A/N: Well, how is everyone? I hope you had a great Fourth of July! We sure did! And I thank the readers who responded to my question last week! I'd like to give a special hoop and holler to the representatives of Brazil and South Korea for letting me know when their country's birthday are. Now I feel a little smarter thanks to them! And, BTW, in order to educate everyone else, Brazil's Independence's Day is September 7th and South Korea's Independence Day is August 15th! Any other volunteers out there?
Anyhow, time to get back to the story. Again, I thank all you wonderful readers, especially those who gave me a review! I really appreciate your thoughts!... So enough ado! Don't forget the 'IDNOAC' thing and here is Chapter 43, which happens to be one of my personal favs! Hope you enjoy it, too!
TrueHeart—Chapter 43—Sarah and Derek's Tale
Danny listened intensely, curious to know what had happened to Sarah and her husband so as to understand why they would do what they did to him and Sam.
She slowly began, "My name is Sarah. I was once Princess of the Kingdom of Lagot. And I was the only daughter of King…" She suddenly paused. It pained her more than she thought it would. To relive the old wounds that was caused by these memories. Still, she pressed on, "…the only daughter of King Guérart of Lagot and Queen Adelena of de Acastre. When I breathed in the Real World, I lived many centuries earlier than you…in the seventeenth century to be precise. My father's kingdom was of moderate size and riches, yet, it was insignificant. But my father did not think it were so. And in the end, he wished it to be more powerful. And he knew how he was to do that."
She blushed just before she continued, "Please do not think me vain, Sir Danny, when I continue. I only tell you this for this reason: it is because of this perception of me that I was to be doomed."
He nodded in agreement, even though he was clueless about what she meant. It wasn't long thereafter, however, that he did understand what she was alluding to.
She continued; and she wondered if he could see any hint of her blush as she pressed on, "Many in my realm thought I was the most beautiful. I had long, ebony hair as fine as silk and shining as black velvet, not unlike other maidens. My eyes were as you see them now, as green as the fresh blooms of the tender spring grasses. I was well-bred, taught to love and be gracious to all my subjects. I tended well to my pious duties and responsibilities. I never failed or shamed my parents with my behavior during the tender, fleeting moments when I walked upon the soft, sweet earth."
She sighed at the memory. But she continued, "Of course, the time came for me to marry, and my father was quick to send out the proclamation. Many wooers came from throughout the countryside, seeking to win my hand."
"But two suitors in particular would seal my doom. One you will soon recognize. He was a young prince with hair as black as midnight and eyes as russet and warm as the leaves in late autumn. He went by the name of Derek, Prince of the Kingdom of Adhémar. He was the son of King Victor of Adhémar and his queen, Esa of Blakwell. But, alas, the King and Queen had died from an epidemic of the plague. Derek was spared, but he had to go to live with the brother of his father, whose name was Leovold, because Derek was not of age at the time of his parents' deaths. His uncle became Protector of Adhémar, then, and Derek would be King of it one day."
Sarah blushed even more as she remembered her first sight of whom would become her husband. But she was then relieved that the ghost boy in front of her couldn't have possibly noticed any color change in her face. She pressed on with her tale nevertheless. "I think I had loved Derek from the moment I first saw him. Not only was he handsome, he was very noble and brave. He took his station very seriously and prepared himself carefully for his responsibilities. But his kingdom was very small, and my parents—I should say, my father—did not want me to take such a husband. I confided in my father about my wishes, but Derek's kingdom held hardly any riches to offer him. My father tried to discourage my feelings for the young Prince of Adhémar. Still, I would not be satisfied and refused all suitors presented to me."
Danny listened attentively as she continued.
"Then, one day, several months after I had met Derek, a powerful and much older king from a distant land came. He had heard of my virtues, I suppose, but I do not really care why he had come then or now. He was Raudolf of Middelham. He, too, had raven hair, though it was streaked with age; but his eyes were of the coldest, dull grey, as if they were born on a dreary winter day."
She sighed in sadness at her next words. "And I know that his heart was just as cold. After all that had happened, I found out that he only cared for me as he would a trophy propped on one of the walls of his mighty hall. And by the marriage, he would be heir to all the riches of my father's kingdom."
