Far away, in a distant land called Sirine, lived a young lad of nineteen named Ronald Milton. He lived alone with his father in a small log cabin in the mountains. Major Milton, who was a former army officer, often was out hunting, so Ronald rarely saw him.

Once a year they traveled down to one of the villages to get supplies, it was several days journey.

One day, when they reached the village, Major Milton, leaving Ronald in the town square, went off to attend to some business.

Ronald was standing there, watching the vendors sell their wares, when a soldier came up and nailed a notice up to the town hall. After he had left, a crowd gathered around it.

Pushing through the crowd, Ronald read the notice, which said:

His Majesty, King Arthur has proclaimed the requirements for suitors of his daughter’s hand.

To marry the Princess Kayleen you must:

Be kind and gentle.

Have a good reputation.

Final requirement: Climb the mountain Shiro and bring back the treasure of the ancient Shironian Indians.

When the crowd read this, they gasped. There was a tale that the ancient Shironian Indians had buried their treasure at the top of the mountain. Many people had tried to climb the mountain, but they were never seen again.

The Shironian Indians were not in existence any longer, and they, as far as most people could tell, had left no clue as to the location of the treasure.

, how could someone not only climb it, but bring back the treasure too?

Ronald had read the article with interest, he had heard how kind King Arthur was and he had wondered what the requirements would be.

He was amazed at how hard the requirements were, but he knew why; the Princess was an only child. If your only child was a girl, you naturally wanted a good son-in-law. But it was none of his business, so he wandered on.

As he walked he passed some shops. Suddenly, he heard someone yelling, “Stop thief! Stop thief! Those men stole my money!” Looking up he saw three men come running out of one of the shops. Ronald began running after the three men. Ronald had always been a good runner, and he soon saw that he was gaining on them. They saw it too. Ronald noticed one of the men; he looked like the leader, saying something to the other two. Abruptly they halted. Ronald was running so fast that he couldn’t stop, and he ran right into their arms. One knocked him on the head with a gun and then, after tying and gagging him, they dragged him off into the forest.

After about an hour, Ronald woke up. But he didn’t feel well enough to walk, so he pretended to still be asleep.

Several minutes later they halted. Ronald was carelessly dumped on the ground.

“Get up.” The leader snarled.

Ronald slowly began to get up, he was still dizzy. The leader leaned over and jerked Ronald to his feet. Ronald swayed for a moment, gaining his balance.

As the three men stood looking at him, he felt the lump on his head. He winced when his hand touched it. When he drew back his hand, it had blood on it. “Well, what are you going to do with me?” asked Ronald.

The three men glanced at each other, and then the other two looked at the leader. They began talking in low tones.

Ronald looked about for somewhere to escape to, and then he noticed that the leader was still watching him.

After a couple of minutes, the leader came over to him. “What’s your name, boy?” he growled.

“Why don’t you tell me your name first? Then maybe I’ll tell you mine.” Ronald replied.

The leader’s hand flew out and he slapped Ronald across the face. Ronald was knocked down by the force of the blow. “That’s what you get for being impertinent. Next time it’ll be worse.” the leader said, glaring fiercely at Ronald.

Ronald glanced around and decided that it would be best to do as the thief said to. “My name is Ronald Milton.” Ronald said, trying to control his temper.

“That’s more like it.” the leader said, “You can call me Mike. These two are Ovie and Pat.”

Then Mike turned to Ovie and Pat and yelled, “Come on, you two! Pack up the stuff and let’s get moving before someone gets a law officer on our trail.”

Ovie and Pat obeyed quickly, and soon everything was gathered up. Then the two of them swung the big bags of stuff onto their shoulders. Mike untied Ronald’s arms and shoved a bag at him, and said, “Here, carry this, and don’t try to escape, I’ve got my eye on you, and my gun.” he added.

The man pulled out a cruel looking gun and pointed it in the direction of Ronald. The group started off, Mike keeping his gun on Ronald.

They marched until the sun began to go down.

Ronald was feeling very sore and tired. In the last several hours he had been hit quite hard on the head, had been slapped violently across the face and he hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

Finally they stopped and set up camp. After eating some cold beans, all of them but Mike laid down to sleep.

Ronald lay awake for a while, he wondered if his father was worried about him. His father did not see or talk to Ronald very often, but they still loved each other. Ronald fell asleep.

End of Chapter One

(This is the story I wrote when I was 12-13 years-old. It is unedited, but I'm sure that you can ignore that. :) This is the sequel to Death In Three Weeks!, my other book on The Prose, and is in the same continent as An Everlasting Hope. I hope you enjoy it very much! If you are not being tagged when new chapters come out, and would like to be, let me know!)

(P.S. By the way, the cover art for this book is the map I drew of the continent all my books are situated in. :P)

When the sun began to rise, Mike woke; he had slept while Pat had stood guard. Mike looked over and saw Pat sound asleep. Ovie was sleeping next to him. Mike stepped over and kicked them. “Get up you two lazy bones! It’s morning!” Ovie and Pat jumped out of bed quickly, Ovie yelling, “I’m awake! I’m awake!”

They ate a quick breakfast. After they had finished, Ovie and Pat began to pack up.

Mike looked over at Ronald, who was still asleep. He walked over and kicked him, yelling, “Get up, boy!”

Ronald moaned and rolled over. Mike kicked him harder. “I’ll get up soon, father, I’m so tired.” Groaned Ronald, sleepily.

Mike picked up a stick and struck Ronald with it. Ronald leapt up with a yell of pain. There was a jagged cut down his leg.

“Next time get up when I call you.” Said Mike.

Ronald looking about remembered the events of the day before.

By this time Ovie and Pat had finished packing.

