The magical tale of the unhappy things that happen to a hero after "happily ever after".
Suddenly Shielder's Mark is living a fairy tale come true. A commoner's son, he has broken the spell of Red Keep. Now he can collect the hero's reward promised by the king--whatever Mark names. Smitten, he names the king's daughter.
That's where his fairy tale ends.
The hero's sword he claimed at Red Keep is taken from him. He finds himself scorned and hated by the king's court. And though he is allowed to marry the beautiful princess, she may not be such a prize after all.
A hero's life and 'happily ever after' are a lot harder than they look.
A Canadian Library Association Best Young Adult Novel.
