the Quest

We were going on a month long trip out west again, and I thought it was high time that I finally finished the doll adventure story that I started in the Spring of 2012, so I took along all the dolls I had taken along twelve years ago on a previous trip out west. The plan was to photograph additional scenes for the story that I wasn't able to back in 2012. After all, I didn't have any props at all back then, and this time I also decided the main group needed some servants to accompany them, along with horses and all the supplies they would need. So we set about visiting many of the same locations to photograph additional photos for the story.
So here's the new scenes which will be woven into the photos taken back in 2012.

Starting at the Very Beginning

Kyle, a nobleman's son, was making his way towards the castle in the Windy Mountains.

The King had personally requested he come....

...to go on some sort of special mission.

the Heart of the Mountain

Meanwhile in the castle, the King and his Granddaughter were sitting down to dinner...

The King seemed lost in thought....

His granddaughter, Aeran, was concerned. "Are you okay Grandpa? Is something wrong?"

"I'm fine my love, but there is something I need to talk to you about. Something I should have told you years ago."

"I'm getting old, and as my only heir, the crown will fall upon you when I'm gone. There's just one problem. As a female monarch you will need a special talisman to secure your position in the eyes of all the neighbouring kingdoms and war lords. It's a very special large diamond in the shape of a heart, uncovered generations ago deep in the mountains."

"I don't understand. Is that a problem?" she asked.

"Yes. Because I no longer have it." He sighed. "Many years ago, when I was a young man, I fell in love with a war lord's daughter. We were passionately in love, and I asked for her hand in marriage. But her father refused, unless I gave him the treasured 'Heart of the Mountain' as a dowry. Of course my father, the King, refused. But I was desparately in love, and couldn't see any other solution, so secretly took the talisman and paid the bride price. It wasn't until after the wedding that my father discovered what I'd done, and then it was too late. He was furious, and explained that without the jewel, any daughters we might have could never become Queen in their own right. That I would need to get it back somehow."

"So now, that my days as King are numbered," he continued, " it's extremely important to track down the jewel and get it back."

"Otherwise you won't have any authority when you become Queen."

A Diamond's Ransom

The King brought out a small chest, and opened it...

"Ever since that fateful day, I've been trying to save up enough treasure, in the hopes of getting the 'Heart of the Mountain' back."

"When your grandmother bore a son, your father, I thought we'd have some extra time to get the jewel back, but now that your father has passed and you will inherit my throne, it's of utmost importance to get it back as soon as possible."

Aeran ran her fingers through what appeared to be a king's ransom's worth of treasure.

"Unfortunately, I lost track of where the jewel might be. So I need to send you on a quest to find and retrieve it."

The gravity of the situation was clear to Aeran.

"Yes, I can do that."

Kyle Arrives

Just then, Kyle arrived at the castle and was escorted in. The King had been expecting him, and was eager to introduce him to Aeran...

"This is Kyle. He's the son of my most trusted friend."

"My Lady."

Aeran recognized him immediately. He was the boy who used to tease her all the time when they were children.

"I've asked Kyle here..."

"...to accompany you on your quest."

Aeran was not impressed. "I don't need his help!"

"Maya and I can do this ourselves."

"Yes, I know you can." agreed her grandfather...

"I know you can handle yourself in almost any situation, but there's no knowing what dangers lie ahead."

"Kyle is a master swordsman too, and I'd feel a lot better knowing you had someone along to watch your back."

"Well, all right then. He can come along."

"Just so he understands, that this is my quest, and I'm in charge."

At that point Kyle was seriously wondering what he'd gotten himself into, but it was too late to back out now.

Leaving

A few days later, Aeran and her group were ready to leave. She was taking Maya, who had been her friend since they were both children. The King had also chosen two of his most loyal young men to accompany them, to be in charge of the horses with all the supplies for the journey.

Aeran reached out to her grandfather....

...and gave him a big hug. "We are ready to leave now."

Her grandfather held her tight, "I'm really going to miss you."

"I know." she replied. "But it will be fine. And I'll try send you letters whenever I can."

"Please be careful, and don't take any unnecessary risks."

Then to the four young men, "I charge all of you, to make sure Princess Aeran returns safely back home to me."

"We will, Sire."

"Good-bye Grandpa.

He gave her one last hug...

His heart was breaking at the thought that he might never see her again.

"Good-bye. And don't worry. I can get this done."

Heading Out

It was a beautiful day when the three adventures started heading up into the mountains...

Narin and Adrian, the two young men in charge of supplies, packed up the horses. They would travel either behind, or ahead of the other three, in order to set up campsites for the night.