“Aren’t we going to eat breakfast before we start?” asked Ronald.

“No! Wait till we stop at noon. We already ate, if you hadn’t slept in you could have eaten too, now it’s too late.” Said Mike.

Ronald started to say something but one look at the stick that Mike still held made him decided to stay quiet.

They all picked up some bags and off they went, through the forest.

Ronald winced at every step he took. He had been able to wrap his leg. He tripped on a root and fell. Ovie kicked him. “Get up, you’re slowing us down.” He said angrily.

Ronald got up slowly. Ovie gave him a push and they started off again.

Every step gave Ronald pain now. He limped along slowly behind Ovie and Pat.

After a bit they came to the edge of a cliff, with a thirty-foot drop. Mike, after looking down, turned and began traveling along the left side of the cliff. Suddenly, he stopped. Ronald, looking closely at the cliff, saw steps carved in the rock.

Ovie and Pat began to descend carefully. Mike pushed Ronald towards the steps. Ronald started down. Several times his foot slipped but he caught himself in time.

About halfway down the cliff Ronald let out a shout. His feet had slipped, and he fell! Mike hurried down after him. Ovie and Pat reached him first. Luckily Ronald had landed in a bush and it had somewhat broken his fall. Mike sprinkled some water from his canteen onto Ronald’s face, his eyes opened slowly.

“Get up, boy, we need to keep going.” Mike growled.

Ronald tried to sit up, but an agonizing pain caused him to let out a suppressed scream and he sank back down on the ground. Mike knelt beside Ronald and began feeling Ronald’s chest. When he touched one of Ronald’s ribs, Ronald cried out, from the stab of pain.

“Broken rib, probably.” Said Mike.

Then he turned to Ovie and Pat and said, “Go get some sticks for a stretcher.”

Ovie and Pat hurried off for material, while Mike found a blanket in one of the sacks. When Ovie and Pat came back they built a stretcher. Then Mike bent over Ronald and said, “We’re going to move you now.”

Then they laid the stretcher next to Ronald and rolled him onto it. Ronald fainted from the pain.

Ovie and Pat each took an end of the stretcher, and off they went into the forest.

After a while they came to an abandoned hut in a clearing. “We’ll stay here for the night.” Mike ordered.

They went inside, and Pat gathered some wood for a fire.

Ronald had a fever, the cut on his leg was infected, and he also was delirious. The thieves tied him down to keep him from moving around.

The next morning Mike, Ovie and Pat woke up and ate breakfast. Suddenly Mike jumped up and looked out the window. “Someone’s coming!” he yelled.

Mike, Ovie, and Pat grabbed their supplies and dashed out the door.

In their hurry they had forgotten Ronald. It was not until they were out of the clearing and in the woods beyond that they remembered him and then it was too late to go back.

End of Chapter Two

Back at the hut Ronald was delirious still, and unaware that his captors had abandoned him.

Outside the hut, five men stepped into the clearing. One of them turned to the man next to him. “You say that there were three of them, Mr. Alton?” he asked.

“Yes, and they were carrying something too.” Mr. Alton replied.

“Okay, men! Get ready, we’re going in!” cried the captain.

They charged in, pistols ready. To their surprise they didn’t find three criminals, but one young boy lying on some blankets. There was silence. The stillness was broken by Ronald’s voice, “Oh, please don’t hit me! My foot! It’s slipping! Help! I’m falling! Oh, my chest hurts!” on and on he rambled.

The captain, whose name was Mark, walked over to Ronald. He knelt next to the boy. Gently he checked Ronald’s chest. Standing up he walked back to Mr. Alton. “The boy’s got a couple broken ribs. We had better get him to a hospital, he also has a fever.”

Mark told the two soldiers to carry Ronald. The two men carried Ronald out the door.

After a couple minutes of walking they reached a wagon. After putting Ronald in the carriage, Mark and the two men that had carried Ronald mounted their horses. Mr. Alton got into the wagon and off they went.

Ronald didn’t know it, but he was in Talio, the capital of Sirine.

As they rode along the streets, Mark read the signs on the buildings. “Stop here.” He told the driver.

The wagon stopped in front of a building. Mark got out and said, to the two soldiers, “Get the boy out of the wagon and carry him in.”

The soldiers quickly obeyed. They carried Ronald up the steps and into the building, which was the hospital. A nurse hurried up. “May I help you?” she asked.

“Yes, this boy is injured.” Mark said.

The nurse took one look at Ronald and gasped. “I’ll be right back!” she said and hurried off.

A couple minutes later, she came back with a doctor.

“Step right into this room.” The doctor told them, motioning towards a door.

They carefully carried Ronald into the room and laid him on the table. Then the doctor motioned them out of the room.

About half an hour later, the doctor appeared. “He broke three ribs, has, a cut on the leg and quite a few bruises.” The doctor said in reply to Mark’s question concerning Ronald, “Where on earth did you find him, and who is he?”

“We found him in a hut in the woods. A gentleman, Mr. Alton, said the he was hunting and saw three men go into the hut, they were carrying this boy.” Said Mark, “He was delirious when we found him. He had no identification.”

“Well, we have him bandaged and we gave him some medicine to help him sleep. The medicine should take effect soon; his fever was better when I left him.” The doctor said.

The doctor led the way down a corridor and motioned towards a door. “He’s in there, well, I have patients waiting.” The doctor said, he left.

Mark pushed open the door of the room. A nurse greeted him. “He went to sleep. The medicine is taking effect and his fever has lowered noticeably.” She said.

Inside the room, Mark saw Ronald lying on a bed. He looked pale and tired, but he was not delirious any longer. So, the captain withdrew from the room quietly.

