A Prince's Quest: Journey to a New Realm

Prologue

The woman running through the forest wasn't scared. She knew it would be dangerous for her if she were to be caught, but her mission and quest far outweighed the consequences. It had to. She knew her people's future in both of the realms she loved, and the people of all the other kingdoms, relied on the baby prince she was currently ferrying to the portal.

The glimmering pale portal that just ahead would take the infant in her arms, her son, to a realm she wouldn't be in with him. Her son would soon be gone. Not forever she reminded herself, only for a while. There he would be safe.

Prince Venin, her husband's brother, had finally made his move for the crown, and when he did, Queen Vara knew she had to act fast to protect her people. Venin had already tried and may have already killed her husband, King Russo, but not her. She prayed to the heavens that her beloved was still alive as she rushed ahead with fierce determination. Venin had always wanted what his brother had and that included her and the realm. He might have a chance at the realms, but he would never have her; she would die first.

When one of her loyal servants had overheard his plan and they had come to warn her, even though she had the early warning, her husband was still seriously wounded. His brother had no honor if he would kill the one person in the realms that was loyal to him, so the queen knew he wouldn't hesitate to kill a baby, especially if that baby is what stands in between him and the crown. So, after she realized her husband might not make it, the beautiful queen had come up with a plan to protect their son, the true future king quickly, from Venin and anyone he sent even if it meant losing her son.

The queen's footsteps quickened faster through the forest as she heard the loud echoing warning bells coming from the towering ancient castle that was made out of stone and glass. It had become her home all those years ago and she feared for it now. She would remember the place full of happier times that she knew she would see again.

It wouldn't be long now, the field where the portal sat waiting for them was just up ahead, but she needed to hasten her step if she wanted to reach it before Venin and his guards caught up with her.

In a field up ahead, that looked like it was covered in snow standing strong, surrounded, and protected by the Forest of the Mist, the Portal of Protection looked haunting shimmering under the two full moons of the realm she had adopted and called her home. The snowlites flowers were in full bloom under the strong light of the two moons. It seems fitting that the snowlites were in bloom on this very night for while their petals were white and pure, they were also so fragile and deadly for one taste of its root would kill you within the hour. Just seeing them there, covering the field like snow, looking so innocent, reassured her she was doing the right thing.

In the middle was the outline of the portal. Rising to become a small platform as she approached, was a vibrant circle of white magic pure in the moonlight, and in its center was a basket for her son. Thank the magic for Maya, the queen thought to herself saying a silent prayer that Venin's men brought her any harm.

As quickly and as gently as she could she placed her son in the basket along with the letters she and her husband had written for her brother, Ames, and their son when he was old enough to understand, read them and hopefully forgive her for sending him away. She knew her brother would guard and hopefully teach him until it was time for him to return. If he was to return. Only the Fates knew.

"Know that you are loved, my son, my Tobias." Hoping that they wouldn't be the last words she might speak to her son, the beautiful queen said the spell with a broken heart that sent her son away just as the Venin's personal guards came bursting through into the clearing.

"Where did you send him, Vera?" The cold voice of her husband's younger brother came up behind her as she watched the glowing pale white light fade along with her son. She wasn't scared of Venin, and she had never been, but right now, she needed to survive not only for herself and her husband but for their child as well. She will need to be ready for when he returns. She had faith that he would.

Holding her head up high, Queen Vera turned and let out an exhausted sigh. She had almost forgotten how much Venin looked like his older brother. Only there was no love in this man's ocean blue eyes. No kindness. There was just hate. Hate himself for betraying the one person who had done nothing to him. Who had protected him all his life? Hate for the fact that he already knew the people wouldn't follow him like the way they followed his older brother.

"He has been sent somewhere not even you or precious Charvia can find him." Vera finally replied.

Lifting the only hand that he had left, thanks to her own brother, Prince Venin gently tried to touch her face, "Join me, Vera. I can give you what Russo gave you and more. Think about your people."

Vera quickly pulled her face away, pushed him away, and uncorked a small, fragile bottle made from a glass the color of sapphire that she kept in her pocket. After saying a quick prayer in her head, she looked at Venin,

"I always am and will be looking after my people. All of them." Uncorking the bottle, she downed the ancient potion that would prevent him from obtaining the one thing Venin wanted the most besides herself, her son's whereabouts. This was the only way. She understood that and she felt herself fall. It could be months, or it could be years (she hoped for the latter) till her son would be old enough to protect himself and their people. Until that time Queen Vera of Jaeden would lie asleep until her son's return.

"No!" The people of Jaeden could hear Prince Venin's screams for miles.

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In a small town called Alton in the middle of Missouri, Ames Encora woke up to a flash of shimmering light and a basket with his nephew and some letters in his backyard.