Abigail sat at the head of the long table, with one place setting to her right and two place settings to her left.
“Please join me,” Abigail motioned to the children to take their places at the table.
They took their places, unsure of how to act.
Cassy was the first to speak. “Queen Abigail, why is everything so fancy?”
Melissa and Aaron exchanged glances and nodded their heads in agreement.
“I was taught that when one has distinguished guests, the evening meal is always a grand affair. It has been far too long since I’ve had guests, so I wanted to make this a special time for us all.”
As the children looked at the fancy table setting, they worried what sort of meal was planned for them. Anytime their mother had set a table like this, the food was not anything they would consider a feast.
“First, we put our napkins on our laps,” Abigail lifted her napkin and spread it out on her lap then she waited as the children did the same.
“Wonderful. Please bring the feast,” Abigail said to the servers standing along the back wall of the dining room.
To the delight of each child, the servers brought slices of cheese pizza and placed it on their plates. Then they filled the crystal goblets with strawberry soda.
“Queen Abigail, you are so cool,” Aaron said as he shoved a slice of pizza in his mouth.
“How did you know that we love cheese pizza and strawberry soda,” Melissa said excitedly.
“A Queen always knows what her Prince and Princesses want,” Abigail winked.
“I think this is the best pizza I’ve ever had,” Cassy grinned as she picked up the goblet and took a drink.
“I’m glad you are pleased. Servers, bring my young Prince and Princesses some more pizza.”
After they had finished eating their meal and ice cream for dessert, they all went to the library.
“You really don’t have any television here?” Aaron said as he looked around the room.
“No, I’ve never enjoyed watching it. I find that reading a good book in the evening is quite relaxing.” Abigail saw the disappointed looks on their faces, but she hoped they would find a book to their liking.
“Well, can you show me that book about pirates?” Aaron asked.
“Of course, follow me. You ladies can look around and see if you can find a book as well.” Abigail took Aaron by the hand and walked over to the shelves by the window. “Let’s see, where was that book about pirates.”
Melissa and Cassy walked toward the selves by the large fireplace but stopped at the table with the book inside of the glass case.
“I wonder why we can’t read this one,” Cassy whispered.
“It’s because it’s old and she doesn’t want it ruined, that’s why,” Melissa said as she reached out and tugged on Cassy’s arm.
Cassy reached out with her other hand and was about to touch the top of the glass box when...
“Stop it, you don’t want to upset her do you?” Melissa scolded her sister.
“Okay, I’ll leave it alone,” Cassy pulled her hand away and followed Melissa.
“Look, I have a book about pirates. It has sword fights, hidden treasure, and all sorts of fun things in it. I’m going to start reading it now.” Aaron rushed over to one of the over-stuffed chairs and settled in with the book on his lap.
Abigail walked up to the girls and could see the blank looks on their faces as they looked at the rows of books on the shelves in front of them.
“What sort of stories do you enjoy? I bet I know what books you like, Melissa. I bet you’d like a story about a Prince and Princess who find each other and fall in love. Am I correct?”
Melissa looked up at Abigail and blushed.
“I knew it.” Abigail reached up above her head and pulled down an old, dusty book.
“Here was one of my favorites when I was your age. I’m sure you will love it as much as I did.” She handed the book to Melissa, who thanked her then walked over to another over-stuffed chair.
Abigail then looked at Cassy. “Let’s see, you seem to be an adventurous spirit, so I bet you would enjoy a book about dragons. Am I correct?”
Cassy looked at Abigail with a surprised look on her face and nodded, letting her great-grandmother know that she had chosen well.
“Let’s see, I think this one will be just what you need.” Abigail reached for a large book with a picture of a fire-breathing Dragon on the cover. “This is a very exciting tale. I have read this one several times.”
Cassy took the book and ran over to the chair next to Melissa. She then jumped up in the chair and set the large book on her lap. “Thank you, Queen Abigail.”
