Page 7

"Greyith," he said slowly, his throat rather dry by now. "What's yours?"

"Tell me what you're doing here, first," she bargained. "Then I'll tell you my name."

Greyith could see that she really didn't trust him; but, he was determined to change that, so he told her his story--from beginning to end.

"So, now they've finally stopped you," the girl said, her eyes slowly widening in realization.

"Yes," Greyith admitted, "but if I get out, I'll stop them somehow--I have to!"

"And, Jauhn is leaving right now to go--" she paused, putting facts together, "--down the mountain with Lord Dyrant and the Black Knights!"

"Oh, no!" Greyith cried. "They'll kill him!"

"We've got to stop them!" The girl pulled a ring of keys from behind her and swiftly unlocked Greyith's cell.

"Thanks," Greyith gasped. "Why did you do that?"

"I believe I can trust you, Greyith. I really do." She replied.

They both dashed up the stairs to the main palace floor. Finding a guard, the girl questioned him where the King was. Looking at her with a funny expression, the guard replied that King Jauhn had just left the palace to see the joust which was taking place in the valley near Mount Royal.

"Let's go!" Greyith shouted. "Now!"

The Royal Guard turned and saw Greyith. With a cry of alarm, the guard and several others started chasing Greyith, who by this time was already running down the path with the girl.

Faster, faster, Greyith screamed silenty. We're almost there!

Ahead of them, Greyith saw Lord Dyrant talking with King Jauhn near the edge of the steep cliff. Greyith ran faster, trying to get there before the inevitable happened. Lord Dyrant turned around and saw Greyith.

"You little, wretched beast," Dyrant shouted, his face turning purple with rage.

The Black Knights grabbed Greyith, dragging him next to the cliff's edge.

Lord Dyrant grabbed the King and pushed him near the cliff also.

"Father!" the girl screamed. "Father!"

"You shouldn't have come, Floricia," Dyrant bellowed, like a monster loosed from captivity. "Now you'll pay, too."

Lord Dyrant noticed the Royal Guards, who were just reaching the group. "Don't come any closer," he shouted, "or your King dies."

"Why--are--you--doing--this?" King Jauhn struggled to ask Dryant.

"Oh, good King, you know why I'm doing this," Dyrant taunted, releasting his pent-up anger. "I wanted to marry your daughter, but you said no."

Princess Floricia's face turned pale. "I never wanted to marry you."

"Stay--out--of--this--honey," her father pleaded, struggling to breathe through Dyrant's firm hold.

"Listen to your Daddy, sweetie," Dyrant smiled his wicked grin again. "Now, honey, say 'goodbye.'"

previous | next