Chapter 4: The Mysterious Dream
It was past
midnight when the feast ended. Miranda, Chris, and Kristin were shown to their
rooms they would be staying in while they were there. They each had similar
rooms that were elaborately decorated and had their own bathroom. Kristin
gasped as she realized something.
"We don't
have anything to wear for tomorrow!" she wailed.
"Oh, don't
worry about that," Garnet told her. "Eiko has gone to get some new clothes for
you. She'll be bringing them shortly. Meanwhile you can take a nice bath."
"Sounds
good to me!" Chris said and went into his room.
Miranda
bowed politely to Garnet. "Thanks for your hospitality, Queen Garnet."
Garnet
smiled. "You don't have to call me Queen. Garnet or Dagger is fine with me. And
you don't have to bow, either."
"Alrighty!"
Miranda said smiling.
Kristin
rolled her eyes. "Do you have to say 'alrighty?' Why don't you just say
alright, or yes, or something normal?"
Miranda
stuck her tongue out at her. "I can be unusual if I want to. Free country."
Kristin
sighed shaking her head. "Well, I'm going to take a nice hot back. The journey
was more tiring than I thought." She said good night and closed the door.
Miranda
turned back to Garnet. "Thanks again, Garnet."
"The
pleasure is all mine, Miranda."
"G'night!"
Miranda said and closed her door.
"Night,"
Garnet called back and walked away shaking her head smiling. "Such interesting
guests we have. I wonder why they came…"
In her
room, Miranda had taken a quick bath and had already changed into a set of
clothes that Eiko had left. It was a simple lavender night gown which she wore
under a white robe. She was brushing her hair when she heard a knock on her
door.
"Who is
it?" she called.
"It's me,"
Kristin answered.
"Me who?"
"You know
very well it's me, Kristin!" she said in mock annoyance.
"Tut tut.
Improper grammar. It's supposed to be 'It is I, Kristin'" Miranda said smiling
as she opened the door.
"Please! I
don't want you to mention anything about school here," Kristin said as she sat
on the bed.
Miranda
laughed. "Alrighty. So how do you like your room?"
Kristin
sighed happily. "It's everything I've dreamed of! Have you lain in the beds
yet? They are sooooo comfy that you would never want to get up again."
"I'm sure
they are." Miranda stifled a yawn. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm going
to bed, so shoo!" she said waving her arms at Kristin.
"Alright,
night!" Kristin said closing the door after her.
Rats,
Miranda thought, I can't listen to any of my FF CDs. Oh well. She removed
the covers and slipped into the covers. Kristin was right, she thought
sleepily. These beds are comfy. She turned off the light and snuggled
deeper into the covers. She was soon sleeping peacefully anticipating the next
morning.
In her
dreams, she kept seeing a bright light. It always appeared far away and when
Miranda neared it, a sword flickered, then disappeared. Suddenly she found
herself back in Alexandria Castle, walking down a dim lit corridor. As she
continued to walk farther down, she heard the sound of rushing water and voices
chanting in the air:
"If thy heart is gold and pure,
Then seek
thy blade if thou desire.
Beyond a
wall made of water,
Is a sword
forged by a spirit of fire.
Not in the
castle,
Nor in the
woods,
But by the
forest of evil
Is where
the blade once and still stood.
If thou art
brave to face such perils,
Then seek
thy blade marked by fate.
One of
three warriors from the sky,
Wield thy
blade to destroy Democlese's hate!"
Miranda
woke with a start after the last chant. She rubbed her forehead and walked out
onto the balcony. The sun was beginning to rise over the mountains. She leaned
on the rail and pondered about the dream. She still remembered distinctively
what the voices said. I wonder what it all meant, she pondered. And
who was Democlese? she thought shaking. Before she had woken, she saw a man
with an evil grin on his face. He had long black hair and dark eyes. What
scared her the most was that she looked a lot like him!
She walked
back into the room and washed up and changed. It was a simple white blouse and
jeans. Eiko knew what she was doing when she picked out my clothes, she thought
smiling. When she looked into the mirror, the image of Democlese came back into
her mind, so she looked away shaking her head. There is no way, she
thought. It was probably just a regular dream. But she highly doubted
it. After she had made her bed she sat on a chair and thought about her dream,
going over the riddle again. She turned her head as a knock came from her door.
"Who is
it?"
"It's me,
Chris," he replied.
Miranda
opened a door to see a very puzzled Chris. "What's up?"
"I think I
am very lost and I'm starving!"
Miranda
shook her head in disbelief. "How can you be hungry after all you have eaten
last night?"
Chris
shrugged. "Well, does it help that I dreamt I was running the marathon and then
had to play a soccer tournament?"
Miranda
laughed. "I suppose so. Is Kristin awake?"
"I don't
know."
"Well
there's only one way to find out," she said and walked across to Kristin's
room. She knocked on the door. "Kristin are you up?"
There was
no reply, so she turned the door handle. The room was empty, everything neat
and the bed made.
