THE PAWN

PUBLISHER Rainbird

AUTHORS
Magnetic Scrolls
(Scenario and Design by Rob Steggles; Programming by Ken Gordon
and Hugh Steers; Development System and Parser Design by Ken
Gordon, Anita Sinclair and Hugh Steers

YEAR 1986

DESCRIPTION
Text adventure with a very advanced parser and world modelling.

CONTROLS
Commands are entered using the keyboard.

INSTRUCTIONS
Set in the mythical world of Kerovnia, this amusing and complex
tale is subtle enough to appeal to the beginner and hardened
adventurer alike. A revolutionary text-handling system allows
input of complicated sentences and complete interaction with
characters (including some very intelligent animals!). The Pawn
represents all its characters and objects as if they existed in
a real world, storing complex information about their attributes
and properties linked to their particular position or context
in the game.

Your objectives are manyfold: The simplest is to escape from
Kerovnia, but you will find others as you wander about the land
and communicate with the characters you meet. The Pawn combines
a rich text adventure, with stunning colour graphics [not in the
Spectrum version], and a language parser that will set the
standards for years to come.

Introduction:

The Pawn is an adventure game set in the magical world of
Kerovnia during a period of tremendous social upheaval.

Recently, King Erik, the present ruler of the land, has started
to lose his hold on the Kerovnian peoples and can no longer rely
on their loyalty and supreme devotion to support him through
times of war, famine and personal bankruptcy.

Many political commentators have attributed this decline in
popularity to Erik's steadfast refusal to reinstate the
citizenship of the Roobikyoub dwarfs who were banished en masse
soon after the assassination of the beloved Queen Jendah II and
have never since returned.

The dwarfs were thought to be the sole instigators of the
assassination plot but the real facts were kept well behind
closed (and locked) doors.

Needless to say the dwarfs were of immense economic importance
to Kerovnia with their relentless efforts to produce the
smoothest, strongest malt whisky this side of the Obakanga
valley and they are sorely missed in these days of economic
gloom (not least for the quality of their whisky).

In the absence of the dwarfs, the drinks market has been
dominated by the Farthington Real Ale Company (which has had
some rather dodgy dealings with Boris Grunchkev O.K.B.) and by
the Romni gnomes who produce a refreshing spring water. Neither
of these two influential groups wish to see the dwarfs come back
on the scene to take a large slice of the market but the people
of Kerovnia, many of whom are beginning to suspect that the
dwarfs were completely innocent of the assassination, vehemently
disagree.

Standing in the middle of all this is King Erik who becomes more
and more unpopular the longer he leaves his decision, and, to
top it all, there is a general election on the horizon.

At this point, you arrive on the scene. You will be the
principal player in the game and the story unfolds according to
your decisions and actions.

The program will describe where you are, who (or what) is there
with you and what they are doing. It is then up to you to choose
what you wish to do and tell the program in plain English (well
almost!).

You'll have to discover the goal of the game and the best way to
achieve it by utilizing the items you find on your travels,
conversing with characters and exercising your imagination.

Some example sentences from the manual:

 EXIT NORTH
 QUIETLY WALK NORTH
 ENTER THE FURNITURE SHOP
 SIT ON THE COMFORTABLE LEATHER COUCH
 GET UP OFF THE COUCH
 ENTER DOOR
 PICK UP PAPER, PEN AND INK BOTTLE
 GET ALL FROM THE SCHOOL BAG EXCEPT THE ERASER
 GET ALL EXCEPT THE CASES BUT NOT THE VIOLIN CASE THEN KILL THE
   MAN EATING SHREW WITH THE CONTENTS OF THE VIOLIN CASE. REMOVE
   THE SHREW'S TAIL AND USE IT TO TIE THE POLE AND THE NOOSE
   TOGETHER.
 GET THE KEYS EXCEPT THE SHINY ONE
 LOOK AT THE KEY THAT IS IN MY POCKET
 PUT THE KEY IN THE BAG IN MY POCKET

Abbreviations:

 DROP        DR
 GET         G
 INVENTORY   IN
 NORTH       N
 SOUTH       S
 EAST        E
 WEST        W
 NORTHEAST   NE
 NORTHWEST   NW
 SOUTHEAST   SE
 SOUTHWEST   SW
 UP          U
 DOWN        D
 OUT         O
 LOOK        L
 PRONOUNS    PN
 WITH        WI
 FROM        F

Conversation:

I)   ASK someone ABOUT something
     e.g. ASK THE ALIEN ABOUT THE SPACESHIP
II)  ASK someone "something"
     e.g. ASK THE ALIEN "WHO AM I?"
III) SAY TO someone "something"
     e.g. SAY TO ALIEN "HELLO"
IV)  SAY "something"
     e.g. SAY "HOW CAN I WIN THIS GAME?"
V)   someone, something
     e.g. ALIEN, PHONE HOME

Special Commands:

 INVENTORY
 AGAIN
 EXITS
 SCORE
 BRIEF
 VERBOSE
 NORMAL
 QUIT
 RESTART


PASSWORDS
The Pawn is password-protected (although the game manual forgets
to mention it). After 100 turns in the game (or after restoring
a saved game, whichever comes first), the player is asked to
type in a word from the novel "A Tale of Kerovnia" (written by
G. Sinclair, edited by C. Gale) which is included in the game
box. If the password is wrong, the game quits.

The following is a list of 475 tried and tested passwords (there
are probably more, so make a snapshot before your 100th turn!).
They work with version 2.3 of the game, on all platforms (IBM,
Amiga, Spectrum, C-64).

page line word
----------------------
 1    2    6  coin
 1    3    4  erik
 1    4   10  kerovnia
 1    8   10  kerovnia
 1    9    2  close
 1    9    8  gnomes
 2    1   11  red
 2    4    2  erik
 2    5   12  gnomes
 2    8    7  maze
 2   10    5  run
 2   16    6  kerovnia
 2   17   11  wilderness
 2   21    1  cross
 2   21    4  rabbit
 2   23   11  rabbit
 2   26   13  burn
 2   28    9  erik
 3    2   10  light
 3    4    3  gnomes
 3    5    8  erik
 3    6    2  gringo
 3    9    6  kerovnia
 3   13    7  take
 3   23    8  high
 3   27    9  throne
 4    1    6  hit
 4    2    8  run
 4    2   10  gringo
 4    4    1  princess
 4    5    4  kerovnia
 4    7    1  erik
 4    8   10  take
 4    9    8  gringo
 4   16    3  kerovnia
 4   18    5  eyes
 4   21   12  palace
 4   22    5  rose
 4   23    6  eyes
 4   26   10  princess
 4   27   12  erik
 5    1    3  erik
 5    2    4  room
 5    3    2  green
 5    6    1  erik
 5    6    4  head
 5    9    0  kerovnia  [actually 5-8-16; 5-9-0 doesn't exist]
 5   11   11  erik
 5   13    4  room
 5   13    6  empty
 5   13    7  erik
 5   18    6  white
 6    7    3  erik
 6    7    8  use
 6    8    3  palace
 6    9    5  magician
 6   11    6  magician
 6   14    8  green
 6   14   10  hat
 7    8    1  turn
 7    9   12  erik
 7   10   10  palace
 7   11    8  heads
 7   12    9  damage
 7   12   13  life
 7   13    3  palace
 7   13   12  palace
 7   14    9  gardens
 7   15   14  box
 7   16    9  horse
 7   22    7  fight
 7   24   12  fill
 8    2    6  gardens
 8    8    5  kerovnia
 8   11   11  gringo
 8   12    2  gringo
 8   12    9  kerovnia
 8   14   12  gringo
 8   17    5  throw
 8   26    1  gringo
 9    4    7  gringo
 9    5    2  head
 9    7    8  gringo
 9   14    2  fight
 9   15    4  read
 9   15    9  palace
10    2   12  princess
10    4    5  room
10    5    6  palace
10    6    6  stone
10    7    1  windows
10    8   10  window
10   11    4  eyes
10   20    4  palace
11    1    1  erik
11   11    3  erik
11   12    2  princess
11   17    4  eyes
11   18    1  room
11   20    4  windows
11   21   12  room
11   22    9  blue
11   23    6  arms
11   27   11  blue
11   28   13  table
11   29    1  erik
11   30    2  guards
12    3    8  symbols
12    4   12  table
12    7   12  gold
12    7   14  dress
12   12    4  arms
12   13    6  eyes
12   13   10  take
12   16    5  hide
12   20    3  kerovnia
12   27   11  kerovnia
12   29    7  gold
13    2    6  chest
13    2   11  good
13    6    4  eyes
13    6   12  princess
13    7    5  room
13   11    3  green
13   15    6  take
13   17    7  eyes
13   18   11  eyes
13   20    8  hand
13   23   10  voice
13   24    8  kerovnia
14    2   10  red
14    9    7  voice
14   13    1  kerovnia
14   18    1  eyes
15    2    6  rose
15    7    1  kerovnia
16    2    7  take
16    2    9  leave
16    2   15  eyes
16    5    6  head
16    6    2  chest
16   11    4  dragon
16   12   14  dragon
16   14   11  cave
16   16    9  green
16   17    3  red
16   20    4  look
16   22    1  jump
16   23    4  dragon
17    7    8  take
17    7   14  potion
17    8    9  fire
17   10    3  take
17   10    8  potion
17   11    4  fog
17   11    9  kerovnia
17   12    4  hand
17   15   10  gold
17   16    2  fog
17   18   12  potion
17   19   11  blue
17   22    2  palace
17   22   10  foothills
17   23    1  potion
17   24    3  table
17   24    9  room
17   28    6  gringo
17   29    2  dragon
18    2   10  gringo  [actually 18-2-9; 18-2-10 is "and"]
18    5    8  take
18    5   10  kerovnia
18    8    9  gringo
18    8   10  person
18   10    1  kerovnia
18   13    4  run
18   15   11  hills
18   18    9  potion
18   21    2  high
18   21   10  potion
18   26    8  gringo
18   28    8  dragon
19    1   12  stone
19    2    5  blue
19    2    7  gold
19    4    3  entrance
19    4   12  hat
19    6    4  go
19    6   10  go
19    7    6  go
19   14    8  cave
19   17    8  feet
19   18   10  staircase
19   19    1  use
19   19    7  dragon
19   21    2  slope
19   22    5  gringo
19   27    6  hills
20    3   11  gringo
20    4    2  stone
20    9    7  gold
20   20    1  green
20   21    4  steal
20   22   10  wand
20   23    5  pocket
20   23   13  hand
20   24    8  use
20   25    3  windows
20   26    7  desk
21    1    1  dragon
21    1    8  window
21    2    1  gringo
21    3    3  eyes
21    5    9  wand
21    6    1  hand
21    7   11  magician
21    8    2  go
21    9    1  put
21   10    4  get
21   11    7  gringo
21   14    1  gold
21   15    3  gringo
21   15    7  room
21   16    8  room
21   17    3  dragon
21   20    3  whisky
21   24    5  white
21   24   12  pour
21   27   11  room
21   27   12  gringo
22    2    3  feet
22    4    6  potion
22    4    8  mix
22    4   12  dragon
22    6    1  gringo
22    6    6  dragon
22    8    2  fog
22    9    1  palace
22   13    9  red
22   17    4  ???  [22-17-4 is "say"]
22   17    7  magician
22   24    1  gringo
22   24   11  wand
22   25    1  pocket
23    1    2  get
23    2    6  kerovnia
23    6   10  room
23    8    3  gringo
23    9    2  empty
23   10    2  get
23   10   14  hell
23   13   12  dragon
24    4   13  erik
24    6    8  palace
24   12    3  use
24   22    6  trees
25    1   12  white
25    2   10  palace  [actually 25-2-9; 25-2-10 is "where"]
25    4    8  tower  [actually 25-4-7; 25-4-8 doesn't exist]
25    6   12  arms
25    7    9  fit
25    8    3  white
25    9    7  person
25   13    4  palace
25   15    1  lift
25   16    2  gardens
25   18    3  white
26    6    8  kerovnia
26   12    1  hand
26   14   11  take
26   17    2  erik
26   20   13  pot
26   20   14  erik
26   20   15  gringo
26   23    7  water
26   23   11  pool
26   26    8  life
27    5   10  water
27    6    6  pool
27    8    7  put
27    8    9  hand
27   14    2  pool
27   15    9  princess
27   19    4  rose
27   23    4  pool
27   24    3  water
27   25    1  high
27   26    4  ???  [27-26-4 is "say"]
28    1    3  read
28    4   11  get
28    6   12  hit
28    8    2  blow
28    8   11  water
28   10    7  water
28   13    9  pool
28   13   12  room
28   16    9  bushes
28   20   12  erik
28   26    1  high
28   27    2  use
29    2    7  palace
29    4    7  princess
29    5    4  palace
29   12    5  green
30    4    4  gringo
30    4    7  trees
30    9    4  person
30   10    9  empty
30   13   10  life
30   14   13  kerovnia
30   15    5  feet
30   19    5  hand
30   20    7  erik
30   21   10  office
30   22    4  potion
31    4    6  potion
31    4   14  room
31    7    7  read
31    8    3  gringo
31   10    5  water
31   12   13  fit
31   15    5  hand
31   19   10  gringo
31   23    8  blue
31   28    2  person
31   28    7  gringo
32    2   12  gringo
32    4   11  kerovnia
32   11    6  palace
32   12    7  gringo
32   14    6  take
32   24    6  erik
32   24   12  kerovnia
32   29   12  kerovnia
33    2    5  remove
33    2   10  office
33    8    9  put
33    9    2  chest
33    9    7  bed
33   11   10  chest
33   14    1  princess
33   16   10  eyes
33   17   13  use
33   19    4  look
33   23    8  princess
33   26    9  take
33   29   14  head
34    4   11  gringo
34    5    2  feet
34    5    5  hand
34    6   11  kerovnia
34   12    1  chamber
34   13    1  erik
34   15   12  voice
34   20    5  feet
34   21    3  take
34   23    3  gringo
34   25   12  throne
34   26    2  gringo
35    1   11  palace
35    5    8  magician
35    7    6  princess
35    8    1  kerovnia
35   10    4  gringo
35   15    5  doors
35   15   11  fire
35   19   12  room
35   20   12  fire
35   22    1  gringo
35   22   11  light
35   23   12  go
35   24    1  gringo
35   27    2  red
35   27    3  fire
36    1    4  fire
36    1   10  gringo
36    3    4  hat
36    8    6  erik
36    8    8  put
36    8   10  bed
36    9    3  gringo
37    2    1  gringo
37    9    9  princess
37   13   11  boxes
37   15    9  kerovnia
37   15   11  boxes
37   18   10  turn
37   21    1  erik
37   21    7  attack
37   22   13  horse
37   23   12  gold
38    5    1  erik
38    6    4  wear
38    8   10  head
38    9    8  join
38   10    9  leave
38   10   11  palace
38   12    9  join
38   15    7  red
38   15    9  gold
38   17    6  red
38   17   13  head
38   24    6  rose
38   26   13  green
38   27    5  high
38   28    4  eyes
38   29    9  head
39    1    2  guards
39    3    6  blue
39    3    9  stone
39    8    4  kerovnia
39   10    2  head
39   14    4  take
39   18    2  take
39   18   13  green
39   19    6  erik
39   19   10  kerovnia
39   21    9  person
39   26    3  princess
40    1    1  pool
40    3    5  palace
40    4    7  blue
40    4    9  light
40    4   11  rose
40    9    5  blue
40    9    8  voice
40    9   12  water
40   12    2  rose
40   12    5  feet
40   14    1  princess
40   14   13  life
40   15    8  red
40   17    3  leave
40   23    3  leave
40   25   10  go
40   27    8  erik
41    2    5  kerovnia
41    5    3  cry
41    7    6  erik
41    9    3  kerovnia
41   16    1  erik
41   16    7  leave
41   16    9  room
41   18   11  rose
41   18   14  feet
41   19    4  cloak
42    3   11  leave
42    4    7  go
42    5    1  scrape
42    6    3  gringo
42   13    4  princess
42   13    9  palace
42   14    1  erik
42   16    2  princess
42   17   10  ???  [42-17-10 is "cloud"]
42   17   12  dust
42   19    2  run
43    4    2  princess
43    9    7  life
43    9   11  take
43   10    7  head
43   12    4  princess
43   13    3  bed
43   13    8  kerovnia
43   20    6  life
43   20    7  tree
43   21    4  trees
43   23    8  princess
43   24    5  erik
44    3    4  snow
44    7   12  foothills
44   10    5  snowman
44   10    8  feet
44   12    3  look
44   13    4  eyes
44   20    4  snowman


