A Story ~~~ The King of the Bright and Beautiful City (part three)

[1thousand1]

Many men, many boys, and many in between the two, came before the King in his palace to try their hand at the contest. The shah had refused to tell any, even those engaged in the competition, what the nature of that contest was; he simply repeated that 'My heir that will come, shall know what he must do to be my heir, that will be

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[__endless_dream]

[has been standing somewhere, arms folded hidden in the black of his robes, silent and listening -- he unfolds them now and claps his hands, with solemn, measured applause]

[1thousand1]

She falls out of the moment, breathing somewhat deeper than usual, eyes taking a moment to lose their glaze opacity. Once reoriented, once she notices the stranger in black, she smiles slowly. "An audience! I thank thee."

[__endless_dream]

No thanks, lady, for what is all ready thy due; I am an audience to any story well-told.

[1thousand1]

Her gaze, now that it has focused on him, is steady and sharp, and along with a deepening smile, she bows slowly. "It is a pleasure to tell any story, when it is heard by such respected ears."