Prince of the fаive kingdoms

Chapter 1. The Amazing Book

The back room of the antique shop, where only special visitors were allowed, was silent except for the rustling of pages. The elderly gentleman enthusiastically examined ancient figurines and stone gems, selecting interesting specimens for his collection, sometimes glancing at his daughter. The young girl, who came with her father, first looked through the ancient tomes where she could reach it, and then decided to climb onto the stepladder.

- Berenice, be careful, for God's sake.

- Don't worry, daddy. The stepladder is strong, but I am light. I've already looked through everything below. Nothing interesting. And I have absolutely nothing to read.

– Will you read books on magic again? As far as I can judge, these are the majority there. You can't just get carried away with this. We could already open a branch of the Magic University library if such a thing existed.

– There are chronicles and legends here. Look, mythology.

Okay, okay, don’t mind my grumbling, darling. Choose what you like. I’ll also delve into Master Renard’s reserves.

The books on the top shelves were not neatly arranged like the ones below. They were stacked in two rows. The girl pulled out one book, then a second, and saw in the stack, which was hidden behind the first, a book in an unusual binding. Or rather, the binding was of an unusual color. He was black. What could be unusual about black? Maybe. Because neither parchment, nor leather, nor paper can maintain such a uniform, rich black color for a long time.

The fact that the book was old, even ancient, was immediately clear from the condition of the parchment. The copper-bound corners of the binding turned green, as did the clasp. When the girl opened it, she was afraid that the parchment simply wouldn’t hold up if she started flipping through the pages. Therefore, she carefully and almost without breathing turned over the title page. Surprisingly, after a moment the dull colors became brighter, and the parchment no longer looked so shabby.

The book was written in black and red ink. Each page had an intricate border and the book contained many color engravings. But Berenice did not recognize the language. Or rather, at first she didn’t recognize it. But it must be said that the girl, despite her young age, knew the main European languages ​​and several more ancient ones: Latin, Coptic, Sanskrit and Hebrew.

Do not be surprised. Her father was a famous expert on dead languages. From birth, the girl lived in an atmosphere of constant scientific disputes, lessons with careless students and conversations with highly educated colleagues of her father. Because the girl’s mother died during childbirth and the professor, who loved her very much, devoted his life to raising his daughter.

The professor did this in a somewhat original way, but very conscientiously. First, he hired a nanny. And she and the girl went with him always and everywhere. The professor came to lectures, symposiums, exams and meetings with friends only with his daughter, and a nanny, respectively. Secondly, from the first day he communicated with his daughter as with a colleague professor. He told her science news, read articles, and shared his opinion about the works of his colleagues. And he did it in different languages, including ancient ones.

The most interesting thing was that Berenice never let him down. She never cried and always listened carefully. The nannies could not stand such a life. Continuous travel, lectures and seminars. But everyone spoke with delight about the girl. Of course, such a cutie, such an angel!

So Berenice grew up, not even knowing that, besides scientific circles, there was another society and another life. Until I went to school. She was a teachers nightmare. No, she didn’t cause them any trouble at all, she wasn’t insolent, she was a good, or rather brilliant, student. But the girl sometimes forgot herself and changed her language while answering, and she noticed all the teachers’ mistakes. Berenice never talked about it, but the teachers understood and felt everything. That is why the director strongly advised the professor to apply for early graduation.

– We simply have nothing more to teach your girl!

And at the age of 12, Berenice graduated from school, passing all exams as an external student. Then, in three years, she completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, after which she began collecting material for her doctoral dissertation. True, she hasn’t announced the topic yet. She took a year to determine the topic that most interested her. And I collected material on several topics at once. One of which was: The use of dead languages ​​in magical spells from antiquity to the present day. She was now 16 years old.

