• There was a scruryying about in the castle of Crystol one fine early spring. People coming and going with great urgency. But one set of footsteps remained at a calm pace. Those belonged to Wallace. Wallace was the king's right hand man and most trusted adviser, colleage,and friend. Every Important task that needed to be done was done by him alone. And today he was assigned the most important task of all, to protect the royal family's heirs.

    Wallace was now climbing down the stairs with two tightly wrapped bundles in each hand. Each brown blanketed bundle contained two of the most important beings of the future kingdom of Crystol. They were that of twins, both conceived in secret by the queen in just the last week or so.

    It was sad state of affairs to have to be conceiving in secret. Wallace thought But times were that difficult and dangerous not to. The Kingdom itself at the moment was wrought in conspiracy against the king. And as of yet no one could be found culprit of such wicked acts. Why one could want to betray the king eluded Wallace. The king had always been good to the people, and the kingdom had prospered more than any king before him. Yet it seemed that it was usually the best of men that were killed by the wicked.

    Reaching the bottom of the stairs and one of the secret back entrances laid two of the royal escape pods, that looked like too round cushions with padding around the edge 3 ft length in height. The pods themselves only measured 6 1/2 ft in length perfect for one man to lay down and conceal himself if he needed to flee.

    Wallace enclosed the distance to the two pods that sat next to each other. One was empty and contained a secret stash of gold, papers of a new identity, But most important of all it contained that which when the time was right, two rings that would identify these two children as the true royal family.

    A small whimper was heard from the second pod to Wallace's right. He turned and whispered to himself. " Hopefully these two can protect the royal family for a little longer". and with that Wallace and his indispensable treasure hopped into the escape pod and glided about.

    Their journey was not a long one. And was only an hours distance away. But it felt an eternity for Wallace as he watched the wilderness below swoop past him. Impatience was filled in his heart, his only desire was to make it to his destination safely and secretly.

    And all the while Wallace pondered on the threatening notes he had captured from a spy only days ago. That of the murder of these to innocent being he was safely hiding. How it had become known of their presence baffled him. Everything had been perfect. Only the king himself and the nurse maiden of the queen had even known about the pregnancy and it was concealed perfectly until the last three months and then a perfect excuse of her absence was created for the queens absence until she conceived. No one had doubted the certainty of those lies and yet someone had discovered the truth.

    Now two strange Children would take the place of these little ones until their lives were secure enough for their appearance. For someone had to be shown now that all the villages knew of the royal births.

    As Wallace was conteplating all the recent matters that had occurred. He had not noticed the shapes that were moving in the forest below. Shadows moving swiftly and secretly through the forests thick brush.

    At last, Wallace arrived at his destination. The vast mountain of Caldana lay before in all its majesty. And hidden from public eye was a cave. The cave in which Wallace now entered cautiously. Amazed was Wallace, since this was the first time his own feet now touched this forsaken Haven of royalty from past times. His feet were the only non royal in history to have the luxory of standing here. Since it was only for the protection of royals in hard times such as these. And only royals knew of its existence until now.

    What lay before him was the most exotic and beautiful unknown architecture. The floor itself was colored in silver granite. Six grand pillars laid in front of him holding the roof up. Wide stairs that led to a double wide Steel door were on the far north end.The walls were covered in alien designs in what seemed to be inscribed with gold. And At the Highest point in the ceiling that laid in the middle a Giant Glowing crystal, burned brightly.

    Shaking is awe he picked up his bundles and softly treaded towards the steal doors. Putting his cargo down he glared at the largest doors he had ever laid eyes on. The only thing that was upon the doors was one an eight pointed indention. With that Wallace grabbed hold of the carefully conceiled chain around his neck and pulled out a gold key. Inscribed on it in an ancient langauge was a spell somehow allowing the doors to be opened. Wallace hadn't a clue how this key could really help in incloseing the doors any more securely than he saw now.

    But with little else thought Wallace placed the key in its slot. Wallace fell back as he saw the key glow and the incyptions that lay on the key scatter in large segments across the whole of the doors. Another bright light flashed and the door swung inwards.

