Hehehe... Well I am saying this all the time now... I know I am still a bit late for this publishing but it's here, it's all that matter I guess... right? Anyway, for the number 12 of the
100 Themes Writing Challenge I decided to do something new, which is a story that is going to be separated in different parts. I wanted to do a one shot short story like I've done for the 11 previous numbers, but then I realised this story I started has the potential to be longer than this, so I will split it in different parts throughout this writing challenge. So here is part 1, I really do hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading! (And I will try to post number 13 sooner xD) (Oh and by the way I was too lazy to proofread so I am sorry if there are some mistakes left :P)
***
- TEARS -
Whatever Happened To Ruby
Part I
"This tea is salty", said Emerald, leaving his porcelain cup on the table.
"EWWWWWW GROSS", shouted the young Topaz as he threw his stuffed bunny plush toy at Emerald's cup, sending it flying towards the floor, the impact smashing the cup in a thousand pieces.
Garnet, a young girl with bright blue eyes, started giggling at the scene. Emerald was a bit shocked at what just happened and did not react. Topaz got up his chair and ran towards his toy, taking it in his arms and screaming in victory.
"Topaz did the right thing", said Garnet. "This tea is disgusting, smashing it was the only thing to do. Who wants to drink salty tea?"
"I know", said Emerald. "Salted-Tea drinkers of course!"
"Stop it!!!" Shouted Topaz, holding his precious stuffed toy tight in his arms, "stop telling lies Emerald! No one believes you! There's no such thing as Salted-Tea drinkers!"
Topaz was a couple of years younger than his friend Emerald, yet he was very clever for his age. He did not believe everything he was told. Yet, what Emerald said was normally listened to with great attention, as he was a few years older than his both friends and so he was the voice of wisdom to them. But Topaz wasn't always fooled by everything he said.
"Of course there are", replied Emerald. "Why, otherwise, do you think salted tea would exist? If it exists it is because someone somewhere likes it, that makes sense of course. And I know for a fact there is a people called the Salted-Tea Drinkers! They come from a place called Sal-Tea Island, that's where they live and also make and drink salted tea. It's the truth!"
"Ohhhhhh", said Garnet in awe. "Can we go? I wonder what these people look like. I'd love to see people made of salt!"
"I bet they're short and smell funny", said Topaz, a smile on his face.
"Well who said they were made of salt," said the eldest friend, "I only said they drink salted tea. But that doesn't mean they're made of salt!"
"So what are they made of then?" Said the youngest.
"Guess we'll have to go there and find out for ourselves!" Replied the excited girl.
"But," said Topaz a puzzled expression on his little face, "if they drink salty tea then they must be really weird people. Salty tea is gross, no one nice would drink that. I bet they're evil!"
"What is disgusting to you might be the best thing in the world to someone else," said Emerald. "You shouldn't judge other people's taste. The fact they love something you don't like doesn't make them evil you know."
"Alright enough with the talk, let's go there already!!!!" Said Garnet who, without the two boys noticing, was already ready to go, waiting by the cabin's door, her backpack on her back.
" YAAAAAAY WE'RE GOING ON AN ADVENTURE!!" Shouted young Topaz in excitement, running to his bedroom ready to pack his things like his friend just did.
"I guess I should pack my things too then," said Emerald as he walked to his bedroom.
Only a few minutes later, the three young friends were reunited on front of the cabin door, ready to go on their adventure. Emerald decided to take for the usual inspirational speech."
"Alright guys," he said, "I never went to Sal-Tea island, I've only read about it in books, but it might be a dangerous place. It's not our first adventure together, but remember what happened to Ruby last time, we don't want this happening again do we? Then promise me you'll be extra careful ok? We all have to be."
"We promise chief!" Said the other two in unison.
"Good! Then let us go and see those salt drinkers for ourselves! Sal-Tea Island, here we come!"
And so the young adventurers left their house, a nice little cabin located in the middle of the forest where no one would bother them. The three friends loved the calm of the forest and the company of the animals. They had their own little garden where Emerald grew different crops to feed his friends and himself. He wish he could grow his own tea, for he had a real passion for tea leaves, but tea wouldn't grow on this soil. He could only buy it at the market for only the tea vendor knew where the wonderful leaves came from. Behind their cabin was a little trail that lead to a small dazzling shrine made of a red stone. Emerald made sure he would go pay its respects to it every morning, offering the most beautiful flower he had harvested on the day. On the shrine was engraved a single word : "Ruby". The trail continued behind the shrine and turned around the cabin all the way to its west side where there was a small pond with a bench to sit at and appreciate the beauty of nature. Topaz and his black toy bunny whom he named "Jet" loved to come here every day to feed the swans. While Emerald and Topaz pretty much stayed inside the cabin area most of the time, Garnet preferred exploring around. She would often wander by the woods and adventure on her own, much to Emerald's dislike. He preferred to know his friends safe and close to the cabin, but he could not stop them from doing what they wanted for that would not be fair. Yet he was so afraid that what happened to Ruby could happen to them, he could not stand even the thought of it.
