Nightmare

Part VIII

Well, enough of introspection

Time for disclosure

So I settle myself into the nearest chair Focus all my attention on Kalen

Not at all difficult to do, mind you

And say, "All right, Kalen. Start at the beginning." "Very well then. Let me give you a bit of history.

Taryn is our queen as I've told you. She has been on the throne for five years now. She is the sole surviving member of the royal family."

"What happened to the rest of them?" I asked "Taryn was a twin, but her sister died in infancy, there

were no more siblings. Her parents died within a few years of each other. Her mother of illness, her father in a riding accident. She became queen at the age of sixteen."

"Is she a good queen?" I asked

"She's an excellent queen." I merely nodded, and he

continued. "However, King Wilfred of Mikodos has long made it known that he wanted the queen for his bride. Her father would never acquiesce, and since his death, the queen herself has refused him."

"Why the refusals? Is he such a horrible man?" "He's a tyrant! A cruel, selfish ruler and an even

worse man."

"OK, I can see where he wouldn't be the best choice for

marriage. Go on." I said

"Well, he's never taken the refusals well, but in the

last year he's been quite threatening."

"Just won't take no for an answer, huh?" "No, he will not."

"OK, but just what does he have to do with the dreams?" "I can't answer that, but the queen was certain he was

behind them. When she began suffering injury via the dreams, she was certain it was the work of Wilfred's High Priest."

"And the reason for that was....?"

"Other than his being the king's faithful minion, and

being rather evil himself, I do not know. Queen Taryn refused to tell me."

"That's it?! That's all you can tell me?!" "I'm afraid so, Tara."

"It makes no sense! What has any of this to do with me?"

Terri Lyn Stanfield

5/18/2001