The King's Bloodline:
A Dragonson Story

"Wait? What was that again?" asked King Rolly atop his throne. The ten-year-old king leaned forward so quickly, he almost dislodged the cat, Ftizz, who lay on his lap.

"Um, the Royal Zoo, your highness," said Lord Sizzle over Ftizz's warning growl. "We're going to have to cut the budget again."

"We have a zoo in Bon Su Pear?" asked King Rolly, and the skinny kid's face brightened.

"Well really, Your Highness has a zoo," said Lord Sizzle while the wiry old man pulled at his white beard. He was a traditionalist after all. "It is part of the King's Property."

"Well then, we have to go see it," announced King Rolly.

"Sire?" asked Lord Sizzle.

"I must …" started Rolly, and then he stopped and looked at his advisor Dr. Indira Sundl. The pretty woman, with her rich mocha complexion, sat primly on a simple wooden chair next to the throne. "What was that word you were telling me about the other day?"

"Inspection?" suggested Dr. Sundl.

"Yes!" grinned Rolly as he turned to Lord Sizzle. "Inspection. I must inspect the zoo before I can make a final decision on its budget."

"Well, we could arrange for you to go next week …" started Lord Sizzle.

"Today," said King Rolly flatly.

"Or today is good too," continued Lord Sizzle smoothly because he had survived in politics a long time. "But we were about to discuss the annual budget."

Rolly's forehead wrinkled in thought.

"Is that one of those situations where everyone argues for days, and no one still has an answer?" asked Rolly delicately.

Lord Sizzle started to answer indignantly, but then he shrugged. "Probably."

"Then I expect word of any progress before dinner," announced Rolly as he carefully dislodged the cat, Ftizz, on his lap. He set the feline down who stalked off indignantly.

Rolly started to turn to Dr. Sundl when his crown slipped forward. The Royal Crown had been forged for an adult and not a ten-year-old boy. The answer had come from one of the ladies in the kitchen who doted on the young boy. Rebekah had sewn an elegant little pillow that sat like a donut between the boy's head and the large crown. But sometimes it slipped about.

"Would you go with me?" asked Rolly of Dr. Sundl once he had dealt with the crown.

"Of course," replied Dr. Sundl happily. "But I'm not sure now is the best time since your special guard is on vacation."

"True," said Rolly thoughtfully as he fished his golden scepter from down in the cushions of the throne. "Oh! We could ask Gideon and Pavataro! Would that be okay?"

"I think you should be safe enough with them," agreed Dr. Sundl as she stood and checked her outfit. Her tan coat and matching skirt were well suited for an excursion. "I haven't gone to a zoo since I left my old home. The one in the capital city of Dringenberg was amazing, with a large enclosure so the tigers could run free."

"No tigers!" whispered Rolly in terror. "Not after …"

Rolly froze. He did not have to say anymore because Dr. Sundl already knew what had happened.

"Oh I'm sorry," said Dr. Sundl quickly. "I forgot. All right, no tigers. Come on, let's go find the boys."

* * *

"S—sire!" stammered His Royal Zookeeper, Leonard Butterman. His blond hair, which was going gray, stuck up from his head giving him a look of perpetual fright. His fussy little beard twitched in concern. "I didn't … I mean, no one told me you were coming!"

"Was I supposed to tell someone?" asked Rolly in confusion.

"It was a spur of the moment decision," explained Dr. Sundl to the zookeeper.

"Of course, of course, the king can do as he wants," said Butterman quickly. "It's just that we already have so many people in the zoo already."

"I don't mind the crowd here," shrugged Rolly.

Butterman furrowed his brow as he examined the young boy. "Your highness does not want me to empty the zoo of people before starting his tour?"

"No!" said Rolly. "Why would I do that?"

"Well, um, that's the way it's written in the royal charter," said Butterman. "I re-read it after your coronation. We are supposed to empty the zoo at your request so that you may enjoy it in peace."

"But you would have to kick everyone out," said Rolly, and Butterman just shrugged. Rolly stood for a moment, tossed his scepter into the air and caught it again. Then he looked at Dr. Sundl. "That's a stupid rule."

"We have talked about stupid rules," said Dr. Sundl with the patience of a teacher.

"Yea," nodded Rolly. He turned back to Butterman. "No one gets thrown out. These people planned to spend the day at the zoo, just like me. It would be mean to kick'em out onto the street."

"Hail King Rolly," crowed Gideon behind the boy.

"Does the king require anything else?" asked Butterman. "A guided tour?"

"Actually, I'd just like to wander around, if that's all right," said Rolly.

"Whatever your majesty wishes," said Butterman. "Send a runner if you need me."

"Thank you," said Rolly as the king and his friends went into the zoo.

When Butterman had left, Dr. Sundl leaned into Rolly.

"You know, the King does not have to bring his scepter everywhere," said Dr. Sundl with a little reproach in her voice. "It isn't required."

Rolly turned and blinked at her, and then at his gold scepter. It was not too ornate, but it had a sleek design.

"But it's so cool," said Rolly with awe in his voice.

Dr. Sundl nodded and said primly. "As long as that's the only reason that you're carrying it."

"Now I'm curious who designed the scepter," wondered Gideon peering at it with his orange eyes.

Rolly turned and smiled at Gideon, who stood just behind the ten-year-old with his fighting staff.

"It is neat, isn't it?" asked Rolly of Gideon, but the young dragon, Pavataro, answered.

"It might be worth keeping on a horde of gold," suggested Pavataro and he leaned forward to sniff the scepter. Since he and Gideon were only fifteen, the dragon's head only reached up to six feet in height. The black and blue dragon pulled back with a look of distaste. "If it was gold."

Rolly looked at the gold-looking scepter. "It's not?"

"It's gold-ish," recoiled Pavataro as if the scepter had been forged of stinky cheese.

* * *

"That seems like an awfully small cage for such a big animal," said Rolly. He peered past the metal bars of the cage to the animal lying within. Rolly wrinkled his nose. "And I don't think it's been cleaned recently."

"It's terribly sad," concurred Dr. Sundl.

"Poor thing," agreed Gideon.

"Is this like the zoos that you've seen?" asked Rolly of Dr. Sundl.

"No, not at all," said Dr. Sundl in concern. She pursed her dark mouth. "How can the poor animal live like this?"

"They got rid of two cage cleaners last year due to budget cuts," said a voice next to them. Rolly turned to see a girl his age whose long brown hair had been braided with silver, and who wore a green coat. She was peering into the cage. "Now there's only one guy who cleans the entire zoo."

"How is that possible?" asked Rolly.

"I'm not sure it is," replied the girl, and she wrinkled her cute nose at the smell.

"My name's Rolly," said the young king.

"I know," said the girl as she walked away to the next set of cages. Rolly followed, shadowed by Dr. Sundl and the boys.

"Do you have a name?" asked Rolly.

"Yep," said the Mysterious Girl, but she did not say anything more. Instead, she stopped in front of a cage. "This is a Hen-pecked Eagle. You can tell by it's sad expression and droopy wings." She moved down the row where maniacal laughter drifted out of a cage. "And this is a Laughing Fox. Rather nice animals, but noisy. Groups of hunters in Brun-Glen would take one with them on their weekend outings so that other hunters would know that they were coming."

"Doesn't being noisy defeat the purpose of hunting?" asked Pavataro.

"If you're hunting, yes," admitted the girl. "However, I think the men of Brun-Glen are only out in the woods to kill pints of ale."

"Oh, that type of hunting," nodded Dr. Sundl sagely. "That was my father's favorite type of hunting."

The Mysterious Girl walked on with a small smile.

"That one looks cute," said Rolly as they got to the next cage. In it, a fluffy grey animal with big ears and a large black nose lay placidly in a tree.

"Oh, you think that now," said the Mysterious Girl like she were telling a scary campfire story. "Then you get under them. That's a Killoala from the land of Cor'aveadrincmate. Here! It looks like it's feeding time."

In the back of the cage, a little door opened up just a sliver and a big piece of meat was thrown through the opening. The meat never hit the ground. Everyone, except the girl jumped back a foot as the Killoala shot down from the tree and tore into it.

"Wow," said Pavataro in surprise. "Even I don't eat that quick."

"Or that messy," agreed Gideon with horror.

The Killoala was quickly back up in the tree and placidly cleaning its bloody fur. It let out a happy, yet malevolent, little belch that made even the Mysterious Girl flinch.

"Long ago, these creatures only ate one type of bark. But then people used up all that wood to make figurines, which they'd sell to tourists. So rather than die out, the Killoala evolved. Horribly. Now they jump down on people who aren't paying attention, and …" started the girl. "Well, you can guess the rest."

