In the Kingdom of Lubbock, Prince Andrew would often misbehave. He would whine and squabble when his mother told him to eat his broccoli, play in his room, or go to bed.
“No!” and “I don’t wanna!” became his common refrain. Should he not get his way, he would often cry.
Prince Andrew’s mother, Queen Brittany, worried because the Prince’s continuous misbehavior would anger the spirits that lived in the World Beyond. The young Prince’s wails, like those of any three-year-old, could trouble the mysterious spirits that seemed to focus on the Canyon Crossing castle, where rumor had it that the bounds between the worlds were thin.
In short, Canyon Crossing castle was haunted. Creatures from the World Beyond, including goblins and monsters, and those things the ancient Good Books called demons, could manifest.
The beautiful Queen was exceptionally busy ruling the Kingdom and, despite her best efforts and those of her advisers, Countess Jenn of Indianna and Princess Tamara of Texasland, the World Beyond could not be tamed. Many a mercenary, claiming knowledge of the paranormal, would attempt to quell the malevolent spirits at night, only to disappear.
An ominous pallor settled over the Kingdom, and the weather turned bleak and grim. Heat killed crops, and torrential rain washed away fertile soil.
“Should Prince Andrew’s wailing not dissipate by his fourth birthday there may be hell to pay,” one of the Queen’s advisers commented. “This haunted place lurks with dark creatures who seek to punish the lad for his impertinence.” After a meeting of the Ducanite Council in the Great Hall of the castle, it was decided, with great reluctance, that something must be done:
Eventually Prince Andrew must rule a vibrant kingdom and his wailings, which attracted the vicious spirits and creatures from the World Beyond, must be tempered. How could the young man be convinced to behave, and at such a tender age? The boy could not be muted, nor could he be allowed to run wild.
The Queen, taking his favorite green robe, decided to journey southward, toward the nearby Kingdom of Midland, where, it was rumored, the greatest ghost- and monster-slayer lived.
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Prince Owen of Midland was the fairest ghost-slayer in the land, armed with ancient weapons of centuries past. From before the Great Calamity that tore the world asunder. He claimed to be a direct descendent of Calvin I, the great ruler who protected the land and people in the first years after the Great Calamity.
Old “photographs” from those days, still in existence behind salvaged glass and protected in museums, seemed to confirm Prince Owen’s claim. The man, however, was known for his insincerity and arrogance.
His infamous Thompson had, however, slain many a mysterious creature from the Poisoned Lands. His battle armor, with the sacred Vest of Lead and Helmet of DellOmni, was unmatched.
He lived in the College Castle, less than a mile from his ancestral land, protected by an army of thousands. The Kingdom of Midland had grown strong immediately after the Great Calamity, with laborers diverting water to the city. Its ancient Oil Wells provided much for export, and tales were rampant of moving metal monstrosities that still existed.
An emissary rode ahead of Queen Brittany’s convoy and alerted Prince Owen to her imminent arrival.
“She is fair and noble,” the emissary assured, and Prince Owen demanded a tremendous banquet be thrown. He saddled his finest brown bear for riding and assembled his entourage, including brother Prince Colin XII and the four Barons who helped administer his affairs.
The convoy met Prince Owen’s entourage just north of Midland, near the Land of the Flames, where ruined pipes spewed fire that roared.
While many of the Queen’s advisers worried that the area was one where the World Beyond was near to coming through, Prince Owen’s first Baron, Baron Wolf, assured that it was not so.
“Alpha and gamma waves have been normal,” he said to the confusion of all. An ancient machine that clicked and beeped was carried behind him by a squire, who delicately balanced a piece of greenish glass that reflected the sun.
A lunch tent was quickly erected by servants and those of importance were made comfortable inside. It had been many years since ambassadors of the two Kingdoms had met. The tension was palpable.
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“I see you have monsters to be slayed,” Prince Owen said as he delicately shook hands with the fair Queen, whose beauty was beyond description. “So that your young son may not be eaten.”
“Yes, that is true. Canyon Crossing castle is afflicted by being close to the World Beyond. Things get through and torment us, drawn by tantrums. Advisers tell me that the voice of one so young has frequencies that carry into the world of monsters.”
“Much like the ancient story of Beowulf,” mused Prince Owen. “No matter. If it comes into this world, it can be slain.”
“You have quite a reputation, my good man,” the Queen replied, her voice still cool and noncommittal. “But to see if you and your Barons shall be hired for such a task I must have your skills vetted by my advisers, Lords Roman and Dennis.”
Prince Owen raised an eyebrow. “For such a vetting process, the task must be difficult. Should I be approved and indeed slay your monsters, what reward shall I receive?”
“That will be negotiated soon, Prince. What is the plan for after this luncheon?”
“Into the Kingdom of Midland we shall go, and our economic advisers will speak with yours about the usual tripe. You and your entourage will accompany me to College Castle, where I will speak with your young son.”
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The armory of Prince Owen was formidable, with the legendary Weapons of Old carefully maintained.
While monsters could be slain by physical weapons, long ago had ceased any production of weapons of fire and fury. Most were lifeless and in museums, their “ammunition” no longer attainable or functional.
The Kingdom of Midland had the last stocks for many, many leagues. Though greatly diminished, the Kingdom’s arsenal had allowed it to procure water and concessions from surrounding regions for over a century. King Patrick III of Midland had won the Battle of Abilene decades ago with fire and fury weapons and had and diverted three pipelines from the Kingdom of Abilene’s lake, to be accessed and drained should the Abilenians cease paying tribute.
The last remaining Abilenian “tank” was the centerpiece of the armory, and Lord Roman and Lord Dennis of Lubbock were very impressed with the setup.
“I see many guns of old,” Lord Roman said to Owen’s Barons, who were proud of the collection. “They can slay many monsters. But what of spirits? There is no protection against them but wits alone. Have you all got enough wits amongst you?”
The Barons bristled. “But of course we do!” Baron Wolf said with a touch of indignation. “And, should you not have heard the rumors, we have more than wits!”
The Barons and their guards led the Lords down to a sub-crypt, with walls thick and heavy.
“This is where we keep the imps,” Baron Wolf said, stopping them on a metal staircase. The room below was vast and silent, dark.
“We go no further, only rarely do we venture down there to check on the imps.”
“Imps?” Lord Dennis asked nervously.
“Spelled E-M-P-S” Baron Matthew responded. “Not as in goblins. I know not what they do, but Baron Wolf and Prince Owen know of their operation. They can slay spirits of any World Beyond!”
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Prince Owen and Queen Brittany sat down to a royal dinner in the Great Hall of the College Castle, with attendants bringing in Prince Andrew after he had been bathed and dressed from his journey.
“Have you seen these monsters?” Prince Owen asked the young boy.
The young boy told him about the monsters and spirits.
Lords Dennis and Roman appeared and quietly spoke with the Queen, giving her their report.
“My advisers speak highly of your Kingdom’s arsenal and its armory,” she said. “Will you help me?”
“Of course I will,” Prince Owen replied, smiling both at the beautiful Queen and her young son. “It would be an honor.”
He motioned to a servant.
“Ready my riding bears for the morning. Have the Barons pack three imps, Thompsons all around, and have my usual trunk of slaying tools prepared. Wagons should depart for Lubbock at dawn, and I will depart soon after.”
The servant nodded and hurried off.
“I have heard rumors about the World Beyond and its effects on your Kingdom. Perhaps it is time this world gave something back!”
———————- To Be Continued! ————————————————————————–