Whats up my people? Glad you could tune in for the newest chapter of Rise of the Rose King. How could you not? Its awesome! Have you read the reviews?...
speaking of which, a big thank you to all who have read, reviewed, followed, and favorited. God bless you all, you are very kind people! :D 3
despite all the drama and work that I had, im happy to say that I managed to update on time for thanksgiving. Take that life! Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
So enjoy the chapter and dont forget to review! :)
M.K. stared, incredulous, while Lex just kept on smiling like this was the greatest thing to ever happen. Jason stared, dumbfounded. The rest of the Leafmen patrol, including the two young men, gawked at them with curiosity. Now some were whispering to their comrades, finally recognizing the red-haired heroine of Moonhaven- and the world. The two boys, one short and dark-skinned, one tall and light-skinned, started jogging their elbows into each other's sides, the way boys do when they've discovered something awesome.
"How did you get here?" Lex finally asked, overcoming her tongue-tied joy. "I can't believe it! This is way better than that magic box thingy! You're even prettier in person!"
"Um, thanks and...well we were in the forest and we got shrunk," M.K. stuttered nervously.
"Is this your cousin?" Jason blurted out.
"What?" M.K. exclaimed, Lex reflecting her bewilderment at the strange question. M.K. quickly pieced it together. "You were eavesdropping all along?"
Jason rubbed the back of his head in guilt and was looking everywhere but M.K.'s eyes, "Well...it was by accident, I swear."
She shook her head, "Never mind," turning to the elderly leader, she asked, "Can you take us to Moonhaven?"
"Of course," the old man muttered. "My name is Captain Troy. How, may I ask, did you get to this size?"
"That's why I need to speak to the Queen. I don't know. Assuming she's still at Moonhaven, then someone else must have performed the magic."
Captain Troy nodded his understanding, "Mount up!" he ordered. The patrol of men and women took to their saddles, and M.K. hopped on a hummingbird behind Lex. Jason followed suit, climbing on behind the tall, golden-haired teenager. The soccer player's jaw hung open with awe as the bird lifted off the branch effortlessly, the green wings beating faster than the eye could follow. The birds fell into a V-formation, with M.K. and Lex behind Captain Troy. Jason, his rider, and the dark-skinned boy flew next to them.
"Where's General Ronin?" M.K. asked Lex.
It was the dark-skinned boy who answered, giving her a cracked grin, "He's chasing runaway canaries."
The taller of the two shot him a scowl before replying, "Our friends, Nod and Thryn, disobeyed direct orders to stay in Moonhaven and went AWOL. We were in the middle of looking for them, when we found you guys."
"Oh yeah I almost forgot!" Lex added. "This is Mason and Ross, friends of Nod's. Guys, this is M.K., as in the M.K. that Nod will not stop talking about!"
Ross rolled his eyes, "We noticed, Lex, when you went all fan girl on her."
"Pleasure to meet you," Mason greeted in a sweet voice. "Your hair really does glow like fire in the sunlight."
With a compliment like that, M.K.'s hair wasn't the only thing that was glowing, "Thank you."
"Who's your friend?" Ross asked, pointing a thumb behind him.
"That's Jason. He got shrunk with me," she explained. From the nervous little wave that Jason gave, she could clearly see that he was out of his element. The red-head was silently relieved that Jason hadn't asked who Nod was, but considering that he had listened to her video chat, it was possible that he already had a good guess.
"What were you guys doing so high in the air?" Lex questioned. "And were you hanging on leaves?"
M.K. quickly recounted meeting the wind bird after being shrunk, how it was desperate to get to their patrol before they missed them. The teenager was thankful that the others didn't look at her like she was insane, but they didn't really know what she was talking about either.
"I'd never seen a bird made of gusts of wind," Lex mused.
"Queen Ariel will know, surely. We'll just have to hope Ronin's group finds Nod and Thryn," Ross added.
"Man, are they going to get the ax!" Mason commented. Jason, usually the social butterfly, was keeping uncharacteristically quiet. M.K. decided to stare off into the passing woods, becoming lost in her thoughts.
The girl was happy to be back, but she distressed about her dad. Hopefully, she'll get the chance to contact him via a video camera. M.K. knew that her dad would understand, but what about Jason's family? The Hales will be worried stiff that their eldest son is missing from his soccer match, and it was not like her dad could explain his disappereance easily. Not unless he wanted to let them in on their secret. M.K. already concluded that they couldn't risk anyone else knowing about the hidden Jinn society.
She didn't realize they had reached Moonhaven until the hummingbirds flitted into the clearing. The big rock that served as the Queen's home was basking in the sunlight, its gray granite walls warm and the water surrounding it looked refreshing and cool. Jinn children were enjoying the beautiful day by swimming in the crystal clear pond, while their families lay on the soft moss having picnics. Laughter echoed off the rocks. Hundreds of flowers permeated their sweet, sudtle scent. It truly looked like a haven; a utopia that human civilization should never touch.