The Mysterious Girl sauntered off with Rolly following close behind.

"I was wondering …" started Rolly nervously when he stopped, as did the girl, and looked curious. A seven-year-old boy stood directly in front of the boy king. Gideon and Pavataro were at the king's back in an instant. Rolly just smiled at the boy in the blue cotton shirt.

"Hi," said Rolly.

"What's that?" asked the boy pointing to Rolly's scepter.

"It's my scepter," said Rolly. "Some kind of thing for my office."

"Ah, my Da has an office, too," nodded the boy.

The boy's mother suddenly ran up. "I'm sorry. Paco just ran off. I hope he's not bothering you."

"No," said Rolly to the mother, and then he turned to the boy. "Want to see a trick Paco?"

"Sure!" replied the boy, Paco. Rolly began to throw the scepter up in the air, let it flip over and then catch it quickly. He did that a few more times.

"Cool!" exclaimed the boy.

"Do you folks want to walk with us?" asked Rolly.

"Can we, Mom?" asked Paco of his mother. "Please?"

"Um, sure," said Paco's mother nervously. "If it's not a problem?"

"Great. By the way, I'm Rolly," said Rolly, and then he turned and introduced everyone, except for the girl. He turned to her finally. "And this one won't tell us her name."

"I'm mysterious," nodded the girl cheerfully.

* * *

A group of children had quickly collected around Rolly as the Mysterious Girl led them through the zoo. Suddenly, she stopped with an excited bounce as she turned to Rolly.

"I've saved the best for last," whispered the Mysterious Girl like a stage magician.

"Which is?" asked Rolly in interest.

"The tiger building," said the Mysterious Girl.

All the kids cheered, but Rolly's face froze and the girl noticed.

"What?" asked the Mysterious Girl of the young king.

"Rolly?" called out Dr. Sundl as she tried to give him an 'out'. "It's getting late."

"Are you sure?" asked the Mysterious Girl in disappointment.

"Oh yes," said Dr. Sundl quickly. "Affairs of state."

"Oh," said the Mysterious Girl, a little disappointed, and all the kids moaned.

"I mean, you can take everyone else," said Dr. Sundl quickly.

"No," said Rolly as he recovered. He pulled in a deep breath. "We'll all go in."

"Rolly," asked Dr. Sundl.

Gideon and Pavataro looked at each other.

"Are you sure?" asked Pavataro.

"You don't have to," said Gideon.

"Come on," said Rolly as he somehow managed to put one foot in front of the other. They walked towards the tiger building, and Rolly felt a cold sweat pour down his back. The Mysterious Girl moved out in front when the door to the building burst open.

A tiger dropped down onto the walkway. The beast looked confused and angry. Pavataro leapt into the air and Gideon clamored between people to get to the boy king. The tiger saw the Mysterious Girl and moved quickly towards her. Pavataro and Gideon were not going to get there in time.

Rolly darted forward just ahead of the girl and smacked the tiger right between the eyes with his scepter. The beast blinked in surprise for a moment, then Pavataro dropped on the tiger pressing it to the cobblestones. The dragon's teeth clamped down onto the back of the tiger's neck. It would take only a slight increase in pressure to kill the beast.

The tiger made a peeping noise.

Gideon dropped in front of Rolly and the Mysterious Girl to shield them with his body if need be.

"The word," growled Pavataro in a muffled voice.

"What word?" asked the Mysterious Girl in confusion.

"Whether or not to put the creature down," explained Gideon in a flat voice.

"What? No?" shouted the Mysterious Girl. She turned to Rolly. "You can't do that!"

"Why not?" asked the King of Bon Su Pear in a tight voice.

"Because … because …" sputtered the Mysterious Girl. "Look at it! It didn't want to hurt us. It's just scared."

The tiger's face was indeed a mask of misery.

The Mysterious Girl moved around Gideon and slowly approached the tiger who had a wild look in its eye. Gently, she reached out and touched the beast's shoulder. It shifted.

"Really wish you wouldn't do that!" growled Pavataro.

"It's okay," said the Mysterious Girl soothingly to the tiger. She kept talking to it and slowly it relaxed. The tiger made a sad little noise. "I think he'll be all right now."

Everyone moved back as Pavataro herded the tiger back to its cage. Only Rolly, Dr. Sundl, the Mysterious Girl and Gideon, who was guarding the king, stayed by the tiger building. The other families who had been following Rolly waited further back.

Rolly stood clutching his scepter, which was now slightly bent, in a white-knuckled grip. He jumped when hands touched his shoulders.

"Hush, child," soothed Dr. Sundl in a whisper. She pulled the boy king towards her, and he leaned back into her warmth. The Mysterious Girl looked between the tiger building and the boy king.

"Wow," she said excitedly. "That was amazing."

Rolly just kept staring at the door that the tiger had gone through.

The Mysterious Girl blinked as she put two and two together.

"Wow, you really are scared of tigers," she said to Rolly.

"The king has his reasons," said Dr. Sundl, a little too defensively.

"You mean, other than the fact that they are big, bad, eating machines?" asked the Mysterious Girl with a smirk. And Dr. Sundl saw that there was no malice in the girl's eyes, and so returned the smile.

"Yes, I mean apart from even that," said Dr. Sundl.

The Mysterious Girl put up her hands. "I'm sorry. I won't ask. My Dad would yell at me for prying, as usual. You don't have to …"

"My Mother sold me to weretigers for their hunt," said Rolly without looking at her. He kept staring at the tiger building.

"What?" demanded the Mysterious Girl in shock. "What would ever possess a woman to do that to her child?"

"Apparently, she needed thirty pieces of coin for her dowry in order to get married," said Dr. Sundl with a frigid voice.

"I … what? That doesn't …" sputtered the Mysterious Girl . "Oh! That woman! If I ever get my hands on her …"

"We feel the same way," said Dr. Sundl, smiling despite herself.

"I fought a tiger," said Rolly softly.

"Yes, you did," said the Mysterious Girl, and she threw her arms up in celebration. "Hail King Rolly Tigerheart! You saved my bacon. By the way, my bacon thanks you."

"It was big," said Rolly.

"Huge," said Gideon. "Good idea bonking it on the head like that."

"I didn't know what else to do," said Rolly. "It just jumped out, and … I felt like I was going to wet myself."

"My teacher Regent says that most of the time, when you're a soldier," said Gideon. "You're just fighting to keep you and your buddy alive, and not wet yourself."

Rolly blinked.

"Wait," said Rolly as something made it through the fog. "Tigerheart?"

Then Pavataro came out and nodded at Gideon.

"Sabotage?" asked Gideon in a dark voice.

"No. The lock looks really old. Ancient actually," shrugged Pavataro. "I tied the door closed for now."

"Good to know it wasn't personal," said Gideon as he relaxed.

* * *

"Oh My Goddess! What happened?" demanded the Royal Zookeeper, Butterman, who ran up in a panic to Rolly, Dr. Sundl, the Mysterious Girl, Gideon and Pavataro. "Are you alright?"

"I'm f …" started Rolly, but Butterman zipped by his majesty and pulled the Mysterious Girl into a desperate hug.

"I was so worried," burbled Butterman.

"Dad! Stop it, I'm fine," huffed the Mysterious Girl.

"Dad?" demanded Rolly with a sudden, chiding interest.

"What?" snapped the Mysterious Girl at Rolly. Butterman pulled out of the hug to glare at his daughter.

"Sidney! Don't talk to the king like that," said Butterman.

"Yes, Sidney!" grinned Rolly mockingly at the Mysterious Girl.

Sidney made a face at him, and Rolly started to laugh as Butterman looked in confusion at the two. Then he focused on King Rolly.

"I'm terribly sorry about this, your majesty," said Butterman. "I take full responsibility."

"It's okay," said Rolly, and Butterman blinked at him.

"It is?" asked Butterman cautiously.

Rolly looked at Dr. Sundl. "We need to talk to the lords about more money for the zoo."

"It will be a hard sell," said Dr. Sundl as she chewed thoughtfully on one dark lip.

"We'll figure something out," smiled Rolly as he turned back to Sidney and her Dad. "Well, I think that's just about enough excitement for one day. We have to go. The lords will be cranky enough as is."

"Will you be back?" asked Sidney, a little too hopefully.

"Sure," said Rolly. "But only if you come and visit me someday soon."

"It's a deal," said Sidney as as she spit on her hand. Rolly spit on his and they shook on it while Butterman watched in confusion.

* * *

As they walked into the throne room of the castle, Gideon grinned.

"Is it me?" questioned Gideon of all present. "Or did someone just make a date?"

Rolly glared up at Gideon and waved his slightly bent scepter. "Quiet, or you're next."

