KRIKKIT’S SHOES : D’ARRAGON PROPHECY
Chapter 3

“You can ride on my back,” said the ram.

“Really!” Krikkit squealed. “On a ram?”

“On a ram,” said the animal, kneeling so that Krikkit could climb easily upon its broad back.

Curling her fingers into the animal’s thick hair, she hoisted herself up, feeling very far from the ground.

“Where are we going?” Krikkit asked, holding on tightly as they began to move.

“To D’Arragon Palace.”

“A real palace? This is all real and not a dream?”

“Very real, as you will see. Not a dream at all.”

“What is your name?” asked Krikkit, giving in to her curiosity.

“The name given to me many years ago is Jara. I suppose you have a name as well?”

“My name is Krikkit and I am ten,” answered the young girl.

Krikkit felt again that she had found a friend in the ram and was grateful for the company. She was almost breathless with anticipation at whatever lay ahead. “I didn’t know palaces existed. Of course I’ve read about them in fairy tales. I’ve read lots of them ever since I was a little girl,” said Krikkit, proudly.

“You are such a big girl now,” said Jara.

For the first time, she heard the ram laugh, a loud low rumble that burst from its throat and echoed through the gardens. Krikkit joined in, her laugh light and airy as the breeze that sprung up. She had no idea why she was laughing, but

enjoyed the experience, just the same.

“D’Arragon Palace lies hidden behind these trees. Difficult for any stranger to replace or even know it’s there.”

“Don’t you want the palace to be found?”

“We are in the middle of a rather delicate situation at the palace. It’s best, right now, for the twins to be protected from strangers.”

“The twins?” This adventure was becoming more and more intriguing as they went along.

Jara continued following the path into and through the trees. Krikkit felt comfortable enough to loosen her hold.

“You must listen to me very carefully, Krikkit, and mind what I say, as it is of great consequence and importance.”

Holding her breath as she listened with rapt attention to her new friend, Krikkit’s excitement grew. Without any more hesitation, Jara went on.

“Ivan and Quinn are the 11 year old twins I mentioned. They are the Princes of D’Arragon. For the present time, they are under my protection and in my care while their parents, the King and Queen of D’Arragon, are away from home.”

Krikkit listened to the brown ram, her eyes wide with wonder at the tale she was hearing. “Wow! princes, kings and queens! Awesome!”

“D’Arragon and the people who live there are very real. As I told you before, a situation has occurred in the Kingdom of D’Arragon. There are people who wish the King and his family much harm. Centuries ago a prophecy was made that is only now coming to pass.”

“Prof.…, prof….? What’s that?” interrupted Krikkit.

“Prophecy. Something one thinks may happen in the future, Krikkit,” Jara answered kindly.

Krikkit could only hold her breath and wait until Jara continued the story. She felt more and more as if she were reading one of the tales from her books.

“The princes are in direct line to the throne. They will rule the kingdom together when Roger, the present king, is ready to step down. It has been prophesied that there will be treachery and treason in the D’Arragon royal family by some family members. A struggle for the throne will occur.”

“And this prophecy is coming true, now?” Krikkit asked.

“It is coming true for sure, I’m afraid. There is a plot by King Roger’s cousin, Hennesy D’Arquille, to capture the King and Queen of D’Arragon. They want to force King Roger to give up his throne. It has caused the king and queen to go into hiding. They are staying away from the palace to protect the princes.”

The ram continued.

“The D’Arquilles are out to imprison all of them so that the eldest son, Tarcey, can rule the entire kingdom. With the help of the devious Hennesy, of course.”

Relating the predicament in which the D’Arragons now found themselves, the ram’s voice was full of anger.

“The last we heard, the king and queen were safely hidden deep in the woods. However, we have not heard from them for a while now.”

“That’s awful!” Krikkit was shocked that such a thing could happen. Very different from her own ordinary existence, she realized.

“Yes, very evil indeed. Until King Roger and Queen MaryAnne return and the traitor, Hennesy, is dealt with, we must protect Ivan and Quinn so they don’t fall into Hennesy’s hands. It is all up to us now.”

Krikkit sat very still, trying as hard as she could to comprehend what Jara had told her. She was at a loss to figure out why the shoes had brought her here. Why was she placed in the midst of what was sounding more and more like a fairy tale? Krikkit felt totally perplexed by this place that existed outside of her own life.

Jara drew her attention again. “You realize the seriousness of our situation, of course.”

“I think so,” Krikkit replied slowly, still struggling to believe this place was real.

“You will understand a lot more when we get to the palace. Try not to worry too much. Things will get a lot better soon.”

“Is that what the prophecy says?”

“That’s not something we know. The outcome was never revealed. However, I know that prophecies can be changed and we are going to change this one!” Jara declared, sounding determined.

Continuing onward, Krikkit could feel the excitement rising within her. She could hardly wait to see the palace and meet the two young princes who were in such dire need of protection.