by CS Patra
Lavinia started to open her mouth but she closed it quickly. Silas was right that the problems wouldn’t go away if the war ended. There would be a lot of damages from the battle and that would take years to fix. That was just the physical damages. All the emotional ones that people would endure would never be fixed. As a Queen, how could she save everyone? How could she fix it all?
“You’re right. I won’t be able to help everything.” She agreed. “That doesn’t mean I cannot try. I would rather attempt to save them than not do a thing at all. Knowing I tried is worth far more to me.”
Silas seemed to accept that answer. “You’re very noble, Vinnie. You almost like a kind and wise Queen when you talk like that.”
Lavinia tried her hardest not to react to that. She had been good at keeping her composure so far but she still had to hide her identity. Princess Lavinia was not here right now. She was just Vinnie, a wealthy girl with no past. She didn’t have anyone or anything to go back to as long as the curse was in place.
“Well, I just said what is on my mind.” She told him. “I may sound like it but I don’t know if I could ever make a good Queen.”
At least not as long as I am cursed.
Chapter 11
Alice came back to the cave with all the materials and items that she needed to put together two gowns. Coryn and the animals were all huddled up in the shadows, feeling a lot better now that they weren’t in the sun. They were startled to find that several flower butterflies had flown in with Alice but knew that they meant no harm. They had just come in because they were following her. The thing that did stand out more was everything that Alice had in her arms. There was no reason for her to bring in all that material unless she had another plan.
“You bought a lot of things, Miss Alice.” Coryn noted. “How much material does one need to make a dress for themselves?”
“Ah, that’s the thing. I’m not making one for me alone.” She showed Coryn the material that she had gotten for her. “I have enough for you too.”
Coryn’s face fell at that. “That’s not necessary, Miss Alice. I don’t need a new dress.”
“Well, you can’t wear what you have on to the ball. You’re going to need something nice too.”
“Me? Oh, I couldn’t! The ball is no place for someone like me!”
“What do you mean someone like you?” Alice laid out all the material on the ground and looked at how Coryn was shaking. “You’re trembling! What’s so bad about going to a ball?”
“Look at me, Miss Alice. Look at my skin. I don’t look right.” Coryn sighed, holding out her arms. She traced the different colored patches on her skin with her finger. “People will stare at me.”
“If they do, it will be because of how beautiful you look in your dress.”
“That’s what they may tell but that won’t be the truth. People always want to ask questions that I can’t answer. I would prefer not to go if that’s all right. Besides, I’d never fit in. I would never know what to say to people or how to dance. I would just stand out and not in the best way.”
“I will be with you the entire time so you won’t need to worry about a thing. I do understand your concerns though. You’re not used to being around a lot of people, are you?”
“I’ve never tried to be around a lot of other people. I’ve always been afraid of what they do or say if they saw me. I always thought that being alone was my destiny. I’m not meant for companionship. I wouldn’t know what to do if I was in a big room full of people,” Coryn sighed. “I know you want me to come with you but I’m not sure if I should.”
“You don’t have to decide that right now but at least allow me to make you a new dress. If you still feel uncomfortable and don’t like it, then you don’t need to go to the ball. I will be able to talk to the King and Queen alone. Maybe I will get lucky and will find the Petal Witch as well. Since everyone is invited, she might want to show up.”
Coryn chuckled at that. “I hope she does but I wouldn’t count on it. You will have better luck talking to the King and Queen.”
“Either way, I’ll get a lot farther. I just want to know what Vinnie is up to. Our friend Kian fell ill and I don’t even know if he got better or not.” Alice looked out of the cave and stared up at the sky. The clouds were fluffy and white with the sun peeking out of them. She was certainly in a far better kingdom than her friends were. “What if he isn’t well? What if he can’t make it here? What am I going to do?”
“Would you rather turn back?”
“I can’t turn back now. I have the opportunity to speak to them. There has to be another way for me to reach Vinnie besides using a messenger bird. Surely, there has to be someone that’s going into the Frost Kingdom for some reason.” She thought out loud. “It would be easy to deliver a message with them but how? Where do I find a person like that? I haven’t been able to talk to many people out here but the shopkeeper who sold me this material.”
“Why don’t you ask her? She might know of a better way to send a message.”
Alice nodded. “You’re right! If she can find me another way or someone to deliver a message, I will feel much better. I did promise I’d go down to visit her if I needed some help. Now would be the best time to do that.” She got up. “Do you think you can stay here a little longer and guard all these things? I won’t be long.”
“I have no intention of stepping outside, Miss Alice. Your things will be safe with me.”
“Thank you, Coryn. I promise to be back soon. Take care of the dragons and Madelyn while I’m out.”
