"Fine, I’m listening.” Staring at her with rage, when she looks back into my eyes, I can’t help, but roll my eyes. In one swift motion, she slaps me hard across the face. It stings. I quickly realize that this woman is not like my sisters who I argue with sometimes. She is my Princess.


    Rosaleen continues, “I admit, I knew that Shrago was mad at me for the orders that I gave them, but I swear to you I never thought that he would get back at me by attacking others in my command.”


    My cheek is warm from where her hand connected. Despite her reaction, I say what is on my mind and murmur to her, “Well it happened…I could have died if Ashlea wasn’t there to protect me.”


    Rosaleen’s expression relaxes and she regards me while still holding me in her grasp. I do not dare try to break free, but stay still and she admits as though defeated, “Yes Taylan you don’t know how sorry I am and how angry at myself for not even thinking that this could have been a possibility.” She pauses, collecting her thoughts, “Tell me if there is anything that I can do to make this right?”


    Without hesitation I demand, “No secrets, I have no reason to turn on you, besides, you gave me my vengeance, we are even in respect to the harm that was inflicted on me under your watch.” I have my doubts that Rosaleen has been truthful but all I can do is ask and hope that she gives me that much.


    “Okay no secrets.” I sense relief in her words, with sorry eyes she lets go of my shoulders. “Shall we continue down the beach? At the other end there is the town we can stop for lunch.” Rosaleen suggests; I nod.


    We come up the beach to a path that opens onto a cobblestone road. There are small colorful shops on both sides of the street; they all seem to specialize in certain things, jewelry, clothing, breads, meats, fruits and vegetables, and electronics. Shopkeepers and shoppers are active and engaged in their own activities, which seem to either be walking, riding bicycles and solar powered scooters. I spot a couple of travelers going about their business on horseback. This town reminds me of my home with the exception being that there is more of a variety of shops and the landscape has fewer trees. I can see off in the distance there are rolling fields of pale green and golden grass surrounded by mountains covered with trees in the distance. Back at home the setting is a little more closed off because where I am from, the town is surrounded by mature forest. The feeling that I get here is that this town is self-sufficient with its citizens equally contributing to its own success while at the same time it is also a relaxing place. I sense that the people who run their shops are happy in doing the professions of their choosing. I say this because each shop looks pristine. The people that are browsing from shop to shop seem happy. We walk down the street, and I notice people smiling and waving to others. Small groups of people conversing along the side of the road, and I hear snippets of conversations of things like, “How is your day going?” and, “How have you been?” Rosaleen even gets a few waves. She is being recognized as being her mother, Newlyn.


    Rosaleen motions over with a nod to a sandwich shop that we are approaching, “Let’s stop here and eat.” There are a few round wooden tables and small chairs set out in front of the shop.


    A woman with a petit build and dark tanned skin comes out to serve us; in a spirited voice she says, “Newlyn! It is so nice to see you today what brings you into town?”


    Rosaleen does not correct her, smiling back she answers, “I am here to entertain a friend of mine.” She glances at me.


    I politely look up and smile at the woman, “I’m Taylan nice to meet you.” I extend my hand, and we shake.


    The woman smiles and says, “I am Kace.” She sets down a couple of small menus for Rosaleen and me.


    “I will give you two a few moments to decide; anything to drink?”


    Rosaleen answers, “Yes could we have some Cinnamon Iced Tea?”


    Kace nods, “Of course I will be right back.” She disappears back into the shop.


    Rosaleen says, “The cinnamon in the tea is so fresh, I would say that out of all the places I have been I have never tasted a fresher spice.”


    I smile politely, “Sounds wonderful, I can’t wait. I don’t think I have tried any of the sandwiches they have on this menu. What are you going to have?”


    “I am having the cinnamon pork with sweet gravy and the braided brown buns.”


    “Okay I will have what you’re having.” I set the menu down.


