King's Quest

CHAPTER 5: THE CRYSTAL TOWER

Graham scours the narrow strip of land, but all he finds is a large fishing net, which he decides to cast into the water since he's feeling a bit hungry.

It takes some time, but at last he catches hold of something and drags it onto the land. It's a very large fish covered in golden scales. He can scarce believe it. Such a big fish there is no way he could eat it all.

He puts his hands to it and with some difficulty takes hold of the fish. It wriggles fiercely and Graham knows he will have to try hard to keep it from slipping away. A feat he doesn't care to accomplish and so lets go of the fish, which splashes back into the water.

To his surprise, the aquatic creature surfaces and flops about in a very playful manner. It comes to a halt just off the shore and holds itself still. The young king had seen this behavior before, in the seahorse which took him under the sea.

Graham jumps down and takes hold of the fish's back. No sooner has he done so then the fish flops about through the ocean coming near to an island. But the aquatic creature is very slippery and the force of its stop is too much for the brave adventurer. He flies off and onto the island.

It's not exactly a smooth landing and he ends up eating several handfuls of sand, but recovering, he notices a small glint not far off. Crawling the rest of the way Graham takes hold of the object that glinted so. It's a brass amulet set with a single tiger's eye stone and upon its back side is the word "Home" etched in bold letters.

"Perhaps it is some magical item that will send me back," King Graham surmises, "But I'm not ready to go just yet." He stands up and brushes himself off.

He cast his eye inward and there, smack in the middle of the island, is the ivory tower. Here's the goal of his quest right in front of his eyes, only a short walk and he'll be there.

Wasting no time, Graham hurries to the tower and stops in his tracks. A door stands before him and he wonders if he should need to quest for a magic key to open it. He lifts the latch and finds it unlocked. So he steps inside and gazes upward. It's a small construct with a single spiraling stair case and he can hear a low growling coming from above him.

Talking hold his courage King Graham ascends the stair and after a long climb finds himself face to face with a ferocious lion.

It leers at him hungrily and the only thing that saves him from being large kitty chow is the chain that holds it to the wall and keeps it from the stairs, but it's long enough for it to reach the door it guards. Graham would have to deal with this, so to speak, guard dog, if he is to venture inside.

"If it's only hungry..." the young explorer muses to himself.

He brings forth the ham and tosses it to the voracious feline, who snatches hold of the meat without allowing it to even hit the floor and soon has it gobbled up. The beast stretches its body before laying down for a nap.

With loud snores the lion's sleep shakes the very tower itself, but that doesn't stop Graham from crossing its path with great caution, as he passes the kill zone and quickly opens the latch throwing wide the door and entering within.

Inside the room King Graham can see a lovely maiden. Her back is to him and she seems to be scanning the horizon. So, the would-be suitor walks placidly up to her and stops a stone's throw away, just out of sight.

"A beautiful morning your highness," are his first words to her.

The maiden turns about and steps back in defense, but upon seeing her savior she melts. "Have you come to free me dear sir?" she ass of him.

"I have indeed my lady." with these words Graham sees the sparkle return to her eye.

"I am princess Valanice," she introduces herself. "Might I know who my rescuer is?"

"My name is King Graham of Daventry," he introduces himself as well.

"Such a noble name," Valanice swoons, before turning serious. "But how are we to leave here?"

"You needn't worry," Graham assures her. "I have it covered." He takes hold of the amulet and with a single kiss given to his beloved he whispers the word etched in its surface, "home."

The scene turns dark for an instant and when it clears they both find themselves inside the monastery.

Brother Abbot is just concluding his prayers when he catches sight of them. "King Graham you have returned and with princess Valanice," he addresses them as he embrace them.

"Indeed I have brother." Graham comments.

The reunion is brief as there are preparations to be made, as all of Kolyma is invited, for the marriage between King Graham and Princess Valanice commences.

There are many gifts presented to the newlyweds, but none are so useful as the magnificent ship, King Triton presents. With a crew soon hired the newly weds set sail for Daventry.