“Maybe, unless they had other motives for waiting until now.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. We couldn’t just let Tamporlea die out. That’s what would have happened if we didn’t make the decision for Miss Jasmine to come instead. Without a Queen, Tamporlea would fall apart, it would be only a matter of time. That would make Pyrencia very happy,” Orion said.
“Why?” I asked. “Why would they want this kingdom gone?”
“I know you haven’t learned about the other kingdoms yet. It’s usually something we don’t really get into until after the heir is crowned. It’s more important you learn about Tamporlea first. The thing is, although there hasn’t been any serious conflict in over a century, Pyrencia and Tamporlea don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things. They have been trying to take our status since their existence.”
“How?” I asked.
“Well, that doesn’t exactly matter right now. What matters right this second is that you and Cali have a meeting and I should handle this on my own.”
“You’re not going to let me watch what they say about me?”
“I don’t think it would be a good idea. I will watch and see what lies are being told so I know what needs to be rectified. Don’t worry about this Miss Jasmine. Try to concentrate on the task at hand. There’s a lot of information that you need to try to take in over the next couple of days. Don’t let this distract you.”
Cali and I went for a walk with Casper close behind, while Orion went back to his quarters. I was still curious what the biography was going to say about me. Even if it was all negative, I was wondering how they could possibly twist things to make me look like a bad person.
“Okay, Jasmine,” Cali said interrupting my thoughts. “My goal today is to give you a tour of all of Tamporlea and let you know a little about our history.” She stopped at the entrance of the tunnels and opened the door. “These tunnels are over three hundred fifty years old. The fifth Queen saw a need to transport goods to and from each palace as well as a more efficient way of getting to the real world without having to hike. Especially when going to the farmer's market, they used to have to hike with all their goods to be sold in their packs. By creating these tunnels, we were able to sell our goods every week instead of once a month.”
The tunnels were really dark compared to the rest of the palace. They were about ten feet high and ten feet wide and were lit with sconces at regular intervals along the wall. We walked straight for some time, ignoring the other tunnels that veered off in different directions. When we stopped, we had reached a large open space.
“There are over a hundred different tunnels leading to different places in the real world, Pyrencia and Jarnay. It took only five days to complete and Tamporlea is the only kingdom to know all of the pathways. People from Pyrencia and Jarnay have tried to find out the different pathways and where they lead and all of them have died trying. They would get so lost within the tangle of pathways, they would eventually give up and die of starvation trying to get back to their kingdom. What’s even more interesting is that there is no documentation as to how the tunnels were created. We assume it was by our powers, but even so, it would seem impossible to complete in just five days.”
“Why wouldn’t we document it? What if we needed to create more tunnels?”
“Once we document something, its fair game. Meaning Jarnay and Pyrencia would know how to create the tunnels as well, including ones we wouldn’t know about.”
“Well, what’s the point in having tunnels and not sharing them?” I asked honestly fascinated that Tamporlea has done something so secretive.
“Well, it gives us the upper hand doesn’t it? The other kingdoms can make it to the meeting place in the center of all the tunnels which is where all the trading goes on. They also have a tunnel between each other to conduct business. Which is even more interesting because they can’t go between each other without Tamporlea’s knowledge. The Enchanters have made it so that those tunnels can’t be opened without one of the Enchanters present. Anyway, one of the tunnels they don’t know about leads to the farmer’s market which is honestly one of the only ways we can bring in actual cash. This is why we are so much more technologically advanced compared to the other kingdoms.”
“So the other kingdoms can’t go to the real world through our tunnels?”
“There are a couple of tunnels they can use, but they don’t really lead to anything that could potentially help them financially. One leads to a forest they own which helps transport wood when they need to build something.
“Where we are standing, is the meeting place for all of the kingdoms for trading. You can reach the three major pathways here. This one, as you know, goes to Tamporlea, this one goes to Jarnay and the last one takes you to Pyrencia. We meet here every few months with as many goods as we can transport. Tamporlea has the most produce and clothing. Jarnay supplies most of the items that are made of wood, like bowls and doors. Pyrencia trades metal things mostly silverware, pots and pans and so forth. Some of the tunnels are used for storage or there are rooms for building things. Let’s go this way,” she said pulling me with her. The tunnel we followed was short and started to incline. When she opened the door, it led to a beautiful garden with flowers and a gazebo in the middle. “This is where we hold major ceremonies. The crowning of course, as well as weddings and funerals. This is my favorite place in Tamporlea.”
“It’s beautiful. What are your weddings like here?”
“Well, it’s much like the weddings in the real world. The major difference is that the Queen says a special blessing over the couple recognizing their marriage. Also, the bride does wear white, but there is always another color on their dress to represent the tier they are in.”
“What color does the Queen wear?” I asked curiously.
“Oh! I’m surprised you haven’t figured it out yet. Green of course. Different shades of green to match the jade and emerald of her crown.”