HINTS
Version II of the game manual came with a number of encoded
hints ("cypheric help section") which could be decoded from
within the game using the HINT command. Here are the hints
[ in ROT13 format ] :

How do I cross the Red Line?
> Qebc gur Ybg
> Fher lbh'er abg pneelvat fbzrguvat?
> Naq jung nobhg gur jevfgonaq?

Why is the guru laughing?
> Nfx uvz, abg zr
> Cvgl lbh pna'g qebc gung jevfgonaq lrg
> Gel fgbccvat uvz sebz frrvat vg

How do I drop the wristband?
> Uneq, vfa'g vg?
> Qnza, V'q sbetbggra whfg ubj uneq guvf bar jnf...
> Gel nfxvat fbzrbar gb qb vg sbe lbh

How do I get into the shed?
> Guvf bar'f ernyyl boivbhf
> Jurer qb lbh abeznyyl yrnir lbhe xrl
> Gel lbhe cbpxrg. Ernyyl!

What does the guru want?
> Ab, vg'f abg n Xrrzn Ana
> Gur nafjre vf ryrzragnel, zl qrne Nqiraghere
> Abg gur ohooyl fbeg

How do I get past the guards?
> Tvir gurz fbzrguvat
> Creuncf vs gurl xarj jung lbh jnagrq...
> Jung ryfr jbhyq lbh qb jvgu n qrznaq sbe enafbz?

What do I do with the note?
> Gel ernqvat vg?
> Ba frpbaq gubhtugf, qba'g gel ernqvat vg!
> Orggre qb nf Xebabf nfxrq

How do I buy things?
> Lbh'yy arrq fbzrguvat bs inyhr
> Crbcyr ebhaq urer ner cerggl pneryrff jvgu zbarl
> Frnepu gur qjneirf' sheavgher pnershyyl

How do I get the lead?
> Vg'f rzorqqrq va gur ebpx
> Hfr nal funec gbby

How do I read the tomes?
> Pnfg n fcryy - Yvxr vg fnlf
> Guvf tnzr vf n cnebql, nsgre nyy. Gel 'Pnfg Fcryy'
> Gurer vf ab guveq pyhr - org lbh'er fbeel lbh glcrq vg va abj

How do I use the aerosoul?
> Ab, vg'f abg n fcryyvat zvfgnxr, fzneg-nefr!
> Lbh arrq gb xvyy fbzrbar svefg
> ... Naq gurl zhfg or serfuyl qrnq
> Cerff abmmyr

How do I kill Kronos?
> Jubyr yvfg bs grqvbhf pyhrf pbzvat hc
> Lbh'yy arrq uryc sebz nabgure fbhepr
> Lbh zhfg xvyy uvz va uvf ynve
> Guebj gur cbgvba obggyr ng uvz
> Lbh qba'g trg ybat gb qb vg
> Lbh pbhyq gel gur gurezbahpyrne qrivpr

Where's the thermonuclear device?
> Gel n pbzcyrgryl qvssrerag nqiragher. 'Ybeq bs gur Erntnaf',
  creuncf..

How do I use the platform?
> Cergraq lbh'er Xebabf
> Gur cyngsbez unf bayl bar jnl bs gryyvat vs lbh'er Xebabf
> Guvax bs vg nf n ynetr jrvtuvat znpuvar

What can I do with the devil?
> Gel qbvat jung ur nfxf

How do I get past the cream doors?
> Xabpx (Ner lbh fher lbh'er vagb nqiragherf?)
> Purpx lbh unira'g tbg gur jevfgonaq

How do I work the lift?
> Fhzzba vg
> Jnvg sbe vg...
> Vg'f whfg yvxr n erny yvsg
> Naq vg unf fyvqvat qbbef

How do I vote?
> Lbh arrq n onyybg cncre - Ner lbh na nanepuvfg be fbzrguvat?
> Gel ybbxvat haqre gur eht
> Gur fnsr vf abg nf rzcgl nf vg svefg nccrnef
> Orvat vqrbybtvpnyyl hafbhaq jvyy pbfg lbh cbvagf

How do I kill the adventurer?
> V'z abg fher V pna pbaqbar guvf xvaq bs guvat..
> Jryy, vs lbh zhfg... Bayl Xebabf pna uryc

How do I get past the dragon?
> Gur qentba vf irel fubeg-fvtugrq
> Ur vf nyfb irel uhatel
> Gel fubjvat uvz fbzrguvat ryfr gb rng
> Ur arrqf gb unir gurz vyyhzvangrq nf jryy

How do I move the wheelbarrow?
> Gur jurryoneebj vf irel urnil
> Gur jurryoneebj vf abg qrfvtarq gb or zbirq - org lbh'er
  fbeel lbh nfxrq abj...

How do I get through the double doors?
> Or cbyvgr
> Znal gvzrf
> Naq gvc gur cbegre
> Bgurejvfr lbh'yy fpbgpu lbhe punaprf

How do I get past the paper wall room?
> Cncre pna or gbea
> Lbh ybbx va gur phcobneq
> Lbh arrq n ebcr

I've won but not with a full score. Why?
> V'z 25, ohg V unira'g tbg n cebcre wbo, jul? V qba'g xabj,
  gurfr guvatf whfg unccra, gung'f nyy...
> Qvq lbh purng?
> Lbh arrq gb ohl qevaxf sbe 2 crbcyr
> Jurgure lbh rawblrq uvf zhfvp be abg - ohl uvz bar
> Unir lbh sbhaq gur Cbg Cynag?
> Gel cbggvat vg cebcreyl
> Hfr gur evtug fbeg bs vzcyrzrag
> Bu jryy, jub jnagf cresrpgvba... Znxr qb jvgu gur fpber
  lbh'ir tbg!

What about the alchemists?
> V qba'g xabj, jung nobhg gurz?
> Gurve vqrn bs sbbq vfa'g dhvgr unhgr phvfvar
> Gur theh unq fbzr sbbq, erzrzore...?
> Lbh'yy arire trg gur tbyq. Yrnq vagb tbyq pna'g or qbar!