"Oh yes, your majesty, whatever you say your majesty," fawned Gideon with exaggerated bow. Rolly looked at Dr. Sundl.

"Are you sure I can't put anyone I don't like in the dungeon?" asked Rolly, and Dr. Sundl just chuckled.

A soldier sprinted up to them before she could speak. Gideon and Pavataro tensed, but the soldier looked too winded to be of any real danger.

"Si … sire!" gasped the soldier as he stopped. He bent forward trying to catch his breath.

"What is it?" asked Rolly.

"I tried to stop her!" said the soldier. "But, she insisted."

"Who insisted?" asked Dr. Sundl.

A woman, followed by a small group of people, walked into the throne room near the lords of Bon Su Pear. The woman looked the throne room up and down with an appraising eye.

"Is that …?" stammered Gideon.

"Who?" asked Dr. Sundl.

The soldier looked at King Rolly. "She just marched by us, and when she said who she was … well, I didn't want to hurt her, and I would have had to … you know …"

"It's okay," said Rolly as he waved off the soldier's concern, and the man relaxed. "It really is. It's okay to bring her here."

"Wait," said Dr. Sundl. "That isn't …"

"Excuse me," said Rolly to the soldier before he walked towards the woman.

"There he is!" cried the woman as she bent down to hug Rolly.

Out of curiosity, Lords Sizzle, Burntleaf and Greenheart came near dressed in their fine blue and white togas.

"Your majesty?" asked Lord Sizzle. "Who is this?"

"Your majesty?" echoed the woman in glee. "He really calls you that? How wonderful. Oh Rolly, you've done well."

"Sire?" asked Lord Sizzle again, now with concern in his voice.

"Gentleman," said Rolly. "This is my mother, Phena."

Rolly's mother, Phena, nodded quickly to the lords, dismissing them almost immediately. She looked back to look over the throne room.

"Oh yes," purred Phena. "This will do fine for our family."

"Do you think it's safe now?" asked Gideon tentatively. The boy looked over at the young dragon who was dozing on his back.

"Probably not," murmured Pavataro without opening his eyes.

The boys were secreted high up on one of the castle roofs.

"Regent was really mad," said Gideon nervously.

"You did almost let the king get killed," sniffed Pavataro.

"Me?" hissed Gideon in outrage. "First, the tiger was heading for the girl …"

Pavataro's triangular ears perked up, and Gideon immediately went silent. They waited in dread for their mentor, Regent, to show. And if it was Regent—well, Gideon shuddered to think—because it was going to go very, very badly for them.

Skulking across one of the lower roofs, a figure in black moved swiftly.

"That doesn't look like Regent," whispered Gideon. Slowly, they got up and began to follow the figure in black. The dragon sailed silently down to the lower roof and Gideon jumped into the air. Gideon had been accidently weaned on dragon's milk, which had had some odd side effects. The magic opened up inside of him, and his gravity lowered. Quietly, the boy drifted down to a lower roof and followed the dragon.

The figure in black moved across the roof, and then reached an open window in the stone castle. Silently, the figure stole inside.

Gideon and Pavataro's eyes widened in alarm.

"Is that …?" began Pavataro, and then they started sprinting desperately.

Gideon reached the window and dove through. The figure in black looked up at him in surprise. He was hovering over the sleeping form of the king of Bon Su Pear.

"Don't," warned Gideon as he took a deep breath. There was another change that the dragon's milk had had on the boy.

The figure, an assassin, sneered at Gideon and pulled a knife.

And Gideon thought of flashpoints. He breathed out a jet of flame that hit the assassin's back. The assassin twisted in pain and surprise.

King Rolly awoke as the assassin threw himself onto the ground to roll out the flames. Gideon tried to grab at the assassin, but the killer squirmed out of his grip. The assassin jumped up near the window, but Pavataro stuck his head through and nearly bit the villain's head off.

"What's happening?" wailed Rolly as the assassin dodged the dragon.

Gideon hopped up onto the bed. He pushed the boy king back against the stone wall, and then put his body between his highness and the assassin. As the young dragon snapped his teeth at the assassin, Pavataro tried to push his whole body into the room, but the window was just too small, even for a young dragon.

The assassin was backing up towards the door, and so he did not see it opening. Drawing three poisoned daggers from his belt, the assassin pulled his arm back.

A sword slid into the assassin's back, and the killer exhaled all his breath in one quick burst. The assassin crumpled to the ground. One of the king's guard, Rip, pulled his sword from the assassin's back, and then started to move over towards the king.

Out in the hallway, the other guard, Doa, had his sword drawn.

With a last jolt of energy, the assassin pulled a gourd out of his coat and tossed it at the boy king. Gideon struck it with his fist, and the gourd exploded to spray a foul liquid. The spray hit Gideon, Rolly and Rip, but it did not seem to hurt them.

"You okay?" asked Gideon of the boy king.

"Yea. But what's happening, and what's that horrible stuff? It smells," asked Rolly.

"Don't know," said Gideon. He looked at Pavataro.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" asked the dragon.

"We need Brianna," nodded Gideon.

"I need to find a way in anyhow, so I'll grab her in the meantime," said Pavataro.

"We'll guard," said Gideon.

"I'll be back," said Pavataro as he pulled his head out of the window and disappeared.

Gideon turned to Rip who was now standing over the assassin.

"Is he …?" asked Gideon.

Rip booted the assassin softly. "Yep. What should we do?"

"I'm good with gibbering panic," suggested Gideon.

Rolly got off the bed and put on a belt that had been carelessly dropped on the floor the night before. The belt had a ceremonial dagger, and Rolly seemed to appreciate the comfort of a weapon.

After a short wait, a voice came from the hallway. "Where is he?"

"Here," said the guard in the hallway, Doa.

The watermage Brianna ran into the room awkwardly carrying a clay pitcher of water in case she needed ammunition. She went straight over to Rolly, but her eyes darted aside to assure herself that Gideon was all right as well.

"Are you okay?" asked Brianna of Rolly.

"Don't know. What's going on?" asked Rolly in a scared voice.

Brianna looked at Gideon. "What is going on? Pavataro said there was …"

Then she noticed the body on the floor, slowly cooling.

"Oh," said Brianna.

"And he's not talking," said Gideon.

Pavataro and Doa stuck their heads into the doorway.

Brianna took a deep breath and centered herself. "Right. Rip, can you and Doa follow me? We're going to take the king to the throne room. That seems like a good rallying point for everyone. Gideon and Pavataro, can you wake Regent and Dr. Sundl, and please ask them to come to the throne room? Let's go."

While the soldiers and the king followed Brianna, Gideon and Pavataro raced off in the opposite direction. They came racing around a corner and almost ran over Regent. The tall soldier squinted malevolently at them.

"You have some …" started Regent.

"Someone tried to kill Rolly," interrupted Gideon.

"Where?" asked Regent suddenly switching gears.

"His room, but he's with Brianna now in the throne room," said Gideon. "We're going to get Dr. Sundl next."

"Go!" said Regent. "I'm getting more soldiers."

Gideon and Pavataro started to run off when Regent spoke up.

"Oh!" said Regent in a dark voice. "And we're still going to discuss how to properly guard a king when he goes to visit his own bloody zoo."

And the boys winced.

* * *

In the throne room, Brianna sent a page to tell the lords of Bon Su Pear what had happened. She turned to the boy king who was now seated on his throne. The moment the king had sat down, the cat had appeared—seemingly out of nowhere—and now Ftizz slept atop Rolly's lap.

Brianna went down on one knee in front of the boy

"You okay?" she asked him softly.

"He wanted to kill me," said Rolly with a bewildered expression. "Why?"

"There is an inherent danger to being king," said Brianna. "I'm sorry about that, but I'll do everything I can to help."

"Rolly!" cried Dr. Sundl. The beautiful, dark-skinned woman ran up to the throne wearing a dressing robe covered in sailing ships. She leaned over and held Rolly close, but without disturbing the cat. "Are you okay?"

"Can't breathe," murmured Rolly.

"Oh sorry," said Dr. Sundl as she leaned back and let the boy take a breath. "I just heard! What happened? And what's that smell?"

Rolly explained the basics.

"So, what do we do now?" he asked after.

"I'm … I'm not sure," said Dr. Sundl uncertainly.

Brianna spoke up. "We find out whoever it is who hired the assassin, and then you make an example of him."

"Example?" asked Rolly unsure.

"In the past, we would feed a traitor to a Kraken," said Brianna.

"But there aren't many Kraken around here," said Dr. Sundl.

"You may have to hang them," said Brianna solemnly to Rolly. "If you are soft on the one assassin, people will just send more."

