My letter to the library...and other stuff

Dear Library,

       I miss you so much has it really been a full four weeks since I last walked through your doors to pick up some random book that may or may not be amazing...it has! My book loving side to me is caving with longing to grasp unfamiliar, exciting, and adventurous pages! But...I'll have to wait a little longer I'm afraid and in the meantime you'd better fill up with some more books because I'm pretty sure I'll soon have read all your good ones.....and that's another thing; why don't you have more good books? It seems like all the books I want to read are in the library hours away and YOU have the ones I don't care about...but well yes. Anyways I guess that's all see you soon as I can :D

                                                                                                                                               Yours Truly

                                                                                                                                                        Sarah

Yeah I guess that was kind of random and I didn't really need to write it but it's been on my mind and so I just took it...and posted it. Aaaaanyways, I've got some more goodies for you! 

Two art pieces and the next part of me and Brittney's story yay :D

If you guys liked my previous Marin sketches than you'll probably enjoy these.

Soooo which do you like better? Me, I can't decide but then I'm the artist and an artist has a special affection for all her pieces...except for the mess ups!

Now the story....

Janna
By: Brittney

“Hosea?” I called out the back of our cottage, “Are you done yet?”
I saw him stick his head through the door, “Almost,” He said and then after a pause he asked, “I still don’t understand why me and my friends are doing this for you!”
“ Well that’s a silly question,” I said with a cheesy smile and then I walked up to him and gave him a hug before he could back up, “You’re helping me because you’re my sweet little brother.”
I rubbed his head with my knuckles.
He winced and then awkwardly patted me on the back, “Ya, I guess that’s the reason.”
I just smiled at him sweetly.
“We’re done Janna,” I heard a rough voice from outside the door. I swung open the door to see all of Hosea’s friends dressed up in armor. I tried to stifle a giggle at how goofy they looked. Hosea’s friend Trevor was a short stocky fellow and his armor was too long and too tight on him. Gregory his other friend was tall but way too skinny and he had to tie his belt very tight to keep the armor from falling off. Firiel, Hosea’s other friend seemed to fit the suit pretty well but his sandy blond hair fell over his eyes in a very unprofessional way. Hosea’s suit of armor fit him perfectly and his neatly trimmed hair and green eyes looked very handsome. I smiled at the thought of him maybe one day being a knight, but I knew well enough that knights were only nobles.
“Well…” I said after looking them over, “You’re an awkward group that’s for sure…. But I think you’ll be able to manage.”
I gave them a smile for encouragement.
“Now are you ready?” I asked.
They all nodded their heads uneasily.
“Don’t worry you’ll be fine,” I reassured them.
“Now let’s go meet Jasper with the carriage and then we will go pick up the princess! Remember now we must convince the king you guys are real guards. So keep your chins up, walk straight, and mind your manners!”
“ Let’s go!” I hollered. We all started off marching towards the stables.

This shall be interesting…

Porsha

By: Me

It was a little unsettling when I saw the group of sorry looking boys before me and I thought, “How are we ever going to convince the king that these are royal guards.” But either the King was blind or very tired because he went with it and within the space of ten minutes the coach was filled and I was racing off towards a week of perfect freedom!

Janna laid back in her seat and smiled. “This is excellent, I knew with our brilliance we would figure something out.”

I sighed and glanced out the window as I often did when I was in a carriage. “Yes I know…it’s just…I can’t believe we…did it. No mistakes no hitches it seems way to good to be true.”  Janna rolled her eyes and leaned back.

“Don’t be so paranoid first you were worries that something would happen and now you’re worried because something didn’t; maybe sometimes things just go your way without trouble.”

I fiddled with my dress a bit before replying. “…maybe, but then maybe something will go wrong…later.”

“You worry too much, don’t worry things will be fine you’ll see. You can just be Scarlet Wilcox for now forget you’re a princess and just enjoy yourself.”

I sighed I knew only to well how hard that was going to be considering whenever my dreams came the closest I would drift farther away into my worry, such is the way of paranoid me.

I was quite relieved when we finally reached Janna’s house and her friend…Jasper handed me out. “Don’t let Janna get you into trouble.” He says as he gets back into the drivers seat

“What me?” She replied innocently putting on a smile.

“You do have a habit of getting yourself and others into sticky situations.”

“What…I do not!”

“Um…..this is a very nice conversation and all but you seem to be attracting attention.”

