Chapter 3 Alluring Beginnings
Four more years later. In the streets of the market place it's packed with customers and people are trying to squeeze through. Freya and Summer have baskets onto of their heads as they try to squeeze through just to get to the shop. Left to right people bump into each other and try to pass one another saying "excuse me or sorry". Freya is wearing a thick brown mask and a gray hood today with a thick coat to keep the chilly winter breeze out. Summer is wearing the same thing but with fall colors. At this time of the year people don't notice anything different about the Nomble girls because everyone else seems to be wearing the same thing. The open spaced shop, next door to the left, seems to have new comers. At the shop to the right is an open fruit store where Fred Ganning and his wife, Sarah work. The store is just a building with a very large counter where Fred acts as a cashier and baskets of fruit. There's a door next to the counter for "employees only" for Fred and his family to go through.
Freya and Summer stop at the wide maple counter resting their baskets and themselves on it. Fred catches them in the corner of his eye and waves to them. Freya and Summer walk up to Fred and glance around to find the fruit they need
"Hey there Fred. Can we have three peaches and four cherries?" Summer asks.
Fred rushes to grab what Summer asks for. He puts them in the baskets for her and she pays him the correct amount.
"Busy huh?" Freya asks.
"Woah yeah! The festival is coming up! The annual Firefly Festival honoring Amayeta's princess's birth week. This year is the Princess's 17th birthday. Many people want to celebrate and count down to midnight!" Fred says with enthusiasm.
"Really? I never realized?" Freya says laughing inside.
"You know what they say? She has hair as blond as gold, lips as red as rose, and eyes as blue-green as algae." Fred gestures to his hair, eyes, and lips. "Even more blue-green than your eyes sweetheart!"
"Wow! She must be beautiful." Summer flickers her eyes at Freya.
Freya gives a smirk at Summer and tells Fred thanks again before she turns to the bakery. Summer skips behind her giggling and tries to hide it. Finally at the door of the bakery they open the door and set the baskets on the counter. Sighing in relief they put on their aprons and continue their duty behind the counter and in the kitchen. Freya stands the counter with Summer. Like an assembly line Freya takes the orders and Summer tells the orders to Winter and Spring who cook in the kitchen. Summer takes the finished order from the kitchen, or occasionally the already finished dish from the shelves, and hands them to people waiting to pick up their orders. Autumn waiters the customers willing to eat inside the shop, doing the same job as Summer but just a little different.
Edwin walks through the door and with bag around his shoulder. Summer locates him and waves him to get behind the counter and into the kitchen. Freya checks to see if there are anymore customers before going into the kitchen with Summer. Autumn rushes behind them and locks the counter. In the kitchen everyone knows what it means when Edwin has his bag with him. Edwin let's everyone get comfortable before rummaging through his bag. He takes out a new wooden figurine freshly painted and freshly dried. It's an extremely detailed wood of a summer flower, or the calla lily. It's large petal beautifully whittled to have a smooth creamy white surface and the flower looks so much like the real thing. The girls "ooo" and "ahhh" at the wooden structure caressing it.
"Edwin it's so alluring! It looks like the real thing without the stem!" Autumn squeals as she examines it.
"Thank you Autumn. But I'm going to hold off on the stem for a while." Edwin fishes for imperfections.
Freya gives back the figure to Edwin and before they go back to the front of the shop they take a small break in the kitchen. Winter relaxes in a chair and Summer slumps on the kitchen counter.
"I see there's new movers next door." Summer starts the conversation. She pulls her coat in closer to keep the cold out. Summer hates the cold.
"Yes I met with the owner. His name is Gregg Turner and his wife is adorable. I believe they have a young boy." Winter explains.
Freya claps her hands together in happiness and hops in pace a little. "We should give them a present."
"Sure! I'll make something for the boy." Autumn volunteers. She goes to Spring's huge recipe book and tries to find something cute and delicious to make for the boy.
"I'll work the front of the house while you guys cook. Edwin can you help?" Freya pats her apron to dust off any flour and walks toward the door. In a few seconds she's gone.
Edwin tries puts on an apron but has a little trouble putting it on and in the end gives up when Summer comes to help him. She starts to tie a knot. "So what are you gonna give her?" she smiles behind him.
Edwin grows silent turning his head to face Summer and the others looking back at him for answers. "W-what do you mean?" he gulps.
"You know what we mean." Winter smirks at Edwin. "What are you gonna give her?" Winter rests her head on her hands and has a snaky look in her eyes.
