Get your own Free Home Page
"Now, would everyone here please tell me who they are?" ordered Potaroo, who was addressing a long line of people.
"General Evelter, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Ev," replied the first man, who wore a red uniform with gold braid.
"No, he's wrong! I am General Evernius, and I am Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Ev!" objected another man, who wore a similar uniform.
"You're lying! Evernius was slain in the battle of South Mountain! I took his place."
"I was not slain! Roquat, the King of the Nomes, enchanted me! Where is that Nome King, anyway? I'll shave off his hair and stick my entire collection of weapons through his fat middle! And I have a large collection of weapons!"
"Calm down, and let me explain," advised Potaroo. "Roquat, who is now called Ruggedo, no longer rules this Kingdom. I, Potaroo, Royal Wizard for Kaliko, the new King, have freed all of you from Ruggedo's enchantment. And if you would tell me who you are and where you came from, I shall return you to your homes."
So the people gave the wizard the information that he asked for. Many of the former prisoners were military leaders. There were also merchants, pirates, nobles, peasants, and miners. Soon, everyone in the line had informed the Nome. Everyone, that is, except for one woman.
"Now, who are you?" Potaroo asked this woman.
"I don't know!" was the reply.
"But you must know who you are," said a merchant.
"Yes," agreed an old ex-pirate. "I'm old and senile, but I still know my name!"
"But I don't know!" insisted the lady.
"Why don't you know?" demanded a pompous and bad-tempered Colonel from the Evian Army.
"I don't know why I don't know!"
"She must be hiding something," announced a nobleman. "People don't just forget who they are."
"Actually, such a thing is quite common," said a doctor.
"Yes, our former King once had a serious case of forgetgfulness," added Potaroo. "That's why he changed his name to Ruggedo. I'll run some tests on the woman. The rest of you must be restored to your homes. Come with me. We're going to see His Majesty, King Kaliko."
The wizard led the others to a set of stone double-doors, which opened automatically. Through the doorway lay the Nome Throne Room, where King Kaliko was sitting on a round ruby throne, and smoking a clay pipe.
"Who are all these mortals, and what are they doing here?" demanded Kaliko crossly. He had a head-ache, a tooth-ache, and a stomach-ache, and the smoking was causing him to feel even worse than he otherwise would have felt.
"They are the people that Ruggedo enchanted, many years ago. I have disenchanted them, and I shall now send them back to their rightful homes."
"Then hurry up and do it! I have enough problems without having mortals in my Kingdom!"
Potaroo hobbled down a hallway, but soon returned with a magic staff and several powders. He was followed by four of his servants, who carried a black-board, a map, and a large abacus. The wizard made some calculations on the slate, with aid from the map and the abacus, and then sent General Evelter to Evna, the capital of Ev. The Royal Wizard repeated the process until all of the humans but the forgetful woman had been transported.
"What about that one?" asked Kaliko, as soon as the magical smoke had cleared.
"She doesn't remember who she is, or where she came from," replied Potaroo. "I'm going to try to restore her memory with my Nome magic."
"All right. Just keep her away from me. Well, I suppose I should write to Ozma."
The Nome King stepped down from his throne, and walked over to a stone desk. As he began to write a note, Potaroo led the woman to his magic workshop.
*****************************************************************
Meanwhile, in another part of Ev, the ship of Asha Pasha dropped anchor. Asha had once ruled Rash, a small country in southeastern Ev, but he tired of ruling, and travelled to the Land of Ristill, where he studied radio. Finally, after over seventy years, he was returning to his native land.
"All right. 'Ere we are. Port Evnyl, in the Land of Ev," announced the Captain of Asha's ship.
Asha stepped out onto the deck, where at least forty people stood. One of these people walked up to the former Rash Ruler, and asked, "Are you Asha, the former Pasha of Rash?"
"Yes, Sir," replied Asha.
"Well, my name's Skayle." This name suited the man quite well, since his skin was covered with green scales. His ears were pointed, and two horns protruded from his head. Unkempt black hair grew between the horns. Skayle wore black pants, a white shirt, and sandals. His eyes were yellow in color.
"I'll be taking you back to Rash, Your Highness," stated Skayle. "I'll lead you to my chariot."
The chariot, which stood near the dock, was quite splendid. It was made of gold and lined with silver, with green silken curtains. Four white horses were harnessed to the conveyance.