Mark went across the street to the inn and got rooms for the night.

Every day Mark went across the street to the hospital and checked on Ronald. They still didn’t know his name, so they called him Tom.

Three days after Ronald was brought to the hospital, he woke up. Looking around he couldn’t figure out where he was. His last memory was of Mike rolling him onto the stretcher.

As Ronald lay there, a nurse entered the room “Hello! So, you finally woke up.” She said, smiling at him.

“Where am I?” asked Ronald, bewildered.

“You’re in the hospital.” The nurse replied.

“The hospital!” Exclaimed Ronald.

“Yes.” another voice said.

Ronald, turning, saw a doctor standing beside him. “Careful, don’t move around.” The doctor continued, laying his hand on Ronald’s shoulder “Who are you? When the soldiers brought you in there wasn’t anything to identify you.”

“The soldiers!” Ronald exclaimed, “You mean Mike, Ovie and Pat didn’t bring me here?”

“Who are they?” Asked the doctor.

So Ronald told the doctor about how he had chased the robbers and had been captured and then how he had fallen down the cliff.

“So, you’re Ronald Milton. The soldiers have been looking everywhere for you. Your father put out an advertisement for news of you. I’ll send a message saying that we found you.” The doctor said, “Well, Ronald, you were lucky in only getting bruises, cuts, and three broken ribs falling down that cliff. You might have been injured a lot worse.

You’re going to have to stay here until you recover enough to go home. You don’t have much strength, a lack of food didn’t help that, and we don’t want to risk more infection.”

“How long will I have to stay?” Ronald asked.

“At least a month.”

“A month!” Ronald exclaimed.

“Yes, and possibly more. And you’re going to stay right in that bed until then.” The doctor said firmly.

“Okay, I suppose haven’t much choice.”

The doctor smiled and patted him on the shoulder. Then, he left.

End of Chapter Three

After about a week, Ronald was able to sit up in bed. He spent most of his time looking out the window. There wasn’t much to see, but he liked watching the townspeople moving about on their errands.

One day, as he lay gazing out the window, he heard the clattering of a horse on the cobblestones. A carriage came into view. Ronald, watching, saw a young lady, of about sixteen, step out of the carriage and hurry into the hospital.

Ronald lay there, thinking, she looked very pretty and kind, suddenly he began missing his mother, who had died when he was twelve. Just then the nurse stepped in. “A visitor to see you.” She said.

“A visitor?” asked Ronald, he couldn’t think of anyone who would come to visit him, “Who is it?”

In came the girl that had just arrived in the carriage! Ronald quickly sat up.

She walked lightly over to Ronald’s bed. “Hello! My mother’s doctor told Papa about you. Papa said that you probably needed cheering up!” she said, smiling, her blue eyes softened when she saw him.

She seated herself on a chair beside him. Ronald lay there looking up at her. She was a pretty girl, silky blonde hair in a crown around her head, a spray of light pink flowers and dark green leaves were woven into the braid, and she had a lovely smile that could win anyone’s heart.

She smoothed down her pale pink dress. “I’m Kayleen Devon. What’s your name?”

“I’m Ronald Milton. You’re not the Princess Kayleen, are you?”

“Why, of course I am!” she exclaimed, “So your name is Ronald, my grandfather’s name was Ronald.” She adjusted the pillows behind him.

“Thank you for coming.” Ronald said.

“Oh, I like to help people. And I often come to the hospital to visit the patients.” Kayleen replied.

She sat down again. “Would you like me to read you a book?” she asked.

“If you want to, that would be very nice.” Ronald said.

So Kayleen chose a book and began reading. Soon, Ronald fell asleep. Kayleen sat there looking at him. She liked this handsome lad. His hair was light brown and wavy, he had gray eyes and his pale face contrasted with his sensitive mouth. She could hardly believe that he wasn’t a noble’s son, though she knew that his father was a former soldier.

Kayleen looked up when the nurse came in. “He’s asleep. I’ll leave in a couple of minutes.” Kayleen whispered.

The nurse nodded and disappeared down the hall. Kayleen turned back to Ronald. Leaning over she brushed hair off his forehead gently. Then she quietly left the room. After she finished visiting few more of the patients, she left the hospital, stepped into the carriage and returned to the palace.

When she arrived, she went directly up the stairs and into a room. Stepping in, she glanced about the dark quiet room. “Hello, dear.” Said a gentle voice.

On a canopied bed was a lady. She was very pale, but she was quite beautiful. “Hello, Mother.” Said Kayleen. She walked over to the bed.

“Where were you, dearie?” asked Queen Jenelle, for it was she.

“I was visiting the patients at the hospital.” Kayleen replied.

“Ah, I see. I hope that visiting the hospital isn’t boring you, I’ll do it again myself when I am strong enough.”

“Oh, I enjoy it a lot, Mother. There was a boy there today. Papa told me that there was, but I didn’t expect one so close to my age.” Kayleen said.

“Speaking of your Father reminds me that he wants to see you in his study.” Queen Jenelle said.

“All right, good-bye, Mother.” Kayleen said affectionately.

Kissing her mother softly on the cheek, she left the room. Upon reaching the door to the study she opened it, and stepped in. Sitting at a desk was a handsome and thoughtful looking man, it was King Arthur. He looked up when Kayleen came in. “Hello, sweetie.” He said.

“Good morning, Papa, do you want to see me?”

“Yes, I do. I heard you visited the boy in the hospital.”

“Yes, Papa.”

“Did you like him?”

“Oh yes, he’s a very nice boy.”

King Arthur smiled. “Do you know why he’s in the hospital?” he asked.

“No, why is he?”

