(Reelp - AP) Yesterday late afternoon, Princess Sirella's favorite pet perch, Finnie, returned to the palace just hours after the King sent a group of trained guards to monitor the region near where his daughter was captured three days ago. The return of Finnie is generally regarded as a positive sign that the Princess is in good health, as royal fish- ologists have determined that Finnie is not dis- tressed emotionally other than being quite excited to be home. Experts suggest that an unhappy pet could have meant bad news, but a smiling perch is excellent news. The lone survivor of the recent attack verified that the perch was indeed with the Princess at the time of her capture.

Palace staff, normally quiet about Sirella's favorite pet, were lit-erally gushing over her return. "I never really noticed how cute the lil' thing is", quipped a veteran valet. "Thing is, now that she's back, she's always wantin' outside again." The little fish does seem to long for her mistress' company, as she stares wistfully out the palace window in the direction Grish. The ruin of the land city to the south is where the Giant Lobster has held the Princess for four days.

Excitement livens the group up that evening in the tavern. Wishoner again went to register your group at the palace, for you recognize that Sirella's perch could possibly be a key to her rescue. Many royal pets are trained to bring messages to and from family members, and perch are especially good at retracing paths. It's possible that the little critter knows the way to the Princess, and Gaylon's group doesn't have that advantage!