Opening the book, the girl at first did not understand what kind of language it was. The author drew the letters very ornately. But then, suddenly, she began to read everything, understanding everything perfectly, until she realized that it was an unfamiliar language to her. It does not belong either to modern European ones or to those ancient ones that she knew. It was not Arabic or Chinese, it was a completely unfamiliar alphabet and language, and she did not know any analogues. But she could read and understand it. However, she didn’t want to think about it for a long time now. The narrative that captivated her from the first paragraph was called: The Chronicle of Magical Lands or the Story of the Prince of the Five Kingdoms.

The book began like this: "I don’t remember who I am, what my name is, who my real parents are. And why should I know all this? I already know too much. This is a burden that oppresses me, just like my loneliness. I know everything about this world. To be precise, I know everything about all the worlds. For my lord, my father, gives me any knowledge I ask. But I haven’t asked for new knowledge for a long time. My cup is overflowing. I do not know how long I have existed, and how long my eyes will contemplate the ebb and flow of the tides. But as long as I live, I will write down what is currently hidden from the creatures of this world. It is unknown whether my works will be seen by those who will be interested in them. But in any case, only what needs to happen will happen. My job is to write, even if no one will ever read it.

Of all the worlds, I chose Magic Lands first to describe. Not because this is a special world. It is no better or worse than other worlds. It just came to my mind first. I hope my story will entertain you, my reader and dear friend. Let me consider you a friend. It is always a pleasure to open your soul to a friend and share your most secret things. I will be warmed by the thought that I am talking with a good friend.

And I will begin the history of this world from the Beginning of Beginnings."

Berenice wanted to open the book halfway, but she couldn’t. The sheet was turned over only after she had read it completely. Strange book. Maybe the sheets just stuck together? She decided that she would probably take this fairy tale. Well, here’s an interesting one: The Grimoire of the Lake Witch. Enough for now. In a couple of days, Master Renard promised new arrivals. Then you can dig in for the glory again. With these thoughts, the girl came down from the stepladder, holding her prey.

He and his father went out into the room where the master himself usually sat behind the counter. He greeted them with a smile.

- Well, my good friend, have you found something for your soul? And you, young and learned lady, I see, have acquired some interesting specimens. Come on, what did you dig up in my rubble?

– I don’t know myself, Master Renard. Strange book. But very interesting. I liked the beginning.

- Yes Yes. Nobody buys it because it is in an unknown language. But this Grimoire is a valuable thing. By the way, he has several copies. And I have them in stock too. Hot item. But this is the original, written by herself. The Witch of the Lake was one of the most powerful witches in her time. They say she could be transported between worlds. Now everyone is hunting for this book. Someone started a rumor that in order for the spells to work, one must possess an authentic grimoire and it must recognize the owner as its owner or mistress. So I don’t even stutter that I have the original. Why give a person something that he cannot cope with? But I will sell you this copy. And take the second book as a gift.

- Why as a gift? She's ancient!

- This is the wish of the owner of the book. He brought it and asked to give it to someone who understands the language of this book. And if they try to buy it without understanding what is written there, then don’t sell it. True, no one even tried to buy it. You were the first to become interested. And as far as I understand, they even started reading it.

– Yes, it’s interestingly written. I found it at the very top behind the first row of books.

– This was also the owner’s wish. He said that the book should be found by the person for whom it was intended.

- Well, thank you very much. Please convey my gratitude to the owner.

Certainly, my dear, certainly.

At home, Berenice and her father first had lunch. They loved to have lunch together and discuss books, articles, archaeological or linguistic news. Berenice talked about the book, and that she didn’t understand what kind of language it was, but she could read it and understand it.

Professor Dupont said it might be a dialect of the language she knows. The alphabet seems unfamiliar due to the writing style, but the brain nevertheless automatically reads it. Well, it’s like a well-known psychological technique when a text is written in a set of different alphabets and numbers and at first seems like gobbledygook, but then is easy to read. However, everything needs to be checked. He will definitely look at the book when he is free.

Then they moved on to other topics, and then each went to his own office. The girl flipped through the Grimoire first. It was, of course, not as beautifully designed as the second book. But on the other hand, it was a detailed practical guide for a witch, with drawings, diagrams, tables, potion recipes, rituals and spells. There were many spells, for all occasions. Just great material for her work.