"King Raudolf pressed my father for my hand; but at first, my father did not give him a forthright answer. I supposed it was because of the pleading of my dear mother. She knew of my heart in the matter, and she did not like or trust King Raudolf."
"Still, King Raudolf would not be denied. He came once more to my father's castle, impatient for an answer. When my father still hesitated, Raudolf threatened to invade my father's kingdom and take me by force!"
Danny's eyes widened at the news. He knew that those things happened back then, but he never had met anyone who had actually lived it. But he kept silent, encouraging her to continue.
"My father then relented to King Raudolf and gave him his word that my hand was his. The King went back to his castle to make haste to prepare for the wedding. When I heard of the oath that my father had given to King Raudolf, I was mortified, crushed to the heart of my father's decision. It was then that I confessed to my father that I had been meeting secretly with Derek all those months and my heart was sealed with his. My mother knew of this all along, and she knew I had not shamed her as I had never done before or after I met my love. I had promised to have my nursemaid accompany me on each visit, and Derek's uncle would only allow us public meetings, and only with Derek's manservant nearby observing all in the utmost discreetness. So, do not worry. Our virtues were always protected, I assure you!"
This time, Danny blushed, but didn't comment.
She felt her face flush more as well, but pressed on, "My father was livid when he heard my words of pledge to Derek! But, he would not give into my wishes! Underneath, he was weak and feared the ruthless King Raudolf. He told me that I was to become King Raudolf's wife!"
"That's terrible!" Danny finally blurted it out.
"'Tragic' is more the word, Sir Danny," she softly corrected him, and she felt her eyes suddenly grow heavy from the tears she was trying to hold back. "For tragedy was what was in store for me and my love."
He swallowed hard, but nodded for her to go on.
She sighed when she saw his gesture, and continued, "I was beside myself at my father's firm decision. Though it was my duty to obey him, I, for once in my life, could not. I sent word to Derek that I was going to go to him that very night, and to become his wife, even if it meant banishment from my own family." She let a tear fall when she said that.
"Derek was true and he came for me in the secret of the night. We went immediately to his home and knowing that we had the sympathy and permission of Derek's uncle, we made our plans. We set out for the other home of Derek's uncle in another land, and sent out our servants to search for a clergyman. But it took a couple of weeks to find a priest who would be willing to marry us under the circumstances. I do not blame them, however, for their hesitation, for I did not have permission from my father to marry Derek. But, finally, thank the heavens, we found a sympathetic ear and we eagerly prepared our quiet, simple wedding."
"In the meantime, my father had sent his troops to find me. He had tried to stay the anger of King Raudolf for not presenting his bride to him and begged King Raudolf for a little time. The evil king reluctantly gave in; and all the while, my father's troops searched for me. But they did not know of the house in which Derek's uncle had once lived before coming to Adhémar, and did not know we had temporarily fled to it. They could not find us."
Sarah swallowed the lump in her throat as best as she could as she pressed on, "But then, Derek's uncle sent word that it was safe for us to return. We had all thought it was safe, but we were wrong. When we returned in secret with the priest, we had not known at that time that spies had been planted by my father when he had first known of my connections to Adhémar many months earlier; and it was they who had sent us the message that all was safe for us to return."
"Good Protector Leovold was surprised to see us return so prematurely, and denied sending for us. Even he had not suspected such deception from my father; because, you see, Derek's uncle had always been a trustworthy and gentle man. He was so kind, his servants happily bid to him their diligent work; and they, too, had been fooled by the spies. And those spies quickly returned and reported to my father all that they had seen."
"Finally, the evil king's patience was spent and he returned with force to my father's castle. He demanded audience with my father in his very chambers, demanding that he present me to him at that exact moment. My father then told him all that had happened. Enraged that my father would betray him, King Raudolf was set to lay siege upon my father and his kingdom."
This time, Sarah stopped and tried to wipe her eyes on one of her wings. She swallowed hard again, and took a deep breath, trying to steal herself. But when she finally spoke, her voice betrayed her heartbreak. "But my father, of course, did not betray him. Instead, he betrayed me!"
