The Secret City

Chapter 1-21

THE SECRET CITY

By Ashley Joy Lowell

my first book written at age 14

Chapter 1

The Land of Eznoria, 1436

It was very early in the morning. I was sitting on my bed, reading a book of legends and fairytales. I always had an interest in things like that, but never had I believed in them.

I leafed through the old pages and randomly stopped. I landed on a page with a title at the top of the page that read, The Secret City. I read on about how it was hidden somewhere in the world, but few knew where.

Who would believe in that? I was thinking when there was a knock on my door.

My servant, Tina, opened the door quietly. "Oh, child, you're awake. Well, come down for breakfast. It gets cold quickly." She smiled weakly then closed the door.

I pushed back my quilt, slid out of my bed and walked across the room, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I had long, slightly wavy hair, pale skin, and hazel eyes, just like my mother's.

My hair is gold. So golden that if you held a strand up of actual gold, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between it and my hair. I have no idea why it's like that. It just has always been that way.

Still in my nightdress, I staggered to my door and out into the hall. I made my way down the stairs. I stepped down on the third one, and it creaked. It did every time. I went down another hall way and into the kitchen. There was Tina, kneading dough.

She looked up. "Good morning, child." She brushed aside a stray gray hair.

I pulled out a stool and sat down at the flour covered counter. Tina picked up a knife and scooped a cinnamon roll on a plate and handed it to me. "Your father's back from that crop inspection," she said and returned to her kneading.

"Well, that's great," I answered sarcastically. In a few days he'd be gone again, no doubt. I had no problem with that. I lived in a great manor, owned by my wealthy father who owned much land here in the European country of Eznoria. My father was usually gone, inspecting crops or homes, leaving me alone with the servants again. Not that I minded that, sadly. I liked it better when he was gone because everyone wasn't so tense.

My mother died a few days after I was born. I have often felt that it was my fault, but I knew it wasn't. Even though he didn't say it aloud, I knew my father blamed me for her death. I figured that was a big reason why I saw him so rarely.

I picked off the last piece of my breakfast and popped it into my mouth. If my father knew that I ate breakfast every morning with a servant, and cooked with the servants, and cleaned with them, he'd be furious, but I loved being with them. They were my only friends.

"Um, Aria, your father is going to take you to Madam Osgood today," Tina said slowly, as if she regretted telling me.

She knew I couldn't stand Madam Osgood. "Again? We just went last year! He said I really have to go?" I asked as I slid off the stool and grabbed the broom for the fireplace.

"Yes. He wants the public to know that you are a 'sensible young lady'," said Tina sarcastically with a playful smile on her face.

"Of course I'm a sensible young lady," I laughed and began sweeping the fireplace, getting ashes all over me.

Tina giggled and shook her head.

Tina giggled and shook her head.

I finished sweeping. "Thank you for breakfast. I guess I have to go get ready," I sighed. I regretfully returned to my room, closed the door and plopped on my window seat.