| The Violet Amulet By Ravengirl |
| Once upon a time there was a little boy named Markliam. He lived in a small house in a small town in sight of a beautiful castle. He lived there with his mother and his siblings, who all liked to play in the forest with him. But they would never venture very far because of the horrid stories told about the creatures that lurked there. One day Markliam�s mommy decided to take him to play at the castle of the beautiful Princess, who happened to be just Markliams age. The Princess' name was Cheryl and she had long flowing brown hair. She loved to work in her garden, for in the garden magic grew. She played there and made up wonderful stories that she would tell the little children who loved to visit her. Markliam�s mother told him he would find Princess Cheryl in her garden, and told him to go meet her there. He came upon her sitting under a tree with a book. She looked up as he approached and said, �Welcome, I�ve been expecting you.� Then she proceeded to give Markliam a tour of the garden. It was a lovely garden. Princess Cheryl had her own bed of flowers in the garden and every day when the sun was in it's highest place she would water them with the water from the place where the creek ran into the moat around the castle. It was a very secret place, right in the deep of the forest and quite trecherous, except for the one who held the special amulet. This amulet was magic and would protect the wearer from harm. Princess Cheryl held the special amulet and kept it with her at all times. Mind you it was a very valuable thing. She wore it on a silver chain around her neck. The water from this place was the only thing that would keep the magical flowers alive. These flowers would heal any sickness, calm any arguement, lead you to riches, and gain you profound wisdom. Of course, these flowers were kept a great secret. They were the only source of power for the reining monarch. Princess Cheryl was in charge of tending them, as no one else could be trusted with their secret and she was to have rein of their power when her father died. Her mother had died many years ago when she was but a child. She had no siblings. So Markliam and Princess Cheryl had a wonderful time. The explored the greenhouses and fed the ducks in the moat and skipped stones off the bridge. They went everywhere in the garden and were having so much fun that Princess Cheryl forgot the special flowers. Just as the sun was highest in the sky it suddenly came to her and she raced off towards the special place, with Markliam following close behind. A wooden wall, covered in ivy surrounded the special flowers. There was an opening in the wall and Princess Cheryl headed right for it. As she entered the alcove where the flowers were she ran too fast and as she neared the flowerbed she tripped, and fell right into the watering can, spilling its contents right over the magical flowers. She had made it in time. They waved in the breeze that suddenly swept over the garden. Then Markliam picked up the watering can and placed it on the bench nearby. It had been lying on its side in the dust. It was dirty and there wasn't one drop left in it. "Oh no!" Princess Cheryl cried. They would have to get more water. �What�s wrong?� asked Markliam. She had no choice but to tell him. She felt she could trust him. �So we have to go into the woods?� he asked? �No, I do. But that will be okay,� then she felt for her amulet, but the amulet was gone. They looked in the grass, and around the flowers. But it wasn�t there. They retraced their steps of the afternoon. The violet amulet was nowhere to be found. Princess Cheryl explained to Markliam her plight and they ran to the castle to tell the King. They dashed up the steps and into the grand hall. But the King wasn't at there. �Where is my father?� demenaded Princess Cheryl of a servent passing in the hall. �He has gone at a moments notice, your Highness. Gone at once to help a dear friend of his, the King of Ral Delri. They are preparing for war. He is not expected home for months. He has left you a letter, Miss. It is being held in the drawing room for you.� Princess Cheryl thanked the woman, and sat down numbly on the stair. Then Markliam turned bravely to Princess Cheryl and said, "I will go for the water you need. You have to have it, or the country will fall into ruin. You know there have been rumors about the Beltians attempting to overthrow your father. We had all wondered why there was peace so long. You know those flowers are the answer to the puzzle." But Princess Cheryl insisted he couldn't. He didn't know where the special pool was. So finally they decided to go together. They packed a bag with provisions they would need in the dark woods, and Princess Cheryl tucked a few precious petals into her pocket. They were crimson and mauve, unlike any Markliam had ever seen. Soon they neared the place where the woods thickened. The path began as a gentle slope, going through a clearing filled with sunlight and bird's song, but soon the trees became thicker, blocking out the sun. It became dark. The air became colder in the shade. There were rustlings in the leaves. The bird's were startled and flew away. Suddenly there was a growl, so low they barely heard it. It came from the bush beside them. Markliam picked up a heavy branch and brandished it towards the bush. Slowly and methodically the creature emerged from the grove. It's claws were sharp and pointed, teeth barred, fur matted in clumps. It snarled at Markliam. Princess Cheryl ran for cover, for she had no weapon. She hid behind the nearest tree. The creature suddenly lunged, but Markliam batted it away with his branch. It was light, but vicious. It attacked again, biting off a part of the branch. The end was sharp. Markliam lunged, stabbing it through the side. Still it thrashed. It had not been mortally wounded. But it had been frightened. It lumbered away shrieking in pain. Markliam wiped the sweat off his brow, and the pair walked on. They walked further into the woods. They came to a brook. There were rocks arcoss the rushing waters in a nice, simple path. Princess Cheryl went first. She knew the path well. She told Marliam to stay on the other side. She made it across safely though she slipped a little on moss by the bank. Then it was Markliam's turn. |
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| To Be Continued...... |
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