Ashley woke to enough brightness that she had to close her eyes again. Her head spun and her body ached terribly. Trying not to vomit, she opened her eyes slowly and let the world lull into focus.
Blue sky and fluffy clouds. Had she dreamt about the carriage? No. If that were the case, then she would be back in here room.
Ashley sat up and looked around. She was in a large field of flowers. Rather, she was in a field of large flowers. Daisies scattered all around and it took Ashley a while to realize that she was even sitting on one.
Cautiously, Ashley parted the large leaves to look at the ground. The distance didn't look too bad, so Ashley clambered down the edge of the large petal. Letting her weight pull her closer to the ground, Ashley was able to hop off without much to worry about. But she did have to be careful about the petal swinging back upwards and nearly knocking her to the ground.
She wandered through the flower-forest until she came to a clearing at the base of the hill. A large tree sat in the center with buildings that nested around it. Maybe she could find somebody to help her.
Excitement racing through Ashley's veins, she ran towards the small village as fast as she was able. All kinds of questions raced through her head all at once. With all of her thoughts focused on who she would find and what she could ask, she didn't see who she stumbled over, knocking both of them into the ground.
A strange human-like creature with large insect eyes glared at her, then put its focus back to where it was. It was a massive crowd. What they were looking at, Ashley wasn't able to tell. Large, colorful wings blocked her view.
Her hope vanished when she noticed that nobody, aside from the person she had knocked into, even gave her a glance. Anger welled in Ashley's chest and she pushed her way through the tightly woven crowd. In the center, there were two more winged creatures holding down a sand-colored cat with curved black stripes.
"Stop it!" Ashley screeched.
They paused and looked at her.
"Who are you?" The taller one asked.
"Why are you hurting that cat?" Ashley demanded.
The smaller one spoke as it tried to stop the cat from wiggling away, "It was trespassing."
"Trespassing?" Ashley repeated dumbly. "It's a cat! It'll go where it wants to! You don't have any right to hurt it!"
"Is it yours?" It asked.
"Yes," Ashley lied boldly.
The taller one fluttered up to Ashley. Its head cocked to the side. "Why didn't you have a better restraint on it?"
"I didn't mean for it to get away!" Ashley snapped. "It just did! It's a cat."
It loomed over Ashley, casting a long shadow as it blocked the sun. "Why are you here? Why are you trespassing? Do you have a ticket?"
"Wh-what ticket?"
"Enough," A voice echoed. It sounded soft, but rang firmly and clearly through the crowd.
A murmur erupted from the crowed as they looked around. A woman emerged and everyone soon silenced and fell to their knees.
The woman looked more like Ashley, but, like the others, still had antennae poking through her raven hair. Unlike the others, her wings had more muted colors. Yet, somehow, that made her all the more beautiful. Her dress was made of large, red rose petals that complemented the earthy colors of her wings and skin.
"What is going on here?" She asked.
"Princess Rosalia," The taller one said as it stood, "We have trespassers."
Rosalia's eyes went from the cat to Ashley. "I can see this...but where does it state in our laws that first-time trespassers are to be treated as criminals?"
It hesitated, then bowed its head as it backed away from Ashley. "I'm terribly sorry, Highness."
Rosalia nodded. "I'll let this pass as a warning."
The princess then turned to the crowd and said to where everyone could hear, "There's nothing further to see here. Carry on with your business."
In complete silence, everyone rose to their feet and complied. Most of them retreated to a nearby building.
Rosalia turned her attention to the four that still remained. "Flor. Daisy. I want you two to leave our guest with me. I want to have a word."
The two nodded and quickly fluttered away.
Rosalia waited until they were out of sight, then said, "I apologies for my fairies."
The cat sat up and nodded its head. "Fairies aren't the easiest creatures to govern."
Rosalia smiled. "I wondered if that was you."
The cat's tail switched rhythmically from one side to the other. "I saw something troubling and wanted to investigate. I knew the risk when I came to your fields. However, I think it would be wise if we furthered this conversation somewhere more private."
