The Uzan Crystal

by Lisa S. Buchholz

  Lady Corine let out a sigh, "Yes I do and I'm sorry for the outburst. It was news that I was not expecting to hear."

  "Mother, everything will be fine. We can discuss this further after we eat and get settled in," offered Gwendolyn as she smiled at her mother. "Now I hope this didn't spoil your appetite because everything looks absolutely delicious." Gwendolyn then began to help herself to the tray of meat that was in front of her.

  Their conversation was subdued during the course of the meal. Most of the conversation was directed to the royal family from the younger children about the travel and the excitement of the festival. It also gave the cousins time to get to know each other because they didn't see each other much except during the celebration or on special occasions. Even then, some of the family members aren't always able to attend.

  After the meal was finished and the conversation died down, Lord Ripley had his servants show the royal family their rooms. It would allow them time to freshen up and get settled for the next day or so until their tents were erected. Since the ground that the tents were being erected on was solid rock, the tents had to be put up a different way then using the usual stakes to hold it to the ground. This time the tents were set up using long poles that would be placed on an angle from the roof to the floor, it would be as if they were set up as large teepees.

  Lady Corine waited until the family was settled in before she summoned her daughter to her chambers. She was in the sitting area of her chambers sewing thick dark green panels of cloth together for a quilt when her daughter knocked and entered.

  "Hello, mother," greeted Gwendolyn as she walked over to the couch where she was sitting. Gwendolyn had changed out of her wool traveling dress into a soft violet silk dress that hung straight down from the waist.

  Lady Corine moved her thread and the part of the quilt that she had been working on, to a table to her right so her daughter could sit down next to her. "Sit down child," she motioned her daughter to the seat she cleared. "I would like to discuss in more detail the news you sprang on your father and I earlier. I would have liked a little more warning than that."

  "I know and I'm sorry," she replied as she sat down. "There wasn't a good way to say it and I didn't want to have to explain it to everyone in the family on an individual basis." She clasped her hands together on her lap and took a steadying breath before continuing. "I know that I've gotten weaker and each day seems harder than the next to get through." Her voice faltered and Gwendolyn's mother put an arm around her shoulder and a comforting hand on top of her daughter's clasped hands. "It's just not fair," she continued and began to weep, "I can't do half of what I want to with the children and I know that I'm not going to be able to see them grow up and have families of their own." She was practically sobbing at this point and had to take a deep but shaky breath to continue. "Kalen, he is everything to me and I can't bear to leave him."

  "Shh," consoled her mother as she pulled Gwendolyn closer to her, her own tears now spilling down her face.

  Gwendolyn had tried to be strong. She didn't want Kalen or the children to know how upset she was. It was hard on all of them as it was and if she didn't show a brave face it would make it all the harder. She knew that Amberlynn wasn't told of how sick she was. For all Amberlynn knew she was always like this. She felt guilty that she wasn't able to play with her as she had done with her older children. This was the first time she had let go of her feelings and it felt good to cry.

  Chapter 5

  Festivities

  Each day brought the arrival of more guests and more setting up of tents. The children stayed together either playing games or keeping an eye out for the new arrivals.

  Phillip was patiently waiting for Lady Julia, Lord Jeffrey and Lady Kathleen Eller's eldest daughter. Lady Julia and Prince Phillip had taken an interest in each other two seasons ago. Lady Julia was a year younger than Phillip. She was petite with long, sandy blond hair that fell in thick curls down her back and she had light blue-gray eyes. Julia's younger sister, Heather, unfortunately had hung around them the entire time and they didn't have time to seriously talk. Phillip would be of age to marry on his eighteenth birthday which would be in two years. He had already asked his father for permission to ask Sir Jeffrey for Julia's hand in marriage. His father had agreed and now Phillip anxiously awaited their arrival.

