CHAPTER 8

Yangus tore the letter open despite Chester's protests. "'Ey! It says here that the King needs us to go there immediately! Something 'appened and 'e wants us to go there first before he tells us anything!"

Chester scolded, "That was for Prince Brandon! Haven't you heard of mail fraud before?! He could have you arrested for that!"

Red patted Chester on the shoulder. "Take it easy, mate. Yangus is his friend. 'E would never hurt Brandon. Charmless, on the other hand, well, he ain't to be trusted."

The duo waited for the business to be over for the day before approaching Brandon. Yangus pranced over. "Guv! Ye got a letter from Ascantha. When we're done here, we gotta mosey up there."

Brandon nodded. "What are we doing there?"

Red filled in, "Doesn't say. The King is afraid of the letter gettin' in the wrong hands and junk. I'd check it out. Lots a treasure in that castle."

Medea's eyes widened. "Red! You wouldn't! Please?"

Red held up her hands in surrender. "Alright! Alright! I'll do it for you. Least I can do since I bought you off the black market . . . Sorry about that by the way."

Medea blushed. "While, I was turned into a horse. You didn't know. I hope everything's alright over there."

Yangus swatted the air. "Ascantha toughened up ever since we helped the King cope with his grief. I think they're as strong as Trodain now."

Brandon considered the magnitude of the feat. "Good for them. I hope everyone can relax for a long time now."

Yagnus' face lit up. "D'ya think Tango is still there?"

Tango was a friendly dog that the King named personally who always gave affection.

Red snorted at his rather endearing (though she'd never admit it) softness for animals. "I'm sure 'e is. King Pavan wouldn't let anythin' 'appen to 'im."

After more days of establishing a friendship with Argonia, the group traveled to Ascantha. A shopkeeper pointed at Brandon and Medea. "That's the boy Princess Medea chose over Prince Charmles!"

His friend eyed Brandon. "He is better looking than Charmles; I'll give him that."

Medea whispered in Brandon's ear, "She's right you know. You're a lot more handsome than the fat blond strawberry."

They hiked to the throne room where King Pavan was waiting for them. "Prince Brandon! Yangus! Thank the Goddess you're here!"

Yagnus faltered. "You remember me name?"

King Pavan was aghast. "Of course! I can't forget what you did for me and my country. How are Jessica and Angelo?"

Yangus shrugged. "Last I heard, Jessica was still livin' in luxury in Alexandria and Angelo was at a bar somewhere."

Red stuck out her hand. "My name is Red, Your 'Ighness. I'm a friend of Brandon and Yangus. This here are Princess Medea and King Trode."

King Pavan greeted them all and held his head in his hands. "There's been some trouble as of late . . ."