Author's Note: Sadly, this is actually the last piece of this series and I personally think it's the best. So, sit back and savor the moments!
David
David stared, from a high hill, at the Grand City. It was far off, but even from that distance, it took up half of the view. 'I'll get lost before I even find the palace!' David thought. He sighed and shrugged the thought away. 'I have to do this, for the future's own good!'
He stumbled down the steep hill and continued on to the Grand City. In two hours of sore legs and bruised arms, he finally arrived. The walls of the city were at least twenty feet tall, and the gates were an elegant, but sturdy, brass.
David peered through the bars. There was no way to knock. 'How am I going to get in?'
Just as he was thinking that, however, a guard with a tall green cap and a green uniform with brass buttons approached the gate. "State your business," the man ordered.
"I . . . well . . ."
"Go on!"
David had a feeling that he shouldn't state his true business, so he just said that he was visiting the city. He pretended to just be a traveling fellow (in which he actually was, so it wasn't too hard) that was journeying to the Grand City.
"What for?" the guard demanded.
"No particular reason. You know, sight-seeing and all. Might visit a few folks . . ." David lied. The guard narrowed his green eyes but nodded and called for the gates to be opened. As David slipped in, a wave of relief washed over him until he remembered that he still had many more duties to complete.
As David strode through the first road, he caught his breath from gasping. But he still half-gaped, as hard as he tried not to show it. Every building was at least two to three stories tall. The average height was at least four stories. Each home was very neat and elegant, with long curved driveways and close-clipped lawns. And the houses themselves were huge, not to mention gorgeous. David looked down and shook his head with awe.
After walking and sight-seeing a lot, before he knew it he was at the palace gates. He didn't mean to get there at all. In fact, he wasn't even thinking about his mission!
Nevertheless, David widened his eyes and allowed himself to gasp this time. Who wouldn't? The palace was even more spectacular and magnificent than the whole city combined. It was too difficult to describe with words (so the writer of this story won't bother. Just try to imagine the largest, most gorgeous castle you could ever imagine. Then multiply it by ten).
"Well, what did I expect?" David mumbled. He took a deep breath and walked up the steps and waited at the palace gates. Like last time, there was no guard at first, but one quickly arrived. His costume was not just uniform this time, however. He was fully clothed in armor, with a scowl across his face. However, that scowl vanished and it slowly creased into a smirk. He looked down at a picture and looked back at David. David shrugged and tilted his head. 'I wonder what's going on in that guard's head right now . . .'
Finally, the guard spoke. But it wasn't what David had expected. "I thought you looked familiar, boy. You are under arrest! You were reported by a loyal one in the Hume-Wolf territory, and the sentence is death."
David's blood turned to ice. One name went through his head. Renee . . .
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Axel
Axel spent his days in the Major City by hanging out, sight-seeing, stealing food and belongings. 'Life is good . . .' he thought. But something always bothered him. 'I still have something to complete. Emmaline and David are counting on me.' He sighed, wishing that he could do as he pleased. 'But it's the good of all the kingdoms, supposedly, so I'll do it.'
So he finally set off to do what he was asked to.
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Emmaline
Emmaline sighed, walking through the threshold of her house. She crept up the stairs and to her room. Then she looked in her closet and got something nice and warm to wear, for she was fully aware that winter had set it and the air was chilly.
She grabbed a knapsack and hastily stuffed food and changes of clothes inside. She snatched a piece of paper and began scrawling a note on it. She grimaced, wishing she could see her mom and talk to her in person . . .
Dear Mom,
I love you so much, and I want to stay here, but I have an important mission that you wouldn't want me on. I just came here for some food and clothing, and then I'll set off again. The only reason why I'm not talking to you in person right now is because I know that you would lock me inside and never let me out again. I am so sorry, Mom.
I love you!
-Emmaline
P.S.: Please don't worry about me.
Emmaline sighed with relief as she set it on the counter. She just wished that her mom would see it. She looked at the door and ran.
She just . . . ran. Not particularly anywhere - just away from her house. From the flood of memories. From the temptation to stay. But she had to complete this mission - for David, for herself, for everyone.
Once she was a good distance away, she paused and looked to the sky.
'I don't know where this is going,' she thought. 'But I know that it will go somewhere sometime. We just will have to wait for the future, and see. Imagine. I don't know how this will turn out in the end - whether the mission will be successful or if I die. Yet I know that there is a plan for my life and future. A plan already set out. I will have memories, choices, and regrets. But the only thing I can do now is hope.'
