The Secret of the Stone

Once Julian had been defeated the tides turned in the battle and the generals who had united against him began to push back the Yar army. Julian’s power also had the ability to make his army stronger and once he was gone they weakened and retreated into the hills toward the Yar kingdom. Jailan and Seala had been transferred to the underground prisons of Nevele. Celest and I found them there and we released them. At last the Yar threat was over and the people of Threa rejoiced not only for their freedom but because they were also reminded that only by working together to mutual benefit could freedom be preserved. Afterwards, the king of Nevele hosted a huge celebration in honor of the victory against the Yar and the newfound cooperation between the kingdoms of Threa. Celestia and I were the guests of honor.

The Kings of Nevele, Enos and Ruof as well as Queen Seala and the other kingdoms were all represented at the festival. Each city with is various colors provided performers and representatives that gave speeches and presented gifts to the other kings and queens. I sat next to Celestia and Cloud at the main table. As the night went on various dignitaries lined up to speak a few words to us and congratulate us on our success. Celestia was use to all the brouhaha and patiently greeted every one of them. She was energetic and attentive to each person she met. I tried to follow her example but after a while I just needed a nice quiet place to retreat. Cloud and I decided to disappear into the courtyard gardens and that is where Celestia found us sitting by a stone fountain.

“Violet! Where have you been? I was looking all over for you,” she asked.

“Hi!” I greeted her.

“Violet, what are you doing here? A lot of people are asking for you.”

“Oh, I thought I had shaken everyone’s hand.” I grimaced. She sat down on the stone bench and I could see she had a gold case in her hand.

“Well, I have something for you”. She opened the golden case. Inside was a purple stone. It looked similar to her own. “This belongs to you. It is the Amethyst of Enos.”

“Oh, I can’t take that.” I protested.

“It belongs to you as a daughter of Enos,” She insisted. It was attached to a gold necklace she put it over my head. “And I’ll take this.” She removed the stone that I had been wearing. “That’s mine.”

“Well you still have to send me home, you know,” I reminded her.

“You don’t need this to go home. The amethyst can also take you home and much more than that.”

“So I can come back anytime I want?” I examined the stone.

“Anytime, and I can come and see you too. Although I hoped that now that you knew who you were, you would come back and take your rightful place in Enos.” I had not really given too much thought about my place in Enos.

“I don’t know if I am ready for that, but I do need to get home. I have to let my mom know that I am alright.”

“Our mom you mean,” she corrected me. “You know I think, it is time that we go and talk to our father. We deserve an explanation for what happened.” She headed towards the palace, but I hesitated to follow her.

“Violet!” she turned around when she realized that I wasn’t behind her. “Aren’t you coming?”

“I am going to say good bye to the fairies and Census and the others and then I am going home.” Celestia looked confused.

“Don’t you want to know what happened?”

“I do, but not right now.” I said quietly.

“Well, I want to go with you to meet our mother but I have something I have to do first.”

“What can be more important than that?” I asked her. I was disappointed that she was not coming with me.

“Nothing, but I just have to fulfill my promise to Jailan. I owe him.”

“Oh, what did you promise him?” I asked curiously.

“Oh it’s just… I may have promised him if he helped me… I would let him marry my sister.”

“What!” I said startled. She laughed.

“No, I am just joking. I am going to help him fix his face. He will have to look his best if he is going to rule the Yar kingdom.”

“Very funny.” I smirked. “Well I am going to look for the others and then I am going back home.”She gave me a final hug.

“I will come and see you in a few days.” She promised.

“Okay.”

I asked some of the guards where I could find Tem and Josili. Cloud and I found them on the other side of the garden. They looked downcast.

“Hi guys.” I said. They wore medals they were given for bravery around their necks.

“Oh, hi!” They mumbled.

“What is wrong with you two?” I asked.

“Look at this.” Tem grabbed the medal around his neck. “We risked our lives. Save the entire world and all we get is this.” He glared at me. “Do these people not realize that my time is money!” He shouted at the guards up above.

“I am sure you will get your reward soon. I know Celest didn’t forget.”

“I hope not!” said Josili.

“Well, I am going back home now and I just wanted to say good bye.”

“Oh, you’re leaving,” asked Josili surprised.

“Yep.”

“You’re leaving so soon,” said a voice behind me. It was Census with Nayr and Cordum.

“But you will be coming back?” asked Nayr.

“Of course I will.” I replied. I hugged Cordum and Nayr. I went to hug Census.

“Have a safe trip Violet,” he said. “And I am glad you stayed.”

“Thanks.” I said. I hugged him too.

“Come here you two!” I grabbed the two fairies around the neck and gave them a choking hug.

“We’re going to miss you Violet.” Tem coughed.

“Yeah.” said Josili.

“I’m going to miss you too!” I turned finally to Cloud.

“Cloud I don’t know what to say.” A tear came to my eye.

“Okay, well you can think about it on our trip back. We had better get going?”

“You’re coming with me?” I asked surprised.

“Of course, someone’s got to make sure you stay out of trouble.” He said sternly.

“Or make sure you get into trouble,” laughed Tem.

“But what about Celest, I thought you had to stay here with her?”

“Celest!” Cloud laugh. “Violet, you don’t know? You were the one I was meant to find and I will always be there for you.”

“Cloud,” I hugged him as tears filled my eyes.

“Okay, Okay!” He protested. “Let’s go!” I opened the gate with the amethyst stone and waved goodbye to my friends and we entered the gate.