Danny gasped when he heard that. He couldn't believe that any father would do that to any of his children.
She heaved a big sigh and ignored another tear as it fell. Her voice quivered, but she made herself go on, "My…father told him of the reports of his spies and that he had sent a message to his spies to bring me hither to his castle without delay. He was going to allowed King Raudolf to take me against my will!"
Danny gasped again in disbelief. But he didn't utter a word.
Sarah waited until she was sure that the boy didn't want to say anything. She heaved another deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. Then, she continued, "But King Raudolf was not satisfied with that news. He was, after all, a very impatient man. He left some of his forces at my father's castle and made haste to Castle Adhémar—which, you remember, belonged to Derek and his family—with his small, but powerful, army."
"Derek's Uncle Leovold had learned from his scouts that an invasion was on its way, perhaps within the day. He hurriedly told us of it and we immediately begged the priest to perform the ceremony right then and there. He agreed and we swore our vows. We knew we had not much time, but we begged them to give us our wedding night and then we would flee. They reluctantly agreed."
"But then, the invasion came sooner than we thought, and we found out later that the castle had been laid open for attack because of the very same spies and accomplices my father had woven into the household! But even amidst the chaos of the assault on the castle, Derek's uncle had managed to smuggle us out right away, and told us he would face King Raudolf on his own."
She paused and sadly smiled at the memory of Derek's uncle. Protector Leovold had been a great and brave man!
She sighed before continuing, "We thought we had escaped. But King Raudolf had planted some of his men along each escape route, and we were found out! There was a mighty struggle with our entourage. Derek fought bravely to keep them from me, but he was injured in the fight and left for dead!"
Danny's eyes widened when she said that. "What happened then?" he finally asked.
"Derek did not die that night. His uncle's scouts found him and secretly brought him back to the stronghold of his castle. Once King Raudolf had me in his possession, he no longer cared about Protector Leovold, or Castle Adhémar. His army abandoned its siege, and he returned with me to Castle Middelham that very night."
"In the meantime, once I arrived at that vile place, I flew to the sanctuary of my chambers. There I stayed, refusing in earnest King Raudolf's entry into it! I am most thankful to the heavens that he did not force himself into my room. At least, I give him that. But when he finally told me he would let me go if I would but talk to him, I allowed him in. I have tormented myself all these many years on how foolish I was to have trusted him."
Danny squirmed a little, disquieted with the anticipation of what she might say. After all, she had already alluded to the fact that it was not going to end well.
"I can stop if you wish," she softly said when she noticed his reaction.
"No, please don't! I told you that I wanted to know what happened."
"As you wish, kind Sir. Anyway, King Raudolf professed his love for me right then. I was taken by surprise by his gesture, as he had never shown any tenderness in all the time he had attempted his courtship with me. But I could not return his advances. Even when I feared my love had perished in that ambush, I told the King right away that I was now married to Derek and could never give my love to him!"
"He, of course, was enraged and told me that I was still to be his wife all the same! He left me without another word, and I trembled in dread."
"And after only a few days since I was taken, Derek had recovered from his attack. But I did not know that at the time, of course. He had been made without consciousness for those few days, but had also suffered only a small gash on his head. When he learned what had happened to me from his uncle, he immediately set out to go rescue me. If only he had not!"
"But you can't blame him!" Danny gently objected. "He loved you. And he was your husband."
She sniffed a little, and replied, "That I do not deny! And I do not blame him. But it was because I professed my love for him to my father and to King Raudolf that he was to be doomed. I would have accepted my fate and sadly performed my duties if I only knew what the future would bring to him!"
Danny thought a moment before he remarked, "I don't think you should blame yourself, either,…Lady Sarah. Things got way out of hand for you."
"Thank you for your kind words, Sir Danny. But I cannot help but grieve for what I will now tell you. As I said, Derek came to rescue me. But King Raudolf was waiting for him!"
She paused at her sudden thought and felt she needed to say it. She continued, "You remember, do you not, that unbeknownst to Derek's uncle, my father had planted some spies in Castle Adhémar? I found out too late that my father had made them pledge an oath to King Raudolf as well. And so, once again through my father's betrayal, King Raudolf knew that Derek had recovered and would come once he was told of my fate."
