Serena lay in the middle of the large bed sunk deep into the blankets and laughed. She just couldn’t seem to stop. She turned to watch her mother walk into the room with a puzzled look on her face and laughed even harder. Lenora had no idea what was so funny, but soon found herself laughing just as hard as Serena was and even joined her on the bed.
“What’s so funny?” Marc asked from the doorway.
“I don’t know,” Lenora responded trying to compose herself. “Serena?”
“Oh nothing,” Serena sighed as she rolled over onto her stomach placing her chin in her hands. “I just thought that we needed to laugh.”
“Thank you,” Lenora smiled patting her daughter’s head. “I’m going to take a shower. You two behave while I do, okay?”
“Yes, Mama,” Serena smiled, Marc nodded.
Lenora returned the nod and left the room for the bathroom. The lavish room housed not only a large steam shower, but a huge tub. When Lenora saw the tub she had an idea. She filled the tub with water and bubbles.
“Serena come here,” Lenora called.
Serena barreled into the bathroom and stopped short. She screeched and pointed at the tub.
“What is that?” Serena asked moving slowly backwards towards the door.
“Those are not dangerous, they are bubbles,” Lenora chuckled. “They won’t hurt you.”
Serena stopped and tipped her head from side to side assessing the new thing she was being exposed to. She took a tentative step towards the tub waiting for something bad to happen. Lenora walked over to the tub and reached out for a handful of bubbles. Serena took a step back still unsure, but beginning to get curious about the new substance. Lenora blew the bubbles toward her daughter off of her hand.
Serena shrieked again, but nothing bad happened. She took a step towards the tub as she cleared the bubbles from her face. She touched the bubbles and squished them in her fingers. They felt strange, but did not hurt her. She scooped up a handful and blew them back at Lenora and laughed.
“There is warm water under the bubbles if you’d like to have a bath,” Lenora stated as she turned towards the shower.
Serena smiled and excitedly removed her clothes and climbed into the bubbles and warm water. She sighed as she slipped further into the water. Scooping up a handful of bubbles she clapped her hands and watched them fly outwards. Serena laughed and repeated the motion.
Lenora smiled and turned on the water for the shower. She turned to make sure her daughter was doing fine to see her making shapes from the bubbles. The water was warm and relaxing as Lenora stepped under the spray. She let the water ease the tension in her muscles as she washed her hair.
In the tub Serena was laughing and playing with the bubbles. Lenora finished washing and turned off the water. She reached for a towel to dry herself off. Serena was still playing happily and had become all wrinkled from her time in the warm water.
“Okay my girl,” Lenora smiled wrapping the towel around her. “Time to ready for dinner. Out you come.”
Lenora grabbed another towel as Serena stepped out of the tub and shivered. Lenora put the towel around her daughter and started to dry away the remaining bubbles. Once dry Lenora went to the drawers by the sink and started opening them to find a comb. She led Serena to a stool that was tucked under the counter beside the sink.
She began to comb out her daughters long hair and arrange it in a style that was of Eaon. Braids wrapped clockwise around her daughter’s head looping until there was no more hair. Lenora finished arranging her daughters hair and scooted her off the stool.
“Go pick out a nice dress to wear to diner. It is a special occasion.” Lenora instructed as she took the towel from her own head and began to arrange her own hair.
Marc walked in as Lenora finished looping the last strand of her hair. He rubbed his eyes and stretched.
“Did you have a nap?” Lenora asked.
“Yah, but is was too short,” Marc yawned. “How long before we have to be ready?”
“Around an hour,” Lenora responded. “I’ll be done here in a few minutes and you can shower.”
“Thanks,” Marc yawned again. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this time.”
“You’d be surprised at how quickly you’ll adjust,” Lenora commented as she took a final look at her appearance. “It will happen in just a few days. Its going home that will be hard. when the time comes.”
“When do you leave?” Marc asked suddenly realizing that Lenora would not be with them much longer.
“In a few days,” Lenora replied moving to where Marc stood. “I can’t wait too long or it will be too hard to make sure I end up in the right place.”
