Sapphire Kingdom: Quest Two (Dragon Quest Series Book 2) (8 page)

Doubter

Location: Servant
s’
Quarters

◑
April
 
◐

No matter how hard I tried to go to sleep, I was unable to get what Nerissa had said about real family out of my mind.

I patiently waited until I could no longer hear anyone outside of my door. It seemed as if after Ashley and her dad walked away, many of the servants began to return to their rooms.

Before I knew it I was out of bed and in the empty hall barefooted in my night gown.

I was afraid I might interrupt Angie if I tried to contact Nolin inside of the room, so the hallway seemed to be the best place since everyone seemed to be asleep by now.

The palms of my hands were damp as I held the communication celta stone in my hands. I focused my energy toward it and pictured Nolin face in my mind, I was not sure how to exactly work it, so I was surprised when the celta stone began to grow larger into the size of a large tablet, and the top began to picture a face that has become dear to me.

“My dear April, what prompts you to call so late in the dead of night.” Nolin groggily answered, his white hair going in every direction.

“I am sorry, did I wake you?” I questioned feeling embarrassed that I did not take into consideration the time.

“It is quite alright, I have been up until just a few moments ago with the King. Is everything alright?”

I don’t know why the sound of his voice makes me miss the Inner Kingdom, but it does badly. “Everything is so confusing. I am not sure what is true and what are lies.”

“Has something happened?” Nolin asked with nothing but concern in his voice. “The treaty still stands if anything has happened to break, we will not hesitate-“

“We are all fine, it’s just that I can’t seem to get over something I heard while I was hear from Ashley’s twin sister Nerissa.”

“What would you like to know, I will answer anything I am allowed to. “

There it goes again, the restriction placed on the people around us, why are they so secretive? Why does anything need to be kept hidden?

I was beginning to remember what Mina said before when we were in the Inner Kingdom.
We do believe there is a right time for everything.
I am starting to understand the full meaning to what she said back then.

“I already know that you cannot tell me anything even if it is true, there is no need for my question.”

“Be patient my dear. Everything will be revealed exactly when it is time for it to be.” Nolin assured, looking at me with eyes that showed much wisdom he has gained throughout his years.

I couldn’t help but laugh to his words. “I find it funny that I was just thinking of Mina, and how she said almost the exact same thing to me before.”

“If you just keep in mind everything that you have been taught, you will succeed.”

“Thank you. I will let you get back to sleep, I am sorry to call you over something so trivial.”

“Tis nothing trivial about it at all, just know that we here in the Inner Kingdom are here anytime you need us. Good night my dear.”

The celta slowly began to shrink back to its normal size after Nolin face faded. I knew asking him if Mina was my mother would get me nowhere, but I guess what I really wanted was a confirmation that everything was going to be okay.

Without thinking I began to walk down the hall, my mind was still in process overload for me to go back to the room and sleep.

As I neared the intersection I saw a shadow slowly moving from one hall crossing into another hall, and if I wasn’t mistaken, the shadow appeared to belong to
Rṓ
gaire.

Where do he think he is going so late at night?

Letting my curiosity get the better of me I quietly followed his disappearing shadow down a hall that was not the way to his sleeping quarters.

Hiding in the crevices, I followed him further and further down the hall, only to lose him as the hallway split into two directions at the end.

Looking down both ways it seemed that he had got away from me, as I let out a huge sigh.

I was about to head back to my room, when a hand covered my mouth from behind before I could scream.

“I wonder what would possess the Dragon Warrior most known for their wisdom, to follow me down in unknown corridor dressed as such.”
Rṓ
gaire whispered before releasing me.

“I was just curious about where you were going so late at night.” I explained honestly, thinking of nothing else to say. “What are you doing down here and without Leo and Prince Leev?”

“I didn’t know I had to answer to you, or them for that matter.”
Rṓ
gaire replied nonchalantly.

Not only did he move like a ninja, but underneath his open long robe, I could tell that he was dressed completely in black.

“You don’t, but is it safe to be walking around Sapphire Kingdom by yourself?” I questioned looking down the dim lit halls.

“You should have thought about that before you followed me. I am only here to make sure that the Dragon Warriors finds their dragons in order to defeat Princess Jewel.”

“Princess? I thought she was the Queen.”

“Follow me,”
Rṓ
gaire gestured for me to follow him back the way I had followed him. “Jewel was the princess of Diamond Kingdom until she killed her brother, King Zane and claimed the throne for herself. If you ask me she doesn’t deserve the title of Queen.”

