Page Title

Prologue

Zioc, the alien, retells some of his previous adventures on planet Earth.

"HI! I am Zioc and I usually live on a planet called Frgrondal. I suppose I am what you humans would call a space alien. Not so long ago I had a huge adventure when I was sent from my planet to Earth to find a thing called a Calling Stone. I felt very confused as I

didn't know what the Calling Stone was or what it looked like. Anyway, I met up with some really nice children called Charlotte, Ian and Esme who looked after me and helped in my search for the Calling Stone. They even took me to school with them. That was a weird place!

After some time I accidentally found the Stone and was taken back to my own planet with it."

Leaving Zioc and his memories we go now to the main story to discover what happened next.

Chapter One King Regulat's Castle

The old stone castle stood in the sunshine. Its grey walls and turrets were surrounded by green and well kept grass and it looked a peaceful place. Unfortunately, spoiling the symmetry of the beautiful structure there was a dark ugly hole at the bottom of one of the walls. It looked as if a part of the wall was missing. Round the other side of the castle a cheerful striped awning was fluttering in the breeze. Underneath the awning there were tables and chairs set out waiting for customers to the juice bar. The juice bar was an added attraction for visitors to the castle. Nearby was a large archway which led into a small courtyard. This archway was guarded by two sentries dressed in smart uniform. These poor soldiers looked extremely bored, for nothing much ever seemed to happen around the castle. Little did they know that everything was about to change.

Inside the castle, in the royal apartments, King Regulat, Queen Anispir, and their two children Arita and Norwc were having an early lunch and were discussing what they could do about the hole in the wall.

"It makes the castle so draughty," grumbled the Queen, "especially when the weather turns colder. Some days I can hardly use my

embroidery needle because my hands are so cold." As she spoke, the Queen lovingly fingered a pair of golden scissors that hung from the velvet band round her waist.

The Prince and Princess smiled at each other across the table. They liked the hole in the wall because it meant they could both come and go as they wished, without having to answer to the sentries who were at the only gate.

"I like to go out through the hole," said Arita softly. "It means I can play outside on the grass." The Queen looked lovingly at her daughter. She was so pretty with her brown hair tied back in two tight plaits and her long fairy-tale like dress.

"You always take your bodyguard with you, don't you Arita?" asked her mother anxiously.

"Of course," answered Arita, "or Norwc when he can come." Arita beamed at her big brother. He was her hero, and she knew that he would always look after her. Norwc was tall with blonde hair and a serious face. He knew that his ageing father was beginning to lose his memory a little and he, Norwc, felt very protective towards both his sister and his mother.

King Regulat tried to thump the table with his fist. Unfortunately, his long grey beard got in the way so the sound was a bit

muffled. "The hole in the wall will be repaired soon," he said in a quavery voice. "In the meantime, I am sure that it's safe for you to play anywhere, Arita. This castle has seen no enemies for at least four hundred years."

"So why was Zioc sent to find the Calling Stone?" asked Norwc respectfully. There was no answer from the King who had

completely forgotten about Zioc and his mission to find the Calling Stone.

"What's the Calling Stone?" queried Arita, "and who is Zioc?"

"Zioc is a brave and clever person, though he's not an Earthm he's a Frogron." replied Norwc. "You know, like your friend

Zemus."

"Actually, Zemus is Zioc's younger brother," said the Queen smiling at her daughter.

Arita's mouth dropped open in surprise. "I didn't know that Zemus had a brother," she said.

"Well, he has," continued Norwc. "And he, Zioc, was sent on a mission to find the Calling Stone and restore it to the wall."

"Norwc, how do you know all this?" asked the Queen. She was looking at her son in surprise.

"My father told me about it just before Zioc left," replied Norwc. Privately he thought that it was just as well he knew about Zioc and his mission, for his father had obviously forgotten.

"Has Zioc returned to Frogrondal yet, sir?" Norwc looked at his father, who shook his head.

"Not yet, though he should be here soon."

"But why was Zioc sent to get the Calling Stone if we are in no danger?" asked Norwc again.

"Well, as your mother says, it does get a bit draughty at times." King Regulat had completely forgotten the warnings he had

received about some creatures called Red Boults. He had also forgotten that a strange being called Corbus had contacted him.

