The King of the Golden River; or, the Black Brothers: A Legend of Stiria.

"The King of the Golden River; or, the Black Brothers: A Legend of Stiria" by John Ruskin is a fantasy story written in 1841. In the once-fertile Treasure Valley, two cruel brothers bring ruin through their wickedness. When they melt their kind younger brother's golden mug, they unleash the King of the Golden River, who offers a dangerous challenge: climb the mountain and cast holy water into the river to turn it to gold. Each brother must face this test, where their true natures will determine their fate along the treacherous path.

The King of the Golden River; or, the Black Brothers: A Legend of Stiria., by John Ruskin. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #33673.