Chapter Two

The Banquet

The banquet hall was filled with music. People were dancing and sitting at the long tables eating. King Nakuru and Queen Lavonia, Fiore's stepmother, sat on golden thrones. Beside the king, sat Rubeus, his pet wolf. He was black and at first glance, you would think he was a statue of Anubis. He was a well-behaved wolf and sat watching everything like the king. His golden collar shimmered in the light. Zoë, Queen Lavonia's pet phoenix, sat on her perch beside the Queen, preening her beautiful fiery red feathers.

Nuka served food, while Sky-Dancer followed close behind, snapping up any food he dropped.

Rhoda arrived with Rontu at her side. Rontu strutted like an alpha, trying to impress Bianca. Only when Rhoda had taken her place at the table beside Fiore did Rontu join Bianca in their grand hunt for scrapes.

Fiore's brother, Ramos, sat at the end of the table, his new bride, Jezebel, beside him. She was very beautiful, especially in the lovely white dress she was wearing, but she was vain, very vain. This did not matter to Ramos.

Nuka smiled at Rhoda as he passed her. She smiled nervously and looked away. Fiore noticed this. "What's the matter?" he asked. "Nothing," Rhoda replied, staring down at the table. Fiore lifted her chin gently. "You can tell me, Rhoda."

She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Really, nothing's wrong."

Suddenly, all the lights in the banquet hall went out. A mysterious storm appeared out of nowhere. Bianca and Rontu hid under the table. Rubeus growled, his muscles bulging.

One of the stained-glass windows shattered and a figure cloaked in black stood in the windowsill.

"Citizens of the Emerald City!" the figure said, her voice booming through the hall.

Rhoda clung to Fiore's arm. Rubeus growled and barked. King Nakuru stood up. "You have no business here!" she shouted. The figure laughed cruelly. "Exile has no meaning to me," she hissed. The figure pulled what looked like a green orb hanging from a gold chain. "For banishing me," the figure hissed, "A curse I shall lay on this kingdom!"

The orb began to glow brightly. "This kingdom and all those who live in it will be destroyed! Not one will survive! The royal family will die in the fortnight!"

Rhoda's eyes grew wide with fear. She looked at Fiore. She had never seen him this angry. Zoë flew from her perch and shot at the figure. Screeching furiously, she flew headlong into the figure. Her cloak was caught aflame from colliding with the fire-bird. In a cloud of black smoke, she vanished.

Lightning flashed in the sky and thunder echoed throughout the hall. Rontu leaned against Rhoda's leg. She put her hand on him to comfort him. Zoë hissed in anger and returned to her perch.

"Double the guard," King Nakuru said to the Captain of the Guard. He bowed and left the hall. The King and Queen dismissed everyone except Fiore. "Father," Fiore said, "Let me walk Rhoda to her room."

The King nodded. "Very well, Fiore."

Fiore took Rhoda's hand and led her out of the hall. Rontu and Sky-Dancer trotted along beside them. It was dark, but Rhoda was unafraid. She knew there was nothing to fear with Fiore beside her. They walked silently through the halls.

Once they had reached Rhoda's room, she finally spoke: "My love, I am afraid."

Fiore looked at her. "Of what?"

"Of that fiend's curse," Rhoda replied, tears forming in her blue eyes, "If I lose you… I will never be able to live my life without pain."

Fiore put his hands on her shoulders and looked deeply into her eyes. He then kissed her. Rhoda felt warmth and happiness return to her heart.

Fiore pulled away and left. Rhoda felt cold and alone. Rontu whined. She looked down into his big amber eyes. "It's okay, boy," she said, scratching behind his ears, "It's all going to be okay."

As she spoke, she wondered to herself if the words were true.