Youth's Dew

Prologue

Joven – 20 years ago

"Come with me Dad," I beg, trying to pull his arm and drag him out the front door, "I don't want to go alone." 

There's nothing to be afraid of son. We've walked through the tunnels to Central Control countless times. You could do it in your sleep. Now, do you remember the way I taught you?" he asks, refusing to get out of his overstuffed chair.

"If I say no, will you come with me? I'm only NINE years old Dad! Do you realize the dangers the youth of this world face? It's catafonic, catastamoic...." Scratching my head and searching for the correct answer.

"The word you're looking for is catastrophic, and I seriously doubt walking through a tunnel to downtown Dewstone, will lead you to the downfall of mankind. Why don't you grab your new friend, Heif, and take him with you?" Dad suggests.

"His parents took him UpAbove to the City Zoo. He's got really good parents" I add, making sure he realizes I'm not counting him as even being a passable good parent at this moment, as he is currently sending his only son to sure death.

"Oh well, good for him. Now, let's think of this as a quest. You could be King Author or a Knight from the Round Table. Only the bravest knights get sent on quests." Dad seems pretty proud of this new approach, but I'm not buying it. I'm nine years old, I'm on to him and his Merlin types of trickery.

"Well, how about this," Dad goes on, "finish this quest and we can go to the Hot Springs Pond before dinner, how's that?" Oh, now he's talking, I do love swimming. I must choose near certain death or pool time? The older you get, seems like the choices in life get harder.

"Deal," I put out my hand, and we shake on it before he can change his mind. I'm a decisive young man, when I decide something, I'm committed. I plan to run for Office one day and then I can ban parents from forcing their young children into hard labor. We need new laws; we can't let this kind of abuse continue unchecked.

"Get going, and come straight back. Stan needs that letter," Dad gives his final instructions to his brave knight. I can do this! I shall go forth and triumph!

I grab my pocket knife, just for safety against any evil lurking villains, or Lady's in need of assistance. The Mist is my ever-trusty loyal sidekick to aide me on my journey to distant, savage lands. I leave out of the house I've always lived in, and start walking to the tunnel that will take me to downtown Dewstone. It's late morning, so my way it will lit, but I stay vigilant. Ever since Dad read me that book, I've known my destiny. I shall right the wrongs with my trusty sword and ensure peace and quantity? Nope. I stop to ponder this problem all Kings must face, the dreaded proper English language. Touching my hand to the cool stone wall, moist from the morning's dew, I give it all my concentration.

"Ah, got it, peace and equations!" Nailed it. Satisfied, I continue on with my quest.

Coming out of the tunnel, I've arrived on the edge of the downtown area. I hurry over to the center of the large cavern to the old wooden bridge that's above the bubbling brook. It's always fun to get to the middle and look straight up. The top of the cavern is really high and bright, like crystals dancing on the high ceiling. The ripples from the UpAbove water fountain cause lights to dance around the buildings and floors. It reminds me of an underwater aquarium my parents took me to, before becoming their lackey. You could look up and see all sorts of sea life and animals swimming. Looking back down to the river below me, I remember I can't be distracted from my journey, I turn and head to Central Control.

Walking on the stone paths, I wonder how many brave Knights came before me? Arriving at the front sliding door, I stop and knock. I may be a very important King or knight, but I'm a polite one. Stan opens the door for me and I walk inside. Stan has the coolest job in Dewstone, even Heif agrees.

"I see you finally made it," Stan says holding out his hand.

"Yes, sir, no villains this trip to vanish and since my servant wouldn't accompany me, I stayed brave all by myself," I added, puffing out my chest with pride, handing him the letter.

"I think you mean vanquish," he laughs and pats me on my back, "let me put this away and I'll be right back." Stan turns and heads to the backroom that is the office.

"Do you need any help"? I turn and ask Hank, he's the other worker in the room. They take turns staring at the TV monitors.

"Sure, hop on up in that chair," Hank says and pats the one beside himself. I'm pretty smart about this security stuff; I've been coming with my dad my whole life. Whom I shall now rename "Dark Knight" for sending me on this quest alone. Looking at all those screens I can see a lot of people, kids, babies, paths and trees. Why would Hank and Stan want to watch trees instead of SpongeBob SquarePants, I'll never know, but even after all that.... still the coolest job ever.

One TV screen catches my attention. A little girl, she looks around five or so, and she is pulling her mom to the fountain. Jumping up and down, her pigtails bouncing, it's like she's on a pogo stick. She holds out her hand, and I assume she's asking for coins from her mother, I've seen this lots of times. But she looks different than the others, her image seems brighter than the others surrounding her. I watch as her mom gives her some change, she kisses her mom's cheek and it looks likes she kisses the nickels too. She throws the coins into the fountain and starts running around the over-sized concrete fountain. My eyes follow her from screen to screen, as she completes her trip around and back to her mom, breathless. Her mom wraps her in a hug, and secret smile tilts my lips.

"Does that little girl come to the fountain a lot?" I ask pointing to the screen.

"Yep, her, and I'm pretty sure that's her mom come every weekday around 11am. Why?" Stan asks, standing behind me.

Not answering, I hope up and run to the exit, and slide open the door. Looking back at Stan and Hank, and get ready to close the door.

"I gotta go!" I yell and start my fast jog home. Distantly I hear warnings to slow down, but the King waits for on one. Dashing back through downtown, the long tunnel passage, I make it home breathing hard. I burst into the house, trying to catch my breath.

"What's wrong Joven, did the brave Knight get spooked?" Dad asks, but I stand tall and look him straight in the eyes.

"Guinevere, Dad, I saw Guinevere!"