Amenea now drawn to the voice, realising that it was indeed above her, looked up. Above her head was the surface of gently rippling water and upon it dazzled gently the same face that Amenea had seen that night with her mother and her sisters, on the tor. She remembered those kind eyes and the magic of what she saw then.
“Oh my!” exclaimed Amenea – it is you.
“Yes my child and I have called you here as I called your mother that night, to deliver a message. But this time the message is for you. Here in the lake of souls, graced by the divine spirits we can be called upon to offer a place of safety when wisdom from the ancient ones needs to be heard. In the lake of souls your soul can talk to the soul of another. Here you can discover the truth. The truth that can only be found in your soul. Yours and …”
As she said those last words her beautiful, long finger reached her now closed lips as her words silenced. Her gentle, silver hologram moved gently into the dark ripples of the water and she vanished.
For a moment or what seemed like a lot of long moments, silence prevailed. Amenea did not feel alone right now but she could not see anyone either. Amenea still standing on the rock of stars, tried to look deep into the darkness. She knew she was waiting but she did not know what for until she heard,
“Are you there?” a voice questioned.
“Oh my goodness!” Amenea said, startled.
“Dad, dad is that you?” Amenea asked her voice trembling with a mixture of shock, surprise and excitement.
“It is.” he replied.
With that the face of Amenea’s father appeared but not as a silver hologram glistening in the ripples above her head but as Amenea remembered his face. Amenea’s fathers face was its normal colour or how it used to be and all the ripples in the pool stilled. Just around the edges of his face were small ripples as if Amenea was looking into a lake.
Amenea felt a sudden surge of hear from within her body that rose fast, straight to her head, she felt giddy and losing her balance fell to the floor but she did not hit the rock face hard, her eyes closed and she suddenly felt very, very safe as if she was submerged in water, under water – motionless, Time seemed to stop. Amenea still with her eyes closed, opened her mouth to see if water would pass them. It didn’t. She could feel the warmth of the rocks surface now against her face, they were warm. Not feeling afraid, she opened her eyes as her father called gently,
“Amenea, it is alright. Open your eyes. I am here with you.”
Amenea did, putting her arms and hands out in front of her to push herself back up to her feet. The rocks were warm to touch. The small stars glistened gently in this nuance of darkness.
“Don’t be afraid.” Said her father.
“It is me, I am alive, I am well – look!” he said lovingly and kindly. This is just how Amenea remembered him. Just how she remembered his voice. She tilted her head and looked up at him.
“Your mother has done a great thing for you, for all of you. Here you are safe. Please do not fret Amenea, time is precious. How are your sisters too?” He asked.
Amenea was confused and felt warm. She didn’t know if it was from the heat of the rocks or from the heat of the intensity of the moment.
“But, but ..” she started.
“Where am I? ” her father finished, in his calm, gentle voice.
“Yes.” said Amenea, slightly impatiently.
“Yes where are you and why are you there and we are here? I don’t understand.” Amenea said concerningly.
“Fear not Amenea. All will become clear. I was taken. My secret project I
been discovered. I was working on the crystal illumi project.” He said. A small smile came across his lips as he eyes lit. In a more excited tine he continued …
“This was a secret project for our country, in the world we used to live in. The details of the project are long and too complicated to explain right now but all you need to know was that it was the blending of some of the knowledge of the divine spirits with the technology of this new century. The result was a magical technology that had never been created before. We discovered ground breaking possibilities and developed an illumi crystal that can be used in technology and through the senses of the divine ones. However, the security of the project was compromised by a traitor…”
He continued, “They discovered my identity as the creator of this and took me. Wishing to use this for their own purposes. However, the knowledge betrothed to me through your mother, from the Divine spirits is sealed. They want to find a way of breaking that seal and they think that I am the answer to that.” He said.
“But I don’t understand,” said Amenea
“Who is they and what do you mean by their own purposes.” She asked.
