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Once upon a time in a far away land lived a lovely young princess named Liz. She was known throughout the land for her unsurpassing beauty, compassionate heart, and even temper. All of her loyal subjects adored her and were overjoyed when her parents, the king and queen of Roswell, announced the engagement of their fair daughter to Sir Kyle, the son of Captain Valenti. Her parents and the captain believed it would be a fine match, because Kyle was being groomed to take over his father’s position as head of the king’s army. It was tradition. Every Valenti male was a member of the king’s army, and the king and queen felt certain that their only and most beloved daughter would be forever safe with Kyle. So everyone in the kingdom rejoiced at the engagement. Everyone except for Princess Liz, that is.

“Oh Maria,” Liz cried as she flung herself onto a nearby bench while strolling through the royal garden. “What am I going to do? I do not want to marry Sir Kyle yet. I want to travel the world, meet interesting people, and maybe even study abroad. How can I do that with my parents and the captain planning my life for me? What shall I do?” Liz’s long and shiny chestnut brown hair covered her porcelain face as she cried to her confidante Lady Maria, her deep brown eyes wet with tears.

Lady Maria had been Liz’s maid servant since they were both young girls. They were around the same age, and Liz looked at Maria as more of a sister than a servant. She valued Maria’s opinion and they shared everything with each other.

Maria sat beside her friend and put her arm about the princess’ shoulder, “Hush now, my lady. There is no need for such tears. Perhaps if you explained to your parents that you do not wish to marry Kyle, they would cancel your nuptials for the time being.”

Liz began to sob uncontrollably, “It is no use, dear friend. I have already tried to explain, but they will not listen.” Liz paused, her face wet with tears, and questioned Maria, “Do you think I should just respect my parents wishes and stop fussing about my marriage? Kyle does seem to care for me and my safety. Maybe he would be a considerate husband.”

Maria stood up from the bench, her golden locks glistening in the sun and her bright blue eyes moving excitedly, “He is too arrogant for love. The only thing Kyle cares about is that you are Princess Liz, heir to Roswell. You are nothing more than a mere possession to him, another trophy to be admired as a prize. Is he really the true love you always said you saw in your dreams?”

Looking down at her hands, a deep sadness swept over the angelic face of the princess. Since she was a child, Liz had a recurring dream of the man she knew deep in her heart was her true love. In the dream, she opens her eyes and stares straight into the most soulful pair of brown eyes with long dark eyelashes. Then his beautiful soft lips begin to move, and he gently speaks, “You are going to be all right.” Then she wakes up. She knows this man is her destiny, and every time she goes out into the village or attends a party, she looks for him, but never sees him. “Alas, I doubt I will ever find my true love. Maybe the man in my dreams is just that … a dream. Besides, how can I hope to find him with the captain and Kyle always following me about?” She looked around and spotted the guard assigned by Captain Valenti to protect her. “You see what I mean? The captain is so fearful of outsiders, he has guards watching my every move. He is so afraid an outsider is going to harm me like one harmed his own father. Now he has the king and queen convinced that outsiders are evil, but how do we know that for certain if we never meet any?” Liz exasperated. “I am doomed.”

“The captain has good reason to believe outsiders are dangerous, because of what The Outsider did to his father. Captain Valenit’s father went to talk to the man and The Outsider attacked without cause. The attack left the captain’s father blind for the rest of his life. There are even stories that The Outsider had two children and a young ward in his charge, and they all practiced sorcery as well. In all the commotion of the attack, the three children vanished into thin air, never to be seen or heard again. Captain Valenti ordered the king’s guards to scour the countryside for any trace of them, but none was ever found. The guards seized The Outsider immediately and placed him in a secret dungeon, whose whereabouts are known only by the captain and your parents. After that incident, the captain convinced the king and queen to pass a decree banishing magic and sorcery. If anyone was found defying the royal decree, they would be imprisoned in the dungeon forever.”

Liz’s sparkling eyes were wide with amazement while she listened to Maria recount this famous story. She had heard it many times since she was a child, but never really believed there was a secret dungeon or a man trapped there with magical powers. Even so, for years Liz was terrified of outsiders because of this scary tale. Yet as she grew older, she began to wonder about the threats posed by people who were not from Roswell. Could all outsiders be truly evil just because one of them was? There were many different people in her kingdom. Some were good, but some were bad. Was it that difficult to believe it was not the same in places outside of her small kingdom? For so long she had yearned to venture beyond the walls of Roswell and see what was out there for her. Maybe her true love was waiting for her there. The closer her wedding date became, the stronger her urge to flee and explore.

As she jumped up, Liz felt strong and invigorated, “I know what I have to do, Maria. Tonight, once everyone in the castle is asleep, I am going to sneak away and find what lies beyond the walls of Roswell, just for a little while. I cannot stay away from my parents forever, but I want to enjoy life a little first before I give everything up for my crown. Please tell me you will help me break free,” she pleaded with her best friend.

The twinkle in Maria’s eyes divulged her answer, “Only if I can come with you. Why should you be the only one having an adventure?” The two girls erupted in fits of laughter and caught the attention of Liz’s guard. They tried to stifle their laughs, but that only made them giddier.

Squealing with delight, Liz exclaimed, “And we should take Squire Alex along with us. He never really wanted to be a knight anyway. His father just pressured him to do it. Maybe he could finally become the musician he always dreamed of becoming.” Squire Alex was also a childhood friend of Liz and Maria’s. His father was a wealthy landowner and a strong ally of the king.

Maria nodded in agreement, “What a marvelous idea! He could help us escape and if anyone stops us, he could just pretend that he is our guard.” They looked joyously at one another and began to race towards the castle. After all, they had a lot of plans to make.

***

Just beyond the walls of Roswell there was a vast forest rich with trees and flowers and many different animals. People from Roswell were often afraid to walk through the forest, because they feared the evil dragon named Hubble. The villagers even called the forest Hubble Forest, because their fear of him was so great. Woodsmen and countryfolk told many tales of his existence, but he was never actually seen by anyone. As the stories go, a person unfortunate enough to actually see Hubble with his own eyes, never lives to tell another soul. For these reasons most people stay away from Hubble Forest.

If a person would ever chance to venture deep into the forest, he just might find an enchanting little cottage located next to a field of wildflowers and a crackling brook. And if someone were to knock on the door of this quaint home, he would discover its three inhabitants – two young men and a young woman, each possessing magical talents. For this is the secluded hideaway of The Outsider’s two children and his young ward. Fearing the day would come when the royal guards would capture him and thrown into the dungeon, The Outsider created this well-hidden escape for his children.

The children, Max and Isabel, and the young ward, Michael, had done as The Outsider had asked for a long time, but each was beginning to grow restless in their own individual way and longed to be reunited with their father. They felt isolated and alone and missed him terribly. As they grew into adulthood, they practiced their magic and were quite good at it. They read The Outsider’s magic books and whipped up spells and created potions. Max and Isabel were able to manage their powers a little better than Michael as he still seemed to struggle with his talents on occasion. He was more impulsive than his two friends, and that quality would often get him into trouble. It was this impulsiveness that had Max very worried right now. Michael had gone into the village in the morning to search for the secret entrance to the dungeon and still had not returned. Max had cast a spell to see if he could find Michael’s whereabouts, but there was a storm brewing outside and it was affecting the clarity of the visions.

Twirling her long blond hair around her fingers, Isabel pleaded with her overly cautious brother, “Max, will you stop pacing the floor? Michael is fine and will return any moment. The disguise potion worked perfectly, as usual, and no one will be able to recognize him.” She looked into his face with her deep blue eyes, confident that her potion was a success. “My potions never fail,” she boasted as she closed her book of poetry and walked over to join her brother as he stared out the cottage window.

Max’s brow was furrowed with concern, and as he ran his fingers through his thick brown hair, he said, “Isabel, I know that your potions work well, but Michael is gone much longer than he has ever been in the past. You did not mix this batch of Disguise Potion to last this long. What if it wore off in the middle of the town village and Michael’s face turned from that of an old man to his own in front of the entire kingdom? He could be in the secret dungeon right now with our father and we would never know.” A look of horror swept over his face, “Or even worse, what if the Hubble dragon found him instead?”

“You worry too much, Max.” she chided. “As far as that dirty old dragon goes, I am certain that Michael could use his powers to protect himself from Hubble if he needed to. Besides, we have all used this potion many times to enter Roswell to search for the secret entrance to the dungeon, and we have never had any problems with it before. I also know you use the potion to search for the girl from your vision as well,” she teased him. This was true. A long time ago, when they were still children and just learning about their powers, Isabel had devised a spell to see the person who held the key to Max’s destiny. The vision he got was of a breathtakingly beautiful woman with hair the color of a chestnut tree and with brown eyes filled with compassion and love. Each time he used the Disguise Potion and traveled to Roswell to find the secret dungeon entrance, he would also scan the faces of the townspeople for the girl from his vision. But he never saw her. He began to think it was not meant to be.

Despite his sister’s assurances, Max was still fearful, “Well, I cannot wait here anymore. I must see if I can find him. You wait here in case he returns,” and in a flash, Max picked up his lantern and small pouch of potions and was gone.

Isabel knew there was no stopping her brother once his mind was set. They were each stubborn, and it was futile to plead with him to stay. She called out after him, “Be careful, Max! It’s getting dark and it looks like rain,” and she watched him walk off into the thick forest.

Getting out of the castle was more difficult than Liz anticipated. She forgot that her parents requested her presence at dinner with Kyle and Captain Valenti. If she had had any doubts about leaving, they completely disappeared after dinner with her fiancée. She could not imagine spending the rest of her life listening to Kyle boast about his hunting prowess and “superior” strength. She excused herself early, but Kyle did not really even notice. He was too busy trying to impress the king and queen with his heroic tales of fighting and hunting. The captain looked at her suspiciously, as if he were keen to her evening activities, but then let it pass. She said goodbye to her parents for what she hoped would not be the last time and retired to her quarters. She decided to leave a note for her parents explaining why she was leaving. She loved them dearly, but wanted to experience more of the world. She did not feel she could do that in Roswell. She just hoped her parents would understand and forgive her.

When she entered her quarters, Maria and Alex were waiting for her. Alex handed Liz a garment, “I was able to get some commoner’s clothes for us to wear. It will be easier for us to travel in those than in our garments with the royal crest.” Alex was a dear friend to both of the girls. He would even risk his own life if it meant protecting them.

Liz gave him a quick hug, “Thank you, Alex, for all of your help. I am so happy you are joining Maria and me on our adventure.”

Alex smiled at his friends, “Do not thank me yet. We still have to get out of here and make it through Hubble Forest in one piece and avoid the Hubble dragon at the same time. But I am ready for a change of scenery myself. Besides, why should you two lovely ladies be the only ones having all the excitement?”

