The Kingdom

[crimson92]

A peaceful kingdom with simple people and a simple lifestyle that everyone is content with. However, there are dark secrets hidden here and a prince that seems to be in the center of it...

[crimson92]

She could hear...noises...like the sounds of birds singing their lovely song as they flew through the sky. There was a rustle as a little critter shuffled past and out of sight. The wind blew, sending a few more drops of silky dew onto her person and alarming her to the world outside of her inner mind. She stirred slightly, groaning as she attempted to open her eyes only to shut them tightly again when the sunlight pierced through them and suddenly gave her a splitting headache.

"Ooohh...my head," she groaned, struggling to sit up as she raised an ebony hand to sift through strange pink and blue hair, green eyes finally opening fully to survey her surroundings, "...Where...Where am I?"

To her surprise, she found herself in a forest, very different from the city she remembered herself running through in order to get away from a few ruffians that were chasing her. The air was clean here, the sky bluer, the sun brighter...and it confused her immensely.

"This is not okay," she said to herself, slowly getting to her feet and starting to walk in some random direction, finding herself just on the outskirts of some little town that was outside of a fantastic castle, "...This is definitely...not okay."

[❖Amani❖]

Vesper put his cheek in his hand and watched the crowds moving around outside. He was dressed in common clothes to get him back to the castle safely, as were the guards and ruffians surrounding him, but the thin simplicity of them weren't keeping him safe from the chill in the air. Clouds were gathering overhead and thick, fat raindrops were randomly spattering the ground in slow succession. Such a dreary place with no escape. He put his hand out before him and gazed at the large green jewel upon the ring on his hand. It was a gift long ago-

No. He wasn't going to let himself go there now. He put his hand down and shook his head, noticing a figure staggering across the road. He squinted to look closer and noticed it was a girl. A beautiful one at that. He blushed, though he knew she didn't even know he was there...

She actually looked rather lost and confused and the beginning of the rain hadn't helped, though it had strangely stopped by now. Vesper shot himself around the side of the plain, bulky carriage and motioned to the man leaning against it. The man raised his eyebrows to Vesper's sudden appearance and in return Vesper grabbed his arm and pulled him around to where he could see the girl.

He pointed and whispered something in the grubby man's ear before leaning back. The man gave him one look and rolled his eyes before starting out to the girl. He swerved through the horses and buggies and people on the road to get to her. Just as he reached her she tripped and he lurched forward to help her. After she was on her feet he eyed her and frowned. His overall appearance was roguish and dirty but he treated her kindly.

"Young lass, what exactly are you doing out 'ere all alone? My young Master there saw ya out. He asked if I could come over and ask ya if you were alright... Are you Miss? Alright that is? Perhaps lost a bit?"

He gently took her elbow and began guiding her back towards Vesper as they spoke.

[crimson92]

"Wait, what?" Sparks replied, feeling more confused that this strange man approached her from nowhere and was told to do so by a 'Young Master', "Um...I don't know. Can you tell me where I am? I...I woke up in some weird forest and didn't know how I got there...What is this place?"

She looked around at all the people that scurried by her, women in their plain, simple dresses and men in their trousers. Sparks herself was getting some weird looks for her strange attire, for her appearance in general really. She fidgeted under their gazes, pulling the hood of her gray jacket over her pink and blue hair, suddenly feeling self-conscious in her jacket, tank top and jeans and so out of place.

"Who is your Master? And who are you?" she asked the man as she was led through the streets to a bulky looking carriage.

[❖Amani❖]

"Well I'd rather not get into that just right yet. Safety reasons for my young Master you see."

The man smiled at her and looked up nodding to Vesper. Vesper in return blushed slightly and moved to the carriage door.

"Thank you Rofus. Would you like to take a seat Miss?"

Vesper hurried to open the door and held out his hand to the girl. He smiled and helped her into the carriage, leaving the door open to let in the tiny bit of sun that was peeking through the clouds. Vesper stood by the open door across from the girl taking a seat. He crossed his arms and shyly looked about.

"So uh, what's your name? Why are you out here all alone and looking so-"

Vesper caught himself and gave an apologetic chuckle.

"Sorry. I'm a bit nosy. You don't have to answer any of that if you don't want."

