The Enchanted World of Shaniah and Seth

Journey of a thousand miles begins at home

Chapter Four

Dhugal just stepped out of the door and stood towering behind Coleene.
He was laughing and as he said," Coleene was just saying that she was waiting for a real adventure all her life young man that was what all it is about. Obviously trying to control his laughter.
But that adventure would have to wait. Our friends are downstairs waiting am I correct young man?
He stepped in front of Coleene and took Alaris by the shoulder. I would appreciate it if you keep watch over our young lady here while she change her clothes. And I mean keep watch outside her door am I clear on that?
I would need to go check on something and I'll see you all downstairs. And again he started to laugh while walking away from the two young adults. As he reached. The stairs he turned back and look coleene straight in the eyes and lovingly said. My dear!I will be very happy if you would wear the dress you will find in my room by the big mirror. And he smiled again at her.

Morielle sat on one of the few remaining wooden chairs with the two hooded individuals when Dhugal arrived. Obviously he knew all of them for a long time. The big fellow with the big maze stood up and extended his hands in greetings.
"Well met Dhugal Stormseeker"
Dhugal raised his hand and replied,
"Well met to all of you here" Let's all save the formalities for later. She is already awake and preparing upstairs in my room . Lady Morielle if you would be kind enough, would you assist her while she dresses up. I have doubts that she will do it properly and please do put these on her. He handed her the box of jewelry . It is high time that she received them .
Morielle took the box and walked towards the stairs.

Meanwhile, Alaris keeps walking back and forth by the hallway out side the room where Coleene was instructed to change her clothing.
Inside the room Coleene was still a little shy to herself . For what she have said earlier. Did Alaris heard it all and was just trying not to embarrass her?
She hears him walking outside of the the room.
She knows he will not dare enter while she is not decent.
She took off the clothes she was on and was half naked when she heard him say ." There is a tub there that I filled with water you should go ahead and soak your self before you change. Or would you want me to help you pour more water in it. There is an extra pail in there that I think would be to heavy for you to lift.
Her heart began to race again. But she tried to compose herself and replied."Don't come in I ... I m ..... I can manage it by myself.
She hurriedly went into the tub and sat down chest deep.
That is when the door opened.

Away from the village, Sukhar was chanting some words as Orth looked at his master. They stood outside of big cave. Its opening like a maw of a big head of a giant snake. A big boulder cover the entrance and it began to shudder and move revealing the inside.
The walls were lined with small spheres stuck in line with equal distances, He groped the sides of the wall looking for something until his fingers found the object and flick it slightly, And the spheres began to glow giving light to the whole area. The big boulder moved back and blocked the entrance once more.
There was a small gap between the walls and the floors. This time he knelt on one knee and reached down on the sides of the floor. He found the switch he was looking for and pressed it hard. And the floor began to move forward. He did not need to give a command to Orth. They have done this a couple of times before. Orth step on the floor and Sukhar followed. He looked at the writings on the wall. These were all familiar. This is where he lived. The floor stopped moving as they reached the far end of the hallway. They stepped on the landing and the floor slowly went down. He went near the door by the landing and pressed a few buttons by the wall and the door opened.

Morielle stuck her head inside the room and entered seeing Coleene inside the tub. She immediately closed the door but not before Coleene and Alaris eyes met briefly. She then in a soft but firm voice ordered Alaris to go down saying Dhugal is waiting for him.
She then turned to Coleene and walked besides the tub. She took some sort of a bottle on her side pocket and pour it in the tub and bubbles started to appear.
And when her eyes met Coleene's she said "Well miss damsel in distress are you expecting some knight in shining armor to enter that door rather than me? And they both laughed.

Dhugal was busy setting the food on the table when he saw Alaris walking down the stairs. "Well young man, I never thought you'd take guarding our little princess up there seriously. And he laughed teasingly. Come down here and help us.
You can help by adding one table over there. Pointing at the table at the center of the room. Everything that was broken was already repaired. Those that can not be repaired they have disposed off the previous days . He should have gone off and continued on his task but something held him back.
He have just finished moving the chairs and table when the two hooded figure stepped in the room from the back door at the kitchen.
The smaller of the two spoke in an almost whispery voice but barely audible from where he was. And she said. Everything is well arranged. We are good to go anytime now.
Dhugal replied without looking,"Yes!But not until we all have our breakfast!

Coleene stood in front of the mirror, she was dressed in a very nice gown. Simple yet it brings out the best in her. This is the first time she saw her self in the mirror like this. She felt that she was looking at someone else. It took time for Morielle to put on the powdered stuff and the red balm on her face and lips. After that her hair was loosened from the bands that she use to tie them to avoid getting it tangled when she works at the kitchen.
Morielle then took the brush and brushed Coleene's long and silky black hair until she was satisfied. Then she took the box and opened it and found the only piece of jewelry inside. It was a necklace. Made of white gold and a there is a round pendant dangling on it. And it was two dragons curved inside of a ring.Each of its heads were trying to grab the others tail while between them there was a ruby as big as the gem on Coleene's wolf ring. She gave it to Coleene and said "I think this would change your life". Then she hugged her and helped her put on the necklace.
And then she said "Now dear wipe those tears or I'll have to do you again" pointing at the box of powder she had already put aside.
Coleene wiped her tears. Those were tears of joy.
Morielle stood up and said,"They are waiting."

Alaris jaws dropped. He could not remove his eyes from the beautiful lady walking behind Morielle.
He have seen her before and fell instantly in love and yet here she is now . With a very lovely face that he feels the vastness of the universe could not contain. For him this person walking down is like a Goddess of beauty and love. Alaris mind and heart told him. She is his destiny.

Then the big man in hood spoke loudly for all to hear. "Young man aren't you going to help the lady down the stairs. Or would you like me to fo the honors.
Alaris sprang to his feet and immediately extended his arms for Coleene to hold onto. But Coleene raised her hands and offered it to Alaris as a sign of accepting the offer of assistance.
Alaris took her hand and led her to the table.
It was a table set for six person. Two on each side and one on each end.
The two men were already sat on each end and on one side the two ladies were seated Morielle on the right side of Dhugals end and the two strangers to Coleene on the other end which left her and Alaris to be seated beside each other . She took the side near Dhugal.
"Now I'm starving "let's all eat and we could do the formalities of introducing each other while we eat.
The food was plentiful and delicious. Every one enjoyed the breakfast .Especially the two young adults who can't stop staring at each other .
Well now Dhugal said in a serious voice time for me to introduce everyone here to you. He drank the remaining brew on his mug and continued his introduction.
That big man on the other end is a very good friend of your father. They have shared a lot of many adventures in the past. Your father fought side by side with that man. And he is Haggart Lightbringer. He was one of the three old warriors. Of the great wars."
Dhugal continued, while Alaris stared in disbelief and Coleene in a big surprise.

Then the Lady by her side is Princess Yna of the great warrior tribes from the the far southeast. And he is Haggart's beloved.
The person seated beside you and can't take his eyes off you is Alaris. A traveller who is seeking adventure and his destiny . And I believed you have met Lady Morielle. She is your mother's sister.

And I am your father's cousin. The third Man who fought with them.
There was silence.,Coleene could not believe everything she had learned today. Was she still delirious, Is this all just a dream. She closed her eyes,and tears began to flow. All her life she have known nothing about her family and her past. And now all this was kept secret from her. She wanted to be angry at Dhugal but she can't He have loved her and took care of her all of this years. And she can't hate him for keeping those secrets. She loved Dhugal like a true father.
And then she asked calmly as she opened her eyes."Do I need to know more?"
Morielle stood up and replied. "Not until we bring you on journey to your own home.