The not so good, but not so bad, King of Ombar has sent his knights on a quest to find the
Flower of Eternity these past ten years. The flower is said to hold the key to unlocking the gates
of eternity and with that comes untold power and supposed immortality. The King is obsessed
with finding it, so much that he has lost more men in this ongoing quest than if he had
commissioned a holy war.
My father, rest his soul, was one of the first to go. He was great man, a favorite knight of the
King. Father left to find the flower when I was twelve, which was a decade ago. He never
returned. No one ever does. I live alone now. I’ve been an outcast ever since. But now the
King of Ombar has need of more men to continue on with his relentless crusade for the flower.
All his good men are gone and those that are left cannot be spared.
With no one left to volunteer I step forth from the shadows: “I will go.”
Every eye in the room trains on me. They probably didn’t know I was in the throne room
or attending the meeting. Few people look at me in confusion, certain they recognize me, while
many more scoff at my audacity. It is the king that I focus on. Does he remember who I am?
Certainly he does. After all I’m the spitting image of my father: same build, brown hair, and
gentle blue eyes. It is not until a courtier whispers in the king’s ear does he finally realize who I
am.
“Young Jack, is that you? My, how you’ve grown. What is it you want?”
Cautiously I approach the king. “Sire, I would like to volunteer to go in search of the Flower
of Eternity.” I say my words soft but strong to gain his attention and his trust. Although I hardly
believe in the flower, I want to prove my worth and regain my family’s honor. And just
maybe I’ll find out what happened to my father.
At first the king laughs. It’s a hearty laugh as though I’ve just told him the most amusing
story. I hold his gaze until he concludes that I am serious. Quickly his attitude sobers. He studies
me delicately looking for any sign of weakness that he can use against me. “Dear boy, what
makes you think you can find the flower when so many before you have failed, even your father.
Can you do better than they?”
“My king, I do not know but I must try,” I say earnestly.
The King of Ombar leans back on his throne, “I like his spunk,” he says to himself. He looks
me in the eye. “All right Jack, you may go. Hopefully you will succeed where everyone else has
failed.”
The king motions to someone then two guards escort me out, but not before I’m given a type
of scroll. The scroll is a reproduction of the original found by the king as a young man. It gives a
detailed description to the possible location of the Flower. After many failed years of searching
for it himself the king made copies for his knights hoping they would have better luck than he. I
might be his last hope now.
With my head down and full of many thoughts I head to my humble home. News of my
journey has already spread through the village for many well-wishers have gathered. Among
them is man called Bo. Bo is short for Beauregard, he is the Knight of Kantune. Although a
knight he might be, Bo is scared of practically everything. He steps forward stopping me in my
tracks.
“Sir Jack,” Bo says with a flourish. “I offer you my services on your quest, although my fears
may give you little help. Can I consider myself your comrade?”
“Sure, Bo. Come along.”
I don’t mind Bo. He’s a quirky character but he’s all right enough. Besides he’s one of the
only knights who hasn’t volunteered for the kings quest. I think poor Bo just wants to earn a little
dignity. He follows me taking grand strides and waving farewell to the people, I shake my head
and let him have his moment.
As I near my house the smell of turnips and wet dog attacks my nostrils. It can only be the
village soothsayer Alba. He’s hardly a wise man, and none of his concoctions ever work. I’ve
always been nice enough to play along with his charade and instead of treating him like the
village idiot as others do. My only problem with Alba is that he often speaks in riddles, rhythms
or by beginning each word with the same letter. I can barely understand him most of the time.
“Medicine, my master.” Alba hands me a strange looking flask. I thank him kindly but he
stops me again. “ A question I must ask. Might I accompany thee on thy task?” Then he’s
mumbling something unintelligible, perhaps a riddle.
Before I can answer Bo says, “You would be most welcome Master Soothsayer.”
I smile politely to not hurt either of their feelings. This trio is hardly the team of the century.
We consist of a knight who’s frightened of all things living and dead, a nut-case wiseman, and
me. I don’t know the first thing to do. At least we’re off to a good start. Although Bo and Alba
aren’t ideal companions, there’s no denying they make for good company.
Dawn breaks too early for us all, however we are thankful for the beauty of the day. I take the
bright sun as a good sign and Alba agrees with me. However, the nice weather is quickly
replaced by chilling rain that doesn’t let up for days. I decide to remain positive, hoping nothing
worse will find its way to us. Bo constantly complains that he should have stayed home and safe.
Alba at least likes the rain. At one point he stops to do a rain dance for good luck.
Several days of travelling bring us to the end of the forest. I have no clue where to go and to
make matters worse the scroll is completed. It will be of no more help. No wonder no one ever
comes back; they’re all still out their searching no doubt. An eerie feeling falls over me at the
same time a group of clouds clear to reveal a tower. My gaze follows it to the ground where I
find it is surrounded by a previously invisible maze. As strange as it is I feel drawn inside.
“I’m going in,” I say.
