AN: Welcome to the first update in our Charming Era story rotation.  These rotations stand on their own and can be followed with no “catch-up” reading.  The first up, readers choice, King Mike and Queen Rose White. 

For those who might want to, there are a couple of fast-track catch-up options and I will link them at the very bottom of this update.

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As you might recall, when we last saw Mike and Rose they had recently been shipwrecked and were stranded on a small deserted Island.

Right after the murder of her sister Lily, Queen Rose and King Mike had been advised by Officer Thies …

that their lives were in danger from a villainous unsub commonly referred to as “The Weasel.” (BOO HISS)

They were urged to leave like the rest of the royal family had done before.

Although they were reluctant to go, Mike and Rose eventually agreed to set sail for an extended trip to Mike’s home Kingdom.

Lily’s widowed husband, Alexander Goth, valiantly urged them to seek safety and he volunteered to watch over the Kingdom in their absence.

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“Rose darling, are you ok?”

Mike had grown more and more concerned about Rose’s emotional state.

Being isolated on the island had been taking its toll on her.

Rose sighed.

“I am fine dear, really I am. Just fine,” Rose came back unconvincingly.

Mike’s heart melted as he looked deeply into her eyes, so sad and tired.

“Rose,” Mike began softly.

Before he could finish, Rose’s fearless facade shattered and she began to weep.

“I am sorry Mike,” she sputtered.

“I am trying to be brave but it is so hard.

I just want to go home.

It has been two months now.

Where are they?

Do they think we are dead?

Do you think they have stopped looking for us?”

Mike made no attempt to answer.

Her fears were a reflection of his own fears and questions.

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The rainy season had hit the island hard.  Days and days of rain made the conditions even more deplorable.

Mike was able to construct a shelter of sorts and it did bring some small amount of comfort but was certainly not optimal.

Since Mike had been on many adventures where roughing it came with the territory, his adjustment to the primitive lifestyle was fairly quick.

For Rose, growing up in a palace and accustomed to the finest comforts, the adjustment was slower and much more difficult.

A split log bed was hard on a royal.

Despite the hardships, both were beyond grateful that they had each other.  The thought of what would have happened if one or the other of them might have been lost at sea with the rest of the boat crew … well, it was more than they wished to think of.

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Rose has been making great strides in learning how to survive this stranding.

Mike taught her to fish.  It is not her favorite but she does it anyway (she likes to eat).

And he taught her how to shower in the rain.   She likes that much better than the fishing.

She has had her “little booboos.”

One day she got the log seats a bit too close to the fire and nearly burned the camp down.

Now they sit well back from the flames.  Does take a lot longer to cook the fish!

Not all of the struggle to survive woes fall on Rose.

Mike detests the potty bushes.

He often waits well beyond URGENT to make the visit.

Sometimes … well, you know!

AND THEN there was the time he got struck by lightning while looking for a new fishing hole.

LOL poor Mike!  That was a shocking experience.

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Mike had been awakened many nights by a strange sound that seemed to be coming from the very depths of the ground he stood on.

It was a sound that caused his heart to seize in fear.

One dark night he resolved to seek the source of this disconcerting noise.

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A diligent search brought him to a tiny opening into what appeared to be a deeper cavern.

After a few days of digging, he was ready to enter.

Rose accompanied him.

Although she was apprehensive she did not want him going in alone.

The tunnels were filled with strange sights.

Although alarmed by the fierce visions that seemed to warn them off, the courageous duo press onward.

Then they hit an impasse.

A very large rock blocked their path.  The sounds were much louder down here and tiny rays of a strange greenish light escaped past the edges of the large boulder.

Mike was very angry that his path to the mystery had been blocked.

He knew that moving such a massive rock would be nearly impossible.

BUT he was going to try!

Suddenly, with a great rumble, the massive boulder slid aside.

Mike and Rose stood just outside of a great temple room.

With much trepidation, the pair entered the room to face a terrible totem.

An ominous deep growl emanated from the pit of the totem.

Then much to their surprise, with a great vibrating sound of rocks grinding and crumbling, the totem rumbled to life

In a  voice that seemed to come straight from the depths of Hades, it demanded, “Who are you, Mortals and what are you doing here?”

Taking a deep breath and summoning nerves of steel, Mike stepped up and answered, “I am Mike and this is Rose.  We are the King and Queen of the Kingdom Windenburg.  We have been shipwrecked on this island for months now and have endured many hardships while we await rescue.”

“Silence mortal!

I am Dagon and you are a guest here on my island.

Do you accuse that I have been an inadequate host?

I think NOT!

I have been benevolent.

You are still alive, aren’t you?

Puny human, I require you pay tribute for my hospitality.”

Mike was incensed!

“This was not our choice to be here.

The ocean brought us here and we have waited long for our rescuers to find us.

It has been arduous!

If we survive it is because of the work of our hands!

We want nothing more than to leave your island.

We will not pay tribute to you”

Dogon roared, “You will pay tribute or I will ensure that no recuse craft will ever reach this island.”

With that he emitted a vapor that enveloped Mike and cause him to double over in pain.

“Now be silent!”  Dagon let out a loud thunderous roar, “You will bring me a tribute of 100 gemstones. To be placed in my treasure  chest”

“But Dagon, sir,”  Rose began sweetly, “we have no gemstones here.

Bring us a rescue ship and we will return to our home and I will send back a trove of treasures. ”

“Do you take me for a fool little girl?

Bring me the Gems and THEN I will summon a rescue ship!”

“You are not very nice!

I just want to go home!

I have plenty of gems in my Kingdom.

I will keep my word.”

With a stomp of her foot for emphasis, she added, “I demand you send me home now!”

Dagon laughed, “Be gone you insolent little fool!

I will do the demanding around here.

And you, King Mike, you had best remove your Queen while you still have her.

She is trying my patience and that is not a good thing to do.”

(It is ok Rose, it was worth a try.)

Mike and Rose looked down at the empty treasure chest.

One hundred gemstones.

It was a lot but it would be a small price to pay for their freedom!

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Mike made camp in one of the outer rooms of the cavern.  It was dry and with a fire, it was even kind of cozy.

They would begin to search for the gems tomorrow.

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In this story series:

<previous: An Era of Charming Tales: Betrayed  / Next: An Era of Charming Tales: The Island #2 >

Table of contents:  An Era of Charming Tales: (current) Table of Contents

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In the blog:

<previous:  Lisabee, Pedro & Boots: BabyBee /  Next:  An Era of Charming Tales: The Island #2  >

 

✮✮✮✮✮ ❤ Credits ❤ ✮✮✮✮✮

Many thanks to the creators featured in this blog!

New this time:

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If you want a fast track to the past here are a couple of reads that will help you connect the dots without having to go back a read the whole thing 🙂

The State of the Blog Address or “Where Do We Go From Here”

An Era of Charming Tales: Special Feature (Lemme es’plain .. UH NO! Too much! Lemme sum up!)