Prin

And it has eaten all of the ports."

"But there are seventeen ports in Labry!" came a voice from the back.

"Yes," continued the King, "And the people of Labry…want someone…to sort it out…and Micryst…is the nearest town."

Prin raised his hand again.

"But, your majesty, why can't the people of Labry sort out their own killer giant worms? This is a very serious creature. It sounds like a Seaworm. But there are many fine archers and swordsmen in Labry. Can't they handle this worm? And what good would one person do against it if all the town cannot destroy it."

"Because…no one has tried. In the letter…it says they…do not want…to die. But…the reason…they asked Micryst…to help…was the fact…that we…have the sword of…the sea."

There was an audible wave of understanding. The Sword of the Sea was a well-known piece of royal weaponry. Labry didn't have one. Micryst did. That is what really set the two towns apart.

"Alright then," said Prin bravely, "I shall go and see if, with The Sword of the Sea, I can rid Labry of this worm."

"Goodbye…I mean…Good luck!" King Sesterbloi shouted. Prin was beckoned by a group of elders into a small house off to the right. He was startled to find a horse inside, sheer white. One elder helped him onto the horse, another handed him a sheath and belt and one bore The Sword of the Sea, it's blue blade shining clear and bright as a morning horizon. Prin kicked the horse into a run, burst out of the door, onto the main street, through the crowds of people and out of the town. He looked round quickly, commenting,

"Well, that was quick."

Prin found it was easy enough to find the path to Labry. It was a grey dusty track lined with white cobblestones. The unexpected hero was quite happy in his new surroundings. He took in a lung-full of clean forest air. The Vale of the Unicorns was a peaceful green wonderland and was pleasant enough to trek a horse through. It was a calm ride and very gentle all the way. Until the huge Minck jumped out at him from behind a tree. The scruffy bear-man creature flung itself at Prin and he only just had time to duck out of the way. It landed with a thump on the dust. But it was instantly up again, snuffling it's flat pink nose and growling.

"Hello," Prin said politely. Mincks, he knew, were not ferocious or evil or even blood sucking. They looked like a big bear, except with a flat face and the fact that they stood upright like a man. And they could think. Mincks liked to think and let everyone else know they were thinking. But Prin was willing to spend a little of his time, as he wasn't in a hurry to meet the Seaworm in Labry.

"Why are you walking on this path?" the minck grumbled at him.

"I'm heading to Labry."

"Why?"

"Well, I'm supposed to be helping them with a giant Seaworm that has eaten all their ports."

"Oh."

The minck seemed a little putout by this. His beautiful dark eyes gazed up at Prin on his horse. It made a small cough, trying to attract attention.

"Yes?" asked Prin.

"I wouldn't go there if I were you, master."

"Oh?"

The big worm! It's very big and it has killed dozens of brave men like yourself when they tried to kill it."

"Yes, little minck, but I have The Sword of the Sea."

"Oh. Well, what's that then?"

"The sword is said to have been drawn from the sea. With the power of the waves in its blade and the fury of the storm in it's bearer, whomever it may be."

"Oh. Can I come?"

"You want to help me kill a Seaworm? Well, I'd like some company. But it will be really horrible work. You won't like it.