Gideon and Pavataro ran in and stopped at the throne. Before coming back, Gideon had stopped to grab his fighting staff, the Pigsticker. Now he gripped the staff nervously.

"Your majesty?" called a voice from a door. Gideon and Pavataro turned defensively.

Captain Doyle and his squad ran in. Doyle barked orders at his soldiers for them to cover all exits. Then he and his right hand soldier, Glory, came up to the throne and bowed. "Sire, are you okay?"

"Why does everyone ask me that?" asked Rolly petulantly.

"Rolly," said Dr. Sundl with a maternal warning.

"Sorry," said Rolly to Dr. Sundl, but she nodded pointedly at the captain. The boy king turned to Doyle. "Sorry. Um, I'm doing good. I think."

"Good. Then I'll need to borrow Doa and Rip," said Doyle.

"As long as they're not in trouble," said Rolly quickly.

"They almost let an assassin get to you, your majesty," said Doyle stiffly.

"But they came right in and fought him," said Rolly, and then he added. "Killed him."

"The Royal Guard needs to see where the holes are in our defense of the crown," explained Doyle.

"Sorry sir," said Rip to his captain.

Glory put her hand on Doyle's arm subtly, and the captain looked at her for a moment. Finally, he nodded. He looked at Doa and Rip.

"Gentleman, I'm going to send two fresh guards to watch the king. Will you two accompany me and Glory as we walk the perimeter?" asked Doyle.

"Yes sir," said Doa and Rip in unison.

"Hey, we can cover Rolly too," said Gideon.

"Yeah," agreed Pavataro.

"I'm sorry," said Captain Doyle. "While you're very capable, you're still technically civilians."

"What?" demanded Gideon.

"He's right," said Regent as he stepped into the room, but Gideon looked nonplussed at his mentor.

"Well, make me a soldier!" insisted Gideon.

Regent stalked up to the throne like a big cat. While most men of the water nymph nation had long flowing hair, the tall soldier bucked tradition and kept his hair cut close to his scalp.

"Not tonight," said Regent. "Especially after the zoo."

"That wasn't our fault," whined Gideon.

"When you're guarding someone, it's always your fault," insisted Regent.

Gideon tried to stare down Regent, but after a moment, the kid dropped his eyes.

Brianna turned quickly to look at Dr. Sundl.

"Food," said Brianna.

Dr. Sundl nodded. "Oh! You're right. I should cook for him."

"What's this …?" asked Rolly. The young king looked between the two women, but Sundl kept her eyes on Brianna.

"I should go tell Captain Doyle," said Sundl.

"I'll go too," said Brianna. "We don't want the cooks thinking we're worried about them."

"Why would the cooks think that?" asked Rolly.

But Sundl did not look at the boy king.

"That's very true," said Sundl to Brianna. "We don't want to ruffle too many feathers."

"I am King," called out Rolly. "What are you talking about?"

Dr. Sundl looked down at the boy. "I have to cook for you for a few days."

Rolly's eyes got wide for a short moment, but then he managed to look blank and neutral.

"Oh?" asked the king, but Sundl was not fooled for a second.

"What's wrong?" asked Sundl.

"What?" asked Rolly innocently.

"I need to cook your food for now," said Sundl.

"Is that really necessary?" asked Rolly. "The kitchen ladies …?"

"I know, they love to cook for you, and I'm going to catch netherhells for this decision, but if only one person is cooking your food, you're safer," insisted Sundl.

"I could order you to let the ladies cook for me, couldn't I?" asked Rolly experimentally.

"But you don't want to," said Brianna.

"I don't?" asked Rolly miserably.

"No," said Brianna sympathetically. "More than a few monarchs have ended their reign during dinner."

"What's really the matter?" asked Dr. Sundl wisely.

"Nothin'," said Rolly.

"Rolly," said Dr. Sundl sternly, and the young king winced a little.

"It's just that the kitchen ladies make all kinds of great food like roast beast, and well … you're a really great cook and all, but your meals are …" said Rolly as his face scrunched up. "Good for you. With vegetables."

Dr. Sundl and Brianna began to chuckle.

"It's true," said Brianna to Sundl. "You do like food with vegetables."

"Hey, I think the king's got a point here," said Gideon seriously. "Especially if it involves Brussels Sprouts!"

Rolly turned and smiled at Gideon who raised a fist in solidarity.

"A few vegetables are not going to hurt you," said Sundl to the young king with a warm smile.

"But Brussels Sprouts …" moaned Gideon with a shudder.

Captain Doyle lead Glory, Doa and Rip away from this familial discussion—in case it got overheated—and to also make sure that the throne room was indeed secure.

However, his troops could only defend against assassins.

"Let me in!" screeched a voice. It came from beyond a doorway that was filled with armed soldiers. "Get out of my way!"

"Oh-oh," whispered Brianna.

"Sire?" asked Captain Doyle from one side of the throne room.

"We could bar her," suggested Gideon, which earned him a Disapproving Look from Dr. Sundl. The young man responded defensively. "What? I'm just saying."

Warily, the King motioned to Doyle, and the captain reluctantly let in Rolly's mother, Phena.

"What's all this?" demanded Phena as she skirted around the little blue pool in front of the throne. "It's still dark. Everyone's running around, and shouting."

"Someone tried to kill Rolly," said Dr. Sundl evenly.

"What happened?" asked Phena.

"Um, someone tried to kill me," said Rolly.

"An assassin," volunteered Gideon.

"That's not good," said Phena as she pursed her thin lips. "Well, that brings me to an important point. Security's lax around here. We need to tighten it up."

"We already have the Royal Guard," said Dr. Sundl as she tried to keep the ice from her voice.

"But we need more security," sniffed Phena as she focused on the boy king. "Your Uncle Huckl helped back at the old castle. Put him in charge and he could whip this place back into shape like that." And she snapped her fingers. "I'd start by taking those guards, who were supposed to be protecting you, and put them on the rack. Make sure they're clean."

"That's outrageous!" cried Lord Sizzle as he, Lord Greenheart and Lord Burntleaf ran up as quickly as their old legs could move them. "People would never stand for such treatment of the guard."

"We'll tell them that we're doing it for their own security," said Phena dismissively.

"We don't have a rack," said Dr. Sundl with almost a growl.

"Really?" said Phena without looking at Sundl. She kept her eyes locked on the king. "Uncle Frond can make one for you. No problem."

"We are not a police state that …" started Dr. Sundl angrily, but Rolly gently put a hand on hers. She stopped unhappily.

"Thank you mother," said Rolly diplomatically to Phena. "We'll keep those ideas in mind."

"I'm going to go back to bed," yawned Phena. "Mother needs her beauty rest."

Phena walked out and everyone looked at Rolly. The boy king just held up his hands to ward off the coming storm.

"I didn't invite her," insisted Rolly preemptively.

Lord Greenheart went up the steps to Rolly.

"We're just grateful that you're okay," said Greenheart. "You are okay, aren't you?"

"Been a weird morning," said Rolly with a brittle smile.

"What can we do to help?" asked Lord Sizzle as he came forward.

"I … I don't know," said Rolly. "I know we don't need a rack, whatever that is."

"A torture device," said Dr. Sundl solemnly. "Not something a good king needs."

"Agreed," nodded Lord Sizzle.

"My guard is doing maneuvers near the city," said Greenheart off-handedly.

"What are they doing there?" asked Lord Sizzle in surprise. "I thought they were near Dragon's Hearth?"

"Needed to resupply, and see their families," said Greenheart smoothly.

"Well, I think we're good for …" started Rolly when the water exploded in front of the throne. The small pool, which led to waterways all through the castle, was now stained red. A water nymph soldier burst out of the pool. His arm was badly torn up.

"Run your majesty!" cried the soldier. "It's right …"

A giant blue claw shot out of the pool. It snapped around the nymph soldier, whose eyes grew wide, and then the claw snatched him back into the water.

As the pool of bloody water stilled, time seemed to slow down for the watermage, Brianna.

Doa and Rip broke away from Captain Doyle and ran forward. Gideon grabbed Rolly, dropped the king's gravity, and pulled the boy up. As Rolly shot up, the cat in his lap went airborne with an angry yowl.

The red water exploded in a wave, which spilled across the white marble floor of the throne room. Out of the pool came an enormous blue crab that scuttled on six spindly legs. As it turned around slowly, everyone saw that its carapace was studded with stones that shone like jewels. Its claws were pulled close to its body in a defensive posture.

As Doa and Rip ran forward, the crab's antennae bobbed. Suddenly, the antennae focused right on Rip.