King Arthur told Kayleen the whole story. When he had finished, Kayleen turned to her father. “Oh, Papa! I think that it is dreadful to allow criminals to kidnap people!” exclaimed Kayleen.

“Honey, we don’t allow criminals to do that, that’s why they are criminals.” Said King Arthur, smiling.

“I think those men who hurt him should be arrested! Especially the one called Mike! He was heartless! Cruel! Horrible!”

“Honey! Remember your manners!” interrupted King Arthur, “The soldiers are out looking for them, they should be caught anytime.”

Then King Arthur and Kayleen began talking of other things, but Kayleen’s thoughts kept drifting back to the lad in the hospital.

End of Chapter Four

Ronald lay in his hospital bed gazing up at the ceiling. He liked the Princess Kayleen. Suddenly he began to envy the man that would marry her. “It’s not fair! Some knight will get her.” He muttered, “I stand no chance against a rich knight or noble.”

Then he thought of the final requirement for suitors of the Princess’s hand, “Climb the mountain Shiro and bring back the treasure of the ancient Shironian treasure.” He was a mountain boy! He had lived in the mountains all his life. He could win the Princess! Then he thought of something, he had to get the treasure too. He lay there gazing into the distance, thinking. He had to think of a way to find the treasure.

Kayleen visited him often, and Ronald had difficulty controlling himself. He wanted to tell her he loved her but was afraid that she wouldn’t want to believe him.

* * * * *

Finally, the month of recovery had been fulfilled. A wagon was filled with thick blankets and pillows. Ronald was carefully laid on these and tucked in gently. The weather had been growing colder, for it was fall. Ronald was wrapped up in many layers to keep him warm. He had many bandages wrapped around his chest to keep the jolts of the wagon from moving his ribs. The wagon started and off they went, going slowly so that they didn’t shake Ronald. As they drove farther and farther north, the air grew colder. That evening they stopped at an inn. The two men that had ridden with them for protection carefully carried Ronald inside. After securing rooms for the night they put Ronald in one. The nurse set up a cot in Ronald’s room. Ronald told her he probably wouldn’t need her, but she stayed anyway. Ronald slept soundly all night.

The next morning, they began to travel again. The wind was so sharp and cold, that Ronald felt it through all the blankets. As they rode along the day before, Ronald and the nurse had talked about their family and similar things. Now, they continued their conversation.

Late that evening they arrived in the village of Salen, near which Ronald lived. Ronald’s father had rented a house for them in the village. Ronald was carried in and laid on a bed.

That night was a happy one. Ronald had never heard his father talk so much. Major Milton told many stories of his childhood. He also told how he meet Rose Valton at a dance and had fallen in love. Soon they had married. Rose had been a knight’s daughter and had been brought up carefully. She taught Ronald all she knew.

Ronald had inherited his mother’s noble bearing and he acted like a gentleman, nothing like a mountain lad. Ronald never had many friends. Not many people lived in the mountains, and those who did, didn’t have children. So, Ronald spent his time, when not in the forest, reading. He enjoyed reading history. Until he had started reading books about wars, he had never known about his father’s experiences as a soldier. Now his father sat for hours telling Ronald about when he was a dashing young soldier in Queen Amara’s army. He told of the battles he had fought, and the people he had met.

* * * * *

Ronald soon was strong enough to go for walks in the forests.

One day his father was talking with him, Major Milton had just come in from visiting some of his friends in the town. “I just heard that several men have gone into the mountains. They are all trying to win the Princess’s hand.” he said quietly, “I fear that we shall never see them again.”

Ronald was silent.

“The Princess, you saw her, is she pretty?”

“Pretty! She’s lovely! She’s beautiful! She’s…she’s…” Ronald exclaimed.

“I get the idea. She’s the most beautiful girl you’ve ever seen.” Said Major Milton, laughing, then he grew serious, “Tell me, Ronald, do you like her?”

Ronald said nothing.

“Do you?” repeated his father.

There was silence for a moment. Finally, Ronald spoke, “Father, do you think that a man, who has grown up in the mountains, could succeed in climbing the mountain Shiro?”

“Ronald! Do you mean that…you want to…to marry… the Princess!”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.” Said Ronald.

“I’m going to be the father-in-law of a Princess!” exclaimed Major Milton in amazement.

“Only if I succeed.” Reminded Ronald.

“Ronald?”

“Yes, father?”

“Do you actually love the Princess?

“Love her! I would give my life for her!” exclaimed Ronald.

“Yes, but the question is, does she love you?”

Ronald was silent. Then he spoke, “I will always love her, but I want the best for her. If she’s happy with someone else, then I wish her the best.”

“Nobly spoken, my son. I know I wouldn’t have been able to bear someone else marrying your mother.” Said Major Milton, “Well, son, if you wish to marry the Princess, you had better learn all you can, it will not be easy to find that treasure.”

* * * * *

All the time Ronald spent recovering, was also spent teaching him how to survive in the wilderness. Major Milton was said to be one of the best trackers, hunters, and one of the best mountain climbers, and he taught Ronald all he knew.

Ronald was soon able to slip through the trees like an Indian, track animals over bare rock and climb cliffs. It took Ronald some time to rid himself of his fear of cliffs. He took special care to see that his feet did not slip. During the first few weeks of his recovery, Ronald would wake screaming, dreaming that he was falling off a cliff. He still had nightmares and woke in a cold sweat. So, it was with difficulty that his father persuaded Ronald to practice cliff climbing. Once, Ronald’s foot slipped and he thought he would fall on the rocks below, but he caught himself in time. When he reached the top, he was shaking. He couldn’t bring himself to practice climbing for a time.

