Ashley Parker Owens 
The Doll’s Eyes of Gnome 

In the evil queen’s shadow, a wounded son rises-

As the sheltered son of Queen Elyse, young Volney grapples with the fact he’ll never take the throne as king. He lacks the royal blood to rule and has no hope of claiming power. Soon, though, he shall see how dark the world beyond wealth’s walls can be-a revelation bound to quash his petty aspirations.

Life in the kingdom’s work fields is not as wonderful as Volney was told. Instead, his fellow gnomes labor endlessly as slaves. The ogres that wield control are now accustomed to impunity, accumulating riches while the rest suffer.

When disease befalls the land, however, Volney may ascend despite his addictions and propensity to make wrong choices. One needn’t wear the crown to lead, nor dominate the Council to claim a voice. It just may be that he was born to play a more significant part than a monarch. Yet, the role of head scientist invites moral ambiguity and great danger-

Whatever comes to pass, it’s clear that matriarchal Kladenplatz may never again be the same.