Arcadia : The Hidden Child

Chapter 10

"Come this way."  She reached for my hand.
I grabbed it and she helped me across the small creek, pointing out which stones to step on.
"Where are we going?"  My voice echoed.  It sounded different.
"I want to show you something."  Her voice was melodic.  She looked back at me and smiled, she was beautiful with her long brown hair that curled around her lightly golden tanned face and bright green eyes.
"What is it?"
"Oh, Araleigh, you must have patience my child." Her smile was warm and inviting.
We were walking through a stone chamber.  I placed my hand on the damp wall for support.  Something was wrong, my hand...
It felt like time was jumping ahead.
"Keep up, we must hurry."
We were outside now. "What is that noise?"
"Those are the Ewaboo, they are Guardians."
"Guardians of what?"
"This."
A bright blue light flashed before my eyes.
What is it?  I could feel myself waking up.  I needed to go back.
"Some may come for you.  You must protect...."
Must protect what?
Must protect what?
I felt myself thrashing back in forth in bed, but it was too late, I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep.
I rolled over and looked out of the window just as light was starting to peek in.  I walked to the bathroom to freshened up.  I couldn't help but wonder what I'd just seen.  Was it a dream? A memory?
What if it was a story I created to help process everything from last night?  I shook my head, it didn't feel like I imagined it... It felt real.
The Ewaboo, I remembered excitedly.  If they exist, then it was a memory, but how to go about finding if they are real?  I don't think asking Damian is the best thing to do right now.
There was a soft knock on the door. 
I opened the door, but there was no one there.  I started to close the door but noticed a note on the ground. 
Strange.
I picked it up and gently closed the door.  Not knowing if I was being watched was driving me crazy.  I kept the note closed in my hand and walked into the bathroom. I would have to assume if I was being watched, hopefully they have enough decency to not have cameras in here.  I closed the door and leaned up against it and gently unwrapped the note.

A-
I am coming for you.  Don't do anything stupid!
-T

  Tristan? I could feel my cheeks go flush but how did he get a note here?  He must have someone on the inside, which made me feel a little better that I wasn't the only one, but would they blow their cover to protect me?  Probably not.  I imagine any reason Tristan had someone on the inside of the Nevi's is here for more important things than protecting a reckless girl.
I tore up the note and flushed it down the toilet.
I made my way downstairs where Damian was sitting at a table waiting for me.
"There she is.  Our prince-"
I held my hand up.
"Right, too soon."  He stood up and pulled the chair out for me.  "Please sit."  He helped push me in and then called out, "Rudy, please bring in Ms. Winters breakfast."
Within seconds Rudy appeared with a tray of food. 
"This is too much, I will not be able to eat all of this."
He smiled, "I would hope you wouldn't be able to finish it.  I didn't know what you would be in the mood for this morning so I had them prepare all of your favorites."
"Why are you being so nice to me?  I will admit this is not how I imagine this whole thing going."
"I can be a nice guy."  He smiled.  "I can also be a very not nice guy."  It was something about the tone in his voice when he spoke which caused fear to sweep through me and a shiver to creep down my spine.  He clapped, "Let me tell you a story... I know so much about you, but you don't know much about me."
I nodded without saying anything, not that I had a choice.
"Years ago, when I was a little boy, my family and I lived in a small house just outside of city square.  It was my parents, my older brother and two younger sisters... we were all very close.  My brother and I would accompany our father on his business trips to the surrounding planets, trading various services for food and other goods.  I swear there was not a deal he couldn't make," he said smiling.  "He was grooming my brother and I to take over the business when he was older and couldn't travel any longer.  He always joked that we were going to be better than him, but that wasn't possible," he said pressing his lips together and shaking his head.  "He loved his business but he also loved my mother and my two sisters.  They came years after us, so I always thought he wanted to spend the time with them that he was unable to spend with us, growing up.  They were too young to travel with him and I'm sure mother wouldn't have allowed it anyways.  But Cecile... she showed potential," he said pointing his finger in the air.  "Even as a baby, she could get those around her to bend to her will and you may think I would be jealous of such a talent but I wasn't, I loved her dearly."  He paused for a second.
