‘I suggest that I’m old enough to decide for myself and I will have my meal out in the sun. The dark indoors are for stuffy people. I am an ingenious strategist who needs treating with respect and I need to air my brain,’ Raphael implored hoping he sounded strong enough for his big brother to think him well and healthy today.
‘You are growing up indeed, little Prince, and I’ll show you my admiration in proving my weaknesses to your strengths. You have again won a battle between us and I agree to you staying outdoors until you see fit to call your nurse to sit with you. How does that agree with you young master?’
‘That does me splendidly, thank you Amos. I do wish to stay outdoors this moonwake and I shall enjoy it all the more knowing you consent. Now off you go and make your Kingly decisions and leave me to my painting.’
Amos bowed regally to his brother. He had indeed been conquered in this sibling dispute. Admiration and pride stirred in his heart at the strengths he perceived in this child. Perhaps he would prove the healers all wrong and grow beyond his ill-fated childhood, with all his determination. Amos slowly marched away searching around for any signs of servants or guards, feeling unease at the quietness of the gardens. He promised himself he would arrange for a permanent servant to be with Raphael whilst he was outdoors. Meanwhile he would search for his nurse and instruct her to join his little brother.
Raphael sat alone in peaceful bliss; he wanted no more than to feel alive amongst the flickering and fluttering of the little creatures within the garden. Smelling the sweet fragrance of a bunch of little purple petals that he could not name, he regretted that gardening would never be among his talents. He knew he would forever adore the bouquets of mingling scents in any garden.
In the distance, he could hear a regular sound of clicking, a gardener was busily cutting overgrown hedges with sharpened shears. The gardener was too far away for Raphael to draw his attention and, he surmised, the gardener was far too busy to be disturbed. Satisfied he did not feel any hunger pangs, which therefore meant he did not desire food, he surmised that he did not need his nurse. Instead, he would just simply enjoy the sun, the breeze and the gardens until Abby forced him to return to his dingy chambers. Nor did he desire to do any painting of his landscaped board game. Instead, he closed his eyes to the brightness of the sun and listened to the birds chirping merrily across the tree branches to one another. They had such melodies to sing, a comfort to his ears. Slowly he relaxed and drifted in to a dreamy world of imaginary mayhem.
The King turned away from his observation point at the narrow window. Smiling to himself, he remembered that his wife the beautiful Queen would arrive shortly; she could advise him better than most. Yes, she would know what to do. He sat himself down into a tall backed chair and stared at the floor, oblivious to reality, once again sinking into a time gone by.
What seemed like only a moment later, Raphael awoke to muffled footsteps approaching on soft-turfed grass. Peering through half closed lids, he could make out hazy silhouettes of people walking towards his private little plot. Recognising the chattering voice of Grandmother Dahlia, he rubbed his eyes to awaken so she would not know that he had slept alone in the gardens. Often she spent long hours with him because she loathed for him to be alone. Her company was bright and cheerful but she would talk so often and so long. Ah well, he pondered, it was probably time to eat anyway.
‘Ah, there you hide yourself, ’ his grandmother announced cheerfully.
‘And here I shall stay grandmother so it’s no use you trying to tempt me indoors,’ Raphael asserted, wondering who the other people were that accompanied his grandmother.
As if in reply to the question in his head, Dahlia introduced the two people escorting her.
‘Now then Raphael, stop being so defensive and listen to me. I’ve sought you out to give you some good news. I want you to meet my new herbal nurse Rikka and her son Fedros, who is the new guard for your brother Leon.’ As if proud of the fact that she had pioneered some whole new concept of changes to his life, she continued playing host with her new acquaintances. ‘You and I are to spend some time with Rikka because she has worked wonders for my back since her son introduced her to me. She has secret potions and oil remedies that are just absolutely miraculous my boy,’ Dahlia explained in a very excitable manner.
Raphael understood more than anyone how his grandmother suffered with her aches and pains of old age. His own bones and muscles wasted away as if he was also an ancient one.
‘Grandmother, I would welcome anyone if they have the ability to make me better so I can spend my moonwakes out in the sun.’ Raphael felt a tremor of excitement at the prospect of someone with the ability to ease his suffering and increase his freedom. He studied the old woman and the guard and shuddered with a cold chill. Why he should feel so troubled with such company perplexed him. What harm can there be in trying a new source of remedies? The Royal Healers were not proving any use. Ignoring his feelings of apprehension, he put it down to eager anticipation at the thought of recovery.
‘Any friend of my grandmother is also a friend of mine. Welcome to our home Rikka and Fedros.’
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Catherine lives in the UK on the borders of West & North Yorkshire. Reading and Writing are part of her daily ritual. Her favourite role is as a mother and grandmother. Whilst not reading much as a child, imagining stories in her head was a natural part of daily child play. Studying Language & Literature as an adult, introduced Charles Dickens and a few other English Classics. Leading onto Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. Now there is a book on the go daily and she wouldn’t be without something to read.
Author’s Blog
http://onewomansquestuk.blogspot.co.uk/
Guardian Dragons - Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=P1KPxGdOCPU
Look out for Book 2, Flight of the Changeling in the upcoming Aarabassa World series.
Guardian Dragons Page 15