D'oh! Okay everyone, I made a slight mistake concerning the names of the masks. The Keaton mask and Kitsune mask are one and the same. The word Kitsune if from the Japanese version of the game I think. But they are the same. Sorry for the confusion.
Now, onwards! Once again, if you made it here, you must be enjoying this story. I humbly thank you for reading it.
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Chapter 10
Saria gazed about the huge palace. "This place is incredible!" she gasped excitedly. Never had she seen a building so large. Unlike the dark indoors she normally associated with the huts of the Kokiri village, the lights of the sun seemed to be attracted inside the structure. It gave illumination to all corners, coloured by tinted windows. It was a beautiful sight to her, as if an attempt was made to bring the beauty of the outside inside. Still, she did prefer the wide outside more.
"You have a sight for art," said the King extremely proud of his residence. "Yes, the palace is one of the great wonders of Hyrule. Not many people get the chance to see it."
"Why not?" asked Saria.
The King was put off guard by that question. "Well... it's a palace, you see. And poor people..." he tried in vain to think of an answer. "Most people tend to be thieves and steal what they want, unfortunately."
"Poor people are always jealous of royalty." said Ruto bluntly. "They want what they can not have."
Link thought about saying something, but declined to comment. Ruto had very strong opinions and there is no way he could change her mind about anything. Saria however, was more inquisitive.
"Why can't they have it?" she pressed.
"They're poor." Ruto explained simply. "No money, wealth or power."
"I... see." Saria still didn't understand, but she didn't ask further.
"Where is Zelda?" Asked Link concerned.
"She is resting now. The spell was a bit to much for her..." the King sighed feeling defeated.
"Is she okay?" asked Saria. She hoped to meet this princess soon.
"She will be. But the mask has not been removed from her yet."
"We'll find a way" Link promised.
The King agreed. "Now Link, I want to know everything about this. We can talk in the ambassadorial chambers. In the mean time, perhaps Saria here would like to explore the palace? I can arrange an escort."
"Oh please, let me show her around" Ruto interrupted. "I can show her everything."
Saria was taken aback a little by her offer. Ruto was nothing but nasty to her since they met. Why this sudden change of heart?
The King nodded. He trusted them to stay out of trouble... for the most part. "If you like, princess Ruto. As they say, our home is your home" though he knew children would always be children. He'd better arrange for a guard to keep an eye for them, just in case.
"Tee he. If you ever visit our caverns, we'll be sure to show you our underground tunnels." said Ruto giving a courteous bow.
"I look forward to it." the King bowed slightly in return.
"Come on forest-girl," said Ruto. Saria followed her down the corridors.
"This way Link," the king showed him to a private room.
*************
"Please sit down Link," said the King as he eyed him carefully. In all his years, never had he heard of such absurdity. *He's just a boy! A ten year old boy!* How could anything depend one so young? How could he possibly be a match for some of the greatest swordsman of his castle?
It seemed impossible.
Yet, Zelda insisted he should be the bearer of the Ocarina of Time. An item of such power seconded only by the master sword and the Triforce itself. His family had protected the Ocarina for a millennia, it was no easy task to simply _lend_ it, as Zelda put it.
They sat at a conference table, usually used for ambassadors. Link swung his short legs too and fro, unused to sitting in such a large chair.
The King chuckled a little. *He is a mixture of maturity and immaturity,* Still, he was certainly important, despite his age. "Link," he addressed, refraining from calling him a child. "Please explain to me what has happened," he asked bluntly. Perhaps now some answers would come.
"Well, it's a bit of a long story," said Link. "Where should I start?" he wondered.
"Start wherever you can," said the King. "It is one thing to threaten the lands of Hyrule, but quite another if someone even _dares_ to harm Zelda." He vowed such action would not go unpunished for anything done to his daughter.
Link nodded and started to explain the events. "Well, it all began in a land called Termina- wait. Actually... it all began in your market place, at a very odd shop..."
************************
Shusar paced back and forth, as he waited for Zelda to wake up. The spell had not gone according to plan. In fact, he feared he had made things worse.
Impa leaned on the wall cross-armed, her eyes trailing Shusar.
"Wizard, kindly stop pacing. I find it extremely irritating" said Impa finally losing patience.
"I can not help it Impa," said Shusar as he stopped.
"There is no point in worrying about anything. Honestly, how do you Hylians get anything done with your constant worry?"
