The ancient forest was alive with the familiar sounds of the creatures that dwelled therein. 
The smell of the earth moist from the morning's gentle rain was pungent in the air.  All seemed peaceful and serene yet Princess Ruby was filled with a sense of unease as she gracefully glided through the huge stately trees that stood like monuments to time past. The large ferns were proudly displaying their magnificent emerald fonts. The soft grasses underneath muffled the sound of her
steps as she hurried her pace.

She loved to roam the forest that had been ruled by her family since time was first remembered. It was the only domain that she had ever known.  Her Father, King Mitus, was a kind and wise ruler. Her Mother, Queen Emerald, was the most beautiful creature of the forest for which she had been named. Princess Ruby was on her way to visit her most favorite being, the ancient dragon, Draceana, whose immense and fierce exterior belied the gentle soul dwelling within. Draceana was known throughout the forest for her wisdom and for her knowledge of the world that lay beyond The Emerald Forest.

Princess Ruby looked forward to her visits with the ancient one for she loved to hear the stories about the outer world with all the strange creatures, as yet, unseen by the inhabitants of the peaceful forest.  She was sure that someday, and very soon, she would know for herself what lay beyond the Emerald Forest. Her thoughts were on all the possibilities that she would soon explore for herself as she was fast approaching the age of her own independence.


The feeling of unease was increasing as Princess Ruby approached the lair of the ancient one.  With
a sense of foreboding that she could not shake she began to quicken her pace to the portal of the lair.  She slowed her steps at the entrance and called to the ancient one.  She heard only the echo of her
own voice returning to her ears.

Princess Ruby entered deeper into the lair to the great room that had been carved from the mountain eons ago.  The fire still burned in the great stone circle so Draceana could not be far.  Princess Ruby called out again but still no answer, no sound but the crackling fire.

She looked carefully around the cave and noticed that things were not in their proper place.  The great torches were not burning, the water trough was on its side and the floor of the cave was still dark from the spilled liquid.  Something was terribly wrong.

Princess Ruby lifted her muzzle and took a long deep breath and then she knew what was amiss. One could not mistake that odious smell.  It meant only one thing; her dear friend was in serious trouble and had finally been captured by the most dreaded enemy of the forest dwellers, the hideous warrior tribe of the Jankernauts.




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Princess Ruby