Chapter 2：Prolong

Prolong

So much commotion was going on in the small town. The queen just given birth to her new daughter could only look down into the small court yard. King Harold had arrived. That couldn't be too good. He had an army with him. The guard did not let him in. The door behind the queen opened. She turned the baby sleeping in her arms as she looked up at her dear husband, a questioning look in her face and a worried one on his. He walked slowly to her as gun fire was heard. She went to turn to look down at the court yard when her husband turning her to him his arms wrapping around her and their daughter.

"Jezebel, you must take our daughter and run."

"Darling, what is going on?"

"Not enough time to explain. Please, go our secret way. You should not get caught." She nodded. He gave her a kiss before departing from the room. She looked down at the sleeping child and left the room still in her gown. She ran faster as she heard the sound of screams, yells, and gun fire. She slipped through the secret passage behind the statue. She couldn't hear anything as the tunnel was lighted with torches, the walls thick with moldy stones. She knew this day would come but she didn't know it was going to happen so quickly. She climbed out of the small hole and looked around. The castle behind her was set on fire. Screams were heard again. She turned and ran towards the river where she had a small boat. She placed the baby in the boat. She had woken from all the running but stayed quiet as the queen pushed the boat from the shore just as a sharp pain went through her chest. The boat went a drift as she fell face down into the water. Her gown catching air pockets as her lifeless body floated down river. The boat on the other hand didn't start as quickly. The men turned back to patrol the area unaware of the baby in the boat. It suddenly drifted down stream. The princess looking at the clouds. Her stomach gave a slight grumble. The boat stopped and now she was looking up at green stuff. She gave a wail not knowing what was going on or where she was. She kicked the blanket clear off of her. Suddenly, there was a strange looking woman looking down at her. She stopped wailing for a moment but just that. She started crying again. The woman picked her up and cradled her in her arms. She quieted down as the woman looked around. She was carried by her but wailed all the way to where she was being taken. She saw even more woman come up. She stopped crying as each woman held her hand. Then a bottle was placed in her mouth. The growling of her stomach stopped as she drank the milk. A door was pushed opened.

"Yes, sister Margreet?" The woman walked further as she presented the little bundle to a man. He looked down at her. Her violet eyes looked up at the man.

"I found her down by the river in a Virgoain boat." He sighed and walked to his desk.

"So... it has happened." He was looking out the window of the room. The baby watched him still sucking on the bottle. He shook his head. "Look around the baby's neck. If there is a pendent marked with a woman's face and the babies name and birthday then... she is of royal blood." The shirt was removed and out came the small pendent. The sign and date was clear on the newly carved metal pendant. The nun teared up as she looked at the pendant.

"She was born... today." The priest turned to her. His face not happy, his stance tense.

"Then, we will take her in. Teach her of her ways, make her learn what has happened the day of her birth." He turned and looked out the window. A man riding horse back came through the gates. Figaro was back. "Sister Margreet, you will teach her. You know everything about the Virgoain. She will be the one to lift this madness from the empire to make peace among this land. After my conversation with Figaro I will ask the lad to get some necessary stuff for you in town." She bowed and left the room. The baby in her arms was fast a sleep as the woman asked a couple of others for help. They were more then eager to help her with the baby.

"Mother," I said as I climbed up the steps looking for her. The others looked over at me smiling. I looked everywhere for her and wasn't able to find her. I knocked on the priest door. I heard him mutter and I opened the door slowly. He was looking out the window as Mother Margreet was standing in front of his desk. "Mother!" I exclaimed and came over to her. "Look what I made. I made it for you." I showed her the small wooden cross, around it were vines, flowers, and thorns. She had looked over at me the same time the priest did. There were tears set in her eyes. I lowered my hands to be looking at her Grey worn eyes. She had aged since eighteen years ago but never grew tired of me. "Is, something wrong, mother?" I asked. The priest motioned for me to come to the window. I turned and walked to the window. It was already getting dark but the line of candle lights could be seen along with a royal carriage.

