Time to Live Again Part 2

Rae ran and ran. The halls seemed endless. She didn't know how many flights of stairs she had climbed. The castle was like a maze. Rae was getting tired of running, but she couldn't stop. If she did then the guards would get her and she would be back to square one…or dead. She rounded a corner. How could these guards keep up with her so well? They all had been running for some time now. Rae turned another corner and ran faster until she came to a…dead end. A dead-end? Oh no… Rae thought. She drew her sword. If this was the end then she would not go down without a fight. They reached the end of the hall. "Surrender girl," called the head guard. Rae took a deep breath and turned. "No. I came here on a mission. I will fight till the end." The guards looked at each other. "So be it." The head guard drew his sword. Rae and the head guard fought. Their swords clanged loudly down the halls. Rae kept up with the head guard, memorizing his every move. Suddenly the door next to them opened and a man stepped out. He was accompanied by a dog. "What is all this racket?" The head guard stopped and all the guards bowed. "Your Highness, this girl escaped from the dungeon and we are trying our best to get her back there. It hasn't been easy…" The man nodded. Rae studied him. He was tall with green eyes and light brown hair. The dog next to him was a mutt of some sort. "Girl," said the head guard, interrupting her thoughts, "You will bow to the King." "King?" Rae squeaked. She ran up to him. "You're King Austenair aren't you?" He looked at her. "Yes…" "Yes! I've found you!" shouted Rae, and she jumped up and down. King Austenair laughed. Then he addressed the guards. "What crime has this girl committed?" "She was on the ruins…sleeping on the ruins." Austenair sighed. "Yes, that is a crime, but look at her. She is not from around here, I know because I make it a point to familiarize myself with my subjects. It was all an honest mistake," he looked at Rae. "Wasn't it?" Rae nodded vigorously, "Yes, it was. It really was!" "Now," said Austenair, "You may leave us." The guards looked at him strangely. "That was an order." "Yes sir." The guards left. When they were gone Rae breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Your Highness." "Ah don't bother with the highness stuff. Call me Austenair." "Ok…" Austenair motioned to the dog. "This is Hunter." Rae gasped. "Hunter!?" "Shocking?" "No…no it…I mean there's many dogs named Hunter where I come from…such a popular name…" Austenair nodded. "Oh. Well won't you please come with me back into my study? I was reading before that loud interruption. And I want to know more about you…and where you came from." "All right." Rae followed Austenair into the study. They sat down and began to talk. "Oh! I haven't even introduced myself to you. I am Rae." Austenair studied her… "Rae…you look slightly familiar now that I get a good look at you. How old are you?" "Fifteen summers." "You have those eyes… The eyes of a person I once knew." "Oh really?" "Yes." Hunter sat beside Rae, and she leaned over to scratch his ears. "Where are you from?" asked Austenair. "An island. In case you haven't figured it out, I'm an Amazon." "An Amazon…no wonder you could fight the guards as well as you did." "Oh it was nothing really…pure self defense." "I see. So why did you come to the city of Rough Cove?" "To find my father." "Can I be of some help to you?" "Well I don't know yet." "That's all right. Why don't you stay in the palace as my guest? I know that not all of the guest rooms are full…" "Oh it's an honor! Thank you!" "You're welcome." He snapped his fingers. "Hunter!" The dog sat up and wagged it's tail. "Take Rae to a guest room please." Hunter barked. Rae laughed. "He seems so smart." "He is. I expect that you'll join us for dinner?" Rae's eyes widened. "Really?" "Yes, really. Now I'll let Hunter take you to your room. I will see you later?" "Yes, sir." And Hunter led Rae out of the study to her room.
