Princess Rainna was led into the throne room of Devon Castle by two of the demonic fire soldiers of Flar. In past times, the throne room was a royal place, brightly decorated with the sun colors of her parents, the king and queen. Now, that elegance was gone. It had been replaced by the dark, red and black banners of Flar, the fire lord. As she approached, Rainna saw Flar seated on the bone and wood throne which once belonged to her father as the head of the House of Devon. Flar was an imposing figure. When standing, he stood seven
feet tall. He was muscular in appearance. Flar was dressed in spiked armor with skulls on both shoulders. His eyes glowed with a red haze. Beside Flar, there stood the sorcerer. Covered in dark robes, the sorcerer was slightly older than Rainna with a slim, frail body.
“Ah, Princess Rainna. How pleased I am that you could join us,” Flar growled.
“You summoned me and I was given no choice,” Rainna responded. She was young and very beautiful, her flowing dark hair only accented her deep, green eyes and tender lips.
“I believe you know my sorcerer, Murlox,” Flar continued.
“I know only that his magic has failed to open the Book,” Rainna replied.
Flar stood, his long cape spreading onto the floor. He walked over to a long table and poured himself a drink. “There has been a need to make some changes at Devon Castle. Your father and mother have been placed into prison for their failure to reveal to me the identity of the Keeper.”
“No!” Rainna cried. “They cannot reveal to you that which they do not know! Where have you placed them? I demand to know so I may see them!”
“You shall make no demands of me!” Flar roared. “You are a princess in name only now. Their dungeon is not a pleasant place. Perhaps you have some knowledge that you would like to share. Perhaps of a secret brother?”
“I know only of the prophecies,” Rainna said. “And I know that I am an only child.”
“That is impossible!” Flar screamed, slamming his fist against a stone column. “There is always a Keeper of the Book!”
“And where is the Book now?” Rainna asked. “It has been removed from the castle sanctuary.”
“I can assure you, Princess, that the Book is safely in my care,” Murlox said. “Here in the castle.”
“I wish to see it,” she said.
“You shall witness its destruction soon enough,” Murlox replied.
“There is no power in this realm that can destroy the ancient Book,” Rainna remarked. “No matter how many armies you bring, no matter how long you oppress the people, there will come a time when the righteousness of the King will return to this land led by the courage of his Knights. You know it. You feel it. The time is coming. Soon.”
“You should pray only that I do not grow tired of you,” Flar snarled. “Away from me now, Princess.”
“As you wish, Lord Flar,” Rainna replied. She turned.
“You shall bow to your master!” Murlox ordered.
“I bow only to my King” Rainna replied. She was escorted out of the throne room by the two soldiers. After she had departed, Flar threw his cup against the stone wall, shattering it into pieces.
“Her defiance to us only grows,” Flar angrily said. “What do your visions say?”
“What I see remains unclear,” Murlox answered.
“You lie! You have seen the Golden Knight in your vision!” Flar snapped. “Do not play games with me, old man, or you will find a dungeon reserved for you!”
“What I have seen is foggy,” Murlox calmly replied.
“Then see more clearly!” Flar roared. “Use your magic and destroy that worthless Book!”
“As you command, my lord.” Murlox bowed as he backed away.
Flar stormed out of the throne room, knocking over two soldiers who attempted to open the large, wooden doors for him.
THE ADVENTURE WILL CONTINUE........