Inside the Beast's Castle

Prologue

A/N: I really suggest you read the chapter labeled "Important" before this one. It lives up to its name.

Now, storytime.
____________________________________

"So is it a deal?"

The man who spoke was standing in the middle of a dark throne room, feigning an air of confidence. Resting comfortably on his head was a golden crown, with one name engraved on the side: Regol.

The thing which he had spoken to glared at him from underneath his hood, his red eyes piercing through the man ten feet below him. Darkness covered the rest of his huge body by the black cloak that he wore draped around his shoulders.

The king felt the slightest shiver run down his spine. He was standing in another's throne room asking for help, and that was a position he wasn't comfortable in or used to. Of all the places he had thought to go, that particular palace was the worst. If he wasn't there though, he would have a front row seat to watch his kingdom--and more importantly to him, his palace--get destroyed by the vyechers.

The Vesper Wars had been going on for many, many years. They began before he was ever born, and had yet to cease. He was just a boy when his father, the late king, had gone to fight and never returned home, leaving him the ruler of the small kingdom at a young age.

If this doesn't work...The king quickly banished the thought from his mind. Of course it would work. Everyone knew the beast couldn't resist a deal.

Or that's what he had been told, anyway.

The thing on the throne slowly turned its head to the side, seeming like he was debating something, and then he spoke in a voice that sounded like a hundred wolves growling at once. It spoke only one word, and that one word carried all the king's worries and fears. "No."

Terror consumed the king. What else could he do? He offered everything that he was willing to trade--precious gems, servants, a piece of his kingdom--nothing seemed to satisfy the--the--

The beast.

A panicked thought went through the king's mind. What if it wants more? What if it wants my whole kingdom? What if it wants my son? My money?The townspeople?

The king quickly dismissed the last thought from his mind. It didn't concern him. The townspeople could look after themselves.

"Jewels and money do not interest me, King. I have more than enough of them here to last a lifetime. Your offer of shared power does not benefit me, either. Do you not see where you are standing?"

The king suddenly saw where he was standing very clearly, and the more he stood there, the more he realized how much he couldn't give the beast.

"Your Highness," the king sputtered. Your Highness. Bah! He is only a monster.

But still, the king addressed him respectfully. After all, the "monster" was the only option he had left.

"Your Highness, please reconsider. My--the subjects in my kingdom will certainly die if you do not help."

"I already told you, King," the creature growled. "You have nothing more to offer me."

And idea slowly came to the king. "You're right, Majesty. I have nothing more to offer. But, that does not mean that you can't choose what you would like."

The beast seemed to think for a moment, staring at the small man drenched in a cold sweat in front of him, then spoke again. "Fine. I'll tell you what I want. I want a girl," he proclaimed thoughtfully. "Just a human girl, and nothing more."

"A girl?" The king was shocked. Better to not ask why, he thought to himself, amused. With a quick bob of his head, he agreed.

King Regol turned and motioned for his guards to begin to move outside. A low growl made him freeze in his tracks.

"Since you're so willing to go along with my plan," the beast added after a pause, "I want you to send me a princess, one of your daughters."

The king froze. To tell or not to tell, that is the question.

"Majesty," the king began. "I have no daughters. There are no princesses in my kingdom. I cannot give you that type of girl."

The beast chuckled. "Good answer," he replied, waving his hand back and forth. In between his long fingers was a small ball of fire.

The king gulped.

"Give me a girl, King. Give me an older girl, not one of those ten-year-olds who wish to play all the time. Do not give me an old woman either. Give me one that you know I would like."

The king nodded, ready to flee.

"And King? If she isn't here in three day's time, I will let the vyechers into your kingdom myself."

With that last sentence, the king smiled, the gears in his head turning. He wasn't worried about this new demand. He knew plenty of girls that he could use for the job. Any would be willing to, and if they weren't, he was very good at persuading.

"It's a deal."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Please don't forget to comment and vote! I love hearing feedback from my readers!

Conversation Starter: How do you think this deal is going to turn out? Do you think that the king is right in his decision to trade a girl for a kingdom?