with a tea pot, tea cups, and silver tea tray.  Next to the window was a couch with antique books underneath the window arranged on a shelf for sale. Glass cases on lined both sides of the walls offering all kinds of merchandise, commonplace to bizarre to luxurious and rare. Jewelry, silverware, china, swords and knives, archery equipment, tapestries, furniture, kitchen equipment, expensive articles of clothing, farming tools, lamps, musical instruments, and toys, were all that was sold at the antique store. It had to be at least over a hundred years old, and been in one family for generations. Graham stopped to gaze in wonder at all the various antiques that had been cleaned up and put on display by the storeowner, Anya. He made his way to the polished mahogony counter were little old Anya sat in her rocking chair.

She was eager to meet a new customer. She stopped rocking at leaned forward. “Good day dear. Welcome to Anya’s antique’s. How may I help you?”

“Well…..” King Graham began. “It’s a rather long story. But I need to find a way up the mountains in Kolyma.”

“Up the mountains? Reallly, good sir, I’d love to help you but even we do not sell climbing equipment, and even if we did I fear you would break your neck trying to scale Kolyma’s mountain, it is impossible!”

Just then Anya’s granddaughter Morena came in through the door with a basket full of herbal flowers and mushrooms. Morena had been secretly spying on Graham ever since he arrived in Kolyma. She gasped when she saw that it was the hero in her grandma’a shop.

“Granny, I was out gathering herbs- Oh! Hello.”

“Good day to you miss.” Graham said.

“This is my granddaughter Morena. Perhaps she could go through some of our more mystical items and find a way for you to reach the top of that mountain, if you really are that desperate.” Said Anya, “By the way, you appear to be a stranger to our land, Mr., um-“

“Graham, my name is Graham.”

“Graham, well I must warn you that things are quite unsettled at the moment in Kolyma. It seems that we good citizens live our lives under the tyranny of evil forces. There is an evil diabolical witch named Hagatha that lives near the beach who preys on the young and old alike. She is not happy unless someone else is miserable. As a matter of fact she stole my pet, a nightingale I had named Tweetie, just because she knew how lonely a poor old woman with only one grand child would be without him. She has constantly attacked Morena my granddaughter, but the girl is very clever and talented and knows how to escape from her black magic.”

“Remember the special lamp we bought from the strange merchant? It must be magical, I’ve heard such lamps can have spirits inside them called genies that will help the people who own the lamp. If we sell you this magic lamp, will you bring back my granny’s nightingale from Hagatha’s cave?” Morena challenged him.

“I will see what I can do to get the nightingale back.” Graham promised.

“Be careful, and sneaky. Hagatha has bad eyesight but there’s nothing wrong with her hearing. Her cave is dangerous but it is not impossible to sneak past her.” Morena told him.

“Thanks for the advice, I hope it will keep me alive.  I am going now.”

Graham left the shop and headed towards Hagatha’s cave. A minute after he left, Morena left to follow him. Graham trod carefully towards the forbidding cave. He saw the tall jagged rocks like broken fangs reached up out of the earth. Suddenly out of the cave flew something large, black and extremely fast. As the black vehicle drove back and forth on the sandy lot in front of the cave’s entrance music eerie music started to play. It was the batmobile, looks like Batman had gotten a little lost, or perhaps he had failed in trying to apprehend Hagatha.

Graham was puzzled by the batmobile showing up, but he was mildly amused. After batman left he peaked into the cave’s entrance. Hagatha was there, stirring her brew and muttering to herself. Graham slipped in, her back was turned. In the middle of the cave was Hagatha and her black cauldron of foul noxious witch’s brew. In the northeast corner was a pile of skulls, probably from her victims. To the west and north was the nightingale in his cage. On the east side was a small rough table with a crystal ball. Keeping his head down, Graham crept over to the nightingale. He stayed in the shadows and placed the sheet he had found in the glass bottle in the ocean over the nightingale’s cage. That would muffle any sound the bird made. He picked up the covered cage and took it with him as he carefully crept back out being sure to stay out of the witch’s line of sight.

Graham was anxious to leave the area with the nightingale. Once safely on his way to Anya’s Antique’s, he uncovered the birdcage. The nightingale sang happily, relieved to be out of the gloomy cave. Morena had been watching him from the cover of trees and rocks, and when he saw his success she ran home to tell her granny so they could get the lamp ready.

Graham entered the shop the second time and gave Anya her precious nightingale.  â€œOh my sweet little birdie, I’m so glad to see you again. Oh dear, you look a bit thin and ragged, Hagatha did not take good care of you.”
Morena took the brass lamp and gave it to Graham. “All you have to do is rub it to let the genie out.” She said. “Please let me go with you to the mountain top. I was a very good friend to Valanice and I have been trying to free her, but the fairy Florinda and the priest Father Wilbury all agree that only a hero such as yourself can free her. You may need some help on your adventure, I know what Kolyma is like, and I know magic. I will watch you wherever you go. It is important for Valanice to get free, all of Kolyma wants her to be free and for Hagatha’s evil to be stopped. Hagatha and her companions have been ruining Kolyma for long enough. We must stop them.

“I have always adventured alone. Are you sure you can handle the dangers we will face?”

“Yes” Said Morena. “And my grandmother will let me come.”

Morena spoke to her grandma Anya about it and Anya said yes.

Graham went outside the shop with Morena and rubbed the lamp. A cloud of pink smoke appeared. After the pink smoke faded, a small man with a jeweled and feathered turban, a gold fringed purple vest and a pink cloud tail for legs wafted from the lamp.

“Greetings, mortals. I am the genie of the lamp. Since I am bound to the lamp as a slave I will now serve you. However, for a truly magnificent reward, I beseech you, help me to return to my home in the mountaintops of Kolyma.”

Graham said “The mountains of Kolyma is exactly where I want to go. But I have no way of climbing the great mountains.”

“Then I will give you this magic carpet, with it you can fly to the top of the mountains. Good luck, my new master.” The genie gave Graham a large red and gold carpet with a beautiful floral pattern to it.

Graham unrolled the carpet and he and Morena sat down upon it. It rose off the ground and up to the mountains. The carpet stopped when it reached a plateau on the top of the mountains. Graham and Morena dismounted and rolled the carpet up and took it with them. The plateau was high up, the rocky ground scarcely covered in grass. Pine trees grew in the wind here. Morena and Graham continued till they came to a place where the path was blocked by a large and deadly rattlesnake.  Morena picked up a stick and threw it at the snake, it hissed and struck at the stick, shaking it’s tail.

“Sssstay away or I will sssssstrike!” the snake hissed. “Thisss isss my path. Go away!”

Graham was surprised to here a talking snake. So was Morena. The animal must be enchanted. Graham was not sure what to do so he rubbed the lamp one more time.

“Genie show me the truth about this snake. What is it doing here, why is it able to talk, and how can I get past it?”

“That snake is enchanted. An evil enchanter turned him into a snake, he is really quite a different creature. Take this leather bridle and throw it on him.” The genie gave Graham a leather bridle with a silver bit and disappeared. Graham threw the bridle on the snake, and it became a beautiful white winged horse.  

“Thank you for freeing me from my enchantment.” Said the horse. “An evil enchanter named Nimrod turned me into a snake when I refused to be his steed.”

“I know this evil enchanter. He plagues the surface of Kolyma and turns people into frogs.” Said Morena.

“Yes, there is a way to stop him. In my village of winged creatures we have many secrets, I believe if you keep going you will find the way to the secret village and the way to stop Nimrod.

Graham and Morena went past the winged horse, and they found a cave with strange writings and pictures painted on the walls, and a locked trunk against the back of the cave. Graham tried to open the trunk but it was securely locked and he did not have the key. He hit the rusted old lock with the mallet and it came off. Now he could open the trunk.

Inside was a flask containing a potion. The label on it read, “ Potion for destroying evil wizards.” Graham took the potion, thinking it was just what he needed.

Meanwhile Morena was examining the strange markings carved in the cave’s walls and the elaborate pictures painted there. A picture of a beautiful winged woman like an angel sitting on a throne surrounded by griffins and dragons was painted next to a carving of the words yprah neris kelem.  Morena wondered what the strange words meant. She also found a large boulder shaped like a door with a heart-shaped identation. While Graham was exploring the cave he found a lovely heart-shaped clear crystal.

“I think this crystal is suppose to go in there.” He put the crystal in the hole and it fit like a key and the boulder swung open. The two adventurers found a tunnel through the rocky mountains. The tunnel lead outside to a stairway made of rock that lead upwards. A fierce gargoyle was guarding the stairway. It appeared to be part dog, part goat and part bat.

“Halt! Intruders are not welcome here.” The gray gargoyle said. “What’s the password?”

Morena thought about this for a minute. She remembered the words she found carved in the cave. They were written backwords. “Melek, siren, harpy.” She said.

“You know the correct password. You may pass by.” The gargoyle said. Graham and Morena breathed a sigh of relief. They climbed up the stairs and reached a castle made of white and black marble. A dragon with two legs, called a wyvern, guarded the castle along with a griffin.

“Why have you come here, wingless mortals? What do you seek?” The guarding creatures demanded.

“I seek a key for the magical door in Kolyma.” Said King Graham.

“Then you must speak to our queen, the winged woman Ava May. Go inside and ask a boon of the queen.” The guards opened the doors and Morena and Graham entered the castle.

They went strait to the throne room where a tall, slender woman with rainbow-colored feathered wings and fair skin, black hair and violet eyes sat on a crystal throne. She wore a sleeveless white gown embroidered in gold at the neckline and hem.

Graham and Morena bowed low before the magnificent woman.

“Your majesty, I am King Graham of Daventry. I am on a quest to rescue an innocent and beautiful woman imprisoned by the evil witch Hagatha. In order to free her I must find three keys to the magical door that leads to the enchanted island where she is imprisoned. I have already found the first key. I believe you have the second key.” Graham explained himself to her.

The angel-like woman spoke. “Your quest is noble, King Graham. I am Ava May, queen of the winged people and creatures that dwell in these mountains. Tell me, who is your companion?”

“My name is Morena, your highness. I am a good friend of Valanice, the woman who is imprisoned. I know a little magic, so I thought I might help King Graham rescue Valanice.”

“It is always good to have friends.” Said Ava May. “What do you plan do to with this woman, Valanice, after you have rescued her?”

“When I saw a vision of Valanice in my magic mirror back home in Castle Daventry, I instantly fell in love with her. I plan to ask her to marry me after I have rescued her.”

Queen Ava May smiled. “You have earnd the right to the key for the second door. May you succeed in finding the final key as well. Good luck on your quest.” She gave Graham a brass key like the first one.

“Thank you, your majesty.” Graham bowed again and left with Morena.

When they came back to the stairs, Graham took out the genie’s lamp and rubbed it.

“Where is your home, Genie?” Graham asked the genie.

