Breaking the Seal Part One

On the ship, the kids sat down below, observing their sister, Ray, Felix and Zym up above. Willow was extremely nervous. "Think we should tell Carol what I saw?"

"Let's just wait a bit first. As you said, the futures you see are only protentional. We don't know for certain if it's happened or not," said Ez. "Besides…Caldor has been our friend for years. I still think we can trust him,"

Willow thought for a moment. "Okay. But if I see anything regarding Caldor again…we tell her,"

"Deal," said Ezran.

"Ahoy! Laddie and lassie!" called the captain from the well. "About a full day of sailing ahead and then we'll reach land,"

"Perfect," praised Ezran.

"How are we supposed to relax? I've already had enough time on this boat for one lifetime," moaned Willow.

Bait fell asleep. "Let's just try having a nap," suggested her brother.

Up above, Felix was curled up asleep in his best friend's arms and Zym was fast asleep in Raylan's arms.

"I'm glad to see you're enjoying this," said Carol to Raylan who hadn't turned a layer of green.

"I'll take calm water any day," he said. "It's so beautiful,"

"It is. So much sea to see and endless shades of blue. I wish I was painting it right now," as she was speaking, she looked down and saw her siblings, asleep.

Raylan noticed her becoming quiet again. "You okay?"

She sighed. "I still keep thinking about what to say. Ezran will become king and he shouldn't have to carry that burden at such a young age,"

"He'll have you and Willow to hold onto. Or if possible there could be a regent until he comes of age. I know it's none of my business…but what was your father like?"

"He was good and generous, beloved by his people…and…whenever I was made fun of, he'd always try to comfort me and make me feel better,"

"I wasn't talking about him. I meant your birth father," Carol turned her head away at his question. "You don't have to talk about it,"

"I never knew him. I don't even know who he was. I never got the chance to ask my mum. I asked my aunt Amaya once but she said it was my mum's request that I wasn't to know who he was,"

Raylan became curious. "Do you think your parents split up?"

"No. All my mum wanted me to know was that my dad loved us both very much. He gave my mum this necklace," she touched her pendant. "And this bracelet," she showed it to Ray who admired how the two items of jewellery matched. "And even though she married my new dad, she never stopped loving him. And then…she passed these gifts onto me,"

"Then why didn't she want you to know who he was?"

Carol shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe she just wanted me to focus on the dad that I had so it wouldn't be painful to know that my birth dad wasn't there to see me grow up,"

"Do you still remember anything about him?"

She pursed her lips. "It was so long ago…just a few pictures in my mind," she went off into deep thought. "I remember his hands. They were rough like sandstone but so gentle. And…I remember the whistle of his voice when he whistled for birds. I inherited that from him," she did a sweet, flat whistle and the parrot came flying up on her, landing on her outreached shoulder. She pulled out some seeds from her pocket and fed him before he flew back down. "Sometimes whenever I do that I think of him…I just wish I knew who he was. Maybe knowing him would have helped me not be less insecure about my life. The truth is I've been so insecure my whole life. When my mum married my dad, I was so nervous around him because he wasn't my birth father. I remember how so scared I was of him, the thought of having to accept my mother had married someone else. I guess what I was really afraid of was that he wouldn't love me the same way he would my siblings. Like he wouldn't treat me like I was one of his own,"

"Of course, you felt like that," Raylan comforted. "Who wouldn't?"

At the Pentagon in the Human Kingdoms, Viren and the rulers of the other four kingdoms were gathering together. Posing as regent he had unlawfully summoned with King Harrow's seal. After the child queen Aanya of Duren introduced herself, Viren was eager more than ever to get to the speech he had prepared with the rolled-up map he had brought.

"Right, now that we'll all here…may we all sit down for what I've summoned here to discuss?"

All but one ruler nodded. "Before we start Lord Viren, I think we should discuss the matters of Princes Caroline," Queen Aanya pulled out a scroll. "My kingdom received a message that she had run away from Katolis," the other queen and two kings pressed their hands over their mouths. "The late king Harrow had hoped there might be a chance she would come to Duren but we never found her,"

"Well…I am pleased to report to you all that she has been found safe and sound,"

"Are you certain?" Aanya asked sceptically. "Because I've heard rumours that she, Crown Prince Ezran and princess Willow are missing,"

"Don't believe everything you hear," Viren said. "I give you my word that they are all safe and sound. Especially Caroline. Forgive me for being intrigued Queen Aanya, but it seems you have quite a connection to Princess Caroline," he intended to admire.

