Temptations of Pleasure Island (2 page)

“This is a beautiful place!” Dave marveled. “Beautiful trees, beautiful sky, the homes are nice, the people are so attractive.”

“A little different from what we usually find,” Reb said. He suddenly said, “And look at these horses coming!”

Two riders swept by, sitting on the backs of unusually beautiful horses.

“I bet they’ll win a race or two in their time,” Reb said with admiration. “I’d sure like to straddle a horse again.”

“Well, maybe you can play cowboy here,” Jake said. “I’d like to see what kind of science they’ve got going on Pleasure Island.”

“And I’d like to know if they have parties and things like that,” Abbey said.

They made their way steadily onward, led by the helpful man with the horse and wagon.

Josh was walking with Sarah. “Have you noticed all the posters that we’ve been passing, Sarah?” he asked after a while.

“I have. They seem to have a lot of sports events on Pleasure Island, don’t they?”

Indeed the walls of most buildings they passed were covered with announcements of all sorts of athletic contests. There were horse races, ball games, and even some sporting events that Josh had never heard of.

“They certainly do believe in games in this place,” he said.

“And parties and musical events too. I’ve seen half a dozen notices for balls and concerts and plays and things like that.”

Dave came up to walk with them just then. He was grinning. “So this is Pleasure Island. It beats having to fight a T-rex before breakfast.”

Josh remembered. The Sleepers had been in lands where they had to battle dinosaurs and, even worse, sorcerers and magicians skilled in the dark arts. Pleasure Island was definitely better.

Then they arrived at the palace. They stood before a magnificent building that rose at least five stories toward the sky. It was spread out over large grounds and was surrounded by a low alabaster wall. Inside the wall were gardens and fountains, and young people everywhere were engaged in various games. Some were playing tennis. Others were hitting a golf ball around. Play, Josh decided, was the order of the day on Pleasure Island.

When they reached the front gates, Josh went up
to a guard, who was dressed in white and scarlet. “I have a letter for His Majesty King Leo.”

“If you will come into the reception hall, I will see if the king is available.”

The Sleepers followed the attendant and soon were wandering about an elegant room. It was filled with beautifully constructed furniture, colorful pictures hung on the walls, and lights gleamed everywhere. They were served refreshments without being asked if they wanted any. The snacks consisted of a delicious cool drink that no one could identify and small cakes that melted in the mouth.

“I could get used to this in a hurry,” Reb said. He took another swallow of the drink and said, “This is even better than Pepsi!”

The attendant came back, smiling. “The royal family will receive you. If you will come this way, please.”

The Sleepers left the large reception room and followed the man down a wide hallway. It made several turns before they came to a door attended by two more guards, also in red and white. They swung open the doors, and the Seven Sleepers marched in.

They all gasped. This room made the other seem small by contrast. It stretched out in every direction. And there before them, seated across the room, were four people.

“I have your letter from Goél.” The speaker was obviously the ruler. “I am King Leo,” he identified himself. “And this is my queen, Tamsin.” He gestured then to a beautiful young girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. “This is my daughter, Princess Cosima. And my son, Prince Derek.”

Cosima looked about fourteen and Prince Derek possibly twenty. All of the family was attractive.

As leader, Josh spoke first, saying awkwardly, “You’ll have to forgive us, Your Majesty. We don’t know how to behave in the presence of royalty. Do we just bow or do you wish us to kneel?”

“Neither is at all necessary. You come as friends of Goél. That is sufficient. For state occasions we might show a little more formality. But come, sit, and we will have refreshments. We appreciate your visit, and we want to hear about your adventures.”

Soon the Sleepers were all seated, and indeed the royal family did seem interested in hearing everything about them.

Prince Derek seemed to study them thoughtfully, but he said little for a time. When he did speak up, he said with a smile, “We’ve heard much about the Seven Sleepers, and I must admit I expected someone older.”

Josh grinned. “People always say that. Well, we will be older someday.”

The prince grinned. “I hope you will have a long stay with us. By the way, I’m entered in a race today. I would like it if you would be my guest in the royal box.”

“A horse race or a footrace?” Reb asked quickly.

“A horse race, as a matter of fact. Are you interested in horses?”

“He’s the best horseman you’ve ever seen, Prince Derek,” Sarah said.

“Indeed! Well, that touches my pride! We shall have to look into that. Perhaps he and I could have a private race.”

“We’d be glad to join you in your box, Prince Derek,” Josh said quickly.

“And tonight there is a ball.” Princess Cosima was beaming. “You all must come. It is going to be absolutely
fabulous. There will be many young people and music and entertainment.”

“Oh, but we can’t come!” Abbey said with disappointment written all over her face.

“Why is that?” the princess asked, surprised. “Have you other plans?”

“We didn’t bring any party clothes! I don’t have a single long dress—nor does Sarah.”

“Oh, is that all? That is easily taken care of!” Princess Cosima looked relieved. “We can have the royal tailors fit them, can’t we, Mother?”

“Certainly! It will be no trouble at all. And they are swift workers.”

“Then it is all arranged,” the princess said. “Now, girls, come with me. We shall talk about what kind of dresses the tailors can make up for you in a hurry.”

An attendant showed the boys to their quarters, and each of them was given a private room. As usual, however, they managed to get together in the sitting area to talk about their situation.

“This is about the best thing I’ve run into since I won the bronc-riding contest in Texas,” Reb said. He looked around at the luxurious room and sighed. “What a relief! No problems. No dangers. Just have fun.”

Josh found himself tremendously relieved. He was tired of responsibility and tired of tension. He expelled a breath and flopped into an overstuffed chair. “You’re right about that, Reb. Looks to me like we’re going to have a great time here on Pleasure Island. No dragons, no dangers, nothing but fun and games!”

