Free Heritage by Rebecca Walton

filled the shack and the sound of running water exploded into my head. It ended as suddenly as it had started, leaving the room quieter than it had been previously. The box leaped into my opened palm, the stone inside glowed as the lid snapped shut.
     
    “Is it supposed to do that?” Gair’s voice broke the silence and brought me out of my shocked state.
    “I have no idea,” I sighed. “But I think we should get back to the castle and look it up. Thanks for your help Gair and sorry about the whole tree thing,” I smiled making my way out of the shack, followed by Alex who did one last rummage of the already empty box.
    “No problem you’re Highness.  If you’re ever in the neighbour again just give me a shout, I’m sure to hear ya.”
    More like we will hear you if you ever shouted our name, his voice could shake birds from trees. Bidding him farewell and taking Alex’s hand, we appeared in the castle gardens. This orbing other people was getting a lot easier.
    Pulling open my bag and shoving in the box, I realised how dark it was. It should have hit me a lot sooner, the brightness from Icarus was blinding compared to this.
    “It’s Twelve, what is with this time difference of these realms,” Alex huffed heading towards the front doors. With a nod of their heads, two guards opened the doors for us.
    “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, and we can look up this little mystery, night.”
    “Night,” Alex waved goodbye and disappeared. With an exhausted sigh,  I made my way to my own room.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
    “Good Morning!” The sound of Emeralds voice broke through my peaceful, if not comatose, sleep. My eyes opened to the sight of a blinding light, coming from the direction of a newly opened window.
    “Rise and shine my dear. Now I know you have only had a couple of hours sleep, but it’s a Sunday, and you know what’s happening today don’t you….”Emerald babbled as she rummaged through my draws, picking out an outfit for me. I rose from my bed slowly, trying my best to sit up straight. My attempt to do so made my head spin and I had to lie back down again.
    “Emerald I’m pretty capable of getting myself organised,” I sighed over her as she continued to babble on about the gardens.
    “On a usual day maybe. But a day like today, I think you may need a little help,” she chuckled, pulling the covers off me as I’d just made myself comfortable. Groaning at the colder air now circling my body, I sat up and made my way across the room to where Emerald had neatly set out my clothes.
    “What’s with all the pink?” I asked lifting up a truly pink fluffy dress.
    “It’s gorgeous isn’t it?”
    “ Yes, Gorgeous !” I replied sarcastically, placing the pink marshmallow dress back on the side.
    “You are aware you are no longer my nanny, right Emerald?”
    “Yes, I like to think of myself as your personal carer,” she smiled. Well that left me feeling like either an invalid or slightly retarded.
    “Seriously though, what’s the occasion?” I asked sitting in an old armchair in the corner of the room. 
    “You’re telling me you have forgotten the most important occasion that happens in this castle every twenty years,” She walked over to where I was sitting and put her hands on her hips. I noticed that she was wearing a green v neck dress that hugged her curves and showed her cleavage, her blonde hair was tied up in a bun. Emerald usually wore a blue pinafore covered in god knows what from the kitchen. The fact that she was dressed up should have been reason to think that something was going on, I was clearly still half asleep.
    “Oh child you would forget your head if it wasn’t screwed on,” She sighed taking a seat on my ottoman at the end of the bed.
    “At least then I’d be able to sleep,” I mumbled.
    “Today is the coming together feast.” She continued, choosing to ignore my remark.
    “The what?  Feast?” It