The three friends then retreated to change into the clothes Alex had brought for each of them. Liz could not bear to remove the pendant from her neck she had worn since the day she was born. It hung on a gold chain and had the royal crest emblazoned on it. It signified her as a member of the royal family, and it meant very much to her. She tucked it inside her travel clothes and stepped back into her room. Even in common clothes, Liz still looked radiant. There was no denying the regal quality, which surrounded her. Maria bowed in an over-exaggerated manner to Liz and teased, “My lady, that ratty old dress looks simply divine on you.”

Liz curtsied and teased back, “And that rag is just lovely on you as well. Might I borrow it someday?”

Not wanting to be left out, Alex inquired, “Hey what about me? Don’t I look exquisite as well?” As Maria and Liz stared at Alex dressed like a woodsman, hat and all, they began laughing uncontrollably and that was enough of an answer for him. “Well, a simple ‘You look great, Alex’ would have been enough,” and he joined in their laughter. Liz left her letter to her parents on her bed, and the three grabbed their lanterns. They then proceeded down the secret stairwell of the castle designed as an escape for the royal family in case of an attack. It went underground and led to a door in a cave at the entrance of Hubble Forest. They emerged from the secret passage and stepped into the darkness of the forest, afraid of what lay ahead, but at the same time, invigorated by the excitement of it.

***

Although they thought Hubble was a myth created by parents to scare their children, Liz, Maria, and Alex walked mostly in silence, because they did want to arouse the dragon. Just in case they were wrong. It had gotten very dark much quicker than they thought, and it was starting to rain. Liz was glad they had remembered to bring lanterns, because as she grew more and more weary, she began to lag behind Alex and Maria. As long as she could see the glowing lights from their lamps, she felt safe. Then she smelled the most wondrous scent. She held up her lantern to see flowers on a tree unlike any other she had ever spotted before. They were a bright purple with a pink and white center, and they smelled heavenly. She wanted to pick one as a remembrance of their journey, and the one she wanted was high up on the tree. She looked ahead and the lanterns of her friends were clearly in her sight, so she started to reach for the flower. It was a little further from her grasp so she had to stretch a little more. Since it was so dark, Liz did not realize that this tree was on the edge of an embankment, which led down to another path in the forest deep below her current position. The rain had made the ground too unstable for her feet and as she stretched, the ground gave way. She cried out, but by this time the wind was howling through the trees and Maria and Alex could not hear the screams of the princess. As she started to slide, Liz tried to grab hold of anything to keep herself from falling, but the ground was too wet. She slid down the brush covered embankment and on the way down tore her dress on some branches and got some nasty scrapes. One branch jabbed into the topside of her right wrist, and it created a deep wound which caused her to bleed. When she was near the bottom, Liz hit the back of her head on a large rock, and she began to feel dizzy. She tried to open her mouth to cry for help, but no sound would come out. Everything in front of her began to spin wildly and then it all turned black.

At that very moment, Max was returning from his unsuccessful search for his friend. He did not want to turn back, but the rain forced him to. It would be impossible for him to make his way to the village in this storm that was growing more powerful by the moment. He had to move slowly so that he could find his way, because even with his lantern it was still difficult to navigate through the forest he knew so well. Then something caught his eye in the light of the lantern. What is that shining object up ahead, he thought. His heart began to race as he ran towards it, “Michael!” Max cried out. “Is that you?” When he finally made his way to the origin of the shiny object, his heart leaped to his throat. It’s the girl from my vision, his heart screamed! Princess Liz lay at his feet motionless and scratched badly by her fall. Her hand was bleeding seriously from her cut. Max stood there in shock for a second, and then knelt down beside her. He noticed that her head was bleeding badly and realized she must have hit her head on a rock on the way down. Max leaned down and could feel her warm breath, light as it was, on his face, so he knew she was still alive. She was shaking from the cold rain, but he knew he could save her. He did not want to lose her after just finding his destiny! Without hesitating, Max grabbed his pouch of magic dust from his side and gently cradled her in his arms. He sprinkled some of the magic dust on her head and it healed her wound instantly. Then he sprinkled some on her hand and smoothed it over the rest of her arms. Her breathing grew stronger and she could feel a pair of warm arms holding her. She slowly opened her eyes and stared up into a pair of bright, soulful brown eyes with long dark eyelashes. Then his beautiful soft lips begin to move, and he gently spoke, “You are going to be all right.”

It is he! I must be dreaming, she thought. She paused and waited to wake up from her dream as she always did, but it did not happen. Instead he just smiled down at her, and then his lips began to move again, “Do you feel all right? You fell down an embankment and hit your head.” Is this really happening, she asked herself. If this is a dream, I hope I never wake up.

The look in Max’s eyes started to turn from joy to worry, and Liz realized she still had not spoken, “Yes, yes, I feel fine,” she uttered still wondering if she was dreaming. She did not dare move her eyes from his face for fear she would wake. They could each feel something magical happening between them and Max knew it was not because of any potions or magic dust. Liz started to sit up, “Am I dreaming?”

Max laughed lightly and gently stroked her hair, “No, I do not think it is a dream, but if it is, I hope I never awaken from it. Do you think you can stand?”

Not breaking her gaze, Liz started to stand and replied, “I feel I could fly.” Then she asked him, “Do I know you, sir? You seem so familiar to me.”

Remembering his vision, Max blushed slightly and replied, “No, I do not think we have ever met before in person, but I feel as if I already know you. Are you sure you feel fine enough to walk? You fell far down that embankment.” Max held the lamp up so that Liz could get a better view of the terrain, and it was indeed steep.

Then Liz remembered falling, and she looked down at her dress. It was all torn with holes all over it; however, her body did not have a scratch on it anymore. She remembered feeling the brush tearing at her skin as she slid, the pain in her wrist as the tree branch jabbed her, and then the warm blood as it came out of her wrist and slid down her hand. Finally she recalled the throbbing in her head as it hit the rock and the dizziness that followed. Max watched her body tense and the confusion behind her eyes as she examined her arms and felt her head. Liz suddenly became frightened, “What happened here?” she screamed at him. She looked down at her hands and her skin appeared iridescent and it shimmered in the lamplight. “My hand was bleeding and I had scratches all over my body! Now they’re all gone. How can that be? And my head does not hurt anymore. I am certain that I hit my head on a rock, but it does not even itch now.” She grabbed the lantern from his hands and raced over to the rocks. She felt around and found the big rock with her blood still glistening on it. She touched it and held her fingers, made crimson by her blood, up to Max’s face, “Can you explain this, sir? How am I standing here with you at this very moment?”

Max was so excited at finding the girl from his vision, that he completely forgot he used his magic to save her life. He needed to calm her down without frightening her further, but he did not know how to explain it without telling the truth. He did not want to lie to her. He prayed she would be able to accept it. Then he noticed it was still raining, “Please, my lady, let us find some shelter from this storm. I promise you have no reason to fear me for I would rather die than see you hurt.” His eyes spoke the truth, and she believed him. So as he extended his hand to her, she took it in her own, and intertwined her fingers with his. They both felt a rush of warmth through their bodies, and neither felt the cold rain anymore. He led her to the dry shelter of a large tree unsure of where to start, but wanting to trust her with his secret.

Suddenly she remembered Maria and Alex and it made her jolt, “Oh no! Where are my two traveling companions? They were further on the path and what if they were hurt as well? What if Hubble attacked them?”

Knowing the forest and its’ inhabitants as he did, Max assured her she had no reason to worry, “Well the path they were on leads straight to my house. If there were able to navigate their way through this storm, I am certain they would have found it. My sister will offer them shelter until the storm passes.” Max could read from her face that Liz was deeply concerned about the dragon, “Do not worry about Hubble. Even he would not dare to go out in this storm. Water makes it difficult for him to breathe fire. They will be fine.” This seemed to calm her fears slightly and Max realized he still did not know the identity of his true love. “By the way, my name is Max. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he said as he kissed her hand.

Liz smiled shyly, “Thank you, sir. I am Prin--, I mean, my name is Liz, and the pleasure is all mine.”

***

“Liz! Liz! Where are you, princess!” Maria and Alex cried out. They felt like they had been searching for an eternity. Maria’s once bright blue eyes were now murky and swollen from her tears. Alex was gravely concerned as well and as the storm grew worse, so did his hopes of finding the princess. He and Maria had been strolling along the path of the forest and somehow, they had become separated. When they stopped for a moment to rest, they called out to Liz to let her know they were pausing, but they did not see her. They did not see the glow of her lamp anywhere either. Alex was trying to keep Maria calm by reassuring her that Liz was just a little further behind them, but his mind just kept repeating the same name over and over, Hubble, Hubble, Hubble. As the minutes dragged on and it rained heavier, the voice in his head grew louder. “LIZ!” they continued to cry, but with no response.

Then at the same time they saw something ahead of them. It was a faint glowing light, which grew bigger as they ran towards it. “It’s her, it’s her! She’s all right,” they exclaimed. They cried out to her, but the pounding rain against the trees muffled their voices. As they got closer to the light, they realized it was not from Liz’s lamp, but from the window of a small cottage. As they made their way closer, they saw a shape heading towards the door, and called out Liz’s name again, but the person did not turn around to face them.

Michael walked into the cottage dripping wet from the rain. The Disguise Potion had worn off as he was making his way through the forest. He returned unsuccessful again without the knowledge of the secret entrance to the dungeon where they were holding The Outsider. Isabel jumped up from her seat. She had become terrified when neither Max nor Michael showed up, and she was thrilled to see her friend. Isabel looked past him expecting to see her brother walk in right behind Michael, but Max was not there. Her face grew grim and her eyes became cloudy, “Where is Max? I thought you two would have returned once he found you.”

Michael stood in the entryway of the cottage dripping from the rain, his jet black hair flat against his head. His stormy gray eyes looked at Isabel confused, “What are you talking about? Max never came to find me. I thought he was home here with you. But we have a bigger problem right now. Someone is heading towards the house. Grab some of the Disguise Potion, quick!” Michael was frantic.

“Michael, I do not have any left. I gave the last of it to you so that you could stay out longer. We will just have to act normal and hope they leave quickly,” she said as calmly as she could, but Isabel was shaking and visibly upset. She always acted confident and self-assured, but she actually had a very sensitive heart. She desperately missed her father, and when he was taken, she thought her world would crumble. If it were not for Max and Michael, she would have gone mad.

