Secret Discoveries (part three)

Story Part 3 - By: SRS

The sun had not yet risen, but Crystal was awake and ready to attack the day’s challenges and bask in the attention of all who attended to her. Crystal’s birthday ball was called for 6 that evening and this would be the first party Crystal had a say in. All other balls and celebrations had been directed by the King and Queen themselves, never asking Crystal's 'permission' or advice in the matter. But they had finally grown bored of planning balls. For as long as they could remember there were birthday parties and banquets to tend to and supervise. They had had enough of cakes and elaborate desserts. If Crystal so wished to spend her time on such tedious things, so be it. So they gave into Crystals' constant requests and let her help 'just this once.' Since Crystal had done so much to assist in the day’s planned events, she was anxious to see things ‘fallow through’ and have her ‘perfect day’ etched in the memories of all who were to be present that day. Therefore, with great excitement, Crystal ran down the private corridor leading directly from her room to Sheeba's.

With her biggest smile, Crystal opened the door to Sheeba's room and walked briskly over the closed curtain. Crystal was determined to awaken Sheeba so that Crystal could share with her the leaping emotions of this moment. As she reached up to open the curtain, Crystal glanced down on Sheeba's sleeping figure. Though Crystal had entered noisily, Sheeba was still deep in slumber. It was strange, Crystal thought, how Sheeba could remain asleep through more noise then in the past. A pin drop used to stir her during Crystals' childhood. Not wanting to dwell on such puzzling things like why Sheeba was now a deep sleeper, Crystal distracted herself once again and continued to open the curtain.

As the room lightened Crystal readjusted her vision. The sun was just starting its ascent towards the heavens as Crystal glanced around Sheeba's room. This was one of her favorite rooms in the palace, and that’s saying a lot. Many thunderstorms had been spent in this room, just Sheeba and Crystal huddled together on Sheeba’s bed. Though it had been many years since Crystal spent such a night in these quarters, she remembered them well and with fondness.

There was an elaborate rug on the marble floor, where Crystal had lain to read tails of knights, her people’s history, and the dark secrets of time. In the center of the rug was a detailed design of flowers and vines, wrapped intrinsically around each other in an embrace unbreakable to even the strongest man. Running along the border were pictures of men and women that used to lead the country, as Arthur did, from the beginning of time until Crystal’s birth, when it was made.

One picture, in particular, caught Crystal’s attention every time, it was one of a Lord on a horse. Many of the other figures rode such an animal but this animal was different. The horse ridden was an autumn brown, almost chestnut. Her strong tail turned upright at the end giving the impression of superiority. What really made her stand out were her eyes. Her eyes were red; a bright read that held an inner light. With upturned ears and blatant stare, the horse seemed to know all that was around her. She was aware.

Crystal suddenly looked up. How long had she been standing there looking at the horse? Why was she always so taken by her eyes, those red eyes? Focusing her attention once again, Crystal turned her body to face Sheeba’s. But as Crystal did so she saw that Sheeba was already awake, as if waiting for the princess to notice, sitting on the edge of her bed.

“Good morning Crystal!” Sheeba offered with a grin. Crystal sensed some mockery in the greeting and replied with caution, “Good morning Sheeba. I’m glad to she you’re already awake. I was just going to ask for your company.”

“Well, I’d gladly give you some! Come, let us see what there is for breakfast on this special day!” With great excitement Sheeba jumped off her bed and started trotting towards the door. Startled by Sheeba’s sudden enthusiasm for food, Crystal hesitated before following Sheeba’s lead out the door, taking one last glance at the horse in the rug before she left.

NEXT --> Part 4