We reached the end of the woods to find it had already become evening. The sun basked all the world in a light wash. We were thoroughly spent of our energy. In the distance, a few of the servants were searching the gardens. They looked over to us and ran our way.

“Prince Yurva, the King calls for you!” they said.

It was no wonder to me that my father was worried. He was one to assume the best in qualities but the worst in external affairs. Especially those out of his control.

“It would seem you’re in trouble, prince,” laughed Varey. “But we’ll side with you, for now we’re friends!”

And indeed we were!

We made to my father’s study, where Kings Desyar and Anyur, the ministers, aristocrats, and various officials were all gathered. It wasn’t often I visited the study. Usually if I went, it was because I was in trouble or was to be given a lecture, but I did my best to stay out of other’s notice.

I hadn’t all that often paid attention to the space. But for some reason, it seemed that the pillars grew taller, and that the furniture loomed above me.

What was a pristine space seemed masked with darkness and dread, mirroring the state of my heart. I felt small and insignificant. One who was to be tested by the figureheads and be sentenced by its end. A sentence possibly leading to another downfall.

My expression became sullen, and I hung my head low. Varey and Viruka looked to me with worry.

My father approached me. He looked to the visiting prince and princess with sternness. He sighed and then smiled.

“It would seem you have some newfound friends.”

I looked up in surprise.

“But you had me and their father worried. To where did the three of you disappear?”

I explained all the circumstances leading to our flight to the forest, doing well to obscure or hide our conflict, our visitations of the celestial deer and celestial dragon, and the test that was imposed on us.

All in the space listened attentively. When I had finished, there was silence.

“While I don’t deny your meetings, of what forest do you speak?”

This had us confused. For the forest was in plain sight to all who were in the vicinity. Indeed, one could see it even at a distance from the palace.

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“The forest past the gardens,” I said. “You don’t mean to tell me you’ve already forgotten about it, have you, father? That’s the forest I always saw you enter when you went on hunts.”

I should’ve better phrased my words, but given the haste of my mind, I spoke rather accusatively. Minister Druzhat, in particular, held his hand to his head and shook in disappointment.

The others didn’t pay attention. My father bent down and held my shoulder, “I know of no such forest. I know you would not lie, so what is this forest really?”

I grabbed my father’s hand and ran from the study. With my father following behind, as well as all the others, we made through the halls until reaching the gardens on the backside.

But when we arrived, to my shock, the forest had disappeared. There were only the flowers, meadows, trees that dotted the landscape, and rolling hills that stretched into the distance.

“I do not lie, father,” I said; “there really was a forest!”

Varey said, “He is right, sire. We indeed journeyed into the forest that must have been at the ends of the immediate garden. I know not why the forest has disappeared, or why you do not remember, but it might have something to do with the characters that revealed themselves to us.”

“While it may not be my place to speak,” said Viruka, “my brother is right. We indeed encountered strange beings and visions. By the time we returned the full day had already passed, though to us it only felt a few hours.”

I was glad at my friends’ words. But my father seemed unconvinced.

“I do remember the serpent you spoke of, yet scarce an idea of where he could be now. As for my hunts, I only remember going to the forests out of the city’s bounds, though it has been long since I ventured that way. The expeditions had taken much of my energy and almost surely sapped my strength.”

I didn’t know what to say. I felt ashamed trying to defend myself. It wouldn’t have been wise to lie or hide information. At the very least, I could’ve owned to my faults instead of making excuses. But what was done was done. No more to be pressed.

“Whatever the case may be, glad am I that none of you are hurt. Worry not this old man. Though he be a king, his heart is as fragile as glass!”

We walked to the palace and went to our quarters. Business was not yet done between the two kings, so for at least a few more days, I could spend my time with Varey and Viruka.

The two of them slept with me in my chambers. All of us on a bed that I should say was fit more for a giant than a boy.

The sun passed into darkness, and with in a few hours, the lights of the palace were lowered. The flames were snuffed and there was a lull that night. We slept close to each other. And while their warmth cooled my senses, the worry and anxiety I felt hadn’t yet left.

I felt no closer to progress than when I first arrived, only biding the time to what I thought to be both a certain and eventual death. My short life in this world would come to a close, perhaps in the next couple of decades.

All I could resolve is that I should leave a mark that wouldn’t disdain my house. It was all I could think or pray.

As the night progressed, Varey fell to deep sleep, while I remained awake. I didn’t move, but I felt uneasy. I suspected the princess to be asleep as well. All I could think to distract me from my troubles was her beauty reflected in my childish eyes.

I felt the same fear when I beheld her and closed my eyes to think more dreadful things. Then under the sheets I could feel my hand grabbed and squeezed.

I looked to my side to see Viruka had grabbed it! Her eyes were closed, but her face held a smile. She muttered in her sleep, “Be always a friend to us, Yurva.”

I relaxed and fell asleep. That night—of all nights before—was the most pleasant.