Quest to the Shadows

Long Live the King

Willow, Pearl and Fledge climbed aboard Silver's back as she lay down to make it easier for them to get up. Once they were all on safely Silver lifted her magnificent wings over her head, pumped them down with all of her strength and lifted off into the clear sky, destination, the great city: Avandor. Though Silver was the fastest flyer, she was hampered by fierce winds so it took them all night to reach Avandor. It was dawn when they finally touched down in the palace quart yard. Taking the diamond flask with the life saving water for her father, Willow jumps off of Silver and races to the front door at top speed, there wasn't a moment to lose.

A surprise waits for her at the entrance though. The guards won't let her through, they do not recognize her as she has become very tanned on her quest. Willow pleads ceaselessly with the guards as Pearl and Fledge come up behind her but the answer stays the same. That the sentries have been given orders to not let anyone through the doors. Fed up with the nonsense of the soldiers not letting Willow and her friends in, Silver gives a tremendous roar and strides up beside Willow to confront the guards and glares at the soldiers. Filled with fear they stiffen, eyes never leaving the incredible dragon in front of them.

Silver stares and stares at the two men making them more and more uncomfortable and uncertain. Then with Willow, Fledge and Pearl next to her she speaks in a low hiss, "We have travelled far and I am hungry. We need to see the King, If you stand in our way you will soon be turned to roast!" With that the opposing soldiers quickly stood down and let them pass. Once through, Willow rushed to the King's Chamber where she knew her father would be, waiting anxiously for his daughter to return. She burst into the room with her friends in hot pursuit to find her worst nightmare come true.

Hadeon - her older brother - was sitting on the throne. Their fathers body lying in state next to him. People were coming in crying, "The King is dead. Long live the King."  Paying respects to King Navon and paying homage to her brother, the new King. The line had shortened and Hadeon finally noticed his younger sister and gave her a malicious grin. He then addressed her formally. As a king would to his sister but there was mockery in his voice, "My dear sister, Princess Willow. We had given up hope that you were ever returning with the cure for our dear Father."  At this comment lots of the nobles around the King, snickered and jeered, Willow ignored them for she knew that her brother was not finished and she was right, "As I am sure you can see you have arrived only one day short. But do not worry I told him in his last breath that you were probably hurrying back that very moment."  There was more snickering and laughter at this exclamation as well. "It is good to be back my King and brother."  Willow replied with slight hint of iron in her voice.

His welcome finished, Hadeon gave a wave of his hand and several attendants came up to Willow, eyeing Silver's teeth unhappily. "These attendants will take you to your quarters."  He presented his malicious grin to her again as Willow was led out of the room with Pearl, Fledge and Silver in tow. Once the door was safely shut the newly appointed king smiled viciously at his nobles, "Let's continue with our meeting, Shall we?"  Willow, Pearl, Fledge and Silver were led down the long entrance hall. Through the grand ballroom and into her room. The attendants opened the door to the vast suite and gave Willow a cheeky bow and left her and her friends to their own.

Once the footsteps of the men had muffled Silver gave a loud growl and paced around the chamber, Pearl stomped her hoofs and snorted angry clouds of vapour, Fledge tucked his head under his wing becoming immobile and Willow? She sits on her bed pondering what has happened and trying to come to grips with what she had just witnessed. The silence between the four became more and more prolonged until finally, Silver muttered what everyone had been thinking, "The King we came, to save and serve, our fealty pledged to Him. We travel through thick and thin, high and low, all to save our Majesty, we return upon empty breath, to find that He who we loved is dead, and He who we feared is ruling, on tired wings we flew, on through night and all during day to find our hearts have perished."  There was thoughtful silence as everyone reflected on this. Willow finally said in desperation, "We have to stop my brother. But I don't know what to do."  At that moment an emissary came and knocked on the door, "His royal highness the King has requested you to join him for dinner."