CANONETW1V021 CAQ0001 TLCS-90 õlVS160 Book1c TXT1993 Tessy's trip,ect.59-78 QµlˆLlŠ LST ŃŅÓŌ**ÕÖ LBL ×Ų;ŁŚŪ€ą=ō   šĄ‚š šN¶†īV ƒ !0 123@ABCDEFGHIJKcompletely startled by the princess, when she came waltzing into the room singing.€"I thought you were never going to be finished with that old biddy today," the princess said teasingly. "Did you learn anything that might be interesting to me?". The princess enjoyed teasing Tessy, because, of course, she knew exactly what Tessy was wanting. She started talking about bird watching of all things and Tessy had to just interrupt her. €"Come on, Carma, tell me what you found out about my trip to Agama. I don't have any patience left!" Tessy pleaded with the princess.€"Well, I did find out something..." the princess paused, but the look on Tessy's face made her get serious. "Alright, you are going to be ready to leave in the morning, but I'm going to miss you terribly!"€ Tessy sighed with relief, "Thank goodness, and thank BCyouBC too!" she laughed when she said that, knowing it rhymed. She grabbed the princess's arms and swung her around in circles, dancing and laughing, until they fell on the floor to catch their breath.€€Then Tessy again became serious and told the princess, "I will miss you a lot too, but my thoughts will always be with you." She hugged the princess and left, before they both became too sad.€Tessy ate supper alone and waited for a message from the king or his minister, but no message came. She read her lessons, to pass the time, falling asleep in the big reading chair by her bed. Sometime in the night, a servant came and helped her get ready for bed, blowing out her candles, and tucking her snuggly under the covers. She was too tired not to sleep, knowing that several long, hard days would require all the strength she could reserve. €Tessy was awakened before daylight by the same servant, who whispered that she must get ready to leave as soon as possible. Tessy dressed, while some other ladies came in and helped her pack some clothes suitable for traveling. They gave her some gloves and a hat, and a small purse, that would tie around her waist. Inside the purse were several gold pieces, she was sure were from the king. Tessy could barely eat from the excitement. € Tessy asked one of the servants if they knew if Madam Ramona be accompanying her. They did not know, but Tessy hoped with all her heart for a few days of freedom from the tutor's hard drive. She didn't feel that she needed her, and wished that she had asked the king not to invite her. However, when Tessy went to the stables, to meet with her traveling party, Madam Ramona was there, loading some bags with several books, giving orders, and discussing the map with the guards. Tessy could see that the two guards and her tutor would be her three traveling companions, and that her longed-for freedom would certainly not be during the trip. €"Good morning!" Tessy greeted everyone, deciding to make the best of the situation and be as cheerful as possible.€"Good morning, Tessy," Madam Ramona answered, but barely stopped long enough to even look at Tessy, because she was totally concentrating on reading the map. "I can clearly see that this is the best way to go: cross the river here, take this road to Lockhart, and hopefully spend the night there."€The guards were Tessy's favorites, one being the gentleman who had found her as an infant, and the other being the one who took her to find the lady in the shawl earlier in the week. She could tell that the guards did not agree with Madam Ramona, but politely did not disagree. Tessy just hoped her tutor would not spoil the trip by being so bossy the whole time.€€ As they got ready to mount their horses, Madam Ramona surprised her by saying, "My, but you certainly do look sporty. I am so glad we are taking this trip together, for there is no better way to learn about life, than by traveling. I brought a few books, but we may be too tired to have lessons."€Tessy wondered if she heard her tutor correctly, or if her ears were playing tricks on her. She thought it best to say little at that point, since she didn't totally trust her apparent congeniality. „Chapter 6€ The ride out of the palace was quiet, in the stillness of the night, with only the moon to light their way. Leaving the palace, one guard took the lead, while the other guard followed the tutor and Tessy. The journey would be slow, since they had the donkeys carrying such loads. Tessy looked at them and thought, "those pitiful, little creatures. They are so small and weighted down." She didn't understand that donkeys, though small, are extremely strong for their size and have backs especially made, it might seem, to carry heavy loads. €€€Gradually, the sun began to rise, spreading light across the mountains. Everything around Tessy seemed to sparkle from the light reflecting on the early morning dew. Tessy loved the world in the countryside surrounding the palace. She loved hearing the birds singing, as the crickets stopped chirping, thinking how they must be nature's evening and morning choirs. €Tessy glanced at Madam Ramona but didn't want her to see her looking at her. She certainly looks funny riding a horse, she thought. Tessy always rode a horse just like the guards, but her tutor was riding side-saddle, so she jiggled around like jelly, everytime the horse stepped on a big rock. Tessy was sure that riding that way was probably the proper way for a lady to ride, but she was glad her tutor hadn't begun instructing her about being proper.