Eddie’s face was one of pure delight at the sight before them and was surprised to find he could breathe normally. “You think…
“I think we found it.” Ayesha said proudly. “The Lost Kingdom of Arancia.”
They both stared at the gates, not entirely sure what to do next. Eddie was ready and waiting to enter so he could finally find out what the Kingdom looked like in its prime. Ever since he read the story of the lost kingdom, he has wanted to be the first person to find out what happened and now he had the chance to do just that. This was the opportunity of a lifetime and the perfect way to advance his career.
Ayesha glanced at Eddie, noting the surprise and awe on his face. She had to admit that finding a place that had very little known about it, specifically whether it actually existed, was exciting, but she couldn’t deny that she was scared out of her mind. Neither of them knew what lie beyond the gates and whether they would even be able to get in.
“So, shall we?” Eddie gestured towards the gate, a gleam in his eyes.
Ayesha stepped back. “I don’t know. I mean isn’t it a bit suspect that we are underwater breathing and talking, which we shouldn’t be able to do, in front of gates that apparently lead to some mysterious unknown lost kingdom?”
“Well, yes.” Eddie turned to her. “But, this is also a once in a lifetime opportunity. As a folklore professor this is what I live and breathe. We’e here now, we can’t give up.” He looked back at the gates. “Question is, how do we get in?” He moved closer and placed a hand on the gate, pushing lightly. “Nothing.”
Ayesha moved forward, something urging her to touch it, as if she alone could open the doorway to Arancia. She couldn’t explain how she knew what to do every time they came across a problem, but somehow she did.
“Stand back.” She moved past Eddie and took a deep breath. “Here goes.” She places her palm flat against the lock carved into the middle of the gate. Her touch lit the gate up in shades of orange making her move back quickly.
She has arrived. A voice seemed to whisper in her ear. When she looked around at Eddie, it was obvious he had never heard the voice himself.
The gates opened wide but only seemed to open to more sea. Ayesha took Eddie’s hand without asking and walked forward through the gates not sure what was going to come of this.
As Ayesha pulled Eddie through the doorway, the scene before them suddenly changed from that of deep, blue water to a whole other world before them. They stopped and looked up at the castle across the way, surrounded by rocks and cliffs. Looking up Ayesha could still see the water that encompassed them, the fish swimming above completely oblivious to everything below them.
“This is brilliant.” Eddie gazed around and when he looked at Ayesha’s amused expression, realised she was still holding his hand. He promptly let go and surveyed the palace in front of them again. “We have to take a peek.” He stepped forward, focused on the path ahead, soon realising Ayesha wasn’t with him. “What is it?”
Ayesha scanned every surface with her eyes. She felt she knew this place; had been here before, but she like everything else that happened, she couldn’t explain why. “I think, and this will sound crazy, but I think I’ve been here before.” She caught up to him, looking at the towers high above them. “Do you still have that picture?”
Eddie reached into his back pocket and fished it out, surprised it had survived the journey. He handed it to her.
Ayesha studied it carefully. She had to admit it looked exactly like her. She turned it over and noticed a faded inscription on the back. Ayesha, 18yrs. She said nothing and handed it to Eddie as she moved forward towards the door.
“This is you…” Eddie ran to catch up with her. “You did come from here then. But that makes you over a thousand years old. How is that?”
Ayesha ignored him as she pushed open the door to the castle and entered as if she belonged. She let her feet take her where they needed to go and stopped outside a large dining room, where one person was seated.
“Excuse me?”
The woman jumped in fright and upon seeing Ayesha’s face, rose immediately. “You can’t be here.” She stood before her. “You shouldn’t be here. You have to leave.” She sighed. “But now you’ve entered the gates you are trapped here. What have you done?” She grabbed Ayesha’s shoulders and shook her. “What have you done, Ayesha?”
“You know my name?” Ayesha moved back and bumped into Eddie who held her steady. “Who are you?”
“You know who I am, Ayesha. You just need time to adjust to being back here.”
“Where are we?” Ayesha gazed around the room looking for any clues, but nothing seemed to jump out at her.
“This is the Arancian Palace.” The woman took her hand. “I never thought I’d see you again.” She smiled, tears in her eyes. “But it is not safe for you here. You must leave.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but you just said we couldn’t.” Eddie stepped forward. “My name is Eddie.” He held out his hand, but the woman ignored him.
“That is true.” She looked at him. “It is not safe for you either, sir. Humans do not last long here. We must find a hiding place for you, but that involves crossing the border into the main part of town. No one can see you.” She pulled Ayesha with her, and Eddie followed on confused.
“Why can’t I be here?”
“I cannot say.” The woman hurried them out a different door and soon they were travelling between buildings in the dark. “Not here.” She halted them as some people crossed the gap they were about to emerge from.
“Stop!” Ayesha shouted as they walked out into the open space. “I don’t understand. Why can’t I be here? What is so dangerous about my presence?”
“Please, Ayesha, do as I say. Listen to your mother.” The woman froze at her own words and looked back at her.
“My m-mother?” Ayesha stared at her and realised there was a resemblance there. “If you are my mother, then why are you in that palace all alone?”
“We don’t have time. The longer we stay, the quicker they will find you.”
“Who’s they?” Ayesha demanded. “Tell me!”
“Queen Ariana’s court.” The woman seemed to tremble just saying the name. “She must not rise again. Her court are doing everything they can to find a way to bring her out of her sleep and this can not under any circumstances happen!”
“Why not?”
The woman shook her head. “Not here, please. We must find you and your friend a place to hide.”
“Why can’t we hide at the palace?”
“Because that is our home. If you are able to call it home again, they will be able to track you.” She tugged on her arm. Now, please. We must go.”