“You have already found it, Master.” The genie said. “My home is here in the black and white castle of the queen of the winged creatures.” The lamp disappeared from Graham hands and the genie flew away.

Satisfied that he had done a good deed, Graham went back through the tunnel and returned to the plateau.

He and Morena heard wicked laughter, and Nimrod the enchanter appeared in a puff of dark smoke.  

“Hahahahah, you may be successful now, King Graham, but now that I am here I will stop you!”

“I don’t think so!” Graham opened the bottle of magic potion and threw it on him.

The evil enchanter screamed as he was turned into a frog, the very animal he delighted in turning others into. As a helpless frog the enchanter could only croak and hop away.

“You did it, you stopped Nimrod!” Morena crowed with delight.

“Well it was easy with that magic potion I found.” Said Graham.

“Sir, I wish to give you something in return for all of your help.” Said the winged horse.
“Take this sugar cube, it will protect you from poisonous briers. By the way, my name is Pegasus. I will be here to help you when you need me.”

[Rosedragon]

Graham thanked Pegasus and rode the carpet back to the ground of Kolyma with Morena.
He unlocked the second door and read the inscription on the last door, a narrow red one.
The inscription read:

“Whoever should seek the key for this door
must have a stout heart.”

Graham was at first puzzled as to where he had to go. Morena drew in a deep, hissing breath.  â€œThis means that Dracula has the third key. You must sneak into that notorious vampire’s castle and steal the key. Oh, and it would be a good idea to kill Count Dracula while your at it, otherwise he will be coming after you for daring to take his valuables.”

“I remember the cloak and ring Scarlet’s grandmother gave me. Might that be something of a disguise, to fool the vampires?” asked Graham

“It could only be useful to sneak into the castle. The real vampires would not be fooled by a mere cloak. These vampires have hunted Kolyma for human blood every night, so the village gates are locked at sunset and no one goes out after dark, unless they are up to something. They can sneak into houses if a window is left open or if invited in. I remember one time in summer it was hot I wanted to leave the windows open, but Granny was afraid of vampires, then I discovered strings of garlic cloves hung over the window would protect you. Crosses, holy water, garlic, wild roses, fire and sunlight will all protect against vampires.” Said Morena

“Should we go into Dracula’s castle now or wait until sunset?” Graham asked.

“We should go now. But let me prepare a bit. Do you have a wooden stake and mallet that will kill a vampire?”

“I have a tent stake and a wooden mallet. I am also wearing a silver cross that Father Wilbury gave me.”

“I’m wearing a silver cross too.” Said Morena. “And I have wild roses tucked in my braids. I can find a sturdy stick from a tree branch and carve it into a stake.”

Morena prepared for their dangerous sojourn to Castle Dracula. She found an oak tree with fallen limbs and picked up a thick stick and carved one end into a point with her pocketknife. Then she ran home and got her hooded black cloak, a lantern, a bottle of holy water and some cloves of garlic.

Once they were ready the sun was sinking below the horizon. They donned their cloaks and hurried to Castle Dracula. Graham put on the ruby ring with Dracula’s initials.    

“How are we going to cross the poisonous moat?” Graham asked.

“I don’t know.” Said Morena. “Let’s go to where the castle is.” As they came closer to the moat and Castle Dracula, the last light faded from the sky and night began to sneak up on the land. Black bats flew by them and headed toward the vampire castle. Morena shuddered, knowing those bats were probably vampires.

The pair came to the moat where in the distance they could see the creepy black castle surrounded by thorns. A black shrouded ghoul in an old rowboat stood at the moat’s edge.

When he saw Graham and Morena hidden in black cloaks and graham extended his hand with the ruby ring on it, the ghoul moved back to make room for them to enter the small boat.

“Come, followers, the Master awaits.” The ghoul moaned. Graham and Morena entered the rowboat and the ghoul rowed them across. They stepped out on the other side on a dirt path with thorny thick briers on both sides.

“I think this is the poisonous briers Pegasus mentioned.” Morena whispered. Graham broke his sugar cube in half and shared it with her. Together they walked up to the castle’s entrance. Two moaning unholy ghosts guarded the castle. Morena held up her cross and it frightened them away. Graham opened the gate for the castle and stepped inside the hall. Morena followed behind. The entrance hall was dusty and had a thick crimson rug covering the floor. It was dark and Morena lit her lantern.

“Which way do we go?” Graham wondered.  Morena smelled a strong, musty stench coming from the east, so that was where they went.  They came to a dining room with four vampires in black cloaks sitting around a table drinking goblets of blood.

A male vampire turned his head when he saw Morena and Graham enter the room. At first they thought Morena and Graham were vampires too. Then one smelled them. “Humans! I smell the sweat of mortals!” A female vampire hissed. Morena drew her bow and knocked it with an arrow. She pointed it in a random direction at the vampires.

“Arrows are made of wood, they will kill you.” She said coldly. The two female vampires and one male turned into bats and flew away.

Morena turned to the one male vampire who stayed. He stared at her intently.

“Why do you not leave like the others?” She demanded.

“Because now I realize you are the answer to my problem. I was turned into a vampire against my will. I used to be a common shepherd, but I stayed out too late one night and got caught to by Dracula. There is a rumor that if count Dracula were destroyed, all of those he turned into vampires will become human again. I assume you are here to kill the Count.” The vampire said.

“That’s exactly what we intend to do.” Said Graham. “But how do we know we can trust you?”    

“You have no other choice. Take this key, it will unlock the doors to Count Dracula’s crypt.” The vampire threw an iron key at them then disappeared.

When they were left alone, Graham said, “Now where do we go?”

Morena turned toward a door way to the right. “The musty smell of death gets stronger here.”  They found a stairway leading down into the darkness. Morena’s lantern lit the steps well.  They made their way down the stairs and came to a heavy wooden door with iron hinges and an iron lock. Morena unlocked it with the key and opened it. Inside a small stone chamber was an ebony coffin on a raised stone platform.

“You can use your mallet and stake to kill Count Dracula.” Morena said. “I’ll be right with you, making sure no harm comes to you.” Morena scattered garlic cloves about the room, especially near the doorway.

Nervously, Graham opened the coffin. The count was in it, and he woke up quickly and snarled. He tried to escape as a bat but could not stand the smell of the garlic. He grabbed King Graham by the neck. Morena cast a fire spell and flames caught on Dracula’s cloak. When the evil vampire lord loosened his grip on him, Graham brought up the stake and hammered it through his heart with one blow.  Count Dracula disintegrated into a pile of dust.

Graham looked in the coffin and found the third and final brass key for the magic door.
Morena found a little silver key. “I wonder where this key fits.” She said.

“Let’s find out.” Graham said. They left the crypt and went back to the upper rooms of the castle. A man whom they recognized as the former vampire who gave them the key to Dracula’s crypt stood by a staircase leading up into the castle’s tower. He was no longer deathly pale and cold-eyed as a vampire, but now looked like a normal human man.

“The rumor is true, I am now a mortal man again. I owe you a debt of gratitude.” He said to Graham and Morena.  

“I will be satisfied if you will just tell us your name.” Morena said.

“It’s Sergei.” He said. “Dawn will be here soon. I must return to the village and tell my family what has happened. I have some advice for you; at the top of this tower you will find a treasure. Goodbye, noble adventurers.” He walked out of the castle.

Graham climbed the steps to the tower and found a room with a treasure chest in it. He unlocked the chest with the little silver key, and found a stunning sapphire and diamond tiara. He took the tiara with him.

Dawn was breaking outside the castle walls. The sun was rising and it was a pleasant sight. Graham and Morena left the castle to find an empty rowboat with oars in it.
“I guess the ghoul is gone along with the vampire curse.” Said Graham. They rowed to the other side of the poisoned moat.

“Let’s hurry and unlock the enchanted door.” Graham said.

“You go on ahead of me, I must find the fairy Florinda and prepare for your wedding.”

“What if Valanice refuses to marry me?” Graham asked.

“ She will not, I know Valanice.” Morena left him and went to the lake to find the good fairy.

“Florinda, Graham has the final key and is going to the enchanted island and crystal tower to rescue Valanice. Once he comes out with her, they will want to be married.”

“I just love weddings.” Said Florinda, “Let’s prepare a nice wedding for Graham and Valanice.

Morena went to the church and told Father Wilbury what was happening. He nodded and said he would get the church ready. Morena told her granny and Little Red riding Hood and her grandmother. The grandmothers started cooking. Morena picked some flowers from the meadow and from her garden to decorate the church with. Her granny found wedding clothes, a bride’s dress and a groom’s suit in her shop.

   Meanwhile, on the other side of the enchanted door, Graham found himself on a sapphire blue beach with blue cliffs rising up in the distance to the left. To the right of him was a turbulent magenta ocean, the choppy wild waves splashing on the edge of the beach. To the north was a pink waterfall pouring down from the cliffs and into the ocean. He found a fisherman’s net by the waterfall.

Since there didn’t seem like anything else to do, Graham cast the net into the waters and went fishing. He pulled the net in when he felt it grow heavy. A large golden fish was caught in the net. Graham untangled the fish. He had no intention of eating the fish, so he threw it back into the ocean.

To his surprise, the golden fish swam to the water’s edge and began to talk.
“Thank you for sparing my life, kind human. In return for not killing me, I will gladly take you to the other side of this ocean.”

Graham climbed down onto the fish’s back and held on to its fins. The large fish swam out into the magenta ocean and took Graham to a small island with large plants growing on it. Graham landed on the blue beach of the island. The trees and bushes that grew there were huge, but the island was small. He kept walking and came to the crystal tower.

The tower was made of opaque blocks of white quartz stone. At the top he saw a small balcony from which a dainty woman’s hand waving a handkerchief could be seen.

Graham tried to open the tower’s heavy door, but found it locked. So he decided to search the island instead. He came to where the water flowed inward creating a little bay on the island. After looking around, Graham found a small shovel.  He searched and found a mound under a palm tree topped with little pebbles. He took the pebbles off of the mound and began to dig at the spot. His shovel hit something hard. Graham found a small buried chest. He opened it and found a large golden key, a bronze amulet, and some beef jerky. He took the items with him back to the tower.

At the tower, Graham unlocked the door with the golden key. He put the bronze amulet around his neck. Inside the tower was a spiral staircase winding upwards. Graham climbed up the narrow stairs. He came to a door at the top of the stairs guarded by a large, fierce lion. The lion growled and thumped its tail across the floor. Graham thought the lion looked hungry, so he gave him the beef jerky. The lion immediately gobbled up the meat, then fell asleep. Graham went to the door and unbarred it. He opened the door and found himself inside the beautiful woman from the mirror’s room.


Valanice, wearing a sea green dress trimmed in lavender ribbons, was delighted to see her hero at last, after having dreamt of him last night.

“Oh thank you for rescuing me kind sir. Please tell me the name of my savior.” She said.

“Uh…um, I’m Graham.” Graham stuttered, finding himself nervous and bashful in front of the lovely maiden.