Lunging forward, the crab shot out a claw at Rip. The soldier saw it coming and raised his shield. The claw slammed the metal shield, which bent inward breaking Rip's arm.

Rip's face turned white, but he swung his sword at the crab aiming for the soft joints.

"Protect the king!" howled Rip as he slashed at the monster. Doa tried to attack as well, but the crab ignored the other soldier.

The crab brought up a claw to ward off an attack from Rip while its other claw shot out beneath. Rip blinked in surprise as he was suddenly pierced. The crab yanked the soldier upward towards its mouth, and Rip was gone.

Doa howled as he hit the monster's legs. But his sword was not strong enough to penetrate the beast's shell. Absently, the crab went to kill Doa. But as its claw shot out, a tentacle of red water pulled the soldier back.

Blinking in confusion, Doa suddenly stood next to the throne where Brianna's water tentacle had left him. He saw the watermage, Brianna, running towards the crab.

In righteous anger, Doa was about to follow, but then he saw Gideon and Pavataro running out a side door of the throne room with the king. And similarly, Lord Greenheart ducked out another door.

While the red tentacle had been pulling Doa away from the crab, Brianna ran towards the monster. Shoes left behind, her bare feet glowed blue showing the bones within. Skidding to a halt near the crab, the watermage dropped onto the watery floor, and tried not to think of why it was stained red. Her hands began to glow blue as well, and Brianna touched the water that had pooled on the floor.

Out of the bloody water came jagged ice that blocked the crab like a stakewall. It backed up momentarily and Brianna created a conduit to the pool of water. With that extra ammunition, she formed more ice to surround the monster.

Frustrated, the crab lashed out and its claw smashed through part of the wall. Its antennae were waving around wildly. As Brianna rebuilt the jagged wall, she sent out large shards, like spears, to stab at its soft parts.

The antennae suddenly focused towards the back of the throne room.

With a screech, it threw its body at the jagged ice wall and smashed it apart, causing minor cuts to its body. As the jagged wall exploded, Brianna brought up an ice shield, but the explosion knocked her back. Stunned, Brianna tried to stand, but she could not.

Swiftly, the crab scuttled out the side door that Gideon and Pavataro had gone through.

"What in the netherhells was that?" asked Lord Sizzle as he turned to Greenheart. But Lord Greenheart had already left.

* * *

"Okay, so … we got a monster after us," mentioned Pavataro conversationally.

"Just a normal day really," replied Gideon causally as he shifted his grip on his fighting staff to make it easier to carry. He looked at the dragon. "If we find a balcony, you should fly off with Rolly."

"But wouldn't that be leaving my castle?" asked Rolly pointedly. The boy king was slung over Gideon's shoulder, and not enjoying the bumpy ride. "That'd be running!"

"Right," agreed Gideon. "Or, living in this case."

"I won't run," announced Rolly.

"Maybe if we had a cannon," replied Gideon. "But right now, the flying away."

"I'll keep him safe," assured Pavataro.

Suddenly, the monster slid around the corner behind them. It was moving so fast that it crashed into the opposite wall. Recovering, the crab's antennae turned and focused. The crab launched itself towards Gideon and Rolly, and it was soon gaining on them.

The monster swiped its claws, but Gideon moved just out of the way. He spied an iron chandelier above. Gideon leapt up and bounced off a wall. Just as he reached the iron chandelier, he threw Rolly into it.

"Stay there!" said Gideon before he dropped back down. Pavataro was snapping his teeth at the monster, who seemed very unimpressed for a crab. But as Gideon set down behind it, the crab's antennae swiveled towards him, and the monster pivoted. It focused all of its fury on Gideon.

With a touch, a blade snapped out of the top end of Gideon's staff. But the corridor they were fighting in was too narrow. Gideon and the crab kept hitting the walls.

Above, Rolly was watching the monster intently. Gideon bobbed and weaved, while Pavataro harried the carapace on the crab's backside.

"Gideon!" cried King Rolly from up in the iron chandelier. "Can you jump over it?"

"Busy," was Gideon's only reply.

"Please!" shouted Rolly. "It's important!"

Gideon almost ignored the boy, but at the last moment, he leapt into the air. Bouncing off a wall, Gideon dropped behind the crab, and next to Pavataro.

"You miss me?" asked the dragon sarcastically.

"No, I …" started Gideon when he saw the crab's antennae raise in the air, and then turn towards him. "Uh oh."

"What's with the …" started Pavataro when the crab wheeled around, barely clearing the walls. A blue claw swept through the air and Gideon just dodged it. On the offensive again, the crab pressed its advantage snapping its claws at both of them.

"What plan are we on?" asked Pavataro in a mild voice while he ducked a claw.

"I forget … 'Plan E' maybe," replied Gideon as he ducked the other claw, and they retreated under the iron chandelier.

"Well, we should …" began Gideon when there was a cry from above.

Dropping out of the chandelier, the King of Bon Su Pear fell upon the upper portion of the crab's carapace. While Gideon and Pavataro watched open mouthed, Rolly pulled his ceremonial knife and hacked at the crab's antennae. But the blade was flimsy and dull, which meant it just knocked the antennae aside.

"Its antennae!" cried Rolly as the crab started to buck and try to knock the king off. Dropping his useless knife, Rolly held onto the rough carapace for dear life.

Gideon tried to move closer, but every time he did, a claw nearly took his head off.

The crab was becoming crazed. Suddenly, the monster tipped its body forward. The king slid forward between its eyes and towards its mouth, and the crab went to bite the boy. But Gideon saw his opening in that brief distraction. Skipping forward, Gideon hit the left antennae with the blade of his staff.

As the left antennae was severed, the monster reared up with a screech. Rolly was pitched backwards, only just able to hold on to the carapace. One of the crab's claws swatted towards Gideon and Pavataro while the other started to bend back towards Rolly. But the king was too busy hanging on for dear life to notice.

Gideon saw it though, and he redoubled his effort to get to the boy. The monster's claw was getting closer to the king.

A figure leapt up onto the back of the crab. The guard, Doa, picked Rolly up, and jumped away from the monster.

As the crab turned towards Rolly, Gideon leapt up into the air, and with a swipe, he took off the other antenna. He dropped onto its back, and then leapt down between the monster and the soldier holding the king. The crab went crazy and waved around blindly, but it was unable to find its prey.

While Gideon had jumped high, Pavataro snuck under a claw, so low that his blue belly almost scraped the floor. The dragon suddenly reared right in front of the crab's mouth and took a deep breath. Grabbing the crab's mouth, Pavataro sent a white hot blast of flame right down the creature's gullet.

The crab shook for a moment, but the continuous stream of flame cooked it quickly from the inside out.

Pavataro let go and the crab collapsed onto the floor of the corridor. Suddenly, the dragon wobbled a bit, and his friend saw.

"You okay?" asked Gideon.

Pavataro nodded. "Yeah. You know when you breathe out too much, and get light-headed."

"Ah," said Gideon in understanding. "And what plan was that?"

" 'Plan F', I think," replied the dragon.

"Good plan," nodded Gideon.

"How did it find us so fast?" wondered Pavataro.

Gideon thought a moment and then snapped his fingers.

"That foul stuff that the assassin had hit us with," said Gideon. "Its antennae always turned to whomever had gotten hit."

"Reasonable," said Pavataro. "Just proving that just being near you is dangerous."

"Ha-ha," replied Gideon flatly.

"Um, since I'm king and all," said Rolly, who was still trapped in Doa's grasp. "Can I order someone to please LET ME DOWN?"

"Oh, sorry," said Doa quickly. The soldier started to put down the king down when Rolly saw the glint of metal behind the soldier. There was a person there.

A knife was thrust between Doa's arm and chest. But Doa twisted his arm into the path of the knife, and the blade sunk into his arm. The soldier let go of Rolly, and the boy king stumbled back.

Doa pressed his arm tightly against his chest, which trapped the assassin's arm.

Gideon grabbed the king and pulled Rolly back. There was a figure in a black mask behind Doa. The assassin tried to back away from Doa, but the soldier was holding on for dear life. Twirling the blunt end of the staff, Gideon whacked the assassin in the side of the head, and the killer dropped like a sack of potatoes.

Doa, still holding on to the assassin's arm, was pulled down, and he sat heavily with his back still to the killer. Pavataro scrambled over and hunkered down with his body between Rolly and the assassin. Gideon slowly advanced with his staff ready to strike, but the assassin was down.

"You can let go now," said Gideon to Doa, but the soldier did not respond. Looking over, Gideon saw that the soldier was slumped over. "You okay?"

Gideon knelt down next to Doa who was hunched over. The assassin's blade was still stuck in Doa's forearm, but the skin around the knife had turned a nasty green. Leaning down, Gideon could see Doa's eyes were still open. The soldier was breathing shallowly.

