Kingdoms Unknown: Kingdom of Fire

Chapter 7: The Sky's Ablaze

We've stayed in Flamis for three months now. My room is a pretty, big one. The bedding was pink, as well as the walls and ceiling, except the ceiling and walls were lighter. There was a white chandelier with diamonds hanging from it in the center of the room. The floor was smooth stoned, which keeper my feet warm when I get comfortable. Ash and Melody chose to stay with John, to care for the horses, but visit the castle often.

I step out of the room, after looking both ways. Thanks to King Magnus, my dress was more clean than it was when I first entered Flamis. I felt like I was home again.

Since the coast was clear, I make my way to the steps. I was close to leaving the castle, when..."Leaving so soon." A voice calls. "You know dad's looking for you." I turn and see Jace on the opposite side in the shadows. "Well...I was just going...what are you doing there?" I stammered.
"Easy, easy. Didn't want to case trouble. Mind if I come with you?"
"Yes."
"Oh, well, I could tell the old man where you went."
I sigh "Fine you can come, if you can keep up."
He looked at me confused.

We stand just outside the castle gates. "You wanted me to keep up with this?" He asks unimpressed.
"Just wait." I tell him.
Then, I whistle as loud as I could. Jace still looks unimpressed, but that changes when he hears a horse some distance away.

He looks at me like what are you planning?, but I just wait. Soon, Snowbell comes around the rocky corner, and stops at me for a petting. "Good girl." I tell her.
"Your horse?" Jace asks.
"Yes. Still think you can keep up?"
"Of course."
He, then, whistles, yet nothing happens. "Give me a minute." he says, then runs back to the castle.

I waited him for ten minutes. "What a pain." I say as I pet Snowbell. "Your agree, right Snowbell?" She raises her mussel. I laugh. Then, a sound comes from the back of us. It was Jace on a black horse. "It's about time." I told him.
"Sorry for the wait. He wouldn't budge." he responds.
"Whatever." I hop on Snowbell. "Let's go."
We ride off to the place I was heading to.

We arrived at the area. Ash and Melody were there already with their horses. The area isn't a big deal place. It's just an open field. Perfect for a horse race. "Thank goodness you're alright." Ash said in worry.
"Why do you always worry so much." Melody stated. "She's Merlinda; she finds a way. A see no damsel in distress here."
"Don't try to flatter me, before we race." I mention.
"Who me? Never in a millennia."

They see Jace behind me. "Why is he here?" Melody whispers.
"I sort of invited him. He was going to tell the king about this." I answer in whisper.
"He better not ruin this."
"He won't. Relax a little why don't you."
"Well, when you to are done talking, I'd like to start." Ash dropped in. "I mean we don't live forever."
We each line up horse by horse. "First on to the wood's entrance is the winner." I tell. "On your mark...get set...go!!" The race has started.

Snowbell and I were in the lead. Melody and Shooter were closing in. Ash and Mist were in the far back. I couldn't tell where Jace and his horse were, though. We're at the midpoint now.

Melody and Shooter passed us, making her in the lead. To keep her from winning, I kicked, gently, on Snowbell's lower half twice. She let out a sound, and moved much faster. We were so far ahead that the finish line was almost upon us. However, out of nowhere, Jace came riding from the behind at lightning speed. He passed every one, and came neck and neck with Snowbell and I. It's a close tie. We both pass the line, but because we went so fast, we flung forward behind a few bushes after stopping our horses.

"Looks like it was a tie." I laugh.
"Yeah." Jace laughed with me.
I pull my frizzy hair not realizing he's staring at me. "So, do you like it here?" he asks.
"Yes. It's great here. The people. The food. You."
"What was that last one?"
"Nothing." I begin blushing.
We lock eye contact. He slowly moves towards me. I move to him. We were close to kissing, when Ash came through. We moved back.

"That was awesome!" he said in excitement. "No one's ever tied Merlinda like that!"
"Alright. What's keeping you guys?" Melody said as she came through the bushes.
We left the woods entrance. I said my goodbyes to Ash, Melody, and Snowbell. Then, I ride off with Jace on his horse.

When we reach the castle, Jace helps me off. "I'm sorry." he says.
"What for?"
"I shouldn't have leaned towards you like that."
"No, it's-"
"Bad!" his voice raises.
I get a scare from the tone in his voice.
"You just don't understand." he says as he walks off with his horse.

I enter the castle, and the first thing that happens is..."Princess, King Magnus requests your presence." A servant tells me. I make my way to King Magnus' quarter. He offers me a seat as I enter. "Good evening, Princess Merlinda. Everything going well?" he asks.
"Yes, sir."
"You can call me dad, you know."
Not happening. I think. "Sir, is there something that goes on in this world that I am not aware of."
"Well...you're a princess, so...you must not know about what happens with princes."
"Princes?"
"Yes, you see princes have the ability to-"
"Sir, come quick!" a servant interrupts.
"This better be important!"

We all head to the castle balcony. The servant pointed to the sky. I can't believe what I saw. There was red smoke across the evening sky. Black smoke swirled around it. I follow where it's coming from, and my heart sank. The smoke was coming from Edrin.

I ride out the kingdom with Ash and Melody at my sides. "How'd this happen?" Melody asked.
"I don't know, but we have to get the people out if this is real." Ash replied.
"Then let's hope it isn't." I said.

We get to the whole, and as I feared, it was Edrin on fire. Our home.