M.K smiled at the sight of the scene, and only then did she come to terms on how much she really missed this place. She caught herself searching the trees, ground, and people...so maybe it wasn't only Moonhaven she missed. It was mainly a certain person. She had to remind herself that Nod wasn't in the palace at the moment, but gallivanting off in the forest, disobeying orders and evading arrest. That is so like Nod, she thought with a smile.
The hummingbirds landed lightly on the Outcrop, the buzzing of their wings coming to a still. Captain Troy dismounted smoothly, followed by the rest of the patrol. The heat of the rock could be felt through the soles of her orange sneakers. Jason was at M.K.'s side in an instant, but he stilled gazed at the small birds that rustled their feather as they began to preen.
"That was...amazing," he praised, blue eyes marveling at the hummingbirds. M.K. smiled with him. It's how she felt after her first flight on a bird...not counting that time when Nod nearly threw her off with that stunt he pulled on his sparrow. At that point in their relationship, she thought of him as just plain infuriating.
Lex came up beside her and was about to speak, when her sharp gold-green eyes locked on something in the woods. Her smile lit up and she pointed excitedly, "They're back!"
Nod was in trance as they flew back to Moonhaven. It was only the instincts of Cricket that kept them from plowing into a tree or branch. As embarrassing as that would be, (especially for him) Nod couldn't shake himself from his thoughts. He let Cricket take control, and the sparrow followed the flock ahead of her; Nod was merely a passenger.
Stashed in his saddle bag was the old journal wrapped in a leaf. Nim Galuu had suggested keeping the tablets inside the Rings of Knowledge; despite looking so fresh, the wood would quickly deteriorate if exposed to the outside elements. The journal was more durable...but still a mystery.
He hadn't gotten the answers he was hoping for. So they now knew where the rose came from and its connection to a king. They knew some history. But why did Queen Marise condemned her husband as a traitor? They had obviously loved each other. Yet the King had taken a rose seed and cast some spell on it, cursing it with some dark power, but then blessing it with a tearful promise. What was all that about?
The more important question: how is the rose supposed to save them? The even scarier question: from what?
Thryn sat behind him again, keeping silent, like always. Ever since Nod had come up from the bottom of the tree, he had been distant. Ronin also acted more grim and grave than he normally did. Even the happy go-lucky Nim Galuu looked around like there were eggshells everywhere and he had to step carefully (well in his case, scootch). Upon seeing them return to the top floor, she had been about to ask Nod what they found out, but the look on his face stilled her vocals. Thryn had walked next him as he silently packed a leaf covered book into his saddle bag and mounted Cricket. They took off without a word.
Now she waited patiently. She knew the teenager; he wouldn't stay mute forever, and once he found the words, he'd tell her. Whatever it was though, it couldn't be good.
Cricket slipped smoothly through the leafy branches, still in control of the journey. The babbling creek that always led them to Moonhaven appeared below and they followed it upriver. A quick flight over the water, through a rocky tunnel, and they exited into the clearing. As always, the big rock basked in the sunlight like a stone lizard, the Jinn enjoying the beautiful weather. The trees behind the palace were full of Leafmen doing their training exercises, and the hummingbird riders performed formations and maneuvers in the sky above. In short, everything looked normal and at peace.
Waiting for them on the Outcrop was another patrol, which didn't surprise Nod at all. What surprised him was a small group of teenagers waving at them. They landed and Nod made out Ross, Mason, and Lex. Then he saw a tall, blond boy with blue eyes and an athletic build. Next to him was the last person he expected to see today, and was also his favorite Stomper.
M.K., her red hair down and shining like fire, green eyes wide with joy at the sight of him. He couldn't believe it. After a year of talking through a screen, there she was in front of him, looking more beautiful than ever. He gaped, unable to express how happy he felt without squeaking like a mouse.
"Nod!" she cried, running too him. He dismounted and met her halfway, enveloping her slim figure in a hug. Nod spun her around, laughing with her.
"God, I missed you so much," she whispered.
"Me too."
Nod put her down and gazed into her stunning green eyes. Man, he wanted to kiss her so badly and he could see that she wanted to kiss him too, but there was some hesitation. Maybe now wasn't the best time, he thought, and became aware of all the watching eyes. Nod felt the rose rustle and it lifted itself up to M.K.'s face. She froze in fascination and held out her hand to it invitingly. The rose nuzzled its bud into her palm and she laughed.
"Lex told me about the rose, but this is..." M.K. trailed off as her eyes roamed down the stem. "It's really connected to you."
"Yeah," the boy replied, and he glanced at where the white roots sank under his flesh, right at the joint of his elbow. "I've gotten used to it."
Ross marched up to him, followed by Lex, Mason, and the mysterious blond boy. The older, bigger teen gave him his infamous scowl, "Nod, where the hell have you been? You had specific orders to-"
"We went to the races Ross," Nod interrupted his friend before he can launch into reciting all the things that he did wrong.
"The races?" Lex said. "Thryn, you went to see the races without me?"
The teenage girl rolled her eyes to the heavens but smirked, "It wasn't all that exciting."
