Prologue
King Magnus was sitting on his throne, waiting. It has been quite a while since his naval troops had informed him of the coming ship. He saw the fear in the eyes of his admiral, while reporting about this peculiar “visitor”.
It was only visible when night fell, the ship being all black, resembling the darkest pirate ship ever seen by humans. The other fearful thing about it was its size: the ship was enormous, larger than any ship King Magnus had ever dreamt of, larger than any ships his craftsmen could ever imagine and larger than any that the merchant coming from the farthest land had seen in his life. It was unearthly and demonic. The Island was in fearful gossips: “It is Davy Jones” some said to another in Market Square. “It is the Devil itself” another told his friends in Thy King Inn, the local tavern.
The King wanted to be cautious. The “visitor” was suspicious and the Queen was with child, the baby to be born any day now. Anything and anybody that could be threatening to the peace of his small but strong kingdom was not welcome. The soldiers and knights were on guard, ready to defend their king and their homeland. King Magnus was armed as well, sitting uncomfortably, ready for his admiral to signal.
Queen Ariadne was in bed, feeling ill. Her gorgeous strawberry blonde locks were wet from sweat, her angelic face was convulsed with pain. The baby was behaving in an unusual way inside her womb: violent kicks, oddly strong punches were happening in there, as if the child was fighting for life. Four of her favourite maids were sitting around the large bed, fearing the worst: the loss of a tiny and fragile life. And it would not be the first time the Queen loses the child. The medicine man arrived, with his boy, carrying a crate full of assorted herbs, powders and traditional and quite strange instruments. The maids looked at him, and saw how the old man, dressed in white tried to hide his own fear. Aldenor, that was his name, knew he was playing with his own life. Unless Queen Ariadne delivers a healthy and living child, he is to die the very same moment.
“Where is Magnus?” she squealed in pain. Usually her voice was soft, calm and melodic. With the pain she was feeling, even a question so simple as this, was hard to ask. The maids looked at each other. Who will dare to answer? The Queen looked at the girl sitting at her right hand. Now it was obvious. Lena, the youngest of the royal maids had to answer. “The King is in the throne room Your Majesty.” her voice was thin and quiet, but Ariadne heard her. Aldenor finished examining the Queen and cleared his throat. “I believe, the child is ready to be born” he said, sweating and slightly shaking with fear. It was certain, that the child was alive at that moment. But nothing else was.
What nobody noticed was, that there was someone else in the bed chamber. The black figure was in the darkest corner. He was the one, the King and his Island was afraid of, the master of the enormous black ship, who is not to be seen during daytime. In that corner he stood and watched with greed as the first step of his evil plan was fulfilled.
At dusk the signal came. By that time, the King was tired of sitting and waiting. He was also worried about his Queen, who was still in bed, giving birth to their child. All he knew about it, was that the baby was alive and the medicine man was doing everything in his power. A servant told him these news and Magnus’ anxiety grew with every minute that passed without any event. When he heard the admiral’s signal, he looked at his generals, who left the throne room immediately. The King also rose from his place and followed them, hoping that his Queen will be safe in their tightly guarded castle.
The generals and King Magnus climbed on their horses and rushed to the harbour. A black boat was just about to anchor. “You could have signalled earlier, Trevor” said King Magnus. He was annoyed, that his admiral was so late. He lost the chance to observe the passengers of the boat. “I am terribly sorry, Your Majesty, but they appeared out of thin air. I couldn’t even see the ship before the sun set.” Trevor was shaking with fear. The boat and its passengers were all wearing black cloaks with large hoods, so their faces were in darkness. Finally, the boat was close enough to the stone dock and one of the four passengers tied a rope to a large stone. Then another of them stepped out and walked straight to King Magnus.
“Welcome to the Island of Mantagoria.” The King decided to be diplomatic. “What brings you and your ship to our kingdom?”
The dark stranger pulled off the hood before he answered. His skin was sickly pale, and his features were strong and arrogant. Hi thin lips curved into a greedy smile, but his pitch-black eyes remained cold and fearsome. “I appreciate your warm welcome, King Magnus. I am Astor, and I came to your land in peace, hoping to find shelter for a short time. My people and I are tired from the long journey. All we need is food and rest.” Astor slightly bent his back in front of the King, but his eyes remained fixed on Magnus. His long black hair was tied back tightly with a black leather string and the King could see that everything was black around this visitor.
To be sure, that the stranger did mean no harm to his kingdom, he asked “And where do you come from, if I may ask?” A cold smile appeared on Astor’s face. “From a land further than you could ever imagine. I am the exiled prince of Astoria.” It was a lie, but King Magnus did not know the truth either, so he had no choice but believe it. “May I be so fortunate to be your guest for a few days?” Astor was polite, but the King still had suspicions about him. “The pleasure would be mine. But we have a condition. Not one of your people can walk in freedom on my land. One of my guards must be accompanying them, and your people must leave all armaments on your ship. Please forgive us, but it is understandable that the Island’s peace in in our hands.” Astor looked at the King indifferently. He knew this would happen. “Certainly, King Magnus. I understand your means.” He opened his cloak and disarmed himself without a word. The King felt relieved. The prince meant no harm.
