"Thanks," she said as she sighed. She walked up to Iris and grimaced at the lady's saddle on her. When she mounted, both of her legs were on one side of Iris, and the skirts slid off of her gracefully. "So I take it that you are going to show yourself later?" asked Alex, seeing JC dressed in normal servant's clothes. He nodded. "Most likely later tonight, so I'm going to be dressed like this and hide my necklace."
Alex smiled as they began to ride toward the city in the distance. JC began to become more nervous with each step. Alex looked at him as he shifted in his saddle for the hundredth time. "Calm down, JC." He sighed in frustration and ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry. It's just that this next hour will change my life."
Alex looked at him with sympathy. "Well, take a deep breath because the kingdom is just around the next turn." JC took a deep breath, but nothing could have prepared him for the sight that lay before his eyes. A clear sea sat on the west shore of the city, the sails of boats reaching upward. At the shore, a sandy beach curved along, with only a few structures along it. Then came a section of houses. The houses were well built and they could see many figures roaming around them. Then there seemed to be an area with mainly stalls, the market area. Then temples and some more houses donned the ever rising hill. Finally at the top, sat a glittering castle, spires reaching into the sky, flags flapping freely in the wind.
Everyone's breath caught in their throats. They began to move toward the city, not noticing the figures coming toward them. Finally Alex tore her eyes away and saw the orderly line of guards, lining the path with lit torches in their hands. The scene was almost too good to be true, it was too perfect.
They led their horses past the guards, coming closer to the group waiting at the end. When they arrived, Roald and Cythera both came to the head of the group. JC helped Alex off Iris and she smiled at him encouragingly before he drifted back.
"Welcome, King Roald and Queen Cythera," greeted the tall man who was King Roy. While he seemed to be a very imposing figure, his eyes were laughing, taking everything in. "I welcome you to my kingdom. This is my wife, Queen Karen. And these two are my children, Princess Heather and Prince Tyler."
Alex quickly glanced over her shoulder at JC. There was so much emotion written over his face, she didn't think even he could distinguish it all. "And this is my eldest daughter, Princess Alexandra as well as my other daughter, Princess Anastasia." Both girls curtsied low, as they had been taught.
"Come, let us get you settled," said Karen as she led them off. As they started on their journey through the city, Alex faded back a bit so that she could talk with JC. He seemed to be in a daze. "Stay with me here," she whispered. He chuckled. "I have a brother and sister, Alex. I have a mother and a father." Alex smiled and quickly hugged him. "I'm so happy for you. Just wait till tonight." He nodded as she lengthened her stride to catch up with everybody else.
Everyone sat around the main table in the dining hall. For now, they were discussing trivial things, but Roald was going to ask a certain question that would change many emotions. "You have some beautiful children," he commented carefully. "Thank you," answered Karen with a hint of sadness in her voice. "As do you."
"Queen Karen, you seem distressed," observed Cythera. Karen sighed and exchanged glances with her husband. JC was against thewall and he tensed up as she began. "Three years before Heather was born, we had another child, a son. He was the heir and the necklace that we put around his neck established that. Well, when he was only about a month old, he was kidnapped during an outing. We couldn't find him anywhere. Joshua, as we had named him, was nowhere to be found."
Alex looked at JC. He had tears in his eyes as he watched his now found family. Alex turned her attention back to those before her as her father spoke. "I am terribly sorry to hear about such things. But do not give up hope for your son may still be found."
"I do hope you are right. Anyway, we have a feast planned for tonight and would wish greatly for you to attend."
"That would be wonderful. We also have a presentation to make if that is all right with you."
"That would be excellent. Now our servants shall escort you to your rooms."
Alex caught up to JC in the hall. "How are you?" she asked concerned.
"I'm anxious about tonight, but besides that I'm fine." Alex smiled and squeezed his hand. "It'll all work out, I promise." She then turned and disappeared into her room.
Dei carefully set the golden crown inlaid with diamonds and pearls onto Alex's head. "You're just pulling out all of the stops aren't you?" she asked as Alex stood and adjusted her silver gown. "I have to make a good impression. Besides, I'm going to be introducing JC in front of a court that I know very little or none about." She sighed and pulled at the skirts again. "If I'm nervous, I can only imagine what JC is like." Dei laughed. "Let's not even go there."
"Stop it," said JC as he slapped Chris' hand away from his collar. Saying he was nervous was an understatement. He was pacing the room and subconsciously twirling the pendant between his fingers. His black tunic was trimmed with silver tape and the effect made his crystal blue eyes blaze in comparison. The hilt that donned the sword that hung from his waist was now jeweled. The necklace hung in plain sight in front of his chest. He nervously shifted his weight from one foot to the other. There was a knock on the door and Justin shouted, "Come in!"
Alex and Arianna came in and closed the door behind them. Alex started to laugh at the exasperated look on JC's face. "Leave him alone," she said through her laughter. "He looks fine."
"Thank you," he said and slapped Chris' hand away again.
"Chris, we have to go anyway, and you might as well come too Justin," said Arianna as she took Chris' arm, pulling him out of the way.
"Okay, okay," he muttered as they walked out. She laughed and looked JC over one more time. "You really do look great."
"Thanks. Can we go? I want to get this over with." She nodded as they left the room and walked down the hall.
Justin was about to go down the great stair when he turned and saw them. "Hey! Everyone's down and Alex you're next." The herald turned toward them as Justin left and gasped when he saw JC. He stared at the necklace and almost fell to his knees. Alex quickly nodded and whispered, "Yes, it is him. Introduce me and then I shall take care of introducing JC." The herald nodded and bowed low to both of them. He stepped up to the door, turning his back on them. Alex kissed JC on the cheek before she stepped up to the stair, ready to descend.
Twelve