text: [Themes: family friendly]
  
  You awake in your chamber, the sound of bells ringing but not the usual sound of 2 chimes for the sign of midday.
  
  It was a constant noise drilling in the side of your head, the ring means death... death of the king.
  
  You hear a huge commotion outside with wailing cries, screams and sobs reminding you of the wild night you had from the amount of liquor you drunk.
  
  Staggering out of your small hut you see the kings body seated on a golden chair, his body looking peaceful and fresh like he was simply asleep
  
  'What could of killed him?' you wonder. Suddenly a guard in shining armor appears before you, "Romulus what are you doing here?!"
  
  The king is dead, the kingdom has turned down the pathway to hell and the guard asks what I'm doing here?! Stupid...
  
  "How?" You ask in astonishment.
  
  "We don't know yet. He was found in his chamber this morning, blood dripping from his mouth. We suspect it to be poison most likely but we aren't sure yet. We are currently searching the castle so there is no need for you to be here."
  
  You feel your blood start to boil underneath your skin and your cheeks are taking a bright shade of red, 'How dare he!' You are furious!
  
  Not only at this arrogant guard before you but at everything! Some low life has killed the king, all this commotion and panic is really ticking you off, you're being told none of this is your business and to go away when in fact it is your business!
  
  Your kings death is highly and crucially your business. What will happen now? Who did this? I'll ring their darn neck!
  
  "Romulus... this is a hard time for everyone and to tell the truth, I want... nay, I need your help!" The guard says, "So because of this fact you are captain of the reserve infantry! Several generals and chieftains have already laid claim to the throne the kings son was executed by General Titus immediately after the kings death, you need to bring order to this madness call the men raise the reserve and march for the keep! Take this city and save it from it's self. I'm counting on you!"
  
  > return to your chamber
  You stand silent... Then suddenly turn and shut the door of ye's chamber. It is too early in the morning for killing!
  
  As you lie back in your bed you see your guard speaking to a fellow astride a great snowy white horse.
  
  They appear to be conspiring but then suddenly your door busts open and your guard sprints at you with his sword high, sharp and deadly, aiming right towards your head!
  
  You duck and roll headfirst dodging the powerful blow that he attempts to perpetrate upon you and you're momentarily amazed and shocked that this is your personal guard!
  
  You, the second in command of the reserves clutch your rivals' wrists in addition to try and force his sword down, nonetheless the opponent head-butts you making you lose your grip.
  
  As he raises his weapon you reach for the dagger concealed in your boot and stab him in the neck giving it a great tug, ripping under his chin.
  
  Look for the co-conspirator who is now no were to be seen. You run out in shock into the cold night, gulping down freezing air as you gasp in shock of what has just happened.
  
  You know now you only have one choice... you need to raise the reserves and take control of this situation...
  
  > Will be the one to seize the throne
  You ignore your duty to the realm and immediately set off to the reserves barracks.
  
  As you arrive you notice the men are already there in armor and ready to fight, they know the king is dead as well that his son is the rightful successor. One man steps forward.
  
  "Commander Romulus, we are behind you and support which ever action you choose to take. You approach your luitenent. "How many men?" 700 infantry and 30 horsemen my lord, many men joined general Titus, a few also fled to Theomus and Lucias... they will meet their deaths for treason!"
  
  "What are your orders my lord?"[Themes: sci-fi, science fiction, humor, action]
  
  You are on the run, or... float, rather. You've been floating down the mighty Pilchangk for some time towards what you hope is safe passage off this warring planet.
  
  You don't normally travel alone and can't remember the last time you had to fend for yourself. However, since parting ways with your trigger-happy masked protector, life certainly took some interesting turns - or bends (river life, right?).
  
  Thinking back on your former protector, you think it strange that for all the days you spent together you never learned his name and he never asked for yours. Stranger still, you never saw his face. Even more especially strange is you don't know much about yourself... or your kind. Green skin, tiny frame, and the ability to move objects without physically touching them? No, there aren't many of your kind around these parts.
  
  You resolve to think deeply about this latter subject as time permits. For now, you conclude it is better to focus on the river. The last thing you want is to hit a rock or low hanging branch and have to swim the unknown lengths to the river's end.
  
  The end of the river is where you are heading since the Pilchangk deposits itself at the foot of a well-known hub town for interstellar travelers seeking odd jobs. With any luck you'd hitch a ride with someone who took your appearance as a welcome novelty. Admittedly, there was much luck involved with your plan and no long-term solution for finding peace and security.
  
  You place your hands into the cold waters of the Pilchangk and paddle your tiny craft one tiny stroke at a time to clear yourself from the river edge. As you do so, you begin wishing you had the energy to carry yourself in the air with your unseen abilities. You imagine making quick work of the travel ahead, flying at hurtling speeds through the river system - but to do that you'd need rest and recovery. Those special abilities would only come forward after several long naps and a full belly.
  
  As the river bends, so do your thoughts. Perhaps you'll cross paths with your protector again -but then maybe not. There are many paths to take in this galaxy and many of them seem not to make much sense or take account of any one person's desires. Whether or not there is some master plan behind it all, there certainly seemed to be an urgency for everyone to get to a final destination of sorts. Perhaps you'll think about this, too, as time permits. Just as you conclude to think more about the many paths your own life could take...
  
  **Splintering - CRASH**
  
  ...you instantly regret the path just taken. As you scramble from your broken raft onto the river's edge, you see the rock that went unnoticed. It's jagged and clearly sticking out of the river. You must have been half-asleep to miss it.
  
  You wonder at the state of your being as you scan the riverbank. From where you crashed, trees and fern-like vegetation cover a short cliff edge overhanging the river. You cannot imagine what lies beyond. Then there is the river in front of you, cold and winding.
  
  You consider your options.
  
  [Author's Note: You are a tiny green creature who has been separated from your mysterious protector. You've been on the run ever since. Will you survive long enough to escape this planet or reunite with your trigger-happy friend?]
  
  > brave the river without a raft.
  You take your chances in the river. Fed up with setbacks placed in front of you, you gather your broken raft and throw it in the nearest patch of river bramble. With any luck, would-be trackers would inspect the craft and be detoured attempting to find your trail.
  
  You march your way back into the frigid waters of the Pilchangk, which is much deeper than it appeared from the river bank. Working to keep your head above water, you focus on the movements of your tiny arms as they keep you afloat. You manage fairly well for the first couple of bends but soon the cold and physical exertion takes its toll. You're beat.
  
  Now floating wherever the current pushes your once proud and seething form, you stare upwards with arms stretched outwards in a posture mixed of defeat and acceptance of whatever the Pilchangk might deliver.
  
  Sure, you could have waited till your head cleared of self-righteous fury but it felt so good to take charge! Although you'll never make it to your destination, you think back on when you took matters into your own hands and forged ahead against impossible odds. You close your eyes and crack a wry smile.
  
  The End