There was once a kind king that ruled over a beautiful kingdom. He was generous and always cared for the people around him. One day, while he was perched on his little golden throne in his great big hall, a traveler came. He claimed to have traveled far to see the granduer of kingdom. The King, trusting as he was, welcomed the traveler and gave him food and accomidation in his grand palace. Little did he know, the traveler was greedy and ambicious; but very observant. Every day, large water barrels were carried in to the palace. Every night, the empty barrels were carried back to the city's well, where they were refilled.
One night, he slpped into the darkness, and followed the water carriers to the well. From his robes, he pulled a small bottle of arsenic, and let a couple drops slip into the pure water. The next morning, he awoke to be called to a paranoid King, who saught advice from his closest adviser. 'The townspeople have dropped dead!' he cried!
The traveler calmed him by assuring him that it was only a commoner's disease. The King sighed, and sunk back into his velvet robes. The traveler had forgotten; the King only drank wine.
Now, this went on for days. Again, the King was reassured; he needn't not worry about it.
One morning, cries echoed around the palace. The traveler swept through the long stone halls, and found the King huddled over his beautiful queen in a swirl of gossamer silks. Dead.
He carresed her golden hair as her wept over her body.
'Traveler. I have no longer a queen. This.. this.. commoner's disease! It's spread. I fear for my people!
Advise me, now. In this time of need!'
The traveler said nothing.
The King, frantic, sighed, he was thirsty. The sight of his bride had taken several beats from his heart.
He grasped the silver cup with his ring adorned fingers, and brought the water to his lips.
