Event Preparations

Everyone went back home. The streets remained quiet for the rest of the day. Many were not in the mood either to buy or sell anything. The only busy place was the castle. They have a preparation going on. A royal birthday celebration that has been announced for weeks. Tomorrow it'll be the first birthday celebration for Princess Erieka, daughter of King Henry and Queen Dorothy. The royals went back to the castle along with Lord Adam and Lady Matilda who will be staying there for six more days. The castle got even more busy the minute they returned. The royal chefs one by one came to ask the queen's final opinion on the dishes they prepared. The royal dressmaker came to ask both the queen's and the lady's final opinion on the dresses that they'll wear tomorrow. Bobby repeatedly came to the king to give a report on the number of men who will constantly guard the halls and patrol around the castle. And Lord Adam assisted the royal butler with decorations.

As for Prince Edward, he went to visit his sister in her chamber. Princess Erieka was lying in her crib, her eyes wide open.

'How long have you been awake dearest sister?' Edward said. Erieka responded with the cute baby voice of hers saying something no one can understand.

'I don't understand you. But I'll act like I do' Edward said again, smiling at her as he stood on his toes to look into the crib. Their eyes connected. Erieka made another sound of happiness.

'You're so good! Lying down in here all by yourself! Where's Annie?'

Annie is the head of the royal maids and handmaidens and Queen Dorothy's personal handmaiden. But she spent most of the time with Erieka, queen's orders.

Erieka made her baby sound again.

'I shall pretend that you said she is busy helping the preparation. Oh, really? Okay, let me be the first to wish you! Happy birthday Erieka! In seven years time you'll be as big as me! And I'll be bigger, like Lillain!' Edward said, laughing at his imagination.

'Are you happy? Are you excited? Let me read you' Edward said, standing on his toes as long as he could, he looked into Erieka's eyes. He saw the high energy that she has. He could feel her energy around him running in all directions, excited and ready to roar.

'You are powerful' Edward said, amazed by what he felt. Erieka opened her mouth and to Edward, it looked like she was smiling.

'You wait, I'm going to tell mother' Edward said, running out the doors. Edward found his mother with his aunt, Lady Matilda, sitting at the tea table in the gardens, still discussing on the dresses.

'Mother! You have to come and see! Erieka's energy, I could feel it around me when I'm near her, she's very powerful!' Edward said excitedly. The ladies looked at Edward, adored by his cute excitement.

'I know Edward, I gave birth to her' Queen Dorothy said, smiling. Edward replied simply, "oh". He didn't think about that.

'But was it a surprise to you when you first felt it?' Edward asked.

'Honestly no, because I know someone related who has that energy as well'

'Father?'

'Yes! Clever boy!' Dorothy clapped. Edward went nearer to her.

'Do I have that energy?' Edward asked. Dorothy shook her head gently. Edward's face saddened.

'But I've never seen anyone with so much spirit before except you' Dorothy said.

'I don't quite understand the difference between energy and spirit' Edward said.

'Energy you can feel it, but spirit, you have to see it. I see and know your spirit since the day you learn who your parents are. Yes energy will seem powerful and intimidating to anyone. But spirit is the real reason that someone is very powerful. Because of spirit, all the great masters you know master a more complicated magic such as Gratultyn magic and those with higher spirit master light magic or if the opposite, dark magic'

'That's a long explanation, but I understand mother'

Dorothy smiled at her son.

'Okay then, I'm going to go and play again!' Edward said. He ran off.

'Don't forget, you have sword training lesson with Bobby later at six!' Dorothy raised her voice loud enough for Edward to hear as he went away.