It was obvious he was thinking about his sister.  He must of realized I was watching him because he shook his head to clear it.  "Where was I?  Yes, my family.  All was good, our planet was prospering, I was preparing to take over my fathers business.  All was right until the day we received word the Arbotoo had been destroying a number of planets.  Our leaders at the top called an emergency council together and decided the best way to stop them was to form an alliance with our neighboring planets, which is how the five families came to be.  My father, my brother and I quickly signed up, we were ready to help serve and protect our planet and our neighboring planets.  We trained for just over two weeks before the Arbotoo came with their ships and all of their technology and attacked us.  They were clearly superior to our little planet, but they didn't know we had the power and support of five planets," he paused for a second, "The Arbotoo were well coordinated and had targeted key areas around our planet and in the process me, my brother and my dad were split up.  We continue to fight hard, they had misjudged our armor, weapons and resourcefulness and eventually retreated.  It wasn't until two days later when I realized my brother and father had both been killed and another day after that when I realized my mother and sisters had also been killed.  My lovely Cecile, was blown apart.  The only thing they were able to find was her delicate little hand still clutching a small bouquet of flowers she had undoubtedly picked for our return.  A week or so passed and King Lormane was touting what an excellent victory this was and how we were able to stop them with only a few lives lost.  A few lives he kept saying as if that was acceptable.  I had lost my entire family, I was alone.  It was then I decided I would never feel as helpless and sadden as I did in that very moment."  He paused looking at me, emotions flitting quickly across his face.
"I'm sorry for your loss."  I didn't really know what to say.
He looked at me.  "Don't, it was probably for the best...it's what led me onto this path to become who I am today."
A monster, I thought.
He laughed. "You probably see monster but I see a leader, a ruler.  I am the only one who can protect our system and that is where you come in.  I need a partner, a visionary.
"Partner?"  I questioned, taking a bowl of cereal and a banana.
"Yes! You have something I need and in return I can give you something you want."
"Which is?"
"Not now, my mother always said no business until after breakfast!"
I couldn't imagine him having a mother.  I wonder what she was like?
"How was your sleep?  Anything unusual happen?"
"It was good.  I must have been more tired than I thought."
"No dreams or anything like that?"
"Actually, yes."
"Yes?"  It was hard not to notice the fake surprise in his voice.
"I had this dream I was out in the water, I believe the water right outside and I was swimming and then all of the sudden, this large animal creature thing came out of the water and pulled me under.  I was trying to get free from it, but it had me in its mouth."
"Oh dear.  What happened?"
"I don't know, I woke up."
It was clear this was not the answer he wanted to hear.
"Well I can assure you, there are no large monsters in these waters."
"No?"
"Not a one."
"That is good to know in case I get an itch to go swimming."
"I wouldn't do that either.  I have safe guards in place to ensure no one leaves this place unless I know about it.  Just ask your friend Ty."  He had a sinister smirk on his face.
"I don't understand."
"Ty tried to escape through the waters and he was met with a nasty burn on his leg.  He actually passed out within a moment or two of being in the water.  Fortunately for him, he fell backwards on to the land instead of forwards into the water, it could have been very nasty."
Just thinking of Ty and what could have happened to him made me sick to my stomach.  I pushed the rest of my food away.
"I am sorry, I hope you aren't through eating because of me."
I smiled.  "No, I am full."
He wiped his forehead, feigning relief,  "Good, I would've hated to be the reason you aren't eating."
"Well you are off the hook!"  I forced a smile.
"So I told you a lot last night; things that probably came as a shock to you.  How are you doing with all of that?  Have you come to terms and accepted you are heiress to the throne?"
"Not really."  I quickly corrected.  "Don't get me wrong, I believe what you told me is true," I shrugged, "It will just take some time to process all of it." Hopefully by then Tristan would have come to get me.
"Something else on your mind?" He questioned.
"No."
"You aren't lying to me, are you?"
Could he hear my thoughts?  "Yes...I am...I just." I didn't know what I wanted to say.  "I feel like I just need a little more time to process.  I don't feel like I could do our partnership justice if I have all of these doubts and unresolved feelings." I was trying my best to sound weak and confused.
He was staring at me while gently rubbing his chin.  "Yes, I could see how that could get in the way."
