To Stay in the Living Lands

Chapter Two, Part Two

 She turned to them, her jaw open in shock, 

“But. . . I’ve never seen you in my life. Why is my name on this door?”

“We’ll tell you, later,” Cedric smiled. Cassandra was starting to get aggravated with all this “later” business. Cecily squealed like an excited girl, 

“Well, what are you waiting for? Open it!” Cassandra hesitantly reached out her hand to touch the doorknob. She threw the door open and gasped. 

Within the room was everything she could have ever hoped for. It was her dream room. 

Cedric and Cecily shared a smile, and Cedric laid an arm on his wife’s shoulder, pulling her close. 

“She looks just like them,” he whispered, “She looks nothing like Hildegard,” 

“That’s a good thing,” Cecily whispered, “Let’s leave her to enjoy this. I remember opening my door,”

“Aye, and it was even better when I opened mine because I found you again. I found you after I thought I had lost you,” 

Cassandra turned, taking in everything at once. The walls were painted with figures of the mythical creatures she loved most. They seemed to be dancing. In intricate patterns on the wall. Cassandra ran her hands over them. 

She was almost afraid to touch her bed. She looked down at her grimy hands, dirt still clung to them. How can I have such a room? I’m nothing but a poor orphan girl, and I’ll never be anything more. She felt a tear starting to run down her cheek. She brushed it away, aggravated. She was determined to enjoy this room as much as possible. Her aunt would come for her, and soon. She wouldn’t like Cassandra’s absence, not a bit. 

Cassandra flung open a door, desperate to think of something else. 

It was a room unlike anything she had seen before. 

She was drawn to the large tub at the end. There were two silver tubs sticking out, one looked twistable, and the other one had a gaping hole. 

Cassandra hesitantly twisted the top one. 

A slow trickle of water flowed from the bottom tube. Cassandra twisted more, and the trickle soon was a roaring waterfall. When it was filled, she turned it off. 

It was for a bath, she knew, but she had never seen anything like it before. 

Years of grim and dirt easily washed off as Cassandra bathed. The water never got dirty, and its warmth never faded. Cassandra was enjoying herself thoroughly. 

She found a whole wardrobe of clothes. There were beautiful dresses, made of materials she hadn’t imagined existed. She bit her lip. How could she own these? She shook her head and reached for a plain brown dress in the corner. She could never wear dresses like those, she wasn’t a Princess after all. She sat on the bed. She had never felt anything softer, not even in the bed she had woken up on. Her old bed had been made of old broken springs and had uncomfortable lumps on it. This bed seemed to be made of clouds. When Cassandra’s head touched the pillow, she found herself yawning. 

She drifted off to sleep.  

She woke to a knocking on the door. 

“Cassandra?” It was Cecily. 

“Come in,” Cassandra called leaping out of bed. 

“Ah, there you are, supper’s ready,” Cecily looked her up and down. “How do you feel?”

“Cleaner than I have in years, and more comfortable than ever, thank you,” Cassandra said. She felt her stomach twist, “Is my aunt here?” she asked. 

“No, she isn’t, it’s suppertime,”

“Oh, well, if it isn’t too much trouble, could I eat my bread crust up here, then?” 

“Bread crust?” Cecily’s voice was shrill. Cassandra’s heart sank. They must be giving me something worse than a bread crust. 

“I mean, I’ll be glad to have anything,” she said, desperately, “Even if it’s stale, or half a bread crust-”

“You mean to tell me all you have for dinner are bread crusts?”

“Well, yes. Auntie told me that it’s very healthy for you and-”

“Oh!” Cecily exclaimed, interrupting. She calmed herself, “Just follow me, please, and you’ll see,” Cassandra hesitantly stood and followed Cecily. The old woman had a spring in her step that Cassandra’s Aunt lacked. And she was sure Cecily was older. Her aunt had streaks of grey in her brown hair, while Cecily’s hair was as white as snow. 

They walked into the dining room. Cedric was there, waiting, 

“Well, m’love,” he said, “You brought her. Sit, child,” Cassandra looked at the table, dumbfounded. There was fresh chicken, vegetables, soup, bread, and much much more. She had never seen so much food in her aunt’s pantry, let alone at a table. 

She sat, knowing she’d get bread. 

Instead, Cecily heaped her plate with chicken and vegetables. Cassandra devoured them, hoping that they wouldn’t change their minds. She nervously looked around every now and then. 

Finally, Cedric wiped his mouth with his napkin. 

“I am absolutely stuffed,” he said, “How about the rest of you?”

“I can’t eat another bite,” Cecily said. 

“I’m full,” Cassandra said, her voice wavering. Cedric smiled, 

“Well, then, this meal is done and over, and we’re satisfied,” instantly, the articles of food disappeared, leaving an empty, clean table. 

Cassandra leaped to her feet “How did you do that?” she asked. 

“It’s one of the ways of this place, How did you enjoy your room,”

“It’s like it was made for me,” 

“That’s because it was,”

“By who?” 

“The King,” the name sent shivers down Cassandra’s spine. The King. What would he have to do with my room? 

“The King visits us every so often. Once every twenty-five years. He stays for a few months and builds rooms and apartments, each different than the last, and he places names on the doors. 

When he returns again, each and every room is filled that he has made. Or at least, were occupied at some point,” Cedric looked down, brushing away a tear. Cecily sniffed. “He came here but a year ago. He built your one while he was here.” 

“But I don’t understand, I’ve never met him in my life!”

“He knows, sweetheart, he knows everything about you, and your room,” Cassandra shifted. If he knew everything . . . about her, He’d be awfully disappointed in her. 

“Cassandra, we have something to tell you,” Cecily said. 

Cedric cleared his throat. 

“This is what we call the Living Lands, between us and the King’s Castle are the Shadow Lands. They have no power over the King, but they do have power over us when we are on their land. I am a servant to the King. You were transported here by one of the doors. Your Aunt can’t get you here. But you will not be without family,” 

“I won’t?” 

“No, because we are your Grandparents. We were overjoyed to see him make a room in our house, and with your name on it, and we knew that you must be our grandchild. I met you once, Cassandra, when you were just a newborn, the night before I was brought here, in fact.”

What?