Now I remember, Nolin did say that she was at one point the princess. “I thought that she overthrew her brother, I didn’t know she killed him.”

“Is there any better way to overthrow someone?”
Rṓ
gaire teased as we made it back to the main intersection. “If you are like some of the others who disbelieve the old king’s death. There are rumors that Jewel did not kill him, but keeps him imprisoned inside of a glass orb on the end of the royal staff, to remind him of the power he has lost for all of eternity. Do you like that better?”

I couldn’t help but shiver thinking about being trapped for a millennia powerless to stop anything. When I think about being powerless, Prince Leev comes to mind and his inability to turn down a proposal to someone he doesn’t love.

“Is it custom for royal families to arrange marriages here is Eupai?” I asked wondering if Ashley will have to marry someone she doesn’t know, once our mission has be completed.

“Sometimes arranged marriages are beneficial, it is not a common practice, but it is not uncommon either, especially when it comes to strengthening and uniting two kingdoms.”

“I don’t think that is beneficial to the individuals that will have to spend their lives together for the sake of their kingdoms.”

“I have a feeling that your opinions are spawned from your concern for the little blonde Dragon Warrior.” He knowingly guessed correctly.

“It’s not just that, it’s also because I get a bad feeling from Nerissa, it is almost the same exact feeling I get from Raven.” I blurted before realizing I was actually speaking with her son. “I am sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

I could tell that I had upset him by the way he stiffened and his stance became defensive. “I didn’t mean to make you mad.”

“You should go.” He dismissed me turning his gaze away from me.

“You must know that I didn’t mean to hurt you, I actually would like us to become friends since I don’t know that many people here in Eupai.” I started to ramble.

“Listen well Dragon Warrior we can never be friends that thought has never crossed my mind, and it shouldn’t occupy any space in yours.” He retorted with the saddest smile.  “This is where we part, I believe you know the way back to your room."

I watched him quickly disappear down a hall, leaving me with more questions I had when I first met him.

Supporter

Location: Neriss
a’
s Room

◑
Nerissa
 
◐

My little sister remained asleep as I climbed out of my bed to get a good look of the person who has made my life a living nightmare.

In the past few days I have seen my parents at their absolute happiest. They have never given one thought to how I would feel, they continue to shove their feelings and wants toward me.

I gripped my pillow tighter in my hands as I looked down at poor naïve little Cordelia.

I read somewhere that a person can go three weeks without food, three days without water, and three minutes without air. It’s amazing how three minutes can make such a difference in someone’s fate.

My hands began to tremble the closer I leaned down toward her. I nearly dropped the pillow in my hand, when I heard the sound something rattling. I quickly turned around and threw the pillow on my bed to find no one in the room.

The noise seemed to be coming from my mirror, as I watched it tremble and shake. I was heading toward the door to see if the kingdom was under some sort of attack, until a leg emerged from one of the mirrors slowly followed by an arm, a head, and the rest of his body.

I was held captivated by what I was seeing, maybe I am still dreaming and I’m still lying in my bed.

Deep down I knew this was no dream, because even in my best of dreams have I seen someone as handsome and regal, as the young man standing before me dressed in a pair of well-fitting leather pants, with a matching open vest that displayed his bare muscled chest.

He was tall with hair so light it appeared almost white, which was a contrast to his tan skin. His almond shaped eyes were his most shocking feature, as they were the palest shade of blue. The one thing that made this perfect man imperfect was the fact that his eyes held no gleam, it was like he was a walking dead guy.

As soon as his eyes met mine, a frightening smile appeared on his lips. “I apologize if I have frightened you princess.”

It was swoon worthy the way he bowed down on one knee and kissed my hands, but I was a rational person, not known to give in to fancies. “Why are you here?”

“You are very direct. Milady is also so, in truth she has been watching and she would like to assist you with your situation.” He spoke softly looking toward where Cordelia was asleep.

Out of the pocket of his vest he reveals a small folded piece of paper. “What is that supposed to be?”

“This my dear is a map to the location of the Sapphire Dragon.” He smiled soullessly, as he handed her the paper.

My hands shook as I unfolded the piece of paper. The moment I saw the location I instantly understood why my parents were prolonging telling their precious little Cordelia where it was. I couldn’t help but smile when I looked back up at him.

