Iana's father began his tale last time, and now continues.
How the Rose Blooms
"It was like a dream," Father said earnestly, as if begging me and Joli to understand.
My breath froze in me as I heard this, I knew exactly what father spoke about since I'd experienced the same strange dreaming. I looked at Joli to see her reaction. Her face had turned white as ash. She clenched her hands in front. It seemed my sister had experienced it as well. I glanced toward Mother, but she shook her head.
Father was not as lucky as I was, he soon found he was trapped in this new garden. How he got there he didn't know and try as he might he could not return home. He wandered there a time, a pleasure long denied him. He came to a large standing of trees and there he met a man seated beneath it.
Click here for the events from last time; below we finally have reached her father's story.
The Story of Prince Wandering
I looked at my father as he spoke, his words sounded so heavy, each one a giant boulder sinking down to the bottom of a cold dark pond. This was the story he told. I have written it down as best I can remember.
As a young man my father often traveled about his father's kingdom, so that he might see for himself all the land he would one day inherit. His parents, the Good King and Fair Queen indulged his wandering, and soon he was known as Prince Wandering. "Where did you wander today? he was often asked and he would gladly tell them. Sometimes his wandering took him to the forests on the very borders of the kingdom. In those days wandering through the forest wasn't as dangerous, but occasionally he got lost. Once he wandered so far, and got so lost he somehow ended up in the Fire Woods, and he might never have escaped if not for the help of a bright young girl he met there.
Actually I'm glad the story is only about midway. There is so much more to tell; so much I haven't been able to squeeze in: Iana's mother and Olwen, other family background, descriptions of Winding, more of the Aunties. And since I missed last week, I'm making a second post. It's fun writing a prequel like this. Although it's still very much Iana's story. From last time, will Iana's resolve remain strong even after the debt collections have made their intentions know? Chapter four continues...
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An OfferI could hardly believe what I was hearing. The debt collectors intended to take either me or Joli as payment?"You can't be serious.""Actually I am, Princess," the Lion nodded, his grin spread so wide I thought his head might crack in half. "Do you realize what you are asking?""Iantheia," Mother hissed, a warning for me to hold my tongue"It is a great honor for you." The Lion looked at me as if I was being rude.
I just recently realized the Iana's story is only about one third of the way, maybe a little more than that, but not halfway done yet. It's about time for things to move a little faster, I hope they will now that the two strangers have arrived, the lion and the wolf.
So, let's see where this will lead Iana as the fourth chapter of her story continues.
ResolveOf course, Mother was already with Father, standing outside the door of his study ready to greet the debt collectors in that precise, perfect way of hers. One of the winterguards or my Aunties must have informed her. Of course, she led them straight inside, treating them like important noble dignitaries. And then, of course, she stopped me and Joli from entering, telling us to return to our duties. Well, if she expected me to obediently leave, she was in for a surprise.
The fourth chapter of Iana's story. It began here, and now continues.
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Sun and Moon, Lion and Wolf. Iana's story #22
Olwen escorted the two men into the entrance hall where I waited. It was a draft place. I could hear the wind whistling above me in the rafters. The elegantly carved wood usually gave the wind a sweet musical sound, but today it sounded dry and hollow.
I didn't see any other winterguards inside the hall, not surprising as there were only three old men serving in the castle guard, and Olwen their captain. No other attendants stood beside me, and none of my Aunts hobbled out from the servants quarters to gawk as they usually did when anyone arrived at the castle. Winding didn't receive guests very often anymore. I didn't know where my Mother was, or Joli, for that matter. I was alone to greet these men, the horrible debt collectors who held the fate of our poor kingdom. I straightened my shoulders, raised my chin and prepared to be, at least a little civil.
You may or may not have noticed I've updated the blog, just freshened it up a bit. Feel free to take a look. Iana's story continues below.
Previously in Prince Roderick's travel journals, and from before, read where Iana's search led here. The next chapter of her adventure now begins.
Why keep all these secrets? Iana's story #21
I couldn't understand why my Father would hesitate. He was the King of Winding. Didn't he want to save his Kingdom? He had within his grasp a power to do that. What was he waiting for?
Returning to the castle from Aunt Rosemary's I had to make my way through the gardens again. Of course this time nothing strange happened. Although I felt a piercing loneliness, as I passed the silent tower and it lingered with me until I reached the part of the castle beyond the bell tower, which wasn't falling to pieces. I could hear voices ahead, from within the servant's halls. My godmothers. From the shrill voice of Aunt Ravelle, to the loud shouting between Aunt Ginger and Aunt Hona, they're both slightly deaf, and my mother bossing people around in that precise way she has. I wasn't alone, not at all with them around. The castle was filled with my Aunties. My sister Joli was hiding out somewhere and my father still locked in his study, hiding away as well. Why would he do that? Why keep all these secrets? Why not share the wonderful life giving flower with everyone? That's what I would have done.
Previously from Iana's Story, and where last we left Prince Roddy, and now his search for a cursed village continues.
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From Prince Rodericks' Travel Journals (#20 of Iana's Story)
10th day of counting before April, year 217
The search continues. No village. Only endless weed and riverbank. The weather soured, which gives Leric plenty to complain about. He refuses to leave his quarters. Holing up in the coffin-like bunk would make me ill too. The head space on this barge nonexistent. A child's leg room not a grown man's. I haven't had time to write as much these days, the crew short handed as it is. Perhaps this venture should be abandoned?
