After travelling for a day, the prince heard the sound of hooves approaching. As quick as a flash he turned round with his cat like reflexes to see magnificent Elven white knights.
“Who are you?” asked the young prince in his biggest and bravest voice, even though he felt like a timid mouse inside.
“We are young warriors who fight to retrieve the Image Stone from the black knights who would do anything to protect there most valuable possession .”
After identifying the white knights with a watchful eye the prince noticed their features. They looked as if they had been crafted by a god as their faces were flawless and their bodies were in perfect shape. As they were better looking than any human the prince felt slightly jealous.
“What does this Image Stone do?” asked the suspicious young prince.
“why should we trust you?” retorted the younger of the two elves.
“Because I am on a quest to retrieve the Golden bird and I need as much help as I can get on my journey.”
“Did you say the Golden bird?”
“Yes , what is your concern?”
“We have been trying to get that treasure for years so we will give you all the help we can,”
“What counsel will you give me?” asked the prince, who was now feeling more confident.
“If you cross the rickety old bridge directions to the Image stone will show you the way, however if you cross the new bridge you will be mislead and some terrible fate will... fall upon you.”
“Thank you for your advice, I must be leaving now.”
“Farewell brave friend.”
“May fortune smile upon you.”
“As on you fair elves.”
After hours of travelling the prince came across five black knights. They wore helmets as dark as night which revealed there demon like eyes. After the knights noticed him the prince ran. His long black hair wavered in the wind as the sound of gushing air filled his ears. The prince jumped behind a thick green bush covered in pearly white flowers. Suddenly the Wiley fox appeared . This time the fox spoke in riddles:
"Danger in the dark, light is the right way
Selecting wrong will bring you dismay
Image wrong, cursed and new
Broken good fortune and luck too
You may choose, select right
Your decision may be white."
After a few minutes the young price decided what he was going to do. He walked up to the black knights as if he was a brave warrior who had fought many battles.
“Step aside you are in my way!”
The rasping voices of black knights frightened the prince as it sounded like an automatic death sentence for stealing a piece of bread. this is what they said.
“We have word of your quest to retrieve the Golden bird and we will gladly help you get the Image Stone,”
“Why should I trust you as I have heard that you are cruel vermin,”
“As we have the Image stone but we will need your help to make it work,”
“What do I have to do?”
“When you cross that bridge you will see a fortress, once you get to the castle go to the first door you see, there will be a key inside, find the hidden compartment and open it with the key. Make sure no one follows you. On a dark desk in the corner there is the Image Stone. Climb out the window and you will be free.”
“Thank you for your information.”
Early the next day the prince was standing in the fortresses courtyard. He entered the first room he found and there, right in the middle of the room was a key. The prince carelessly picked up the key and the floor split in half!
Thud!
The prince landed on his back and there in front of him was the Image Stone. It was beautiful when its rose quartz surface reflected in the light. He reached out with his gloved hand to find the stone was protected by a defensive barrier. The suits of armour in the room came to live and the building was full of the black knight's rasping voices. With a small twirl the fox appeared and the black knights froze.
“Black to white
Answer the riddle
The sun shines and the armour will reflect
In the middle of the night”
“White knights the answer is white knights!”
In minutes the black knights were disintegrating and reforming into the Elven white knights. The Image Stone glided into the prince's hands and showed him the way to the mountains, When he opened his eyes he was surprised what sight awaited him. Finally he could see the mountains up ahead.