The Mad Queen

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Castle

Today I spoke to my Grandmother again. I told her of my troubles in finding the book she suggested. She had seemed confused and left pretty quickly after. Not before giving me some advice, however. Advice that still swirls in my mind now.

"You've always tried to stop your visions. You've never tried to embrace them or understand them. The more visions you truly see, the easier it will be to tell the difference between visions of the past, present or future. You may even be able to search for what you want," she had told me.

So now I have locked my door to my room and given orders not to be disturbed. I have surrounded myself with parchments, inks and quills ready to draw what I see. I am nervous. I feel like I am about to open myself up to an invisible, powerful source which could either consume me or awaken me. I have to do this. I cannot be afraid of my visions any longer. I will give myself to them completely.

The Diary of Orianna Dulavelle.

The four princesses sit alone at a small table at the edge of the palace gardens. To their backs is a small stone wall which stops at about hip height and opens up to a view of the city. The table itself sits underneath a stone canopy which is covered in rich green plants and bright orange flowers. There is a small path leading out from the little section to the rest of the perfect gardens and thick bushes surround their little section. The sun beats down heavily, as usual. Though the stone roof shades them, the servants still bring colourful cold drinks in glass goblets. They also bring plates of small elegantly decorated cakes and bowls of chopped fruits. Shaelyn takes some of these fruits and places a few on the small white china plate in front of her before delicately using a fork to eat. They do not speak. Not until the servants have completed their duties and left them. Even then, they don't talk for a few moments. They just listen to the sounds of the birds as they fly overhead and the buzz of the bees as they feed on the vibrant flowers that surround them.

Fallon lifts her glass and stands up, walking over to the stone balcony and taking a slow sip. She looks over the sea of stone buildings clumped tightly together. The paths and roads cutting tightly through them almost giving the illusion of a maze. She sighs, her eyes falling on the Arena.

Rayana also stands and walks around the edge of the round building. Her eyes examine the bushes and grounds around them. Though if people were to be watching from a distance, it would look like she is simply admiring the flowers. Satisfied no one is listening, she walks over to Fallon on the balcony.

"The speech went surprisingly well," she says in a low tone.

"Thanks to Master Audwin. Had he not got the word out about Illyana so quickly then Father would have had quite a few more options to play with," she replies in her harsh tone before taking another delicate sip. Rayana nods her head in agreement. 

It was good thinking on Master Audwin's part. Telling as many people as possible that Illyana had left so she could complete the true Queen's Trial meant that their father had a little less lies he could play with. By the time that the news had reached the King and he had got into the city, everyone knew. Rumours and gossip spread like wildfire. He could easily have said she fled because of cowardice or to run off with a secret lover whilst her sisters sacrificed themselves. However, with the Scholars themselves delivering the real message, it meant that the King wouldn't be able to lie about Illyana's disappearance.

So, he had played the part of the supportive father. Telling the crowd of how proud he was that Illyana had decided she would go through the True Trial for her people. He told them of how she was strong and clever.

Of course, the Princesses saw through it all. The only reason why he was painting her a hero now is so he can paint her as a villain later. Why would the people have any reason to doubt what he says after he told them he wanted her to succeed?