"All this while, I remained in my chambers and continued to deny the evil king's advances. He must have gone mad with hateful jealousy and rage, because as Derek was nearing the castle, King Raudolf summoned all his guards and even his sorcerer. There he lay in wait until Derek had entered the grounds of the castle."
"When the time was right, King Raudolf's men lay hands upon my love and brought him bound and secured within their clutches. Then, the King had his maidservants bring me before him.
"When I saw Derek, I gasped in relief that he had not perished. But my heart was then immediately seized with dread for his safety. But when he saw me, he stood erect and proud there in the midst of the whole court. He would not be cowered by King Raudolf and thereby shame me into doing the bidding of the evil king. Still, the King threatened to kill Derek by his own hand right in front of me if I refused him any longer." She dropped her head to her bosom at the memory.
"No!" Danny couldn't help but blurt out. "How could he be so cruel?"
She slowly lifted her head, but instead of looking at him, stared straight ahead, as if lost in thought as she continued. "Indeed, how could he? But Derek insisted to me not to relent. The King was enraged with that effrontery, and unsheathed his sword. The King was about to slay my husband when the sorcerer intervened. He was appalled by the scene. Why, I cannot say. After all, this sorcerer had dealt in the dark arts himself and had done many wrongs. I can only suppose that there was a spark of goodness left within him for him to have braved his interference."
Sarah then glanced at Danny; and seeing that he seemed totally enthralled with her story, sighed with woe. Still, she pressed on, "The sorcerer told the King that if he killed Derek, innocent that he was, the King would be cursed for eternity. At first, the King hesitated, but then decided that he would accept those evil consequences!"
Danny's eyes widened with her words, but he said nothing.
"Again, the sorcerer intervened, going so far as to stay the very hand that would have slain my love! At first, the King almost brought his piercing blow upon the sorcerer. But the sorcerer pleaded in desperation with the king, imploring him to hear about his plan, a plan crueler than death itself!"
"That intrigued the King and he listened. They went aside to confer. The sorcerer had told him of a mighty spell he had been perfecting. One that was very unique. Once told of the sorcerer's idea, the King was well-pleased and bade the sorcerer to commence with his spell. And so, they returned to where Derek and I were."
"The sorcerer, who was the mightiest in the entire land, waved his wand, and it whirled as a striking cobra. He cast his spell upon Derek, turning him into a lynx. And because his wand had touched Derek on his head, his fur became as ebony as his own hair, but his eyes remained auburn."
She paused and swallowed, sniffing as she did. "I can still hear the wicked king's words and see his heartless face as he laughed at the transformation! He said, 'The mighty Derek, whose bravery is as a lion's, but in reality is as insignificant as a rodent! I am pleased with the compromise that you will be a small cat, wild only in the pretense that you thought you could match strength with me!'"
She stopped again and was quiet for a few moments, trying to steel herself once more. Danny was about to say something, when she suddenly said, "The guards—though disquieted about the event—immediately pinned Derek to the floor, lest he use the new weapons thrust upon him by the sorcerer. They quickly bound him and kept guard over where he lay."
"But they needed not have struggled with my husband. He was made stuporous by his transformation and was, therefore, unable to resist…I nearly swooned at the sight, but I quickly recovered. My heart was suddenly stirred with righteousness and courage. I accused the King and his sorcerer of not fearing God! And I told him that I had taken my sacred marriage oath with Derek, and that I would rather have a fate such as my love than be without him!"
"King Raudolf then understood that I would never give myself to him! But he thought of a more malevolent plan for me! He once more conferred with his sorcerer in secret. Only after a few moments, they returned. And, again, I will never forget his hideously twisted face as it uttered his heartless words: 'Yes, you are right, my dear. You would never be happy without your love. Therefore, I will have my wizard grant your wish. But not as you will. You will be neither together nor apart from this moment onward!'"
"The King gave the sorcerer his command. The sorcerer cast his spell upon me at that moment, and his wand also first kissed me on my head. And, so, as you can see, Sir Danny, that since I once also had ebony hair, I became a dove as black as coal. And, sadly, King Raudolf had been right in his words! We were neither together nor apart as we were!"
