Kingdom of Magic

chapter two.

“But, Kyle?”

“In the morning. Leave. I will take care of everything.” She cast her daughter a knowing glance. She shook her head and looked away. “I know Kyle will be worried. I will tell him that you have left and why, the morning after you have gone.” Clairance reassured her. She patted her daughter’s hand.

“Why tell him why, when I know not myself?” She asked with a laugh, getting confused at her own words.

“You are special. That is why. You were born into a family that has different traditions. That is all. I will tell him because he is special too. He needs to know what you will soon find out.” She was being vague and cryptic. “But you have to find out for yourself! I cannot tell you. That is why you have to go.” Clairance nodded her head at Robbie and kissed her again. “Goodnight child. I will see you in a few days.”

CHAPTER TWO

The next morning Robbie awoke early. She put on her cloak and grabbed her dagger. She pulled her long, blonde hair into a braided bun atop her head. She snatched an apple from a basket by the door and walked outside.

“’Bout time you got up.” Her mother said standing near the door. She had saddle and reigned a little mare, called Ablom. “Here’s your horse. Don’t get lost.”

“I won’t.” She kissed her mother goodbye and climbed onto Ablom’s back.

“Don’t forget. Listen to your inner voice and all will be revealed.” Her mother told her. Robbie turned her horse toward Camo Forest and speedily rode away.

“God, forbid anything bad happen.” Clairance said under her breath with her eyes to the heavens. She went to the stables to continue the chores. She felt tapping on her shoulder. She startled. “Good havens, you gave me a fright!”

“I am sorry Clairance. I heard you were sending Robbie back home. I thought I could catch a ride.”

“Don’t be silly Phoebe. You knew you couldn’t.” Clairance looked at her small friend. “Just think, when Robbie returns you may have a friend or two.”

“Oh yes!! Finally! A new fairy! Do you think she will look like me? Oooh! Or maybe it will be a boy!” She squealed her excitement. “I’ve always wanted a family.”

Clairance look at her companion. Phoebe had been her companion ever since her mother had sent her to the forest. Phoebe had pastel purple skin, light blue eyes and mint green hair. “It’s been just us, for far too long.“ She responded, agreeing that Phoebe needed a partner of her own kind.

“Can I come with you today?” Phoebe asked. “I want to see the prince.” She stood to her full height of four and a half inches.

Clairance laughed. “I suppose. But you have to stay out of sight.” She rolled her eyes. “And quiet!” She added laughing at her little friend.

Tenger pushed his brown hair away from his face to let more people see his newly grown fu-man-chu. He was very proud of his facial stubble. He wanted everyone who saw him to know about it. His eyes were the of the darkest ebony. Many who were superstitious believed that he was a witch, because of them. Those same eyes were the main thing that attracted Nelame to him.

Both were quite young, around 20. They had been engaged for two months. They are still working out their differences. Tenger is extremely simple minded and Nelame is almost always dead serious. At least that is how she likes to come across. Differences attract.

“Come on Nel, let’s do something fun!” Tenger begged looking in to her eyes.

“What, this isn’t fun, just being with me?” Nelame stuck out her lip like a toddler pouting. Tenger came forward and nibbled at it until she sucked it back in. She smiled at him before becoming her serious self. “Can’t you get ahold of yourself and your foolishness!” She scolded.

Tenger was stung by her smart retort. Instead of falling inline, like a gentlemen would, he grabbed his groin, and fell to the ground. He rolled back and forth. “I’m trying, Nel! It won’t stay still!”

Nelame tried to hold in her giggle. Expressing humor at such a thing was grotesque. “Tenger! You’re such a goofball!” She sighed. “Tell me again, how much you love me?” She asked, glancing at him from under her long lashes.

He was completely still. He looked in to her eyes. “I swear with all my heart, I love thee more than this world.” He replied genuinely, laying on his stomach.

Nelame caught her breath. “I think you’ve bewitched me.” She said sarcastically, implying of the rumors.

“My love.” Tenger sighed. He stood and placed his hand over his heart. “You won’t be seeing any broomsticks under this bum.” He moved next to her and pushed a stray hair behind her ear. “No matter what the town would say.”

Nelame laughed. “Let’s hope not.“ She said under her breath. She half hoped that he would hear her, and half regretted opening her mouth.

Tenger caught her words. “Well, why not?”

She held her hand over her heart. “’Twould damage my reputation!” She exclaimed.

“Is that all, Love?” Tenger moved away from her. “Is that why we are to be married? A silly reputation?” He rolled his eyes at her.