“Yes, thank you,” Melissa and Aaron chimed in.
“You are all very welcome.” Abigail walked over to the last chair and took the book off the table next to it, and then she glanced at the children who were now lost in their own world of imagination. She then opened her own book and began to read.
No one realized how late it was until the grandfather clock in the corner chimed ten times.
“Oh my, it’s late. Why don’t we put our books down for now and go to upstairs to bed? We have a busy day tomorrow,” Abigail said as she stood and stretched.
“I’m not sleepy, I want to keep reading,” Aaron complained as he held tightly to the book.
“My dear, I’m thrilled that you are enjoying the tale of pirates and buried treasure, but it is time for bed. I promise that you’ll get to continue on your adventure tomorrow.” Abigail reached down and took his book. She put the string page marker in place, and then set the book on the table next to his chair.
Seeing there was no sense in arguing, Melissa and Cassy closed their books and set them on the table next to Aaron’s book.
“Queen Abigail, thank you for the wonderful day. I’m so happy that we came to visit you,” Melissa said, as Cassy and Aaron nodded their agreement.
Abigail felt her heart fill with love. “I’m happy that you came as well. Now, go up to your rooms and go to bed. Tomorrow I have an exciting day planned for us.”
Each of the children took turns giving Abigail a hug and kiss then they went upstairs to their rooms. As Abigail watched them leave the room, she said a silent prayer of thanks for this time with her little Prince and Princesses.
The room was dark and quiet. Cassy had tossed and turned for what seemed like an eternity, still unable to fall asleep. She decided to get up and go back down to the library and read some more of her book with the hope she would finally be able to fall asleep.
Cassy slowly opened her bedroom door and stepped out into the hallway. She looked both directions to make sure no one was awake then she carefully walked to the stairs, trying to keep the old wood floor from creaking. Once she was downstairs, she went straight to the library.
Cassy opened the door to the library and slipped inside, but what she saw froze her in her tracks.
“What are you doing up?” Cassy whispered.
“What are you doing?” Aaron whispered as he tried to see if she was alone.
“I couldn’t sleep, so I came down here to read some more of my book,” Cassy said defensively.
“Well, I couldn’t sleep until I found out what happened to the pirate captain,” Aaron groaned.
“Fine; I won’t tell if you don’t tell, okay?” Cassy looked at Aaron, hoping he would agree.
“It’s a deal,” he held out his hand.
“Good,” Cassy took his hand in hers and they sealed the promise with a handshake. She then walked over to the chair where she had sat earlier and picked up her book.
She looked at Aaron and grinned, “Mom and Dad would never believe that we snuck out of bed to read a book.”
Aaron looked at Cassy and nodded then returned his attention to his exciting tale of pirates.
Silence filled the room while Cassy read her tale of fire-breathing dragons when she suddenly heard a strange sound.
She looked over at Aaron
and saw that he was lost in his world of pirates, so she returned to her reading.
“Please, help us,” the soft voice seemed to float on the air.
“Did you hear that?” Cassy asked Aaron.
“Hear what? I didn’t hear anything. Leave me alone, it’s getting exciting now,” Aaron groaned as he pulled the book up closer to his face.
“Please, we need your help,” the voice repeated, but slightly louder this time.
“Come on, didn’t you hear it?” Cassy set the book on the table and stood, looking around the room.
“You must be hearing things,” Aaron rolled his eyes at how silly she was acting.
“Please, help us,” the voice cried out with urgency.
Cassy glanced over at Aaron and saw the surprised look on his face.
“You heard it, didn’t you?”
“Yeah; what do you think it is?” Aaron looked around the room nervously.
“I don’t know, but it’s coming from over there,” Cassy pointed toward the center of the room where the table with the book in the glass case sat.
Cassy and Aaron exchanged glances then slowly began to walk toward the table.
“Please, help us. Save us from the Evil Queen,” the voice cried out.