He smiled at her again and looked down quickly when she looked at him. The ring on his finger gleamed in the now bright sunlight and Vesper studied it closely as the silence went on. A beautiful green stone in a rectangle shape, rather large at that, was set in a silver band with small stones in it. The small stones were the same on each side of the ring, three purple at the top, two orange below that, one lime green below that and then one light yellow on the bottom. He sighed. It was so pretty but useless aside from wearing it for show. Maybe Rajus had meant it when he said he doubted the ring even worked.

[crimson92]

Sparks studied the young man before her, quirking an eyebrow at his shy disposition before deeming him safe to talk to and figuring that he would be the best person to answer the questions that she had.

"It's not a problem," she replied, flashing a smile, "My name is Sparks, at least, that's what they call me and...I really don't know what I'm doing out here. Can you tell me what this place is...um....what is your name?"

She scratched her head a little as she lowered her hood, thinking it would be okay to do so since no one could really see her. She then noticed the ring on his finger, the beautiful gems that sparkled in the sunlight, the strange sun that suddenly broke out from the barrier of clouds that just as suddenly disappeared as they appeared. This place seemed pretty strange to her and this boy just made her more curious.

[❖Amani❖]

Vesper looked up to see her pull the hood off her face a little. He frowned.

"Well um, you're in the kingdom of Annalei. We're an old colony of Agasia, our mother nation. And uh, I'm the Prince here. Prince Vesper. The man you just met is my personal guard. But he's not part of the royal Guard at the palace. He was left to me by King Rajus."

Vesper smiled at her and tapped his fingers against his arms before pointing back out of town where Sparks had appeared from.

"The landscape past that that forest changes quickly. The beaches are really beautiful and the sea sparkles. You should see it sometimes. The only thing about that is it's the unofficial docks for the Kings Men."

He noticed her confused look and leaned against the carriage door.

"Contrary to belief, the Kings Men are actually outlaws. Or part of an organization for that anyways... It's hard to explain but they're not bad people. Trust me. I'm actualy not only the Prince to the Annaleian throne but also their throne. It will be the first full measure of peace, the same king for both... Also a trial and error. It's a bit frightening but-"

Vesper broke off and frowned at the random people passing by. Clouds slowly began covering the sun and the light became more feeble. Rofus poked his head around the corner and nodded once.

"I think we're heading off to the castle now. Mind if I climb in with you?"

He smiled and stepped up into the carriage sitting on the opposite side of Sparks and shutting the door behind him. A puffy, red-faced man gave him a dirty look through the window and pushed himself to the seat to drive.

"Morcom gets frustrated with me because I like to do things myself. 'Un princely' he says. But Rajus was utterly self-dependant so I figure why not be like him! Haha!"

Vesper smiled at her and leaned his head against the window beside him.

"I don't blame you if you have no earthly idea what all I'm yammering on about right now. If you decide to stay a little while before you move on, you'll learn a lot about our system."

[crimson92]

"I don't think I have much choice but to stay...if that's okay with you!" Sparks answered, immediately correcting herself as she looked at the young man now named Vesper, "I mean, I have no idea what this kingdom is like. I didn't even know it existed! And everyone here dresses like they're from the Medieval Ages or something!"

She peered out at the people they passed by, seeing the women in their drab dresses and the men in their high trousers and belts; she was confused as to why they looked this way.

"Nothing really modern here, is there?" she said to herself, thinking this might be all a dream, "I don't want to bother you...um...Prince Vesper," she stammered a little, "...Everything just feels weird right now...even the weather seems so confused."

She looked out the window to see the clouds returning and the sun disappearing again, her green eyes catching the fading light, before she looked at Vesper again, "Why are you helping me, Vesper? I'm a stranger and not in any way normal, to tell you the truth...You're not going to kill me are you?!"

She suddenly became a little panicked and looked at the door, wondering how far she would get if she were to jump out and start running for her life.

[❖Amani❖]

"Please Sparks! No!"

Vesper reached for her but jerked back, unsure of how she would react if he took her hand.

"Something told me you were lost so I was just trying to help. You don't have to worry. I promise."

He watched her un-tense and sit back slowly. A long silence passed before Vesper broke it.

"No ones been able to figure out the weather."

She looked at him.

"You commented on the weather... being confused?"

He smiled as she remembered.

"It's always so dreary here. Well when I'm around anyway. Father says its often sunny, but I don't see that too often. I'm not sure what it is."