"Hey! We're going to get you some help!" said Gideon as he started to turn to Pavataro.

Doa called out with surprising strength. "Is he safe?"

"What? Who? Oh, Rolly," said Gideon. "Oh yea, the king is safe."

A little smile came across Doa's face, and then he was gone.

"Hey! Stay with us!" said Gideon in a panic. He shook Doa's shoulder who fell over, and further trapped the assassin's arm under his body.

"Is he …?" asked Rolly in a small voice.

"Poison blade?" asked Pavataro.

"Maybe," shrugged Gideon. "Do you remember his name?"

"Let go of me!" cried a strident voice.

Doa's body shook as the new assassin tried to pull his arm out from under the soldier.

Gideon leapt up aiming his staff's blade at the assassin. The killer reached up with his free hand and pulled off his mask while Rolly climbed on top of Pavataro to see better.

"Greenheart ?" asked Rolly softly.

"What the netherhells do you think …" started Gideon, and then he stopped. "It's you?"

"But why?" asked Pavataro.

"You've helped us," said Greenheart. "I'll grant you that. But I don't have to explain myself to you."

"True," said Gideon as he glanced down at the fallen soldier. Gideon's staff snaked up and smacked the lord of Bon Su Pear on the side of the head. Greenheart crumpled.

"He …" started Rolly as he climbed down from Pavataro. The boy's voice was distant and soft. "But he was one of the lords?"

And the boy king started to cry. It was all too much for the ten-year-old, so Gideon held him. Once the boy began to just sniffle, Gideon offered him a handkerchief.

"It's relatively clean," said Gideon. "Dry your eyes your majesty, and then we'll go back to the throne room."

* * *

When Greenheart woke, Captain Doyle was standing over him. The lord's arms were expertly bound.

Greenheart knelt before the steps leading up to the throne, but the lord squinted at King Rolly defiantly. However, the boy king was speaking with Doyle.

"What were their names?" asked Rolly.

"The soldier in water who tried to warn us was Concerna, and then Rip was felled by the beast, and Doa by the lord's knife," said Doyle professionally, but with a heavy voice.

"I want their names remembered," insisted Rolly.

"Of course, sir," said Doyle. "Actually, the Royal Guard have a spot where the name of the fallen are chiseled into the stone of the castle."

"Really?" asked Rolly.

"It's deeper in the castle," said Doyle.

"I'd like to see it some day," said King Rolly, and then he turned to focus on the Lord of Bon Su Pear. "Greenheart. What do you have to say for yourself in the death of these three soldiers, and the attack on me?"

"Nothing," said Greenheart.

That threw Rolly. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I have nothing to say now," said Greenheart with a calm demeanor.

"Dammit, Greenheart," snarled Lord Sizzle as he strode forward to face Greenheart. Sizzle stopped right at the foot of the steps. "What's this all about?"

"I didn't do anything," said Greenheart. "I am innocent. Do you believe these people who only just came to Bon Su Pear recently, or a lord of the city?"

"Well, they say you tried to kill the boy," said Lord Sizzle. "Tell me that it isn't so. We've been friends since the academy, for the Goddess' sake. That is much too long for it to end like this."

Greenheart looked at Lord Sizzle.

"I would never harm the king," said Greenheart.

Lord Sizzle's eyes grew wide, and he took a step back. Finding himself back against the steps, he sat down on the worn marble.

"You did," whispered Lord Sizzle.

"What?" asked Greenheart as his face twisted in confusion. "I just said I didn't. Clear out your ears."

"No, my old ears are fine," said Lord Sizzle. "But your eyes darted away for a second. They told me the damned truth."

Greenheart gave a little laugh. "Well, it was worth a try."

"Then you admit it?" asked Lord Sizzle.

"For trying to save the kingdom," said Greenheart. "Yes, I admit it. The boy can't keep us safe."

"You've barely given him a chance," said Lord Sizzle.

"It will go badly, you'll see," said Greenheart. "Have you seen the way his mother looks at this castle? Like it's her own. How long do you think the boy will hold out against her? I was worried before—thought the boy might be out of his depth—but then I saw her. She walked in and said, 'This will do fine for our family'."

"This is why your troops are in town," said Lord Sizzle, and Greenheart just looked ahead.

"It wasn't for me," said Greenheart. "It was for Bon Su Pear."

"Bull," said Lord Sizzle.

"What?" Greenheart turned to his old friend in surprise.

"Don't try to con me," said Lord Sizzle. "I've known you for too long."

"Would you believe that I wanted what was rightfully mine?" asked Greenheart, and his expression turned hard. Lord Sizzle dropped his eyes.

"Your majesty," said Lord Sizzle in a melancholy voice. "The prisoner is yours."

Dr. Sundl started to lean over, but King Rolly just shook his head. She stopped in surprise.

"Greenheart," said King Rolly. "You and your family are stripped of your title. You will be hanged by the neck in front of the castle. Your family will be turned out of the city wearing the clothes on their back. They can never return, or they'll be hanged from the walls. All Greenheart's money and property are now that of the Crown. That is my judgment."

Greenheart suddenly looked up with a small smile. "That was a good pronouncement. Maybe you'll survive this after all."

"Take him away," said Rolly.

Captain Doyle and his squad took Greenheart away to the hangman's noose.

Rolly took a deep breath. His hands were shaking a bit.

"I'm sorry you had to do that," said Dr. Sundl.

"It's okay. I'm not the one here that is really hurting," said Rolly. He moved the protesting cat off his lap and got up. Walking down the stone steps, he sat by Lord Sizzle and put a hand on the old man's shoulder.

And Lord Sizzle gave a small, sad smile at the king's gesture.

"Your majesty, we have serious issues," growled Lord Sizzle in fury.

"Yes?" asked Rolly. Lord Sizzle was trying not to loom over the boy, but it was hard. The king was only ten. "You mean apart from the fact that I just had to execute a Lord of Bon Su Pear."

"I …" started Lord Sizzle, but then he faltered. The boy could be quite quick at times.

"I'm sorry. He was your friend," said Rolly almost immediately in concern. "I didn't mean to …"

"It's okay," said Lord Sizzle with a kind, grandfatherly smile. The old man was standing in the doorway to the king's chambers. "Let's start over. Could I come in and speak with you, your majesty?"

"Sure," said Rolly as he let Lord Sizzle into his room. It was not a huge room by the standards of a lord of Bon Su Pear, but it was humongous to a boy like Rolly who had spent most of his life on the street. Lord Sizzle sat in a chair and was now eye level with the king.

"So what did my family do this time?" asked Rolly.

"How did you know?" asked Lord Sizzle in surprise.

"Because I've never seen you this angry before," said Rolly. "Was it my Mom?"

"Actually, your two uncles," said Lord Sizzle. Rolly closed his eyes for a moment.

"What did they do?" sighed Rolly.

"They wanted to see Greenheart's old home," said Lord Sizzle in a careful, measured voice. Every lord had a home, like a stylish townhouse, that was built against the inner part of the castle wall. "They wanted to measure it for carpets. Did you tell them they could have his quarters? I only ask because those quarters have only ever been for the lords of Bon Su Pear…unless, one of them, or both of them is …"

"I have not promoted them. Either of them," said Rolly quickly. "Nor told them that they could have Greenheart's quarters."

Lord Sizzle relaxed a bit.

"Someday soon," said Rolly. "We need to talk about what to do with Greenheart's home, but I'm not up to it today."

"Neither am I," said Lord Sizzle sadly. "I still can't believe it."

"You two knew each other a long time?" asked Rolly.

"We schooled together," said Lord Sizzle. "He … he did a lot of good for this city." He started. "Not that I'm trying to defend him to you, or …"

"It's sad that one bad mistake can be so costly," said Rolly. "But now, we have other problems. Actually, can I appoint someone as lord, not my family … but, someone I think is worthy?"

"I think there is a process," said Lord Sizzle. "I can look into it."

"Not today," said Rolly quickly. "I want to wait. Find someone right for the job. But it would be good to know."

"Thank you sire," said Lord Sizzle.

"Well, would you like to walk with me to breakfast? I can eat anything I want again," said Rolly happily.

"That sounds great," said Lord Sizzle as he got up arthritically. "Something deep fried for me."

"Make that two," replied Rolly.

Lord Sizzle chuckled warmly at that. "Then I shall contribute to the delinquency of a monarch's stomach."

* * *

Dr. Indira Sundl was engrossed in the papers she was reading. The new budget for the kingdom was killing her, or at least her eyes. She walked into the throne room preparing for a new day of advising the king, when she suddenly stopped.

