Living In Distress - Days 4 thru 6

Day 4

      No dreams last night (or at least none I can recall) and I woke up to pouring down rain. The clouds blocked out the sun rising in the east. It was grey and gloomy, just a plain depressing sort of day from the beginning. I really hope this weather clears up by Freidei! I sound selfish but I don't want rain on my birthday...is that too much to hope for? I am really looking forward to the ceremony my mother and father have planned for me. You see, not only is it my birthday on Freidei, but I also receive a declaration to become the sole heir to the throne upon my father's death (God forbid). It is just a part of turning twenty I guess. I so look forward to the celebration, the song, music, food and dance but I must say I'm a little nervous about the responsibility that my future carries. What if I'm an awful ruler...Queen...leader...whatever?
     
      After my near nervous breakdown, I had breakfast with my mother (a rare treat). She had details to go over with me about the declaration ceremony. Mostly she just droned on and on about the guest list and who was going to be there. On the upside, Cassandra made a wonderful egg casserole and fresh sweet rolls. YUM! Our conversation was going pretty well until I mentioned the strange disappearances being reported, and then she just shut down and changed the subject as if I hadn't said a thing about it. Now I am sure these reports are true and that something is definitely going on, and I am going to find out what it is. I feel so left out...so untrusted...UGH!
I was frustrated so I took out my frustrations during my sword training with Tren. I think he could tell I was angry and needed to let off some pent up anger. He noted that I was behaving very aggressively yet I was still able to exhibit great focus and composure. It was just the type of thing I needed after the morning I had. I was beat and physically drained. I felt good but still angry and upset over the whole thing.
       
      By mid-afternoon it was still pouring down rain. So, I locked myself up in my room and came up with a plan of action to uncover this disappearance mystery. I came up with a couple of ideas and I'll start my investigation tomorrow.

Day 5

      My dream returned last night, although, I hesitate to call it a dream anymore. It is becoming an unsettling nightmare. Each one seems to be revealing just a little bit more than the previous one. This one offered up the blinding darkness, the cold emptiness, the flicker of light revealing a silhouetted figure and this time a voice. I couldn't make out what was said; it came through as only a light whisper, barely audible. I worry why I am having these strange reoccurring nightmares, I never used too. Could it be stress related or something more sinister? I suppose it is yet another mystery for me to solve.
     
      I ate breakfast alone (hotcakes with fresh wild berries and juice) and pondered my plan of action for the day. The weather was much better so that shouldn't cause me any grief. I quickly got myself ready for my day out in the streets of Distress. I had to be sneaky so I could get out of the palace unseen and not trailed by my personal guard. Father would hate that I am out alone but I can't risk anyone knowing what it is I'm up to.
     
      I managed to slip out undetected and headed for the docks. I wanted to talk to my friend Eron who works in one of the drinking halls. He is always up on the latest gossip so I thought it would be a productive first stop. I was right. Eron told me of some locals talking about missing livestock just a few leagues away from town. He also said there was no sign of tracks or clues left by thieves. They just seemed to vanish without a trace. He gave me the name of a nomadic rancher, Rex Thyne, who said he saw something very unusual a few nights back, but Eron was unsure if it was related or not. His instincts are pretty good so I will attempt to track this Mr. Thyne down, after my birthday. I thanked Eron for his time and left for the Harbor Store, a supply and surplus dealer.
     
      I posed a few questions to some ship captains and deck hands but came up empty. I think they were just too busy to answer a few questions from some snoopy little girl. If only they knew I was the princess, but I wasn't about to reveal myself by playing that card.
     
      I had a busy morning and made it back to the palace before anyone noticed me missing. Just as I finished changing into more suitable house attire my mother knocked on my door. She told me that Antonia and her father were due to arrive anytime now and wondered if I wanted to head down to the docks to greet them (if only she knew). Of course I wanted to, so I headed down to the pier with my mother.
     
      Antonia and her father arrived and I greeted my friend with a huge hug. It was so good to see her. I didn't reveal anything I had learned earlier about the mystery; I'll save that for tomorrow. At the moment all I wanted to do was catch up and enjoy dinner with my friend.
     
      Tomorrow we'll celebrate my birthday and declaration ceremony then we can get down to comparing notes about this mystery.

Day 6

      Well, the waiting was finally over. My birthday was here at last. I woke up early this morning to get ready...no nightmares. Throughout history, twentieth birthday celebrations in the Royal Family have been anchored by tradition and are also the source of many tales and legends. One of my favorites involved my Great-Great Grandfather and his amazing display of strength. As the story goes he apparently lifted a two-wheeled pony cart with two attractive ladies on board over his head. He did so to prove his love to a peasant girl and prove to his own father (my Great-Great-Great Grandfather) that loving a peasant wouldn't make him weak. It must have worked because he was allowed to marry her. Definitely my favorite story. I wonder if he really lifted that cart? My party was great, nothing noteworthy happened but it was still an incredible time.
     
      The weather was beautiful, I guess it paid to be selfish this time. Yay me! My mother had people come in and fix up my hair, it turned out amazing. My mom commented how much she loved the way my black hair complimented my beautiful dress. She said I was the most beautiful woman she'd ever seen (with a tear in her eye). For my mother that is an amazing compliment she just doesn't show emotion too often. It surprised me a little.
     
      The Grand Hall was decorated with such vibrantly colored banners and way to many candles to count. The flickering from the flames made the walls look they were in constant motion. It was the perfect atmosphere for my big day. People arrived one huge group after another until the Grand Hall was filled to the limit. I was watching the guests arrive from a secluded balcony...I had to wait to be announced. It was all part of the declaration ceremony. Once everybody was situated in the hall the festivities would begin. I was able to locate Antonia and her father they had a table near mine, she looked great! It will be great to celebrate with my friend. I was feeling quite nervous leading up to the ceremony, there were so many people. Crowds aren't necessarily my thing. The waiting killed me! I felt much better once the whole thing was underway. I was introduced, and then I entered the Grand Hall in style. The ceremony itself was over before I knew it. It was a whirlwind of activity accompanied by a lot of coming of age jargon. I was officially the next ruler of Distress.
     
      Let the party begin...I found Antonia and we went over our plans for the evening. We danced, ate, drank a little wine (Antonia drank a little more) and had an unbelievable time. We had such a great time and completely lost ourselves as well as track of time. We weren't able to get any of our investigating done, so it will have to wait until tomorrow. I loved everything about today and it left me absolutely exhausted. No legends were made, I don't think, but all had a very memorable time.