Talitha's Curse

Prologue

Joyas. Joyas is a land in a faraway kingdom in a faraway place. She is a vast land swallowed by incomparable beauty coating every inch of her domain; from the individual grain of sand found on the outskirts of her lovely beach; to the colorful petal belonging to the unique flowers in her forest. From the snow on her mountain high, to even the deepest part of the ocean filled with creatures surrounding her.

As her name implies, Joyas is enriched with a strange joy found no where else. The culture is cheerful and welcoming, and her people are ever friendly. The natural food grown there is sweet and the animals are only native to their habitats in Joyas. And sadness and gloominess are unheard of.

It's not that sadness isn't felt by the people of Joyas, its that it isn't allowed. Gloom was permanently banned during the reign of King Davion Philippon and his queen, Serenity Philippon. Though in the writing of the decree, he banned "the feeling of gloominess", it is incorrect to say that a feeling could be banned. So rather, it was the people who carried the feeling who ended up tossed from the kingdom, never to gain entrance again.

King Davion had earned the trust of the civilians throughout years of humble and joyful service. With his playful, yet firm hand, he eventually won the favor of those who visited or engaged in business with Joyas too, leading to his immense popularity and ultimately, his power. Davion Philippon was by far the most favored king Joyas ever had; and his queen, Serenity, was just as favored.

There was just something special about their smiles when in public, or the way that they handled the people of Joyas with more understanding and gentleness than their ancestors had. No one knew for sure what it was, but nevertheless, all who knew them loved them and followed them willingly and without question.

So when it was announced that Queen Serenity would have a child, and that she wished for it to be completely free of gloom; everyone supported their idea of banning the influence of the unwanted feeling by deleting the carriers from the kingdom. It was agreed upon by all that banning gloomy persons was the most sensible way to protect the future heir.

Well, agreed upon by all except for one incompetent fairy.