Kingdom of Sorrow

By Kenyon Morr

     Queen Ahi'aorina, the spring, was in the forest when attacked and kidnapped by an imp. In Castle Daventry, preparations are being made for the birthday party of the Seneschal's son, William, who just turned ten. Suddenly, snow sweeps over the kingdom. An elkrider arrives bearing greetings from the old wood. He forwards an invitation for Valanice and Graham from King Qillli'ehennan, the heart of the old wood. So Valanice and Graham accept but before long are guided by a sprite named Jiilii'a. The arrive in the Old Wood and meet the ruler. He asks King Graham to rescue Ahi'aorina, his wife, as he values Daventry. Graham takes the task and is helped out of the old wood by Eleni'iulena, the daughter of the king and queen, while Valanice is sent back to Castle Daventry. On his way to find the imps, Graham meets a travelling minstrel named Shallan. He accompanies Graham and because of his songs they are taken in by a family for the night. When they wake up however, they find themselves tied up and told by the family that they will be sacrificed to the Laburnum. They are thrown into a pit. There they encounter the Laburnum who turn out to be a group of evil but rather cute little creatures. These creatures chase them but are managed to be eluded. However, to divert their attention as Graham got away, the minstrel had to lead them around.Graham finally encounters the imps but is defeated by the one they call Kuzgu. The imps leave him behind and go through the Glass Mountains. Graham tries to follow but is unable to because the Glass Mountains will cut him if he dares. He meets a gnome who gives him lodging and food. They work a deal and so Graham ends up with gloves and boots that would allow him to go through the Glass Mountains. On his way he finds several signs of life indicating that Ahi'aorina had indeed passed this way. He is knocked dragged by a creature named Thragaadash through the halls of Sorrowing Court. He ends up in the kitchen about to be turned to food when he manages to escape. He follows some imps and finds out where Ahi'aorina is kept. He enters the room but is met by a giant named Dunstan. They conclude that a suitable punishment for Graham is the slizard. Graham sees a small lizard and after feeling a bite finds out that their bodies have been switched.The imps try to squish him but he escapes. He seeks refuge in a part of the castle which he found. This part however is hidden behind the walls. Graham finds some flashing light and a man within that light. He makes his way back to the hall where the imps were. He goes to Ahi'aorina and tells her what he knows. Ahi'aorina tells him to try to get the key to free her and so he does. Unfortunately, Kuzgu spots him and chases him making the key fall. Amidst the chaos, he manages to get to his body and return to it. He kicks the key under the couch and pretends that he is still the slizard while keeping the real one in his pocket. Kuzgu send some imps to bring him to the kitchen but Graham knocks them unconscious the only exception being the imp Lugmut who volunteers to help him. They manage to get Kuzgu in the kitchen but once aware of the situation Kuzgu turns on Lugmut. He then reveals his real identity as an efreeti. Graham is chased but he manages to get to the central chamber in time. He frees Ahi'aorina and uncovers the truth to Dunstan. Graham manages to temporarily disable the efreeti by throwing silver plates at it. They then lock it in the ivory cage. After that, they went to free the man in the chamber of light, while the efreeti desperately struggled to get free. The castle being dependent on the man's power starts to fall apart as he is freed. There was darkness but they, with the man, who identified himself as Karn Megiddo, make their way back to the center. The efreeti had freed itself but is smashed by the falling ceiling right before having the chance to attack. On the way out they find Lugmut and Thragaadash who chooses to stay but tells them that the other imps had left. Outside Karn Megiddo  explain to them what they have done and reveals the only he is the true master of Sorrowing Court. Everything going on was an act for him to gain power. Right before he strikes Graham, the king manages to reach for his pocket and throw out the slizard turning Karn Megiddo into it. They all make their way back to their homes Dunstan, Lugmut and Karn Megiddo's body, Graham and Ahi'aorina with the Karn Meggido as the slizard.Ahi'aorina invites Graham to stay with her in the Old Wood but Graham declines the offer. Ahi'aorina says that her name from now on will be Culatha alimehenii, She-Who-Was-Rescued-By-A-Human. They bid farewell. On his way back Graham meets Shallan again and the two make their way to Castle Daventry.