by Madeline, Writing Foundations Level 1
3rd Place Winner at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair for Original Stories in 7th Grade Category
“Follow me,” an indistinguishable figure whispered. Along the castle wall the shadowed tiger crept softly avoiding the gaze of the night watchmen. An undersized parade of prisoners followed their guide alongside their enemy’s fortress.
The evil king, Black Raider, a black armored horse, ruled the land as far as anyone could see. He had recently conquered the noble king, Tiero, a Bengal tiger, who now led the prisoners to freedom. Black Raider had caused the war over land and had sent a clever spy into Tiero’s territory to learn his battle strategies, gain the righteous king’s trust, and make a fool of him. Tiero had fallen for the trick, later making the spy into his top advisor. When the battle started, the clever spy pounced onto Tiero as the honorable king let his mistake be known by a screeching wail. When Black Raider had finally won the war he tied Tiero to a pole, half starved him to death, and made him into a prisoner. Presently, Tiero and his son Andreas, who Black Raider also tossed into prison, escaped from their cells to freedom.
“There they are!” a sudden voice yowled from behind them.