He had, with his father, gone over what supplies he would need to bring with him. Finally, Ronald was ready to go. He had a donkey and a horse to ride. The horse was one that Major Milton was going to loan to a friend. Mr. Wilks, the man that he was loaning it to, lived farther up the mountain, so it wouldn’t be out of Ronald’s way to deliver the horse. Also, he could ride it and save some time.

The next morning Ronald set off, while his father watched him go. Ronald felt excited; he was actually starting out to climb the Mountain Shiro! And, hopefully, bring back the treasure too. Though he might fail the quest for the Princess’s hand, Ronald could hardly believe that he was going to try to climb the mountain.

As he rode along Ronald saw deer bounding away at his approach. Birds sang sweetly in the trees overhead.

It was a two-day journey to Mr. Wilks’ cabin. Ronald would have to spend a night in the forest, but before he completed his quest he would be sleeping out many times. That evening Ronald made camp, ate supper and went to bed. He lay listening to noises in the trees and the birds saying good night to each other. After a bit, he fell asleep.

The next morning, he awoke and after eating breakfast, set off again. That evening he arrived at Mr. Wilks’.

He was invited in for supper. When they finished Mr. Wilks told Ronald stories. Ronald was dozing off when Mr. Wilks began another story. Ronald grew interested, it was about the mountain. “There was a report some twenty years ago that there was a Shironian Indian living on the mountain. It was rumored that he had a clue to the ancient treasure. A man named Kelton decided to find this Indian and get the clue. Everyone told him he was crazy, but he laughed and went anyway. Well, he was never seen again. Some people say that they saw a man roaming around up there.” Mr. Wilks paused, then continued, “It is said that he found the man and got the clue, but it was never proved. Some say he’s still up there looking for the treasure.” Mr. Wilks turned to Ronald, “Well, I expect that you are tired. There’s a cot in the corner. Call me if you need anything.” And Mr. Wilks went to his bedroom.

Ronald found the cot and got into bed, but he didn’t fall asleep for a while. He lay awake thinking about what Mr. Wilks had told him. “I wonder if I could find Kelton, if he’s still alive, and get the clue.” Ronald mused. Finally, he fell asleep.

End of Chapter Five

Ronald woke to smell bacon frying. Hurriedly he got ready and ate. Mr. Wilks waved as Ronald left. This was the last that Ronald would see of civilization for a long time.

Ronald had decided to find the man called Kelton and get the clue. He walked at a fast pace for a time, and then slowed down. The scenery was beautiful. Ronald crossed several mountain streams that day. When the sun began to go down he made camp. After eating, he went to bed and almost immediately fell asleep.

He was dreaming that he was back with Ovie, Pat and Mike and that Mike was kicking him when he woke up. It was still dark. He lay there for a second, and then he felt someone kick him again. Sitting up, he turned around. A tough looking man stood watching him. Ronald, looked around, and saw more men nearby.

“Get up.” The man said, kicking him again.

Ronald winced as the man’s foot hit his sore ribs. He quickly stood up. He slid on his boots under the watchful eyes of the man. “Come on.” The man said, with a snarl.

Ronald stumbled along in front of the man. “Not this again!” he groaned.

“What did you say?” The man growled.

“Are there any cliffs around here?” asked Ronald, apprehensively.

“Yes, a couple.” the man answered.

“I was afraid of that.” Ronald said, with a sigh.

The man looked at him sharply. They reached a narrow path that led along the face of a cliff. A while later, they passed a guard. The man stopped and spoke and then continued on the path.

Ronald was beginning to feel dizzy when, finally, the path widened, and they came to a cave. Going in Ronald saw a fire with several men sitting around it. The man with Ronald shoved him into the light. One of the men, obviously the leader, rose. He looked at Ronald. Then he turned to the man. “Did he give you any trouble?”

“No, sir.”

“Did he say anything?” The leader asked.

“Yes, sir.” said the man, “On the way here, he asked me if there were any cliffs around here, I told him there were a couple and he said, ‘I was afraid of that.’ And then he sighed.”

“He said those exact words?”

“Yes, sir.” answered the man, “And when he was on the path along the cliff he looked sick.”

The leader turned to Ronald, an evil look in his eyes. “So, boy, you’re afraid of cliffs, aye?” he said.

“I never said that.” Ronald replied calmly, but inside he was quaking.

“Hear that, lads? The boy says he didn’t say that.”

Then he turned back to Ronald and continued, “Why are you afraid of cliffs?”

Ronald glared silently at the leader.

Just then the man interrupted the leader, “Sir, I just remembered something else, he called me Mike when we were waking him up.”

The leader’s eyebrows went up, “Mike?”

“Yes, sir.”

The leader turned to Ronald and asked, “Is your name Ronald?”

“Well, actually, it is.” Ronald said, surprised that the man knew his name.

“So, it was you that sent our buddies to prison then.” The leader said, angrily.

Ronald was puzzled.

“Buddies? I don’t think I know what you’re talking about.” He said.

“Our buddies, Mike, Ovie and Pat.” The leader growled.

Suddenly Ronald understood. These were friends of his former captors!

“I shall get revenge for them!” the leader shouted.

Ronald was silent.

The leader frowned angrily. “Well, we don’t want to throw you over our cliff because it’s right at our door. But, we can throw you in the pit.” He said, with a fiendish smile.

“Yea!” shouted the men.

One look from their leader silenced them. Ronald had grown pale when the leader had said “The pit.”

“So, you’re scared, little boy.” The leader said.

Ronald said nothing. “Throw him in the pit!” screamed the leader in rage; he didn’t like Ronald’s silence.

Ronald was dragged off. A distance from camp they tied him and then threw him in a fifteen-foot-deep pit. Ronald cried out with pain as his ankle hit the rocks below. The men above laughed, and then they left.

