Enchanted Tale

ETJ&P 3

7 years later

I had been playing a game of airball. Basically a game where I just kick a ball in the air and try to not let it touch the ground. I had been in town all day doing absolutely nothing. Phillip had to attend to his father in those important meetings that King has every week. Since I am not of royal blood nor am I of any rank, I am not allowed to sit in with them.

Quite some time had passed since they welcomed me in the castle. I was proud to call it my home. However, it wasn't just a free gift, I had to work in order to stay there. I was in charge of cleaning the stables. It was the most disgusting job I've ever had but I enjoyed spending time with the horses. Even though he wasn't required to, Phillip would help me with the job sometimes.

We've really bonded over the years; we became brothers. He's always had my back and I've always had his. We were quite the trouble makers if I say so myself. The maids constantly cursed our names as we were the reason they always had to clean something up every two seconds. We've gotten in trouble plenty of times with the King but he always let us go with just a slap on the wrist. The queen had more of a firm hand when it came to our shenanigans. Every time a maid complained about us, she would always send us to our rooms. However, no matter the punishment, Phillip and I always found a way to overcome it. You see, our rooms are right next door to each other and Phillip took it upon himself to break a hole through the wall by his bed so we could have endless conversations. The hole isn't very big. Just big enough that you could fit one finger through it. To this day no one had discovered it.

Growing bored of my game I just walked along the wall of trees. Phillip and I would ride our horses back here. It was one of our favorite pastimes. Through the trees I noticed a cloaked man walking deeper into the woods. The sun was setting and it was getting dark, but I was quite curious to see where he was going. I stealthily followed him trying my hardest to keep quiet and hidden.

Suddenly I heard a meow behind me. The man started to turn around but I jumped behind a tree so I wasn't in view. When I turned round, I saw the cat staring at me.

"Murray!" The man called. "Come on you mangey thing we're going to be late to the party!"

The cat quickly went for the ball in my hand. Once it got it, it climbed up the tree.

"No! No! No!" I whispered trying to get my ball back.

"Is someone there?" The man asked. I peeked passed the tree. He had a long white beard and piercing blue eyes.

The cat jumped down onto the man's shoulder. I tried my hardest to stay quiet.

The bearded man shrugged and kept on his way.

I wanted to get my ball back. It wasn't that important to me, but it was something I took pride in. It was the first thing I was able buy with my own hard earned money.

Picking up the pace I tried to catch the cat. I didn't exactly know what I was doing, I just knew what I wanted.

I walked as close as I possibly could without the man noticing me. I was reaching right for the cat but just as was going to grab it, it disappeared and I quickly noticed that my hand did too. I slowly pulled it back towards my body and saw that it was still attached to me. I then put both hands forward and they both disappeared. My hands had somehow crossed a line that I couldn't see beyond. I was amazed. Without giving it a second thought I put my entire right leg passed the line and it completely disappeared. I looked back giving my next thought some time to process, but not even a second later, I went for it. I threw my body across the line and landed in a space occupied by many people. On this side of the line it looked to be a festival of sorts. There weren't as many trees on this side. It looked just like a village. Except this area was just one large circle. I watched as things were floating in the air by free will, I watched as children disappeared then reappeared somewhere else at the blink if an eye.