At the conclusion of the story, the kids erupt with chants of encore and want to hear another tale about the young prince. But the nanny refuses, telling the kids it is time for a nap.
As the children all settle underneath their blankets and doze off to the calming music the nanny plays, the Young King approaches the nanny, wanting to hear more stories himself.
Shocked, the nanny quickly bows, but the King ask her to stand and follow him out of the room to tell him more. The nanny answers all the King's questions and inquiries in such a manner that you would think she was a member of the tribe herself.
The King asked her how she knew all of these tales and stories, and she told him that her brother would tell her about them after he returned from his travels.
"So these people are real, meaning they have a home? Why have I never heard of this place?" the King asks.
"Well you see my king, their location is unknown because it has been forgotten. In the past, many would traverse into their territory, and all who have found it have never returned. Eventually, all that was known throughout the land is that whenever you travel, you do your best to avoid finding yourself on that route."
"Interesting. So how is it that your brother knows the location?" the King wonders.
"Well many years ago, my brother happened to find one of the tribesman passed out on his route to do trade. My brother aided the man and helped the man to recover. To thank my brother for his kindness, he introduced him to his people and allowed my brother to do business there twice a year. You see my brother sells the best sweet pie in the territory, and it is so deli-"
"And where is your brother now?" the King cuts her short.
"He is currently at his residence with his wife and children, my King." the nanny answers.
"Thank you." The king stands to depart with all the information he needs. "And may I add, you do an excellent job with the children. Expect a raise upon my return."
After that, the Young King and I paid a visit to the nanny's brother. We found him at his home, sitting on his porch as if he were expecting us. He invited us into his home, dismissed his children to go play outside, and asked his wife to bring us beverages.
Taking a sip of his drink, the King jumped right into business. "I need your help. I need you to take me to this Melatonin Tribe." the King demands.
A look of worry flashes in his eyes as he puzzles over how to choose his words. "My King, one doesn't necessarily walk into the Melatonin's territory. No one is welcome."
"You were welcomed, weren't you." the King combats.
"That is a misled detail on the part of my sister. I was brought in, but welcomed, I was not. Upon arrival, I was thrown into a holding cell face-to-face with the scariest jungle cat I'd ever seen.
"The only thing keeping me alive was the chain on its neck. Sitting across from my death, I could hear my friend vying for my freedom, but I had no way of knowing if he were succeeding or not, my heart was beating too loud.
"The next thing I know, I was floating out of the holding cell and watching them go through my belongings. They found my sweet pies, which I was supposed to sell to a town not necessarily nearby but on the way. One of the tribesman took a bite and I instantly knew I had a customer.
"Then he passed it around and before I knew it, I was handing them out to everyone nearby. After that, I was given permission to return twice a year to do business." The brother tells the whole story.
"Sounds like you are welcomed to me." the King replies, finishing his drink.
"Well, yes, but I have always left and returned alone. They would tell me stories about the horrific things they would do to outsiders, laughing and hooting it up, so I just decided it best always to go alone."
"I understand that, but I'm not asking. I need to go there, and I'm telling you to take me. Please sir, you will be rewarded for your journey, but I need to go now."
"Yes, my King." The brother realizes he doesn't really have a choice. "But one request, sire?"
"Yes?" the king says.
"I only take you there. I don't go in with you," the brother asks.
"That is perfectly fine with me. Pack your bags. We leave immediately."
We traveled for 2 days straight, exchanging horses as we passed through each town. We raced non-stop until we found ourselves at the outer edge of a forest that seemed to reek of death.
"My King, I have brought you to their territory as I have agreed. May I leave to return home now?" the nanny's brother asks.
"Wait, where do we go from here?" the King asks in return, seeing nothing but an endless forest of dead trees.
"Just keep straight, my King. They will find you." the brother responds.
The King ponders his words for a second. "Okay, you may go now. Thank you for your help." The King dismisses him.
"Thank you, my King." The brother turns his horse around to depart. Before starting his journey home, he turns back around to speak again. "One bit of advice, my King."
"What?" the young King asks.
"Humble yourself. This tribe is truly unique. They have the scariest eyes I've ever seen. It's like they can see through all things," the brother says, riding away to return to his home.
The King says nothing as he forwards his horse into the forest.
As we traversed through this dead forest, we indeed saw how dead it was. Corpses by the thousands hung from the limbs of the dead trees. The skeletons of the forest seemed to scream for us to turn back, and I definitely wanted to.
I had never seen such a sight of blatant death. Some of the corpses were new, as ravens and vultures ripped at whatever flesh remained on the deceased bodies. The disgust was evident on all party members' faces as we continued our trek.
Still traveling through the forest, we were beginning to grow sick, as the smell was making a few of us nauseous.
The King was growing angry, as he had no indication if we were getting closer or farther away. But just as patience was about to bleed out, we saw something that truly shocked every single last one of us.
Finally pushing through this disgusting forest, we made a discovery that I will never forget. Behind this dead forest was a beautiful, luscious land, vibrant with life. The trees were strong and healthy.
The grass looked so good, I was tempted to take off my boots, just to make the memory stick some more through feeling. Animals that were considered extinct ran free and unafraid, even as 8 armored men trudged past them.
Fruit and vegetables grew as if they were begging to be eaten. Even the air seemed to be happy to be breathed in.
We kept forward in awe of the scenery and briefly fell in love with a place we never knew existed. All except for the King.
His jaw was tight, and his eyes had a look in them that I could not decipher. Maybe rage? Envy? Whatever he felt, I knew it was not a good thing to deal with at the moment. His tempers tended to lead us into the most unsatisfying situations.
As we moved deeper into the unknown territory, we suddenly found ourselves at the base of a volcano. Then, out of nowhere, three of the royal guard members dropped dead by my feet.
As we see that the men have rocks protruding from the back of their skulls, weapons are drawn and we are instantly thrown on the defensive, as we are unaware of where the attackers are at the moment.
As we circled around the King, our attackers revealed themselves. Slowly, a group of men walked out from behind the trees. Darker-skinned men approached but stopped a good distance away, saying nothing.
As we stood across from each other, the situation seemed to be taking a turn towards turmoil, as the warriors spread out to circle us.
"Wait!" the King yelled, hoping to prevent any more death. "My name is King Juulian. I came here to speak with your leader, as I need his help. Please take me to him."
The warriors look at one another, briefly confused. Smiling, one of the warriors says Okay.
After that, I felt a pressure like a mountain had been placed on my shoulders.
Feeling this intense weight, we were all frozen in our spot on the earth as we fought to stay on our feet. The strain was unbearable, though. One by one, we started to fall and press into the soft earth on which we had previously stood.
As I finally hit the ground, I watched as the massive force dropped on us started to make each of the members faint. I felt myself nearing that point, as my body screamed of exhaustion.
Before I passed out, I caught one last look at the young King, who was still standing. 'Pride is a hell of a thing,' was the last thing I thought before unconsciousness overtook me.