"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
~Luke 19:10

The Journey of Alexander Page

1. Introduction

Once upon a time, very far away from your land…
Within the glorious kingdom of Medievland, upon a grassy hill, I valiantly stand. My name is Alexander Page. My eyes are blue, which some people say sparkle when I smile, yet I shyly disagree. My hair is wavy and sunshine gold. My hair rests upon my ears and hangs above my eyes. I have a bit longer length of hair in back, as well, which covers the top half of my neck, just below my ears. I wear a white, frilled blouse, with a sky blue, hooded cape, around my neck and shoulders.

My pantaloons are sky blue as well. I wear white stockings with my brown leather boots. Around my waist, I wear a brown, leather belt, with a pouch on the left side, on the right side; I proudly carry my father's sword, which is protected within its sheath. The long, sharp, silver and brightly glistening sword with the glimmering, golden handle is carefully protected within its sheath, which is attached to my belt.

Upon my back, I carry a quiver, full of arrows. The quiver has a leather strap, which I wear diagonally, over my chest, under my left arm and over my right shoulder. In my left hand, I protectively carry my trusty bow.

The morning fall breeze gently blows through my hair, while my cape lightly floats within the cool breeze. I stand here, lovingly watching the glorious golden sun, slowly arise in the distance. While the beautiful, wild, white cattle, gather together to feast upon the delicious dew-covered, green grass.

I was born and raised in this land, Medievland. My baby brother, Adam, and I, were raised by our grandfather, who sadly passed away, this passed winter. Our mother sadly passed away from pneumonia, a few years ago. Our father was once a great knight, Sir Edward Page. During an attack upon our great Bravery Castle, he was kidnapped and murdered, while defending the king and queen. Being the first born son, I now, proudly carry my father’s sword, by my side.

I am on a journey, to find my baby brother, Adam. He has sadly disappeared and I blame myself for his disappearance. If I had not lost sight of him, while we were running and playing throughout the forest of Medievland, he would still be by my side. Even though we were forbidden to play in this area, we were both so very thirsty for adventure. We were both, running and playing, throughout the forest. We were climbing trees, chasing each other and having so much fun.

Adam hid from me and wanted me to find him. As I had my eyes closed, he ran off and hid. I spent so long calling for him, looking everywhere for him but I never found him. I, now plan to search all of this land, to find him and bring him home safe and sound. I am headed towards the deep, dark forest, where I last saw Adam.

2. The Journey Begins

As I walk through the green valley, past the grazing white cattle, towards the beautiful, yellow sunrise, I am very cautious as well as protective, of my life. Much evil rules this land. Around here, there are many, many creatures, as well as people; you do not want to come across. Many of them are bloodthirsty, mischievous thieves who will do absolutely anything to capture you and rob you for all you have got, even your life. I remain protectively armed with my trusty bow and valiant sword, as I walk closer and closer to the deep, dark forest.

The sunlight begins to fade into the shadows, as I slowly and cautiously step into the forest. High in the trees, I hear beautiful Morning Doves, as well as many other glorious birds, singing their merry tunes. As I walk, the crushing and rustling of the colorful, yet dry and dead leaves, underneath my feet, are very loud and alarming, to the beautiful creatures of the forest. The birds, fly higher into the trees, while rabbits, squirrels and deer, scatter, hurrying to safety.

The sun has risen high in the blue sky; the forest is no longer as dark. The glorious is high enough to shine through the tall trees, above me. Around this time of the season, the trees have lost most of their colorful leaves. Therefore, during the day, I can calmly, yet carefully, walk through this forest, more aware of the many creatures around me, both good and evil.

There are fierce creatures such as Fungshrooms. The Fungshrooms, look to be ordinary mushrooms growing in clusters within the damp, grassy ground. Yet, if you upset them, through their gills which are beneath their round heads, they take in as much air as possible. The air which they take in helps their heads grow to enormous sizes and their stems begin climbing incredibly tall heights. While growing, they can even consume you as well! Once they suck you in, they will shrink themselves down to their normal sizes and crush you to death.

Another family of creatures, are the Splarks. These creatures only live within very large, uncared-for fires. Unlike the sparks of a fire, which go from fiery flames, into the air, the Splarks will suddenly attack by jumping out of the flames of a roaring fire! The Splarks attach themselves to the one who has started and ignored the fire! Once one small Splark attacks, they all attack while attaching themselves to each other, becoming an enormous, roaring fire all over the body.

While walking through this enormous forest, I do not see, nor hear any sigh of human life, only wildlife. I have finally come to the part of the forest where I had last seen my dear brother. We were climbing the big trees, chasing each other and racing each other throughout the forest. I call out for my brother "ADAM!...ADAM!...ADAM!" I look around and listen very carefully for him.

I hear no answer, nor see any sign of him. I only hear the beautiful, merry tunes of the birds, high above. I keep calling out for him, although I get no answer at all. I keep walking on, calling out for him over and over again. "ADAM! CAN YOU HEAR ME?! ADAM!" The only sign of life I see is a beautiful, grazing deer, off in the distance. All I can hear are the birds, in the trees, as well as rabbit and squirrels, scurrying.

Although, I do not give up, I decide to rest. My feet are aching, my legs are weak, and I am tired and very hungry. I stop to rest, next to a big oak tree. I take off my quiver and set it up against the tree's big trunk. I lay my bow against my quiver. I sit down to rest, against the oak tree, with my bow and quiver close by my side.

I reach into my leather pouch, attached to my belt. I have been carrying three buttery, delicious looking biscuits, from home. They are now, mostly crumbs. I take one out of my pouch. I carefully break it in half, to savor it. I feast upon the delicious, buttery biscuit. I look around, making sure I am safe from any wild animal, which might want to steal the food I carry.

As I look around, I spy a very glorious, beautiful apple tree. The tree is filled with the most shiny, red, delicious looking apples. The look of their shiny, glimmer in the afternoon sun makes me even hungrier for them. I slowly stand up; I pick up my quiver and my bow. I eagerly walk over to the glorious looking apple tree.

The tree is so fully filled with shiny, delicious looking red apples; many of the branches are hanging very low. I carefully lay my bow and quiver, up against the big tree trunk, to keep them protectively near me. I reach up and I grab the biggest, most delicious looking, shiny, red apple I have ever seen in all of my life. I pull it off of the branch and I hold it up to my face.

Before I can take a bit out of it, I smell its sweet, deliciousness. I hungrily sink my teeth through the beautiful, shiny red skin of this beautiful apple. I taste the juicy sweetness of the inside of the apple as the sweet, incredibly delicious juice comes slowly dripping out of the inside of the apple and into my hungry, waiting mouth. It is by far, the most delicious fruit I have ever eaten in all my life. I hungrily eat the apple, all of the way down to its core.

I grab another big, red apple from the glorious tree. I take a very big bite out of its juicy, sweetness. This apple is even juicier and delicious than the first. I grab four more apples from the apple tree. This time, many apples fall from the tree, onto the ground. Some of the falling apples, hit me on the head on the way down, but it does not bother me at all. I happily as well as excitedly gather the many fallen apples and I put all of them into a pile, next to the tree. I sat down, up against the beautiful apple tree, next to my quiver, bow and pile of apples. I happily feast upon what is left of my delicious biscuits and I enjoy every juicy bite of my newly found apples.

Now that I have finished my biscuits, as well as the five apples I ate, I feel very full and extremely tired. I sit here and slowly close my eyes. I listen to the beautiful sounds of the world around me. I hear the light fall breeze whispering in my ears, while I listen to the beautiful birds, singing high above me. As a few of the colorful leaves, falling from the tree, gently land upon me, I slowly drift off to sleep.

3. The Nightmare of Death

I have a horrible nightmare, of my brother and I. It took place, on the day he tragically disappeared. In my nightmare, his disappearance was even more tragic, as well as more horrifying. I even saw who took him from me. It was...Death! Death had suddenly appeared, riding upon his mighty horse, carrying a small, child-size coffin which had the name "ADAM" written, in big, thick, red blood, on the door of the coffin. Death, rode into the forest, grabbed my brother by the arm, and pulled him onto the horse. My brother was screaming my name and begging for me to rescue him.

He was kicking, screaming and crying his eyes out for me. I ran after Death and his black horse, as fast as I could. I was getting so close, I was running, my brother was reaching out for me. Our fingers were touching. I ran so fast, I took a big leap, to grab his hand and suddenly, in a big, smoke filled, ball of fire, Death, his horse and my baby brother, were gone. They had all disappeared; Death had taken him to Hell.

Death is hideously ugly, extremely terrifying, and incredibly ruthless and shows absolutely no mercy. Death, rides upon its black Charger horse, carrying a coffin for those whom Death seeks. When you least expect it, Death will suddenly appear, leaping from Hell, seeking it’s' revenge on the living. It carries many weapons such as daggers, swords, reapers, bows and arrows, as well as many other dangerous weapons. Death carries a mighty shield, as well, to protect itself from those who fight back, trying to defend their lives.

One look at Death, will immediately make your stomach turn, it will make you feel very dizzy, extremely helpless and incredibly sick to your stomach. Death is a naked, grotesque, constantly rotting corpse with insects, maggots, worms, snakes, rats and toads crawling in and out of its disgustingly decaying body.

Not only will Death's look's make you sick but it's horrid, unbearable, putrid, rotting stench will make you vomit from the inside out, within seconds of it's appearance. Death, smells strongly of millions of old, dead, rotting and burning corpses. The stench is so very thick and so extremely horrible; it hangs in the air long after Death has finally gone away.

With much evil ruling this land, Death is usually very busy, seeking those souls who have done wrong in any way. If you have wrongfully hunted, on private land, he will hunt for you in return. If you are selfish, he will take away from you, all that you hold dear, including your life. If you have killed, he will kill you as well, when you least expect it. Death, also hunts for those who have committed any of the seven deadly sins.

Lust, one who has intense sexual desire or appetite.
Gluttony, one who eats and drinks excessively.
Greed, one who has desire for wealth.
Sloth, one who has much laziness.
Wrath, one with fierce anger.
Envy, one who has discontent, resentment over, or desire for another's advantages, possessions, or attainments.

The last is, Pride, one who has conceit, arrogance, one who indulges themselves in a feeling of pride. Death will kill the person, put their soul in the coffin and ride off, on its way back to Hell, where the soul will be trapped, tortured and humiliated for all eternity. The only difference is, in my dream, my brothers body and soul were both taken. The real Death always leaves the soulless body behind, to rot and to be fed on by insects, rats and birds.

I awake from my nightmare with a start. I am so terrified from what I had just experienced, in my own mind. I do not know what to think, I am so afraid for my brother. All that I know is my urge to find my brother is so very strong and it is getting stronger. I now, feel I can not rest at all, until I find him. I would search the entire earth just to find him.

I sit now here, against the apple tree, with my head down, my hands covering my face as I cry my eyes out. I call myself many terrible names, in pure guilt, knowing that I am the reason for his disappearance. If I had not been so insistent, in playing where we don't belong, he would still be here with me.

As I dry my tears, suddenly, I begin to hear the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. It sounds like, the sweet, singing of an angel. I slowly stand up and look around. I put on my quiver as I pick up my bow. I look up into the trees and all around me, to find out where this beautiful sound is coming from. I look all around the big tree. I walk to the other side of the tree. I find, what appears to be a door, on the trunk of the big apple tree. I very lightly, knock, three times, on the door of the tree, with hopes that someone will answer.

4. Witch Treethan

Much to my surprise, the big door, slowly begins to open, all on its own. As it opens, a very bright glow of red light surrounds the door, as it opens. I can smell, as well as taste the very strong, sweet aroma of apples and cinnamon. As my eyes adjust to the bright, red light, I can see what looks like a long, wooden hallway. I slowly step into the trees' entrance.

As soon as I enter, the door suddenly slams shut behind me! It startles me so much; I turn around, very fast. I am prepared to unsheathe my sword, as I very tightly grip the cold, golden handle, in my left hand, while I protectively hold my bow in my right hand. I cautiously turn back around, facing the long, red, wooden hallway. I let go of the golden handle of my sword.

I carefully reach behind me, into my quiver of arrows. I pull out the first well-feathered arrow I touch. As I walk on, I slowly and carefully get my bow and arrow ready for firing. As I begin to walk down the long hallway of the tree, I can hear the beautiful singing begin to get closer and louder, while the delicious apple and cinnamon aroma gets stronger and stronger.

I finally reach the end of the hallway; I have come to a point where the hallway curves to the left. I stand close, with my back, up against the wall, on my left side. With my bow and arrow, still armed, I cautiously turn my head and look down the other side of the curved hallway. I see there is a big, red room. I can see the very thin shadow of what appears to be a woman.

She is dancing and singing to herself, singing about how very beautiful she is. I slowly let down my bow and arrow, as I protectively step around the corner, into the entrance of the room. The room is not bright red, like the hallway, it is clear, yet dusty and dreary.

There are cobwebs, everywhere. There are many books, sitting upon a very dusty, cobweb-filled bookshelf. There are many brooms, in the corner of the room, as well. There are many mirrors, on the walls as well as on the ceiling. There is a big, round table, in the middle of the room, with two chairs. In the center of the table, sits a very big crystal ball, with a golden base. There is a very big chandelier, filled with many big, red, lit candles, hanging from the ceiling.

