Crown of Shadows

Chapter 2

The next morning, there was a small gathering around the Lavender's front door. Freya and Frederick stood together in their traveling cloaks. They had been on far too many adventures to wander around without the necessary gear. Frederick checked his golden pocket watch and looked around. Buddy and Izzy stood opposite them. They were all waiting for Sadie to show up. 

"Well, how is everyone doing then?" he asked. 

"Quite well. I do hope this place isn't too creepy. Was it just me, or did Maybell seem a little suspicious when she told us about this place?" asked Buddy. 

"No, I thought so too," said Izzy quietly. 

Just then the Lavender's front door opened quickly and Sadie strode out. She was fully decked out in a blue patterned dress and her golden curls bounced around as she made her announcement. 

"Right, I am very glad to see you all here. As you already know, we are going to be trying to find a meeting place for the Pretty Princess Book Club. Maybell has already given us a place to try out. I appoint Freya and Frederick to lead the way." And with that she adjusted her bow and walked up to the rest of them. 

"Okay, I believe it is this way," said Frederick as he started to walk in the direction of the nursery. "Maybell said that there was a path behind the nursery that led to the manor." 

The little group followed Frederick past a few more houses and then some shops. They walked in silence for a while until Sadie got a stone in her shoe and had to stop everyone to pick it out. 

After a few minutes, they came upon the nursery and went around the back. This was where the path was supposed to be. 

"I don't see anything," said Sadie. Freya and Frederick started to look around the bushes and past the trees. 

"I think I found it," said Izzy. The rest of the group went up to where she was standing. Sure enough, there was a small dirt path that wound itself into the forest. It was a little hidden behind a patch of marigolds. 

"I guess this is it, then," said Buddy. He started to walk down the path careful not to trip on roots and little stones. The rest of them followed close behind. 

"Well, I hope that this not a long path. I am starting to get a blister in my foot," said Sadie. 

"Don't worry, I have some bandages in case of injuries," said Frederick as he patted his trusty satchel. He shared a look with Freya. 

It was quite a pleasant walk. Buddy walked in front followed by Izzy and Sadie. Freya and Frederick walked at the end of the line. The coolness of the morning was beginning to wear off and a subtle warmth washed over the forest. They had left the nursery far behind. Freya could hear the crunch of their feet over the twisting dirt path. A few sunbeams peaked through the thickness of the treetops and reached the traveling party. 

"How long does this path go on? I'm getting a bit hungry," said Buddy as he trudged on after about a half hour. 

"It shouldn't be too far now. We have some sandwiches if you'd like one," said Freya. 

"Oh, yes, please," said Buddy. They all decided to sit down on some scattered logs and take a break. Freya and Frederick took out some sandwiches and handed them all around. 

"No, thank you, I'm on a diet," said Sadie as she refused one of the sandwiches. 

"Oh, nice, more for us," replied Frederick. 

After everyone had eaten and rested for a bit, they started back on the path. 

"I think I can use a bandage," said Sadie as she leaned against a tree by the path and took off her shoe. 

Frederick gave her a bandage which Izzy helped to put on. 

Another hour later, they could just see something in the distance. It looked like a big mass of rock. As they came closer, they could see that it was very old manor. It was all broken down and had roots and vines growing all over it. The windows were smashed and it looked totally deserted. 

"I guess this is it. Shall we go in?" asked Freya. 

"I don't know. It looks a bit dangerous. Maybe we should just go back," said Izzy. 

"Oh, come on, guys, we've just spent the last hour and a half trying to get here. We've got to go in," said Frederick. He started to head to what was left of the front door. Freya followed him. 

"Oh, well, let's go in then," said Sadie as she trudged behind the rest. Izzy and Buddy followed. They all went in and stood in the living room. The walls were covered with old torn up wallpaper and their were a few dusty paintings. There was no furniture on the hard wooden flooring. A single lopsided curtain hung from one of the smashed in windows. 

"Well, what do you think?" asked Buddy to Sadie. 

"I think we should explore the rest of the manor," replied Frederick. 

"I don't know. I don't think it is a good place to meet for our book club. It is a little far to have to walk twice a week," said Izzy. 

"I agree with Izzy. There is no way that I am going to walk all of this way," said Sadie. "That reminds me! I told Stella and Laura that I would meet them at the bakery today to go over Rosemary's birthday party plans. I had better go. I'll see you all later." 

And with that, Sadie turned and walked hurriedly out of the manor and away down the path. 

"Right, now who else wants to explore this place with Freya and I?" asked Frederick. Izzy and Buddy smiled in agreement and they all decided to go up the creaking staircase that led to the upper rooms.