Sapphire Kingdom: Quest Two (Dragon Quest Series Book 2) (6 page)

Bitter

Location: Neriss
a’
s Room

◑
Ashley (Cordelia)
 
◐

There was only the sound of footsteps as we followed Nerissa.

“What seems to be ailing your sisters?” Prince Leev whispered, slowing his stride to match my snail pace.

“Why are you curious?”

“I just wanted to make polite conversation.” Prince Leev stated looking straight ahead toward Nerissa.

“If you want to talk, why didn’t you tell us your prior engagement, was actually about an engagement?”

“The proposal of my engagement, was all done by my father, and I do not believe the Dragon Warriors should be privy to such personal information.” He smiled, making him look even more arrogant. “Don’t tell me that you are jealous.”

His question caught me off guard almost making me choke on air. “I am not jealous, I just pity the person who has to put up with you for the rest of their life.”

My feet couldn’t take me away from him fast enough as I caught up with Nerissa just in time, as she stopped in the middle of a small circular room with six large column placed around us.

The pillars surrounding us were filled with the most bluest of water that swirled around as we entered the room, and strangely inside of the liquid were men, clutching what looked to be a triton in their hands. In between each column was a hall leading to some unknown part of Sapphire Kingdom.

“This is where we will all part until dinner.” Nerissa announced. “Prince Leev, you and your companions, will find your room down the hall to your right, and Dragon Warriors you will find your room to the left, Turk and Olé will guide you.”

The liquid in the pillars near the right and left hall began to swirl really fast, as the muscled guys stepped from inside of the liquid without an ounce of water on Them; Both of the men had very similar features to the guy who led us to the King and Queen’s throne room, the only difference was that their hair was cut extremely low.

In my astonishment, I noticed for the first time that
Rṓ
gaire was not with us, it figures he inherited his father’s cowardly ability to disappear. I wanted to ask Leo, but I did not want Nerissa to overhear. I don’t believe she would take the news lightly of a strange visitor wandering throughout Sapphire Kingdom.

Angie followed the guard without a second glance my way, April was a little more hesitant opening her mouth, as if to say something only to quickly close it without saying a word to catch up with Angie.

“I guess this leaves just us.” I joked trying to laugh away the hurt I was feeling, I guess this was just a little taste of how they must have felt back on Earth.

“Yes, our room is straight ahead. I hope you like it.” Nerissa said, while never changing her pace. “Mom, redecorated the entire room just for you.”

“I thought I was going to be rooming with you in your room.” I asked feeling a little confused.

“It is no longer my room, since you have returned it is our room.” Nerissa stated sounding a little strange, as she suddenly stopped at the end of the hall.

“Are you okay? I can just sleep in the same room with Angie and April. I don’t want to intrude.”

“Don’t be foolish,” Nerissa laughed turning around grabbing my hands. “I have waited a long time to meet my younger sister, the Dragon Warrior.”

“Okay, as long as you are all right with it.”

I don’t know what is wrong with me, all I have ever wanted was to belong somewhere, and now that I have found my real family; why am I so hesitant about sharing a room with my real sister?

Letting go of my hand she put her hand on the door in front of us causing it to ripple like water as it swallowed her hand, soon after there was a click and the door opened.

I couldn’t stay in awe at the way Nerissa opened the door, once I saw the view inside. The room was twice as big as the one my sisters and I shared in the Inner Kingdom. It was decorated a beautiful pearl color with a conch shell border. The floor was covered in beautiful soft spongey corals.

To the right of me there were two giant canopy beds, the same colors as the walls and border. The only thing separating them were four small steps leading up to a large platform that showcased a giant twin mirror dresser.

“You haven’t seen the most amazing feature yet,” Nerissa said leading me across the room to a pair of long stringy fluorescent curtains, pushing pass the curtains led us to an enclosed glass balcony giving me a spectacular view of Sapphire Kingdom. It was like a network of tall buildings connected by tubes that stretched far off in the distance.

“It is so beautiful,” I muttered unable to look away.

“This is my favorite view of the Kingdom.” Nerissa stated, sounding lost in thought.