Then Michael and Isabel heard the frantic knocks on the door and people outside, “Please! Is anybody in there? We need your help.” Michael peered through the curtain. He half expected to see the king’s army, but instead he just spied a woodsman and village woman, about his age, soaked to the bone and pounding furiously on their door. They did not seem dangerous, and that made him relax a little bit. He could not sense any danger, so Michael took a deep breath and opened the door. Maria was banging so swiftly that as soon as the door opened, she fell inside the door, right at Michael’s feet. He chuckled, “I know I am handsome, but you do not have to throw yourself at my feet.” Maria glared up at him, his feeble attempts at humor not even registering in her mind. She looked purely terrified as Michael helped her to her feet.

Alex stepped forth and begged, “Please help us. My friend and I were trying to cross through this forest with another friend, a young woman. Somehow she became separated from us, and we cannot find her. We have been searching for what seems an eternity, but her whereabouts are still unknown. With this severe storm, our search is even more difficult. Can you please assist us? We are desperate to find her.”

Isabel’s heart went out to these two weary and very wet travelers. She understood the desperation of trying to find someone you cared for deeply. This man was telling the truth. She could see it in his face. He was not there to track any “outsiders” as the townspeople liked to call them. “Please come in by the fire and get warm. You must be freezing.” Michael shot her a glaring look as if to say, “What are you doing inviting these strangers into our home?” but Isabel ignored him. For an inexplicable reason she wanted to help these two and knew her father would do the same.

Alex entered the house completely unaware that he was wet, never mind that he was chilled to the bone, “You are too kind, my lady, but this is urgent. We need to find my friend right away. She is in the forest alone and has no means to protect herself against …” but he stopped himself before he mentioned the evil name he knew was on the tip of everyone’s tongue. He did not want to frighten Maria anymore than she already was.

Following Isabel’s lead, Michael gently guided Maria to the fire, “Have no fear. No creatures will be scowling about on a night like this, including us. The rain is too heavy. I know this forest better than anyone, and I was barely able to find my way back home tonight in this storm. As long as your friend can find some dry shelter, she will be safe. We can look for her first thing in the morning.” His speech did little to calm Maria’s nerves.

Her eyes raged like the storm swirling around them, “But what if she is hurt and cannot make it to shelter? What then?” She was beside herself with worry and did not even realize that she had turned to Michael and was sobbing uncontrollably in his chest. Not knowing what to do, Michael put his arms around her to try and calm her a little.

Isabel approached her handsome young guest and took his hand in hers, “My friend is right. She will be safe for the night from the creatures of the forest. The storm, scary as it is, will actually protect her from any predators. And it would not do any good to have you turn up missing as well. The storm should be gone by morning, and we will all go out searching for her then. Together.”

Alex did not want to hear that response, “You do not understand, she is the prin- …, she is a very dear friend, and she must be terrified. She is not used to being in the woods alone.” His words pierced at Isabel’s heart, and she nervously tugged at her golden hair, “Pardon me, kind sir, but I am completely aware of your feelings. As a matter of fact, my only brother is out in this storm as well, and I am praying just as hard for his safe return as you are for your friend’s.”

Alex’s eyes softened when he saw the worried expression flash across the exquisite face of his kind hostess, “I am sorry, my lady, I did not realize that you were missing someone as well. My deepest apologies.” They all stood silent for a moment and then Alex inquired, “Are you certain they will be safe until the morning?”

While continuing to stroke Maria’s back, Michael replied, “They should be safe for the evening. There is even the possibility that they found one another on the way. You two appear to have followed the same path as I, so there is a good chance Max and your friend were on the same path as well, just further behind us.” Maria had calmed down somewhat, and Michael looked into her face and said, “And if that’s the case, then you have no worries. Max knows this forest as well as I, and he will protect her.”

The kind words of the two strangers actually seemed to make Maria feel better, and she suddenly realized she was dripping wet and extremely cold. She dried her eyes and moved closer to the fire, then she began to laugh as Michael’s first words when she fell in the door hit her. She looked at him with his wet hair and drenched clothes and joked as she waved her hand in front of his attire, “By the way, I would never ‘throw myself’ as you said at someone who dressed like that.” The foursome laughed lightly at Maria’s humor, sensing the tension ease slightly in the room. They were still scared, but knowing they were not alone somehow made it more bearable. Isabel gave Alex’s hand a gentle squeeze and then went to grab some dry clothes for their two guests. Michael then grabbed some more wood to put on the fire. He knew they had a long, sleepless night ahead of them, so they might as well stay warm.

***

Max wrapped his coat around Liz, and she sat down under the tree. Max moved across from her and sat so that he could look her in the eyes as he spoke. He did not know where to begin, and the first words that popped out of his lips were, “Do you believe in magic and sorcery, Liz?” His voice sang her name. “What I mean is, are you afraid of magic?”

The question surprised her, but she answered him as best as she could, “Although I have never seen magic or a sorcerer with my own eyes, I cannot rule out the possibility that it exists. I think I would only be afraid if it was being used to harm someone or hurt them in some way.” This conversation seemed odd to her, but she figured he was just nervous.

“Well, what would you say if I told you that magic was the reason you are sitting with me right now, talking under this tree?” He did not move his eyes from her face. He needed to see every expression and to show her he was serious.

Liz let out a nervous laugh, “I would say that perhaps you were the one who hit his head on a rock and not me.” Her eyes were transfixed on him, and she knew he was speaking in earnest. “Are you telling me that you cast some spell on me to make my wounds miraculously disappear, that you are a sorcerer?” she asked incredulously.

His palms began to feel moist, but there was no turning back. He felt compelled to tell her everything, “Well, it was not a spell exactly. It was more like magic dust.” She did not run away screaming, so he continued, “I do not want to lie to you, Liz. I know how to mix certain potions. Potions which helped me heal your wounds when I found you lying on the ground.” Liz sat there speechless. “I know this sounds very peculiar to you, but I speak the truth. At an early age, I discovered that I had special powers. I was able to create magic and work spells. When I saw you lying on the path, I knew I could save you, so I used some magic dust from my pouch to heal you.” He pulled the pouch from his belt and showed it to her. It’s silvery colors glistened and shimmered in the lamplight, and Liz recognized that glow. It was the same as the colors on her arms and hands. It could not be true, because if it were, he would be banished from her kingdom or maybe even thrown in the dungeon. They could never be together. Then she looked down at her hands and noticed her skin was still glowing, glowing from the magic dust he had sprinkled on her arms to heal her wounds. This was too much for her to handle, and she felt herself getting dizzy.

“Do you feel all right, Liz? You look like you might faint.”

“No, no, I will be fine, but thank you. I am just a little light headed. After all, you just told me that magic dust saved my life, and I am a little surprised.” She grabbed his hand, “The strange part is I am not afraid of you in the slightest. I feel safe with you and do not doubt your truthfulness.” She began to blush, “When I asked you before if I was dreaming, it is because I have seen you before, in my dreams. Since I was a little girl, I have had the same dream repeatedly and tonight it came true. When I opened my eyes and saw your face staring back at me, I thought it was another dream. I have been waiting a long time to finally meet you, Max. Does that sound odd to you?”

Max’s mouth spread into a wide grin and he touched her face, “Not at all, my love, for I had a vision of your lovely face when I was a boy, a vision so strong that I could not wipe it out of my heart. Tonight when I gazed down at you, I feared my heart would leap out of my chest because I had finally found you. You are my destiny. Now that we have found one another, I do not want to let you go.” The energy between them was intense and as it grew stronger, it seemed to pull the two young lovers closer to one another. They closed their eyes and kissed each other softly, overwhelmed by their emotions and love for each other. Liz could not help how she felt, she had never been happier.

“So what else can you do with your magic powers?” Liz inquired as some large droplets of rain fell through the tree branches onto her face. She smiled, “I do not think this tree is keeping us very dry.”

Max got a marvelous idea. He reached for his pouch with the magic dust and said, “I can do something about that if you would like.” Liz looked at him skeptically. “I do not have enough powder left in my small pouch to stop the rain, but I can make it appear that way and we can stay dry. Do you trust me?” Liz nodded yes, and Max stood up. As he stood under the tree, he motioned for Liz to come to him. She went and stood with him. Then Max sprinkled dust in a circle, which surrounded them and spoke these words, “Circle of magic, circle of light, protect us from this stormy night.” The circle of magic dust began to glow, “Liz, nothing can touch us in here, because as long as we stay in this circle we will be safe and warm and happy.” The light became so bright that Liz had to close her eyes. Then Max leaned over and kissed her gently, “All right, you can open them now.”

What she saw took her breath away. As she turned around, she thought she was in heaven. The sun was shining, birds were singing, and the flowers in the forest were in full bloom smelling their sweetest. Max took her hand and started to walk away, “Will you walk with me, my lady,” he asked.

Liz stayed back, “I thought you said we could not leave the circle?”

“You are forgetting – it is a magic circle. We will not actually be leaving it. It will only seem that way. That is how the magic works. This way we can explore without getting wet. It will be our own secret wonderland.” They smiled and then started to run all through the woods. Liz wanted to see everything and was captivated by the beauty of the woods. They picked flowers, chased rabbits, and listened to the birds sing. It was the happiest moments of her life. As she looked at Max she thought, I must be in heaven.

Although Liz tried to fight it, her exhaustion began to overtake her. The more she tried to keep her eyes open, the heavier her lids felt. She yawned, “I am sorry, my dear Max, but I fear I am about to fall asleep. I pray when I wake, I do not find all this to be just another dream.”

Max picked a flower, the sweetest of the forest with bright red petals and placed it behind her ear. Then he lay down beside her, so that Liz could rest her head on his chest and she nestled closer to him. “Have no fear, my sweet Liz,” he soothed as he stroked her soft hair, “for the greatest dreams could never compare to this wondrous night. We have finally found one another, and we will cherish each other from this day forth.” They both closed their eyes and slipped into the most peaceful and restful sleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

***

Michael, Isabel, Maria, and Alex had stayed awake in silence for most of the evening waiting for their friends to walk through the door, but they never did. Isabel read some poetry aloud to Alex while he played a lyre. Her words and his music mixed well together and if the circumstances were different, they would have really enjoyed themselves. Michael held Maria by the fire for she was very worried. She could not stop thinking of her dear friend in the forest. One by one they drifted off to sleep, and the storm subsided. As the sun rose and shone through the window, the light hit Maria’s face and she slowly began to stir. She had fallen asleep with her head resting on Michael’s chest. He looks so peaceful when he sleeps, Maria thought to herself. The torment in his gray eyes hidden by his thick eyelashes. She tried not to startle him as she got up, but she was unsuccessful. His eyes opened and he found himself staring into her bright eyes. He was mesmerized. Embarrassed he stood up quickly and called to Isabel and Alex, “The rains have stopped and the sun is up. We can go look for our friends now.”

