Day 22

Viola Stone stood with her sister Fiona Viper. Fiona was leaving with her husband Ranger. Her name was no longer Viper. But Fiona bond mate of Ranger. Ranger did not have a family name.

“I feel we didn’t get time to get to know one another.” Fiona said.

“I will send a letter for you once a year, telling you everything that has happened. I don’t expect a letter back. But one would be nice.” Fiona added.

Viola smiled.

“I will try.”

She wrote her postal address down and gave it to Fiona.

“This is goodbye.”

The sisters hugged and Fiona climbed onto the wagon with Ranger.

“Goodbye.” Viola said in the queen’s tongue.

The wagon pulled away. Fiona and Viola waved to each other as it moved down the street.

“Sad to see her go?” Shane asked startling Viola

Viola put on her brave face before looking at Shane.

“I didn’t hear you arrive. How long have you been standing there?”

“Not long.” He answered.

“She is not coming home. What am I meant to tell her mother?” Viola asked.

“Your mother.” Shane said.

“What do I tell my parents?” she asked.

Shane took her hand and looked her in the face.

“You tell them whatever you want to tell them. You are not obligated.”

Viola looked away. She was hiding her real feeling behind her parents.

Shane hugged her.

“It’s alright to care and feel sad. It’s not weakness.” He told her.

Viola pulled him away.

“Let’s focus on getting home.” She said annoyed.

“For an airhostess you are very guarded.” Shane said in vernacular.

Viola hesitated hearing him. Then she looked over her shoulder at him and said.

“What are you going on about?”

He smiled knowingly.

They went to eat in the queen’s dining hall.

Tẽra was already there with a few other earthlings.

Once everyone was together Tẽra announced.

“We have all the crystals we need to get home. I have to stay and crown Ginger queen. But whoever wants to go now, leave today, may go. I will send you with supplies and you can leave. It’s a day and a half with a wagon. With horses maybe a day?”

“I can go home!” Jessica exclaimed.

Then her face fell and she looked sad.

They all displaced mixed emotions, except for Nikki and Kerri.

“I don’t think we can make two trips. I think we only have one chance to leave. So, it must be together.” Kerri said.

“Go and find out. Once you are there, send word and let me know. I will send you with food for a week so that if you must wait for me, you will not go without.” Tẽra said.

“Sounds perfect.” Kerri said.

So, breakfast ended with high emotions and mixed feelings.

James Thornbulton and Lakisha sat talking about their chance to go home. However, if they had to wait for Tẽra anyways, they might as well stay for the crowning.

Nikki wanted to stay as well. She knew they had not supported Tẽra like they said they should have. She and Rachael had both said they would be there for her. But they had not been. Joe and Zazo had been, and Joe was less than friendly. Making Nikki feel even more guilty. So, Nikki decided to travel with Tẽra and return home at the same time.

Rachael Ceronio sat by the window. She had so many feelings flooding her mind. She wanted to be excited but she wasn’t. She felt frozen. Like she was holding her breathe waiting for it to all crumble away.

“I have heard that you can return home.” Keimoni said, “You must be so excited.”

Rachael didn’t even look at him.

“I don’t know what I am.” She replied.

“I know I will miss you.” He said.

“I think I will miss you too.” Rachael responded.

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“Do you not want to go or do you want to stay?” he asked.

“What am I returning to? My grandfather is dead, my grandmother is dead. My parents don’t care. My friends are shallow and dislike me.” She sighed.

“You can clear things up and be better. You can be what you want to be. You have shown the ability to adapt. Be there person you want to be.” He encouraged.

Rachael smiled and looked at him.

“I think I could have liked you.” She said feeling brave now that she was leaving.

“I think you do like me.” He teased.

Rachael playfully hit him. “You think too much of yourself.”

“And you think too little of yourself.” He said being serious.

Rachael hugged him.

“Thank you!” she said.

* * *

Viola realized she was finally leaving. She had regrets, which was something she usually didn’t have. She went to Tẽra.

“I need two fast horses, food, water and gold. I have to right a wrong before I leave.”

“Take what you need. Meet me at mount Jeku.” Tẽra replied.

“Thank you for asking this time.” Tẽra added.

Viola smiled and she gathered what she needed and rode hard towards Ferox Barron’s home. When she arrived, Mr Barron was outside examining his flowers that had died in the snow.