"You do?  I mean you do." I smiled.  "Do you think I could have today to myself, to just walk around this place?  You said this is where I came all those years ago, maybe walking around will jog a memory or something," I added a moment later, "Something that could help us?"
He looked at me for a long time without saying anything and then walked over to stand behind me.  He placed one hand on the table in front of me and the other on the back of my chair and leaned so his cheek was almost touching mine, "I hope you're not trying to play any sort of game with me."
I shook my head and swallowed the hard lump that had just formed in my throat.
"People that try to cross me live to regret it."  His words were laced with malice.  He stepped back and looked down at me, his tone had completely changed back to the artificial light and bubbly he had greeted me with.  "You can have today to yourself, process and be done, I will not always be this gracious."
"Thank you."
"Don't try to escape.  You will regret that as well."
"I won't, I promise."
"Promise, such a silly word."  He turned and walked away and then stopped, "Tell me, would it help if Mr. Thomas was here with you? I know you two grew so close after your father was killed."
A veiled threat.
"No, I am fine without him here, thank you." I smiled.
He smiled, but his eyes did not move.  Yes, I understood your threat Damian.  Message received loud and clear.
He exited the room and I let out the breath I was holding and slumped in the chair.
"I couldn't help but overhear." I turned and saw Rudy in the corner of the room.  He was smiling.  "There is a lovely garden in the back of the property, it is quiet."
I nodded.  It was so weird to look at someone talking to you but not seeing their lips move.
I couldn't help but wonder if he was hinting at me to go to the gardens or if he was just being nice.  Either way I decided I should go there, but I didn't want to go immediately.
I walked out of the front door and down the pathway near the front gate.  I didn't want to get too close and cause alarm, so I stopped and turned to face the castle.  I tried to take myself back to that night... the lights in the sky, the glittering pathway, the boy with the bright blue eyes staring at me as he clung to the Queen's leg, her face, shock... disbelief... confusion? Then nothing.
I decided to give memory lane a break and take a walk around the property, I wanted to know this place like that back of my hand just in case I saw an opportunity to escape.  I walked carefully, noting number of guards, their stations and size of the quadrant they were watching over.  I could tell when I entered a new guards quadrant because he would start talking on his comm's device which appeared to be a small earbud hooked on their ear.  Some of these guys were big, there would be no way I could take them out.  After some time, I came upon two beautiful trees whose branches were thin and wispy and bent down to the ground.  There were small lilac bell-shaped flowers that hung from the branches that gave off an amazing scent. 
"Come through here.  Hurry, before anyone sees you."  She spoke the words softly.
A memory?  I took a step towards the trees and the branches began to shift and move on their own, like a curtain parting out of the way, inviting me in.  I took a quick glance behind me to make sure there were no guards watching and when I walked through the branches closed back, hiding me from the guards.
"Magic trees?" I said to myself.
Was this the garden Rudy was talking about?  It was beautiful in here, the trees and bushes that surrounded it blocked everything else out.  I walked over to a small stone bench in the corner and sat down, rubbing the soft stone, thinking about everything that had transpired over the last couple of weeks.
"I don't know how you happened on the portal , but you must be careful.  No one can know about you because if they did, they would want to do great harm to you and I can not have that."  She gently stroked my hair.
I could feel the cold stone on my back.  Were these memories of the night I was brought here?  I thought she took me back home.
I stood up and continued walking along the long and narrow path.  These bushes and trees were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, so much color and so full of life, and the scent was... sweet.  There were small little animals, some furry, some not so furry that were just minding their business, eating their food, with no care in the world.  They would periodically stop eating to watch me walk by, but they weren't scared. 
I walked for a while, looking at plant after plant, some would open and gently dance towards me and others would close when I moved closer, it was amazing.  This place felt mystical, magical even, with all of the colors and the plants and the sounds.  There was one I was having a hard time placing, a faint trickle.  I continued down the path until I came across a small creek, was this the creek from my dream last night?  It seemed smaller than I remembered, only four or five feet wide and a couple feet deep.  I thought about walking through it but was uncertain where this water fed from and didn't want to chance it coming from the water that Damian had altered burn.  I saw rocks lying in the water and went to step on them and realized they were the ones from dream, all in the same place, as if nothing had changed.  I made it to the other side and found the entrance to the stone chamber with its wet walls.  I continued to move forward through the stone chamber, following the same path I had many years ago.  It got darker and darker as I went further into the chamber and the smells of the flowers also began to change from a sweet smell to an earthier smell.  I didn't remember being in the dark this long, though it was years ago and until last night, I didn't remember this at all.