Dr. Sundl looked up in confusion. Someone was in her chair. She had placed a small spartan chair next to the throne to advise the king. And Dr. Sundl was very proud of the boy king. He was working so hard to do a good job. And now, there was someone in her seat.

"Ms. Phena Bellaruse," said Dr. Sundl to Rolly's mother.

"How can you sit in this seat all day?" asked Phena in a petulant voice.

"It has a pillow," said Dr. Sundl.

"Not a very big one," sniffed Phena. She shifted uncomfortably.

"We could find a chair for you," said Dr. Sundl as the lords of Bon Su Pear began to filter in.

"No dear," said Phena. "I will suffer through it. It's what little Rolly needs."

"Really," said Dr. Sundl, and her voice went icy.

"There he is!" said Phena as she waved to Rolly. The boy's eyes grew wide for only a second, and then Dr. Sundl saw him put on an adequate neutral expression. She smiled; he was getting better at hiding his emotions. Sometimes, as a leader, you needed to hide them—be they joy, anger, or gibbering panic.

Rolly walked up to the throne.

"Mother, to what do we owe the pleasure?" asked Rolly.

"Is that any way to greet your Mom," admonished Phena. "Give us a hug."

Rolly hesitated for a moment, and then he hugged Phena. But as he hugged his mother, Rolly looked over her shoulder at Dr. Sundl who just gave a confused shrug.

"I'm interested in what you do," said Phena as Rolly stepped back. "I thought I'd sit in with you and the lords today."

"We're just going to be talking about the budget," said Rolly.

"Oh, one of my favorite things," grinned Phena. "Money."

"And Rolly and I need to go over these papers," said Dr. Sundl.

"Don't let me stop you," said Phena. Reluctantly, Rolly sat down on his throne. Out of nowhere, Ftizz the cat appeared and curled up on Rolly's lap. Dr. Sundl walked around to the other side of the throne and knelt beside it. She put the papers on the arm of the throne.

"Well, it's like this …" said Dr. Sundl, and they started to go over the numbers.

* * *

A ten-year-old boy could have slipped through the streets of Bon Su Pear unnoticed. However, it is harder if the ten-year-old is the King of Bon Su Pear. And worse if he is flanked by Gideon and Pavataro, whom everyone knew.

People just wanted to say 'hi' and Rolly understood that, but talking to everyone made the process go much more slowly. Still, Dr. Sundl had had a long talk with him about something called 'Public Relations'. It boiled down to not being a jerk in public.

So Rolly shook hands, and took food from the nice older women who felt he was too skinny for his own good. Gideon carried the food because the Bottomless-Pit-That-Was-Pavataro could not be trusted with it.

"Where are we going?" asked Gideon.

"We're almost there," said Rolly.

"That's cryptic," said Gideon.

"What does 'cryptic' mean?" asked Rolly.

"That you're hiding something," said Gideon. "And we should've brought more guards."

"I wanted to move fast," said Rolly.

"Yep, that's working out," said Gideon.

"You said there was lunch involved too," said Pavataro with a hint of reproach in his voice.

"After we go, I'm buying lunch," said Rolly.

"Then let's go faster," insisted Pavataro.

They stepped up to the Royal Zoo of Bon Su Pear, and Gideon looked at the young boy.

"It's the girl, isn't it?" asked Gideon. Rolly stopped for a moment deep in thought.

"What do you think about my Mother?" asked Rolly.

"That she's a two-faced harpy," replied Gideon.

"Accurate," said Pavataro. "But offensive to the harpy population."

"I apologize to the harpy population," said Gideon.

"Right," said Rolly. "And Dr. Sundl probably thinks even worse of her. So, I need an independent person who's not involved."

"Oh Goddess," said Gideon as he looked up to the sky.

"What?" asked Rolly.

"That was a mature thought. You are growing up too fast," smiled Gideon. "Come on, let's go see your lady."

"She's not my lady," said Rolly hotly.

"Yes, your majesty," said Gideon indulgently.

* * *

"So, your mother and her family have moved in," nodded Sydney as she looked up at the sky thoughtfully.

"I'm … it's my mother …" said Rolly.

"Who sold you to the weretigers for thirty pieces of coin," said Sydney pointedly.

"There is that," said Rolly. "But still, she's my mother, and my uncles have been kinda nice to me."

"Did they take you in when you were out on the street?" asked Sydney.

"Which time? Actually, one of them would give me leftovers that weren't too badly nibbled on," said Rolly.

"Then that's a 'no'," said Sydney in a tight voice. She stopped. "I don't know what to tell you. Or, what you want to hear."

"Actually," said Rolly as he looked up at her. "I think I just needed someone to hear me out."

"So you've made a decision?" asked Sydney.

"I'm not sure what I can do about it," said Rolly. "And there's going to be hurt feelings."

"The people in Bon Su Pear are like your family too. I've seen the way that that boy and dragon treat you. And Dr. Sundl too," said Sydney. "You're caught between two families. You may have to decide which one you want, or need."

"I see where you're coming from. But I'm a Horsethief too. That's my family name. Horsethief," said Rolly.

"Classy. But that's what you were born with," said Sydney. "Now, you're your own person. You can decide to be King Rolly Horsethief, or King Rolly Something-Else."

"So, who am I?" asked Rolly of the sky, who did not answer back.

* * *

"Quickly," said Rolly as they zipped through the castle of Bon Su Pear.

"I think your Mom wanted to meet you for lunch, or something," said Gideon.

"Lunch would be good," agreed Pavataro.

"We have work to do," said Rolly. They reached the library and Rolly went in. He took the food that the nice ladies had given him and handed it to Pavataro. "With my blessing."

Pavataro started to say something, but then his stomach overrode his brain. "Okay."

Rolly turned on Gideon. "And you! We've got research to do."

"Cool!" said Gideon who never met a book he did not like.

* * *

Sydney and her father, Leonard Butterman, walked into the throne room and gaped. They had never seen it before, despite working for the crown, and the throne room was a marvel of elegantly carved marble.

"So the king really didn't tell you anything?" asked Sydney again of one of the soldiers who had been sent for her.

"Sorry Ma'am," shrugged the soldier. Sydney looked from him to the throne, which was empty. Seated next to the throne was a dark haired woman. Sydney supposed that that was Rolly Mother's, Phena. Poor Dr. Sundl stood off to one corner.

More people came in and stopped before the throne.

"What are you doing here Frond?" asked Rolly's Mother of one of Rolly's uncles.

"I don't know," shrugged Uncle Frond. "Said the king had a great announcement." The older man leered. "Maybe a lordship."

Phena just smiled smugly.

Rolly came through one of the doors and the entire room began to speak at once. Gideon and Pavataro followed him. Rolly went up next to the throne holding on to his slightly bent scepter. Meanwhile, Gideon struggled to carry a huge book with him.

"Okay everyone," started Rolly, but everyone kept talking, especially his mother.

"… is the meaning of this," snapped Phena. "You left me high and dry for lunch, and we …"

"What's going on here?" asked Lord Sizzle.

"Please quiet down," said Rolly, but everyone kept talking. The boy king tried several more times, but to no avail.

Sydney put her fingers in her mouth and let out a piercing whistle that would have rattled the windows, if there were any. Everyone looked at her and her face turned red, but she held her ground.

"The king has something to say," said Sydney defiantly.

Grateful, Rolly smiled at her, and then he turned to the crowd.

"Yes, I do have something to say," said Rolly. "Lord Sizzle, could you come up here?"

"Me?" asked Lord Sizzle, and he started to walk up to the throne. While he walked slowly, due to his advancing age, Rolly kept talking.

"I know everyone's been confused about how everything is going to be with my family here," said Rolly.

"I wasn't confused," sniffed Phena.

"But some people were," said Rolly gently to her. "Actually, if you could stand by Uncle Frond …"

"Why?" asked Phena.

"For the big announcement," said Rolly with a smile.

"Oh!" nodded Phena. "I should be there."

Phena up got off of Dr. Sundl's chair and walked down to stand next to Uncle Frond, who grinned knowingly. Frond tried to stand a little straighter as Lord Sizzle stopped next to Gideon.

"What's going on?" asked Lord Sizzle of Gideon.

"I think the kid has a plan," whispered Gideon.

"Goddess save us," moaned Lord Sizzle. He looked almost pleadingly at the boy king. "Ah, you do remember our conversation from earlier?"

"Yes. And I swore to protect Bon Su Pear by the best methods possible," said Rolly cryptically, and then he turned to Gideon. "Gideon!"

"Sire," answered Gideon, who was having fun. He opened the big book to a page marked with an old grocery list. "Ah yes, this really heavy book is the Royal history of Bon Su Pear. We found, ah, what's that word that means a legal decision that's come before …?"

