The Crumbling Brick - Book 1 of the Land of Neo Trilogy

by JoHannah Reardon

Prince Arche caused her to leave her dear friend.

  The crowd was just as large as it had been at Malus’ arrival but my, what a difference. Prince Arche was dressed in very common clothes of brown and tan linen and rode upon a donkey. His plain face seemed so unremarkable that Ella forgot what he looked like as soon as she turned away. In fact, few would notice him in a gathering if they didn't know him. The only impressive thing about him was the warm look in his eyes. When he gazed at Ella she felt as if she was floating above the land in the clouds. Contentment washed through her making her feel clean and refreshed. She wanted to grab his hand and stay near him always.

  Ella's bubble burst as she heard the maids-in-waiting giggle and whisper, "The Princess will not have much of a time choosing, will she?"

  "Indeed," another added. "Prince Malus is much more charming. Who would want such a plain person as King of Neo?”

  "Surely Princess Onyma will be able to see the real difference," Ella hissed to herself. She held her breath as the Princess greeted him in the great hall.

  "Greetings in the name of Kosmeo, my loyal Princess." Prince Arche's voice was strong and gentle at the same time, causing the Princess to give him her complete attention.

  "Welcome, Prince Arche," the Princess returned in such a soft voice that Ella could barely hear her. She too saw the warmth in his eyes, but made the mistake of looking over at Malus. He flashed his handsome smile, which caused her to close her heart to Prince Arche. She continued in a firm, unemotional voice as if to avoid noticing anything else good about him.

  "You will be shown to your room and we have prepared a dinner and a ball in your honor tonight."

  "Thank you," Prince Arche answered in a gentle tone that made Ella relax. "May I request a few moments of your time this afternoon? I have come a long way in order to speak to you."

  Onyma almost refused his request when she noticed Ella standing near the doorway. Her old doubts flooded her memory and she sullenly agreed to the meeting.

  "Very well, Prince Arche, I'll meet you for one hour only."

  "As you desire," Prince Arche agreed, and left the hall.

  The moment he left the room, Prince Malus was at Onyma’s side. "Awfully dull, isn't he?" he remarked with a snicker. "Don't worry; you may dance with me tonight. One as stunning as you shouldn't have to be seen with an old dullard such as that."

  Princess Onyma looked at Malus longingly but felt a great emptiness inside. She determined it was all this Prince Arche's fault. She would get rid of him as soon as possible. Oh, why had she agreed to meet him?

  The time came and Prince Arche greeted the Princess with a single rose. Before she could say anything, he began speaking in his compassionate voice.

  "Dear Princess, I have loved you far before I ever saw you and I commit myself completely to you and to your kingdom. I will live for your highest good and die for you if necessary. I will rule your subjects wisely and justly, always concerned for their best interests. Kosmeo is my light and the Great Book my guide. You need never fear me for I will always act on your behalf. I want you to be my bride so that I may always love and care for you.

  With these words, great teardrops fell from Princess Onyma’s eyes. In contrast to Arche's unselfish love, she understood how very vain she had been the last few days. She realized that Malus had never spoken of loving her or desiring her good. He wanted her, yes, but only so that he could possess her. His attractiveness turned to dust in her heart and Prince Arche's eyes glowed with handsome warmth.

  Saying nothing, she fell into Prince Arche's arms, shaking with great sobs. He showed no surprise but held her close to him.

  SEVENTEEN

  ELLA’S TRIAL

  At this very moment, Paschein and his band of evildoers raced into the castle. He demanded to see the Princess immediately and so she was summoned.

  She dried her eyes and straightened her shoulders as she prepared to meet him. "Yes, Paschein, do you have a report for me?" she asked with complete composure.

  “I do, Your Highness," he began in a convincing voice with a casual manner. "We have been to the site which the girl and the unicorn reported to you but we have found quite a different story than they would have liked you to believe."

  Princess Onyma’s face showed surprise. "Go on," she nodded.

  "Well, it is true that there are a number of new citizens in the monkey's village who call themselves Obs. We met them ourselves and all of us would like to report that they are fine individuals - a wonderful addition to the land of Neo. Many of the monkeys had tired of their village so they moved elsewhere and therefore sold their homes to the Obs. And that, Your Royalty, is all there was to the frightful lie that the girl and the unicorn perpetuated. "

  Now, Princess Onyma found this very difficult to believe considering the events of the last hour. Certainly Ella had been right concerning Prince Malus and she had trusted Ward from the beginning.

