Scholastic Gold Key Winners

Conquest for Birthright (by Thomas G.)

The dim morning sun sparkled on the dewy stone walls of the castle. My blonde hair fluttered as I passed the cloister onto the windy walkway toward the King's quarters. I walked down the candlelit corridors toward his Majesty's study, where I was going to ask him a burning question. I probably should have dressed regally for this confrontation and not amble about in my loose tunic.

I passed the guards, who bowed, ignoring their mock salute. I knew how everyone felt about me. The commoners, the noblemen, even my own father all felt that I was an inexperienced, rude trickster who was only a prince because I was the King's son. I tolerated this, however, because I knew that in time they would all bow before me, their next king. I sauntered into the capacious library of documents and scrolls, spitting out the sunflower seeds that I was chewing on the floor.

"Knock, knock," I said as I startled my busy father, a smirk darting across my face. "I have a question."

"What is it, Walter?" my father asked. "I am quite busy."

"And I don't care," I muttered. "When is my coronation date?"

"You don't have one," he stated tersely. "You are not fit for the role of king. Now leave."

"Hugo is the better choice for King," my father added, "even if he is as arrogant as you."

"But-," I began to protest. As the firstborn of the royal family, I have been groomed to be King since the day I was born. I knew my father was disappointed in me, but I've always dismissed it with a joke. I had no idea that he was going to discharge the possibility of me ever becoming the king.

"I said leave!" he yelled angrily, "or are you deaf?"

I decided to leave, which was the best choice for the moment, but I still wanted to know why Hugo? He is brawny but dim-witted, even if he has the goodwill of the people in mind. I stormed down the stone passageways, enraged and confused. Along the way, I bumped into Hugo. I fell to the ground, and the Hugo leaned over.

"Oh, sorry. Are you hurt?" Hugo said sarcastically while reaching out his hand.

"Shut your mouth!" I yelled as I smacked his hand away.

"Listen, little prince," he said, "you shouldn't talk to your King that way."

That comment set me off. He must have already been told of how he was to be the heir. I brushed the dust off my legs and shot up, barely reaching his shoulders. I stared him dead in the eyes, my pale green eyes glaring into his bright blue eyes.

"Hearken, you oversized rat!" I shouted. "I challenge you to a duel, two fortnights from now! If I win, I am crowned King, and if you win, you retain your title. The king will be notified of this, of course, by the finest messenger. Our word will be enough to bind this agreement."

"Fine," he said. "You'll need all that preparation to last even a minute against me."

We shook hands as gentlemen do, but he almost broke my hand doing it.

Later I walked to the horse stables, moping dejectedly about the rash decision I had made until I was stopped by a large man, whom I assumed was the stable master. I would have known that he was the stable-master if combat and horseback riding lessons had not been canceled after the extended peacetime in the kingdom.

"Hey, boy," he said. "I heard you were going to duel your brother."

"Man, word sure does travel around fast here," I muttered, "Yeah, what about it?"

"If you go in that arena," he said, "you are going to get stomped to the ground. I can tell just by looking at you."

"And how do you know?" I said. "All you do is take care of horses, serf."

"And you are a pampered, scrawny prince who will be torn to shreds in the arena," he said, "unless I train you for some chance to win."

"If I lose, your head will be lost too."

The next day I jumped out of my satin sheets and stormed through my closet, looking for work clothes, buried beneath large silk robes. I shuddered, for they were much too uncomfortable and rough for my skin. I strapped on my boots, which chaffed my uncallused feet, as I have ridden a horse in a long time. I struggled to walk as the non-padded bottoms of the boots stung the soles of my feet. I chanced upon Hugo, who snickered at the sight of my work clothes.

"Is there a problem, Hugo?" I asked.

"Not at all," he said, controlling his laughter with difficulty. Other guards who were around him were snickering in the background.

I shuffled past him through the gates of the castle walls while the guards stared, bewildered at the sight. I stomped past, showing them no attention, determination glaring in my eyes. I walked through the marketplace, adjacent to the stables, passing by vendors and stalls with exotic fruits and rare meats in each one.

