Shep is the sheepherder for the King's castle lands. He harbors a dark secret though, and the full moon was coming soon.
Meanwhile, the King needed a word or two with his son, back from the exotic world and as arrogant as the day he left. "Son, as you know, tomorrow evening is the Summer Full Moon Ball."
"Yes. You've been reminding me every hour on the hour."
"Yes, well then, I can't explain how important it is that you find your bride- locally. I mean, you had your choice of any woman in the realm and out and you couldn't find one?"
"Actually I found many..."
"I'm not talking about trysts. I'm talking about the future of the realm. It's in your hands. Tradition states you must name your bride and marry by the fall harvest. Lives are at stake boy."
"And I've told you I don't want to marry just anyone. It's my life father, not an epic poem read to me by maesters, instead of my father. I will do what I want - so suffer the realm."
"Oh, I forgot my son is a man- well seasoned in the way things work." His father's sarcasm gutted the prince. " Hear ye! Hear ye! The new king is hear to replace me."
"Father, what ever happens, happens. Let me find happiness that is not forced."
"You are the prince. You have obligations."
Mercifully, the queen glided her way into the conversation. "Dear, please stop before you turn red. Crosby, my sweet son, listen to your father. There is more to this decision than just naming a name to save the realm."
The king interrupted, "you will not coddle him. Crosby, find a wife or find a new kingdom for you will give me no choice but to give the throne to your sister."
"Good, she can have it." Crosby stomped out of the throne room. He had enough. He wondered if the stranger from the vegetable stand would be at the ball.
"I hope you don't drive my son away, Crosby."
"It'll be for the good of the realm if it comes to that. Now, where is my daughter?"
Meanwhile...
Princess Yoaka was dreaming a dream filled with fire and foreshadow. She prayed black spells the night before- for the good of the realm. She demanded the power of the faye guide her to the answer to save the kingdom.
She dreamed of a fair maiden, so sad, so full of light. She was the answer whoever this girl was. But who was she?
The power of the faye would guide her, she had faith. Faith her father, the king, did not share with his progressive daughter.
Her dreams would awaken a legacy that would keep the realm safe for many generation and this mystery girl was the key.
In the morning, at the time when the moon is in the rose sky of Dragon Valley, Yoaka cooled down from her faye fever dream and remembered the girl.
Cynthia. The vegetable seller. Word was she was a slave in her dead father's home. This should be easy. She's probably wishing on every star to get out of there. All she has to do is marry Crosby.
Yoaka headed down to the village market and saw Cynthia right away. She was sadder in true life that in her fever dream.
She approached with the Charming arrogant bravado her family was notorious for. Not the best way to appeal to Cynthia.
"...So you see, if you marry my brother, then the realm is safe for the next 9 generations."
"Um. Let me explain something to you. I've decided that I'm in charge of my destiny, not some stupid fever dream or fairytale. This is my life. Now buy some vegetables or leave me be." Yoaka bought a basket of eggplants.
She then hit the books for answers. She mumbled to her self over and over, "this is going to prove more difficult than I thought."
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