Barely seconds after the meeting had the search for Amber and Arnold begun. It was led by the King’s men who scouted the riverside of the village. Spiritedly, the searchers in different canoes looked for them, calling out their names but there was no response. After foraging the surrounding bushes, there was no sign of them. By sundown when the height of the river was at its lowest, the searchers were all over the water. With sticks, they poked around the riverbed, hoping to find their bodies as by this time, they were feared dead. The search went on with shouts of “Amber” and “Prince” but their calls were only met with echoes that faded into silence so that as night drew near, the sounds of calling birds and crickets filled the air and the exhausted search party returned home. After keeping up for another week, the search finally stopped, erasing all hope even from Prince and Amber’s loved ones. Three days later, Miriam was miserable as she sat outside her front porch with Cressida
The day was sunny with clouds passing across the azure sky. At a beautiful beach, serene with coconut trees and vegetation, lush with wild trees and interwoven vines, a waterfall with crystal clear waters cascaded over a high mountain, crashing continually into the river to join waves that consistently washed onto the shore where Amber was lying face up and out cold. As the water from the waves bathed her, she stirred and following a cough, regained consciousness, her eyes fluttering open to meet the open sky with birds flying over it. Amber squinted at the brightness of the sky because the sunshine was at war with her gaze. Then she managed to sit up and looked around with a wince as gradually, she recovered from her ordeal. Aware of the waves sweeping over her, she scooted farther from the shore to avoid the incessant splash of the water. She wondered where she was and how she had gotten there. She remembered trying to scramble up the dock outside Isis’s home when she had felt a h
Isis was pacing about before Rhea who was seated on a couch in their living room. She was upset about the fact that the queen was living with Miriam. She couldn’t understand why the queen chose a poverty-stricken home instead of hers. In her opinion, it was an insult that she couldn’t attract the queen’s presence. “Calm down mother.” “The queen should be finding solace in this house, not in that woman’s shed.” Isis bit out angrily. She stopped pacing and her face contorted with confusion. “I don’t understand it.” She continued. “And with her presence there, that woman will live better… perhaps, compete with me. I can’t let that happen.” “Well, what do we do?” Rhea asked and Isis’s eyes narrowed dangerously as a small smile broadened her lips at the same time. At the same time in Underland, Amber had reached a stream. She hurried to it, slid the water bottle off her shoulder, and in her rush, put her hand in the water but it felt stony like a rock that one could walk on. Amber co
In Amber’s home, Miriam, the Queen, and her maid were seated over a fairly large dining table that was full of assorted desserts. The three were eating with two guards standing by. Miriam had paused, looking momentarily lost and so with arched brows furrowed in concern, the Queen looked at her and she forced a smile. “My Queen, may the guards sit down?” Miriam asked. “They are used to it Miriam” replied the Queen. “They do have time to relax.” Miriam’s face was expressionless. Nevertheless, the Queen turned to the guards. “Have a seat, now will you?” “Our duty to the throne is to stay alert my Queen” replied one of the guards. “And the King will be displeased.” The other guard added. The Queen looked back to Miriam and smiled as though to say I told you so and Miriam resigned with a nod as if to say fine, I get it and then she took in a deep breath. “I am overwhelmed by your presence here. It is a privilege. Thank you so much for the food and everything.” The Queen reached a c
In Amber’s home, Miriam, the Queen, and her maid were seated over a fairly large dining table that was full of assorted desserts. The three were eating with two guards standing by. Miriam paused, looking momentarily lost and so with arched brows furrowed in concern, the Queen looked at her and she forced a smile. “My Queen, may the guards sit down?” Miriam asked. “They are used to it Miriam” replied the Queen. “They do have time to relax.” Miriam’s face was expressionless. Nevertheless, the Queen turned to the guards. “Have a seat now will you?” “Our duty to the throne is to stay alert my Queen” replied one of the guards. “And the King will be displeased.” The other guard added. The Queen looked back to Miriam and smiled as though to say I told you so and Miriam resigned with a nod as if to say fine, I get it and then she took in a deep breath. “I am overwhelmed by your presence here. It is a privilege. Thank you so much for the food and everything.” The Queen reached a comfor
Still standing before the door of the bungalow, Amber had collected herself. She peeked through the half-open door and into the darkness of the space before her. “Hello” From somewhere inside the darkness, a woman’s voice spoke to her, balmy and sonorous. “Tell me, who is the enemy of the dark?” Amber was startled into taking a few backward steps. She finally paused, thought for a few seconds, and brightened. “Light” she replied and at once, light illuminated the dark space. Tentatively, in awe, Amber pushed open the door to reveal a fairly large room with a fish-shaped aquamarine-colored swimming pool that looked like it was a natural formation from a rock. Amber stepped inside and looked around in fascination. Along the walls was one door with a sculpted image of a shark on it. The walls were decorated all over with the actual shells of different sea and land creatures. Several terracotta flower pots with different varieties of flowers growing out of them were positioned around
From inside the shed where Arnold was being held captive, Bibo stepped outside. “So long my Prince, until tomorrow,” he said aloud, mounted his horse, and rode away. Inside the shed, Arnold was seated with his head down when the door burst open and Rhea rushed inside. Arnold’s head shot up immediately and he began to struggle with his bonds hearing footsteps rush to him. “Shh... I’m not going to hurt you.” Rhea cooed. “Allow me to help you.” Arnold stopped struggling and she loosened the bond that bound his mouth. “No, this can’t be you, Rhea. I mean, I know your voice. How? Who are you?” His throat was dry and his voice came out cracked “How did you know to find me here?” “It’s me. Long story.” Rhea replied as she loosened the bond that blindfolded him. Arnold opened his eyes and saw her staring down lovingly at him. “Rhea,” he said squinting from the strain of being suddenly reacquainted with eyes that weren’t blindfolded. “I didn’t want to believe it was your voice but... how
Inside room three, Amber and Mermaid were seated at the dining table with covered plates each in front of them. They opened their plates and Amber gasped at the sight of what was inside her plate. What she found was potato peels neatly diced. Looking from her plate to Mermaid’s she found potato meat in hers. Why would Mermaid eat the potato insides and feed her the peels she wondered, eyeing Mermaid who in turn was observing her closely. “Eat,” Mermaid commanded and Amber shook her head in refusal. “You must eat so that you can be strong. Your mother did not tell you that?” “My mother never fed me potato peels,” Amber said simply. “I don’t know what you take me for but I eat potato meat just like you” “I won’t tell you to eat again,” Mermaid said impatiently and for the first time, Amber lost her patience. “I never asked to be here” she retorted, annoyed at the situation. “Will you punish me if I don’t? Would that be right?” Mermaid sighed. “I won’t punish you. And that’s becaus
A few seconds later, the four were standing outside in front of Mermaid’s fish-shaped pool. Rhea had her things in hand and a mist had covered the pool. The mist came together, forming a small twirling water tornado, the size of an adult human. Rhea was nervous. “That water tornado will take you home,” said Mermaid. “I am petrified.” “Close your eyes and jump in. If you waste any more time, you will be stuck in this place forever.” Mermaid told her. The Mermen exchanged horrified glances at the idea and Rhea eyed them with displeasure, knowing what they were thinking. Well, she was sure she didn’t want that to happen too and so she obeyed and as soon as she jumped, the tornado enveloped her, wrapping itself around her and when she dared open her eyes, she saw herself sinking inside a tunnel of water tornado. She started screaming even as she heard a sound from above her and looking up, she saw the sky above her being blocked by water as the tops of the water tornado came together
Rhea approached the beautiful bungalow and came to stand before the sturdy door with the image of a mermaid on it thinking great, I am at the right place. Let’s see you, mermaid. “Hello.” She called and met with silence, she pounded her fist on the door but there was no answer. “Mermaid, I know you’re in there.” There was no answer. She studied the door and noticed the bird drawing on the image of Mermaid’s fishtail. Out of curiosity, she touched it, and feeling that it was a button, he pressed it and the eagle bell came flying before the house, squawking aloud. Seeing that, Rhea was amazed. “How clever.” She commented. “Amazing sorcery. Grandmother would be pleased.” She pressed it again and the bird screamed so she just kept pressing and laughing. Exhausted with the fun she was having, she stopped and the bird fell, exhausted. Next, she noticed that the door had creaked open. “Poor bird.” she mocked and pushed open the door to be greeted with the darkness it held, the darkness
At Underland, Rhea had awoken at the beach just like Amber had done and scrambled to her feet the moment her eyes fluttered open. “Great.” She said looking around. “Isn’t this a beautiful place?” She gazed at the waterfall and admired its magnificent beauty. “Great but that’s not why am here. Hello,” she called out studying her new environment. “Anybody here? Because I am sure there might be.” There was still silence and she realized that the bowl was missing. “Now where is that stupid bowl?” she asked herself just as she saw two dwarfs come out from behind the palm tree. As soon as she saw them, she stood with hands akimbo and watched them come up to her. “I don’t believe this.” She said, exasperated. “You both heard me and just simply hid behind those trees?” Stopping in their tracks, they exchanged glances and stared blankly at her. “Well, who are you?” She demanded and while Stone just stared in silence, Orion cleared his throat. “I am Orion and this is Stone.” Rhea threw
Deep inside the woods, inside Nanna’s cottage, Amber was tied to a chair. Isis, Nanna, Rhea, and Bibo surrounded her. “Please, let me go.” She begged, but Rhea mimicked her plea. “Tell us what we want to know princess.” She sneered, “Then maybe we will.” “I told you already. It was a family treasure.” Isis stepped forward and struck her across the face, drawing blood as a cut appeared on her lower lip so that Amber broke into a sob. “Why are you doing this to me?” she wailed. “She’s so pathetic,” Rhea said with disgust. “Dear, dear girl,” Nanna said patronizingly. “Just tell us the truth. This is because you cannot fool us.” “I have told you the truth.” Amber insisted, wondering how much more pain she had to endure before they stopped or probably killed her. She had made a promise to Mermaid and Mermaid had said there would be consequences if the secret was revealed. This was why she had been enduring the torture they inflicted on her but it was gradually dawning on her that pe
Following Isis and Rhea’s banishment, the subsequent hours after the villagers left were of new beginnings for everyone.Amber’s father remained unconscious as they awaited his recovery at the palace where the healer was treating him. He lay on the bed with his eyes closed, his breath the only indication that he was alive. He looked like he was sleeping to everyone surrounding him on the bed; the king, Queen, Prince, Cressida, Amber, Miriam and a couple of guards.The healer, an old grey haired man told them that the spell had held him bound for a long time which had affected the speed of his recovery but that it was nothing to worry about because he would slowly recover and be fine. Following this, Miriam and the royals became close again. There in the room, Arnold told his parents the truth about his feelings for Amber and they were delighted about it. The King informed Amber and Miriam that they were welcome to stay in the palace during the period of the
Miriam, Amber, and Cressida were dumbfounded and tried to register the shock of the news as Isis laughed at them. “You see, he is so enchanted he's in a hurry to tie the knot. Isn’t that amazing? I wanted to save you all the shock of hearing the Town crier’s news, especially you Amber.” she said pointedly, looking at Amber who could not hide the tears of pain and jealousy that filled her eyes. “The wealth has not freed you from tears I see. Oh, don’t cry, you sad princess. Maybe someday another prince will find you. Hahaha.” Isis turned on her heels, continuing with peals of laughter as she exited. Cressida followed behind her and banged the door after her. “Amber, my star.” Miriam began, attempting to hold Amber but overcome with grief, Amber ran upstairs, already in tears. In her room she lay on the bed and wept sore, soaking her pillow with tears. Outside her door, Miriam and Cressida kept knocking, trying to get her to come out but it was useless as Amber wouldn’t come out.
Miriam was seated inside the living room moping at the wall and Amber noticed it as she descended the stairs to meet her. Miriam smiled at her as she came close but Amber sensed that she was trying to look happy. “Since the auction, you’ve been looking worried mother. Your smile does not have me fooled,” said Amber, and Miriam gave up her act of looking alright. “Fine. Come, let’s reason together.” Amber sat down beside her. “Listen, Isis said deep things yesterday. She said they had taken care of both situations, one being how she believes I stole your father's love away from her, the other being how you caught Arnold’s eyes.” “I remember.” “Your father left the house for my materials and never returned. Arnold on the other hand suddenly stopped seeing you.” “Do you think she did something?” “Towards your father, I cannot say because it has been 11 years. Towards Arnold, I have a suspicion. Sorcery maybe.” Amber's eyes widened at the thought of such a possibility. “You said
It was the auction day which was held inside the ballroom at the palace. Musicians were playing as the guests socialized and made small talk. The guests were highly placed in society and it showed in their appearances. The women were in colorful, flowing, elegant vintage evening dresses and glittering accessories. The men on the other hand were in well-tailored outfits. Isis and Rhea were there, relaxed like every other guest as they sipped their cocktails, and engaged in a conversation with Arnold. At the high table though, were seated the King and Queen who were chatting as they observed the crowd and the ballroom wall clock which proudly displayed the time as seven noon. The town crier came to stand beside the King who nodded at him, indicating for him to go ahead and so he rang a bell to gain everyone's attention. “Settle down great people of Upland.” He said and the people began to occupy the seats which had been arranged to face the throne. About four chairs were arranged a
Waking up to a tremendous surprise was the last thing that Amber and her mother expected the following day. Miriam had emptied the box of coins into a bag and the moment she replaced the box on the floor, it became filled with money again in the same organized format. Miriam called Amber's attention and emptied the box's new content into the bag. As she put the box back on the ground it became filled again with money, arranged in all the denominations as before. Both of them were staring jaw dropped at the box of treasure and then getting over the surprise, they embraced each other. Overjoyed, they could barely contain their excitement. Finally, they gave up holding back or attempting to control their excitement and screamed for joy, rejoicing as people with all the happiness in the world. Later, Amber and Miriam were at an abandoned half-cleared land. It was about a couple of plots, fenced with wooden sticks for a boundary and they both stood outside its gates admiring it. A sign