"So erm... Emerald?" Asked the youngest boy, "how exactly do we get to this mysterious isle?"
"This I know not yet. But I bet the best thing to do first would be to go see the tea vendor. He might I offer us clue as to where this salty tea I bought came from"
"Sounds like a plan," said Garnet, a very serious look on her face. "Let us go then".
And off they went to the market. Before they left their cabin, Emerald double checked if the gate to the "Ruby" shrine was well locked. He did not want any accident to happen again and he could not bear having anyone trespassing this sacred place. With that done, they left and walked for a couple of minutes until they reached the forest market, where all the inhabitants of the Diamond forest would go buy everything they could need. It was always really busy, full of the forest folks. Today was no exception. Our three friends made their way to the tea merchant's stand, which was as always very crowded. The vendor, an elderly man, recognised Emerald straight away and waved at him.
"Hey kids," said the old man, "what can I do for you today?"
"We are coming with a special request today sir," said Emerald, sounding very serious. "That tea you sold me last week, it was very salty."
"Oh dear," replied the old man. "My most sincere apologies, are you here for a refund?"
"No, no that's not it. Actually, we are here to find where it came from. We want to see for ourselves where such a special tea is made."
"Oh, Raldy dear boy, you know I cannot tell you this. Where I get my tea from is a secret, I cannot reveal it to other people or I might get a concurrent. It's business you understand? A man gotta earn a living you know..."
"Sir you owe it to us," said Emerald with a very convincing tone, "this tea was disgusting and unsuited for human taste. Just tell us where it came from and we won't ask for a refund."
"Raldy... You know I can't. I'm sorry. I'll refund it all to you though, and offer you my daily best selection for you to bring back home today, free of charge!"
"Please sir," reprised Emerald, not leaving his convincing tone, "for Ruby's sake. She would have wanted us to find that place I know it, she still does I'm sure of it!"
At the mention of Ruby's name, Topaz and Garnet's faces turned into a grim expression. But at the same time they understood very well what Emerald was doing, and they knew the tea vendor could not refuse him what he was asking for with that argument. He was still feeling responsible for what happened to Ruby.
"... Alright then, follow me you three."
The old man temporarily closed his stand and brought the three friends a bit further from the market so no one would hear their conversation.
"Okay," said the old man, "What I am about to tell you, you must promise you won't tell anyone else ever. I do not know exactly where this tea is made, but I bought it from someone else. If you go see them they will probably be able to tell you..."
A blade suddenly slit the old man's throat before he had time to finish his sentence, as the three young friends watched the scene, horrified. The body collapsed on the floor, revealing a familiar face holding the bloody blade.
"Good day darlings," said the murderer, looking at Emerald, Topaz and Garnet. "It has been a while".
The man who had just killed the old merchant was standing there, a smile on his face. He was an incredibly handsome young man. He was much older than Topaz and Garnet and slightly older than Emerald. He had long black hair, a large lock of it hiding his left eye, giving him a mysterious look. His eyes were bright purple and looked like they could gaze straight into your soul. He was dressed very elegantly, all in black.
"Obsidian..." Said Emerald, his expression of shock suddenly changing into a more serene one. "It has been a while indeed."
Topaz and Garnet were still frozen in place, their mouth wide open.
"It's nice to see you three again," said Obsidian, a big smile on his handsome face. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with that sorry excuse of man" (he said that looking at the dead body of the old man lying on the ground), "and so I thought I would come to ask if you would care to travel with me. So, what say yous?" He started looking at Emerald, "We had good times together you, Ruby and I. The best times. You were family to me the both of you, I miss those days."
"... You know him?" Asked Garnet, looking at Emerald, still trying to process what just had happened.
"Why would we want to travel with a man who cold-blooded murdered an innocent old man???" Asked Topaz, a very angry tone in his voice.
"Oh... Hahaha, trust me my young friend", said Obsidian, laughing, "that man was all but innocent" his expression suddenly turned dark and an evil grin turned on his handsome face "he deserved worse than what just happened to him. He needed to pay for what he did to Ruby."
Emerald turned to his three friends. "Topaz, Garnet. I know this is hard to believe, but Obsidian is right. What happened to Ruby was partially the tea merchant's fault. Now... I agree Obsidian's methods might be a bit extreme, but that's always how he has been. I do not say I approve of all his doing, but I know one thing for certain, it's that his heart is in the right place. Back when both of you were much younger, Ruby, Obsidian and I used to do everything together. We would go on adventures just like we do now. He is right when he says I was his family, he was mine too, and he still is. I would trust him with my life."