Bo tries to convince me otherwise. “Sir Jack, I think it not best too. A million horrible things
could lie waiting to harm you.”
“Mazes are made mysteries,” Alba begins, “Towers are built upon intrigue. Residing within,
our curiosity finds only troubles.” For once his words make sense.
“I appreciate both of your concerns but I have to do this. I need to know if it has any
connection to my father.” They both seem to understand but are hesitant to follow me. “You can
wait here if you like.”
Alba squats down, “Wait we will.” Then he mutters some strange gibberish.
“I have to agree with him,” Bo says. “Fare thee well, Jack. I wish the best of luck to you.”
They act as though I’m never coming back. I promise to return soon to put them at ease then
continue on alone. I don’t mind being alone. I’m used to it. As I enter the stone maze the wind
stands still and all sounds come to a halt. I have to tell myself I can still breathe and that I
haven’t gone deaf. It’s just a trick of the maze. My thoughts run wild trying to figure a purpose
for such a place.
The further into the maze I get, I start to notice weeds and vines are overtaking the structure.
At the center, the black tower is greatly out of place amongst the overgrown vegetation. It’s a
struggle for me to get through and unfortunately I don’t have a proper sword to cut through the
thickness of the vines. Instead I do my best to squeeze my way through the less tight areas,
getting stuck only once or twice.
Finally reaching the door, I’m excited at what treasures and amazements the tower might
hold. I’m greatly disappointed to find this is not a magical tower like from the stories but more
like a very tall one-room home. Why in the name of the king does this place exist? Then I see
the sleeping maiden. Her long locks are the color of gold, her skin is also golden, while her lips
are pink. Is she the secret? Cautiously I approach the fair maid and in doing so, something
catches could lie waiting to harm you.”
A glass orb containing a golden flower calls out to me. It clicks in my head that this is the
Flower of Eternity. Suddenly I’m overcome with an inner confliction. Do I help the pretty girl
or do I take the orb? Examining the maiden I conclude there is nothing I can do for her. She isn’t
dead but merely sleeping. I don’t know how to wake her, so it’s best to leave her be. Besides the
Flower is calling to me. I could borrow it to find my father before returning it to the king.
As I stretch out my out my hand to pluck the golden flower from the orb, the girl shoots up,
suddenly very awake. She stares at me with green eyes like the color of soft grass. “You idiot!
Don’t touch it.”
I’m too shocked to speak. All I can get out is a mumbled, “Why not?”
“You’re a stupid boy. I bet your not even a knight. You should have kissed me, that’s what
knights do. That dumb orb can’t help you.”
At first I’m surprised by her attitude but who knows how long she’s been cooped up in here.
When I regain my voice I ask, “Who are you?”
“My name is Joanna,” she pauses. “I found out about the orb the hard way. I touched it.”
Joanna is about to explain then her face crinkles in curiosity. “Who are you and why are you
here?”
I quickly explain who I am and about my quest hoping to impress her. When I mention the
Flower of Eternity, she bursts into a round of laughter. I hate that she’s not taking this seriously.
All I want is the flower but Joanna is keeping me from it and in doing so she is keeping me from
my father. I show her the scroll to prove my quest but once again she is humored by me.
“Exactly what is so funny?”
Joanna points to the orb, “That’s not your flower.”
I don’t understand. How couldn’t it be the Flower of Eternity? I see the golden flower as plain
as day. She see’s I do not comprehend, so she adds it can’t be the Flower because it’s not real.
The orbs shows what the heart of the person looking desires most. It’s not magical, it’s a curse.
“I found it and it showed me a knight. When I touched it the maze grew around me. I’ve been
stuck here ever since.” Joanna gives me her full story. She wanted to be like a fairy-tale
princess. The orb gave Joanna her wish but she can’t leave unless a knight comes to rescue
her.
“I’m only the son of a knight,” I say sadly.
“But you have the heart of one,” she nods towards the orb, “it sensed it. Besides I’m not a
princess.”
I turn my attention back to the orb and am surprised to find the golden flower has been
replaced by the face of my father. To find him is what I want more than anything in the world
but I won’t let it trick me. Learning the truth of the orb, I think maybe there isn’t a Flower of
Eternity after all. Perhaps the king has been fooled by his own selfish desires. It could be that his
other knights realized this too.
I think the important thing isn’t finding the flower or reaching the end. It’s the journey itself
and what you take away from it. My father must have known this. He must be off somewhere
doing good. I decide to abandon the kings impossible quest. It’s no longer important and neither
is the glory or fame. Instead I’ll go in search of my father. If can’t find him then at least I’ll have
made good friends in Bo and Alba, and maybe love in Joanna.
“I could rescue you, if you’d like.”
“Well, you’re certainly not a knight in shining armor,” she says. “But I suppose the son of a
knight is better than no knight at all.”
I smile, “You’re not a princess. We could make a good pair.” That’s that, not a fairytale but
almost.