Hunter led Rae up a flight of stairs and down a hallway to a room. When Rae opened the door she was stunned. She turned around to thank Hunter, but he had vanished. Rae shrugged, went into the room, and shut the door behind her. The room was beautiful. Sunlight streamed through the windows. There was a canopy bed trimmed in blue and white. There was a couch and a dresser, and other things. Rae went over to the bed and sat down. This…this is what my mother left? How? I feel so connected to this place…is it my true home? Rae lied down. Nap now, think later…
"Miss. Miss it's time for you to get up." Rae felt a gentle shake. She opened her eyes. A woman stood there impatiently. "What?" Then she remembered where she was. "Oh…I'm sorry." "Well hurry now. It's time for you to get up. You'll be late for dinner if you don't!" "Oh yeah…ok. Um who are you anyway." "I am Kira. Yes I am a servant in case you were wondering." "I didn't even think of that. You don't have to serve me though…" "You are a guest. Guests are served. Come on. Get up." Rae jumped off the bed. "I'm Rae." "Rae…you look so familiar. Well I guess I must find a dress for you to wear to dinner." Kira studied her for a moment. "Yes I think I have something. You wait here. I'll be right back." Kira hurried out of the room. Rae blinked. She was not used to having people wait on her. It wasn't her place in the world. She was used to taking care of herself. Rae went over to the little stand by the window and washed her face in the bowl that was there. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Who was she anyway? What was she doing here? Rae shook her head. She thought of the Amazons and wondered how they were. Queen Cyan had been so kind to let her leave the island. She missed the Amazons. But strangely she felt more alive then she had ever felt before. Her thoughts were interrupted by a flying garment. "Sorry, Rae that slipped." "That's all right." Rae glanced down at the garment that she held in her arms. She unfolded it. It was a pink dress. Rae looked at it and wrinkled her nose. "Pink? Pink on me? No way no how. I don't wear pink…" Kira sighed. "It's the only garment that I could find, and you better hurry because dinner is only in a half hour." Rae gasped. She must have slept the whole afternoon. "Now hurry. Go on." Kira shooed her into another room so she could change. A few minutes later Rae walked out in the pink dress and matching pink shoes. She looked in the mirror again. "This is just going too far. I look like…a fru fru! Pink is not my color." "You look fine, Rae." "Yeah right." "Oh one thing…" Kira motioned to Rae's armbands. "Off with those." Rae shook her head. "No. They are the symbol of my tribe. I will not take them off. You might be able to force me to wear this dress but I refuse to take the armbands off." Kira threw her hands in the air. "Ok I won't argue. Now shoo! You're going to be late." Kira shooed Rae out the door and down to dinner… Dinner was just glorious. It was so good that Rae almost forgot that she was wearing a pink dress. King Austenair was a fascinating person. Rae enjoyed every bit of it. After dinner she was given permission to explore the castle. Rae walked down endless hallways. Each room was more beautiful then the next. All of the walking was making Rae tired. She leaned against the wall…and fell through. Rae sat there…dazed for a moment. A secret passage? She wondered. It looked as if it hadn't been used for years. Dust and dirt covered the floor and cobwebs covered the ceilings. Rae decided to explore the passage. She walked down the winding tunnel until she came to the end. She pushed the wall. It opened as she expected and suddenly she was in a room. It definitely was a bedroom, but this room had a strange, beautiful aura to it. Much of the room was green…more like a jade color. Rae walked over to the dresser. It looked as if it hadn't been touched for years. She went over to the bed and touched the blanket gingerly. It was soft, as she thought it would be. Rae sat down on a chair near the window. This room…she had never been there before…but it felt closer to home than ever. The room was the most beautiful room that she had ever seen. Pretty…isn't it. Said a voice. "Wha???" Rae looked around, and then saw Hunter standing near the entrance of the passage. "Did you just speak to me?" Yes I did. "But…I didn't think that I had the ability to speak with animals…" I chose to speak with you. You are an interesting child. And you smell so familiar… "How did you find me?" I followed you… Rae motioned for Hunter to come sit near her. "Hunter…can I trust you with something?" Of course child. I am a dog…I speak only to those I wish to speak to. Rae took a deep breath. "I know who you are, Hunter." Hunter gave her a puzzled look. You do? "Yes. You were my mother's dog. You belonged to Jade." I knew you smelled familiar. You're the one! When Jade left fifteen summers ago it was because she was with child…and that child is you! "Then…do you know my father?" Sadly, no. I know Jade left because she didn't know either. I missed her all these years, for I was her guardian. So tell me, Rae, how is she? "Oh Hunter…she's dead. She died in battle." Oh…She was a strong one. We spent years on the streets until that flood…Rae motioned around the room. "This room. It feels so familiar. I feel