Isabel and Alex slowly woke up and stood to their feet. She had fallen asleep in his warm arms, and she shivered now that he was no longer holding her. He picked up the blanket and placed it around her shoulders, “Here, my lady, you are shivering.” She thanked him with a smile, and a warm sensation swept through his body.

Maria then suggested, “We should probably go in two groups, since Michael and Isabel know the forest better than you and I, Alex.” They all agreed and decided Michael and Maria would go in one direction and Isabel and Alex would go in another. They would circle around the main paths of the forest and then meet back at the cottage. Before they departed Isabel pulled Michael aside, “We should each take a magic crystal with us. That way if one of us finds them, we can use the crystals to give the other a vision and let the other know the location. “ Michael took one of the deep purple rocks from Isabel. They parted and set out to find Max and Liz.

The sunlight had melted away some of the fear from the previous evening. It was a beautiful clear day and it brought confidence that their friends were safe. Maria was intrigued by her partner and was curious about him, so she asked, “How long have the three of you lived out here? Have you always lived alone?”

Michael tensed up a bit. He could not risk exposing their secret. So instead of answering Maria, he asked her a question instead, “I think I should be the one asking why you and your two friends would try to cross Hubble Forest at night when it is obvious you did not know where you were going? The forest is a dangerous place during the day, but even more so at night. What was so important?”

She started to answer him, “The truth of the matter is Liz is supposed to …” and then she stopped. Maria could not expose their real identities to Michael or Isabel. This situation was very grave already, and what if Michael went straight to the castle and told the captain their whereabouts. “On second thought, that is not really important now. We just need to concentrate on finding Max and Liz.” They walked in silence for a short while, but there was something Maria needed to know, “I just have one more question, Michael. If you are not Max and Isabel’s brother, how is it you came to live with them?”

He stared straight ahead when he replied, troubled by memories of the past, “My parents died when I was very young. They were close friends of Max and Isabel’s father. He took me to live with his family after their death, and they have been the only family I have ever really known.”

Maria wanted to tell him she understood, but she was hesitant. Her father also died when Maria was a baby, and left her mother a widow. She started to speak but then stopped herself. She took his hand lightly in hers and gave it a soft squeeze. He looked down at her but did not let go of her hand. He just squeezed back and they continued to walk hand in hand.

Walking down the second path, Alex found himself staring at Isabel as she led the way through the forest. Her hair was even more golden in the sunlight, and he wanted to reach out and run his fingers through it. He wanted to hear her voice again recite her lovely poems to him. She had a beautiful heart as well as a beautiful face. Watching her was making him lose his concentration, so he started talking. Not about anything in particular, just anything to keep his mind off of how she felt in his arms as they slept, “So, how come I have never seen you in the town square before? I am certain I would remember.”

This was not a topic Isabel felt comfortable discussing. She could not reveal her secret, no matter how nice Alex seemed. “I go into town from time to time, but I like our little cottage. It is quiet and serene and I can write my poetry without interruption. What about you? You are a woodsman, correct? How can I have never seen you wandering about the forest?”

Alex forgot about his disguise. He was wearing the clothes of a woodsman, not his uniform. He smiled weakly, “I confess, my dear lady, that I am a rather poor woodsman. I prefer to play my lyre and write music than amble about in the woods.” He did not want to disclose anymore details about himself, so they continued to walk in silence some more. They had not found Max or Liz yet, but they should be nearing the meeting point soon.

***

Liz could hear birds chirping in a nearby tree and smelled flowers so sweet her nose tingled. She opened her eyes and at first did not know where she was. She sat up quickly and startled Max out of his deep slumber, “What? Who’s there?” he asked sleepily. Max sat up rubbing his eyes and as his eyes adjusted to the morning light, he saw his love smiling at him. She was more radiant than he remembered. “Good morning, my love. Did you sleep well?”

She hugged him tight. “I think I am still dreaming,” she replied. “It is a beautiful day, isn’t it?” And indeed it was. The flower Max picked for her while they were under his magic spell had fallen free from behind her ear. She picked it up and placed it there again. The storm had passed long ago and left a soft layer of dew covering the forest floor. It made all of the plants and flowers smell heavenly.

Max stood up and reached his hand down to his lady love. “We should head out and make our way towards my home,” Max said. “Perhaps your companions made their way to it last night and are waiting for your return with my sister and our friend.” She took his hand and he helped her to her feet. They climbed out from the shelter of the tree and started to walk along the path.

The excitement of the previous night’s revelations behind them, Max realized he knew very little about the woman beside him. Nothing she could say would lessen his love for her, but he was curious nonetheless. As if reading his mind, Liz turned to him and asked, “Max, how did you know that you had these magical powers? You said that you realized it as a child, but how did you know? You also mentioned a sister. Are your parents waiting at home as well?”

Max’s smile began to fade, “Liz, before I can answer any questions you need to understand that knowing me could put you in danger, because of who I am. Being from the kingdom of Roswell, I am sure you are aware of the king’s edict which bans the practice of magic or sorcery.” Liz nodded. How could she not? She was the king’s only daughter. “So you understand that the people in the kingdom would be afraid of me and others like me if they knew the truth. What they do not know is that the edict is unjust and was created when an innocent man, I believe the townspeople call him ‘The Outsider,’ was persecuted for a crime he never committed. The law was created out of fear, not justice.”

Liz figured that now was not a good time to tell him that the king and queen were her parents. She did not want to upset him, but I will tell him soon, she told herself. She would first try to explain their reasons for the edict, “Max, the king and queen are very just rulers. They care deeply about their kingdom and everyone in it. When it was passed, perhaps they felt they were protecting their people from evil. When you used you magic to save me, you were using it to help, but The Outsider you speak of, did not use his magic to help people. He used it to attack the captain of the king’s army without cause.” She hoped she was persuading him, because she wanted him to see the king and queen were good and decent rulers.

Her pleas just seemed to upset Max, and he did not understand how she could defend them. He looked at her like she pierced his heart with a dagger. “Is that what you believe? That The Outsider was the one who attacked an innocent man? I am sorry, my dear lady, but you have been misinformed. On that fateful day an innocent man was attacked, but it was not the captain of the king’s army, for he was the aggressor. What I am about to tell you must remain a secret for my life depends on it. Do you understand, Liz? You can never repeat this story to anyone.”

“I promise you, Max. I will never breathe a word of it to anyone. Not even to Maria or Alex.”

Max sat down a large rock and began to tell the story of his father – the real story. “The captain of the army had a strong dislike for anything having to do with magic or sorcery. He was convinced that magic of any kind was evil, and he set out to destroy anyone with special powers. He heard people in the village talking of an outsider living on the outskirts of the kingdom with his two children and young ward. There were rumors that all three children possessed the same abilities as The Outsider, and this infuriated the captain. One day The Outsider took his son for a walk in the woods. He brought his son to a small house near a brook well-hidden by the trees. There The Outsider taught his son some new spells and made certain to teach the Vanishing Spell, for he was certain that danger was near. He told his son that if anything happened, the son was to use the Vanishing Spell to get the three children to the secret hideaway and wait for their father to come get them. Shortly after that in the darkness of night, soldiers came banging on the door, but not for The Outsider. The captain wanted to take the three children and lock them away where he was certain their magic could not harm anyone. He barged into their home and lunged at them, but their father would not let his children be stolen from him. So he summoned up all of his power and thrust it at the captain. The force of it blinded the captain forever. As the soldiers pounced on The Outsider, he screamed, ‘Now, my son! Do it now!’ and the son used the Vanishing Spell like his father instructed. The king and queen did not question The Outsider about the events of that tragic night. They just threw him in a secret dungeon to rot for the rest of his life and passed the edict banning magic. They let their fear and ignorance rule them, not kindness and compassion for their people. As a result the children of The Outsider grew up orphans and alone, living in constant fear that their secret would one day be revealed and always searching for the secret entrance to the dungeon, so that they might one day be reunited with their father.”

Liz listened in horror as Max relayed this new version of an old tale. “Max, how can you be so certain that that was what really happened? It was so long ago.”

His voice was strong with conviction, “I am certain because I was there. I am the young son of The Outsider. I am the one who used the Vanishing Spell to move my sister and friend to a safe hideaway, while the king and queen destroyed my family.” Max’s usually soulful eyes were now murky with sadness and grief. “Not a day passes when I do not wish I could go back to that moment, save my father from the guards, and use the Vanishing Spell on all of us. We have spent so much time hunting for the secret entrance, but we can never find it. We will someday though, and then we will be free to be a family.”

There must be some mistake, Liz cried to herself. Her parents would never punish a man for a crime he never committed. She made up her mind to tell Max the truth about her identity. She would make him see that there had to be some mistake. She and Max would talk to the king and queen together with the true story, so his father would have to be set free. She walked over to him slowly and sat next to him on the rock. She placed her arm around his shoulder and gently kissed his cheek, “Max, I know how difficult that was for you to tell me, but you cannot blame yourself. You were just a child when that happened. We will go to the king and queen together and once they hear your story, I am certain that they will release your father. They are fair rulers.” As Liz spoke, she brushed the hair away from her face, and the flower she had placed behind her ear fell to the ground. As she bent over to pick it up, her gold pendant with the royal crest slipped out from under her collar and hung down the front of her dress.

“It is not that simple. Commoners like us are not permitted in the castle, and even if I did enter, they would throw me in the dungeon and I would be of no help to anyone.” As Liz sat back up, Max noticed the exposed pendent. Max held it in his hand and looked at it closely to examine it. “This must have been what caught the reflection of my lamp light last night. It was what caught my eye as I was walking down the path and brought me to you. This beautiful pendant is what brought us together, Liz. Where did you get such a fine piece of jewelry? You are not a noblewoman disguised as a commoner are you?” he teased, but Liz did not laugh with him.

“There is something I have to tell you, Max, but please do not be angry with me when I speak. Everything happened so quickly and it did not seem very important at the time,” she explained as she took his hands in hers. She was about to tell him everything, when her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of running horses, and they were getting closer.

“What is that sound I hear?” she asked him. The young lovers were paralyzed with fear. Liz because she did not thinks the king’s guard would have found her so quickly and easily, and Max because he feared what would happen if the royal guards discovered his true identity. Max grabbed Liz swiftly and they ducked behind a large tree and some brush. The guards sped by, but Liz recognized Sir Kyle’s horse and knew he was searching for her. She was running out of time. Despite all of his faults, there was no denying that Kyle was an excellent tracker, and he would hunt her down like one of his prey.

When the sound of the horses faded, Max and Liz stepped back onto the path, their faces pale with the fear of their narrow escape. Then they heard footsteps running towards them and voices. Just as they were about to hide once more, Liz recognized the voice of her dear friend Maria and ran towards it.

