Back inside Farmer Haan's household, Julius and Igor had not come to the breakfast table. The members of the house all went looking for the two boys, but could not find them anywhere.

Athena was now very worried. She mentioned to Beatrice and the rest of the house that Julius had been very restless lately, and that he had often inquired about the palace and the forbidden castle. Just the other day, she had to remind him of his promise to never go near that place. Now, she feared that Julius and Igor had both broken their promise. Athena was very worried for her child's life, as well as Igor's. What will they do to the two boys when they find them?

The door swung open, and in came farmhand Luke! He threw both of his hands up in the air, shook his head, and said, "Nadda sign of them at all! Sorry!"

Suddenly, behind him flew in another figure! He was fast as lightning, nobody could have stopped him!

The figure stood there by the doorway, he looked across the room and found Athena, and then his eyes fixated on her. Athena was surprised at the intruder. She stared at the figure, her eyes now wide with terror! The figure was a guard!

Suddenly, as fast as the guard flew in, the figure dropped to his knees, and said, "Long Live the Queen! It's Sky here, Your Highness!"

"Sky! It's you! I'm so glad it's you! Where are Julius and Igor? Where are they now?"

"I'm sorry Your Highness! I have sinned! I have failed to protect the young prince!"

"But where are they now?"

"They are in the Forbidden Castle. They have been captured and sent to work in the Cookery. They will not be of any danger for a while, but if Blayde told the Queen, then there might be some dangers ahead for the prince and Igor as well! You must leave this place now, because Blayde is on his way here to look for Haan, and he will soon find you. I have come before him to let you know this. Your Highness, you must leave now, for they are going to tear this place down to look for you!"

"Sky! Where would I go? I don't want to leave without Julius! I can't! He needs me!"

"No, you should go as far away from here as possible! You must hurry now, for Blayde is on his way!"

"They won't find her here, we have built a secret room underneath the ground, and you only can go there by a secret pathway. Athena, please hurry. Go there now and don't come out until you hear my calls." Haan said.

"Haan! Please be careful!" Athena gave Haan a hug.

"Farewell, Your Highness! I will be back later! But I must leave you now!" Upon saying farewell, Sky had disappeared as fast as he came. Farmer Haan locked the door behind him.

Athena collected all her belongings and went into her hiding place. She stayed there in fear, almost afraid to breathe.

Later, she heard loud noises, the door had been kicked in, and somebody was questioning Farmer Haan about Julius. Farmer Haan told them he did not know where the boy live. He only came to the fields everyday to play with Igor. But the interrogators did not believe him. They punched and slapped him around. Athena felt so bad. She could not bear to allow Farmer Haan to suffer anymore. She held both her hands to her ears, and screamed.

"I'm here! I'm here! Please take me instead!" Tears were running down her cheeks.

Suddenly, there was total silence on top of her. She heard footsteps running amok all over the house, searching, and searching!

"Where is she? Speak! You foolish man, or you shall die!"

Farmer Haan's life was now being threatened. Farmhand Luke and the others rushed back from the fields and watched in horror as Haan was beaten down to the ground.

Suddenly Farmhand Luke rushed over to the guard and began fighting with him; Athena crouched down there in the hiding room, crying in fear. This must be stopped! She thought. No one has to sacrifice his life for me!

Suddenly, she stood up bravely, and walked up to meet the crowd.

"I'm here! Leave everyone alone! I'll go with you!" She shouted.

"NO!" Farmer Haan was devastated, and disappointed. He watched helplessly as Athena was led away.

X X X

As Blayde entered the palace, he sent Athena immediately to the prison quarters, without allowing anyone to see her. He knew well who Athena was, he still could remember vaguely a little prince was born about 10 years ago, but for some unknown reason, something had happened to his face and many others in the kingdom. Since then, almost immediately both mother and son had disappeared, and the King suddenly had taken on the Dragon Queen as his wife the following day. All this had been very confusing to him, but he wasn't going to worry about that for now. In the meantime, he was too hungry to hold on to his present position and power. He was not about to lose that. He advised the guards not to let anyone come into the prison quarters to visit Athena.

He came in front of the Dragon Queen and relayed to her who he had found and captured.

"Wretched woman!" cried the Dragon Queen, "I thought she was long dead! Ha ha ha! Now I don't need to worry about anything anymore, don't I? Ha ha ha!"

"Not only that!" Blayde said smiling. His eyes were dancing now with wicked victory, "I've got that little catface son of hers too!"

"You do?" Dragon Queen's eyes widen with pleasure, so happy that she continued to laugh uncontrollably, rocking her upper body back and forth, "Ha ha ha! This is just too good! This calls for a celebration!"

"Yes!" Blayde smiled wickedly. His eyes were filled with excitement.

"Stay with me, and let's celebrate the night away!" said the Dragon Queen. She was drawn to Blayde's strong body ever since she first laid eyes on him. That was why she had assigned him the important duties so that they could be together more often than usual, and Blayde had not disappointed her yet.

With King Atgar's failing health, she had moved to another quarter of the palace, leaving the King with mostly the palace’s medicine men to prescribe medication that he should take round the clock daily. Frankly, she did not care whether or not King Atgar live or die. She had his kingdom in her hands now. All this are hers, including this guard Blayde, who, in many instances, had given her more pleasures than anything else in the world!

Blayde knew that too. He used what he possessed as a powerful weapon. He knew in the future this kingdom could be his when proper steps are taken into measure. He was here to please this wicked queen, but he would not be here for too long. His ambition for the kingdom outweighed his desire for love.

"Yes, let's drink to that, my dear Queen!"

They ordered some good food and wine from the cookery, and then proceeded to enjoy the victory.

To be continued into Chapter 4...

Copyright (c) Sandie May Joyce
July 2008