CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: You Must Stay

"I am not afraid to die," the little boy whispered. "But I do have a last request."

"Anything, dear prince. Anything you ask for!" Arwen Evenstar was cradling Prince Kassim in her arms, tears running down her cheeks. Her sobs and sniffles were echoed by those of Captain Margo and the other ladies of the late Queen Zuleika's royal guard.

"The City of Zin Zaraboob must not be left without a ruler," Kassim gasped. Arwen had cast a spell to reduce his pain, but she could not prevent the shadow of death from slowly closing in on him. Kassim was already drifting away. "I wish for the bold pirate Ling Kray to take my throne, and to rule with all authority, like my father and his father before him."

"But I am not a sultan or a prince!" cried the dark-eyed pirate. He had just come back from disposing of the evil queen's body. In spite of the sadness of the moment, Arwen had to smile. Resourceful and daring Ling Kray was the most fearless man she had ever known. He had crossed scorching deserts and braved sea serpents to protect her. Yet the look of fear on his face now was almost comical.

"Give me the crystal necklace," Prince Kassim whispered. Arwen knew what he meant. She reached for the rope of crystal beads evil Zuleika had been wearing around her neck – before Ling Kray separated her head from her shoulders.

Dear to us you were,

Vanished men of yore.

Spells that hold you fast,

Will set you free once more.

An army without fear,

Sparkling and clear.

As the dying boy prince whispered the words of the ancient spell, a silver mist seemed to fill the chamber. And then suddenly Ling Kray was surrounded by twelve mighty warriors, all of them in helmets and shining mail, and all of them shouting with upraised swords. And behind them stood twelve old and learned counselors, all grave, wise men with flowing white beards and impressive turbans.

"Long live the king! Long live Ling Kray!"

Prince Kassim raised a feeble hand, and the uproar stopped. "These men were my father's most loyal friends," he whispered. "Zuleika imprisoned them. Now they are free to serve you. Rule well my city of Zin Zaraboob, Ling Kray."

The pirate didn't look happy, but he bowed low to the dying boy. "As you command, noble prince."

Kassim was getting weaker now as death took hold. "He is a good man," he whispered, in a voice so low that Arwen could hardly hear. "But my magic is not enough to guide him. Arwen, you must stay and . . . you must stay and . . ."

"Kassim!" With a choked cry, the beautiful elf-maid squeezed the little boy in her arms, begging him not to go. But it was too late. Prince Kassim had gone to join his ancestors, the ancient warlike kings who were once rulers of Zin Zaraboob.