Prologue: After the Battle

The people of Debain celebrated the return of their beloved Prince Nicholas for three days. The celebration lasted for three days and when it was over the weary travelers settled back into normal life. In fact the young prince was so content with being back in his human form that he didn’t mind that it would be another six years till he could become king.

THE WORLD OF MISTS

Chapter One:

Four years had passed and Nick was no longer ten years old. He had grown to be a strong fourteen year old and was taller then he ever thought that he would be. It was still another two years till he could claim the throne as his own so his dear older sister Nicki and his good friend Vincent had taken care of royal affairs up to this point. At the moment the two of them were preparing for their wedding. Nick was overjoyed for them both having found one another but along with this feeling of happiness he felt a deep sense of sadness. Nick hadn’t thought much about what had happened to his parents years ago but now, four days before the wedding the question of what began to gnaw at him.

Everyone in the castle was making preparations. Telou was organizing his new troops. Nicki and Vincent were picking out color schemes for the royal reception. Partha was helping out with the wedding dress while Gabriella and Justin were being fitted for their tux and flower girl dress. The only one not busy that afternoon was in fact the young prince. He decided to wander out into the garden and lay under the big oak tree to rest for awhile. He closed his eyes and began to meditate. How thought about how proud he was to be able to walk his big sister down the aisle as their father would have done if he had lived.

“Father?” he thought sadly. Then his thoughts turned to his mother and father. The more he thought about it the more he felt the urge to know the truth about what happened to them. After all he was only a small boy when they died and he had no idea how it had occurred. In fact it was always assumed that they had died based on what Nicki had said it was never proven. What if they were still alive? What if they were somewhere else trapped at this very moment? Suddenly the young teen sat up and opened his eyes. He had to know the truth and he knew of only one person who could help him find it so he stood up and walked over to the steps that led to the tower of his old friend.

Nick opened the rusty old door and he could smell the smoke as he entered. All at once alarmed he called out.

“Zacbar! Are you all right?”

When there was no answer he continued to call until finally he spotted him underneath his desk fiddling with one of his jars.

“Zacbar?”

Hearing Nick the old man started to stand and forgetting that he was under the desk immediately he bumped his head.

“Ouch!”

“Are you okay?” Nick asked him as he held his hand down to help him up.

“Yes. I am just fine” Zacbar nodded as he replaced his glasses back onto his nose with a smile, “What can I do for you Nick?” he added as the boy helped him to his feet.

“I need your help again old friend” Nick replied as he led him over to his comfortable sitting chair.

“I see” Zacbar said back with another nod as he sat down, “I sense many questions are in your head right now” he replied rubbing his forehead slightly.

“Yes. Exactly” Nick nodded eagerly.

“Questions, very tough questions you need answers to” Nick nodded a second time, “Well I do believe that it is important that you know the answers, however” Nick’s face fell slightly, “I’m afraid that these are answers to which I cannot provide.”

“Oh” Nick said disappointed.

“But” Zacbar continued making Nick look up in hope, “There may be someone who can help you to possibly find the answers.”

“There is? Who?” Nick asked him as the old man stood from his chair and walked over to his shelf and took down the old familiar group picture. He pointed his finger at someone in the photograph and Nick’s mouth dropped open slightly as he handed the picture to him.

“Gabriella?” he replied stunned.

(Till Next Time)