"Well, there he is," one of the vendors announced sarcastically. "Prince Walter blessing us with his presence. Isn't this place too rough for you? No satin rugs to walk upon, just the rough cobblestone that you gave us."

"Speak up, peasant," I said. "because if you don't, I can't hear you through your rotting teeth."

He began to walk toward me, but I paid no heed, which seemed to incentivize his heckling to become even wilder.

"Hey," he shouted, "did you hear me or did the cobblestone walls of the castle make you deaf to the outside?"

"Hey, Curtis," the stable master said as he appeared from the darkness of an alley. "How about you pick on someone your own size?"

"Simon," Curtis said, "this boy has treated us like trash for as long as he lived, and you're defending him? Have you gone mad?"

"No," Simon said, "but I see a potential for a great man in him, which is why he is going to help me on the farm for the next four weeks while I teach him swordplay."

"What?!" I sputtered. "A farm?"

"Yes," Simon said. "unless you want to lose that duel, you will do exactly as I say."

"Fine," I muttered, "but remember our deal."

"Of course, Your Majesty," he said with a sarcastic bow.

We walked hastily through the crowds of people and quickly found ourselves at a large, spruce wood barn scented with manure and animals.

"What is this filth?"

"The place you're going to work," Simon said with a grin.

I groaned and continued to follow him into the large structure, which increasingly reeked of animal waste the farther we went.

We soon stopped to where he picked up a bucket and threw it to me.

"Go fill this up with water from the well," he instructed.

"What does this have to do with training?" I asked.

"Just do it!" Simon shouted.

I cursed under my breath and trotted off to the well. The grimy, mossy stone made me shudder in disgust. I carefully loaded the bucket onto the rope while trying my hardest not to touch the filth. Leaning over the well, I slipped and fell headfirst, grasping at the walls. I crashed into the water. Time seemed to slow as I scratched at the slippery walls for a brick to hold onto. Suddenly, there was only complete darkness except for the faint daylight that shone through the hole of the well. The water had reached halfway up my knees as I screamed and yelled for someone to rescue me.

I sat in the well, my tongue dry after hours of waiting, contemplating whether or not to yell or just to pass out with hunger. My gut wrenched with a pain that I have never experienced, and it hurt badly. My eyes were beginning to dim as the evening sun set, but a rope dangled onto the floor in front of me.

"Grab the darn rope!" a voice called from above.

I grabbed hold of it, and my limp and broken body was easily lifted out of the hole onto dry ground.

"Th- Thank you," I sputtered while clinging to the well's edge as I surfaced. "Simo-"

I was shocked to see that it wasn't Simon, but Curtis from the marketplace.

"Well, look at what we have here," he said slowly. 'Little prince can't even load a bucket. Poor soul."

I began to retaliate, only to be thrown onto the ground by his burly arms. I was then pinned to the rough terrain by a knee, which was suffocating me slowly.

"You don't belong out here, boy!" he said. "Just go back to your little castle bedroom, with your servants and guards."

"You don't know what awaits me in that castle," I lied, trying to act tough. "It is just as bad as out here."

That comment garnered me a punch to the throat, constricting my breathing. A smirk crossed my face as I looked him dead in the eyes, and we both stayed there for a few seconds.

"So are you going to do something or what?" I yelled, waiting for Curtis to say something, but a large fist came smashing into Curtis's jaw. He tumbled off me, freeing me from suffocation. I scurried a few feet away from the scene. It was astonishing. I always saw fights, but never up close, never this brutal. It was over in a matter of seconds. Curtis was face first in the dirt, while the victor stood. It was Simon, his knuckles bloodied.

"Teach me," I said sternly, "how to fight."

"Why?" he asked. "You will be using swords."

"I don't care," I said. "Teach me. How to. Fight."

