The Kingdom of Angéltorak

Chapter 4

I watched the girl flee from Angéltorak, turning to Rose.

"Y-Your Majesty," she chirped nervously, "your presence has been requested by the queen."

I followed the once spritely faerie deep into the forests of my home. We exchanged nothing.

An odd, looming, sorrowful wind ripped through the land.

Rose stopped at the entrance of the only cave within our home. She bowed and disappeared.

I had never been allowed inside... until today.

I tentatively journeyed forth, every little sound spooking me.

"Mother?" I called.

Only the faint gurgling of an underground stream answered.

Curious, I ventured onward. I stopped upon noticing various carvings. It was far too dark to see anything in detail. I squinted.

A small golden light glowed against the stone walls. It was accompanied by heavy footsteps.

"Who is there?" I yelled.

As the light drew near, a girl no older than me yelled for anyone to be seen. My heart ached. Whoever this soul was, she was not of elven or faerie descent. Mother had always told me to stay away from those unlike us.

There was nowhere to hide. The light washed over me. I shielded my eyes. A pale girl with a plump crimson dress, red heels and long pale gold curls stared right at me.

"Who are you?" I asked, trying hard to be as fierce as Mother.

Miserably, I did not at all succeed. I only made a mockery of her.

The girl came closer.

"I am Apelquengshi, Ravkren told me you are Princess Eurora, yes?"

I slowly nodded.

"Where did Ravkren run off to?"

The girl's face fell.

"She went to get King Florkruv, Your Majesty."

My life faded. What could I do? Mother would surely kill him if he dare step one pace into our kingdom.

I realized something else.

"Apelquengshi," I told her, my voice low, "you should not be here, you are in danger."

"Danger?" she echoed.

"Yes," I insisted, "you must return to your kingdom."

Her gaze grew icy.

"No," she said firmly, "forgive my boldness, Princess, but I cannot leave without Roseadel."

The bitter retort I held on my tongue melted away.

Why was it that name is uttered so often?

"Roseadel is not here," I whispered, "no one with that name has passed our border."

She would not relent.

"Both Ravkren and myself know she is here."

I opened my mouth to protest but whinnying horses interrupted.

We both turned.

"The king," I whispered, "go."

This time, she obeyed.

I watched her go.

I fled deeper into the cave. I noticed the walls growing larger. A faint blue glow told me just where I was destined to be.

I halted and stared in awe.

Perched atop a small mound of rocks was the legendary Deity's Blade. It hummed a sweet melody used to earn the attention of the goddesses. It never ceased.

A limp form lay only feet from the pool underneath, its hand floating atop the cool water.

I gasped, my voice bouncing off every stone it came across.

I raced to her side, placing a hand upon her side. Even through her gown, her skin was that of winter. Any and every horrid thought raced through my mind.

Is this where royalty came to take their final breath?

Was she watching me through the massive crystal?

Was her soul still part of her?

I stepped back.

A smile spread across my face.

Her wings shifted.

I knelt by her face.

She groaned, her heavy eyes forcing themselves open.

"Mother, are you all right?"

She looked at me, her rings burning in agony. She struggled to her knees, her wings drooping.

I helped her to her feet, holding her close. Within minutes, she grew warm. It was odd, Mother would usually never allow me to touch her. She despised showing weakness, yet she had no choice.

The eerie silence rang in our ears. I never enjoyed silence. Having to listen to my own thoughts berating me was not particularly enjoyable.

"Mother," I asked softly, "did the spirits speak to you?"

She turned to me.

"Yes," she whispered.

I did not wish to anger her. She seemed to force herself to tell me what our ancestors desired for us all to hear.

She broke away, something I knew would come soon.

"Daughter," she whispered, "our ancestors spoke of a prophecy."

I grew ill.

"A prophecy?" I echoed.

We had not had a prophecy since Mother was a babe. Mother had never told me what it was. I had to beg an elf elder, BluByrd, for days just to tell me.

The prophecy was "A hawk shall arise from ashes and soar above the clouds".

"Yes. Shadows are only repelled by light."

Bewildered I grew indeed.

"What do you believe it is saying?"

Mother answered unsurely.

She kept her eyes ahead, her strides growing longer. I had no trouble keeping up.

We walked in silence, save for the clacking of my heels. Mother never wore shoes. It was never frowned upon, in fact, it was a tradition for the queens of Angéltorak. Princesses usually did not follow it until they grew into ruling age.

As the mouth of the cave grew near, a shadow of a jeweled carriage and two horses blocked the sun.

Mother stopped me.

"King Florkruv," she growled.

She looked at me, the ferocious flames once restored.

"Do not leave this cave."