"That would be Lord Seymour Drain Drittz." I pressed my hands against the glass. The black dress I was forced to wear moving with my body.

"Sir, I don't understand."

"I don't either but for your safety and if you want to know what is going on." He took the cross from my hands and carefully held it. "Become as small as an ant and sit on one of the thorns on your cross. I will hang it on the wall and let you listen. Mother Margreet, please wipe your eyes. This might just be a random visit." She did what she was told. I looked at the priest.

"Is he looking for me?"

"I am not sure but we have to be safe and careful. If he knew you were still alive and royalty at that then everyone's life would be in danger." I nodded understanding that much. Figuring there wasn't much time I shrunk my size and hoped into the cross as he went to fix it on the wall. He came back and sat at the desk. I hugged the little thorn that I was sitting on. His arms folded on the desk. "Mother, please come stand over here." She nodded and stood next to him right when there was a knock on the door. Figaro the grounds keeper came in.

"Sire, Lord Seymour is here. Said it was important." The priest nodded.

"By all means let him in." If there was any anger in his body he didn't let it out through his words. Figaro opened the door as the man came in. I had never seen him before but about fell off my post at seeing him. He wore all black trimmed with red, gold and silver. His cape flowing behind him. His black hair streaked with platinum flowed behind him as well. He stood at least six foot. Two guards came in after him. Mother Margreet kept her head down my guess not willing to look at him. Priest Jon had no problem at all looking up at him. "My Lord, what brings you here? We were not expecting a visit." The man stopped right in front of the desk. His green/blue icy eyes on Priest Jon. He one sided grinned as he looked around the room. The guards standing by the door with their spears held next to them.

"Priest Jonathan." He bowed his head out of respect. I watched as his hair fell around his face, his voice low and deep. "I wish to do an inspection of your church."

"What for?" He pulled out a parchment and placed it on the desk. Jon grabbed his glasses and read the parchment. Mother kept still at his side as he read the parchment.

"Being a born magic user myself, I have noticed a few things around here that has lead me to believe that to be true." Jon looked up and handed Mother the parchment. She scanned over it then placed it on the desk top. She said nothing as Jon's elbows leaned on the desk, his hands on his chin, his Grey steel eyes on the Lord. I looked from one to the other. What would this man do if he found out I was here? Was everyone in danger since I was here? He looked rather serious about this.

"How long will this investigation take and I hope your not planning on disturbing my sisters." He shook his head the platinum strands mixing in with the blackness of his hair.

"Not long at all. All I need is cooperation from you. Is the Virgoain here or is it necessary to go on?"

"So what your saying is your going to end up searching the place anyways because there are no Virgoians left." The man laughed. He seemed to be in a good mood.

"I have gotten info that it's a female, about five foot three, brown long hair and wears a black tight fitting dress." He rubbed is chin, his green/blue icy eyes looking at steel ones across the desk. Jon shook his head looking straight at him. His voice staying the same cool calm collected sound as it did when they first started talking.

"As you can see all my ladies have black fitting dresses." He nodded. "This person you seem to be looking for could have been mistaken for one of them. But you are more then welcome to start your investigating." Lord Seymour nodded. He turned to the guards and waved them out. He walked to the door then turned.

"Oh and Jon, if I find out one way or another you are lying. Your church will be burnt to the ground. I hope you understand that." He left the room a sly grin across his face. Mother relaxed a little as I could hear yelling in the hallways. Jon stood and waved me over. I flew over to the desk making myself see able but not big enough. I stood on the desk as he looked down at me. Mother behind him her hands folded to her chest.

"Jaq, now is the time you need to get out and away from here. I don't know who said anything to him so you are better off going somewhere far." I nodded. Mother picked me up and hugged me to her chest as I tried to hug her back.

"Be careful and write me sometimes. Don't use your name and let me know how things are going." I nodded feeling the tears well up.