Part I- The Beast and the Droon

Chapter Two

          My knees were shaking and my palms grew slightly moist, as I gaped at the glowing, young girl. Yes, she was glowing! She had short, white hair, pale skin, lovely lips, a slender frame, and a flowing, white dress that cascaded to the floor. From her ears were long, dangling diamonds, around her bare arms were bands of white gold, and above her snow-white hair was a small, twinkling tiara.

          She was breath-taking. She was the spitting image of what I imagined a fairy tale princess would look like.

          I watched wordlessly as the elder kneeled on one knee and bowed his head deeply. I followed suit, not knowing what else there was to do. The girl gently raised her hand, and the elder and I arose promptly.

          She then turned around and walked down the marble hallway, and the elder and I followed her without a whisper. She led us to a door, opened it, and motioned us to go in. We went inside; she followed behind us, and closed the door behind her.

          The room in which we entered was a gloomy and depressing place. Shredded pieces of satin and silk strung the walls like a canopy. Mirrors shattered to bits, but still intact, covered the walls, upturned tables and chairs littered the room, and long, wilting candles were the only sources of light in the dark room. I followed the elder, who expertly walked through the jungle of ruins, and when he stopped at a clearing of the jungle, I stopped as well.

          I peered behind him, once more, and took a sharp intake of air. Sitting upon a stool, with perfect composure, was a lady in a red gown. She also had snow-white hair, but it was long and braided into one, thick twine. She also had pale skin, jewels festooning her ears, arms, and neck. However, she wore a mask. It was moon-shaped and curved gracefully to fit her face flawlessly. There were diamond studs and red feathers attached to the mask, creating a sinister feeling.

          “Oh, Lady Clark, I have a new apprentice for the boiler man.”

          “He looks far too delicate to work in the boiling pit, doesn’t he?” she answered in a careless, imperial way.

          “Take a closer look, mistress. Does he not look familiar to thy eyes?”

          The woman turned her coal-black eyes on me, making me feel thoroughly perplexed, and after a few moments she murmured, “Fine. Send him to the boiler pit. Does he have a name?”

          “He does not remember his.”

          “Next time, I want him to have a name. Understood?”

          “Crystal, m’lady.”

          “Good. Maurie!”

          The twinkling princess appeared at her side and said, “Yes, Lady Clark.”

          “Lead them out.”

          “As you wish.”

          With that, we both left the jungle of ruins and jewel encrusted doors, and I continued to follow the elder, as we entered the hottest hallway of them all—the pathway to hell’s gate…

AN: Sorry for not updating sooner! This chapter took some time, since I had to introduce two major characters—Maurie and Lady Clark. Any suggestions? Questions? Then give me your honest feedback by pressing the review button below! Thank you!