  "Where is the unicorn?" the Princess asked with furrowed brow.

  "Up and gone. When he knew that his falsehood was discovered, he took off like the wind. I only regret that I could not bring the traitor to you in irons. It causes me great disgust to see you betrayed like this.” Paschein’s voice rose in indignant anger.

  Princess Onyma was confused. She had no reason to distrust Paschein. He had been very helpful in the Council. Still, it just didn’t fit together. She certainly wanted to believe that Paschein was correct and these Obs posed no treat to Neo.

  "Therefore, Your Royalty, I propose that you take this girl into custody at once. She may be plotting evil against you at this very moment."

  “Mitto,” Princess Onyma turned to her guard. “Please bring Ella here immediately."

  Paschein smiled a wicked grin, content that all was happening as he had hoped.

  Ella came smiling also, delighted that the Princess should want to see her.

  "Yes, Your Highness," she said with a curtsey.

  "Ella," the Princess began, "Paschein has been to the village of the monkeys and returns with a report contrary to yours. He says Ward fled when he realized that everyone would know that you had lied. I do not believe you to be the sort who would intentionally declare a falsehood. Is it possible you could have been mistaken?"

  Ella’s face fell as she saw that she was on trial. She mostly feared that she had been wrong about the entire situation. "I must admit 1 know very little about the Obs, Princess Onyma. I only know that Torqueo, the monkey, was terrified of them. However, I do know Ward and can say with confidence that he would never run to hide from anything."

  Paschein, always looking for an opportunity, now turned to Ella. "You poor child. I can see the unicorn must have deluded you as well. How long did you know him before you came here?"

  "Only a few days, but..."

  "You see," Paschein directed his words to the Princess now, “this unfortunate creature was lead astray by the beast. We all know that unicorns are very quick to run away indeed. I entreat you to let this child return home unhindered. She obviously cannot handle matters of state."

  Ella felt her face turning hot with anger. She didn’t know why but she knew Paschein had evil plans toward the Princess. It was the Princess who must and did speak next.

  "It still doesn't make sense," she muttered, deep in thought. "What could the unicorn possibly gain by perpetuating such a story?"

  "I wondered the same thing, Your Royalty," declared Paschein with a slight bow. "I fear he may have been plotting an uprising. I believe he hoped to scare you into thinking you needed his protection then he would be able to work his way into your graces as he gained power.”

  The Princess gave a great sigh as she sat down. "Oh, I must think about all this. Thank you, Paschein, for your report. Ella, please stay. I wish to speak to you privately. "

  Paschein bowed low and gallantly strode out of the room.

  “Ella, I would like to apologize. You were right about Malus. Prince Arche has shown me what a fool I have been. Will you forg
ive me?"

  Ella was moved and surprised. "Of course, Your Highness."

  "That is all. Please come to the ball tonight. I will have an announcement which will please you."

  "I wouldn't miss it!" Ella responded with a grin that would have made the Cheshire Cat look like he was frowning. Her only fear now was for Ward.

  EIGHTEEN

  THE BATTLE

  As Princess Onyma got ready for dinner, she once again was summoned to the Great Hall. This time she was delighted to see her loyal subjects, the chipmunks.

  Prostrating themselves before her, the leader of the group spoke up. "Princess Onyma, I am Teneo, First Centurion Deluxe. I bring you news that Paschein and his men are in league with the Obs and with Malus to overthrow your kingdom. I rode in Ward’s mane and overheard all their plans. He would be here himself to tell you these things if the Obs had not cruelly beaten him and hid him in a cave. I escaped to bring you this warning.” Teneo almost collapsed after delivering this speech, brave to the end.

  "Dear Teneo," replied the Princess as she knelt down to support him. "You have cleared up a great mystery for me. I was beginning to put the pieces together but did not quite have the whole. Everything is perfectly clear now."

  The Princess was silent for a moment as she considered what she needed to do. "I believe all will come to a head tonight at the ball. May I trust you to gather all my loyal subjects to defend Neo tonight? You must come armed and ready to fight."

  "With my all life,