by Vicky Savage
“Catherine, I do not have the time to explain,” Ryder says. “The word is spreading that we’ve arrived. Crowds are beginning to form in the area.” He glances out the windows of the diminutive office. People are swarming the station. “Please dispatch the carriages as quickly as possible. We have five extra guests, so you’d better send three. Goodbye.” He presses another button at the base of the device.
“They will be here shortly. Sequoyah Hall is only two miles away. As I feared, Catherine is furious,” he says, holding out the silver device for me. I take it and turn it over in my hands. It’s curved and fits perfectly in my palm. It’s completely wireless.
“This is so sick!” I say, examining the sleek little device.
“It is?” His forehead wrinkles. He takes the device from me and inspects it. “No, that is the way it normally looks,” he says handing it back to me.
“I just meant it’s amazing.”
“Yes, it is quite a convenient method of communication. Your father has actually ordered a similar system from us to be installed at the Enclave.”
“Really? I bet everybody will want to own one of these.” I set it on the desk.
“When the carriages arrive, we will need to use the front entrance. But do not be frightened, love. The crowd only wishes to catch a glimpse of you. You and Andrew are the first royalty to visit in twenty-five years.”
In a few minutes, the stationmaster reappears and announces that the carriages are waiting for us. Ryder holds out his arm for me. Our group shuffles through the narrow hall to the front entrance. Several Unicoi guards are positioned on either side of three brightly decorated, open air carriages. For a second I wonder where the horses are, but then I remember the carriages are motorized.
When Ryder and I step out of the station entrance, a thunderous roar goes up from the crowd. My knees feel a little wobbly, and I’m glad to have Ryder’s arm to steady myself. We board the carriages and begin our procession down the main street. Despite being loud, the crowds are orderly, lining the sidewalk, cheering and waving at our motorcade.
The street is decked-out with hanging baskets of paper flowers and hundreds of colorful Unicoi flags. Ralston taught me that each square flag is divided into four different colored triangles—blue, white, red, and black, representing North, South, East, and West.
“What’s that?” I ask catching sight of a never-ending line of bright yellow cars, crawling like a caterpillar up one side of the street and down the other. The cars are filled with people sitting or standing and holding onto railings.
Ryder smiles, “They are called Mosies—short for Mobile Seating Units. The Mosies run constantly, up and down the street. People may step on or off as they wish in order to get to their destination on Main Street. The system was installed when the ban on horses went into effect. They run all the way to Sequoyah Hall and back down to the conveyance station.”
As our carriages approach the end of the street, I see a perfectly round, three-story structure with a dome roof and gigantic tree trunks instead of pillars circling the building. This must be Sequoyah Hall.
“Why is it round?” I ask Ryder.
“The circle has great symbolic meaning for the Cherokee culture. It represents the circle of life, reminding us that we are all connected. You will see many Cherokee symbols throughout Unicoi.”
The motorized carriages turn left in front of the hall, and proceed to a small cobble-stone courtyard in back of the structure.
“Sequoyah Hall is really a public building,” Ryder says. “The family wing and the guest quarters are accessed through a private entrance in the rear. Catherine should have everything prepared for you.”
We climb out of the carriages, and Ryder escorts us to a large wooden door with giant animal totems on either side. Catherine steps out to greet us, looking spectacular in a flowing lapis-colored silk dress and strand upon strand of colorful beads around her neck. Her hair is loose and shimmers down her back like black gold. She’s flanked by two older men dressed casually in slacks and white shirts.
She smiles graciously. “Peace be with you. Welcome to Unicoi, and welcome to our home,” she says, bowing slightly.
Ryder says, “Catherine, may I present our guests, Princess Jaden, whom you have previously met; and this is her brother Prince Andrew.” Drew steps forward, a goofy grin on his face and a gleam in his eye. I can tell he’s already crushing on Catherine. As she places her hand in his, I think I detect a little spark on her side also.
“You are previously acquainted with Professor Ralston,” Ryder continues.
Catherine manages a curt nod in Ralston’s direction. “These are two senior members of our tribal council,” she says. “Chander Longshadow,” she nods toward a very tall man on her right, “and Daniel Wallace,” the man on her left.
Daniel Wallace! I can’t believe it. The man on Catherine’s left is my Connecticut best friend Liv’s father. He looks different with his brown hair grown long and pulled back into a ponytail, but it’s definitely him. I shake hands with both men. I’m thrilled to see Liv’s father. Maybe it means that Liv is here also. I’ve missed her so much over the past weeks. At home we were practically attached at the hip. I’d give anything to see her.
“Allow me to show you to your rooms so you may freshen up if you like,” Catherine says. “You are invited to join us and other members of our tribe for an informal buffet luncheon in the dining hall.” She leads us inside.
My room, on the second floor of Sequoya Hall, is charming and cozy. Dark wood dominates the decor; from the exposed ceiling beams to the log bed and chest of drawers. The furnishings are colorful with Native American patterns woven into the fabrics of the bed coverings and draperies. Thick wool rugs cover the stone floor. A small round fireplace holding a pile of glowing rocks is positioned in the center of the room, with two chairs and a table arranged to one side.