“Oh.”
“Marc, everything will turn out alright, everything with me did,” Lenora squeezed Marc’s shoulder. “This is the best thing for both of you. You’ll both stay safe and grow up learning new things that will be useful to the fight back home, but only when the time is right.”
“Thank you,” Marc whispered.
“Your welcome,” Lenora smiled and patted Marc’s head. “Now get ready.”
Lenora left the washroom and headed for the bedroom that she was using to get changed and put the finishing touches on her look.. She paused briefly at Serena’s door and watched happily as Serena put on one of her more elegant gowns that had been brought for such an occasion.
Still smiling Lenora continued to her room and changed into a luscious green gown that feel gracefully to the floor. She reached for a silver belt engraved with both her status and family insignia. She slipped this around her waist. The belt settled elegantly on her hips.
Next she fished out a silver band from her bag. It was an open ended circle with gems and in the center the insignia of the Eaonian Royalty. Lenora settled the band high on her forehead and turned to look in the mirror. The finished product was close to perfect.
The clock in the front room chimed. Lenora turned and walked down the hall to the front room. Serena and Marc sat quietly waiting. Both looking very elegant. Lenora smiled and walked over to the doors leading to the balcony. She opened them and let the late afternoon air in. She stepped out onto the balcony and looked down into the deserted courtyard. The sun casting pink and orange as it began to set.
A knock brought Lenora back into the front room. She walked to the door and opened it. A young girl stood on the other side. She was dressed in what looked like her best dress.
“I am here to escort you to diner,” the girl smiled. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, my dear,” Lenora returned with a smile. “Do you have a name?”
“Zanik, mama,” the girl bowed.
“Serena, Marc,” Lenora turned back to the children. “Zanik is here to escort us to diner. Shall we go?”
Serena and Marc nodded standing. The moved silently past Lenora towards the door. Zanik stepped back into the hallway turning to face towards the mirrored doors at the end of the hall. Lenora secured the door to the suite and turned to allow Zanik to lead the way.
Zanik led them down the hall and stopped before the mirrored doors. She pushed the button pointing down by the doors. Zanik stood patiently with her hands behind her back waiting for the elevator. The doors opened and Zanik led the small group inside. Lenora smiled and followed the children into the small room. She was impressed at how well behaved they were being.
The doors opened to an empty hall. Zanik stepped out of the elevator, leading the group down a hallway. She stopped at the top of a grand stairway that Lenora remembered led down into the great hall where the diner was being laid out.
“Please wait here,” Zanik instructed and moved gracefully down the staircase.
Zanik disappeared into the crowd at the bottom of the stairs. Lenora watched as the girl threaded her way through the crowd towards a small booth at the edge of the floor. She stopped and spoke with someone in the booth. The music and crowd volume softened. The collection of people at the bottom of the stairs turned and looked up. Lenora led the children to the top and waited.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen,” A voice spoke through the air. “I would like to introduce to your our honored guests.” There was a pause. “Madam Lenora Viche and her daughter Mistress Serena Viche. Accompanying them Mister Marc Dupuis.”
When there names were announced the crowd clapped politely. Lenora nodded and Serena bowed slightly. This was the cue for the group to descend down the stairs. Marc moved between Lenora and Serena. He extended his arms for them and walked them down the stairs. As they descended the crowd applauded and people began to whisper again.
Talia stood waiting at the bottom of the stairs. She smiled and led the small group through the crowd to a table up on a dais. Already seated at the table was Amelia. She smiled and bowed her head. Servers stood close by to get anything that was required.
Once everyone at the dais table was seated the music changed signalling that diner was about to start. Everyone began to take there seats. As soon as everyone was seated a rush of servers entered the room carrying plates piled high with different types of food.
The servers placed the plates int he middle of each table. They then stepped back and let the guests serve themselves. The servers standing by the dais moved quickly to place plates of food in front of those seated at the head table.
The food was hot and steam rose from each plate. With the steam there were smells. Meats and vegetables, sweet smells, and smells that made your mouth water. There was a little bit of everything on each plate.
