Discoucia

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Discoucia Page 12

by Nicholas Lovelock


  “Seashorelle is a she?” asked Arthur.

  “Yes, so is Altatia, but she’s the loveliest god of all. However she has it in for Lilia and will get her if she ever leaves Harrha and then returns,” she said.

  “Why would she have to leave and then return for the god of nature to seek revenge?” asked Jo.

  “One of those odd conditions, like I only help men who have experienced life as both genders. One of the strange conditions but you were my guy Arthur” said Archie.

  “Absolutely hilarious your godliness,” he said sarcastically.

  “You’ve met all of these deities” asked Jo.

  “Yes. Yes I have. They are merely the legendary beasts that the Discoucian people used to worship but there is always another human-like god behind them. But you still believe that I’m mad or that I’m a fraud, right Josephine?” she asked.

  Jo was taken aback by this, as she indeed did not trust this new person. “Turn Arthur into a newt, then I’ll believe you,” she said. The second she said it, she felt like she was becoming smaller, and the room was getting bigger.

  “Oh dear, she’s a newt” said Arthur, picking up the now fully-changed Jo. “Can you change her back?” he asked.

  Just as he finished Jo changed back, however she ended up in Arthur’s arms which caused him to drop her to the floor.

  “Look I have to leave, I’ve lingered here too long and I’m going to look for this Paradise chick, where is she?” he asked.

  “She is in The Green Coven in Gard,” said Jo, putting her mask back on.

  “I’ll see you in Lesiga when the time comes; it was nice meeting you Jo and if you really need me just feel it in your heart and I will come,” she said.

  “Goodbye,” said Jo, still not trusting Archie one bit.

  “Bye Archie, see you soon hopefully,” said Arthur.

  Archie changed into her male form, and seemed to resemble someone Arthur distantly remembered from somewhere.

  “She’s a he?” asked Jo.

  “It’s a little complicated, you see, the Fifth God is a representation of two sides of the Discoucian Population. By that logic, she is both a she and a he at the same time,” said Arthur.

  “That’s ridiculous,” she said.

  “She’s not the one in the insanely hideous costume,” said Arthur.

  “Touché” she replied.

  “Anyway, now that she’s gone, are we going to get back to lunch in the Seven Wonders?” asked Arthur.

  “I almost forgot. I’ll meet you outside in a minute, you can leave through that door in the roof,” she said. Above them was a trapdoor, and it was accessible by a ladder that was built into the wall.

  “OK, see you in a minute then,” he said.

  If I live to see the…

  Jo walked off, and Arthur climbed up the trapdoor. He pulled down a lever, and the trapdoor clicked down on a large cog, and when it was fully opened, he climbed up. He was in a storage room, and pulled the lever so that it closed again. Arthur looked around for a door, and when he found one, he walked out of the door, into the kitchen of the Seven Wonders Restaurant!

  “Excuse me sir, are you lost?” asked a cook, who was cutting some fish.

  “Yes, um, how do I get out of here? he asked.

  “Take a left down the aisle, and go through the green door,” he said, and hacked at the fish with a meat cleaver. Arthur walked through the green door, and saw Jo sitting at a table surrounded by plants. It was on its own, and looked quite private.

  “Hello,” said Arthur.

  “Sit down please,” she said in a forceful tone.

  “Was going to do that anyway,” said Arthur, who was feeling that he’d done something wrong but had no idea what.

  “Look I want to know, why did you follow me? Do you not trust me?” she asked.

  “Why did you go through my safe?” he retorted.

  “I, I,” she stuttered.

  “Look I was curious, just like you were and this has nothing to do with trust,” he said.

  “So, you don’t think it’s weird that I belong to a coven like what’s beneath us?” she said.

  “Not really, whatever float’s your boat I suppose,” he replied.

  “You really are the exponent of tolerance aren’t you?” she said.

  “I hope you are too, I’m no angel myself and are we ready to leave this particular thread of conversation?” he asked.