“Maria,” she called softly, not wanting to alert Sir Kyle to her location, “Are you there Maria?”

Just then Maria came into view and Liz ran to her, embracing her friend tightly. “Are you all right? I was so worried about you?”

Maria would not stop hugging the princess, “You were worried about me? I am not the one who stayed out all night alone in the middle of a raging storm! I know you wanted an adventure, but this was a bit much.” She pulled back so that she could see Liz was in one piece and could not help but notice that Liz’s hair and arms were shimmering in the sunlight.

Overjoyed to see Maria, Liz bombarded her with questions, “How did you find me? Where is Alex? Is he safe as well, or did you both get separated?” Liz began to laugh at Maria’s uncharacteristic silence, “Tell me, please. Do not keep me in suspense.”

Maria could not take her eyes off of Liz’s glittering skin and hair. As Michael rounded the bend, he noticed the silvery shimmer as well and knew its’ origin immediately. He quickly looked at Max in shock, disbelieving that Max would use his magic dust on a stranger. Maria asked, “My lady, maybe first you could tell me why your arms are shining like pieces of silver? And your hair, why is it glittering in the sunlight like this?”

Michael stared at Max, furious for the danger he was certain this would create, “Yes, Max, I am interested to know the answer to that myself.”

Maria suddenly noticed Max was standing behind Liz and she looked at Michael, “So this is your friend Max? I guess you were right, Michael, they did find each other.” Maria then realized Liz’s skin and hair most likely had something to do with Max. After all Liz was indeed a princess and Maria could not help but be overprotective. She grabbed Liz’s hand and pulled her close, “Liz, can we talk in private?” They moved away and catching the princess off guard, Maria remarked, “I have heard the captain tell of how outsiders leave silver marks just like this on their victims. Princess, are Max, Michael, and Isabel outsiders and did Max do anything to hurt you? You can tell me the truth.” Liz was stunned by Maria’s straightforward questions and the look on her face told Maria she was right. “I cannot believe this. What should we do?”

Liz pleaded, “We will do absolutely nothing and will not tell anyone. Please, Maria, he did not harm me at all. He saved me. This must remain a secret.”

Fighting to keep his emotions in check, Michael pulled Max to the side, “It seems as if much has happened here and I do not just mean the storm.” Once they were out of earshot of the two young women, he interrogated Max, “Would you like to tell me why you risked our very lives on that girl over there? What would possess you to use magic dust on her? We will certainly be exposed to Captain Valenti and thrown in the dungeon!” Max was still watching her. Just being this far from her side made his heart ache. Michael waved his hand on front of Max’s face, “Are you even listening to me? Do you realize what you have done?”

This angered Max. More than anyone, he knew the risk of telling Liz the truth. Max was always the cautious one, protecting his family until his father could return. He understood the serious nature of his actions, so he responded in a stern tone, “I know exactly what I did, Michael, and you would have done the same thing. Liz slipped down a steep embankment and hit her head on a large rock. There was so much blood from her wounds she would have certainly died had I not used the magic dust. I could not leave her like that.”

At that moment, Isabel and Alex made their way to the same location as their friends. Alex sprinted to Maria and Liz and grabbed both of them in his arms and the three of them hugged each other close. “What a wondrous sight it is to see you both,” Alex exclaimed. “You had us worried to death, my lady. What happened to you last night?” he inquired. Then he noticed her silvery radiance, “And why are you glowing?”

As Isabel made her way over to her brother and Michael, she could see the tension between them. “The crystals worked, Michael. I could sense your location once you found Max. Alex and I were nearby. What is wrong with you two? Did something happen to Maria and Alex’s friend?”

Michael nodded his head in Liz’s direction, “Well let us see, do you notice anything special about her? Perhaps that her hair and arms seem to have tiny flecks of shiny silver all over them?” Isabel gasped in surprise as she recognized Max’s magic dust all over the young woman. “Max took it upon himself to ignore our secret pact to never show another living soul any of our sorcery. He used it to heal a few scratches on her arms, and now all of us are in danger."

Staring him directly in the eyes, Max retorted, “They were more than scratches, Michael. I just did what I felt was right. Father would have done the same thing.”

Isabel tried to remain clam, but it was not easy, “I am furious with you for this, Max, but we have a more serious problem now. How are we going to explain this to them, so that they do not suspect we are sorcerers and tell Captain Valenti.” She looked at their new friends as Alex and Maria examined Liz, “We must think of something quickly before they can ask any questions. Max backed away slowly, hanging his head guiltily. Isabel knew what that meant, “Max, you did not tell her the truth already, did you? Please tell me that you made up a story but did not tell her it was magic?”

Max tried to explain, “Liz will not tell anyone. She gave me her promise, and I trust that she will keep her word.” Isabel and Michael could not believe what was happening. “Listen to me, Liz is the key to my destiny, she is the woman from my vision. I knew it the instant my eyes saw her lying on the ground in front of me. She is my true love and I am hers. She will not betray us.”

Michael was furious, “Max, maybe she is not destined to change your life for the better. Perhaps she changes your life by exposing you and ruining your life. Did you ever think of that? Your decision to tell her affects us all, not just you.”

“We can trust her, Michael. Please believe me,” Max answered. He looked down the path at Liz and as their eyes met, they both grinned widely.

“Liz, are you sure he did not harm you in anyway?” Maria repeated. “You are the princess of Roswell and –“

Liz rolled her eyes, “Maria, please stop worrying. Max is not like that. He is different, and he would not harm me. I knew I was safe the moment I saw him.” She paused before she revealed Max’s identity, “He is the man from my dreams! My dear friends, Max is my true love, the one I have waited my entire life to find. Our meeting was fate, and I am so happy! We had the most glorious night together.”

“Are you sure?” Alex inquired. “How do you know he is the right man?”

Liz sighed and smiled, “Believe me, I know he is my love, and my heart will belong to him always.”

Max and his friends slowly made his way over to Liz, Maria, and Alex. Max walked over to Liz and stood by her side, “Liz, I would like you to meet my sister Isabel and our friend Michael. Being the generous and understanding people that they are, they provided your friends with shelter last night from the storm.” Maria looked at Max still unsure of what to make of him. With all of the lively conversation, the young men and women never heard the sounds of hooves approaching. In an instant the narrow path was covered with a dozen knights of the king’s army, led by Sir Kyle, the fiancée of Princess Liz. In one swift motion, he dismounted his horse and was standing in front of Liz …and Max.

They were all stunned. “My lady, thank heavens I have found you,” he exclaimed breathlessly. “We were all so worried when you were not in your room last evening. Your mother is beside herself with worry.” He examined Max from top to bottom wondering who this man was standing so close to his future bride. His tone turned serious, “It is imperative that you return with me at once. It is not safe for you to be out alone. We fear outsiders may be lurking in these woods.”

Liz began shaking, shocked at these current events. No, it cannot happen like this, she said silently. In an effort to protect them all, Isabel approached Liz and placed her shawl around her shoulders. There was nothing to cover Liz’s hair, but at least the shawl hid her silver arms. Liz thanked her with a nervous smile and turned to Kyle, “Sir, how did you find me? I do not wish to return there yet. Please let me be.” Max did not know what to do. It was obvious that she knew the royal guards. His instincts told him to protect the woman he loved, but a little voice told him to flee.

Kyle implored her, “You do not understand. You must return. Your mother found your note after you and Lady Maria disappeared last evening. Your father gathered a search party to find you before the storm raged. Your father and my father disappeared. They may have been taken by some outsiders or the Hubble dragon. Your mother is desperate for you, as she feared you met the same fate as your father.” Wanting to console her, Max moved closer to Liz and put her arm around her as comfort. Kyle erupted, “Remove your arm, you miserable wretch! How dare you place your hands on the crowned princess of Roswell! She is my fiancée, not some commoner you can handle as you wish.”

Princess? Did he just call Liz a princess? Max’s head was spinning. This could not be true. Michael and Isabel grabbed Max and pulled him away. They could not waste a moment. They needed to leave right away. Their new “friends” were spies, and their secret would be out soon. They started to run, when Kyle called out to the guards to capture them.

Liz’s angelic face pleaded with Max to let her explain, but his anguish tore at her heart. She had hurt him deeply with this betrayal, and she just wanted a chance. He looked away sharply, her face too painful for him. “Let go of them! Please wait, Max. Let me explain,” she cried as she tried to run to him. Kyle grabbed hold of her arm and would not let go.

“Princess, we must leave right now. These three may be dangerous, and it is my duty to protect you from any wrongdoers. We can hold them in the village until the king and captain are found. We must make haste and return to your castle.”

Suddenly Liz turned angry and shook her arm free of Kyle’s grasp. She stared at him and with an unflinching voice commanded, “Sir Kyle, you will release these three individuals immediately. They have committed no crimes other than offering warmth and shelter to some lost travelers. We are in their debt, and now you wish to punish them for their kind deeds?” Kyle waved to the guards to release Max and the others, but the damage had been done. Liz and her friends needed to return home. Her mother needed her.

Liz, confused and bewildered, turned to Max, Michael, and Isabel and spoke flatly, trying not to show any of the emotions tearing through her, “We thank you for your kindness and hospitality. A grave situation has arisen, and my presence is needed.” Max turned from her sharply, fighting back his burning tears.

Michael and Isabel stared at the princess and her friends with disgust and loathing. Guiltily Maria and Alex turned from their new friends knowing any explanations or words would fall on deaf ears. They were untruthful after Michael and Isabel had been so helpful and compassionate. They mounted a horse brought forth by one of the guards and rode towards the direction of the castle.

Sir Kyle helped the princess onto his own horse. As she reached her right arm up, the shawl slid back to reveal her silver speckled arms and more importantly, the large silver patch of skin above her right wrist where the branch jabbed her. Liz quickly slid the shawl back down, but by then it was too late, Sir Kyle had already seen it.

Isabel touched Max’s arm lightly, “Come along, brother, we must leave now.” Max took one last look at Liz before he walked away from her. As he stared at the princess with frustration and anger, one single tear rolled down his cheek.

***

The queen waited anxiously on her throne for any word of the king or her princess. She was beside herself with worry. At that moment the doors flung open and in raced Princess Liz with Maria and Alex. Liz rushed to her mother and threw her arms around the queen’s neck, “Oh my darling, where have you been? We were sick with grief not knowing what happened to you,” she exclaimed with a broad smile lighting up her face.

Liz ignored her mother’s questions, “Mother, I am fine, but what happened to father and the captain? Have you had any news of them yet?” Liz got very solemn, “I feel just awful about this, mother. If I had not run away, father would still be here safe with you.”

“Sir Kyle and the guards have been searching for them since the moment it happened.” Then she noticed her daughter’s sparkling hair, “My child, why are you glittering so? Did something happen to you?”

