The Book Wherein the Princess Saved the Prince

By Siena Charlene Kidd Gambee

The Queen's son, Quint, is hopelessly lost in the woods. Without the heir to the throne, the kingdom will be left to the vices of the citizens and beasts of Dafar. What's the big deal? It's only the forest. Well, imagine a forest where there are large creatures, centaurs, shape-shifters, dragons, and worst of all, your true identity.

The fantasy tables have turned as the daunting task of rescuing the prince is left into the hands of the princess. Will she have the courage, skills, and self-awareness to save the kingdom?

Young Claudia has a lot to learn about herself as she and her small companion, Leo, fight to conquer evil and prove that it doesn't always take a Hercules, Prince Charming, or a prince at all to save the day.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798885057004

Book preview

The Book Wherein the Princess Saved the Prince

SIENA GAMBEE

Copyright © 2022 Siena Gambee

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2022

All art done by Connor Mannings except chapter 12 which was done by Luke Gambee

ISBN 979-8-88505-699-1 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88505-700-4 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

For all my family and friends who are the best!

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1: The Palace (Ten Days Later)

Chapter 2: Leo

Chapter 3: The Lioness and the Bear

Chapter 4: Martin and Jadyn

Chapter 5: The Stream

Chapter 6: Silver Lake

Chapter 7: Lickspaa

Chapter 8: The Arts of the Dragon

Chapter 9: Finding Ernesto

Chapter 10: Silver

Chapter 11: Wampan-ay

Chapter 12: At the Palace

Chapter 13: Bompi and the Rainforest Escape

Chapter 14: This War Is Far from Over

Chapter 15: Questions and Pursuers

Chapter 16: As the Bird Sings Softly

Chapter 17: Maggie’s Discovery

Chapter 18: Solutions

Chapter 19: Sticks and Stones

Chapter 20: The End of the Beginning (Part I)

Chapter 21: The End of the Beginning (Part II)

Epilogue

Prologue

Lily, Quesmond, and Quint sat in a dark corner of the cell, huddled on a bench. Scarcely any light came in through the tiny window above their reach. Lily leaned against Quint, her shoulders hunched. Quint had a supportive hand around Quesmond, who was crying softly.

Mother, Quint said softly, you mustn’t cry.

Quesmond shot a fierce look at her son. You must not shush your mother! Your father was taken away from me, and I have no idea where he is! Here I am in a jail cell, while my—

Mother, Quint whispered, we mustn’t let them hear!

Lily leaned over and took Quesmond’s hand. Quint is being a brat, if I do say, Quesmond. She earned a playful kick from Quint and almost nothing but a wane smile from Quesmond.

Quesmond stood up and then sat down. The floor’s too cold for standing.

Lily looked thoughtfully at Quesmond’s naked feet and then leaned down. She untied the laces to her sturdy boots and pulled them off. Her stockings stayed, but she handed the boots to Quesmond.

Quesmond shook her head and gently put the boots on the floor. No, Lily.

Lily nodded, but before either of them could say a word, the lock on the door jingled. And the door swung open, its hinges echoing against the cold walls.

A burly man stood in the doorway, a nasty leer on his face. He nodded slowly, taking in the three. His keys jingled loudly as he shook them in his hands.

Lily and Quint both stood protectively over Quesmond, who shook violently. The man just smiled.

Lilanna Soquire, come with me. The man’s eyes had a greedy look to them.

Lily turned, tears in her eyes. She took Quesmond’s hands in her own and kissed her lightly on her cheek. Then she turned to Quint, but her eyes could barely see. She simply touched his arm and then followed the guard out. Her black hair bounced along with her. The guard grabbed her roughly by the arm and shoved her out. While fate had decided his purpose for her, destiny’s sweet hope hung over them as the bird sings softly.

Chapter 1

The Palace (Ten Days Later)

You have probably heard the heroic tale of Hercules, the sweet story of Cinderella, and many more tales. But I’m sure you have never heard of The Book Wherein the Princess Saved the Prince before, have you? Well, let me tell you.

There, on a small mountain, sat a huge, beautiful palace. Fountains and little miniature ponds streamed with water, and thousands of bright colorful plants surrounded it. Water buffaloes played by it. A path led to a bigger road, and on the glossy road was the entrance to the palace. The castle seemed to be made of gold. It shone so brightly. You could hear many happy voices coming from inside. If you looked to the left of the palace, you would see the garden—little pods of green peas to round, orange pumpkins. And to the right of the garden, there were trees of all kinds—apple trees to oak trees and willow trees to elms.

