The Lost Kingdom

Prologue

            Our story begins with five kingdoms arranged in a circle. These kingdoms were at the edge of the great forest, where few who entered ever returned, and if they did, they were never the same. in the center of these kingdoms there were great ruins, that were said to be the ruins of one of the lost kingdoms. But they were lost so long ago that it has simply become a children's story-a fairy tale.

            The tale goes as such: "Once upon a time, there was a kingdom. in this kingdom there was a very kind and gentle king who had six sons. He raised his sons to also be kind and gentle, for their mother was not there to do so. When the princes were old enough, the king gave his five youngest each a key, one gold, one silver, one bronze, one black, and one white. 'Take this key,' he said, 'and five families out as far as you can in every direction. When you find a place to your liking, put this key in the ground and turn. That will be your new kingdom.' Being very obedient the sons did as their father said. Once they had left, his eldest son, who had not received a key, asked his father why he had not been gifted one. his father replied, 'You are the most important, my son.' The king held out a key so clear it almost wasn't perceptible. 'Take ten families,' the king said, 'and bring this key as far into the sky as you can. Build your kingdom there. you will watch over all the kingdoms, and the forest. you will protect us all.' And so the sixth prince did as his father had said.

            "After the six princes had built their kingdoms and they started to grow, they still visited the king. Every year, they would make the journey to their father's kingdom, with many gifts from their fields, and from the villagers. only the sixth prince did not visit every year, for he was very busy looking over everything. but he did visit when he could, and brought many gifts from the sky. But one day, when the five princes, now kings, went to visit their father, they found ruins instead of villages, and a great ruin and piles of rubble instead of the castle. As the sixth prince was nowhere to be seen the others blamed him for the destruction, and tried to reach him. But it was no use, the sixth kingdom was too far in the sky, and the sixth prince has never been seen since."

            "Oh, mommy, please read it again."

            "I'm sorry my little dove, but it's time for bed," the woman said as she closed the book, "But perhaps I can read it again tomorrow night, if you're a good girl."

            "I'll be good mommy, I promise!" The little girl rushed under the covers and shut her eyes tight as her mother laughed softly.

            "Goodnight my darling." The woman gently kissed the little girl on the forehead and blew out the candle before quietly closing the door as she left.