Cassy’s eyes met Aaron’s, each wondering if this was a dream.
“Yeah, I heard it too,” Aaron felt dread churning deep inside of him.
They both stepped up to the table and looked down at the book.
“How is this possible?” Cassy said with her eyes transfixed on the book.
“I don’t know, but that book is talking to us.” Aaron shook his head, hoping this was all a strange dream.
Cassy held her breath then reached out her hand and gently placed it on the top of the glass box. No sooner had her hand touched the glass than the lock on the box opened and fell to the floor.
“You broke it,” Aaron cried out.
“No, I didn’t, it did that itself.” Cassy quickly pulled her hand away.
Aaron read Cassy's mind, and he knew what she was thinking. “Don’t do it. You heard what great-grandmother said. We’re supposed to leave this book alone.”
“I won’t hurt it. I only want to see it better.” Cassy reached for the handle on the lid and lifted it.
Suddenly, the lid flew out of Cassy’s hand and bright-colored lights of red, green, and blue shot out of the box and filled the room.
Cassy found herself trapped in the lights as they wrapped around her in a swirling whirlwind of glowing fog. She tried to step away but was unable to move her feet.
Aaron stood transfixed, watching the lights danced around the room. Then when they moved toward Cassy, he was amazed to watch them as they surrounded her in a whirlwind of flashing colors and fog. He tried to step back but found himself caught up in the same whirlwind of lights.
“Cassy, what’s happening?” Aaron cried out.
“I don’t know.” She looked down at the book and noticed the Ruby glowed even more of the bright colors shooting out of its center.
Aaron was frightened as he watched the lights wrap around Cassy and lift her up into the air.
When as their eyes met, Aaron suddenly found himself trapped by the same lights as they lifted him into the air. Each wanted to shout for help but found themselves unable to speak. Panic filled their hearts as the room spun around them, causing them to grow dizzy and disoriented. They were about to give up all hope of escape when a bright flash of light filled the room, and once it was gone it had taken Cassy and Aaron with it.
Chapter 6
Cassy felt horrible. She was dizzy and had a throbbing pain in her head.
“Dang, I don’t feel so good,” she moaned.
“Cassy, where are we?” Aaron asked in a near whisper.
“Huh? What are you talking about, we’re in the library,” Cassy groaned as she opened her eyes. Nevertheless, what she saw made it entirely clear they were no longer in the library.
“Abigail, you have returned to us,” a voice exclaimed from behind a fallen tree.
Cassy struggled to her feet then reached down to help Aaron stand.
“Cassy, who said that?” Aaron asked as he stood next to Cassy.
“I don’t know,” Cassy said, brushing a few strands of hair from her face.
“Who are you? Come out so we can see you,” Cassy pushed Aaron behind her in a protective stance.
“You are not Abigail? I do not understand. You look like Abigail from the stories I grew up hearing,” the voice was full of disappointment at hearing this news.
Cassy squared her shoulders, trying to summon courage to face this unknown person. “Show yourself,” she demanded.
Aaron gasped as he watched a creature step from behind the log. It stood nearly five-foot-tall with dark scaly skin, and bright emerald green eyes that seemed to look deep into his soul. He blinked his eyes several times, not convinced he was truly seeing what was there before him.
“You’re a dragon,” the words escaped his mouth before he realized what he had said.
The creature stepped closer but stopped when Cassy held out her hand. “Stop, dragons aren’t real. They are only make-believe; something out of Fairy Tales.”
The expression on the creature’s face changed from one of hope to one of sadness.
“I do not understand. There are whispers of how Abigail, the chosen Champion fought the Evil Queen Alona, and how someday she will return. It is said that once she returns, she will defeat the Queen and restore freedom to the Kingdom of Walandra. You promised that you would return to help us, and here you are.”
Cassy shook her head, trying to clear her mind. “Stop calling me Abigail. My name is Cassy. I don’t know you, and I never promised to return. Heck, I don’t even know where we are, so how could I have promised anything?”