Ayesha followed her again, looking back to check Eddie was still there, but he was nowhere to be seen. “Wait!” She pulled back. “Where’s Eddie?” Ayesha walked back a few paces, but he was not there.
“I’m afraid he is lost now.” The woman made her move again. “I told you humans do not last here.”
“Is he dead?” Ayesha asked as they hurried along a narrow path to a small house.
The woman pushed her inside the door and slammed it shut.
“I asked you if he was dead.”
The woman turned to face her. “I cannot say for sure, but if it was Queen Adriana’s court that grabbed him, then I’m afraid he will be soon, if not already. He knows you; he came here with you. It’s likely they may use him to try and track you.”
“This is insane.” Ayesha started pacing. “You need to tell me everything.” She almost added the word mum, but given she didn’t really remember her just yet, she decided against it.
“1024, the year you turned 18. It was the year that you came of age and were destined to take the throne, but Ariana, your sister, was not happy. She had been dealing with dark magic for years without us knowing and threatened to kill you to take the throne. I couldn’t let that happen, so I had to send you away. I sent you away from the island to live a normal life until it was it safe to return home. Adriana’s powers became darker and more dangerous, and she overpowered your father to the throne, so we had to take drastic action. A group of us concocted a special potion for Adriana and when we sent the kingdom to the bottom of the sea, it sent her into a deep sleep. For a thousand years, we have lived simple, but peaceful lives.”
“For a thousand years?” Ayesha wasn’t sure how much she believed, and she needed to find Eddie. “How can you have lived like this for a thousand years?”
“Because to risk your life because of her, there was no way. I couldn’t save Adriana, but I could save you.”
“Well, I’m back now. We can save the kingdom together.” Ayesha just didn’t know how she was going to do that yet. “But first I have to find Eddie.” She opened the door to leave but was blocked by armed guards pointing their weapons at her. “Ayesha Costa Del Paia, you will come with us.”
She was going to refuse but when she saw Eddie hanging limp in two of the soldier’s arms, she thought better of it. He was here because of her. If she hasn’t walked into his class; if she hadn’t agreed to this trip, they could both be at university safe with no worries other than work.
“You will not take her!” The woman, her mother, stood in front of her, hands held out. “You will leave her friend with us and return to your sanctuary. She will not be helping you!” Her hands seemed to emanate some kind of power, and Eddie slide through the door behind them. “Leave!” She threw her hands out to them, and they disappeared into thin air. “They will be back. And next time for me.”
Ayesha stood there, not sure what to feel or think. She had to get out of here. She had to leave this place with Eddie and never return. Despite the woman before her claiming to be her mother she didn’t know this woman and had her own life back at university.
“Eddie!” Ayesha dropped to the ground and shook him. “Eddie, please wake up. We have to go.” She shook him harder until his eyelids fluttered. When he eventually opened them, she breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank God.”
“Ayesha, we have to leave this place! Now!” Eddie sat up and grabbed her arms. “The things I’ve seen and heard. It really isn’t safe for you, we have to leave.”
“What did you see? Tell me.”
Eddie shook his head.
“He can show you.” The woman knelt down and guided Ayesha’s hands to his head. “Concentrate on his fear, and knowing the reason for it.” She looked at Eddie. “Focus on the things you saw and heard. Imagine a door to those things and leave it open for Ayesha.”
Ayesha closed her eyes, not sure what was going on; if this was even going o work. Before she could question it, she could see herself walking through a door. The door slammed behind her, and she saw the kingdom brighter than it was now, people chatting and going about their business. It stood on its own island in the middle of the sea, teaming with life. A darkness quickly descended over the island as a woman all in black, eyes gleaming red, her blond hair waving in the wind held a staff into the air and screamed. Fire and light poured out of it falling to the ground in showers around the kingdom. People screamed, ran, died and the woman, presumably Adriana cackled into the night.
“I will descend on this kingdom and kill anyone who gets in my way.” She screamed to those frozen on the ground below her.
“Adriana, stop!” A voice, her mother called from the ground. “Let us help you, please.”
“I do not need your help!” She called, floating down to the ground before her. “I should be queen! I am the eldest. It is my right. Not hers!” She walked forward slowly. “How could you choose her over me?”
“You are not fit to rule this world, Adriana.” The voice of her father called to her. “Look what you bring to this world – death and destruction. You will surrender!”
Adriana laughed higher than ever. “I will not. But you father, you will die! Without you, my stupid little sister, Ayesha will never stand the chance to be queen!” Ignoring her mother’s pleas, she pointed her staff at father and a red beam hit him square in the chest. He dropped to his knees and fell face first on the floor. Her mother screamed and fell to the ground beside him. “As for you mother, you will declare me Queen of Arancia or meet the same fate as your beloved husband and will have no hope of ever saving Ayesha, for my first act will be to kill her too.”
“Do what you want Adriana for I have already sent Ayesha far away where you can’t hurt her.”
“Then you can’t stop me from ruling this kingdom.” She drew her staff and forced her to stand. “You will escort your new Queen to the palace and give me the throne and crown.”
Her mother moved forward and stood tall. “I will not succumb to your demands, Adriana. You will never be Queen as long as I am alive. You will sleep and this kingdom will lay in ruins forever.” She took out a bottle and forced it into Adrian’s mouth. Stepping back, she rose her hands and began to chant, five other voices joining with her as they descended the kingdom under the waves to sit on the seabed.
Ayesha gasped as she pulled away from Eddie and finally felt the fear he did. She looked to her mother eyes widened. “My s-sister. She did this?” Ayesha stared into the space. “What do we do?”
“You, my daughter, will do nothing. Her people will force you to replace the golden family cup in the crypt where her sleeping body lies. If that happens she will awake and finish what she started." She glanced at them both. "You must hide. I’m afraid you are both trapped here forever.”
Rebecca Louise