"I wish I had your attitude Impa," thought the wizard before continuing. "I was overconfident and I... failed."
Failure, for Shusar, was a terrible thing. Wizards are often held in high regard, as being able to do anything. After awhile, they begin to believe it too. Especially since he was the King's personal wizard. Few could match Shusar's abilities, and he had never met any of them before. Whoever did this spell was one far more powerful then him. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
He returned his attention to Zelda, whom he had not let out of his sight since Impa brought her back to her room.
"You learn from mistakes Shusar" Impa stated simply. "Of course, if you did hurt the princess, you would have more then your lack of confidence to fear."
The wizard shivered slightly at her threatening voice. "I was only doing what I hoped was right..." he said meekly.
"I know," said Impa, slightly ashamed of herself. It was not her way to pick a fight with one so frail. "My apologies." She had to take her frustrations out on something, but this was an unseen enemy. This... Mask Salesman, as Link called him...
She moved to Zelda, lightly stroking her head. The young princess was so young and innocent. She wondered why someone would do something like this.
Shusar, seeing Impa's quiet distress, placed a confronting arm on her shoulder.
"Do you know how much I took care of her?" Impa asked in a soft tone.
"I can not imagine her without you. Ever since..." the wizard trailed off. It was a terrible day. He remembered every detail of it. The Queen of Hyrule... Ellesia. Her time was shorter then it should have been.
Impa went into further thought. "Could I be blamed if I feel like her mother..."
"And I feel much like her grandfather," confessed the wizard with a smirk. "Ellesia would understand Impa. You have been there for her when she could not. Such cruel fate, but life goes on. Blood doesn't matter, I thought you knew that."
"And you say you have no philosophy Shusar," Impa smiled at the understanding wizard.
"I am too old to have any philosophy." he grimaced.
Impa locked her eyes to the wizard. Not in a threatening way, but as an indication that she wanted the truth. "What do you fear about this, Shusar?" She asked softly. "I must know."
The old man sighed. Impa had perceived his fear, as usual. "Magic is a very fickle energy Impa. Yet that is all it is... energy. Basically, This mask has a power unlike the energy of Hyrule. It somehow fed on all the power I gave it. I think the mask acts like a funnel of power, absorbing energy where it can for it's own use. The ability to transform oneself, into anything, is very costly of our mana."
"I don't understand this magic," said Impa defeated.
"Nor do I, Impa. It is radically different... and yet, my spell was turned around."
"So all you did was give it more power?"
The wizard turned away, looking blankly at the window. "I hope that is all I did..."
Impa continued to stare at the wizard. "What could happen?" she asked, knowing she would regret this.
"I don't know... From what Link said, and from what I gathered, these masks normally give abilities they represent. But that is it. For the mask that Zelda wears, great speed is bestowed. However, if they get a critical amount of energy, they can change your form. To put it simply, with the energy I gave, She... might change into a rabbit."
"What!" Impa was shocked. "Please tell me I misheard you Shusar."
"You heard me correctly." He paused as this sank in. "It might be interesting actually. Rabbits have been extinct from Hyrule for over a hundred years," he mused.
"Shusar! You are not turning the princess into a lab experiment!"
The wizard laughed. "Only kidding, Impa," he assured. *However, if she does change, we'd better make sure nobody eats her...* he thought silently.
********************
Saria wondered about the palace accompanied by Ruto. She could not imagine how such a place was built. From what she saw, it was made from precious metals, marble, and some things she did not even know about. She ran a hand across the marble wall, remarking on it's cool and smooth texture. The only experience she has of a building like this were the ruins of the Forest temple. And she could only see it from the outside.
"It must have taken forever to assemble all these stones," she thought.
"Not really," said Ruto. "The Gorons know where to find all the stones, it only took a month or so to secure a supply. At least that's what my father said."
"Were your people involved in building this palace?" she asked.
"There has always been a palace here," Ruto explained. "After the alliance of our races, Hyrule castle was badly damaged. It was soon rebuilt and improved to what you see now. We Zora diverted the river, to allow the stones to be moved here by boat. The palace was finished in just over a year."
"Really?" Saria was further impressed.
"My father was involved in it. He hoped it would continue the peace. " Ruto started to pause, remembering those events as her father told her. "He said, that there was so much bloodshed between the races... People forgot what it was like to have peace, or even if such a state existed... it lasted for a long time..."
