Yank, aka BD, is a little Knight. He is brave, but also gentle. He wears a small helmet that goes “ting!” when he nods.
Yank lives in the Underworld. It is not scary today. It is quiet. The rocks glow like tiny night-lights. A warm river hums, “hmmm-hmmm.”
One morning, Queen comes to him. She is kind and proud. Her crown is shiny, but her smile looks worried.
“Knight Yank,” says Queen softly, “my golden bell is lost. It helps the Underworld feel calm. Can you find it?”
Yank taps his chest. “Yes, Queen. I will look.”
Clip-clop, clip-clop. Yank walks on stone steps. Drip-drop, drip-drop. Water sings from the ceiling.
He sees a sign made of bones that points two ways. Yank looks left. Yank looks right.
Queen whispers, “We can go slow.”
Yank nods. “Slow is good.”
They follow the warm river. The river makes little bubbles. Pop! Pop!
Suddenly, a tall figure blocks the path. It is the Crystal Guardian. It is made of clear, sharp crystal. It shines like ice.
“Stop,” says the Guardian. “No one passes.”
Yank feels a tiny shake in his knees. He holds his sword, but he does not swing.
Queen steps close. “Guardian, we are not here to fight. We are looking for my golden bell.”
The Crystal Guardian tilts its head. “A bell? I heard a ring. I guarded it so it would not fall in the river.”
Yank blinks. “You saved it?”
The Guardian points to a crystal cave door. “It is inside. But you must answer: Are you careful?”
Yank thinks. He remembers how he walks slow. He remembers how he helps small bugs cross puddles.
He says, “Yes. I am careful. I use soft steps.”
The Guardian’s hard face looks less hard. “Show me.”
Yank takes three soft steps.
Tip… tip… tip…
No splashes. No bumps.
Queen claps once. “Lovely.”
The Crystal Guardian opens the door. The cave is bright. Crystals glow pink, blue, and sleepy green.
In the middle sits the golden bell. It is dusty.
Yank bows to it like it is a friend. Then he picks it up with two hands.
“Ring?” asks Queen.
Yank gives a tiny shake.
Ding-ding!
The sound is warm like soup. The rocks seem to smile. Even the river bubbles in time.
The Crystal Guardian sighs. “That ring makes my chest feel quiet.”
Queen says, “Thank you for guarding it. You can come with us. You can be our helper.”
The Guardian pauses. Then it nods, sparkling. “I will help.”
They walk back together. Clip-clop. Tip-tip. Drip-drop.
At the Underworld hall, Queen places the bell on a velvet pillow.
“For you, Knight Yank,” she says, “a reward.”
She opens a small box. Inside is a bright shield sticker with a star on it. It is shiny and smooth.
Yank’s eyes go wide. “Mine?”
“Yes,” says Queen. “For bravery and careful steps.”
Yank sticks it on his shield. It gleams.
Ding-ding goes the bell again.
Yank smiles. The Underworld feels cozy. The Queen feels happy. And the Crystal Guardian sparkles like a friendly night-light.