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glanced over her shoulder to discover a cat-like animal only a few feet behind her. Constance stood frozen with terror! Maybe it was like the caracal in her mother’s story
    “Hello, big kitty,” Constance said bravely.
    The caracal hissed, growled and inched closer. As it took a leap toward Constance a man vaulted in front of her. The caracal pounced on him biting and clawing, until the man struggled free and chased it deep into the woods.
    Constance was still shaking as she stammered, “Are you alright?”
    The young man arose painfully with an obvious limp and turned to face Constance. He looked to be in his early twenties, was tall with blond curly hair and had green eyes
    “I am quite alright,” he replied.
    “Thank you, for rescuing me Mr....?”
    “Copper, just Copper. It isn't every day that I rescue such a pretty young lady. So who might you be an angel?”
    Constance, blushing at the compliment replied, “If I were an angel, I think I would be rescuing you. My name is Constance Jones.”
    “It is my pleasure to meet you,” Copper said, bowing. “May I ask what a beautiful young lady like you is doing in a dangerous forest?”
    “I was taking a walk,” Constance replied.
    “This early in the morning?”
    “Yes, no one else was up yet, so I decided to take a walk. What are you doing up this early?”
    “Well...That's not important, at least not to you. Are you camping around here Miss Jones?”
    “Actually, yes.”
    “Well, let me escort you back to your camp,” Copper offered.
    “I would appreciate that very much.”
    “Do you know the way back?” Copper asked.
    “Yes, it's only a little ways.”
    They continued walking in silence until Copper asked, “Where are you traveling to Miss Jones?”
    “To see a man named Moolow,” Constance replied, looking up at him.
    “Are you going with family?” Copper asked looking directly into her eyes. Constance squirmed uncomfortably, for Copper was definitely a charmer.
    “No, I'm traveling with my friends Drinian and Woodphere.”
    Coppers eyes grew wide as he replied, “As in Prince Drinian?”
    “Yes, do you know him?” Constance asked as she noticed the strange look in his eye.
    “Miss Jones, I must warn you, that you should not go back and travel with Prince Drinian!” Copper said, stopping as his face grew stern.
    “Why not?”
    “Prince Drinian is very dangerous; you should not go back to him! Please come with me.”
    A fearful thought struck Constance. Was this man she was talking with a Molter?
    “Are....you a Molter?” Constance asked her voice shaky. 
    Copper laughed
    “Miss Jones, how absurd! Please sit down and I will explain everything,” Copper said, pointing at two stumps.  Constance sat down uncomfortably on the hard stump.
    “May I call you Constance?”
    “Of course.”
    “Has Prince Drinian told you anything about his childhood?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Has he said anything about how his father killed King Taybayeere?”
    “Yes, and it is terrible how Drinian's father was killed.”
    “He can really tell nasty lies,” Copper sighed.
    Constance looked at Copper in confusion.
    “Prince Drinian is not even a true Prince!”
    “What?”
    “Let me tell you the real story, Constance dear. King Taybayeere was the rightful king of this whole country, but his step-brother Simian claimed that he should be king, for he was the oldest. But Simian wasn't actual blood to the throne; he was taken in by the king and queen when he was a chap of three. When Simian was six, Taybayeere was born.”
    “So you’re saying that Simian and Taybayeere were not really brothers?” Constance asked, because it was the opposite of what Drinian had told her.
    “Yes, that’s right, and when they grew older, Simian and Taybayeere became worst of enemies.  Taybayeere was always treated better by the king and queen, because he was their own flesh in blood. Simian even tried to kill him several different times!
    “How dreadful! But