  Meanwhile, each new guest would situate themselves around the inside perimeter of Eldorfess, next to the person before them. Eldorfess was surrounded by rocky outcroppings. A number of the dwellings were situated in the shelves of rock which lined the entire perimeter. Steps had been carved out of the rock and they ran in every direction. The base of Eldorfess consisted of thick layers of rock which the rest of the homes where built on. The area inside the circle of homes was almost completely bare except for the wells, built up so that water from natural springs could easily be gathered. Even though Eldorfess was hot and dry most of the year, the people of Eldorfess never went without water because of the unending springs that ran underground. The caravans were set up in the open area. A few tents from the other guests who had made the journey in less time were already up and their servants were helping the new arrivals to get settled. The King and Queen's tents had been erected, ready for them on the second day of their arrival.

  Angelina spent most of her time by her mother's side. Phillip was interested in Julia and wanted nothing more than to wait for her and Angelina didn't feel like standing around waiting with him. When Angelina wasn't with her mother, she would visit with her cousins.

  Corina didn't have much time to give to Angelina because she was trying on dresses and fixing her hair and adjusting her jewels so she could look her absolute best for all the eligible men. After sitting with Corina for only an hour or so and watching her try on dress after dress, discarding them on the bed, floor, chairs and any other available place, Angelina politely excused herself and breathed a sigh of relief as she closed the door behind her. She had to refrain from giggling because Corina's long raven hair was totally messed up and she looked rather funny.

  Angelina volunteered to help her oldest cousin of sixteen, Kasha who was Parsell and Dalie's oldest daughter. They were going to watch Zarmina and Mortimor's children, twin two year old boys, Raul and Saul and twin four year old girls, Nina and Dina. It would be for the day while Zarmina and her other sisters visited Gwendolyn. Kasha, who had thick shoulder length raven hair and pale blue eyes, did inform Angelina that the two girls were terrors but Angelina couldn't believe that they could be so bad. Angelina soon realized just how impossible they were. Zarmina dropped the children off at the toy room, which was large and spacious with long windows facing a garden. The room had stools and plush chairs surrounding the perimeter and there were a few throw rugs here and there across the cool floor. There were also chests placed around the room which contained various toys and games and a small bookshelf contained children's stories.

  It started out as a quiet day. The children sat quietly as Zarmina told them that she would be gone for the day and that Kasha and Angelina would be watching them. The children were perfect angels until Zarmina left. Then the girls began running around, yelling and screaming and pushing the boys and making them cry. They were throwing toys and games all over the floor. All Kasha and Angelina did was reprimand them. Telling them "no" and "don't play with that", "be nice to your brothers", etc. Most of the reprimands would be completely ignored. The twin girls finally settled down when it was time to eat a snack and take their naps. Angelina couldn't believe that those little girls with long raven hair and bold blue eyes could be so mischievous. They definitely needed to be disciplined.

  There was a room off to the side which contained seven small beds for the children to take their naps. After seeing to it that the children were almost asleep, Angelina and Kasha left the room. They kept the double doors open so that if any of the children would wake they would hear them. Kasha invited Angelina to sit with her and after they both had a glass of wine, Angelina felt he
r eyes drooping. Seeing that Kasha was also ready to fall asleep, she set her glass down on the nearest table and settled into her chair and drifted off to sleep. She figured that either Kasha or she would wake up when the children were finished with their nap or shortly before.

  What Angelina did wake up to was a tug on her hair. She jumped up out of her chair and spun around to find Nina and Dina standing there looking completely innocent, one holding a knife and the other holding a handful of long auburn hair. Angelina reached back touching her hair to find that a clump of her waist long hair had just been chopped clear up to her shoulders. When Angelina gasped, Kasha was startled and awoke, horrified to see what her cousins had done to Princess Angelina's hair.

  This was the last straw. Angelina pulled the knife and clump of hair out of the children's hands and tossed the items onto the chair she had been sitting on. Angelina then pulled Kasha over to the side out of Nina and Dina's hearing. Angelina was fighting back tears and Kasha knew that something had to be done about her little cousins. Kasha leaned toward Angelina and whispered to her. Angelina nodded.