I quickly change from my traveling clothes into a cream-colored dress with lace sleeves. There’s no time to tackle my hair before lunch, so I tuck the fly-away strands back into my braid and put on a woven gold headband. I pull out the gown I’ve brought for the formal dinner this evening, and hang it on the bathroom door so the wrinkles will have time to fall out.
Drew knocks while I’m unpacking, and I call for him to let himself in.
“Can you believe this place?” he gushes, flopping down on my bed. “It’s phenomenal! Did you see those yellow wagon-like things moving up and down the street? How do they do that?”
“Ryder says they’re called Mosies. Pretty impressive, huh?”
“Hey, why didn’t you tell me Blackthorn has a gorgeous sister?” Drew asks. He’s changed into clean slacks and a jacket and his hair looks freshly disheveled.
“She’s not very nice once you get to know her,” I say. “She can have a real attitude sometimes.”
Another knock on the door cuts our conversation short, and Ralston enters with Chander Longshadow. They’ve come to take us down to lunch.
When we reach the dining hall, twenty or thirty people are already milling around chatting or sampling food from the buffet. Catherine says Ryder is occupied with some matters for his father and will not be joining us for lunch. I’m disappointed, but there isn’t time to dwell on it, because Catherine immediately begins introducing us around to the Unicoi dignitaries—all of whose names I immediately forget.
My eyes flit around the room looking for Daniel Wallace. I want to find out whether Liv is here. I spot him at the other end of the room in conversation with two men and a woman. I recognize the woman as Liv’s mother Claire. The conversation appears friendly, so I gather that Daniel and Claire Wallace are still married on this earth—unlike back home where they’ve been divorced for several years.
I quietly slip away from Catherine when her back is turned, and wander over near the Wallaces. Daniel greets me cordially, and introduces me to his wife and their two companions. Claire Wallace curtseys stiffly, looking me over with a clearly disap
proving eye. Her frosty behavior baffles me. I wonder if I have something hanging from my nose. I sniff and swipe it with my hand.
One of the men asks me if my journey to Unicoi was agreeable. I smile and say it was. We make this kind of small talk for a few minutes, and when I have an opportunity I ask Mr. Wallace if any other family members are at Sequoyah Hall. I’m elated to hear that their eldest daughter, Olivia, will be at the dinner tonight.
“I’m looking forward to meeting her,” I say to Claire Wallace.
“Yes, I imagine you are,” she replies icily.
Again, I’m not sure what she means by this, but her unfriendly tone bothers me. Before I can say anything more, however, Catherine latches onto me again, and drags me off for further introductions.
When the luncheon finally comes to an end, I’m exhausted. Catherine, with uncharacteristic thoughtfulness, suggests I go to my room and rest before the evening’s festivities. I thank her and take her up on the offer. On my way out of the dining hall, I overhear her invite Drew to take a short tour of the grounds with her. It seems she just wanted me out of the way for a time. He falls all over himself accepting her invitation, and I wonder if the Blackthorn siblings have this same effect on everyone they meet. Poor Drew. He has no idea what he’s in for.
THIRTY-SIX
The butterflies that have taken up permanent residence in my stomach lately flutter lightly as I dress for the evening. The gown I’ve chosen from Princess Jaden’s closet is beyond fabulous. Most of her spectacular ball gowns, and the queen’s, are kept in a special wardrobe room in the palace, but she saved this one and kept it in her own closet. I bet it was her favorite. The first time I saw it, I promised myself I would wear it at least once before I went home. It’s strapless and form fitting, made of white satin with a top layer of translucent fabric. Hundreds of shimmering crystals cascade in diagonal lines to the floor-length hem and along the small train in back. I’m not sure I’ll be able to walk in it, but if I fall flat on my butt, at least I’ll look fabulous doing it.
Thankfully, Catherine sends a woman to help me with my hair. I’m a little chagrined at how easily I’ve gotten used to having servants, but I’m grateful for the assistance. It’s going to be weird when I get back home and have to do everything for myself again. The dark-haired maid is profoundly reserved and totally business. Without a word, she tames my unruly river of hair in no time, and arranges it into a sleek chignon at the base of my neck. I packed a delicate platinum and diamond tiara from the princess’s jewelry chest, which my taciturn stylist expertly anchors in my hair.
“Do you think I should wear earrings tonight?” I ask.
She studies me for a moment. “Your eyes are like emeralds. You need no other jewelry,” she says softly.
I thank her for her meticulous work, and she curtseys and departs as quietly as she arrived. I smooth my gown, straighten my shoulders, and check myself out in the mirror. Not too bad. I may not be as stunning as the Unicoi women, but this is about as good as it gets for Jaden Beckett.
Drew and Ralston come to collect me at exactly seven o’clock. Drew is unusually complimentary about my appearance, making me suspicious that my zipper is broken or something. He informs me that Catherine has arranged for us to meet with Chief Blackthorn in a private room before the formal ceremonies begin. This news instantly transforms my fluttering butterflies into a flock of doves that tries desperately to escape through my throat. I’m not sure I’m ready to meet Ryder’s father.