"Looks like
she already left," Chris said.
"Well, I
hope she isn't lost. I remember where we have to go, so no fear."
They walked
down the hallway in silence. Miranda kept thinking back to her dream. I wonder
what it means, she thought. And that weird message. It's like engraved into my
mind now.
"A penny
for you thoughts?" Chris asked.
Miranda
looked up startled. "What?"
Chris
chuckled. "You must have been thinking hard. Do you mind telling me what's
wrong?"
"Well, it's
about a dream I had last night," she said. "It was really weird. I kept seeing
this bright light and when I walked toward it, I saw, if just for a second, a
sword. Then it would disappear. Suddenly I found myself walking through this
dim lit corridor in Alexandria Castle. I heard the sound of rushing water and
then farther down, I heard voices."
"Voices?"
"Yea, it
was strange. I still remember exactly what they were saying."
"Hey guys!
Wait up!"
They turn
around to see Kristin running towards them. They stop and waited patiently for
her as she came up panting.
"Phew! You
can get lost easily here!" she exclaimed breathless.
Miranda
smiled. "You should have been paying more attention when they were showing us
around instead of looking at Kuja all the time."
"What? I
did pay attention!" she said hastily. "I just forgot!"
Chris
snickered. "Yea, to Kuja talking. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't even
hear a single word he said."
"Oh you
guys!" Kristin said groaning.
Miranda
laughed. "Well, we're almost there. I'll tell the rest of my dream after we've
eaten. Maybe Garnet can help me."
"What
dream?" Kristin asked curiously.
"Didn't you
hear?" Chris said. "She said she will tell after we've eaten."
Miranda
didn't pay attention to them as they argued on. She looked around the hall way,
admiring the portraits of all the rulers that have lived in Alexandria Castle.
I still can't believe Queen Brahne could give birth to a daughter that looked
identical to Garnet, she thought shaking her head.
Sounds from the kitchen were
reaching their ears as they turned the corner to the dining hall. They entered
the dining hall to be greeted by everyone already there, waiting patiently for
them. They took their seats while saying good morning to everyone.
"Sorry to keep you waiting,"
Miranda said apologetically.
"Don't worry," Freya said from
across the table. "Garnet, Zidane, Kuja, Mikoto, Vivi, Steiner, and Beatrix
haven't arrived yet."
"Hey Miranda!" Eiko said bounding
up to her chair.
Miranda smiled warmly at the little
girl and lifted her up onto her lap. "Morning, Eiko. Thank you for the clothes.
They fit my tastes perfectly."
Eiko smiled back. "I thought so.
You don't look like one who would wear a dress."
"She wouldn't be caught dead in a
dress if she could help it," Kristin said while sipping some juice.
"Well, maybe for special occasions
or something," Miranda said.
"The only time I've seen you in a
skirt or dress is on dress up days in school," Chris said. "Every other time,
you were wearing jeans before they put up that new, stupid dress code."
"And how I hate it!" Miranda said
annoyed. "I guess it's not so bad since I can wear khakis, but still! I love my
jeans!"
"Well good thing we have some
here," Eiko said giggling.
Kristin looked around. "Where's
Vivi?"
Eiko shrugged. "Last time I saw him
he was heading this way."
"I'm right here," he said as he
entered the dining hall.
Right after him came in, the others
appeared with Steiner shouting.
Chris groaned. "What is Sir
Rustalot groaning about this time?"
"Hm, Sir Rustalot…I like it,"
Zidane said thoughtfully as he helped Garnet into her chair and sat. "What do you
think, Rusty?"
Steiner was fuming. "Insolent
scoundrels!" he yelled while shaking his fists at Zidane and Chris who were
laughing so hard they nearly fell out of their seats.
"I'll take scoundrel, but I'm not
insolent!" Chris retorted in between fits of laughter.
Beatrix was trying to calm Steiner
down. "Now, now, Steiner. They're just joking!"
"Could never take a joke could he?"
Amarant said casually as he served himself some bacon and eggs.
"Why you…!" Steiner shouted on.
Beatrix looked apologetically at
everyone. "He hasn't been feeling himself lately."
"Probably be even worse!" Chris
said bursting out loud with fresh laughter.
"Hoho! I don't think he's ever felt
himself ever! Haha!" Zidane added falling out his chair laughing, clutching his
sides.
Miranda couldn't help herself from
giggling a little. "Come now you two," she said putting a mock stern face on.
"Be nice to Captain Steiner. I'm sure after a hearty breakfast, everyone will
be more at ease."
Garnet smiled at Miranda. "Well
said. The same thing I was going to say!"
"Oh I'm sorry! I didn't mean to
take over."
Garnet laughed. "Oh don't worry. I
don't mind at all! You can do it as often as you like."
By now Chris and Zidane had
recovered and were sitting calmly at the table. Beatrix had managed to pull
Steiner down to his chair, though he was muttering under his breath still
raging.