T
he arena was the most magnificent structure that the Sleepers had yet seen in Nuworld. It was of light gray marble and was built in a circle.

“This looks like the pictures I saw of the old Coliseum back in Oldworld,” Josh said.

The Sleepers were settled in the box reserved for the king and his family. As Josh looked around, he saw that the huge stadium was packed with people in brilliant clothing. Below, a racetrack ran around the outer edge of the arena floor, and green grass grew in the middle.

“Looks like a big football stadium,” Jake said. “Well, they sure take their sports seriously here.”

Sarah and Abbey were much more interested in the large royal box than they were in the actual floor of the arena. For a time they wandered about, escorted by Princess Cosima. The king and queen apparently were not coming, but the princess seemed delighted to show them around.

“We have any kind of refreshment here that you like,” the princess said. She nodded to a white-coated attendant, who smiled back at her. “Just ask for it, and you can have it.”

“Do you have any hotdogs?” Sarah asked with a little smile. She knew full well that they would never have heard of this delicacy.

The attendant frowned in puzzlement. “Hotdogs? I’m afraid I don’t know that one, miss.”

“It’s what they used to call a kind of sandwich a long time ago,” Sarah said with a glance at Abbey. “Do you have any lemonade, then?”

The attendant listened as Sarah described lemonade. Then he brightened. “We have something very much like that.” He quickly concocted a drink, filled a glass, and handed the icy beverage to her. “I hope this suits you, ma’am.”

Sarah tasted it. “Delicious!” she said. “As good as I’ve ever had.”

As Sarah sipped her drink, Abbey was talking excitedly with the princess. “I’m so thrilled that you asked us to the ball! What sort of occasion is it?”

The princess looked puzzled. “Occasion? It’s … a ball.”

“Well, I mean,” Abbey said, “is it to celebrate something? Is it a special event?”

Cosima laughed at that. “Every ball is a special event.”

“Do you have them often?” Abbey asked.

“Oh, not too often. Sometimes three or four days will pass without a ball.”

“Three or four days!” Abbey was astonished. “I’ve never heard of so many balls.”

“Is that many?” Princess Cosima seemed truly puzzled. “How often do you have balls where you come from?”

Abbey muttered, “Well, we haven’t had any at all lately. But back where I used to live—in Oldworld—we might have what you would call a ball once or twice a year.”

“Once or twice a year!” Cosima appeared stunned. “That’s terrible! How did you live between balls?”

“Oh, we managed,” Abbey said. “But I like it better
the way you do it here on Pleasure Island. I’m so anxious to see the dress that your tailors are making for me.”

“We’ll leave the arena early—as soon as Derek wins his race. I’m sure you’d rather look at dresses and shoes than to watch horses running around in a circle. Although Derek is awfully good at it. We’re all very proud of him.”

Down in the lower level of the arena, Reb Jackson stood beside the prince, who was stroking the nose of a beautiful mottled-gray horse.

“This is Thunder,” Prince Derek said. The horse suddenly nipped at his hair, and he dodged. “Now, now, I’m not an apple for you to bite on!” he said. He laughed and ran a hand over the silky mane. “He’s never lost a race—which means I have never lost a race since I’ve had him.”

“He’s some horse,” Reb said with admiration. “Don’t know as I ever saw a finer one.”

“I’ll tell you what we can do, Reb. Tomorrow we’ll go to the stables. There’s a horse there that I think you would like very much. The only trouble is that he’s difficult to handle. Not many can stay on his back, but …”

“Well, that’s my kind of horse!” Reb said. He felt excitement well up inside him at the very thought. “I wouldn’t want a horse that wouldn’t put up a fight every time somebody tried to get on his back.”

“You certainly won’t have that trouble with Lightning,” the prince said, grinning. “He tries to pulverize every rider. As a matter of fact, there are only two men that can ride him. Myself and one other.”

“Better make that three,” Reb said with a nod.

Derek clapped him on the shoulder. “Well, come on. Let’s go upstairs and join the rest of the family. I’ll introduce you to Lightning tomorrow.”

The two of them started climbing up to the level where the royal box was located.

“Hello. I won—as you saw,” Derek said.

Everyone crowded around the prince, telling him what a magnificent ride he had made. He shrugged them off with a grin, saying, “It all depends on the horse. I have the best. And now it’s about time for the cat-climbing contest. I want to see that.”

“About time for
what?”
Josh exclaimed, not believing his ears.

“The cat-climbing contest.” Princess Cosima smiled brightly. “Don’t you have that in your world?”

“Not that I know of.” Reb scratched his head. “What is it?”

“Come over here,” Prince Derek said. “I’ll show you.” He led them to the edge of the royal box, where they could look down on the arena. “See? They have the climbing poles already planted.”

Josh and the other Sleepers looked downward. Six poles rose some twenty feet in the air. They looked like large telephone poles to Josh. On top of each was a small platform with something placed on it.

“What’s that on top of the poles?” Dave asked. “I can’t make it out what it is.”

“Oh, that’s the food. Goodies for the cats,” Princess Cosima said.

“That’s the only way they get fed. They’re trained that way,” Derek explained. “And they’re kept quite hungry just before a contest like this.”

“You mean they have a race to see which cat can get to the top first?” Josh was amazed.

“Exactly! I can’t believe they don’t have this kind of competition where you come from?”

“Never heard of such a thing,” Josh murmured. “Is it a timed contest?”

“Oh yes. The first cat to reach the top and the food is the winner. The poles have been oiled to make the climbing more difficult.”

“The cat climb is a very important event today,” Princess Cosima said. “The betting is high.”

“Did you put down a bet, Cosima?” her brother asked.

“Yes, but only a thousand finnigs.”

“Uh
… finnig?
Is that what you call your dollars?” Josh asked.