"So there was a war? You were all enemies? Why did you fight?" Saria had little idea about fighting. She understood arguments, the Kokiri had lots of argument. But they never resulted in more then a bruise. "Why was there a war?" she asked again.
"You don't know about this?!" Ruto exclaimed. "Just where have you been living?" *Did she just pop into the world or something?*
"I'm a Kokiri. We can never leave the forest. If we do... we die." she explained. She was starting to hate giving this answer to everyone she met. The isolation of the Kokiri tribe was starting to make her feel saddened. So many things were out there, but unreachable to them.
Ruto fell silent for a moment. "A Kokiri? You mean that thing I got turned into with that mask? But-"
"I am wearing the Hylian mask," said Saria anticipating her confusion.
Ruto remembered the salesman saying that, her jealousy once again poured over her heart. She stifled that voice for the moment. "What do you really look like then? Without the mask?" she asked curious.
Saria thought about it. "Actually, I look about the same... I think. I could only see my reflection in Link's mirror shield so I don't know for sure. I just feel a little different, that's all."
"You're lucky," she said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Saria said surprised. "Well... I am grateful to see outside the woods for once..." it has been the only benefit of this mask. It granted her freedom.
"Not just that," said Ruto. *If I could only have the mask* she thought. "Come with me. I'll show you why."
********
"... And that's the whole story." Link finished.
The King gave a long stare to Link. Link told his story with such casualness, that it unnerved him.
"Incredible," he thought at the battle hardened youth. "Link, what you tell me is almost sheer madness. You say you went seven years into a dark future of Hyrule. You awakened the seven sages of legend there, and wielded the master sword itself. You are empowered by the three spells of the goddesses. And after all this, you saved this Termina world from a falling moon." The King took a deep breath. "And you did this by yourself?"
"Well, Navi was with me." Link explained, adding his constant companion.
In response, Navi flew out of Link's hat. "Actually, I didn't do much. Link did pretty much everything.," said the fairy. *I wish I were there in Termina, though* she thought.
"A forest fairy." the King said awed. "Are there more of you?"
"Just Sayl, Saria's fairy. She was probably somewhere on her hair," Link smiled a little at the shy fairy. "The rest are with the other Kokiri. They don't leave the woods, usually."
The King started to get up. "Link, this is the most unbelievable story anyone has ever told me. Were it not that I saw Zelda possessed by the rabbit mask with my own eyes, I doubt I could believe it."
"I know" replied Link.
"So this mask salesman. What is he exactly?"
"I don't know. When I fought the possessed Stalkid, I was sucked into this vortex and into another place. For a brief moment, I thought I knew exactly what they were, and _what_ he was. But now I can't remember. They are not from this world, not even from Termina. All I know for sure is that the masks he gives all have a strange power."
Link brought out the Fierce Deity mask to show the King.
"Of all the masks I have, this is the most powerful. It is the fierce deity mask."
The King stared at the smooth lines of the otherwise ordinary mask. "And this was a match for Majora's power?"
"Yes. Perhaps more then even Gannondorf himself. Whoever wears this mask is granted the power of a deity. A warrior of incredible power... I believe I haven't even tapped into it's highest power yet" thought Link. *And I never will, if I can help it.*
"Do you think you can you break these sealed masks?" he asked hopefully. If anything, this child is a miracle worker.
Link shook his head. "Right now, no. I tried with Saria. Since then, I don't want to try again. It could kill someone. I 'did' break the seal on Malon with a bit of mask swapping... but that trick would only work with the stone mask." *The salesman warned me not to do it again. *Could he have been lying?* he wondered.
"I see." The King was disappointed about this, but with Link there was hope. If he does all the things he does, then this should be no different.
"Can we see Zelda now?" asked Navi hopefully.
"Why not. She is in her room."
********
"Where are we going Ruto?" asked Saria. The Zora had taken her around the palace and hasn't stopped yet. It was apparent that Ruto knew her way around this place. Saria started to loose track of where they were.
"You want to know how lucky you are? Go though here" replied Ruto pointing to a doorway.
"What's there?" said Saria a little suspicious.
"Afraid?" Ruto smiled.
"No," said Saria firmly.
"Then follow me in." Ruto walked though.
Saria looked around then stepped though the door.
The sight was overwhelming.