Putting the Grimoire aside, she opened the book she had received as a gift. She immediately noticed that the copper decorations on the corners and the clasp were no longer covered with greenery, but were shining like new. In addition, on the completely black binding she saw the embossing: History of Worlds that disappeared and exist now. How did she not notice him before? Berenice began to examine the binding. It was leather after all. Only the workmanship was surprising. The color was deep black, absolutely even, and the skin was treated so that it seemed velvety to the touch and to the sight. The book looked elegant and noble.

The girl opened the volume. The parchment definitely looked better. It looked like satin, and the paints seemed to have just been applied. On the title page it was written: Volume One. Berenice was amazed at the skill with which the drawings and frames were made. And how did she know this language? However, the book did not allow her to think about it. Because a second later the girl was already immersed in the story. The chronicler led him as if he were talking to the reader, calling him Friend. And the chronicle began with the Beginning of Beginnings.

Chapter 2. Beginning Started

You know, my Friend, that in the beginning the world was deserted and wild. The land was bare and barren. But in the bowels of the earth Chaos reigned - the primordial element from which everything came. In the human world there are legends about this time and those events. Each nation tells them in its own way. But we want to know the truth and plunge into the thick of things, right? Then let's look into the mouth of an old, long-extinct volcano. He became quiet. And for many centuries lava has not escaped from its depths. But it was there that the door to the world of Chaos hid.

Chaos constantly creates something and then destroys it. He is elemental, he has no form or constancy, but one day, in a primitive creative impulse, he created four elements, four deities, endowing them with incredible power. Naktis, Eldur, Dimela and Tarme were their names.

Naktis – Goddess of Gloom, Darkness and Water. For water is also darkness and darkness.

Eldur – God of Fire and Light

Dimela – Goddess of All Living Things

Tarme is the Goddess of the Earth, who feeds everything in this world.

They came out of the crater of the volcano and immediately put a magical protection on this exit so that no one could get into the Kingdom of Chaos, because this threatened the daredevil with certain death.

The four primordial elements, having inherited the powers of Chaos, simultaneously received a passion for creativity and creation. Together they set out to develop the Earth.

The first magicians and wizards came from them. These were their children. Not as elemental and not as strong as their parents, but possessing immortality and primordial magic in their blood. There were, however, very few of them. Then other magical creatures appeared: elves, gnomes, fairies, spirits. They no longer possessed original magic and were mortal. Although, of course, they lived for a very long time. Wizards and sorceresses also gained experience, and at the same time strength, and soon they themselves began to create magical creatures: dragons, brownies, mermaids and other creatures, endowing them with magic to one degree or another.

The gods also created people. And people were their desired children. True, they could not give them immortality, nor eternal youth. But they put their love into people. Wizards and sorceresses began to create alliances not only among themselves, but also with people. Children were born from these unions. Magic was also in their blood. And they lived for a very long time, almost forever, according to human concepts. But they were still mortal.

At first, both wizards and people adhered to the principles of justice, love and kindness inherent in them by the First Gods. However, everything is changing.

The first generations of people lived quite peacefully. But gradually leaders began to appear, the people began to be divided into wealthier and poorer ones. Merchants appeared. And people came up with money. They sometimes found gold or silver nuggets in rivers and fell in love with this amazing metal. Gradually, he won their hearts so much that they began to look for these nuggets specifically and began to use them to exchange them for goods. And then metal began to be worshiped in the same way as the four primordial elements.

In a world where primordial magic was still seething, their worship was enough for another element to appear, another God named Deheb. And although he was created by people, the power of their love and faith was such that he was almost equal to the other gods. And Chaos recognized him, endowing him with original powers, and the rest of the Gods accepted him as an equal.

The young god was cheerful, perky, strong, loved order and began to be responsible for all the bowels of the earth. He gave people, in addition to metal, beautiful precious stones, which earned them even greater love and worship.