She sighed with her misery. Still, she was not finished. "In some ways, we would have been content to be in our state. We felt we would be together in the end, and it was only a matter of time. But then, the cruel news was then told to us! We were to be hunted as the animals we now were! At first, again, we were somewhat relieved. Our time to be together forever would come sooner than we had hoped!"
Danny swallowed hard again. They had been very brave, and would have had chosen death to breaking their marriage vows?
"We were taken to different parts of the woods and released. At first, we thought we might be spared, for no one seemed to pursue us. I tried to search for Derek, as he, me. But then, somehow, the hunters were there when we spied the other. I was about to be given an arrow when Derek leapt right in front of me and the cruel dart plunged right into his heart! I screamed in dread, my own heart tightening with his blow. I quickly soared over to him. But it was too late, and as I let my tears overwhelm me, I heard his last words, which turned out to be a prayer, a desperate prayer to allow him to protect me even after he took that arrow for me. With his dying breath, he wanted only to be with me, for our marriage had been swept away as easily as a young sampling in a tempest. I cried to the heavens for mercy, begging that I not be separated from my love from such malice. I was answered right away, for another merciful arrow had found me right after that!"
Danny shuddered at the thought! These two had suffered so much!
"But, alas, as you can plainly see, it still was not over! The sorcerer indeed had a unique spell, one conjured with the soulless evil of the black arts! One into which he had put his own very malevolent soul! His despicable curse was so powerful that even death could not unbind it! And as you can see, the sorcerer had undeniably proved himself to be the very mightiest of wizards. Our souls were forever bound to roam the afterlife with the curse of his spell in the state that you now see upon us. So, you see, we have been together but apart… ever since our… our own wedding night!"
"Your wedding night?" Danny gasped. "You mean…"
"Yes. We had to flee before our vows could be unified. In the end, we had no chance to have our wedding night."
Danny blushed a little, but then uttered, "Wow. No honeymoon. That stinks…I-I mean, that's, like, pretty important, between a husband and wife right after they get married, right?"
The dove looked up at him in surprise. "I cannot believe that you have just uttered such a thing! I thought you would understand after all you have been through. Surely, your love for Lady Sam transcends the obvious."
Danny blushed furiously, knowing what that 'obvious' thing she was talking about. He was taught the right thing about that part of marriage. No argument there. Still, he was a normal teen and toying with thoughts about it was just as natural.
"I, uh… It's not what I meant," Danny mumbled out, rubbing his neck. "I definitely understand that love is more than…, uhm, that. But, I just thought it was different once you get… married."
The dove suddenly gave the boy the look of a scolding mother. "Sir, Danny, do I have to tell you that soul-mates know the right and respectful thing by each other at all times? Indeed that marriage is a sacred step between two soul-mates. However, love should be foremost to everything before and after marriage in order for it to flourish. And it should surely surpass the pleasure of the flesh."
She then bowed her head in disappointment before raising it up once more and continued, "But perhaps I have expected too much and treated you unjustly once more."
Danny blushed a little more at her slight reproach.
Still, she pressed on, looking beyond Danny as she did, "Yes, we are of two different times and worlds. But love is above all that. Derek and I love each other for who we are underneath. In our time, we were never allowed even a kiss, always guarded from temptations so that we could give to each other without shame when we had finally made our vows. Not that we did not understand and desire the pleasures. We just cherished guarding our love and dignity more so."
She suddenly chuckled sadly. "Is it not ironical, then, Sir Danny, that we are animals now who love as humans, yet knew not to be as animals when we were humans? Not that others in our time had never lowered themselves to act like animals and give into their impulses, because the shameful truth is that there were certainly many that did. How sad that they had not realized such as we that human love is more than what mere animals can convey or desire? How even crueler, then, that we were left in this pitiful state!"
Danny couldn't say anything to that.
This time, she looked him right in the eyes and said with conviction intermixed with sadness, "But we did not let that deter our love. Even in death, we were not even granted the chance for that blissful first kiss, except as what we can now share as we are. But we understood that it did not matter, because we never had any shame in our love for each other before our sad state. Even when all hope seemed to have failed us, we did not despair of our love. And that is why we have been able to endure the cruelty thrust upon us all these hopeless years. Had we, instead, corrupted our love while we existed in the Real World, we could not have endured everything, because we would not have understood the meaning of sacrifice. Perhaps, your time has lost that meaning, and does not feel this way anymore. I am sorry."
