The new thrown room in the ark was not as big as the one in the castle but still very big.
King Esteban was a tall man in his late 40's and look like an older version of Edgar. He sat on his throne with a pleasant look on his face. He was the kindest and bravest and most innocent of men. Though he built schools and universities, he was not the most brilliant of monarchs.
William gave a pleased smile and bowed to the king.
"Ah William and my son," said the King, "the ark is low on water. The water in this part of the land has become muddy. I want the two of you to locate pure water for everyone on the ark."
"I understand father. I know of lake Waral that is not far away." Said Edgar.
"The entire ark is depending on you. William, will you good with my son to look for water? I know you are still very young. Nothing will be said if you don't want to go."
William nodded. "Yes sire, I will go."
"Very well, arrange a team of fighters before you go. Don't forget to signal the ark when you find clean water."
"Yes father, we will succeed." said Edgar as he bowed to the king.
"Well prince," said William as he and Edgar left the throne room, "Who should we hire first?"
"Marie has been an cleric apprentice for sometime now, i don't know if she is ready to go out into the lands yet."
"Maybe we should ask if she is willing to come with us." said William, "We don't know how powerful she is yet."
Outside of the throne room doors were two sets of stairs going down, one going to the cleric's training room and the other going to the wizard's training room.
Just before Edgar or William could go down to one of the rooms, Princess Marie came out of Rose's apartment.
"Edgar! What's going on? Why did daddy summon you?"
Edgar cleared his throat.
"The ark is low on fresh water. Will and I are going to Lake Waral to look for some."
"Please take me," Marie begged, "I'm going crazy being here all the time! Please! Let me see the land with you!"
"Well," said Edgar, "Let's ask Madam Circe if you are ready to go out yet."
Down stairs in the Cleric room was Madam Circe teaching a class on white magic. She was a beautiful elf of 5'6 with bright red hair.
Elves were very beautiful and intelligent creatures and most of them were nonviolent. They are the type to suppress their emotions and think with logic and reason.
"Princess Marie!" said Madam Circe, "You don't have a class today."
"I know madam," said Marie, "I would like to ask for your approval to go out."
"What?" said Madam Circe, "Why would you want to go out? It's dangerous outside the ark."
Edgar chuckled. "What she means is the William and I are going out to look for fresh water and my sister here is begging to accompany us. Do you think she can handle herself out there?"
"She's been doing very well in class. Marie can heal injuries and cure illness, but I should get her a book of shadows to study more spells and a power staff."
Madam Circe went over to the storage closet and came back with a long wooden staff with a gem on top of it and an old brown leather book.
"Take these with you Marie." Said Circe, "Remember to stay strong."
"Thank you Madam," said Marie with a bow, "I won't disappoint you."
"Okay." Said William as they left the Cleric training room, "Now we should recruit a wizard."
"Ah Prince Edgar!" Said Sir Haggar, the head wizard as they entered the wizard training room. Haggar was a jolly old man with long white hair and a long white beard. "I heard that you are going out to lake Waral to search for water."
"Yes Sir Haggar," said Edgar, "Do you have anyone you can recommend as a helper?"
Haggar laughed. "As a matter of fact I do, oh Cayleb?"
Cayleb was a boy of 12 years with light brown hair. "Yes sir?"
"I have a job for you my boy. Prince Edgar is going out to search for water. I want you to join his crew."
Cayleb was excited. "Go out with the prince and see the land? YAY!"
Cayleb grabbed his wand.
"Thank you sir! I won't let you down!"
"Okay! Okay! Calm down boy." said Haggar as he handed small sack to Edgar.
"This contains some magic bowls. Order them to fill and they will fill with a stew that taste like beef and it has all the vitamins you need."
"Thank you sir Haggar," said Edgar, "Thank you so much. Too bad you can't fix the water yet."
"Unfortunately not." said Haggar, "I have tried casting water spells but the water always comes out bad. I think someone in the area had cursed the land."
"Perhaps," said Edgar, "We will have out what is going on out there."
"Good luck to you all."
Edgar and the kids left the wizard room and reentered the main hall. Edgar took out one of the bowls.
"Well, better try this out to make sure it's working."
Edgar learned his face into the bowl and said "Fill..."
The bowl filled with a hot stew. Edgar brought the bowl up to his mouth and drank the stew.
"Mmmm. It's like a soup without any meat or vegetables. Not bad."
"Well drink it so we can get some more supplies brother dear." Said Marie.
William laughed.
Edgar drank the stew and put the empty bowl back in the sack. "You have not learned to be patient yet my darling sister? Well let's go to the armory and pick up some equipment."
Our heroes went into the knights training room to get to the armory. The room was full of knights both human and centaurs.
"Be careful William," said one of the knights, "these are REAL knights doing REAL training."
William ignored the comment.
Edgar and the kids walked through the training room to the armory.
"Get lost William! This training ground is too rough for the likes of you!"
"We have trained until our arms are ready to fall off! When will we see some action?"
"Metro knights have no need for YOU, William!"
The door to the armory opened and Sir Graham, the General of the knights. "Don't let them get to you William. Some Knights are always complaining." said Graham, "What can I get you?"
Graham was a centaur with dark blonde hair and big blue eyes. He was strong, but kind.
"Well let's start with some weapons and armor." said Edgar, "Do you have any chain mail that would fit William?"
"I certainly do." Said Graham, "Here William, Put this on." Graham handed William a chain mail suit.
"Okay," said Edgar as William put on the chain mail, "A broad sword, a shield, a dagger and a bow for me. A middle sword, a crossbow and a spear for William."
"Wow," said William, "this armor is very flexible. Although it's a little heavy."
"Deal with it little man," Graham laughed as he put all of the weapons into a metal box, "That's common for armor. You're get used to it."
Graham pushed a button on the metal box and it shrunk down into a tiny box about an inch big.
The shrinkage box is a wonderful invention used to shrink down tons of items so they are easy to carry around.
"And don't forget your shrinkage cabin." said Graham as he handed the shrinkage box to Edgar.
The shrinkage cabin is a portable house that can shrink down into a small box that fit into your pocket. The cabin can sleep up to six people, has electricity and two bathrooms.
"Thanks General." said Edgar as Graham tossed him a shrinkage cabin box.
"Good luck to you." said Graham as Edgar led the kids out of the armory, "I will look after the knights here."
"Okay kids," said Edgar as he led the kids to the entrance of the ark, "Let's get out there and find some water!"