Corbus lived on a nearby planet which was getting heavily polluted and Corbus had asked Regulat for help. It was unfortunate that Regulat's mind was indeed slipping, and he was becoming very forgetful. Norwc and the Queen looked in surprise at the King

after his last

comment, but said nothing. Regulat was the King, after all, even though a temporary one.

After lunch was over, Arita went out into the Queen's special rose garden to play. The garden was at the side of the castle

surrounded by a high wall and was the Queen's pride and joy. She had spent a lot of time tending the beautiful grass and the rose beds. Arita was allowed to play there providing she took care not to damage the plants.. With Arita were two servants from the castle, Luberon and Tom, whom she liked very much. They were more like friends than servants, especially Tom who had amazing ideas and always made her laugh.

Shouting with high spirits Arita asked, "Where's Zemus?" Zemus, brother of Zioc, nearly always joined them in the garden. Even as the words left her mouth, a small purple ball floated over the garden wall and came to rest at her feet. Legs sprouted out from under his shell and his four eyes looked at her. "Come on Zemus," said Arita. "Now you're here we can have a really good game." The four of them started to toss a silver ball from one to another. When Tom got the ball, he grinned and began to juggle with it and the three others that had appeared magically from his pocket.

"Brilliant, Tom," shouted Arita. "I wish I could do that!"

One of the sentries from the front gate came round the corner. He advanced to the Princess and said, "Sorry to spoil the game, but the King wishes to speak with Zemus. He also wants Tom and Luberon to accompany Zemus. I will tell your bodyguard to come out and be with you." Arita looked very disappointed, but nodded her head in agreement. Luberon, Tom and Zemus left the garden looking serious but calm.

"We'll be back soon," shouted Tom. "No cheating while we've gone."

Left alone in the garden, Arita continued to toss the silver ball up into the air. It was most unusual for her to completely on her own and she had begun to wonder what had happened to her bodyguard. Little did she know that he had met with an unexpected

accident…

Chapter Two The Red Boults Invade The Castle

Zioc opened his eyes slowly. He was very worried about what he was going to see. All through the journey back to Frogrondal he had slept sweetly in the palm of the giant hand that had plucked him from Earth, but now he was awake and feeling very disturbed. He sat up and looked around cautiously. In the distance, but not too far away, lay King Regulat's castle. It shone dimly in the hazy sunlight. Zioc rubbed his eyes. He was pleased to see the familiar castle and he was pleased to be back home. But, as he looked more closely at the distant building he saw with dismay that the black hole at the bottom of the castle was still there! Where was the precious Calling Stone that he had brought with him from Earth, and why was it not now in place and blocking the hole?

Worse than that, an army of Red Boults seemed to have taken over. Zioc sat up and watched carefully The dark hole was well guarded by two sentry Boults and they appeared to be allowing a whole succession of Red Boults through it. Zioc realised that if the Red Boults were to overtake the castle, the planet could be lost. It was most urgent that the Calling Stone should be put into place

immediately and block the hole in the castle. The Red Boults had to be stopped.

Zioc was also bothered about King Regulat and his family who lived in the castle and he was very worried about the whereabouts of his younger brother Zemus. Zemus was needed to ensure the ongoing safety of Frogrondal and all who lived there.

Zioc hovered in the air near the castle and thought hard. He knew he needed to find someone who could tell him what was going on. Little did he know that his planet was also in grave danger from Corbus and the Suaves who were relocating from their own badly polluted planet.

Zioc continued to float in the air thinking about past events and also worrying about his brother Zemus. Zemus, who was flanked on either side by Luberon and Tom stood in front of King Regulat.

"Now, Zemus," said the king kindly. "Don't think that you are in any kind of trouble, but I feel a bit worried for your safety.

" Zemus listened and wondered what was coming next. "You are important for the future of this planet. I have a feeling that there is some

danger ahead. Before Zioc went away, I promised him that you would be safe. How would you like to have a little holiday? Um?" Zemus shuffled his feet and stared at the ground. He really didn't know what to say. He wasn't even sure what a holiday was.

"Lucky old you, Zemus, " said Tom. "Can we go with you?"

"I'm afraid not," replied the king. "You and Luberon are needed here in the castle." Both Luberon and Tom looked disappointed but they respectfully said nothing.

"Where am I going to go?" asked Zemus timidly.

"To a safe house. To a safe tree house. It will be fun, Zemus. You'll be staying high in a tree, up with the birds." King Regulat smiled at the little Frogron. "I'll see that transport is arranged for you within the hour. You'll love being up in the trees."