“My lady we are here for your fitting,” A short plump woman with bright blue eyes, and short blonde hair exclaimed, stepping from behind the curtain. “First, let us tend to your bath.”

“That is okay, if you can just point me in the direction of the bathing area, I am perfectly capable of tending to my own bath.” I explained remembering the way I was treated when I first entered the Inner Kingdom.

“It seems as if my sister is a bit modest. Don’t worry, I will show her to our bathing area, and you can come back with the others in about an hour for her fitting.” Nerissa assured the woman.

Bowing without hesitation, she departed as fast as she had appeared before us.

“You now have an hour to relax,” Nerissa laughed, motioning me to follow her back inside the room.

“Where do I have to go to wash?” I asked after she stopped outside the empty wall.

Nerissa laughed, “In here.”

“There’s nothing there, but a wall.”

“Of course, I did say that it was in there.” Nerissa continued to laugh as she pulled me through the wall into what I can only describe a world class spa. “You will find you essentials over on the far wall. Enjoy.”

The bath was wonderful once I figured out how to work the faucets. Everything I needed was waiting for me on the far wall like Nerissa said, Even a lovely pale pink silk rob.

I walked out of the room feeling refreshed and wondering what April and Angie was doing. My thoughts were interrupted when I found Nerissa sitting down at the twin mirrors brushing her hair.

She smiled once she caught my gaze in the mirror. “Feeling better?”

“Yes, much better.”

“Would you like me to brush your hair?” Nerissa offered standing up from her porcelain chair.

I was a more than a little hesitant, because for some reason it brought back memories of my stepmom, and how she used brushing my hair as an excuse to cheer me up.

“Sure.”

It was freaky how much we looked alike, if it wasn’t for the fact that her hair was more of a strawberry blonder, and a lot curlier, no one would be able to tell us apart.

“Do you mind if I ask you a question?” Nerissa murmured as she gently brushed my hair, accepting my subtle nod as permission to continue. “What can you tell me about Prince Leev?”

I fought the urge to stand up, as I tensed letting her question sink in. “What do you want know?”

“I would just like to no more about him, since the proposition of our marriage was put forward by our parents, I know not of Prince Leev’s true character.”

My mouth suddenly became dry as I tried to think about Prince Leev. “Well, when we first met he was very snobbish.”

“Snobbish? That doesn’t sound like a compliment.”

“No, it’s not.” I laughed thinking about the way he welcomed the Dragon Warriors. “It means he was very belittling.”

“Oh,” Nerissa muttered very lowly.

“Then I got a chance to get to know him more and found him very narcissistic and arrogant.”

“So far I don’t see him being marriage material.” Nerissa stated making me laugh harder.

“Yeah, but even though he can be all of those things, he has a brave and noble side to him. He sticks to his principles, and doesn’t yield for no one, once his mind is made up.” I rambled on becoming lost in thought, until a pain in the back of my head brought me back to reality. “Ouch!”

“Sorry, I was trying to comb out a tiny knot. Did I hurt you?”

“I’m fine,” I assured her, as I rubbed the back of my head.

“It sounds like you know the Prince very well.” Nerissa continued the conversation.

“Not really, I actually just met him almost two weeks ago.” I chuckled to myself remembering how my life was a lot different two weeks ago.

“What causes you laughter?” Nerissa questioned, as she continued to section off my hair and brush it.

“It’s just that two weeks ago, I was on Earth with my sisters.”

“Sisters?” Nerissa stopped brushing my hair, causing me to look in the mirror at her puzzled expression.

“Yeah, on Earth the other dragon warriors and I would call each other sisters, even though I didn’t treat them like siblings in certain situations. I feel really bad about that now, since they never failed in being there for me.” Talking about them was just making me miss them more, although we just departed.

Once again Nerissa brushing began to turn painful, as she dragged the brush deep into my scalp causing a stingy burning sensation.

“Okay, you can stop brushing my hair now.” I stood up quickly, only to have Nerissa grab a clump of my hair, bringing me back down hard into the chair.

“What is wrong with you?” I cried as tears stung my eyes, in disbelief to what was actually happening.

“So being a Dragon Warrior is so great you can just create a family without giving your real one a second thought.” Nerissa muttered in my ear in an ominous voice.

