Episode 3 -The Beginning of an Old Story

‘I have no Idea what’s going on,’ Thought Zelly. She stopped to think for a moment. ‘They were talking about dragons, a war, a plan, and I’m a princess? Apparently I’m their future Queen, but why exactly is this? Where am I? Am I in a different time, or a different universe altogether? Is this another one of those long dreams? But I can see everything so clearly, the window, walls, grass. Maybe this is a test, and I have to complete a quest before I get out of here, like those games?’ her head was tilted in question, but bewildered as she was, she didn’t hate the awkward situation.

‘DO NOT WORRY’ Zelly heard a new voice in her head. The voice sounded like her own except it was boosted with confidence. She said it clearly, as if she was the general of an army. ‘YOUR BODY IN YOUR SO-CALLED WORLD WILL NOT BE AFFECTED. I HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THAT. I SUMMONED YOU IN MY PLACE TO SAVE MY COUNTRY. I HAVE TRIED AND FAILED. I AM DEAD, BUT YOU, ON THE OTHER HAND, ARE NOT. IT WOULD MEAN A LOT TO ME IF YOU COULD HELP ME OUT AND KILL THAT UNWORTHY KING OF JORVAN AND HIS NO-GOOD SON. I PROMISE THAT YOU WILL GET A REWARD AT THE END.’

“Wait, wait, wait. Who are you? Do you know why I’m here right now?”

 ‘OF COURSE I DO, SILLY. I AM THE QUEEN OF KAMINGRIS, THE OWNER OF THE BODY YOU ARE USING RIGHT NOW, BUT I AM DEAD. I MAY NO LONGER PROVE AS USEFUL TO MY PEOPLE, BUT YOU CAN. THE WIZARD WHO BROUGHT YOU HERE GAVE ME THE CHANCE OF TURNING BACK TIME AND SAVING MY PEOPLE, BUT IT COST MY LIFE.’

‘Well, that explains it, I guess. My mother used to read me a story kind of like this before she died. It was about a man who wanted to find his sister who he got separated from at birth to save his people from a monster, so a man walked up to him saying that he could reunite him with his sister in exchange for his right eye. The story was fascinating to me.’ Zelly felt herself relax when thinking about her mother and the stories she would tell. 

‘AH, YES. THE TALE OF THE DRAGON’S CHILDREN. ‘TWAS AN INTERESTING TALE. THE DRAGON’S SON WAS TRYING TO FIND HIS SISTER SO THEY COULD FIGHT TOGETHER AGAINST THE EVIL SPIRITS THAT WERE ATTACKING THEIR COUNTRY. MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT ONE. I WANT YOU TO TRY TO BE THE GIRL IN THAT STORY AND HELP MY PEOPLE OUT. I KNOW THAT IT WILL BE HARD, BUT YOU’LL HAVE TO BEAR WITH IT IN ORDER TO GO BACK HOME.’ 

Zelda contemplated the circumstances in her head for a moment. ‘I would like you to explain more on the way to Jorvan, but I kind of get it now. I will go along with your wishes for now, but I’m not completely sure whether I can accomplish them.’

‘IT IS ENOUGH FOR ME THAT YOU TRY. THOUGH SUCCESS IS NOT FULLY ASSURED IT IS POSSIBLE.’ Zelly could sense relief in the former Queen’s voice.

Zelly heard a knock at the door.

“Come in,” she shouted, remembering that she was inside “her”  room.

“Princess Zelda, we have prepared a carriage for you, The carriage will be ready to depart in the morning, so the Queen insists you get some sleep. Your friend will be helping your mother to pack some things into barrels for your trip. If you would like to bring anything specific, please don’t hesitate to inform someone.” The man bowed. The way the servant looked at Zelly made her feel uncomfortable. Had she done something wrong?

“Is there a problem?” Zelly questioned from her bed, tilting her head to look up at the servant.

The servant looked frightened almost at her words. “I beg your pardon?”

“I said, is there a problem? You look like you're scared of me. Did I do something to make you uncomfortable? If so, please tell me so I can fix it.”

The man looked like he was shocked. “There is no problem. I am just a servant anyway, so it shouldn’t matter.”

Zelly shook her head in protest and stood up. “I have a friend who is a poor orphan. Everyone scoffed at her because they didn’t see use in her. I found her to be the most reliable friend I have. I would like your opinion so that in the future I can rule better as a queen. I know that you are not telling the truth when you say there is no problem.”

The servant was stupefied for a few seconds, his eyebrows raised. “Well, I don’t know if you still remember it since it was a few months ago but one afternoon when I was selling fish at my market stall, you and your friend threw buckets of water on me saying that I was too dirty for this kingdom to handle and you could smell me from a league away. Since then, people stopped buying from me and I had to beg at the castle for a job, or I wouldn’t be able to put food in my children’s mouths.” Zelly smacked her head and thought ‘seriously Zelda?’

‘OH YAH, SORRY FOR BEING A ROYAL BRAT IN MY YOUTH.’ Zelly heard a familiar voice. ‘I WISH I COULD CHANGE MY BEHAVIOR. THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT LEAD MY PEOPLE TO MISTRUST MY LEADERSHIP AND THIS IS WHAT LEAD TO THE FALL OF MY KINGDOM.’

‘You could have given me a heads up that I would be dealing with your mistakes at least.’ She shook her head in disgust at her actions.

“I’m sorry for my behavior in the past. I hope to compensate you for your loss of a job. I invite you to come to Jorvan with me. I could use another hand, and you don’t have to worry about your family. I will take care of things.”

The man was once again stunned. His face was filled with joy at the reassurance that his family would be safe. He didn’t even think about the choice. “I would love to accompany you on your journey. I am grateful that you have made this choice.” His face was beaming with gratitude. He could finally tell his children that they would never have to worry about starving again.

“Now, I think we both need some time for rest.” Zelda sat back down in her bed and tucked herself in.

“Yes, princess Zelda, I will not disturb you.” The man bowed three times before blowing out the rushing out of the room and shutting the door.

Zelly blew out the candles on the nightstand and fell back onto her bed, thinking about how her day went. She drifted off into sleep before she knew it.

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