The Princess of Blue Star Castle

Chapter 7

Ivy ate her lunch quietly. Madam Greene was already cleaning the dishes that Eric had used for his meal and Voljare had yet to waken as if morning duties were to be avoided. Ivy, still adjusting to her new surroundings, found it yet harder to believe a whole community of thieves lived hidden in the dark, foreboding and Forbidden Forest and were yet to be found. No one but birds, and possibly fairies and other fantastical creatures she was told actually existed, know of this strange city. Village only because of the same reason, or rather, excuse other places large enough to be cities only become such if they are given a name from a kingdom. Yet this community didn't seem to want any royal connection, but from what she's heard from Eric, they are quite loyal to her kingdom, regardless of previous misgivings in the past by her ancestor.

After finishing her meal, Madam Greene informed her that Eric could be found waiting for a friend who was to arrive shortly. Intrigued, Ivy left the house in search of her new friend and wondered what this friend he waited for may be like, if they were similar or had extreme differences. The air was warm and the summer air was quite pleasing. The smell of blacksmiths working their iron, steel and other metals also filled the air. A slight wind blew the smell from the stables. I should see how Midnight Flower is doing later, Ivy thought as she walked on in search of Eric. Children and young men ran around playing or play fighting. Nothing seemed much different from the evening before, even in brighter daylight everything was just as she had seen prior.

She found Eric near one of the black smith shops. He stood looking towards the forest as he waited for this friend that his mother had told her he was waiting for. Walking up from behind, Eric turned, gave her a smile, then turned back focusing on the return of his friend. Ivy stood by him, leaning up against a tree next to the shop. Eric glanced at her as he leaned on the black smith shop, noticing that she was leaning in the same manner he was. Laughing under his breath a little he looked back at the forest to see if his friend was there yet. It was clear that he was concerned. Ivy was about to ask him what his friend was like when two young men about his age began to approach from the direction Eric was looking. Rick and Slippery Tom were walking side by side. Ivy, not knowing either of them, walked with Eric to see what it was they were to talk about.

"Tom, good to see you. When Rick never showed this morning I got a bit worried," Eric said.

"I'll let Rick explain that one," Tom said after embracing his friend.

"I got about a third of the way from Antharan and set up camp. This morning when I heard the soldiers on approach I had to hide from their view. If I hadn't hid in that tree the City of Thieves would have been compromised," Rick explained.

"That was pretty foolish to camp near the road anyhow. Well at least you're both back now. I'd like you two to meet Ivy," Eric said, turning their attention to the girl next to him.

"Wow!" Tom exclaimed, "That's her? I thought it was one of the girls from around here by the way she was dressed."

"Madam Greene gave me the new outfit," Ivy said shaking the hands of both young men.

"Ah yes, Helen, Eric's mother. Not many of us call her Madam Greene," Rick said.

"That's because you also call her mother," Eric laughed, punching Rick in the arm.

The four laughed at the joke. Tom looked at Ivy with eyes which Ivy felt uncomfortable with. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Ivy asked.

"Oh, sorry. I was actually looking at your hair clip," Tom said, realizing he had the same look on his face he gave his treasures, "I was told by Rick, who was told by Eric that-"