Vesper frowned and silence fell again, ringing through the carriage until it jerked to a stop. Vesper looked up and saw the puffy man coming around again and softly whispered to Sparks.

"I'll have Rofus show you to the guest room and there should be some maids there. They'll fetch you something to wear. I'll visit you soon alright?"

Vesper gave her a small grin as the door jerked open and the man offered Vesper his hand. Vesper took it with a tiny glance at Sparks before dissapearing with the man. After a moment Rofus appeared offering Sparks his hand.

"Prince Vesper recommended me to show you to the guest room Miss... Sparks, isn't it?"

He kept his expressionless countenance and his hand outstretched.

[crimson92]

Sparks nodded, "Yeah, that's my name and you're Mr. Rofus, correct?"

She giggled a little as his frown remained the same, the young girl taking his hand and jumping down from the carriage, watching as Vesper disappeared with the red-faced man. She bit her bottom lip in thought, still confused beyond reason as to how she got to this strange place and even more so about the weather. That was one of the first things she noticed about this place and also realized that what Vesper said was true, it seemed to change when he was around. Or at least...when his mood changed. For the moment, she would just chalk it up to coincidence.

She turned to Rofus and smiled, poking him in the chest with her small finger, "Hey, smile why don't you? Some weird wind is going to blow and your face is going to stick that way."

She made a serious face like his to prove her point, laughing a moment later only to let it die down when Rofus didn't join her. Clearing her throat nervously, she rubbed her arm and looked off to the side, "So, um...what can you tell me about the Prince? I mean...I don't know a thing about him and...well, I figured you would be the best one to ask."

She gave him her best warm smile, hoping to let him know that she was not a threat.

[❖Amani❖]

Rofus heaved a sigh and began walking, expecting Sparks to follow, which she did. They made their way around a large fountain in the yard before the palace and occasionally strayed just a bit onto the springy grass. As they neared the marble steps feeding into the entrance of the castle, Rofus began talking.

"Prince Vesper is a very complicated boy. He has many responsibilities and I wonder if he truly knows the enormity of them all. He seems to take his duties to the Kings Men more seriously than the Annaleian ones, which I won't argue with. I am one of the Kings Men. But If the peace should last, he'll have to start taking both seriously."

They paused at the giant doors just beyond the marble steps and waited for them to open. When they did, both entered and turned off to the right flight of stairs. Rofus continued on almost too softly to hear as they climbed the stairs.

"I think its because he deeply respected King Rajus. They had a good relationship. King Rajus left him the ring he wears as a sign that he wished for him to take his place. And by birth he must take his father's place. I feel he has a lot of stress on him. It worries me but-"

They reached the top and took a left instead of continuing straight. A very long corridor stretched before them and Rofus began leading them to the very last door.

"We all respected King Rajus and we miss him. I think Vesper took his death the hardest though. He didn't know him too long but I believe it was long enough. The ring you saw on him-"

Rofus produced a ring of keys from his pocket and picked the only silver one to unlock the door.

"Rajus once told me it could give you powers that fit you most. But he never saw it work. I honestly think, like Rajus, it was just a symbol of the throne. Vesper agrees with me on it, but he's set on finding a way to make it work. But of course this castle is built on Aurdor Pass..."

He opened the door and gave Sparks a smile, though very mischievous and unsettling.

"The maids'll be in there."

[crimson92]

"Why do I get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach when you tell me that?" Sparks asked, suddenly feeling very worried as her eyes seemed to glow a brighter green, an electric green, but she fought the urge down and shook her head, "Wait, Rofus!"

She made him stop before he could walk away from her as he had already turned his back to her, "Aurdor Pass...what is that? And what does that have to do with the ring? Better yet, where did the ring come from?"

She stopped and looked up at the rugged looking man, her green eyes blinking, "I'm so confused, Rofus."

[❖Amani❖]

Rofus sighed and shook his head. With a gentle jerk he wrenched his arm from her grip and put a hand through his salt and pepper hair. After a moment of indecision he put a hand on her shoulder and pushed her through the door, following closely. The room had a big feather bed on the right side of the room with a reddish headboard and chest at the foot of the bed. The window took up most of the wall before them and the curtains were a soft milky color that filtered out some of the light. To the left of the room lay two chests of drawers and a door to lead into the room with a washtub and closets. Three maids stood waiting patiently and happily in the center of the room and Rofus motioned to them as he walked over to the bed. He leaned against it while the maids rushed about Sparks and fussed over her measurements.

