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 Princess Esperanza strained her eyes to look at the candlestick carefully. It was hard to see anything in the dark, but she could make out some faint elvish writing, “Breath of light, by day or night.”

She smiled to herself, thanking her fairy teachers for all those boring lessons when she was a child. She flew up to one of the candle wicks and took in a deep breath. The candles lit instantly. “Exhale and the light goes out, inhale and the light returns,” she said proudly.

With the light filling the room, Essie took a moment to examine her surroundings. She was in a cave filled with strange items and boxes. Empty cages lined the walls. A river ran through the bottom of the cavern while a set of stairs was visible in the other direction. The princess thought that she was alone here until the familiar deep voice echoed, “That was impressive.”

Essie looked up to see a cage hanging from the top of the cave with a young man inside it. She flew up to see him. “What's going on?” she asked. “Why are we trapped here? And who are you?” she added on.

“My name is Sir Diego,” he gave a small bow in his cage. “We are in the holding cells of the Magnificant Mularky's World of Wonders. He is angry at me for freeing his exhibits and I believe you were to be the first replacement. If you will release me we could either escape by way of the river or we could go through the World of Wonders to make sure there are no other creatures being held against their will.”

Take the River? Page 8

Take the Stairs? Page 9