King's Quest

PART 2: ROMANCING THE THRONE CHAPTER 1: THE LAND OF KOLYMA

Graham had not long worn the crown and already Daventry is well on it's way to recovery. In a few years it may even prosper as never before. The invaders had been quelled, a simple matter with King Graham leading the charge wielding the Shield of Achillie.

While the ever yielding chest continues to exude gold and brings the kingdom back to its feet. As well as the magic mirror predicting the currents of weather so as to best harvest. With these, prosperity visits Daventry once again.

King Graham is happy, but not a day goes by that he does not ponder upon the words of the dear departed King Edward. "Find yourself a queen and raise a family."

"A family is exactly what I need," he thinks aloud in his empty throne room."

A sudden sparkling catches his attention and he directs his gaze to the magic mirror, which swirls and shimmers within its frame.

Graham approaches the magical item and is no further then a step away when a vision overtakes him. A visage of the loveliest woman he has ever lain eyes upon, stares back upon him. She is perfect in every way he could see and even in her sorrow she's made beautiful.

The sight pulls away and he can see an ivory tower that she is imprisoned within, as well as the island it stands upon and the doors that separate it from the rest of a strange land called Kolyma.

His heart is now through the mirror and soon so would his body. When he comes back to his senses he's standing upon a strange beach in a land that is only familiar as he had seen it through the mirror.

The first steps of any journey are always the shakiest and so too are Graham's as he starts upon this quest which has begun on the loose sand of a beach, as the waves continually pull it back to the oceans depth.

Heading east, he finds himself in a lovely meadow dotted by trees, when a loud sobbing takes hold of his attention and he soon spots a little girl trudging about with great sorrow. He means to approach her, but she is too far off and gaining distance with each step. So he takes note of her and carried on.

Not far from the spot is a small cozy cottage with something very strange in front of it. Graham approaches it with all due caution. He taps upon it, it's made of very strong material. He also notices it is in two sections, a large oblong piece and a much shorter rectangular piece.

He pulled upon the smaller of the two, but rather than separate as he had figured, it instead swings downward. This act exposes the hinge that had been invisible at the time and the small piece falls as far as the hinge will allow.

Now Graham has complete access to the larger piece and looks inside. It's dark for the most part, but there's something inside. He reached in and withdraws a small object. It seems to be a wicker basket covered by a checkered cloth. He lifted the cloth and is nearly bowled over.

A most delightful odor fills the air and the king feasts his eyes upon the goodies. He thinks to partake of them, but knows better than to indulge himself when he isn't really hungry. So, he decides to pocket it, saving the morsels for later.

Having acquired this delightful package makes Graham desire more and he peers inside the strange object. It's empty now. So, he closes the box and proceeds to the door of the cozy looking cottage.

He raps soundly upon the door.

"Come in," comes a raspy voice from within.

Graham's blood goes cold. Throughout his diverse experiences, he only knows of one type of person to possess such a raspy voice, witches.

Still, he had been invited in and he's quite curious to know just what is inside. So, summoning his courage, he turns the knob and hopes the old adage isn't right this time, the one about curiosity and the cat.