“The dark lords.” Amenea’s father continued.
“I went with them to save your mother, yourself and your sisters. To their place, they keep me well but in a secure tower. I am safe there – that I know as I have tried to escape. There are no doors – no windows – just dark blue and silver stone walls. However, at certain times of the day and night the walls become like windows, they become more transparent and I can see out but all I can see is a lake and a small cliff at one of the edges. They do not harm me and give me all I ask for to work for or consume. For these things I cannot complain. I am well, look you can see. I just miss you all beyond words.’ He said as he looked lovingly into Amenea’s eyes, deep right into her soul, she felt his love and she felt her father as if she was sitting with him, like she used to on the sofa at home when she was reading to him.”
“Amenea,” he said as he lowered his voice into a gentle whisper. “They know of your mothers’ line of ancestors and her connection with the Divine spirits. But do not worry my child. For now, this is all you need to know – you are safe and your sister and mother too. That is all I need to know … for now.” He said.
“But what do you mean? … for their own purposes…” Amenea asked, again.
“Amenea do not worry now, it is of no importance to you. You will see me again but …” his face or what Amenea could see of his face started to fade.
“No dad, stop where are you going.” Amenea said, starting to panic.
“You need to trust me Amenea.” He said.“Now I want to close your eyes, right now.” Amenea’s father continued.
“But I don’t want to’ said Amenea attempting to get to her feet but realising that they now felt sluggish and heavy.”
“Dad’’ she called out. “Dad!’ feeling panicked by the feeling in her legs.
“Don’t worry Amenea, you may feel heavy now but this is the energy of the divine ones. It is your protection. It is energy from their spirits which generate a force field of synergetic lifeforces. It will not hurt you and it will pass. Now close your eyes.” He said calmly.
Aminea did as her father said. She was now lying down on the warm rocks on her back. Her arms and legs slightly stretched out like a star. She was looking straight at her father’s face seemed which seemed to be really close to hers right now. Amenea could feel the warmth and love in his eyes as he looked at her so gently. He smiled again gently. Amenea smiled back gently. For a moment Amenea’s thoughts disappeared right into the dark pupils of his eyes, they twinkled gently.
Her father said,
“Amenea remember back to when we use to sit on the sofa in the front room, where we would sit together each night when you did your reading for school.”
“Yes” she replied.
“Yes dad I remember.” A smile came across her lips.
“Picture it. What colour was the sofa?”
“Yellow.” replied Amenea.
“What can you smell?” he asked
“I can smell mum cooking dinner for us all, in the kitchen.” Amenea replied.
“Yes.” said her father
“How do you feel?” he asked her.
“ feel safe, dad, I can feel your arm around me as I snuggle in to finish reading my book. Your wool sweater prickles my cheek g
ently.”
“Good, how do you feel?” he asks Amenea
“I feel safe dad. Now I know you are here.”
“What can you hear in the lounge?” he asks Amenea.
“I can hear mum singing gently as the food sizzles on the stove, through the kitchen door that is ajar. I can hear the thudding of the running feet on the ceiling above us as Cordelia and Oriana chase each other across the landing upstairs.” Amenea replied.
“Good”, replied her father, comfortingly.
“Amenea, I love you, I love you all.” her father said gently.
“Me too dad – I love you.”
The truth may come,
the truth may go.
But nothing stays stronger
than the love we know.
For in it, all things can be born,
But the keeper of its lock
Will always be warned
Warned,
Long before …
the storm …
Chapter 16
“Hmm Ok!’ said a voice, concertedly. It was Cordelia’s voice.
Amenea opened her eyes and she lying on her soft, bed, in her chambers. The sweet juniper and lavender oil that burns in her room, was a familiar fragrance that she recalled, reminding her of chambers in the Chateau.
“Well I would say day dreaming but seeing as it is the middle of the night, I will say night dreaming.” Cordelia said half smugly as she sat on the edge of Cordelia’s bed, slightly turned to now look at her newly awakened sister.
