Jeopardized Future

Chapter 5

Being brought up as a princess, one thing I learned is that a princess must always be prompt unless circumstances dictate otherwise. At exactly nine o'clock, I met Rowan, who looked like he had been waiting for me for a while, on my balcony. "Now, speak, Rowan. Why did you wait until this afternoon to tell me what you told me? And what do you still have to tell me?"

He sighed, looked at me, and said, "Do you remember your personal guardian? The one that brought you to the Snow Islands?"

The question confused me, but I answered him as honestly as I could. "Only a little. I haven't seen her since the shed was sealed with those ugly bars."

"What do you remember about her?"

"Her face. She had shiny gold hair, big green eyes and scarlet lips. I do remember her being an obviously loving person who knew that I thrived on touch as she hugged me more often than not."

"And do you know what people call our world?"

"Of course I do. Lieydan's Republic. They say he created our world. But he hasn't been around here since Father became king. But what does he have to do with why you are talking to me?"

"Because he has come back. He's the reason I'm speaking to you now."

By now, I've gone from confused, to even more confused. "Rowan, you are beginning to make me think that you've gone mad. I could have you locked away with a snap of my fingers. Why do you think he's here in the Snow Islands?"

"The other night I was having trouble falling asleep. When I thought that at last I was getting tired, I saw a figure outside of our doorway. It was Lieydan and his likeness was equal to that of a god's. I can't describe him any better than that. It's one of those things that you have to see for yourself to understand. He beckoned me to draw near to him. My legs felt like jelly and my heart was pounding like it never has before. I knew he could kill me where I stood, but I went and bowed before him. He said, 'My son, be not afraid for you have found favor with me. Go to a member of the royal family whom you trust and tell them what you have seen. Within two nights at midnight, they are to meet me in the shed of revealment.' I know it was truly him who was commanding me because he then told me what my most secret desire was- it was one that I have not even told myself for fear of what I might do should I admit it."

"That sounds like something a wolf in sheep's clothing would do," I said skeptically.

"I know." Rowan said quickly. "But how many wolves in sheep's clothing bring a sense of peace with them while they're standing in the room? None. That peace assured me even moreso that it truly was him. He left right after he revealed it all to me. And I know not how he left nor how where he went. If I had told you before, you might have had more time to prepare. I apologize for my foolishness."

"But why did you tell me?"

"I would have told your father but we both know that he's fallen into a depression and has been getting angry at the smallest of things. And somehow... I knew I could trust you. I have nothing more to say. May I leave before my mother worries about me?"

"Yes."

He left in a hurry leaving me on my balcony but not before he kissed my hand and gave me that same look he gave me in the library. It was weird and it made me feel lighthearted and like there were butterflies in my stomach for some reason. Some small feeling of special-ness in these dark times.

But that's not important right now. I knew Rowan was a truthful boy but Lieydan in the Snow Islands? It seemed impossible. There it went again: that I-know-this-person-is-truthful-but-why-would-they-say-that statement. Had everything I'd ever known, my whole life, been built on lies? Where was that security I had always felt? Had it flown out the window the day this man Nociv kidnapped Hannah and Elaine? Had there even been a crystal ball, or another world from which I had come? I didn't like it, but there was only one thing to do: go to the shed at midnight.

I got a couple hours of sleep. At the stroke of eleven, I awoke, washed my face with cold water, pulled back my hair and donned a simple dress of gray silk. A little before midnight, I donned my cape, pulled on a simple pair of shoes, and headed for the Ice garden.

I approached the shed expecting to find it still barred. To my surprise, the iron bars were gone! I quickened my pace, breathing rapidly with a mixture of excitement and fear. I was shaking as if I had never known the cold before and my own heart was now pounding but I did not stop. I pushed the door open and gasped as I stepped inside. Instead of a dingy, musty interior with deteriorating furniture, I felt like I was standing in one of the rooms in the Ice Palace. The walls and ceiling were decked in silver and gold. A beautiful royal purple rug lay on the floor, and lovely ivory furniture had been placed in the middle. On the table sat the crystal ball shinier than any crystal you have ever seen and smooth as still water.

I took all of this in at a flash because what I really noticed first was Lieydan. He had the deepest ebony hair and beard. He wore the purest white robes I have ever seen. His wings, which were etched with a stunning and intricate design, were so clear that you would first think that they were glass. He looked both young and old at the same time, absolutely ageless. I wish I could describe him better, but, like Rowan said, he was one of those people that you have to see face to face in order to know what he is like. He was so magnificent that my trembling doubled and I fell at his feet, afraid of what he could do to me.

"Rise, my daughter."

The words seemed to remove my shakiness as he raised me to my feet. I ventured a smile and he smiled back. He was as gentle as any good man I have ever known- perhaps even gentler than my own loving father. "Sir, if you please, will you tell me why I am here?"

"Ana, evil stirs on Inimicus as we speak. Before dark tomorrow, your family could die. But there is hope for you yet. Tomorrow before sunset, you must bring your sisters to the far side of the Ice garden. There you will meet your personal guardians waiting to take you to Millween."

"What of Amy? She has no personal guardian."

"I have chosen one to be her personal guardian."

"And Father? What will I tell him? I certainly can't leave him behind and he will have another bout of anger he finds us gone without his knowledge, let alone consent. And I fear..."

"You fear that he will take to drinking if you leave the grounds- that he might fall into the pattern of his father and the evil kings before him."

My jaw fell slack. "How?"

"I know these things, Ana. I will be with him in his grief and he will join you at twilight on Millween. Now, retire to your bed chamber."

"I am your servant, Lieydan. What you have told me, I will do."

I smiled and left with a curtsy. I left with a strange sense of renewal and peace and joy. I had seen Lieydan. I had seen my beloved shed. I had seen that my life was not a lie after all.