"That's a nice chariot. Where did you get it?" questioned the former Ruler.
"It was a gift from the demons who live in the desert to the southeast of here, just north of your Kingdom of Rash. My father was a demon, but I did not know it at first. When I was a child, I had ordinary skin. My scales began to grow after I had served King Evoldo for seven years. Once I obtained my current form, the King, who could not stand the sight of me, banished me to the Eastern Desert. There, I stumbled upon the Demon Kingdom. I served the King of the Demons for seventy years, and was reunited with my father, a gold-smith. My father and his fellow workers made this chariot and the horses."
"Then they aren't real horses?"
"No, they're mechanical. One of my father's friends was a roboticist, who had once worked with Smith and Tinker. You have heard of Smith and Tinker, right?"
"The firm that made Tik-Tok, the mechanical man who lives in the Land of Oz?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Mechanical horses, such as mine, are common in the Demon Kingdom. Anyway, I eventually wanted to live among humans again, so now I give tours and chauffeur Kings. I've driven King Evardo to a few places. He's a much better Ruler than his father was. Well, climb in, Your Highness, and we'll be off to the Kingdom of Rash."
The two men entered the chariot, and Skayle uttered a magical chant. This caused the mechanical equines to begin moving. Soon, the chariot was being pulled down the main street of town at a fast, but still comfortable, rate. It did not take long for Skayle's vehicle to reach open country, where a dirt road ran through pleasant green meadows. Whenever this road turned, the horses turned as well.
"How do the horses know when to turn?" inquired Asha.
"They're programmed to stay on the road," replied Skayle. "If I want them to turn onto another road, I can just use a magical phrase. Powerful magic went into their creation, and I'm very proud of them."
"Have you ever been to Rash before?" was the former Ruler's next question.
"I once dropped some passengers off right inside the borders, but I never saw most of the country. From what I did see, it seemed to be an awfully pink place."
"Yes, it is certainly pink. Legend has it that the first Pasha had come from a pink land in the sky, and he had a sorceror make his new country resemble his old one."
"Seems to me I have heard of a pink country in the sky. It's on Sky Island, I believe."
"Well, maybe my ancestor was a Sky Islander."
The carriage continued along the road for some time without much occurring. However, as the Sun began to set, the horses suddenly stopped.
"What happened?" inquired Asha.
"I don't know," was Skayle's reply. The demi-demon recited the phrase that started the horses, but the equines did not budge.
"I'd better take a look at the horses," stated Skayle.
The reptilian man stepped out of the vehicle, and Asha followed him. As soon as the two men were out, the equines started up again, pulling the chariot to the southwest at an amazing rate of speed.
"Come back here!" shouted Asha, as he began pursuing the runaway conveyance.
"No use in going after it," stated Skayle. "We'd never catch up to it."
"Then what shall we do?"
"I suppose we'll have to walk until we can find another means of transportation. I'm sorry to lose my chariot, but I'm sure the demons will find it for me."
The two travellers began to walk down the road. After twenty-two minutes, the former Pasha noticed a house. When he pointed this out to Skayle, the demi-demon said, "Well, let's go there. Whoever lives there might have a carriage we could borrow."
The duo approached the house, which was a white building with red doors and shutters, and porches on both the front and back. After climbing the steps to the front porch, Asha knocked on the door, using a knocker shaped like a bull's head.
"Wait a minute!" called a female voice. "I'm coming!"
The door soon opened, revealing a young lady. She had flowing light brown hair and bright blue eyes. The woman wore a white dress, silver hose and shoes, an odd medallion on a golden chain, and dangling silver ear-rings.
"Hello! I am Asha, the former Ruler of Rash, and this is my friend Skayle," explained Asha. "We wondered if you had a conveyance that we could borrow. You see, Skayle's mechanical horses ran off with his chariot, and-"
"Come on in," invited the woman. "You can have some lunch, and then we'll see about a carriage."
"My name is Myrena," said the lady, as she led her guests to a round table. "I made vegetable soup for lunch. Is that all right with you?"
"Does it have any beef in it?" questioned the Pasha.
"Certainly not," replied Myrena, in a shocked voice.
"Vegetable soup is fine," stated Asha, and Skayle agreed.