“Yes…and I suppose I do need to be going. Ado princ…uh I mean Scarlet.” And with that he tipped his hat and road off leaving me once more to my ponderings of what could possibly lay ahead…still little knowing the danger I was soon to encounter…

Thanks for reading!

 

The Problem with Escorts

Janna
By: Brittney
I snuck behind the castle and quickly ran past the stables until I reached the place where they kept and repaired the King’s carriages. As soon as I walked in I spotted a young man pounding away with a hammer at one of the Carriage’s wheels.
I smiled to myself and then called out, “Well hello Jasper! Isn’t it a lovely day?”
He looked up in surprise and banged his head on the carriage.
My hands flew to my mouth, “I – am-so-sorry!” I said, but I was also about to laugh.
He smiled, “I’m fine Janna,” He said rubbing his head. He stood up, wiped his greasy hands on his trousers and walked over to me.
“What are you doing here?” He asked lifting one eyebrow. His green eyes staring back at me.
“Well,” I said clearing my throat, “I’ve come to ask for a favor.”
“Uh, huh,” He said prodding me along.
“I was wondering if you could drive the carriage with princess Porsha in it pretending to go to the Queen’s estate but instead secretly turn around and drop her off at my house.” I said quickly and then I looked up at him and gave him a sly smile.
He snorted, “Have you lost your mind?” He asked.
“No,” I said still smiling.
“What about the guards that are required to protect the princess during her journey?”
I frowned; I hadn’t thought about that.
“Um….well…maybe…”
Jasper snorted, “Janna what are you trying to do now? Why on earth do you want the princess to go to your house? And why would she want to go there? and why…”
“Could you just hush?” I said, “I’m trying to think.”
Jasper just rolled his eyes.
“Look here,” He said, “I’m willing to help you with whatever you need, just because we’re friends. But putting your life, the princess’s, and mine in danger is stupid. If the king ever found out about this maniac idea he’d be sure to hang you, and me, also the princess.”
I gulped, “I’m sure there is some way!”
“Well,” He said turning back to his work, “You find a way to get rid of the guards and make the plan less dangerous and I’ll help you. But not until then.”
I sighed, “Well I guess I need to talk to Porsha about this! I’m sure she will come up with an idea…”

Porsha

By: Me

I was just looking over some “engagement” presents from the prince with disgust when Janna returned panting to my room.

“Well, did he accept? Will he take us?”

 “Um…he says if we make it safer.”

“Safer?” I asked. “Safer, what does he mean by that?”

“Says….it’s still to risky if the king finds out he’ll  have our heads and war will be eminent.”

“Did you tell him about the letter signed by Lady Francis?”

“Noooooo, but I still think he’s right, because he also said that we’ll be expected to take escort guards and how on earth are we to get rid of a troupe of escort guards without arousing the kings suspicion!”

“Oh….I hadn’t thought of that.” I paused to think. “Is bribery possible?”

“No I wouldn’t try that they’re far to afraid of the king to betray him like that, besides they’d probably take the bribe and then sell us out to the king to get another reward.”

“Hmmm, that’s right. There’s nothing else for it then we’ll have to do…oh, goodness I can’t believe I’m saying this but we’ll just have to take them along.”

“WHAT! Are you joking that’s crazy we can’t take them with us they’ll betray us to the king!”

“Not necessarily. Do you have a brother.”

“Uh…yes a younger brother.”

“How old is he.”

“14 but he’s tall for his age, why?”

“Are his friends trustworthy do you think you could get them to come over this afternoon.”

“Yes but why.”

“Good than do we have any uniforms from Lady Francis’s palace.”

“Well I should think so they get their armor from here but what has this got to do with my brother and his friends.”

“Oh because Lady Francis has been so kind as to oblige us with escorts from her own palace so as not to disturb the king. Only three or four perhaps because we don’t want to make things to crowded two for the front two for the back. Walking yes walking will pass.”

“I’m still confused what are you planning.”

“Oh, Janna don’t you see you’re brothers will dress up like lady Francis’s guards who have come to escort me and the king won’t question it.”

Janna smiled. “Glad I didn’t have to plan out this whole thing. I’ll go tell my brother the  oh, and Jasper as well of course the plan if things are to work out we haven’t a moment to loose I’ll just slip this letter in with the royal mail before I ship off see you this afternoon.” Janna giggled waving the letter in the air as she rushed out. I smiled relieved and fell into my chair…a whole week of not having to worry about that prince!