“What are you talking about? I never knew who my true family was, or even if they existed until today.” I retorted trying to keep my emotions in check or I could cause the water outside to break through.

“That’s even better.” She laughed crazily letting go of my hair in the process. “Do you know how much mother and father waited for your return? It’s nice to know while I was alienated and alone, you were off having a good time with your make believe family.”

“Do you think I asked to be one of the Dragon Warriors? If I wasn’t, we would have been able to grow up together.” I exclaimed wanting to clear up this misunderstanding.

“You know, you are the type of person I hate the most. You have everything, and yet you are never satisfied” Nerissa declared throwing me down the steps as she sat down in the chair, locking eyes with me in the mirror. “Well, I know one thing you will never have.”

“You are crazy.” I exclaimed, pushing pass the pain in my hip to stand up.

“Be warned, it would be very scandalous for you to continue behaving the way you usually do around the Prince.” Nerissa smiled innocently batting her eyelashes into the mirror. “It would not be pleasant if the Kingdom thought you fancied my groom to-be.”

“I don’t care how upset you are at me, but leave him out of this.” I shook with anger all over at the thought of anyone marrying her, especially Prince Leev. “Why are you doing this, we are supposed to be sisters.”

“Poor naïve Cordelia, Did you think everyone would just welcome you with open arms?”

Before I could respond a knock from the other side of the door interrupted me.

“We are here for Princess Cordelia’s fitting.” A woman announced from the other side sounding different from the woman who appeared earlier.

Without making a sound Nerissa was down the steps and dangerously close to my face. “Don’t forget to smile and put on a nice show for mother and father, if you want to secure your
sisters
safety. Oh, and fix your hair it looks atrocious.”

Fear held me motionless, as I looked up at my wide-eyed petrified reflection in the mirror in front of me.

Sister

Location: Banquet Room

◑
Angie
 
◐

There were absolutely no words to describe how livid I am at this exact moment.

First, I haven’t heard from Ashley in almost twenty-four hours, and the night before we were served dog slop for food in our rooms,  not allowed to leave; and now a grumpy old woman comes bringing me and April rag doll dresses, only telling us to prepare for the Princess Cordelia’s return banquet before slamming the door in my face.

“Angie calm down, let’s just put on the dresses and go to the banquet. There has to be a reason why Ashley hasn’t contacted us.” April rationally tried to make excuses for Ashley.

“Or she has found her real family to be more important than us, and we are only embarrassments to her now.”

“Ashley has changed since we have been on Earth, she wouldn’t do that to us again.”

“If she would do it to fit in with the royal popular kids, there is nothing to say that she won’t do it again, now that she knows she is royalty.” I exclaimed, not realizing until I saw a tear slowly slide down April’s cheek that she was terribly shaken up at this possibility.

“I know Ashley treated us wrong just to belong and to feel normal for a change, but that doesn’t change that she is our sister, and no matter what I will believe in her.”

“Fine, I will let it go for now.” I reassured her as I held the tacky grey dresses out to her. “So, what do you suppose we do with these?”

After altering the dresses a little with the shawls that came with them, we were able to make them look a little more presentable as we tied them around our waist leaving it to hang down the length of the dress on one side.

I had just finished putting my feet in the straw-like slippers, when a knock sounded at the door.

Once April opened the door I could hear
Rṓ
gaire explain that he was there to escort us to the banquet.

As I opened the door wider I discovered that
Rṓ
gaire was not alone.

“For a moment I thought you had made a scene and was thrown in the dungeon.” Leo sighed with relief and laughter.

“I wouldn’t celebrate just yet if I were you.” I warned him as we stepped out of the cage we were placed in over twenty-four hours ago.

“Where is Ashley?” April asked disappointedly looking around.

“She will be introduced with the royal family.”
Rṓ
gaire explained, as he began to lead them down the halls without hesitation.

“How do you know where to go?” I asked finding his knowledge odd. “Were you mapping out Sapphire Kingdom when you disappeared last time?”

“I am uncomfortable being blind in enemy’s territory.”
Rṓ
gaire replied without breaking his stride.

The expression on Leo’s face spoke volume, as his face became stern, and his jaw tightened.