Suddenly, she began to whimper, mourning the lost of the future, a future which she now realized must not understand how special human love was. She felt her heart ache with the sting, all of the sudden feeling as if all her suffering had been in vain, maybe even ridiculed by those of today who did not believe how precious and frail a flower human love was, and thereby, had no heart, no commitment, to protect and nurture it.
Both Danny and she remained silent for several moments.
But the boy understood what she was saying, and not wanting to add to her burden, quietly shared his feelings, "Just so you know, there is hope today. I don't think we're much different than you, really. I feel the same way as you, and I know Sam does, too."
Sarah smiled a little and sighed in relief. She had had the feeling that he was special, and because he was, she was sure that his Lady Sam was, too. She was barely able to hold her tears back as she said, "Then, I am comforted to know that the newest of loves has not forgotten what we have sacrificed for you to understand the meaning of a true heart."
They both paused again and Danny was very much moved by her story. He stood up and looked down at the beautiful dove. He gently said, "Thank you, Lady Sarah! I now totally understand why you and your husband acted like you did when Spectra tricked you. You guys have really had it rough! And I have to say that I might have done the same thing under your circumstances! And I feel very guilty about how I treated Sam! I feel bad about everything now! I have been just as heartless in how I thought of her when I somehow knew the truth."
"Please do not be so harsh on yourself, kind Sir. With matters of the heart, you can be subjected to heartache. Everyone is not immune to it. It is just that some are more blessed than others that its agony is not for long. And, really, did you not just say that your heart burned with the truth? That is because even in the midst of your turmoil, your love for your lady helped you carry the burden and even overcome it. You are then truly blessed."
Danny smiled weakly at her comment. She was, of course, right. "Thank you again for being so kind, Lady Sarah, even if I didn't deserve it," he finally said. "But, I want you to know that…that… my lady Sam and I, and our friend, uhm, Sir Tucker, will find a way to help you."
She, too, smiled weakly and said, "Now I thank your kindness, Sir Danny. But, I do not think you can help us. I cannot blame you, once again, when you do not understand yet what I mean... You see, a strange thing happened to us several years after we had gone into the Ghost Zone. We stumbled upon the spirit of the sorcerer himself! He had managed to track us down. How, I truly do not know. But I suppose it was because of more of his magic! Still, he seemed so relieved to have found us."
She paused at the memory, but then continued, "At first, you can understand that we did not want to have anything to do with him."
Danny unconsciously nodded in agreement, before sitting back down at her side.
She continued, "But he followed us, begging us to let him confess to us! He said he did not have much time. He had regretted all his past actions; and at first, we suspected it was for fear for his own afterlife in the end. We, of course, did not want to hear of it. After all, he had caused us so much harm! But he pleaded so earnestly, so desperately, we relented to give him our attention."
"He then told us everything that had transpired that we did not know of when we were alive, which is why I was able to recount all of which I have just told you. And he told us all that had come to pass after our demise. How more tragedy begot tragedy over our sad tale."
She whimpered softly as she recalled the events. She still pained at them so, even though the memories and the sting should have long faded. She tried to speak, but her emotions momentarily choked her voice.
Danny saw her reaction, and thinking how much the memory of his own betrayal to his love stung as well, was quick to say, "It is all right, Lady Sarah, if it hurts too much to say more, I understand."
She cleared her voice and blinked the tears away. She then managed to utter through her cracking voice, "No, I must tell you, Sir Danny. Somehow, I feel it has helped heal my own transgression against you."
He nodded slightly, unconsciously biting his lower lip as he did.
She nodded back weakly and continued, "The sorcerer told us that King Raudolf went mad shortly after being told of the manner of our death and what was last uttered by each of us in the end. He went on a rampage, his army slaughtering those in his castle who were unlucky not to have escaped before the power of his derangement. But the sorcerer himself had flown with his life and hid in the hills."