    Getting a hold of his wits again, Wallace picked himself off and dusted his robes. Grabbing the children he walked inside. The grand doors shut behind him and like magic the key now faced the inside of the doors. How intelgently designed this place was for protection, thought Wallace.

    The interior looked to him like a smaller one floor image of the castle. Perhaps to make the royals feel they were at home when in hiding, Wallace thought. The only thing that worried him at that moment was how were they going to get food. Towns unlike the castle were at a much longer distance away. And he couldn't very well likely leave the children on thier own has he bought food supplies. And god-forbid he couldn't very well likley take the children with him. For even now the children were split images of their parents. Far more than the ones who would take their place for the moment.

    Entering the bedchambers of the royals Wallace found a small nursery and laid the children down in the large sized crib. Unveiling them, two small sleeping faces looked back at them. Wallace was grateful for the herb the royal nurse had given him to keep these little ones asleep for the journey.

    Wallace looked around the nursery. Decorated in the royal colors of gold and red, the childrens chambers were filled with a variety of different toys and story time books. All that was needed to entertain young minds.

    Now feeling more secure, Wallace continued around his new home for the next several years. Hopefully they weren't too long and they would move quickly. He did have someone waiting for him. And he prayed she'd remain waiting for him as well.

    As Wallace could see, the residence was pretty close to the structure of the palace. Except for one wall which didnt contain anything, it was completly bare. This surprised Wallace only for a moment, since it seemed the walls all contained some form of decoration. But he let it slide as he pondered on other matters that disturbed his mind. One of which was the schooling of the Children. As the king knew, he wasnt the brightest, although he wasn't unintelligent either. He Knew all he needed in his profession. But that was all the knowledge he was given due to his birth rank at the time. And now he had to think about how he was going to teach two royals. For they were certainly were going to need a proper education for their rank.

    What Wallace didn't notice as he was contemplating scholastic matters, was that a Brown wooden door had formed on the bare wall. It wasn't until Wallace was so disquieted on the matter that groaned with agitation that he looked up and saw a newly formed door. Thinking that he had gone insane he wandered slowly towards the door. turning the handle cautiously, Wallace opened the door to find a vast library of books of every subject. Wallace's prayers for the children's education were answered. But before he could contemplate looking for some good teaching material a sound echoed from above his waistline.

    Food is what I should be worried about, Wallace echoed to himself as he closed the door. Before he had gotten two feet, Wallace turned his head around to give a second glance at the door. He had to look twice, for now the Brown wooden door, was a white wooden door. Curiously he scuttled forward and opened the white door.
    Inside the contents almost gave him a heart attack. Instead of a library as it was originally the door opened a pantry of foods. Foods of all kinds, even meats, rice potatoes and sugars and spices.Not believing his sanity he closed the door and opened it twice to find the same results.

    Well where was the library he thought now agitated. and before his eyes the white door now turned into the brown wooden door from before. "Ha" Wallace let out. "It's a magical door. Well I'll be. this is how the royals could live in this cave without giving himself away. But I wonder...." he said aloud. Quickly trying to think about something, Natures urge beheld him a silver door appeared. "hmmm" he moaned to himself. Now within the door was a restroom which he quickly entered.

    Now having relieved himself he smiled and talked out loud to himself "I knew it, this door is a door of need. It can be anything the one needing something needs. Amazing!!! Now all my troubles have been answered. Feeling quaint happiness he set about to prepare something to eat. So he began thinking about roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and pea soup. Quickly he reached for the door, expecting a full course meal to be before him. To his dismay, all that the room contained were the ingredients to make such delicacies.

    Wallace cried "Why?" as he fell to his knees "I can't believe I need to learn how to cook. Kill I can do, Protect is a snap, I can even tame lions, but cooking is whole other matter." he whined. The brown door now appeared. "Guess I'll be needing a cook book." He said with little enthusiasm.

    ~ * ~