Remembering Crimson Mud
"I am going to get you Demetri!" I said to my brother, as I swung the wooden practice sword. He laughed a fake deep belly laugh and spoke in his deep growl "bad guy" voice that. "Surrender your kingdom, young princess, or face my wrath!" I laughed at his bad guy voice. "Never, never, I'll never surrender to you villain!" I laughed and ran at him with my sword. He dropped his sword, and tackled me to the ground and tickled me. "You are so silly, Demetri, but I love you anyways,"
Suddenly, the grand oak doors slammed open against the stone walls. Our mother rushed in with an urgent look on her face. Mother didn't like it when I play swords with Demetri. She was always telling me that young princesses should not behave in such a barbaric manner. Demetri went up to her with his hands in the air. "It was my idea, moth-"Our mother cut him off. "Never mind that, your father wants to speak to you right now." Demetri smiled at me as he ran a finger across his neck. Demetri bowed his head to her and walked out and the doors closed behind him.
Mother sat down on the cushioned window seat and put her head in her hands. Was she crying? "Mother, I'm sorry we were playing swords. I promise we won't do it again. Just please do not cry." She looked up and smiled at me. "Come here, Caroline. We need to talk."
Mother gestured with her hand out the window. She said to me, "What do you see here?"
I looked out the window and I saw a rolling green pasture and the dusty village right outside the castle walls. To the east were the purple mountains that rose so high they pierced the high clouds above. To the west was a sparkling blue sea that seemed to go on and on. I cannot even imagine what might be beyond the waves. "That's our kingdom, Mother. The Kingdom of Ambrantire."
"Yes, yes it is. And you must protect Ambrantire, right? You must always be my little warrior. You must learn to use your sword."
What she said confused me. "But Mother, I thought you said that only men were warriors. Princesses shouldn't be so barbaric."
"I was wrong. Your father and I are not going to be around forever. You must protect your kingdom and yourself. So promise me you will always keep practicing with your sword."
That was not a hard promise to make, "Alright mother, I promise I will."
"That's a good girl."
Mother walked over to the table and grabbed the brush that laid there. She came over to me and started brushing my pale blond hair into a long braid. Mother usually only does that when she's sad. I didn't have time to wonder why when Demetri walked in, his face as pale as a ghost.
I ran up to Demetri and hugged him tightly. He patted my shoulder and smiled at me. He looked to mother and asked, "Can Caroline and I go to the beach?" His eyes held a meaning behind them that I did not understand.
Mother shakingly got up and nodded, "Yes, go." She wrapped us both in a strong hug. Looking back, I could see there was something different about the hug. It was desperate and sad, like she was afraid to let go. But at the time, I didn't think to wonder why because I was so excited to be going to the beach.
I pulled on Demetri's hand, "Come on, Brother." He laughed nervously, "Alright, alright."
Mother called out to Demetri when we reached the door, "Take care of your sister." He looked back at her with sad eyes and nodded. "With my life." As I looked back, I thought I saw a single tear run down her old tired face as the door shut behind us.
Outside our horses were already set for us to go with our long pearl colored cloaks thrown across the saddles. I put mine on and climbed up on my large white steed. I looked to Demetri who seemed to be lost in a deep thought. His brow furrowed into a tight line across his face. What was he thinking about? "Are you alright brother?" He looked up at me and smiled and ran his hand through his shaggy brown hair nervously. "Oh yes I am just fine. Don't you worry about me none, Caroline."