Drystan’s Pool is where the Sapphire Dragon had the misfortune of landing. This is just too perfect, no one has been able to make it out of that place alive. It is said that a beast resides there that will destroy anyone seeking the treasures of Drystan’s Pool.

“Now do you understand? There is no way she would survive, you would never have to worry about her again, and she would be out of your life for good.”

“I am not sure this is the way I want to get rid of her.” I whispered, not sure if she really deserved the horrors of Drystan’s Pool.

“Do you prefer a pillow instead?” He grinned at the way my eyes widened and looked toward the pillow I threw on my bed. “This way her death would not be on you, she would have to go there to obtain her dragon sooner or later, let’s just call it an occupational hazard of hers. No one would blame you.”

He is right, no one would dare blame me, if I convinced them that she found out on her own; after all, as far as mother and father know, I was never told the location of the Sapphire Kingdom.

“Why are you helping me, when there is possibly nothing to be gained for you? I asked suspiciously, I would most definitely remember meeting anyone of his caliber, so I know that we have never been acquainted.

“Princess Nerissa there is still much you do not know. You will be helping milady out tremendously by doing this. Sort of like killing two birds with one stone.” He explained softly. “Do forgive me it is time for me to take my leave.”

As he walked back toward the mirror I became even more curious about the person who would go to such lengths to help me get rid of Cordelia. “Hey, do you mind telling me the name of your lady?”

“My apologies, I am not at liberty to disclose that information.”

“Then how about you, what is your name sir?”

“I was once known as Zane, but now I am just a loyal servant of milady.”

Even though that was not a popular name I am sure I have heard or either read about it somewhere.

Before I could question him further he had disappeared back into the mirror.

There was really no time to think about it, since I was ordered to spend the entire day with my sister, no one would even realize that she was gone until it was too late.

Walking back toward my little sister’s bed I found Cordelia sitting up wide-awake.

“Good morning.” I greeted her with the best smile I could muster.

“Good morning, is there anyone else here?”

She must have been awake longer than I thought. “No, I was just reading aloud something I think you might be interested in. Would you like to see?”

I could tell she was a little suspicious of me, but she didn’t voice it. After handing her the map, I could see that she was not fully comprehending what she was holding.

“Is this a map?”

“Yes, it is a map. One might say it is a very important map, and one you can use to find the Sapphire Dragon.”

The smile that took over her face confirmed that I was doing the right thing. She only came for the dragon, she never cared for me or the family that have waited so long for her arrival.

“I can’t wait to tell Angie and April,” Cordelia exclaimed jumping out of the bed.

“You must not do that,” I quickly stated, as I tried to think of an excuse for her not to tell anyone.

“Why can’t I tell them?”

“It is quite simple, if you were to try to leave this Kingdom unannounced with those two, you will quickly be caught even with my help.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Mother has special guards always watching the outer guests,” I lied. “If they were to try to leave all of you would be quickly discovered.”

“Okay, I comprehend everything you are telling me, what I am failing to follow is why are you going to such great lengths to help me.”

“You haven’t figured it out yet? I just want you gone, and if giving you what you came here for will get me what I want then, why not help you?”

Cordelia’s shoulders begun to lower, as she became less suspicious of me.
This is going to be too easy.

“What is Drystan’s Pool?”

“That will be the place where your Dragon is, the location is located not too far east of the kingdom. It is said to be uninhabited by people.”

“How am I supposed to get there? I mean won’t there be guards stationed at every exit?”

“Don’t worry, I will prepare everything for you. Just get dressed and ready for the trip.”

“I can’t believe this is actually happening. What about mother and father?”

“What about them?” I questioned, wondering why she would worry about them, now that she has what she came for.

“Wouldn’t they worry, if they find out that I am gone?”

“You will not have to worry about that happening. It shouldn’t take you that long to obtain your dragon. You have been trained and prepared for this moment for most of your life.”

Judging by the way she gripped the cover and looked away from me, I could tell that my perfect little sister may not be that perfect after all.

“Okay, when can I leave?” Cordelia uttered, her voice filled with determination.

“Whenever you are ready. I will give you some time to dress, and prepare yourself.”

“Thank you Nerissa this is great!” Cordelia surprised me by hugging me all of a sudden. “I am sorry, it is just I am so excited.”

“You don’t have to thank me, don’t forget I have my own selfish reasons why I am doing this.” I honestly expressed pushing her away.

“I know,” Cordelia smiled, oblivious to the truth of my words.

I will not let her false smile sway me. After today I will no longer have to be the recipient of her forced affections.