I see a black cat, sitting upon a stack of very thick, what look to be spell books. I see a very big, black cauldron, (which appears to be where the sweet apple, cinnamon scent is coming from) cooking, bubbling and boiling, over a hot, roaring fire, in the fireplace. Above the mantle of the fireplace, there is a shield. It looks to be the only thing in the room that is not covers with dust, or cobwebs.

The shield, is very large, it looks to be about my size. It is very shiny and silver with a big red cross going from the top of the shield, to the bottom, with the arms of the cross, going from side to side. As the woman continues to sing, the black cat, looks at me, glaring with its' green, angry eyes. The cat suddenly hisses at me, loudly, as I stand, with my mind hypnotized and my eyes locked, upon the glorious, mighty shield.

The woman in the mirror suddenly turns around, to me and she says, in a very, old scratchy voice "Hellllllloooooooooooooo!!!!!" Seeing her face, frightens me so very much. I accidentally release my arrow. The humm of my bow-string echoes throughout the large room. My arrow fly's fast, under the big, round table and strikes the black cauldron. My arrow, bounces off the cauldron, hits a mirror, on the wall, bounces off of the mirror and strikes the black cat in its neck. The cat falls over and it lands dead upon the floor.

"Not again!" says the old woman, in her scratchy voice. She walks over to the cat, kneels down, next to the cat and she pulls the arrow out from its neck. As soon as my arrow is removed from its neck, the cat awakes, gets up and calmly walks away, as if nothing had happened at all. The old, ugly woman stands up, walks over to me and kindly hands me my arrow.

Her face is so very ugly. Her nose is very long and pointed with a big wart on the right side. Her eyes hazel and very sunken, as if she has not slept in many days, weeks, months or even years. Her skin is quite old and wrinkled. Her thin, stringy hair is long and sits over her shoulders. Her hair is gray, with many pure white strands, as well. I see, spiders, crawling in and out of her hair, as well and up and down her shoulders and arms.

Her teeth are as green as the grass and she is missing two of her teeth, on top as well as three teeth, on the bottom. Her hands and fingers are very shaky with many warts, on her hands. Her fingers are very thin, almost bone, with warts, on her fingers, as well. Her fingernails are very long and red. She wears a very long, black dress, which covers her shoes. Her dress has very long, drooping sleeves. Around her neck, she wears a necklace, which holds a big, shiny, gold medallion. She wears a purple shawl, over her shoulders and she is slightly hunched over.

She excitedly dances over to me, in the doorway. She has her hand gripped tightly around the middle of my arrow as she hands it to me. "Th-th-thank you." I say, nervously, as I quickly take my arrow from her. "Ooooh, you are quite welcome, young man. Hehehe." She says as she giggles, kindly, in her old, raspy, scratchy voice. I reach behind me and place my arrow back into my quiver. She begins dancing and skipping, playfully, around the dusty, old room.

In her very scratchy voice, she curiously asks "Tell me young Alexander, why are you so hopelessly wandering around in these woods and crying outside my home?" I am very surprised and startled that she knows what I have been doing. I am more terrified that she knows my name. I begin to ask, in demand "HOW DID YOU KNOW..." before I can finish my sentence, she runs up, very close to me and hold one finger, pushing it, on my lips.

"Shhhhhh!!!! It is almost ready." She playfully, skips over to where the big, black cauldron is bubbling and boiling, with all of its might. I follow her, as I gaze up at the beautiful, shield, hanging high above the mantle. I set my quiver and bow, up against the fireplace. At the cauldron, I can smell the sweet aroma of the apples and cinnamon, even stronger and more powerful than ever.

The old woman quickly grabs a big, black, metal ladle, from the mantle. The mantle also is lined with many empty, glass vials, as well. She begins slowly stirring the delicious smelling concoction. "What is it?" I ask, quietly "One of the best and most glorious potions I have ever brewed, in all my long life." she said "A potion?!" I ask. "You're a Witch??!!" I ask, in utter fright.

In panic, she lets go of the big, black ladle. She puts both of her hands on my shoulders, gripping them tight. She pushes me onto the floor, sits on my chest, with both of her hands covering my mouth. I try to yell and scream but she is pressing so hard on my mouth, not an understandable sound is escaping my mouth. "Shhhhhhhh!!!! Don't ever say that out loud! If anyone hears you, I could be hanged, pinned to a tree, brutally tortured, beheaded, who knows what else! I am Witch Treethan, the witch of the trees and you are Alexander Page. I can help you, Alexander."

She slowly leans over onto the side of my face, as I lay on the floor. She very quietly whispers, into my ear "I know where your brother is." Hearing this, I get so very excited, yet so scared. I quickly push her off of me, onto the floor.

I jump to my feet and very quickly unsheathe my sword. As she lies on the floor, I have my sword, pointed to her neck, with the tip, lightly touching her old, wrinkled skin. "WHERE IS HE?!" I demand, shouting "TELL ME, WITCH!!! WHERE IS MY BROTHER, ADAM PAGE?!"

5. Help from Witch Treethan

Witch Treethan, slowly puts her right hand up and carefully pushes my sword away from her neck. "I will tell you, in exchange for your bow and arrows." I stood there for a moment and thought about it. I said "No! I need all of the weapons I can get, for hunting and protection." "Well, so do I. Look at you, a healthy, well fed young man. Look at me, a skinny, old hag of a witch. I have not had a good helping of beef, in many months, I have been starving and wasting away." she said, helplessly

"I can give you more protection than you need, as well." she said. "How can you do that?" I asked, eagerly "I will not only tell you where your brother is, I will also give you a vial of the delicious smelling potion I have been brewing for many months." She said, with a slightly toothless smile.

"What is the potion?" I asked, curiously "Ooooh, something very special. One drop, will make you become invincible, no one will ever be able to harm you. Nothing at all will harm you, not a fire, not a falling rock not even an executioner’s ax." I stood in absolute amazement, it sounded too good to be true.

"All right witch." I say "Have we got a deal?" she asks, excitedly "Yes, yes, you have got yourself a deal." I picked up my quiver and bow, I handed them over to her. She excitedly takes them from me and carefully sets them up against one of her big mirrors, on the wall.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She says, excitedly "Now, come sit, come sit." She said, as she walks over to the round table and sits down in one of the two chairs, in front of her crystal ball. I hurry over and sit in the other chair, at the round table.

I watch as Witch Treethan, gazed into her crystal ball. She suddenly closes her eyes as she concentrates and runs her bony, old, wrinkled hands repeatedly all around her crystal ball. She starts to slowly, quietly "humm" and sing something to herself, which I can not understand. I watch as the crystal ball starts to change color.

It changes from crystal clear, to red, pink, green, purple, orange, black and then change to a very beautiful shade of blue. She then opens her eyes and gazes into her crystal ball.

Suddenly, I begin to hear something, extremely heartbreaking. It was the crying and wailing of a young child, in pain. Witch Treethan, continues to gaze into her crystal, at something I could not see. The crystal was only showing me the beautiful shade of blue. I asked her, in panic, as well as fear "What do you see?!" "I see a small boy." she said "I see a small boy, dressed in blue. He is crying very much. He is forever trapped; he can not get out of his stone prison. He is in great pain and is very cold." she tells me "Trapped where? What pain? Why? How?" I ask, demanding in frustration.

Very slowly, she continues "His fingernails are chipped and the bones in his fingers are broken from trying to escape." My heart absolutely shatters from what I have just heard. I can not believe it; my eyes begin to tear, very much. "No." I say "No, no, no, no, where is he? Why is he there?" I began to ask all questions, at once, while Adam's blood-curdling screams continue. I begin to lean over the crystal, hoping to see my brother, from her side. She slaps me, hard, upon the head and says "NO PEEKING!"

I sit back down in the chair and I ask, in complete fear "Where is he? What has happened to him?" Suddenly, I hear Adam yelling "LET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!!!! SOMEBODY!!!! ANYBODY!!!! PLEASE!!!!!! ALEXANDER, WHERE ARE YOOOOUUUUU???!!! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!!!!! PLEASE????!!!!" I start crying, just as he is, as my heart sinks, deep into my stomach.

She says "He was with you, in the forest. He was hiding from you when he accidentally stepped on a small Spriggan. The band of Spriggans, quickly tied him up and dragged him off to Blackdeath Castle. The Spriggans locked him away, inside a wall, in the highest room of Blackdeath Castle." I can still hear Adam's cries and screams coming from the crystal.

This brings me even more fear than ever before. "Blackdeath Castle?" I ask "That horrid, evil, vile place?" I think about all of the horrific stories I had heard over the years. Most of the people who have ever gone there, have ever come out alive nor in one piece. I did not let that get in the way of my baby brother’s life. "I have got to get him out of there!"

I stand up fast and I start running towards the long, wooden hallway. I hear Witch Treethan yell, from behind me "NO! WAIT!" I stop and turn around, facing her.
"There is more than the castle and Spriggans you need to watch out for." she says "What else is there?" I ask "You will know, in time. Just remember one thing, young Alexander, whatever you do, DO NOT TOUCH THE WATER!!!!" she says, with warning "What water? Where?" I ask nervously "You will understand, when the time comes." she says

"Above all, do not forget the potion." She grabs a big, round vial from above the mantle. She bends down to the cauldron and takes the big, black spoon. She carefully pours the bright pink colored potion into the vial. She secures the top of the vial with a cork and hands the shining, pink vial to me.

"Thank you, very much." I say as I put the vial into my leather pouch, where I carry a couple of apples. "Do not forget; don't tell anyone about who I am, or what I do." "What does it matter?" I asked "You have that entire lifesaving potion brewing in your cauldron." "Yes, but I am not so sure it will help me, I may be too old for it’s' magic." she says "Thank you and I promise I will not say a word to anyone." I say as I begin to walk towards the big, long, wooden hallway.

"Thank you, but wait! One last thing!" she says as she looks above the mantle, at the glorious shield "Please, take the shield, for your protection. You will need it much more than I ever will." she says "Are you sure?" I ask, hopefully "Ooooh yes, with everything you will come across, you will be needing it to save your precious, young life." I smile as I walk over to the mantle. I put my hands on both edges of the shield, I carefully lift it, up and off of the hook it has been hanging on.

The shield brightly shines and glistens beautifully in the light of the fire, under the cauldron while the reflection of everything around, is seen within the red crossed, silver shield. In my right hand, I hold tight to its handle, in back. It is the perfect size, as well as just the right weight for me.

"Now, be on your way!" she says, as she puts her right hand up and she snaps her fingers. Suddenly, gray smoke starts to build up, all around me. I could no longer see her or myself at all. Protectively, I hold tight to my shield as I tightly grip the handle of my sword. All around me is thick, gray smoke, circling me and surrounding me. As the smoke, slowly starts to clear, I start to feel quite cold. I am finally back outside and it is now nightfall.

The smoke starts to drift away and I can see more clearly. I look all around me and I think, to myself "That old witch has helped me out of the forest. She has sent me to the other side of the forest and into the valley." I am very thankful of her, for all of her help.

6. Shelter, Spriggans & Sage

The wind is blowing very strong, through my hair and my cape is flying in the wind. I look up, into the night sky and I see, big thick, rolling clouds begin to cover the moon. I hear the rumbling of thunder, and see the flash of lightening, in the distance. I walk through the grassy valley, looking for a place to protect myself from the brewing storm. All I can think about is Adam. I can still hear is painful, fearful cries and wails, in my mind. I can not stop thinking about him at all.

I begin to feel mixed emotions, I'm glad he is at least still alive. Yet I feel much sadness, frustration as well as anger. I have very much sadness, not having Adam by my side. I have much frustration as well as anger, at myself, for letting him slip away from me, as well as much anger and frustration, with the creatures that took him away.
Spriggans are evil tree spirits.

They are very sly, mischievous, grotesque, filthy creatures. They are the most horrible band creatures ever conceived. Spriggans have wrinkled wart-covered skin, sloping shoulders, broomstick legs, and flat, frog-like feet. They have huge six-fingered hands, and long arms. Their heads are large and misshapen, with bulging brows. Their eyes can be red or yellow. They are by far the most ugly and evil class of elf. Spriggans, are descendants of Trolls.

Toads attract Spriggans, as well. A garment turned fully inside out, will send Spriggans away and break their spells. They can be found around ruins, castles and barrows. They are the guardian’s of treasure mounds. They are very clever little thieves. They are small, yet they can grow to be the size of giants. I have even heard they are the ghosts of giants.

Spriggans, can easily slip into peoples houses and steal their children. They will leave a Spriggan-baby in the child's place, as well. Spriggans, can easily conger up whirlwinds as well as set entire corn-fields on fire, in an instant. I only pray, to the almighty Lord, I can safely rescue my baby brother without having to deal with those horrid, filthy creatures.

While I walk with the strong wind, through the dark valley, I think about Blackdeath Castle. It makes me fear for my brother’s life, more and more. I have heard so many horrid stories about the hellish castle. It is very big and dark, with many tall towers, armed guards, torturers, evil creatures and much more.

