Silverus was waiting in the summoning chamber. A majestic room located in the central tower. The walls and floors were of the same shimmering indigo crystals and a bone white tree supported the eastern wall, Its roots and branches sprawling. He stood his back towards this tree watching the sun shine its last. The rain had stopped a few moments ago and the curtains had been wrapped away. Below, the castle was busy carrying out his requests and there was hope like a wisp. Flickering in his heart and he dared not breath for fear he would lose it. His whiskers were stiff in anticipation. As soon as the Queen returned, he wanted to be the first to greet her. He and Elrod, a young duke who resided at court. He was standing by the door. When he suddenly spoke.
"Sir see the roots glow!"
Alia squeezed the hand she held, daring not to let go even though she was now aware of solid ground beneath her and the absence of the piercing light. Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked them at the unusual creature standing before her. The hand she held was hastily yanked from her grip and she turned to see it belonged to a vexed Candy.
"My liege!" The strange cat like being had come to bow graciously before her.
"Liege?" She repeated still unable to process the events unfolding.
Another bone curdling shriek from Rwen did the trick. And she was around in a flash.
"What is that horrid beast?!" She exclaimed, tumbling backwards into Candy. Then, they both landed on the floor in an undignified heap.
Following her hand, Silverus and Alia found her reason for panic.
It was Elrod. He was more human in his appearance, two hands to feet and two pointy ears on the sides of his head. What set him apart, were his eyes or rather the absence of an eye. He only had one large central eye and his skin a pale pink was speckled with darker shades. He was dressed handsomely in a dark trouser and an embellished white jacket with numerous buttons and chains. And even if he were shocked by Rwen's behavior, his face betrayed nothing.
"What are you people, where am I?" Alia mused, eyes darting here and there before they rested on the cankey.
"My Queen are you feeling well?" Silverus approached carefully, his eyes wide with worry. She looked from him to Elrod then back again.
"Me? Queen!"
This must be some silly dream!
She pinched herself. Only to flinch.
"Princesses?"
Elrod had moved closer, only for the two girls to shuffle out of reach.
"Stay back!" Alia warned making for the wide, floor to ceiling window. The sight outside caused her to stumble backwards dumbfounded.
"Princesses!" Candy concluded enthusiastically. Leaping to her feet. "Does that mean I have my own bedroom! Designer clothes and servants to wait on me hand and foot?"
"Ah of course but..."
She did not wait around for the end of it, but raced for the exit. Calling over her shoulder.
"This might only be a dream or I'm clearly bonkers but I'm going to enjoy every minute of it!"
This seemed to calm Rwen's nerves but she kept both her eyes trained on Elrod and had no intention of venturing out the door in fear of what monstrosities could be lurking in its shade.
"If it is your wish my highness, I will make haste and get the physician?" The cat creature was still standing by Alia, eyes commuting concern.
"No! No thank you". The wheels of her brain were turning, slowly. But one thing was certain, if they had indeed transported to another dimension, it would be unwise to anger its citizens. Instead, they ought to play along to gain more information. "Now that I think about it, I must have hit my head harder than I'd thought!" Alia voiced rubbing her temple. "And this headache seems to have done a number on my memory" She met the eyes of the cankey. "Let me get this straight, you called me Queen?"
Silverus was perplexed, so his Queen had returned, with her memories erased?! The universe were dealing him his worst cards yet!
"Yes your majesty", he was staring suspiciously at her. "You do remember your name however right?"
"Of course!" She started in disdain before recollecting her position. "not! Why I can't even remember my own name" She fixed Silverus with what she thought a very good impression of shock.
"My dear!" he threw a quick look at Elrod who only stared back helplessly.
"Come let us walk together my Queen perhaps I can help you recollect". The little creature took her hand in his furry one and quickly led her out of ear shot.
"I am Saddlepaw Diddymons Silverus, your royal butler who has sworn loyalty to you, Queen Jensari of Gauberhodgy and your daughters, crown princesses, Orpha and Dira, " He explained as they walked.
"Daughters?" she repeated.
"Yes the only remnant of the Royal family. You have been absent for four days now and the kingdom is at war. They do not believe in your strength as a leader, hence we are all in danger. That is why you must try hard to remember your majesty, we need you. The kingdom needs you!"
That was all she needed to hear, a bit too much in fact, that she stopped dead in her tracks. They were in the throne room. Where the shadow of the central throne loomed over her. Echoing the words of Silverus. And she knew then more than anything else, that she needed to wake up. Immediately.
"Ah I think it's all coming back to me..." She began uncertainly, "If you will excuse me now sir..."
"Silverus! Your highness, you always called me Silverus".
"Ahh yes Silverus, I wish to speak with my sis... I mean daughters in private".
"Yes my Queen" His eyes were twin torches in his excitement and as he scampered away to carry out her request, he did so in the classic cankey manner. Leaping and yammering with joy.
The Queen is back!