Mysteries Atop the Mountain

Chapter 2

Ryin and Wrinlin dressed me in a multilayer gown of dark blues, whites, and purples. Although it had multiple layers of fabric, it was still light weight and breathable. It flowed nicely over my body like the rivers flowing over the side of the mountain.
I gazed into the vanity mirror as Ryin and Wrinlin braided my hair and placed decorative metal pins to keep it in place. Each pin was topped with floral shaped jewels. I closed my eyes as Ryin applied makeup and Wrinlin finished up my hair. Topping it off, my tiara was removed from its protective glass case. Ryin carefully positioned it onto my head.
The crown was made of fresh twigs and flowers collected each night, during a full moon. Luckily, each night at least one of the four moons was always full. I was never sure why it had to be a fun moon, but it was tradition.
"There." said Ryin. "All done. Would you like me to call the palanquin or the carriage? "

"The palanquin, please. But, could you wait a bit? I wanted to talk with Toren before I go. Tell the palanquin holders to expect two passengers today"

Ryin nodded as I stood, moving towards the door. Wrinlin held the door open for me. I walked through the winding corridors of the castle, on my way to where I knew Toren would be. My stomach ached in anticipation. Lately, every time I thought of Toren, my stomach and heart could barely control themselves. It wasn't like that when we were children. I only thought of him as a friend and a playmate, but now... it was different feeling.

The castle was filled to the brim with art, portraits of my family and Venalayan landscapes lined the walls. The walls themselves were specially painted with symbols of Venalayan, the kingdom flower, "The Red Inkblot", the kingdom bird, the "Blue Huddle", the white, purple, and blue stripped flag, and the mountain of Venalaya itself.
White curtains flowed in the wind of the opened windows. The fresh smells of Venalayan afternoons wafted in, fresh breads, flowers, and the smell of grass after being showered with rain.

I peered into the art studio, and there he was, Toren, my Toren. Toren with his wind ruffed blond hair. His hair was so pale that it almost white in the light of the sun, coming though the art studio window.
He sat with his back turned toward the door, so he hadn't seen me yet. I walked in and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and smiled when he saw me. We embraced for what felt like forever, but in my head, it still wasn't long enough.

He began signing to me, I was just about to come find you.

Really, I signed back, teasingly. Or, were you going to stay in here all day?

Cross my heart, he signed with that cheeky grin of his that always made me smile.

Come on then! Show me what you've been working on then!

He stepped aside for me to see the piece he was working on for my father. It was a piece for the art festival auction, and one look was enough for me to be taken aback. It was his best yet.
A view from the base of Mount Venalaya in the morning. It looked so real, the hazy atmosphere of the clouds near the top of the mountain and the suns coming up from behind. I could see the tiny details of the homes and store fronts from base to peak, people milling around, with the scales of mermaids glittering in the sunlight.

Wow! My hands almost couldn't form the words. It's breath taking. You captured it perfectly!

Yes, I do agree, He signed. He was always so modest. But, something is missing. I can't figure out what it is.