Anna And The Invisible Castle

Episode 5. A JOURNEY OF HEARTS

The travelers of Nezmae continued in their journey to Ascencia. The road boomed with travelers from her neighboring villages, some of them buyers, some traders. From inside Mr. Jones’ wagon the girls continued in their chit-chat.

Miel took a bite of the green apple in her hand. “So what do you intend doing at Ascencia?” she chewed noisily.

Anna paused gazing across the window, she paused admiring the view of settlements they rode past and brought back her gaze inside the wagon to meet with her best friend’s. She smiled. “I shall help my father sell his goods.”

“Only?” Miel scoffed in disappointment. “Don’t tell me you have no intention of exploring the city of Ascencia.”

Anna shrugged.

Miel arched forward to her friend, she reduced her voice to a whisper. “Let’s go see the palace. I heard the Prince of Ascencia is charming and a bachelor at that, but no one has ever set eyes on him because he has never left the four walls of the palace,” she finished and winked at Anna.

“Ha ha…” Anna snickered. “How then do you know he’s charming if he has never left the four walls of the palace, and to add to the list, single?”

“That’s the rumor, silly head!” Miel snapped, good-humoredly eyeing her friend. “And you must not tell anyone!”

Anna laughed. “First you call me silly for some baseless rumor, and then here you are biding me not to spread a rumor I don’t even believe. Oh Miel, you can certainly do better.”

“So are you in?”

“Am I in what?”

“Are you in for the adventure in Ascencia, the palace, the prince?”

“I doubt my father would let me leave his sight.”

“Then sneak out young lady!”

“And get scolded by my papa?” Anna sighed. “I can’t, please forgive me Miel. I shall not have him regret taking me to Ascencia.”

“Alright, I shall tour alone.”

Silence swept inside. Again, Anna leaned to the window and enjoyed how the breeze caressed her face. She reached and unstrapped her hair, raveling at how they flapped over her face and made her feel she was floating high in the air like some goddess. The convoy of Nezmae was now galloping through the forest track road of Edessa and within an hour, they were crossing the great bridge of Ascencia. And then when she poked her head further outside, she cried, “Ascencia!”

Miel joined Anna at the window. Even Mrs. Bouston jolted from her nap and peered through the other free window. For a moment everyone was lost of words to describe the beauty of the serenely tall walls of the mesmerizing city, even Mrs. Bouston. The walls were white, the gates standing gigantically firm in its pure gold ambiance. Roses rounded the city from outside and a tower, very much taller than the city walls, it stood erect from inside, knights flanking on each side.

The convoy of Nezmae stopped for thorough checks at the gates. After almost an hour of inspection, they were finally granted access to the city. Mouth-agape, Anna admired the interlocked streets of Ascencia. Flower vases lined the edges of the busy streets, ushering its guests to the venue for the trade fair. The travelers of Nezmae parted ways after deciding to re-assemble by dusk and journey home.

Mr. Jones galloped his wagon to his stall for the day according to the ticket he purchased at the gates, and reined the horses to a halt. The ladies alighted from the wagon, stretching and yawning. The Boustons helped the Jones offload their boxes of goods to their stall for the day. Mr. Jones, a merchant in his early forties dealt in different clothing fabrics, he quickly began showcasing his goods to passersby. And then Mrs. Bouston excused herself to go shopping and have a new hairdo. When Miel was sure her mother would go alone and give her the freedom to exploit the city, Mrs. Bouston came calling.

“Miel, come on. Hold my bag, time awaits no man.”

Miel couldn't believe it! Gnashing her teeth, she shuffled to her mother and grabbed the bag.

Anna held herself from laughing at her friend whose plan of exploiting the city has just slipped the grasps of her fingers.

With the Boustons gone, Anna helped her father attend to customers that now flooded their stall. By midday, they had sold a generous amount of fabrics. They paused, brought out their food flasks and treated their stomachs to a good lunch, doing well to leave the Bouston's share in a separate flask, Anna was grateful her father had made arrangement for an extra food. And then they both resumed attending to customers. As dusk approached, the crowd of people began to channel their attention and energy to the entertainment section. It gave Mr. Jones the opportunity to reckon sales for the day. Anna smiled as she watched her papa count the coins. “One hundred, one hundred and one, one hundred and two, one hundred and three…” Whilst listening to him, something, no someone caught her attention amongst the crowd.

