Pocketville Lost Diamonds: VOLUME 2

Chapter 1: the colorless castle

The heavy light blue doors opened and the group slowly walked in.

The hooves sounded on the precious floor like stones on crystal and for a moment the horses staggered on the smooth surface.
They lied on their chest and let the other five animals go down.

Danny shook his fur from snow and smelt the air, curious.
- Hey, this place is cool! - commented.

The hall was just amazing: the floor was covered with huge blue ceramics and the walls were excavated into the gray stone, preciously chiseled and inlaid by skill.
The vaulted ceiling was very high and painted of dark green. Pointed arches opened the way to other rooms on the two sides and a wonderful staircase was right in front of them. Tens of ancient paintings and portraits were hung everywhere all around the animals, staring at them with serious eyes.

- You must be tired, my dears - said Ava to the horses. She smiled at Ambra's sweet eyes, which stared at her from above - There must be a living room on your left side, go and take a rest: you deserved it.
- Thank you, Your Majesty. - the horses stood up, politely bowed to her and disappeared through one of the arches. Titan and Kayl followed them, fast.

One of them, Toast, stopped and looked back to the Siamese Cat, hopeful:
- Is there any place where we can find some good hay? I'm hungry!
- There's a stable outside, but I'm sure there is nothing more. I'm sorry, we'll figure out if there is something in the kitchen.
The horse nodded, a bit disappointed, and walked away. There was a reason if he was Danny's mount: they were more alike than how they ever admit.

- Is this place abandoned? - asked William.
- Yes. - answered Ava - No one lives here anymore since my grandmother... uh, she... left.

The dog nodded, feeling sorry for having forced Ava to think about it.

The princess observed the room, thoughtful. Something in her eyes was darker than how they usually looked like.
- I haven't come here for many years. - commented - Take a rest, you too. You need it.

- Yay! I can't wait to explore this place! - exclaimed Mela, excited. She was going to run to the room on the left, but stopped and stared at the princess - Well, only if you agree...

Ava smiled: it was incredible how cheerful she was, after having risked to die on two occasions. She could even be catching.

- Sure, Mela. Go.
The kitty skipped away with Danny. Ava walked to the staircase, in silence.

- Where are you going? - questioned William.
- I'm just taking a look on the second level. - has been the answer - You can go with the others and relax, you must be exhausted too.

William gazed at her, not sure if to read it as a kind invitation or a request to be left alone. The princess didn't wait for his reaction and walked upstairs.

- William, are you coming? - asked someone behind him.
The Golden Retriever turned back: Steel Wool was standing on the floor, looking at him with his green eyes.
Almost reading the insecurity on the dog's face, he smiled and shook his head:
- She needs a bit of peace, just let her go. Come, we're going to visit the castle.

The Guard hesitated, but then nodded and followed the trainer away in the Green Corridor.

Ava reached the top of the gorgeus stairs, finding herself in a smaller halley where, just like in the below level, introduced two corridors.
A big stained glass window covered almost the entire wall.
Outside, a dark gray sky and white snow ate all the other colors, stealing their essence.

Nothing changed, from the last time she visited that place....

17 years before...

-Ava, be careful!