Chapter 2 - Audience With the Queen

Audience with the Queen

We appeared in a grand marble chamberway. It was huge! I mean I could whisper and the echoes would still boom so loudly I was sure people in Europe could hear it. Even though I’m not sure in which continent we’re in.

"Um, where are we?" I asked as we journeyed down the long hallway. I wonder how long it really is?

"Dnerk." He said like it was obvious.

"Oh. Is it in Europe?"

He looked at me like I was mentally challenged and belonged in a straightjacket. Its funny cause, right now, I feel the same about him.

"So, is it in Europe?"

"Quiet!" He snapped.

"Fine! Ugh. Gosh. Omg. I just realized something. He sounds just like my dad. EEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW."

By the time I finished that thought, we had reached the doorway with two guards in front of it. I think the door was a pure silver. The person who owns this place must be pretty wealthy.

"Kanekar , Bans Qin Stoone, dank approche vinkar." Kanekar said. Again, NOT English!

The guard sneered. "So you want an audience with the Queen huh? You know the drill."

Kanekar drew up his long black sleeve on his left arm and showed to the guard. I just caught a glimpse of it but I’m pretty sure it was a picture of two snakes twisting around each other.

The guard disappeared through the door, and in those moments when the door was open, I’m sure I caught a flash of gold.

"Ummm, was that real gold?"

He looked at me irritably. "That was the throne room. What do you expect in it? Dirt and rocks? Of course it would be filled with real gold."

"Ok gosh! You don’t have to be all snooty about it." He didn’t reply. The guard had returned.

"Esterse, the queen is in a good mood and would like too talk to you. Though I don’t know why she would even allow an Harasa like you in her palace."

"Shut up Nerias." I saw the guard grind his teeth. Something tells me that Nerias wasn’t his name.

"Why you…." He advanced on Kanekar, pulling out his sword.

Kanekar wagged his finger in the guard’s face. "Ah-ah-ah, Nerias. I don’t think that would be appropriate. After all, you must respect your highers."

The guard held back, though reluctantly. "Of course, Bustant. The Queen will be waiting."

"Yes, I know. Come Daglee." Now the guard looked as baffled as I felt about all this. And who was Daglee? Then I saw Kanekar looking at me.

"Oh, me? I’m Daglee?" Must be my new name, though I wasn’t asking for one.

I followed Kanekar into the throne room. But room was a small word. It made the Grand Central Station in New York look like a broom closet.

In the back of the room sat a grand lady who doesn’t look a day past 25. I think she’s the queen. Jewels cover her body and dark shades of make-up hid her natural beauty.

"Ah, Kanekar I believe." Her voice was as soft as silk and as sweet as candy. I even faintly recognized it from somewhere. It’s like a long lost friend or something, finally coming back to visit.

I suddenly realized that Kanekar was on his knees. He motioned for me to do the same.

"Vi son carees hun knnok sitiesda un gruh couepa saffe cavan."

The queen laughed; a sweet musical one. "Xenna, same to you Kanekar. Now, what is the reason you wished to see me?"

"I have discovered something during my travels. Something that you have sent most of your trusted ones to find."

"Oh?" The queen asked, not bothering to hide her surprise. "Now what might that be?"

Not replying, Kanekar aruptedly pushed me toward the throne. I looked back for guidance and saw him nodding me on. I walked calmly toward the Queen even though I wasn’t as calm as I seemed. I mean, what was I supposed to say to royalty. I wasn’t born a princess you know. Though, I am pretty enough to be one.

"Look at her neck." Kanekar commanded. Again, when she saw my birthmark, she let go of me in surprise. I mean, what’s the deal? It’s just a stupid picture.

"Umm, I don’t mean to be rude or anything but could you guys just back off?!? That picture is kind of private." I wasn’t sure if I offended her or not but I know one thing for sure. I do NOT want to be beheaded. Who would date me then?

The woman began to mumble to herself. "I can’t believe it. After all these years. After what I’ve gone through. She’s here. Oh, she’s finally here!"

I’ll give you three tries to guess what she did next. Got them? Ok. Nope. Nope….NO!!! She hugged me. I mean when some weird smoke guy tries to kill you, than whisk you away to some weird place you never heard of and it results in you getting hugged by some queen of somewhere, you know you’ve been having a weird day. Yet it just gets weirder.

"Oh, you finally came back! I missed you so much!" And the queen continued mumbling leaving me gasping for air in her arms.

"Um, your Majesty, your choking her to death."

"Thank you Kanekar!"

The Queen finally released me. I could breathe again. I never realized how much I loved air, until now.

"Oh,yes. Anyhow, you have done me a great service Kanekar and you will be rewarded."

"Xenna your highness."

I really have no idea what’s going on. I’m trying to figure it out but it’s not easy.

"As for Daglee Angii, I appoint you her Weesa for now. Keep me updated on her progress."

"As you wish, Queen Stoone."

"Good. I wish you the best of luck my mnaasx." With a graceful swirl of her dress, she left.

Kanekar was now standing and brushing his cloak free of any supposed dirt.

"Come Daglee Angii. We should probably start right away." He called, motioning to me.

"Ummmm, start what?"

"Did you not hear her? I am your tutor and your caretaker, for now anyways. We must start on your studies. The sooner, the better."

"Oi! OMG!!!! More school!?!?! Man, and in a foreign country to.! Ugh. It’s like starting in kindergarten again…All over again… . Better sign up for the SL (second language) class."

In a blink of an eye, I was almost being dragged down the corridor and surviving sharp corners. I still did not understand a thing.

By the time I was dragged around the thirteenth corner, I had made up my mind. I was going demand some answers. Even if I have to strangle him, make him gag and throw him in the closet. I wonder if they even have simple things like closets here?

Finally, we stopped in front of another silver door. My feet were starting to burn.

"Ok. I need some explanations. NOW!" I sat on a threaded, golden chair, crossing my arms and glared at him. I thought he would yell at me or say that I was too young or something, like my parents always do. Instead, he just sat down across from me and looked like he was expecting this to happen.

"Ok. What do you want to know?"

"Oh, where am I gonna begin?" Let’s just say that I wasn’t in a happy mood. "You know what? I’m not even going to waste my breath. How about you just tell me everything!"

"Alright. Right now we are in Queen Stoone and King Membrosia’s Palace, located in the capital city, Dnerk."

"I still don’t know where we are. And why did Queen Stone-Stoonee-Stoney-AGHH…URRGH….UGH…WHATEVER HER NAME IS…..WHAT’S-HER-FACE…. act so surprised to see me. We don’t even know each other."

Kanekar just signed. Obviously this is going to take awhile. "Let me just start from the beginning."

I leaned forward. "The beginning of what?"

"The beginning of everything."