By: SRS
Not wanting to get up, Crystal remained lying in bed staring at the ceiling. She had been counting on feeling refreshed after a whole night's sleep, but right now she felt more tired then before. So had she slept at all? That was a good question. As of now, she was unsure about what her state of consciousness had been over the past ten or so hours. Since one doesn't usually remember one's dreams in entirety, and since she remembered hers as clearly as day, maybe it hadn't been a dream? But, dreams don't usually make sense, and this one was definitely out of the norm.
Crystal remained in bed for quite some time revolving the arguments in her head, unable to unlock the answers, until a knock on the door interrupted her. Collecting herself, Crystal tried to sound relaxed when she called back, "Who is it?" From the other side of the door came Elvire's voice, "It is Elvire, may I enter?" Covering herself completely with the comforter, Crystal called back, "Yes, you may."
With grace and ease Elvire entered the room and closed the door behind her. Approaching Crystal's bed, Elvire bowed and apologized, "I'm sorry if I have disturbed you princess. Flugentius wanted to wait for you to ring before arousing you; but, as matters have changed since last night, Flugentius must depart again at sundown, and it is already midday. Regardless of the need for his services elsewhere, he did not want to leave with out first speaking with you. It is for this reason that I interrupt you now. If you can be ready in an hour, Flugentius will see you." Despite the calmness in her voice, Crystal could sense the stress and worry that preoccupied Elvire. Something had occurred during the night that was urgent enough to warrant the lord of the land to leave his palace. Though Elvire tried to hide this in her speech, it showed clearly in her eyes now as she looked to Crystal and waited for a response.
"What has happened?" Crystal asked in innocence. Elvire replied shortly, "I will leave it to Flugentius to tell you. Will you be ready in time to speak with him?" Crystal nodded and made to get out of bed. Elvire was already half way out the door when she said over her shoulder, "you will find clothes in the closet, they will fit you." With that, she left Crystal.
As soon as the door closed behind Elivre, Crystal heard a creek and saw a hidden door open in the wall next to the closet. Startled, Crystal jumped back and was about to ring for Elvire when a young girl appeared in the middle of the doorway. "Do not be alarmed," came the small voice of the child, "I have been sent to help you dress. Did not Elvire tell you that I would come?" Still frightened and unsure Crystal asked, "Then why were you not here last night to help me undress? Why do you come only this morning?" Restraining a giggle, the child replied, "Why you surely are from another land, I should have believed them when they told me. Forgive my rudeness princess, there are many habits of this land that you are clearly not accustomed to." With a slight curtsy the child inclined her head and said, "pardon my rudeness twice my lady, how might I help you this morning?"Remaining suspicious, Crystal pointed to the closet and muttered, "I'd like to get dressed quickly please." With another bow the child opened the closet doors and chose one of the dresses for Crystal. It was emerald green, with an 'A' line cut from the waist, and a high collar. Running up the left side of the dress, from the hem to collar, was a dark vine with lush leaves. The sleeves were long but simply cut. It fit Crystal perfectly. Standing back from the mirror, Crystal smiled. It felt good to be properly dressed for a change.
In no time her hair was done. Thanking the child, Crystal pulled the tassel by her bed and waited for someone to show her to the breakfast hall. "You are welcome princess," came the girl's soft reply as she disappeared behind the hidden door.
Soon someone knocked on Crystal's door. Opening it, Crystal found Elvire waiting again with anxious eyes. "This way please, I will show you to the breakfast hall," she said. Before Crystal could ask about the child, Elvire was racing ahead of Crystal. Must she run? came Crystal's thoughts, what could have happened last night to keep her at wits end?
Crystal was worried and afraid. She had thought that her journey was reaching its end, and that the stress and questions would soon be answered with her meeting Flugentius. Now she wondered if he'd have time to answer her questions at all. Merlin had evaded her questions by throwing her into this challenging situation. Was anyone ever going to explain to her what was going on?
At the speed that Elvire was twisting and turning through the maze of corridors it seemed that fire was chasing them. What ever could have happened?
Finally Elvire stopped in front of a large oak door. "Within you will find help and hand to serve you. Call for me as soon as you're satisfied." With another bow Elvire left Crystal again, dashing into the corridors that they had just emerged from, soon consumed in the shadows of the torch light.
Despite the lush eloquent banquet displayed on the tables before her, Crystal ate little. She was too nervous and anxious to eat. After ten minutes of forcing herself to consume food, she brushed aside the servants and called for Elvire. In no time the fox was before Crystal, ready to lead the way again.
This time Elvire lead Crystal up an endless flight of stairs. Spiraling skyward, they ran at top speed. When they reached the top, Crystal was breathless, and had to pause. Thankfully, Elvire noticed and waited until Crystal was ready to continue. While she waited, Elvire apologized, "I'm sorry to make you run Princess, but time is short."
Again they were dashing through a long narrow corridor, but this time the journey was brief. Stopping short in front of a wall, Elvire explained, "Flugentius's office is within this hidden doorway," and she tapped a small nob on the floor. The wall swung inward in the shape of a seven foot door. "Thank you for all of your help," Crystal whispered as she entered the doorway.
As soon as Crystal was within the threshold, the door closed softly behind her. Puzzled, Crystal stepped forward and waited for her eyes to adjust to the light of the room. It was dimly lit, with one candle at each corner of the room. Lining all of the walls were tall bookshelves that reached the ceiling, all of them were filled. In the center were two high-backed armchairs, each facing each other. Between them was a small round table. The closer armchair had its back to Crystal. Tense, Crystal started forward, assuming that she was supposed to sit in one of the chairs and wait for Flugentius.
"Approach Crystal," came a deep voice that she recognized as Flugentius. Swiftly, Crystal reached the armchair facing her and began to sit down; however, what she saw in the armchair across from her made her stop, stiff.
It was not Flugentius.
Sitting in the opposite armchair was a young man, bedecked in robes of royalty. Judging by the height of his knees, he looked to be over six foot tall. Peppering his chin was a closely trimmed beard. He features were prominent. Furthermore, there were two circular scars on each temple. Lastly, dangling from his neck was a tooth necklace.
"Do not be alarmed" came his voice. She felt it, like she had when Flugentius had first spoken to her in the woods. His voice chimed through her and rang in her bones, leaving her with a pleasant feeling of serenity. "Flugentius?" she felt herself saying, "But how can that be, you are a wolf, not a man?"
0 comments:
Post a Comment