End of Chapter Six

Ronald, after they left, looked at his ankle, which was already swelling. “I believe that I broke it.” moaned Ronald, “Why do I always fall and break something every time I run into thieves of some sort!”

His ankle hurt so badly he could hardly think. Looking around he saw some sticks on the far side of the pit.

“Ah, maybe I could use those to support my ankle.” Ronald thought.

Then he remembered that he was tied. Looking around, he saw a sharp stone sticking out of the wall. Wiggling over to it, he got the ropes around his wrists up to it. It took him over an hour to saw through them. When he was finished his hands were scraped and bleeding. He untied his ankles. He tried standing up but sat down because of pain. He carefully felt his ankle. The pain brought tears to his eyes. He dragged himself over to the sticks he had seen. Picking one up, he studied it. Suddenly he realized, with horror, that it wasn’t a stick, it was a bone! After thinking for a moment, he decided to use it until he found something better. So, with disgust, he picked it up again, placing it against his ankle. Using a strip of cloth, he tore off the bottom of his shirt, he wrapped it around his leg. Looking around, he spotted a large stick in the corner that would be perfect for a crutch. He picked it up, then he studied his prison. He realized that the walls slanted slightly outwards. Studying it more carefully he decided that he might be able to climb out. He was afraid that his ankle would make it impossible, but he decided to try anyway.

Ronald began climbing upwards. At first, it was very hard, but soon he figured out how to hold his ankle so that it was easier. He was getting tired when he reached the top. Lifting his head, he carefully checked to see that the bandits had actually left. They had, so he climbed out and hid in the bushes. There he rested for a moment. Suddenly he remembered his donkey. It hadn’t been found, at least not when he was captured. Ronald had put the donkey in a small clearing a little way from the camp, which was thickly surrounded by trees. If he could find the donkey, he would have all his supplies back. Ronald checked to see he that was headed the right direction, and then set off. As he hobbled along, he tried to figure out what he would do if the donkey was gone. His father had taught him how to live off the land, but without a gun, he couldn’t get meat.

Ronald saw some herbs his father had told him were good for healing broken bones. So, he picked some. He would need water to make the poultice, but he had water in his canteens, and if he didn’t find the donkey, there was streams everywhere.

Ronald was growing cold, it was late fall. His father had told him he should wait until spring to start his journey, but Ronald said that he couldn’t wait nearly six months.

Ronald finally reached the clearing. The sun would rise soon. Thankfully the donkey was still there. Ronald set off immediately. The bandits cave was still too close for comfort, and they might check anytime to see that he was still there. Ronald stumbled along, his ankle was getting worse. Later that morning he reached a rock wall, a stream ran along it. As the donkey drank Ronald began to explore. He was studying the rock wall when he saw a cave!

He stepped carefully around until he got to the opening. Going in he saw it was a larger cave then he thought. He could easily fit himself and his donkey inside. So, Ronald went back to the donkey and led it to the cave. Ronald gathered wood for the fire and took a pot from his saddle bags. Then he heated some water in it. When it was boiling he threw in a handful of the herbs he had collected. While it boiled, he took the packs off the donkey and gathered it some grass to eat. When the poultice was ready he put it on his leg. His ankle was about twice its normal size, upon studying it he decided that it was only sprained, not broken. He heaved a sigh of relief; a broken ankle would delay his journey.

He stayed there for about a week. He was able to walk by then. The next morning Ronald set off.

The place where the man thought he saw Kelton at was farther up the mountain. It would take several days to get there.

Ronald saw several deer and a bear that morning. Though he still limped but it didn’t hurt much, though by the time the sun went down his ankle was aching. He set up camp and ate his supper while the stars began to show, and the moon shone bright. He soon drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, he awoke feeling much better. After cleaning up camp he started. At first it was easy going. Then, sometime in the afternoon, he heard a rumbling sound. Tying up his donkey, he was investigating when he came around a bend in the rocks. There before him was a waterfall. Below the river roared. Ronald was standing on a narrow ledge twenty feet above the river. Ronald looked farther down the ledge and saw that it dropped off abruptly beside the waterfall. Ronald was beginning to feel dizzy, when he heard another rumbling sound; which was louder than the falls. Ronald stepped around the bend and, there before him, was a rock wall. The rocks had fallen and blocked off the path and now he was trapped on the narrow ledge. There was no way out but down. After examining the rock wall, he decided it was straight up and down, to climb the slippery rock would be hard and he might fall and be smashed on the rocks below. But the only alternative was to starve to death on the narrow ledge. At least the donkey was not on the ledge also. Ronald took a deep breath and lowered himself over the edge. Carefully he climbed down the cliff. It was difficult on the damp and slippery rock. The mist from the falls got in his eyes. Several times he slipped, but he caught himself in time. Halfway down, both feet slipped. With his fingers wedged in a crack in the rock, he hung on desperately. Below him the river raged.

End of Chapter Seven

Ronald hung by his fingers above the river. Carefully he moved a foot. He found a crack and jammed his foot into it securely. Then he got his other foot in another foothold. For a moment he didn’t move. Then he continued down the rock. When he reached the bottom, he stood in silence. He turned and walked along the side of the river. He was in a ravine with rocky terrain and at first it was hard going. The birds chirped, and a blue jay flew overhead, scolding him. Ronald took out his compass and checked his directions. He turned a little to the right and kept going. It took a while to get back to the donkey. Ronald untied it and started walking.

