Young and Foolish

The Gate

The door opened. Behind the door was another room. The two girls froze. The room was full of people, all armed, looking tense. Maria wanted to slam it and run, but she forced herself to stay, her princess had not moved. Seraphina, wasn't intimdated and stepped forward. "We're travellers. We want to go to Summer."

Maria freaked out mentally, having not being told where they were going and at the same time, how confidently Seraphina lied. One of the people stepped forward. A woman in her early forties with steely gray eyes. Her expression was calm, but nothing near trusting. "You will need to have all your belonging checked before you enter the Gate. Note that you will be checked a few times at the Gate.Your final check will be at Summer's Gate." The girl nodded and stepped forward, nudging her frozen friend who stumbled forward also. Having grown up in a castle, being checked wasn't anything unsual, luckily, it wasn't too extreme and they could keep their clothes on.

As they were being checked, Maria managed to compose herself. She snuck a few glances at Seraphina who seemed deep in thought and looking around for the first time, she realised there was another door they had to pass through. Eventually, they were allowed to reclaim their belongings which consisted of some clothes and money. Seraphina was awed by the fact that not one of the guards had relaxed. They made the guards of the Royal Catle in Spring look like rabbits.

The next door was opened. What they saw as the door opened wasn't nearly as grand as Lacie imagined, but nevertheless, it was facinating. There was a hallway, it was so long Lacie couldn't see the end of it. Branching off the main hallway, was staircases and sometimes doors that had been sealed off with a few guards standing around, none that looked inviting. As they walked, their footsteps echoed off the stone walls. There were lamps along the bottom of the walls to light the way. For the first time since opening the gate, Maria spoke.

"So, what do you know about the gate?"

There werent any guards in the next few metres. Seraphina who had been bored while walking, had prepared and answer for this question. She knew a few things from what her cousin Angelina had told her.

"Well, not alot. The Gate is shaped as a diamond with every second side as a gate. The Gate has around 6 levels. The bottom level is the hallways leading to the gates, the second level is basically, well shops that sell things that you'll need it whatever country your going to, uh, not really shops since their run by guards, everything is really high security, and the hard part would be the second check, cause they ask for all your details. I heard that all birth records are sent here by each kingdom, and-."

Maria cut in abruptly. "Birth records?! Seraphina! How are we going to get through?! This-," she was worried for the princess.

"Maria. Calm down. I know someone that will help us. Oh and by the way-, "

This seemed to make Alice even more frustrated.

"This is The Gate! The only person people here listen to is the GATEKEEPER!" furious at herself for not knowing enough and letting the princess do this.

Lacie panicked calming her friend. "What if they hear you?"

The other girl clenched her teeth.

"They'll definitely help us. They owe me," Before Maria could say anything else, she added, "Trust me. Oh and during this time, call me Alice. Seraphina's not very common,"

During their short conversation, the girls had covered much distance and were nearing the end of the hallway, at the end of the hallway, was a another door. Seraphina was starting to be annoyed by the doors. Irritated, she pushed it open. And of course, behind the door was a room. Long table with ten armed people sitting. Seraphina felt slightly disturbed, she wondered if anyone here wasn't armed. Looking beside her, she saw that Maria had frozen up again. Swallowing she looked at the people. "We want to go to Summer," she said. She felt uncomfortable, like a lamb before slaughter as the people exchanged meaniful and long looks. Beside her, Maria's breathing was starting to speed up. Seraphina mentally sighed. No doubt she was thinking about all the possibilities of them getting killed. Despite Maria always being composed and strong, she hadn't experienced the pressure of being so powerless. If those people were to attack, they didn't stand a chance.

"Names." One of the people spoke. He held a piece of paper with a long list and his voice demanded an answer.

"Alice and Maria," Seraphina answered, she was determined not to be intimidated. It wasn't so easy, she knew her status was no longer the same as in the castle. Serphina saw one of the man write it down. 

"Ages."

"16 and 17" she lied. You were only allowed through the gate if you were 17 or travelling with a 17 year old. It shouldn't be a problem as they both looke quite mature. People born in Spring tended to reach maturity faster than the other countries. 

"Your reason for going to Summer?"

"To visit our friends." Another lie she made on the spot.

"You will be checked again at Summer's Gate."

The door was opened to reaveal a short hallway, which noise and chatter was coming through. Seraphina relaxed as the door closed behind them.

The hall was massive. It was hard to believe that, it was only a small part of the Gate. Seraphina turned when Maria spoke.

"That's it? We're not going to need your friends help?"

Seraphina laughed. "Sorry, I was joking, I don't have a friend." She smiled again at Maria's horrified expression.

"Angelina's been here before," the princess added as they walked towards a crowded shop labeled 'Summer'.

Maria raised an eyebrow. "Lady Angelina? Isn't she your cousin? Why'd she come?"

"She went with Luce and Dorlene, to Summer."

"Luce?"

"Oh, he's like Angelina and Doralene's butler, he started serving her when he was 6. He was originally from Summer. And I think they went to visit his family and tour Summer. Apparently, Summer is 'the best' she said it was completely different from Spring. She says she wishes- Maria?" Lacie stopped when she saw her friend's face.

"Did you hear that?"

Seraphina froze. "What?"

She realised that all the guards had also frozen, they were all listening carefully.

Then there was a earsplitting noise of glass breaking.