The following weeks were spent with both hard labor and sparring matches, which were humbling, to say the least. I was a young fool who thought that I knew everything when I couldn't even fetch a pail of water. I learned to adapt to the common life, which I found exhausting but more exciting than the monotony of the castle. Simon did not go easy on me, and in my first match, I was absolutely demolished in under 30 seconds. I got better, however, and I eventually beat Simon using the tactics he taught me. I was more comfortable wearing boots and rough pants. Time passed quickly, a welcome change to the tedium of the castle. I didn't waste any time and kept at training for hours each day until the day of the duel.

Now the time has come. I stood outside the arena, my small but muscular body fully prepared for what was coming to me. I learned swordplay, as well as hand to hand combat.

"Well, kid," Simon said, "I'm rooting for you."

I said truthfully, "I appreciated your help. I really needed it."

I walked off into the arena. My heart beating faster as my brain forced itself into survival mode. Doubt was pushed from my mind, as I knew that I could do this. I could beat Hugo.

I grabbed my sword, which felt heavier than usual. I paid no mind to it, however, and walked into the sandy ground of the arena. I could see Hugo from the side, his bulky figure almost the same as Simon's, which made this all the easier for me since I practiced with this kind of opponent. Hugo walked toward me as well, but something was off about him. He seemed worried, unusual for him. As he walked in, however, the crowd screamed and cheered with enthrallment for their favorite champion.

"I thought you wouldn't show," Hugo said from across the way.

"Well, I am prepared," I said tersely, the anger rising inside me at the thought of him usurping my rightful place.

The referee came down into the arena from his box.

"Are the combatants ready?" he said and waited until we nodded. Then he threw down the banner and said: "Let the duel begin!"

He ran back to the umpire box. My brain was in full survival mode. I scanned the arena for ways to attack the enemy. Hugo began to rush me, his sword tip pointed directly at my chest. Dodging, I slashed my sword, scraping his arm with the capped tip, since using actual swords were prohibited. I backed away, successfully gaining distance between us. He began to follow me for a few seconds, but I kicked sand into his face, blinding him. Enraged, Hugo thrashed his sword, batting me several times in the arms, the dull pain stinging my skin. I went for one hard jab at the chest, which landed, forcing him back as he lurched over.

"Oh, come on," I said tauntingly. "Where's the real Hugo, or are you just a wimp?"

Hugo screamed and dashed toward me, his bloodshot eyes bearing pure hatred. He was quick, too quick. I could not lift my sword since it was too heavy for me to stop his sword, allowing him to thrust his saber into my chest. He knocked the air from me and made me lose the grip of my sword, its metal hitting the ground with a thud. Hugo jabbed at me again, though I stopped the sword by grabbing it with my two hands. The tip of the rapier came close to my face, but I rolled away moments before it was forced out of my hands. I then landed a solid punch to Hugo's throat, which knocked him down. Remembering what Curtis did to me a month ago, I pinned my knee to his chest. But before I could do that, the referee came out of the box and announced an end to the duel by decree of the King.

"Walter," he said, "has lost the duel, since he dropped the sword."

I said, "Looks like you won, Hugo- fair and square."

Before I could protest, two guards carried me away. I couldn't believe it. Hugo must have done something to make it so that I would lose, but I did not say anything because I knew the referee wouldn't listen. I was locked in my room, made to wait until the crowning of the king.

The following day I dressed in my formal attire and walked down toward the ceremonial hall. On the way, I stopped by the main gate to look upon the town, the gentle spring breeze blowing on my face as I reminisced about the past four weeks, which were the best days of my life. Simon walked up to me, oblivious of the contrast of his torn trousers and patched shirt to my rich apparel.

"I'm proud of you, kid," he said. "I really am."

"But I didn't become King," I said sadly.

"But you found something your brother could never achieve, humility. You were able to control yourself when you lost. Your sportsmanship proved that you really won."

I was amazed by his words as I realized that I didn't just learn how to fight. He taught me what no tutor was able to achieve.

"Thank you, for all that you've done. You are the best teacher I have ever had."

"I only taught you to fight," he said. "You taught yourself how to be great."

He walked away, but as he did, he said, "I know that you know Hugo cheated to win."