The castle is surrounded by a very large moat, with a rickety old drawbridge, which goes over the water of the moat and lets you inside. People have been brought there to be brutally tortured and executed.

Blackdeath Castle has by far the absolute worst torturer who has ever lived. His name is John Sage and he absolutely loves killing, in every way! I have heard, after he kills, he and his fellow torturers will drain the blood from the body and enjoy drinking every last drop of it. Sage is known as Dragfoot. During a big battle, long ago, he was stabbed, with a spear, in his left leg. His wound did not heal correctly; therefore, he now drags his left foot.

It is said, he tortures up to fifty, if not more, people a week. He uses the most horrific torture devices imaginable and he even builds his own devices for torturing all those who get in his way. To torture people, Sage, will hang someone inside of a metal cage and either put a starved rat inside to eat its' way out, through the persons stomach, or just leave the victim there, to be fed on, by insects and birds.

If he puts someone inside of a cage, he will even put a fire under it. He will hang the person, in the cage, high above a roaring fire so they will slowly cook, from the feet up.

John Sage, will even make a person get undressed, completely naked. Then he will take the naked person and place them inside of a big barrel. The barrel has extremely long, sharp, spikes all around the inside. Sage will roll the barrel all around, brutally torturing and slowly killing the innocent, naked being.

One of the very worst things I hear Sage will do...He will hang a person upside down and have two torturers hold a big, long double-edge, razor-sharp saw. They will place the extremely razor-sharp saw, gently against the person’s body and begin to saw, through their flesh. They do not saw fast, they take very long, slow strokes of the saw, so the person will endure the excruciating pain, more and more, little by little.

These are just some of the horrific things I have heard about Sage and I know he does much, much worse than what I have just told you. I do not know if it is true or not, it may be only a part of the castle's legend...It is said, there is even a big, black dragon, by the name of Belial.

The dragon, Belial, guards the castle with its life and attacks those whom do not belong there. Belial is said to be much larger than the castle. It has a very long tail, as well as a very long neck, with scales going from the top of its head, all of the way down to the very tip of its tail. Its claws are extremely long and sharp. Belial has a very long muzzle, with giant, sharp, white, blood-stained teeth and enormous fangs.

It has giant, green eyes, big, twisted, black horns upon its head, as well as giant, black wings upon its back. Its arms, hands, legs and feet are said to be strong enough to instantly crush another strong castle with one swift hit. Belial is also said to be able to breathe fire, scorch absolutely anything, instantly, while thick, black smoke pours out of its big nostrils.
I try my very best to not think about the castle, John Sage, or the dragon, as I walk through the valley. I suddenly begin to smell the very strong, overpowering scent of, what seems to be the scent of pork frying over a fire. I stumble upon a very big hill. There is a big cave, dug into the giant hill.

As I walk closer, the scent starts to get stronger. The scent smells so delicious and it makes me very hungry. As it begins to rain, very hard, I walk carefully and slowly through the entrance of the deep, dark cavern. I unsheathe my sword and put up my shield, to protect my body, as well as my life.
I can see a very bright, orange glow, the glow of a fire, at the very end of the cave.

As I walk, deeper into the cave, I feel things, bumping me, left right and all over. There many things, hanging from the ceiling and walls of the cave. It is too dark for me to see what they are. I grip my shield and sword, very tight and secure. The pork-like aroma gets stronger as I walk on. I can hear the crackling and popping of the fire burning at the very end of the cavern.

Suddenly, I hear the sound of slow moving footsteps, coming from behind me. I stop; I slowly turn my and look behind me. I see nothing, except for the dark and stormy outside, opening of the cave. I turn back around and begin to walk, further into the deep, dark cavern. I begin to hear the slow footsteps, behind me, once again.

I turn around, very fast, putting up my sword. With a bright flash of lightening, I suddenly see the dark shadow, of someone, or something, flash upon the wall of the cavern's entrance. It looks as if someone or something is standing right outside the cave. It frightens me, extremely.

I yell, in a horrified voice "WHO'S THERE?!" There is no answer, at all. I stand there, looking towards the opening of the cavern with my sword drawn and my shield up. I suddenly begin to hear very fast moving, running footsteps, coming from behind me. I quickly turn my head and look behind me. When I look back, I suddenly feel something strike me, extremely hard on the back of my head. I now, can not see anything at all. Everything is dark and black, as if I am asleep. Am I dead? Am I alive? Where am I? Is this Heaven? Is this Hell? I do not know, yet my body and mind continue to breathe as I am suddenly trapped within a very deep sleep.

Within this very deep sleep, I have an incredibly beautiful, wonderful and glorious dream. I walk down the rocky path to Blackdeath Castle. The trees are absolutely beautiful, with very pretty pink and red blossoms in the trees. The big, bright sun is shining warmly above me, as I walk. I can hear the very beautiful chirping of the birds in the trees, as I hear rabbits, squirrels and other animals playfully running all around the forest.

I see the castle, in front of me and the drawbridge slowly starts to go down, over the moat. I see the Iron Gate, in the entrance of the castle, begin to slowly rise up.

I cautiously walk across the old drawbridge and through the entrance of the castle. I walk up to the stone, stairs. There is an older man, dressed blue pantaloons, black, leather boots, white, frilled blouse, red cape and a big, red hat with a very big, flowing blue feather sticking out of it, who answers the big castle doors. His hair is brown, just as his eyes are. He has a long moustache, as well. Without a word, he generously welcomes me inside.

I calmly walk inside and see many people. They are all happily gathered together to welcome me, warmly. They are all dressed, so very beautifully. I walk up the castles big staircase. Many people are lined up, leading me to where I need to go. I walk on, up the stairs and onto the big balcony. Everyone is smiling at me and pointing to a room. It is the room where my baby brother is.

I stop at the big door of the room. I slowly open the door and quietly walk in. The room is very bright with beautiful sunlight, warmly shining through the big window. I look at the walls and I see a very big opening, where two of the big walls should be attached. I walk over to the wall and look through the opening of the walls. I can not see, nor hear anything at all. It is very black, cold and quiet.

I carefully put my hands upon the sides of the outside wall. I easily am able to pull the big stone wall open. The beautiful sunlight, coming through the window, slowly begins to shine into the darkness of the open space. As the sunlight comes shining in, while I'm pulling the wall open, I see a familiar figure. It is the beautiful, precious, young figure of Adam. He is sitting up against the wall.

He has his head down, with his knees up and his hands, upon his wavy blond hair, covering his head. He puts his hands down. He slowly lifts his head and I see his beautiful, sparkling blue eyes looking at me, with such great happiness and excitement. "You found me! Now it's your turn to go hide, Alexander." he says, playfully.

He had run away and hid here, quietly, waiting for me to find him. He stands up, dusts himself off and walks out of the walls opening. I look at all of the people as they are looking at us. They all begin to cheer, proudly and happily that I had finally found him.

Thinking about all I have been through, I look at Adam, I smile and I say "No, not today, let’s go home, where we are safe." I carefully take his small, tender hand. I hold it tight as we walk out of the room, out of the castle, through the forest, through the valleys and back home. I pray this is not a dream. I pray and wish it were true. If it is a dream, I pray to the almighty Lord, I never ever will wake up.

7. The Awakening

After some time, I finally begin to wake from my very deep sleep. The back of my head is feeling very sore. I feel extremely light-headed and dizzy as I begin to wake up.

I smell that strong, pork-like aroma very strongly. My feet as well as my legs feel tight and stuck together. My hands feel tight and stuck together as well. Mind wonders where I am and why I feel so very strange. I can hear voices talking, whispering yet I can not understand a word of what they are saying.

I feel as though my mouth is being forced wide open. As I slowly begin to open my eyes, I try to close my mouth. When I do, I can taste the sweet, delicious juice of a very luscious apple. I finally open my eyes and I find myself hanging upside down.

I look at my feet and I see, with very strong rope, I am tied extremely tight to the ceiling of the cave. My hands are tightly tied together, as well.

As I hang there, I look across from where I am hanging, upside down; I can see the bright glow of the roaring fire. There are five people, crowded around the big, warm, roaring fire. They are talking, singing and dancing. I can not make out what they look like, all I see are upside down shadows. As they move and dance, I can see they are slowly roasting something, on a spit. As my eyes adjust, I can see it is a very large pig.

I struggle to break free from the ropes I am tied up with. I suddenly hear a voice, very close to me; say "Well, well, well! He has finally decided to join the party. I can not see who it is, at all, it is too dark. The voice sounds very gravelly, old and scratchy.

"Oh, yes!" says a second voice "He will make a very perfect breakfast for us all!" A third figure, holding a torch, walks over to me. The figure, hold the torch up to my face and says, in a very evil voice "Oh, but look at him, he is almost too beautiful to eat!" "A beautiful boy, for a beautiful meal! Ahhhhhhhhh Hahahahahahahahaaaaaaaa!!!!!!" Says the first one, with a very big, evil laugh. A very big roar of laughter begins to arise from the three.

The third one takes the torch away from my face. I can now see the other two standing there, as well. I can now see what the five of them look like. All five of them are extremely filthy, with very ugly, green, crooked teeth. They have very long, stringy, gray hair. They are all incredibly foul smelling, as well. Their breath and bodies smell awful enough to almost put Death to shame. The only clothes they wear are brown, filthy, ripped pantaloons. They wear no shoes, nor blouse's.

I suddenly realize and think to myself "Oh Lord! Where is my sword? Not only my sword, but, where is my shield?" I look all around and I do not see it anywhere at all! All five of the filthy bandits walk away together. As they do, I suddenly see the third ones torch, reflect a bright, glimmering light from my shield. For a moment, I see my sword and my shield, together, over in the left side corner of the cavern. The second, of the five bandits, puts more wood upon the big fire. Suddenly, the fire lights up the cavern. What I see, is beyond belief.

There are people, dead people, hanging from the walls and ceiling of the big cave! It is not only people, but, many animals as well. There are many, many, severed, arms, legs, torsos as well as many other various body parts, hanging all over the cave. They all appear to be roasted, salted and ready to eat!

"They are cannibal-bandits." I thought to myself "Oh Lord, please help me get out of here!" My stomach begins to turn. I begin to feel very faint and weak. I struggle even harder to break free from my horrible imprisonment.
I am tied up so very tight that I need to use all of the strength I have to break free, in any way possible.

As I struggle to break free, I take time to look over at the ugly cannibal-bandit's, to make sure none of them are watching. They appear to be too busy dancing and feasting upon the delicious looking pig. Suddenly, the rope around my hands begins to loosen. I can finally move my fingers, just enough to be able to loosen the knot, around my wrists. The rope suddenly falls off and out of my hands, onto the ground.

I take the apple out of my mouth and put it into my pouch. I am very careful, so that the vial of potion does not fall out of my pouch and onto the ground. I finally begin to untie my feet and legs. I struggle very fast to untie the big knots. My legs are suddenly free. I work as fast as I can to untie my feet.

As soon as my feet are free, I fall to the ground, with a THUD. One of the bandits hears me and sees me stand up very quickly. The bandit loudly yells "HE'S LOOSE!! GET HIM!!!!"

I quickly run over to the dark corner of the cave and grab my sword and my shield. I turn to the bandit who has grabbed a hold of my right arm. With my sword in my left hand, I tear a very clean, sharp cut into the bandit’s side. I slice right through its filthy skin and into its stomach, nearly slicing the bandit in half. The bandit screams, in absolutely pain and agony "AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"

The bandit falls to the ground, still not dead. Another bandit, with a very sharp spear in its hand, comes running at me, screaming "DIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!" It is aiming right for my stomach. As the bandit charge's at me, I quickly get out of the way and the bandit drives its spear directly through one of the dead bodies, hanging in the cave and gets the spear stuck in the wall.

The bandit struggles to get the spear out of the wall. The other three bandits begin to charge at me. They come running at me, armed with daggers and spears.

Suddenly, the earth begins to shake violently. The earth is shaking so badly, I can barely stand. The three bandits are struggling to stand as they drop their weapons and struggle to stand. As the earth shakes, I begin to hear, the sound of a very fast, galloping horse. A big shadow suddenly blocks the cave entrance. It is the shadow of someone riding a big horse. Looking at the figure of the rider, I knew right away, it was Death!

I mercifully sheathe my sword, put down my shield and get down on my knees, protecting myself, with my hands over my head. Death suddenly came riding into the cave, very fast! Death was carrying a bow, with five arrows, ready for firing all at once. On the back of the Charger horse, there were five coffins, one for each of the cannibal-bandits.

Death begins shooting his arrows, all five flying at once! One, two, three, four, five! Death had shot each bandit, directly in the heart, killing each one instantly. I could hear the horrified, blood-curdling screams of their souls, coming from each of the coffins, as their disgusting, dead bodies lay there upon the filthy cave floor.

Death continues riding on, carrying the new, poor souls off to Hell. Death, rode to the end of the cave and the Charger took a big, running leap, disappearing into the wall of the cave. With my sword into it's sheathe and with my shield in hand, I run as fast as I can, making my way out of the hellish cave.

