She flew high above the forest and turned south. Soon she was passing over the great Gap Chasm, where Princess Ivy's friend Stanley Steamer had gone for patrol duty. She knew the kidnapper wouldn't have taken Che in there, because Stanley knew Che and would have steamed anyone who tried to harm him. But where had Che been taken? That was the awful mystery.

She continued south, heading for Castle Roogna. That was where King Dor was, and if anyone could help, he could. He was able to talk to inanimate things, so nothing was secret from him.

She spied the castle, with its pretty stonework and turrets, and glided down for a landing in the orchard. There was a young woman there gathering fruit, and Chex knew who that would be.

"Chex!" the girl called, waving violently. She had freckles and light brown hair in two braids and seemed younger than she was, because she acted younger. She looked fifteen.

"Electra!" Chex responded as her feet touched the turf. Then she braced herself.

Sure enough, Electra came charging in for a hug. She collided with Chex, her impact shoving the light centaur back. It was awkward, but exuberance was Electra's second nature, maybe even her first nature. She was Prince Dolph's Betrothee, and a wonderful girl.

"But where's Che?" Electra asked, her freckled face concerned.

For an instant Chex had almost forgotten her misery. Now it returned with force. "He's gone!" she said. "Something kidnapped him! I must get help to find him, before—" Here she found herself unable to continue.

"That's terrible!" Electra exclaimed. "You must tell the King!"

As if that wasn't the reason Chex had come here! "Yes, I must," Chex said.

They walked on up to the castle. "Oh, I forgot!" Electra exclaimed, her braids flinging about her head as she turned to face Chex. "King Dor's away!"

"Away?" Chex asked, alarmed. "Where?"

"Ceremonial call on King Nabob of the Naga."

"Oh? What's the ceremony?"

"Well, they are allies, and maybe soon there'll be reason for getting together. Nada, you know."

Suddenly Chex appreciated the girl's diffidence. Nada Naga was Prince Dolph's other Betrothee, and in her human form a truly lovely young lady. It had been a political liaison, but everyone knew that Dolph preferred the Princess Nada to Electra. The time was approaching when Dolph would have to make his choice between the two, and it did not look good for Electra. She was a wonderful girl, but Nada was a beautiful princess.

Unfortunately, Electra was under an enchantment. Not only did she love Dolph, who had rescued her from a very long sleep, she would die if she didn't marry him. No one wanted that! There was a further irony: Nada did not love Dolph. She was five years older than he and regarded him as a juvenile. But she had given her word, and intended to carry through, in the manner required of a princess. It was obvious to everyone that Dolph could make both girls happy by marrying Electra—but that would not make Dolph happy, and he was not adult enough to do what he didn't like. It was a difficult situation.