Nod blanched, "Are you kidding me?!" he exclaimed in disbelief. "That was the most epic race in the history of the forest! I won!"
"Which of course, right afterwards, you got the rose exposed and then Boggans chased and almost caught us." Thryn knew that the day had been thrilling, but she couldn't help but agitate Nod for her own amusement.
"Oh come on, how's that my fault?" Nod retorted but was smiling. M.K. observed how easily these two conversed with a hint of jealousy. The red-head cleared her throat, gaining their attention so they wouldn't start again.
"I think some introductions are needed," Thryn said evenly.
"M.K. this is Thryn, my friend," Nod said. "I think you've already met Lex, Mason, and Ross."
M.K. studied the gray-eyed girl before her, and Thryn studied back. Nod had a nervous thought that the two girls would immediately dislike each other, but both seem to reach a silent agreement. Nod tried not to muse over that to long; it was vexing when trying to understand the feminine mind.
"It's nice to meet you at last M.K." Thryn greeted coolly.
Whether Thryn meant it or not, M.K. smiled with warmth, "You too." She then turned to gesture to the boy behind her, "This is my friend Jason. He got shrunk with me by accident."
Nod examined him. Tall, muscular, but more lean, not like Ross's bulk. Similar to Ross, he had blonde hair and blue eyes, but the hair was more bleached blonde and set in a spiky hair style. His eyes were more of an ice blue, and even his skin was paler. Overall, he was handsome, a Stomper, and M.K.'s friend.
Jason held out a hand and Nod took it with his left. The soccer captain started when he saw the rose, "Whoa...what is that thing?" he asked.
"A long story."
"Well it will have to wait," Ronin interrupted the reunion. The Leafman general had dismounted and sent his hummingbird into the forest for some freedom. Now he stood in command as always. "I'm sure all of you have stories to exchange, but Thryn, Nod, and I have to report to the Queen. It's of high importance," he turned to M.K. "And I would like to know why she called you back to our world."
"That's the thing Ronin," M.K. replied. She realized that as much as she missed the older man, his utmost serious manner called for her to forget the pleasantries. "I don't think it was the Queen that shrunk us. We never saw her...in fact, nobody was around until the wind bird showed up."
"Wind bird?" then the general shook his head. "We'll talk about all that later. Right now, I need to see her."
As a group, the teenagers followed the Leafmen general to the crack that served as the opening into Moonhaven palace. M.K. fell in pace beside Nod and he didn't hesitate to take her hand. To his delight, she squeezed his back. The green fern fronds opened to receive them. Ronin called to one of the sentries posted at the entrance.
"Have you seen Queen Ariel leave the premises?"
"No, sir. She's been in her garden all day."
"Go ahead of us, and announce are arrival to her Majesty."
The Leafman quickly left to carry out Ronin's bidding. Nod couldn't help but smirk, "Still strict about protocol even in the most dire of times, huh Ronin?"
The man's blank face didn't twitch, "Some of us have to be Nod. Everything is not just fun and games. At some point, you have to grow up."
Nod's smirk faded. The tension was palpable, putting the teens on edge. M.K. flashed Nod a concerned glance, one eyebrow raised in a silent question, "What was that about?" The look he gave her said, "Later."
They kept moving, the daylight suddenly cut off. The smooth walls and ceiling were lit by flower lanterns posted in the wall at intervals, small flames flickering inside them. They went up a flight of stairs, down another hallway, and at the end was the vines that covered the doorway into the Queen's garden and chambers. Two sentries stood guard on either side; they stiffened at the sight of the general. Ronin was about to step through when the vines parted to reveal the red beard of Finn. His hands were one his knees, and his breathing was shallow like he had run a long distance. His eyes were wild as if he just saw a thousand things that he didn't think existed. When he spotted Ronin, Finn straighten himself and his helmet which had gone askew on his head.
He stamped his foot and saluted, "Sir!"
"What's happened Finn?"
"The Queen is missing Ronin!"
Shock cut off all chatter, hitting them like a freight train. Ronin was the first to recover, "You two, go to each wing of the fortress and spread the word. Search the palace! Tell Captain Troy that I want search parties assembled and combing the woods for the Queen! Finn, give your report."
As the two guards ran to carry out Ronin's orders, Finn recited his half of the story, "I was patrolling the halls around the garden when a Leafman came and said you wanted an audience with the Queen. We went inside and called for her but their was no answer, so we searched the area. She's not in there, and none of us saw her leave Moonhaven. Her mother, Mub, and Grub are also absent."
Ronin whispered curses under his breath but remained calm. Nod met M.K.'s wide eyes, both feeling dread anchor in their chests. How could the situation get any worse?
damn...i just jinxed it...
OMG the queen is missing! does anyone have any idea where she's gone?! :O
Haha, I do and im not telling so I laugh and point! Wow...that was so sassy of me, sorry guys that I dropped that cliffhanger. Now you have all thanksgiving break to predict whats going to happen. Teehee. :P
I love reviews and I also like to here you guy's predictions of the next chapter, so please PM me anytime you want, and I will respond with delight. :)
Until next time, FIAF out B)