In Which Janna Shares her Plan

 Last Time:

“I must tell Porsha about Miss Barley’s suspicions,” I thought to myself, “We must be more careful or else the king will know of Porsha’s lies, and that would not be good for the peace treaty…”

   ~ 

The king began again, “In order to sustain the aforesaid treaty the King has offered his sister to be the wife of my son.” 

This was preposterous, what was my brother thinking!!!

Janna
By: Brittney

I looked up in shock and I almost dropped the platter of pork in my hands. My mouth hung open.
I looked at Princess Porsha and she looked like she was about to drop out of her seat in a faint.
I lifted my eyes to the young man who had just walked through the door. He was tall, muscular, and handsome. But his good looks stopped at his deep scowl and crossed arms. I rolled my eyes, yep he was one of those guys who thought he owned the world and that he was the best man on earth. I looked at Porsha with sympathy. I knew that she wouldn't want to marry this idiot.
I sighed; there was really nothing I could do.
I snapped out of my thoughts as soon as I heard the king announce the weddings date. I figured it would be a few years but I was wrong.

" The princess Porsha will be married to my son on the twentieth day of the fourth month..."

I gasped in shock; that was only one month away!
Porsha looked like she was a ghost because she had gone so pale, and the kings son!?! Well... He was still wearing his ridiculous scowl.

I couldn't believe this, right when I though I was going to have a friend, her brother has to sign her off to a dreadful prince.

There must be something we can do to stop this wedding...

Porsha

 By: Me

I retired from the table as soon as I could and told his “highness” the king goodnight he returned it with a wave of his pudgy hand and his son smirked echoing his odious father’s wave and waltzing out of the room with a promise to speak to me tomorrow…I’d have to make sure to be away from the castle tomorrow…if that were even possible.

The prince was more than I could take I gripped Janna’s hand and pulled her out of the room after me…I could hear the kings laughter behind I frowned and hurried away faster.

When I reached my room I asked Janna if there was anything we could do about it, she smiled. “I was hoping you’d ask….I’ve just had a magnificent idea, it won’t exactly help you current situation but it will give us some time to think properly about an answer and get you out of this.”

“Well what is it?” I asked impatiently. “Will I still have to talk to that “prince” tomorrow?”

“Regrettably yes…that is if you don’t want to offend him and his father which would undoubtedly make them trust your brother even less but… I can almost guarantee you won’t have to look at his proud face for about a week.”

“I’ll take it, now what’s you plan?”

“Okay so you know how the king has a week set for you to journey south to his estate so that you may see a little more of his kingdom…he was going to have me and a woman named Lady Francis escort you to there but…I can make it so it’s tomorrow, I have here an urgent notice of hers that she would like you to come much sooner as she is going to be redecorating the estate at the originally planned time…she will be sending a carriage directly.” She paused while I took this in. “Unfortunately she canceled that plan and she doesn’t see how she can have you over at any time, but fortunately for you I apprehended that letter and I can burn it before any see it. I have a friend in one of the carriage drivers after I present this letter to the king he will pick us up in one of the carriages and take us outside the city, stop double around through an alley and take us to my home where I’ll disguise you so well that not even snooty Miss Barely could recognize you. The king never leaves the castle…and as for the prince the only way he’d recognize anyone is if they’re either dripping in jewels or begging for his attention. After that we’ll have  a week to go around the city spreading the word that you my cousin Scarlet…who knows maybe I can somehow forge Lady Francis’s handwriting (goodness knows it’s terrible) and send word to the king that she likes you so much she’d like to have you stay another week!”

My face was beaming by now and I clasped Janna’s hands excitedly. “Please put your plan into action as soon as possible. Oh, I cannot wait. I must pack immediately!”

I fell asleep instantly that night with an anxious excited heart…

Maybe I wouldn’t have found it so easy to fall asleep that night if I’d have known the dangers that lay ahead.

