Chapter 22

The Arrival

The town of Sarasaland might have been established in a desert, but it was not barren. The small isolated place was filled with vegetation, with a lake just outside the houses. It was built on an oasis. Daisy's palace was fawn coloured with bronze paint on the wall rims. Inside the gate was a beautiful flourishing garden that seemed to contain every type of flower ever known. Along the walls were golden showers, yellow roses that could ramble on fences and other vertical objects. Marble statues of the Princess of Sarasaland were scattered along the many intricate stone walkways, and artificially built waterfalls trickled down skillfully carved boulders so the water could flow into the miniature crystal clear ponds. Water lilies drifted on the ponds, and tall bushes and flowered shrubs bordered the garden. Even though Peach visited Daisy biannually, the garden always amazed her, and something about it changed every time she laid eyes on it, but something else also caught her interest.

It the midst of the luxuriant scene, Peach could tell something had disturbed the garden. The earth was upturned, exposing the rich dirt, and many flowers were flattened or tilted in haphazard angles. Something must have fallen and created the shallow rift of soil, but whatever it was, had been removed, leaving only the damage behind. The disfigured section of the garden reminded her about the seven shooting stars she saw in the desert.

When they entered the castle, two different guards greeted them, bowing low. The Desert Flower stood at the top of the main staircase and she gracefully walked down to meet them. Now that Peach was in another Princess' territory, she didn't have the higher authority so she curtsied in Daisy's presence. In some ways the two royal acquaintances appeared similar, but it was mostly because of the custom dresses they wore. Daisy donned the same style, but it was yellow with white patterns. Her brooch mimicked a daisy and so did her earrings. Her thick bangs were bifurcated over her thin eyebrows and her chestnut hair was more smooth than Peach's. She wore a fuchsia crown, small niveous gloves with the lace jutting out in pointy fashion around her wrist. Clear periwinkle eyes examined the exhausted and very filthy visitors and Daisy shook her head in disgust.

"Princess Peach Toadstool," said Daisy, "it's such a pleasure to see you here, even if it is unexpected."

"Princess Daisy," she addressed, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience we may have caused, but the three of us were lost in the desert and we're glad your guards found us."

"I sense a long story," said Daisy, "and no, you are causing no bother. Actually, I was just attending to some minor business. I suggest you wash up before seeing me in the throne room. Don't worry my servants will escort you to our lavatories. Just leave your discarded clothes by the door – keep it unlocked – and they'll attend to the laundry duties."

"Thank you, Princess Daisy," Peach said politely.

More Mushroom servants appeared and they led the trio through the wide hallway until they reached the westward part of the castle, the guest area.

"Princess Peach," said one of the guards, opening the door, "this is the girls' lavatory. I'm sure you'll be pleased."

"Thank you very much," she said and entered, closing the door behind her. The washroom contained the usual bath, toilet, and sink and everything was a light aquamarine colour. Fluffy green towels were folded over the tub edge, and the huge oval mirror had a gold rim with pearls studded in a complex design. On the sink were many bottles, filled with various shampoos, conditioners, perfumes and lotions. She turned the ivory faucets in the bath and water gushed out. While the bath filled with hot refreshing water, she undressed, tossing the dirty garments before the door. Wrapping herself in a towel, she tested the water with her hand to decide if the temperature was perfect for bathing. Satisfied, she settled in the bathtub and rinsed herself to rid the sand and filth, then added fragrant dissolving soaps in the water.

She heard the door open and shut again, and remembered that the servants would wash her clothes as Daisy said. The water was beginning to lose much of its heat, and she pulled the plug, draining the soapy bathtub liquid. Shivering, she grabbed the soft towel, dried herself off, pulled a bathrobe over her clean body and combed her humid hair. It was not long before a Mushroom servant entered the room and carefully set down her folded clothes. He quickly left, having other duties to attend to. She dressed, happy to see her gloves unstained and put them on. She flexed her nimble fingers to adjust the gloves and she left the bathroom. Rambling through the halls, she spotted King Koopa leaning against the wall, arms crossed, looking smug. She smiled and walked up to him.

"What are you up to now?"

He turned toward her and said, with a roguish twinkle in his crimson eyes, "You'll see."

A sudden yelp, splash, and the opening of a nearby door prevented her from further questioning and a dripping wet and angry fungus, clad in a towel, glared at Bowser furiously.

"Bowser!" Toad shouted, "You are even more of a villain than I thought, you obnoxious reptile!"

Peach was confused, while Bowser hid a broad mischievous grin.

"What happened?" the Princess asked, and Toad pointed accusatively at the Koopa King.

"He," the mushroom raged, "used up all the hot water!"

"Children," Peach muttered, shaking her head, but she could not help but giggle at the ridiculous pair.

Soft, scurrying footsteps were heard and a servant hurried up to them.

"Princess Daisy has ordered food and drink to be served in the guest dining room," he said, "however, she wants you to meet her in the throne room first."

"I'll catch up later, Princess," said Toad, giving Bowser a dirty look.

She nodded and headed toward the throne room, Bowser beside her.

The throne room was marble blue, with a long poppy red carpet leading to the throne seat on top of the stairs. Flower-filled vases were scattered on small tables around the room between the narrow open windows. The Princess of Sarasaland was alone, pacing before her throne.

"Where's your servant?" was the first thing she asked when Peach and Bowser entered.

"My friend," Peach said, hinting to Daisy that Toad was more than a retainer to her, "will be attending shortly."

Daisy sat down, and gazed at her visitors.

"Peach, it's not like you to get lost in the desert, especially with your worst enemy," she said, eyeing Bowser. "I would like you to tell me your story, and keep it short, I have something more important to do."

The two opponents glimpsed at each other before turning to the suddenly arrogant Princess. Bowser disliked her already and secretly felt proud about Princess Peach, who cleared her throat before starting, "Two days ago…"