Myrena walked over to a cauldron, and ladled out soup into three bowls. She placed the bowls at three places at the table, and the woman and the visitors sat at these places.
"This is good soup, Myrena," approved Asha.
"Yes," agreed Skayle, "but why do I smell sulfur?"
"Oh, that's for the bulls," explained Myrena. "They live on sulfur and hot peppers."
"Bulls that eat sulfur and pepper?" inquired Asha.
"Well, they're not ordinary bulls. They're fire-breathing bulls, and they used to belong to my grandfather, in the Great Outside World."
"Are you from the Outside World, too?"
"Yes. You see, my mother is Medea, a famous witch."
"I've heard of Medea the witch," stated Skayle. "Was Jason your father?"
"No, my father was a hero who looked for the Golden Fleece before Jason, but did not succeed. Soon after I was born, I was kidnapped by a fairy. This fairy was then reproached by Oberon, his Ruler, and I was brought to a peasant's house in my grandfather's Kingdom. Of course, since I was a baby, I did not know all this, and I thought I was the daughter of the peasant couple. Then, when I was about twelve years old, I had a dream that changed my life. Oberon came to me, and told me about my origins. He then explained that I had magical powers. In the dream, I tried a fire spell, and when I woke up, a chair in my room was on fire."
"But if this happened in the Outside World, how did you come here to Ev?"
"When the people of my Kingdom discovered that I was a witch, they planned to burn me at the stake. I ran away with Torcher and Scorcher, the two fire-breathing bulls, to whom I had given the power of speech. One night, while I was asleep in a cave, Oberon once again visited my dreams. He taught me the spell that transported the bulls and myself to fairyland. I lived in various fairy countries for many centuries, before I finally arrived in Ev. I studied witch-craft at the Eastern Evian University of Magic for several years, and graduated cum laude. After graduation, I built this house, and have lived here ever since."
"Very interesting," stated Skayle, as he finished his bowl of soup. "Could I please have some more soup?"
"Do you like the soup?" questioned Myrena, as she refilled the half-demon's bowl.
"It's delicious. What spices did you use?"
"Well, I don't like to give away my secret ingredient..."
"We won't tell anyone," said Asha.
"It's a rare herb called vaurani, used in invisibility spells, transforming people into toads, and my vegetable soup."
"It won't turn me into a toad, will it?"
"No," laughed the witch. "The toad spell also requires evalsia petals, krongle powder, and a magical chant. I wouldn't think of transforming my guests."
"Have you ever transformed anyone?" inquired Skayle.
"Oh, I transformed several people back in college. The professors said that such things should only be done in very serious situations."
"My father said that, too."
"Oh, do you know magic?"
"A little. My father taught me some spells during my stay in the Demon Kingdom."
"I thought you were a demon."
"Actually, I'm only half demon. My father is a gold-smith in the Demon Kingdom, but my mother is a human living in Evna." And the demi-demon told his story to Myrena.
"And what about you, Asha? You said you were the former Ruler of Rash, correct?"
"Yes, Myrena."
"I've heard of Rash. A few of the students at the University of Magic were from there. Have you ever heard of Lyra Salnisk, or Katorus Trantor?"
"Why, Katorus was my Royal Magician, back at the beginning of my reign. And his wife's name was Lyra, and she also had some magical powers."
"So Lyra married Katorus? I always thought she would. Do they still live in Rash?"
"Actually, Katorus retired about two hundred years ago, and he and Lyra moved to some Nonestic island."
"I see. And what are you doing around here?"
"A few decades ago, I grew tired of ruling Rash, and I travelled to Ristill, in the far west, to study radio. I am now returning to my old Kingdom, and Skayle was taking me home in his chariot, until his mechanical horses ran away with it."
"I lived in Ristill for a few years. A very interesting place, Your Highness."
"Did you see the Grand Radio Tower? That's where I worked while I was there."
"Actually, they were just building the tower when I lived there. Excuse me. I have to feed the bulls." Myrena removed a cauldron, which was filled with a mixture of sulfur and peppers, from a hook above a fire, and carried it to the back-yard. While she was gone, a grey cat with black stripes entered the dining room, and asked, "Where's Myrena?"
"She went out back to feed her bulls," replied Skayle.
"Well, it's time for my lunch. Oh, by the way, I am Amon, the Psychicat. Who are you?"