“Do you think it’s really necessary for color coding everyone?”
“Yes, but I feel bad for the Commoners.”
“Why?”
“Well, they have to wear black.”
“Yeah, not very pretty is it.”
“No, it’s not, but that’s not exactly what I meant. They work out in the fields under the hot sun most of the time. The black absorbs the heat of the sun so they are hot all the time.”
“I never even would have thought of that.”
“You would if you saw them drenched in sweat. It’s awful.”
“So why is it necessary to color code everyone?”
“Well, it makes it difficult to blend in. No one can sit in on another tier’s meetings without being noticed very quickly. Plus it makes it so no one from different tiers can fraternize with each other without being discovered.”
“I can’t imagine not being able to date who you want. I guess that’s something I took for granted in the real world.”
“Did you date a lot then?”
“Not really. I was with a guy named Scott in my high school. He was really sweet, we went to prom together and we were voted cutest couple in the yearbook. We were together for almost two years.”
“What happened?”
“Well, he had enough credits to graduate early and then he went straight to the military. We decided that long distance wasn’t going to work out.”
“Did you love him?” she asked.
“I think so. I mean, I’ve never felt that strongly about anyone else.”
“Did you…” she blushed before finishing the question and I knew what she wanted to know.
“No, we never had sex. I told him from day one that I don’t believe in sex before marriage. It was the way my mother raised me. However, had I known that my future marriage would basically be a sham to produce an offspring, I may have had sex with Scott.”
“Don’t think of it like that,” she said.
I just shook my head, I didn’t want to ta
lk about it. “What about you?” I asked. “Have you been with anyone?”
“Not at all. I’ve had crushes, but not on anyone within the Readers. I’ve never even held someone’s hand.”
“Who have you had a crush on?”
“The same guy basically every girl my age has had a crush on. Tyran. It was actually a long time ago but everyone’s crush on him kind of got pushed aside when Queen Holly tried to arrange his marriage.”
“What?” My heart sank and there was suddenly a lump in my throat. What the heck was wrong with me?
“This is all just rumors, but there’s usually some truth to it. He was having some extra meetings alone with Queen Holly, which usually occurred when she was arranging a marriage. Suddenly, the meetings stopped but no one was chosen for him. Everyone thinks he refused to marry anyone he didn’t love.”
“I thought that usually caused someone to be banished.”
“Yes, well, Queen Holly always had a soft spot for Tyran and his sister. We should keep going.”
By the time we were done with the tour it was close to dinner time. We had gone through all of the crops and discussed how magic was used to ensure that every fruit or vegetable they wanted could be grown any time of the year. There was even a bit of magic used to control the weather and humidity so that the crops were bigger than in in the real world.
“Do you think Orion will tell me what the biography said about me?” I asked once we were back in my room.
“Still thinking about that? I don’t know if he will tell you or not. You could ask and find out I suppose.”
“You don’t think he’ll be mad?”
“No, I think it’s only natural that you would want to know. I’m actually supposed to let him know when we‘re done.”
“Okay, will you be coming back with him?”
“I could if that’s what you’d like.”
“Yes, please. I feel less nervous with you around. I feel like you are on my side.”
“We’re all on your side Jasmine.”
When Orion and Cali returned, we all sat at my table to discuss G-News. Apparently it was only an hour long and Orion was right. For the whole hour, they twisted the facts about my life like the fact that I would come to Tamporlea was because I was heartbroken over Scott and I breaking up and I just had to get away from my hometown. Also, that my mom and I were best friends mainly because there was no one at my school who could stand to be around me because I was a perfectionist. That’s when I made Orion stop, I really didn’t want to hear anymore.
Chapter 7
Just a Crush
The next two days were filled with meetings with the different Heads of the palace. I was given another binder by Orion that had pictures of everyone who lived in the palace currently. These meetings were definitely more exciting because this was what was happening in the palace now, not three hundred years ago. I stayed up at night looking through the binder, trying to remember names and faces and tiers and powers until I could no longer keep my eyes open.
At dinners, I could actually ask people questions after I had learned about them. Everyone was so nice as they could see I was really making an effort. Of course, Orion was overjoyed with this and smiled ear to ear when he saw that I was so interested in what I was learning. I don’t know how it happened, but somewhere in the two days, I could really picture myself staying here. I couldn’t even think the word Queen yet, but I really started to love Tamporlea.
The meeting I enjoyed the most, was when I was learning about the Others. Storm was instructing and he told me that he controlled the weather within Tamporlea. He went on to tell me about Sierra who could see the future, Drake who could make things disappear and Selvin who knew people’s true intentions. I thought of Selvin as a judge because the Queen would often use his powers to work out any conflicts within the palace. I thought about how Cali had said that the Others were kind of inferior to the rest of the palace and I really couldn’t understand it. Their different powers were so intriguing, I couldn’t imagine anyone looking down on them.