“Graham I am eternally grateful to you. My name is Valanice.”

“Valanice my dear, I saw a vision of your plight in my magic mirror in my castle in Daventry.  I am the king of Daventry, and I need a wife to be my queen.”

“I know you are a brave noble, and honorable man to have come so far to save me from my unjust imprisonment.” Said Valanice. “I saw you in my dreams, and I know how you feel about me. I feel the same way about you.” Valanice shyly reached out and took his hand.

Graham drew himself closer to her and put his arms around her. Their lips met. The kiss was sweeter than any dream could have imagined.

“Valanice, I love you.” Graham said. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes, of course, dear Graham.” Valanice replied.

Sudenly, in a cloud of dark smoke, Hagatha appeared in front of them.

“Well, my lovelies, I see you have met each other. But you won’t be going anywhere right now, save to your deaths!

“You evil witch, I demand that you release Valanice and myself immediately.” Graham ordered.

Hagatha laughed a cackling laugh.

“Why would I do that?”

“Once Valanice and I leave your land, you will have no more competition. You could have all the attention again.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible. Now you two must say goodbye!” The wicked old hag threw a spell at them to destroy them, but Graham quickly held up Morena’s magic mirror, which she had given him, and the spell reflected back on her. Hagatha howled and doubled over in pain. While she was distracted, Graham ran forward and pushed her out the window. Graham and Valanice heard the Hagatha’s screams. Valanice peered over the balcony’s edge. “I don’t see Hagatha’s body anywhere! I wonder what happened to her.” She said.

“Well, at least she is gone now, and will trouble you no more.” Graham said.

“I am so glad she is gone and now I am free.” Valanice said.

“Yes but now we must get out of this place.” Graham took the bronze amulet around his neck and studied it. On one side was a tiger’s eye stone, on the other the word “home” was engraved into the bronze. It occurred to him that the amulet might be magic.

While holding Valanice’s hand, graham said the word home. All went black for a brief moment, and then he found himself and Valanice standing in front of the church. Morena ran to meet them.

“Congratulations, Graham, you’ve succeeded in rescuing Valanice. The good people of Kolyma have been preparing for your wedding. Do you wish to be married?”

“Oh yes, nothing would make me happier.” Said Valanice.

“Then go into the church and get ready!”  Grahm and Valanice went into the church. Father Wilbury showed them to small private rooms where they could change into their wedding clothes. Morena brushed Valanice’s hair and helped her put on her wedding dress and veil. Graham changed into the black and white formal suit that grooms wore to their weddings. Morena gave him a red rosebud to pin to his black jacket. Morena gave Valanice a bouquet of red roses, white lilies, harebell, lily of the valley, violets and pink bleeding hearts tied together with a blue silk ribbon. Valanice looked magnificent in her white silk and lace dress. Morena changed into a lavender silk dress to act as her bridesmaid.

The fairy Florinda sprinkled flower petals and pixie dust as they walked down the aisle.

Father Wilbury read the traditional wedding vows.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together to join these two people in holy matrimony. If there is anyone here who has a reason why Graham and Valanice should not be wed, let him or her speak so now, or forever hold their peace.

No one spoke up, silence was heard throughout the church.

“Good now we may begin. King Graham of Daventry, do you take Valanice of Kolyma to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to hold, to cherish and protect, in sickness or in health, for richer for poorer, for better or for worse, till death parts you?”

“I do.” Graham replied.

“Valanice, of Kolyma, do you take Graham of Daventry to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to hold, to cherish and protect, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better or for worse, till death parts you?”

“I do.” Valanice replied.

“Then I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.” Said father Wilbury happily.

Graham lifted Vlanice’s veil and passionately kissed her. Cheering was heard by all of the people in the church. It seemed all of Kolyma had come to celebrate their wedding.

Anya came up to them. “The cooks of the village and I have prepared a little feast in celebration of your wedding back at my house.”

“We would be delighted to enjoy your hospitality.” Said Graham. Together they went back to Anya’s house to eat at the feast. Delicous food had been prepared for them. The town baker made a nice wedding cake for them. Champagne and wine was served. Roast lamb, beef and chicken was there, as well as shrimp and fish. Little strawberry tarts and mouth watering fresh-baked bread were available. Wedges of fine cheese and a bowl of nuts were also offered at the feast. Graham and Valanice enjoyed the food.
They cut the wedding cake together listening to the crowd cheering. After everyone had eaten their fill the table was cleared and dancing began. Graham and Valanice gracefully danced together. Morena found a dancing partner in Rupert.

Morena told graham how Rupert wanted to be a knight. Graham thought for a while, then spoke to Rupert’s parents. He asked them if he could take their son back to Daventry with him and train him to be a knight. Rupert’s parents thought the opportunity would never come, so they were overjoyed.

Valanice talked to Anya and asked if she could take Morena back to Daventry with her as her lady in waiting.

“But what would I do without my baby Morena?” Anya protested.

“I’m no baby anymore, Granny.” Morena protested. “This is my chance for adventure. I really want to be with my friend Valanice and see the land of Daventry. You’ll be ok, your friends in the village will look after you. I’ll make a name for myself.”

“Your old enough to decide what you want to do. If you want to go with Lady Valanice and King Graham, then I give you my blessing.” Said Morena’s granny.

“Thank you, granny. I promise I will return one day and see you again.” Granny gave her a hug and wiped tears from her eyes with a lace handkerchief.

After the celebration, Graham and Valanice thanked the people of Kolyma for the help and hospitality. He took his new bride and her friends with him to his royal ship and departed for Daventry.

Morena and Rupert stood at the rail and watched the land of Kolyma grow smaller as the royal ship sailed out into the ocean. They wondered what adventurers would await them in Daventry.

[Reptile]

*phew*

Just read through all the pages. You've got real talent there.   Keep it up.

[Rosedragon]

Thanks. I love the tv show your named after. But I haven't seen it in quite some time, so I don't really know what's going on in the recent shows.

[Rosedragon]

Chapter 3

Valanice and her friends were delighted to see Castle Daventry. Graham’s people were pleased with their new queen and thought her gracious and beautiful.

When they first arrived at the castle the castle steward, Humphrey, has prepared a celebration in honor of Graham’s marriage to Valanice. The royal dining table was set with a roasted pig, fresh bread, soup, cheese, fruit and greens, and a chocolate wedding cake for dessert.  After being on a ship for a week and eating fish and hard biscuits, the royal couple was ready for some fresh, good food.

After dining came the dancing in the ballroom. Morena was surprised when Rupert asked her to dance. She was thrilled to be so close to the boy she had secretly loved for two years.

While getting ready for the celebration, Graham changed into formal clothes and gave Valanice her wedding present, the sapphire jewelry he found in Kolyma during his adventure to rescue her. A blue velvet gown that belonged to the previous queen, Maylee the wife of King Edward, was found in good condition in the royal closets and Valanice wore it to the ball. Morena borrowed a pale green silk gown for the ball.

While they were dancing, Rupert said to Morena, “You have the most incredible dark brown eyes I’ve ever seen. I never noticed how lovely your eyes were before.”

Morena giggled. “You’ve never danced with me before. And your eyes are a beautiful green.”

“I hope I learn everything about being a knight here. Later on maybe I can leave the castle and have adventures like all heroes do.”

“I’m sure you will. ”Morena said. “I would like to have adventures too.”

“You have already done so much for Valanice, without your help I doubt if King Graham could have rescued her.” Said Rupert.

“I’m sure the king would have done very well on his own. He is very smart and is a capable adventurer.” Morena replied. 

“Aye, he sure is.” Rupert agreed.

Graham danced with Valanice in the center of the ballroom. “You look absolutely stunning, my love.” He told her.

Valanice blushed. “I have you to thank for giving me these exquisite jewels.”

“The sapphires really brings out your eyes.” Graham said.

“You are quite dashing yourself, my new husband.” Valanice said. “The sapphire jewelry reminds me of a legend of stolen treasure in my family.” 

“Really? I would like to hear this legend.” Graham was intrigued.

“Well, during my great-grandfather’s time it is said that the family jewels were stolen by an evil witch and hidden throughout the land. I think the jewels were said to be sapphire and diamond jewelry.” Valanice told the story.

“Well what do you know, it seems I have returned your family’s property to you. I think these may be your family’s stolen jewels, I found them hidden and scattered in the most unusual places. The necklace I found in an old hollow log, the bracelet was in a clamshell under a log at the beach, and the brooch was hidden in a hole in rocks by the lake south of the church. The dwarf thief had the earrings hidden in a trunk in his underground home, and in Count Dracula’s castle I found the tiara in a chest at the top of a tower.” Graham told her.

“Then these must be my family’s missing jewels! They are so beautiful, and I am very pleased that you have found them and given them to me.” Valanice was delighted.

“I hope your happiness with me will make up for your suffering when that despicable hag locked you up in the tower.” Said Graham.

“You have already made me so happy with our marriage. I hope I can make new friends with the people in your kingdom.” Said Valanice.

“I will introduce you to the lords, ladies and knights of the court tonight. I’m sure they will all want to meet their new queen.” 

   After the dancing was over, the people of the castle lined up to be introduced to the new queen. Valanice met the ladies in waiting, Beatrice, Catherine, Daphne, Isabel, and Madeleine.  The lords of the castle, Herbert, Allen, Damian, Geoffrey, Thomas and James were also introduced to her. Valanice met the courteous knights of the realm, Collin, Lucas, Murphy, Gareth, and David . The servants also introduced themselves to her. Their names were Emma, Mary, Lorna, Holly, Jack, Ralph, Jonas, Alfred, Duncan and Walter. 

   The next day, after a good might’s sleep, Graham gave Valanice, Morena and Rupert a tour of the castle. They had already seen the main hall, the throne room, the dining room, ballroom and part of the gardens; Valanice slept in the royal bedroom, Morena and Rupert had guest bedrooms. Graham showed Valanice the solar where the women of the castle spun, wove and sewed. He showed her the magnificent library, which she liked very much. Next were the council rooms where Graham met with his advisers in private, the armory, the kitchens, the lavatory, the cellars where wine and other liquors were kept, and the dungeons. He showed her the watchtowers and the knight’s barracks. After lunch Graham gave her a tour of the beautiful royal gardens. Herbs, vegetables, and berries grew in a garden outside the castle’s kitchen. The former queen, King Edward’s wife Maylee, had planted a lovely rose garden before she died. There was also an orchard where apples, pears and cherries grew.

Morena was in awe of the grand castle.  “It looks like you have everything you could ever want here.” She said.

Graham chuckled. “I was greatly impressed by the castle when I first came here to train as a knight. But there are sometimes when you yearn for the freedom of the outdoors” He said.

“The castle garden is very beautiful Your roses look healthy and come in many different colors.” Valanice said. “Still, I would like to plant some more flowers here, maybe some lilacs and lilies.” 

