The Background
Once upon a time in the land of Ilena lived a King and Queen. The King ruled his Kingdom with great pride, treating his people well. The people of Ilena were proud to be from there and they were proud of their ruler. For in Ilena there were no thing as different classes, such as peasants and royalty. They were one in Ilena. The King made sure that each person had food and shelter. So, even though the King was rich, he shared his riches with the Kingdom to make it something him and his people were proud of. And, everyone was proud of Ilena. It was a few years later, the Queen fell pregnant and the King was overjoyed at the thought of having an heir to the throne. The King started to plan everything as the birth drew near and one night in October, the Princess was born. Unfortunately, the plans didn't last.
It was a stormy night over the Ilena. The Princess, who had been called Kayla was now eight months old. The King and Queen personally took care of her, despite the numerous capable maids, they both loved to take care of their daughter right up until they put her to bed and this night was no different. The King had said goodnight to his daughter as the Queen took her upstairs while the King finished up a meeting. That was the last he saw of his daughter, and the night his family fell apart. As for Ilena, a deep sadness spread throughout the Kingdom for that night, the Queen was murdered and the Princess was taken.
Since that night, the King has been sending his best Knights out in search of his daughter. Even after 19 years, he still hasn't found his daughter or his wife's killer. Despite knights thinking the search is fruitless and useless, they still go out hunting for her upon the King's orders each year. But every time, they come back with nothing. Now, four of the King's best knights have been sent out in search of the Princess, but there is still little hope.
Down South, another land, Ayia, was ruled by a greedy King. The land was poor and unhealthy as the King took everything for his kingdom. The people that lived there were poor and unhappy, most having been starved due to little or no food, the land not strong enough to produce it. Anything that was produced was either in the kingdom itself, or taken to give to the King once found. The Palace was green and alive but the rest of the kingdom outside of the palace was more like a wasteland.
Here, if you didn't agree with the King, you were tortured and killed, along with your family. Any crime committed, guilty or innocent, you and the family was killed. The King was cruel and merciless, killing anyone in cold blood without a second thought. And his family in the palace, did nothing to stop him. But then again, they didn't know. The princess was sheltered, having never left the palace before due to the Kings orders. The Prince though, was a lot like his father and the heir to the throne, having left the Kingdom countless of times with his father to see the state of the land. It looked like he would become a ruthless ruler though, just like his father.
The King of Ayia has a lot of hidden secrets though. With his wife dead a little over 19 years ago, how did he get a 19 year old daughter? Was the date of the Queen's death wrong, or is the Princess' birthday wrong? Or, are their hidden secrets here that no one is telling?
And, does the King of Ilena find his long lost daughter? Does Ayia ever improve or do the people there continue to suffer? Will Ilena always have the question of what happened to the King's daughter solved, or will it continue to go unsolved, leaving Ilena without an heir to the throne?
Ilena
Pacing up and down his quarters, the King waited for his Knights to appear. He was very agitated and keen to get moving with what he was going to tell them. He'd called for the best Knights of the Kingdom now. People that he was confident would complete this task and solve the mystery that had been lingering over Ilena for the last 19 years. Where was the King's daughter, Kayla? And, who killed the Queen?
Looking up as there was a knock on the wooden door, he called called for them to enter, glad to see the guard and Knights enter. Finally, he took a seat and looked over his Knights, forming the sentences in his head as to what to relay to the Knights. As they stood there, he took in each and every one of them before nodding to himself, content that they were the best.
"Welcome. Thank you for coming. As you know, things have settled down and become quieter in the Kingdom and so I have a favour to ask all of you. Feel free to decline but you are my best Knights. I've had every other Knight go out and try to complete this, and each time they've come back with nothing. I'm sure you already know what I'm talking about." The King paused here, looking at the expressions of the Knights before him.
A few seconds later he continued. "I would like you to head down South, to Ayia, in search of my daughter. I want to know what happened to. You are my best Knights and I know you will find something and help solve what happened to her and my wife all those years ago." His expression was one of upset. He had never got over his wife's death or his daughters kidnapping. Despite people believing that she would never be found, the King would keep up his search until there was either a result, or his death.
"I have everyone making the necessary arrangements for travel to start tomorrow at first light. But, like I said, it's your decision. Should you accept, I will be at the stables to see you off at first light. If you have anything you want to say, say now or you can leave and prepare for tomorrow's travels should you decide to go. Thank you for your time. And should you go, I offer many more thanks. I'm sure you know that this search means a lot to me." The King nodded upon finishing, waiting to see if there were any questions or if the Knights were just going to leave to think about the request.
Ayia
Night had broken down South in Ayia and Princess Jasmine was sitting out in the courtyard. She'd previously been watching her brother, Shane and his friend Alexander, practise their sword fighting skills for most of the afternoon. Now though, Jazz was content on watching the night sky change to it's familiar blackness. The stars and moon could already be seen on the clear nights sky in June. It gave her time to say a small prayer to the mother she never knew.
Being the only female most of the time, (except for the maids who weren't allowed to interact with royalty in any way but to serve), Jazz often spent a small period of her evening talking to her mother when it was quiet. Shuffling a little, as she tried to get comfortable in her dress again, she stood to make sure the material hadn't got torn as she'd moved on the hard wooden bench. It hadn't, though the amount of times she'd ruined dresses, her father always easily replaced them.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a guard's voice. "Princess Jasmine. Your father has announced that dinner is ready and would like you and Shane to go eat with him in the main hall."
Jazz nodded and quickly replied. "Let him know I'm on my way and I'll be there soon."
He gave a short and swift nod before leaving. Jazz looked back up at the stars. The reflection in her green eyes. Getting up, she sorted out her pink dress before heading inside and towards the hall, wondering what feast was on the table tonight.