The Kingdom of Tapria

The gate was not locked. Vladimir had little trouble opening it, though it’s hinges were a bit rusty.  On the other side he was amazed by the beauty of the garden that lay before him.

 He put aside his anger at himself for the precious time he had lost and set his mind to the task of finding the ‘gift sheltered in briar’ that would save the land of the dreadful plague that ravaged the land.

Vladimir spent several hours exploring the glorious garden. He saw no one but a few animals scurrying through the underbrush as he went deeper and deeper into the garden. Just as he began to thirst, Vladimir heard the gentle babble of water nearby. In a few more steps he came across a charming stream.

 He knelt down to relieve his thirst, and spotted a pond not far that appeared to be the source of the stream. The pond was surrounded by rose bushes. In the center of the pond was a small island with a structure that looked man made. Intrigued, he forgot his thirst and went over to investigate.

Inside the structure was an odd glass vessel containing some sort of green liquid. ’Where a garden offers a gift sheltered in briar’. Vladimir’s heart started beating faster. He had found it! This was what would save the land from plague!

It wasn’t until he approached the vessel that he noticed the creature guarding it. Before he could draw his sword the creature spoke.

“O trespasser in the garden at the source of all the water in the land ; You have passed the test and may now drink of the Vessel of Life which will change your mortal body into one of everlasting life.”

Vladimir relaxed when he realized that the creature would not attack him and was simply there to give him that message. He asked the creature if the Vessel of Life could save the land from the plague.

“No, no, no.” the creature said, sounding both majestic and annoyed. “Do not worry yourself with the troubles of mere mortals. Drink of the Vessel of Life and have everlasting life!”

Vladimir stared in awe at the strange green liquid. He had indeed heard of the legend of the Vessel of Life, as did most everyone in the kingdom, but he never imagined that it could possibly be true.

The young prince paused to think. If he listened to the creature and drank, he would be able to live forever. Surly he could do incredible good in the world if he could live for all time. He would be able to outlive all of his brothers and become the king. He already had so many plans of the great things he could do. It made perfect sense that he should drink. Thousands of men tried in various ways to become immortal and here he was with it within his grasp! It would be an insult to all those who had tried before him if he refused.

His thought swirled round and round picturing all the possibilities. Yet the entire time he knew deep in his heart that none of the reasons he thought up to drink were right even though they seemed good, so logical even. Surely it was his destiny to find that poem and reach immortality. The poem! He had forgotten all about the poem! What were those last lines?

Whoever takes of this gift most fair

Must take to share and not heed the liar

Or else they be consumed in ravaging fire

Receiving their wish, but loosing that which will last

Yet give and receive what you have aside cast

Then joy will be found where sorrow once pas’t

The creature must be lying to him. He must somehow share the Vessel of Life so everyone would receive relief from the plague. How could that be? It didn’t look as if there was enough liquid to share with the entire kingdom! There must be another way.

“O trespasser in the garden at the,” the creature began to say again

“Hush! I am trying to think!” Vladimir chided him. Wait! That was it! The creature had told him that this pond was the source of all the water in the land. What if he dumped the green liquid into the pond? Then the people in the land below would drink the water and get just a tiny amount of the green liquid. Not enough to make anyone immortal but just enough to cure them of the plague and stop it from spreading.

Ignoring the nagging voice inside him that urged him to keep all the Vessel of Life to himself, Vladimir leaped over to the vessel and shoved it onto the pond before the creature could have the chance to stop him. The vessel smashed on a stone, allowing the green liquid to merge with the water.

“What are you doing!” the creature shrieked, “No one has ever refused me before!” It took a few steps towards Vladimir and then burst into flames.

The prince stood on the bank of the stream and watched the water taking on a greenish tint which got paler as the water rushed down the stream. Satisfied that he had done the right thing, Vladimir left the garden.

He did not feel even the tiniest twinge of regret as his heart filled with joy at the thought of all the people that would no longer have to bury their friends and family who died at the hand of the plague. Safe in his pocket was a shard of the vessel as proof for the king that it was he who had rid the land of the dreadful plague.

A few weeks later there was not a bell in the kingdom that did not ring, proclaiming the end of the plague and the marriage of their good king’s daughter to the hero prince that had saved them all. The king presented Vladimir with right to half his kingdom.

The half he gave him was a beautiful wilderness with rolling hills, dense forests, and rich farmland. It was sparsely populated prior to the plague, but was hit first and the population was completely wiped out. The king sent a declaration out that any family who wished to have land of their own and a new life could follow Vladimir and Aurelia, the new King and Queen of Tapria.

END PROLOGUE PART 3

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This is the end of the prologue to the story of my kingdom. I had a lot of fun writing it and taking all the pictures. The next story I post will be what is currently going on in the kingdom and what happens to all the famlies that decided to join King Vladimir and Queen Aurelia in the new Kingdom of Tapria. You can currently read brief bios of each family in the Families of Tapria category.

The Guardian Creature was made using content from the Satyr Project at  InSIMenator.net  http://www.insimenator.net/forumdisplay.php?f=187

Please leave a comment so I know that you read my story! Thanks for your time!