I said, "Yeah, but should I do something about it?"

"That's for you to decide," Simon said, "not me."

I turned around and walked into the great hall, the smell of fancy food and drinks filled the air. I sat down next to my father, no longer ashamed of my loss the other day. He seemed disappointed, but that was quickly wiped away when applause filled the room as Hugo entered. I stared at him, and the look on his face said it all. He looked ashamed and guilt-ridden.

Hugo stood on the dais and said, "I do not deserve this position. My brother does."

The crowds gasped with astonishment.

Hugo turned to me, "I cheated, and I am sorry. I replaced your sword with a heavier piece, a much more unstable sword to make it harder to hold, which cost you the duel, and me, my honor."

Hugo then proceeded to say to the crowd, "Walter deserves this crown, for he has grown more in these past weeks than I have in my entire lifetime."

The King, however, did not look astonished. He stood up and said, "I noticed this myself. I approve of this. Walter has grown immensely throughout the course of these four weeks. I would be proud to have Walter rule the kingdom."

I knelt with the royal scepter before the King who stated loudly, "Sir Walter, I appoint you to the position of a king. May your rule prosper the Kingdom more than I, your father, ever could."

I received crown and scepter from him.The entire court bowed in unison before me, their newly crowned King. I held my royal scepter high and stated "You do not need to bow to me, for I am not an almighty King. I am the King of the people!"

The crowd erupted in applause as they realized that I was not going to be a self-indulgent king like they had presumed I was going to be. This was the happiest moment of my life. I was now king.

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 The Unforgettable Visit (by Paul A.)

Scholastic Honorable Mentions

                                        Atlantis 

                                                                 (by Josh S.)

In the darkness, all I could see of the creature was its glowing tentacles and long purple teeth. I, Jeff Zeegle, refuse to die like this. Not on such an expedition. My fingers flew over the dashboard, trying to get my craft to avoid the inevitable. My heart was pumping so hard, it was like a jailed up criminal, furiously pounding on the bars. I finally managed to turn the submarine around; only then did I dare to turn on my searchlights. Though they didn't help much, at least I could see in front of me. Then, a crackle came over the communication system. I'd never used this mandatory device. I hoped it would be someone that could help, as long no one publicized my problems. I wanted to be able to think that at the end of my life I still never needed and never received anybody's help... ever!

"Hello?" a voice said into my system to hail me.

After I responded, he repeated his greeting, as if one time wasn't enough. "Hi!" he said in a stridently shrill voice, "My name's John!"

The cheerfulness was already getting to me, but as the polite person I was, I replied "Jeff." Then I wondered, how did this person know where I was? Is he the 'monster?'

"I'm right behind you!" John said, as If answering my unspoken question. I slowly stopped and turned my sub. My headlights illuminated another submarine! I exhaled a slow, long breath of relief. The front of his windshield had purple teeth drawn on it.

"What are you doing?" the kid bubbled with curiosity.

"Looking for Atlantis." I said it like it was no big deal, but to no avail...

"Can I come toooo?" His voice extending on the 'too' for what felt like forever. It was like a little kid begging me for an autograph, even though he was probably in his twenties. I knew that if I refused, he would follow me around anyways.

"Fine," I sighed, "follow me."

I continued where I had left off. The whole reason I had even thought that John was a monster was my belief that Atlantis would be heavily guarded. If the best guesses were correct, I was extremely close. My mission was to prove it was real. I knew it obviously was, but I apparently had to get evidence to prove it to others.

The first day was excruciating. John kept shouting at every little thing saying how absolutely amazing or incredibly cool it was. I was so annoyed that I made sarcastic comments to myself! I kept thinking to myself; How did this kid ever get a submarine? I believed that submarine drivers must be in their thirties or forties. And yet, the intercom held constant bickering.

"Hey, Jeff! How are you doing?" I would answer gruffly, but then seconds later "How about' nooow? Look at that piece of coral? Wow! Did you see that fish?"