A formal escort of two men in military-like regalia arrives to usher us to the room set up for our meeting with Chief Blackthorn. Drew follows them and Ralston takes my arm, gently urging me forward. “You look splendid, my dear,” he says.
I manage a small “Thank you.”
“Courage old girl. You are the crown princess of Domerica. You can do this,” he whispers.
Our escorts stop at the threshold of a large, white double door. They ceremoniously open the doors and bow, waiting for us to enter. I paste on my best Cinderella smile, and Drew and I step inside the cool, softly lit room. The furnishings are grand without being pretentious and a vague camphor smell hangs in the air.
Catherine and Chief Blackthorn are waiting to greet us. Ryder is not here. Catherine wastes no time launching into the formal introductions.
“Father, this is Princess Jaden Beckett of Domerica. Princess, this is Chief Seneca Blackthorn of Unicoi,” she says.
Chief Blackthorn is a large man with raven hair that matches Ryder’s, and deep chestnut eyes set in a drawn, but enormously handsome face. He wears a traditional Cherokee Ribbon Shirt of black, loose-fitting fabric with red ribbons running horizontally across the yoke and vertically down each side.
I step to his wheelchair and shake his hand. “I am very pleased to meet you, sir. Thank you for hosting us tonight.”
“Welcome to you and peace be with you, Princess Jaden,” he says in a raspy voice. “It is I who should thank you for making the journey to our country. May I also express my apologies and those of the Unicoi people for the way in which you were previously treated by my son. I am humbled by your capacity for forgiveness.”
I blink, groping for a response to his apology, but I’m saved from having to reply by Ryder’s sudden appearance in the room.
“I am terribly sorry for being late,” he says breathlessly. “Last minute details…”
I have to steady myself at the sight of him. He is dazzling! I expected him to be in traditional Cherokee dress like his father. Instead he wears a crisp white shirt, a black formal jacket and a red tie. His hair is smoothed back and tied with a black ribbon. He hurries to my side, taking my hand in his.
“It seems she is constantly having to forgive you for one thing or another, my son,” Chief Blackthorn says lightly. “Now, I was just about to meet Prince Andrew.” He turns in his chair to Drew.
“It is an honor to meet you, sir,” Drew says, shaking the chief’s hand. “Thank you for having us.”
“Welcome and peace be with you, Prince Andrew.”
Chief Blackthorn asks about our journey and our initial impressions of Unicoi. His gracious manner puts me at ease, and I’m able to answer his questions without sounding like a total idiot.
“I trust that Governor Beckett is well. I am sorry he was not able to accompany you tonight,” Chief Blackthorn says. “Please give him my regards.”
“We will, sir. Thank you,” I say.
“I understand Queen Eleanor is unaware of your visit to Unicoi,” he says.
I cut my eyes to Drew, clearing my throat, and taking time to choose my words. “She is preoccupied with important matters of state at this time, so we didn’t want to trouble her about our plans.”
“I suspect she would not approve of your being here,” he says hoarsely. “And while I do not condone deception where parents and children are concerned,” he glances at Ryder, “I am comforted by the fact that your father approves of your decision to visit our country. I am grateful that you both have come.”
“Thank you, sir,” Drew and I say in unison.
“We have quite an evening planned. I hope you will enjoy yourselves. Forgive me if my health requires me to retire early tonight. I thank you again for being our guests at Sequoyah Hall.” Chief Blackthorn nods, and Catherine takes the handles of his chair, capably wheeling him out a back door.
Our two uniformed escorts lead the rest of us to the dining hall entrance. Drumbeats announce our arrival, and the crowd inside quiets. An orchestra strikes up the Domerican national anthem as we are ushered to a long table where Chief Blackthorn and Catherine are already seated. The table is positioned on a slightly raised dais. I am given the place of honor on Chief Blackthorn’s right. Drew and Catherine are seated together on the left. Ryder takes the chair next to mine, as the final notes of the anthem are played.
With obvious effort, Chief Blackthorn stands and speaks in a wheezy voice. “I am honored to have two esteemed guests with us this evening in Sequo
yah Hall, the Crown Princess Jaden Beckett of Domerica and her brother Prince Andrew. I hope you will join me in welcoming them.”
A cheer goes up from the crowd, and everyone rises to their feet. I flush with embarrassment at the boisterous ovation. Drew takes it all in stride, though, like this stuff happens all the time—and I guess it does, to him. He’s a natural-born celebrity.
Again, I’m stuck by the eclectic appearance of the dinner guests. Some wear traditional formal clothing, while others sport feathered headdresses, beaded buckskin clothing, and other Cherokee party attire. Many of the younger crowd are even kind of punked-out, with short dresses, leather jackets, and funky jewelry.
A loud chime sounds, and the guests take their seats at elaborately-set, long dining tables. The hall is round, and the tables are arranged in a circle around a stage that dominates the center of the room. A spherical fire pit in the center of the stage blazes dramatically with a real fire.