  “Alright then. Shall I tell you of my plan to get both of us into Harrha?” she asked.

  “Go for it,” he said, as the waiter brought them their lunch.

  “Well, you see, the invitation said that the High King must attend and if not him some other members of his family,” she said.

  “Yes, carry on,” said Arthur.

  “There are only three of us. My Father, myself, and Princess Alexandra” she explained.

  “Right, continue,” he said.

  “Well unfortunately we don’t have any male members of the family except for the King, so the only candidate I’m afraid is Alexandra,” she said.

  “Candidate for…I don’t like where this is going” he said, chewing on some celery.

  “Do you want to go and stop your sister or not?” she asked.

  “The things we do for duty,” he replied.

  “So after lunch we’ll go to the fancy dress shop and get you sorted,” she replied.

  “The Uncommon Bird you mean?” he asked.

  “Yes, that one,” she said.

  “Is there anything else you want to talk about?” he asked.

  “I want to talk about this Archie person,” she replied.

  “What do you want to know?” he asked.

  “Where did you first meet her?” she asked.

  “First was outside Starfall, then in the underground desert I spent some more time with her,” he replied.

  “And at that point was she normal?” she asked.

  “At that point she was quite enigmatic, but I didn’t mind since I had a travelling companion through the road to The Dark Chasm,” he replied.

  “And is she a magician or a fully fledged god?” she asked.

  “I think she is the real deal but hates to be regarded as one,” replied Arthur.

  “Yes, well I still don’t trust her, did she say anything about me?” she asked.

  “Well when I was joking around with you, when I kept pulling the books out and you kept putting it back she told me not to, I think because she was concerned for you,” he replied. “I don’t think it was very fair to do that considering I couldn’t see you,” she said.

  “Shall we go, and get this over with as soon as possible,” he asked.

  “Okay, follow me; I have an appointment with Madame Arrietta at 3.00, and since this is diplomatic, she is going to empty the whole shop and close it, so we shall be completely alone,” she replied.

  “Yayy!” he replied sarcastically. They left their table and walked out into the bustling street outside. People were milling around, and all the shops were open. They walked to the bottom of Miracle Boulevard and saw that The Uncommon Bird was indeed closed. A man was heard outside saying, “Closed on a Saturday, what is this city coming to.” Jo knocked on the door three times, then four times. The door opened, and they entered. The door was locked behind them, and now they were alone.

  The Uncommon Bird was filled with every possible costume that could be conceived. They hung on racks that extended all around the room. Above the racks were hats of all different kinds and in another room every accessory was to be found. “Arture! You’ve come back!” shouted a voice from another room.

  “Hello Delphine, how are you doing?” he replied.

  Madame Arrietta was a large woman, who wore a red and black dress and had frizzy ginger hair. She had too much makeup on, but since she had a surplus of it no one took much notice. Arthur knew her after years of coming here, and had sort of a family relationship despite the fact that they were not related at all.

 
; “Good afternoon Madame, we’re here for the fitting,” said Jo.

  “Yes, please explain what you wish to do,” she said.

  “This is urgent business for the High King,” she said.

  “Look Princess, I cater to every fantasy of nearly every Lord, Lady and Royal in Discoucia and beyond, so I’m aware that the reason you didn’t want anyone in here apart from us three is because you want it to remain private,” she explained.

  “I’m glad we got that one out of the way,” said Arthur.

  “So what is it that you want?” Delphine asked, walking over to Arthur and putting her hands on his shoulders.

  “Well, this is going to sound a little strange, but I need you to turn Arthur into my sister Princess Alexandra,” she asked.

  “Arthur, you’re not planning what I think you are, are you?” she asked in a worried voice.

  “Sorry?” he asked.

  Jo whispered something into his ear, and Arthur’s eyes widened. He put his hands over his mouth and shuddered.

  “No, that’s not what I meant,” she said.

  “Oh, oh good, no, that’s not why,” said Arthur.