UGHHHH! Personally, I think that if you've seen one of those living rocks people called coral or fish, you've seen them all. I wanted to shut the communication system off permanently. If I didn't, I would go insane. But because I knew that John would never survive on his own, I held myself back from flicking the 'off' switch. Besides, the surroundings weren't as incredible as John cracked it up to be. The only cool things in my opinion were the hydrothermal vents I saw every now and then. I didn't get too close, knowing all too well that they can reach over 700 degrees fahrenheit or over 371.1 degrees celsius. I knew that millions of microbes must have been living down there, but I wouldn't let anything undermine my ultimate goal.

The next day was quiet, too quiet. I didn't even bother with the intercom. Maybe he left, I thought. Hopefully he did.

After what felt like year, but was probably a couple of days, I stumbled upon large dome-like structures. It was the oasis in all this barren desert floor of the ocean. It was Atlantis!

"Wow!" Over the radio, John's voice sounded like a fog horn. I jumped in my seat. To be honest, I "might" have completely forgotten about him. Since his last outburst, I had thought he had left. He was never that quiet. I entered the structure, and John followed me, at least I think he did... I really didn't care all that much.

It was my turn to say 'wow'. The Atlantis in front of me looked like a huge pyramid with a large opening on top. In the past, it most likely floated, peeking its head just above the surface to keep air in the city. Somehow, the Great Pyramid of Atlantis had tipped over and become submerged. As soon as I entered through the top, I grew all the more sure it was the not-so-lost city of Atlantis. There was nothing else it could be. It was as elegant and beautifully designed as the Sistine Chapel! Sadly, the paint had faded. Even more so, I realized that my sub, despite being small for its kind, was a few feet too big to fit in the hallways and corridors. I checked how far below the surface I was to see if I could swim.

At 673 feet, The pressure would be high, but not unbearable. I rose from the cockpit and went to the cargo area. There, I pulled on my mask and slung on the tanks of oxygen that would give me a few hours of breath. I made sure that the airlock was secure before I opened door below to leave the sub. Because of the pressure, the door was difficult to turn. I slipped through the now open area and propelled myself forward into the water-filled wonderland. It wasn't scary, per say, but I was still shaking. The excitement was almost too much. I clicked on my flashlight and let my eyes adjust to the light cutting through the darkness.

The city stretched for miles with smooth but cracked marble pillars supporting the domed-roof that loomed around the perimeter. I was lost in the exceptional architecture. It seemed to me that I was in the highest level, the smallest in this immense pyramid, most likely reserved for highest rank. That is, if they had any. I wasn't sure. I couldn't imagine how such a thing could be created and survived this long underwater. Just then, I thought that something was behind me, but when I looked, nothing was there.

I realized suddenly how dark it was, especially with just a small flashlight for illuminating my surroundings. Maybe it was John again. I hoped it was him. His sub was smaller than mine, so it was possible he followed me through. I clicked off the flashlight, hoping that whatever it was held light to be just as much of a necessity as I did. I forced myself used my ears. I heard another sound behind me and slowly turned. It wasn't John or his sub.

The huge monster loomed over me like a giant balloon. It's appearance swelled and swelled until I knew it would pop, then it swelled some more as it slowly swam towards me. I froze, my body frozen with complete and utter terror. Suddenly, coils unfurled themselves from the giant head, giving the appearance of its skin being peeled off, sliver by sliver. Now I was surrounded by huge tentacles as thick as my waist! It was only then that I decided to make a swim for it. One lone appendage reached out for me, and not in vain. One moment I was swimming, and the next I was careening back towards my demise. I was twisted around, forced to look into one of its red eyes. The black slits penetrated through my body and into my soul. His stare alone was enough to tear me apart. The coil tightened and squeezed a final prayer out of me, as well as my breath. I shot through the water again as the tentacle drew me towards its dreadful beak, snapping repeatedly. It held me there, seeing if I would fight, or admit defeat. I fought. I fought with every last ounce of strength in me. The tanks finally gave way, but I didn't care. I fought until every last ounce of energy was gone. The last thing I could see was its glowing tentacles and long purple beak.