8. The Angel and The Tempter

It is no longer storming; the sky is bright with many stars shining bright, along with the glorious full moon, shining bright above me. I run to the very edge of the forest. I stop at a very big maple tree. I set my shield against the trunk of the big tree. I lean up against the tree, trying to keep my weak self, standing as best as I can.

My stomach is turning and making me extremely sick as I remember all I have just seen. Suddenly, I begin to vomit, beside the big tree. I vomit many times, over and over again. I can still smell the horrific stench of the bandits, as well as the terrible stench of the many dead bodies. I feel very weak and extremely dizzy. I also feel as if I have completely emptied my entire stomach as well as my body.

As I lean, against the big tree, I hear slow, soft footsteps coming from behind me. I slowing look back and I see a very beautiful, angelic looking woman, walking towards me. She wears a white, hooded robe. She has very deep, beautiful brown eyes. Her hair is light brown and she has glistening red lips. She is carrying a big golden goblet in her left hand. She looks into my eyes, gently smiles very sweetly and hands me the golden goblet as she gracefully walks past me. I watch her, slowly disappear into the darkness.

The goblet is so extremely cold. As I enjoy the cool water, I begin to feel very healthy, strong, relieved and the back of my head, is no longer in any pain. I finish the delicious water and I no longer feel sick, weak, or hungry. I suddenly remember what Witch Treethan had told me "DO NOT TOUCH THE WATER!" In fear, I drop the goblet and it disappears before it hits the ground.

I suddenly hear a very low, evil sounding voice, from behind me say "Why don't you just go home, kid?" I turn around very fast and I see a big gray opossum, with bright green, evil eyes. The opossum is hanging, upside down by its tail, on a very branch of the big maple tree. "You know you will not make it out of that castle alive." says the opossum "I believe I will." I say "I will fight the entire world and all of Hell to bring Adam home, alive and safe."

*POOF* in a puff of smoke, the opossum has disappeared, yet I can still hear it's sinister, evil voice say "Yes, but how do you know he is still alive?" I look down at my feet and I see a very large, black snake, slithering towards me. I step back, against the big Maple tree. The snake begins to coil tightly, around my legs and body.

The snake and I are now face to face as I look deep into its' evil, green eyes. "I know he is still alive." I say "I can feel it in my heart and in my soul, he is still alive." The snake hisses and says "Yessssss...but for how long? How do know you will survive?"

I slowly grip the golden handle of my sword, getting ready to unsheathe it. The evil snake says "He may have already perished. His frozen, young body may be all that is left of him. You just may be wasting your time away." I unsheathe my sword and swing it at the snake, hoping to slice through its long, slithering body.
*POOF* the ugly snake is now gone and has suddenly transformed into a big, black bat. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!!!!" The bat laughs, evilly, while hovering in front of my face.

"Nice try." the bat says "Now, why don't you take your precious sword, get yourself out of here and go home? Your brother may have already died in that big, stone wall and you’re only asking for more trouble." "NO!" I say, loudly "I know he has got to be alive. I have true faith he is."

*POOF* the bat has suddenly turned itself into a big, gray wolf. "HAHAHAHAHA!!!!" The wolf laughs demonically and says "Faith?! What is faith? It is not proof or evidence of any kind. You may just be lying to yourself, hoping for something that you are only dreaming of."

A voice, from the trees, suddenly yells "NO!" I look up and I see a very big, beautiful horned owl, gracefully fly down and gently sit upon a big tree branch. "Alexander, do not listen to this vile tempter!" says the owl "Do not listen to HER!" "She is only trying to put you in even more danger than you need!"

"You're the only danger here, demon. A little boy's life is at stake and you want him so suddenly, give up, forget about his brother and go home!" says the owl "Talk about danger..." says the tempter "You probably poisoned the water you gave him, with that smile you so deceitfully put on." I look into the owls big, blue eyes and I ask "That was you?!" The owl gracefully opens her wings and bows her head.

"Yes and that water holds only the strongest healing powers." she says "Thank you." I say "Are you going to help my save Adam?" I ask "NO!" says the evil tempter "YES! Yes, I Am." says the owl, with much pride "I am your guardian angel, Alexander Page and I am here to help you as well as guide you in every way I can. But, I can only do so much. This is your journey, destiny and fate, Alexander. I can not and will not stand in your way."

"Thank you! At least I have someone who will truly HELP me." I said, glaring at the wolf-tempter. "Lets' just hope she doesn't get you killed before I do!" The tempter said and suddenly charged at me with its' hungry mouth wide open and its' very sharp, white teeth, glistening in the moonlight.

*POOF* The angel had turned from an owl, into a big, beautiful, strong eagle The eagle swooped down from the branch and took tight hold of the wolf's tail. The eagle, with its' sharp claws, gripping the wolf's tail, pulls the tail over the wolf, flipping it over really hard, onto its back. The wolf hits the ground, with a hard THUD. With the hard thud, comes a big *POOF*

Out of a big puff of rolling, black smoke, suddenly appears a red demon, dressed in a black, hooded robe. It has two pointed horns upon its head with two red eyes and a long, pointed nose. It has a long, skinny tail with of course, two arms, two legs with hands that look like claws, with very long fingernails. The tempter shook its red, horned head real fast, to relieve itself.

It stood up and dusted itself off.
The tempter became extremely enraged. It suddenly, in its claw like hand, conjured up a big ball of fire and threw it at me. I moved, very quickly out of the way. The tempter stomped and screamed. "This is NOT over! When the time comes, I will return to take your life! BEWARE, KID! I will return again!" With that, the tempter suddenly disappeared, in a very big ball of smoke and flames.

*POOF* the angel had turned from an eagle, back into her true form, just as I had first seen her. This time, she had very large, white wings, the glorious wings of an angel. "Do not fear him." the angel said as she saw the fear in my eyes.

"Stay strong, brave and true. Do not worry, I am here to help you along." she said, as she places her hand gently upon my cheek. "Thank you." I say, looking into the angel's sparkling brown eyes. "Is my dear brother still alive?" I ask
"Yes." The angel says, quietly, as she slowly takes her hand off of my cheek. "But..." Her voice becomes very low and soft "He is quite sick and so extremely cold. We have a long way to go, therefore, we must hurry."

"Wait!" I say "What water was Witch Treethan warning me about?" I ask, very curiously "The moat, the moat around the castle. Do not touch the water, it is where the torturers, especially Sage, puts the bodies, as well as all other human remains, after they are horribly tortured and executed. The vengeful spirits of the dead will pull you under and keep you as their slave for all eternity. Do not worry about it now, we must hurry!"

Suddenly *POOF* she turned from her true form, into an extremely beautiful, graceful white Unicorn. She has a very long, swirling, golden horn upon her head. Her beautiful, flowing, white mane, sits upon the top of her head, around her golden horn and down the back of her neck. She also has a set of very big of large, long, beautiful white wings on each side of her body, as well. She also has the most beautiful, long, white tail, as well. "Quickly, Alexander!" she said "We have not much time."

I very quickly climb onto the soft back of the glorious winged Unicorn. With great balance and security, I lay my shield, down, upon my lap. With my elbows, upon my shield, I place my hands, gently around her thick, white neck, so I would not fall off. "What is your name?" I ask "My name is Mary." She said, very sweetly

"Hold on tight!" Mary said, with great excitement, as she began to run so very fast. She was running faster and faster, through the forest, all of the moonlit trees, surrounding me, flashed by so very fast. We were finally out of the woods and into the grassy valley. She spread her glorious, white wings out to their full length and began to flap them, up and down, faster and faster.

As Mary continues to run and flap her beautiful wings, I look down and see her front legs begin to lift off of the ground, as her back legs push away from the soft, grassy earth. I hold on even tighter to her. Finally, we are off of the ground, flying higher and higher, into the beautiful, starry night sky.

We fly, high above the earth, through the wistful, fluffy clouds. The glorious full moon, as well as the twinkling stars, are so incredibly beautiful and bright. The wind is comfortably blowing through my blonde hair. Mary, my beautiful guardian angel, turned Unicorn, is gently flapping her glorious white wings, up and down throughout the glorious night.

Carefully, I put my shield behind me, while gripping the handle, tight. I carefully lay back, with my head, lying comfortably upon my shield. My shield, is comfortably cradling my head, while I have my hands, above my head, with both hands securely gripping the metal handle of my mighty shield.

As I lay there and gaze up at the bright, twinkling stars, I begin to slowly close my eyes. I listen to Mary's glorious wings, flapping so calmly as the wind, softly whispers in my ears and flows gently through my hair. I slowly drift off, into a very peaceful, deep sleep.

9. The Water & Joshua

As I lay peacefully upon her back, fast asleep, I have a short dream. The dream takes place, not too long before I met Witch Treethan. I am walking throughout the beautiful forest of Medievland. I am still searching for Adam. As I walk, calling for him, I get extremely thirsty. I yell "ADAM!!!! CAN YOU HEAR ME?!!" My voice is extremely dry. "ADAM!!!! WHERE ARE YOU??!! ADAM!!!!" My voice as well as my mouth feel so very dry. I have become so unbearably thirsty.

I walk on, as I walk through a big cluster of trees and bushes, I come across a very big lake. I run to the edge of the lake and I stick both of my hands into it. I cup the delicious, sparkling, spring water and I begin to drink it out of my hands, so very fast. I feel so very relieved as well as satisfied.

I am no longer thirsty, yet, I keep drinking the delicious water of this sparkling lake. My hands begin to get tired; therefore, I stick my hands into the water once more.
I see someone's pale, bony hands, begin to out reach for mine. I do not see a face, or body, only the arms and hands reaching out for me.

I begin to take my hands out of the water when suddenly, the hands grip my wrists. I struggle to pull away, yet they are far too strong. They pull me into the water, far enough so my face and my hair are in the water. My eyes are open and I see many, many faces look back at me!

They are all decaying, horribly rotting corpses of slaughtered, tortured, innocent people. Many of them have no eyes, no teeth, nor a nose. They are all reaching out for me, they all grab for my arms and hands. I am looking all around for Adam and I thank the Lord, I do not see him.

The corpse whom has a very tight grip, upon both of my hands, has a very large double-bladed ax, sticking all of the way through its body. The handle of the ax is sticking out of its back, with the top of the ax, sticking out of its chest. It looks at me, with big, lifeless, black, colorless, decaying eyes and it slowly says "Saaaaaavvvvvee uuuuuuuuussssss Allleeexxaaaaannnndddeeeeerrrrr!!!!" I scream, under the water, as loud as I can

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" My scream is muffled by the water. Coming out of my mouth, along with my muffled scream, come many bubbles.

Even though my face as well as some of my hair are in the water, my ears are still above the water. I suddenly hear the very loud, grinding of a torture device. With the torture device, I also hear the horrified scream of a man, in absolute pain. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" I again, I hear the loud, grinding of the torture device. As soon as I hear man in pain, scream, again, all of the hands of the undead, let me go. I am finally free of their painful grip. I pull myself out of the water and I then awake and sit up, with a very frightened start.

I awake, not on the back of my Unicorn, but lying upon the grass, in a very foggy forest. It is a very dreary and foggy day. I look all around me and I see no sign of Mary, nor anyone else. All I can see is the thick, gray fog all around me. I stand up, looking around, trying to see through the fog. I bend down and pick up my shield, which my head was still resting upon. I look all around me and I still see no sign of anyone, at all.

I call out "MARY??!!" There is no answer. I stand beside a big oak tree and I call once more "MARY!!!! WHERE ARE YOU??!!!! MARY!!!!!!!!" I thought to myself "She must have gone back to Heaven. But...Where am I now?"

I suddenly feel the very quick breeze of something, flying so fast, straight past my face. It is an arrow, which was shot so very close to my face and got struck within the thick, strong trunk of the big, tall oak tree. The arrow, which nearly hit me, is sticking straight out of the oak tree, in front of my face. I look to the left, where the arrow came from. Through the thick fog, I see someone, running toward me, through the trees. I very quickly unsheathe my sword.

It is a boy; he looks to be not much older than I. His hair is brown, with blond streaks and is somewhat long, as well as slightly curly. His hair, hangs all around his head and it hangs just a little over his brown eyes, as well.

He is wearing a white, frilled blouse, blue pantaloons as well as a hooded, flowing, red cape. He is wearing brown, leather boots. He is armed with a bow and quiver, full of arrows. He looks to be around my height. As he gets closer, I notice he is also wearing a brown, leather belt in which he carries quite a large, silver, double-bladed axe with a long, wooden handle.

He stops and reaches behind himself, pulling out another arrow. He stops and aims his arrow at me. In fright, I begin to run, through the thick, gray fog, as fast as I can. He shoots his arrow, my way and it nearly misses me.

I come to a very big tree and I look back at him. I see him; throw his bow to the side, yet still wearing his quiver of arrows. He quickly draws his ax from his leather belt. His deep, brown eyes are extremely angry. He comes running at me with his glimmering ax, held high above his head, with both hands.

He suddenly throws his ax my way. The ax comes hurling at me, extremely fast. I quickly jump out of the way and the ax gets stuck within the trunk of a very big tree, right above the arrow. With my sword drawn and my shield, up I run at him, as he is pulling his ax out of the tree. I get close to him and he suddenly gets his ax free from the big tree.
He holds his ax high, ready to hack me to pieces.

"AAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" He screams as his double-bladed axe comes down, heading directly for my head. With my shield, I protectively stop his mighty ax from hitting me. I try my best to keep his ax at a safe distance from me while at the same time, trying my very best to corner him.

He swings, his ax, high, to the left of me, aiming for my arm and body. I put up my shield as I stop his ax. I parry my sword, locking it with his ax, defending my life. He swings high, to the right of me, aiming for my neck and I parry his ax, once again. I now have him cornered, in front of a big tree.

He tries to get out from being cornered, between the tree and I. He swings his ax, sideways, aiming straight for my chest. I put my shield, in front of me, stopping his ax from killing me; his ax bounces off of my shield. He swings to the left of me, aiming for my body, once again. This time, I parry my sword around, to the left, with his ax blade, locked with my sword.

With our weapons locked, I look deep, as well as furiously into his angry, brown eyes, which are nearly hidden by his long, slightly curly, brown and blond hair. With my sword, I put all of my strength upon his ax. The only sounds we hear are that of the beautiful birds, high in the trees. As well as the sounds of each other, breathing very heavily. We can also hear the shaking of his arrows, within his quiver, as he struggles to escape my strong hold. With our weapons, still locked, I parry our weapons around, to the right.

"AAAAHHHHH!!!!" He screams, as he trips upon a very large tree root, sticking out of the ground. He looses his grip, on the handle of his mighty ax, his ax, goes flying, far to the right. "NOOOO!!!!" he hopelessly yells. He suddenly looses his footing, as well. His mighty ax goes flying and it hits a big tree trunk. His ax falls to the ground, just as he does.

He struggles to get up off of the ground and off of his quiver of arrows, as well. I point my sword straight at his neck, keeping him on the ground. "Who are you?!" I ask, demandingly "Joshua...Joshua Shaw" he says, fearfully "Please do not kill me." he says, plea fully "Why not? You are the one who is trying to kill ME!" I say "Please...I am only trying to save, protect and defend my family.

Please trust me; I am only trying to save my family." I can see the fear, as well as honesty in his big, brown eyes. Thinking about all I have just been through and realizing, I have done the same, in defence, trying to save Adam. I draw back my sword and put it back into its sheath.

I reach out my right hand, to him. With his left hand, he takes my hand. I help him up, off of the ground. He dusts himself off. "It seems to me, we are both looking for the same thing. My name is Alexander, Alexander Page." I say as I put out my right hand, once more. He puts out his left hand, looks into my eyes, takes my hand and greets me with a very warm smile.

"Wonderful to meet you, Alexander Page. I sincerely apologize for my horrible behavior." I smile and I say "Nonsense, my friend. In times like these, we all need to defend ourselves, especially our families." He walks over and picks up his big, glimmering axe. He securely places his double-bladed axe back onto his leather belt.

I quickly run over to where his bow is laying, in the grass. "You say you are trying to save your family." I say, as I pick up his bow and begin running back to him. "I am trying to do the same." I say, as I kindly hand him his bow. "What has happened to your family? If you do not mind me asking." He looks at me, with very sad eyes. He hangs his head, low and begins to walk through the thick fog, toward a big cluster of trees and bushes.

"If you do not feel comfortable telling me, I absolutely understand." I say, as I follow him, towards the trees and bushes. "Where are you going?" I ask, curiously "I would like for you to meet someone." He says, softly. He gradually walks through the bushes and puts his right hand upon a big evergreen tree branch. He slowly pulls the branch toward himself and reveals a hole within the trees. I walk closer and through the fog, I see a large cemetery. With Joshua, holding the tree branch, I walk through the bushes and through the tree's opening, as well. He slowly follows, behind me.

The fog is much clearer. I see it is not only a cemetery, but a churchyard, as well. The church, through the fog, looks extremely captivating. The church is made mostly from red brickwork. It has a beautiful, towering steeple, with four cream colored points, upon each corner. Each of the four points has a cross upon it. Below each of the points, are three, squared, castle-like edges, connecting each of the four points. Upon the very middle squared edge, on the front of the steeple, sits a large cream colored cross.

On each of the four sides of the steeple, are tall, rounded openings. The openings are covered by fourteen stone, shutter-like guards, with a round opening above the stone guards. Behind the rounded, shutter-like openings, within the steeple, is where the church bell is held. It has a very large chapel with a black roof as well as beautiful stained-glass windows.

The stained-glass windows have glorious images, such as Christ, Mary, the Lamb of God, Christ holding his golden cup and yucerist. There are also stained-glass images of as well as Christ nailed upon the cross, as well. The front of the church has very large, cream colored, wooden doors. Above the doors, engraved upon cream colored stone, reads "St. Michael's Church". Above the engraved stone, there is a small, cream colored, upside down "V" shaped roof, which is black on top. Upon the point of the upside down "V" sits a large and tall, stone cross. Behind the large cross, under the steeple, are two, tall stained-glass windows, separated by a cream colored bar.

The church also has long, stone steps. Attached to the sides of the stone steps, are red brick with stone cream colored troths. The troths hold most beautiful flowers. Above the flower troths, are big, lit, white candles, one on each side of the large doors. On each side of the front of the church, across from each candle are four tall windows, separated by cream colored bars, two tall windows on top and two tall windows, on the bottom. There is a tall chimney, attached to the back of the church, as well.

The cemetery has a rocky path going around it, as well as through all of its many rows and up to the door of the towering church. I see, many of the gravestones, through the thick fog. They are all of many sizes. Many of them are made of stone. Many others are crosses, made of sticks, as well as other wooden pieces.

I turn my head, to look back and I see Joshua, has set his bow against a large gravestone. He has his red hood upon his head and is walking slowly, with his head down and his hands folded together, praying. He is walking along the rocky path and through the foggy cemetery. Joshua walks over to a small, rounded gravestone. He slowly kneels, in front of the large gravestone. The gravestone reads:

Elizabeth Shaw
1008-1030

"She was my mother." Joshua says, quietly "She gave birth to my beautiful baby sister, Emily. Soon after my sister was born, my mother got so very sick. I remember holding my baby sister in my arms." he said, as his voice got shaky "I promised her I would protect her and never ever let anything bad ever happen to her." he said, tearfully as he stared at the gravestone "My mother is gone.

Emily was taken away in the middle of the night, by Redcap. My father sent me to bed and promised me, telling me, when I awake, Emily would be back home. My father rode off upon his horse to rescue her in the middle of the night but he never ever came back. I awoke with such great happiness. I ran all around our home, calling for Emily and my father, I got no answer." I kneel down, beside Joshua and listen carefully, while holding my mighty shield, up right, in front of me.

"I have promised my mother, here, at her grave, I would find them both...alive. I have vowed to find my father, rescue my sister and put a stop to Redcap, so he will never again hurt Emily, nor anyone else." He began drying his tears as I put my left arm around him. "Do not be afraid, my friend. I will help you find them both. I am on a journey, trying to rescue my baby brother. Together, you and I can rescue our families and bring them home safely." He looks at me, with teary, glassy eyes and asks "What has happened to your baby brother?"

I look away and at his mothers grave "Spriggans" I say, quietly "Ohh Lord, those horrid creatures?" he asks, disgustedly "I hear those are very tricky as well as very powerful creatures to handle." he says "Yes, I hear they are, as well." I say "Although, Redcap is no better, at all." I tell him, calmly as I stand up, with my shield in my right hand.
I notice a beautiful rosebush, growing over near the entrance we came through.

While Joshua continues to pray, I walk over to the rosebush. I spy the most beautiful, blooming, red rose, growing upon the glorious bush. I reach for the stem of the rose, carefully, so I do not prick myself upon the rose's thorns. I break the rose's stem, off of the rosebush and quietly walk back over to Joshua.

He is still kneeling and praying. I stand beside him and graciously hand him the rose, he looks up at me with very thankful, glassy eyes. "Thank you." He whispers, as he kindly takes the beautiful rose from me. He places the rose in front of his mother’s grave. Joshua puts two fingers, on his left hand together and brings the two fingers to his lips, kissing them. He places his two fingers upon his mother’s name, on the gravestone. He stands up, next to me, straight and tall. He uses the sleeve of his white, frilled blouse to dry the tears in his eyes.

I look down the cemetery's path and I see the fog beginning to clear. I can now see the trees of the forest, along the rocky path. "I feel, if we work together, we will find those whom we both have been searching for." I say, looking down the long, rocky path. "I agree, my friend." Joshua says, looking in the same direction. He walks over, picks up his bow and begins walking towards me. I begin walking along the path, throughout the cemetery of the churchyard. Joshua catches up and walks beside me, valiantly.

As we walk together, along the long rocky church-cemetery path, we begin to hear a beautiful sound. It is the glorious sound of St. Michael's glorious church bell, begin to ring. The sound is so incredibly beautiful, as well as sweetly calming. While listening the musical church bell, ringing so wonderfully clear, the glorious sun begins to peek out of the gray clouds above. I finally feel much needed hope and faith begin to blanket over me, comforting me so very warm and graciously.

10. Enjoying Each Other's Company

"Now, I must know of your family." Joshua says "Who are you searching for and what of the Spriggans?" he asks, curiously "My brother, Adam is missing. We were playing, throughout the forests of Medievland. I lost sight of him for a moment and he suddenly disappeared." I told him, sadly "I received word he had accidentally stumbled upon a family of Spriggans. The Spriggans became extremely enraged. Therefore, they tied him up and carried him off to Blackdeath castle, which is where I am headed."

Joshua turns his head, very fast, looking at me with very wide eyes. "You CANNOT go there!" he says, with a very shaky, terrified voice "If you even get to the castle, let alone, the castle grounds, you will never ever make it out alive!" he says, horrified "It is my journey, my destiny, as well as my fate." I tell him "Therefore, I am more than willing to take risks and sacrifice my life, for my brother. My brother IS my family; he is all of the family I have. Without him, I have absolutely nothing. Our mother, father, as well as our grandparents have all passed on.

If Adam is dead, I am more than willing to sacrifice my life to be with him, as well as the rest of our family. If you do not want to help me, nor let me help you, turn back now. I am doing this for my brother, my family and I am willing to help you as much as I can as well, if you will join me." "You are very brave." he says, warmly "I will join you, Alexander. I will help you and I only pray we both make it home with our lives, as well as our families."

"Thank you, Joshua!" I say, gratefully "We do have to watch each others backs and protect each other, especially when we confront the horrid creatures we are up against." I say, warningly "Yes." he says "Have you ever seen Redcap?" Joshua asks "No." I say "I have not seen him; I have only heard stories of he and his horrible acts. I have heard, Redcap, is most vial, filthy, old goblin ever known." I tell him

"Yes, I only saw him for a moment, roaming around in the forest, long ago." Joshua says "Redcap kills many and dyes his cap red, in his victim’s blood. He carries an ax, as well, one which is much bigger than my own." Joshua tells me, tearfully "He wears a long, white beard, silver boots, made of steel. He has the most evil, angry red eyes I have ever seen." I know it was Redcap who took my sister, because..." Joshua reached into the far left side of his leather belt and pulled out a red piece of clothing.

"He left his blood red cap, lying upon Emily's pillow." Joshua said, with tears in his eyes. The cap was filthy with red blood coating it. Joshua gently folded the red cap in half and attached it back onto his belt.

We walk on, down the rocky path to Blackdeath Castle. We talk about our lives, our families as well as our many adventures we have had throughout this land. I tell him all about my experience with the cannibal-bandits as well as my encounter with Witch Treethan.

He tells me all about his encounter with Ryorey, the wicked troll, under the Whispering River bridge. Ryorey, looks like a very fat, overgrown toad, with big, bulging yellow eyes.

He has filthy, brown, bumpy skin, covered with warts and scars. He wears a brown cloak with a rope tied around his waste. He also green pantaloons, as well as black boots. He carries a long, wooden walking stick, which has a very sharp spear at the very end.

Ryorey, always does battle with anyone who attempts to cross his old wooden bridge. He listens for anyone and anything, walking along. He will climb upon his bridge and threaten whoever or whatever is wanting to get past. He will put up his walking stick, holding it in front of himself, with both hands and command his opponent to do the same. He will battle them and attempt to push them into the fast flowing river below.

Joshua, while in battle with Ryorey, Joshua suddenly raised his big ax and split Ryorey's ax in half! Then Joshua struck his mighty ax in between Ryoreys feet, splitting a wooden plank upon the bridge, in half. Joshua, told me, Ryorey, tried to keep his balance upon the bridge by holding onto the wooden railings of the bridge. When he did, Joshua struck his ax hard upon the railing, spliting it in half. With Ryorey's large weight, he lost all control of his balance and fell right through the bridge and landing in the water, with a very large "SPLASH!" leaving a very large hole in the middle of the large wooden bridge.

