Liar Meets Liar

  The tension in the room had grown worse with each passing moment.

  Each member of the royal family wore a face of dread that only raised more questions. Why were they acting so strange after hearing Elizabeth’s name? And what did Midas mean when he said “she lives after all?”

  “Forgive me if I’m mistaken your majesty, but it would appear that you know Elizabeth.”

  The king reminded silent for a moment before turning his attention back to Maxwell.

  “You’re not mistaken. It’s just as you said, Elizabeth was the name of my beloved twin sister.”

  “Your twin sister?”

  The older woman broke down in tears as the young woman with red hair tried comforting her.

  “You must forgive my mother, she never did get over what happened to Elizabeth. Elaine can you please help her to her room?”

  “Of course Midas. Come now Aunt Harriet.”

  As Queen Harriet was led away by Elaine the rest of the royals dispersed giving Maxwell and Rei a private audience with King Midas.

  “I suppose you want to know what exactly happened to Elizabeth.”

  “I won’t pry on family matters, but if the woman I met in the forest is some kind of imposter…”

  “I’m afraid it’s far worse than that, my sister was kidnapped after my father had passed. I had just been crowned king and I had assumed her captors were from a rival kingdom looking to gain some sort of leverage over me.”

  “I take it that wasn’t the case?”

  “If only it were that simple, my sister’s captor was the witch of the forest.”

  “A witch? But I thought all the witches had been wiped out during the second Arcane War.”

  “Your companion is very knowledgeable Maximus, however not all of the witches were killed during the second Arcane War. A few survived and some even walk among us. The witch of the forest was little more than a children’s tale told by mothers to scare their misbehaving children.”

  “Yet, this witch of the forest kidnapped your sister.”

  “I did everything I could to get her back. I offered every treasure, every spec of food. I would have burned my entire kingdom if it would bring her back. But no matter what I offered, that monster refused to return my sister.”

  King Midas took a moment to wipe a tear from his eye before continuing. “I didn’t understand why until it was too late. For you see, she never planned on using Elizabeth to get to me, she planned on stealing her body for her own sinister purposes.”

  “Despicable.”

  “Indeed, I haven’t the slightest clue why she chose my sister. Perhaps it was revenge for Dulciena‘s participation in the second Arcane War that exterminated her fellow witches.”

  “So you’re saying your twin sister, Elizabeth is no more? That she’s become this witch of the forest?”

  “You’re just as sharp as I imagined Maximus. I don’t know her intentions, but I can assure you that that woman you met in the forest is evil incarnate.”

  Maxwell closed his eyes as if deep in thought. “This is a very compelling narrative you’ve created your majesty. You seem to have everyone convinced” thought Maxwell. “Too bad it’s all a load of shit. Give me a break, I knew you were lying from the start but at least try to make it sound believable. The more important question, was why did you create such a complicated lie to explain your sister’s disappearance? What is it you’re really trying to hide?”

  “Thank you for sharing such an important secret your majesty, neither I nor my companion will ever speak of this outside these palace walls. Isn’t that right, Rei?”

  “Of course Maximus, you have my word.”

  “Thank you both, this is incredibly troubling news. The witch has made herself known to you and is using Elizabeth’s name and appearance to conceal her true identity then perhaps she’s planning something bigger. She may even have something to do with these goblin attacks. You must admit, the timing does seem too much of a coincidence.”

  “If a witch is behind all this destruction then we must warn the other kingdoms and ask for their aid.”

  “I’m not sure about that Maximus, we still don’t know what Kalilo is planning. Besides, if there’s anyone who can put a stop to this witch, it’s the great hero, Maximus Luminose.”

 He’d appreciate the ass kissing a lot more if it weren’t so obvious Midas didn’t want any of this information spreading to the other kingdoms.

  “I guess you’re right your majesty. In the meantime, I think we should try tracking these goblins once again. Rei is an excellent tracker, I’m sure with us all working together we shouldn’t have much trouble locating their nest.”

  At hearing Maxwell’s suggestion the king gave Buros a look that seemed to send a private message that only he could understand.

  Buros slapped Maxwell on the back again, harder than before. “Great idea Maximus, with us three on their trail there’s no way they’ll escape.”

  “Glad to hear you agree old friend, let’s go.”

  Everyone with the exception of Rei seemed surprised at how fast Maxwell wanted to begin the search for the goblin’s nest.

  “You wish to begin your search so early in the day?”

  “Goblins are more active at night, if we can find their nest in the daytime then we can strike while they are asleep.”

  Maxwell had no idea if that was true. After hearing Buros mention last night’s attack, he figured he’d make an educated guess that goblins were a nocturnal species in this world.

  “That may be true, but you have only just arrived. Please allow me to show you and your companion, Dulciena‘s finest hospitality. Buros, you must be exhausted from your search, why don’t you take the day to show your friend Maximus around the kingdom. There will be plenty of time to find the goblin’s nest later.”

  “If you insist, your majesty.”