"I am Skayle, son of a demon gold-smith and an Evnan woman. And this is Asha, former Pasha of Rash."
"If you don't mind my asking, Amon, what is a Psychicat?" asked Asha.
"A cat with psychic powers," answered Amon. "I was born on Argle-Bargle Island, a home of pirates. My father was named Arthur, and my mother is Bast, an Egyptian cat goddess. I met Myrena on the island, and I have lived with her ever since."
Myrena once again entered the room, and served Amon a large bowl of her vegetable soup. The cat quickly slurped down the contents of the bowl, licked his face, and thanked the witch.
"I haven't known very many cats that liked vegetable soup," stated Asha.
"They can learn to like it," replied Myrena. "I don't eat meat, myself, and neither do any of my pets."
"How many pets do you have?"
"Just Amon, Scorcher, and Torcher. Oh, and by the way, didn't you say that you wanted a conveyance?"
"Yes, I did."
"Well, Scorcher and Torcher told me that they would be willing to take you to Rash in my chariot."
"Thank you, Myrena. I would appreciate that."
"I'll come, too," announced Amon. "My psychic powers may help you on your journey."
"Very well, Amon," said Myrena. "Now, let's see about preparing your chariot."
Asha, Skayle, Amon, and Myrena walked out to the stables, which were behind the house. Here, two bulls were reclining.
"Hello, Myrena. Are these the people we shall be taking to the Kingdom of Rash?" asked one of the bulls.
"Yes, Scorcher," replied the witch. "Scorcher and Torcher, meet Asha, former Pasha of Rash, and Skayle, a demi-demon. Asha and Skayle, these are Torcher and Scorcher, my two bulls."
After the two groups had greeted each other, Myrena harnessed her bulls to a wooden chariot, and the Pasha, the half-demon, and the Psychicat climbed into this vehicle. As the bulls began to pull the conveyance, the travellers bade farewell to the witch.
"Thank you for pulling the chariot for us," said Asha.
"Oh, we don't mind," stated Scorcher, in a voice more pleasant than one might expect a fire-breathing bull to possess.
"We used to mind, a long time ago," commented Torcher.
"Yes, we did. Jason was the first person to successfully harness us, and he needed help from a magic potion."
"That was before we met Myrena. She helped us to overcome our violent natures."
"Why were you so warlike before, anyway?" asked Asha.
"We were raised as fighters by Mars, the god of war."
"We can still fight if the need arises," added Torcher, "but we no longer mindlessly burn things."
"That's good to know," said the former Ruler. "Amon, didn't you say you had psychic powers?"
"Yes," answered the cat. "Would you like a demonstration of my powers?"
"Well, actually, if you wouldn't mind, I would like to know how my son is."
"Very well." Amon closed his eyes, concentrated for about a minute, and then stated, "Your son is a prisoner!"
"Where?" questioned Asha, in a worried voice.
"In the Nome Kingdom. I cannot tell just where."
"Well, we had better go to the Nome Kingdom. I can't leave my son in the clutches of those evil elves!"
"Which way is it to the Nome Kingdom?" inquired Torcher.
"I don't know."
"I see a village ahead," announced Skayle, who had very sharp eyes. "We'll stop here, and see if someone can tell us the way to the Nome Kingdom."
It took about an hour for the bulls to reach the town. A sign at the entrance identified the village as "New Phalnor."
"New Phalnor?" questioned Asha. "I don't believe I've ever heard of such a town."
"I've never heard of Old Phalnor, either," added Amon.
"I think I remember a town called Phalnor," said Skayle. "It was destroyed in a war between Eastern and Western Ev. Much of the town was destroyed, so I suppose the Phalnorians built this place."
"Now that you mention it, I seem to remember studying the Battle of Phalnor. When did it take place?" asked Asha.
"When Evaltho, Ruler of the East, was attempting to overthrow his cousin, King Evardo. Not the current King Evardo; it was his grandfather, I believe."
"Oh, yes. And the Red Jinn eventually stopped Evaltho, and was given reign over Eastern Ev as a reward."
"Well, let's go in," advised Amon. "I'm hungry, and maybe there'll be something to eat in this town."
So Torcher and Scorcher pulled the chariot down the street, and the travellers greeted the friendly Evians who were walking along the roads. Soon, the visitors noticed a stone building, with a sign reading, "New Phalnor Public Library and Historical Center."