Of all the rooms Saria had explored, this was the best. It was lined with the most beautiful mirrors she had ever seen. They reflected each other giving a pattern within the room. As she walked, she saw her own reflection following her. A soft trickling sound was also heard. She wondered what the source was, it sounded like it was behind the mirror. She touched one of them, and found her hand went though.
"It's water," she marvelled. These mirrors were made of a sheet of water and were as shinny as diamonds! Touching the surface did not disturb her image. It didn't ripple at all.
"We Zora built this room with a bit of ingenuity and some magic," said Ruto. "They are the best mirrors and can reflect images perfectly, unlike glass. It was a present for the King of Hyrule."
"So what are we doing here?" asked Saria.
"You said you didn't get a good look at yourself. So, Just look at yourself now." said Ruto.
Saria did. She found that her form really hadn't changed that much. But the mirrors magnified her differences. Her green hair was just a finger's width longer, and her body was slightly taller. Her eyes were the same green colour. Somehow, her mortality was also reflected in her. It was not frightening, but it did make her seem all the more beautiful. Any other mirror would not show these differences so clearly.
"Do you see now how lucky you are?" said Ruto. "You have a form Link can love. Can you imagine what Link thinks of me? A Zora? That's why I wanted your mask."
Saria didn't know what to say. "But Ruto... I can't stay this way" replied Saria, her expression becoming sad at what she had to face up.
"Why not? You have your chance with Link now. It's more then I will ever have," said Ruto crossing her arms.
"I- It's just that-" She couldn't answer. In truth, she would love to be with Link this way. She would even like to use the mask to explore the world, just as Link did. "What do you care anyway? I thought you wanted Link for yourself?"
Ruto looked down on the reflected floor. She could see the microscopic tear threatening to drop from her eyes. She held it back with all her will power. "Well, I wanted to know more about you. Link is conformable around you, but he doesn't like me at all. I thought..." she trailed off. "I am considered to be one of the best looking Zora you know? But to Link..."
"I think I understand Ruto," said Saria sympathetically. "If it helps, I didn't think I would get a chance. I accepted that a long time ago. You see, Kokiri don't grow old" she continued. "I am what you see for a very long time. That is, until now."
*I could grow old* she thought as she looked at the mirror. She felt a little afraid of that, she didn't know how much she would change. Would she be unrecognised, like Link was? No. Link will get the mask off before she got that old.
Ruto shook her head. "That, doesn't help at all." she whispered. "But Link said he was a Kokiri... does that mean he doesn't grow as well?"
"No no. Link is a Hylian. He was brought up as a Kokiri with us," explained Saria. "It is very confusing actually."
"Actually, it makes complete sense," said Ruto thinking about it. "Well, I am not going to give up on him. You'll see forest-girl, Link will be mine at the end of all this."
"I didn't think you would give up," said Saria. "But listen. I am Link's friend, if nothing else. And if I find he is unhappy with you, or you are being unfair..."
"I would never do that to Link!" shouted Ruto. "Never! And he will be happy with me. I am much more fun then that princess Zelda or you, after all."
"Okay okay," said Saria.
Ruto shifted her eyes to the side, and whispered to Saria. "You don't know if there happens to be anyone else after him?"
Saria looked at her oddly. "I don't know... there was this farmer Malon..."
"Malon huh," *I'd better keep my eyes open.*
**************
Zelda started to toss and turn in her sleep. The same impulses were running through her head like a constant stream. The river of thoughts crashed relentlessly, spelling just one thought. *Run run run run run run...* she ignored that voice concentrating on something else. Anything else. It started to subside as she woke up. She opened her eyes, to see Impa next to her.
"Impa?" *Did it work?* she asked herself. She felt so strange. She raised her hand and ran it though her head. She felt the rabbit ears again and immediately fell disappointed. She started to try and get up.
"Don't move too fast," said Impa.
"I feel so... weird," said Zelda trying to identify the feeling. It was like she was a new person. As if she was a stranger, and she was getting aquatinted with herself. What had the mask done to her?
"I am so sorry Zelda. I failed you," said Shusar.
"You tried... where's Link? I remember, He... saved me." She tried to remember more but couldn't. All that was fresh in her memory was when she ran. It was so far across Hyrule, all in an instant. It was such an incredible feeling. The mask sensed this once again, and her legs started moving on their own. Firmly, she grabbed them with her arms.
