The Realms

Chapter 1

It was about three hours before dawn, and the realm of Pretty Passing was silent. The realms had just finished a painful gathering discussing the money of the realms. Madame Lily (of Calming Corner) said that the realms should pay higher taxes, so that she could provide more for her realm. Sadly, no one agreed to this decision. Now, Queen Adeline (of Pretty Passing) had an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. She couldn't decide what to do about the meeting. All of the sudden, a loud thud occurred. Everyone in the realm awoke with alarm, questioning what the racket was. The queen rushed down her enormous palace stairs, and gathered her guards. Her head knight, Thomas, followed the other men down to the money chamber, where everyone's savings were kept. As everyone had suspected, a small portion of the money was stolen.

"Was there any evidence?", said Adeline.

"Yes this wrench", Thomas replied.

Queen Adeline sat by the fireplace, thinking of all the possibilities. She was the wisest, but the other rulers also had advantages. Adeline thought for about an hour; nothing like this had ever happened. About five cups of peppermint tea later, Adeline had thought of something. She couldn't bear to think of it, but nothing else connected the dots. Did Madame Lily steal the money? She needed it to provide for her realm.

Only a few minutes later, Lady Evelynn (of Oak Entering) dashed on her horse to Pretty Passing. Adeline rushed outside to meet her. They met in the formal meeting room, eager to see who else would show up. Sure enough, King Austin (of Cabin Crossing) walked into the palace, and was told by the knight where Adeline and Evelynn were. Everything seemed to fall into line, for Madame Lily wasn't there.

To everyone's surprise, Madame Lily did show up. Queen Adeline looked in amazement, how had Lily been robbed, when she was stealing from everyone else? Adeline was never wrong. Madame Lily sat down like nothing was going on, and a few awkward seconds later, Evelynn spoke.

"I think we all know why we're here"

They're were a few silent nods.

"We were robbed last night, and we have to figure out why."

Everyone took a moment to think of solutions to the matter.

"We can send out our local detectives", suggested Austin.

Lily spoke, "That's exactly what I was thinking."

There was a knock on the door, and Adeline answered. It was Thomas.

"The wandmaker has a letter for you, Adeline."

As the queen took the letter, the other rulers were on the edge of they're seat, waiting to see what it was about. The letter said:

Queen Adeline of Pretty Passing,

All of the wood for making wands has been stolen. Without our wands, our realm will have nothing to protect itself. My Queen, I fear there is a war coming, and we need to act fast. You have to warn the realm of Pretty Passing, and as the wisest ruler, think of a plan. I hope you are well, and tell Thomas I said hello.

Willmer

After Adeline read aloud, Thomas stood in fear, Evelynn started to pace around the room, Lily just sat there, and Austin stood up to speak.

"I can let you use the wood from my kingdom, for I have plenty to spare."

Austin was the most loyal of the rulers, he was friends with almost everyone he met.

"We still haven't sorted out the first matter! Detectives won't be enough, we should investigate ourselves", said Evelynn.

Adeline agreed.

Evelynn was the most beautiful of the rulers. Perhaps all of the men in her realm sent flowers almost everyday.

That night, Adeline couldn't sleep. Again. Something just didn't seem- BANG!

As Adeline ran downstairs, the people of Pretty Passing also grabbed their candles and came to find out what was going on. After she had ridden her horse to the money chamber, Thomas walked up to her, and told her that half the money had been stolen, and all the records of Pretty Passing had been blown up.

"What's going on", yelled one commoner.

"Yeah, What's with all these robberies?"

"How will we provide for our families?"

The villagers kept asking questions that Adeline didn't know the answer to, and she hated it.

"That's enough!", yelled Thomas.

Queen Adeline stood in front of the money chamber, and spoke.

"Unfortunately, I don't know the answers to your questions. I do know that the other three realms have had robberies as well. I will try my best to inform you when I get more information."

There was chatter among the realm, and a few seconds later, Austin rode in.

"Adeline, Thomas, you have to come with me."

Adeline and Thomas quickly mounted their horses and rode off with King Austin.

"What is it?", asked Queen Adeline.

"It's Evelynn", Austin replied

With that, they rode faster.

When they arrived at Oak Entering, Adeline spotted smoke coming from the realm's money chamber. Without saying a word to Thomas or Austin, Adeline rode over to the fire. She found Evelynn's body among the rubble, and carried her to the infirmary. She didn't show it, but Adeline was nervous. Evelynn was one of her best friends, she couldn't lose her.