as if my mother is here with me." No wonder child. After all…this was her room. Suddenly a bright light came from the mirror. Rae covered her eyes. When she uncovered them she almost fell out of her chair. Standing there was…her mother. "M…Mother?" "Yes, honey. It's me." Rae stood up. "You're dead…aren't you." "Yes. But as you know, the dead can hear our thoughts. I heard yours. You are in need." Rae walked slowly then swiftly until she fell into her mother's arms. "Oh mother. I miss you. I never realized it…but this emptiness that I feel…it's you. I guess I've never really gotten over your death…" Jade kissed the top of Rae's head. "Rae, I know that the past few months have been…extremely harsh on you. I saw everything. From your death…to when you came to Rough Cove." "My death…Loa…" "Yes I know your friend betrayed you…but listen to me Rae. You must rise above it all." Rae looked at her. "What do you mean?" "You have to forgive her." "WHAT? Mother, she killed me! I mean she took the dagger and killed me. I died. She felt no pain!" "That is where you are wrong, my child." "How could an evil thing like Loa feel pain? She's beyond that." "No…I have seen Loa. Right now pain and confusion is the only thing she feels. She cannot explain it and therefore it is channeled through hate and killing. Rae, she needs you." "Over my dead body…" "Rae. Have you forgotten all that I've taught you? Perhaps you need a reminder." Jade placed her hand on Rae's head. Dormant memories, shielded by the hate that Rae had been feeling suddenly came forth. Rae remembered everything. She remembered her Amazon duties. She remembered her mother's lessons on loyalty. She remembered Loa's friendship… "Stop!" she cried. Jade drew her hand from Rae's head. Rae closed her eyes. "If I must help Loa…then how can I do it?" Jade smiled. "You'll have to figure that out yourself. Look inside yourself Rae. You will find the answers." Jade then whistled for Hunter. "Hunter, I've missed you. I know that you are getting old. I need a favor from you. It's time for Rae to receive a guardian. Make sure that it's done." Hunter barked. Jade nodded. "Good. It's time for me to go. Rae, I love you. I know that you can do this. It's in your heart." Jade disappeared. "Mother…" Rae whispered. Rae thought for a moment, organizing the events in her brain. It was time to find some answers. It was time to stop questioning. It was time to stop the confusion. From that moment on Rae decided that it was time to live again… Rae left her mother's room through the passage. Hunter followed straight behind her. She went to her room and retrieved her mother's scroll. It was question time with King Austenair. She needed to find her father. Rae walked down the hall to the study and peeked in. Austenair was reading by the fireplace, just as she suspected he would be. Hunter decided to leave at that point. He had to find a guardian. Rae didn't bother announcing herself. She walked into the study. "Austenair. I need your help. We have to talk." Austenair looked up from his book. "All right. Where have you been? Your clothes…" Rae looked down at her dress. It was streaked with dirt. "Nowhere. I was exploring a bit…that's all." Austenair nodded. "Something tells me that you're not telling the whole story." "You're right. I'm not. That is what I have to talk to you about." "Well then talk…" Rae pulled out her mother's scroll. "Take a deep breath because this might come as a shock to you." Rae took a deep breath herself then began slowly. "This scroll that I am holding belonged to my mother. She is part of the reason that I came to Rough Cove. You see, my mother lived here a long time ago. When she was about eighteen summers…she left. For an unknown reason. But the reason she left is in this scroll. She was shamed…or at least she thought she was. My mother was with child…with me and she had no idea who the father was." Austenair looked confused. "Is this a riddle? What are you trying to say here…" "Let me continue. My mother was a common person in the beginning. Then she rose in society by meeting a certain person…that person, Austenair, is you." "What?" "My mother…was Jade. Hunter was her dog. She was my mother." Austenair's mouth fell open. He gaped at Rae. "I…I can't believe it." "Believe. Read the scroll." Rae handed the scroll to him. He read it, and then looked back at Rae. "I know you looked familiar. When I saw you I thought that you looked like her…" "Jade is gone now. She's dead…passed on to the other life from a wound in battle but one question is still there. This is what I need help with." "Yes?" "I need to know who my father was." Austenair's read the scroll again. His face suddenly paled, and he stood up. "I…I think I can help you." He looked at the ceiling and then back at Rae. "This scroll must have been written right before she left. What I am going to tell you might change your life. About a month before she left we all had a glorious party here at the castle. It was the fall harvest celebration. Everyone drank and drank glass after glass of liquor. I don't remember much but Jade and I…well I think you can figure it out. Then she left. Just out of the blue she was gone… this scroll says she didn't know who the father was…well I can tell you. Your father, Rae stands before you. I am your father." "You…you are my father? But then