The Princess Quest

Chapter 8: The Princess Quest (roll credits)

"Okay, how do we do this?" asked Andrel nervously, as they sat on the floor. The early morning light was flooding through the cracked, dusty windows, and the air was cool and crisp. Roya took a deep breath in. They were actually doing this. It was decided. They were crazy.

"According to the book," Calyspo said, pulling out the biggest alchemy book Roya had ever seen, "we have to use coconut palm pens to draw the pentagram. Each point should have each kingdom's symbol, apart from the top point which will be the sun.

"I'll draw the symbols," said Roya, who was skilled in art. Calypso pulled coconut palms from her cupboard, and handed them to Roya. Roya dipped them in blueberry dye, and began to draw. First, the sun. She made it look blazing hot and powerful. Next, a harp for Lyria, a shell for Ocaelyn and an axe for Miraelin. The last symbol was a triangle for the Neutral Lands. When she finished, she drew swirls and curly-cues as decoration. She stepped back to admire her work.

"Wow, that's good," said Calypso. "Lucky for us. The better it's drawn, the more powerful it will be."

"Now what do we do?" asked Andrel.

"Now, we sit and I'll chant the mantra," said Calypso.

They sat, and shut their eyes. Calypso's voice rang out in silence.

"Oh, powerful spirits, we gather here on this cold morning to honor your request and accept our scared duty to protect this Earth and return it to it's former glory. We have drawn this pentagram to show our loyalty and we will not waver from our quest until your task is completed."

A blinding light suddenly shot from the sun drawing, and burned like a laser through the roof. Through that hole, something dropped, a book full of pages, but light as a feather.

Andrel picked it up. "What is it?" Roya asked. "It's a book of wild plants and kingdom history," Andrel replied. 

"Alright, the Acceptance Ceremony is complete," said Calypso. "Next stop, Miraelin."

"Yes, however we must think logically about this," said Roya. "We cannot just go strolling through Miraelin. We need a plan."

"Let's see if the book says anything," said Andrel. He opened the book, to the chapter on Miraelin. Their clothes were only slightly different from Lyria clothes. Their shoulder pad tips were turned up, and there was a reed-like criss-cross pattern on their shirts. Calypso went out and gathered long leaves, and cut them in the shape of reeds. They used mud from the river to "paint" them brown, as well as secure them to their clothes.

"Alright," said Roya. "Let's get this over with." It was a long walk to Miraelin. A two and a half day walk. They set out, through the woods. Roya had packed the alchemy book, and the mysterious history book in her satchel along with some ingredients, a mortar and pestle, blankets and a lamp. It wasn't much, but it was enough. Calypso said they'd catch their food. 

After a long while, it started to get dark. Calypso found a clearing with a few fallen trees, and told Roya and Andrel to rest a while, while she dragged them to make a small shelter. Roya sat down on a log next to Andrel and noticed a small glint on his ear.

"What's on your ear?" she asked.

Andrel looked startled, and then confused, until he realized what she was talking about. "Oh that," he said nervously laughing, and shrugging. "It's an earring. A diamond earring. My mother gave it to me, before I was sold to the King to become a servant. I learned later that my parent's house got struck by lightning and they died when it burned. It's the only thing I have left."

Roya was speechless. It took several tries before she could get out the next words. "I-I'm so sorry," she said. Andrel shrugged and intently studied the ground. "You know, earlier this week I was at a party. Someone planted a rowan bomb on my mother's throne. She was stuck through with splinters, and she died." 

Andrel look up, alarmed. Roya went on. "I was a suspect, though I don't know why. I had a trial and was "proven" guilty without evidence. I was sentenced to death, nearly killed, and escaped. This," she pulled out the necklace, "was the last thing she gave me. Literally seconds before her death."

Andrel took a deep breath in and out, and held the pendant in his hands. "That's awful," he whispered. 

Roya could do nothing but nod, as she felt tears burning her eyes. 

"Guys, come on the shelters' ready!" called Calypso. 

"Come on, let's gets some rest," Andrel said gently, standing up and offering her his hand.

Roya nodded numbly, took his hand, and they walked over to Calypso's shelter. They took out blankets, and settled down on the forest floor. 

Roya cried herself to sleep.