It was Dekheb who proposed to streamline power and give the people the first king.

Until now, people worshiped their Elemental Gods and considered them kings. But they saw them so rarely that stories about these meetings managed to become legends, passed on from generation to generation.

And people solved management issues together. But every decision was made for a long time and after heated debate. Which had a bad effect on the relationship between them.

The gods supported this idea. Their choice fell on one of the first wizards: Endymore, who was also called the Mountain One. He was wise and fair. People often turned to him for advice and help. And they even asked him to become their ruler. But he refused, because he believed that the ruler should be appointed by the Gods. If they don’t do this, it means it’s not time yet.

Andymore became a good king. At first he ruled alone. The king spent several decades trying to create orderly government, create laws, and ensure that they were followed. After one and a half hundred years of his rule, the country prospered. Then Andymore married the sorceress Amata, and they had a daughter, Kena. He and his wife loved their people and did everything to make their life better.

But not everyone was happy with this. Three magicians, descendants of the first wizards and people, created an alliance and began to worship power without kindness. They wanted to rule the people themselves. And they did not like the decision of the Gods. They saw that the king was loved by his subjects, and it would not be possible to raise a rebellion. Moreover, from year to year the people lived better and better. Therefore, the rebels decided to gain such strength that they could simply sweep away everyone in their path who dared to prevent them from coming to power.

They knew about the door to Chaos and knew that there was an inexhaustible source of primeval power. But they also knew that not a single wizard would be able to touch this source. Death awaits every daredevil, for it is bad to joke with primordial energies. That is why the First Gods closed the way there with the help of magic. But the rebels hoped that they would find a way to tame the energy.

The magicians were really strong and learned to overcome this defense, spending more than one decade on this. However, when they reached the door of Chaos, they realized that they could not use this power themselves. And their magical practices will not help them in this.

Then the magicians decided to create a weapon - a magical creature that would be endowed with the energy of primeval Chaos. Because the powers of Chaos also gave invulnerability. They struggled with this problem for a long time. They failed many times. They created monsters and lowered them into the mouth of the volcano. But the monsters died.

Finally, they came up with the idea that they needed to steal the Emerald of Life from Dimela and insert it into the monster’s eye. This Emerald was given to her by the dwarves. They made an amazing ring for her. And Dimela endowed the emerald with the ability to restore vitality, if it had not completely disappeared. In addition, it served as a powerful defense and, of course, possessed part of the Chaos energy.

It never occurred to anyone that someone would be so impudent as to try to steal something that belonged to the Gods. And Dimela did not immediately miss the ring.

And by that time the three conspirators had already made their last attempt to create a weapon for gaining power. And I must say that the attempt was successful. They managed to lower the monster into the mouth so that it could absorb enough of the forces of Chaos and not die. The monster was practically invulnerable. Those places that were under the ropes were so narrow that it was impossible to deliver fatal blows there. And if it was possible to inflict a wound there, then the emerald healed it.

And troubled times began in the Magic Lands. The monster, controlled by the magicians, attacked here and there. It looked like a giant fat centipede. Tentacles wriggled around a huge mouth with many teeth, which grabbed and held the victim tightly. The monster was merciless and wanted to eat all the time. People died in a fierce struggle and, after an unequal battle, recognized the power of the Three Magicians. The best and bravest warriors died in this war.

Endymor and his warriors had already engaged in battle with the monster several times, but each time retreated, realizing that they were losing. Magic almost did not take him, despite the fact that the king owned fire magic. All blows from physical weapons also bounced off the monster without causing it any noticeable harm. The warriors were dying, and he could do nothing. Andymore turned to the Gods for help, but they replied that he would have to fight the monster himself, and everything would happen as it should, at the right time.

Andymore began to prepare for the fateful battle. He decided that he would fight alone and would not retreat again. Got things in order. He gave instructions to his wife and daughter on what to do if he never returned and went to the last battle.

