Ivan had a mind to march right back into the forest and slice the wretched creature’s throat, but he decided to report to Chalyela first.
“My queen, I have found the talking frog.”
“So the rumors are true. It tis said that Frogga was once a queen, Queen Ergo, who was banished after trying to overthrow all the kingdoms in the land. Apparently she made a bad deal with a witch who turned her into a frog”, Chalyela began.
“So you knew of this creature?” Ivan asks.
“I had heard, but I did not believe it.”
Ivan filled Chalyela in on his encounter with Frogga. “What would you have me do?” Ivan asked after finishing his report.
“Kill it! I shall have magic frog legs for dinner,” Chalyela says appearing to be in deep contemplation.
Ivan cannot help himself as he aggressively pulls Chalyela closer to him and kisses her.
“What was that for?” Chalyela asked slightly startled by Ivan’s reaction.
“Killing it is exactly what I wanted to do,” Ivan answers before turning and leaving to fulfill his duty.
Ivan returns to the forest clearing and sharpens his sword; with thoughts of seeing the arrogant smirk slowly fade off Frogga’s wretched face.
Ivan enters the forest and quickly locates Frogga’s pond. He finds the silly creature sitting on a rock with its back turned polishing the sapphire.
Ivan makes a quick job of giving Frogga a taste of his sword. It never even knew what hit it. After bagging up the remains, Ivan heads back to the castle.
Instead of asking Justinian the Servant to prepare the frog legs, Ivan prepares his wife’s meal himself.
The legs cook to perfection. Ivan is pleased to have been the one to rid the forest of such a foul creature.
Afterward, Ivan enters the tactical map room with a pleased smile upon his face. “It is done my queen,” he announces.
Chalyela walks toward Ivan with a smile on her face. Her husband has served the kingdom well.
“Your frog legs are waiting for you in the banquet hall, but first I have a gift.” Ivan says handing Chalyela a wrapped package.
“But what is it?” Chalyela asks confused.
Now it is Ivan with a smirk on his face. “It is Ergo’s sapphire!” He happily announces; knowing that the sapphire will make them very rich.