Garnet smiled at everyone. "Well
now that everyone is here, we can have a hearty breakfast as Miranda said. So,
dig in!"
Everyone did just that. After a
nice, long breakfast, Miranda told everyone her dream. She had a troubled look
when she told about Democlese and how alike they looked.
Garnet patted her arm comforting.
"I'm sure we can get to the bottom of this soon. I'll send for Doctor Tot to
help."
"You mean the guy with the big
nose?" Kristin blurted out.
Miranda glared at her. "How many
times do I have to tell you? It's rude to call him a big nose!"
At that precise moment, Doctor Tot
had materialized out of nowhere chuckling. "It's alright, Ms. Miranda. I've been
called worse before."
Kristin looked at him sheepishly.
"Sorry, Doctor Tot."
"Apologies accepted. I couldn't
help overhearing your conversation earlier, Miranda. And I think I already have
the answer to your questions."
"Really, Doctor Tot?" Garnet asked
earnestly.
Doctor Tot smiled. "Of course!
Anyone who wants to know as well, please follow me to the library," he said as
he walked out.
Everyone followed him, Miranda and
Chris in the front. They marveled at all the books located there.
"If this is big, then wait 'til we
see Daguerro!" Miranda gasped.
"I know," Chris said. "In the game
it looks small!"
Doctor Tot motioned them to come to
a book shelf filled with past documents and records of the Alexandrian families
and rulers. He picked out a book and blew the dust off. "This should have the
answers," he said as he opened it. "Now let me see…ah yes!" He pointed to a
page. "Garnet, read this if you will, please."
"Certainly," she replied as she
placed the book on the desk for all to see. "Now lets see…this is the records
of the 5th Alexandrian generation." She scanned down the page and
her eyes opened wide. "Oh my…it seems that there was a great war during this
time and all, save two of the family, survived. They were both brothers, one
older and one younger. The older brother, Democlese, was supposed to take the
throne, but the younger brother, Alexander V, ended up taking the throne. He
was more well liked and the people knew he would rule the justly. Democlese, on
the other hand, was known as a devious, scheming, conniving…well the recorder
didn't like him did he? Anyway, Democlese had since then plotted to try to
overthrow Alexander, but without success. He was finally banished from
Alexandria and no one had ever heard from him again. But he had vowed that one
day, he'll destroy his brother's family line." She looked up. "That's about it,
except for this note that he used to practice sorcery. I wonder if we have a
family portrait or something so we could see what he looked like."
"Most likely in the Royal Gallery,
Your Majesty," Beatrix suggested.
"Excellent, Beatrix," Doctor Tot
said. "And interesting that Democlese practiced sorcery. Most likely the evil
kind no doubt."
"But that was hundreds of years
ago," Miranda said. "How could he seek out revenge now?"
"Ah, but sorcerers were known to
have long life spans," Doctor Tot told her.
"So that maniac could still be
here?" Zidane asked.
"Yes, I'm afraid." He turned back
to Miranda. "Could you repeat what those ancient voices told you in your dream,
Miranda? I'd like to record it and maybe help figure out the riddle."
"Sure," Miranda replied. "Ready?"
"Whenever you are," Doctor Tot
said, quill pen poised.
She took a deep breath. "Alright,
here it is:
If
thy heart is gold and pure,
Then
seek thy blade if thou desire.
Beyond
a wall made of water,
Is
a sword forged by a spirit of fire.
Not
in the castle,
Nor
in the woods,
But
by the forest of evil
Is
where the blade once and still stood.
If
thou art brave to face such perils,
Then
seek thy blade marked by fate.
One
of three warriors from the sky,
Wield
thy blade to destroy Democlese's hate."
Doctor Tot
scribbled it down hurriedly and looked up when he had finished. "Hm, yes, quite
interesting."
"And when
it said three warriors, I saw Chris and Kristin, also," she added.
"Hm, so now
this includes all of you," he said looking at the trio. "Anything else?"
"When it
said Democlese, I saw a glimpse of his face." She shuddered. "It really freaked
me out because he looked just like me. Oh, and before this, I kept seeing a
bright light that turned out to be a sword."
"Thank you,
Miranda," he said as he jotted this down. "I'll try to help you out. You three
have been sent here for a reason, and we will soon see what that reason was."
"Well, obviously,
Miranda gets a sword," Kristin pointed out. "I wonder what we'll get."
Chris
shrugged. "Only time will tell."
Author's Note: Do you like it? I made up these names of the
past rulers so don't go try researching them up or anything ^^ Please keep
reviewing. This story might be veeerrry long. Depends how I set this all up.
::shrugs:: Novel form writing is way different than script writing. I think I
like script writing better, no matter what other people say. But since I
started in novel form, I might as well keep going. Now, the riddle is really
simple. I would think that you could figure it out. Want to give it shot before
it is revealed later on in the story though I have no clue when that is?
::shrugs:: You can if you want. See who all the braniac people are…j/k! See you
in Chapter 5!