He was constantly informed where the monster was. The wizard put on the special armor that Deheb gave him and set off. Deheb also helped with the weapons. Both were forged by him personally and then tempered at the gates of chaos. On the way, another young warrior joined him. He was also looking for the monster. The day before, a monster attacked their estate and killed almost his entire family: his father and mother, all his brothers and sisters. Arhelm himself was absent for a short time on business at this time, and when he returned, instead of a beautiful estate and a friendly family, he found only ruins and blood.

The young warrior burned with a thirst for revenge. Andymore was reluctant to accept his help at first. He was against his subjects dying. But Argelm begged him to take him with him. He promised that he would not take a step without Endymore's permission. But he can be his squire, if necessary, or participate in distracting maneuvers. Andymore gave up.

He knew approximately where the monster was located, and he constantly received information from local residents. The monster moved quite quickly; recently, together with three magicians, it conquered another village and now attacked only when it was looking for food.

They caught up with the monster the next day. The magicians were not with it because it went out in search of food. The warriors drew up an attack plan in advance. Andymore told everything he knew about the monster. He explained that the monster has thin, vulnerable stripes on its body. They differ slightly in color. This is where you need to throw a spear with enormous force, so that the wound is as serious as possible and the monster does not have time to quickly recover.

Argelm suggested throwing a spear into the eye. But Andymore said that he had already made this mistake. The eyes were small and difficult to hit, but when he did hit once, the spear simply bounced off without causing any harm. Andymore himself could not believe that the eyes were not the most vulnerable place. However, experience has shown that this is so.

It was impossible to get as close as possible unnoticed. But the good thing was that Argelm managed to distract the monster and Endymor attacked suddenly. Andymore hit only in vulnerable places, tried to take into account the experience of previous battles, but the monster also became more experienced. They had been fighting for quite some time, and Andymore began to feel tired, making mistakes, albeit small ones. Suddenly, Argelm, unable to bear it, jumped out to help him and was immediately caught. The monster grabbed him with its tentacles and opened its mouth. Andymore rushed at him, delivering magical blows with redoubled force simultaneously with blows from his spear. The monster, distracted only for a minute, turned to Argelm again. But during that minute, Argelm managed to intercept the spear more conveniently and, forgetting that the eyes were invulnerable, stuck it straight into the eye. And the monster collapsed, continuing to hold the warrior. The spear got stuck in the eye and Argelm pulled out the sword, he wanted to cut off the tentacles and free himself, but in a split second he changed his mind and tried to thrust the sword into the second eye. And then the incredible happened. The sword slipped from the emerald that was inserted into the monster's eye and passed nearby, simultaneously picking out the emerald like a pit from a cherry.

Andymor rushed to the prone monster and thrust his spear into the second eye, which had lost its protection. It twitched convulsively, and Andymor was already cutting down the tentacles with his sword, which continued to squeeze Argelm in agony. When the monster released Argelm, the two of them continued to strike, Argelm with his weapon, and Andymore fought with magic, which began to take effect as the monster weakened. And the monster gradually stopped beating. Andymore waited until it died down completely and only then stopped. Together they cut off the monster's head so that he would have no opportunity to come to life again.

After that, they found an emerald and fell exhausted under a nearby tree. They still had to find three magicians. Then Andymore noticed local villagers who, it turned out, were watching the battle from a nearby grove. Calling them over, he asked where the magicians were last seen. The king suspected that they were already aware of the death of their brainchild. And so it was. The villagers said that the magicians watched the progress of the battle from cover. They were sure that this time the monster would defeat the king and they would seize power in the country, but when Argelm pierced the monster’s eye with a spear, all three rode off in an unknown direction. Fighting the original magician was not part of their plans. Andymor instructed the villagers to notify everyone that the monster was no more, asking them to bury the remains of the monster, and together with Argelm he went to the palace.