“I’ll help you do that. I’ll find some seeds or plants for you.” Graham said. “You will have your own garden.”  Valanice smiled at him. “You are such a sweet husband.”

Morena looked at the loving couple and wished she could find such happiness with a young man of her own. How would she let Rupert know how she felt about him?

   â€œPerhaps now that you’ve seen the castle, I can arrange for a tour of the kingdom. The villagers would love to meet their new queen, you have not met the peasants yet.” Graham suggested.

“I would love that.” Said Valanice.

King Graham arranged for horses to be prepared for them in the royal stables. Then they took a horseback tour of the kingdom. The first place they went was Daventry village.

King Graham rode a handsome white stallion. Valanice rode a white mare. Rupert’s horse was a black stallion, Morena’s horse a chestnut mare.

They passed some farms along the road from the castle to the village. Then they saw a watermill built over the river as they crossed the bridge. People came to the mill with sacks of grain to be ground into flour. Graham explained that the wooden mill over the river was quite old, and had served the people of Daventry for a long time.

   Next they saw a tavern. The tavern was a popular hang out for the commoners after they finished the day’s work. The villagers cleared the streets when they saw the royal couple and their friends riding through and bowed to the king and queen as they passed. Graham and his part rode slowly, because children and animals would occasionally run across the road with no warning. Graham showed his wife and her friends the black smith’s forge. He explained that his father had been a blacksmith and now his brother Farrel ran the smithy. 

   The carpenter’s business was almost as loud as the smith’s. The carpenter, Norman, was currently making a table for a wealthy lord. The smell of fresh cut wood filled the air and shavings and saw dust littered the area where the carpenter worked.

Graham showed Valanice to the tailor’s shop, which he thought she would like. He was right, Valanice was impressed by the quality of the cloth and of the clothes he had for sale.   Next was the shoemaker’s shop. The shoemaker was an old man who was talented with making all kinds of shoes for men, women and children. He had a good display in his window.

An apothecary had a store that sold herbs, salves and medicines next to the baker’s shop. A general store was next in line, and then came a butcher’s shop that sold all kinds of meat.

A farmer had a stall set up in the market place that sold fresh produce. Another stall sold eggs and butter. Another merchant sold sweets and candy. There was also a merchant who dealt in semi-precious jewelry, and ladies’ things, like combs, hand mirrors, belts and scarves. Another merchant sold weapons like daggers, bows, arrows, crossbows, spears, and slings.

King Graham said to Valanice, “We are leaving the village now. There are a few homes and the tannery is located on the outskirts of the village. The church is before the tannery, closer to the village. Some farms are located here and there. South and west of all of that, is the forest.”

Graham led the way to the church. “We’ve had a new priest, Bishop Patrick, that has convinced me to renovate the church. We are adding on to it, and a lot of people are working on it. The new church will have stain glass windows, stone pillars and a tiled floor. A lot of other priests and nuns have come to join our church and help with the project.”

Valanice, Morena and Rupert looked at all the work going on. “I’m sure they will make it a splendid church.” Valanice said.

“Your village is very nice.” Said Morena.

“Now let’s see the forest.” Graham said. He guided his horse down the road, past the tannery and the farmhouses near it. Finally they came to the forest after passing a meadow filled with wildflowers and clover.

Graham showed them the sites. There was the large oak tree where he found the golden egg, the old carrot garden, the pen where the goat was kept, and the bridge where he had lured the goat into knocking down the troll. Graham had the gingerbread house that the old witch had lived in torn down, and the sweet materials were distributed to the people to eat following his coronation. He was glad the old witch was dead. Graham also showed them the old vine covered well and the empty dragon cave. The fierce green dragon had fled Daventry in humiliation after Graham put out his fire with water. There was a hollow rock with a hole in it that glowed green. Graham explained that the leprechauns lived underground beneath the rock.

Valanice and her friends enjoyed the forest.  “You have a beautiful kingdom.” Morena said.

“Thank you. I am very proud of it. I am lucky that of all his knights, King Edward chose me to go on the quest to recover Daventry’s missing treasures. It is an honor and a privilege to be the leader of a special kingdom like this. I have done my best to make sure the kingdom prospers.”

“You have done a good job, my love.” Said Valanice.

“I am lucky to have found you, sweet Valanice. Kolyma is a wonderful kingdom too. Now that Hagatha and Dracula are gone, perhaps Kolyma can recover from the damage their evil has inflicted.”

“I certainly hope so.” Morena said.

“It’s getting late, let’s go back to the castle.” Said Graham. The group headed back to Castle Daventry. After a good supper, they all went to bed.


A few days later, Valanice was in her bedroom sitting at her vanity have her hair brushed by Morena. Graham called for his butler, Alfred.

Alfred came and bowed before him. “Yes my lord, what is your wish?” 

“My wife and I will have breakfast in bed this morning. Send in the servants. After that, I would like a bath drawn up for myself. I’m sure Valanice would like a hot bath as well. Then I will see my counselors in the library and discuss the trade agreement with Serenia.”

“Very well my lord, I will see that it is done.” Alfred left the king’s chambers to do as he was told.  Soon the maid came up with breakfast on a tray. Breakfast tea, along with blueberry muffins, eggs, bacon and fresh sliced tomatoes were served. There was cream and sugar for the tea, butter for the muffins and salt and pepper for the eggs and
tomatoes.

After breakfast Graham and Valanice took their baths and got dressed. Morena left the royal bedroom and went to the garden.

She smelled the roses in the royal rose garden. They were so beautiful. The roses came in red, white, yellow and pink. She did not dare pick any of the flowers. She sat down on a bench under the shade of an apple tree. The apple blossoms of spring were mostly gone, since it was summer there were green unripe apples on the tree. Morena rested for a while on the bench. Then she went to the courtyard where the knights were practicing their combat skills.

In the training yard, two young knights were locked in a practice sword fight with wooden swords. The Master of arms and Captain of the guards, who trained the knights, Martin, was giving directions to the knights.  In another part of the yard, the squires were practicing their archery by shooting at wooden targets. 

“Watch your footwork Frederick. Edwin, fight with your head and not your temper.
Edwin aggressively pushed at Frederick with hi sword, and managed to get under Fredrick’s guard and bring the wooden sword to his throat.

After Frederick lost, Martin called another young knight to take his place and battle Edwin in practice. Fredrick found some one else to spar with.

Morena watched this with enthusiasm. Edwin fought with another knight, Lucas, and this time Lucas one.

Morena greeted the Master of arms. “Good morning, Sir Martin. Good morning brave knights. I am Morena of Kolyma, a friend of Lady Valanice’s. I suppose I should say Queen Valanice now. You knights are doing an excellent job of sharpening your fighting skills.”

“Thank you, my lady.” Said Captain Martin. I am in charge of all the knights and guards at the castle. I train the boys to be brave and skilled knights, they are also taught courtesy and honor.”

“I heard King Graham was a knight before he became king.” Morena said.

“Aye my lady, I’ve never met a more clever lad. I’ve been Captain of the guards for a long time and have not seen his like. He went on a few quests to rid Daventry of goblins and bandits, and has slain ogres before his quest to become king.”

“King Graham is a good and noble man. He bravely stood up to the evil witch Hagatha in Kolyma, even though her magic could have killed him. I like what I have seen of Daventry. I wonder…perhaps your knights could have time to give me a lesson in fencing? I have sparred with swords before with my friends in Kolyma.”

“I don’t know about that my lady, it might not be a good idea, you being a lady and all.”
Said Captain Martin.

“I can handle anything your knights can dish out. I see it as my duty to protect Valanice, she has been my friend for long time, and I helped King Graham to rescue her. I need to improve my martial skills. I’m not the only woman who fights with a sword. I have heard of the legendary amazons, who live in a land far away in the west.”

“All right milady, I will have one of my knights teach you something of fencing. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. They are quite tough, and won’t go easy on you for being female.”  Captain Martin ordered Sir Edwin to practice with Morena. Morena was given a wooden practice sword.

The opponents took their positions. Morena circled Edwin, waiting for him to make the first move. He charged and brought his wooden blade up against hers. She blocked all his moves. There swords were locked together and neither one would give. Seeing she could not get past him, Morena drew back, her wooden sword held out in front of her. Edwin swung at her again, and this time she swung back, hitting his wrist sharply and making him drop his sword.

Martin whistled. “Not bad milady, not bad. I see you have enough skill to defeat Sir Edwin.”  Sir Edwin scowled, obviously embarrassed at being defeated by a girl.

“There is a lad from Kolyma, a friend of yours I believe who came here to train as a knight. You might want to practice with him.”

“Rupert? How is he doing in his training?” Morena asked.

“I’ve been toughening him up. He’s only been here a few days, so he hasn’t had much time to make progress.”  Rupert came out of the barracks wearing a padded, quilted leather jacket designed to wear under armor. He wiped sweat from his brow. In his hand he held a wooden practice sword. A tall, burly man in chain mail  with blond hair and beard came out after him. Other boys his age, wearing quilted leather jackets like his, came out of the barracks too.

“Let’s see how you boys fight under the sun’s light.” Said the knight in chain mail.

“Sir Nicholas, how is it going teaching the squires?” asked Captain Martin.

“Just fine, Sir Martin. They’re learning the bookwork, and every time we practice fighting, they learn something. It will take a while before these puppies are ready to become knights, though. This job gets better every year.”

Rupert walked up to Morena and noticed she wore a peach tunic and beige tights.

“I guess you don’t like dresses too much.” He said to her. “Did you come here to fight?”

“You bet I did. And I’m ready to take you on.” She raised her wooden sword.

“Oh really?” Rupert charged at her. She held up her sword to fend off the blow and pushed forward with the blade, making Rupert back up. He tried to thrust his sword beneath hers and get at her stomach, but she blocked him again. They swung back and forth at each other, the wooden blades knocking together with the sound of wood against wood.  Morena stepped on Rupert’s foot as they came closer together.

“Ow! Hey, that’s cheating!” He declared. “In a real battle your enemies will not obey any rules, and will do anything to win against you and kill you.” Morena said.

“But this is practice, you have to go by rules.” Rupert protested.

“No cat fighting? I’m so disappointed.” Morena said sarcastically. Rupert swung back at her viciously. She still managed to block him. The fight dragged on for many minutes. Morena was getting tired and sweating profusely. Rupert was sweating a lot too. Rupert craftily lipped under her defense and brought his wooden sword to her chest, slipping beneath Morena’s sword.

“I win.” He declared.

“So you do. I give up.” Morena backed away and lowered her sword. “I’m going to cool off.  Good luck in your training, Rue.” She left the training yard and went to the castle well, located near the gardens. Morena drew up a bucketful of cold, clean well water. She drunk the water and splashed some of it over her head. Then she went inside the castle.

[Rosedragon]

She found Valanice in the halls talking with Lady Catherine.

“Oh, hello Morena. You look all wet. What have you been doing?” Valanice said.

“I was fencing with the knights. I had a good sword fight with Sir Edwin and Rupert.”

