has been running very well for nine years without a king, but when Spiro the Unpopular threatens to take over, the royal council must make some difficult decisions: either elect a new king, find the long-lost crown prince, or be subjugated by the pretender, Spiro. One councilor thinks he finds the answer in a scheme to make an apprentice baker the king of Monevassia, at least long enough for the army to ward off Spiro. But no one's plans seem to be working out. External links Megan Whalen Turner's website 1995 short story collections 1995 children's books Children's short story collections American children's books American short story collections Fantasy short story collections