Free The Inner Kingdom: Quest One (Dragon Quest Book 1) by S.R. Gibbs Page B

Kingdom, and you, April, are part of the Emerald Kingdom.”
    “What about our parents?” I found myself greedy for information like, "Do they ever think about me? And are they alive and well?"
    A flicker of an emotion I couldn’t decipher passed over Mina’s face as she looked up from her cup of tea at me; it instantly disappeared when our eyes met, making me wonder if I had imagined it.
    “That part, I do not know,” she stated sadly, picking up her cup of tea, only to put it down for a third time without taking a single sip. "I only know where you come from, not who your parents are."
    “I believe that we are not going to get much else out of her. Isn’t that right?” Angie inquired with her arms crossed.
    “Quite so. Come eat and you can discuss the rest with my father.”
    “I’ve heard that before,” Ashley muttered as we made our way toward the table.
    I could not deny the fact that I was starving, since I was too nervous to eat while some of the guests followed and stared at me. Judging by the way Ashley and Angie gazed at the table of food, I am sure that they felt the same way.
    In sitting down at the table, I noticed that the four women were still in the room, standing so silent against the wall it was as if they were trying to become one with it.
    “I hate to eat in front of people who are not doing the same,” I muttered, looking back at the four women.
    Catching the meaning of my comment, Mina offered food to the women who all turned it down.
    “Do not let them bother you. All of the helpers of the castle will aid you without complaint. Just let them know what you want.”
    “Helpers?” Ashley questioned, trying to refrain from stuffing her face, unlike Angie, who was already starting on her second sandwich.
    “Yes, the castle doesn’t usually have this many people here. Many volunteered to come to help prepare the castle for your arrival.” Pausing for a moment, she took a sip from her cup while shifting in her seat. “The Inner Kingdom does not condone the use of the word servant. All helpers in the castle are volunteers. The people outside the castle are not taxed, and everyone has their own land filled with gardens and livestock.”
    “Then how do you make money?” Angie asked, pushing herself away from the table to lie back in her chair.
    Mina chuckled softly. “Most of the Inner Kingdom’s businesses run off of the barter system, but each kingdom has their own set of customs and currencies. We accept payments from all of the kingdoms.” Trying to hide a yawn by sipping from her first cup of tea, she said, “I’m sorry girls; I believe it is about time for me to retire.”
    Angie cleared her throat loudly. “Are we expected to sleep in these dresses?”
    “Thanks for reminding me. Let me show you how to enter your wash area.” Standing up, Mina led us to the space between the bed and the wall that turns into a mirror. “There are markings all around the room. We call them celtas and we use them to conceal things that would normally take up a great amount of space."
    As she pressed the drawing of the tree, I watched a section of the wall lift up, revealing a huge walk-in bathroom with a gold toilet, sink, and the most gorgeous garden tub I had ever seen.
    Ashley looked truly happy for the first time since we were brought here. “I call dibs first. I am dying to have a bath. Where I can relax and wash myself.”
    “We need some boundary rules because the next person who tries to bathe me, will be needing someone to help them wash for the rest of their lives,” Angie warned, her face given away no sign that she was joking.
    “I will inform all of the helpers that you value your privacy. If it will please you more, I will also have them leave the room while you are changing.”
    Looking pleased with Mina’s words, Angie actually said something I wasn’t expecting. “Thank you.”
    “It is my pleasure; I have been waiting for the dragon warriors' return for a long