The Hunt for Freedom

Chapter Four

"Momma," I whimpered, "What are they doing?" I was so scared I was shaking.

Mom looked pretty nervous too. Neither of us knew what to do so we just stood there looking back at the people who had started to lift their heads. They were clearly expecting us to say something.

A man wearing a very colorful robe emerged. He must have sensed that we did not know the protocol. He greeted us with a booming voice, "Rise all, and welcome the long awaited Princess Katalea." He spoke with such authority but his words made no sense. Did someone tell him my nickname at home was Princess?

"Please follow me, your damsire is waiting." He spoke so formally that I immediately grabbed for my bag. As I did, a young boy was also reaching for it. He was dressed all in white, there was no color on him except his golden eyes and his incredible tan skin. I thought he was going to grab it and run so I put my hands on it too. He shrugged and said, "I am honored to serve you while you are here, anything you need you have only to ask."

I smiled at him and he lowered his eyes. What is going on here? I know this is a foreign country, but it's not a foreign planet.

I sent a mental message to Mom but she didn't respond. She just kept walking after the man in the bright robe. As we left the beach area we were shown into a waiting car with tinted windows and a driver with a suit and cap. He bowed low as we approached. While he was bowing I could see a crest on his cap. I had seen that crest before, but I couldn't place it.

We drove for literally two minutes before the car stopped and the driver was speaking out of the window to the guard in the guard shack. He spoke in a funny language but I heard my name. I couldn't understand him but the enormous gates opened up and we entered into a tropical paradise. I have never been into flowers, ironic since I am named after one, but this was beyond beautiful. The flowers were enormous and so bright that I couldn't take my eyes off the gardens.

I was so entranced that I didn't notice the house, if you could call it that, as we pulled up. We got out and stood before it looking as tiny as ants in front of its massiveness.

The thickest wooden door I have ever seen opened and a great big teddy bear of a man pulled Momma into a bear hug I thought would break her in two.

"Daddy!" She cried and I thought I would faint.

Daddy? This is my Grandpa? Last week I did not know I had a Grandpa and I certainly never imagined one this big or this handsome. He had a head full of curly salt and pepper hair and a great big smile. He wore white slacks and a printed white and blue shirt. The blue in his shirt matched his eyes, and mine...

"And look what you've brought me? I had almost given up hope. Thank the goddesses you are here at last Katalea." He looked down at me with tears in his eyes and smiled. His smile was so welcoming I forgot to be afraid.

"I'm Katalea," I spoke softly, afraid I would not have a voice at all, "Are you my GrandPa?

He threw back his head and roared with laughter. " I am your Grandfather, and your biggest fan! I have so much to tell you, and so much I want to learn about you. But first, let me show you to your rooms. I am sure you would like to get settled. We will have a sunset dinner on the terrace in one hour. I had the cook prepare all your favorites!"

As we walked toward the grandest staircase ever built, we passed a library bigger than my old schools'. There was an indoor flower garden to the left that had a koi pond in it. I have never seen a pond in the house before. As we began climbing up I could see a pool that started indoors and continued outdoors, until it looked like it just ended at the edge of the world. I don't think I'll be trying that out, I thought.