"Then King Raudolf, tragically, extended his tempest to Castle Adhémar! Derek's uncle and all within his stronghold perished before the maniacal might of the insane King Raudolf. The castle had been betrayed once again and was caught unaware and unprepared because of those vile spies of my father. But, by some ironical twist of fate, those spies were also not spared from the rage of King Raudolf. And the castle was left in smoldering ruins, so unjustly stained with so much innocent blood that it never was to be occupied ever again from that day forward….King Raudolf then threw himself to his own destruction, meeting justice at the bottom of the cliff on top of which once sat the noble Castle Adhémar…"
Sarah paused and remained quiet for a moment. She surprised herself at her next thought. She no longer had any hatred for the evil king. She now felt only pity for him. Then another thought crossed her mind. And she knew that the boy might ask her the question, but she didn't want to bear to hear it.
And she was right. Danny, still both mesmerized and curious about this story, softly asked, "And what happened to your parents?"
Sarah swallowed hard and made herself answer him. After all, she had made an oath to him to do whatever he had commanded of her. Still, her voice quivered with emotion as she replied, "M-My mother? My dearest, loving mother. Though her heart was stout in gallantry, it was not so in the flesh. She always had a weakened heart from an affliction she had acquired in childhood. So, she had always been in frail health. But the moment the news of my demise fell upon her ears…she swooned into death, her tender heart broken beyond repair…"
She paused momentarily, but then steeled herself as she continued. "And the King of Castle Lagot was left all alone in the empty world he had created from his sins. The sorcerer said he left his kingdom not too long after the entire affair and no one ever heard one word about him since. I can only hope and pray that he repented for his grave offenses and was spared in the end of total despair."
She fell silent again, sincerely desiring every word she had last uttered about her father. But she focused back to the rest of her story and finally pressed on, "That is all that the sorcerer could tell my husband and me. As you can imagine, we were stunned to silence and sadness at his words. Finally, we asked him how he had met his demise, but he refused to tell us. But he insisted that it was not as important as it was for us to take his obligation to tell us all that had happened as a poor recompense for his transgressions. We did not know what to say to that at first. But he then beseeched us to forgive him for his ignorance on the severity of his diabolical enchantment. We, again, did not know exactly what he meant by that, and we fell to silence once more in bewilderment."
"But he mistook our silence for condemnation. He began to wail in his anxiety over what he thought was our unmoved denunciation. Again, he seemed so desperately remorseful for it all, especially when he spoke of his spell once more. With sincere anguish, he begged us for our forgiveness for his actions, that had he known how diabolical his spell upon us was, he would have taken King Raudolf's angry sword himself. We…we were finally so moved with pity about his desperation, we were riveted out of shock and felt compelled to grant him our pardon. It was then that he told us that his spell could not be undone without sacrifice. However, before he could explain more, he was suddenly whisked away by an unforeseen force, and we knew he had gone to the oblivion."
She sighed and continued, "But we felt what he had to say had no meaning. We had already sacrificed so much as it was, so we knew that what he said was hopeless. Why else would we be in this sorry state still? At first, we felt betrayed once more, made foolish by this magical creature who had done so much harm to us. But as the years past, and we spoke about it between ourselves again, we felt that he could not have wished more evil upon us and still have sought us out so desperately as he did. We then truly forgave him and tried to bear our curse as best as we could…..So you understand, then, Sir Danny, that by your own forgiveness, you have given me more hope to bear our suffering more easily now!"
Danny was deeply touched by her remark and her story. And he felt all his doubts melt away. He choked a little on his words when he replied, "No one could expect this much from you both! We will find a way to help. I promise!"
She smiled again, but said nothing this time.
"And one more thing…" he began. But he was interrupted by a commotion he heard just outside his window.
He rushed to it. "What the…?" he uttered when he saw an ectoplasmic energy ray penetrating the snow-laden sky in the near distance. He quickly morphed into Phantom as he hurriedly told the dove, "I'm sorry, Lady Sarah, but I have to go! There is some kind of a fight outside, and I'm sure there's a ghost involved. I have to go help. But, I'll be back as soon as I can!"
And without waiting for her reply, he turned intangible and shot out his window.