Where do I find some light?
> Lbh arrq gb tvir gur theh jung ur jnagf. Gura yvfgra gb uvz
> Abj frnepu gur pyrnevat
> Ryrzragnel Culfvpf - Erq+Terra+Oyhr=?
> Zvk gurz

How do I get into the tree?
> Haybpx gur qbbe - Zhfg V gryy lbh rirelguvat?
> Gel gur jbbqra bar
> Gur png fng ba gur zng

Floorboards - How do I move them?
> Gurl zbir irel rnfvyl
> Jrer lbh obea va n onea?
> Gura fuhg gur qbbe, BX?

How do I get past the boulders?
> Svaq n yrire?
> ... Be gjb
> Abj svk gurz gbtrgure


NOTES
Originally released as a text-only game for the Sinclair QL (in
1985). Later versions (Atari ST, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga,
IBM PC) had excellent bitmap graphics. The Spectrum version,
although requiring 128k, doesn't have any graphics due to space
limitations.

*********

A TALE OF KEROVNIA

BY G. SINCLAIR

EDITED BY C. GALE


CHAPTER ONE

Once upon a time (to coin a phrase) there was a fairy land called Kerovnia,
ruled by King Erik and his Queen, Jendah II, which nestled cosily between the
great Nattus mountain valley and the Aquatica Sea. Kerovnia was a million square
miles, most of it forests. At the edge of these vast forests, stretching north
to the mountains and south to the inhospitable deserts, lay a host of farming
communities.

The farms were owned by the true ancestors of Kerovnia - the 'Little People',
close cousins of the Dwarfs and Gnomes. The Little People were also the
forebears of the Roobikyoub Dwarfs, who had left their farms to mine for lead in
the Kerovnian forests. The Little People had stayed behind, happy to continue
farming; and specialising in the manifacture of their famous 'nut yoghurt'.

The Dwarfs are giants in the world of commerce, and thrive on the cut and thrust
of business. The Little People, although less acute, have a reputation for hard
work and industry.

The mountainous regions, with their snow-capped peaks forever glinting and
flickering against the ice-blue sky, are a great tourist attraction. Mountain
trekking is very popular, and it is not expensive to hire a pink unicorn,
indigenous to the area, to explore the many and varied beauty spots the
mountains have to offer. (These unicorns were introduced by The Little People
three centuries ago, when a certain King Faldous of

Page 1

Aquitania, a neighbouring province, gave the King of Kerovnia a red unicorn
stallion as a birthday gift.) The Dwarfs, not surprisingly, have a complete
monopoly of the tourist industry.

King Erik and Queen Jendah are not vastly popular figures and command the
loyalty of only a small section of the community of Dwarfs, Gnomes, and Little
People. The majority of the other inhabitants are anti-Royalist, and form the
Opposition Party. Their leader is the notorious Gringo Baconburger, whose
headquarters lie in the maze of tunnels and chambers beneath these mountains.
The desert regions are mainly uninhabited, but at their extremities they run
down to meet the azure blue of the Aquatica sea, which gently washes the golden
shoreline. The Royal holiday villa is situated at Kerga, the capital of this
region. Here, holiday resorts abound and tourism flourishes. A big attraction is
the various paddling competitions throughout the summer months, which are
organised by the King himself.

There is one region in Kerovnia which serves neither the tourist nor mining
industries - The Great Wastelands. This is a vast area of wilderness, bordered
by slimy ponds and sluggish streams. However, the whole area is of great
importance to the Little People, because it is here that they breed their
beloved pink unicorns and the charming Kattish Dorabs. The dorab, a cross
between a rabbit and a dog, was introduced some six hundred years ago. lt is
most prized for its hunting abilities. lt has the body of a spaniel, and the
soft fur and droopy ears of a rabbit. Many Kerovnians, including the King
himself, keep a dorab as a pet.

The Wastelands, with its grassy wilderness that sways and dances to tunes of
far-off breezes in the winter, and whose rushes crackle and burn in the summer
heat, lead to the capital city of Kerovnia - Keros - (home and birthplace of the
honourable and righteous King Erik!)

Centuries of selective breeding, preserving the purest of blood lines by

Page 2

constant and meticulous inter-marriage, have resulted in the impressive figure
of our present monarch - who, in a poor light, and with a following wind, could
actually be mistaken for a human.

The Dwarfs, Gnomes, and Little People are looked down upon by the Royalist party
- who love and venerate King Erik. The opposition party, led by Gringo, is
rapidly gaining strength, nourished by Erik's increasing reputation as a
political bungler, both at home and abroad. His mishandling of affairs of State
has resulted in an economic crisis and general social unrest, never before
experienced in Kerovnia.

Queen Jendah is generally considered to be wiser and more politically astute
than her husband. She is a charismatic figure; witty, intelligent, and the proud
possessor of a graceful beauty. But the King, a closet misogynist, refuses to
let his wife take an active part in home affairs, or foreign policy, She is
reduced to busying herself with the "Elderly Little People's Society", and the
distribution of Piquant Rat Pancakes to the poor and needy. Her talents as an
artist, sculptor and interior design decorator, however, find ample outlets.

There is, in fact, only one female in the kingdom who is greatly loved by the
King - the apple of his squinting eye - his daughter Lattecia; known as "Lacey".
She is everything a proud father could wish for in an only child. She has
inherited the pointed nose and greasy strands of lack-lustre, mousy hair, of the
Golden Family. Also, she has a sweet character, which has made her enormously
popular in Kerovnian high society. A most desirable catch for any foreign
Prince!

Lacey has just celebrated her sixteenth birthday. She has been given a male
dorab by the name of Poops, and is deeply in love with Prince Malcolm, the
dashing and handsome heir to the throne of Aquitania! At present Malcolm's
multifarjous (some would hint nefarious!) activities as a Royal helicopter pilot
- not to mention his giddy affair with the

Page 3

blushing and virginal Lacey - continually hit the headlines of the Dwarf colour
tabloid, "The Kerovnian World" - owned and run by Gringo Baconburger.

Princess Lacey has, since her childhood, been schooled fer the role of future
Queen of Kerovnia. This tiresome and difficult task has been the duty of the
Royal governess, Zita. This ancient crone was nursery-maid to Erik, himself, and
it has been hinted that she is responsible not only for Lacey's education, but
also for Erik's (who continues to take maths and science lessons at the age of
fifty-three!) Gringo Baconburger even suggested, at a rather violent political
meeting of the Opposition Party, that Zita was more in charge of Kerovnia's
finances, and the allotment of the Royal treasury funds, than the King himself.
Zita's paternal grandmother, although of true Kerovnian stock, was also
descended from the land of Perpetania, and Zita has inherited her supernatural
powers. Her clairvoyance and Tarot reading have solved many a tricky political
situation in Kerovnia. Even more importantly, Zita has magically enhanced and
improved Lacey's natural beauty over the year -thus winning even more favour in
the eyes of the King.

Although Zita's powers have increased her hold over the Kerovnian Royal family,
she has remained a simple woman, with little in common with the local Jet Set.
She lives in a small cottage in the Palace grounds overlooking Queen Jendah's
famous rose garden, surrounded by her cauldrons, magic potions, cobwebs,
spiders, eyes of newts, and tongues of toads; not to mention her venomous one-
eyed familiar, the supercilious feline, Postlesthwaite.

Dwarf journalists have suggested that Zita is bewitching the Princess in order
to obtain supreme power in the years to come; but Erik was overjoyed that she
worked tirelessly for no salary, and invariably agreed with his every word.

Page 4

One afternoon, Erik was giving audience to several nobles of the land in the
blue State Receiving Room. Zita was present, making discreet notes in her shabby
green leather notebook, nodding and grunting away to herself. The nobles were
discussing the corn tax laws, complaining bitterly about the steep increments in
the yearly taxes.

Erik scratched his head in confusion, unable to deal with their mounting
hostility, when Zita stepped forward and snapped:

"You are all lucky to be able to trade at all in the Kingdom of Kerovnia! The
King allows you to sell your inferior wheat to all and sundry, and you have the
honour and privilege of paying taxes to the Royal purse!"

The nobles were stunned into silence by this tirade, and Erik promptly dismissed
the assemb!ed throng, before they had a chance to regain their composure. When
the room was empty, Erik rushed over to Zita and grasped her bony hands in his
claw-like paws, and exclaimed:

"Dear Zita, my ugly and faithful subject, my Machiavellian and toothless
politician, my wart-encrusted beauty! Please tell me what I can do for you, to
reward you and brighten your every hour?"

Zita thoughtfully pulled a long white hair from her left nostril, and casually
squeezing a pimple or two, replied as follows:

"Dear Majesty. There is one small favour that I beg of you, in all your
greatness. Not far away from our land lives a friend of mine, who was falsely
sent into exile, for a crime he did not commit. He now seeks refuge in a country
like Kerovnia. He is a brilliant man, with a mind unequalled - "

"Do you imply!" interrupted the King, "That this man has a greater intellect
than my own?"

"Oh no Sire", winced Zita, "No living creature could possibly equal your
gracious majesty!"

Page 5

"Oh well, then, pray continue", conceded the King.

"I have known of him since my earliest days", Zita continued, "his magical
powers are supreme and his scientific discoveries are legendary. Perhaps your
majesty could find work for him, either at the Golden University or the new
Research Laboratory for the cross-pollination of various types of foreign
currency?"

"No!" answered Erik, "I shall make better use of him than that. What I need at
the Palace, to amuse my precious Lacey and to entertain the Royal Guests, is a
Court Magician. Find him, and bring him to me!"

And so it came about that the sorcerer, Kronos by name, entered the Royal
household, and became the Court Magician. So amazing were his tricks, and so
numerous his feats of magic, that Lacey began almost to shirk her school lessons
with Zita - shrieking and screaming with delight as Kronos produced yet one more
dorab from his green top hat.

Page 6


CHAPTER TWO

Kronos was much loved by the court, and was frequently requested to perform his
feats of magic in the nobles' country houses. He was particularly admired by
Queen Jendah's housemaids, for whom he often agreed to magically make the beds,
dust the floors, and lay the fires. The cooks often invited him into the Royal
kitchens, and gourmet cuisine soon became known throughout the land. With a
click of his tongue, he could turn a goose's liver into the finest Pate de Fois
Gras, and with a mere glance at a citrus fruit, would produce a devilish Lemon
Souffle. Erik became so worried about the general laziness amongst the Palace
staff, that he threatened to cut off their heads unless they began to work
properly. Zita came to their rescue before any damage was done, and life in the
palace returned to normal, and thereafter Kronos left the Palace staff well
alone, and interested himself in the gardens and stables.

lt was whilst making a tour of the stables, and visiting the loose box of Erik's
ceremonial charger, Bruce - part unicorn and part horse - that he made the
acquaintance of the head groom, JoJo. He was a pleasant enough fellow, in his
late fifties, who had undergone his apprenticeship during the reign of Erik's
father Willy III. They struck up conversation, and Kronos discovered to his
delight, that he had found just the man to assist him in his psychological
analysis of the monarch: a project he was undertaking on behalf of the
underground newspaper, 'Fight on!'JoJo had known the King when he was a little
lad, and had seen him grow into manhood. He knew much about the King's faults
and weaknesses, and had promised to fill

Page 7

Kronos in on many points of interest.