Argelm asked to be released. He wanted to restore his estate. But Andymore insisted. The king really liked the young warrior. He wanted to take him into his service. Driving through the liberated villages, they saw how happy the people were. When they saw them, they shouted greetings, and the women threw flowers in front of them.

They were already waiting for them at the palace. Rumor ran ahead of the heroes. Queen Amata and their daughter Kena met Endymore at the gates. Argelm only looked at Kena when he immediately realized that he had lost his heart. And Kena blushed all over when she saw him. Not surprisingly, Argelm was a handsome young man.

When the emotions that overwhelmed everyone subsided, Andymore invited Argelm to talk. He invited the warrior to become his chief of guard to begin with. Until now, Endymore had only a military detachment. But until the monster appeared, it was more for order. Now the king wanted the detachment to be more trained and organized. Argelm happily agreed and was immediately embarrassed by how clearly he showed his joy. Andymore pretended not to notice this. He wanted to watch the young man.

First of all, it was necessary to check where the three magicians had gone, and whether they were the only conspirators. Argelm went with a detachment to search. Of course, he took with him not only warriors, but also original magicians. The three sorcerers were very serious opponents, even though their monster had been dealt with. It turns out they were separated. The villagers suggested where the two rebels were heading. And the third one disappeared, as if he had dissolved. The squad followed in the footsteps of the two. Argelm understood that he could not even imagine what this couple was capable of. Therefore, the warrior developed a plan on how to avoid falling into the trap and act when attacked.

They moved quietly. And in front, on the sides and behind, wizards moved. They created a kind of shield of invisibility. And only thanks to this precaution they managed to save the detachment. They were driving along the path, when suddenly the first wizard began to move more slowly, and then stopped altogether. He felt someone's presence. The wizards peered into the forest surrounding them, but saw only trees. However, the space surrounding them so clearly radiated the presence of someone’s energy that even warriors far from magic felt it.

And suddenly the air burst into flames. The wizards were ready and immediately set up protection. But the flash was so strong that those standing closer even had their hair set on fire. The wizards riding in the vanguard realized where the blow was coming from and began to strike in that direction. In response, fiery flashes rained down. Those magicians who were behind moved around under the cover of trees, according to a pre-drawn plan.

The vanguard forced the invisible magicians to fight, showing the squad their location, and thereby kept them in a fighting position until the sorcerers were bypassed from the rear. This was so unexpected for the rebels that they became visible. Not to say that they were easy to defeat even after that. Apparently, being at the doors of Chaos for a long time gave them a lot of energy. They fought desperately and flatly refused to surrender. But the forces were still on the side of Argelm’s detachment. The detachment took the bodies of the magicians with them to bury them. Be that as it may, they were wizards, although they had become dark.

Questions from local residents about the third magician yielded nothing. Apparently they were divided from the very beginning. And where he went, no one knew. Argelm sent warriors to all ends of the Magic Lands. However, the scouts returned with nothing. Everyone was ready to help them, but, unfortunately, there was nothing.

Endymore was generally pleased with Argelm's campaign. One magician still no longer posed such a threat, although he was certainly very strong. Argelm honestly admitted that if there were three magicians, it remains to be seen whether they would be able to defeat them or not.

It is clear that the remaining magician will not calm down, but in any case he will no longer be able to perform such powerful magical rituals as the three of them did. He probably doesn't have any supporters either. Because if they were, they would have joined the rebels when they were strong. In any case, any strange occurrences in the Kingdom will be reported to Argelm.

Andymore invited Argelm to dinner to celebrate this victory. At dinner, Argelm did not seem to notice what he was eating. He kept his eyes on Kena, then suddenly, remembering propriety, sat without raising his eyes from his plate. Kena too, would either start chatting animatedly, or suddenly become embarrassed and fall silent. Amata and Andymore pretended not to notice what was happening.

After this dinner, the whole palace secretly admired how anxiously the feelings of Argelm and Kena grew. The gardeners turned away when Argelm picked only the blossoming rose in the morning. And the maids ran out of the room when he climbed onto the balcony to put this rose on the table where Kena usually sat. The maids diligently did not notice dropped scarves, gloves or forgotten books. In general, the palace was enjoying itself, and Andymore and Amata patiently waited until all the classic stages of falling in love were completed by the young couple.