"We'll probably be able to find the information we want in there," observed Asha.
"And there's a weapon store across the street," stated the demi-demon. "I'm going to get some weapons for us. We can't go into the Nome Kingdom unarmed."
"You get off here, and we'll try to find an Inn, where we can get something to eat," suggested Scorcher.
Asha and Skayle exited the chariot. The former Pasha then entered the library, while the demon walked into the weapon shop. The bulls then continued down the street.
At the counter of the armory sat a dwarf, who was busily polishing a broad sword. When Skayle approached the counter, this dwarf asked, "What are you supposed to be? Some kind of demon or something?"
"I am, indeed, a demon," was the reply. "Well, actually, I'm only half-demon. My mother was a human."
"Well, you're not the strangest customer I've had. A couple weeks ago, I had a guy who was half-fish, and last month, there was that two-headed man. What was really strange was the one of his heads was that of a horse. Anyway, what is it that you need? We're having a special on all oak clubs and chain mail."
"Well, I'll take one suit of chain mail, and-"
"What size?"
"Oh, I suppose it would be about an average full-grown male human size. I'd also like two clubs, a broad sword, a battle-axe, two daggers, and two shields."
"All right," said the dwarf, who had been writing the order on a piece of paper. "Come by tomorrow morning to pick it up. What's your name?"
"Skayle."
"Skayle, eh? Well, it fits you. See you tomorrow."
The demi-demon hurried across the street and into the library. He found Asha examining a map of Ev, which hung on the wall next to a map of New Phalnor.
"The weapons won't be ready until tomorrow morning," Skayle told the former Ruler of Rash. "We'll have to stay here overnight."
"All right," said Asha. "Oh, by the way, the Nome Kingdom lies to the south-west of here. But it's a big place. I wish I knew just where my son was being kept."
"Perhaps we should look at a map of the Nome Kingdom," suggested Skayle. "I'll help you find one."
The two men looked through several books on the Nomes. Finally, Skayle found a map, which had been drawn by Evian spies. The demi-demon photocopied the map, and the two went outside of the building to await the return of Torcher, Scorcher, and Amon. As they waited, they read from local magazines and newspapers.
"They have a festival in this town every June," said Skayle. "Maybe I'll come back here for that."
"Here come Torcher and Scorcher," observed Asha, who had looked up from The New Phalnor Press.
"We found an inn," announced Torcher. "Were you planning on spending the night here?"
"Well, our weapons won't be ready until tomorrow morning, so we thought we should stay," replied Skayle.
"Well, it'll cost fifteen pounds for all of us to stay, and that includes dinner and breakfast."
"That sounds reasonable," said Asha.
After a dinner of mushrooms and salad, with hot coals for the bulls, Asha and Skayle spent a peaceful night at the Gralgor T. Grestwen Inn, which was named after a goblin who had fought in the Battle of Phalnor. Torcher, Scorcher, and Amon stayed in the stables behind the inn. In the morning, while the two men were eating a continental breakfast, the cat rushed into their room.
"I know where your son is!" shouted the Psychicat. "He is near the Nome River."
"The Nome River? Why, that's right there," said Skayle, pointing to this river on his map. "And the passage to the river is not very heavily guarded."
After breakfast, Asha paid the innkeeper. He and his companions then rode to the weapon shop, where they picked up their armaments. The Pasha equipped himself with the armor, the broad sword, a dagger, a club, and a shield, while Skayle took the other items. The entire order cost eighty-seven Ev pounds and sixpence, which Asha gave to the dwarf at the counter. After this, the party was on its way to the Nome Kingdom.
***************************************************************
Earlier that morning, Shoofenwaller, Royal Chamberlain to King Kaliko of the Nomes, had brought his master's morning coffee. He then asked, "Did you sleep well, Your Majesty?"
"Not at all," replied Kaliko, as he sipped the coffee. "Too much is going on in my Kingdom, and I'm not feeling very well. I wonder if Potaroo has gotten rid of that mortal."
In answer to his question, the wizard entered the Throne Room, dragging the woman by the hand. He told the King, "I've been up all night experimenting on her, but none of my experiments have restored her memory, so I'm going to try dipping her in the Nome River."
"The Nome River? But that has been known to be exceedingly dangerous to the minds of mortals. If something happens to that girl, Ozma will hold me responsible."