  Kasha walked over to the girls and grabbed the nearest one's arm. Kasha, who may have looked petite and not that strong, pulled the resisting child across the room and out into the hall. It was a few minutes before she returned alone. Kasha then went over to Dina and grabbed her and dragged her kicking and screaming over to the couch where she thought Kasha was going to spank her. However, Kasha held Dina's arms and crossed her legs over Dina's to hold her so that she wasn't able to move. Angelina picked up the knife from the chair and walked over to where Kasha was hold Dina. Angelina proceeded to cut Dina's long black hair as short as they had cut Angelina's hair. All the while Dina was crying and pleading for Angelina not to cut her hair. When Angelina was finished she told the bawling girl that is was her punishment and if she didn't learn to respect people and behave like a young lady this would not be the worst that would happen to her. Dina did not say one word and Kasha released her and set her on another chair and left the room to get Nina.

  Nina, upon seeing the fate that befell Dina began to swear she would never do anything like this again and how sorry she was that she did what she did to Angelina. Nina was struggling so hard that Kasha had to finally pick her up and carry her to the couch. Nina, as did Dina, kept up her crying and pleading the entire time. When Angelina was finished she gave the same lecture to Nina as she had done to Dina. Dina had stopped crying during Nina's punishment and sat perfectly still.

  Dina and Nina sat together for the rest of the day, during lunch and even while their younger brothers played with the toys. They barely spoke unless someone spoke to them. After lunch, Angelina had Kasha cut the rest of her hair to even it up.

  Zarmina returned to find Angelina, Kasha and her four children sitting in a circle on the floor while Angelina read them a story. Zarmina noticed their hair and Angelina's hair immediately and had a sinking feeling for she had an idea of what occurred. "Why is everyone's hair so short?" inquired Zarmina in a neutral tone of voice, afraid of the answer.

  "Well Zarmina," explained Angelina, "I had Kasha cut my hair because I'm not used to such hot weather and when Kasha was finished the girls insisted that they also have their hair cut. Naturally I told them that they should wait until you returned but they were quite persuasive."

  Nina and Dina gave Angelina and Kasha a thankful and appreciative look.

  "Oh, I don't mind," replied Zarmina, "and they are old enough to make their own decisions. It was a shock to leave them with long hair and to come back and see it so short; however, it does look becoming on them and I have suggested to them earlier about having their hair cut a little shorter."

  Zarmina gave Angelina a look to let her know that she knew there was more to it then just that but since the princess did not wish to bring up the subject, she would not press the issue.

  Angelina finished the chapter she was reading and then she and Kasha said their good-byes to the children. Nina and Dina both hugged Angelina and thanked her. The day's ordeal had brought the four girls closer together. Nina and Dina finally learned respect the hard way. Angelina had to run through the entire story of why her hair was so short when she met up with Elise later that day.

  Kasha and Angelina became close friends. Each afternoon after Angelina visited with her mother she would take Amberlynn walking with her, Lady Elise and Kasha. The four of them and Lord Damery, who was their escort, would walk around the tents. They would greet the newcomers and say hello to everyone. Lord Damery may have been getting up in years but he was agile when it came to a good fight.

  Most of the tents or stands with the wares weren't finished being set up but the proprietors did have samplings of their goods out to entice their potential customers.

  The next few days were pretty much the same. More and more coaches arrived and tents were put up and stands set up. In two days the festivities would begin.

  A day before the beginning of the festival brought the coach and entourage of Lord Jeffrey and Lady Kathleen Eller of Pennington and their daughters. This is what Phillip had been waiting for.

  Phillip waited until the Eller's tents were up and everyone had the opportunity to freshen up, rest and eat. It was almost dark before he decided that everyone was settled in enough and it would be an appropriate time to speak with Lord Jeffrey.