During his tours of the gardens and stables, Kronos caused quite a stir. His
reputation had spread before him, and both gardeners and stable lads were
anxious to meet the great man, to express their various dissatisfactions and
worries. Kronos, with his calm manner and cultured appearance, soon won the
hearts of those around him. Gradually, in the back of his mind, he began to
wonder if he would not himself make a better, a wiser, and a more popular King
of Kerovnia than Erik! (Especially with the help of his dear sister, Zita.)

Whilst these ambitious dreams were running through the cunning mind of Kronos,
an even more daring plan was being conceived by Gringo Baconburger. Gringo, who
headed the Dwarf Liberation of Kerovnia party, was Erik's ruthless opposition
leader, renowned for his political activities in Dwarf circles, and dearly loved
by the Little People. lf Gringo could force the King to hold a democratic
election for the first time in Kerovnian history, it was almost certain that the
Dwarf party would secure a majority of votes, and throw out the Royalists, whose
contribution to trade and tourism was quite inept.

Gringo's grasp of international affairs was very astute and his political
concepts were the most advanced of all the varying Dwarf populations. lt was he
who had first explained to the Little People, with the help of numerous
histograms and statistics, that their age-old demand of: 'Longer hours for less
pay!' contained a subtle but fatal economic flaw. But how, short of a
revolution, was he to force the King into agreeing to a general election?

Gringo Baconburger was a relatively young leader for the Dwarf faction to have
adopted. From the beginning his confidence as a public orator and as an
intellectual figure had reached the ears of the Elderly Dwarf Soclety, (the
wisest members of the Dwarf and Little People communities)

Page 8

responsible for the election of important figureheads in Dwarf society, as well
as the tiresome activity of meeting with the King twice a year, to discuss
social problems.

lt had soon become clear that Gringo was the man they had been looking for to
head the Opposition Party. Since his election, Kerovnia's trade, tourism and
industry had flourished under his skilful management and his faithful followers.
In accordance with the elders' wishes, Gringo moved away from the heart of the
mining community, and bought a large house in the village of Korrezita, one of
the agricultural sectors for wheat and barley. lt was from this village that he
directed the tourist industry, boosted the economy of the mining community, and
exploited trade. All his political activities were carried out deep within ihe
Kerovnian mountains in secret hideaways and chambers. Here the weekly editions
of the political newspaper, 'Fight On!', were published: A journal bitterly
condemmed by the King, although secretly read by many of his palace staff.

Page 9


CHAPTER THREE

But let us, gentle reader, return to our heroine, the sweet princess Lacey. We
find her sitting on her cushioned window-box seat; dreaming of her beloved
Malcolm. Her exquisite room, panelled with the finest walnut, looked out onto
the main palace courtyard, surrounded by high walls, fabricated from the finest
Kerovnian stone. She opened wide her lattice windows to breath deeply the scent
from the multitudinous blooms of the Royal garden, nodding in the silver
moonlight. Below her window, the strains of the Royal orchestra, performing a
classical symphony, drifted towards her on the soft summer evening air, and she
felt tears pricking behind her pale eyes. Almost imagining that she could see
the image of the noble Malcolm reflected in the water splashing in the fountains
beneath her, she swept her greasy hair from her narrow forehead and gazed
dreamily into the star-strown sky, recalling her first meeting with the
honourabie prince.

lt had been at Kerga, the previous year, when her father had invited several
Royal families to spend a couple of weeks soaking up the summer atmosphere.
People were always pleased to receive an invitation from the Kerovnian Royal
family. They boasted some of the finest fishing available, and the summer palace
had been modernised some short while before. The majority of Palaces were most
uncomfortable inside; humid, dusty and filled with spiders.

Page 10

Erik was considered to be an entertaining host ever since the employment of
Kronos, who continued to delight both Royal children and adults alike. The food,
too, was excellent, and Queen Jendah's trifles were internationaffy renowned.

Five different Royal families had been invited, including Queen Hortensa of
Aquitania, and her son, Malcolm. The King of Aquitania had died some five years
previously in mysterious circumstances. Lacey had nover before met the
Aquitanian household. She had beerl taking part in a Royal quiz programme in the
capital city (aided by Zita's supernatural powers), and she arrived for the
midweek dinner and ball after the presentations had been made. Erik had been
busy playing canasta every evening with the King and Princess of Silenissia and
had quite forgotten to introduce his daughter to the crowd of guests. So poor
Lacey arrived at the dinner that parlicular evening feeling most shy and lost.
She was dressed in a ravishing pink summer frock, her hair blow-dried into
ringlets, and her patent pink leather shoes glimmered in the candlelight. She
was the cynosure of ail eyes. The banquet that night was taking place in the
orchid room, a perfect oval shape with varnished walls and bow-shaped windows,
overlooking the sea.

Directly beneath the windows grew wild orchids of vivid purple and pink, whose
blooms reached up to, and enhanced the beauty of the room itself. The long oak
tables were draped with pale blue lace tablecloths, bearing the Golden Families'
coat of arms, and adorned with the finest silver plate and the most expensive
crystal glasses in the Kingdom. Blue candles had been placed in front of every
guest, and each candle stem had been lovingly decorated with a garland of tiny
pink roses and purple daises.

The Royal choir, which had been discreetly positioned behind the blue silk
curtains, sung a selection of Kerovnian ballads. At one end of the table sat
Erik. He was clothed in a crushed cherry coloured silk uniform of the Royal
Unicorn Guards, with a collar of pure ermine. His breast was ablaze with

Page 11

rows of brilliantly shining medals, and his thinning hair supported the August
Crown. This was studded with Capachon rubies, and surrounded by seed pearls from
the Aquatica sea, the symbols of the month of August.

Facing the beaming King, at the opposite end of the long table, sat the
beautiful Queen Jendah. Although she wore no crown, her long, auburn locks had
been fashioned in true Kerovnian style, diamonds and emeralds woven amongst the
tresses of her hair. She wore a fine gold lame dress, and pointed exquisite
purple satin slippers. She outshone every other lady present.

Somewhere amongst this happy throng sat Matcolm, heir to the throne of
Aquitania. Short, rather plump, with a double chin, stocky muscular legs, and
very strong arms, Malcom had always been a heart-throb with the Royal ladies.
His beady brown eyes were sharp to take in details of every new arrival; his
rather thin lips concealed his small evenly shaped teeth. Although extremely shy
in private, he had an unpleasant habit of being loud-mouthed in public to hide
his inferiority complex. So far, he had spent the entire evening in conversation
with the Lady Franceska, daughter of Earl Audarva of Aquitania.

Malcolm had been against the idea of spending two weeks of his summer holiday in
Kerovnia, for he had planned a sailing trip with his friends, (particularly the
Lady Franceska). However, his mother, Hortensa, had insisted her son accompany
her to Kerga, for she had other plans for him throughout those summer days. This
tall, bespectacled lady - known for her coldness and aloof attitude towards the
poor inhabitants of Aquitania - had for some time nourished the idea of a
matrimonial union of the two families. lt was clear to her that should Malcolm
wed Lattecia then Aquitania would be joined financially as well as politically
to Kerovnia, allowing her to exert power over the mining community and exploit
to the full their stocks of diamands and gold. lt would be easy for her to wield
power through Malcolm, who adored her and respected her opinions in

Page 12

matters of state. She found Erik quite ridiculous, especialjy with all those
medals scattered across his chest; but Jendah was a good friend, who would be
quite happy for Hortensa to discreetiy intervene in Erik's affairs.

The guests gasped with sheer pleasure as Lacey entered the banquet hall. Malcolm
raised his eyes from Franceska's face to gaze at the princess as she skipped
into the room, curtseying left and right to the assembled guests. She appeared
to be a placid and retiring sort of girl (Malcolm detested bossy women with
temperamental characters).

Hortensa spied her son watching Lacey attentively, and sighed with deep relief.
The Green Witch of Aquitania's prophesy was taking its pre-destined course. As
Lacey took her place next to her mother, she caught Maicolm staring at her
intently. Blushing furiously, she turned quickly around and smiled sweetly at
her mother.

Their real meeting did not take place until some hours later, while coffee was
being served. Lacey had spent the entire dinner trying to avoid Malcolm who
could not keep his eyes off her. By the end of dinner, Lacey's face was a
brilliant embarrassed pink, as the bold Aquitanian's eyes constantly undressed
her. Hortensa, feeling that the moment was right to introduce the pair, took his
small podgy hand in her rather large one, and pulled him over to where Lacey was
sitting, surrounded by friends and relatives.

'Now my dears", said Hortensa, in her loud horsy voice "1 think it is about time
you met one another. After all, Kerovnia really isn't far from our home city,
and I think you two should become the best of friends."

At this Lacey blushed a more violent purple, and looked down at her shoes, while
Malcolm smiled kindly at the wretched creature sitting before him.

"Would you care for another milkshake?" he asked nonchalantly.

Page 13

"Why, yes" she stuttered. "You are too kind". And she allowed the bold Malcolm
to brush his thin lips across her tiny red hands. This historic meeting had
electrifying effects on the assembied guests, and gradually the hubbub of voices
died away to a mere whisper. Everyone craned forward to try and catch the merest
hint of the conversation between the two Royal love-birds.

Hortensa and Jendah retired to the ladies boudoir to discuss the prospect of a
Royal wedding within the next twelve months. Malcolm, who felt that he was now
centre-stage, raised his voice to a deep crescendo staring at Lacey with
undisguised admiration:

"My dear Lacey, perhaps you could come to Aquitania for a visit next year? 1
believe you would truly love our country. Although it lies to the south of
Kerovnia, and has a dry climate, we are fortunate in enjoying the clement
weather from the southern seas, which bring cool breezes to even the hottest of
our towns."

So saying, Malcolm flexed his shoulders and arms, broad and muscular from many
years of swimming and fishing. But Lacey, in her naivety, kept her eyes fixed on
his aquiline nose. Malcolm continued with his description of the topography of
Aquitania, while Lacey sat and listened in awe and admiration. He talkod
incessantly of his homeland geography, history and political and economic
policies; and furnished a great deal of information about himself. And for three
hours the Royal coffee booths remained otherwise silent, as the guests drank in
Malcolm's fascinating exposition. Hortensa was overjoyed at having conceived and
raised such a paragon of an heir - so tremendously popular with the Royal
public. From then on the romance between the two youngsters flourished. The
Royal pair were seen everywhere together, at paddling parties, swimming parties,
sailing, fishing, and crocodile shoots.

Page 14

Lacey was deeply and romantically in love with Malcolm, she felt like the
heroine in one her favourite Rose Romance novelettes. Some cynics thought that
for Malcolm's part this was not True Love. He was not, after all, averse to
dallying with many a fair maid, and perhaps he was simply enchanted by her
youthful femininity and charm. Worse, it had been suggested in some quarters
that he fancied himself as the future king of Kerovnia!

And so the lovers parted - with undying promises of fidelity and love. lt was
agreed that before Lacey returned to the Golden Palace, they would meet again
shortly after her sixteenth birthday at the mountain city of Krossia for a
trekking holiday. Zita would accompany them as a chaporon. The following summer
saw Lacey dreaming constantly of the bold Malcolm, whilst he, devoid of any
other female companionship, had invited the Lady Franceska to come away with him
on a boating trip.

Page 15


CHAPTER FOUR

At this point, gentle reader, we take our leave of the fair Lacey. Her eyes
ablaze with love, her tresses (treated with her mothers new conditioner for oily
hair) shining brightly in the moonlight. She clasps her shabby teddy bear, whose
ugly little head had been half eaten by Poops, to her meagre chest. We now
travel some three hundred miles to the heart of the mountain region were we find
Kronos alighting from the back of a flying polar bear.

