Even though several people, including the guards seemed to believe that Amy was their queen, something didn't feel quite right. Something in the air made her hairs stand up on her arms. She rubbed them while she made slow steps to the tall, heavy double-doors. They were made of dense, rich-coloured, dark wood. Decades ago, elegant hands carved out their elaborate imagery.
Both traveling companions were certain the doors had an amazing story to tell, however, they had more pressing matters over which to worry. The entry led into a long and spacious hallway which was followed by another set of heavy doors.
Upon entering, a guard took note of the guests and approached Amy. He bowed.
"We've been awaiting your return dear Lady," he said.
Amy didn't know what to say. I doubt it's even safe to tell him that I'm not really Sandy. But I don't know how else I could see her. It's not like most guards will allow total strangers into the castle like this.
Another guard entered and bowed. He said to the guards with them, "Pardon my interruption, but it appears we have some intruders outside the castle."
The guards bowed before Amy and hurried out the doors. Amy felt curious about what was happening. However, Shadow placed his large hand on her shoulder.
He whispered, "Let them leave. It'll be easier to track down your sister if we aren't watched."
The pink Hedgehog glanced over her shoulder at him and nodded. They waited for the last guard to exit the room. Once they heard the heavy doors slam closed, the two Hedgehogs observed the large, circular room.
We must be in the throne room, Amy pondered. Where do we even begin our search?
A few hours passed. Nothing in the room stood out so the two friends ventured into other rooms. Amy reached a study and stumbed upon a mess of open books and notes. For a moment she hesitated. Something in that room felt unnerving. She rubbed her arms and entered.
Symbols were scribbled all over the spread out papers. She squinted her jade-green eyes until she reached into her pocket. She pulled out her leather bound book. The strange letters and words matched the papers'.
"I wish I knew what all this says," she muttered.
Her hand brushed a medallion when she said that and the words on the papers rearranged themselves. It startled Amy. She lifted her hands and everything returned to normal.
What just happened?
Once more she bumped the necklace and noticed how it shimmered upon contact. She took the strange jewlery and analyzed it. It was a large, round ruby. The surface had a perfect polish and was almost as large as half her palm. It was set in bronzen vines. Above the large ruby sat a smaller red stone that was so dark it could almost pass as black.
A subtle shimmer emmitted from the enchanted pendant and bronze chain. Amy held it over the desk and stared at its magical glow. She glanced over at the papers and books and noticed the words moving and flying over them. They eventually returned to the pages. However, they were re-ordered.
Amy was taken aback by what she saw. I can read it.
She gingerly lifted a note and read the glowing words that stated: "She must be found. She must pay."
A pit formed in her stomach. She glanced around and noticed that the books were focused on portals and dimensional hopping.
Whoever is reading and writing all this must be responsible for creating that portal that had brought us here!