“Mr Barron.” Viola greeted.

“Is an army behind you to arrest me for my treatment of you?” he asked.

“No, I am here to see Ferox. I need his help and I have only two days. He is the best rider I have ever seen. Please permit him to come with me and help me.” Viola asked.

“I received an invite to the crowning of the new queen. Her name is Ginger. Is this true?” he asked.

“It is, Ginger will be queen. If you go to the castle, you might even be given a seat at the royal council table. You know what is happening in your land and good strong people are needed to help the new queen rule well.” Viola answered.

“After how I treated you and your friends, I will be thrown in the dungeon.” He replied.

“The queen is forgiving. The new queen needs leaders around her. Honest ones.” Viola said, “Think about it.”

Mr Barron had a pensive look.

Ferox arrived on his horse.

“Viola?” he asked.

“I am here to see you. I need your help.” She began, “I need you to take me to the Carsta city by the sea. The fastest way and we must leave now if you agree. Please agree.” She asked.

“Are you serious? You want me to cross the land with you? Why not take guards with you, or have the dragon’s take you?” he asked.

“I need to catch my friends on the road. Please.” Viola asked again.

“Take her.” Mr Barron said.

“I will miss the crowning.” He objected.

“Oh!” Viola realized she might cause him to miss a great opportunity. How many people get to see a queen crowned in person?

“Thank you for your time, Mr Barron. Have a great time.” Viola said and before either one could say anything, she rode away hard. Making the horse gallop.

Once she was far enough away, she let the horses walk. She asked in Point how to get to the Carsta City Haven by the sea. She felt like she had lost time and she was feeling silly.

“You are always in trouble yet you manage.” A male voice said behind her.

Viola turned and saw Ferox. He was on his horse.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Looking for you. I wasn’t serious about seeing the new queen crowned.” He said.

“Oh!” Viola replied.

“I will go with you, but I require something from you in return.”

“What?” she asked not sure what he would say.

“The truth. Not half or part. No deception, honesty.” He said, “If you agree I will take you.”

“I will answer any question you ask honestly but I will not share what you do not ask for.” Viola answered.

“Then we go.” He replied.

They rode on and Ferox lead the way. When night came Viola and Ferox stopped to sleep and rest.

“Why did you ask me to help you?” he asked

Viola shrugged.

“I don’t know. You are the best rider I know and I trust you more than most.”

“If you were more desirable to my family, I would ask to bond with you.” He said.

Viola felt herself blush. That didn’t happen very often.

“Thank you.” She answered softly not looking at him.

“Why are you thanking me? I said my family wouldn’t approve of you.” He responded.

‘But you also said you have thought about marrying me’ Viola thought.

Viola lay, looking up at the stars unable to sleep. Ferox had been sleeping for a while already but she was concerned that she would live with regrets regarding Viv and her family. True kindness had broken her walls and made her defensive and feel vulnerable. She thought about everything that had happened even Ferox and how he too showed her kindness. She had only messed him around and played games with him. Not because she set out to do so but because she was too afraid to let someone see her. She always played a role, had a part, a goal or mission. Only a handful of people she worked with knew her.

The idea that who she really was would be rejected caused insecurity and she was rejected by Rider which led to her behaving badly. Not that Rider was to blame.

She wanted to make things right. She wanted to leave knowing she had friends.

* * *

Josephina Jujitsu arrived back at the castle with Rosaleighm. The castle servants were happy and there were ribbons and décor still out.

Joe went and found Tẽra.

“Hi, I’m back.”

“It’s good to see you. You missed Fiona’s wedding. But there will be a crowning for the new queen.” Tẽra said.

“Is that what the décor is about?” Joe asked.

“Good idea. Let’s not take it down. Only add to it.” Tẽra decided.

Tẽra looked at her with a serious face.

“Did you kill Chris?” she asked.

“Yes, I did. Didn’t expect him to be so chatty about it. But it’s done.”

Tẽra sighed.

“I feel relieved and bad at the same time.”

Joe tried to be reassuring.

“It’s normal.”

“So, when do we return home?” she asked.

“I plan on leaving the day we crown Ginger queen. There is no need for me to stick around. Plus, I am worried that someone will try to kill me the moment I am no longer queen. Guess I now see enemies behind every corner. I am getting use to people wanting to kill me.” Tẽra said.

