Herzog Ernst Page #4

---

Look around you,

there are carbuncles everywhere.

They're nothing special here.

Take as many as you like."

"So this is the goal of our long

and perilous journey!" thought Ernest,

"The fabulous Carbuncle Stone."

But it suddenly seemed to him

that the princess's smile

shone a thousand times brighter

than all the carbuncles put together.

And it occurred to him that without

this accursed, uncomfortable armour,

life would be even more pleasant.

And so Ernest and the princess

became lovers,

something

they had both secretly wished for.

The Caliph put on a great celebration.

But Ernest and the princess

found a spot away from the others

and kissed and embraced each other

all night long.

Ernest felt fine: The sun was shining,

he had good friends, and he was in love.

But suddenly, he thought of home,

of his mother and his castle.

And had he not promised

to return with the Carbuncle Stone?

So Ernest decided to return home

with his friends and keep his promise.

But first, he wanted to use the

Carbuncle's powers to free the Pannoch.

The spell on the knights

was also lifted.

They stayed in the desert...

...while Ernest and his friends

began their journey home.

But an unwelcome sight

awaited Ernest at home.

Wasn't that the Emperor's flag

flying above his castle?

The Emperor was not pleased about

Ernest's return, unlike Ernest's mother.

"He has a carbuncle stone!"

Marvelled the knights, "Look!"

"Ernest!" cried his mother,

"You're back at last!"

"The Stone," whispered the Roc,

"Don't forget the Stone."

But just as Ernest was about to hand the

Stone to the Emperor, he stopped.

Wasn't that the Black Knight's brother,

the man he was supposed to have killed?

That's why he'd been sentenced

to find the Carbuncle Stone.

At that moment,

Ernest saw how he had been tricked.

"Seize him and put those strange

creatures in the zoo!"

Ordered the Emperor.

"Pannoch!" cried Ernest, "Help us!"

The little Pannoch stepped forward

and blew up a fierce storm.

But from the splinters of the

Carbuncle Stone, strange things grew...

The knights crawled out of their armour

and looked on in amazement.

"Please don't harm me!"

Cried the Emperor anxiously.

"Ernest shall rule over all my lands."

"That doesn't interest me,"

laughed Ernest, "I have other plans."

"My Mother shall steer our land's

destiny and lead it to new prosperity."

He bid his mother farewell and departed

with the princess and his friends.

Where they went, nobody knows.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes