Getting Out of the Castle

I look in the mirror trying to figure out what to do with my hair. Nothing is working, I don’t even know how to do my own hair without a maid. Luckily I already packed everything in my bag that I am going to take with me. Raven and Bella arrive 15 minutes before 10 o’clock. Raven saw I was struggling with my hair and clothes so she came over to help me. She brushed through my hair so much that it was as soft and smooth as the best silk in the world. Then she pulled my wavy knee length hair into two french braids. After she reached for my favorite white headband, put it on then went to do my makeup.

First she put on my foundation. Then my pink creamy lip gloss with my golden blush. Lastly she put on my warm brown eyeshadow with black eyeliner and mascara. Finally I looked in the mirror………. Wow!! I look awesome, better than usual.

“Thank you Raven for doing my hair and makeup” I say gratefully. She nods with a smile on her face, very proud of herself. I get my bags from under my bed. “Ready??” I ask .

“Yes!” exclaims Bella, really excited.

“Then let's go. The cargo ship leaves in 2 hours. First we need to get out without being seen. So we are going to go through the kitchens and out the south wing door. It has the least amount of guards and it is the closest to the docs. Once we are at the docs we will get in the box that carries the clothing. That will get us on the ship. The ship will go to Anera, That is where we will get off. Anera is one of the biggest countries in the world. The cargo ship we are taking is called Blue Jay. The one we will catch back to Astora is called Phoenix. Everybody understand the plan??” I ask after finishing the plan. Bella and Raven stared at me. Bella piped up and said

“What’s the plan for when we get there??” Now that was a hard question.

“I will tell you when we get there.” I reply. They nod.

“I will go first Princess -- I mean Tonia. It will be safer.” Raven persuades.

“ Go ahead. Now we must go.” I say in return. Raven quietly opens the door to the maid's staircase to the laundry room that my parents never knew about. We all picked up our bags and silently crept down the staircase. As we got closer to the bottom of the stairs I hear my dad talking to someone in a gruff voice. I motion for the girls to stop walking and come behind me where our shadows won’t be seen. Then we crouch down and listen to the conversation.

“I want 5 guards at her room door Sir Comolot. I don’t trust her to do the correct thing. After all she never holds grudges.” My dad's voice says.

“Your Majesty, you know we can’t afford to take any soldiers or guards off of any post. And anyways you know Princess Anatonia has been wanting to get off this island for 8 years now. I think that is a great reason to hold a grudge.” replies Sir Comolot.

“Don’t you disrespect me like that Comolot. I want guards there pronto.”

“ Yes your majesty but may I remind you that I am going to put only two of my knights in training with regular clothes with 5 daggers, 1 sword, and 1 shield each and that is my final offer.”

“ Deal. What are these lads names anyways?”

“ Anthony and Leonardo.”

“Ok. Meeting is adjourned”

After both footsteps are far away all three of us look at each other. This would be harder than we thought. We continue down the staircase we heard a couple of conversations in different doorways. Finally we reached the bottom. But before Raven had the chance to open the door. We hear a deep voice say

“Princess Anatonia! Stop right there, turn around, then tell me where in the world you’re going.” All of us turn around to see the two of the knights in training Sir Comolot must have been talking about. The boy on the right seemed about 18, with chocolate stick straight brown hair, green eyes, the palest of brown skin, and golden brown lips. The boy next to him on the left must have been 17,with caramel wavy hair, blue eyes, golden skin, and light pink lips.

“You must be Anthony and Leonardo. The knights in training from Sir Comolot. Am I right boys?” I say. Both of the boys look at each other

“Yes” replies the boy on the right “My name is Anthony and this is Leonardo.” he gestures to the boy next to him.

“We got specific orders from the king to make sure you don’t go anywhere” says Leonardo.

“Well Anthony and Leo, If you want to be the next Queens knights I would advise you listen to this; If you stay quiet don’t tell Sir Comolot or my dad and help me get to the Cargo ship Blue Jay, you will go on the trip with me and when I find what I want we will take the Cargo ship Phoenix back and you will be rewarded greatly. Do I have a deal boys?” I ask. They look at each other then back but before they could respond Bella interrupted and said “Tonia?? May I have a private word with you??” I nodded. We walk far away from the boys and Raven follows.

“What?” I ask

“Are you out of your mind? You told them the plan, and what if they don’t say yes?? Did you see how much jeopardy you put us in?” Bella replies very angry.

“I know you’re mad but no one will say no to the future Queen without a punishment. They have also forgotten that I can order them to go with us. Royalty does have some perks you know.” I explain. They look at me with wonder clear in their eye. We walk over to the boys. I made this face with it saying like ‘have you made your decision yet?’

“Our answer is no princess. We can not risk losing this job.” says Leo.

“Oh really? I order you to help us and come with us. Don’t forget to be a good knight you must follow orders from anyone of this royal family. I also have the within my power to kick you out of this kingdom, fire you, and also throw you in jail. So the choice is really yours. And it is very easy, say yes and I will move you to the Golden Guard and reward you greatly. But say no I will kick you out of this kingdom.” I reply. They look at me in astonishment. They forgotten I had the power to do that.

“Fine….. We’ll do it Princess Anatonia.” Anthony grumbles. I nod good this will work out just fine.

“Oh ya, one more thing; Don’t call me Princess Anatonia. Call me Tonia. Let’s role. Raven lead the way.” I command. The knights again look at each other then followed us. We all creep quietly across the lit hallway to the kitchens. The carefully made our way through them. The hardest part was when Anthony decided he would lean on the kitchen counter. But he accidently leaned on a pan. The pan fell off the counter onto the floor making a loud crashing sound like it was symbols for the royal band. I made a face at him as we crawled under the crowded kitchen top to the cabinets to hide in them. I hear the cook come in say a few words, put the pan back and walk out. Slowly we crawl out and made our way again towards the door. When Leo was going to sit down I slapped him on the arm quietly and motioned ‘NO’.

Finally we made it out of the kitchen into the small cavity that leads to the door.

“Leo. Can you go outside and tell the two guards there that I requested them to go hunt for my favorite purple Daffodil and bring it up to my room. That should take care of them for awhile.” I order

“Ok. I’ll do that. I guess.” replies Leo unsure as ever. He walks outside and says to both of the patrol guards “Princess Anatonia has ordered me to tell you that she wants both of you to go get her favorite purple Daffodil and walk it up to her room. Oh ya, don’t forget, bring it up the way she usually goes to her room; for she doesn’t yet know the servant's passage.”

“Ok. Come on Stan, we’ll be right back.” says a very gruff excited voice. Once the clanking of armor was no more I motion them to move out single file so we could get out.