Chapter One
The Mysterious Dream

It was dark. She was walking down long twisting corridors. The stone walls were tall, daunting. It was hot, very hot. She felt panic in her stomach as it filled with dread. She was running now, her heart beating fast. She was hiding from someone; something. A light shone at the end of the corridor. She ran toward it, faster and faster, her skirts heavy, her legs moving as if through water. There was a sound behind her, and terror coursed through her veins, it, whatever it

might be, was getting closer. The light seemed to dwindle and go out, and then something grabbed her skirts, she screamed-

Suddenly light was shining on her face. Brianne opened her eyes; morning light was streaming through the open window. “Just a dream,” Brianne sighed. As she sat up in her course grey night gown, she found herself thinking about the odd dream. After breakfast, Brianne went about her chores in a daze, thinking about what the dream might mean. It wasn’t realistic that an unknown something was after her. When she finished feeding the hens awhile later, Brianne hurried into the house to quickly wash her long curly hair, which was in dire need of a good scrubbing, before heading up to the castle.

As she was leaving, Great Aunt Helen, the woman who had adopted Brianne as a child, called her into the parlor. Upon entering, Brianne saw that the old woman had arranged herself in a large over-stuffed chair across from the warm fire.

“Yes, Aunt?” she inquired, smiling pleasantly. “Where are you off to this lovely morning?” Aunt Helen asked, looking pale, as if she hadn’t been out in the light in months. Brianne laughed. “Is that all? I am going to my lesson with Avery, she’s teaching me how to read and write…remember?” She faltered a bit on the last word, hoping her Aunt hadn't forgotten.

“Well, what if I need you here today?” the woman said in a tone that said she was teasing. Brianne, playing along, said with a sweet smile, “Oh, well I guess I will have to send a message to Avery, and tell her I can’t make it today.” She walked towards the door, as if she were actually thinking of cancelling. Laughing, Aunt Helen said, “Oh get you gone. You mustn’t be late for your first lesson!” Smiling, Brianne hugged and kissed her Aunt, then ran out the door, calling back, “I’ll be home in time for supper!”

She strapped the saddle on her white stallion, Night Star, and galloped across the meadows leading to the Royal Palace, where her friend, Lady Avery, lived with her husband, Sir Andrew Writ. The day was bright, the scent of the flowers flying through the air on the wind, making Brianne’s hair swish back and forth. It was enough to make her forget about her mysterious dream.

“A, B, C, D, E,” Brianne sang in a strong, clear voice, “E, F, G, H, I...... J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z.” She smiled. It had taken her near an hour to memorize that, and she was surprisingly proud.
Avery clapped her hands in admiration, saying, “At this rate you will be able to read Chaucer by Christmas!” Her eyes were wide, as if she could picture herself proudly placing Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales

in her young friend’s capable hands. Brianne practically glowed at this praise, making her look angelic in her blue chiffon, with her golden brown hair tumbling over her shoulders in perfect curls.
Avery smiled warmly. They were sitting on a red blanket in the castle garden, surrounded by spring’s first sprout of flowers. Brianne sat across from Avery, holding a clay tablet in her left hand, while with her right she strained to fashion the small marks that would form a letter. Her eyes were squinting in concentration. As Avery watched, Brianne succeeded in forming an awkward letter A. “Fantastic job,” Avery cried, before standing up. Brianne looked confused, so Avery explained, “We are having tea with Prince William today.”
Brianne’s eyes opened wide as she began haphazardly gathering up leather bound books and random pencils. Avery’s blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she helped Brianne place the books in the wicker basket she had carried them out in.
They hurried across the green grass that made up the grounds of the Royal Palace. As they passed by the stable a young boy hurried up to them, a bouquet of flowers clutched in his small hands. He had a mop of golden curls and sparkling blue eyes that stared into Brianne’s brown ones as he handed her the flowers with a shy smile. “The Prince bid me give these to you miss, with an apology that he will not be attending today’s tea.” Brianne smiled at the young boy, who looked nearly as proud of himself for delivering the message as she had been a few minutes before. When the boy had gone, Brianne’s face fell in disappointment. Avery thought this was a good sign. They walked on in silence until they came to the courtyard. The giant doors that stood before them were made of dark oak, the handles of fine golden brass. Brianne looked up. They were tall, daunting. She shivered with the faint recollection of her dream as the doors swung open on finely oiled hinges with a small swoosh. Brianne took one last look at the doors before stepping into the palace for the first time.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 30.11.2010

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A special thanks to my mentors; Ben Brown, James Ure, and Andrew Groft, who taught me the proper use of "like".