"How do you feel Zelda?" asked Impa concerned.
"I- I can't stop myself..." said Zelda shaking a little.
"Try to focus on us Zelda," said Shusar. He wished he could try another spell, but didn't know what effect it may have.
Zelda took a deep breath. Eventually, she stopped shaking. "Where's Link?" she asked again.
"He is talking with the King. He should be here soon" replied Impa.
Sooner then Impa thought, the King entered the room followed by Link and his two companions.
"How's my daughter?" he asked.
"Highness," both Shusar and Impa bowed.
"Dad!" Zelda got up. "And Link! I am so glad to see you," she said. She then noticed the other faces. "Ruto? You're here too?" With all these people around, she was starting to feel embarrassed, lying in bed in her nightly clothes. She hoped no one saw her like this while running… She also noticed Saria. "Who's that Link? Your sister?"
Saria fumed at that.
"Uh no. Zelda, meet Saria" Link introduced. "She's a Kokiri from our tribe, and my best friend."
"It's good to meet you," said Zelda.
"Likewise," said Saria, forgetting the mistake.
"Enough pleasantries," said Impa. "Highness, what do we do?"
A guard then spoke from the door. "Sire, Forgive my interruption. We have a messenger arrived, from the Gorons. He says he brings important word relating to Darunia."
The King was annoyed, but he was still the King. "I'll see to It.," he said.
The guard hesitated. "He also added, that the message must also go to his blood brother... Link, if he is here."
"Link?!" The King turned to the young boy. "You were made his blood brother?" The King asked raising an eyebrow.
"Well... it wasn't that important to mention, was it?" Link said, scratching his head embarrassed.
"Never mind." The King shook his head. The boy was just unbelievable. *How did he do these things, and no one hear about it?* "Let's go to the throne room."
"I want to come too," said Zelda feeling much better.
"Well... alright." decided the King. "Get changed, and we will wait for you there."
"Okay," said Zelda relieved that they all left apart from Impa. She stepped out of bed and tried to put on her slippers. But to her surprise, they were too small for her. "Impa..." she said scared as she looked at them. "W-what's happening to me?"
Impa immediately noticed her feet have increased in size, by at least three inches. Obviously the mask was transforming her as Shusar predicted. "Hush child..." she said helping her. "Forget about those."
"What... will happen to me Impa?" the princess said fearfully.
"We don't know yet Zelda. But we will, soon. And we will stop it."
********
The salesman knew it was time. "Yes. I know. I will." It was going to be the greatest performance of his life. All the forces had come together. All the parts have been played, and the stage set. "How much do I tell him?"..... the salesman smiled. "As much as is necessary. Of course.......I will........ Yes...... Perfect"
********
At the throne room, all were gathered to hear the message. The King issued the guards outside, so it could be heard in confidence.
"What does it say?" said Link.
"Something very odd indeed." The King started to read it out loud. "To my dear friends, I write this message under the most oddest of circumstances. It is my hope that you will believe me, although I scarcely believe it. I felt Link should also know this, and if he is seen, please read this to him too.
"I was approached by a strange man, claiming he could give me that which I most desired. I told him I desire nothing, but that was a lie. There was something, and he offered it to me. I have led my people though many tough years and I felt my age creeping up to me. He said he could restore my youth, for nothing. I could continue to lead my people to prosperity, and this time around I may get a chance to carry an heir. I was suspicious, but he gave me a mask."
Everyone gasped.
"Which mask?" asked Impa.
The king continued reading.
"It was a stupid looking mask, of a Hylian with purple hair. He insisted it carried the powers of youth within it. Like an idiot, I placed it on me. Things seemed to work well at first. I felt restored youth, but everything carried a price, and I was not told of this one. The youth he gave me was too far. I am now only a young ten year old Goron as I write this. By the time you get this message, I fear I may be an infant. I do not know what-"
"Kefei's mask" said Link.
"Kefei's mask?" asked the King.
"He took that mask from us in the forest," explained Saria. "But I don't get it. Link, you said that mask doesn't do anything."
"It doesn't, or it didn't in Termina." thought Link. "But the masks are more powerful now, for some reason."
"Which other masks were taken from you?" asked the King.
"Well, there was the other two masks. The rabbit mask, which is now on Zelda. The stone mask that was on Malon, and then there was..."
A guard suddenly came in again.