    Our server, Kace returns with our beverages. “I see that you two have decided?”


    Rosaleen takes the initiative and answers for both of us, “Yes two of these please.” She points to the sandwiches on her menu.


    “Good choice!” Kace politely takes the menus from Rosaleen and me, and she walks back into the shop.


    Rosaleen begins the conversation, leaning back in her chair, “Don’t you just love this town.” She slowly leans forward resting her elbows on the table and in a lower voice so that only I can hear she whispers, “I don’t think King Wolfrim ever envisioned this area that he banished my mother to would be such a beautiful haven.” She winks and I sense that she is relieved in knowing that her mom was safe the entire time.


    I ask, “Are we going to see her today?”


    “Yes” Rosaleen smiles, “I have to introduce you and Ashlea to Newlyn, and I need to also get down to the more serious business by informing her on what has happened since we last met and seek her advice on how to proceed.”


    I sip my drink and gently set the sweaty glass down before answering, “That sounds like a good idea.” I take a bite of the sandwich that Kace has quietly placed before me, oh; it is so good and has a nice kick to it with a light cinnamon taste. The spice is not overwhelming, but I understand what Rosaleen was saying earlier, and I can agree that this is the freshest spice I have ever tasted.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    “Rosaleen I can’t help, but ask please be honest, why did you take my sister and I from our home?”


    I gaze on her as I wait for her response. I can tell that she was expecting my question, “You understand Taylan it’s not wise to question your master in the way that you are. I have been honest with you and explained what I knew about the actions that lead to the attack and my thoughts on why it happened. For your own protection, some things need to be left unsaid for the time being.”


    “Princess I am sorry if I offended you, it’s just that I don’t understand you just promised me no secrets what is this?”


    She takes a sip of her drink then sets her glass down and lowers her voice, “Taylan all these secrets will eventually be revealed as you gain strength and progress in your training. When you are ready, and I require you to do something for me, you will be told then what you are doing and why.” She pauses as if calculating her words and then says, “You know Taylan I am truly sorry for what has happened to you under my watch, but you have to realize that when I ask of something, you know that my request will stand in the end.”


    “Princess can I at least have a say in the matter?”


    Rosaleen says, “Of course, but understand my say will always be final.”


    There is more to Princess Rosaleen than I could ever imagine in any person. She clearly has a plan; she makes decisions based on her gut instinct, like being able to trust people and bring them into her inner circle. My feeling is that she trusts Ashlea and me, and bit by bit, she is slowly revealing herself to us. Rosaleen is passionate to those she loves and punishes those who betray her, and she carries the punishments out swiftly. She allows others to be a part of her world, but also knows her place in the world and commands respect.


    I could never comment, or question Rosaleen on this, but her father, the real King Wolfrim who was murdered when Rosaleen was too young to remember; according to her explanation of the truth, her real father was a tyrant. He refused to let his substitutes go at the end of their contracts and then refused to agree to any negotiations that were proposed. The real King Wolfrim forced them to stay against their wishes. In the end, his lack of fairness led to his own death, followed by the separation of his wife and daughter.


    Given the choice, I would like to go home because from the insight that I have gained into Rosaleen’s world and the people in it, it is a dangerous mess. Everything that I thought of the Palace and its people that rule is wrong. To the outside world, the citizens and the armies that protect have clouded perceptions of what really goes on in the Palace. I had always thought that they were profoundly good, honorable people who strive to care and serve their people, but really, it is all a web of lies. Sure, you can give the leaders the fact that they ensure that their cities are run, and its people protected, but behind palace doors in the inner most circles it is a nightmare of power-hungry people playing dangerous games.


