The Forgotten Kingdom

Prologue

"I remember long ago, when I was young, I found something special. I was so happy to have found it." 

Carina watched from the small chair by her great grandfather's bed. He was dying. Everyone could sense it, but she was the only one there. Nobody else really cared. To them Cornifer was just a crazy old man who took too long to die. She didn't. She adored her great grandfather from the moment she had met him. She loved to sit and listen to his stories. but this was one she had never heard. 

"I may be old my dear child, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Finding the long forgotten kingdom..." 

Her breath caught, she stared at the dying man in wonder. She had heard in stories caught passing by about the old kingdom of Hallownest. But to many it was just a fairytale. But she knew, deep down, that it was real. Someone just had to find it. But now her grandfather was saying he had seen it. FOUND it. 

"My wife, iselda, was not too thrilled, but I was so excited. I wanted to see it all. Map it all. It was spectacular, seeing it so well preserved. I remember the gardens of Greenpath very well. The City of Tears was lovely as well. Seeming so sad. And I remember, a quiet friend. What was his name..."

Carina blinked. "Papa Cornifer, you've seen Hallownest? I thought that it was all a myth. Just stories that parents told their kids to get them to sleep..."

Cornifer chuckled. "No my child. No. Its real. I have something for you. I know you will be the only one to go to my home to clean." He reached under his pillow, pulling out an old key. "This is the key to my attic. There you will find boxes and books. Find the one with the strange crest on it. It will guide you. I know you will find it child. Find it and go to the kingdom." He smiled softly. "Its your destiny my dear. When you were born, I had dreams. Beautiful dreams of that kingdom, rising again and thriving. And I could never recognize the one I saw who helped to start it all. But now I do. Carina. You can return that kingdom to its glory. Go. You'll find everything you need in the attic. Don't tell your mother. Just get what you need and go. And one more thing. You'll find a book with a flower stem sticking out. Take it with you. A friend gave it to me a long time ago. Before i had to leave the kingdom forever." 

He reached out, touching her cheek, her mind swirling with all the information he had just told her. The kingdom was real. And he wanted her to go there. She gently took the key and he covered her hand with his. "You may be scared. I was too when I first left home. But once I began to do what I loved, I felt better. I still wrote to my family. And the first letter was an apology for leaving without a goodbye. But they replied, angry at first, but understanding of my need to explore. AndI loved them for it. I know your family will be proud as well." 

He hummed softly, trunk twitching. "Iselda? What are you cooking my love? It smells delicious." He closed his eyes, and his hand grew cold as he stopped breathing. Carina gently pulled her hand away, eyes tearing up as she kissed the old mans head. "Goodbye Papa Cornifer. And thank you."