“It is unseemly for a lady to practice fencing, especially with the training knights.” Said Lady Catherine, looking down at her with disapproval.

“Ladies must learn to defend themselves too.” Morena argued.

“Queen Valanice, what do you think of this?” Lady Catherine asked her.   
   
“I think that if a woman has the strength and desire to learn how to use a sword, it is a good thing. There are women who prefer swords and the martial arts to silk dresses and embroidery lessons.”

“Hmph! I would think that such women could hardly be called women. If you choose to surround your self with this tomboy, my lady, then it is your personal business. But you can’t expect the ladies of the court to approve of her going around wearing boy’s clothes fighting with the knights and coming in here dripping with sweat. Good day to you, Queen Valanice.” With that, Lady Catherine left them.

“What a snob!” Morena said when the woman was out of earshot.

“What a shame, she seemed so friendly when we were talking a few minutes ago. She told me about King Edward, the former king, and his wife the former Queen Maylie. It’s so sad that poor Maylie died young with no children, breaking King Edward’s heart. Lady Catherine said that everyone was pleased that King Graham returned with a charming and beautiful bride to be queen. She said she hoped we would have many children together.” Valanice blushed.

“I’m sure you will have beautiful children. I’m sure you and Graham will raise them up right too.” Morena said.

“Thanks.” Valanice winked at Morena. “Let me assure you, Graham and I are trying as hard as we can to have a child!”

Morena laughed. “Enjoy yourself. You are lucky to be married to such a kind and caring man.”

“I’m sure you will find one for yourself some day, dear.” Valanice said.

“With my ugly looks, I doubt a man would want me.” Morena said bitterly.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Love is not based on looks, but on personality and true beauty comes from the heart.” Valanice told her.

“You are sweet as ever, Val.” Said Morena.  Valanice took her arm. “Why don’t you go take a cool bath? Then we can go into the library and see all the wonderful books in the Castle?

“A bath sounds nice, and I love books.” Morena hurried off to bathe the sweat from her.


Half an hour later, Valanice and Morena met in the library. They asked the librarian, Lady Eleanor, for help finding the historical section. Lady Eleanor gladly showed them around the library and told them where the different sections were.

Valanice and Morena enjoyed reading about the history of Daventry.

Daventry was discovered by wizards from another world, seeking refuge from persecution. The great wizard Merlin and his lover Viviane the fairy were the first to enter the world of Daventry. Later on, Merlin brought the followers of his deceased king, Arthur of Camelot, to Daventry. Morgan le Fey’s daughter Nimue and Sir Lancelot settled in Daventry. Many people followed the fairies into the realm of Daventry when the people of the old world became harsh and cruel and thought magic was an evil to be persecuted. These people settled in different realms, such as Daventry, Kolyma, Serenia, Tamir, the Land of the Green Isles and Eldritch. Some areas were more populated than others, and many places in the Daventry world were yet to be discovered. In the fair kingdom of Daventry, the king and his knights followed the old code of justice from Camelot. The knights sought to remain true to this code of conduct and honor throughout the ages.

The Old Code goes like this:
“A knight I sworn to valor,
His heart knows only virtue,
His blade defends the helpless,
His might upholds the weak.
His words speak only truth,
His wrath undoes the wicked.” 

Valanice thought it was a fine standard for the knights to live up too.


King Graham entered the library, wearing his red shirt and hat with a red feather.

“There you are ladies. Jack the footman told me you would be in the library. It’s time for lunch.

“I am getting hungry.” Morena said. She followed Graham and Valanice to the dining room. Those who ate at the royal dining table were privileged. For now, King Graham, his wife, his counselors, ambassadors from foreign lands, the court wizard Cormac, the lords and ladies of the court, and his favorite knights sat at the table. The dining table was quite long and had many seats. Graham imagined that one day his children would dine with him in this room.

The servants brought out the food, beef stew with bread, cheese and fruit. Dinner would be more elaborate than lunch. Water and tea were drunk with the meal; the wine would be reserved for dinner.

Valanice said to Graham, “I have seen the royal seamstress and she has measured me for several new dresses. I would like you to see the seamstress and get a new suit of clothes as well.”

“I’m perfectly fine, I have enough red shirts, I don’t need any more new clothes.” Graham said.

“But dear, you’re a king, and you should look like one. The red shirts are fine for ordinary days but what about when foreign dignitaries come to visit? What about festival days? You really should have nice formal clothes for these occasions.”

Graham sighed. Like most men, he could care less about clothes. But he was a king, and he had to look regal sometimes. To please his wife, he would see the seamstress.

“I’ll look into getting some new clothes.” He said.

Valanice beamed.

Graham changed the subject. “I will have time to spend with you this afternoon, now that I have the morning business taken care of. I’d hate to think that I’d be so busy as a king that I would not have time to spend with my family.”

Valanice took his hand under the table. “I want to get to know my new husband as much as I can.” She said.

“Your so sweet and agreeable we have yet to have our first argument.” Graham said.

Valanice giggled. “I’m sure will have one soon.”


   Sure enough, the next day Graham and Valanice had their first argument.

Graham was getting dressed in the morning, he started to put on his red shirt and blue trousers.

“Don’t tell me you’re wearing the same thing, again, Graham. You have worn a red shirt with sky-blue trosuers for every day of this week. I’ve seen the inside of your closets, you have sets of clothes all matching each other. Don’t you want to wear something different? How about this nice white shirt with black trousers?”

“Valanice, these are my favorite colors. I always wear red shirt with blue pants. The people know me by sight, by my outfit. It’s a mark of who I am.”

“Well perhaps you could wear something else that’s red and blue. Like a jerkin or a new tunic, or royal robe.”

“A robe is like a dress. I told you I would order new clothes form the seamstress. You women are always thinking about clothes.”

“It is up to us women to see that the men in our lives are dressed properly. That is why women spin and weave and sew.” 

“You won’t have to do any sewing unless you want to. I have servants for that.”

“And I am grateful to you for providing for me so well. Few women are lucky enough to marry a king. But for heaven’s sake, can you wear something other than that red shirt?

“All right then, I will wear this burgundy shirt.”

Valanice sighed, seeing that she couldn’t win. She got dressed in a purple satin dress.       

They met Morena and Rupert in the hallway on their way to breakfast. Morena was talking to the middle-aged Lady Beatrice.

“You’ll fit right in at Daventry, dear. We are not so different from other kingdoms. Don’t worry about what Lady Catherine said. I have traveled with my husband, I wear men’s breeches myself when on horseback. I wanted to have grand adventurers and be a hero when I was a girl.” Beatrice sighed. “I’m no longer young, and it seems my dreams have not come true.”

“There’s still time for you to make your dreams come true.” Morena said.

“Not those childhood fancies. I have grown past them, and I have a happy life.”

Valanice and Graham approached them. “I’m glad to see you are making friends with the ladies of the castle.” Valanice said.

“Good morning your majesties. How are you today?” Lady Beatrice greeted them.

“Quite well, my lady.” Said Graham.

They all entered the dining room. Breakfast that morning was simple, they had porridge sweetened with honey and milk, with a sprinkling of cinnamon on top. Coffee was there for them to drink.

Morena ate her breakfast and then headed to the library. She wanted to read some romance and adventure novels written by local Daventry authors. In the hall she bumped into Cormac, the court wizard.

“Excuse me, sir.” She said.

“Watch where your going, girl.” The wizard scowled at her. Then his face brightened. “Why, you are Queen Valanice’s maid, from Kolyma. I have heard of you.” He said.

“I am Valanice’s friend, not her maid. And I have heard of you too.” She replied.

“I hear you have some magical powers, and know some spells.” Cormac said.

“That is true, but I am loathe to use magic now, I have thought of giving up what I learned of magic.” Said Morena.

“Why would you want to do something so foolish? Those who have the gift for magic have a duty to practice magic with wisdom and prudence, and to learn what they can of the art. You should not give up your talents because of the fears of a few superstitious fools.” Cormac instructed her.

“My grandmother was one of those superstitious fools. She believed magic was dangerous and evil, and she regretted that I learned magic and had a knack for it.”

“Your grandmother is wrong. Magic is a tool same as any other, it is the one who wields
it who is good or evil. If you will come with me, I will give you some pointers on magic. I can show you how to make sure your spells are accurate and show you some basic attack spells that will help you fight evil forces.” Cormac offered.

“Hmm, perhaps I should sharpen my rusty magic skills.” Morena said. “I think I will continue to practice magic.” 

“You have made a wise decision. Come with me to my workshop in the tower, and I will show you many things, young lady.”

   Morena followed Cormac to his wizard’s tower, which was the highest tower in the castle. The room was large and round, and very crowded. A desk with a chair and space for writing took up the back part of the room. There was a large map of the world that completely covered the west wall. A shelf of books was against the north wall, another shelf filled with herbs and potion ingredients was next to it. There was a round table with a bronze brazier, a three-branched candlestick, a mortar and pestle and a crystal ball. Animal skulls were on top of the books shelf. Another chair and a stool were around the table. A wizard’s staff with a blue crystal leaned against the wall. An ivory wand was locked up in a glass case on top of a wooden cabinet.

“Do you have a wand, Morena?” Cormac asked her.

“No, sir.” She replied.
   
“Well, you certainly need one if you are going to be a good magician. I can make one for you out of wood. The best kind of wood to use is willow, hawthorn or oak. All three of these trees have magical properties. I think there is a fairy tree, a hawthorn tree, in the forest. I can get a stick from it and make it into a wand.” Cormac said.

“I would appreciate that very much Cormac.” Morena said.


“Now that’s out of the way, let’s work on some basic protection spells.” Cormac took a book with a black leather cover off of the shelf. The title on it, written in fancy gold letters, said “Magical protection from harm and evil.”

   â€œHere we are.” The wizard said. “Protection from demons and other hellish creatures, protection from evil witches and warlocks, protection from vampires and the undead, protection from werewolves, protection from dragons, protection from poisonous creatures such as snakes and scorpions, protection from Medusa and the basilisk, protection from trolls and ogres, protection from minotaurs and harpies.”


   Cormac went through the book and told Morena the words to the spells. He made sure she memorized the words.  Morena said the words to the protection spells over and over again until she had memorized them.


   â€œNow let’s go out into the forest and make your wand.”  Cormac said.
He took Morena into the forest of Daventry and they found the hawthorn tree. Morena cut a stick from its branches and set to work peeling it. They took the stick into Cormac laboratory, and he rubbed a magic salve over it, and said magical words over it.
   
   â€œNow the wand must be laid out in moonlight for a whole night. There is a full moon tonight, this is the perfect opportunity.” Cormac told her.

They lay the stick in the garden where the full moon would shine on it during the whole night.

   In the morning Morena collected her wand. The wand had a faint silvery tinge to the whitish wood.  “Now you have your very own wand, child.” Cormac said.


