Kingdom of Time (Watty's 2015)

Chapter 3

It was time. The dreaded day was upon her. It was time for Twila's ceremony of adulthood. All children had their ceremony when they turned sixteen, and it was a big event. The birthday child was expected to throw a large party, inviting everyone in the kingdom. The king also had to attend these, and he gave the child their bracelet of age. The bracelet was made of leather, and had the symbol of a sun and moon, representing the harmony the kingdom had between night and day.

"Harmony, right" Twila thought sarcastically whenever someone brought up the bracelets symbolism. All twilight children were slaughtered and midnight children were treated badly. This left dawn and noon children on the social ladder, meaning day was treated better than night.

Nonetheless Twila was required to have this party. Her mom did most of the work though, while Twila was left with Marxx. Despite their awkward and mysterious meeting, Marxx was fun to hang around, and goofy too. He could help wind her down after a stressful day, and he was the only one who knew her secret. Twila still didn't know how though.

That morning Twila woke up sweaty and anxious, not ready for what the day held. As she dressed in her gown, the only thing she could think about was the ceremony. The king would have to physically put the bracelet on. Everyone said that the king was a brilliant man, and Twila worried that he would be able to see through her disguise. Once she was dressed she waited anxiously until it was finally sunset, and the ceremony began. Twila walked into her houses ball-room, where guest were already starting to arrive. Marxx was already there, wearing a formal outfit, and he started to walk towards Twila. She saw no family near him, and it would be impossible to find them. Just because Marxx was a midnight child didn't mean his were. Twila's own mother was, after all, a noon child. 

It took a while, but finally the ball-room was crowded with people, meaning everyone in the kingdom was there. She stood at the front of the room, awaiting her mother to announce the start of the ceremony. Suddenly she spotted the king, and her anxiety grew. He was a dawn child himself, and had a few guards around himself. He seemed to be amused, although no one was talking to him, and this only worried Twila further.Finally her mother announced that the ceremony was beginning, and the king walked up to where Twila was.

"I, King Gardoota, of the Kingdom of Time present to you, Twila Riscottia, the bracelet of age. May it bestow upon you the great freedom of adulthood."The king said, latching the bracelet to Twila's wrist.

The king smiled sinisterly. "Now seize her." he said, without hesitation.

The room was in uproar as the guards to hold of my arms, wondering why the great King would arrest an innocent girl. Marxx pushed his way to the front of the crowd, and pulled the guards off of me. The King turned to address the crowd as extra guards pulled Marxx away.

"This girl, and her mother, are traitors to our land." He then wiped his finger against my face, and I felt the yellow paint come off. The entire crowd gasped, as my light blue skin was revealed.

"She is a child of twilight." He announced needlessly, as the crowd already knew.

"Take her and the boy to the dungeons, but the the mother to my chambers. I will deal with her first."

As more guards arrived to take Innabelle, Twila and Marxx were dragged away. After the long walk to the castle was completed, the guards tossed the two sixteen year olds into a cell underground and locked the door. The only light came from a torch, which a guard was holding. Twila decided that as long as she was down there she might as well sleep. And sleep she did.

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Thanks to everyone who has read this far! I didn't think I would get this far but I did. I really appreciate the criticism you guys give me and I try my best to listen to it. I still am trying to make longer chapters and I think I'm getting there. I will be posting less frequently from here on out due to my work schedule. I had the week off for 4th of July, but now it's back to business as usual. Also I want to start on some other books I have. Don't worry though, I should be posting at least once a week or more often. Thanks again.