€ Tessy wanted to ask questions about the place that they would be spending the night, but the silence was far too enjoyable. The sun was beginning to warm the chill she had felt earlier and felt good on her face.€ Tessy kept an eye on the little donkeys, wondering if they were going to be able to make it. Madam Ramona caught her continually glancing at them and asked her why she was watching them so closely. Tessy reluctantly explained her reasons, and the tutor chuckled, finding Tessy's soft heart amusing. She relieved Tessy by explaining donkeys had strong backs. Tessy wasn't sure she believed her though, because she felt people always made up things about animals, but really didn't know them to be facts because animals couldn't talk and defend themselves. €The mountains seemed to be swelling, as the quartet kept riding closer in their direction. Even though the sun was well overhead by now, the air seemed crisper and cooler. Finally, Tessy's curiosity got the best of her, and she asked, "Where is Lockhart that you spoke about our spending the night?"€"You are not tired and thinking about stopping, are you child?" Madam Ramona replied without answering Tessy's question.€"Oh not at all, but where is Lockhart? Tell me about the place," Tessy asked emphatically.€"I see. You simply want to know about it. Lockhart is several hours northwest from here, on the foot of the mountain pass, which we will be taking in the morning. It is somewhat out of the way to Agama, but is the only decent route for us to travel. It will be our last taste of civilization for the duration of our journey," Madam Ramona explained.€Suddenly Tessy looked to the right and saw the beautiful, emerald lake that could be seen from high, up in the palace. The lake shimmered with gold from the reflection of the sunlight. Tessy felt hungry and suggested that they stop for lunch, so they could enjoy the view a few more moments. They all agreed, and her tutor unwrapped the bag with the food. She suggested that they eat somewhat sparingly, to avoid running out of food, before they returned. Tessy ate her portions gratefully, but still felt hungry and asked for a little more, as the tutor seemed to be reading her mind. She pulled out some tea cakes that she said she had made especially for her. Tessy thanked her and ate, not wasting a crumb.€ Looking down over the lake, Tessy saw a group of people and imagined that they must be gypsies which she had read about. She asked Madam Ramona, who agreed with her theory. Not wanting to tarry too long and call too much attention to themselves, they packed up and left quickly and quietly. €"You never know," the tutor said, "those people might be dangerous, even outlaws."€"I don't think they are dangerous,"Tessy remarked innocently, not knowing much about the evils of the world. "I think they are probably just homeless, but what I really imagine about Gypsies, is that they just love to party, dance, and sing. I can't believe that they would be outlaws."€"Well, you never know," the tutor said, wanting to get in the last word.€The guards, the tutor, and Tessy just rode, and Tessy wished the princess were there to sing. However, the rythym of the horses' hoofs gave music to the otherwise silence. Tessy's eyes focused continually on the mountains in all their beauty and their strength, watching the fleecy clouds above, the rocky, snow-clad mountain height. She couldn't wait to write every detail in her journal she had been keeping, details that otherwise would fade away with the passing of time. She wanted to write about how as they drew nearer to the mountains, that the sun seemed to dress each distant peak, with such glory and splendor, that it was as though the mountains were alive, and moved, and could even speak.€ Her thoughts flashed back over her short, but eventful life, and how someway, with all odds being against her at times, she felt the care and love of someone, much greater than herself. She felt sheltered and secure, with mighty arms around her. At this time, she had no real explanation, only feeling at the moment, overwhelmed by her life's good fortune. She knew that she had experienced much to be thankful for, and she wondered why this had happened to her? Why had someone like herself, who was only a speck under the grand, mountain splendor been entrusted with so much responsibility?€ Tessy had purposely never allowed herself to give much thought to her destiny, because she didn't believe people's lives were written out in a book, only to be acted out like puppets. But she did wonder, for just a few minutes about why she had apparently been the one chosen to help save the princess' life already twice before, and now, it seemed a third time. € Tessy also wondered what the man in the prison would tell her about the princess. She began concerning herself about time, hoping that she would find out what she needed, so that the princess would be safe until she returned. Then she became amused with herself, realizing that if it had not been herself, that somehow, someone else probably would have helped the princess . Tessy became grateful that she had been the one to help her best friend. She realized that the joy of service far outweighed any other experience in life.