that means…" "That you are royalty. Rae, you are the princess of Rough Cove." Tears formed in Rae's eyes. She tried to hold them back. She stood up. "I've found you. I really have…" Austenair smiled. "My daughter…I never thought. Come here." Rae went to him, and he hugged her tightly. The overwhelming emotions were too much for them, and they both began to cry tears of happiness. Meanwhile Hunter stood at the door and watched. They are so happy. Rae found her father. The princess has come home. I knew it all the time… A few days later Rae was preparing for her introduction party. The news had spread across the city. Everyone wanted to meet the new princess. Her father had given her a beautiful dress. It was jade green…the dress had belonged to her mother. Rae admired it in the mirror when Hunter came in. Rae you look beautiful. I have your guardian with me. May I bring him in? "Yes, Hunter." Hunter barked softly and a puppy trotted into the room. This is your guardian. He's strong and smart. He will serve you well. I'll leave you two to get acquainted before the party. Hunter left. Rae walked over to the puppy and sat beside it. "Hi. I'm Rae. I guess Hunter told you that. I am really honored that you want to be my guardian. The puppy wagged it's tail. I am Teflic. I knew from the day I was born that my job would be to watch over someone great. And it's true. You are so strong…and noble…and pretty. Rae smiled and patted Teflic on the head. "Thank you. Come on…the party is going to start. Don't worry…I'll feed you plenty of food when we get there." Teflic barked in happy agreement, and the two went down to the party. The ballroom was decorated spectacularly for the arrival of Rae. Rae walked in and found her father. "Father! I'm here. And I have a guardian now. Meet my dog, Teflic." Austenair smiled at Teflic then at Rae. "The guests are all here. The party is beginning. Don't be nervous about a thing. Just have fun." "I'm not nervous. I'm happy." Rae kissed her father on the cheek and went off to the dance floor. She danced a bit, but then decided to sit down on one of the couches. She looked at all of the people around her. Everyone was happy. Everyone was peaceful. Is this true happiness? She thought. I feel so happy. This is truly wonderful but…I miss the Amazons…my family. I wish they were here. Rae suddenly felt a pang of homesickness. She knew that Rough Cove was her home…but the Island was too, and she missed it. Suddenly Teflic was tugging at her dress. It was time for her crowning as princess. Austenair motioned for her to come up to the front of the room. "Good people of Rough Cove… This party was declared for a very special occasion. As you all know, I have been reunited with a very important part of my life…my daughter, Rae." He picked up a golden tiara. "And so I declare Rae the Princess of Rough Cove. May you honor her like you honor me." He placed the tiara on Rae's head. The people burst into applause. Teflic and Hunter barked happily. Rae smiled. She felt special…people were going to look up to her. She hoped that she could fill the role of Princess well. But for now, she enjoyed herself and forgot her worries. Eventually the party ended. The guests went home, and Rae went to her room. She was exhausted from everything. She changed out of her dress and into her amazon clothes, and flopped on her bed. Teflic jumped up and lied at her feet. Rae slept…and she dreamed… Flames rose into the night sky. A shadow was over a familiar place. There was panic everywhere… and Rae heard the evil laugher. Loa? But Loa was on the Island…the Island! Rae awoke with a start from her dream. It was more like a nightmare. Something was terribly wrong on the Island. Rae got to her feet and began to pack her things. It was time to go home. After a rushed breakfast, Rae stood on the beach with Austenair. "Rae must you leave so soon? The people want to know you better." "I know. I want to know them too, but this is an emergency. My family might be in danger. I must help them. Don't worry though because I'll come home again sometime." Austenair nodded. "I understand. The Amazons mean a lot to you. You must go to them." He slipped a pendant off his neck and put it around Rae's. "This is the symbol of Rough Cove. It's yours now. It's to remind you that you may come home whenever you wish. And if you ever need any help, let me know." Rae hugged her father. "Thank you so much. Once I found out who my father was, my life didn't seem very empty anymore. And I am the luckiest girl in the world…because my father is you." Austenair kissed her forehead. "And I am the luckiest father because I have you for my daughter. I love you, Rae." "I love you too, father." Then Rae knelt down and scratched Hunter behind the ears. "Thank you Hunter…for just being you." Hunter licked her face. No problem. Teflic will guard you. Watch out for each other. "We will. Come on Teflic!" Rae and Teflic walked to the portal from where Rae had come. The time was near. Rae stared at the portal. "No more weakness. No more confusion. No more fear. Loa, I am not afraid of you, and I will not let you harm my family any longer," she whispered. She turned and waved to her father. Then she took Teflic into her arms and stepped into the portal. "I'm on my way. It is time to live again. Amazons, I'm coming home."

Story 4: The End