   They tested her wand by mixing up the ingredients to an invisibility spell. Cormac let her keep the jar of invisibility ointment, telling her it might come in handy some time. Next they cast a spell that would allow them to understand the speech of animals. Morena was amazed by what she heard from the birds, rats, cats, dogs and horses of the castle.

   â€œThank you for teaching me what you know about magic. I was silly to think I could give up magic and not miss it.” Morena said to Cormac.


   â€œI am always eager to help a new student of the art. Promise me you will only use your power for good, and do not let the power swell your head. Remember to remain humble and not think yourself above the common people for your gifts.” Cormac instructed her.

   â€œI promise I will do that.” Morena swore. “Now I would like to see Queen Valanice.” 


   Morena found Valanice in the castle garden. It was the evening of the second day that Cormac had taught her magic. Valanice sat with Graham on a bench around a fountain, under the shade of a cherry tree. Valanice wore a red rose in her hair. It went well with her red dress.

   â€œYour majesties.” Morena said as she approached them.


   â€œOh please, Morena do not be so formal with us.” Graham said. “Please just call us Graham and Valanice.”


   â€œI don’t think I could get used to being informal after learning that you’re a king and you’ve made Valanice your queen. I just got used to saying ‘my lord’, and ‘my lady’, and ‘your majesty’.” Morena said.


   â€œVery well, call us what you want.” Valanice said.

“Thank you, Valanice my dear friend.” Morena said.


   â€œMorena, we have wonderful news. We can’t be sure just yet, but we think that Valanice may be pregnant!” Graham told her.


   Valanice smiled at Graham. “I so wish to give you beautiful children for our heirs.” She said.

“We will call the doctor tomorrow to examine Valanice and see if it’s true.” Said Graham. “Children would make the whole kingdom happy. We really don’t want to repeat King Edward’s mistake of having no heirs.” 


   Valanice leaned her head on Graham’s shoulder. “I feel it in my heart and that I am pregnant. I haven’t had my period for two months now, and I’ve had morning sickness. I believe there is little one growing inside me.” 

Graham kissed her. “We will find out for sure tomorrow.”

The sun was setting, and King Graham and Queen Valanice went back into the castle after sunset. Morena followed them.

   That night supper was delicious. They had roast venison from a deer King Graham and his courtiers and knights had caught while hunting in the forest. Onions and potatoes were served with the deer, and leek soup was also served. For dessert the cook Olga baked a cherry pie.

   
   The next morning Graham called in Dr. Abraham, the royal doctor, to examine Valanice and see if she was pregnant. The good doctor announced joyfully that the queen was indeed carrying a child, as matter of fact he suspected that she might give birth to twins.

   King Graham told the court the good news. The lords and ladies of the castle cheered when they heard that her majesty was expecting. This was good news for the whole kingdom. 

   On Saturday the royal family and their household went to mass at the Cathedral of Daventry. King Graham was pleased to see that the construction to add on to the church and make it a grand cathedral was going well. The gold from the magic treasure chest paid for the construction. The peasants had more jobs thanks to the building projects going on. Bishop Patrick gladly greeted the king when he came to church. “Your majesty, thanks to your generosity with the gold from the magic chest, the kingdom is prospering well and starvation has been eliminated. Now we can have this glorious cathedral to serve the Lord in. The people will be pleased that they can have such a magnificent place to worship in. And it will house many monks and nuns as well.”


   

[Rosedragon]

Morena wore a sky blue linen dress to mass with a white lace headscarf. It was only proper that women cover their head while in church. Valanice wore a pink silk dress trimmed in gold embroidery with a white veil underneath her crown. King Graham wore a white shirt with a blue jerkin over it, black pants and a red cloak. He had followed Valanice’s advice and gotten new clothes made for him. 
   
   Bishop Patrick wore the white, green and gold robes of an official bishop of the church. He gave a sermon on love, charity and compassion. He read the story of the Good Samaritan form the bible. He invited the parishioners up to the altar to take communion.
They went in order of rank. The King and Queen went first. Then came the highest ranking nobles, then the other nobles, then the knights and servants of the castle. Morena went somewhere in the middle. The peasants went last. 
   
   Morena prayed for the safety of King Graham and Queen Valanice and for the safe birth of their child. A lot of things could go wrong for a queen in childbirth.


   The mass was over at noon, and the people went home for lunch. That afternoon Graham and Valanice discussed baby names.
   
   â€œI like the name Alexander. I had a brother named Alexander. He wanted to be a wizard, but he died in the plague when he was nine, the same one that killed Queen Maylee.” Graham said.

   â€œIf we have a girl I would like to name her after a flower. Perhaps Rose or Lily.” Valanice said.

   â€œMy mother’s name was Rose.” Graham said. “Perhaps we could spice it up. Rosalyn or Rosalie, or maybe Rosetta.”

   â€œI know, how about Rosella?” Valanice said.

“It’s a lovely name, perfect for a little princess.” Graham replied.   

Graham and Valanice discussed other baby names, but Alexander and Rosella were the ones they liked best. 

   Morena continued to practice the martial arts with Captain Martin and his knights.
Besides swordplay and archery she learned hand-to-hand combat, like boxing and wrestling.  She kept the fat from the fine food of the castle off of her with daily exercise.

   Valanice liked to take walks through the castle garden and the pleasant part of the woods and meadows around Castle Daventry. This kept her in shape, and she was careful about what she ate. The doctor recommended that she eat more fruits and vegetables and less starches like bread. Valanice followed her doctor’s advice. Graham also insisted on eating healthy food. They had a salad with their meal everyday. Doctor Abraham recommended that they eat less red meat and be careful about the amount of wine they consumed. Valanice could have no liquor while she was pregnant. That was fine with her, she never did like the taste of alcohol that much.

   Morena also learned more of magic from the court wizard Cormac. Castle Daventry had a fine library and she enjoyed broadening her mind with the knowledge from the books.

   Much to her disappointment, Rupert was falling in love with a pretty, charming, feminine young lady of the court, Lady Daphne. He picked flowers for her in the woods, and she gave him a ribbon as a sign of her favor. Rupert even started reading love poems from the castle’s library to her. Morena was jealous. She told her problems to Valanice.

   â€œWhat am I going to do?” She moaned. “He only thinks of me as a friend, not a lover. He thinks Lady Daphne is perfect; he doesn’t want a homely tomboy like me.”

   â€œRupert will find out Lady Daphne is not perfect when he really gets to know her. No one is perfect. Perhaps Rupert is not the right man for you, if he does not appreciate you. You will find your true love someday.” Valanice promised her. “Beauty is not required for true love. You are strong and brave, and talented in magic and combat. Some man will surely appreciate your good qualities one day.”

   â€œI certainly hope so.” Morena replied.

“Perhaps if you tell Rupert how you feel….” Valanice suggested.

   â€œIt’s too late for that. He will only think I am trying to take him away from Lady Daphne. I’ll have to find someone else.”

   â€œI wish you the best of luck. Please don’t be so unhappy.” Valanice said.

In the next few months, Morena decided to study some books on royal etiquette. Knowing which fork to use and how to curtsey and knowing the proper title to call the different ranks of nobility was more than useful living in a royal castle. She tried to act more feminine and lady-like, and wore dresses even though she didn’t like them.
However, she continued to practice her fighting skills and magic skills. She knew it would come in handy if she had to protect Valanice from danger. Morena took in a pet, a little gray cat she found wandering the village as a stray. She named the cat Misty, and She became Morena’s constant companion. Misty was a smart and curious cat. She explored every inch of the castle.  Morena found a spell that allowed her to communicate with Misty. The little gray cat slept on Morena’s bed every night.

   The royal tailor and seamstress visited the castle and made new clothes for Graham and Valanice. They also made clothes for Morena and the other lords and ladies of the court. Valanice had not started to show her pregnancy yet, but when she did she would need some new clothes. King Graham had royal garments made for him. The summer faded into autumn. The weather grew cooler and the leaves changed color and began to fall from the trees. All Hallows Eve came, a mysterious magical time when people feared that the fairies and leprechauns would kidnap people and keep them in their underground worlds as prisoners. The dead also visited this world at All Hallows Eve, sometimes called Samhain. Ghosts returned to their earthly homes and visited the living members of their families.  The king held a costume ball on All Hallows Eve. Morena dressed as a witch queen, she wore a long black dress trimmed in black lace, a purple cape covered in stars and a tall, pointy, broad-brimmed black witch’s hat. Valanice dressed as the fairy queen Titania and had a beautiful set of fairy wings made for her to match her gown of purple, pink, gold and silver. King Graham went as the fairy king Oberon. Rupert wore a ridiculous dragon costume.

Later on during autumn the farmers reaped a fine harvest, and it came time for the harvest feast. King Graham held the harvest feast in his castle. It was a grand feast with lots of food. Beef, chicken, ham and fish were served. There were fine soups and salads prepared, Olga the cook made fresh bread and cheese, sweet potato casserole, corn, baked potatoes, beans, mustard greens, green beans, brown rice, pirogies, lasagna, pasta dishes, falafel, potato pancakes, beef pastries, lamb cakes, deviled eggs, bread pudding, apple strudel, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and custard.

   After the feast there was a dance. Morena wore a yellow dress to the feast and dance. She danced with several of the knights, and noticed that Rupert would dance only with Daphne.  Sir Collin expressed an interest in her while they danced. The royal bard, Taren, played with several other musicians that entertained at the feast and dance.
   
   Morena carefully followed Sir Collin’s lead and the steps of the dance carefully. The music changed pace, and soon the dancers were dancing a reel. The reel was fast and lively and fun. Next came the fandango. A waltz was danced as the music slowed down. The night ended with slow dancing.

Valanice wore an emerald green silk dress to the ball. Graham wore a formal-style red jacket and navy trousers with black boots.

   Everyone had fun at the feast and dance. Everyone left with a full, aching belly.

Valanice learned to knit from an elderly lady of the castle, and she started making baby clothes. The other ladies of the castle made clothes for the future royal children as well.

Morena had never been good at sewing. She was good at cooking though. She helped out Olga with her recipes, and helped the maids clean up the castle, though it was not expected of her. Taren the bard and other castle musicians entertained them.


Morena read books of baby names to Valanice, in case she changed her mind on what she wanted to name her baby. Morena read books on history, magic, science, poetry, and some adventure novels by Pierce Xanthology. She also played chess and card games with her friends. She continued to practice her martial skills with the knights. Misty the cat became very spoiled by Morena, but she was a sweet cat and loved to be petted.
Misty stayed away from the king’s hunting hounds of course and the hawks used for hunting.


