• A long time ago in this land, when men and tabbies lived in peace, a wise, old king ruled. His name was Malcolm Roy’a, he was a great king. And as those things go, peace and prosperity where the two things that all great kingdoms had under a great king, the Roy’an kingdom was not by any means an exception to this rule. And as some things also go, King Malcolm had more than one son. In fact, he had seven, but of the seven only two made it to maturity. Zivon was the oldest and cruelest. He was very selfish, materialistic if anything. It was once rumored that he practiced the dark arts that the Trintons taught. Amory was the youngest and kindest. Sweet and loving, he would spend the majority of his time with an old wise tabby named Ominous, learning the secrets of nature.
    King Malcolm fell ill one day, and died three days later. It was mysterious because nobody knew what it was that killed the King. Zivon all the while was getting things ready for his inauguration, or so he thought, while his brother mourned. When the King’s will was read by the bishop, it stated that Amory was to be the next king. This infuriated Zivon greatly, and he disappeared before his brother’s crowning ceremony. No body hears from him for years, and when they did, they wished they hadn’t.
    Hayward-A Town near the Trinton Border
    A man was found hanging from a tree in the woods by his house. He had been missing for a week. Some mistook the man’s death as suicide, since he was found near dead wife’s grave. Not long after did dark creatures show up tormenting the town folk. When King Amory hears he immediately sends his soldiers to force the creatures away. The soldiers went into the town and chased the creatures to the woods. It was said that at that very moment when the solders went into the woods after the creatures that there was a great light that erupted, and the cries of the solders could be heard all though out the country side that day.
    Roy’an Castle
    When Amory heard of this he told his old tabby friend, Ominous that he was going to investigate the matter for himself. Ominous begged him not to go, but send his son Beckom instead. When Amory refused to send Beckom, Ominous told him of his dreams as of late. He told Amory that his brother was coming to kill him and take over the kingdom. He also told him his brother knew dark arts and that only Beckom was immune to them and could therefore fight and win. The stubborn old king still refused and went with a handful of guards.
    It turned out to be catastrophic on the king’s part. Things happened as Ominous had said they would. King Amory had vanished. In his absence, Beckom did what he could to control the Roy’an Kingdom.
    Two weeks later there was an up rising in a merchant town southeast of the castle’s town. Beckom was very wary of things by this time. So when Ominous had found him to tell him that it was the Trinton Empire causing the trouble, the only thing the prince did was nod apathetically.
    “Beckom are you alright?” Ominous spoke softly.
    “I don’t know what to do Ominous.” Beckom sighed. “Things keep getting worse.” He shook his head. “I’m not sure how much longer I can keep this up. Bethany isn’t any help at all. She’s so infatuated with some new, young guard I’m about ready to hamstring them both.”
    “New, Young guard?” Ominous repeated. “Who is he?” Beckom nodded with more feeling this time.
    “Yves Zivitti, I believe.” Beckom replied. “Why does this interest you old friend?”
    “Because I believe we have a mole, my dear prince.” Beckom nodded at this.
    “What should we do about this though?” Beckom turned to look out the window. “This is extremely complicated since my sister has feelings for him. No doubt part of his plan, but the trouble is who is he working for? She won’t accept that it’s the truth coming from you. She thinks your crazy as hell.” Beckom looked to Ominous quickly. “Sorry.”
    “It’s alright; I do see your point though. We’ll have to prove it before something happens. Otherwise she’ll loathe us both.” Beckom’s head popped up and so did his eyes, he then looked over at Ominous. “Beckom I’m not following where you’re going with this.”
    “Hold on a minute, Ominous.” Beckom looked back out the window thinking. “She might even be mad enough to leave.”
    “I’m still not following you.”
    “If she leaves several things could happen. One, it could divide the country. Two, she could join the rebellion. Three, she could be captured and held as a prisoner of war. There are several different things we might not think of at the moment. You see where I’m going with this right?” Ominous nodded then answered.
    “I do your majesty; there are many things to be considered at this point.”
    “If we don’t do something soon, we might regret it later.”
    “Indeed, is it wise to keep letting her see him or will that make things worse,” Beckom looked at Ominous without seeing him and spoke.
    “Keep your friends close,” Beckom began.
    “And your enemies closer.” Said the old tabby. “Perhaps you should tell them that they have your blessing?”
    “What!” Beckom began outraged. “There’s no way in hell that I’ll allow that.”
    “It’s just an idea Beckom.” Ominous had to calm the prince before he started having health problems. This seventeen year old prince had a lot to deal with before he was to be crowned. It would be in everybody’s best interest if he didn’t have a heart attack first.”
    Bethany’s Chamber
    “Your highness may I speak to you of something that is bothering me?”
    “Yes Yves you may say whatever like if it makes things better.”
    “Does your brother know of us?”
    “He’s probably clueless. Beckom does not pay much attention to me since our father disappeared two months ago.” Bethany looked over at Yves, and then she went back to reading her book. “Why does this bother you?” Yves forehead creased, as he turned to look away.
    “Because I do not wish to do die” He sighed and quavered his head. “This is treason.”
    “How is that?” Bethany inquired.
    “You are a woman of noble birth; I’m a poor village boy who is lucky just to be talented enough to be your bodyguard. If we get caught I’ll be killed and it’ll be said I chastised you. We should stop your highness.”
    “With what’s going on who’ll be worried about me? As long as Beckom and the mutt think I’m safe. They’ll leave me alone.”
    “If you become barren, they’ll look to me first because I’m your bodyguard. They’ll suspect me first because I’m the one to protect you. So if say somebody got by me, I’ll in trouble, I’ll be responsible. But I’m the one doing it so that makes that much worse.”
    “Alright, Yves.” Bethany was reluctant, but she saw what Yves was getting at. “And Yves.”
    “Yes Ma’am?”
    “Please quit being formal with me. I didn’t choose my birth right and neither did you. So while it’s just us alone, please call me Bethany.” She smiled at Yves. “That is my name you know.” Yves smiled back.
    “Yes, Bethany.”