Thank you for all your review, but I would like to address to the one Elven Sword sent me.
Elven Sword: I really appreciate the advice and compliments you gave me. I would like to ask you some questions though. Firstly, when you say the characters are 'flat' what do you mean? Would you like me to add more character to Sakura and Syaoran? Or make it more modern? Please tell me what I can add or take out in your review. Thank you.
Engraved in Stone
Chapter three
The Journey
April 1, 2005
One hour later, Prince Syaoran stepped out of his carriage into the valley. The time, however, there were no trumpets or cheers. The valley was deserted and silent.
Syaoran shook his head at Sakura's absence. Wasn't it just like a female to be late? He would be sure to scold her when she came. In the meantime, he drew out of his hastily stuffed travel sack a small ball, and began tossing and catching it.
Within five minutes, Sakura arrived in her carriage, got down, and dismissed her driver.
"I was starting to think you wouldn't show. I hear the path is very dangerous and requires great endurance. Perhaps you want to give up on this journey?" Syaoran said, continuing his game of catch.
"You cannot frighten or talk me out of coming. I said I would go on this mission and I shall," asserted Sakura.
"Then I assume your tardiness can be by a momentous event. Let me guess… you got tied up selecting the perfect frock for meeting foreign royalty and facing mortal danger."
"Firstly, don't assume, it makes an ass out of u and me. (A.N I had to put that in there. See, 'ass' 'u' and 'me') Secondly, I promised Lady Claire that I would arrive after you to avoid a 'violent encounter,' but I see that the delay did not spare me from one. I might add that I used the extra five minutes to procure a detailed map for our journey. I see that you've used your free moments most productively," she said sarcastically, gesturing to the rising and falling ball.
"I often toss a ball. It allows me to clear my head, and it's a good training for my reflexes. Here, lets test…yours!" and with that, Syaoran quickly threw the ball at Sakura. Luckily, she had put down the bag and her hands were free to catch it.
"Good catch," Said Syaoran in pure admiration.
"How dare you throw a ball at me? It was heading straight for my face," Sakura snapped.
"No harm was intended and no harm was done. Why don't you calm down and throw it back?" said Syaoran.
Sakura hurled the ball back with all the strength she could muster. "Now can we focus on something important or should we spend a few more hours playing games?"
"I'm all in favor of getting started." Syaoran put the ball in his sack and slung it over his shoulder. He headed toward the clear-cut path that ran across the valley.
"Not so fast. I think we better take a look at the map," said Sakura.
"Everyone knows this path leads to Engravia," Syaoran called over his shoulder.
"Every fool knows that, but if you'll consult the map," said Sakura, unrolling the well worn paper, "you'll see that, even at the fastest pace, the main path will take at least four days to go and four days to return."
"Would you permit me?" Syaoran reached for the map. Syaoran saw that she was right. Syaoran shook his head in disbelief and said, "I guess we can't make it there and back before out deadline. I'd say our trip is over before it's begun."
"Now who's giving up on this journey?" said Sakura. "Look at the very small print in the box."
Syaoran squinted and read aloud, "Course of Challenges. Estimated travel time to Engravia and the valley, one day to a full lifetime."
Sakura encouraged him, "Isn't that an improvement? We could make it back to Engravia in just one day. We'll be back in plenty of time for our birthday."
"What do you suppose that 'lifetime' of travel means?"
"I really couldn't say, but since the Course of Challenges is our only hope of getting there and back in time, I suggest we take it."
She lifted her bag and began walking to a narrow, bramble-covered path leading up a hill. "And this is where we begin."
The path was steep, overgrown and rocky, but the day was bright and breezy. After about an hour of hiking, Sakura broke the silence. "I think we should review what items we each brought. We should know what we each brought and how they can provide."
"You're right. We have to navigate incredibly rugged ground, but we should expend what little breath we have on chatting," Syaoran replied, annoyed.
Sakura ignored Syaoran and began an inventory of her neatly packed bag. "Besides the cloths I'm wearing, I have a light cloak, and extra pair of stocking, the map, my dinner, a lute, a book of poetry, and my favorite pair of dancing slippers."
"I thought we were instructed to pack 'essentials'"
"And so I have," replied Sakura.
"No doubt the world considers a lute, a book of poetry and some dancing slippers, to be absolutely necessary equipment for a dangerous mission," said Syaoran.
Sakura spoke coolly: "My dancing slippers will be necessary in we are called upon to socialize."
"You really are anticipating horrible ordeals on this journey," moaned Syaoran.
"Would you please be serious?"
"I am being serious. I would rather face an enemy's army then be forced to dance. There's nothing more boring then barely moving in time to a dull beat. And I've suffered from more serious injuries from ladies sharp heels than from knights' sharp lances. But pray continue your explanation; I can't wait to hear why your lute and book are packed."
"I brought my lute and book because reading and music are like drinking and breathing to me. Now perhaps you will tell me what you packed?"
Syaoran looked at his messy sack. "Well, as you know, I brought my ball which is crucial for passing time when I'm kept waiting," he paused and shot Sakura a look, then continued, "and a clean shirt, my dinner, a sword, which I am certain will prove unnecessary, but will look dashing when I wear it, and most importantly, a bag of gold coins." He looked triumphant as he jingled a small bag the hung from the belt on his waist.
Sakura said scornfully, "I purposely didn't bring any money. I'm sure that everyone will let us get what we need."
"Whatever. But the coins are important because the Engraver is quite expensive." Syaoran looked at Sakura with and 'I'm right and you're wrong and you know it' look. Sakura looked and Syaoran's bag, noting it was quite full. "Are you sure you told me everything that was in your bag?"
"There is one other, unimportant thing," confessed Syaoran.
"What is it?"
"I would rather not say."
"It is customary to comply with the request of any young lady, let alone a princess" (AN don't they sound really snobby?)
Syaoran knew this was true, but he refused to surrender. Maybe the journey would be over in a day or two and he could avoid the issue by stalling. "Why don't you ask me tomorrow?"
"Will the answer be 'yes'?"
"I give no promises," he said.
"Then you give me no choice. I command you to tell me what the thing in your bag is," she said sternly.
"Syaoran stopped in his tracks. No one commanded him. He would have responded angrily but he didn't have the energy.
"Of course I shall obey, Princess Sakura. How could I resist your winning ways?" He reached into his bag. Sakura thought it would be something like a bag of love letters, so when the thing came out of the bag, she was surprised.
It was a book.
"As you see, I have brought a book."
"I love books," said Sakura, reaching for it. "What is it about?"
"Syaoran hastily drew the book back. "That's for me to know and you to wonder. This book is suitable for my royal eyes only."
Sakura cried, "I demand you show it to me!" Her mind raced. What could the book contain that required such absolute secrecy from her? She held out her hand and said, "Give it to me."
"Do you always get what you want?"
"Yes," said Sakura.
"When you want it?"
"Yes"
"With one exception," said Syaoran.
"With no exceptions."
"Wong with this exception. This book is my property and it is private. You will never see it." Syaoran carefully placed the book at the bottom of his sack. "And now I suggest we stop talking and resume our journey."
Without another word, Syaoran began walking again. Sakura, who for a moment stood speechless from anger and disbelief, decided she would find a way to look at the book. She scurried to catch up.