He was tall about 5ft 7, light-skinned and raven-haired. Although his steps were matured, Anna could tell he was but a teenager, but perhaps two years older than herself. It wasn’t just his masculine beauty that had her spellbound, but the way he walked, with an air of freshness, of nobility.

While his poise spoke elegantly of him, his clothes said opposite. His boots had holes, as a matter of fact three holes she counted. Even his shirt was of no better condition, with a tear at the cape and two tiny holes at its breast-pocket. Only his breeches looked pleasing to the eyes, with patches at each knee though. Before Anna could fully examine this handsome fellow, he got lost in the throng of people. She swallowed and brought back her attention to her father.

“Here, cupcake,” Mr. Jones stretched out a folded palm to her in time. She opened her palms to him, half filled with curiosity. He dropped three coins into them. “Go have fun, but be back soon enough to help me pack these boxes,” he said.

Anna was surprised, she went over to him and hugged him. “O thank you papa!”

Steaming with joy, she stepped out of the shade, unsure of which way to exploit first. She turned and her gaze met with her father’s.

He smiled. “Go on,” he encouraged.

She grinned, and nodding to him, she headed straight ahead. At first, Anna moved about the city square confused. The theatre was filled to its brim, mostly by the nobles while those who couldn’t afford the expensive tickets stood as groundlings. Anna continued in her exploitation. She came cross a fencing competition, then that of wrestling. But none caught her interest. She had almost given up on the search when something finally stole her heart. Archery!

As Anna neared the crowd, she noticed something strange about it, they were mostly males. Nevertheless she pushed, veered through the small throng of people and came, standing at the front row. Then she learnt the organizer of this competition was a shoe vendor. To win, he’d toss an empty stainless bowl to the air and any contestant who is fast enough to not just control the bowl but have it seated on one of the erected planks with just three arrows, wins and is given any pair of shoes of his choice from the vendor’s stall. AmEven though the vendor didn’t have female shoes, the reason why ninety percent of the crowd was male, Anna stepped forward and registered with one of her coins, hoping if she wins, she would be gifting her papa a present tonight. She smiled.

It got to her turn. She selected a bow of her choice amongst the longbows on the table, and then three arrows. The crowd cheered in applause, but the very moment she raised the weapon to her eye level, everywhere went silent. At the count of three from the vendor, the bowl went flying up in the air. Quickly Anna took a breath and waited. Immediately the bowl began descending thanks to the force of gravity, she released her first shot, sending the bowl towards the plank. Quickly taking another arrow, she loosed another shot but it missed, leaving her with the last arrow. Trying to remain calm, she loosed the third arrow and it went right under the bowl penetrating into the plank. The bowl sat. The crowd gasped. But then the bowl moved slightly and it came falling to the ground, breaking Anna’s heart!

The crowd roared in applause at her outstanding performance even though she didn’t actually win. It intrigued them seeing a young female archer with great enthusiasm and intelligence. Smiling, Anna curtsied to the crowd, and then she exited the stage.

Moving away from the archery crowd, she smelt bacon just before her eyes caught sight of a woman roasting them by the roadside.

Anna approached the bacon-seller. “Hello, how much for one?”

“Just a coin my child,” the woman smiled.

Pleased with the price, Anna reached for her pocket. “Package two for me please.”

“Another two for me,” a masculine voice ordered from behind her.

Anna tilted her head to the voice and nothing prepared her for the shock that tumbled her wellbeing at seeing the same young man whom had captured her attention earlier on today, standing right behind her. She’d thought he was just handsome that time she had seen from afar in her father’s stall, but she was wrong, very wrong!

He wasn’t just handsome, but stupidly hot, so hot she had to blink intermittently to register such a masculine beauty, all ensnarled in one body!

“Hello!” he said.

Her heart skipped a beat, not sure he was talking to her so she kept mute and returned her gaze to the bacon-seller.

“I hope one day you shall teach me how to loose so perfectly well,” he continued and now moved to stand next to her. Their gaze met, and she swallowed. Blue-eyed, he had the most beautiful pair of eyes ever, and poor her, she was already drowning in them! She was still lost in trance when he stretched a hand at her in handshake. “Eric is the name.” A warm smile spilled across his pink lips.

Is there a word to define a pair of perfect lips, Anna pondered, because she could use it right now? Oh, his lips were just perfect!

