A Parent’s Curse

Glad you could join us for the next decisive episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

“When the Party ended,” King Arnie confided, “the trouble began.

“Everyone in Bog lined up to watch the Suns of Glory lead the residents of Fen back home. My critics grew increasingly restive as the Lady Persephone-less parade passed them by. When the last of our Fen friends had crossed the border and she still hadn’t, the whispers spread.”

Elliot could imagine them:

“The Prince is a fine, strapping frog — why doesn’t he stick to his own kind?”

“His royal ancestry dates back as far as the beginning of Bog — how can he think of tainting it with the blood of such a lowly slimer?”

“There are plenty of eligible young lady frogs right here. Why, my niece—“

~~~Prince Arnie’s increasingly restive critics

And on and on.

“By mid-day, the whispers had become an undercurrent of discontent infecting the entire Bog. Before the moon rose in the diamond-dusted evening sky, my father the King had heard rumors of an unhappy populace preparing to march on the castle in protest. He sent for me.

“ ‘Arnold,’ he said, ‘you know I love you and nothing is more important to me than your happiness — unless it threatens the peace of the Kingdom. You need to consider your responsibilities as the future King.’

“And there it was. ‘But, Father,’ I pleaded most reasonably, ‘Persephone and I love each other. We’re planning a life together. I can’t imagine going on without her!’ ”

“Then my father the King proved just how wise he was. He summoned the second most powerful Parent’s Curse.”

“Son, I will not tell you what to do. I trust you to search all the chambers of your heart and weigh the possibilities and consequences. I Know You’ll Do What’s Best.” Prince Arnie’s father the King

His Greatness paused and turned to Elliot. “Are you ready to continue, my friend?”

Gritting his teeth, our little hero nodded and pushed himself to rise. “I am. But, tell me, King Arnie, what did you do?”

A sardonic chuckle escaped the King. “I did what I always do when I have to make a heart-crushing decision — I hurried to a secret corner of the pond to ask advice of the most honest person I know.”

A blinding flash of pain surged through Elliot. The woods swirled dark and blurry around his head. He wanted to ask who the King had seen, but he could only gasp as he collapsed at the King’s feet.

To be continued…

Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .

Author: Sue Ranscht

Having survived valve repair surgery and an experimental cardiac bypass at age 5, three years before it was an accepted medical procedure, Susan grew into the size of her overworked and enlarged heart. Maybe she thought she had enough to give it away -- twice. Both times, she had to retrieve the shattered pieces and puzzle them back together. She thanks her Dad for the only advice of his she ever followed to the letter: "Never get married. Learn to take care of yourself." So of course she is a writer. Susan has co-written a YA SciFi novel, and has three more novels in various stages of evolution. She's had several short stories published in other people's anthologies, some of which were contest-related. Let her tell you a story... View all posts by Sue Ranscht