Joshua, then backed up, began running fast. He took a very large leap, over the bridge's hole, landing on the other side of the bridge. He told me, he felt the cold, wet, and slimy, wart filled hand of Ryorey, reaching for him. The slimy, cold hand touched his leg, as he leaped to the safe side of the bridge and when he landed, he continued running as fast as he could. He could hear Ryorey yelling to him, in pure anger "GET BACK HERE!!!!! YOU'RE MINE, KID!!!!! I'LL GET YOUUUUUU!!!!" Joshua stopped and looked back. He told me, he saw Ryorey, attempt to climb back, upon the bridge.

While he tried to pull himself back onto the bridge, Joshua could hear the wood creaking and breaking so very loudly. Suddenly, Ryorey, and the rest of the wooden bridge, collapsed all together into the deep, flowing river below.
We both had a very wonderful laugh about that story, as well as many others, as we walk further down the path.

We walk, talk and laugh for so very long. We learn everything about each other and become the very best of friends. I share my three remaining apples with Joshua. All that is now in my brown, leather pouch is the beautiful vial of shining, pink potion, from Witch Treethan.

The sun begins to set, so beautifully in the distance. As the sky darkens, the moon shines so very brightly above us, with many shining stars twinkling. The moon and stars light our path as we walk on, throughout the moonlit night and into the glorious morning.

11. Keep Watching the Sky

We continue walking along the rocky path, on our way to Blackdeath Castle. I look into the distance, down the path. I see the beautiful golden sun rising in the far distance. Joshua is looking up into the trees, enjoying the glorious fall morning. Peacefully, we walk together, listening to the beauties of the world around us.

I suddenly hear Joshua yell "LOOK OUT!!!!" I feel him suddenly push me to the side, into the trunk of a tree. I hear the sound of clothing being quickly ripped, along with the sound of something fall to the ground. I look and I see Joshua's red cape has a small hole ripped into it. I look at the path and I see an arrow, lying on the ground.

I unsheathe my sword as Joshua reaches behind him and pulls an arrow from his quiver. He gets his bow and arrow, ready for firing. We both cautiously attempt to step out, onto the path. I see someone, up in the tree, aiming for us. I lightly nudge Joshua's arm. He looks at me and I slightly nod, signaling to what I see as I softly whisper "Look."

I see it." Joshua softly says and he suddenly fires his arrow. When he fires his arrow, the person in the tree fires an arrow, as well. I put quickly up my shield, guarding us both. I feel the and hear arrow bounce off of my mighty shield. As it bounces off, I hear the person, a man, in the tree, suddenly groan loudly. I put down my shield and we see the arrow has hit him directly in the chest. The man falls out of the tree and onto the ground.

My sword is drawn and Joshua's bow and arrow are ready for firing. We quickly run over to the man, lying on the ground in the grass of the forest. He lies there, lightly breathing, with his green eyes wide open. He is an older man, with black and gray hair, only around his head, from ear to ear. He is dressed in black boots and a black, hooded robe.

He slowly blinks his angry, green eyes, looking up at us. "WHO ARE YOU?!" I ask demandingly
"Guard...Of...Blackdeath...Castle..." He whispers "Sage...Will...Get...YOU...For...This..." He says with what seems to be his very last breaths. I get down on my right knee, lay my ear on his chest and listen for a heart beat. I hear nothing at all

"He's dead" I say, quietly "He is one of many who work for Sage." Joshua says "We had better be careful; there may be many more of them, hiding in the trees." Joshua says, as he gets down on his knees, next to the man.

The man is lying on his quiver, with the arrows, still inside. Joshua takes off his quiver. He slowly bends down, on one knee. He carefully pulls the mans many arrows out of the quiver. Joshua puts all of the mans arrows into his own quiver. "What are you doing?' I ask, curiously "Taking his arrows, he will not need them anymore and we need all of the protection we can get." Joshua even takes his arrow from the mans chest and puts it back into his quiver.

I quickly stand up and run over, onto the path, watching the trees, as well as the sky. I bend down and pick up the man's other arrow, lying on the path. I quickly run back to Joshua, as he is walking back to the rocky path, to meet me. I hand him the arrow, he readies the arrow with his bow, aiming up to the trees, ready for firing. With my sword drawn and my shield up, we walk along the path.

We keep our eyes and minds, fully alert. We walk, looking up to the tall, colorful trees and into the blue, morning sky. We begin to hear more rustling, high within the trees. Joshua aims his bow and arrow high, ready for firing. We see a large bushel of very colorful leaves, high above. The bushel is rustling violently.

Joshua suddenly shoots his arrow and it flies straight into and through the bushel of leaves. Suddenly, a brown squirrel comes running out of the bushel so very fast. The squirrel runs out of the bushel, down the big branch and leaps straight into a hole in a large tree trunk. Joshua and I look at each other with looks of relief.

We walk cautiously down the rocky path. Joshua bends down and picks up his arrow. Just as he bends down, an arrow flies directly above his head, almost hitting him in the forehead. "ANOTHER ONE!!" I say, warningly as I raise my shield, protecting us both while Joshua quickly readies his bow and arrow.

I move my shield and Joshua shoots his arrow high into the trees. Joshua's arrow misses the man in the trees. The man readies his bow and arrow, just before he fires, another arrow suddenly comes flying out of the trees! The arrow flies right into the man's neck. The man falls out of the tree and onto the ground.

Joshua and I look around, wondering where the mysterious arrow came from. We look, up and high to the right and we see Witch Treethan!! She is sitting upon a large tree branch, holding my bow and wearing my quiver of arrows. She sits there, smiling and waving happily at Joshua and I.

There is a bright, pink glowing halo of light surrounding Witch Treethan. I notice she is the exact same glowing color of the potion she had given me. "DO NOT FEAR!" she yells "Who is that?" Joshua whispers "The archers in the trees are nothing to worry about! I have taken care of them!" Witch Treethan says "That is Witch Treethan, the one I told you about." I tell Joshua. A big cloud of gray smoke begins to surround Witch Treethan, just as it did me. "THANK YOU!!!!" I yell, as she begins to disappear within the smoke.

I see her black cat quickly jump from a branch above her. The cat jumps down and sits upon her slightly hunched back. The swirling smoke covers them both. The wind blows the smoke away from the branch and we see they have both disappeared.

We begin to walk on down the rocky path. As we walk, looking up, we see many men, tied to the trunks and branches of the trees, fast asleep. We hear many of the, snoring very loudly. All of their bows, arrows, swords and other weapons are all hanging, very high in the trees.
They are high and far away enough that no one would ever be able to reach them.

We walk quietly, praying they do not wake up and jump down upon us. Suddenly, the beautiful blue sky begins to grow dark. Dark, gray and black clouds begin to cover the bright warm sun. We walk on and come to a big group of trees and bushes.

We stand at what appears to be the very end of the rocky path. In front of us are big trees with colorful bushels of leaves. With both hands, I reach through the bushels. I spread the bushels apart, making a large view through the trees. Joshua steps up beside me and looks through the hole in the trees.

12. The Arrival

For the first time, we stand looking directly at Blackdeath Castle. We stand there, absolutely speechless. We see the enormous, black castle with its many dark, pointed towers and rounded stained glass windows, rising high into the black sky. Lightening is flashing all around the castle while thunder rolls very loudly. We can hear the loud, horrifying screams of men, women and children being slowly and brutally tortured. We hear the evil laughter of the many menacing torturers within the hellish castle.

My heart is pounding so extremely hard and fast within my chest. I am so extremely frightened, yet I remain calm, brave and ready to face anything to save my brother's life. "How are we going to get in there?" Joshua asks "I...I don't..." I begin to speak, with my voice so shaky. I suddenly remember the vial of lifesaving potion I have within my pouch. I open my pouch and quickly reveal the potion to Joshua. "What is that?" Joshua asks, wondering about the beautiful, glowing pink vial.

"A special potion from Witch Treethan. One taste will make you invisible to death." I uncork the vial and take a very quick drink. It tastes so incredibly delicious; it has the wonderful taste of apples and cinnamon. I hand the delicious potion to Joshua and he takes a quick drink. He hands the vial back to me; I put the cork back on the vial and carefully place it back in my pouch.

We both suddenly begin glowing so brightly. "What is happening?" Joshua asks, while looking at his hands, arms and body. We both have halo of bright pink surrounding us. "We are invincible; therefore, nothing will hurt us at all." I say as Joshua begins to smile, happily looking at himself in pure amazement.

We walk through the bushels and onto the castle grounds. The moat of the enormous dark castle is down and the Iron Gate is open. There are two solders, dressed in metal armor. There is one soldier on each side of the castles opening. I unsheathe my sword and walk cautiously onto the moat. Joshua follows, walking close behind me.

The two solders each carry a large sword, a shield, as well as a bow and quiver of arrows. We begin to walk through the castles opening. The two solders but up their swords, crossing them in front of us, seaseing our entry. "Who are you?" the soldier asks "Alexander Page" I say "and this is my dear friend, Joshua Shaw" the solders look at us both "Who sent you?" one soldier asks, angrily "No one" I say "We have come in search of my brother."

"Who is your brother?" he asks "Adam Page" I tell him "If he is in there...He is already dead, just as you will be!" With that, the soldier raises his sword and tries to thrust it directly through my stomach. I do not feel it. "HOLY MOTHER OF GOD!!!!" Joshua yells as he jumps back in surprise. He sees the sword has gone directly through me and out my back. I do not feel a thing, thanks to the potion. The soldier looks at me, with such a frightened look.

With my sword, I knock his sword, out of the way. His sword goes right out through my side. He I grab his arm and pull him towards me. He loses his balance and falls right into the moat. "AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" He screams as he tries to swim. I look down into the moat and see hundreds of the ghostly, dead hands, rise up out of the water. As he screams, they pull him under and all I can see in the water are bubbles.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" I feel something roll to my feet. I look down and see the head of the soldier, lying in front of me. I quickly look away and see the other soldier, lying on the ground, headless and in his own blood. Joshua has struck him with his double-bladed axe, takeing his head clean off, leaving a large bloody mess, dripping down the stone castle wall. "LET'S GO!!!!" Joshua yells and begins to run, into the castle, armed with his ax.

13. The Rescue

We run as fast as we can, through the castles entrence. There are other solders, running for us. As we run, I remember my dream, the dream I had when I was hanging in the cave. I see the stairs, which I walked up. "THIS WAY!" I yell to Joshua. He begins to follow me, up the stairs.

Four solders come running at us, all at once. "ALEXANDER!!!!" Joshua yells "You go on!" I look back and see him with his ax ready. "GO!!!! I'll take care of them!" I run as fast as I can, up the stairs. I get to the very top of the stone staircase.

I run across the ivory balcony and begin to run as fast as I can towards the room I remember walking to. I get to the door of the room. "ADAM!!!!" I yell very loud "ADAM!!!! CAN YOU HEAR ME??!!" I suddenly hear the muffled familiar voice of Adam "Alexander?" he asks, hopefully

"YES!" I yell in excitement "It is me!!!! I'M COMING FOR YOU!!!!" I yell "PLEASE HELP ME!!!!! I'm so cold!! GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!" I hear him scream and begin to cry. I try to open the door but realize it is locked. I see Joshua, carrying his ax which is covered in blood. "Joshua, your axe!"

I say as I sheathe my sword. He then hands me his mighty double-bladed axe. I begin to furiously hit the axe as hard as I can against the door. I hit the door very hard, over and over again; I chip away the wood on the giant door.I keep hitting the door, trying to break through as fast as I can.

I have finally made a small hole in the door. "More coming!" Joshua says as he readies his bow and arrow. As solders and tortures begin running from every direction, Joshua fires his many arrows, as fast as he can. I have made the hole in the door much larger. I have weakened the door enough that I hit the handle of the door, very hard with the axe. The entire handle falls off of the door and the door slowly opens.

Suddenly, a large band of Spriggans come running out as fast as they can. They run so fast, out of the room and down the hall. I burst through the door, running into the room. I see more Spriggans leap out the window in absolute fear. "Joshua!" I yell and hand him his axe. He runs at the remaining solders and torturers, hacking them to death.

The room is completely empty; all I see is a stained-glass window. The window has the stained-glass image of a large buck with enormous antlers. I run to the wall where I hear Adam crying. It is the same wall I remember from my dream. I see the opening of the wall, looking into where he is trapped.

There is a bit of light shining through. I look into the opening and I see Adams big blue eye, looking back at me. His eye is red-rimmed, from crying so much.

"Hold tight, Adam! I'll get you out of there!!" I say as I try and push the wall open. It is so extremely heavy. As I use all of my strength to open the wall, Joshua then comes running into the room. He sees me struggling to open the wall. He quickly runs over and grabs a hold of the stone wall. We feel the wall slowly begin to move.

The opening in the wall grows larger and larger. Another torturer comes runs into the room. Joshua runs at him, holding his mighty, double-bladed axe high. I look away and hear Joshua slice through the mans body.
The wall is open wide enough that I can see Adam. He is sitting there with his knees up, tears in his blue, red-rimmed eyes and wearing his blue cape. He is so sickly pale.

He looks as if he has not slept in months. "Everything will be alright Adam, I promise." I notice he is shivering. I quickly take off my cape and wrap it so warmly around his small body, keeping him warm. "Is that better?" I ask as he smiles and nods just a bit. I carefully pick him up, taking him in my arms. I hold him tight and stand up carefully. "Is he alright?" Joshua asks as he runs over "Yes." I say "He is alright; I've just got to get him home."

