Dark Parables: Desire of the Forgotten Princess [ON HOLD]

PROLOGUE

An arrow points to the woman, imploring you to start a conversation with her. Before you do so, you read the Detective's thoughts: 'What is that thing that rushed in front of me, taking that entity away? That woman saved my life and stopped my horse from escaping! I must thank her immediately!'

  You click on the woman and she starts talking.

  'Are you all right? I'm so sorry about what happened...Hanna is always a tad bit overaggressive. (Click). I'm Annika, but everyone just calls me the Goose Girl. You don't look familiar to me...are you visiting? To be honest, I think this might not be a very good time for you to drop by.' She gives a little smile that is somewhat cynical, although a bit sad. (Click.)

  'Oh, you are a Detective? I'm...I'm so sorry for my rudeness...for Hanna...for what just happened. Um...' Her smile seems a bit abashed now, and she is blushing a little. (Click.) 'Here, I...stopped your horse...maybe you should check if anything is missing from your saddlebag.' (Click)

  The conversation ends. The Detective thinks, 'Annika has such a sweet character...I can't help but like her.' You think that Annika might be the cutest Dark Parables character you've ever met. An arrow appears next to something on the ground, and you click on it. It is apparently a pouch. When it goes into your inventory, a plus sign and, as expected, an arrow, appears next to it. You click on it and the pouch appears on the screen. It is tied with some cord, but it is wound too tightly to open the pouch. You need something sharp to cut through it.

  Next, an arrow appears next to a bush near the gate, which is sparkling. You settle into playing the hidden-object scene that appears next like settling into a well-worn spot on your couch. It has been so long since you've played a hidden-object game, not to mention a Dark Parables game. After getting some parts together, you've apparently managed to assemble a Kingdom Insignia. 

  It is also probably worth mentioning that there is apparently a skeleton underneath the bush. The tattered remains of clothing hang off the bony frame of the skeleton, waving slightly in the breeze. From his appearance, it looks as if he once were a soldier, although the insignia and colors he wore does not match that of Vergemberg. On a torn banner tossed forlornly to the side, you notice the letter 'F' emblazoned upon it. You exit the hidden-object scene more intrigued than ever. 

  The Detective thinks, 'Now I'd better check on my things,' as an arrow appears next to the horse's saddlebag on the horse. You pick up a map of the game, a journal, some coins ,and a sheathed knife before you click on a pile of papers. Among the papers, you pick up a bundle of identification papers along with a letter of invitation from the king. The Detective thinks, 'My trusty recorder has traveled with me on so many adventures...' when you click on a recorder in the bag. 

  An arrow prompts you to use your knife to cut the cord around the pouch, revealing a Gate Key.

  Now, the Detective thinks, 'I should probably tell Annika that everything's all right. She looks worried...is she scared of me?' You click on Annika.

  'Please don't get me in trouble...please don't get me in trouble...' Annika is muttering, looking sideways. (Click) 'Oh! So...everything's all right, Detective? (Click) Thank goodness. I'm just worried that...never mind. Anyway, are you here to investigate the attacks? (Click) Well, I sure hope you'll succeed in your mission. Everyone is scared, evacuating and leaving their homes and livelihoods...well, almost everyone, anyway. (Click) The king is worried that this will take a toll on the entire kingdom...we're not even doing so well in the first place, you see... (Click) Anyway, I should not bother you on these trivial matters. Good luck with your case!'

  Annika turns and leaves, herding her geese towards the grassy lands you've just left behind, giving you the opportunity to see more of the gate and the wall surrounding the kingdom.