King's Quest

CHAPTER 2: THE LAND OF TAMIR

The first thing Rosella does is berate herself. Why hadn't she prepared herself for a journey? How foolish was it for her to accept a dangerous mission in a royal gown? At least she had been gifted a dress that is fairly practical, good freedom of movement and pockets for holding things. Now, there's only determining where she should go next.

At this time, all she knows is that she needs to find a magical fruit growing in a swamp and somehow, make it to Genesta's island.

The first thing she sees is a flowing river emptying itself into the ocean just to the east of her. She follows it north where she comes across a unicorn grazzing in a nearby meadow. She approaches, but the undomesticated animal turns from her and runs off. If she is to get nearer she will have to win it over somehow.

Directly to the east is an old stone bride and something glinting beneath it. Careful not to get too dirty, Rosella seizes hold of the glint and brings it to her eye. It's a mud covered ball with a single point that is not covered and shines in the sunlight.

She dips the sphere into the water and thoroughly cleans it. As she dries it she admires it's radiant beauty, but pretty as it is, it's useless for her immediate purpose. Still, you never know when you might have to bargain for something useful.

Treasure in pocket, she crosses the bridge as a sound issues from her belly, a growling that indicates she's hungry. She needs to be about her quest, but fainitng from hunger would do no one any good.

So she surveys the immediate distance and finds a strange house further east. She walks to it, perhaps she can exchange her shiny new trinket for a morself of food.

The house is strange in that it has been built inside a massive tree, but is otherwise unremarkable. Still, a house is a house and it means that people dwell within and where there are people there's certain to be food.

Rosella knocks upon the door and it swings open from the slight force, it had not been shut or locked. She enters within, it's dark save for a dying fire. She stokes it and feeds the flame until it is a decent size.

The blazing light allows her to see about the domicile and what she finds is a great big mess. Dirty dishes are piled up all over the place, a layer of dust covered almost everything including the floor and a look in the next room reveals seven small beds, all disheveled.

An idea occurs to her, after it gets past her disgust. Perhaps, she wouldn't need to trade the gold trinket for food, maybe she could exhange much needed sustenance for house work. So, with this in mind, she sets to it, sweeping the floor, dusting the surfaces, making each of the bed and lastly, scrubbing the dishes.

Rosella stands back, admiring her work, but it has taken a toll on her and she has very few energy reserves left. And against her better judgment, she raids the home's food supply and sets about making a meal.

She goes to great lengths to prepare a most delectable stew, large enough for a group of people, which she hangs over the fire stirs vigorously and delights in its wafting aroma.

Just then the door opens and a squat little man, a dwarf, enters within and stands in momentary shock. After which, he crosses the floor, enters the rest of the way, takes hold of a clean dish and holds it out to the impromptu cook. And no sooner has he stopped then another dwarf enters the homestead, then another, and another, until there are seven little men all waiting in line.

Without a word uttered, the stew is served and each received an equal portion, which they take to a long table, sets down and starts to eat, all except the seventh who has two bowls in hand. Rosella thinks him a little greedy, but says nothing and fills both dishes.