It's My Life

Chapter 34 - The enemy makes his move.

In the dream I was running across barren, dry ground, the ground littered with silver scales, and in the distance I saw water and ran towards it, but when I finally got there it was a tiny puddle, just enough for me to have a couple of mouthfuls, then it vanished, appearing far in the distance. I woke up gasping, then looked at the clock. It was barely five in the morning, and I lay back on the bed, the sheets soaked with sweat. I got up and moved to the window, glancing out at the black sky and even blacker waves. Something was going to happen today, I could feel it.
"Are you all right, Princess?" I heard, and smiled slightly. She was always on the ball.
"Yes, I'm all right, just a bad dream. Thank you though, Meg." I sent back.  I felt her acknowledgement, then there was silence. When I was told someone would be in constant contact with me, I hadn't liked it, but it hadn't felt intrusive at all. I didn't think I could get any more sleep, so I wrote a note and left it on the kitchen table, and then quietly let myself out of the back door and walked across the yard. I reached the back fence to find my guard waiting for me.
"Is there a problem, Princess?" He asked aloud. I shook my head.
"No. I couldn't sleep so I thought a swim would be beneficial." I said softly.
"Of course. Do you wish company?" He asked.
"No. I shan't be long. I just need to freshen up. Two hours at most. If I'm not back on land in two hours, come out and find me. I think Meg will still be on watch." I said.
"Very well, my lady." The guard said. I walked into the water, a shiver going through me at the icy liquid. It was the one thing I disliked about swimming. Doing it during the winter months, the water was like ice until I transformed. It was days like these that I was grateful I didn't get sick. Taking a deep breath I slipped under the waves, letting my body transform, the chill easing as my silver scales appeared. I let the air out of my lungs in a steady stream of bubbles and started swimming, gliding along in the dark water, starting to slowly lighten in the early morning glow. I found my favourite rock and lay on it, my hair settling in an inky fan around me, and watched the light spread across the water, so far above me, but still beautiful as the water went from navy to cerulean and gradually lightening to a beautiful clear opalescent blue. No words can describe the beauty of watching the first rays of the sun spear through the shimmering water, but the best words to use would be ethereal, other-worldly. I loved it. I didn't ever remember to bring a camera with me, and though I've tried painting it a few times, it never seems to come out just right. My art teachers had wondered how I'd experienced such a vision, of which I couldn't explain. I closed my eyes as the sun rose, and once the sun had fully risen I allowed myself to float off the rock, swimming casually for a little while before heading towards the shore. I had been in the ocean for almost two hours, and I knew they would come looking for me soon. I finally reached the shore, transformed again, and walked slowly out of the water.
"Do you feel better, my lady?" The guard asked. I smiled and nodded.
"Much, thank you. Is everything okay here?" I asked.
"All good here, my lady." He replied. I walked up the beach, the guard following, and reached my fence. I turned to face the guard.
"Do you want to come in for breakfast? I'm sure we have plenty." I offered. He smiled.
"Thank you, but I'm going home soon. Next time." He said. I went inside to find my parents in the kitchen.
"Morning." I said, moving to the fridge.
"Morning, sweetie. Have you been swimming?" Mum asked.
"Mm-hm. I had a bad night." I said.
"What happened?" Dad asked, putting down the paper.
"Well, just a bad dream, a bad feeling. I thought a swim would energise me and ease my troubles." I said, picking at an apple cinnamon muffin.
"Has it?" Mum asked. I sighed and leaned against the bench. 
"No. Something is going to happen today. I can feel it." I said.
"Have you told Tom or Cora?" Mum asked. I looked at her as I nibbled on the muffin.
"No. I'll send Tom a message soon, and I'll tell Cora at the embassy." I said.
"What's on the agenda today?" Dad asked, trying to sway the topic.
"History lesson, deportment, Princess lessons." I said, and grinned. Both Mum and Dad smiled back. Finishing my muffin I hurried upstairs, showered, and started getting ready to head out.
"Did I feel my name being mentioned earlier?" I heard Tom say, and I smiled.
"Eavesdropper. We were merely saying that I had a bad dream last night and that I feel something is going to happen today. I can feel it." I said. I could feel his concern, and tried to lighten my energy signature, and I felt rather than heard him chuckle.
"You can't fool me, Cass. I've been doing this longer than you. Just be careful, and if you feel anything, tell someone immediately. Your guard, Mum, me. Scream as hard and as loud as you can if you need to." Tom said.
"Cass, the car's here." Mum called up the stairs.
"I will. Thank you Tom." I replied to him, then hurried downstairs.
"See you later." I called out and grabbed my bag, hurrying outside. I got into the car and was driven to the embassy.