Ariadne was exhausted but overjoyed. Her suffers were over and what happened was even more than she dreamt of for years now. She gave birth to two healthy boys. The maids were surprised, so was Aldenor. He was certain that the Queen would never be able to carry more than one child, with all the losses she had the in the past ten years. Each year she was with child, and each year she lost the baby. By now to the medicine man it was obvious that only a miracle can help. Lena was holding one baby and another maid held the second one. The two boys were so different, that even though they were twins, nobody could mix them. The elder had fluffy golden hair and blue eyes. This was usual, the medicine man knew that every new-born has blue eyes. Also, the elder had rosy pink skin, but he was quiet. The younger boy however, had nothing in common with his parents’ looks. He had white skin, black hair and pitch-black eyes. This made Aldenor nervous. What will the King say? He was afraid, though the maids saw with their own eyes that Ariadne gave birth to both babies, the King might think he brought an infant just in case the Queen loses her child again.
Ariadne however was certain, that both little boys were hers and was delighted when she saw them. But now she was exhausted and after a she held her sons for a moment, fell asleep. Aldenor ordered the maids to bath, dress and feed the little princes, so by King Magnus’ arrival they would be clean, content and asleep. The maids stood up and started to do as the medicine man said. Aldenor ordered his boy to fetch another maid to prepare bath for the Queen. He knew that Ariadne will want it as soon as she wakes up. He got himself busy with arranging herbs and powders for the Queen, should she feel ill when getting up. When he was ready, he left the chamber quietly and waited for the King to return from the harbour.
Astor went back to his men and ordered them to do as King Magnus says and follow his orders and law. The three other men in the boat nodded. The Prince talked to them for a while in a language nobody else could understand, then turned towards the King again. “My men are happy to follow your orders while we are at bay here. They are in need of fresh food, water, wine and well… women. Please be so generous to provide them what they were missing throughout the long journey.” Magnus nodded. “They are welcome to our Market Square where they will find everything our Island has. Of course, nothing is for free. Since my people need to make ends meet but you are our guest, I can offer you the goods of our farmers, fishermen, craftsmen and winery on half price. We hope this is acceptable for you and your people. Now, General Arden, please let our guest, Prince Astor borrow your horse. Also, go to Market Square now, and inform our people about the guests.”
One of the generals got off his horse, bowed to the King and left for Market Square. Astor took his place in the saddle and they rode the short distance to the castle, where a feast was waiting for them. Astor was content. The King believed all his lies and of course, his men did not need any kind of armour to kill. But at that moment he wanted to play his role perfectly, so he took in the view with his dark eyes.
The castle was in the centre of the tiny island, on top of a hill. The City of Mantagoria surrounded the hill as a ring of tiny stone houses. On the hill’s sides there were trees, little fields and gardens of the local people and the king. The castle itself was built of stone too and it resembled a tree, with its entrance, stables and servants’ quarter being built in the shape of a cylinder and from the first floor to the top, many towers were built around it, just like the branches of a giant tree. It looked fascinating, dream-like and wonderful. The grey stone walls looked quite dark in the evening light, but the castle still felt warm and welcoming. The closer they got, the darker the sky became and by the time they arrived at the entrance, stars lit up the sky and torches had to be lit to lead their way inside. The stable boys took the horses from the arrivals and led them away. The Generals accompanied the King and his guest inside. Before stepping through the large wooden door, King Magnus halted and turned back. “Peter!” he shouted, and a young boy came back, leading the horse Astor was riding a minute ago. “Ride back to town and find General Arden. Take a pony with you, so you will not have to come back on foot. It is quite dark already, so make haste! We have sent the General to Market Square.” Peter bowed without a word and left quietly. Astor was a bit surprised and the King noticed it. “The boy cannot speak, when he was a child, he lost his family and ever since that day he remained silent.” Astor nodded. “He might just be waiting for the right time to speak again” he said after a while. And this time he was not lying. He never read one’s mind if he had no interest and this time, the boy was of little importance.
In the meantime, they stepped into the grandiose entrance hall. It was as large, as the largest ballroom, a palace could have. A large spiral staircase led up to the first floor’s main hall, which was the auditorium. It was a second throne room, where only the commoners could go. That hall was the furthest the ordinary people of Mantagoria could go into the castle to see the King. And their visiting day was every first day of the week. The chambers that had doors opening to the auditorium, were the library, which needed its own tower since the King and Queen had many books and scrolls, the medicine man’s living quarter, a second tower, where he and his boy lived; the maids’ living quarter, a third tower, where the Queen’s maids could sleep and keep their personal belongings, and a fourth tower which was empty at that time. Originally, the Royal Magician lived there, but the last mage who served the King, died a few months ago. The party didn’t stop on this floor. The King said a few words of this floor to Astor, but they went higher up, to the second floor, where the throne room and the dining hall was. The throne room was not needed to be large, because the King only held audiences here for his nobility and for royal visitors. Because of this, the dining hall took up most of the territory on this floor. From this large room a door opened to the royal couple’s living quarters, another tower, which had three floors. On its “ground floor” was the Queen’s drawing room, where she could be undisturbed. Only her four maids were allowed in this room. On the floor above was the royal bathroom, and above that was their bedroom which was empty now. The Queen was busy getting ready for dinner in the room below, dressing after her wonderful bath.