  “Then why would you possibly want to look like Princess Alexandra?” asked Delphine.

  “We need to get into Harrha Island and considering Arthur and Lilia are brother and sister you see our dilemma,” explained Jo.

  “Oh, in that case I’ve got everything you’re going to need,” she said.

  “I already know this isn’t going to be pleasant,” said Arthur.

  “What colour hair does she have? The same as yours?” asked Delphine.

  “Yes, she has more light blonde hair that changes to platinum in the dark,” she said.

  “I’ll just give you platinum, and how long will it have to be?” asked Delphine.

  “About three inches above the waist, at least that was how long it was the last time anyone saw her,” said Jo.

  “Has this all been arranged with the real Alexandra? You don’t want the real one turning up,” she said.

  “Yes, Alex won’t leave the monastery until we’ve finished,” said Jo.

  “And the High King has sent a message back to Lilia that he will be sending his two daughters,” said Arthur, sitting on a chair and reading a book that was left by one of the mirrors.

  Delphine left to get the platinum wig, while Jo looked around for something that would fit Arthur. “So how long have you known Delphine?” asked Jo.

  “I guess since I left Fina all those years ago. When the uprising started Chene was always safe from attack due to its massively high walls and the personnel of King Jassuer,” he replied.

  “Why did he call himself a king?” asked Jo.

  “He declared that Chene was a separate kingdom but as long as he didn’t smuggle, your father said he could do what he wanted,” explained Arthur.

  “I see, and you busted him for that but how come he remained a king,” she asked.

  “I don’t know, probably because people would ask why he had changed his title which would lead to more questions and then it would bring the whole affair out into the open,” he explained.

  “That makes sense,” she said.

  “Didn’t you learn about this stuff when you grew up?” asked Arthur. There was a puff of smoke above Jo, and a piece of paper floated down. Jo caught it and read it out loud. ‘Please tell Arthur not to force you to break the fourth wall, once is enough so please don’t let it happen again…A’ she read.

  “She can hear us?” asked Jo.

  “I think we should just not talk about it and carry on with the matter at hand,” he replied.

  “This doesn’t freak you out?” asked Jo.

  “Not really, just run with it like I’m doing with this,” he said.

  “Here we go,” said Delphine, plonking a heavy platinum wig on Arthur’s head. Arthur instantly looked like a girl, and the hair colour suited his bright blue eyes. The wig had a large yellow bow attached to a black hair band.

  “We’ll take it, when were done could you put it in a hat box?” asked Jo.

  “No problem, we’ll leave it on ‘Alexandra’ for a bit,” said Delphine.

  “What colour would you suggest for a dress?” asked Jo.

  “Light blue, since it would match his eyes,” said Delphine. Arthur was left sitting down, while the other two looked for a dress. Another cloud appeared, and another piece of paper floated down onto Arthur’s lap. “‘Since I’m the first one, I shall say to you the second one there, I hope you’re having fun’” he read. “Yes Archie, lots of fun” he said into the mirror.

  Suddenly Archie’s face appeared in the mirror, but it was dark as if she was in the night while they were in the middle of the day. “Archie?!” he whispered.

  “I haven’t got long,” she said.

  “Where are you?” he asked.

  “I’m home, my dwelling place is the Twilight Vale where it’s twilight all the time and I have everything I could possibly want,” she replied.

  “Why are you here?” he asked.

  “I just wanted to tell you that if you wanted to stop off at Illumination Island, then my friend Seashorelle will say hello,” she said.

  “The God of the Sea will say hello!?” he asked.

  “Yes, you see she owes me a favour; you look good by the way… seriously,” she said.

  “How would you possibly want me to respond to that?” he asked.

  “I don’t know to be honest but you have fun,” she said, and disappeared out of the mirror leaving Arthur staring into the mirror.

  “Are you that vain?” asked Jo, who had walked behind Arthur.

