| A Tale of Ennajo |
| One early summer morning, gallant Prince Iaian accompanied by the fair maiden Kanga, set out on a bracing horse ride, with the faithful King bounding along at their heels. As they rode along enjoying the scenic vista spread out before them. They slowed there mounts as they entered the calm serenity of the woodlands, enjoying the dappled sunlight shining down on them through the canopy of green spread above the heads. King trotted along the path ahead of them. as they journeyed deeper intothe forest, they were surprised by the appearance of an unnatural mist appearing in front of there eyes. They pulled there steeds to a halt as the mist continued to swirl around them, growing thicker until it totally engulfed them. Seeking reassurance, Kanga reached out her hand towards Iaian. Before her hand could find that of the Prince's, she felt her fingers close on something cold and clammy. She pulled her hand back as she squealed with fright. A woof sounded at her side where her hand had just been. She breathed a sigh of relief as she realised it had only been King's wet nose she had been clasping. A patch of the mist thinned out enough for Prince Iaian to see Kanga and nudge his mount in close to hers.. He reached out and took Kanga's hand to reassure her. As it was hard to ride so closely side by side, the prince swept Kanga onto his saddle in front of him. Holding Kanga safely in his arms, Ian nudged his sturdy steed in the direction of the castle, leading Kanga's mare by the reins, King loping along at their side. As time passed by they realised they were slowly drifting in circles totally lost because of the mist. They halted their journey to rest the beasts and to try and get there bearings. Iaian dismounted, then caught Kanga as she slid off the horse's back and into his waiting arms. He set her on her feet. They decided to sit for a while and wait for the mist to clear some more. Kanga hung the reins of there mounts on a low hanging branch, while Prince Iaian spread his cloak out at the base of a tree. He dropped to the ground leaning back against the tree. Kanga sank onto the cloak beside him moving into the curve of his arm. King stretched out beside them laying his head in Kanga's lap. Kanga let her hand fondle king's head while she leaned back into the Prince's embrace. They spoke quietly, wondering what the cause of the mist could be. "Whatever the cause, I am enjoying the peace," said Kanga. "You have been so busy of late with all the visitors we have had at court. I practically had to drag you away today!" Iaian exclaimed. Kanga sighs. "Well someone has to do it until my Lady recovers." "Tell me honestly, how fares the Sorceress?" "She is recovering...but that battle with Mentlec nearly destroyed her" Kanga says in a shaky voice. Anger fills the Prince's voice as he thinks of their majestic ruler suffering. "How did such a powerful wizard get so close to her anyway?" "Because as all powerful as she is, she has a weakness and he found it. You know Ennajo is a kingdom full of joy, love and serenity," says Kanga with a small smile on her face. The Prince allows a small smile to cross his own lips, as he thinks about the tranquility of the kingdom and the love and laughter that flows throughout it. "Yes, everyone who crosses the borders into Ennajo is aware of that fact. But what has that got to do with Mentlec?" asks Ian in a puzzled tone. "Have you ever noticed how Ennajo often feels like its alive?" Iaian nods his head. "When I return from abroad, I often feel the land is welcoming me back...like...well like a mother hugging a child that has been away. That is one of the reasons I always come back. But it is not the only reason", Iaian says as he stares into Kanga's eyes with a heated look. A blush spreads across Kanga's cheeks as she recognises the look in his eye. "Well anyway, the reason the kingdom has such a feeling is that it is bonded in an inexplicable way to the Sorceress. Agnak is linked to the land and therefore it reflects her personality and the love she has for the land and all its subjects. And it is also why she is so aware of everything that happens in the kingdom." "Is that why so many unusual things have been happening lately?" queries Iaian. "Ah huh. The land is responding to the Sorceress' illness and will continue to do so until she has completely healed" said Kanga somberly. "But you still have to explain how this links to Mentlec?" Kanga took a deep breath to steady her nerves. "Up until now, Ennajo has ben virtually invincible because of its bond to Agnak, and all those who have tried to invade or harm thr Kingdom, have failed miserably." "But Mentlec never attacked the Kingdom did he?" asked Iaian. "No he was more subtle then that. He pursued Agnak. He wooed her, courted her, and made her think of a future together." "But why were none of us aware of this happening? asked Iaian the surprise showing in his voice. Kanga shrugged her shoulders. "When has anyone known what goes on in her life. She has always been a private person and little is known about her.' Moisture gathered in her eyes at the thought. "that is why Mentlec was able to get past her defenses. She has been alone for so long. So he pursued her until she fell under his spell." "He was able to cast a spell on her?" "Not an enchantment like you are thinking of. She fell in love." A single tear dropped from her eye and slowly ran down her cheek. Iaian raised a finger and gently wiped it away, feeling his heart tighten at seeing Kanga distressed. "Why did everything turn out so disastrous if they were in love?" "I never said they were in love." "But I thought......." She loved him. But he did not return her love. Mentlec's sole purpose for wooing Agnak was to get past her defenses." More tears trickled down Kanga's cheek. "Somehow he learned of the bond between her and the land. He realised the only way to claim the Kingdom was to claim her." Iaian used the edge of his sleeve to gently wipe the tears from her delicate cheekbones. "When he finally attacked she was caught totally unprepared." "Shards!" Iaian pulled her more tightly into his embrace so he could comfort her. She lay in his arms for a minute feeling secure within the safe cocoon they formed. Then she pulled away from him slightly so she could continue. "Agnak managed to banish him from the Kingdom, but she had to summon every ounce of her strength to defeat him. |