Another door from the dining hall lead to the princes’ room, which was a tower with another three floors, containing two bedrooms and a bathroom, here the rooms not opening from each other, but the bedrooms being separated. At that moment however, this tower stood empty. The princes were to be moved here when they were not to be fed by Queen Ariadne herself. On this she insisted, though the maids were certain, that Her Highness should not risk her health by breast feeding, but no arguments were to be opened on the case. And this was “Royal Order”. So now the princes were in the royal couple’s bed chamber, sharing a spacious cradle for a bit, just until a second was ready, since the arrival of two babies was not expected.
The third door of this floor opened from the throne room and on the other side of it was King Magnus’ drawing room, where he busied himself with his royal duties: signing scrolls, having private conversations with Aldenor, the late Mage, his captains, especially Captain Arden, who was his confidential as well. Nobody else was allowed in here except for an old maid, who was tongue-tied, therefore could never speak of anything she had seen in there. This maid and the King had a key to this room only.
Though there were more floors upwards, containing bed and bath chambers for guests, a ball room and a music room for the Queen. For now, let’s stay with the King and his party, who approached the dining hall by now, with quite an appetite for good food. The kitchen was not mentioned yet, but that of course is behind the third door in the dining hall, which is quite unusual, but what is not uncommon about this tree-shaped castle.
The Queen had just entered the dining hall herself, when King Magnus opened the large doors for this room. Upon seeing his royal wife, the King’s face became a painting of pure joy and love, not only because Ariadne was smiling at him, but because now he was certain, that the baby was born and well. Magnus at that moment behaved jut as an ordinary husband, who adores his wife, so he ran up to her, wrapped his strong arms around her now slender torso and embraced her. “My dear Queen,” he said, “tell us the wonderful news!” And so, Ariadne told him. King Magnus of course could hardly believe that now he is a father of not one, but two beautiful princes, an incredible but divine miracle. Astor of course heard everything and was the first to say his words of congratulation, bowing now deep in front of the royal couple. However, inside he was furious. One prince was meant to born, not two. And the one he meant to let the Queen give birth to was of course the one with dark hair and dark eyes. Somehow both boys were born and now there was nothing he could do about it. His evil plan was on the verge of failure. He had to change his plans entirely now.
The King ordered the princes to be brought down from their bed chamber, so the guests could have a glimpse of them before dinner and asked for Aldenor, to join the party and let them know which prince is older among the twins.
After this little show of the new-born royalty, the King and Queen agreed that the blond-haired prince, who was the older should be called Trystan, just as they planned to name their child throughout these hard years of trying and failing. However, the dark-haired boy was a surprise to them and they had never thought of a second name. Astor saw his chance, and raised a hand politely, asking to speak: “Your Highness, may I have a humble suggestion?” The King and the Queen were more than happy to hear an idea from their guest, so they nodded in approval and Astor continued. “I do not mean to be nosy, but I think an unusual and magnificent name would be very much adequate for the other prince, since his arrival was a miraculous surprise to the Kingdom. So, if I may, I propose the name Zagan. It is an ancient Astorian name. Let this be my present to this miraculous child.”
The King and the Queen looked at each other, thinking for a moment and then the Queen spoke with a smile on her beautiful face. “I hope this unusual name will bring our child the happiness, his arrival brought to us.” King Magnus was more cautious. “Yes, this name is quite remarkable, however we would be interested whether it has any meaning.” Astor looked up form his plate and tried his most charming smile, before answering. “Zagan was the God of miracles and good deeds in Astorian mythology. Many families who were longing for a child but were in an unfortunate state prayed to him with success in my land. There is no real meaning to the name itself, or any hint to where it had come from, it was just always there, being part of my people’s history and religion. I understand if it is too unfamiliar to you, Your Highness, but I can assure you, that there is no name more fortunate to give to your second-born price.” Astor finished his short speech and the King nodded in approval. “Then we accept your gift and from this moment the two princes of Mantagoria shall be named Trystan and Zagan.” Ha clapped his and a messenger came to the door of the dining hall, where the party was still feasting. “My dear Orien, be so good and spread the wonderful news to our people at once! The princes are born and in good health and their names are chosen to be Trystan and Zagan.” The messenger bowed and backed out from the doorway to see to his task.
