Hazel continues to tell me stories of the Queen’s cruelty as I sit there silent and pale. OK, then. No seeing the Queen. Ever. Going forward, I need to keep a low profile. It shouldn’t be too hard, right? I mean this is a huge world. What are the odds anyone even knows I’m here other than this copper critter?
Then, I begin to feel a tear escaping my eye. Don’t cry, Jude. You’re going to be fine.
“Don’t be sad, darling. You’re plenty safe here,” Hazel reassures.
“Hazel, I need to get home.” ‘Home’. As the word rolls off my tongue, I feel a weight of loneliness push down upon me. What am I even talking about? ‘Home’? I don’t have a home anymore. I am a parent-less child abandoned to live with a stranger until I become a legal adult. Why do I even want to go back? What is left for me there?
“Well honey, if you made it here to Althion, there’s got to be a way to get back, right?”
“Well yes. That makes sense. But how?”
“I wish I had all the answers, I really do, but unfortunately I’ve never heard of anyone walking through worlds. But, I may know someone who can help.” ‘Someone who can help’? A smile grows across my face. Someone means hope.
“Ok then, well it’s a start. Can we meet them now? How far they? Should we pack anything?”
“Woah, hold on sweetie. We can’t leave just yet. The woods at night are filled with the Queen’s spies. We’ll head out as soon as the sun wakes up. It’ll be much safer.”
I nod to Hazel in agreement. I mean who am I to question her when I’ve only been in this world for a few hours? Moments later, Hazel gathers some leaves from up top and creates a pillow for me. Even though I’m sleeping in dirt, I’m actually quite comfortable and warm. When dawn rises, Hazel gently nudges my face to wake me. We share some more stew and crawl carefully out of the tree. As soon as we’re out, I throw my arms up to the sky and stretch.
“Ok, Miss Jude. We’ve gotta make one quick stop then we’ll head on out.” I follow Hazel for the next thirty minutes and we arrive at a quiet deep green river.
Hazel sits there and calls out, “Henry…Ol’Henry!” A few seconds later, the still river begins to ripple as something large swims directly towards us. An old brown turtle pops its head out of the water.
“Howdy, Miss Hazel! How ya doing this fine day? Haven’t seen ya in a couple weeks.”
“I know it’s been a while. Been busy, but it’s going perdy good. Sorry to cut this short, but I need to ask you a favor ‘bout the camp.”
“Ah o’course. I saw them a few days ago.” Henry spots me. “Oh hi there, Miss. Sorry didn’t see ya there. I’m Ol’Henry.”
“Um, hello. I’m Jude.” Yes. I just introduced myself to a turtle. Will this ever feel normal?
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jude. So you’re looking for the Alliance? Last I saw them, was three days prior camped at Rose Valley. I think they moved the large part of the camp, just not sure where.”
“Thank you, Henry. We’ll head there now. Give my regards to the family. Hope to see ya soon.”
“Will do, Miss Hazel. Keep your guards up, ladies. I saw a few black crows flyin’ through these parts. Queen seems to be sending out more and more.”
“We’ll keep an eye out. Thanks for the heads up.” Ol’Henry swims off, and Hazel and I begin walking towards Rose Valley.
“We’ll be there before you know it, Miss Jude. The valley ain’t far.”
“Who are the ‘Alliance’, Hazel?”
“They’re the group fighting against the Queen. We’re trying to take back our kingdom. Ya see, she wasn’t always the ruler of Althion. The Dracon Family used to sit on the throne. King Odius was the ruler of our great lands and Queen Genevieve ruled by his side. They both shared a single child – a son. When Lady Genevieve passed away from a sudden unnamed sickness, the King years later remarried. His new wife was the beautiful Lady Raven. The King was infatuated with his new Queen so much, he gave her control over everything. He even named her as first heir to the crown before his own son. When the King passed away, Lady Raven took full control over the crown of Althion. We all thought she was as kind and benevolent as our once King, but we were wrong. She banished anyone who defied her. First it was merely exile and then she began killing the so-called traitors.”
“Why didn’t the King’s guards stand against her? I’m sure he had plenty still loyal to him?”
“They did at first, but she proved she was no mere woman of the court. She was an enchantress – a sorceress. No one knew until she used her magic on a few innocent prisoners and their families. Word spread and everyone just bowed down to her rule – too afraid to defy her for fear of death.”
“That’s absolutely horrible…What ever happened to King’s son?”
“He’s a part of the Alliance, but he’s not considered our sovereign.”
“But he’s the Prince? Why wouldn’t he be ruling?”
“The Elders – a bunch of old naïve kooks – haven’t recognized him yet. They think he’s too young and inexperienced. They’re wrong though. The prince is a great man and he is the one true future King of Althion.” I feel as if I have stepped into some fairytale book or Arthurian legend. How can this all really be happening?
“Ah there it is,” Hazel points to a group of blue tents near the bottom of a rocky rose-gold valley.
