Hamish X and the Hollow Mountain by Sean Cullen Page A

Hollow Mountain, and we find Hamish X.”
    â€œThen it’s the same old problem. How do we find the King of Switzerland?”
    Mr. Sweet had no answer to that question. He focused his attention on the latest satellite photos instead.

Chapter 9
    The two children had so many questions that it was hard to choose just one. Parveen asked, “How did all this start?”
    â€œAnd while yer at it … why?”
    â€œHow and why: the simple questions are always the most profound. 30 All right, where to start? The beginning is a fine place,” the King laughed. “In the beginning, Switzerland was nothing more than a handful of little provinces always at war with one another and their neigh-bours. The constant fighting was draining on the economy and costly in human suffering. In particular, many children were left without anyone to care for them, mothers and fathers having been lost in the wars.
    â€œAt last, the parties involved were too weary to continue. One prince, Heinrich of Bern, was determined to make a lasting peace. He was a clever young boy of twelve, wise beyond his years. He stood to become the first King of Switzerland if all the warring factions could put aside their differences and agree to unite. His heart ached for the children who had been orphaned in the fighting and left to fend for themselves. He wanted to find a way tostop the fighting and take care of the lost children because he, like them, had lost his parents in the conflict.
    â€œOne of the major stumbling blocks was that the different parties couldn’t agree to any one person having absolute power. So Heinrich called all the leaders to a secret conference and negotiated a compromise. He would become King but only in name. Outwardly, Switzerland would be a republic run by a democratically elected parliament. He would serve as a mediator only if disputes arose. He would live in a secret location. He would retire from public life and public knowledge but, most importantly, he would dedicate his life to the care and protection of orphans.
    â€œIt was agreed. Heinrich became the first King of Switzerland. He searched high and low to find a place where he could make his dream a reality: a safe haven for foundlings and orphans. For over a year he searched through the mountains, but he couldn’t find anything that was suitable. Finally, after he had all but given up, he went on a mountain-climbing expedition. An avalanche swept down the mountain face. Everyone in his climbing party was killed and he narrowly escaped. To avoid being crushed, he ducked into a fissure 31 in the cliff face only to find the cavern we occupy today.”
    The King spread his hands to encompass the scene before them. “Of course, it was a good deal smaller and less comfortable then, but it was well hidden and had fresh water. It was a place to start. And so King Heinrich took possession of the Hollow Mountain and moved in the firstorphans. Using his own money, he outfitted the cavern with all they needed to grow and prosper.
    â€œAnd so it began. When Heinrich the Great grew old enough, he chose a successor from among the children under his protection and then went out into the world a free man. Thus began the tradition of Succession. The King picks his successor when he turns sixteen. Then he goes out to live as a normal citizen, free of the burden of kingship, usually with a set of skills that will help him along the way.”
    King Liam smiled. “I am due to move on soon. I have yet to pick my successor, but there are many who are truly worthy. Aidan or Cara, for example.”
    Aidan held up a hand. “Sire, I told you before, all that responsibility doesn’t interest me.”
    Cara shook her head. “Me neither. All that worry would give me wrinkles.” She tossed her head coquettishly.
    â€œOh brother,” Mimi muttered, earning a sneer from Cara.
    â€œOver four hundred years have passed since Heinrich stumbled