CHAPTER 1
King Joel Learns of the Capture
Sitting atop the South Tower of Regstar Castle, King Joel could see some of his kingdom but not all. He and his wife enjoyed coming to the top of the tower so much that they had built a small garden in one corner of the tower next to the inner wall. They had planted roses in the garden and included a variety of colors. They had christened their little paradise Rainbow Garden. His wife had enjoyed coming up here so much when she was pregnant that he had included a small fireplace so she could be warm. Now she was gone. She had died in childbirth and he now missed her more than ever.
Now he was alone, and he felt alone. Joel had become king at a very young age. His father was at war, fighting in the north, when an arrow ended his life and made young Joel king of Regstar. Joel had surprised everyone by not seeking revenge for his father's death. Instead he had made peace, but it had been an uneasy peace, and Joel feared war could come to Regstar at any time.
That night Joel was in the large eating room. He did not like eating alone in such a large room, but this was expected. The room had very few decorations but had several heads of animals that had been killed on hunts by Joel's father. He had promised himself that he would remove them when he became king, but they had belonged to his father, long forgotten trophies of past hunts. There were two doors that opened into the room and one large window at the end of it. The window was open but could be closed if the castle was ever attacked. There was a large fireplace at the other end of the room, but the room was always cold. This day it was extremely cold. Joel walked to the window and looked across the land that made up his kingdom. On the horizon he could see the smoky haze that rose above the mountains that bordered the northern lands.
He was worried. His daughter was not late. In fact, she was not due to arrive until next day. Something was bothering him. Should he be concerned, or was this normal for a trip of this nature? He reviewed his decision to let her go. She so much wanted to see her aunt, and the trip would be so refreshing. She had left the kingdom very few times in her fourteen years. The coolness and humidity gave the air a hint of snow, but Joel did not feel this was a peril to his daughter's safety. So why this anxiety? What of this uneasy feeling? Was it just a father's concern for the safety of his only child? He turned back inside the room and walked to the large fireplace, held out his hands to try to warm his body. Then he walked back to the window.
The next day came and left, still and Donella did not arrive. Joel did not become too concerned, but the next day she did not arrive. That night he did not eat. While he was standing in front of the large window, in the distance he noticed a rider. His horse's gait was slow. Surely, if there was any trouble, if the rider had information about his daughter, the pace would be quick. There appeared to be no urgency with this rider. As the rider approached the castle he stopped. He dismounted his horse and stood next to his mount. He stood there motionless and stared at the castle. The king studied the rider and could see that he was tall, extremely tall. He could see that he wore a beard. This man a was knight, but not of his army. Joel alerted the night watch to keep an eye on the stranger but not to approach him.
That night as the king ate, his thoughts returned to his daughter. The castle was cold and the large fire in the eating room did little to warm the air. The warm food and liquid did warm his body, but did not warm his heart. He still had the feeling that something was wrong. He went to the window and saw the knight was still standing next to his horse. He had built a fire, and the embers' glow made this stranger look even taller. Did this man have information about his daughter? He ordered his horse to be made ready. He also sent for two knights to accompany him.
When Joel approached the rider he saw that he was not a young man. He was old. He stopped his horse several feet away from the man but did not dismount.
"I am Joel, the king of this land. State the purpose of your visit."
The old knight didn't move and said just loudly enough for Joel to hear, "We have taken her back."
Suddenly a pain shot through Joel's heart and pierced his entire body.
He knew this man. That sudden realization and what he had said increased his pain. He dismounted his horse and quickly walked to the knight.
"I thought we would never see each other again. I hoped that we would never see each other again. Come to my castle and tell me your story. Is she safe?"
The old man's face did not change. "I cannot come to your castle. The time is short. I came only to give you this information. She is gone, and she will not return."
When these words were spoken the old knight went to his horse.
"Enjoy your memories of her. There will be no more. She was yours, but we have taken her back. There is nothing you can do." He mounted his horse, and as he did, Joel pulled his sword. The two knights with him did likewise.
The old knight turned his horse to face Joel. "What good will killing me do? She is gone, and as I told you there is nothing you can do. I can give her a message if you wish."
Joel dropped his head. "Tell her I love her."
With that, the old knight turned his horse north and rode away. He felt bad that no message to Donella was going to be delivered.