Summer finishes the knot and walks in front of Edwin to be face to face with him and glares at him with an "I know what your hiding look". She crosses her arms across her chest and puts all her weight on her right leg relaxing herself a bit. Edwin tries to study everyone's faces to see if they seem to all know too. Edwin tries to back up but Summer cocks up an eyebrow and it makes him nervous. Edwin bites his bottom lip and starts to falter. Saved by the bell Freya pushes open the door and there's a grumpy male voice yelling in the background.
"Edwin help! It's another one!" Freya pants from the doorway as the male voice demands for Summer. Suddenly a pastry hits Freya on her right temple on her head. Anger grows in Freya's eyes and her lips turn into a fake yet scary smile. In her head she's saying Oh you are going to pay for that! She points at Summer, "Don't come out it's a violent one." Freya grabs a wooden spoon from her apron pocket and marches away from the door.
Edwin looks back at Summer, who is still facing him. Summer cocks her eyebrow at him. Edwin tries to move out of her way but where Edwin goes she goes. Then she gives up and lets him pass. Edwin tries to open the kitchen door but as he does a black rubber boot flies at him and scrapes against the surface of his right ear.
"Hey don't throw things!" Freya's voice muffles in the background.
Winter picks up the broom and calls for Edwin, "Edwin!" Edwin follows her voice and Winter throws him the broom. "Good luck!" she says with a grin.
Reluctantly Edwin moves away from the safety of the door and uses the broom for protection. As the door closes after him he shouts, "Sir put that down!"
Winter and Spring chuckle with laughter and Autumn stays busy with her present. Summer doesn't listen to Freya and decides to help out. Winter decides to sit for a while and have a serious conversation with Spring while Autumn is occupied.
"Ah I feel so refined in this winter chill! But anyway we are going to the castle today and there will be new guests today. The trusted princes of Cantara and Torell are coming this week for the marriage tradition. But again instead of three suitors it will be two. It seems Prince Channer's older brother has dropped out of the competition by orders of his father. Rumors say the king saw his youngest more fit and that his eldest seemed to be "wandering off course" if you know what I mean. But he and his trusted fellow soldiers will accompany us today as a guardians, or soldiers, and is sworn to secrecy to protect us." Winter speaks in a low tone.
"Another man with wandering eyes. What is the fellow's name, this elder prince?" Spring smirks.
"Cane Charleston of Cantara. I have heard he became a grand military leader. His Majesty has protected quite a lot for his mining kingdom." Winter samples a bit of Spring's new recipe for sweet bread.
"That does not make up for his wanderings. Another muscle head for the boat. What of Her Majesty's suitor, the Channer fellow?"
"Channer Charleston of Cantara. Diligence, agility, intelligence, street smarts, and loves horses. He is going to break hearts that one." Winter winks and grins.
"We need more of those. Oh how about the Kingsley child? Does Torell have a promising future?" Spring snaps out of her fantasy.
"Ahhh. That one…Leonard Kingsley of Torell…that boy. Such a boy that one, very innocent to the world outside of his castle. But he is a saint and a free spirit; very promising to Torell."
"The outside world can be cruel to a boy. It is better he believes in fantasy for now until reality hits him into being a man." Spring sighs.
Spring and Winter space out for a moment or two with mixed emotions. Spring and Winter stare at Autumn and her energy. Autumn is still working very hard on her gift to the young boy next door. Autumn is now fifteen and is developing into her original behaviors of her original age. A body has finally shaped itself to hug her new clothes and boys, or men, have finally started to fight or fancy her.
The two fairies are interrupted by a huge sound of crashing in the other room. Everyone in the kitchen, besides Autumn respond and run to the other room.
"My goodness sir please get out!" Summer shouts from the other room.
Autumn grins a bit and continues her work, "Oh this child will love this new treat!"
Winter makes everyone, including Edwin, stand side by side and preps them on their looks by straightening wraps and masks. Autumn helps Edwin get some pastry pieces out of his hair and clothes from the little incident earlier. Summer puffs out the ruffles in her skirt and Winter makes Freya hold the present for the new neighbors. In an orderly line they set off to the store next door. With Winter in the lead with her bonnet on she makes everyone look normal in their clothing. The store belonged to new blacksmiths/weaponry sellers, Gregg and Flora Turner. The group walk into the shop and Winter greets the man behind the counter with a welcoming hello.
"Good morrow Mr. Turner! I have brought the family this time." Winter presents everyone with a wave of her arm. "Oh and yes we brought a little something special for you from our shop."