Alice found the shop still open and the shopkeeper moving about when she made her way back. The shopkeeper looked up and sighed with relief when she saw her. “You returned! Is there something else you needed? Did you need more material?”
“No, what you gave me was more than enough. I actually was wondering if you could do me a favor.” Alice began. “It’s something I want to tell someone.”
“Of course. What do you need?”
“I have to send a message to a friend in the Frost Kingdom and I was wondering if you knew anyone that was headed that way. I could probably deliver it with them. If not, is there another way to send a message besides using a bird? There’s something I want a friend to know.”
“Hmm, you want to get a hold of someone in the Frost Kingdom.” The shopkeeper looked worried over that. “Sending one of our birds over there may not be the best idea. They would never be able to survive that cold weather. The same could be said for all the creatures that live here. They need the sun and warmth to thrive. However, I do know someone who does go into the Frost Kingdom to sell things. They tend to stay there for a few days before coming back.”
“That’s perfect! When is the next time that they are going?”
“Tomorrow evening. I can give them your message now and it will get to your friend in no time.”
“Good. It’s not much but I need to send something to two people, Vinnie and Kian. I don’t know the inn that they are staying at but I know they went to a small village in the Frost Kingdom. Kian was ill so he might have gotten some medicine from an apothecary. I doubt you will see them outside much so the best bet would be to look in an inn.”
“There are a lot of inns out there so this could be difficult. Nonetheless, I will ask him to look for them.” She decided, handing Alice a pad and something to write with. “Put down what you want to say and I will give the message to him tonight. I can’t guarantee he will be able to get it to them in time or if it all but I guess it’s worth a try.”
“It’s better than doing nothing.” Alice began to write down a few sentences but other thoughts were in her head. “I’ve been to ask you what the ball is for. I’ve seen the invitation but there is no explanation as to why it’s happening. The emptiness in the kingdom certainly doesn’t help.”
The shopkeeper was surprised by this. “You don’t know?”
“I’m afraid I haven’t heard mu
ch about it.”
“That’s a little shocking because everyone has been talking about it. The ball is to celebrate our victories over the years. Much of the reason we’ve thrived is because of how many battles we’ve won and how much magic has protected us.”
“Magic?”
“Yes, magic has been a big part of the Petal Kingdom. Most of that is because of the Petal Witch. She has the ability to bring plants to life and to make things disappear. If you have a blemish or scar, she can brush it out and you never have to deal with it again. She is also well known for making crops grow when you need them. Think of her as a witch of the harvest. Whenever she uses her magic, it’s for good.”
“For good,” Alice murmured. That didn’t sound like a witch that wanted to start a war. “Do you think she has the power to remove a curse?”
“It would depend on the curse but I doubt it would be impossible for her. She does have the power to put curses and take them away though I don’t know anyone that she has cursed. The biggest problem is just trying to find her. I do hope I get to see her. I’ve always wondered what she would look like.”
Alice was wondering that too but she was thrilled to know that the Petal Witch could remove a curse. Maybe she wouldn’t have to go further than this. “Does the Petal Witch have any reasons not to see people or fulfill their requests?”
“I wouldn’t know that since I’ve never seen her. Many claim that she has helped them and some say that she turned them down. I guess it depends on what she feels. I’m sure she’d do something for you though. You seem kind enough and you’ll be able to win her over in no time. Now have you finished writing what you need to?”
“Ah, I almost am. Give me a second to finish it.” Alice didn’t make the note too long. She mentioned to Vinnie that she made it to the Petal Kingdom safely and was waiting for her there. She had to assure her there was nothing to worry about and to make to the Petal Kingdom as soon as she could. “There we go! Short and sweet! Thank you so much for your help. I just hope it gets to her in time.”
“No worries. I will give it to him. At least you’re only looking for a friend and not the lost princess of Themasa. People are trying to find her in hopes of getting the reward.”
“There’s a reward for her?”
“Oh yes, and it seems to be getting larger with each passing day. The King and Queen of Themasa just want her back alive but I’m worried that this will attract people it shouldn’t. There are plenty of people who are desperate for money that they will do anything for it. I fear that if the princess refuses to go peacefully, they might do something to her.”
Alice hadn’t thought about that but this was also a possibility. There were probably people out there who would not pay attention to bringing the princess back alive. They would try to bring her back at whatever cost. For Lavinia’s sake, she had to keep her identity hidden. Kian wouldn’t do anything to her since she had his fate in her hands. That couldn’t have been said about everyone. After dealing with those bandits, she knew how ruthless some people could be. In a way, she was relieved to have her powers or who knew what they would have done with her.
“I think the princess is more resilient than people realize. She won’t be able to fall that easily.” Alice finally said. “She’s been able to hide for this long and stay well ahead of everyone else. Maybe she’s trying to send a message. She doesn’t want to come home.”