“Clearly the events of the day exhausted you.” Cordelia continued with one eyebrow raised.
Seeing the dazed expression on Amelia’s face Cordelia took this as her natural cue to do what she likes doing best – explaining things.
“When we got to the courtyard door, you seemed to disappear. I didn’t notice straight away as Mabon was sitting by the fountain.” She said gently. We talked. Or rather he talked, and I listened.
“He also could not sleep because of the day’s proceedings. He was very upset with Custennain. Mabon thinks he should not have spoken to her. He questions his loyalty to him as a brother. I told him that it was hard to predict what Amelia was going to do. But the poor soul was deeply distressed, he started wittering on about a mirror. I have no idea what he was talking about or if it even made any sense. I don’t know if he even knew what he was saying. I think he had drunk a small amount of the mead that the brewers have been working on for the Carving of the light festival. Cook told me that the brewery beneath the kitchens is full to the brim with barrels of mead.”
Seeing that Amelia was now reminded of the day before she woke, reminded of Custennain and Oriana, Cordelia attempted to change subject. She cracked a small smile whilst she said, ‘Cook said that from time to time when cooking she gets whiffs of the barrel aromas. “Divine.” was the word she used. “Divine”! Cordelia emphasised. I wonder if Cook has been doing any secret mead tasting.
However, Cordelia’s kind attempts of distraction had failed. Still feeling dazed and emotional, Amenea sat up and started to feel the sorrow that had recently absented her whilst she was seeing her father at the lake of souls. Amenea now thought of Custennain and then of her father and what he had told her. This seemed to assert Amenea as immediately got to her feet. As did, she gently brushed her robes down with her soft, white hands and her hand fell into her pocket to pull out what was jingling whilst she had brushed down her robes. Not remembering what it was, Amenea put her hand inside her pocket and pulled out the key with the trilogy of stones upon it. The same one that was in the lock, within the door to the lake of souls.
Cordelia saw her sister’s eyebrows start to knit together and felt intrigued and compelled to ask.
“What’s that?” she said.
Not wanting to share yet her secret with Cordelia, Amenea replied, “Oh just an old key, I found in my things in the day. I can’t remember what this key was for so I popped it into my pocket hoping it would jog my memory.” Amenea said.
Feeling slightly bad that she was telling her sister a fib. As she did, she turned away from her sister to walk towards the mirror upon the wall. The mirror where Abraxas was. Amenea started to arrange her hair which was now flowing loosely around her hips.
“And has it?” asked Cordelia as she looked over to her sister. “Jogged my memory?” replied Amenea.
“No, not yet. Maybe I need to have one of my dreams to help me remember.” Amenea said playfully, smiling at the mirror.
However, Amenea realised that the mystery of what she had just experienced could not be explained by a dream as it was real.
Very, very real ….
Chapter 17
Hearing the welcomed gentle noise of hustle and bustle as Amenea neared the dining quarters for breakfast, Amenea smiled to herself gently as she held the key tight in her closed hand within the pocket of her beautiful robe.
After a long sleep and a secret reminder that her father was still very much alive and well, Amenea felt a feeling of joy and comfort deep within her soul. She took her time this morning to dress her hair and adorn it as she had not done for many weeks now, with some of her most favourite items. Today she had chosen small, lilac petals cut from gold inset with mother of pearl. Upon her soft dark, blonde hair they looked stunning.
Amenea was wearing a flowery, light turquoise satin bodice over a deeper turquoise soft velvet robe. Its swoop was simple beautiful as she walked along the corridors she looked down and slightly to her side, twisting her head just slightly to see it’s small bloom, trail out behind her in a soft bellow as she walked. What Amenea saw brought a larger smile to her soft, pink lips as she reminisced of playing kings and queens with her sisters when they were small children. They loved playing that game and dressing up in princess party dresses. Amenea thought of her home back in the other world as she walked down the corridor and of the father again. How odd things are she thought, now she is wearing a long robe as her normal everyday dress, no dressing up this time.