The ravine wasn’t too long, but it took Ronald the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon to get around it. The ground was strewn with boulders and holes. Ronald was walking along when his foot slipped into a hole. Carefully, he lifted it out, so as not to hurt it, and went on. The sun began to sink behind the mountain peak. Ronald paused to watch the flaming sunset. For a moment, the sky was on fire, and then it faded and disappeared. Ronald set up camp and ate his supper. Then he fell asleep.

The next morning, Ronald awoke. It was raining, so he quickly gathered his stuff and dashed for shelter. He sat shivering under a

narrow ledge all morning, until about noon when the rain stopped. The ground was wet and slippery, so it was slow going. He was walking past some boulders when he heard a shout. It seemed to come from the pile of boulders! Ronald ran over to them. Moving some brush, he saw a hole with a ladder leading down. Climbing down he saw that it was a man-made tunnel. Around a bend he saw a man lying on the floor of the cave. He had gray hair and steely blue eyes. He looked up when Ronald appeared. He started to say something, but his face twisted in pain. Ronald thought quickly, from the position the man’s leg was in, he thought it was most likely broken. He turned to the man and said, “I’ll be back in a second.” He said quietly.

Then he turned and quickly climbed out of the cave. Going over to his donkey, he pulled out some blankets and a rope. Then he gathered some large branches. Quickly he made a stretcher. He dragged it back down into the cave. The man passed out when Ronald moved him onto the stretcher, and deftly tied the man on. Then he put a blanket under the man’s head and leg, and slowly pulled the man to the mouth of the cave. He studied the opening. He couldn’t carry the man up the ladder. So, he took a rope and tied the end to the stretcher. Taking the other end, he checked to see that it was securely tied. Then he climbed out. He reached the top and looked around. Spotting a large tree, he made towards it. Bracing himself against the tree, he began to pull. It was slow, hard work. Ronald was glad he had done so much mountain climbing and exercise, it had strengthened his muscles. He pulled and pulled. Suddenly the rope slipped from his hands! Leaping forward he caught it just in time.

Finally, the stretcher reached the top. Ronald looked around. He spotted smoke coming out of what he thought was a chimney. Going toward it, with the stretcher, he saw that he had guessed correctly. Taking the man inside, he looked around. It was a simple cabin, sparsely decorated. There was a bed in the corner. Ronald walked over and quickly he prepared it for the man. Taking the stretcher up as close as possible, he untied the man and carefully moved him. Ronald leaned over him. The man’s leg was twisted in an odd position, and, as Ronald thought, it was broken. Ronald pulled out his pocket knife and slit open the man’s pant leg. Ronald let out a gasp of horror. Pressing his lips together tightly, Ronald studied the ghastly sight. A long gash ran down the leg, from the knee to the ankle. It was oozing blood. Ronald saw that the bone was broken a few inches below the knee. Luckily, the bone had broken nowhere else. Ronald went back quickly for his donkey and his medical kit.

Hauling his pack into the cabin, he opened it. Digging through it he found a black box. Opening it he saw an array of bandages, needles, thread, medicine, cloths and other things. Ronald and his father had gone over the medical kit many times to see that it contained everything Ronald could possibly need. Ronald carried the kit over to the bed. Then he went outside to cut some sticks for splints. While he was coming back in he picked up a pail by the back door. Going out he came upon a cold mountain stream, he filled his pail. Then he poured it into a pot over the fire. While the water heated he prepared his supplies.

When the water was boiling Ronald took it off. He poured some of it into a clean bucket, so he could cleanse the wound before setting it. Taking a needle and thread, which he had sterilized in some more of the water, he sewed the cut up. Then he bandaged it. He had tied the man to the bed, so he wouldn’t move. Ronald then placed the splints against the man’s leg and bound it up. He had been afraid that the man would regain consciousness before he finished straightening the leg, but he didn’t.

Ronald made some tea with herbs and hot water and put it in a cup and set it next to the man. That done, he looked around. The cabin was small and dirty, so Ronald began cleaning and straightening up. Partway through, he heard a groan. He walked over the man, he had awakened. “Don’t try to talk.” Ronald said quietly, “Now, drink this.”

Ronald held up the cup. The man slowly drank it, and then he sank back against the pillows. “Now, go to sleep, you need to rest.” Ronald told him.

The man closed his eyes, and after a little bit Ronald could tell by his breathing that the man was asleep. Ronald made himself supper, ate supper and finished cleaning up. Then he made himself a bed and fell asleep.

End of Chapter Eight

When Ronald woke, at first he could not remember where he was. Then he recalled the incidents of the day before. Getting up he checked on the man, who was still asleep. Ronald made breakfast and then began washing the dishes. Soon after the man awoke. He stared at Ronald in amazement. Then he whispered, “Who are you?”

Ronald smiled, and said, “My name’s Ronald. What’s yours?”

The man frowned, “That’s none of your business. What are you doing here?”

“I heard you shout and found you. You broke your leg when you slipped and fell. I fixed it up for you, and I’ll stay until you are well enough to walk.”

“No! You won’t! You leave, now!” the man said, his voice rising to a shriek. The man tried to leap up and strike him, but Ronald firmly pinned him down. “Why do you want me to leave?” Ronald asked.

The man glared silently. “Here, drink this, it will make you get well sooner.” Ronald said, holding a cup up to the man’s lips. He pushed it away.

“Where did you find me?” the man said, scowling.

“In a cave nearby.” Ronald replied.

“What! You know!” the man began screaming again, “Go! Go!”

“Calm down!” Ronald said sternly, “Why do you want me to leave?”

“You know about the gold! Oh! Oh!” the man cried, struggling.

Ronald stood there, puzzled. What was the man talking about? Suddenly, Ronald caught on, the cave wasn’t a cave; it was a gold mine! Turning to the man, Ronald said, “I don’t care about your gold, okay?”

The man stopped struggling.