Lenora watched as each person began to eat. She picked up her fork and began to eat the food on her plate. Down the table Serena and Marc followed Lenora’s lead and began to taste the different foods on their plates.
There was some polite conversation that flitted down the table, but nothing that was controversial. The meal progressed uneventfully and the foods presented were wonderful, different and full of flavor. They were different from what the children were used to but they ate without complaint a little of everything.
As the desserts were presented the music changed. The rhythm picked up and more instruments were being used. Those who had completed their meals began to dance in the clear area in front of where the musicians were playing.
Lenora sat back and clasped her hands in her lap. A server removed her plate and cleaned off the area in front of her. she watched as everyone seemed to be having a fabulous time. Yet, there was an air of unease.
The rest of the plates were quickly removed as each guest completed their meal. Desserts were presented to those still seated and placed in the empty spaces of those who had gotten up to dance or move around to talk to other guests. The dessert was a mixture of fruit, cake, and creams. It was very good.
Lenora looked down the table to check to see how the children were doing. She saw that they were sitting quietly taking in the sights and sounds. She smiled at them and they smiled back.
“Lady Amelia,” Lenora whispered leaning towards Amelia. “It is getting late and I think the children are getting tired…”
“I’ll have Alexander escort them up to your rooms,” Amelia interjected. “You are staying?”
“Yes,” Lenora smiled. “But not too long as i am not used to the time change.”
Amelia smiled and motioned for a tall teen boy to come forward. As they boy got closer Lenora thought that she had seen him before. Alexander bowed and waited for instructions. He was tall for how young he looked. Dark Hair curled gently on his brow and was cut short. It was his eyes that bothered Lenora. They were older than the body in front of her.
“Alex, please escort Serena and Marc to their suite.” Amelia instructed.
“Yes, Mama,” Alexander bowed and went to stand to the side and wait for Marc and Serena to ready themselves.
“Serena, Marc, I can see you are both very tired. Alexander will take you back to our suites,” Lenora smiled as she came over to the two children. “Go get some sleep. I’ll be up soon. We have lots to see tomorrow.”
“Okay, moma,” Serena stood and hugged Lenora and went to stand to the side.
“Be on guard Marc,” Lenora whispered. “There is something not quite right about Alexander.”
Lenora led the children off the dais and towards where Alexander was standing. Marc nodded to Lenora and the children followed Alexander out of the hall. Alexander led the two towards the hall with the mirrored elevator. Marc sensed that something bad was about to happen.
Marc sent a silent message to Serena to stay alert. The group continued down the hall and stopped before the mirrored door. Alexander pushed the button for the elevator. Suddenly, Alexander spun around and magic lit from his fingers.
Serena was already moving before Alexander had completed his circle. She moved protectively into a doorway and watched as magic streaked by her hitting a plant and turning it to ash.
Marc was also moving as Alexander started to turn. As he positioned himself and cast a defensive spell. It manifested as a bright light that made him and Serena close their eyes. When Marc and Serena could see clearly Alexander was gone. Where he had gone was unknown, nut he was no longer a threat.
“What did you do?” Serena asked.
“I cast what should have been a defensive shield, but it seemed to push back into Alexander,” Marc shrugged.
‘Moma, we need you,’ Serena sent out silently
Lenora jumped in her chair, stood and looked around the room. Not seeing what she was looking for she sat and looked for Talia, but she also was not to be found. Lenora got nervous.
‘I’ll be there soon,’ Lenora sent back to her daughter.
Lenora stood and walked towards the end of the dais.
“What’s wrong?” Amelia asked noticing Lenora’s hurry and fear.
“Serena needs me,” Lenora responded. “I must go to her.”
Talia suddenly appeared looking startled and confused.
“What’s going on?” Talia questioned. “I felt a large discharge of power.”
“We must get to the children.” Lenora instructed. “Something is wrong.”