“Oh, I know that message. I also know why she left.”
“You do?” That surprised Alice because even she wasn’t sure of Lavinia’s full intentions. Yes, she wanted to remove her curse but now things had gone a different way. She was more interested in what would happen to people than to herself.
“She wants to see the world. The princess hasn’t left Themasa before and now that she is old enough, she decided to run away. She wanted to see what she never saw. She’s not ready to come home and rule the kingdom. She has a lot to do first.”
That sounded like Lavinia. From the moment Alice met her, she could tell that Vinnie was lonely and knew very little outside of Themasa’s walls. This journey may have started because she wanted to remove her curse but now there was more at stake. The curse seemed so small compared to what could happen.
“I guess you’re right.” Alice stood up and folded the note up. “I think I’m done now. Please see to it that this note makes it to the Frost Kingdom.”
“I will. Now will you need anything else from the store?”
“I don’t think so but I know where to go to if I do.” Alice winked at her. “Thank you as always.”
“I should be thanking you. You’ve given me more company in one day than most people do. Not to mention, you’ve helped me out a lot with the shop. I hope I see you again soon.”
“If need to come down here, I will.”
Alice left the shop with a feeling of accomplishment. Granted, her note was vague and she wasn’t completely sure where Lavinia and Kian were but there couldn’t be too many villages between here and the Frost Kingdom. Eventually, the note would reach her. Lavinia also wanted to get to this land of flowers and find some more answers so she would come here. She had to.
As she walked by, she looked at all the petals blowing through the wind. These weren’t creatures but actual petals and they were swaying around. She could see why this was considered the most beautiful kingdom. All the flowers and plants gave it life unlike the people that lived here. Other than the shopkeeper, she hadn’t seen others that lived here. Most seemed to be locked away in their stores and homes. No one was looking in her direction and nobody that she looked would give her a smile. It felt very different from other places.
It’s warmer with the sun out but it feels colder than the Frost Kingdom. It’s supposed to be a big kingdom yet I don’t see too many people about. Even the Frost Kingdom had some life in it.
She looked up at the sky and saw how pink the clouds had become. The sun would be setting soon and the darkness would be here so she had to get back in the cave. It was a shame because it had been a while since she saw a setting sun. She was busy during evenings so she missed out on a lot of things in Themasa. Then again, it probably wasn’t as bad as the things Lavinia might have missed out on. She probably never saw a sunset unless she looked out the window. That wouldn’t have the same effect as seeing one in person.
She went back to the cave where Coryn was doing her best to stay hidden in the darkness. “Oh, I’m glad you’re here! I thought something might have happened to you!”
“No, I only went down to the same store for help. Why would you think something could happen?”
“I’ve just heard rumblings around that there are thieves who are targeting young women for their money and jewels. I worry something like that could happen to you.”
“Well, I’ve already had enough run-ins with thieves but you don’t need to worry. I can take care of myself.” Alice promised, putting everything down. “Now I don’t have much time to waste. I have to make this dress.”
“It’s not just the thieves that I was worried about, Miss Alice. The Skinned Demon also comes out around this time and he is looking for someone to take away.”
That made Alice shiver for some reason. “Who or what is The Skinned Demon?”
“You don’t know? I thought everyone had heard about him. That’s the reason no one likes to travel at night. I’m surprised you were able to find shelter the night that we met. I thought you had come across him and that’s how you survived.”
“No, I survived thieves. I take it that The Skinned Demon is much worse, isn’t he?”
“It’s a demon looking to cover himself with flesh. He has none of his own so he lurks around in forests when it’s dark out. He wants to find someone’s skin to cover himself with. A lot of people have disappeared on the same night that he comes out.”
“Is there any proof that he exists?”
“The people he goes after are never found again. If th
at isn’t proof, I don’t know what is. Nothing is left behind. For a long time, people have been trying to find where he is so they can get rid of him. They know that he lacks flesh and he doesn’t speak. He attacks only at night and when there aren’t too many people about. It doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman, old or young, wealthy or poor. If you are about, he may come after you.” Coryn explained. “That’s why I’m worried when you go off alone.”
“I’m only going down to the town and you said he doesn’t go where there are people, right? Besides, I manage to get past the Spider Lady. She would have eaten us if I couldn’t answer her riddles and we got out in one piece.”
“The Spider Lady was very different. She gives you a chance to get out alive. You won’t get that same kind of mercy from The Skinned Demon. He strikes when you least expect it and you won’t get a chance to scream. No one knows where he takes his victims. They’re just gone. That’s why I don’t want you to walk through forests alone. I know you went into town but you have to go through the forest to do so. Only go when there is light out. Don’t go out in the dark.”