Sequoia

When I wake up, I see a letter under my door. I open it and see that Tyron has a plan. I hide the letter under my pillow and race down the hall. As I run I see someone stand up in fright and it's too late to stop. I crash into the person and we both fall over. When I hop to my feet, I see who it is.

“ Cedric!” I whisper-shout. “What are you doing here? My father hates you.” I am sort of happy and scared and nervous at the same time.

“I needed to tell you something,” Cedric says. “ I was on a trip with my father, and we saw stuff. We were in Hortus and there was still damage from the Draco fire even though it happened 2000 years ago. It was terrible. There was destruction everywhere. People without houses and food. I want to do something to help the people but father won't let me near there.” he says. He gets sadder and sadder as he goes on.

“ I hear someone coming. You need to get out of here. I will hide you until we can leave.” I shove him into a spare room and close the door. I go to Tyrons room. When I get there I relay ther conversation Cedric and I just had.

“ We need a change of plans,” he says. As he paces around his room. “ Instead of heading to Rivera City we need to go to Hortus. And we need to leave soon.”

“ fine. I will talk to that maid and pack my bags and tell Cedric.”

“ wait. Cedric is coming? Hmmm. I'm not sure that i want him to come.” he said skeptical

“ He needs to come. He is the one that told me of the draco fire damage and we ca

not just leave him here to deal with the chaos that will come when we leave. He is coming.” I say forcefully.”

“Ok fine” Tyron says in a defeated voice

I am glad he agrees. I head to the maid's quarters and search for that one maid that looks like me. When I find her I pay her 30 gold and convince her to go along with our plan. She is reluctant to help but does anyway when I tell her our goal of helping the people in need from the Draco fire. She has a sister that lives in Hortus.

I take her to my room and dress her up in one of my gowns. Then I go and get my makeup box from the bathroom. I try to use kohl and make a scar on her cheek and it looks surprisingly realistic. When I add some rouge to it, it looks even better. I brush her long black hair and put it half up in the braided style I always wear.

I go to my closet and grab a pair of heels and a handbag for her to use. Then I go to the laundry room and find a full set of maids' clothes. Then I grab some of my mother's clothing. A corset, a set of a chemise and bloomers, three petticoats, a set of stockings, an underdress that is embroidered with red thread and a long elegant dress with a low neckline and long draping skirt with a full bustle. Then I grab a pair of trousers and a shirt for Tyron. I also grabbed two dark green military-style coats with matching vests and dress pants for him and me.

On my way back to my room I stop at the kitchen and grab a basket and fill it with cheese, bread, apples, a jar of milk, a jar of honey, 5 carrots, and a pecan pie wrapped in cheesecloth. Oh! I almost forgot! I need money for the trip. So I go to the safe room and take 10 gold, 20 silver, 30 bronze, and 1 alexandrite. I feel bad for taking all this money from the kingdom.

I stuff it all in a leather pouch and take it all back to Tyron's room. I dump it all on his floor and he says “ where did you get all that stuff? Did you rob the safe room? Did you rob the laundry room too?”

“ Ummm maybe?”

“ well thanks for all this stuff you got for us. Did you take any alexandrite?”

“Yes.”

“ hmmm. You shouldn't have done that but whatever.” he said

“ ok. Have you seen Cedric?”

“Yah. he left for Custos three hours ago. Why?”

“WHAT? I was going to have him come with us.”

“Oh well we can pick him up”

“ fine. But we leave first thing in the morning.”

“ ok. Where will we get a boat to go to Custos?”

“Hmmm. I haven't thought about that yet but I will find one.”

“ ok. See you.”

“ bye.”

And he walks out. I think about where I will get a boat. We don't normally head to Custos that much so I don't get to ride them very often. Then I get an idea. I know where to get one! And I head in the right direction.