  “Of course I’m not, I was just talking to…never mind, but I got another message from Archie; she said to go to Illumination Island before we go to Harrha. It’s two hours from there to Harrha, so I won’t have to be Alex before hand, right?” asked Arthur.

  “I don’t know, if we see anyone that’s already going to Harrha then how do we explain that?” she asked.

  “Oh great this is just perfect,” he said.

  “Why does she want us to go to Illumination Island anyway?” asked Jo.

  “You’ll see,” he said.

  “I got you a dress and so did Delphine, so try them both on and we’ll see which looks better,” she said. Arthur took the two dresses over to the changing room while Jo stared into the mirror.

  “BOO!” shouted Archie who appeared in the mirror with a screaming face while Jo screamed and fell backwards.

  “What happened?” asked Arthur, peering out from behind the curtain.

  “I am going to murder her, god or not” she said. Arthur went back, now feeling better that Jo wasn’t having such a disturbingly good time.

  Arthur walked out, and personally he felt ridiculous. “That looks amazing,” said Delphine.

  “Try the other one, then we can choose between the two,” said Jo. He returned again, and they both agreed that the first one looked better than the one he wore now.

  “Try the first one again,” they said. Arthur walked out with the first dress which was bright blue and had a silver coloured design on it and ran down to Arthur’s wrists.

  “Right, now put these on,” said Jo, handing him a pair of long silvery gloves.

  “Now, you need some shoes, and I know that were dancing around the subject, but what is he going to wear…underneath?” asked Delphine.

  “I’ll sort that out and I’ll give him some shoes too,” said Jo.

  In Thorisea’s Tangerine Monastery Princess Alexandra was meditating in her large room when she suddenly shuddered. “What was that? Like someone just walked over my grave or someone mentioned my name. If they did my ears would be burning so they were probably doing more than just talking about me,” she said to herself.

  “I suppose were done then, I’ll pack everything up and have it delivered to your ship, is there anywhere else you are going before you leave for Harrha?” asked Delphine, taking the wig off Arthur’s
head.

  “We’re going swimming,” said Jo.

  “That’s lovely, it’s good that you’re going somewhere as a couple,” she said.

  After an awkward silence Arthur was the one who broke it. “Oh no, were not a couple,” he said.

  “Oh I’m sorry. Well enjoy yourselves,” she said.

  “We will, thanks for the help,” said Jo.

  Jo walked out, and Arthur was pulled back by Delphine. “She didn’t say anything, you did,” she replied.

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “She likes you Arthur,” she said.

  “I’m on it, but I can’t be the one to be going after her,” he replied, and walked out into the sunshine.

  After going swimming, they went back to the ship, and saw that all the packages were placed on the table in the centre of the sitting room. “There’s your costume, or disguise or whatever, are we going to leave now?” asked Jo.

  “It’s too late to leave now and besides, we need to go to Cesta first, mainly because the ship needs to be repainted. Also I want to visit the Blue Coven before we go to Harrha, since I have something to tell them,” he explained.

  “There are so many questions for that statement that I don’t know where to start,” she said.

  “Have you ever visited the Blue Coven before?” asked Arthur.

  “No, have you?” she asked.

  “When I was very young, I think I must have been 35 but I remember standing in front of the huge glass screen that looks out across the ocean and my father picking me up and putting me on his shoulder,” he said.

  “That must be a fond memory for you,” she said.

  “It is,” he replied.

  “How did you get in?” she asked.

  “I’m a noble of Fina, and I had an interest in the sea back then, and I still do now, plus it was my birthday,” said Arthur.

  “I see, and they will let you in now?” asked Jo.

  “Of course, and you too, they love to have high profile people there, but there is something about it you should know,” he said.

  “They don’t dress up as fish do they?” she asked, sarcastically.

  “No, there’s a lot of running water, and the only light comes from the large windows that are built underneath the sea and rivers. You have to see it since it’s a marvel of engineering, and that’s an understatement,” he said.

 

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