Pugna, Glencar

“Sire, if we had your troops travel North for one week, to evade the forests, and then travel East towards the oceans for another week, well maybe longer, and then travel the same amount South as we did going North –“

“So basically another week…” Boredom was flooding through the face of King Malik of Pugna as his attention turned to smashing his wooden battle horse on a miniature replica of Glencar’s ocean city, Paisums. “The only thing between us is the forest…”

“No one has ever entered and survived it’s labyrinth of vines and trees, sire.”

“Think of the power I would receive!”

“Sire, I peg your pardon, but…you can’t go through. Many times past have kings tried and failed! It’s not possible! To carve a tunnel through the thick trees is mad! Many seasons past were exiled to the
forest and made to drown in the sea of mystery and death.”

“HA! You ridiculous old fool! Vanishing before you even slice the first leaf from this dagger! Now, Marlvin, my resourceful serpent, I think you might have given me an idea! Fetch me Maddox.”

King Malik slumped on his tall mahogany throne, draped with scarlet velvet backings. Eagle talons sustained the portly king. His eyes were as dark and sinister as a badger’s. Charcoal hair circled his shiny head and covered his many chins. Diamonds and rubies hung for dear life as his fingers drummed on the armrest. Sun bleached scrolls rested behind his throne in a wall of bookshelves. In the far East tower King Malik designed a room for planning his attacks for power. The room’s stone piled walls half covered with dark red curtains while shelves for scrolls took up the other spaces. One window looked out onto the brown city of Pugna. And just beyond the many acres of the mystery forest waited. The King glared down at the labyrinth of greenery.

Oh, how it taunted him.

“You called for me, Uncle?”

Snapping out of his trance, King Malik lifted his hand in offering, “Yes, show your uncle your love. Have a seat!”

Prince Maddox walked to the chair adjacent to the smashed replica of Paisums.

“I see you found your war horse.”

“Sire, I have found Maddox,” Marlvin’s tall pale slender figure slithered to the corner, melting into the shadows only revealing his yellow zircon eyes.

“Now, you are like a son to me, my dear Maddox. I have raised you since the tragic happenings in this palace. And now it’s time you were to be prepared to rule your own kingdom! A test! The one to prove your loyalty and strength!”

“Of course, your highness, I want to show my kingdom that I am ready,” Maddox slammed his fist into the forest, scattering wooden trees around Glencar.

A twisted smile crept upon the King’s face, “What a better way than to enter into the forest and retrieve your token.”

“Token? What token? I have never heard of such a thing.”

“Yes, but of course. It’s the known only by few,” his face became sorrowful, “Your parents were planning it from the start, it was going to be your epic moment to show Glencar you are their savior. Your initiation will bring closure to these people in their ruins of starvation and prosperity that plagues our lands. You must save us! I kept your throne warm and its wants you! I feel its vibrations through my hands up through my body, It craves you!”

“I am ready, your highness.”

“Then you must enter into the forest and find your token! Only you can find your token. It will appear to you and you will know it is to be yours. Now go, my son. Have your servants ready your horse, pack for the long journey ahead. It is time, you must prove to the kingdom you are ready. We shall announce your departure tonight, for you leave at daybreak.”

“Thank you. I will bring honor to our people and you.”

The Prince bowed and exited the room.

Marlvin's venomous tongue permeated from the shadows, “Wasn’t that wooden war horse your brother’s? You stole it from his desk as children.”

“I hated his talents, always the war hero, the crafter and the favored. Let’s see how much was passed down to their sweet Maddox. Innocence clouds his mind, I am sure the fresh air will be good for
him.”

“Sire, you know he will fail. He will not return for he will clearly be swallowed alive by the forest’s mouth.”

The king smiled a knowing smile.

“Precisely.”