Day 24

Tẽra dressed in a beautiful gown of green with gold and red. She put her own tiara on. She felt excited and nervous. She was going home, where no one was trying to kill her. She was afraid that something would go wrong and Ginger would not become queen.

Ginger was wearing a green dress. The edges had gold and white lace design.

“I look ridicules!” Ginger moaned.

“Yes, you do.” Dakota laughed.

“You are about to be queen, you will never have to wear ridicules dresses again if you don’t want to.” Kaneeda said.

“I think you look beautiful and I like your dress.” Rosaleighm said.

“Really?” Ginger asked.

“Yes, I have never had a ridicules dress before. But if I did, I want one like yours.” Rosaleighm said.

The throne room was full, people stood as there were too many to sit. Everyone wanted to see with their own eyes that there really was going to be a new queen. That the reign of Queen Tiffany was over.

Tẽra sat on the throne. Ginger stood next to her. Kaneeda was also wearing a dress of blue, as no one not dressed for the occasion was allowed to enter.

Tẽra gestured for silence and the whole room was quiet.

“I promised to step down if the lost heir was found. Now today I give you a new queen, Queen Ginger. May she rule over you with grace and mercy, may her choices be wise and fair. May her people stand with her.”

Ginger kneeled before the throne and Tẽra took the tiara off her head and placed it on Ginger’s head.

“This was given to me by my father. May you remember me with it and always do the right thing for all your people.” Tẽra said to her. No one else heard it.

Ginger stood up from before the throne as a queen. Tẽra stood next to her and said,

“Long live the queen.”

Silence fell, no one knew what to do next.

Then a voice from the back said “Long live the queen.”

Others began to say it.

Ginger sat down and the room broke out in cheers. Everyone was so excited. Ginger felt on top of the world.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“This griffin is a gift for the queen.” Tẽra said giving Ginger the griffin she had been given.

“Thank you!” Ginger said.

She held up the creature for everyone to see.

Then as others approached, Tẽra snuck out and stood in the passage.

“Are you ok?” Joe asked.

“No. But let’s go before anyone knows we have left. I do not want to be followed or killed for good measure.” Tẽra said.

Rachael agreed.

“I have your horse all geared up. I have horses for everyone. We can get quite far before they know we are gone if we leave now.”

Jessica was standing next to Drake.

She led him out and kissed him. She put a letter in his hand and left. Then she beckoned for Yair to come over and he did.

“I am leaving, going home. I will miss you so much…” she paused “I am sorry I cannot stay for you and you cannot come with me. You will be my fondest memory in this world.”

“Why are you leaving?” Drake asked “My parents will come around.” He tried.

Jessica kissed him and Yair turned away.

“Goodbye my handsome prince.”

Jessica then ran. Leaving Drake and Yair, standing there.

Shane saw Tẽra leave and went out to the third gate as agreed upon. Quickly everyone made their way out. Everyone met at the horses.

Rosaleighm and Keimoni were with them.

Rachael, Shane, Tẽra, Nikki, Jessica, Rosaleighm, Keimoni, Kerri-liana, James, Lakisha and Sugar all rode out. Silence fell on them. No one said anything.

Then Zazo and four trusted men come alone side them.

“What are you doing here?” Keimoni asked.

“I am protecting my queen.” He answered.

Relief and sadness floated around them like a visible cloud. No one was sure if it would really work but they hoped.

Once they made camp for the night after a long day due to the silence. Tẽra started the conversation.

“What will you do when you get home?” she asked as a general question as they sat around the camp fire eating.

“I am taking a hot bath.” Shane said.

“Call my dad.” Viola answered.

“Get my house in order.” Rachael said.

“Get my nails done.” Sugar answered.

“Call my parents.” James answered.

“Eat recognisable food.” Lakisha said.

“Wash my hair with real shampoo.” Jessica answered.

“Enjoy some coffee.” Kerri said.

“See if my house is still mine.” Joe said.

“Hot Chocolate.” Nikki answered “I think I need chocolate, in a drink and a slab. Both at the same time.”

Everyone laughed.

“What about you Duchess Tẽra.” Shane asked.

“I am going to see my mom. Maybe visit my dad.” she answered.

“Where is your dad?” Jessica asked.

“He passed away. I don’t visit often but lately I feel it might be worthwhile.”

“Oh, I am sorry.” Jessica said feeling uncomfortable that she brought up a deceased parent.

“Bad things happen as we have all learnt. One cannot pretend it didn’t, but how you choose to move on makes a difference.” Tẽra answered.

“That’s a little deep for tonight’s bean soup.” Sugar said.

Everyone laughed.

After eating and setting up tents Rachael sat with Keimoni.

“I would ask you to stay but I know it’s like asking me to go with you. It’s not a fair thing to ask.” Keimoni said.

Rachael sighed “I am tempted to stay as I have so little to return to.”

Rachael looked at Keimoni with so many thoughts running through her head.

“I don’t even know what to say when I get home.” She added.

Keimoni kissed her.

Then looked at her understandingly.

“You have to return to earth. You have the power to make a difference there. Here you will start at the bottom, there you are already on top.”

Rachael put her head on his shoulder.

“At least you won’t forget me.” She said.

“I’ll name my daughter after you… if I have one.” They both chuckled.

Tẽra stayed up much later than everyone else. She stared at the stars, thinking about what she would do when she got home. She decided she was going to set things right for her mother. Her mother Tazzmin was mistreated by her father’s mother. Tazzmin was never honoured as a royal family member. She was given the worst room in the palace and most times granny ignored her very existence. This always bothered Tẽra, she had thought one day she would correct it, once she was ready to become the duchess of Pearl Peak Palace.

Granny Joash loved Tẽra very much but she was ridged in her approach to life and a royal must marry royal. When Tẽra’s father married a commoner woman named Tazzmin, she was beside herself and never got over it.

Tẽra decided she was going to become the duchess and take her place as her granny had wanted. She was going to step up to the plate, embrace what her life was.

Zazo came and sat next to Tẽra. He said nothing. Words were of little use. He put his coat around her and they both stared at the stars.

Zazo wondered which was the world Tẽra was returning to? He knew he was free to become the new queen personal body guard or to return with General Pan, to his once upon a time home. He didn’t feel like either place was home anymore, not the castle nor his home territory.