Rosalia's dark eyes narrowed. "I see."
She turned around and began to walk. "Follow me, then."
The cat followed, then shortly stop to look back at Ashley, who still stood where she was, too confused and shocked to do much else. "It would be in your best interest if you came with us."
Ashley nodded slowly, then followed.
They arrived in one of the larger buildings in the village. Aside from its size, it was still very modest in everything it had to offer.
"I see you're still not very lavish," The cat said as it hopped on to the table.
Rosalia smiled as she sat on the bed. "An effective ruler doesn't need to live lavishly. However, it doesn't hurt to look the part."
She ran her hands down her dress, smoothing it out as much as it was able. "Now, what concerned you so much that we needed to speak privately?"
The cat turned its head to Ashley. "Her."
Rosalia looked at Ashley and raised an eyebrow. "Care to elaborate?"
"She's from the Waking World," The cat said.
Rosalia's features tightened. "Are you sure?"
The cat nodded. "I saw her fall from one of the hidden exits."
"What makes you think that she's an issue?" Rosalia asked.
"She's not," The cat said. "I'm far more concerned about what brought her here...and if there are others."
The features that were tight with thought fell with horror. "Others?" Rosalia repeated. "You wouldn't think that someone would be as...stupid enough to-?"
"There's no way of telling right now, but it is something I need to investigate...and quickly."
Rosalia nodded. "Should I talk to Mother about this?"
"Inform her, yes," The cat said, "But tell her that I'm looking into it and that I'll send for help if I need it."
Rosalia waved in Ashley's direction. "And what of her?"
"I can't take her back the way she came," The cat said, "That's a travelling door that's difficult to catch even in the best of times. Trying to put her back that way would be wasting time. If she was brought here by someone, then they'll have noticed that she's missing and will either look for her or replace her. We can only hope for the former. Until we have this taken care of, it will be best if she stays with me. I'll take her to Nightmare City as I try to find out what's going on."
Rosalia stood and pulled a box from a nearby shelf. She walked over to Ashley and placed it in her hands. "This is for you."
Ashley looked at Rosalia doubtfully. "Why?"
Rosalia smiled. "Because there are things you will need in here."
Realizing that the doubt didn't fade, Rosalia guided Ashley to the table and opened the box. She pulled out a wooden bracelet decked with precious jewels and lined heavily with equally precious metals. Rosalia took Ashley's hand and clamped it around her wrist.
"This should never be taken off while you are here," Rosalia said. "You can remove it when you get home, but not before."
Ashley looked at the bracelet, "Why not? What will happen if I do?"
"It's capable of many things and will be more useful if you keep it on," Rosalia said.
The cat padded over and looked at the bracelet. "I never thought you would part with that."
"I think, at times, parting with our most precious possessions is necessary," Rosalia said. "Especially since I don't have a current use for it and the child clearly does."
Rosalia went back to her box and pulled out a key that was tied by a simple string to make a necklace. "Just like this," Rosalia said, placing it around Ashley's neck.
"This," Rosalia said, closing the wooden box, "This necklace provides safe passage for those regions like my fields that question your right to be there. If anyone asks, just show them the necklace. If they have half a brain, then they'll let you pass without question."
Ashley looked at the cat and the fairy sternly. "Will I be able to go home soon?"
Rosalia looked at the cat hesitantly, unsure about how to answer.
"Soon is up for debate," The cat said, "But I'll try to get you back to your home as quickly as I can."
Ashley looked at the necklace for a moment, then clutched it tightly.
They emerged from the building and said their good-byes to Princess Rosalia.
"I wish you nothing less than a safe journey home," Rosalia said as she gave Ashley a kiss on the forehead.
Ashley gave Rosalia a hug, "Thank you."
The cat's tail flicked impatiently. "I'm afraid the longer we wait to leave, the longer it will take you to get home."
Ashley nodded and they left to start their journey.
ns3.136.23.252da2
然後按「加至主畫面」