A Kingdom in Waiting

The thunder shook the land like the footsteps of the giant Mitocas. The water crashed against the jagged cliffs of Lithany. Lithany was the greatest city in the land, the lush gardens smelled of juniper and lilacs, the white buildings flowed throughout the city. This was indeed the grandest city of Malik. The ruler of Lithany, Romero the Pharaoh, became distressed when the giant Mitocas decided to block the flow of the Fandi River. The Fandi's were simple water farmers whom collected vital goods from the river and controlled the water animal's population, so without the river they're doomed. Romero the Pharaoh unsure of a solution called upon Virous a young man filled with courage to test into manhood by saving the Fandi clan. "Romero the Pharaoh, I came to prove myself, and to earn my manhood," said young Virous. "I am pleased with your courage young Virous. This task I ask of you is not a simple task, many have tried and failed already, do you still live up to the challenge?" asked Romero the Pharaoh with a grim look across her face. "Yes!" shouted young Virous. "I am up to your challenge and I will not fail like the others, your river will be restored." With a pleased looked on Romero the Pharaohs face, and a flip of the wrist young Virous was off for the Fandi's River.

After riding two days across the lands of Lithany young Virous arrived at the base of the village. To his surprise the village looked as if the serpent from the North Mountains had whipped its long, slimy, cold body throughout the village destroying everything but a small structure at the far end of the village. Virous hopped off his horse and opened the small door to the structure. Within was the entire Fandi Clan, from the chief to the children of the clan. After Virous introduced himself and showed the chief his scroll from the Pharaoh, the Fandi clan told Virous where to find the giant. Due to their fear of Mitocas the Fandi's remained in the tiny hut. Virous then traveled alone to the Fandi River where he met Mitocas, the largest and most bitter of all giants. "Why are you hurting the Fandi's and taking over their river?" asked young Virous. "It's rather simple, they denied me of my request," said the giant Mitocas. "And what was your request," asked young Virous. "My request was to trade the Fandi a deer for one of their water animals," said the giant. Young Virous looked down at the river and the enormous foot blocking the river's flow and thought to himself a minute. "Giant," said Virous. "Yes," answered the giant. "What happened to the village? I mean why is only one hut standing?" asked young Virous. "The village is destroyed?" questioned the giant. "Yes, all the huts except one hut were destroyed," replied young Virous. "I do not know, I have been too busy standing here with my foot in this cold puddle," replied Mitocas. "So you did not destroy the village?" Asked young Virous. "I never even went to the village, I heard the chief order the clan into the hut when I first arrived. Then the chief came out and talked to me when I told him of my request he said that I was not good enough for one of their precious water animals. So here

I am all because of that. I can assure you that I had nothing to do with the destruction of the village. I will not even take one of the water animals without their permission," answered the giant. "If I told you that I could guarantee a trade of twenty water animals for a favor from you, would you restore the river flow?" questioned Virous. "Yes, I could agree to that I suppose," answered the giant. "Well, then my friend dry off your foot and come with me," said Virous. The giant followed Virous back to the village where Virous then called the chief of the Fandi clan outside. Virous told the chief that for twenty water animals that the giant would grant them one favor. The chief looked at the sky and said that the gods must have wanted this so he agreed to the deal. Virous left the village, which was being restored by the giant and traveled back to the city of Lithany.

"Welcome back Virous, Casious has told me of your success. I am pleased that you did not have to resort to violence and that you used your mind," said Romero the Pharaoh. "I have one more challenge for you to complete to become a man. You must travel to the North Mountains. There you will find the Serpent that has been causing all this turmoil, he was the one to destroy the Fandi's village. Are you up to this challenge?" "Yes, Pharaoh, and I know that the serpent will not go unpunished for its crime, justice will prevail," replied Virous. "Good then go, and slay the serpent and upon your return you will be rewarded the fairest hand," responded the Pharaoh. Young Virous was ordered to take Casious along, so they departed for the North Mountains. The journey was long and cold but when they arrived, the North Mountains must have vanished, as did the serpent. No on had ever seen the North Mountains or the serpent, ever before. Just then young Virous was attacked by his companion Casious. Apparently Romero the Pharaoh ordered Casious to kill young Virous, because the Pharaoh feared Virous's growing powers and popularity. "Casious, what are you doing?" asked young Virous. "I was ordered to kill you because I was told you're a threat to the prosperity and happiness of Lithany," answered Casious. Virous grabbed Casious's arms and tied a near by vine around his wrists and then removed the knife from his hand. Virous then began to tell Casious of the Pharaohs promise upon his return would then and only then be granted, but if he never returned nothing would change in Lithany. Because of Virous the whole city will