"I do indeed," said the queen. "But that's a story for another time. Let's just begin,"

(Nearly Ten years ago)

Ezran was nearly 2 years old and walking on both feet. Willow, a newborn of only five months was being held in Harrow's arms. The newly crowned king and queen of Katolis Harrow and Sarai were eager for their royal portrait to be painted. But they couldn't start yet.

Opeli entered the room. "Forgive me your majesties but it seems Princess Caroline is very nervous to come downstairs for the portraits. She feels it would be inappropriate given her status,"

Harrow sighed. He really wanted to forge a connection with his wife's daughter but she was very scared whenever she was around him.

Sarai comforted him. "She will love you. She just needs time. Let me go and get her. Stay with your father Ez,"

The adolescent Ez took his father's hand whilst the queen walked off to fetch her daughter.

Six-year-old Caroline was nervous. She hid next to her bed, afraid, and anxious.

"Where are you insolent girl?" cursed a mean nurse marching outside her bed chambers.

Carol hid under the bed with her fox toy. She kept very still. She hated her nurse who was cruel and impatient. The door creaked. Footsteps paraded under the bed.

"Don't think you can hide from me. You make my job harder. I don't even know why you have to get to be in the portrait too but if I were queen I'd forbid it,"

Her words made her shiver. It suddenly became quiet. She couldn't hear anything. She crawled out. Suddenly she was grabbed by her pigtails from underneath. "I'm gonna straighten your behaviour out young lady…" the nurse sneered. She raised a hand.

"What do you think you're doing to my daughter?!" shouted a voice.

The nurse spun around and to her shock saw a red-faced Queen Sarai. Instantly she let go of Carol's hair and ran into her mother's arms crying.

"Oh, your majesty I was just…"

"You're to leave the castle by tomorrow or I will have you thrown in the dungeon," the warrior queen threatened. The pale nurse rushed out. Sarai knelt before her daughter. "Are you all right?" Carol cried. She pulled her into a hug. "There. There. It's okay,"

"She tried to hurt me,"

"Don't you worry. She's gone now," she let go and cupped her cheek. "No one's going to hurt you. Not while I'm here,"

"Are you sure I should be in the painting?" she asked numbly.

"Of course, darling. You're part of this family. Your dad and your siblings are downstairs waiting for you,"

"He's not my dad,"

Sarai sighed. They both found it hard moving on from their old life as commoners to living as nobles since she married her new husband. "Carol…I know how hard it's been for you. It was so hard for me too. All I want is for you to be happy,"

"But what if he doesn't like me? What if he treats me like that awful nurse?"

"That will never happen. He really does want to build a relationship with you,"

"Don't you miss dad?"

Sarai sighed, holding her pendant, her beloved first husband's gift to her. "Of course, I do,"

"Then why did you decide to move on?"

"Because that's what life is about. Finding happiness whenever you feel sad. He would have wanted us to move on and be happy. And I want you to have a dad in your life. At least try to give your new dad a chance. For me?" Carol sniffled and nodded. "That's my brave girl," she kissed her cheek. "Come on. Let's get you ready,"

Some time had passed since the royal portrait was painted and King Harrow had dedicated his life to helping others. But one day two women, two queens, two mothers came walking into the throne room. One of them carried a baby with her. They bowed.

"Please don't bow," he said.

"We've come here to beg your help," the one on the right said. She wore blue and gold with long braids over her shoulders. "The kingdom of Duren has suffered from a terrible famine for seven years. Our food and resources are almost gone. This winter we will run out of food,"

"Our baby will die too," said the queen on the right. The one with short white hair and long bangs of separate strangers dangling over her blue suit with gold trimmings. "She hasn't had much to eat or drink and we fear she will fall very ill,"

Harrow saw the pain in the mother's eyes. He couldn't imagine if it was one of his own children suffering so deadly the same way their beloved daughter was. "Please allow my nurses to tend to her whilst we discuss matters," Harrow insisted. "They'll be the best ones I have,"

The queen gave their daughter to her nurse and she was escorted towards some chambers by some special nurses to help her. They watched with worried faces as their daughter was taken away to be cared for.

In the children's chambers, Carol was drawing on paper whilst cuddling her toy fox. Ezran was playing with some wooden toys. Willow was fast asleep, in her cradle. Carol heard voices from outside. With curiosity, she stood up and peeked through the creak between the doors and saw the nurses carrying a baby inside. She tiptoed over to the door and peeked through. She saw the infant being placed in a cot. A nurse stayed behind whilst another went off to find some extra milk and food. Another nurse had her back turned for a moment.