Her head was swarming with thoughts, and then her stubborn hand moved of its own volition to touch his in a warm handshake. “Anna Jones,” she replied, her tongue betraying her too.

“Lady Anna,” he bowed with a hand across his chest, “-nice to meet you. I must say I’m a fan of good archery and seeing it come from a beautiful young woman is much more fascinating,” he said.

A shy smile played on her lips. “My father introduced me to archery ever since I was six, and it’s something I have practiced over the years.” She collected her packaged bacons from its seller and paid the woman.

His brows pulled together in curiosity. “Let me guess Lady Anna, you entered the contest for him. The shoes, it was for your father.”

Anna wasn’t exactly sure if that was a question or a statement, nevertheless she nodded to it. Her eyes widened when she saw him dip a hand into his pockets and came up with ten coins or so. She could tell he had even much more!

“Here..go try again,” he urged on.

She looked at the coins in his hands, and then back to his face, the smile on her face twisting into a frown. “No, thank you,” she shook her head. “I don’t take money from strangers,” she added and walked away from him as fast as possible.

He darted after her and held her free wrist, releasing it at once. “Forgive me if I have displeased you, my lady.” The remorse in his voice brought her to a halt. “It was never of my intention to offend you,” he added.

Slowly, Anna turned and faced him. She must admit to herself she was enjoying his company anyway. “I’m sorry,” he added.

She sighed and smiled. “I was indeed offended,” she admitted, “but not anymore.”

“A minute please,” he excused himself and went over to the bacon-seller to pay and collect his already packaged bacons. Anna waited patiently for him, moving her gaze to a band of musicians who entertained the crowd. People voluntarily tossed coins into their box, a majority of them dancing happily to the music.

“Do you stay around?” was the rejoin from Eric whom had now retained his position, again next to her. His gaze followed hers to the dancing crowd, himself getting enthralled in the air of merriment. He grinned.

Anna noticed him and moved her attention back to him. She saw he was enjoying the musical view too. She smiled. “Are you also a fan of good music?”

“I bet I am,” he replied, “And you?”

She nodded slightly, a shy smile creeping into her eyes. “I love music, but I’m a terrible dancer.”

“I would be delighted to offer you some dance lessons, free of charge.”

She smiled but said nothing.

“So tell me Lady Anna, do you stay around?” he changed topics.

“I come from Nezmae,” she replied. She saw a crest form on his forehead and knew at once he was trying to figure out where Nezmae was. She offered to explain it out to him, “Nezmae is–”

“Anna!! Goodness me here you are!” Miel interrupted from a close distance. She pushed through the crowd and brought herself standing next to her best friend, scrutinizing from head to toe the young man with her.

“Eric, this is Miel my childhood friend. Miel... Eric, I just met him,” Anna introduced.

“Hello Lady Miel, it's a pleasure meeting you,” Eric greeted, bowing slightly.

Miel curtsied. “A pleasure too Mr. Eric,” she replied. And then she turned her attention back to her friend. “I have searched everywhere for you!” she accused just before her eyes caught sight of the archery crowd. “Oh, I see!” her eyes were questioning.

“I didn’t win Miel,” Anna answered the unspoken question.

“Your friend is a fine archer, Lady Miel. Sometimes, it’s not just about winning but the joy in doing what we have passion for,” he explained to Miel but his gaze was locked down with Anna's.

For the first time, Miel noticed the chemistry between the two and gasped. She cleared her throat, successfully bringing back their attentions to her. “I’m sure she is,” she agreed.

“What of your mother, is she done with the shopping and hairdo?” Anna asked.

Miel twitched her lips. “Yes she is. She’s at the stall with your father. Thanks to her I couldn't go see the palace and the handsome Prince.”

Eric smiled.

“C'mon Miel, there will always be another time, ” Anna tried to soothe. And then she remembered. She must help her father pack the boxes! “I shall take my leave now Mr. Eric,” she announced, and grabbing on Miel’s hand, she waved him at him, “Goodbye!”

“Looking forward to meeting you some other time!” he called out, smiling sheepishly as he waved back at her. And then he remembered something and the smile froze on his lips. s**t! She had not finished explaining where Nezmae was, how to find her house too! He buckled forward, pushed through the throng of people in search of the girls. He searched and searched, himself now orbiting at a spot, but they were gone, gone!! He thrust a hand in his hair and combed out his frustration.