“There is something else you are not telling us. What do you mean Sapphire Kingdom is our enemy?” April questioned.

“You have already been told that the kingdoms has a very loose alliance.” Leo responded. “The only time there is an alliance at all, are when the Dragon Warriors are born, and Eupai is facing an evil threat.”

“Basically, they only kiss, and pretend to make up until they feel safe again.” Angie snorted.

“That is one way of putting it,” Leo chuckled.

We continued walking in silence, until we came to an entrance with two guards stationed in front. “State your title?”

“Dragon Warriors and company,”
Rṓ
gaire replied.

“Follow me,” One of the guards muttered leading them into the room, which appeared to be the size of an entire football field.

There were rows and rows of tables filled with people, and just like in the King and Queen’s throne room, the roof was completely dome like and made out of glass. The blue water from above created an ethereal ambiance below, casting dancing light which played across the people’s faces, and the walls that seemed to be made completely out of seashells.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, until everyone spotted the Dragon warriors and company being seated. 

It was very uncomfortable to act nonchalant, when everywhere I looked there was someone staring and pointing, or whispering.

“Stop looking so tense.” Leo smiled, trying to get me to loosen up.

The guide placed us at the very back of the room, away from the entrance and the exit.

“I have a feeling we are not welcomed here.” April murmured looking down into the glass of water placed on the table in front of her.

Suddenly the room became quiet, and the liquid above brightened as someone announced in a booming voice “All Hail King Tristan and the royal family Queen Merle, Princess Nerissa, and the recently returned Princess Cordelia.”

I could see the people around me clapping and blocking my view of Ashley, but my hearing was muted, as the memory of Ashley smiling and waving replayed within my mind. As much as I hate to admit it, I was just as worried about her, as April. I had hoped that everything I was saying earlier out of anger wasn’t true. Now I can see how she truly feels about us.

“Angie, no.” April mouthed, as she laid her trembling hand on top of mine, bringing back the sounds in the room to my ears.

“Are you okay? Why are you shaking?”

“I got this terrible feeling coming from Nerissa.” April shakily admitted taking a sip from her drink.

“How can you feel anything from her way back here?”

“I don’t know, for just a brief moment when I was trying to see Ashley, I caught Nerissa’s eyes. There is something about her that gives me the chills.”

“You can feel that?”
Rṓ
gaire asked curiously.

“I guess, it is just a feeling.”

I wanted to question
Rṓ
gaire about his interest in April, when the King stood sounding a weird spiral horn.

“I would like to thank everyone who showed up for this glorious event, the return of my youngest daughter Cordelia,” The King announced. “I thought this day would never come, so my people rejoice and celebrate this special occasion with my family and me.”

“I guess Cordelia has everything she has ever wanted” I murmured sarcastically, fighting the urge to go slap her.

The dinner portion of the banquet went by in a blur, as I couldn’t stomach hardly any of the food that was put in front of us. Everyone begun to stand and socialize as the tables disappeared into the floors, giving the throngs of people room to socialize and dance.

“I am sure this is all a misunderstanding. If we can just get Ashley attention, I am sure she will explain what is going on.” April assured me pulling me through the crowd toward Ashley.

“What if you are wrong? I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“Are you more afraid that I will get hurt, or that you will?”

I could not answer her honestly as we dodged and weaved through the sea of blonde hair, blue-eyed men and women. I was the first to spot her about ten feet away, she wasn’t smiling and she actually appeared to be lost.

“I told you something was wrong, look how she is.” April whispered not wanting our conversation to be overheard.

I wanted to deny what April pointed out, but if one was to look pass her beautiful silk dress and pearl jewelry, they would see a very unhappy girl. “I guess you are not fully incorrect.”

Sensing someone looking at me, I glanced up, causing my eyes to lock with Ashley’s; without thinking I started waving my hand at her, and for a brief moment the corner of her mouth begun to lift. Then as if someone had flipped a switch the corners of her mouth settled back down and she turned her back to me, completely shutting me out.

“That does it.” I muttered tightly heading toward Ashley, only to have April attempt to hold me back.

“Stop, I don’t know what exactly is going on, but now I am sure that Nerissa is responsible.”