Mr. Turner is a portly man with age on his side, a gray mustache, and a receding hair line. His shop was clean and very warm for this season and very welcoming.
"Good morrow Mr. Turner. My name is Freya and I have a present for you." Freya hands him the basket of goodies. "It's a new recipe." Freya takes Summer's basket and hands it to Mr. Turner too, "For your wife."
Mr. Turner, delighted, calls for his wife and son, "Flora! Austin! The neighbors are here to greet us! Oh what are your names darlings?"
"I am Summer."
"And I am Spring. Oh and this is our friend Edwin." Spring introduces him as he waves hello.
Mrs. Turner is almost as portly and stout as Mr. Turner but little shorter. Her gray hair tied in a tight bun and the smell of warm lavender fills the room as she walks in.
"Flora a gift for you from the new neighbors!" Mr. Turner happily gives his wife the decorated basket of goods.
Summer pushes Autumn forward and she shyly offers her present, "Uh- hem- this is for the your son." Autumn gives a warm smile.
Mrs. Turner excitingly calls for her son to hurry and that their neighbors have arrived. Autumn's eyes, expecting a boy in his ages ranging from 5-8, dilate by the sight of a boy ranging from 15-18. Austin has clean cut dirty blond hair with creamy green eyes. Austin towers over his parents and makes Autumn look shorter than she really is and is very broad.
"Austin, the nice neighbors from next door have brought you a gift!" Mrs. Turner beckons her son.
Wiping his hands clean with a rag he holds his hand out, "Nice to meet you. I have seen you around."
"Really? Well, this is for you. I made it myself but it is actually Spring's recipe." Autumn takes his hand and hands him his gift.
"Wow! Thank you." Austin smile as if he has never had a present before. He puts it down for now to continue their conversation.
Meanwhile Freya takes Edwin a little bit farther away from the group and their conversations. She whispers, "Edwin are you able to go with me today? It is about time you meet my parents."
"Of course!" Edwin whispers back, "I would never miss meeting the king and queen on personal grounds!"
"Oh fine I guess you are not there for me then? You are supposed to have one of the first opinions!"
Edwin giggles but sees her joke bittersweet for it would not be fair if Edwin had a say in her choosing. Then he sees Winter make a signal it is time to go and he sees Summer and the others snickering at each other. Girls are weird…
Going through the secret tunnels can be cramped, damp, and an invasion of personal space. Everyone huddles together to keep from getting lost as Winter leads the way with a low lighting torch. Edwin lingers behind analyzing the traits and landscape of the dark tunnel. Freya gestures him to walk faster or he'll get lost and probably die. The walk through the tunnels are long and everyone thirsts for sunlight at the end. The end of the tunnel the group is walking through is a narrow door big enough for one person at a time and leads Freya's room, or the guest room in the left wing.
After going through the narrow door Edwin examines Freya's enormous room. It is the size of his entire house but his home was pretty tiny. The decoration is simple elegant and proper like a princess' room and but there is no windows and there is a lock and peephole on the grand double doors. As Autumn has mentioned, her and the other's rooms are all next door and they all connect with each other Winter gives Edwin two keys and a gold pin with the royal emblem, one key for his room two down to the right, one key for the connecting doors and Freya's front door, and the royal pin for access anywhere. With instructions to stay close Edwin is sent to his room for more investigating.
Being in a large room by yourself is lonesome and quiet but relaxing. Edwin is unpacking his small amount of luggage. He takes out his unfinished figurines and whittles his details with a variety of different knives and tools. As h carves tiny eyes in an unfinished face he hears a knock on the connective door and he quickly hides the figurines.
"Come on in." Edwin invites the visitor.
As the door opens Summer pops her head in and soon the rest of her body. Closing the door quietly she goes to sit by Edwin on the bed.
"Why are you dressed like that?" Edwin examines her clothing.
"These are my normal clothes. You know my non-human fashion." Summer teases and poses.
Summer is wearing a bright yellow dress cut up the side with two white flowers resting on her left waist. The dress shows her legs and her arms, which is very unusual in mortal fashion. There are flowers surprisingly intertwined into her red ribbon hair and parts are braided or tied with flowers. As Edwin examines he sees her necklace and smiles.
"You still have it huh?" Edwin pokes at it. "How many more months?"
Summer touches the necklace gently and plays with the silver feather. "One weeks actually…he wanted to be here for the Festival."
"Do you think you can wait until then?" Edwin asks.
"It is only one weeks…"
"A lot can happen in one week."
"The promise was to wait until he came back and then we can both make our choices then."
