Sapphire Kingdom: Quest Two (Dragon Quest Series Book 2) (5 page)

Before I could scream,
Rṓ
gaire was there grabbing me around the waist pulling me from the water. “You were warned to stay away from the water.”
Rṓ
gaire whispered in my ear still clutching my waist.

I knew he was whispering because he didn’t want to alert the others of what I had done; but it was more than a little uncomfortable having him so close to me.

“This entire body of water is called the Abaven Sea, meaning it protects the Sapphire Kingdom.”
Rṓ
gaire explained releasing me. “That is why the Sapphire Kingdom is so indestructible, and good kingdom to have an alliance with.”

“Thank you for helping me.”

“Think before indulging in your curiosity next time.” He admonished leaving me behind to catch up with the others.

“April, what are you doing back there?” Angie called out, bringing me back to the quest at hand.

Catching up to the others, I found everyone stopped and the blue haze around Ashley gone. “What’s going on?”

“This is where the path ends.” Ashley answered a little out of breathe.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“What do we do now?” Angie exclaimed glaring at
Rṓ
gaire.

“We wait.” He replied, not even bothering to look at the now seething Angie.

“Calm down, just be grateful that we are above the water and not below it.” Leo joked.

Noticing the nervous expression on Ashley’s face, I wanted to let her know that we are in it together, only to discover myself unable to move my legs. Looking down I realized that I was now ankle deep in the water and slowly sinking more.

“What were you saying about being above the water?” Angie hissed at Leo.

“Let’s just remain calm and don’t panic.” Prince Leev stated, I believe more for himself than for the rest of us.

The pace of our descent into the water quickened, within two seconds I was up to my neck and Ashley had completely disappeared underneath the water. “Is it okay to panic now?”

Daughter

Location: Sapphire Kingdom

◑
Ashle
y
◐

Expecting my lungs to fill with water, I instinctively closed my eyes and held my breath. When the pressure of water never came I opened my eyes to find myself in an empty room alone.

A few seconds later I was joined by everyone, as they started appearing beside me one after the other.

“Why is nothing ordinary in this world?” Angie fumed.

“At least we are alive.” I teased Angie feeling anything but optimistic. What if I am unable to find my dragon or the ruler of the Sapphire Kingdom is a tyrant and is not willing to help us. Worst of all what if I am not what my parents are expecting.

“Honored guests of the Sapphire Kingdom, our esteemed Queen and King are awaiting your presence. Follow me.” A tall man with long blonde hair wearing a scaly armor suit, bellowed from a door way that appeared out of nowhere with him.

Not giving us anytime to respond he turned around and started to leave, expecting us to follow.

Without discussing it, we followed him into a long corridor, which brought me back to the first time I had entered the Inner Kingdom.

“News seems to travel fast in this Kingdom.” Angie muttered loud enough behind me that everyone could hear. If the guy guiding us heard her, he did not show it.

I hope that the King and Queen are accepting of me, and tell me where my parents are. If no one has left the Kingdom since the day I left, hopefully that means my parents are still here, and nothing bad has happened to them.

“Still yourself.” Prince Leev whispered from beside me, motioning to my hands.

I hadn’t realized that I was visibly shaking, but the further we walk the more I feel like running away.

“I know you must find this task to be difficult, but do not be afraid and try not show your fear.”

“That’s funny that is almost the exact same thing Mina told me and my sisters, right before we walked into a room with a glass floor, and a woman who wanted to feed us to ravenous snakes.”

Causing Prince Leev to actually laugh out loud before trying to stifle it with his hand. Listening to him laugh actually made me feel a lot better for a reason I do not want to dwell on.

As we continued walking it felt as if someone was watching me, turning around I found Angie squinting her eyes in a way that meant I will be hearing about this later.

The sound of water took my attention away from Angie, to find a giant wall of water flowing downward from above. Our guide did not seem to be bothered by it as he put his palm to the water causing it to pull apart down the middle, revealing another room.

After stepping into the room I found it hard to remain upright due to the fact the entire room was made of glass. It was like being inside of an upside down fish bowl inside of a lake. It was beautiful, but at the same time frightening; large schools of florescent fish swam around the glass like they were curious of who we were.

Above us there were several tubes coming from the center of the ceiling stretching along the top that illuminated a dim blue light, which quickly became brighter the longer we stood in the room.

“Come, the King and Queen are not ones you would like to keep waiting.” The guard warned, continuing to lead us toward two thrones at the back of the room.

“How long do you think this glass can withstand the pressure from all of this water? Angie asked to no one in particular keeping her eyes on the school of fish still circling the tank.

“This is close enough.” The guard warned stopping us before I could make out the silhouettes on the thrones. “Now bow to the rulers of Sapphire Kingdom.”

Following Prince Leev’s lead I bowed and prayed silently that Angie did not say or do anything to offend the King and Queen.

“Come closer” a woman’s voice commanded from one of the thrones.

My knees trembled making my steps even more difficult. It was like the air had become thinner, and my breaths were coming faster. It was too late to turn around as the lighting highlighted the features of the King and Queen.

The bright blue eyes, long blonde hair, narrow nose, petite features, and pouty lips were something I saw every time I looked into a mirror. Despite the obvious age different, there was no doubt that I could clearly pass as one of her family members, maybe even her daughter.

I knew everyone eyes were on me, but I couldn’t force myself to say anything intelligible or look away from the older version of myself.
What if she really is my mother?

Painfully I took my gaze away from the Queen to look at the King, he was very large with kind eyes that seemed to take in everything as he silently sat on his throne gazing down at us.

“Dragon Warriors, state your name and Kingdom of origin.” The Queen demanded.

Not wanting to upset her we all introduced ourselves and the Kingdom we represented, while her eyes never left mine the entire time.