"I said I was not to be disturbed!" said the King angrily.
"Yes sir. Please forgive me, but another message has been given to us. Also, the Gerudo camp has left without warning."
"What? Let me see this message." the King took the parchment. "Now leave us."
"Yes sir." The guard promptly left.
"What now?" thought Zelda, as if things couldn't get any worse.
The King shrugged, as he broke the wax seal and read the new message.
"To the King of Hyrule. It has come to our attention that our presiding ruler, the greatest thief Naburu, has gone missing. We are uncertain what has happened, but anarchy is likely to occur with her disappearance. The void in leadership may lead to civil war...." The King read further on.
"They may blame us," realised Zelda.
"Possibly," sighed the King. He was accomplished at reading between the lines. There was an implied threat that if Naburu is not found soon, the Gerudo will begin massive thieving across all races. It would be the race war all over again. *So much for a continued peace*
"Darunia, and now Naburu..." thought Link. "There is a pattern here."
"There is?" asked Ruto.
"Zelda.... Saria... Ruto... Darunia... and now Naburu. All the people who have had encounters with masks, they were all sages in the dark future I travelled to."
"Not that story again!" said Ruto tired of hearing it. "Come on, Link. We are not that gullible. Are we guys?"
The others all looked at her in silence.
"Okay, maybe we are." she said defeated.
"So that leaves... Rauru, and Impa." Link analysed.
"And what did they represent?" said Ruto, exaggerating her boredom by yawning..
"Rauru represented light. Impa represented shadow."
"Light... and dark..." thought Saria.
Everyone fell silent at what this could mean.
"They are the two opposing forces," thought Shusar. "Light and dark. But they are not the real sages, why would the Salesman give masks to them, and exclude Impa and Rauru?"
"Well, we don't know if he did exclude Raruru." said Link "He does not have a counterpart in this time. Does he?"
"Its too much of a coincidence." said the King. "But we have little knowledge and little time. Have you found anything Shusar?"
"Nothing much. My books indicate that at one time, there existed a tribe of nomadic Hylians. They worshiped masks, believing them to carry the powers they represent. Most were of the animal variety, but there were some that may have carried a more incredible power like the ones Link has. Of course, all this might be untrue."
Navi fluttered out for a moment. "I want to ask, have you heard of something called... Sam'kemesa?" she asked.
Shusar became startled at that word. "Sam'kemesa... I remember... My master, he once had a book he said was as old as the written language. He spent most of his life translating it. When I was apprenticed, I once flicked though the pages. I didn't think I would learn anything, but that word was transfixed into me even though I didn't know what it meant."
"Did your master translate this book? Where is it?" asked Link.
The wizard looked down sadly. "The book itself was destroyed in the Great Fire of Hyrule castle. But... I do have the notes and translations he made if it." He started to dig into his own interdimentional space. "Here it is!" he said excitedly as he read the collections of paper.
After a while, Shusar found a passage of interest. "Sam'kemesa. Life death and the moments in between... It grants ideas for the ages forgotten, and future knowledge in the present. The links and chains that bind times destiny, the deflection of the arrow of-"
"But where is it?" pressed Navi.
"Do you think this can help us?" asked Link to his fairy. He wanted to help the Deku tree too, but at the moment the salesman had to be dealt with.
Navi glowed a little. "There is something about this Link. The Mask Salesman, and this word, are linked somehow. I feel it."
The wizard browsed through the notes further. "These notes imply that Sam'kemesa is... a mask. I think." finished Shusar.
"Figures." said Ruto.
The King also felt they were on to something. "Well then, perhaps- Now what!" shouted the King. There was a gentle tapping on the door. These interruptions were getting annoying to him.
"This better be-" He opened the door.
"Your majesty," a voice rang out, in an almost lyrical in tone.
Link felt himself go cold at the voice of the mask salesman. "It's him!" he shouted. automatically, his hand drew out the sword. However, once again, they were all frozen on the spot.
The Salesman passed the King quickly and came to the centre of the throne room and sat on the chair. He laid back lazily on the armrest. "My my, being King is certainly conformable. I must remind myself to acquire a King's mask. I'm sure it would be a valuable mask indeed..." He gazed wildly at the people before him. "You have made much progress in solving the mystery. Truth to tell, there is no mystery. At least not once I tell you about Sam'kemesa. Do you care to listen?"
To be continued.
*********