And then a feast arrived in honor of the victory. Dressed up guests came to the celebration. Crowds of beautiful girls swirled around Argelm, to whom the aura of a hero gave him special attractiveness. And Ken was attacked by fans, each of whom dreamed of a princess. But the lovers looked only at each other and even jealousy could not penetrate their hearts, they were so filled with tender feelings.

Probably, Argelm, like a true knight, would have continued his romantic courtship, but he was pushed to more decisive actions by the marriage ambassador, who, soon after the ball, arrived to ask for Kena’s hand in marriage for his master. Or rather, he came to find out the situation and the attitude of the royal couple towards the applicant and asked for an audience the next day. That same evening, Argelm confessed his love to Kena and asked for permission to woo her. Kena, blushing, agreed.

Argelm, without delaying matters, in the evening, during the next report, also clearly reported his feelings to the king. Andymore stood up, walked to the window, then asked:

– My friend, do you give me your word that my girl will be happy with you?

- Yes my Lord. I will give my soul, heart, and life for your daughter, if necessary.

I will talk to the Queen and my daughter.

The wedding took place two months later. A year later their first child was born. In total, Argelm and Kena had five children: four sons and one daughter.

Five years after their wedding, Andymore and Amata, according to the instructions of the Gods, left their daughter and son-in-law the kingdom and went to create Radgard. City of High Magicians. The city is for those who chose the path of improvement and did not want to be distracted by the mundane.

On leaving, Andymore crowned Argelm. The crown was forged by the dwarves from the gold that Deheb gave. In addition, each of the Gods gave a gem for this crown. Dimela gave away her emerald, which was returned to her after the battle between Endymore and Argelm. Naktis gave Sapphire. Eldur gave the Ruby. Tarma gave Yellow Topaz. And Deheb, in addition to gold, also gave a Diamond. The gift of the Gods was, of course, special. The crown protected the Magic Lands. Inside the crown there was an inscription in the language of the Gods. This language could not be studied or deciphered. The gods themselves gave it. And in difficult times, the king, wearing it, could get help. In happy times, it was in the royal treasury. Argelm remembered the story of the Dimela Emerald, so he kept the crown carefully.

Twenty years later, the Magic Lands grew and became just a huge kingdom. It became increasingly difficult for Argelm and Kena to control him. After consulting with the Gods, they decided to first divide the kingdom into five provinces, according to the number of their children. Each of them received a province under joint control with the royal couple. This is how they learned to manage correctly and competently. And when the heir or heiress reached the age of 25, he or she took full control of his or her province, and it became a separate kingdom.

Bran received the Sun Valleys. Gord - Yellow Dunes. Arbust - Green Oak Forests. Fidda received the Frostmoon Province. And Det got the Three Seas. The choice was not random. In addition, Fidda found her love. The Frostmoon Province was inhabited mainly by Snow Elves. One of them became her husband.

When all the children took full possession of their kingdoms and started families, Argelm and Kena breathed a sigh of relief. They were able to fulfill the order of the First King and were happy. Their palace was always filled with noise and children's voices. One of the grandchildren always stayed there, and the children often came to consult.

One thing darkened Kena's heart. She herself was immortal and forever young. But Argelm was mortal. She changed her appearance to look more mature, maintained the health and vitality of Argelm, but nature cannot be deceived. And the Day of Tribulation came. The family and people of their King saw off their last journey with sincere tears. And then Kena herself, having said goodbye to her children and grandchildren, went to her father in Rudgard.

There were now five kingdoms in the Magic Lands: the Kingdom of the Sun Valleys, the Kingdom of the Yellow Dunes, the Kingdom of the Green Oak Forests, the Kingdom of the Frosty Moon and the Kingdom of the Three Seas. The brothers and