Friendly guard monkeys swooped through the trees, chattering noisily from their nests. And deeply entangled in them all were five roses, hanging from a vine of shrubbery. Each looked very normal, but if you looked closely, each one contained something. Pulling back the petals, you could see a treasure. In the first rose was barely a sliver of gold, in the second, a bit of ruby, following a piece of silver, then a little diamond, and last, a little pearl. You’re probably wondering, Why? and How? And I shall tell you.

A hundred years before, Queen Quesmond of Dafar lived in the palace with her jolly men and women and children. And at the moment, she was addressing her people.

Thank you all for joining me. I have prepared a banquet for afterward so you and your children will not go hungry, Queen Quesmond continued, "I am sorry to say that Prince Quint, my only son, is lost in the woods, for I have not found him. If you have found him, I will greet you like the best of friends, and we will have tea in the courtyard.

Oh, please! If you know his whereabouts, come forth, Queen Quesmond said.

Suddenly, a tall girl with a long cloak came forward. Nobody could see her face, but they could tell she was a young woman, maybe eighteen years old.

I will find him, a soft, but strong, voice said from under the cloak.

You’re merely a young girl. I might trust you, if you could remove your cloak, Queen Quesmond said angrily, and a shiny tear trickled down her cheek, although it vanished quickly.

The girl hesitated, and then she obeyed. She let the cloak slowly drop to the ground, and there stood a very beautiful girl. Her skin had an olive complexion, her lips red, her eyes blue, and her hair long but black and straight. A shining pearl hung from her neck. The Queen gasped. Here was her cousin’s oldest daughter, Claudia, right before her. And her cousin so far away, she couldn’t guess how Claudia could have gotten here.

Claudia, it has been many years, hasn’t it? And Queen Quesmond opened her arms wide, waiting for her relative to rush to her open arms.

But she slowly walked toward the throne. She gave her a light hug and then backed away. The queen looked very different from the time she had seen her before, but that had been years ago.

I will find Quint. For he was a noble friend in times of need, Claudia said gently.

But just then, the Queen realized her people were still there and said, My distant relative has arrived. If you can stay, please go get a drink and something to eat. And everyone went out of the throne room slowly. Little did they know that one woman dressed in a black dress and cloak had hidden herself behind one of the pillars in the throne room. Then they began to talk.

I’m sorry to say, dear, but you’re a young princess. You can’t go looking for a young man who can take care of himself, Queen Quesmond said.

Then you shan’t send your noble knights to go looking for him, for, as you said, he can take care of himself.

Queen Quesmond was about to protest but Claudia burst in, You said so yourself!

I give in, dear. But at least prepare yourself with anything you need here. And choose ten knights to go with you and—

I will bring a small village boy to aid me, a pouch of dried fruit, your rice, and a sword, Claudia said flatly.

I should have known you’d come along somehow. Even if it meant sneaking out, Queen Ques murmured to herself.

Well, I should go and prepare myself. I will look through the woods, and I shall find him somewhere, Claudia said with satisfaction.

I wish you luck. I do, I do…But promise me you’ll try to stay far from Silver Lake. Your mother would never forgive me for anything, she said.

I’m sorry, but I make no promises. I would make a thousand if I were not looking for Quint, but no, I can’t.

Then I will see you off tomorrow to your home! Queen Quesmond said firmly.

Have you forgotten so much? I am not weak! I have fought lions, snakes, and even bears! And still you think, because I am a princess, I can’t do it? Claudia asked.

It is your safety I fear, dear girl! Queen Quesmond stood up.

You know I will be fine!

Uh, but what about your fear of…snakes! Yes, the snakes might bite you!

May I stay here for the night? Claudia inquired, ignoring the Queen’s strange last comment.

You may! But I will write your mother a letter, young lady! the Queen said just before she called for her maid to get her some ink and paper.

You must write her a letter right away? Claudia squeaked nervously.

Yes, I will tell your mother to come fetch you right away, Queen Quesmond said. You have been acting like a child, Claudia.

I have not! But you certainly have been treating me like one! Claudia cried. "I did in fact club a lion when one threatened my sister