I'm here, I thought. About time too. As if I LIKE riding for two days straight. I let my sweating stallion Starlight slow at his own pace as we reach the imposing edifice; finally we walk into its shadow and I dismount.
Castle Vine. Well, is it really? I can't see a castle though, just the vine. I feel the texture of those closest strands of brilliant shiny emerald, idly try to pull a piece of it away – eager to begin – but it resists. I look more closely, first in awe, then in annoyance! What is this place?
Ignoring my petty worries, Starlight ambles forward a pace and stretches down to nibble some sweet grass he has smelt. It has been a hard ride; the horse is glad of the break.
I suppose inevitably, I've forgotten about the charger. I haven't got a great reputation for looking after animals. Now this; a minute from the end of this Quest and I find that I've been had – or have I?
Yes, by all the fairy godmothers that ever lived! I've been misled! I know it's just testy petulance as I throw my riding gloves at the feet of the hedge – but I don't care.
What a laughing stock I'll be – and banished! This surely should have been classed as a Crusade – and for one of those I need armies, heroes; dragons even! I'm simply not equipped!
Should I be unsuccessful here, there's many who would recall my acceptance day only too well, I fear...
***
"YOU want to do this?" Stunned, The King's eyebrows disappeared into his hair line as the last of his sons to turn 21 bowed slightly to indicate his acceptance of the terms.
"Any Prince who comes of age can try this Quest, but only once." The young man quoted from the lines inscribed on the Kingdom Legends board. "Today I come of age, and I'm accepting." He didn't tell of his princessly visions – why would he – who would have believed?
His father had risen abruptly from the caved oak chair and come to look closely at his youngest prince, who was defiantly holding the monarch's gaze with his clear blue eyes. The youth had dreamed about, talked about, gossiped about – even been teased about – the legend of Castle Vine, and now it would be his Quest, and his alone. He wouldn't fail – the instructions were easy!
Even though a generation had passed since the last unworthy one had ridden home disgraced, Ambrosias wasn't fazed. He knew that the castle was hidden from casual eyes by a magic encirclement; that once within this he would by legend find a vine covered building of immense proportion – wild imaginings told of turrets high and battlements broad, but he was sure the castle wouldn't prove to be any larger than the one he'd grown up in. A farmer's son might be given pause perhaps, but this was a Quest for a Prince!
Then, he knew he'd have to strip back vines from the door, stride within, and find – a princess! His eyes had shone, his mouth had watered at the vision – once kissed, she would awake from some enchanted sleep, and then he'd get a kingdom! Her as well.
The stuff of legends – well, yes. This one's terms were known quite well; carved deep in a board that had been dustily hanging in the hall since no-one knew when.
"Probably 'bout a hundred years," seemed to be opinion, but who would know?
As Ambrosias stood before his father, accepting the Quest; with a kingdom and a princess on offer - would he have given any thought to the merest chance of failure?
"Banishment," the King reminded him. "Come home without her and set foot not here again. The magic will kill you if you return – it won't be me.
'Are you very sure? Well then, I will instruct the magician to lift the encirclement, and you may have your chance."
The optimism of youth, or a youngest son's thirst for something extraordinary to set him highest amongst his peers? Whatever it was, he'd accepted with ringing tone.
***
"Stupid lad, you are just a dick - you are as thick as that same oak that made old father's throne! All this for a dream? No wonder no-one else in living memory has tried!" I cursed my naivety and then remembered that within these walls was a princess – how could I have forgotten that?
Silky arms, sleek sexy clothing - but a hundred years? She'll be a pile of dust! I kicked at the dust in the road in memory as I went back towards the imposing leafy wall.
No, the magician had responded in solemnity. Within, time is stilled – if you are the chosen, if you are the one; worlds will shake and turn – such is writ. It's an old spell, Prince. They last for ever – and this one will outlast you, should you fail. You must pull away the vine and enter in. Then you will find your prize.
"Pull away the vine?" I giggled at my plight – why doesn't that Princess come to the window now – we could share some mirth at this impossible Quest. If it comes to that, magician; why don't you get down here and have a crack yourself?