Kronos had been called out on a mission of some urgency: his brief being that of
a real magician, rather than a court jester. The problem concerned a somewhat
large dragon by the name of Harry. This charming creature had been a pet of
Kronos's for quite some time. Harry was a Kerulgian dragon; a cold-blooded
marnmal found only in the mountaincus regions, where it can retire to the damp
and cold of a subterranean cave when the temperatures reach an uncomfortable
heat during the daylight hours. The Kerulgian dragon is some two metres in
length, green and orange in colour, with bright red scales lining the periphery
of its arched back. Its tail forms at least half of its body, curved and
sharpened at both ends. lt has bovine, brown eyes and large raspberry coloured
tusks. But these dragons, though forocious to look at, have an unusual
psychological trait: they are afraid of peopie. Indeed, even the smallest mouse
is inclined to make them jump. Because of this timidity, most Kerulgian dragons
have been eaten by other species of dragon, and very few are left in Kerovnia.
How Harry has survived over the years is a story in itself. Harry was rescued as
a baby

Page 16

on the shores of the Aquatica Sea, having been abandoned by his mother, and was
rescued by Kronos, who happened to be visiting the area at the time. Kronos and
Harry formed an immediate attachment to each other and travelled everywhere
together. As the majority of Kerulgian dragons were finding it difficult to
survive, Kronos invented a magic potion to make him more aggressive in times of
danger. Thus, every time Harry felt himself threatened by man or beast, he would
take a secret sip of the potion and almost immediately was enabled to exhale a
hellsome fire for a radius of 50 miles. Sometimes, however, either through
eagerness or nervousness, he would take an overdose of the potion - which
resulted in immediate disaster! A yellow fog would then descend over Kerovnia,
so that one could scarely see ones hand in front of ones face; and even at the
height of noon it would be folly to drive without the use of headlights! Often,
to impress strangers, Kronos would ask Harry to breathe extra deeply - and
entire villages would be covered either in flames of molten gold, or in a foul-
smelling fog.

One particular evening, Harry, at home within the foothill region of Kozza, had
requested Kronos to bring him an urgent supply of magic potion, as he was
feeling alarmed and threatened by a large herd of blue dragons, which were
reported to be lurking in the neighbourhood. Kronos would rather that Harry
lived with him, but unfortunately dragons were not allowed within the palace
boundary; so he made post-haste to the foothiljs to deliver the potion to
Harry's secret lair. There he noticed some posters scattered over the table in
the corner of the room.

"What have we here, Harry?" he enquired, glancing in the direction of the
posters.

"Funny you should ask that, pal. Well, you see, this chap came round the other
day canvassing for the Gringo Baconburger Party."

The dragon inhaled deeply, lighting up his orange nostrils. "Funny thing is,

Page l7

his political headquarters aren't far from here; in fact, on the other side of
the valley. He seems an interesting chap, this Gringo, and he's quite against
the Royal family - rather like you. Well, it appears that he plans a general
uprising to force the King to hold democratic elections, and then, if all goes
well, he plans to take over Kerovnia and force the Royal family into exile."

Kronos stroked his beard thoughtfully, and gazed deeply al his friend. "I wonder
if you would introduce me to this Gringo person, Harry." he said. "It's strange
I have not heard of him before. I tend to know everyone in Kerovnia, especially
in political circles."

"Oh, I don't think it so surprising that you haven't heard of Gringo. After all,
the Dwarf faction don't have any seats in the Royal Parliament. The entire
Government is run by the King's political friends and the supporters of the
Royal house of Aquitania. The whole thing smacks of nepotism. 1 always have my
ear to the ground, here in the hills. 1 suppose all you hear, living in the
palace, is the same old Royalist propaganda."

Kronos, somewhat taken aback at Harry's social and political acumen, decided
that the problem must be the magic potion, and resolved that in future he would
cut down on the parsley and thyme, to avoid any further embarrassment. Harry,
finding Kronos's discomfort amusing, and on a definite high, having just taken
an extra slug of potion, roared with glee, slapped all seven of his thighs and
set the roof of his house alight with a cascading shower of orange sparks!

"Pray curb your enthusiasm, Harry. I shall have to pay for the refurbishment of
your gloomy lair out of the Royal purse. Conduct me a straight way to the home
of this Gringo Baconburger and introduce us. I think it is of the utmost urgency
that we meet before the set of sun."

Kronos spoke with stern authority, and the dragon realised that the fun and

Page 18

games were at an end. He padded obediently over to a stone recess, from which he
removed his blue and gold striped scarf, which he wound ten or fifteen times
round his neck with his ivory plated teeth. He moved towards the entrance of the
cave, donning his best Sunday tweed hat, which he stuck jauntily between his
large, floppy ears.

"OK. Shall we go? Do you really want to go? Is it absolutely necessary to go?
It's rather late to go calling. Do you think we'11 wake him up? Do you think
he'11 be annoyed? It's rather a long way. Jolly cold outside, it's - "

"Stop fussing, you overgrown tadpole!" snarled Kronos. "Can't you ever summon up
the spirit of adventure, worrying whether a Dwarf - a mere Dwarf - will be
inconvenienced or not. Pshaw! Tcha! Hrmph! What care I for Dwarfs - or any other
creature? The only thing that matters is that I see him, and that we proceed
without delay."

With that, Kronos strolled out of the cave, muttering to himself that it was
difficult to find a chap of one's own intellectual ability, and that dragons
could sometimes be extremely boring.

Harry stumbled along behind him, his clawed feet slipping occasionally on the
moss-covered stones that had been carved into the staircase for the use of the
local residents. The dragon, feeling rather hurt, bumbled and stumbied along
until he finally overtook Kronos, and, leading the way down the slope to the
edge of the valley, pointed out the lights twinkling in the distance: The home
of Gringo Baconburger,

At that hour of the night there was nobody else to be seen. No busy Dwarfs
heading towards the mines, with spades and shovels slung over their shoulders;
no Little People pushing carts filled with home-made produce for sale to the
mining canteens. There were no ladies of noble class riding their magnificent
unicorns through the hills, followed by their foot servants. The land was quiet
and dark as far as the eye could see. The

Page 19

moon was like a giant, iced vanilla balloon gleaming brilliantly in the pagoda
of the sky. lt lit the way to the deep bottom of the valley, clearly showing the
stairs which led to the residential area where Gringo had his small stone house.

As they neared the house the moon passed overhead, and for a few seconds lit up
the the golden chimney, perched on top of the roof. This chimney had become a
symbol, for the members of Gringo's political party, of the strife that was yet
to come. Harry paused, and gazed intently at the beautiful object, which
somewhat resembled a gold charm on a bracelet.

He was a sentimental fellow, and he felt tears pricking at his large watery
eyes.

"Kronos, dan't you think it would be rather lovely if 1 could have a chimney
like that? Or perhaps a silver one would be more fashionable?"

Kronos preserved a dignified silence. Though he had raised the dragon himself,
he could hardly believe that the animal could talk such nonsense. Kronos, like
most sorcerers, was something of a Victorian, and averse to any display of
enthusiasm or extremes of emotion. He had never learnt to cry, and rarely showed
signs of sentiment: In the Magician's Guild it is, of course, considered a sign
of weakness. (Although it is rumoured that the green witches of Aquitania had
learnt certain feminine wiles; in order to charm wizards and steal away their
magic powers!)

Upon reaching Gringo's house, Kronos removed his magical golden wand from his
inside vest pocket and clasped it firmiy in his left hand. Should they encounter
any problems, he intended to use it. Harry peered through the lattice windows,
and saw that several candles had been lit and carefully positioned on a large
beechnut desk, at which a rather handsome Dwarf was seated, scribbling furiously
away on a piece of parchment. Kronos rapped sharply at the door, and the Dwarf,
looking up, saw the

Page 20

dragon breathing furiously at him through the window.

Gringo rose slowly from his cushioned chair, pushed the dark curly locks from
his eyes, removed the horn-rimmed reading glasses from his unusuaily small nose,
walked purposefully towards the front door, opened it sharply and proceeded to
knock the magic wand straight out of Kronos's hand!

"None of that here, old man", he admonished the astonished magician. "Wo don't
go in for magic and that sort of tomfoolery around here, you know, Put away that
juvenile by-product of crowd-control technology! Grow up, be a man, get a decent
job! Come in, sit down, have a scotch and soda!"

Kronos, scarlet with indignation, grudgingly followed Gringo into the hallway,
bending his long neck to avoid colliding with the copper bell hanging from the
doorway. Harry, stifling a fiery chortle, winked at the gold chimney, did a
little pirouette and skipped after Kronos into the hall.

They followed Gringo into a narrow room furnished with comfortable weather-
beaten sofas covered with cotton sheets. The room was too low for the dragon and
he had to curl his immensely long tail into a tight ball and sit on it. Gringo
motioned Kronos into the largest of the three armchairs, while he went to the
sideboard and poured out three strong measures of whisky in large crystal
goblets. Kronos had gone an even darker shade of purple and was rubbing his
hands together so violently that they gave off sparks of anger.

The Dwarf served the drinks with irritating slowness. Kronos's face turned from
purple to white with fury, and smoke began to pour out from his ears. Harry,
whose tail was suffering severe cramp, collapsed to the floor, rolled over on
his back, and stared gloomily at the ceiling, deeply regretting that he had left
the posters lying about his room. Gringo handed round the drinks (shaken, not
stirred), and sat sedately on his cushioned

Page 21

chair. Kronos finished his glass in one gulp, and spitting with rage jumped to
his feet and screeched at Harry, who was by now rolling about in a drunken
stupor:

"You know alcohol and magic potion don't mix! You foolish, foolish dragon. You
should be ashamed of yourself!"

Gringo winked at the befuddled dragon. "So you are the beast that everybody has
been complaining about. Perhaps instead of casting your evil fog over these
parts, you would do us all a favour and smother the palace instead."

"Certainly not!" interrupted Kronos. "What a disgraceful suggestion. What do you
know about dragons anyway?"

"Actually quite a lot", answered Gringo, complacently. "My doctoral thesis
contained three chapters on the influence of the red dragons on the Kerovnian
population during the reign of King Faldous. It is well known that these beasts
possessed quite alarming intellectual faculties, and that they were used - "

"Enough! Enough, I say." screamed the magician, his face turning every colour of
the rainbow. "For heavens sake, enough of this idle chitchat, let's get down to
business."

"I am not entirely sure," replied Gringo calmly, "That you and I have any
business to discuss." This prompted a stream of unprintable abuse from the irate
magician, causing Harry to squirm into a corner with embarrassment and wrap his
tail firmly around his ears.

Gringo stared at the sorcerer as he whipped his magic wand from his pocket and
brandished it in the Dwarf's face.

Page 22

"I'll get my own back an you, you stunted little villain! Don't imagine you
could possibly seize power in Kerovnia without consulting the genius of Kronos.
Your puny political activities are at an end, my friend. The time is ripe for me
to rule all of this domain, and you and your like will grovel as my subjects!"

With this parting shot he swept out of the room, and Harry, uncoiling his aching
limbs, swayed out alter him.

"Well", said Gringo, "It looks like the fun is just beginning." He replenished
his empty glass, picked up the Telephone, dialled a secret number, and said
"George, get over here pronto! And hold the front page, we've got one hell of a
story for the palace newspaper! Oh, bring Pete with you, while you're at it.
We'll have to creep over to that dragon's lair to sneak some photos. What da you
think of this for a headline? KRONOS AND DRAGON EN TETE A TETE - WHAT A TEA
PARTY!"