Tẽra went to make arrangements for the crowning and Joe got to meet Ginger the new queen to be.

* * *

Ursola arrived back at the castle with Glisson who she had been taken with. Glisson had permission to stay in the secret swamp city. He wanted to fetch his family so they could all move there.

Ursola found James.

“Look I have a new arm and a new leg. I can feel it, like it is my own.” she said all excited.

She passed him her arm to feel.

James examined the arm. It felt like a silicone-based substance. Soft, flexible and smooth. It was the same colour as her bronze skin. It attached really nicely to flesh.

“I can swim with it.” She told him.

James didn’t understand her.

Then she saw the Tskhali leaders from the Village Fish. The first-born son of the ruling prince. Prince Nix was happy and looked well. Brook is wife was with him.

Fortunately for James, Keimoni saw them all gathering and didn’t want to miss out.

“Where are you from?” Brook asked Ursola.

“Fish.” She answered.

“I don’t believe we have met.” Brook responded.

Ursola did not only have new limbs, but her hair was also styled, conditioned and brushed out. She was dressed in clothes that fitted her well, she also had shoes.

“I am Brook, this is my husband Nix. What are you called?”

“Ursola.” She answered.

“I knew an Ursola once. Sad story.” Brook said.

Ursola smiled uncomfortably.

“Who is this man with you?”

“My betrothed.” Ursola answered.

“Why does he say nothing?”

“He doesn’t understand us. He speaks a foreign tongue.” Ursola answered.

“I am Keimoni, the queen’s Viden.” Keimoni announced.

“We have met.” Nix said.

“What region are you from?” Keimoni asked Ursola.

“Fish.” She answered.

“Do you know Nix and Brook?” he asked.

“Yes, I have seen them. All royals are known.” She answered.

“We were just chatting.” Brook said wanting to leave as Keimoni made her uncomfortable.

“Maybe I can be of service. What were you talking about?”

James spoke up.

“What is going on, Keimoni?” he asked.

“I am finding out.” He answered.

“We were discussing her betrothal to this man, who doesn’t understand us.” Brook said.

“We must pardon our leave. I must speak with them. Please go in peace.” Keimoni said to them.

Brook nor Nix liked Keimoni but he was the queen’s Viden and that meant he was very protected and presumably powerful.

Keimoni spoke to Ursola and asked her how they became betrothed when he cannot speak? He asked her why she was so sure he was a good idea?

After she told him everything, he asked James, if he knew about the betrothal.

James explained he found out while she was dying and didn’t want to break her heart after she lost so much helping him.

Keimoni did it for them. He told Ursola that James was just being nice because that is what he does. He was not asking her to bond. But she can stay a guest in the castle or return to her people.

Ursola left the conversation very sad. She lost her limbs for a man who didn’t want her. She was a silly little girl.

Glisson came and sat with her.

“Why are you so sad?” he asked.

“I am not betrothed.” She told him.

“Did he end the betrothal?” Glisson asked.

“I was silly, we were never betrothed.” She answered turning her face away.

Ursola explained what had happened to Glisson.

“Well, if you want you can come with me and my family and live in the hidden city Elysian.” he offered.

“Everyone thinks I am betrothed. They will hear how silly I am.” She said sadly.

“We can say he died.” Glisson said.

Ursola thought about it. A smile lit up her face.

“Yes, I will go with you to Elysian.” She agreed.

“I am going back to Lake Sky in the morning to fetch my family. You can come with me.” He offered.

“The queen has been kind to me and I have more than enough food for the journey. The elders at Elysian have given me coin for the journey. So, I have everything I need.” He told her.

* * *

Rosaleighm took Ginger around the castle. She knew all the tunnels in and out of the castle. Even though Ginger was sixteen years old and Rosaleighm was only twelve years old they had a lot in common. Like no parents. Enjoying fighting and liking the castle and the way of life in the castle. Having more than enough was something neither had experienced before.

They sparred together and Ginger was the better and a stronger fighter. But Rosaleighm was a quick learner.

Both had someone older that they looked to for guidance and strength. For Rosaleighm this was Joe which was a new thing in her life. For Ginger it was Kaneeda, who she thought of as her queen.