I continued, keeping my hand on the wall to guide me.  Periodically, there would be a purple or green flash from an insect on the wall, that would help light my way, blinking slowly like a beacon.  Relief surged through me when I saw light pouring in up ahead, I was close to the end, there was something about being stuck here in the dark that made me uncomfortable.  I took another step forward but heard a noise behind me so I froze and put my back against the wall.  Fortunately I was still in the dark, so it would be hard to see me, however, it would also be hard to see who was coming up behind me.  I felt alone and protected in here, and now I felt alone and vulnerable.  It sounded like only one set of footsteps echoing off the walls, sure of every step they were making, getting louder as they drew closer.
A purple light bug lit down the way and I saw the reflection of a man just over six foot tall who was built but not huge.  It would be hard to take him out, but I still had the advantage of surprise.
No! A green bug lit up right beside my face and I quickly placed my hand over it to block the light from the person coming up on me, but there was no way they didn't see me.  I gently lifted my hand off the bug and a strange smell hit me square in the face like a gas bomb.  I couldn't control the urge to double over and cough as my eyes were watering and my lungs felt like they were on fire.  Not what I needed right now.  I tried to focus on the person running up to me, as I was still doubled over in a spasm when I felt them put a hand on my shoulder. I grabbed the hand and threw my body into their chest and flipped them over my back.  He quickly rolled out of my grip and kicked my legs out from underneath me and I fell flat on my back. 
"Araleigh."  The voice said through gritted teeth.
"No."  I swiped my leg but found nothing.  Was he gone?  Was it all a hallucination?  No, he was real.  I sat up and tried to focus but I couldn't, there were things dancing around me, coming at me.  I tried to stand but I was too dizzy so I scooted back into the light, I needed to get out of here.  Something was happening to me, I felt like I was moving in circles, very fast circles.  I could feel my heart beating out of my chest and there were parts of my mind telling me I was ok, I was safe and there was nothing here and then there were other parts telling me I was going to die.  I needed to focus on something, anything and then I saw a face appear.  Their blue eyes looking at me.
"Tristan."
I reached for him. But I couldn't feel him, I needed to feel him.  This overwhelming urge took over.  I needed him, I needed him now... to feel his hand in mine, to feel his lips on mine, to tell him the way I feel.  Was I dying?  Emotion after emotion was rocketing through me.
He started to turn away. 
"No Tristan, don't leave me.  Don't leave me again." I couldn't control the overwhelming sadness that had just swept over me.
He turned back but his eyes were angry.
Not Tristan, not Tristan.  I was in danger.  I had to get away.  I tried to crawl but my body felt like a thousand pounds.
I closed my eyes and continued to let everything spin.
"Tristan."  The words left my lips and then everything went dark.
"Araleigh."  I was being shaken.  "Araleigh."  I felt a warm hand on my forehead.  "Damn it Araleigh, open your eyes."  The voice was irritated but concerned.
I tried, but they still felt too heavy. 
"That's it, try again. You have to keep trying," he said encouragingly.  I rocked back and forth as my weight was being shifted.
"Araleigh, open your eyes."  The voice was softer now and this hand gently brushed my hair from the side of my face.
I tried again and saw a hint of light come in but my eyes began to burn and they snapped shut.  I tried to speak, but nothing came out.
"Don't try to talk, not yet, but I do need you to open your eyes."  His voice was clearer now, it sounded like Tristan.  "Wait a second, leave your eyes closed." 
I could feel him moving around because every time he moved I shifted.  "Open your mouth," I felt his finger gently tug on my lower lip, "Put this in your mouth."  He slid something wet into my mouth and then closed it back.  "This is an avagava plant.  It should help get the rest of the toxins out of your body."  I could feel him place another leaf on my throat.