"Precedent?" suggested Lord Sizzle.

"Yes, thank you, we found a precedent for the king's announcement," said Gideon to Lord Sizzle, but loud enough for all to hear.

"I have two families," continued Rolly more loudly. "That's what a friend helped me realize earlier today."

Sydney smiled to herself as she watched with interest.

"There are my blood relatives," said Rolly. "Some say that's the strongest bond of all."

Rolly's relatives nodded and smiled smugly.

"But I also have another family," said Rolly. "A kingdom, and the people in it who are counting on me. Gideon, Pavataro and I looked through the royal history today to see if it could help. As Dr. Sundl says, sometimes the past can help you avoid the mistakes of tomorrow."

"Yes, yes," said Rolly's Mother dismissively. "Get on with it."

Gideon turned the book to Lord Sizzle who read quickly. Rolly needed to take lessons from Lord Sizzle because his neutral expression did not show a hint of emotion.

"If you insist," said Rolly to his mother, but then he looked over the assembled crowd. "Henna Finne was declared Queen after her mother and father died of the Walking Rot. Queen Henna finally decided to marry late in life in order to have a solid heir to the throne, but Bon Su Pear law only allowed a virgin queen to be married. And Queen Henna was about seven months pregnant."

"What's all this?" demanded Rolly's Mother.

"My point," said Rolly. "Queen Henna declared herself to be a virgin, and the lords ratified it with a 'hooray'. She married the baby's father and gave birth to a legitimate heir to the throne."

"Well, I hope you're not pregnant," snickered Uncle Frond.

"No," said Rolly. "But what I am is King. And as King, I declare myself to be an orphan from this moment on. I am no longer King Rolly Horsethief, and I am not connected by any blood ties, except to any future children I might have."

"You can't do this!" hissed Phena in outrage.

"I can, and I will," shouted Rolly. "I am King Rolly Tigerheart! And I am an orphan! Lords of Bon Su Pear, can I have your hooray?"

The Lords of Bon Su Pear cheered to the ceiling, which led to some coughing amongst them. They were not, on the whole, young men.

"What about us?" asked Phena.

"We're your family," snapped Uncle Frond.

Rolly made a gesture and a large number of soldiers appeared from the sides of the throne room. Their captain turned to Rolly.

"What should I do with them?" asked Captain Doyle.

"Escort them to the South Gate. Make sure that they are not leaving with anything that is the property of the crown, or anyone else's for that matter. Any of my former family that comes back in, hang them from the wall. Oh, and give them each thirty pieces of coin," said Rolly, and he turned to his mother Phena. "That is the price of a person, I hear."

Rolly sat back down in his throne and Ftizz the cat jumped into his lap. He petted the cat as Phena and her family were led out of the throne room, howling in protest. Dr. Sundl came back and sat happily into her chair next to the boy king. She put her hand on that of Rolly, and he smiled at her.

"Can I put this book down now?" moaned Gideon.

"Yes," said Rolly, and Gideon almost dropped it on the ground.

"Wow, that's heavy," said Gideon. "Next time we strap it to Pav's back."

After Rolly's family was gone, Sydney came up to the throne with her father.

"What just happened?" asked her father of Sydney.

"I'll explain later," said Sydney.

Her father moaned at that. "You always say that, but you never do."

But Sydney was focused on Rolly. "Permission to approach the throne?"

"Permission granted," smiled Rolly as she walked up to the throne.

Sydney grinned. "It worked out."

"Thank you," said Rolly sincerely.

"Hail King Rolly Tigerheart!" said Sydney.

"Oh my," said Lord Sizzle in concern.

"What is it?" asked Rolly.

"We have to redo the King's stationery now," said Lord Sizzle breathlessly. "And update the history, and …"

Meeting each other's eyes, Rolly and Sydney burst into laughter.

Sydney looked at the Royal Zoo's accounts and went a little cross-eyed. She was smart for a ten year old, but still, it looked like hieroglyphics from the desertland of Kalshiem. Come to think of it, those made more sense, at least those were pictures. So, it took her a moment to register that a person had just walked by the back office, a short person to be precise. She was the only short person who worked at the zoo, and that would hopefully remedy itself soon enough.

Getting up, Sydney moved out into the hallway and was almost run over by the minotaur who was walking by. She craned her neck up to see the minotaur who looked down at her. The minotaur, with a bulls' head and a man's body, was a striking figure from less than a foot away.

And then the minotaur broke the spell.

"Pardon me miss," said the minotaur.

"Um … wha?" was all that Sydney could think to say.

"Don't mind him," said a voice. "Virgo's with me. Oh, Virgo, Sydney. Sydney, Virgo."

"Pleasure," said the minotaur, Virgo.

"Um, hello," said Sydney. She turned to see the ten year old boy who had spoken. He was wearing grubby clothes as he looked around the back room.

"Where are the shovels?" asked the boy.

"Rolly?" asked Sydney.

"In the flesh," said Rolly. "Though I'm here … oh, what is that word that Dr. Sundl used … oh yes, 'incognito'."

"I can see that, but …" started Sydney.

"I would have come alone, but I have to have some member of the Royal Guard with me at all times," said Rolly.

"Lucky me," said Virgo wryly.

"So, shovels?" asked Rolly.

"I don't understand," started Sydney.

"Shovels?" smirked Rolly. "Flat piece of metal with a stick."

"I know what a shovel is," said Sydney testily. "I'm wondering what the king of Bon Su Pear is doing here?"

"Huh?" asked Rolly. "I'm helping out."

"You are?" asked Sydney.

"You said you needed more people around here," said Rolly. "And well, I'm having trouble getting the money out of the lords, so … here I am. Now, shovels?"

"Over there," said Sydney in shock.

"We'll need pails too, for water," said Virgo.

"Good thinking, and a wheelbarrow," said Rolly.

"And a cage to hold the animal while we clean," said Virgo.

"Good thinking," said Rolly. He bustled around the room to fetch the things he needed. Quickly, he maneuvered the filled wheelbarrow towards the door. He stopped by Sydney. "If you need me, I'll be starting over by the West end cages."

"Okay," said Sydney as the boy king and Virgo walked off. She stared a moment longer, and then she smiled. "Wow."

* * *

"This is all to impress her," said Virgo as they stopped at the rear of a set of cages.

"Um, well …" started Rolly.

"That's okay," smiled Virgo. "Really. I'm just prying."

"It is, kinda, but mostly it's about that," said Rolly. He pointed into the first cage and Virgo leaned close.

"Wow! That smell!" cried Virgo as he recoiled in olfactory horror. "I mean, I've been near Dust Dervishs that smell better than that."

"I know," said Rolly. "They only have one person cleaning the cages."

"How is that possible?" asked Virgo.

"I don't think it is," replied Rolly.

They set up the small cage near the door. Inside was a monkey that clung to a large log in the middle of the cage. It had a large forehead and beady eyes. It saw the small cage open up and walked into it curiously. Virgo shut the cage quickly and the monkey hit the door with his head. The door rattled, but held. It started making a racket as it reached out of the bars towards the larger cage.

"Is it just scared?" asked Virgo.

"I don't know," said Rolly. He turned to a small piece of hastily engraved wood next to door. "Let's see. It's a Crashtest Monkey. Named Epi. From jungle land of Waitwaitamoment. Only eats Rabbitwood."

They looked inside at the gnawed-on log that was standing up. The ground was so covered in dung that only small spots of floor peered through.

"We need to save the log," said Rolly. "Can you reach in there, and …?"

"Let me see," said Virgo. The minotaur, maneuvering his horns through the door, leaned into the room and grabbed the log. The log came up with a sick and wet noise. Virgo peered at the bottom of the log covered in monkey muck.

"Yuck," said Rolly. "I don't think the bottom can be saved, but how …"

Virgo pulled a sword from his belt and sliced through the end of the log, cutting off only the dirty part. The sword was sheathed before the piece of mucky wood hit the ground. Rolly suddenly grinned.

"That was so cool!" cried the boy king, and Virgo just smiled in embarrassment.

Virgo opened the cage door long enough to slip the log in to the monkey. Epi curled around it gratefully and started to chew on it.

Rolly grabbed a shovel and eyed the cage.

"That's a lot of poop," said Rolly.

"Yep," replied Virgo.

"Okay," said Rolly. "Let's do this."

THE END

Bio: Walter G Esselman bangs on a keyboard, and plays way too much 'Zombie Castaways'. And you can find more of Walter G. Esselman's work on Facebook with the keyword: Dragonson.

E-mail: Walter G. Esselman

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