Andrew of Lea

Sadness and defeat filled the wrecked ballroom. People once dressed in elegance and splendor are now bruised, bloody, and torned. The knights and ladies-in- waiting help the wounded.

King Jareth gazed upon this scene with a heavy heart. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration but it ended in horror and tragedy. His subjects hurt and terrified and his beloved daughter taken by a monster.

Queen Josla noticed him and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

He sighed and touched her hand, "We don't have any time to waste. Send a message to the other kingdoms and ask for help. Explain what transpired here. Tell them to send their best knights here tonight."

"Yes," said Queen Josla

She left the ballroom and headed to a room in the longest hallway. Genevieve and two other ladies-in-waiting hurried after her. She opened the door and there were hundreds of falcons wearing hoods.

Queen Josla turned to the girls, "Each of you take several scrolls and write down the names of the neighboring kingdoms. After, write this message down: Tragedy in Lea. Princess Emberlyn kidnapped. Send your best knights at once! King Jareth of Lea."

The women rushed to the shelves where the scrolls were held and each took an armful. They wrote the message on fifteen scrolls while Queen Josla choose fifteen of the best falcons.

Once she chosen the birds, she said to the girls, "Tie each scroll to the leg of each bird. After that take them to the window and take off their hoods. Then command them to fly to the kingdom on the scroll and send them out."

Genevieve finished first and went over to the window with her bird. She removed it's hood and said to it, "Go to the kingdom of Nikeshire."

She let the falcon fly out of her hand and it flew into the night. Then the other girls did the same with their birds.

Queen Josla watched them and wringed her hands in worry, Now we must wait

Notes