My eyes jerk open and I lay there for a second, unmoving. Then I notice something warm trickling down my finger. I look over at it, and notice a fresh, thin stream of blood. In my hand is the Rose.
My brain whirls. I thought it was only a dream! This couldn’t be real, could it? I had heard of sorcerers and magic, but had never had any encounter with it. Was that what it was? And is what the White Lady said true?
My first thought is to ask my father, but I quickly shove it out of my mind. He’s a busy man, the King, after all. And I’m not certain magic is real, anyways. Just a legend. So I get up, dress, and leave for breakfast I would any other day, only stopping to slip the rose in my pocket.
As I enter the Dining Hall the smell of eggs and sausages fills the room. My brother, Skandar walks over with his new girlfriend giggling to a newly made joke. I see my mother and father sitting at the table eating, and talking about new plans for the castle. I sit down and pretend to listen but, my eyes move away from them to my brother. How could he get girls so easily? It’s like he puts them under a spell until he finds a new one.
My brother seemed to outdo everything about me. He was better looking, with his sandy blonde hair and sky blue eyes. He was about two inches taller and a year older at 18. I, on the other hand, seemed plain next to him, with my brown hair that always seemed to be in a mess and my darker, duller blue eyes. He just always had a magnetic pull to him for ladies, and not only because he would be next in line for the throne. He was a flirt, I was always angry. I’ll admit it, I’m jealous.
Skandar catches my eye and gives me a wink, nodding at his girlfriend. I glare, looking disgusted. He just laughs.
I go about my day as I normally would, fencing practice, battle strategies, jousting practice. It’s when I’m sitting inside with the tutor learning world studies I hear the noise. Metal clinging, screams and cries. I start to get up, but my tutor pushes me back and runs out side to investigate himself. Minutes pass, and he doesn’t come back.
Not being able to stand it, I rush out and down the stairs. In the throne room a battle has formed. I pull out my sword, trying to help, but my father shouts at me to run. I look around and see my 14 year old sister, Ginger, trying to get to the door, dodging swords and arrows. I run to defend her, sword drawn, but Skandar beats me to it, running his sword into the man just as I reach them.
“Run!” Skandar shouts.
We make a bolt for it, and reach the door. Skandar and I push it open, letting Ginger out first. It is only when we’re outside I remember the rose. Clutching it, I run to the well on the outskirts of the forest.
“Ricky what are you doing?” Ginger shouts. I ignore her. This may be crazy, but it may be our only hope.
“Patrick, get back here!” Skandar yells angrily, just as I reach the well. I hold the rose out, and give it one last look, remembering what the White Lady said.
Send it off into time
Throw it in the well
And one from another time
Will come and restore what fell.
I look back and see Ginger running towards me. Before she sees what I’m doing, I let the rose slip. It lands into the water, forming small ripples, and sinks.