"It seems to be our only chance. This girl was enchanted by a more powerful kind of magic than I have ever dealt with before. Actually, I don't think Ruggedo was responsible for her enchantment."
"All right. Try dipping her in the river. Just get her out of my Kingdom quickly."
"Very well, Your Majesty." And Potaroo began walking the corridors of Kaliko's Kingdom toward the Nome River.
A long incantation was necessary to invoke the river to restore the woman's memory, and, while the wizard was reciting this spell, Asha and his companions were travelling along a nearby tunnel, which they had gained access to through an opening in one of the rocky mountains of Nome Man's Land.
"We should be at the Nome River soon," stated Skayle.
"What's that noise?" questioned Asha, who heard a strange snarling sound.
"It looks like a dog," said Amon. "A dog with seven heads."
"Yes, that's what I am," stated the seven-headed canine who had approached the party. "And I won't let you through."
The dog prepared to spring upon the intruders, but Torcher shot a tongue of flame at the guard. This caused the canine to back up slightly, but soon, he was once again ready to jump.
The Psychicat leapt out of the chariot, and began scratching the guard dog's back. All fourteen of the creature's eyes began glowing, while all seven heads attempted to bite the cat. But Amon jumped from the dog's back, and began running down the passage, with the canine in close pursuit.
While the dog was distracted by the cat, Asha and Skayle climbed out of the wagon, and began whacking the canine's heads with their clubs. The seventh head managed to bite Asha, but its teeth could not penetrate the Pasha's thick armor.
"This armor certainly was a good investment," said Asha, as he hit the final head.
"Now, on to the Nome River," stated Skayle.
The feline led the way along the passage, while the two men walked behind him. The two bulls, who were still pulling the chariot, brought up the rear. Soon, the party had reached a great cavern, lit by an unknown light source. Potaroo was holding a woman under the water of a great rushing river.
"Are you drowning my son, you evil Nome?" yelled the Pasha, as he rushed toward the wizard.
"Son? No, this is a woman," replied Potaroo, as he removed the lady from the water.
"Asha!" shouted the woman, as she broke free of the Nome's grasp. "My dear Asha!"
"Eshla!" exclaimed Asha, as he embraced the woman. "Could it really be you? I thought you were dead! What has the villain done to you?"
"Potaroo has broken my enchantment, and restored my memory."
"Enchantment? What enchantment?"
"Do you remember Kalnorsto?" asked Eshla.
"Kalnorsto? You mean that sorceror who thought he was in love with you?"
"Yes. Right before we were married, Kalnorsto placed a curse on me. The curse, which took effect when you thought I had died, turned me into an ornament, and placed me in the Nome King's ornament rooms, where Kalnorsto thought no one would be able to find me."
"Why didn't you tell me about this curse earlier?"
"I didn't know I was cursed. But the Nome River has expanded my mind, and given me knowledge in new areas."
"But why did Amon say that my son was in this Kingdom?"
"Oh, I can explain that," replied Potaroo. "This young lady is currently pregnant."
"So I was correct, as I usually am," observed Amon.
"Eshla, this is Amon, and these others are Skayle, Torcher, and Scorcher. They helped me to find you. But now we'd better get back to Rash, and get you to a hospital."
"I'll send you to Rash," offered the Nome. "Come with me."
Asha, Eshla, Amon, Skayle, Torcher, and Scorcher followed the wizard to King Kaliko's Throne Room, where the Nome King was reading The Nome Man's Daily. The King asked, "Who are all these strangers, and what are they doing in my Kingdom?"
"I am going to return them to their rightful homes, Your Majesty," answered Potaroo. "I have restored the woman's memory. She is actually Eshla of Rash."
"Very good, Potaroo."
The Nome performed his transportation magic, which quickly sent Asha and his companions to Rash. Once there, Evered, the young Ruler, warmly greeted his parents. A celebration was held in the small pink Kingdom, after which Skayle returned to his home, and Amon, Torcher, and Scorcher went back to Myrena's house.
And meanwhile, in the Nome Kingdom, Kaliko and Potaroo were sleeping as peacefully as two Nomes could. After the hectic events of this story, the two elves were glad to finally have some rest.
Click here to find out about the background
of this story.
Go to my homepage
Get your own Free Home Page