Page 23


CHAPTER FIVE

The peachy summer days drifted slowly by. Kerovnia, land of milk and honey (and
nut yoghurt) blossomed and flourished in the eternal sunshine. The court that
year had decided to remain in Keros, mainly because Erik had heard, from
underground sources, of a Potential Dwarf uprising. Queen Jendah, however, had
left for the winter palace where she was working on her Royal architectural
projects.

Zita and Kronos had gone on holiday, and were shortly to attend a secret
sorcerers conterence. Lacey was packing; excitedly preparing to leave for
Aquitania to join her fianc‚. Love had transformed Lacey: her hair had grown
shoulder length, the braces had been removed from her teeth, and the judicious
use of plum and strawberry make-up cleverly disguised many of her spots and
pimples. She was wearing higher heeled shoes, and shorter dresses, and she
proudly displayed her knobbly knees to the assembled journalists at the railway
station as she boarded the purple express for her departure to Aquitania.

In the happy throng, concealed behind the band playing the Kerovnian national
anthem, lurked Gringo, accompanied by Pete and George, the Underworld
newspaper's photographers. Lacey's excitement at visiting Aquitania for the
first time was fully justified; she could see that most of the country looked
like a gigantic seaside resort with the occasional enclave of coconut or almond
trees. The waters of the Aquitanian sea were the purest and greenest in the
universe, with unrivalled displays of

Page 24

coral and fish. The city of Aquatica itself is a brilliant white, with houses of
dorned roofs and porpoise-shaped swimming pools. The palace where Lacey was to
stay was fashioned of pink marble, and flamingos fluttered in droves from every
rampart and tower.

As Lacey alighted from the train the whole of Aquatica seemed to be there to
meet her, and suddenly, there was Malcolm, rushing forward with arms
outstretched to greet her! He was tanned and fit, wearing his grey and white
tracksuit, white leather sneakers, with his walkman strung casually around his
muscular neck. Only one person was seen to be scowling slightly. Earl Audarva,
father of the bossy and jealous Lady Franceska. Malcolm shepherded Lacey away
from the tumultuous throng and they embarked in his private helicopter for the
Palace. They alighted on the heli-pad on the Palace roof, scattering squawking
flamingos left and right. The appointed ladies in waiting, curtseying and
giggling, led the way to the lift, which descended to Lacey's bedroom suite
overlooking the famous cactus gardens.

Her rooms were magnificent - larger than any she had seen before, with their
ornate white and pink silk hangings, and intricate antique furniture. She had
her own Telephone, television, and two video recorders. One for her, and a
smaller one for Poops.

While Lacey was unpacking her Cindy dolls, the ladies-in-waiting bustled around
with towels and toiletries, hairbrushes and ribbons, puffs and powders, soaps
and unguents. Suddenly the phone rang - it was her mother, Queen Jendah,
telephoning long-distance from Kozza, the capital of the mountain region. She
had been joined at the winter palace by Queen Hortensa, and the two ladies had
spent many a happy hour together in deep conclave, plotting and planning the
forthcoming Royal Wedding. She was on tenterhooks to enquire of Lacey if she was
behaving herself in a Royal and ladylike manner? - lf everything was going well?
Was Malcolm truly smitten? - The Aquitanian court duly impressed by her ladylike
beauty and

Page 25

decorum? - Was Poops behaving himself? - And had she remembered to pack a second
pair of tights?

As hours became days, and days drifted into weeks, Lacey hardly noticed the
passing of time in her constant delight and happiness with Aquitania in general,
and the bold Malcolm in particular. Things however, did not continue so smoothly
in the Kingdom of Kerovnia. Unrest amongst the general population was
increasing. Dissatisfaction was rife because of the burden of increased
taxation. The Royal family already owned two palaces and a residential seaside
villa, and now another Royal Palace was planned, not to mention the enormous
expenditure of the fast approaching Royal Wedding. Queen Jendah had several
private building projects on hand, and the Added Value Tax on the emerald mining
had risen to an unprecedented 23%! Erik had been warned by his subterranean
espionage agency that mass insurrection was brewing and he decided to take the
heat out of the situation by holding a democratic by-election.

This was a unique, historic, and (some thought) dangerous notion:- but
nevertheless Erik insisted that candidates for the election should comprise not
only of a member of the Noble family guild, but also representatives of the
Little People, Gnome and Dwarf communities. It was the dawn of a new era,
history was in the melting pot: Erik, Gringo, Kronos, Jendah, Zita, (and indeed
Lacey herself) would all have their part to play in the rich tapestry of events
that were soon to follow.

Lacey splashed happily in the dappled water of the swimming pool, surrounded by
the playful Dolphos, (the hybrid of dolphin-frogs), that she had befriended
during her stay in Aquitania. She felt fitter and happier than she had done in
her entire life. This, despite her ominous lobster-pink colour: a result of
either too little sun-screen lotion, or too much of Malcolm! Although the
Princess's visit was running more smoothly than Malcolm had expected, this did
not deter his gaze from wandering from Lacey's face, and dwelling on the lanky-
legged Franceska,

Page 26

as she scowled aggressively at the Royal photographers. He felt a twinge of
regret that he would shortly see her only on state occasions - and that official
business would have to replace monkey business! Jumping up and stretching to the
full four feet and two inches of his tanned and rippling frame, he dived in
Royal fashion into the heated water, and energetically swam several lengths of
the pool to impress the female spectators. Lacey stopped splashing around, and
gazed wonderingly at her Prince. She pushed the Dolphos to one side and put a
hand to her trembling bosom, as Malcolm calmly swam over to Franceska, and
wickedly pinched her toes.

Franceska squealed "Don't do that Malcolm, you know how ticklish I am."

"Why don't you come for a swim, you lazy beast" he quipped, and grabbing her by
the ankle, pulled her into the water. Then, while the guests laughed wildly at
his antics, he chased the Lady Franceska round the perimeter of the pool,
whooping and yelling as she screamed with delight. Her pleasure was considerably
increased when she noticed a shocked Princess Lacey regarding the scene with
horror and dismay.

"Malcolm. Oh no, Malcolm" Lacey whispered. "Don't do this to me. Why are you so
interested in that - that thing, when I am here? Why, Malcolm? Oh, Why?" Her
whisper rose steadily to a nasal whine, and Poops, who was fast asleep under a
large cactus, began barking fiercely.

Dorabs are often over-protective towards their mistresses, and when he saw
Lacey's distress he whipped himself into a fury. Dashing towards the edge of the
pool, he tripped over an empty wine glass and somersaulted into the water. With
teeth bared and nostrils flaring, he dorab-paddled at high speed towards the
frolicking Franceska.

Before you could say "Humfrey Humbleburger!" Poops had his teeth in the top half
of her bikini, and as the wild flurry of flashing teeth and frothing spray
subsided....

Page 27

SHOCK! HORROR! READ ALL ABOUT IT - Franceska's torso was suddenly revealed to
the delighted throng, as naked as the day she was born!

Malcolm's lithe figure carved through the water towards Franceska, partly to
rescue her from the vicious dorab, but mainly to get a close up view of the
lady's embarrassment. Teeth snapping, fur flying, Poops turned on Malcolm, and
viciously bit his finger. Malcolm screamed in pain and hit out at the tiny
creature. Missing the dorab by an inch, he caught Franceska a glancing blow on
the jaw and knocked her under the water. The guests, thinking Malcolm was
suffering from sun stroke, and was attacking the lovely lady, began diving into
the water and raining blows from all sides upon the unfortunate Prince, who was
soon knocked unconscious, and had to be rescued by the Royal Lifeguards.

Lacey became hysterical and ran screaming from the pool to her room, closely
followed by several ladies of the court, shrieking and swooning as they
fluttered behind her. The horror of the entire scene had been caught by two
Dwarf journalists, hiding behind some pringle bushes, who were bearing Gringo's
support badge, and had been taking photographs of the prevailing confusion.

News of the events spread quickly to other lands, and the ten o'clock news on
Aquitanian television devoted a full hour to the story. King Erik was disturbed
from a heavy game of pinochle, to attend an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss
the advisabillty of his daughter's intended marriage. Hortensa cut short her
visit to Silenissia to return home, and Jendah rushed back to the capital city
to comfort her daughter. Foreign reporters had been urged to treat the entire
affair as an unfortunate accident - mere high spirits by the holiday guests -
but the underworld press made exzellent use of both pictures and story to
undermine further the King's already shaky position.

Page 28

Kronos, chortling continually to himself, turned the whole affair to his
advantage; persuading many members of the Palace staff that Lacey suffered from
congenital madness, which was responsible for the entire incident, And when the
poor red-eyed princess returned home, with no official greeting or palace band
for welcome, unkind whispers and rumours abounded on every side. Jendah decided
her daughter should spend several months at Kozza, recuperating from the
traumatic affair. Malcolm was in disgrace, and was sent to the countryside,
where, as a punishment, he was enrolled as leader of the boy scouts association.
Deep in his heart he still felt strongly for Lacey and was ashamed of his own
behaviour. Why had he sparked oft the whole ridiculous incident? Perhaps, after
all, Franceska's mother had been a Green Witch!

Page 29


CHAPTER SIX

For Gringo and many of the Dwarfs, it seemed an eternity until election day.
Their time had been fully occupied with many and varied tasks, pinning posters
of Gringo to the trees around the forest perimeter, addressing rallies of eager
Dwarfs, and preparing political speeches. Not to mention the day-to-day running
of the emerald mines and the tourist industry.

Erik's spies had promised a reward of two golden coins to every Dwarf, Gnome or
Little Person who voted for the Royalist party; for the King felt that if a
commoner was elected to the empty seat in the forthcoming by-election, it would
signal the beginning of the end of his tenuous grip an his empire.

Malcolm, in Aquitania, was beginning to enjoy the outdoor life. He led his boy
scout troop with pride, and was secretly planning a trip to Kerovnia to sweep
Lacey off her feet and marry her in total secrecy, surrounded by his eagle
scouts - disappearing with Lacey and the entire troop as company to some forlorn
country retreat, where there would be plenty of rock climbing and hiking to
indulge in.

Kronos, an the other hand, was plunged into a deep despair. Although he had
nothing but contempt for King Erik, the last thing in the world he wanted was to
see the dreadful Gringo elected to office. He had planned to prepare a magic
potion which he would introduce into Kerovnia's water

Page 30

supply, which would sway the populus towards the Royalist party. But due to lack
of time and because he was without the vital assistance of Zita (who was busily
employed in looking after the prostrate Lacey) he was unable to prepare the
magic potion in time. He stayed locked in his room, sulking away the few days
that remained before the election.

At last the great day dawned - and Gringo won the seat by a stupendous majority.
As the Dwarf journalists proudly read the notices on television that night,
Gringo was carried, shoulder high, to the local tavern, where his supporters
drank whisky (The finest, distilled by the Roobikyoub Dwarfs) and Sparkling
Spring Water (The most pure from the Obakanga valley) all night long. When the
results came through, Erik hurled his crown on the floor, and jumped up and down
on it! A fit of bad temper, which he instantly regretted, as it was full of
spiky diamonds and very knobbly rubies!