Amenea thought of her sisters again and started to think again of Orinana. Had she overreacted, did the kiss that Orinana gave to Custennain actually mean anything? Would it change how he may feel towards me, Amenea thought? Her smile had now vanished, and she stood silently in front of the large, wooden dining room doors which were closed. She could hear her mother talking kindly to one of the waiting staff and she could hear the gentle chink of cutlery upon plates. Amenea listened intently for a moment – was there anyone in the dining room today, other than her mother and family?
Before Amenea could linger any more the door opened gently, and a server dipped his head to pardon himself to Amenea. She smiled as sweetly at him and quickly etched her eyes into the dining room. She immediately let out a gasp of relief which alerted her mother to her presence.
“Come in dear,” her mother said.
“What are you standing there for – you will catch the draft from the hallway.” She continued.
“Morning mother.” Amenea said.
“Should we wait for the others?” Amenea asked thinking that she was ahead of time today.
“The others?” Oh, you mean your sisters. No, they have already been and gone. Oriana has gone for an early morning ride before Chateau school and your sister has left early as she wanted to finish tying her sage smudge sticks. She has been preparing them for the Carving of the light ceremony for us.
“Amenea you need to breakfast before Chateau school. Your sisters will not be long in returning, they can meet you there. “Her mother said as she put before Amenea a small serving platter which she had carefully picked and arranged for Amenea to eat as she had been talking to Amenea.
Amenea’s mouth watered at the little breakfast feast her mother had prepared for her. Upon the mottled, silver platter were cranberry puffs, cheese scones and raisins from the vines. There were a few small slices of deer and of course a goblet of turquoise source water from the fountain.
Amenea started to eat, devourin
g her breakfast hungrily but elegantly.
“This evening and tomorrow there is much to do to prepare for the carving of the light ceremony. Are you excited?” her mother asked?
With her small mouth still full of breakfast, Amenea just nodded in agreement with her mother. Amenea wanted to ask her about her father. About what her mother knew of how he had disappeared from their lives. Did her mother know the truth, Amenea thought? She then banished that thought as soon as it had entered her head – of course her mother would have known. But why didn’t she say anything? Why hadn’t she said anything to her and her sister’s. Amenea’s thoughts and unanswered questions were interrupted by the happy chatter which her mother was excreting. Amenea could tell that her mother was most definitely excited as her normal, calm voice was much faster as she spoke like an older, excited child.
“And …. urmm and … er …” Amenea’s mother said unconfidently as she sucked the sides of her mouth in slightly as if she was sucking a small piece of lemon.
“and er … Prince Daryn.” Her mother said, turning her full body and focussing her entire gaze on Amenea right now.
Amenea chewing the last of her spiced bread with deer meat, looked back at her mother but still unable to speak, just made a sound of question whilst she finished her food. Encouraging her other to continue.
“Yes mother?” Amenea finally managed to say seeing as her mother hadn’t managed to finish whatever it was that she had started to say. Amenea was now looking at her mother with her eye brows raised whilst she repeated.
“Yes mother?’
“Well I was just wondering if you were happy with the Prince’ invitation.” She said rather slowly, followed up with a very fast…
“ Of course I Know that as he is the Prince this is a great honour bit as this is your first ceremony I would understand if you were to feel uncomfortable being at the forefront of everything, seated alongside the Prince. Of course, you could always decline if you did feel that you didn’t want to. I am sure he would understand. He is very kind – don’t you think?” Amenea’s mother asked unaware with all her excitement that Orinana had obviously now returned from her ride as she was standing in the dining hall, half leant onto the large, sculpted sideboard, quite cockily as he looked at her sister with a smirk on her face.
The Queen of Hope (Tower of Glass series) (The Throne Of Glass Book 1) Page 8