Chapter V of "A Darker Story"

 Chapter 5!

Appropriate for all ages.

 

Chapter V

            Rose rushed to get ready, shuffling around looking for her papers. As she threw everything around in a desperate search, she furiously wondered why sundials didn’t have alarms. She cursed violently as she scurried to get her lavender silk dress on.

            “My, my, that’s no way for a princess to speak.”

            Rose jerked her head up in shock to see who was speaking. Standing in the doorway of her disarrayed room was a tall, skinny dark red snow leopard in a guard’s uniform. Rose plopped on her tiara and faced the guard. “Who in the name of Flame the great Fire Dragon are you?!”

            The guard smiled. “I’m Thorn, the new guard. I was sent to check on you. You seem to be late…?” He ended, clearly expecting an answer.

            Rose groaned. “I know I’m late! I can’t find my cursed papers!”

            Thorn lifted a foot to step forward hesitantly. “May I come in?”

            “I guess,” Rose mumbled. She looked up at Thorn. “Can you help me?”

            “That’s exactly what I was going to do.”

            The two rummaged around in the messy room for what seemed like an eternity. Suddenly, Thorn stopped at stared at the floor. The princess looked at him questioningly and walked over. “What did you find?”

            Thorn was looking at a beautiful picture painted with the finished colors of a sleek black snow leopard with deep red eyes next to a beautiful snow leopard whose fur seemed to be made of frost and icy blue eyes. In between them was a young cub with creamy fur tinted pink and eyes just like that of the white leopard. Thorn glanced at Rose to see her eyes filled with tears.

            Rose tenderly picked up the picture and hugged it. “I thought I had lost you,” Rose said hoarsely. “But I love you…”

            She set the painting down in front of Thorn. “Thorn,” she rasped. “Do you know who they are?”

            Thorn swallowed as he made the connection. “The cub is you… the black one is King Malicis, and the frosty one is…” Thorn’s words faded out, his own eyes becoming wet, remembering memories that weren’t there.

            “My mother.” Rose finished. “Queen Frostbite. She died protecting me from a dragon… she was amazing.” Rose looked up at Thorn. “Who are your parents? Where are you from?”

            Thorn bit his lip and turned away. “Oh… you-you don’t have any…”

            “Of course I do!” Thorn laughed weakly. His face fell. “I just don’t remember them.” He looked into Rose’s entrancing icy blue eyes. “Can you keep a secret?” He whispered. After the princess’s slow nod, he leaned over and put his mouth to her ear. “I’ve lived in the Everdark Forest my entire life.”

            Rose leaned back, eyes wide. “Wow,” she breathed. “That’s amazing…”

            Thorn closed his eyes and smiled. He was about to get up to go when he heard the crinkling of papers. “I do believe these are yours,” Thorn nodded towards the papers on the floor. He watched as Rose bent down to retrieve the papers. “And, umm, would you like an escort?”

            Rose seemed startled. “S-s-sure!”

            As the two trotted out the door and down the stairs, Thorn stopped. “Huh…”

            Rose shook her head. “You have no idea where we’re going, do you?”

            “Hey! Give me a break! I’m new here!” Thorn huffed.

            Rose laughed. “Come on. I’ll show you.”

***

            That day, Thorn gained a friend.

            He also learned the way to the Lessons room.

End Chapter V

-Frost