"Wait..." Said Garnet, a suspicious look on her face, looking at Obsidian. "I know who you are! Prince Obsidian Alexander, son of the Dark Queen Moonstone Alexander and only heir to the Diamond throne and the Alexander dynasty. They call you the Dark Prince, for you are as dark as your mother and intend to rule following her dreary methods, or so they say..."
"That is right young lady," said Obsidian. "It is I, his royal highness prince Obsidian of the Alexander blood, son of her royal highness Queen Moonstone and his royal highness the late King Lapis-Lazuli. I am impressed young lady, I know for a fact the forest folks do not know much about us, royalty. As you know the secular peace act protects the Diamond forest from other influences. Your forest is a part of the Diamond Kingdom and under the Alexandrian reign, but we never interfere with your affairs. As a matter of fact most of people who live here don't even know they have a Queen, they do not even know there is an outside world, that is how vast the Diamond forest is. It really is a world of his own I must admit, and that is why I have always admired it. They call me the Dark Prince indeed and that is because I follow the teachings of my mother, the Dark Queen. But it is merely a name. Fear is a powerful too when you are a ruler, and we of the Alexander blood use it to our advantage. But enough of it. Of course, your here friend my dear Emerald already knew about all of this. He also knows I break free from the Diamond castle as often as I can, as I feel this forest is home, and Emerald is my family. As he said we used to be very close, but as I got older duty called and I had to be present in the Diamond castle more often. My mother is soon to retire from her reign, and I am to be King, so I had to be there to get prepared. I had to leave the forest, and Emerald and Ruby. I was away when... What happened to Ruby happened. And I could never forgive myself for it. So I have started to seek revenge on all who wronged her, hoping it would make up for me being away from her when she needed me the most. If only I could have been here, maybe none of this would have ever happened..." Obsidian looked down, a sad expression on his face.
Emerald rushed towards him and gave him a tight embrace. "None of it was your fault" said Emerald to his friend.
"I can't help but feeling responsible," replied Obsidian. "That is why I came back. I managed to flee the castle and come back here to be with my family. I do not know you both yet, but I intend to. If of course, you accept me to join you on your quest."
"This was a nice story... But having someone around who kills people just like you did does not make me feel very comfortable," said Topaz, the angry tone still in his voice. "But if Emerald trusts you, then I will too. I guess..."
"Same goes for me" added Garnet.
"It is settled then," said Emerald. "Welcome home dear friend."
"Well, it's all nice and all but you sir just killed our only lead to get to Sal-Tea island", said Topaz, looking at Obsidian and holding Jet tight in his hands. Topaz sure wanted to look tough, but he did not fool his friends, for they knew he had a pure and innocent heart and that truly, he was scared. He did not like people dying, however bad they might be. He could not understand why people would kill each other. To him, life is sacred.
"One would think a prince knows his kingdom young friend," said Obsidian looking at Topaz, a mocking smile on his face. "Turns out one would be right, for I have been to said island before! Now follow me at once, I have a ship at ready!"
"But..." Said Topaz, "what are we to do of the body? Shouldn't we at least bury it?"
Obsidian's face had that dark, evil grin on his face again. "A thing like him deserves to rot like the garbage they are. Now let us go."
Topaz did not like this one bit, but he had no intention to argue. At Obsidian's words, he only held his precious Jet close to his heart. And so they went on their way, following Obsidian. Emerald and the dark prince were leading, having a conversation the two other friends could not get into, as they were reminiscing about the past. Topaz got close to Garnet, holding her hand for comfort as they were walking.
"I don't trust him Garnet," whispered Topaz to his dear friend, "he scares me. What he did was just horrible..."
"I know," replied the girl, "and I agree with you, but at the same time I do trust Emerald and he seems to trust him so we have to accept it for now. Besides, he his our only chance to get to that island. And we both really want to see those people made of salt!"
"Yes we do! I don't care about anything else actually, this adventure is all I'm interested about !!!" Screamed Topaz, is enthusiasm definitely back. Garnet smiled back at him and they all continued their way, following prince Obsidian.
***
They reach the Diamond Forest harbour, where Obsidian's vessel was waiting, ready for the party to go on their adventure to the mysterious island. The ship was impressive both in size and appearance, and the three young friends could not help but stand in awe in front of its beauty. Topaz, excited as he always was, ran on it before Obsidian could even give them permission to board. The three others followed behind him.
