Knight-Captain Ivan rose within the ranks of the Fighter’s Guild rapidly. His skill with the sword impressed everyone who bore witness.
Ivan also had a special gift for training new fighters. Before long, the Fighter’s Guild membership tripled in size and people benefited from the increased skill of those in the guild, because their lands were safer than ever.
As Ivan enjoyed his meal, he was summoned by his wife the queen. This does not surprise him, surely she is proud of her husband’s work within the guild and perhaps wants to award him with a special mission.
He finishes his breakfast with haste and hurries to see why Queen Chalyela has asked to see him.
“Good morn my love. You asked to see me?” Ivan says with a smile on his face; happy to start his morning staring into the beautiful face of his queen.
“Yes Ivan. There is a rumor going around about a mysterious talking frog. I want you to investigate it for me.”
“Um…a talking frog? That is why you have summoned me?” Ivan asked confused on why she has chosen him to investigate this matter.
“Yes husband. That is all,” Chalyela says before turning and walking away.
Ivan cannot help but leave the castle angered. He loves his wife dearly, but is resentful about being sent out on such a foolish mission; a job fit for someone far below his rank.
Still, Ivan has a duty to serve the queen as her servant first and as her husband second. Knowing this, he pouts all the way to the pit.
It is his turn to feed the pit beast. At least this potentially dangerous duty proves that he is a man; unlike the foolish task of asking about a talking frog.
As usual, the pit beast soars out of the pit and grabs the large piece of meat mid air. Ivan stands back in wonder of how a creature so large could be so nimble and quick.
Ivan sighs as he spots two wenches standing to the side talking rapidly about what can only be the newest town gossip.
As the second lady finishes up her end of the conversation and walks away, Ivan reluctantly approaches the remaining lady.
“Pray pardon miss, but have you heard of any such foolishness as rumors of a talking frog about town?” Ivan asks clearly not happy about having to ask such a question.
“Aye, but tis not a rumor. It is true. She used to be a queen…goes by the name Frgo!” The villager says with the enthusiasm of one who truly believes what she is saying.
“What?” Ivan says not believing his ears. He plays along, “ So where can I find, uh…Frgo?”
“That I know not, but I believe the executioner may know,” The villager says before walking away.
“Do these people really believe this?” Ivan asks himself watching the villager walk away.
Ivan spots the executioner and approaches him. “I have been told that you might know the whereabouts of a talking frog named Frgo.” Again Ivan feels foolish asking and is sure the executioner will just laugh in his face.
“No, not Frgo,” the executioner says. Ivan is relieved that at least the executioner is sane. However, his relief is short lived, “The actual name is Frogga. And she, from what I’ve heard, is found ‘in a place surrounded by wooden giants that hold up canopies of green and autumn gold’”.
Ivan stands for a few moments in shock. The executioner actually believes in a talking frog as well. Ivan cannot believe it. He looks around until his eyes find the market. Surely Percival would not believe in a talking animal, would he?
Ivan arrives at the market and sees that Percival is busy with a customer.
Instead, Ivan stops a villager on his way out of the market. “Pardon me, I have been asking around about Frogga. Do you know anything about this ‘talking’ creature?”
“Sure, who does not? To approach Frogga, you must wear a magical ‘Frogga’ hat. I have heard that it is found among the ‘stalagmites’, whatever that means.”
The fact that this villager believes in this creature does not make Ivan feel good. He heard about the pendants that were passed around a while back that awakened a demon. Is there another demon running amok possessing everyone in the kingdom?
Ivan enters the home of his friend Percival Payne, one of the most sensible men that he knows. What does Percival have to say about all of this?
Ivan asks Percival about Frogga. To his surprise, Percival does not appear shocked when Ivan recounts all that he has heard about this so-called Frogga.
“You do not seem shocked,” Ivan observes when he has finished telling his tale.
“Actually I am,” Percival answers. Ivan is relieved. He knew that Percival would not believe in mystical talking creatures. “I am shocked that no one told you about the sapphire orb,” Percival continues. Ivan can feel a lump developing in his stomach.
Ivan almost feels ill when he leaves his friend’s home. “What is going on?” He asks himself.
Ivan thinks about what Percival just told him. “The sapphire orb, or ‘Ancient Frog’s Tear’ as some have called it , is the only thing that will lure Frogga out. It is found in a place that has smothered the breathe of many humans, killing them.”
