Digging for Ravens

Firstly, I'd like to thank my dear friend, AppleDapple23. The world could not have given me a finer person to call a friend, a sister of another family. I would also like to call upon my 7th and 8th grade language arts teacher. He who remained humble, was always the inspirer. Being not only a teacher, he was a remarkable person.

DIGGING FOR RAVENS:

SHE WHO CRIES

"Oh, my dear! Look at yourself, you've grown so much," Madam Padraigh fussed, her eyes gleaming. I giggled. The hall bustled with commotion and, I myself, was loving it. My father, Theo, stood beside. "Oh, do calm down," he chuckled, ruffling my springy curled hair. "You'll get your chance to shine, my dear, just you wait." Although, at the time, my young mind wasn't sure what he'd meant by that. What did it matter though? What a party this was!

My family had ruled over Taqmore Castle for generations. Although the island in which we had lived was small, we needed no more. Years of great rulers, kings and queens, monarchs all our own, came down to me. My young self, my young life. It was destined to be queen. Oh, what a wondrous prospect! My anticipation grew, as I could not wait to be Queen of Taqmore.

And now the hall hushed as my own lovely mother made her appearance. Lady Ira, the current Queen of Taqmore, graced into the hall. Gentlemen gave little bows and ladies elegantly curtsied. I too, gave a little curtsy of due respect. "Come dearest," Lady Ira took my hand. "'Tis time!" My head spun. It is time? Time for what? What did I have to do with this? I was a mere child!

The crowd cleared a path for us, smiling with bright eyes. My mother and I walked slowly down the aisle formed by people, though my father stayed behind. Theo glanced at the door. My mind was swarmed with thoughts. What was about to happen? Everyone seemed so pleased. It must be exciting!

Lady Ira lead me to what I had always avoided: the Grand Throne. This throne belonged to my mother. I was not to mess with it. She was queen! "My loyal people, dearest friends, most loved family, the time has come, for my daughter to assume her rightful place in this castle," She began. "For years, this Grand Throne has been passed down from one queen to her eldest daughter. That daughter assumes the title, assumes the responsibility, assumes the tradition, and assumes the castle, thus becoming The High Queen of Taqmore," I almost gasped. High Queen of Taqmore? Unbelievable!

"And now I, Lady Ira, Queen of Taqmore, renounce my title and bestow upon my daughter her birthright." My Mother removed the small but lovely crown that had marked one the queen for generations from her own head and placed it onto mine. "I present to you, the new High Queen of Taqmore, Lady-" The doors burst open. The very doors my father had been standing by! "Father!" I screamed as men stormed into the hall.

AND THE QUEEN?

A man who had just stormed in threw a spear to my father. "Theo!" He bellowed. Unbelievably, Theo caught the spear and turned to the crowd. Harsh caws and wing beats filled the room as well as the screams of the innocent crowd. Crows? No, ravens! I I ran to my father, abandoning the throne I had so lusted for. "Father!" A raven landed on his shoulder. "Get out!" He growled. I froze in terror. Never had my father spoken to me this way!

The crowd screamed as the invading people stampeded into them. Ravens circled the air, cawing ceaselessly. My mother shrieked. "Eskar! THEO!" Eskar? I had heard that name before. But where? I shrieked as the man I assumed to be Eskar grabbed my arm. "Let me go! Let me go!" Eskar simply gave a raspy chuckle. "Theo!" My mother ran to whom she thought was her loving husband, the loyal king. Theo grabbed my mother. "Get out, Ira! Go!"

Eskar picked me up, watching his followers attack our guests. He leaned in and whispered something in my ear. I didn't understand it, but I felt immediately spellbound. My shrieking ceased, and I watched the carnage quietly.