“Your majesties, I am honored to be able to meet you. I am-” Prince Leev was silenced by a wave from the Queen hand, before he could properly introduce himself.

The Queen gradually stood up from her throne and made her way toward us, or rather toward me.

“So you are the Dragon Warrior of the Sapphire Kingdom.” The Queen asked as she framed my face in her hands.

Not trusting my voice I just nodded as she pulled me into a tight hug, rendering me incompetent to use my brain to speak or move my body.

“I have waited a long time for your return…My daughter.” The Queen smiled, revealing to me in words, what my heart knew the moment I saw her.

“Excuse me, your majesty I would like to thank you for allowing us to tread on your hospitality until Ashley can claim her dragon.” Prince Leev said calling me by my name for the first time since I helped his father, the Inner Kingdom king when he was sick.

“I no longer want my child to think about such things now. She is now home and safe,” the Queen replied keeping her eyes on me. “At least that crazy old man kept his promise in returning you to me.”

“As the Inner Kingdom’s captain of the guard, your daughter and the other two dragon warriors are needed to destroy Queen Jewel. She has awakened and will stop at nothing to continue what she started so long ago.” Leo informed stepping closer to the Queen.

“Do you take me for a fool? I realize all of what you speak, can’t a mother express her heart?” The Queen retorted becoming visibly upset by the truth of Leo’s words. “I only need four days. I do not believe that would be too much time to ask for, to spend with my daughter I haven’t seen since infancy.”

I could feel the love coming from her as well as the distain in her eyes, when she looked at Angie and April. I remember Nolin explaining to us that the other kingdoms has a very flimsy alliance.

“Prince Leev of the Inner Kingdom. I know why you are here and in regards of the matter, I will let my daughter respond.” The king announced. His voice was surprisingly not overbearing, but soft and soothing.

The sounds of heels grabbed my attention, bringing my gaze to a young woman with long blonde hair in a long flowing pink dress coming toward us.

I don’t know how much more I can take, if I thought the Queen looked like me, it would be best to say that the young woman now standing before me was me.

“Hi, my name is Nerissa. It is a pleasure to finally meet you Cordelia.”

“Your sister no longer goes by that name, while on Earth she was given another.  She is now known as Ashley.” The Queen corrected her. “Ashley meet your older twin sister Nerissa, I believe she was more excited than me for this day."

Accepting Nerissa’s extended hand something felt strange, although I couldn’t quite place what it was.

Letting go of my hand Nerissa turned her attention toward Prince Leev. “I humbly thank you for making the trip to Sapphire Kingdom to personally listen to my quest.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” He replied kissing her outstretched hand.

For some reason I found myself grinding my teeth as I watched them flirt before me.

“I hope what I have to say doesn’t reflect negatively on my way of thinking, be it this is not my answer I have to speak my true feelings.” Nerissa softly spoke. “I feel as if a union between us will only benefit the Inner Kingdom.”

“I understand the thought behind your words.”

“With that being said I will use the time that you are here to get to know you more, and will give you my official answer before your return to your kingdom.”

“I respect your decision.” Bowing once more he took a step back as Nerissa walked back toward me.

I wish I knew what was going on, Nerissa couldn’t possibly be talking about a marriage between her and Prince Leev. I decided to put that out of my mind and focus solely on the reason I came here.

“In honor of the return of my daughter, a ball will be thrown in two days’ time. Prepare the Kingdom for a splendid celebration.” The king announced clapping his hand twice as he stood.

I wondered who he was talking to, suspecting him to be a little on the crazy side, until I saw men appearing out of nowhere lining the sides of the room. They looked almost identical the first guy who led us to this room.

Walking toward where I was standing, the King grabbed the Queen hand, while placing his other hand comfortably upon my right shoulder. “Welcome home my daughter.”

I have always dreamt of meeting my real parents, even though I was told they were no longer alive, I knew that they were and that the moment we are reunited would be perfect. One thing I did not count on was for them to actually be royalty.

“Nerissa you can use this time to show your sister to where you two will be residing. Oh, and do show the others to their sleeping quarters as well.” The Queen instructed kissing me and Nerissa on the cheek before exiting the room with half the men leaving us behind.

“You. Us. Talk. Now,” Angie whispered fiercely pulling me away from Nerissa, and into a huddle with her and April.

“I know what you want to say, but you don’t have to worry about me there is nothing between Prince Leev and myself.”

“Okay, first of all that was not what I wanted to talk to you about, and secondly I will store that conversation away for later.”

“Than what is so important we had to huddle away from everyone?”

“I am happy that you have found your family, I truly am, but I also want you to remember why we are here,” Angie whispered so only we could hear. “Do you understand? No matter how nice it is here, we will have to leave to continue finding the dragons.”

I fully understood Angie’s concern, I once turned my back on them when they needed me, and I will not do it again.

Grabbing Angie and April’s hand I wished that I could take back how I treated them before. “Listen, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Do you mind introducing me to your friends?” Nerissa asked suddenly appearing beside me.

Nerissa’s unexpected presence startled me so much that I dropped April and Angie’s hand.

“Sure, Nerissa meet April and Angie, also known as the Dragon Warriors of nature and fire.”

Bowing her head slightly, Nerissa barely acknowledge them.  “If you would follow me I will show all of you where you will be staying during the duration of your visit.

Nerissa began to walk toward the throne room exit, without so much of a word to them; as I turned to apologize to them for Nerissa’s actions I was met with stony glares.

“Come on April, we wouldn’t want to do anything to shame our fellow Dragon Warrior.” Angie sarcastically muttered brushing pass me with April fast on her heels.

I know it was rude of how Nerissa acknowledge them, or rather her lack of acknowledgement; but why are they mad at me?

Following behind them I realized that our stay in Sapphire Kingdom will not be an easy one.