Joel's mind was spinning. Should he ride after him? What could he do? Both escorts wanted to pursue the old knight, but Joel said no. His words had been true. There was nothing he could do, and he knew his daughter was in no danger.
When King Joel returned to his castle he didn't know what to do. He had worried that this might happen, but not to Donella, his daughter. When he married Phylass fifteen years ago, he had worried that this might happen to her, but not to Donella.
CHAPTER 2
Joel Calls for Asher
Asher was a young man who had grown up in the castle and had been a good friend to Joel's daughter. His father was Pike, a knight and trusted friend to Joel. His mother was Calie, the royal librarian. She had given birth to Asher one month before the birth of Donella. When Phylass had died in childbirth, Calie had become the wet nurse to Donella. When Pike and Calie had been killed, Asher was three years old and Joel became like a father to him. He grew up in the castle and was like a member of the family.
While they were young, Donella was much taller than Asher. He would often call her the little giant because she was much taller than most of the children her age in the castle.
Asher and Donella were close and played together almost every day. Then came the day that Asher turned twelve years old. He had caught up to Donella in height. He and Donella had crossed the fixed bridge and were standing on the barbican when he looked up to see King Joel standing on the bridge. He motioned for Asher to join him, and both he and Donella walked to the king.
"Leave us, Donella. I need to talk to Asher alone."
Donella could see that her father was serious. He was always smiling while in their presence, because he was so proud of them.
When Donella was gone, he turned to Asher. "It is time you started your training to become a knight. You will need to say good bye to Donella because you are leaving the castle to be the page of Sir John. He is a good man and a better knight. He will train you well. You will be living in the barracks at High Oaks. After you have said your good bye to Donella, pack the things you need, and meet Sir John at the lower bailey near the well."
Asher did not know what to say. He just extended his hand to Joel and said, "Thank you sir, I will make you proud."
Joel did not take Asher's hand but extended both arms around the boy. "I know you will make me proud, and I know you will make both of your parents proud. Go see Donella."
As Asher stepped back from Joel he looked him in the face to see that the king had tears in his eyes. He quickly turned away and went to find Donella. He found her standing at the well, just below the keep.
"I know you are leaving," she said.
"Little Giant, I don't want to leave but this is what is expected of me. I want to make you proud as well as King Joel. I don't know when we will see each other again."
She smiled, "When we see each other again, don't refer to me as Little Giant. You are now taller than I am."
They walked slowly back to the main building without talking. Then Asher said, "Don't forget me."
She laughed. "How could I?"
Asher's training was consuming, and he only saw Donella a couple of times during the next two years. When they did meet, it was obvious they were changing and drifting apart.
King Joel loved Asher. It had been his hope that his daughter and Asher would fall in love, and together rule the kingdom of Regstar after he died.
As he waited for Asher, he wondered what he could tell him. Was it fair to Asher to place such a burden on him? The wait for Asher seemed forever.
When Asher came into the large room he could see the concern in Joel's face. He was just a boy, but he knew bad news was about to be spoken.
The king looked at the boy. "You are my only hope. They have taken Donella. You must know the entire story."
CHAPTER 3
Joel and Phylass
It had happened fifteen years ago when Joel was twenty-three years old and had just become king of Regstar. He had gone hunting alone in the northern mountains. He enjoyed hunting; however rarely killed an animal. He just loved to be outside. He had climbed the mountains and had discovered a beautiful lake. It was crystal clear and gave the most brilliant reflection of the mountains he had ever seen. As he looked across the water, it was as if the land went up and down at the same time. The reflection was as clear as the view. He had decided to camp by the lake, and the next morning the most extraordinary thing happened. He could see the reflection of an enchanting castle in the water of the lake. It was beautiful. When he looked across the lake he could see only a rock wall that bordered the lake. He looked back into the water and could see the castle distinctly. All day he just looked and admired the castle. He took from his pack a piece of parchment and with a charcoal drew the image. When he finished he noticed something bizarre. While scanning the rock wall and looking at its outline, there appeared to be no entrance.
After about two days of exploring the rock wall and looking for an entrance, the young king left his camp and went to a small village nearby. The leader of the village, Silas, welcomed him and invited him to eat. That evening, Joel told his story of the reflection.
Silas didn't seem surprised.