"Joshua?" a small voice asks "Is that you?" Joshua turns around slowly. There is a little brown eyed girl, in a white, blood-stained nightgown standing in the door way. She has sunshine blonde, slightly curly hair. She looks to be Adam's age.

I could not help but notice, her eyes, nose and facial features look very similar to Adams. "EMILY!!!!" Joshua yells as he runs to her. She opens her arms and gives him a very big embrace as he picks her up, in his arms. "Are you alright?" Joshua asks "Are you alright? Where were you? Where is father?" "I am scared." Emily says "I ran away from Redcap and hid myself under a big bed. Farther has been captured by Sage and taken to the dungeon." "We have to rescue him!" Joshua says "COME ON!"

Just as Joshua turns around, a very filthy creature, carrying a giant ax appears in the doorway. "REDCAP!" Joshua says, frightened "YES! Now give me the child." Redcap says, evilly "NO!" Joshua yells and begins to back away, still holding Emily. "No, she is mine and will never ever be yours! You will have to kill me for her!!" Joshua says "HAHAHAHAHA!!!! So be it!" Redcap raises his ax and swings at Joshua's neck.

The potion still has not worn off. Therefore, the ax goes directly through Joshua and slams into the open wall, creating sparks upon the stone. Redcap continues swinging at Joshua, over and over again, trying to kill him.

"Well, if I can't kill you...I'll kill her instead!!" Redcap raises his mighty sharp axe "NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Joshua screams very loud, while Emily begins to cry. Just then, I hear a loud shatter from behind me. Redcap drops his axe and his red eyes grow so very wide. Death has arrived! He comes riding in upon his black Charger, leaping and crashing through the giant buck stained-glass window. He is carrying a very big sword with a large coffin upon the back of his horse.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Redcap screams and is then sliced diagonally, through his body, by deaths sharp sword. Redcap's body falls to the floor, with his ax, nearly missing his face. Death continues riding off with Redcap's soul locked, screaming and begging for mercy within the large wooden coffin. Death rides on and takes a flying leap and disappears through the stone castle wall.

14. The Escape

Joshua, carrying Emily, begins to hurry down the hall. I follow, carrying Adam. We run across the balcony, down the stairs and through a big open door. Through the door is a dark hallway with a winding staircase. There is the bright orange glow of a roaring fire, burning in the dungeon. We carefully and quietly walk down the stairs, into the darkness. We can hear the loud screams and cries of the people being brutally tortured and murdered. We hear the extremely loud crashes and grinding of the many torture devices being used.

We quietly hide in the darkness, behind a large stone wall. I carefully look around the corner of the wall. I see many people, tied up with chains, hanging in cages and pinned to various torture devices. There are men, women and children, being brutally interrogated, beat, tortured and murdered. I hear their screams and cries as they are slowly put to death.

I see a ring of keys, many keys, hanging on a large nail in the wall. I look back at Joshua and then at myself, I notice the potion has finally worn off. I take the vial of potion out of my pouch and uncork the vial. I take a small drink and hand it to Joshua. He drinks the potion and hands it back to me. Right before I uncork it, I say "Wait...To keep us all safe." I slowly feed some of the potion to Adam and he begins to glow brightly. I then hand the rest of the potion to Emily, there is not much left, and therefore she finishes the vial. She begins to glow so brightly as well.

"I have a plan." I say "I need your help and do not want to leave Adam and Emily alone." "I'll take care of them." Says a voice in the darkness. Mary, in her white, flowing robe, steps out of the darkness. "Thank you!" I say "Thank you so much." I carefully hand Adam to her, she takes him in her arms and Emily grabs a tight hold of her arm, securely.

I unsheathe my sword and Joshua readies his ax. Crouched down, Joshua and I begin to make our move out of the darkness and into the bright orange light. We hide behind barrels, stone pillars and large devices, such as a large iron maiden. We get to the many prisoners, sitting against the wall.

One of them, a man, looks at me and begins to speak. I put one finger up, against my lips and say "Shhhhhhhh!!!! We're here to help you." The man, happily, tells the prisoner next to him, that prisoner tells the next and soon they all know why we are there. I can't help but notice, the man looks awfully familiar to me. He has a very long, brown yet graying, beard and moustache. He is wearing a white, torn blouse, brown pantaloons and no shoes.

With Joshua behind me, we begin to get closer and closer to the ring of keys. I finally get right underneath the keys. I look up and see they are right above my head. I look around and notice Joshua is gone. I look all over for him. I bravely stand up; wrap my hand around the keys, silencing them. I lift the ring off of the nail and finally have the keys safely within my possession.

I crouch back down and see Joshua; he is quietly talking to the prisoner whom I recognize. I slowly make my way back over to Joshua. Looking at the man, I realize, he is the castle doorman, whom I saw in my dream. I see the lock, which is holding all of the many prisoners captive.

I recognize many of the prisoners from my dream, as well. "I got the keys, Joshua." I whisper as I begin trying each key in the lock.

"Alexander, this is my father, Edward Shaw." "Wonderful to meet you, sir." I whisper "A pleasure to meet you...My son." he says, sincerely "Now there are more of us then there are of us so we will all have to..." Speaking so fast, I fail to realize what the man, Edward, had just said to me. As I unlock the chains I say, loudly "YOUR SON???!!!"

With that, all off the chains fall off of the prisoners and they go running in all directions. Many of them run after the tortures as well as Sage. I quickly stand up and begin unlocking the many cages, chains, releasing the prisoners from their chambers and torture devices.

Joshua and Edward, his father...MY father...are fighting the many attackers, coming from all directions. I see Sage, trying to gather all of his freed prisoners. I run up behind him as he turns around and tried to stab me in the heart. I swing my sword, cutting off his hand.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" He screams, so painfully. I then stab him in the heart. He falls backwards, landing on top of his own spiked barrel.

He is still not dead; therefore I force him into the barrel. I shove him, tightly into it as he continues to scream and kick. I put the large cover on the barrel and turn the barrel onto its side. "GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!!!" He is still screaming and I roll the barrel onto the large, roaring fire. "NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!" He screams and yells over and over again! The barrel begins to burn with Sage trapped inside of it. The barrel shakes violently as he struggles to escape.

Suddenly the roaring fire beings to act very strange, as if erupting from under the barrel! I then begin to see what looks like fiery, arms and hands! It is the Splarks!!!! They have attached themselves together in the form of enormous arms and hands!

They reach out from under the barrel, spreading their fiery arms and hands very wide. Sage continues to scream and beg for mercy while shaking the spiked barrel back and forth. The arms and hands of the Splarks wrap themselves around the barrel, holding it tightly in place.

All of the prisoners have been released, the tortures have been killed by Joshua, our father and I. All that is left within the dungeon is the burning barrel of Sage completely covered completely in fiery Splarks. I run to the stone wall where I last left Mary, Adam and Emily. Mary is gone; everyone is safe and sound with Adam in Edward's arms.

I look into Edward's adoring eyes "My father!" I say, happily, with tears in my eyes. I give him a tight embrace. "Our father" Joshua says as he and Emily join our warm embrace.

"Father..." I say "How...How did you know it was me? Where have you been?..." I ask shakily, with many questions all at once. "Never mind that now." he says "We have got to get out of this evil place and fast." I begin, making my way the winding stairs, with my family, following close behind me. We all make our way towards the door. "COME ON!" I yell and begin to run, towards the drawbridge.

"WAIT!" I hear Joshua yell. I stop and look back, his red cape is stuck, and it is stuck on a leaver of some kind. I run over and help him. "Just go!" I tell our father "We will catch up!" They make their way across the drawbridge, to safety. I see all of the many prisoners fleeing into the woods.
Joshua pulls on his cape and it is suddenly free from the leavers grip.

The leaver has shifted and the castle begins to rumble violently. The drawbridge begins to rise up and the Iron Gate begins to come down. "LET'S GO!!!! HURRY!!!!" I yell as we begin to run towards the entry. Joshua has made his way under the falling Iron Gate. I quickly put my sword in it's sheathe. I throw myself onto the floor. I roll myself out from underneath the Iron Gate, which comes crashing down as soon as I am out from underneath it.

The drawbridge is rising higher and higher I stand up and run as fast as I can. I run up to the top of the rising drawbridge and take a large leap. I push myself off of the edge of the drawbridge, hoping to make in safely onto the ground.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" I yell as I see that I will not make it to the other side. I see all of the bodies and spirits reaching, waiting for me to fall into their clutches. I fall further and further, closer and closer to the haunted waters. Suddenly, I see something white, fly up from underneath me.

I have landed softly and safely upon the back of Mary. She has turned herself back into the beautiful white Unicorn and has once again saved my life. She takes me to the other side of the moat, at the edge of the forest, where my family is waiting for me.

As soon as we land upon the ground and I get off of Mary's back, the ground begins to shake. It shakes and rumbles so very violently. We all struggle to keep ourselves on our own feet. "WHAT IS HAPPENING??!!" I ask in a very shaky, frightened voice.

15. Belial

I look up at the evil, dark Blackdeath Castle. Suddenly, the ground begins to shake so violently. Behind the castle, something begins to arise. It is incredibly enormous and black. I see it raise it's ugly, evil, horned head. It is Belial, the dragon and guardian of Blackdeath Castle!!!!

The horrid dragon looks directly at me as it brings it's twisted, horned head back. It suddenly lurch's its head forward, open's it's mouth and blows a giant torch of mighty fire at me! I put up my shield, stopping the hot fire of death from burning me.

"Get on, Alexander!!!!" Mary says and with my sword unsheathed, I quickly jump onto her back. Luckily, the potion has not yet worn away. Mary begins to fly toward the deamon dragon. She flies behind the enormous dragon, avoiding the dragon's firey breath. I swing my sword and I cut a large rip into Belial's left wing. Belial lets out a very loud roar and blows a mighty breath of fire my way. It misses us and sets all of Blackdeath Castle aflame!

Mary very quickly circles Belial once more. As soon as she flies behind him, I cut a large rip into Belial's left wing, causing the dragon to be unable to fly. The dragon lets out another painful roar. The dragon sees us flying out from behind. Belial suddenly blows another enormous breath of fire our way. The fire misses us and goes directly into the moat of Blackdeath Castle. Mary flies back down to the ground. I quickly get off of her back and she hurries back to safety. Joshua runs to me, with his ax in his hands, ready to help me kill the hellish beast.

We suddenly begin to hear the loud screams of someone. The screams are coming from the fires of the fiery castle. To our surprise, Death rides out of the flaming castle! He rides out carrying another large coffin. There are horrified screams coming from the coffin. Upon the coffin, on all sides, in blood red letters reads: "JOHN SAGE" Death rides from the fiery castle, leaps over the moat and disappears into the dark forest.

Belial suddenly blows another mighty breath of hot fire directly at us. I put up my shield and guard us both. As soon as I move my mighty shield, out of the way, Belial begins to lurch his ugly head forward. Belial begins chomping at us. As it tries to eat us alive, we move back, further and further towards the forest as the evil dragon comes closer and closer. We are hitting the Belial in the snout, trying to kill it but its skin is too tough for us.

"Joshua! Your bow and arrow!!" I run over to where Joshua has left his bow and quiver of arrows. I quickly sheathe my sword, put on Joshua's quiver of arrows and grab the bow. I quickly run back over to Joshua. I reach behind me and grab an arrow. I quickly prepare an arrow, ready for firing.

Belial opens its mouth very wide. Joshua takes a sudden swing at the inside of Belial's mouth. Joshua, with his ax, cuts off a very large piece of the mighty dragon's large, pink, slimy tongue. Its red blood begins to ooze, flowing violently out of its fiery mouth. I aim the arrow directly at Belial's horned head.

I shoot the arrow and it hits the horrid dragon directly in its enormous, right, green eye. Belial roars, hoarsely as well as painfully. The demonic dragon now appears to be getting somewhat weak.

Belial, now with no tongue and only one eye, suddenly stands tall and blows another breath of fire. This time, he blows his mighty fire-breathing breath at Joshua. As soon as the fire comes flowing violently towards him, I jump in front of Joshua and raise my mighty shield, protecting us both.

Belial angrily takes a large dive toward us with its mouth wide open. We both jump out of the way. Joshua runs to the left and I run to the right while Belial drives his long snout directly into the ground.
The dragon breathes another huge breath of fire, missing us both. Joshua and I run at Belial, attacking its neck. Joshua hacks at it while I stab it repeatedly. Joshua hacks off many of the dragon's scales while I cut open the neck. Belial raises its head and tries to roar very loudly.

His heavy head, causes it's now weak neck to rip itself apart. Belial's head and neck fall off and into the moat. Its large body suddenly falls upon the enormous fire engulfed castle. The weight of Belial's body falls and crushes the castle to pieces.

The dragon's body suddenly disappears, vanishes into the fire. I look into the moat, where the head has landed. I see the red, horned head of the evil, vial tempter. His evil green left eye, stares directly up at me, with the arrow sticking directly out of his right eye. His horned head floats in the water. I see no hands coming up for it, nor any motion under the water.