The work on the new cathedral was finished. It looked magnificent. Mass was held in the cathedral. A lot of people donated whatever they could to the church, including food, cloth, building materials and money. Incense came from merchants that brought the exotic spices like myrrh, cassia, sandalwood and patchouli from over seas. Roses, violets, lilies, lilacs, honeysuckle and lavender were used for perfumery and incense by the royals. The church had beautiful, colorful stain glass windows, walls and pillars made of marble, and a tiled floor. A pattern of geometric and floral designs was worked into the mosaic tiles that covered the floor. Statues of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and the saints stood in the prominent places at the front of the church. A large wooden painted crucifix was behind the altar; the altar was covered in a lovely embroidered cloth. Golden candlesticks, golden chalice and plate for the Eucharist, served the community. The church was not just a fancy, gilded place of worship, it served the community by offering charity to the poor and a place to stay for beggars, the priests and nuns were trained in somewhat in medicine, and could tend the injuries and illnesses of the peasants, people with problems or disputes came to the priests for them to judge between them and help them make the right decision.


Winter came, and soon it would be time for Christmas. The king spent the money in the magic chest to give to the peasantry for Christmas, people usually received two new sets of clothes and new shoes for Christams from the government. Everyone loved Christmas, people decorated with holly, ivy and mistletoe. The finest evergreen trees in the forest were cut down to make Christmas trees. Wizards provided magical strings of light trapped in little crystal balls for people to decorate their trees. Other tree decorations were ribbons, carved wooden ornaments, glass balls, gilded ornaments and lace ornaments in the shape of angels, elves, candy canes, gingerbread men, toy soldiers, horses, nativity figures, stars, fruit, poinsettia flowers, fairies, birds, Santa Claus, and animals.


King Graham, Queen Valanice, Morena, Rupert and some other knights and lords and ladies of the castle went into the forest to find the best tree. They found a tall majestic balsam fir to use as a Christmas tree. The knights cut down the tree and they dragged it back to the castle on a sleigh. During the Christmas season people joyfully sang carols and went to friend’s house to eat, and of course the merchants were busy selling Christmas presents. Balls and feasts were held at the royal castle and at noblemen’s castles. One of the village grandfathers was chosen to play Santa Claus and he dressed up in a costume and gave presents to the village children. When the ponds and rivers were frozen, people went ice-skating. Sledding and riding in sleighs, building snowmen and having snowball fights were also common winter pastimes. The church was also busy, as people celebrated the days of Advent. The Christmas feast and ball was celebrated on the evening of December twenty-fifth.. Valanice wore a red velvet dress trimmed in white fur and embroidery of holly leaves. Morena wore a dark green velvet dress trimmed in beads and green lace.  Graham wore a long sleeved red surcoat trimmed in white fur with green pants and a Santa Claus hat.  Morena received the best Christmas presents she had ever gotten that Christmas. King Graham gave her a rapier with a silver wire handle set with a lustrous white pearl. Valanice gave her a spell book on the most famous wizards’ one hundred and one best spells. From Rupert she received a small dagger that matched the rapier with the pearl that Graham gave her. Her friend Sir Collin gave her a set of silver hairpins. Captain Martin gave her a leather cuirass in her size. Sir Nicholas gave her a small steel shield engraved with the royal crest of Daventry. Her gift from Sir Gareth was a pair of leather boots intended for protection in battle. Sir David gave her a fine new longbow. From Sir Lucas she received a quiver of fine new arrows. Her gift from Lord Geoffrey was a fur trimmed blue cloak. Cormac the wizard gave her a rose quartz charm bracelet that would bring good luck and true love. Lady Beatrice gave her a carved and painted wooden jewelry box. The box was carved and painted with a beautiful phoenix design.  From Lady Daphne she received a golden comb for decorating her hair. Lady Madeleine’s present was a gold crucifix. The servants who were her friends, like Lorna, gave her a set of bayberry-scented candles. Mary gave her a lace handkerchief, Jack gave her a bag of potpourri, and Olga gave her a box of hand-made chocolates.

Morena gave Valanice a lapis lazuli amulet set in silver, with matching pair of earrings. She gave Graham a black leather belt with a gold buckle. Her gift to Rupert was a sturdy leather backpack. She gave Cormac a bottle of fairy dust she got from Graham’s fairy godmother, Gloriana. She gave Captain Martin a book on ancient hand-to-hand fighting techniques from the east. The rest of her friends received presents of minimal value that she had thought carefully about what each one’s needs were and would fit their characteristics. Everyone had a jolly Christmas; Morena got drunk for the first time. She drunk a bit at the New Year’s Eve party, but not enough to relive the first hangover. 


The winter days were for the most part gloomy and boring inside the castle while the snow and cold blew on around the castle walls. But the aristocracy was excellent at finding ways to amuse themselves during the long months trapped inside the castle. The holidays were a welcome diversion. One more winter holiday, Valentine’s Day, the day of lovers would come and bring cheer during the long winter. Rupert told Morena that he planned to propose to Lady Daphne after he was made a knight. She still loved Rupert, she was heartbroken.


It seemed that Sir Collin had taken an interest in her. He asked her to be his Valentine, and gave her a card and a dozen red roses. Morena was surprised that he had chosen her when he could have had any of the pretty maidens of the castle. She kissed him happily while in the library. They went together to the Valentine’s Day ball. It seemed that at Castle Daventry every holiday was celebrated with a ball. The kingdom of Daventry certainly knew how to party. St. Patrick’s Day was and Easter were not celebrated  with a ball. However their was an Easter egg hunt in the royal gardens for the children of the kingdom, and candy like chocolate bunnies and eggs, jelly beans, and marshmallow chicks were eaten. Olga also baked a cake for Easter.


Morena enjoyed Valentine’s Day and she spent most of it with Collin. His affections helped build her self-esteem.


At last the long winter thawed into spring. The snow began to melt and birds returned from the winter migration. The trees grew fresh new green leaves, and buds appeared. Doctor Abraham had predicted that Valanice would give birth probably in March, possibly to twins. She first found out she was pregnant in August, and by that time she had already been one month pregnant. Sure enough, after St. Patrick’s Day she went into labor.   

[Rosedragon]

Morena heard from a servant that Valanice had gone into labor. She hurried to Valanice’s room.


Dr. Abraham was there with his nurse Bernadette. The guards would not let her into the room. Morena waited outside the door, pacing frantically. The other lords and ladies of the castle gathered outside the door and waited for news about the queen and her royal babies.


Inside Valanice’s room, Dr. Abraham gave Valanice a potion for the pain that would not harm the baby. He and his nurse held her hands and helped her to push. Graham was there, speaking encouraging words to Valanice. Valanice, in her long white linen night gown, sweated and practiced the deep breathing Dr. Abraham had taught her while she pushed.


Some hours later the door opened and Morena and Rupert were allowed into the room. Valanice held one baby while Bernadette held the other. The babies had their cords cut and were washed.

“Look Morena, I have twins, a boy and a girl. The boy is Alexander, the girl is Rosella.” Morena took baby Rosella in her arms. The newborn baby cried and opened her eyes. She had beautiful large blue eyes.  The babies were red and bald.

Valanice began to feed her twin babies, and Morena went out of the room. Dr. Abraham went out of the room and nounced to the people of the castle that the queen had given birth to twins, a boy named Alexander and a girl named Rosella.

The people cheered, and went to bed, as it was now nighttime. Morena went to her oom to go to bed, but she was too excited to sleep. She tossed and turned for a while, and as she lay in bed, she began to fear for Valanice’s safety. Suppose Hagatha  had survived the fall from the crystal tower and returned for revenge upon Valanice and her family?

With s sinking feeling of dread, Morena left her room and walked down the hall to Valanice and Graham’s royal bedroom. She gasped when she saw a guard slumped over outside the door, passed out. She heard Valanice scream from inside her bedroom. Morena flung open the door, and saw Hagatha standing over Graham and Valanice’s bed menacingly, Graham and Valanice clung to each other in terror. Morena threw an energy bolt at Hagatha, who was not excpecting it. Hagatha screamed in pain, then rrecovered and threw a blast of dark magic at Morena. Morena had been expecting it and she cast a counter spell to ward it off. Then she raised the rapier she had brought with her and charged at Hagatha. Hagatha threw a lightning bolt at Morena, but she ducked and the bolt hit the wall, knocking books off of a shelf.

Morena threw another energy ball at Hagatha, this time the witch cast a shield spell. Morena too cast a shield spell around herself, and cast a fire spell on her sword, the sword glowed with a flaming blade as she swung at Hagatha’s throat. The evil old hag ducked and the rapier hit the wall. She raised her bony green hand and struck at Morena’s face. Morena gasped as the wicked harridan’s sharp fingernails grazed her cheek, leaving bloody marks. She was lucky she was not hit in the eye.  Morena sword nicked Hagatha’s arm. Morena threw a fire bolt at Hagatha and it struck her in the chest, she quickly but it out with her own magic but was doubled over in pain. Morena struck her with her flaming blade; the sword cut a deep slash in her chest.  Hagatha was now on fire, she screamed and jumpd around the room before remembering the words to the spell to put the fire out. Sufferig from burns she gasped raggedly and glared at Morena with hate. She started casting a power dark magic ball to kill Morena but Morena threw a bolt of lightning at her before she could. Hagatha screamed again, and Morena took the opportunity to get her with the sword, she thrust at the witch’s heart and the rapier struck home and pierced her evil black heart. Hagatha shrieked as she felt herself weakening and dying. Morena cast and energy ball and threw it at her head. She pulled out her sword and Hagatha crumpled into a heap on the floor.

Graham left the bed and came to Morena were she stood with Hagatha’s body.
He knelt and pulled the witch’s head back, looking at her blank eyes and slack mouth.

“Hagatha appears to be dead.” He said. “Thank you so much, Morena. You have saved both my life and the life of my beloved wife. You are a true heroine. You will be greatly rewarded for this brave and noble act of saving out lives and destroying the evil Hagatha.
For now will you be so kind as to take Hagatha’s body out of here and into the courtyard, we will have her corpse burned in the morning. It is late, and for now I wish to get some sleep, though after the scare we had I am not sure Valanice and I will sleep very much. Valancie is very tired from giving birth.” 

The newborn baby twins, who slept in matching cradles beside the royal bed, had been woken up by the commotion and were crying loudly. Valanice rose and tended to her babies, talking to them in a cooing baby voice. She picked up baby Alexande and began to rock him and sing softly to him, Graham picked up baby Rosella and did the same thing for her.

   â€œI will leave you now so you can get your rest.” Morena stopped and groaned from the pain in her cheek. She feared the scratches would get infected from the dirt in Hagatha’s fingernails.  Graham summoned Dr. Abraham again, and he rubbed antibacterial ointment on Moren’s cheek. The doctor feared the scars would be permanent.

   After Dr. Abraham had tended her, Morena stepped out into the hall, dragging Hgatha’s corpse with her. She met Sir David in the hall.

“What happened, Lady Morena?” Sir David asked her, as he met her in the hallway. Morena explained about Hagatha’s attack and how she had defeated and killed her.

“Here, let me take that disgusting witch’s body an dispose of her for you.” Sir David offered.


“Thank you, Sir David.” Morena said. “I would like to go to bed now.”