"Araleigh, what are you doing out here?"  The tone was harsh and irritated but still held a note of concern.
He lifted me off his lap and laid me on the ground and then I heard him walk away, no, pacing.  Was he worried?
"At least you are easier to talk to like this, since you can't talk back."
I tried to take the leaves out of my mouth so I could talk, but my hands still felt heavy, but not like before.  Whatever was affecting me was wearing off.
"Stop moving.  Why don't you ever listen to me?  You literally do everything opposite of what I say.  I say don't go, you go.  I say stay still, you try to move."  I could hear the exasperation in his voice.  "All I do is try to protect you and all you do is get in trouble.  You are my responsibility and you make it so damn hard." He was worried.
His responsibility?  I was no one's responsibility.  I took care of myself.
"Oh, did that upset you?  Good.  Welcome to my world."
I heard him walking back over to me.  "Here."  He gently opened my mouth and removed the leaf.  "Drink this."  He lifted my head off the ground and cradled it in his hand and gently pressed something against my lips, it felt ice-cold.  I parted them and let the liquid in and it tasted sweet, like roses and sugar. I could feel it flowing through my body like ice in my veins.  "You should be fine in another minute or so."  He laid my head back down and walked away. 
Did he leave me?  I listened for any sign of him and heard nothing so I tried to sit up but it felt like there was a weight pressing on my chest.  I kept trying and eventually was able to sit upright.  I slowly opened my eyes and at first it felt like the light was going to burn a hole in the place of my eyes, but that passed quickly. I pulled the leaves off my throat and slowly looked around but there was no sign of Tristan.  I was in a different place, had he carried me here? I was still in the garden but the stone chamber was no-where in sight.  After a moment, I realized this was the place from my dream and it was beautiful.  Everything was so bright and the colors were so vivid, the ground was a lush green and the flowers were stunning and the sky was a bright blue, very different than what I was used to seeing on Arcadia.
I slowly tried to stand, but wobbled a bit. 
"Woah."  I heard Tristan running up behind me.  He put one hand on my waist and grabbed my wrist with the other.  His touch was warm and sent a tingling sensation through my body.
I turned to look at him and we were so close I could smell the musky, citrus smell pouring off him.  "Be careful," he said almost breathless.
I stepped away from him and turned to face him.  "Thanks."
The moment was gone, the softness that had flittered in his eyes had turned back to his usual agitated look.  "You need to be more careful."
"So you keep saying," I said steadying myself.
"Well you don't listen."
"I don't have to listen to you."
"Do you have a death wish?"
"No." I said simply.
"Are you sure?  Because you act like you do."
"Why does it matter to you how I act?"
"It does."
"Oh that's right."  I tried mocking his tone from earlier, "Because I am your responsibility."
"I thought that may have upset you." He curved his lips into a small smile.
"You're damn right it did.  I don't belong to anyone, nor am I anybody's responsibility.  I can look at for myself."
"Yea?" He said incredulously.
"I am still here aren't I?"
He raised his brows.  "I think those JooJoo bugs played with your mind a bit too much."
"Joojoo bugs?"
"They are the beautiful bright bugs in the stone chamber that would have killed you had I not been there.  You can look at them, but do not ever touch them.  Their defense is a gas that makes you hallucinate among other things.  Had I not been there, you would have likely killed yourself thinking you were being attacked."
"Do you want a thank you for that?"
"No.  If you thanked me every time I saved your life, you would probably never stop thanking me."
"You're serious."
"You say you can handle yourself, but truth is, you would have been dead long ago had I not been around to save you."
"I didn't take you for the oooh-look-at-me bragging type, that is more Cash's style, you are the quiet, meticulous planner who never shows emotion because that could get in the way."
I could tell that struck a nerve.  "Maybe you have too much emotion and that is why you are always trying to get yourself killed."
"I am not trying."
"No? You are just that good at it then?"
It was obvious this was not going to go anywhere.  "I was wrong."
"What?"
"I said you don't show emotion.  I was wrong.  The only emotion I have ever seen out of you is a raging anger directed straight at me." 
His face softened.  "I am not angry with you."
"Really? Do you know what the word means?"
"Of course.
