this sounds nothing like Drinian's father.”
“Drinian tells people that his father was good, only to get their sympathy. Well back to the story…It soon came time when the old king died and one of his sons had to become king, but which one? Simian and Taybayeere fought while the councilmen tried to decide who would be king, but they could not decide. So they did the only logical thing they could think of, they divided the kingdom so both could be a king. So Simian ruled Avonea, and Taybayeere ruled Moltavia. As years passed, rumors spread that Taybayeere deserved to be the king of the entire nation. Once Simian heard this, he immediately planned a secret attack on King Taybayeere's castle! While King Taybayeere was sleeping unaware, Simian sneaked into his bed chamber and lopped off his head with his sword.
Constance put her hand up to her throat and turned pale.
“Are you well?” Copper asked.
Constance nodded her head, “Please continue.”
“At this point Woodphere wanted to take Drinian into hiding. However, young Drinian clung to his father and wanted to stand by his side and kill all King Taybayeere's army! Finally, one of Taybayeere's soldiers seeking revenge crept up on Simian at night while he was standing in his garden and drove a knife through his back. Drinian has been in hiding ever since, and now I've heard that he’s planning to wipe out the entire country of Moltavia!”
“Copper, are you sure you’re telling the truth?”
“I am the most honest person in all Avonea.”
“It's hard for me to believe that Drinian lied to me, for he seemed so honest.”
“I know, he sure knows how impress young women, and you are one of his victims.”
“I am not one of his victims, Copper! How do I know that you’re not the one who's lying to me?
“How sad it is, that you are defending the enemy. He certainly has turned your head.”
“Copper, you are a Molter! I know it and you cannot convince me otherwise!”
“Constance, how many times do I have to tell you, I am not a Molter! I do not even look like a Molter and if I were, would you still be standing here?”
“Probably not,” Constance replied.
“Besides, that man you’re defending is really a Molter, the leader in fact!”
“Drinian, is not a Molter; he's trying to hide from them! Now, I'm going back to my camp to find Drinian and Woodphere. And you’d better not follow me!”
“Go, if you wish, that shows how much you listen to me! I could surely get you to Moolow faster than Drinian and Woodphere.”
“Of course you would have to decide who to follow.”
“Can you really get me to Moolow faster?”
“I can get you to Moolow within two days,” Copper replied, crossing his arms,
“Two days,” Constance murmured to herself. “How can you get me to Moolow so fast? Woodphere said that it’s at least a six day trip?”
“I know a shorter way, that nobody knows- not even Woodphere.”
“Why doesn’t he, for Woodphere knows these woods like the back of his hand?” Constance replied.
Copper was silent for a moment, and then suddenly blurted, “Has anyone ever told you that behind your beauty, you are the most inquisitive young lady in Avonea?”
“I am not! As my mother used to say, if you ask a person a question and they reply back with a question, they’re trying to avoid the question being asked.”
“Has anyone told you that you are very intelligent for your age?”
“You are not answering my question! And besides what of my age?”
“You tell me,” Copper replied, crossing his arms.
“It's none of your business!”
Copper rolled his eyes.
“Now answer my question, why doesn’t Woodphere know about this route?”
“The reason Woodphere does not know about the shorter path, is because I blazed it myself and no one knows but me. Now, who are you going to travel with?”
“I don't believe half the things you are telling me Copper. But if what you say is true, and you do have a shorter path, I
Bohumil Hrabal, Michael Heim, Adam Thirlwell