Chapter 2

*Image of Waitomo glow worm caves from getyourguide.com*

He shivered at the sudden cold. Sammy noticed the walls and floor made of stone. A screech of metal made the goblin circle recede.

"Leave us with our guest," a rich, very pretty voice said. The green creatures readily obeyed.

As steps approached Prince Sammy sat up, glaring at a pair of tall, stately figures. A man and woman with somewhat similar features wearing dark blue.

The man had a hollow face and scarred hands. He looked at Sammy with utter revulsion, the kind of grimace reserved for some slimy thing under his shoe. Grabbing the seething prince he felt a sharp point at his back. At the chamber's center was a large metal cage.

"I'd walk if I were in your place," his partner advised sounding quite bored.

Entering the cage he was stripped of his belt. The woman turned out to be a witch. With her magic she maneuvered a length of rope binding his wrists, snaking cross his flesh in brutal bounds in such a way he feared his hands would soon be bloodless. "Now behave or my sister and I will make you suffer," the warlock said coldly.

With those words Sammy was left with six goblin guards.

The king and queen received a ransom note. Their son would only be returned alive if the barrier in their land came down. A hefty reward was offered for his rescue. But a week passed and all attempts failed.

Until an unexpected rescuer came forward.