In Which I Find Out Something Shocking

Janna
By: Brittney

I walked down the palace’s corridor away from Princess Porsha’s room when Miss Barley stopped me.
“What do you think you are doing young lady!?!’ She asked her plump hands on her wide waist, “today is your day off.’
Miss Barley was the head maid of the castle and was in charge of all the other maids; she was often a great nuisance…. Make that all the time.
I rolled my eyes. “I was just checking in on the princess,’ was my blunt reply.
Miss Barley’s eyes scanned me critically as if I was a common criminal, ‘The Princess has been missing for a few hours, and the whole castle was in an uproar! I heard she had been in the Library the whole time, yet I had already checked that room.”
I gave Miss Barley a sly smile, “She probably was just taking a break to use the privy.” I said in a smart tone.
Miss Barley snorted, “and where were you then?’ She asked.
I cringed at all her questions; she was making me feel guilty for lying, ‘I just arrived a few moments prior to her recovery.” I said calmly.
Miss Barley looked over me again and then turned on her heels, “I don’t believe you Miss Janna! And believe me I’ll find out what you two girls have been up too and I’ll report it to the king! You can’t hide anything from me!”
I shivered and then ran down the stairs and out the palaces gate; I needed to get home before Hosea wondered where I was.
“I must tell Porsha about Miss Barley’s suspicions,” I thought to myself, “We must be more careful or else the king will know of Porsha’s lies, and that would not be good for the peace treaty…”

Porsha

By: Me

As soon as we were safely in my chambers I told Janna what had taken place in the throne room and then she told me of her own time to which I wasn’t sure what to make of.

“I feel like a prisoner…even more than at home” I groaned.

“Well we’re going to have to get creative then.” Janna said decisively nodding her head. “I’ll do all I can so that you can escape this dingy old castle without those tyrants noticing.”

“But not today,’ I said thinking. ‘I have to attend a feast in less than an hour.”

“Alright then tomorrow, unless something prevents us.”

I nodded in compliance than frowned, “You’ll have to be at the feast to attend me…sorry.”