    Rosaleen does not make me feel like a servant because she treats me as an equal. I find myself forgetting that I am obligated to stay and to serve. Seriously, what does that mean? She isn’t going to tell me her plans of me, or my sister and I have no idea how long I need to stay? It makes me shudder to think that Ashlea and I could have the same fate as her late father’s servants with being forced to work against their wishes and then being sentenced to death because of “treason” for trying to escape. I finish my drink and try not to let it worry me, I cannot leave Rosaleen, but I want to. She is so nice to Ashlea and me, but really, this revenge, which she feels obligated to see through, makes her a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I do feel in the pit of my stomach that she does like us, but at the same time if Ashlea or I ever faltered, I fear that we would pay a big price.


    Instinctively, as if she is sensing my thoughts, Rosaleen asks, “What are you thinking?”


    Startled by her question, I choke, “Nothing.”


    “That’s funny; clearly you are deep in thought. I will need to talk to Izavelle and have her teach you skills on how to hide your emotions.” I sit there like an idiot having nothing to say. Rosaleen demands, “Don’t keep things from me. Share your thoughts.”


    I take a deep breath and only tell a half-truth, “I was just going over everything you told me. The story of your mother and father, I was thinking about how long you might keep Ashlea and me, and I was also thinking about how much I miss home, my mother and Saydira.” I take a nervous breath to try to settle my startled nerves. She reads me like a book, I do need lessons from Izavelle. I continue, “I know that I am obligated to serve, I wouldn’t think about deceiving you. It’s truly the last thing I would ever think of doing it’s just that I can’t help, but think about these things, my heart longs for them.” Looking up through my eyelashes, I nervously wait for Rosaleen’s reaction.


    There is a silence between us, and I cannot read her. She is finishing the last bite of her sandwich; licking the cinnamon flavoring that dripped onto her fingers. “Interesting, it is good that you are being open with me, and we will make everything right.” She dabs her mouth carefully with a napkin and leaves some kiros on the table as payment for our meal. “I don’t know how long I will need you, or if you will ever see your mother, or Saydira again. It’s not something that I can foresee.” Rosaleen rises from the chair, and I follow her. Glancing over I see that our server Kace spots us leaving; Kace waves to us, hollering out a “thank you” We return the gesture and continue down the cobblestone road. My heart is numb, but I am not going to challenge Rosaleen any further, not now because nothing is forever and surely, I should see them again. Why would she give me no hope? She is in control of Ashlea and me, but as for my mother and Saydira, I am not sure how closely they are being watched, or if anyone is watching out for them at all. Rosaleen has no control of if something should happen to them.


    Rosaleen says as we are walking down the road, “Keep your eye open we need to borrow some transportation to get to my mother’s home.”


    Rosaleen gives no hint at her thoughts, and I have no idea what she means. I wish Ashlea were here with me so that we could talk and compare our interpretations of this discussion.


    I spot some transportation, “What about those solar bikes over there?” I point just off to the right; a man in dirty clothing is tending to his bike shop. It is a small sand colored stucco building. Attached at the front is a bright ocean blue canopy that extends overhead to provide shade. The canopy looks new because the sun’s rays have not yet bleach it. There are about ten solar bikes. They resemble a scooter, and the sun powers them. He strikes me as someone who is passionate about his products because when we walk up, he does not notice us. He is concentrating on polishing one of his bikes.


    Rosaleen is the first to speak, “Hello, we are looking for some transportation for a couple of days.”


    The man startles at her voice, having been distracted by his work; and without hesitation welcomes our company. “Well, hello there!” he says while wiping the dirt from his hands with a towel, placing it over the seat of the closest bike and walks over to us to shake hands. He is tall and lean. His hair is a little un-kept and long, it is just touching the top of his shoulders. He has deep brown eyes and I notice that his hair is changing from the sand color that matches his stucco building to a reddish tone. He is picking up the color of my scarf. Just looking at the shape of his body, I would say he is a younger man, in his early twenties. He is lean and his muscles don’t seem to be filled in, he is lanky, it is almost as though he is still growing into his body. He says to Rosaleen, “I can for sure lend you something for a couple of days what did you have in mind?”