Talia nodded and turned leading Lenora from the hall and towards her suite. Lenora stayed alert to anything that was out of place. As they walked towards the hall that led to the mirrored elevator Lenora began to sense the magic in the air.
Talia moved quicker down the hall. As she turned the corner she saw the pile of ash where a plant used to be. Her hand flew to her lips hushing the gasp before it cam out. Lenora looked from the pile of ash down the hall and spotted Marc and Serena standing in front of the mirrored doors. Magic residue hung in the air around the children.
“What happened?” Talia demanded.
“Alexander tried to use magic on us,” Serena explained calmly. “But he was too slow. Marc got him first.”
“Where is Alexander?” Lenora asked.
“He just disappeared,” Marc shrugged.
“Talia, do you feel anything out of the ordinary?” Lenora turned to Talia.
“Yes,” Talia started. “Well out of the ordinary for here. The air crackles with spent energy and there is a energy tail that leads away from here, but I know not where it goes or if the person struck by the energy lives. If they do…”
“Thank you,” Lenora interrupted with a sigh. “I had thought no one would follow, but I guess my children are too much of a threat to those trying to usurp power.”
“Let’s get the children to your suite,” Talia frowned. “I’ll personally sweep the grounds to make sure this does not happen again.”
“I have to return the day after tomorrow, but I won’t leave unless I know Serena will be safe,” Lenora stated.
“We’ll make sure she is safe,” Talia took Lenora’s arm and ushered the children into the elevator.
Serena took her mothers hand as they rode up to the floor their suite was on. She smiled tiredly when Lenora looked down at her. The attack was not unexpected, but the amount of energy dispelled was. Lenora began to worry that Marc was not mature enough to protect Serena.
The group stepped off the elevator. Lenora produced a key and opened the door. Talia led the way inside to check for anything out of place within the suite. Nothing was. everything was as they had left it. She motioned for Lenora to enter with the children. As they entered the room both children yawned loudly.
“Go get into bed. I’ll be there in a minute.” Lenora shooed the children off to their rooms.
“Talia, thank you,” Lenora smiled. “Please let Amelia know that I have decided to stay with the children. I will talk to her in the morning about what happened here.”
Talia nodded and closed the door as she left. On the closed door and all of the windows Lenora cast a protective net. If anyone attempted to hurt her or the children she would be ready.
Lenora walked to Serena’s room to tuck her into bed. She kissed her daughter on the top of the head and told her everything would be okay and that she was safe. Serena smiled, snuggled down into bed and closed her eyes.
Lenora walked into Marc’s room. She wanted to ask him a few more questions about what had happened. Marc sat waiting. He looked down at his hands as Lenora entered the room.
“Milady, I’m sorry,” Marc began.
“Hold on a moment. Tell me what happened first before you apologize too much.” Lenora soothed.
“Well as I left I had a sense that something bad was going to happen, but I did not know what that was,” Marc began.”I told Serena to be alert in case of danger. We were about halfway down the hall to the elevator, Alexander was almost to the elevator when he spun around and sent deadly magic at Serena. Because she was already she sensed Alexander building his power as I did and had already moved out of his line of fire. He hit the plant instead of Serena. I put up a defensive shield, but the power seemed to cycle into Alexander and a bright light appeared. When it was gone so was Alexander. Your Grace, I did not send out that much. Only enough for the defensive spell. It’s one I had practiced a lot so I know I had control. I don’t know why he disappeared.”
“You did right,” Lenora smiled. “It sounds like your spell triggered another spell in Alexander that transported him away so that I could not question him. Your defensive spell was it strong.”
“As strong as I could make it.” Marc nodded. “I did not know how strong the magics were so I made it as strong as I knew how.”
“Excellent,” Lenora patted Marc’s shoulder. “You did well, sleep now. Tomorrow I will show you one more spell you may need.”
“Thank you Milady,” Marc bowed. “Goodnight.”
Lenora stood and left the room closing the door behind her. She signed. Marc was the correct choice for protector to Serena, he had done exactly as he had been trained to do. Lenora was very proud.
The Adams-Schlag Family 