“No.” She replied. “I fear you would be hanged. Such things happen now days.” Nelame smiled at Tenger’s frown. “I finally have you thinking. Don’t I?” She smirked at him. “Tenger?”

“Yes, my love?”

“I do love you. You know that. I would not have agreed otherwise.” Nelame moved closer to Tenger and kissed him on the cheek. “And no, it doesn’t matter that my father made the match.” She ran away from him. jumping onto her horse, she yelled “Catch me if you can!”

Clairance, determined not to ruin Robbie’s relationship with Kyle, went to talk to him. “Kyle?”

She heard nothing. She knew he was there. “Kyle! Robbie needs a few days more to answer you!” She waited for a reply. She didn’t receive one. One of the horses neighed and stomped its foot. “I know you are here. Robbie is out running an errand for me. She will be back in a few days.”

Kyle sauntered out from the stalls. “Doing what?” He asked.

“She went into Camo Forest.”

“For what?” Kyle was confused.

“She is running an errand for me.” Clairance repeated.

“When did she leave?” Kyle was exasperated. He shook his head, and looked as if he would throw up.

“This morning about five. She will return soon. Don’t worry.” Clairance told him. “Don’t follow her either!” She warned shaking a finger at him. She was trying to be motherly. “As long as she stays in the forest, no harm will come to her. She has my specific instructions.”

Kyle was irritably confused. He said nothing.

“Is there anything I can do for you today?” Clairance asked smiling at him.

“No Clairance. I thank you for the information about Robbie. Now I have an errand that meets great haste. I have no further use for you at this time. Thank you for your willingness to help, and your generosity.” Kyle smiled back for a moment then frowned. “I am sorry, but I do bid you farewell.”

“Very well, my Prince. I wish you the best of luck to you on your errand. I shall return to see you on the marrow.” Clairance did a small curtsey and went home.

Kyle walked the pathway to the dreaded castle steps. He waited and stared at the castle walls. He was thinking of how to tell Movada that he needed more time.

Emilio came up behind him and grabbed him by the arm. “What are you doing here? Boy!”

“I came to see Movada. We have an arrangement.” Kyle responded jerking his arm back. “It’s none of your business.” He added.

“Then why haven’t you been inside yet?” Emilio chuckled. “Your Highness?” He added sardonically. He popped his knuckles and grabbed Kyle again.

Kyle glared at him. “I can take my time if I choose.” He responded. “Now remove your hands from me.” He commanded.

“Well, now. The ever-haughty prince indeed!” Emilio laughed at him again. His large muscles flexed.

Kyle tore from his grip and took as step back. Emilio was prepared for this. A right hook caught Kyle near his temple. It left a bloody gash near his left eye. Kyle staggered backward. He wiped the blood from his face with his hand. Looking at it, he fell, unconscious.

“Not so high and mighty now, are you?” Emilio laughed. He threw the unconscious body over his shoulder. Emilio took Kyle down a long corridor to the last chamber. He pounded on the door with his fist.

“Who’s there?” Warg yelled. “And stop your bloody pounding!” He swung the door open wide. His eyes bulged out from his face, as Emilio tossed Kyle to the floor.

“Here Nave! Take your boy!” Emilio laughed at the old man. He closed the door behind him. “I’ll inform Movada that you have company.”

“This place is so beautiful!” Robbie thought coming to the edge of the forest. “What is this place?” She edged Ablom further into the trees. “Come on girl. We’re almost there.” She thought to herself for a moment. “I don’t know how I know that. I just do. I can feel it.”

Robbie saw a clearing ahead. She climbed off from Ablom’s back. She glanced up at the sky. “I guess we will camp here for the night.” She tied the reigns to a tree, and removed the bit from Ablom’s mouth. Robbie petted her horse, and ran her hands down her body. She heard a stream nearby.

Robbie followed the sound of the flowing water. She led her horse to it. They both drank thirstily. The water was cool and refreshing. Afterward they felt revitalized and freshly awakened. Robbie decided that they should rest anyway. “Here is as good a place as any, Abby.” She told her horse.

She set up camp in the middle of a grassy glade. She let Ablom wander to eat and drink as she pleased. Robbie meandered through some of the trees. She wanted to know why she was here. The scenery was beautiful. Everything was green. Nothing was dead or blemished in any way. Flowers seemed as though they had never seen a winter, and just kept blooming.

Robbie explored. She had a photographic memory. She wanted this place burned into her memory. She turned over rocks to see what type of insects were around. She didn’t see any! She found some bigger rocks that she couldn’t get to budge. She exhausted herself trying, and lay in the grass pulling her cloak around her for the night.