Deneve knew something shifty was going on when Barhan showed up a few days after her encounter with Manmehan. Then Saya had asked for her to meet with her at the Palace. After that, a summons from the King came.

Instead of doing what everyone wanted and run around after these people like some simpleton, Deneve penned letters to all involved asking that they meet her at Shandi’s Villa. She had rented the Villa for a week to have a meeting in a neutral place.

On the day of the meeting, Deneve was curious to see how the royal family would react to being in the same room. It seemed they never saw each other all at the same time. Saya arrived first, then Barhan. Soon after, Manmehan and King Sahazad made their entrances.

After greeting her guests and offering refreshments, she had everyone sit. There was a bit of bickering as they settled onto the pillows, but thankfully there was no outright fighting.

“All of you have asked to see me for one reason,” Deneve announced over the chatter. This got the group’s attention, and they turned to her expectantly. “You want me to look for something. I think it’s about time you talk to each other as I’ve not even been made privy to what it is you are looking for.”

Everyone erupted with those words. Shouting started between Barhan and Manmehan, with a similar albeit quieter argument between Saya and the King. As the voices grew louder, Deneve gave them a few moments to vent. After about 10 minutes, she snapped her fingers, and Garzar appeared, giving a mighty roar that effectively silenced the group.

Deneve smiled, “Thank you, Garzar.” The dragon nuzzled her hair affectionately for a moment before disappearing again as the other four people gawked in astonishment.

The King looked at her and smirked, “Scary and exotic, I like it.”

“Now that I have your attention,” Deneve continued as if nothing happened. “I’m not really inclined to go on your treasure hunt. If this item is so important, why haven’t you done it yourselves?”

Saya and Barhan at least have the decency to look abashed. “We all only have a few clues where to start.” Saya finally said.

“And you refused to share with each other because you all want this item?” Deneve guessed.

“Fine!” Saya relented, “We are searching for the Golden Ruins Key. The person who has it becomes King of Valencia.”

This could help us. You should do it.

“Saya!” Sahazad warned.

“We all know you don’t have it, brother,” Barhan admitted shaking his head. Manmehan nodded in agreement.

“So now that is out in the open, am I to assume you all wanted it to become King?” Deneve asked bluntly.

“Humph! I like this Princess,” King Sahazad said with a roguish smirk. “She is straight to the point.”

“A little too straightforward for me,” Manmehan countered.

Barhan wouldn’t even look at Deneve, choosing to look at something to her right. “Look, it needs to be done. I’m sorry I put you in the middle of this.”

Saya looked the most remorseful. “I worry for the future of Valencia. The astronomer Purajin said an ominous sign has appeared.”

“I agree,” Manmehan nodded. “I’ve had the same findings.”

“So what is it you want me to do with this key? Should I even bother to look for it?” Deneve asked.

Everyone looked at each other uncomfortably for a moment, but Saya is the first to answer. “I want it destroyed. This fighting has gone on in our family long enough.”

“Father didn’t hand it down to you,” Barhan noted quietly, glancing at his brother.

Sahazad sighed, “I don’t even know if he had it.”

“I just wanted to give it to you, father. You know I really don’t care about such things.” Manmehan muttered, annoyed.

“We can’t have Kayal getting it either, though,” Sahazad said firmly. The others nodded in agreement. “The wisest course of action would be to pool our knowledge as we all have some leads and let Princess Deneve find it if even it still exists.”

“Why do I need to find this?” Deneve asks curiously, “After all, this is your family issue.”

“Few people know that the key is missing, and we are much more noticeable than you are,” Barhan answered pragmatically. “You can walk around and blend in.”

“Sure, if people don’t run around screaming Princess Deneve!” I pointedly glared at Manmehan, who finally had the decency to look ashamed.

The King stifled a snicker as he looked affectionately at his oldest son before shifting his gaze to Deneve. “So you will do it?”

“I have a few questions before I agree to anything,” Deneve stated, squaring her shoulders.

“Fair enough,” Sahazad replied.

“First of all, can any of you be sure this item even exists?” Deneve asked.

“No,” Saya answered promptly. “None of us really knows. It is said that it’s the symbol of the Valencia Royal Family, much like the Seal of the Mediahn Royal Family.”

“So what happens if it cannot be found or it doesn’t exist?” Deneve mused curiously.

They all looked troubled at the question. Finally, Sahazad replied, “I don’t know. I suppose we continue the Monarchy as we have.” Strangely enough, they all seem to be in agreement with this idea. “The main issue is that if it does exist, it cannot drop into Kayal’s hands. We all have our reasons for wanting it. I wish to keep my Kingship, Barhan wishes to be King, Saya hopes to stop our fighting, and Manmehan wants us all to shut up and thinks the best way to do that is to get me the key.”

“I want something in return for doing this,” Deneve said. “I want a promise that no matter what the results are, that the royal family of Valencia will continue to work with King Bareeds for better foreign relations with Mediah.”

“We have come a long way with King Bareeds,” Barhan replied with a smile. “He is young, but with Sirare at his side, they are formidable.”

“Yes, He has been able to move back to Altinova,” Saya said, nodding.

“I am aware his leadership has swayed popular opinion in his favor,” Deneve stated. “I can only hope it stays that way. But you are asking a member of the royal family of Mediah to walk into the unknown. Should anything happen to me, I want it in writing, signed by all of you, and registered in both countries before I leave.”

“You truly are a Princess of Mediah,” Sahazad looked at Deneve for the first time with something other than disdain or desire. “I see now that you aren’t some puppet playing Princess to a Child-king.”

Deneve tilted her head to the side and narrowed her eyes. “Did you think I would do anything less?”

“She will make a good wife for you, Barhan.” He chuckled, “Or possibly for me if I decide to steal her away.”

Ignoring the King’s last remark, Deneve steered the conversation. “I need all of your leads, so I have a starting point.”

“My lead was to go to the Cokro chamber,” Manmehan said, obviously grateful for the change in subject.

“Mine was as well,” Saya said curiously.

“Interesting,” Deneve muttered thoughtfully.

I have a feeling this will bring me closer to finding my home.

You haven’t done much but push me to find powers. Are you sure about this?

Yes, I remember something about those ruins… that Cokro chamber seems familiar.