€After miles of riding, with the two guards exchanging places several times and conversing only among themselves, the tutor interrupted Tessy's thought, by explaining they would be at their evening destination soon. Tessy felt somewhat sore and stiff and was glad they were almost ready to rest. When the four rode into the quaint, little village, Tessy saw a sign that said, "The Inn". They dismounted here and one guard and Madam Ramona left Tessy to go inside. Shortly, they returned, and Tessy and her tutor went to a room which they would share, while the guards took the animals to a nearby stable for their care and rest. The room was small, but warm, having two small beds and a room divider between them. A warm and delicious supper was brought to the room, and after eating and bathing, the two spoke but little, blew out the lights and went fast asleep. €It seemed as though they had just fallen to sleep, when someone came rapping at the door. Madam Ramona lit their latern and questioned whoever was at the door,"Who is there?" „Chapter 7€Tessy recongized the voice of the first guard, who answered by saying, "Madam, it is your guard, who needs to inform you that we have gotten the animals loaded, and are ready for our morning departure."€Tessy and the tutor looked at one another in disbelief, that the night could possibly be over. But Madam Ramona simply answered, "Very well, we will be ready shortly," and turned to Tessy motioning her to get up and get going. Tessy shivered as she dressed, but attended to herself quickly, so that her traveling companions would not have to be waiting for her. The four somewhat weary travelers began their second day of the journey, with only the soft moonlight to guide their path, and wind blowing the clouds across the starlit sky. Tessy rode stiffly, burying her face into the scarf around her neck, trying to keep the chill from overtaking her. € Slowly, as if a great artist were painting the colors of life on a canvas, the great black cloak of night was thrown aside, painting the first rosy flush of color across the eastern sky. Actually, no painter could have adequately portrayed the beauty of the morning nor any poet could have the words to describe the crimson and gorgeous shades of blue that swept from the east to illuminate the first view of the grand and majestic mountains they were almost ready to climb. €From what Tessy could see, the pass over the mountains looked much steeper than what she had earlier envisioned. She listened to the guards as they talked about the best plan for crossing the mountain pass, and heard pieces of the conversation, that sounded as though they were expecting the climb to be dangerous. Slowly, the ground below their horses became rockier and the horses slowed down to avoid the deep cracks and crevices. Tessy lifted her eyes as high as she could see, to become overwhelmed by the strength and majesty of the snow-covered peaks.€ The traveling party stopped, so that the guards could tie the horses together with sturdy ropes. Tessy again felt pity for the small donkeys, but decided if they had the courage for the climb, that she would too. One guard advised them that they would need to ride only a short distance further, then they would all have to walk beside their animals, climbing the steep path on foot. € Madam Ramona did not argue, but seemed unusually quiet and cooperative, Tessy thought. Tessy thought about how she was actually enjoying the companionship of her tutor, and felt somewhat ashamed that she had wondered if the tutor would act bossy and spoil the trip. Tessy had been pleasantly surprised by her kindred spirit and compatability. Just as her attention was focused on the tutor, she saw her horse's hoof slip, with the horse and her tutor falling abruptly to the ground! The tug on the rope alerted the guard, who immediately dismounted and ran to her tutor's side, with Tessy and the guard to the rear also trying to lend their aid. € Madam Ramona shouted in pain, "Do not move me! I fear that my leg is broken. When I fell, it must have gotten twisted beneath me."€Tessy couldn't believe this had happened, just when she had gotten used to the idea of her tutor's company. "Well, we will just have to all turn around, and get you back to Lockhart. Do you think there will be a doctor in the village?" Tessy asked with concern, hiding her disappointment over the trip ending so abruptly.€"Indeed, there will be a doctor somewhere around the village, but I am not going to spoil your trip, Tessy. Though it will not be easy, with some help up on my horse, I can make the short distance back to Lockhart by myself," the tutor answered bravely but sounded somewhat pitiful.