| For over an hour, the three adventurers were marched through the clearing. They would eventually exit the forest clearing and enter a large field with more rolling hills. Not to far ahead was a large castle of large gray stone. At its corners were four large towers with sharply-sloped roofs. Around the castle was a smaller village with small houses of wood and brick. It is almost reminiscent of home, Clara thought. Almost like Lamuth. The soldiers escorted the restrained panthers to the edge of the city. The dirt streets were lined with people, young and old, going about their daily business. Even as the soldiers brought the captured into the kingdom, some of the merchants and passers-by would stop to stare at the captured. Please, Kat thought. Stop staring at us; we have not wronged you. And why are there so many people here? Could Trillan be a haven of penitents? "Make way for the Guardians!" one leopard merchant shouted, standing aside. The people moved away as the soldiers all marched by with their prisoners. After several agonizing minutes of being stared at and taunted by the villagers, Kat, Clara, and Salem were brought into the castle. Inside were many extravagant courtyards and gardens, and Trillanian soldiers were everywhere. Finally, they were brought to the royal palace, a huge white building, complete with massive pillars and statues of old Trillanian heroes. Up the steps they were dragged, and finally shoved through the palace doors. A few minutes later, the soldiers brought the overcome travelers to the throne room of the great leopard Jervin, king of Trillan. A man of not more than 30 years or so, he sat upon his throne of beautifully decorated oak, dressed in a blue loincloth and embracing blue cape. A strange crown of silver and gold rested atop his head. To his left was another throne, yet empty. Jervin looked horribly upset; he rested his head in his right hand, his elbow resting on the arm of his throne. "Good day, Master," one of the soldiers said. All the soldiers stopped a few feet in front of Jervin and bowed their heads. King Jervin looked up from his discontent state. "Who have you brought here?" "We discovered these three people in our forest, your majesty," another soldier said. "They claim to be travelers, but they had weapons and were trespassing." Jervin stood up from his throne, then walked down the steps to the floor where everyone stood. Kat and Clara swallowed hard, feeling that they would be severely punished. The king approached Clara. "Who are you, and what is your business in my kingdom?" he asked, his face expressionless. "Trillan has no place for liars, let alone trespassers." Clara cleared her throat, then spoke. "King Jervin," she began, "please forgive us for intruding upon your land. We are only travelers, on a quest of S'Allumer." Jervin suddenly began to crack a smile, then began to laugh out loud. "A quest of S'Allumer!" he roared, still laughing. "You are mad, miss! Only a Trillanian could be given a quest of S'Allumer, for only we are the most religious to be given such a task. Under Trillanian law, I should have you both tried and executed for speaking of such blasphemy." Kat's heart raced. "Wait!" she exclaimed. "You must believe us! We can prove to you that we were chosen for this task!" Jervin frowned. "And now you are mad, too!" he exclaimed. "What do you have as proof that you come on a quest?" "Look through our belongings," Kat continued. "There you will find a fruit from the tree of Methiosan." "Methiosan?!" Jervin exclaimed, angered. "We do not accept the prophecies of Methiosan at all in Trillan. Teaching them is a great offense." "You must listen to her," Salem interrupted. "I was witness to this happening. I visited the tree with the women. You may taste of the fruit yourself to discover." One of the soldiers handed the fruit, still bundled in large leaves, to his king, along with one of Salem's knives. Another soldier handed Jervin Clara's history book. "What do want me to do with these?" Jervin asked, feeling insulted. "We ask that you find in the book the words of Methiosan," Kat said. "Look near the back of the book; there you will find the prophecy of the fruit of his tree." Jervin opened the book and began flipping wildly. In a minute or so, he located the page. Kat, Clara, and Salem watched in silence as Jervin read from the page. With every line his eyes widened further. "This is unbelievable!" Jervin shouted, throwing the history book to the floor. "Do you expect me to believe that at all? Do you even realize the amount of trouble you are in?" "Take the fruit we have given you," Clara said. "Cut a piece for yourself and eat it." Jervin tore away the leaves, exposing the enormous fruit. "I'm going to take one bite of this fruit," Jervin said. "If it doesn't taste like what I love to eat, I will execute all of you." Clara was nervous. I hope he likes it, she thought. Otherwise, we are all doomed. King Jervin plunged the knife into the fruit, cutting himself a small slice. He grabbed it with thumb and forefinger and placed it into his mouth, chewing it slowly. The prisoners all watched silently, their hearts beating fast in their chests, as Jervin swallowed it down. His face soon turned expressionless once more. His eyes widened with great surprise. "The fruit," he began. "It tastes like--like cooked meat! It is amazing!" Jervin fumbled with the knife and cut himself another slice, quickly shoving it into his mouth. He chewed it up fast. "This tastes like a bunch of grapes! Incredible!" Kat, Clara, and Salem smiled. "Are you convinced, King?" Clara asked. "Will you believe us and let us go?" "Methiosan was right all along!" Jervin cried, laughing. "Guardians, untie these people at once!" The soldiers approached with knives, cutting through the ropes that held their prisoners. Jervin fell to his knees in front of the adventurers. "I must know your names! You are all truly blessed!" "I am Kat, from the village of Lamuth, on the Plains of Clay," Kat said. "I am Kat's friend, Clara," Clara began, "also from Lamuth. We have lived together all our lives." "And I am Salem," Salem began, "from the Valley of Fate, adopted son of clerics Isengrim and Erma." "You speak the truth," Jervin said. "I am King Jervin, ruler of the great island nation of Trillan, the holiest of empires. Who would have known Methiosan was right all along??" "Certainly not I," Kat said. "All my life, I learned that his prophecies were all nonsensical." "That was until only days earlier," Clara said, "until we found out firsthand that we were taught wrong." "You must tell me of your journeys, please," Jervin said. "Guardians, bring these people with me to my study at once. Send my chambermaidens to assist them with whatever they wish." Next page >> |