Kronos, on the other hand, once he was presented with the fait accompli of
Gringo's election, wasted no time on idle fury, but began sketching out future
plans for tricking the Dwarf leader into collaboration with the evil sorcerer.

After the hectic events of the last few days, Gringo fell into a deep slumber.
He dreamt, amongst other things, that he was making his maiden speech in
Parliament - and suddenly awoke to discover that he was!

The long Kerovnian summer months drifted slowly to an end, marked by an Indian
summer of brilliant sunshine and cloudless blue sky. The wheat and barley
harvest were completed well on time, because the Little People, overjoyed by
Gringo's success, worked harder than they had ever done before. The Dwarfs, too,
went happily about their labours, singing and whistling political airs, in
polite mockery of the King and noblemen. The only person who seemed dissatisfied
was Gringo himself, for, although he had the attention of certain radical
Royalists, no political or social

Page 31

changes seemed imminent.

A few weeks prior to the National Celebration and Parade day, Gringo called an
emergency meeting of the Elderly Dwart Society, and outlined his plans for a
national strike. He was intent on ridding Kerovnia of Kronos and Zita and their
strange powers over the Royal Family; for surely they were in league with the
forces of evil? Once Kronos and Zita had been banished, it would not be too
difficult, he suggested, to gradually dismantle the entire monarchic system?
Lacey could marry Prince Malcolm and spend the rest of her days in Aquitania;
and the King and Queen should be politely, but if necessary forcibly, removed -
either to the summer home or the winter palace. This would leave the capital
city free for the Dwarfs themselves to inhabit. Gringo secretly looked forward
to redecorating the palatial rooms at Keros, and inviting the numerous members
of his family to take up residence in the various outhouses! The whole scheme
was widely approved by his friends and associates, who had spent most of their
working lives toiling in the mines - to the sole benefit of the King's
exchequer.

Queen Jendah was depressed and aggravated by the current events in Kerovnia,
though for quite a different reason from that which was upsetting her husband.
She had received several nagging letters from her erstwhile friend, Hortensa,
urging her to decide on a wedding date for the Royal couple. She presentod
various excuses for Matcolm's extraordinary behaviour; saying that he was a
reformed character and that he would be only too pleased to assist Erik in the
day-to-day running of Kerovnia. She reminded Jendah that Lattecia was almost
eighteen, and was getting somewhat long in the tooth for an unmarried lady!
These letters inspired rage in the Queen, who realised that Hortensa was trying
to instaff this sprig of Aquitanian Royalty in the Kerovnian lineage. lf her
precious daughter were to marry the baboon, he could legally remain in Kerovnia
for ever - and eventually force the King to abdicate in favour of his daughter
and the Prince Consort!

Page 32

Malcolm was completely under Hortensa's thumb, and if given the opportunity he
would soon remove the Dwarfs from political office and replace the mineworkers
with Aquitanian peasants. Jendah made up her mind that under no circumstances
would her daughter ever marry the neighbouring Prince. She would soon find a
suitable match elsewhere.

Lacey, unaware of her mother's plans regarding her future, continued to write to
Malcolm twice daily. She dictated her letters to Zita, who passed them
immediately to Jendah. All these letters were put into a large copper chest,
hidden under the Queen's bed. All the incoming letters from Malcolm were
discreetly removed from the Princess's mail tray first thing in the morning, and
also hidden in the copper chest.

Zita continually nagged the poor girl, telling her she was wasting her time
writing to Malcolm, as he obviously had no intention of replying. The princess
grieved deeply and began to sicken. She was no longer the dumpy, knock-kneed
girl of yore. She soon turned into a scarecrow-like figure, with a grey face,
and straggly hair. Her pale eyes became black with sorrow, and sunk deep into
her wrinkled face. She begged Zita to use her magic powers to explain why
Malcolm had forgotten her; and Zita would then pretend to look deeply into her
crystal ball and tell disturbing tales of Malcom's love for a certain Aquitanian
lady, and how he had lost interest in Lacey because of her lack of 'sporting'
prowess. The situation was made even worse, because Kronos in his off-duty hours
would visit Zita and encourage her to keep the princess well away from Malcolm.
Kronos feared that if Lacey married the foreign Prince, and power was eventually
handed over to Queen Hortensa, then the Dwarfs would be banished from Kerovnia,
and the Aquitanian army would take command of the kingdom; whereupon Kronos
himself would at best be banished, or at worse assassinated by some Aquitanian
thug.

In the early days of Autumn, the political situation finally came to a head.

Page 33

Parliament had been convened to discuss seating arrangements for the famous
September Parade some two days later. A list of foreign guests to be invited to
the ceremony had also to be drawn up without delay. The debate droned on for
three hours or more, when suddenly Gringo leapt to his feet, spectacles in hand,
and loudly proclaimed:

"Gentlemen! The time has come to face the realities in Kerovnia. How many times
have I beseeched you to revise and revitalise our society? But all you do is
sleep and snore through every parliamentary session, when there is work to be
done."

Shouts of protest arose from the assembled members, waving their clenched fists,
and demanding that the Dwarf should be removed from the chamber.

Erik, who was fast asleep, was woken by Kronos. He looked blearily around him,
and, quite misunderstanding the situation, gestured to Gringo to finish his
speech. The Dwarf did not hesitate, and raising his voice to fever pitch,
pointed at the Royal Magician, and uttered the following curse:

"Damn you, Kronos! Damn you and your sister Zita! A curse upon your evil souls!
lt is you who are responsible for all the ills that assail our country!"

Kronos jumped to his feet, bellowing in rage, and called upon the household
cavalry to take Gringo prisoner. At that moment a group of angry Dwarfs
appeared, brandishing sabres and guns; and before the cavalry had a chance to
arrest Gringo, the armed group of little men formed a circle around the
perimeter of the hall, their weapons pointing towards the assembly. The King,
too bewildered to speak, collapsed in a heap on his throne, weeping copiously.
Gringo jumped down from the podium and made his way to the centre of the stage,
through a throng of cheering Dwarfs.

Page 34

"This is your last chance Kronos. Either you leave the palace and the land of
Kerovnia peacefully, or you and your sister-in-crime, Zita, will be imprisoned!"

He turned to the King: "Your Majesty, do you not realise that you have been
nurturing two vipers in your bosom? Your magician, and your ex-nursery maid? Do
you realise the harm they have caused over the years through their malign
influence on the Princess Lacey, the future Queen of Kerovnia?"

The King's sobs were replaced by a wail of anguish, "Oh no" he moaned "can this
be true, Gringo? I fear it is, I fear you are right after all!"

Silence descended on the hall as the audience held its breath. Suddenly the
Dwarfs rushed forward and Kronos, snarling and barking like a mad dog was pinned
to the ground. His face became a deep purple, and his ears belched forth flame
and smoke. The congregation of elderly noblemen retreated slowly to the doors,
seeking the safety of the fire exits. Kronos, bellowing like a wounded buffalo
as he realised the totality of his defeat, clasped his hands together, and
intoned a strange incantation, beseeching help from his unknown Master.

For a few moments nothing happened; and then suddenly the entire room exploded
into a myriad of lights, as an orange ball of fire descended through the roof
and plummeted to the polished wooden floor. Fortunately Gringo had a pair of
sunglasses with him, but the light was so overwhelming that the Dwarfs holding
Kronos were forced to let him go. Gringo stared in amazement as Kronos leapt
into a burning fiery carriage that appeared from the orange ball of flame. lt
was drawn by four black horses, rearing and snorting, pulling and tearing at
their harnesses of molten red fire. Their hooves scraped the floor, the silver
of their shoes glittering and sparking; their whinnying, a sound too terrible
for human ears.

Page 35

The ball of fire floated through the ceiling, and Gringo shivered with fear as
he saw the driver of the devilish contraption. He wore a long black cape, his
top hat was aflame, a long driving whip firmly gripped in his cloven leather
gloves. He howled and screamed with glee at the frightened throng pressing
themselves into the corners of the hall.

"See you all again" he screeched; and as his words reverberated on the wind, the
fiery vision vanished.

Eventually order was restored, and Erik was put to bed with a severe dose of
hiccups. Gringo rallied his supporters and gave instructions that they should
spread out around the town to avoid any trouble. He gave orders for Zita to be
arrested, and removed from the country home of Kozza, to a place of safety far
beneath the great Atina mountains.

Page 36


CHAPTER SEVEN

Gringo decided that the National Celebration day should go ahead, although he
would have to force agreement to a democratic General election later on. On
reflection he felt that the terrifying events that day in Parliament were
nothing more than a magic trick produced by Kronos to effect his escape. He was
convinced that he would shortly return - if only in an attempt to rescue his
sister, Zita.

lt was thought better to keep all reports of these strange and terrifying events
away from the ears of the fragile Princess Lacey. As the celebration day grew
nearer, excitement mounted among the Kerovnians, it was felt in the air that
great events were afoot. There were many radical changes in Kerovnian society,
the most unusual being the formation, by public decree, of a Worry and
Suggestion Society. Large yellow boxes were placed in the main streets, into
which people could place papers indicating their worries, desires, and
suggestions for reform in Kerovnia. The boxes were emptied regularly three times
a day, and the suggestions were studied by the president of the Society and his
colleagues. By this, and other subtle and insidious means, Kerovnian society
began to turn quietly and discreetly into a community of Dwarfs.

The morning of the National Celebration proved to be fine, if rather windy.
Erik, still weak from his chronic attack of hiccups, managed a brave smile as
his stable lads brought Bruce to the mounting block. The Royal horse was in fine
spirits, his long black mane was threaded with gold, and pink

Page 37

roses had been fastened to his tail. He had been shod with golden shoes, and his
horn was of a matching hue. Queen Jendah was sporting a long sweeping gown of
pure silver, on which were fashioned hundreds of tiny flags of the Kerovnian
state.

Erik, who had mellowed somewhat since his illness, permitted her for the first
time to wear a crown. Unfortunately no crowns had been forged for women in the
Kingdom for many centuries, and hers was too large, and threatened either to
fall off the back of her head or slip down over her nose. Lacey had not been
permitted to join the Royal procession, so she had to be content to watch her
parents leave the Palace from the main balcony. lt was considered wiser for her
own safety that she remained within the Palace walls, although she planned to
join the festivities later in the day. The Royal cortŠge moved slowly away in
the brilliant sunshine.

The King and Queen were flanked by members of their personal guard, dressed in
their best uniforms of red and gold. Behind the foot soldiers walked the Royal
mascot, none other than Poops, dressed for the occasion in a tiny gold and red
coat. He was followed by the head kennel-keeper, dressed in identical uniform.

Then came a unit of the golden cavalry mounted on pink unicorns representing the
light-guards, and finally a division of the heavy-guard mounted on pale blue
elephants. Behind the elephants followed a procession of Royal guests and
various members of the aristocracy. The Royal cortŠge proceeded peacefully for
three miles, the cheering becoming ever louder as the sun rose higher in the
sky. But then, as they rounded a narrow bend, to pass in front of the Town Hall
where the mayor was waiting to greet them, Bruce suddenly panicked at the sight
of a green and yellow crocodile and reared high on his hind legs. Erik's visor
slammed shut across his eyes, the charger reared again, and the King lost his
balance and hurtled to the ground, hitting his head on the pavement, and was
promptly knocked unconscious.

Page 38

The guards rushed forward to assist his majesty, and Jendah, fearing that her
mount would be crushed in the panic, spurred her little unicorn forward.
Suddenly out of the blue a large stone whistled through the air, and struck her
smartly in the centre of her forehead. She toppled off her mount, and in an
instant died.