“I didn’t see Nerissa turn her head.”

“No, but I did see the way Nerissa was looking at her.” April stood in front of me blocking my view. “Just wait for me in the corner, at least until your dragon mark disappears. 

I could tell from the way the people around me were looking that April was speaking the truth. Without saying another word I moved farther away from April and Cordelia, as the lighting began to dim and the music slowed its pace. As I neared a corner of the room, I spotted a woman carrying a tray of small wine glasses of water. I quickly grabbed one drinking it in two gulps, before laying my head against the wall.

It wasn’t until I felt a burning sensation move slowly down to the pit of my stomach did I realize that what I just drunk was not water.

The drink burning sensation in my throat caused me to cough relentlessly as my chest felt like it was on fire.

“Here use this.” Leo offered me a handkerchief to cover my coughs and a real glass of water. “You should be very careful what you consume when you are in a strange land.”

“Well, they shouldn’t make the alcohol look so much like water,” I rasped emptying the glass of water sitting it down on the floor beside the wall.

Leo chuckled. “Did you not notice the color of the tray, the glass was sitting upon?”

“No, it looked like water so I grabbed it. Why is it so hot?”

“Judging by your reaction you grabbed a glass of stargazer.” Leo’s smug face turned into one of concern as I begun to sway. “The blue trays are water, and the black trays holds a clear potent wine called stargazer, named after the sea-creature the drink is made from. The stargazer is highly poisonous.

“Did you just say poison?”

“Don’t worry, there is very little poison in it, which is what gives the drink its potency. Stargazer is very popular among the Sapphire Kingdom’s people, but not even they would drink it without eating something first.”

“Oh no, what do I do?” I panicked less from the fact that I drunk poison, and more from the fact that everything around me begun to appear purple and bloated.

“Just remain calm, you need more water.” Leo slurred or maybe it was just me.

“Wait, I’ll go get it myself.” I reacted, moving toward the first blue tray I saw, before everything became dizzy and I fell against Leo.

“This seems familiar,” Leo chuckled, causing his chest to reverberate softly.

“I need a hug.” I declared wrapping my arms around Leo, before I could think about what I was doing, which worked for me since thinking caused my head to hurt at the moment anyway.

“Are you okay? This is not like you at all.” Leo nervously asked, as he stood completely still.

“Why are you so mean? I just asked for a hug, it’s not like I asked you to kiss me.” I cried, pulling away from him, only to feel the pressure of his arms come down around me. “See, was that so hard?”

“Don’t forget that we are still in enemy’s territory.” Leo whispered, as he tried to loosen my arms from around him.

“I want to hug some more. Are you afraid I will try to kiss you?” I grinned up at him.

For a moment I thought he was actually going to kiss me, as he leaned his face closer to mine. “Try not to make any sudden movements, while I go get you more water to flush the toxic drink out of your system.”

There was no arguing with him, as he placed me back into the corner, making sure that I did not move, while he backed away slowly disappearing into the crowd.

As the world began to tilt and swirl, I held the wall hoping it ended. I don’t see why anyone would drink this stuff for pleasure.

My vision began to stabilize as I spotted April near the wall ahead of me. Pushing pass the nausea I leaned up against the wall for support following to her. As I got closer I could not only see April, but Ashley backing away from her family right toward me.

“Where do you think you are going?” I asked Ashley letting go of the wall, only to grab for it again, when the ground decided to tilt again.

“Angie, keep your voice down.” Ashley whispered running toward me. “I don’t want to draw too much attention.”

“Oh, what’s wrong Cordelia? Are you tired of your popularity already?”

“Angie, are you drunk?” April asked, coming up behind Ashley. “This is not good.”

“Oh no, she must have drunk the stargazer.” Ashley eyes widened with fear. “She needs to lay down and drink a lot of water.”

“We won’t be able to make it to the exit, without alerting everyone.” April whispered, as her head seemed to grow. 

Closing my eyes and reopening, April appeared to be normal again. “Let’s go now, we need to talk.”

“I know a short cut, follow me.” Ashley said sticking her hand in through the wall, causing it to click as she passed through the wall dragging me and April along with her.