The Four Stones

Chapter 3: Where are we?

Chapter 3: Where are we?

    “Back off!” Jasmine yelled pushing Wysteria behind her.

    “Wait, Jasmine!...I don’t sense any harm from whoever this is.” Wysteria said. Whenever someone shady would walk close Wysteria would alert Jasmine to just keep going. Later they would see the same person on the news because he had committed some kind of crime where someone got hurt or in one case, killed.

    “Are you sure, Sterie? This guy looks dangerous.” Jasmine said. Wysteria nodded.

    “Who are you?” Wysteria asked the hooded figure. He pulled down his hood to reveal chocolate brown hair and golden eyes. He also had a thick beard that traces his jawline and mustache.

    “I am the good wizard Malachi.” replied the man.

    “Wizard?” Jasmine and Wysteria said in unison. He nodded and extended his hand.

    “I’m here to take you home.” Malachi said. And with that a bright white light surrounded them and then they were gone.

    When the light had faded the three of them were standing in a moonlit, forest garden. Strange glowing flowers of varying colors were dotted along a dirt path leading ahead into a clearing of some sort. It was hard to see in the semi-darkness.

    “What the heck was that light?! What the heck did you do?! Where the heck are we?!” Jasmine fired question after question at Malachi. He held up his hands in a defensive manner.

    “Whoa, whoa. Calm down. One question at a time, please!” He laughed, apparently amused with the whole thing.

    “Where are we?” Wysteria asked, looking around in wonder at the strange flowers and trees. And weird little garden gnomes attempting to put a flower crown on her head. She shooed them away and they flew off into the distance with rainbows left in their wake.

    “It’s not my place to tell you. I’ll leave that up to the king and queen. They’ll explain everything to you.” Malachi said. “Now if you’ll follow me. The king and queen are anxious to meet you.” And with that he lead the way down the path into the clearing up ahead.

    “Hey! Where are you taking us?” Jasmine demanded.

    “To the castle of course.” Malachi said like it was no big deal.

    “THE CASTLE!” Wysteria and Jasmine yelled in sync.

    “Well….yeah..Where else would the king and queen live?” Malachi asked.  Again he set off down the path, the two girls following  behind him.

    “Are you sure we should trust this guy?” Jasmine whispered.

    “Yes. I think we should. He might know about why that light came out of my hands.” Wysteria said examining her palms again. Jasmine didn’t seem convinced, but she went along quietly anyway.

    Soon they were out of the clearing, and what met their eyes was the most beautiful castle you can imagine. There was a white marble fountain out front with a light source of some sort glowing from the center where the water shoots upward. A smooth stone pathway led around the fountain on both sides and to some stone stairs that led to the main entrance of the castle.

    Malachi led them up the stairs and through the main archway leading into the castle into what seemed to be a parlor area or waiting room. There was a pair of large, elaborate, wooden doors on the far side of the parlor. There were hallways on either side of the doors leading up twin marble staircases.

‘Sooo many stairs’ Jasmine thought.

Malachi pushed open the heavy wooden doors revealing a long royal blue and gold carpet leading up to two thrones. Wysteria’s vision wouldn’t allow her to see the details of the two people, presumably the king and queen, sitting on the thrones.

    “Welcome back, Malachi! I trust the mission went well .” Came a booming, but friendly sounding voice from the direction of the thrones.

    “Yes, Sire. It was easier than I expected.” Malachi said bowing.  He then ushered Wysteria and Jasmine toward the thrones. Only once they were at the foot of the platform where the thrones were could Wysteria see what the king and queen looked like. The king had an auburn full beard with a mustache, sapphire blue eyes that sparkled with happiness. The queen had light brown hair with warm hazel eyes. They were both wearing very elaborate, gold-trimmed clothing. “ I think it’s time we explain why we brought them here, Sire.”

    “Yes, Siiiiire, I think that would be most gracious.” Jasmine mocked in Malachi’s voice.

    “Yes, I believe you’re right.” Said the king, ignoring the comment. “But we must introduce ourselves first.”

    “Yes. It’s only polite since we brought them here so abruptly.” The queen added.

   

“I am King James, and this is my beautiful wife Luna.” said King James. “What is your name?’ the king asked pointing to Jasmine.

    “My name is Jasmine.” She said.

    “Come, we have much to discuss. Malachi will you accompany us to the Library?” The king asked.

    “Of course.” Malachi replied. Then Wysteria and Jasmine were ushered to the library and asked to sit down across from the king and queen.

    “Now….Where to begin?” the king asked scratching his beard in thought. “You see….About 16 years ago my wife gave birth to twins. The eldest was a boy and the younger a girl. An evil wizard by the name of Cyrus kidnapped the girl in hopes to use her as a puppet to assume the throne,  but we thwarted his plans, but in turn he sent the infant girl to an alternate world. We searched and searched for her, but since her magic abilities never awakened we couldn’t sense her. We always had hope that one day she would realize her powers and we would be able to find her. Now her powers have awakened and is back home where she belongs.” The king finished smiling at Wysteria.

    “Wh-What?” Wysteria asked in disbelief.

    “I know this is a lot to take in, but please believe me. I am telling you the truth. You, Wysteria are the Princess of this kingdom who went missing all those years ago.” The king said.

    “M-Me...a princess?” Wysteria said eyes wide with surprise. The king nodded.

   

“And we…..” The king said gesturing to himself and the queen. “Are your mother and father.”