Sir David nodded and took the dead Hagatha and dragged her out into the courtyard and threw her on a heap of rubbish. She would be disposed of by burning tomorrow, and the ashes buried. Everyone was too tired to do it tonight, it would wait until morning.


While the castle slept and Hagatha’s body was investigated by vermin, flies and maggots, a wizard appeared next to the rubbish heap in a puff of smoke. The wizard was very old with wrinkled skin and long white hair and beard, and wore a black robe and pointy hat. He was Manannan, the evil brother of Hagatha. He shook his head and growled at the castle when he saw what they ha done to his sister. He picked up her body in his arms and the vermin immediately fled. He examined her wounds and decided he could fix them and possibly restore his sister to life. He disappeared with her in the same way he had come.


When the guards found out that Hagatha’s body was missing, they were very upset. Could it be that the monstrous witch was somehow still alive, and would come back for revenge?  They told Morena about the hag’s disapperance, and she was very worried too. She went to speak to this with Cormac the court magician.


“I believe someone disguised as a servant drugged my drink last night so I would fall into a deep sleep.” He said. “I have no idea who this person is, but it must be related to that wicked old witch Hagatha and her plans to harm the king and queen. We must be on our guard, I think Hagatha is not our only enemy, she must have allies.”

“I agree that we must be on our guard. These enemies are evil witches and warlocks, I believe.” Morena said.


Morena talked to King Graham.  “My lord, I would like to use the magic mirror, with your permission. I would like to see if I can find out what happened to Hagatha’s body. If she is somehow still alive, no doubt she will come back for revenge, and her revenge will be terrible.”

“Yes, I think this is reasonable. You have my permission.” Graham said.

Morena went into the throne room with Graham and Valanice  watching she approached the magic mirror and spoke to it.

“Mirror of Merlin, show me what has happened to the witch Hagatha’s body.” She said.

The mirror clouded and grew dark. “I cannot see that far, it is hidden from my sight.” The mirror’s magical voice said.

Morena sighed. “Perhaps I should talk to the fairies about this. First I think I will write a letter to my granny.”


Morena had kept up contact with her grandmother in Kolyma by writing letters. She also wrote and received letters from her friends in Kolyma. The prince of Kolyma had gotten married and his wife was with child. She received a letter from Genevieve telling her that Genevieve had born her husband the prince a son. Morena wrote to her grandmother and friends and told her all about Valanice’s delivery of twins and how Hagatha had attacked and she had killed her, and her body had mysteriously disappeared.

After she wrote her letter she decided to take a walk in the woods. Her cat, Misty, went along with her. Morena picked up Misty and held her, petting the cat’s soft fluffy gray fur. Misty purred at the attention. Morena put Misty down and the cat walked beside her. She was searching for Gloriana the fairy. Morena wore her cloak, as it was still cool in early spring. The trees had fresh baby green leaves on them and the green grass sprouted up from patches of brown grass and snow. She searched for the fairy godmother that had helped out graham on his quest to become king.

The beautiful sparkling fairy in her blue and purple dress trimmed in silver appeared in the north of the forest, her silver wings sparkled in the sunlight.

“How may I help you, my dear?” She asked Morena. Morena told her about the fight with Hagatha after Valancie had given birth.

“I know that Hagatha has two brothers, an older one and a younger one. Both are evil wizards.” Gloriana informed her.


“Maybe it was one of Hagatha’s brothers who took her body away. What are their names?” Morena asked.


“The elder brother is named Manannan. The younger one is called Mordack.” Gloriana answered.

“We must watch out for them, I fear they will try to get revenge on us.” Morena said. She fingered her wand, that she kept tucked in her belt.

“I will keep watch on King Graham and Queen Valanice.” Gloriana said. “As for right now take this bag of fairy dust. It will protect you from evil and cure wounds. Just sprinkle it on the wounds and it will cure them.”

Morena thanked the kind fairy and went back to the castle. She talked with some of the servants. They told her that King Graham and Queen Valanice planned on having the twins’ christening in the cathedral in a week.

She met Valanice in the tea parlor with the twins in a baby carriage. “My maid Emma has offered to act as the babies’ nursemaid. She has a baby of her own, and can take care of all of the babies at the same time.” Valanice told her. “But I will mostly watch Alexander and Rosella myself.”


“That is good news. I certainly hope your children will be safe. We must do all we can to protect them.” Morena replied.

“Yes, I will make sure my children are protected.” Valanice agreed. She began to sing to her babies. Morena smiled, but it made the scratches on her cheek hurt.


“We will.” Said Valanice. “I too fear that some evil ally of Hagatha’s may harm my precious babies. I will watch over them carefully and not let that happen.”

Valancie kissed each twin on the forehead. They were sleepy and they went to sleep in their carriage.

“When they get a little older I may take them to the garden.” She said, “But I am afraid they may get sunburned. It’s a good thing their carriages have a canopy. If I do take them into the garden, I will keep them in the shade.”

Morena smiled. “You make a good mother, Valanice.”

“Thank you.” Valanice said.

The maid brought tea to them, and Morena added milk and sugar to her tea before drinking it. Valanice did the same.

They talked softly for a while, so as to not wake up the babies.

Then Morena left. She went into the armory and looked over the collection of armor. The armor for the knights varied greatly, from leather armor to long chain mail shirts and trousers to full plate armor. Knights did not wear armor all the time; it was too heavy and hot. They wore armor only when they went into battle. 

Morena went to the training yard. She practiced her archery.

As the day grew late she went inside the castle for dinner.
Olga had cooked a chicken potpie for them. Morena hungrily bit into a dinner roll after Graham said grace. She ate some bread and a slice of chicken potpie. For desert they had a cinnamon, raisin and walnut Danish covered in sugary icing.

Valanice went to nurse the twins while Morena read her spell book. King Graham went with Valanice to take care of the babies.

The infant twins grew and thrived on their mother’s milk and all of the attention they received in the healthy environment of the castle. They were pretty infants, each had lovely bright blue eyes like their parents. Toys such as silver rattles, stuffed teddy bears and dragons and a little rag doll for Rosella were given to them. They looked so cute in their baby outfits and booties, blue for Alexander and pink for Rosella.

King Graham and Queen Valanice brought the twins to Daventry’s cathedral for their christening a week after they were born. The happy royal parents asked Morena to be the infants’ godmother. Morena happily accepted. Bishop Patrick baptized the babies as the kingdom watched from the pews of the church. The whole kingdom rejoiced at the birth of the little prince and princess.

Graham also held a ceremony in the castle where Morena was knighted, the first female knight ever in Daventry, and she was officially given the title of lady and given a gold medal of honor for saving the lives of the king and queen.

“Well, Morena, it appears that you have been knighted before me.” Rupert told her. “I must admit I am somewhat jealous. You deserve this honor for bravely defending King Graham and Queen Valanice and the little prince and princess from that fiend Hagatha.”

“I’m sure the king will knight you soon. You have been at the castle for a little over a year now, and you have come far in your training.” Morena said.


“I sure hope King Graham does see fit to knight me soon. I would like to go off on adventures as I have always dreamed.” 

“Don’t worry, your time will come.” Morena said to her old friend.


Easter came, and people celebrated by dying eggs bright colors and planting bulb flowers, such as lilies, hyacinth, daffodils, tulips and irises. Morena sighed and smelled the beautiful flowers as she looked at the lilies tulips and daffodils Valancie had planted in the castle garden.  At church the altar was covered in a large bouquet of spring flowers in a silver bowl. Easter lilies, daffodils, red tulips, blue hyacinth, branches of apple blossoms and violets filled the silver bowl and made for a beautiful display. The choir and the parishioners sang hymns celebrating Christ’s resurrection. The incense burnered at Easter mass smelled wonderful. Bishop Patrick’ sermon was joyful, about how Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection set them free from the power of death. Now the good Christians were promised eternal life in heaven with Jesus thanks to his loving gift and sacrifice. Morena gave more money than the usual tithe to the church. Since she was like a ward of the king’s, she had a small allowance from him given to her every week. Morena was a smart girl and she took care of her money and saved some, spent some of it helping others.  Morena wore a white dress trimmed in a border of pink, blue and yellow flowers and a golden belt. She wore the golden crucifix she had received for Christmas. To cover her hair which she had braided she wore a white lace scarf. Valanice wore a white dress trimmed in silver lace and pink ribbon embroidery of roses. She had a wide pink satin sash she wore with her dress and pink slippers. A lace veil with a pink ribbon border covered her head, and it was topped with a silver and diamond tiara. She also wore a silver and diamond cross.


Morena and Valancie helped out with the Easter egg hunt in the castle garden organized for the children of the kingdom. The children turned in some of their eggs for chocolate candy and jellybeans. They also received stuffed Easter bunnies to play with.

For Easter supper they had roast lamb, spinach and mustard greens, white bread, leek soup, boiled eggs and deviled eggs, fresh cheese and a coconut cake made special for the occasion. Food was given to the poor in generous amounts.

Valanice and her ladies collected apple blossoms and other spring flowers to adorn the dinner table. 


After dinner Valanice nursed the twins in private. Morena went to the castle gardens to see how the flowers were blooming that spring. The bulbs planted in autumn came up beautiful. She met Sir Collin there and had a lovely conversation with him, she watched the sunset in his arms.


The months went by quickly, and summer came. Morena joined the royals and nobles during the summer hunt. King Graham sent Rupert into the forest to slay a vicious ogre that had been causing trouble for travelers. Rupert returned successful, with the ogre’s head. As a reward, he was knighted by King Graham. Morena watched with happiness as her friend from Kolyma was finally made a knight, after training in Castle Daventry for a year and a half. Everyone was happy for him. She was no longer in love with Rupert, now she loved Collin.

King Graham had certain days in his court when he would hear the complaints of all people of the kingdom, and peasants often came to him with their problems.

Along with Queen Valanice he sat in his throne and judged the disputes of the citizens of Daventry.

[Rosedragon]

Morena was there, sitting on the bench reserved for the lords and ladies of the court. She was trying to learn how to embroider. Lady Beatrice had drawn a pattern on a piece of linen, and she went over the lines with stitches in bright colors. Valanice could embroider very well. Morena could draw well, but embroidery was something new to her. She knew how to mend rips in clothing and her grandmother had taught her the basics of sewing. She was doing this piece of embroidery for Sir Collin, his birthday was coming up next week and she wanted it to be a present for him. Morena was not very good at sewing but for him she would try her hardest. Sometimes she laid the embroidery in her lap and looked up and paid attention to a particularly interesting case. Most of the cases were boring though. Farmers had disputes over their livestock grazing on someone lelse’s land, sometimes people owed money to other people and the person owed wanted the debtor to pay up. There were some cases of sick people seeking help and medicine from the king, the king ordered his doctor to tend to them.   

[awesomeasapossum]

Haven't read all of yours yet (WAY LONGER THAN MINE) but I like it so far. Keep it up!