"What I remember of the ring is Malki, Rajus' father, passed it on to him on his death bed. Legends and what I could drag out of Rajus, said that Malki had tried to use its powers for a second time as he was dying and passing it to Rajus. But Rajus never noticed the ring put off any magical qualities. None of us ever saw it put off magical qualities. And if it had worked for Malki he wouldn't be dead now because surely he would have used it to stay alive."

The maids scurried around Sparks and finally stepped back to one of the chests of drawers to consult and eye her. Rofus cleared his throat when two of the ladies dispersed and the one left disappeared through the door to the closets.

"Now Aurdor Pass is exactly what it sounds like. A pass. The only thing is, and it's been proven true- Aurdor Pass is the bridge between worlds. If you pass through and perform a certain rite you may travel to worlds. Where you go is unknown and if and how you get back is uncertain. But you must sail through and continue going beyond the native islands."

The maid came back out with a sapphire and powder blue dress and handed it to Sparks. Rofus walked to the door and looked back at her with his hand on the knob.

"The ring was supposedly found on the cliffs of Higredge. They're about a mile north from here and they reach out into the sea. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the Pass but it was a part of a very old statue. I'll leave you to dress. Vesper will probably be here soon. He's a bit more tight-lipped about the ring and Rajus but if you ask nicely, he might tell you something about the man himself. Very intriguing person..."

Rofus gave a bittersweet smile and opened the door to let himself out. He paused halfway out but continued on and shut the door as if he'd thought better.

[crimson92]

"I have got to be the only person in the world who receives answers and yet still remains just as confused as when she started. I guess I just really want to know how I ended up here," Sparks said to herself, lost in her own mind when suddenly one of the maids held up the sapphire dress and tried to urge her to put it on, "Um...no. Sorry, but I don't do dresses."

The maids looked at her quizzically and even a little insulted that she would not comply to their wishes. They got over the moment and tried to persuade her to put it on again.

"I said no," Sparks answered, pushing the dress away, "I hate dresses, especially long ones."

Despite her protests, the maids would not back down and, to the young foreigner's surprise, they were some pretty strong maids. When the power of words didn't work, the maids resorted to brute strength. They practically wrestled Sparks down just to get on the dress amidst the shouts and cries for them to stop. Withing 15 minutes, at the most, they had her in the pretty sapphire blue dress that swept the floor as she walked and hugged her modest chest quite nicely. They had already washed her and were in the middle of braiding her hair back and away from her face, however one stubborn piece of hair refused to be subdued. So she remained with that piece hanging on the left side of her face, falling into her eye a little. Sparks glared as the maids happily fussed over her, wanting nothing more than to rip the dress to shreds and put her other clothes back on.

"This is just ridiculous! I don't want to wear this stupid dress!" she cried, tugging herself away from the fawning maids.

"But you look so very beautiful in it, milady," one of the maids said, the others nodding and giggling with her, "You'll catch the attention of any gentleman that crosses you."

"Let's hope that doesn't happen," Sparks muttered, wondering how much longer it'll be before she saw Vesper again or even Rofus; she was starting to like the older man.

[❖Amani❖]

"Why? Are you shy?"

Vesper knocked on the open door after uttering his statement. He watched Sparks turn around, a bit embarrassed by his sudden appearance, and fought back the smile. She was stunning in the dress and he couldn't help but stare. Of course self-control played a part in his turning away and blushing.

"Thank you ladies."

He nodded to the maids as they giggled and brushed by him on the way out, a blonde one with blue eyes stopping for a fraction of a second and batting her pretty long eyelashes at him. She chuckled and barely glanced back at Sparks before exiting. Vesper simply ignored the show however and stepped across the room.

"You look very nice in that dress... however you may hate it."

He smiled at her crimson cheeks and clasped his hands behind his rigid back.

"I might have overheard in the hall on my way down here. You have quite the extensive vocabulary."

He chuckled and sat himself down on the bed, watching her carefully and looking away when she eyed him. His chocolate hair was slightly damp and his eyes began changing from gray to an intense blue.