The kid tiptoed inside to observe the young infant, awake, moving about. Her green eyes met a pair of golden ones. She giggled. Carol squeezed her fox toy through, giving it to the infant princess. She took it and cuddled it laughing a bit. She reached a finger forward and the baby's infant hand clasped it.

"What do you think you're doing in here?!" the nurse shouted. Carol jumped to her loud voice as she looked at her heated face. Princess Aanya started crying. "Look what you've done, you've made the princess cry. Get out," she grabbed her wrist and threw her out of the room, slamming the door shut.

Carol began to cry. She raced down the hallway, wiping her tears away. Harrow and the queens of Duren who had come through a nearby door saw her run.

"Carol! Wait!" Harrow called out, as he saw her run away in tears. But she ignored him. She flew out through the door. The nursery opened and the nurse walked out.

"Your majesty," she bowed. "Princess Aanya is being well-fed as we speak,"

The queens were escorted inside and they saw their baby who smiled when she saw her mothers.

"Ahh…I see the nurse has given you a toy," Queen Annika observed seeing the fox toy.

The nurse noticed. "Oh. That's not a toy," she snatched the toy from the baby causing her to cry. "That belongs to that revolting step-princess…" She realised what she just said but it was too late.

The king had heard. "What did you just say?"

The nurse became scared again. "Oh, I meant to see the lovely, sweet girl,"

"Did you scare her away?" the king demanded. The nurse tried to lie but his strong glare made her quiver. Even the queens were outraged. They knew of King Harrow's adoptive daughter and they knew immediately that the young six-year-old girl had given their daughter her toy to make her happy. "I want you to leave now," he ordered. The nurse left and he turned to the queens. "I am so sorry that I put that nurse to look after your daughter," he gave the toy which he had retrieved from the second, sacked nurse back to Aanya who cuddled it again.

The tearful Carol had run outside into the gardens, desperate to get away from the second nurse who had been so cruel to her. Behind her mother and stepfather's backs, many of the staff didn't like her at all. As she sat on some stairs, she heard older children in the public talking as everyone was gathered in the courtyard.

"Why should that step-princess be given privilege? She doesn't even have any royal blood,"

"You know another nurse got sacked because of her,"

"Don't worry. It's only a matter of time before her mother won't want her around her. She's got two beautiful children so she should just forget about her and move on,"

Carol fled again. This time to the gardens, quiet and private. She cried again in her knees, in a bed of red roses.

Sarai came walking into the gardens. Harrow had told her what had happened and was uncertain if he could comfort her, regarding she had ignored his concerned calls her. She saw her. She came forward. "Carol…."

"Everyone hates me," she sobbed. Sarai sat beside her and hugged her tightly. "Why is life so hard?"

"Because life isn't perfect darling," Sarai let go and held her cheek. "But that doesn't mean you're not perfect. You just have to be yourself. You don't need to be whatever everyone expects of you,"

"I wasn't trying to ruin anything,"

"I know you weren't. You were so kind to give your toy to that princess. The queens know it and they were wondering if you could play with her during their stay here while your dad shares our resources with Duren,"

"Really?"

"Yes. And we've asked Opeli to look out for you. She's kind and gentle. She'll take care of you," She hugged her daughter again, making her feel less alone. "I'm so sorry you feel so alone. But you never are. Never forget that,"

For the next few weeks, Carol sat in the nursery with baby Aanya as she played around. She loved the new fox toy that she had gifted her. They spent many happy memories together. And sometimes Ezran joined in and Willow too. Though young as they were, these moments became golden memories do the dear children. Opeli watched over Carol as promised and unlike many nurses was kind and caring and treated her with deep respect.

Sarai would always check on them too. She smiled seeing her eldest children becoming happier and happier. Harrow would sometimes visit too. Still, Carol remained anxious as ever around him but over time they began to form a deep affectionate bond much to the delight of Sarai. It seemed like perhaps her daughter would be happy with her new dad after all. But what they didn't know was that something was about to happen that would change their lives forever.

One dark night, Carol was being escorted back to her room by Opeli when she saw her mother all geared up in armour, handy with her spear. Sarai saw her and watched parade over to her. "Mum, what's going on?"

"I'm afraid I need to leave sweetie. For an important mission,"

"I wanna come with you," Carol begged, not wanting her to leave her.