“Is your name Kelton?” Ronald asked.

“How do you know?” the man asked, in astonishment.

“So, you are.” Ronald mused.

“Why do you want to know?” Kelton asked.

“Well, I’ll make a deal with you. I won’t tell anyone about your gold mine if you give me the clue.”

“The clue? What clue?” Kelton asked, his eyes growing hard.

“You know what clue, the secret to the ancient Shironian treasure.” Ronald said, “You have it, don’t you?”

“What if I want it for myself? Kelton asked.

“Well, you have the gold mine, and you’re getting too old to climb the mountain.” said Ronald.

“Well, I’ll give it to you if you say nothing to anyone about my gold mine. And you mustn’t tell anyone where I live.” Kelton said.

“Why not?” asked Ronald.

“Because I like peace and quiet. I don’t want people visiting me.” Kelton said.

“If I do that, you will give me the clue?” asked Ronald.

“Yes.”

“It’s a deal!”

They shook hands. “Now I want you to settle down and drink this.” Ronald told Kelton.

Kelton obeyed him, and soon he fell asleep. Ronald busied himself around the cabin.

Later that afternoon, Kelton awoke, and he lay watching Ronald. When Ronald was finished with what he was doing, Kelton called him over. “Get the box in the corner and bring it to me.”

Ronald went to where Kelton was pointing. A black metal box sat on a shelf. Ronald picked it up and carried it over to Kelton who opened it. He lifted out a small leather bag and handed it to Ronald.

“Open it.” he said.

Ronald carefully opened it. He could feel something inside. Pulling it out he saw it was a folded piece of paper.

“Unfold it.” Kelton directed.

Ronald did as he was told, he saw that it had writing on it.

“Why, it’s a poem!” he exclaimed in surprise.

“Yes.” Kelton said, “Read it out loud.”

“Mountain so high, Top in the sky.

Go to the peak, If it’s treasure you seek.

Find the valley so green, A palace shall be seen.

Here are the treasures of old; Jewels, silver and gold.

Do not take all in greed, But share with all in need.

For you shall have great wealth, If you keep not all for yourself.”

Ronald finished reading. “The treasure is at the top?” he asked.

“Yes, that’s why I never searched for it myself.” Kelton said, “I was never able to handle the thin air long enough to find the treasure. Perhaps you will have better luck than I.

“The treasure!” exclaimed Ronald, “Do you mean the Shironian treasure?”

“What else?” Kelton said.

“May I copy this?” Ronald asked.

“You may have it.” Kelton said.

“To keep! Don’t you want it?”

“No, as you pointed out, I can’t use it, so you may keep the clue.” Kelton said, “Now, tell me, why do you want it?” he asked curiously.

Ronald told about the Princess and everything else that had happened along the way.

“I’m glad you’re using it for a good purpose. I wish you luck and hope you win your Princess.” said Kelton, “By the way, the Indian that gave me the clue, also told me more. There’s a trail behind the cabin. It’s hard to find and still harder to follow but it’s faster. Also, if you come to a fork in the trail, always take the one with three large trees in a row. The tree in the middle should have a small bird carved in the trunk about three feet above the ground. That’s all I recall at the moment.”

“Thank you!” said Ronald gratefully.

“You’re welcome, lad.”

“I wish I could leave soon, but I can’t go with your leg like this.” Ronald said.

“Oh, if you give me about two weeks I’ll be fine.” Kelton reassured him.

“Are you sure?” asked Ronald, doubtfully.

“Yes, just stay two weeks.”

Fourteen days later, the day came that he was supposed to leave. Kelton could move about on crutches by now. Ronald was getting ready to go. Kelton sat watching him. Ronald headed for the door while Kelton carefully walked over, and leaned against the doorframe. “Ronald, I remembered something. You have to go through a passage way in the rock to get to the valley. It looks like a shallow dip in the rock, but it really a cave. That’s all the Indian told me.” Kelton said.

“Thank you!” Ronald said grasping Kelton's hand.

“Good luck! And remember, no matter what, stick to the trail!” called out Kelton as Ronald went down the path. The last that Kelton saw Ronald, was him lifting his hand in farewell, and then he disappeared. Kelton gazed after him and went back into the cabin.

End of Chapter Nine

Princess Kayleen was sitting in the royal palace when a page came in.

“Your majesty.”

“Yes?”

“I am sorry to inform you that Sir Marcus has disappeared.”

King Arthur, who was standing nearby, asked the page, “When did he disappear?”

“Three days ago. We fear he has perished in the mountains.”

“Thank you for telling us.” King Arthur said.

The page left. “Father, when will this end! Dozens of knights and nobles have disappeared!” exclaimed Kayleen, “Why did you have to make such a difficult requirement, anyway?”

“My dear, “said King Arthur, “You know that as my only child you must have a good husband. Also, it is a custom to do so with every third princess born in the kingdom, and you are the third princess.”

“I don’t like it anyway.” Kayleen said, with a shake of her head.

She rose from her chair and left. Going into the garden, she sat on a bench in a secluded corner and let her thoughts go wild. She had grown sick of these constant messages of people disappearing.

A little while back, she had heard that a Ronald Milton had gone into the mountains. She was surprised and a little pleased when she heard. Kayleen remembered the young lad. He had seemed so quiet and gentle. She also remembered the look that he had given her when she walked in. it was a look of surprise, admiration and, she hated to admit it, one of love. She thought she had imagined it, but when she heard he had gone too, she knew she had not.

She hoped he would come back safe from the mountains. Actually, she liked him very much and, secretly, loved him.

Soon after, a servant came out to tell her she was wanted. She lingered for a moment longer, and then she went in.

End of Chapter Ten