I then remember my dream and what the one spirit in the water had said. Now, with Sage gone, the castle gone and Belial killed, the souls have been freed. They have all been sent to Heaven, thanks to Mary, Witch Treethan, me and my dear...big brother.

16. From Friends To...Family?

We all thanked Mary, for her loving, wonderful help. We gave her warm embraces as she kissed our foreheads tenderly, while she blessed us all. She is not only my guardian angel, but the guardian angel of our loving family. "I love you all...My beautiful children." It was then that we all knew, in our hearts, she is our true mother.
After much needed time, talking, we all learned, when Joshua, Adam, Emily and I were babies, we were separated.

Adam and I lived with our Grandfather and Mother, while Joshua and Emily lived with our Father, Edward Page. The reason we were all separated, was for our own safety. In the dark days of Sage, Redcap as well as creatures like the Spriggans and cannibals, nowhere was safe. We were separated to keep our family name, Page, sacred. As for Elizabeth Shaw, she was our mother's twin sister who helped raise Joshua and Emily.

Upon our journey home, we talked all about our lives as well as our futures together. I carried Adam, upon my back, until he felt strong enough to walk on his own. He and his twin sister, Emily, ran and played with Joshua, throughout the vallies as well as the forests. We all kept extra close watch over Adam and Emily. We stopped at the gravestone, in the same cemetery Joshua and I were at. We all prayed the Lord's Prayer at the grave stone of:

Mary Page
1186-1211

I thanked her many times, over and over again for her love and care. We all, picked roses off of the rosebush. We laid the roses, one from each of us, next to our mother's gravestone. We laid roses next to Elizabeth's gravestone, as well. I thank the Lord, as well as Mary, for helping me find Adam. I do not just thank them for helping me find Adam but for helping me find...our family.

Finding out Joshua is my elder brother, is quite a shock to us both. Not only did my sword once belong to my father, my mighty shield belonged to him as well. My father knew I would one day be asking Witch Treethan for help.

The deal we would make would be my test of strength, devotion, willpower, wisdom, truth and bravery. To help protect me, as well as our family, she had promised our father that his mighty shield would be safely waiting for my arrival.

Therefore, knowing Joshua is the first born, I unsheathe my sword. With the blade down and golden handle up, I kindly hand my sword, as well as my mighty, red crossed shield over to Joshua. I take off my belt and hand it over to him as well, he does the same, handing me his ax. He kindly hands over his ax, leather belt and quiver of arrows.

17. A Father's Secret

While preparing to leave the cemetery, Emily turned to Adam and asked "We are going home, but...Where is our home?" our father said "I have something to tell you children." "What is it, father?" I asked "Come here, everyone." We all gathered together, sitting in a circle together, in between our mother and Aunt Elizabeth's graves. "Now that we are all reunited, I can finally confess a secret you, my children...Our family is very royal.

Our Page family name is of royal decendance." In absolute amazement, Joshua asks "How is this possible?" "I am the true king of all Medievland. Your mother, Mary, was my queen. You Alexander, Joshua, Adam, you are all prince's and heirs to the thrown, just as you are, Emily, my little princess."

Tears began to form within all of our eyes, true tears of absolute happiness and love. Love of family, life and gratefulness. We all wrap our arms around each other and cry so very happily. "Before I was captured, I had ordered my trusted council to make absolutely sure you all would be reunited. I had ordered you all to be reunited and taken to Bravery Castle. There, you all would be crowned before the entire kingdom of Medievland."
We dried our tears and helped each other stand up, off the ground.

"Well, now we know where home is." I said to Emily, she smiled so big and gave me a very warm embrace. We began walking on, past the beautiful church and through the valley.

18. Welcome Home, Page Family!

We stand upon the grassy hill, overlooking the glorious kingdom of Medievland. In the far distance, upon a small mountain standing very strong is our loving home...Bravery Castle. We walked along the rocky path, throughout the beautiful village of Medievland.

Everyone we pass, stops, smiles and bows to us all, gracefully and honorably. Many of the people, I recognize from my dream, while I was searching for Adam in Blackdeath Castle. We walk together, looking at all of these beautiful and happy people, men, women and children. They all line path together so very proudly.

We finally reach our glorious family home, Bravery Castle. We stand together, looking lovingly at our stone-built, sandstone colored home. It has many beautiful towers, tall and small with squared edges all around. It has rounded stained-glass windows in each tower as well as in the foundation of our home, two on each side of the drawbridge.

There is a very large, sparkling clear blue-water moat, flowing all around our family castle. Suddenly, our drawbridge begins to slowly come down.

The drawbridge finally touches the ground in front of us. Our Iron Gate slowly begins to arise. We all set foot upon our giant wooden moat. We walk together, through the entrance of our glorious home.

There are many knights, dressed in suits of armor. There are servants, men and women, dressed very beautifully, smiling at us, as we walk through the great hall of our family castle.

A tall, elderly servant with wide brown eyes, black, gray and white streaked, shoulder-length hair, happily greets our father. The excited servant is dressed in tan pantaloons, black boots, as well as frilled white blouse and purple cloak.

"Ohh, your highness..." the noble servant; page says excitedly, as he proudly walks along-side us "We are all so happy as well as extremely honored that you have finally returned."

"Yes, Victor, we are all extremely overjoyed to finally be back home together, where we belong." Victor looks to us all and happily greets us "Hello and welcome home, your majesties." He looks down at Emily, smiles and says "Welcome home to you as well, sweet princess." We all smile and thank him joyfully. "I will now guide you to your Throne Room, where the Abbot eagerly awaits your presents."

We continue walking through the hallways of our home. We see extremely beautiful, gold framed painting of our home. There are also paintings of the valley, the forest as well as many other paintings of our entire kingdom, all throughout the long halls of our family castle. There are also banners hanging down, in-between each painting. The banners are colored silver with the same red-cross going down the middle, just like the mighty shield, which now belongs to Joshua.

Victor guides us to two big, wooden doors, which are being guarded by two knights in shining armor. "Welcome home, Page family." Victor says, sincerely, as the guards step away and the giant doors begin to slowly open.

19. The Crowning of the Page Family

The doors continue to open wider and wider. We begin to hear the glorious, welcoming sound of trumpets, violins and many other minstrels playing their beautiful music for us all. We are all amazed by what we see.
There is a red carpet rolled out for us all.

Within our glorious Thrown Room, along the red carpet, stand many, many happy looking people. They are all dressed so incredibly beautifully. In front of us, upon the altar are five, very large thrones. The thrones are velvet red with golden rims, legs and armrests.

Upon the wall, above the five thrones, hangs an enormous, beautiful and captivating painting. It is a painting of...ME! It is not only me, but our family as well. Within the painting, I am holding my sword, with my shield up, in defense. Joshua stands behind me, on my left. He holds his bow and arrow, ready for firing, with his quiver upon his back. His ax is seen, hanging from his brown leather belt.

On my right, Witch Treethan stands, smiling her slyly crooked smile while she holds the pink vial of life-saving potion in her hands. Behind us, towers Blackdeath Castle with its windows all aglow. There is a circle of black storm clouds surrounding the tallest tower as well.

Also behind us all and behind Blackdeath Castle as well, enormous flames of Belial's fire climb high to the black clouds. Below us, stands our glorious home, Bravery Castle. The painting is beautifully and honorably framed in shiny, solid gold.

The Abbot, stands before us, upon the large altar. He stands beside a large table. Upon the table are five beautiful crowns. One crown is a princess crown. The crown is pure gold, decorated with beautiful sparkling jewels. The other crowns are red velvet with a golden base as well as four golden edges, on each side of the crowns. On the top of each crown sits a golden cross. Upon the base and edges of the crowns are various colored jewels, beautifully decorating each of the five crowns. We begin to walk down the red carpet and towards the altar.

The five of us stand proudly together before the holy Abbot. As a family, we stand together in a line, next to each other, just the way we walked in. First, our father, then Joshua, me, Adam and Emily. We stand there, looking up at the Abbot. The music begins to slowly fade as the Abbot begins to speak in his mighty tone.

"Welcome all!" he says "We have gathered here to witness the crowning of this holy family. This blessed family has fought for each other through many obstacles and evil and survived it all. The Lord has greatly shined his love down upon them and blessed them all with the mighty strength, love, power and compassion they need to overcome anything that crosses their path.

They have faced pure evil and survived with each other's love, care and protection. With all the evil they have faced, they have survived it, for it has made them even stronger and brought them all together, as a family. And now let us pray." Everyone bowed their heads and folded their hands to pray.

"Ohh, Holy Lord..." The Abbot begins to give us his sacred, holy blessing. "Lord, bless the strong, beautiful Page family. Make them strong enough to help their glorious kingdom overcome any evil and obstacle their wondrous kingdom may face. Lord, we ask you to grant all power and strength to their highness Prince Joshua, Prince Alexander, Prince Adam, Princess Emily and their father, King Edward. Amen." Everyone raises their heads and looks up at our holy Abbot.

"I will now begin the crowning of the royal family." The Abbot says, as he turns to the round table and picks up the first crown. Together, we kneel upon our right knees. We gaze up at our pope as he carries a crown and holds it over our father's bowed head. "For love of family, country and the Lord, I crown you, Sir King Edward Page. May the Lord bless you and your beautiful family with all of the strength and power the Holy Lord has to offer."

The Abbot gently placed the glorious crown upon our father's head. Our father looked up with tears of happiness and love within his eyes.

The Abbot then turned and picked up another crown off of the table and stood in front of Joshua. "For strength, courage and honor in the face of pure evil, I crown you, Prince Joshua Page. May the Lord bless you and keep you strong, brave and true throughout your many years and beyond." The Abbot gently places the shining crown upon Joshua's head. Joshua slowly looks up and smiles very happily.

It is now my turn to be crowned. My heart begins to race, excitedly. The Abbot stands in front of me, holding the crown over my head. "For courage, honor, bravery, strength, power and love. For mighty strength in the face of absolute evil and danger, I crown you, Prince Alexander Page." I feel the crown gently and comfortably sit upon my head. I slowly raise my head, looking up at the Abbot, as tears begin to happily form within my eyes.

The Abbot turns to the table and picks up another crown. He turns to Adam and holds the crown over his head. "For love, bravery, strength and willpower in the face of death and evil. I crown you Prince Adam Page." The Abbot gently places the crown upon Adams head. As Adam raises his head, the crown fell a little over Adam's happy blue eyes. Adam smiles so proud and lovingly.

The holy Abbot turns and picks up the last remaining crown, the golden princess crown. He holds it over Emily's head. "For love, bravery, strength and love, I crown you, Princess Emily Page." He gently places the crown upon Emily's head. As soon as Emily happily looks up, her crown suddenly falls directly over her eyes. She giggles so very sweetly as the Abbot smiles and repositions her shining gold crown comfortably onto her head.

As we kneel, many other servants come up from behind us. The servants carry long, red velvet robes, lined with white fur. Each servant stands behind each of our family members. They unfold each of the robes and wrap it around our necks, wresting the robes upon our shoulders as well.

The Abbot smiles proudly and signals us all to rise.
We all stand, slowly turn around and face the very happy people of Medievland. The Abbot announces very proudly. "Kingdom of Medievland, I present to you...The royal family, mighty rulers of all Medievland...The Page family."
With that, the entire kingdom of Medievland begins to applaud us proudly. The music begins playing once again as well. I look up to see the enormous ivory and gold balcony, where the minstrels are playing their instruments happily.

I see our mother and Witch Treethan, with her black cat sitting upon her back. Our mother and Witch Treethan, stand extremely proud and happy, as we stand there below, united as the royal Page family of Medievland. I smile so proudly as they smile, looking lovingly at us all.

Looking at all of these people I see the smiles on all of their faces and feel their proud happiness for us all. I know, no matter what happens, the kingdom of Medievland, will always and forever remain the happiest and proudest land for all eternity.

Our royal family will always and forever remain eternally strong, brave and true. I know in my heart and soul, many years as well as centuries from now this glorious kingdom will still remain eternally strong and true.
The future children of Joshua, Adam, Emily and I, will once rule all of this land and keep it strong, true, brave and beautiful for their children and their children's children. It will always and forever be protected from all evil and fear.

As long as the Page family remains on the thrown, the people of Medievland will always and forever be eternally happy, healthy and protected in every way possible. These are promises I have made to myself, our family, the Lord and the entire kingdom of Medievland.

The kingdom of Medievland will always and forever remain the happiest, strongest and most gloriously beautiful kingdom in the entire world, for all eternity...and that is a promise.

20. Living Happily Ever After

Joshua, I, Adam, Emily and our father, now spend moment of every day and moment every night together. We enjoy each others company, love, care, time and attention. We are always running and playing together, throughout our castle home, the glorious gardens we have, through the valley and through the forests as well.

We are always watching over each other extremely closely, just as our father, mother and Victor do. We all make sure none of us are ever left out of anything, nor ever lost. As long as we have each other, our family we will never ever be lost. We will always and forever live in pure honor, bravery, love and of course...Happily ever after.

© Art Is Life, Life Is Art 2008