As if on cue Kyle entered the room, “Yes, princess, please show us,” he said smugly. “My father told me about the silver marks that outsiders leave on people after they have used magic on them. I saw the silver marks on your arms and wrists, princess. And I can see it now in your hair. Your majesty, I believe that your daughter may know where the king is being held.” Kyle then approached Liz and pulled the shawl given to the princess by Isabel to reveal the silver marks up and down her arms.

The queen looked at her daughter in horror, but Liz screamed, “That is a lie! How dare you make such an accusation and in the presence of her majesty at such a desperate time. Please leave this room at once, Sir Kyle.”

“I beg your pardon, princess, but who are your new ‘friends’? Are they outsiders seeking revenge on your father and are you helping them in any way?” Liz was paralyzed with anger. These allegations were so ludicrous.

The queen finally spoke, “Sir, that is enough! My daughter adores her father and would never conspire to bring harm to him. You will leave this room at once if you insist on disrespecting the princess of Roswell and my family. You should be out searching for the real kidnappers instead of interrogating the king’s daughter. Now be gone!”

Kyle tried to interject, “But your majesty …”

With a strong voice she commanded, “I said be gone!” and he skulked away still unconvinced of the princess’ innocence. Then she motioned for Maria and Alex to exit as well. She wanted to be alone with her daughter. The queen grew somber, “My child, please come sit with me so that I may touch you and know that you are really safe.”

“Mother, please. I am fine.” Liz replied. She hesitated but she needed to know something, “Mother, you do not believe that any … “ she hated to use the term, “outsiders kidnapped father do you? Do you truly think that they are a threat to us and the kingdom of Roswell?” The queen did not answer, and Liz was sorry for asking the question at such an inappropriate moment, “I apologize, mother. It is important that we concentrate on finding the king now. Other things are of little consequence. I just feel so responsible for everything that has happened.”

“Darling, do not blame yourself for it is not you who is being punished,” the queen remarked as she stared off deep in her thoughts, “It is the king and I who are being punished.”

Liz sat upright, perplexed by her mother’s statements. “What do you mean? How is this your fault?”

Speaking more to herself than to Liz, the queen explained, “It happened so long ago. We thought we were doing right by our kingdom. We did not know where to find his children and we could not bear the turmoil if anyone found out. We knew we destroyed his family and then did nothing to help them. And now the king pays the price for our sins.”

Grabbing her shoulders, Liz forced the queen to focus on her, “Mother, what are you talking about? Please try and make some sense. What family? What children?” Liz then realized the source of her mother’s torment. “Are you talking about The Outsider and his family? Are you saying that you knew the truth about that incident all this time and did nothing to prevent it? How could you do that to them? They miss their father desperately.”

With a shamed look and between tears the queen said, “The father of Captain Valenti confessed while on his deathbed. He told us that The Outsider was defending his children and another boy and that the man was not the aggressor. He did not want to die with the burden of his sins. But instead of making things right, the king and I continued with the secret.” She took her daughter’s hands in hers and continued, “Please do not be angry or disappointed with us. At the time we felt it was the proper thing to do. After that dreadful incident with The Outsider and the captain’s father, such fear began growing in our hearts and the hearts of our subjects. The king passed the edict banning sorcery to try and ease the minds of those who feared outsiders. We believed he and those like him were dangerous to our way of life. So he was captured and placed in a dungeon where he would never be found.”

“So then all of the rumors about a secret dungeon are true, and you are holding him there right now. My ears deceive me, because I cannot believe what I am hearing,” Liz stated in disbelief. Then she saw flashes of Max and his friends, their faces lonely and confused. Living as orphans for most of their lives wondering where their father was. Her parents caused that pain. Her loving, just, trustworthy parents had destroyed his life and family out of fear. Liz exploded, “You say you acted in that manner so that your people would not be afraid, but you are the ones they should fear.” Liz approached the queen, “Give me the key to the dungeon right now, mother. You are going to end this. You are going to release him and grant him a full pardon. Then you are going to reunite The Outsider with his family. It is the only way to fix this atrocity”

Flabbergasted at her daughter’s outburst, the queen protested, “Liz, I am still the queen and you cannot order me like some servant.”

Liz calmed herself down and spoke gently, “I am sorry, Mother. I did not mean to disrespect you. It is just that I know how much The Outsider’s children miss him.” Liz took her mother’s hand and placed them on her silver arms, “Do you see these marks? Kyle was correct, I did get them from an outsider, but he was not trying to hurt me. He saved my life with his powers last evening. I fell down an embankment and was bleeding badly. A kind and gentle man walked by and risked his life to save me. He was so open and honest with me, and he touched my heart. He showed me that not all magic is evil, like the captain would like everyone to believe.” She looked her mother in the face, “He is the son of The Outsider, and we owe my life to him. The least we could do is restore his family to him. Think of how terribly you miss father right now. Imagine having that feeling everyday for so many years. Please do the right thing. Enough lives have been destroyed by this secret, and it is time to set things straight.”

Crying silently, the queen raised her hand to her neck and found a necklace. She pulled it free from her dress to reveal a chain with a large key at the end of it. “Here is the key. There is only one entrance to the secret dungeon. It is located behind the large tapestry in the king’s quarters. Only the captain, the king, and I know of its location. Please bring this ordeal to an end. I just hope it is not too late,” she said as she smiled weakly.

Liz graciously took the key from her mother, “It is never too late to do the right thing. Please come with me to see him. He deserves an apology from you directly.” She hugged the queen and smiled, “An apology I am certain he will grant.”

No wonder they could never find the entrance, Liz realized as she moved the large tapestry back to reveal a large wooden door. As they walked down the long stairwell, Liz was apprehensive. The dungeon was dank and dark except for some candles on the wall. She was scared, but was joyous to know Max would be reunited with his father. It eased her pain over her own father to know that at least one family would be together soon. She just hoped Max could find a way to forgive her. Neither woman knew what to expect. As they approached, the prisoner jumped up startled by his visitors. As she unlocked the door and entered, he looked directly into Liz’s face, and Max’s eyes stared back at her for Max was blessed with the same soulful eyes as his father.

They all stared at each other for a minute and then Liz finally broke the silence, “Sir, I am Princess Liz and this is my mother the queen. Please pardon our intrusion, but sir, the truth of the events surrounding your imprisonment has been brought to our attention only recently. It is with the utmost sincerity and heartfelt condolences that we beg you to find it in your heart to forgive my family and I for the grief and suffering you and your family have suffered at our hands.” The Outsider just stared at them unable to move. “Sir, I am telling the truth. You are free to go be with your family. They will be overjoyed to see you once again. As a gesture of our sincerity towards you, a warm bath has been drawn for you and a fine meal has been prepared for you upstairs in the castle.”

The man moved towards them, hesitantly. He cleared his throat and then spoke, his voice hoarse, but still gentle, “You know of the children? Are they safe and well?”

Liz smiled softly and took his hand, “Max, Isabel, and Michael are all in good health, but they desperately miss you. They have been looking for you and hoping for your safe return since that dreadful day. And they wait for your return as you promised,” Liz responded.

The queen added, “My daughter opened my eyes to the error of our harsh judgement of you. You were tried unjustly and I must bear the burden of that for the rest of my life. I just pray that you find the happiness you deserve.” Believing their sincerity and seeing the obvious pain on their faces, The Outsider knew there was nothing he could say or do which could punish them worse for what happened. As a sign of forgiveness, he went to the queen and picked up her hand. He leaned over and kissed it gently then lifted his head and smiled with his soulful eyes. She did not shy away from his kind gesture, but instead leaned over and hugged him. Between heavy sobs, she cried, “Thank you, sir!”

“Thank you, your majesty,” he said sweetly. “And please, call me Ray.”

***

After Ray bathed and changed into clothes fit for a nobleman, he thanked the queen and the princess for their hospitality but insisted on leaving. He wanted to see his family. Liz, Maria, and Alex offered to accompany him, and on their journey Liz told him all about Max, Michael, and Isabel or at least as much as she could. Maria and Alex filled in where Liz could not. Alex told Ray of Isabel’s love of poetry and her kind heart, “She is very confident and intelligent. She could hide behind her beauty to keep people away, but she does not. Isabel has a nurturing side and wants to protect people she cares for. I think that is why she risked being discovered and welcomed two complete strangers into her home during a storm. She wanted to protect us.”

Maria chimed in, “Michael also seems to care deeply, but he does not wear his heart on his sleeve that is for sure. He is impetuous and passionate, but inside he is as gentle as a lamb. His family means the world to him, which is why he searched so long for you, Ray. Seeing you again will mean the world to each of them.”

Liz proceeded to tell Ray everything she could remember about Max down to the tiniest detail. Each time she spoke of Max her face beamed with love and joy and this was not lost on Ray. “My dear princess, you speak so fondly of my son Max. You sound as if the two of you are very close. Are you certain you have only met him once? You speak as if you have known him your entire life.”

Blushing the princess said, “Truth be told, sir, I dreamt of meeting Max long before I ever laid my eyes upon him." Then she grew solemn, "I fear though that Max cares to never lay his eyes upon me again.”

Surprised, Ray replied, “I do not believe a young man could feel that way towards such a compassionate and lovely princess such as you. I realize I have been away from people for a number of years, but I doubt it is common for princesses and commoners to become such close friends as you have described. You two must have something special. You must be mistaken of his feelings for you.”

Liz tried not to cry, “Unfortunately, I speak the truth. It is the fact that I am the princess of Roswell that upsets Max so.” Sensing Ray’s confusion, Liz explained, “You see, the night we met, Max told me his secret. He did not hide it from me. On the other hand, I kept my identity a secret, and he blames my parents for losing you. Please understand I did plan on telling him, but before I had a chance Sir Kyle, who is Captain Valenti’s son,” she paused, “and my fiancée, rode up on his horse and exposed me just as I was about to confess to Max. But I do not love Sir Kyle; I love your son. Circumstances prevented me from explaining everything to Max at that very moment. I could see the feelings of betrayal in Max’s eyes, and I do not think he will forgive me.” Ray nodded that he understood Liz’s predicament, and Liz added, “I am not telling you this, Ray, so that you might change Max’s mind about me. I know that I have to do it in my own way, but I just felt you should know the situation before we arrived at your house. In case there is any unpleasantness or awkward feelings.”

“My lady, I know you speak from the heart. All that secrets do are foster ill will and fear. If you are as honest with Max as you have been with me then I am certain he will forgive you.” They walked in silence for a while, and then Ray turned to her, “You said earlier that certain circumstances prevented you from telling my son the truth. What were they?”