When I was told by Orion that the next day I had to meet with Tyran, I was pretty nervous about it. I hadn’t spoken to him in a few days, although he always seemed to be around where I was. I put a little more effort in doing my hair and makeup before the meeting, which was so silly but I didn’t care. It had been so long since I’ve had a crush that I really liked this feeling I got whenever I was near Tyran. The butterflies in my stomach, my face turning red and even the smile I couldn’t hold back when he would pass me by.
I was outside my door waiting for him to arrive, holding my binder in my arms when he showed up to take me to the gold room. We started off with him telling me the different names of the Guards in Tamporlea, but I couldn’t focus. I tried forcing myself to pay attention but all I could think about was the fact that I was alone with him. Eventually I had to look away from him and just stare at the pictures he would point to in the binder.
“Are you ok?” he finally asked.
“Me? I’m fine,” I said.
“You haven’t said a word since we’ve sat down.”
“Oh, sorry. Just trying to pay attention that’s all,” I explained.
“Do you have any questions so far?”
“Well, hmm…yeah actually I do. You never told me what powers you have.”
“Oh, I don’t really talk about that.”
“Why not? I thought I was supposed to be learning about everyone.”
“I’m Tyran Brocket, twenty-two years old, son of Commoner Sabrina Brocket. I have one sister, Angel that I’ve already told you about. My favorite color is cerulean, but it could be just because I like to say the word,” he finished with a wink.
“Funny Tyran. Why won’t you tell me what your powers are?”
“They’re used to protect Tamporlea but they can be compromised so I don’t talk about them.”
“Oh,” I said disappointed. “Your favorite color is cerulean?”
He laughed and said, “Yes, it’s such a specific shade of blue, I don’t know, it’s pretty. What’s your favorite color?”
“Green.”
“You’re just saying that because that’s the Queen’s color,” he teased.
“No, seriously! I’ve always been obsessed with green. Ever since I tasted a lime Skittle,” I admitted. Why did I have to add that stupid fact?
“I like the orange ones,” he said.
We both laughed until he pointed out that we were way off track in our meeting and we got back to business. I started asking specific questions about each person, desperate to stretch out this meeting for as long as possible. When we were finished, there was only fifteen minutes before dinner. I wondered if I kept him from anything important but at the same time, I selfishly didn’t care. He walked me back to my room so I could drop off my binder and we went to dinner together.
As we all ate, I asked more questions and I tried to remember all of the answers so I could write it down next to their picture. The Commoners always seemed to be surprised whenever I would address them and the kids would just beam with pride as they answered my questions. There were only about thirty small children in the group, the youngest was maybe three years old. Her name was Megan and she told me that she hated cars and loved swimming. Yes, I think I could really love living here.
When dinner was over, I said goodnight to Orion and Cali and headed for my room.
“Miss Jasmine,” Tyran called from behind me. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure,” I said as I turned to face him. “I was just headed to my room. Would you like to join me for a cup of tea?” It felt as though my words were getting stuck on their way out. If I was going to be Queen, I had to learn to compose myself quickly. It was just a ridiculous crush, I could get over it.
As we entered my room, I invited him to sit at my table as I got the tea kettle going. I joined him once the stove was turned on. My heart still pounding, I picked at an imperfection on the table as I
spoke, “So, what would you like to talk about?”
“Have you gotten any closer to making your decision?”
“Yes, the more I learn about Tamporlea, the closer I am to telling Orion my decision.”
“I suppose you won’t tell me which way you’re leaning?”
I smiled and shook my head, “You’ll know when everyone else does.”
“Jasmine, I was wondering if you’ve put any thought into who you’d like as your assistant. You know, if you do decide to stay.”
“Oh I,” the whistle of the tea kettle blow loudly, scaring me out of my seat. Tyran followed me to the kitchen to help. We fixed our tea with honey and a splash of milk and returned to the table.
“Are you getting used to the tea thing? It’s pretty much shoved down your throat every time you sit.”
“It’s not too bad. Although, I must admit that I’m dying for some coffee. I used to get a large hazelnut coffee with cream every morning before school from Dunkin Donuts and my mom kept the cupboard stocked with it. Tea is good, it’s just not the same.”
“What about the food? The all-natural, vegetarian thing getting to you yet?”
“Actually the food is great.”
“Really? No fast food chains on the way home from school?” Tyran joked.
“No. Actually my mom and I became vegetarians on accident like four years ago. We had some bad meatloaf and got really sick. We swore off meat in the heat of the moment. I didn’t think we were actually going to, but we both left the meat portion of our dinners on the plate and eventually just stopped making it all together.” Talking about my mother made me miss her even more. Obviously Tyran knew what I was feeling. To break the silence, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to go along with him.
“I have something to show you,” he said as we headed out my door. We went up the incline at a slight jog. Everyone was looking at us laughing and smiling along the way. It felt really good to be so care-free just for even a minute.
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