3 A Price to Pay

CHAPTER 3

A Price to Pay "And how do you plan to mend your ways?" asked the king. A crooked smile swept over the witch's face as lightning flashed outside the throne room windows. "Why, I can put an end to all this rain," she said sweetly. Thunder boomed and rumbled around the castle. King Caleb looked at the witch suspiciously. "And what do you know about the rain?" he asked. "I know it's a curse," said the witch. The king leaned back in his throne. "And what do you want to do about it?" he asked.

The witch's glass eye bulged in its socket. "I don't want to do anything," she said. "I like the rain. But if never-ending rain isn't good for your kingdom, I may be able to help." The king desperately needed help. He had no idea how to stop the rain, and the witch knew it. He couldn't

allow the kingdom's crops to be ruined. "I suppose I will have to accept your offer," said the king. "Of course you will," said the witch, who now knew that she, not the king, had the power. "But there will be

a small price to pay." The king gripped the arms of his throne and leaned forward. "And what is your price?" "I only require three things," said the witch. Then she held up a bony finger for each. "A cauldron made of gold, your bejeweled family ring with the royal crest, and the queen's diamond-and-emerald scepter." The king's jaw dropped. "Such a high price!" he cried. "My ring and the queen's scepter are sacred symbols of our right to rule Wrenly. We cannot part with them." "Very well," said the witch. "Then your kingdom will drown and your people will suffer."

The king hung his head. He knew there was no other way to save his kingdom. He felt helpless. Then the queen gently laid her hand on her husband's knee. "I will pay the price," she said. The king looked at his wife. He gained courage from her words. "And I will give you my ring," said the king.