Sarai knelt before her and cupped her cheek. "Growing up means knowing where you're needed the most. And right now, that's here protecting your brother and sister,"

"I don't understand,"

"One day you will," Sarai wiped a tear away. Then she reached for her necklace and unclipped it before clipping it around her daughter. She then slipped off her bracelet and placed it on her wrist. "Wear these. So that you never ever feel alone. My love is always with you…even when I'm not here," Caroline hugged her mother tightly and Sarai hugged her back tighter. "I'm gonna miss you so much," she felt her daughter's tears rain down her armour. "Remember this Caroline…no matter how things may seem to change, never forget who you are," She leaned forward and kissed her daughter's feeble forehead. With tears raining down her cheek, she stood up and walked away still holding onto her hand before it slipped out. Held back gently by Opeli, Carol saw her mother give her one last encouraging smile before she walked through the doors which closed slowly, swallowing the last glimpse the girl would ever see of her mother.

Caroline on the ship held her pendant. "That was the last time I ever saw her,"

Raylan listened to her story with tender tears. "Your mother was a brave woman,"

"I know. I wish I was as brave as her,"

"You are brave Caroline. I think her spirit lives on in you," Raylan comforted. "I know how hard it is to say goodbye to a parent at such a young age. Leaving me was the hardest thing my parents had to do,"

"What were they like?" she asked.

He sighed and clasped his hands together. "They were strong and daring. They were the best warriors the Silvergrove had ever known. Their names were Lain and Tiadrin. I was always told by Runaan that I looked like my mother but I had my father's eyes and markings. You remind me a lot of my mother," Carol blinked. "She always believed there was more to humans than what we were told. And she was right," he smiled at her. "You're exactly what she believed in," his smile dropped and he turned glum. "I really hope I'm making them proud,"

Carol patted his back. "Of course, you are. You're delivering the Dragon Prince back to his home. What else could they be proud of?" Her attempts were futile.

"I just wish I knew what happened to them," he lamented. "When Zym was taken, everyone in my village just assumed they were cowards without a second thought, like how they had dedicated their lives to protect the dragon prince meant nothing at all. I thought maybe back in Katolis, I could find answers to what happened to them…but it was hopeless. What if it's true? What if they.."

"Don't say that Raylan," Carol interrupted. "And don't give up. We'll figure out what happened. Together," Her words consulted Raylan. "Who took care of you?"

"Runaan did," said Raylan solemnly. "And his husband, Ethari,"

Carol stared at him. "You mean that elf who you fought to protect me and my family was the one who raised you?"

Raylan nodded slowly. "I just wish he had listened to reason instead of allowing his anger to get the better of him. We could have avoided the whole fight and he might be here. With us. And your dad would be alive too," Carol couldn't be angry. She didn't feel hatred or rage. She felt solemness. "I just hope he's alive," he realised what he said and turned to her. "I'm sorry about what he did…"

"It's okay Raylan. He's important to you. It's hard to not want someone you love dead even if they've committed something so terrible," she comforted. "And besides…it's more Viren I blame. And this cycle of revenge," she wiped a tear away. "What's Ethari like?"

"He's the best blacksmith the Silvergrove has ever seen. He made me these babies," Raylan showed off his blades making her chuckle. "Before he married Runaan, he was so shy. But my dad convinced him to confess his feelings to him and he did. He was the best man at their wedding,"

"How so sweet,"

"I only hope he's okay. He'll be so worried about us. We're more alike than you think. When my parents left me to join the dragon guard, I was so upset with them. I felt abandoned. And it was so difficult for me to accept that Runaan and Ethari were now my guardians and would be the ones responsible for taking care of me. I once tried to run away to try and find them, to see if there was the slightest chance they had changed their minds and decided to come home. But it was all hopeless. Over time I began to accept that my guardians were my new parents. As much as I grew to love them, it felt so hard to rid myself of that awful feeling I had felt for years,"

Carol gently patted their shoulder in comfort. "You know you're not the only one who ran away as a kid,"

Ray blinked at her. "You mean that day you ran away wasn't the first time?"

Carol shook her head. "It wasn't the first time I ran away," she turned away and stared out into the distance. "You remember back at the Caldera I was going to tell you I had an encounter with a miracle healer…it was that moment,"

"If you tell me your story, can I share mine too?"

She nodded. "You can tell me first,"

Another chapter done. What do you all think? Please let me know what you all thought and send more reviews. As in the case of the question about Caldor and the sky mage...I don't think I'll be able to answer that question quite yet until Dragon Prince Season 5 comes out but I will try and make indications as to why in the next few chapters. See you all soon