Liz had been trying to keep her mind focused on something other than her father, which was the main reason she offered to accompany Ray. She knew if she waited at the castle, she would go mad. As Liz told him of the king’s disappearance, the tears flowed freely, “I fear he may be lost forever, and we do not know where to find him. No one has ever seen the Hubble dragon or his lair. This event actually prompted your release, Ray. Feeling the pain of losing her own family, my mother finally confessed the truth of the incident with you so long ago. She also confessed that there was a secret dungeon where you were hidden, and you know the rest. I just hope my father is alive and safe. I cannot bear to lose him,” she sobbed.

He comforted the princess as much as he could, but he knew there was only one thing he could do to mend her heart. He recognized the trail leading to the secret hideaway he built long ago, “Come, my dear. I know how to help your father.” And he led her down the path to the enchanted cottage.

***

“Michael, I told you that I was sorry. What more do you want me to do?” Max asked grumpily. “I cannot explain the feelings I had when I was with her. The moment my eyes saw her lying there, I knew she was my destiny. I just never dreamed it would be her fate to destroy me. You must believe me. I never meant to endanger us.”

Isabel was busy gathering some clothing and other items to take with them, “Listen, Max, the damage is done. We need to hurry. We must leave before Liz tells her fiancée everything and they return with more guards.” Her fiancée. The words burned Max worse than any fire from Hubble’s mouth could.

Michael was cleaning the hot embers from the fireplace, “Now we will never find Ray. We will have to leave Roswell and never be allowed to return. Thanks to you we have lost any hopes of seeing him again.” Michael glared at Max who was sitting at the table. His heart was broken and he could not bring himself to move, “Isabel and I spent all evening with Maria and Alex, and not once did we come close to mentioning the fact that we have powers. Meanwhile you confess everything to a girl you think you saw in a vision.”

Nervously buzzing about, Isabel spoke up, “This arguing is not helping. We must make haste. And Michael, we are as much to blame as Max. You and I were too quick to trust Maria and Alex with their story. We showed them all around our home and how to navigate through the forest. They deceived us just as we deceived them. I am certain that Alex could find his way back if need be.” Isabel began to get angry with herself. I should never have believed that wretch Alex to be kind and earnest, she chastised. I bet he is not even a musician, she thought. She should not have trusted him with any secrets.

Isabel is right, Michael admitted silently. He had begun to let his guard down in front of Maria, and had he met Maria under similar circumstances, it could easily have been Michael begging Max and Isabel for forgiveness. He stood up from the fireplace and picked up a blanket, which lay on the floor. It was the one he placed around Maria’s shoulders when she came in from the rain. It still smelled like her with faint scent of rose petals lingering on it. He threw it back down, “So are we packed and ready to leave yet?”

“Well I hope you were not planning on leaving without saying goodbye first,” a voice said from the front door. Max, Michael, and Isabel all turned towards the door wondering if it could be the voice they had been yearning to hear. Isabel rushed at her father and threw her arms around him knocking him a bit off balance. Michael then joined in and all three shared a long overdue hug.

“Father, is it really you?” Isabel questioned.

“Do my eyes deceive me?” echoed Michael.

Max stood by the table unable to move his feet. Ray looked up and saw an identical pair of eyes staring back. His face broke into a wide grin and he held out his arms to Max, “Have you grown so much that you cannot even give your old father a hug?”

Finding his feet, Max ran into his father’s arms hugging him tight. “I am so happy to see you. We missed you terribly,” Max said to his beloved father. “How did you get free?”

Ray walked to the door and opened it, “With some help from some very dear friends,” he replied as he stepped aside to allow room for Princess Liz, Lady Maria, and Squire Alex, nervous and shaking, to enter the cottage. “I believe you all know one another.”

Max’s heart ached when he saw her. She looked lovely in her royal garments, but she carried the same sadness in her face as Max. “Father, you cannot believe anything this woman has told you. She is a liar,” Max’s words hit Liz like a dagger. “She is the princess of Roswell and the fiancée of Captain Valenti’s son. Do not be fooled by her angelic face and sweet voice for she will betray you as she has certainly betrayed me.” Max was upset and he spoke passionately.

Ray looked at each of them, “It is you who are mistaken for it is the kindness and just nature of this woman which returns me to you.” All three scoffed at such a notion. They were positive that Liz and her friends only used them to find the location of their secret cottage. They knew Captain Valenti and the king’s army would not be far behind. But Ray defended them, “You are wrong. The moment the princess learned about my false imprisonment, she convinced the queen to release me immediately with a full pardon. If it were not for her faith, and her love, I would still be locked away.” Ray held onto Liz’s hand, “Princess Liz deserves your gratitude not your cruelty. We are indebted to her.”

Michael objected, “No, Ray! We cannot. What if your release is just a trick to capture us all? They are skillful liars and wonderful actors,” said Michael as he remembered Maria’s realistic tears from the previous night. “Fine actors indeed. We must leave this forest immediately.”

Liz stepped forth, her voice firm and brave, “That will not happen. Ray is a free man. You may all live together here in this cottage without any further threat from the royal guard. The edict will be lifted as soon as the king is able.”

Momentarily forgetting his anger, Max moved towards her to comfort her, “Then they have yet to find them? They are still missing?” He looked at her with deep concern in his eyes, but then almost as quickly remembered her betrayals and stepped back.

Feeling energized Ray announced, “And he will remain missing unless we work together to find them.”

In unison the young people all chimed, “WHAT?”

Ray grinned, “I said, we will find them. You see, the dragon’s lair is shielded by a magic spell. That is why ordinary people are never able to find its location. Only a sorcerer possesses the abilities to break the magic spell to get in, if he knows the right spell.” Winking at Liz he said, “Lucky for your father, I just happen to know it. But I will need all of you to help. It has been a while since I have practiced any magic. I will need all of your strength and power to make this incantation work, for you have been practicing more often than I have. The spell is not easy, so we need to start right away. Isabel and Max, get my potions. Michael, grab my spell books. There is much to be done.”

When all the preparations were made, the four sorcerers gathered in a circle in a clearing outside their home. First they needed to find the location of Hubble’s lair. They looked at each other smiling, enjoying this moment they feared would never occur – practicing magic together once again. Ray was bursting with joy for his three young sorcerers. They were still children when he was taken away, but now they were mature and their magic had matured with them. He was in awe of their strength and abilities, and he beamed with pride. Ray began chanting and then Max, Isabel, and Michael joined in. Liz, Maria, and Alex were nearby gazing in wonder of the sight before them. As the chanting grew louder, a light began forming inside the circle becoming brighter and brighter. It formed a large iridescent orb which shimmered in the late afternoon sky.

“What is that?” Maria asked, but neither Liz nor Alex knew what to say. They just stared at the magic in front of them, captivated by its beauty. Then the orb seemed to change. Images swirled by too quickly for Liz and her friends to decipher, but Max and the others seemed energized by the experience. Slowly the orb disappeared and the chanting slowed to a stop. Filled with excitement, the four sorcerers hugged each other for a long time, and then they walked over to where Liz was standing.

Liz looked at Max his face still flushed by the experience, “Were you able to see anything? It all seemed to go by so quickly from here? Did you see my father and the captain?”

Max raised his hand and touched her cheek gently, “Yes, we saw them, and they are fine at the moment. But we need to get to them quickly for they are weak and need our help. We need to find them before the sun sets, because that is when Hubble will awake from his sleep and begin hunting for the evening.” Not one to wait, Michael started towards a trail, “The lair is this way. We must hurry!”

They all walked deep in concentration knowing their next task would require all of their energy. They needed to rid their minds of any distracting thoughts. Not one for long speeches, Michael caught up with Maria. He touched her arm gently, “I am sorry for my harsh words about you and your friends back at the cottage. I have never trusted anyone besides Max, Isabel, and Ray before. Then I met you and for some reason felt that I could trust you as well. When I thought you betrayed us, I was shaken.” He looked nervously at the forest floor, but then looked into her blue eyes, “I am glad I was wrong. Thank you.” Maria smiled at him and looped her arm through his. They walked arm in arm, happy to be near each other.

Knowing that Alex was not the wretch she once believed him to be, Isabel approached Alex, “So if you are not a woodsman, what do you do?”

Thrilled that she was talking to him again, Alex grinned, “Honestly, I am a squire or a knight’s apprentice.” Isabel had a surprised expression on her face, so Alex continued hurriedly, “But it is not my dream to stay a squire. I did not lie about my love of music, dear Isabel. My dream is to be a musician, and after hearing your poems with my music, I am more certain than ever. We make an excellent pair. Do you agree?”

She held his hand and smiled, “An excellent pair indeed.”

Ray watched his son walk with thoughts weighing heavy on his mind. Max and Liz would steal glances at each other but neither would speak first. Ray quickened his pace and caught up with him, “Max, fighting the Hubble dragon will require your full attention. You need to clear your mind of everything else. If you have any troubling thoughts or show signs of weakness, Hubble will defeat us. Do you understand? You need to resolve whatever argument your heart is having inside of you or it could be dangerous for us all.”

Max chuckled lightly, “It is not that simple, father. She pretended to be something she was not. I opened my heart to her, and she betrayed me. She is the daughter of the king and queen who wrongfully imprisoned you, and also she is engaged to marry someone else. Yet she did not feel that was important information to tell me.” He paused, “And she broke my heart. She was my vision from when I was just a young boy. She was perfect in every way, but the vision turned out to be all wrong.”

Ray stopped walking and turned Max to him, “Listen to yourself. Of course it turned out to be wrong, because the princess is not a perfect vision, she is a person, a woman who loves you dearly. You of all people should understand the burden of keeping your identity a secret. She has never had to shield her identity from anyone. She did not have the luxury of your experience in judging when to keep a secret and when to tell the truth. Deep down you know she does not love Kyle, she loves you. I saw it the first time she spoke of you. Please do not judge her so harshly.” Ray looked ahead of them and knew they were near the lair, “Max, I cannot tell you what to do, but I will say this. I believe you know where your heart lies. Trust it, for true love never leads you down the wrong path.”

His father was right. Max gave his heart to Liz when he healed her on that fateful night. There was no use denying his love for her. They both made mistakes, but he would not let that come between them anymore. He began to walk towards her. He wanted to take her in his arms and never let go. His eyes were filled with emotion as he approached her, “Liz,” he called to her as he moved faster and faster to her. Her eyes lit up when she heard him call her name. It made her feel warm and safe. Their eyes locked, and she knew all was forgiven. They met in an embrace and kissed each other passionately. “Oh my sweet, please forgive me for doubting you. I should have trusted in our love.”