"So what's the deal?  Why is it that everything I do upsets you?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
I rolled my eyes.  "Oh my apologies, having a serious conversation about feelings and emotions was probably not part of the plan."  I turned and started walking away.
"Where are you going?" 
"You are clearly done with this conversation so I am going to go back to Damian.  I imagine he is probably beginning to think I escaped."
"You're not going back there."
"The hell I'm not."  I continued walking, realizing I had no idea where I was going, but I didn't care, I had to get away from him.  Those moments of tenderness Tristan showed toward me while I was recovering from the Joojoo bugs was gone, if it was ever there, I thought sadly.  Maybe that part was a hallucination, something I fabricated because I wanted it to be there.  After years and years of wondering what happened to the boy with the piercing blue eyes, I was faced with an emotionless, yet oh-so-attractive, troll.  I giggled at the thought of him as a troll.  I had to stop thinking about him and move on, but it was hard, because I had thought about him almost everyday for the last ten years, whether I wanted to or not.  Something happened that night in the portal, for me anyways, but it was time to move on.
"You don't even know where you are going."  He said jogging up behind me.
"I'll figure it out."
"I'm sure you will and probably get yourself killed in the process.  I should just let you."
"Yes, you should, I don't know why you care so much about my life.  You would probably be happier if I was dead."
He grabbed my arm and spun me towards him.  "Don't ever say that again." 
The fierce look in his eyes sent a shiver through my spine and caused my stomach to tighten into a million knots and my tongue to stop working.  "Ok," was all I was able to get out. 
He continued staring me in the eye for a moment, his hand still firmly on my arm.  I could tell there was something going on in his head, a decision he was having to make and after a moment, he let my arm go in frustration.  "You can get back to the castle this way," he said pointing to the right, sounding a little defeated.
We walked side by side in silence for a while until I couldn't take it anymore. 
"You never said why you were here in the first place."  
He let out a small laugh, which caught me off-guard.
"What's so funny?"
"I was wondering how long you would go without talking to me.  You actually lasted longer than I thought you would."
"Well?"
"Did you get my note?  I was coming to rescue you."
"I did.  It said something like 'I am coming for you, don't do anything stupid.' And I didn't."
"You almost died."
"So you keep saying, but I would like to point out had it not been for you sneaking up on me, I wouldn't have stopped in the stone chamber, nor would I have touched the Joojoo bug and I would've been fine.  Come to think about it, all the times you claimed to have saved me were a direct result of something you did.  The portal, the forest, the Joojoo bug... did I forget anything?"
"So are you saying you want me out of your life?"
The thought of him out of my life hit me hard in the stomach, but I couldn't let him know that.  "Maybe I would be safer without you in it."
He chuckled.  "Ok."
"Ok?"  I asked bewildered.
"Yea, you are probably right.  I seem to cause more of a headache for myself where you are concerned, so if I take you out of the equation we would probably both be better off."
"Ok."
"Fine.  I will get you back to the castle and then you won't see me again.  I wouldn't want to get in the way of your well thought out plans or saving your friends or yourself." The sarcasm was nearly dripping off every word. 
I didn't say anything the rest of the way, which made the walk feel like that much longer.
"Here you go, here is an exit."
"This isn't the same one I came in."
"It's fine, this is on the other side of the castle.  You will walk out and see the castle ahead on your left."
"Thanks."  I instinctively said.
"Don't mention it.  I know how hard it is to say to me, I don't want you to hurt yourself." Was he joking with me?
I faked a smile and then ducked between the branches, these didn't open like the other side had.  Tristan was right, the castle was up ahead on my left.  It was so odd, in the garden it seemed as if it was still midday, but out here, it was clearly evening.  I sprinted toward the castle not knowing what time it was and fearful Damian thought I had escaped.
I busted in through the front door and the staff looked at me like I was crazy. 
The doors to the dining room opened as I was standing there looking at everyone.  "Araleigh, there you are, I was beginning to get worried."  Damian said.  "Well I am glad you are back now, do you care to go freshen up?"
I nodded, confused, but ran upstairs.  I opened my door and saw a dress lying on the bed with a note on top of it.