“But you answered our plea. We called out to you, and you returned to Walandra,” the creature smiled, trying to put her at ease. “You must remember.”
Cassy shook her head again then looked back at Aaron. “Pinch me. I want to wake up from this strange dream.”
Aaron looked at Cassy and laughed. “Pinch you, I’ve already been pinching myself, and it’s not working. I don’t think we’re dreaming. This is real.”
The words hit Cassy with such force that she nearly collapsed to the ground.
This is real, but how is that possible? The words burned into her mind.
She looked at the creature again when suddenly her mind filled with thoughts that were not her own.
Yes, this is real. You are in the Kingdom of Walandra. I am your friend, Frier, please try to remember,” the voice said in a friendly tone.
“Stop it, and get out of my head,” Cassy cried out as she cupped her hands over her ears.
Frier looked at Cassy and realized she did not believe. Sadness filled his heart at knowing that without her help, the curse would continue to enslave the Kingdom.
“I am sorry, I was mistaken. I thought you were Abigail, returning to free us from the curse of the Evil Queen.” Frier’s shoulders slumped, as his eyes lost their luster and filled with tears.
“Why would you think I’m this person you call Abigail?” Cassy looked at Frier with anger burning on her face.
Frier looked deeply into her eyes, searching for a hint of Abigail hidden behind the anger. “You’re right; you are not the Abigail of the stories. It’s just that you wear the sacred Dragon’s Breast Plate with the Blood Key.”
Cassy was about to protest when Aaron stepped around in front of her. “He’s right, look.” Aaron pointed a shaky finger at the strange looking plate with what appeared to be the red stone from the book placed in its center.
“Look, the plate looks just like one of the scales covering Frier’s body, only much larger,” Aaron cried out.
Cassy looked down at her chest. “How did that get there? This isn’t possible. I never put this on.”
“One does not put on the sacred Breast Plate with th
e Blood Key. It chooses those that are worthy to wear it. You may not be Abigail, but you have been selected to fight the Evil Queen and release the subjects of Walandra from her curse.” Frier stepped forward and bowed his head in reverence.
Cassy’s mind was swirling when it suddenly came to her. “This Abigail you speak of must be our great-grandmother. We came to visit her and the book was in her library. Are you telling us that she is the Abigail who fought the Evil Queen the last time?”
Frier stood in silence for several moments, trying to understand her words. “That is why the Blood Key called out to you. You share the same bloodline as Abigail. How wonderful,” he leaped with joy as his wings opened to their full length.
“Cool, he has wings,” Aaron grinned as he pointed toward the outstretched wings. “Can you fly?”
“Yes, but not for long distances; I am still too young,” Frier pulled his wings back in and tucked them behind his back.
“Too cool; may I touch you?” Aaron reached out his hand then stopped when Cassy pulled him back.
“Don’t do that. We still don’t know if we can trust him,” Cassy growled while glaring at Frier.
At hearing her words, Frier stepped back, putting more distance between them.
“Look, you hurt his feelings,” Aaron groaned as he pulled away from her. “I’m sorry that my sister is such a creep.”
Frier looked at the surprised look on Cassy’s face at her brother’s words and laughed. “Yes, I can see that she can be a bit moody. You may touch me if you wish.”
Aaron slowly walked toward Frier then gently touched his scaly shoulder. “Cool, I always wondered what a dragon felt like. I always thought the scales would be hard and sharp to the touch, but they feel smooth like the velvet on Mom’s pillows on the couch. Check this out,” Aaron said as he walked around behind Frier.
Cassy kept her distance, still unsure if she should trust the strange creature. Her mind kept telling her to stay away, but a small voice from deep inside of her heart told her that he could be trusted. She reached out to touch him when there was a rustling in the leaves from behind them.
The Dragons Blood Key: Legend of the Dragon's Blood Key - Book 1 Page 3
