It did not take them long to reach Shangdi Castle. The country was small but cheerful. It was one of few kingdoms that still was good and hadn't been destroyed by the evil forces. The evil forces felt that Shangdi was too small to be a threat. Lanying was in awe of the place. The town had a feel about that was comforting and homey.
"Oh wow! It looks so much like the type of place you'd find in farie tales." she replied.
When Annchi and Lanying approached the castle gate, the two guards there stop them.
"Add where do you think you two are going?" questioned one guard.
"Please sir, we're here to see the king." replied Lanying.
"On whose authority?" asked the other one.
"The wizard Yinglong sent us."
The two guards stared at them blankly then burst into laughter. Annchi and Lanying looked at each other.
Finally one of them replied, "Two, two, ha ha ha, young commoners, ha, ha, were sent by a wizard, to, to, to see the king!?"
The other gasped, "Now I've heard everything! That's a good one girls!"
Lanying nodded to Annchi, who in turn took out the sash. She handed it to Lanying, who showed it to the guards. The two had gained their composures by this time. They stopped and examined it.
They both shook their heads before one said reluctantly, "Oh, all right. You win."
They opened the gate. The two started to head in, both not knowing to expect.
Annchi and Lanying were going to see the king. Both were anxious and nervous. They heard that King Charles of Shangdi was a good man and fair leader. They just hoped that the stories were true. When they entered the throne room, all commotion there stopped. The two walked up to the king and curtseyed before him. He was round, with a bright reddish face with curly hair.
He stared at the two and said, "Good afternoon, visitors. What is it that you seek?"
Annchi reluctantly stood forward and replied, "We need your help, good king. The wizard, Yinglong, has sent us to find the last unicorn. Can you help us please?"
The entire court just opened their eyes wide and started to whisper amongst themselves. The king just sat on his throne and joyfully laughed.
"Well my dear, that's a very entertaining story, but do you have proof that you were sent by Yinglong?" asked King Charles.
"Here's proof, your majesty." replied Lanying as she held out the sash.
The king signaled one of the guards and the guard went and took the sash from Lanying. He showed it to King Charles.
After examining it, the king looked back at Annchi and Lanying and replied, "You two are right. Please tell me your names" before telling the guard to give the sash back to Lanying. The two girls sighed with relief.
"I'm Lanying and this is my friend Annchi." answered Lanying.
The king sat and thought before saying, "All right my dears. I'll help you. I'll send one of my best knights with you. Plus, I'll make sure that you-all have enough supplies. For now you two must rest."
Annchi and Lanying smiled at each other.
They were about to thank King Charles when someone shouted, "Father! I want to go!"
The shout came from the king's daughter, Chunhua, who was a young woman of sixteen years with fiery, curly hair and golden eyes. She ran into the throne room and right up to her father.
"I'm sorry, father, but I couldn't help overhear. Can I please go?" she pleaded.
"Chunhua, you are a princess. You're unsuitable for a quest. And don't shout either." the king said.
"But dad . . ."
"That's enough! Go back to your studies."
Chunhua went off grumbling.
"Please excuse Chunhua. She's spirited, but has a good heart." King apologized.
"That's okay, your majesty." said Annchi.
"All right now my servant will show you to your quarters and you two freshen up for dinner."
"Thank-you sire." thanked Annchi before she and Lanying curtseyed.