"I know of this reflection. It appears only every fifteen years, and only then for one month. I have seen it twice. "When I was a young man, I was traveling in the mountains and came across a knight who had been attacked by wolves. He was badly wounded, and I brought him to my camp. He lived for three weeks, but before he died he told me he was from Reflection City. He said that he must return as quickly as possible to his people. This is how I know that it returns every fifteen years. I have a key to this city. The knight had it around his neck. I went to visit this city and to return the knight's body but could only see the refection. I saw it disappear just as the knight said it would. Fifteen years later I returned but could only find a rock wall, while the reflection was clear in the water."
The next morning, Joel asked for the key. The old leader gave it to him and said, "There is no gate. Enjoy the refection, but there is no way in."
The young king spent days looking, but he could find no way to enter the castle. Maybe it was really in the water. He searched the rocks. He even dove into the clear water but found no castle and no gate. He looked at the key. It gave no hint of how it was to be used. There were no markings, just a plain key. That night the moon was bright and he looked at the reflection in the dark water. As he looked at the reflection he thought, I will never get in, and I must return to my own castle.
The next morning he bathed and shaved in the lake. He was using his mirror when suddenly he noticed the reflection of the wall on the water was gone. Through the mirror, he could see the faded outline of the castle among the rocks, but the reflection on the water did not show. With his back to the lake and looking through the mirror he could pan the image on the rocks. Suddenly, there is was. A very large door. He could see the entry was higher in the rocks than he would have thought.
He was so excited he could hardly dress. He ran around the edge of the lake to the rock wall. He climbed high up where the reflection of the door was and noticed a small hole just large enough for the key. He trembled as he placed the key in the hole and turned. He heard a loud click. Then he pushed the rock open and found he was standing high on ground overlooking a large valley. He could hear the sound of people from a distance but could see no one.
It was a long climb down to the city sounds. As he entered the city, he could hear people moving, talking as if selling goods. It sounded as if he were in the center of a marketplace. Yet he could see no one. Surely if he could not see these people they would not be able to see him either.
After his fear subsided, he decided to explore this strange land. Then he had an idea. He reached inside his pouch and pulled out a small mirror. He held up the mirror and looked. The city was a sight to behold. The market where he had entered was alive with sound and was a beautiful place. As he moved about the city, he could feel the presence of many people. Shops were made of marble, and silk, or what appeared to be silk, lined each and every one. Just the other side of the marketplace, he found a quiet garden. In the center was a large lake. It was surrounded by beautiful pink trees. He looked into the crystal blue water to see his reflection. He bent to take a drink, and suddenly he heard someone say, "Who are you? Why are you in the water?"
He looked, and standing next to his image was the most radiant girl he had ever seen. She had long straight, dark brown hair which came almost to her waist. Her skin was tan. She was dressed in a golden dress and showed no fear of him.
As he looked into the water he said, "I am Joel, and I am from the Sovereignty of Regstar. I mean you no harm."
He stood and looked around. He could see no one. He looked back into the water, and she was still standing next to him.
"You must be from the outside world," she said. "That is why we can't see each other. I have been told this by the great knight Brumble who has been outside our walls. Why have you come?"
Joel did not know what to say. He just said, "I am Joel. Who are you?"
She did not answer his question but repeated, "Why are you here?"
He told her of seeing the reflection and how he had found the opening and how he had received the key.
"So that is what happened to Lucas. He disappeared before I was born. He left to explore outside the kingdom and was never heard of again. Since then no one has left the city with the exception of the great knight Brumble."
They sat in the green grass close to the water so they could see each other. He told more of his story and about his kingdom.
She looked into the water right into his eyes and said, "Tell me more of your land. I want to know."
She had been listening, but suddenly her face changed, and she said, "You can't stay here. If my father finds you, he will kill you. No one from the outside is allowed to stay. I think this is true, but no one from the outside has ever come to our kingdom before. Meet me again at this time tomorrow. I must go."
He spent the rest of the day exploring the great city. That night he left and returned to his camp. He didn't know how long the city would be visible and was not sure what would happen if he were inside the city when it disappeared.
He was restless during the night. He thought of the girl. What was her name? She was so beautiful, and he could not wait to see her again. The next day he returned to the city. He went quickly back to the garden and sat by the fountain. It was not long until he heard her voice.
"Joel are you here?" She appeared next to him in the water.
"I am Phylass. My father is Rue the king of Reflection City."
She sat down beside him, and they looked at each other in the water. She started to tell him about her land and the kingdom she loved.
They talked for hours, she telling of her world and he telling of his.