'Yes mother!' Edward replied loudly. He went into the fountain gardens on the east side of the castle. A big sculpture sits in a big stone bowl in the centre of the gardens. Water rippling inside as holes around the sculpture shoot water out of them creating a peaceful waterfall fountain. This is Edward's most favourite spot outside the castle. He plays here, studies here, trains here. All because of the fountain. He's a Winterain, SHAWs that are born in winter and have the specialty of water. SHAW is the acronym of four words which are the names of groups of magic wielding people. S stands for Sprite, the group that is born in spring and has the specialty of nature. H is for Helaze, the group that is born in summer and has the specialty of fire. A for Ardni, the group that is born in autumn and has the specialty of air. While W as explained, stands for Winterain, the group born in winter and has the specialty of water. Together all of them are called SHAWs, that differs them from those born without magical abilities. An example of someone who is not a SHAW is Bobby. So because of the fountain, this is Edward's favourite spot to train his specialty and other elements and magic will tag along. But his intention to have fun and play with water was changed because as he reached, there were his three best friends, Captain, Bale and Oliver, on the wide seating area around the fountain.

'Guys! You came to play?' Edward said.

'You're right we did' Captain said.

'What do you wanna play?'

'Hide and seek?' Oliver suggested.

'In the gardens again?' Captain asked, annoyed.

'What's wrong with that?'

'Can we play somewhere else? Like in the castle?'

'That is not possible today, we have preparations going on inside. And I think why don't we play some magic this time!' Edward said.

'Have you forgotten again? Bale and I don't have magic!' Captain said.

'Oops, yep, sorry again'

'Hide and catch?' Edward said.

'That's fun for a change. Let's play that!' Captain said. 'Okay we hide and you seek'

'Why must I seek?' Edward said.

'Because you suggested it'

'Okay then, seeking you in twenty seconds!' Edward turned to a nearby flowery column, closed his eyes and started counting loudly.

'Hurry hide!' Captain exclaimed in excitement. The three animals ran to different parts of the garden. Captain reached the edge of the fountain garden, he went into the hedge, he could see the queen and lady of White Shore chatting at the tea table.

'Did he say we cannot go to other gardens, aside the fountain one? I think not' Captain said gleefully as he made his way into the main gardens, north of the castle.

Meanwhile, Edward had just finished counting down, he went looking, excited to find everyone. It was easy to find Bale and Oliver. He found them both together hiding under a bench behind some bushes. Captain was not easy. They went across to the main gardens but still could not find him.

'Do you think he might have gone inside the castle?' Oliver asked. They went inside through the main gardens entrance that led them to the main ballroom where the heart of the celebration is going to take place. Everywhere servants and temporary hired staff worked on getting the place ready with the finishing touches. Edward noticed Jordan, the assistant royal butler, and Lord Adam at one of the buffet tables, and went to them.

'Jordan, have you seen my friend Captain?' Edward asked.

'My prince, is it the mischievous one? Better not he be in here' Jordan said. 'Nope, have not seen him'

'Thanks Jordan' Edward said. They went out of the ballroom into the main hall. Walls on both sides of the huge ballroom double doors, curving around to the curvy stairs on both sides that leads to the second floor. Walking straight ahead will lead to the entrance hallway and to the castle main entrance. Just behind both of the stairs are smaller hallways with rooms on its sides.

'This will take forever to find him' Oliver complaint. 'Such a cheater'

'I know what to do' Edward said.

'What?' Oliver and Bale asked together.

'We just wait until he got tired of hiding and comes out of his hiding place!' Edward said.

'You want us to wait and do nothing? That's even worse than searching!' Oliver exclaimed.

'No, we do whatever else we want, he'll get bored, we don't' Edward grinned. The two animals looked at him with a cunning smile. They agreed to the idea.

A servant came to them.

'Your highness, the queen has requested me to summon you'

'Alright, thank you' Edward said. The servant walked away.

'Sorry guys, I guess time has passed so quickly. I have sword fighting lesson with Bobby. You guys can do what I suggested, or you guys want to find him' Edward said, then walked back into the ballroom to head into the main gardens.

Aside from the queen, lady of White Shore and the dressmaker, now the king, Lord Adam and Bobby were there too.

'When will you be back?' Queen Dorothy said.

'As soon as possible' King Henry replied. He turned to walk away with Lord Adam following behind.

'Where are you going?' Edward asked, he was already standing in his father's way.

'To White Shore. We received urgent news'

'Can I come?'

'Sorry Edward, I can't bring you along this time, and don't forget, you have lesson with Bobby' Henry said.

'Alright'

Henry and Adam walked away.

'Your highness, are you ready for your lesson?' Bobby said. Edward nodded.