"Welcome aboard the Sable Rose my friends", said Obsidian. "This ship is my pride and joy. It is her who has granted me escape from my kingdom and gives me the freedom I am always dying for. It is on this very ship Emerald, Ruby and I went on our adventures all those years ago. Please make yourselves at home. The crew are under my orders and devoted to me, and they would not be foolish enough to dare disobey me. Ask them whatever you need and they shall grant it to you, for they know if they do not they will have to answer me and trust me, none of them wants that. Make yourselves comfortable, the way to Sal-Tea island will take a couple of days. You each have your own cabin and personal assistant to answer you every need."
"Wow..." Said Topaz in awe. "This ship is... Amazing! And to think we really are going to Sal-Tea island! When Emerald mentioned it, I didn't even think such a place really existed!"
"My friend," replied the prince, "the fact you even imagined the place makes it real. The way you all thought of this place is because it's existence echoed to you. Do you think it is mere coincidence you tasted this awful salty tea? It was fate, you were destined to. Who would have thought such a simple act as drinking a cup of bad tea would lead you on an epic quest? The call of adventure made itself heard, and your ears were wide open!"
"...yeah right..." Replied Topaz, a puzzled expression on his face. "... I'LL GET THE BEST CABIN ON THIS SHIP!!!!!" He screamed as he ran towards the cabins, a big smile on his face.
"No way!" Screamed Garnet as well, running behind Topaz. Emerald could not help but laugh at the scene. The two of them were long gone exploring the ship, leaving only Emerald and the prince on deck.
"Those two sure are feisty aren't they?" Exclaimed Obsidian, a subtle smile on his face. He turned at Emerald, looking straight into his eyes as he was talking. " This is just like the old days. New friends, a new adventure, but it is like it was isn't it?"
"I don't even know what we are doing," replied Emerald. "I know this is what they wanted, to go explore a mysterious island they know nothing about just because I bought the wrong kind of tea. I didn't even know about such an island myself, I invented that story out of nowhere, and it turned out this is where we are actually going and I don't even know for what purpose. This is just so strange, to be back with you on this ship, going on a random adventure like we used to do.... I missed it actually."
"So did I. And you are wrong you know. You think you invented that place from your imagination, but it is not the case. It called to you. It wanted you to imagine it. The salty leaves got to you not by coincidence, they got to you because they wanted you to drink them. They wanted you to imagine where they were from. They wanted to exist. The island wanted to exist. It wanted people to believe in it.... Where we are going, it is a very unique place. It is not like any island you have visited before... I can't tell you more. But when I heard you had the intention to go there, I knew I had to accompany you. I couldn't let you go alone."
"How exactly did you know? We decided this on a pinch, and we didn't tell anyone before we met the tea merchant whom you murdered by the way. So how did you know?"
"... Ruby."
"Oh... So that is how you found out.... Fair enough, I knew she had something to do with it. I could feel it... Even after what has become of her, she still managed to make our paths cross again dear friend." As he said that, he smiled at his old friend. A warm and gentle smile. "I am glad you are back Obsidian, I've missed you so much."
"So did I Emerald... You have no idea how much I am happy to be back by your side." As he said so, he gently passed his hand on his friend's face in a soft caress. "It makes me so happy to see you smile again."
"I am glad this is happening. And I am also tired. Very very tired. Will your majesty show me to my private quarters?" Said Emerald with a playful tone. "I would like to retire for the night if your highness would allow it!"
Obsidian could not help but laugh. A huge smile on his face, he looked at his friend and said "well, you could have your private quarters if you would like, but I have another idea. If you are interested, my private cabin is large enough for two. Would you care to join me for the night? For old time's sake."
"It would be my pleasure your highness."
"There is only one bed though." Said the prince with a playful smile.
"That is what I was hoping you would say," said Emerald, smiling back, "let us go then, your grace."
They both made their way to the prince's cabin. The ship sailed off.
***
The courtroom was packed. The defendant had just interrupted herself, a puzzled expression on her face.
"... There are some inconsistencies in this story miss. Some parts just don't make any sense? I bet you have realised it haven't you?" Said the judge.
"I am sorry your honour," replied the defendant. "Recalling those events is hard and I do am trying to make it as sound as can be, I am aware there might be some mistakes."
"Your honour," said the defence attorney, looking at the judge. "We need to privately speak with our client. I would ask for a short break, she needs time to gather her thoughts."
"Agreed." replied the judge. "I call for a short break after which your client will provide a flawless testimony. The court is adjourned."
"Understood" said the defence lawyer, leaving the court with his client for questioning in his office. As soon as they got in, the defendant burst in tears and collapsed on a chair, crying her eyes out.
"I am sorry... I am so sorry..." She said, her voice trembling with her tears.
"I know. Don't worry, we will make this right together."
TO BE CONTINUED...
***
(C) Copyright 2014 Hope Alexander aka David Giroux for the text and picture
