Fredrika looked at the small alarm clock which was ticking on a table close to her bed, it was almost midnight and Richard haven't arrived yet.
For a moment she thought that he had let her down but suddenly she heard a sound of hooves.
A horse was coming and that meant only one thing, Richard was finally coming!
Fredrika sat up in her bed and listened carefully how the horse approached her house.
Then it stopped and silence fell on her once again. Then Richard stepped through her room's wall.
He had changed his armour to a fully black cloak and tunic on his head he had a black hat.
His dark hair hung loose and it reached his shoulders.
- It was about time to you to show up.
- Sorry I kept you waiting my lady, Richard apologized and bowed deeply.
- You have changed your clothing.
- Yea, I thought that I need to change for the sake of this special occasion.
- Now what is that surprise you told me about?
- Lie down and I'll show you.
Fredrika obeyed him and he sat on the edge of her bed.
- Now close your eyes and follow me in your thoughts.
She closed her eyes and soon she felt his fingers on her forehead.
A sudden bolt of magnetic energy pierced her body and soul.
The feeling was so alien and even little bit frightening that she wanted to scream but she couldn't.
She felt herself flying through a vast space with the speed of lightning. She wanted to open her eyes but she was too afraid to do it. What was happening to her?
A heavy weight pressed her down and for a moment she thought to be crushed down but suddenly all of ended as quickly as it had started.
- Open your eyes lassie, I don't want you to miss the view, Richard said with soft voice.
Fredrika opened her eyes and slowly got up.
All she could see was vast space with countless stars and when she looked down she noticed that she was standing on a shell of gigantic turtle. The enormous turtle waved its feet sluggishly like wings and it literally flew across the vast space.
- Do you enjoy the view, Richard asked and took comfortable position on a shell which was surprisingly soft.
- Yes very much but what is this place, Fredrika asked when she had got over from her amazement.
- This is my secret hiding place where I come to think. In here you don't have to be anything or think about anything. Its just endless silence and soft relaxing flying like movement, Richard replied looking strait up towards the stars.
- Does this creature know that we are on its shell?
- Yes he does but he doesn't care much about us since to him we are just a short time nuisance which will soon vanish. To this turtle the time is eternal and the time which we'll spend on his shell is just an eye blink to him.
Fredrika also took a comfortable position on the turtle's shell and looked at the stars above.
- Its so peaceful in here I could stay here forever.
- Yea.
- Have you brought many of your other friends to this place?
- You are the first one in fact.
- Really?
- Aye.
- I feel very honoured.
- Good, Richard replied and smiled.
- This is the place where I can free myself from my troubles for a while.
Like I said I don't have to be the king in here or think anything, its just beauty all around of me and endless peace, which I yearn for.
- Then why can't you stay here for all time?
- It just won't do.
- Why?
- Because eventually you must wake up and carry on since constant escaping from your life into dreams will make you to lose the sense of reality.
- I see.
Then Richard got up and helped also Fredrika onto her feet.
- Now would you like to carry on our little tour?
- Yes please!
- Very well, hold on tight, Richard said and took a firm grip on Fredrika's hand.
In one second the flying space turtle vanished and they were in entirely different place.
It was daytime already and the sun was way up on the sky.
They were surrounded by huge oaks which must had been over 100 years old or even more.
- My goodness where we are now?
- This is a forest where I like to hunt sometimes and it's quite close to my actual home.
-You said that you are a king, are you living in a palace?
- Aye.
- Can I see it?!
- If you want to.
- Oh yes!
- Follow me.
Richard showed Fredrika the way out from the woods and soon she saw his palace.
The castle was beautifully made and its high towers almost reached the clouds above.
Boar banners fluttered in the wind and armed guards patrolled on the castle walls.
- Your palace looks lovely.
- Its not much but its home.
- Speaking about home do you have a family?
- Aye.
- Are they living at there?
- Not all of them.
- What did happen to them?
- Well, if you really want to know you must find it out by yourself since I might sound bit too bitter in my story.
- Bitter?
- My history is not a beautiful picture to look at.
Fredrika thought about Richard's words for a moment.
- Can you give me a clue where to start looking?
- Hmm, try to find the answers from books. That is the best advice which I can give to you.
- Very well then.
- Perhaps now is a good time to go back.
- What do you mean?
- It's time for you to go to school lassie.