Chapter Two

A butler opened the door and welcomed them in. Thanking him, Sarah and Peter stepped through the doorway. Peter stared in awe at the wall-covering tapestries depicting the many battles King Joshua had won. He didn't have much time to study them however, because Sarah was already leading the way to the throne room. He followed quickly, knowing there was nothing to be done to stop her once she set her mind to do something. Soon, they stood inside the throne room.

There were three thrones across the back wall of the room. King Joshua sat in the throne on the far left, Princess Emily sat in the middle in a smaller throne, and Queen Emily sat in the throne on the far right.

"Yes? What would you like?" asked King Joshua.

"We have information concerning the three missing princesses!" stated Sarah confidently. Peter nodded for emphasis.

"Just...call Klaus," Queen Emily advised. She had already heard too many times how each one of the villagers had some sort of helpful, valuable information concerning the kidnapped princesses. It grieved her heart every time. She was reminded of her adopted daughters every waking moment of the day, and often she dreamed of them.

King Joshua sent a nearby servant to fetch Sir Klaus.

"They're new," observed Princess Emily. "Maybe they really do have some helpful information."

Sarah gratefully nodded toward the Princess. King Joshua and Queen Emily made eye contact, then addressed Sarah.

"All right, you may explain quickly until Sir Klaus arrives."

***

Sir Klaus had just sharpened another sword when Katie and Matthew came running to him, out of breath.

"What's up?" asked Sir Klaus.

"They took the horses again! Without permission and without paying!" exclaimed Katie indignantly.

"They're jerks!" added Matthew.

"On top of all that, they always take the prettiest horses," Katie continued.

Matthew gave Katie a strange look. "That has nothing to do with this."

"Oh," was all Katie could reply.

Before Sir Klaus could do anything about it, one of the castle servants ran up to him.

"King Joshua would like to see you immediately!" the servant reported urgently.

"I'm sorry, kids," he said, "but the King needs me. Talk to you later!" And with that, he took off for the castle.

What could the King want?