Liz was crying tears of joy, “No, it is my fault. I should have told you the minute I awoke. I have never regretted anything more in my life.” Liz moved back, “Max, you must believe me, I never intended to marry Sir Kyle. I never loved him. My parents arranged it, but it was never my desire to be his wife. That is why I ran away. I knew my true love was waiting for me, and I was right.”

They were so happy, but it would have to wait. Michael approached Max, “We are here. It is time.”

They passed this bluff a thousand times before but never knew of its secret. Protected by a magic spell was the entrance to Hubble’s lair, and inside waiting to be rescued was the king of Roswell and the captain. The four sorcerers formed a circle outside the cave. Ray placed some magic crystals at their feet and sprinkled magic dust around the perimeter of their circle. Then he stepped inside and they all joined hands. Isabel began the chant, her voice strong and vibrant. The others joined in and quickly light started shining from each individual. They could feel the force between them. As individuals, their powers worked well, but when joined together, their strength was immense. Around them the trees started to bristle and birds flew from their nests. The winds began to howl and animals scurried for safety. But the four grew stronger and the light became brighter.

Suddenly like a bolt of lightning, the beams moved towards a wall in the forest covered by brush and twigs. The light cleared everything away and revealed an opening. The spell had worked. The lair was a large cave, dark and damp, with sharp rocks hanging above them like sharp swords. Liz peered inside and was terrified of what she saw. There were skeletons and bones from Hubble’s past victims strewn about and the stench was suffocating. Her father and the captain lying on the floor, their clothes torn and near death. Neither man had a weapon and terror was in their eyes.

Enraged at the intrusion, Hubble leaped out of his lair in all his glory with fire blazing out of his mouth. “Who dares disturb me while I am sitting down to a royal feast?“ he hissed. “Show yourselves, cowards, for I am certain I will have room for dessert.” The captain attempted to charge the dragon to attack him, but Hubble swatted him like a fly, and the captain sailed across the lair and landed on the ground. “I will deal with you later, little man, but first I have some magicians to destroy.”

The four stayed in their circle and chanted, still holding hands but not wavering in their strength. Hubble spotted them and blew fire directly on them.

Liz shrieked in terror, but they were not harmed. The fire passed through them and they were unscathed. Hubble blew more fire, but each time it just passed through. This made him angrier, but that only made the four sorcerers stronger. One by one each individual bent down and picked up the magic rock which lay at their feet. With their arms raised, the four held the magic crystals in the center of the circle so that the rocks were touching. His arrogance was unwavering, “Do you really think a few little rocks can defeat me? Step closer and feel my wrath.” As he walked towards them, the ground began to shake from his mighty footsteps. The vibrations were so forceful, it knocked each of the sorcerers off balance and they fell out of their circle of strength. As they lay on the ground, scurrying to get out of his path, Hubble swung his large scaly tale like sword and scattered them about. No longer protected by the circle, the dragon spit fire at them as they scurried away.

In the commotion, Alex left the safety of his hiding place with Maria and Liz. He made his way around the dragon and entered the cave. He went to the king and the captain and used his sword to free them from their restraints. Watching the chaos outside the cave unfold, the captain got an idea, “Squire Alex, give me your sword and your dagger!” Alex did as he was told and the captain went to the king. They whispered to each other briefly and the captain handed the sword to the king. They went to the front of the cave and were aghast at the sight before them. Hubble had Max trapped beneath his powerful foot! As he picked him up in his powerful claws, the king and captain let out a wail so loud it could be heard throughout the entire forest. They charged at the vile dragon and plunged their weapons into his body. Try as they might they could not reach the soft spot above the dragon’s heart, for this was the only vulnerable place on a dragon’s body. The only way to slay a dragon was to pierce this tiny spot, but the king and captain could not reach it.

Hubble writhed trying to shake the two nuisances off of him. He dropped Max from his grasp and stumbled backwards into the cave. As he twisted and turned about, his tail and arms struck the walls and roof of the cave and parts of it fell onto the floor. With almost no strength left, Max peered up at the ceiling as parts of it fell and had an idea. His magic crystal was still in his hand. He stumbled inside the cave and yelled as loud as he could, “Hubble! I am not finished with you yet.” The dragon turned around and stared at the sorcerer. He finally shook his two annoyances from his body and started towards Max. The timing had to be perfect.

Just when Hubble was standing beneath the sharpest, deadliest rock hanging from the lair’s roof, Max held up his crystal and aimed it at the base of the sword-like rock. Hubble heard the crack of it breaking free and looked up, exposing the soft spot above his breast. The rock charged down swiftly and plunged through his chest like a sword. Hubble was slain! Leaving her safe place, Liz ran to Max. He collapsed into the princess’ arms from exhaustion, “Oh no, my love. Please be all right. I cannot bear to lose you now.”

Slowly he opened his eyes and spoke weakly, “It would take more than a dragon to keep me from you, princess.” She leaned over and kissed him gently and held him in her arms.

Slowly the other sorcerers regained consciousness, shaken but alive. They were all wounded from their tussle with Hubble, but they would be all right. Maria tended to Michael and Alex went to Isabel. Ray rose and walked over to the king and the captain, who were both still in the cave after their ferocious fight with the dragon. The captain was kneeling over the king who lay motionless and bleeding badly from a deep wound across his chest. The others entered the lair and saw the king lying on the ground. “NO!” Liz shrieked. She buried her face in Max’s chest as he tried to console her.

Ray gently touched the captain’s shoulder, “Sir, please let me help him.” The captain looked at Ray knowing what he intended to do, but did nothing to stop him. There were no longer any doubts in his heart, The Outsider and his children possessed more nobility and courage than all the noblemen in the kingdom. What or who they were no longer mattered. In fact, it never should have. Without hesitation, Captain Valenti stepped aside. Ray took some magic dust and sprinkled it on the king’s chest healing it instantly and leaving a large silvery mark in its place.

The king opened his eyes and looked around him. Everyone was smiling, including Ray. He spotted Liz, “My darling daughter, I feared I would never see you again,” the king cried.

“And I you,” Liz answered as she helped him stand. “I am so happy you are safe. Father, this is Isabel and Michael and Max,” Liz informed the king. He smiled broadly at each of them shaking Michael and Max’s hands and kissing Isabel’s hand. When they stopped in front of Ray, everyone watched with great interest wondering how each man would react to the introduction, “And this is their father Ray, The Outsider.”

From behind them a voice rang out, “I knew it! The outsiders were behind this entire attack,” Sir Kyle announced. Kyle had been tracking the footsteps of Liz and her friends. He had a feeling she knew more than she let on and his keen tracking abilities led him and the entire army straight to the sorcerers and Hubble’s lair. “Guards, arrest these four and take them to the village. They will be thrown in the dungeon and will never see the light of day again.”

“Kyle, stop,” commanded Captain Valenti. “Son, lower your weapons. Hubble is the one who kidnapped us, not these four people. The king and I were returning to the castle just as the rain started to fall and Hubble creeped up from behind. We were knocked out and when we came to, we were on the floor of his lair with no weapons or means of escape. If it were not for these courageous and skillful magicians, his majesty and I would have surely been a feast for Hubble. They broke the spell shielding this cave, and together we all worked to destroy the dragon.” He looked at Ray and the other sorcerers, “I can never repay you for what you have done. I do not know if I could have been so gracious if the tables were turned. I have seen many wondrous and magical things today and none of them were evil. Please forgive me for my ignorance.”

The king stood up straight and stuck his chest out proudly displaying the silver mark. Ray held out his hand for the king to shake it, but the king just looked at it then he looked up into Ray’s face, “Thank you, sir, for saving me and returning me to my family. You had every right to let me perish, but you did not. You are all very brave and honorable to have performed this deed. You are truly noble,” and with that the king reached over and hugged The Outsider, and Ray hugged him back. Then Ray walked over to the captain and extended his hand.

The captain accepted it and shook it firmly grinning from ear to ear. Holding hands Max and Liz stood nearby watching their fathers smiling together, once enemies, but now friends. They started down the forest path heading towards the castle, for they needed to tell the queen of the good news. Liz told the king of the events leading up to the rescue, including Ray’s release and pardon, and Max healing Liz. “Max is my true love, father. He is the man I am destined to marry. I cannot bear to be away from him now that I have finally found him. Please hear me and understand this.”

The king knew it was futile to argue with his stubborn daughter. As he watched the two young lovers, their feelings were obvious to anyone standing near them. And anyone who would risk their own life to save a man when walking away would have been justified, was a man with more honor and courage than all of the knights in the kingdom. The king respected Max and his family and knew he would not stand in the way of what was blooming before his eyes. “You do not need to convince me, princess. I respect Max and the others. If he makes you feel even half as happy as you look, you both have my blessing. I have never seen you look so radiant.”

As the king rode into the village with his army and friends, the townspeople cheered. In front of his people, the king announced that the edict banning magic and sorcery was lifted and that all outsiders were now granted the same rights as every other person in the kingdom of Roswell. He brought Ray, Max, Michael, and Isabel in front of everyone and told of their heroic tale. From that moment on, the townspeople accepted their new friends and welcomed them into their kingdom.

***

When the ban on sorcery was lifted, new lives began to take shape for the sorcerers. They were no longer “outsiders” but instead were now welcome in Roswell. They would travel to the town square without using any Disguise Potion and talk with other villagers. It was a dream come true for all of them. Captain Valenti returned to his post as head of the king’s army with Sir Kyle by his side. The captain was still strict, but it was well known that the Hubble Incident softened his heart towards others. The king and queen were reunited and, with their new perspective, ruled their kingdom with honesty and justness. Fear no longer ruled them. As a gesture of their goodwill, they offered a position to Ray as an advisor to the king and queen, which he graciously accepted. With his magical talents and skillful sorcery, he helped the king and queen become even more beloved by their people.

Squire Alex and Lady Isabel wrote beautiful music and poetry together. They would often perform at the royal court at the request of the king and queen. They became known throughout the kingdom as the finest artists in all the land.

Lady Maria continued in her position as Princess Liz’s handmaid and trusted confidante. Having had enough adventure to last a lifetime, she was grateful for some quiet. Of course the quiet did not last long though, because of her frequent companion Michael. He was now a sorcerer’s apprentice under Ray, and he and Maria would take long walks through the countryside while he practiced his spells. He would practice his spells and she would help, sometimes even as his guinea pig. People still reminisce about the Silence Spell he tried on her.

It eventually wore off though.

Princess and Liz were married by the end of that spring. Still wanting to travel and see new things, the king and queen sent the two young lovers on a year long honeymoon to see the world. When it came time, they ruled together as honest and noble rulers. Max still worked his magic, and they often took walks through the forest to reminisce of their fateful meeting. They enjoyed each other and loved one another, and most importantly, Princess Liz and her true love Max lived happily ever after.

Mr. Raddish gave this story:

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