Araleigh-
I hope you enjoyed your day.  We have much to
discuss. Please accept this dress as a token of my
commitment to work alongside you to change our
two worlds forever.

Yours Truly, Damian

Change our two worlds forever?  So whatever his plan was, also included Earth?  I guess I shouldn't be surprised.  What did he need my help with though?  He already had control of it through the Authority.  There was no use in speculating, so I walked into the bathroom and washed my face, brushed my hair and quickly put it up.  I slipped into the dark purple sequin dress and black high heels and made my way back downstairs.
Damian was waiting for me at the bottom of the steps dressed in an all-white suit with a dark purple metal head piece, the same color as my dress.  "My, aren't you beautiful?" He said reaching his arm out towards me.
"Thank you."
I noticed most of the staff was standing in the large foyer area looking at us. At me, which caused me to blush a little.  I saw Rudy in the back corner with a look of concern on his face, well I assume it was concern, I hadn't been around him or a Flaxen long enough to know what their emotions looked like, but there was definitely something there.
"So tell me, how was your day?"  Damian asked as I was still looking at Rudy trying to figure out what was going on. 
Rudy started to gently shake his head back in forth.
"Araleigh?"
"Huh? Yes.  Sorry what were you saying?  I was distracted by everyone looking at me."
He let out a fake laugh.  "Not used to being the center of attention, I dare say you should get used to it."
I nodded. 
"I asked how your day was."
"Oh right, it was fine."
"Fine?  That is all?  Where did you go?  What did you do?"
I looked back in Rudy's direction but he was gone.  Did he not want me to talk about the garden?  Why didn't he just telepathically tell me what was going on?
"I walked around the castle and tried to get some perspective."
"I tried to find you earlier this afternoon and couldn't find you anywhere."
"Oh?"  I feigned surprise.  "I don't know why."
"I called for you and nothing.  I thought you had somehow managed to escape."
"No, I didn't try," I paused a moment. "I told you I wouldn't.  I just walked around and found a quiet area and laid down.  I must have fallen asleep because next thing I know it was dark, so I ran back to the castle as quick I could and that is when you saw me busting in."
"Interesting."
I couldn't tell if he believed me or not. 
"Ok." He clapped.  "We have a little field trip planned and I am trusting you won't do anything stupid."
I couldn't help but think of Tristan's note.
"Where are we going?"
"All in due time my dear."
He walked me outside to the waiting shuttle.  It looked similar to the winged flying devices but this had a domed lid, very similar to our pods on Earth.  Come to think about it, there were a lot of things the Authority helped to create that were very similar to things found here.  I didn't have time to think about it in detail now, but it was something I wanted to revisit.
I stepped in and took a seat, the buckles came out around my waist and shoulders and met at my chest, tightening themselves to my comfort.
Damian stepped in with a guard and I watched three others get on the flying machines on either side of us.
I felt Damian looking at me.  "Don't worry, we'll be safe."
"I just wish I knew what was going on."
He punched coordinates into the panel and the pod began to lift off the ground.  "We have a meeting with the five families tonight."
"The five families?"
"I forget you are not aware of these things."
Was that a jab meant to hurt me?  He would have to try harder than that.
"We meet throughout the year to discuss a variety of things.  There's dinner, activities, drinks, fun and business."
I looked around and saw everything zooming by us and before I knew it we were descending.  I looked out the window and saw another castle, lit up in colorful lights.
"It's beautiful."
Damian laughed and I must have missed the joke. 
I watched as the two ladies in the pod in front of us were being escorted by castle staff into the front doors, while it looked like the men and one bodyguard followed behind them.  It looked like the other body guards all took a position in different areas around the pod or the castle.
Our pod pulled ahead. 
He grabbed my arm, a little harder than necessary.  "Remember, no matter what happens tonight you are with me, you came with me, you leave with me.  You do anything different and there will be consequences.  People you care about will be punished in your place."  His threat sent chills through me.
I nodded and was so thankful I was not being walked in by him now.  I didn't even want to look at him, much less touch him.
The pod stopped and the lid opened.  A hand reached in for mine and I thankfully grabbed it, anything to get away from him.
"Thank you." I said looking up to the man who helped get me out.
He flashed a smiled and his bright blue eyes twinkled with delight.