"Was there something you wanted Summer? You know you did come in here." Edwin asks to move the conversation.
"Oh right! Get ready now! There are clothes in the wardrobe." Summer pulls him from the bed and pulls him toward the closet.
Edwin's mind wanders into old memories as Summer speaks to him. Like the day they all told him the truth. The real reason why they wear the weird clothing and why it seems Winter hardly ages. Ever since then he has been more closer to this family than ever.
"Edwin pay attention!" Summer shakes him into reality.
The doors to the conference room are wide and eerie looking. There are no windows in the hallway leading to it so there is very little light. Freya push opens he door revealing a room almost similar to the throne room with more thrones. There are small windows placed randomly on the walls to allow enough light in but also to keep secrecy in. Sitting in beautifully ornamented and extravagant thrones are the King and Queen themselves. Freya swiftly walks toward to parents to give them hugs and they embrace her with glee. The giant doors close with a Boom!
"Freya we have missed you so!" Queen Sadia replies.
"Oh mother me to you." Freya moves to her father and curtsies. "Hello father."
King Ronald opens his arms to his daughter, "Come here my child you have grown so beautiful and elegant." Ronald spots Edwin among the group of fairies, "Why dear child what friend have you brought? Is this the friend you all have been telling me about?"
"Yes Your Majesty, this is Edwin Reed." Autumn answers.
Summer pushes Edwin to speak up. "Ugh. Uh- Hello Your Majesty. It is a great honor meeting you and your queen." Edwin bows.
"The honor is all mine. You have protected my daughter and her ladies-in-waiting and as well as befriended them in a way no one else can. Thank you lad." The King bows back. "Please everyone get comfortable and we will invite our other guests in."
Everyone goes to their specific thrones and an extra one was brought in for Edwin. With everybody comfortable Spring goes to command to bring the guests of honor. As she sits back down the door begins to creak open with a mass of royalty walking in a proper manner.
The first to walk in are the new royal Guardians, or bodyguards, for Freya in silver armor bearing Cantara emblems. They walk in with their head held high and their aura says they think they are better than everyone else. In the middle of the Guardians is Cane of Cantara, who has brown hair cut for a knight, angry black eyes, and broad muscles and body. The small mass breaks apart to either side of the room, Cantara or Torell. Once the knights get close enough to the thrones they all kneel, making everyone behind them do the same.
Cane speaks first, "Your Majesty, it is an honor to have been chosen to serve under your daughter and to protect her along with my most trusted men." They all stand up on their feet and Cane introduces the knights, with only 3 in counting, pointing to his right, "This is Raymond Hall of Cantara, one of the greatest warriors I have seen." pointing to his left, "Greyson Archer of Cantara, awarded by my father for his efforts in battle for his kingdom."
Spring whispers to Autumn, "In other words, he picked his best friend and some guy his daddy told him to bring along."
The Guardians move away and give the floor to the kings and queens of Cantara and Torell. Before speaking they exchange bows and curtsies in respect for the king and queen of Amayeta.
King Richmond Charleston IX of Cantara decides to speak first, "I would like to thank you Ronald for allowing this tradition to happen. This will be the 50th year, including yourselves, that a neighboring prince or princess to married to rule along side the child of Amayeta." Richmond smiles at this.
Giving the floor to his neighboring kingdom, Torell, Richmond bows to King Elroy Kingsley III. As King Elroy speaks Freya scans the room for her suitors but they are hiding behind groups of people. Instead Freya notices Cane's wandering eyes lurking where they shouldn't.
Freya's father tries to sneak a whisper to his daughter, "I have not told the Guardians about your whereabouts outside the castle. The princes shall care for you in the village. But do not let down your guard or your disguises. That way you can have a little bit a privacy." he winks.
When Freya begins to pay attention again she realizes King Elroy's speech is finished.
"Bring them forth." King Ronald gestures with a wave of his hand.
Freya gets lost in thought and hardly pays attention to what they look like and what they are wearing. Crowds begin to spread apart as two young men come forward as commanded. Both dressed for the part in their kingdom's emblems and colors and both men seem promising. The one on the left speaks first with a strong yet gentle voice.
"Hello Your Majesty, Your Highness, Milady", he nods, "I am Channer Charleston, prince of Cantara. It is my greatest honor that I have the chance to be by your daughter's side." Channer bows.
Channer has dirty blond hair and deep brown eyes. He has a small body for someone wearing bigger padding but is carrying heavy equipment on himself. Channer is particularly shorter than a man his age, 18.