A mysteriaus shadow fluttered over her and disappeared.

The horrific news of Jendah's assassination spread quickly throughout the
neighbouring countries, and Kerovnia went into deep mourning for the beautiful
Queen. The King, who had suffered nothing more than a bump on the head, retired
to Kerga with his daughter to prepare for the funeral.

They were joined at Kerga by numerous noblemen and state councillors, who
gathered to advise the King on what course of action should be taken. Many
thought that Erik himself was at fault, because he had allowed the lowly Dwarfs
to take power; and others blamed him for exiling the sorcerer - who surely could
have predicted, and thus probably avoided, the tragic train of events.

Queen Hortensa, for her part, feared that a matrimonial union would now never
take place between the two countries. On the advice of her Green Witch she
determined to marry Erik, thus ensuring that Kerovnia and Aquitania were
permanently linked. One person who had been quite forgotten by those at Kerga
(admittedly an easy person to forget) was the noble Malcolm. On hearing the news
of Queen Jendah's death, his thoughts raced to his beloved Lacey; and he
proceeded post-haste by way of helicopter to Kerga.

Many peopie were milling around the palace, but Lacey was nowhere to be seen.
The Princess spent most of her days looking out to sea, seated on a great wooden
raft that floated on the waters on the main palace swimming

Page 39

pool. She was unaware that the Prince had arrived in Kerga, and thought that her
happiness had been lost forever. Malcolm explored every nook and cranny of the
Summer Palace and eventually wandered into the extensive gardens. Creamy clouds
speckled the pale blue sky, light winds rose off the sea, and brushed Lacey's
hair against her cabbage cheeks. Poops, who was also in a state of nervous
Depression, sat next to her listlessly reading a comic. She stared miserably out
to sea, searching for a ship that would come and rescue her.

Suddenly, out of the blue sky, a voice reverberated across the water: "Lacey, my
darling, so this is where you have been hiding from me all this time. At last I
have found you!"

Lacey rose to her feet, and at the sight of Malcolm, swooned and fell into the
water. Poops barked madly, and Malcolm carried the bedraggled princess to the
satety of the shore and administered the kiss of life, at unnecessary length.
Eventually she opened her pale red eyes, looked into the deep blue of Malcolm's
and know that, at last, she had found True Love.

"We must leave here at once!" said the Prince, "Let us make our way to the
capital and seek help from friends. Will you come with me, my adored one?"

"Of course", uttered Lacey weakly . "1 will follow you to the ends of the
earth." Tears of happiness, mingled with beetroot mascara, ran down her cheeks.

"Let us leave at once" whispered Malcolm "I shall order a carriage of unicorns
to be prepared. lt is too dangerous to travel by helicopter, we could be
intercepted by a unit of flying walruses! - Go quickly and pack some clothes and
we shall be on our way to happiness."

Whilst this idyllic scene was taking place, Erik sat listening unhappily to

Page 40

the recriminations of his advisors, demanding the removal of all Dwarfs from the
land of Kerovnia.

"They are but murderers and thieves!" screamed the courtiers. "They killed the
Queen. Banish them forever, let them be punished for all eternity!"

A united cry arose from the assembled throng, louder and louder still:

"Banish the murderers, banish the murderers!"

"Perhaps they are correct", mused Erik at length. "Bring forth my secretaries
and let them enscribe this decree: 'All Dwarfs are henceforth banished from
Kerovnia! All power that has been given them, whether political or financial, is
hereby rescinded"'

The secretaries busily scribbled the King's decree on a huge sheet of parchment,
and the noblemen nodded in agreement.

Hortensa felt strangely moved by Erik's display of strength in such difficult
times - and promised herself that she would marry the bereaved King at the
earliest opportunity.

Erik then ordered the assembly to leave the room, indicating by a nod and a
vague wave of the hand that the audience was over. Jauntily adjusting his
September Grown so that it covered his balding patch, he rose to his feet,
pulling his ermine cloak firmly around him. As he left the room the crowd bowed
low in obeisance. Erik felt decidedly better: he had rarely felt so wise, so
noble, so respected - so very much a King!

Page 41


EPILOGUE

And so it came to pass that almost all the friendly Dwarf community, together
with their cousins, the Little People, were forced to leave their jobs, abandon
their stone houses and go to live in the neighbouring lands to scrape a meagre
existence from the soil.

The resourceful Gringo, however, stayed behind and rallied his compatriots and
friends. The more influential of his companions were hidden safely in the
mountainous regions in bolt-holes that had been bulit long ago in case of war or
other emergencies.

Erik dwelt at Kerga, cosseted by Hortensa, who strived to win his heart.
Although the King found her intelligent (for a woman), he had no intention of
remarrying; at least not until he had found his precious Lacey. Since Malcolm
and his princess had fled the summer palace, no news had reached Erik of their
whereabouts. He had been informed by a coachman that the Prince had requested a
carriage and four unicorns, and the last he had seen of Princess Lacey, she was
being bundled into the carriage by Malcolm. Then they had sped away from Kerga
in a cloud of dust, and disappeared.

At first the King had found it difficult to believe that his daughter could have
run away with such a fellow, and thought that perhaps the coachman had been
mistaken. He hoped that Lacey had simply taken up residence at Kazza to be alone
with her thoughts. He could not have been further from the truth!

Page 42

Two weeks after the funeral a messenger, travelling south on an errand for Queen
Hortensa, thought that he had spotted the carriage heading north. The
description of the man driving the unicorns fitted Malcolm, although the
Princess had not been seen. The King began to worry about Lacey quite seriously.
Spies were sent out to every corner of the land in an endeavour to trace the
couple, and a huge reward was offered for any news of their whereabouts.

Erik began to lose weight, and took to spending long hours in his bed-chamber,
reflecting on the miseries of life. Hortensa, quick to take advantage of the
situation, made herself head of the Kerovnian Parliament.

The months sped by, and soon the winter melted into spring, with still no news
of the Princess and her Prince. The King took finally and completely to his bed
and the land of Kerovnia plunged into financial and political despair!

As the economic climate degenerated, it began to look as if the Royal Treasury
would fail to pay off the national debt. Nature herself took a strange course -
the great forests that had so dominated the countryside, with their emerald-
green beauty, began to wither and die. Agricultural experts were asked to
explain why the thousand-year-old trees were suddenly losing their lust for
life. Tree surgeons tried many different medications but the trees continued to
die, and it was feared that very soon there would be no forest left at all.

The greatest loss to the community was Princess Lacey and Prince Malcolm. Both
Hortensa and Erik, in their grief, had abandoned the idea of seeing their
children again, and feared that the wicked dwarfs had assassinated them whilst
on route to Kozza. To console their grief, they decided to remain together at
Kerga and plan the future of their two

Page 43

countries.

And so the seasons changed once more, the skies became a brittle, brilliant
blue, and snow fell on the mountain tops. The dwarfs went about their
underground activities with as much zeal as in the old days, and planned the
coming revolution. The tourist season proved to be a minor success that year;
which was of some comfort to the King, and throughout the winter months people
were to be found trekking among the foothills mounted on the pretty pink
unicorns.

There was an extraordinary discovery that year (first sighted by two
investigative journalists) of a snowman, some fen feet tall, who overlooked the
largest of the ice valleys. People travelled from far and wide to look at him,
and admire the clownish smile forever pinned to his icy features. His eyes
seemed to be focussed on one particular mountain peak - and from time to time a
frosty tear rolled down his icy cheeks, turning to a tiny myriad-hue icicle as
it touched the ground. lt was almost as if he had lost something; or wanted to
go in search of something, but could not, because he was so firmly rooted,to his
icy patch.

lt was said by some that at night, when the moon hung silently in the sky
counting the stars, it would tell sad tales of the old man living in the moon to
the snowman, and in response his icy friend would invent strange stories of
magicians and kings, fairies and princesses .....

Page 44


Cypheric Help Section

Another unique feature of The Pawn is an integrated Help Line written into the
program itself which will provide you with limited advice on specific problems.
This overcomes the Adventurer's usual nightmare of phoning the author, begging
him for 20 minutes to impart some snippet of advice on how to kick the stuffing
out of dragons, and finally being cut off half way through the solution. It's
also considerably quicker and cheaper.


How it works

We call this section 'cypheric' because instead of printing an answer in plain
English, we provide you with an encrypted message or 'cypher' that, off the
page, is totally meaningless. The Pawn recognises this cypher and will translate
it for you if you type it in. Imparting help in this way overcomes the usual
problem with hint-sheets (i.e. accidentally reading solutions to problems you
haven't encountered yet.)


How to use it

Scan the section for a question that resembles your particular problem. You will
notice that there are about 3 cyphers to each question. These are roughly in
order of difficully, and you may be prevented from reading certain answers until
you have achieved a certain score or level of competence.


Using the Cypher

Simply type 'HINT'when prompted for a command by the game. Then enter the
numbers and letters which lie between the '<' and '>' marks (you may ignore
spaces if you wish). If a particular answer is not available you will be greeted
with the message -

Page 45

"You'll need more points to find that out!"

If you have entered the cypher incorrectly you will be told -
 "Sorry, try that one again."

Remember, not all the answers will be useful to you. Some will be
merely flippant. (it is said that a true adventurer prefers his wounds
well salted!)


Example

When the program has loaded, try entering the following:

<5N CM ET PA XX CF EQ PA XF CK EW PG XE CR E7 PU YU>
<AN YV NB OA 7Q YL NB OQ GQ 50 RF M6 76 Y7 NB OZ G6
 Y6 N1 O8 7Q 5Q RA MU GW HW>

If you successfully read those then you now understand how to use this
section.

Page 46


QUESTIONS

HOW DO I CROSS THE RED LINE?

<5N CS EQ P0 XY TY I1 AU HD CD M9 G8 5E TE>

<5N C8 E7 PV XB TB IR AE H6 CU EE PA HA TT IM AF XF CV EU
 PE XU CT EX PO XT TT IL AD H1 TJ IT AS HH TM IS PK YK>

<AN Y5 NI O0 GO 59 RV MU G5 Y5 NN OA 7H YJ NT MT GJ 5D RU
 OU 7A YD N0 OP 7Z Y9 N1 O9 7F 5R TR>


WHY IS THE GURU LAUGHING?

<AN Y5 N6 O0 G0 5B RJ MU 70 50 RF MJ GT YT N5 OS PS>

<MN PD X0 CH EV AV HH TA IF PF XV CU EK A9 HR CR ET PZ XB
 C5 I5 AU H1 T9 IR PR XL CH ES PF XM C5 EN PG XP TP I8 AQ
 HA RA>

<5N CV E7 PL HL TT IJ AF HE TF IZ AD HF CF EL PQ XK TK I1
 AI HN TH EH PZ XK CZ EF P0 XZ TZ IF AM 5M>


HOW DO I DROP THE WRISTBAND?

<TM OO 7P YJ N9 MD 7D Y0 NP OS GM 5F NF OZ 7P 5U TU>

<5A C7 EE PP XS TR ER G5 Y7 NA MA GS 5O R0 MZ GB 5X RB MV
 GW YW ND OX 7Q YA RA MP GX 56 N6 OW 7K YY NH MH G0 5B RJ
 MO 70 YS NP OI GI 5J R0 MP 7S 5P NS ES>

Page 47