  He made his way through the open lanes between and headed for the red and white striped tents. Sir Taz accompanied him, for no one in the royal family ventured off without someone to escort and protect them.

  Sir Taz stopped a respectable distance from Lord Jeffrey's tent as Phillip approached and requested that one of the guards inform Lord Jeffrey that he would like to speak with him.

  "I'll let him know you're here your highness," replied one of the guards with a bow before he turned and disappeared through the flaps of the tent. He returned almost immediately. "This way please, your highness," said the guard as he held the tent flap open for the prince.

  The room inside was cozy with a fire burning in the center in a stone circle. There were thick rugs on the ground with plush high back chairs set around the fire.

  Lord Jeffrey was pouring himself a drink as the prince entered. "Your highness, it is a pleasure to have you here," stated Lord Jeffrey with a bow. "Would you like a drink?"

  "No thank you," he replied.

  "Please, have a seat," gestured Lord Jeffrey as he settled into a chair of his own. "Are you sure you won't have a drink? I have some of the best whiskey brought from Pennington. Of course, if you'd prefer wine, I could have one of my servants bring some," he continued.

  Prince Phillip politely shook his head no.

  "Well then, I prefer whiskey myself, the wine does nothing for me. I have a slight nervous condition, you know with three women in the house and all...," he quickly trailed off as he realized that he was rambling and because his wife had just entered the room.

  "Your highness," greeted Lady Kathleen as she gave Prince Phillip a curtsy. "If you two have something to discuss I can finish getting Julia and Heather settled in their tent."

  "No, my Lady," replied the Prince. "I would actually like to speak with you both."

  "Of course," she smiled as she took a seat near her husband.

  "I've come to ask for Lady Julia's hand in marriage," he explained. He didn't know why he was so nervous, he knew that Julia loved him and that her family would readily agree to the marriage.

  "We would be honored to have our daughter marry you, your highness," beamed Lord Jeffrey as he stood and walked over to Phillip and clasped him on the arm.

  "This is wonderful," cried Lady Kathleen as she also stood and went over to Phillip and gave him a hug. "This is an honor for us. Have you decided when you'll ask her, if you don't mind my asking?"

  "Of course not. I was thinking sometime in the next few days," he responded. "I'm not sure exactly when though." Phillip realized that there wasn't much else to say and that Lord Jeffrey and Lady Kathlee
n probably wanted to retire early because of their long trip so he excused himself. "Well, I had better be going, you had a long trip and I'm sure you're tired."

  "Yes, thank you, your highness," replied Lord Jeffrey with a bow. "And good night."

  Phillip left the tent and joined Sir Taz. They made their way back to the King and Queen's tents without much conversation. Sir Taz knew that any family would be more than honored to have the prince ask for their daughter's hand in marriage and none would ever refuse. From the grin on Phillip's face Sir Taz knew what answer he had been given. Sir Taz felt bad for the other young ladies that had their eye on the Prince. There would be many a broken heart when word got out that Phillip asked Julia to be his wife.

  Finally, the last arrivals came and everyone finished their preparations. Tomorrow would bring the first day of the celebration.

  The next morning Angelina was up and dressed in a pair of dark green leggings and a matching loose dark green blouse with billowing sleeves and cream ruffles on the cuffs and along the collar. Pearl buttons ran down the front and it was tied around the waist with a cream sash. Angelina had her short hair pulled back and held up with a gold clasp. She was hoping that the rest of her family would be ready. Today everyone would be visiting all of the shops, tents and carts checking for the goods that they wished to purchase. She left her tent and stopped by Phillip's tent but was informed that he had already left. She then decided to make her way to the estate to get something to eat and wait for the rest of her family. Two of the royal guards stepped in behind her and followed her. She figured that was where Phillip had gone. Lord Ripley insisted they take their morning meal at the estate. Lady Elise had left before Angelina was up. She was spending the day with Chelsea, her younger cousin. Lady Elise didn't get to see her much except during the celebrations.