The young man net to him begins to speak, "Royalty of Amayeta, I am Prince Leonard Kingsley II of Torell. I thank you for allowing me into your kingdom with open arms and for trusting me with your daughter."
Leonard has gentle aqua blue eyes with mocha colored hair and a wonderful smile. His emotions can be shown by his face and his face shows his personality. Leonard is much bigger than Channer despite being younger and seems to love observing the things around him.
King Ronald ponders for a moment and then says, "You may all speak amongst yourselves." with a wave of his hand everyone in the room begins to mingle. Ronald tells his daughter to speak with the knights first.
Freya obeys with wonder but shakes her thoughts away as Edwin stays by her side. Winter pulls up behind her and whispers in her ear, "He is not testing you but your suitors in patience."
Freya turns back with confusion, "How did you…?"
Winter pats her head and walks ahead to the knights waiting impatiently. Cane bows as he stares into the eyes of Spring. Winter interrupts purposely and gives her hand instead. Cane awakens from his stupor and tries to show gracefulness in his greeting. He kisses Winter's hand and tries to quickly move on as he learns her name. But Freya follows Winter's lead and steps in front too. Cane could never refuse to greet the princess so he asks for her hand. Freya gives it reluctantly and feels awkward as Cane stares back at Spring. Before Autumn could interrupt too Cane tries to nicely shove her aside to get to Spring. Autumn decides to greet the other knights instead of waiting for his ungrateful greeting.
Greyson Archer is very kind and bends down from his escalating height to Autumn's level so he can correctly greet her. But Raymond Hall has the same personality as his friend Cane and creepily eyes Winter as he kisses her hand.
Cane creates a big scene as he greets Spring, "Ah! Milady it seems we are both here to protect and care for the princess."
"I am sorry to inform you Sir Charleston but Milady is the princess. I am a madam." Spring isn't flattered or amused.
"Ah! A modest Lady indeed!" Cane tries to charm but Spring has no trouble rolling her eyes as she takes her hand away.
Spring moves on to the tall Greyson Archer, "Mr. Archer." Spring offers her hand.
"Madam. Do you mind if we do call you Milady?" Archer asks politely.
"I am sorry but no. We must stay true to the facts." Spring replies.
"Huh. Finally a kind knight." Edwin whispers to Freya and she giggles.
Archer bows away and allows the ladies to move on to the other guests. Winter sighs as if she has been holding her breath for an hour. Spring cocks an eyebrow and hums a teasing tune. Winter gracefully shakes off Spring false accusations and whispers something in her ear. Freya wants to listen in so she walks as she leans in on Winter but bumps into somebody's hard torso and metal breast plate and almost falls over as a Bang! echoes in the room. Freya raises her hand to her throbbing forehead as a pair of icy hands take hold of her shoulders to keep her from falling over. There are many gasps and whispers in the crowd as they all look through each other
A moderately low voice in an unfamiliar accent speaks with sincerity, "Are you alright Your Highness?"
Freya's eyelids wrinkle closed and open slowly to see the owner of the voice, "Oh yes I am. I am so clumsy." Freya grunts as she waves a hand to ward off people saying she's okay. "It was not your faul-…t" Freya falters as she stares into the broad breast plate and scans upward to see the face of Leonard smiling back at her. He looked much larger against Freya's petite body. Edwin stays out of the conversation to avoid awkwardness.
Leonard steps back and bows without removing his eyes from Freya's, "A wonderful greeting Princess."
Freya curtsies and offers her hand, "Charmed, Prince Leonard." Freya blushes about how Leonard as turned an awkward situation into a funnier one. She goes closer to him and whispers a thank you. Leonard's lips curl into a grin.
Freya looks around and sees another handsome face behind a cluster of people staring back at her. A feeling of déjà vu rushes through her skin as the eyes of Channer stare back at her. Freya realizes exactly why her stomach has just flipped and why her heart has just fluttered. Freya curtsies and excuses herself from Leonard as she rushes past a crowd of guests. Slightly panting when she faces in front of Channer Freya remembers her manners and curtsies. Rising from her curtsy as fast as she could Freya finally speaks, "Um-excuse me but…you told me your name was Caden correct?" Freya's eyes sparkle.
Summer stops herself in her place before turning her head towards Freya when she hears that name. Autumn's breath is taken away and places her hand on her heart to see if it was still beating.
Channer looks surprise for a second but the question sinks into his brain, "…Bright-eyes?"
