George and Rufus escorted Midor into the throne room. “You wanted to see me, my king?” Midor asked. He had no idea why he had been suddenly called into the castle at a time when he was supposed to be banished, and the puzzlement was evident in his tone.
“Yes, yes, come in,” said King Carlyle. “Let’s get down to business and skip the pleasantries. You know I don’t like you, but I need your help. So there it is. That’s why you’re here.”
Midor bowed. “I’ll do whatever I can to help you, My King,” he said.
“I told you to knock off the pleasantries,” said King Carlyle, in an annoyed tone. “It’s my sister Catherine. Somehow she escaped from her imprisonment, and she’s back in my forest. She’s shrunk John, and then lost him out in the woods somewhere along the forest path. You remember John? He was one of your son’s friends.”
“I remember him well,” said Midor. “I spent the night with him in the realm of the monsters after your sorcerer banished him there.”
“You’re not here to talk about my sorcerer,” said King Carlyle. “Can you help us to find John?”
“You know my reputation,” said Midor. “If he’s in this forest, I’ll find him.”
“Excellent. There is one more thing. My sister Catherine is still out there in the forest looking for John. I told her that if she finds him and brings him back, I’d let her into the castle.”
“That’s hardly wise,” said Midor. “You remember what she did the last time she was here.”
“Your concern is noted,” said King Carlyle coldly. “Allow me to also pass along a note of concern to you. She’s already shrunk down one guest of this castle, and she’s voiced the intention of shrinking down more. I’m not quite sure if she’ll remember you or not, but I’d steer clear of her just the same. If you can.”
“She’ll remember me,” said Midor. “How could she forget? But she also probably remembers that you don’t like me, so maybe she’ll leave me alone.”
“Possibly,” said King Carlyle. “She’s impossible to predict though. Well, very well, I’ve given you my warning, you can do what you wish. If she shrinks you down, it wouldn’t be all bad for me. I just hope that you can find John before she does.”
“I’ll find him,” said Midor confidently.
Midor turned to leave, so King Carlyle added after him, “Oh, Midor. One last note. Just a reminder that this will change nothing, of course. I still won’t like you even if you do find John.”
“Of course,” said Midor. “If I could have bought your love by helping your Kingdom, it would have happened long before now.” And Midor left.
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