“That’s okay I can sneak notes to you that way.” I smiled.

~~~~>P<~~~~

The feast began promptly at 8 o'clock and it was at 8:30 that something truly terrible happened.

I looked down at my plate smiling as I read the slip of paper Janna had just laid on my plate, but just as I was about to write a reply on the other side the king thumped a huge hand on the hard wooden table.

“Friends and honored guests tonight I wish to tell you of the peace treaty I have signed with the Terabithian King.” I looked up confused, who didn’t know about that yet? Surely it had been told to all present before my arrival? The king began again, “In order to sustain the aforesaid treaty the King has offered his sister to be the wife of my son.”

He turned his red head over to the handsome youth who had just entered, and I could tell just by looking at his cocky face that he knew it.”

I gaped at the boy then his father and then whirled around to look at Janna who looked equally amazed. I was not going to marry that…that boy I had heard tales of Prince Charles and how he thought the world revolved around him.

This was preposterous, what was my brother thinking!!!

In Which I Find Sewers a Useful Way of Breaking into Castles

Janna
By: Brittney

Me and Porsha peeked out from behind a pile of flour bags outside of the palace’s gates. Guards surrounded the whole palace.
"How can we get in unseen?' Porsha whispered to me, ‘and then when we do what shall I say? If my brother finds out that I was in the market alone, he’ll be so angry!”
“I don’t know about what you’re going to say, but I have an idea about how we can get in.” I said, “But I don’t think you’ll like it.”
“What is it?” she asked, ‘we must hurry!’
“the only possible way in without being seen would be through… the…uh…’
“The…?” Porsha said prodding me on.
“The sewer” I said wrinkling my nose.
Porsha made a discussed face and then sighed, “I guess we 'have' to do 'have' we got to do. But we must hurry, if I don’t show up soon my brother might blame your king for kidnapping me, you know how our countries don't trust each other!”
“You're right,” I said, “Come on I’ll show you the way to the opening.”

We turned a few corners until we came upon a smelly opening near the palace’s walls.
I plugged my nose, and pulled my wild red hair back over my shoulders so it wouldn’t get filth in it.
I looked over at Porsha who was looking at the sewage in disgust.
“Come on,” I said, “This tunnel leads up to the privy which is right across the hall from your room.”
“ All right, I hope this works.”

Porsha

By: Me

I hoped it worked too my eyes and ears were already full of enough stink to kill an army and I didn't want to find out how long it took to kill a princess...uh stinks.

Finally we were able to get out of the sewage system and climb in through a sewage window not far from my room and you can be sure that I immediately took a bath and scrubbed so hard that when I came out Janna insisted I was redder than the color itself I merely shook my head and urged her to take a bath as well and as she did so I made my way to the throne room where I could see a very fat and very pompous looking man fuming atop a way overdecorated throne.

"I WANT HER FOUND, I WANT HER BROUGHT HERE IN CHAINS THE NERVE, THE NERVE!!"

He turned his beet red face over to me and instantly it took on the expression of a calm and collected individual with all the grace and splendor or a skunk. "Why princess." He said folding his hands into each other with a smile so fake it could kill a puppy. "We have been looking all over for you, where have you been." 

"Oh, not far I was in the library." I lied, looking behind me where a guard was clearly wondering whether to arrest me or leave the room.

"Oh, go Jarvis can't  you see she's found, your false assumptions have caused much trouble amongst us."

The guard fled the room and I rolled my eyes. "Next time you leave your highness you might tell somewhere you are going so as to prevent so much worry." 

"Of course your highness." I said with my own fake smile. The king nodded with satisfaction in his eyes. "I'll have my ladies maid tell you." His smile dropped. 

"Well...yes, yes *ahem* that's fine." 

 I'd have to be more careful in future attempts I told myself  as I walked out to meet with Janna...

Continueing Series with Brittney Ann

Janna
By Brittney

Sun shined down on my face as I looked out at the street from my bedroom window. The street was alive with horses; their hooves hitting down on the cobblestone; peasants & beggars pleading for money on the street corners, women looking at all the streets shops, and salesman yelling out all the good deals of the morning.
I sighed with exhaustion but I knew that no matter how tired I was I still have to go to work. I threw on my worn, calico dress, brushed my hair and placed a bandana on top, and then I pulled on my old shoes that were way too small and pinched my feet.
“Hosea!” I yelled to my younger brother, “I’m going to work now, won’t be back till late tonight! I got lots of work to do since the princess of Terabithia is comin’.”
“All right.” Hosea said in return.
I walked out the front door and down the four blocks to the castle. I was one of the castles maids and I was dreading a day of hard work, and each passing moment I kept on getting more nervous about the princess Porsha coming to our kingdom- Nopelia, because just yesterday I was informed that I am to be Porsha’s personal maid!
“ Oh, I hope she is a nice girl unlike all the other snobby princesses I have encountered!” I said wrinkling my nose.

Porsha

 by Sarah 

I glanced out the gold rimmed window of my carriage and thought once again how much I hated being escorted "in style" so that my brother could satisfy his need to impress the royals of Nopelia but at least the ride was only a week give a few days and we were almost there now thank goodness!

We'd made it and I was being escorted to my room, I asked to be left alone and luckily nobody asked why they just said they'd come and get me when the king called, I nodded and as soon they were gone I burrowed into my bag and pulled out my disguise; a servants dress and a headscarf so no one would see my face. I intended to know every inch of this place and the kind of people it had before the king called....I always felt I was born into the wrong lineage I always wanted to be a commoner, to be  a commoner would mean to be common and common people didn't have to go to balls and parties and dress up in stiff silk gowns and stay in the palace doing nothing but stitching and lute playing, stitching and lute playing and an occasional spout of silly poetry about a princess being rescued by a prince was expected too
for it seemed fashionable princesses nowadays were the ones who were brainless and incompetent, why if anyone ever caught me reading they'd have the book taken away, and if I was caught riding "unladylike" as they put it the horse was taken away from me, now I'm not a feminist but I don't like being treated like a doll and not a person!

I glanced back into the room...if they'd only treat me less like a princess. I sighed and climbed out the window.

A Continuing Series With Brittney

I'm writing a continuing series with Brittney Ann unofficially called Silver Sunsets read and tell us what you think in comments.

Porsha

By Sarah

Light streamed in soaking everything with the gold and silver of the setting Terabithian sun. I sighed rubbing my hands against polished marble and scuffing my cream colored slippers on the cold tiled floor. I was tired, tired of staying in one place, and tired of being stuck up here as I had been since I was a little girl leaving the ruling of our large kingdom to my older bother and his Queen Genevieve. 

Tomorrow I was being sent to a neighboring kingdom so we could "bind" our alliances, as my brother so bluntly put it. He seems not to realize that that was not exactly the escape I had wanted and I didn't like being sent as a peace package like I didn't have my own opinions, hopefully this trip would have more than it seemed to promise so that I wouldn't get bored at the very least I hoped I could get out and see the towns without someone coming to collect me (as so often happened here) 

 

Oh well we'd see what tomorrow would bring.

Special Note to Brittney:

for your first chapter write something about her personal life and opinions and then you can do whatever you like, it would be nice if you would place her in to neighboring Kingdom that Porsha is going too.