Freya's eyes sparkle even more as they widen and she immediately hugs him. Her face resting on the cold metal breast plate and she smiles. Summer and Autumn push aside the crowd and Autumn joins the hug too. Summer sees the staring crowd but joins the hug also. Channer's face is confused but grins and pats Freya on the top of her hair. Winter and Spring smile with surprise. More whispers and little conversations erupt in the room. A path opens in the crowd and King Ronald walks through with Queen Sadia on his arm.
"Freya," King Ronald calls for his daughter.
Freya, Summer, and Autumn abruptly end the hugging session leaving Channer in an awkward position. Freya looks down but gives a small sign to talk in private. King Ronald sees the tiny signal and waves everyone but Leonard, Channer, The Guardian Knights, Edwin, Freya, and the ladies-in-waiting.
With the room empty everything felt more awkward and no one really knew what to say. King Ronald clears his throat giving a signal to Freya.
"Uh-oh right! Well Father it is a funny story…well…" Freya collects her thoughts.
Channer interrupts, "I'll explain…well when I was a little boy I was grown up hearing about the princess. Umm-I was so excited I snuck onto one of the cargo wagons to Torell when I heard it would stop by here. When I got here I got lost in the woods. I ended up in a meadow and that's when I met well Bright-eyes."
"At the time he didn't know who we were and we didn't know who he was." Winter adds.
"We played with him for a few days and let him sleep over…" Spring also explains.
"Then one day he just said he needed to go and we never saw him again." Summer brings back the memories in her mind.
"More than eight years ago." Freya says with a gentle voice. "He never knew our names. Just little nicknames…"
"Bright-eyes, Sunshine, Breezy, Nana, and Starlight." Channer names then all.
"Incredible…" Edwin says without thinking. When he sees everyone's stares he tries to explain himself, "I mean…destiny is a funny thing…"
"It is a funny thing." Leonard says, "No fair you got a head start." he jokes.
"True…hmmm. You may take her for the first day." Channer gives his hand out for a handshake.
Freya shove Channer but needs to use a little more force than usual, "I am not an item, Deron!"
King Ronald stares needles into Freya and Freya apologizes for her un-mannerly behavior and she believes living with commoners has changed her demeanor. Realizing how she is already comfortable enough to even touch a man she finally notices the jealously a father has. King Ronald has this creepy grin on his lips and he whispers something to his wife.
King Ronald claps his hands, "The decision has been made! The tradition starts today! Decide amongst yourselves." Ronald offers his arm to Sadia, "Come it is time for us to go."
Sadia accepts his arm but turns back as they leave, "Good luck sweeties." Sadia continues out the door.
Silence once again and again nobody has anything to say but Freya. "Is this all just a big game to everyone?"
'Yes. Yes it is." Channer states. "So anyway…the first thing I wanted to do when I got here was to go back to the bakery so…may we all go?"
Leonard has a blank expression on his face, "…Bay-ker-ry?…What is that?"
The plan is for us, the women and Edwin, to return to the bakery and to meet the Princes there. The Princes must not reveal their royalty to anyone especially since no one has seen the princes ever before. These three kingdoms have spent many years threading plans together to make this tradition go smoothly. The Guardian Knights are here to make sure nothing goes wrong in the village so they are constantly making rounds everywhere in the village markets. For me, this adventure is very exciting for I have never had contact with people outside my kingdom except for Deron but that doesn't count. I really am like my mother and now I understand what she felt. But I hope I don't wander from my tradition and it doesn't end the same way.
Deep within the dense forest next to the village, Gaia Valley, lives a great castle made of blackened bricks surrounded by the black abnormal branches of burnt-barked trees. There is no grass because of the lack of sunlight and the dirt is mostly covered by boulders and pebbles of all kinds. Withered branches cling to the walls of the castle with all their might and the grand gateway seems more like the entrance to a death-row prison building with 4inch thick steel bars. Every time the wind blows through the building and the trees it sounds as if a man is wailing from deep within the castle.
Unexpectedly there is the sound of crunching of crisp dark violet leaves on the bare earth. A little girl no more than the age of seven is twirling with the wind and she gesturing someone to walk faster. Out of the trees walks a skeleton creature with rotting bones and a loose fitting helmet. The skeleton drags his hands on the soil and is missing his lower jaw, one of his ribs, and his eyes are like hollow holes dug into the earth by gophers.
The little girl laughs and plays with the wind and through her eyes the black dark forest is a meadow with cherry colored flowers and fresh tall green grass. To her the skeleton creature is a blond-haired prince with a breath-taking smile.