€"I will accompany you back to the village," the guard in the rear replied. Then he turned to the other guard and continued, "You and Tessy must go on alone, and we will join you in Lockhart upon your return." €The first guard agreed, considering both the tutor's safety and the consequences of not completing the task the king had ordered them to accomplish. So he answered, "Yes, and from this point we will walk our horses, to avoid any more accidents. Let's see if we can get you on your horse," he said directing the conversation to the wounded tutor.€Slowly and steadily, they lifted Madam Ramona onto the horse, as tears of the pain she felt rolled down her face. Still she remained courageous, and gave no indication she wanted any sympathy, But Tessy felt such compassion for her at this point, that she stood there tightly embracing her tutor, who had been anything but lovable in times past. € "I am terribly sorry, Tessy," Madam Ramona said, sensing Tessy's strong affection.€"I am sorry too, and I will miss you. But when we come back to get you, I know you'll be much better!" Tessy answered, trying not to sound too disappointed.€ The guard slowly led Madam Ramona's horse around and continued walking beside her. Slowly, they were lost from view. Tessy and the first guard began their climb, feeling much more alone, yet determined to accomplish that which they had set out to do. Continuing upward towards the cliff took Tessy's total concentration, as she carefully stepped over the holes and rocks. The horses seemed steady, but the guard warned Tessy to make no sudden movements, which might upset the horses, and cause them to kick. She held the reins tightly against her upper body and led her horse, slowly and cautiously. As they climbed higher, the air thinned which made breathing very difficult, and Tessy longed for the other side and safety once again.€ The mountains seemed so cold and austere, beyond all of Tessy's wildest imagination. She knew they were truly grander than she had the ability to express. Step by step, they slowly approached two crevices that almost met, but the guard explained that they must go between them, which he was sure would upset the animals. Upset DEthemDE? Tessy thought, as she stared at the extremely narrow squeeze that they must take to continue. Even if she didn't have the courage to go on, she had no other choice, as there wasn't even enough space at that point to turn the giant horses around. So upward bound, through the gap between the enormous rocks, first went the guard, followed by his horse, with Tessy and the other animals following. Tessy spoke softly to her horse, assuring it that it was going to be all right, not knowing for sure, if it would be herself.€ €She kept saying, "Steady, easy, now," hoping to keep her horse from rearing up on its hind legs in fright, from the close space. Except for the shadow of the guard and his horse in front of them, the path seemed overwhelmingly dark and musty. Tessy's feet had become terribly cold, and she could feel the boots rubbing blisters on her feet. Weakened from the lack of air, she searched in her innermost being for the needed strength to just keep on going. When she felt as though she could not make another step, light began to shine through the crevices, and once again, she felt uplifted and forged onward.€ Tessy heard the guard exclaiming about something but didn't understand, until she and her horse got out of the rocks to the other side. She gasped at the sight below them. Below the other side of the mountain, a scene she had never beheld before, spread a tremendous sheet of water that was much more grand than the lake near the palace. In fact, the water kept going until it faded into the sky.€ Tessy had always tried to imagine what the ocean looked like, and now, she had her first view of it, from high atop the mountain peaks. "I could just stay here forever!" Tessy marveled.€ The guard politely told her that they must reach the bottom of the pass before dark, that the cliffs would be much too cold to inhabit during the night. So began their downward climb, which was not as steep, but every bit as rocky. Tessy stepped with great caution, coaxing her horse, and trying to forget about her aching feet. She was glad that the guard didn't ask her how she was doing, because she was sure that she would have loved to complain at that point, which wouldn't have helped a bit. € Tessy wondered how her tutor was and became somewhat sad that she couldn't share the rest of the trip with her. The long trail down the other side of the mountain was over much quicker than the trip up had been, or at least it seemed to Tessy. When they arrived safely at the bottom, the guard told Tessy that he had a surprise for her.€She couldn't even imagine what he was talking about but looked in the direction he was pointing. There, coming down the steep rocks, was a beautiful, little stream of water, falling into a small body of water, that looked almost like a pool. "Here, we can drink this water, and fill up our jugs for the day tomorrow," he said as he opened his mouth widely and just let the water pour down his throat and over his face.€ Tessy decided to try the same thing but ended up getting her entire head wet. Nevertheless, the water tasted better than any water she had ever tasted, being fresh mountain stream water and was very valuable, even at the time. The animals enjoyed it too, and they all drank their fill, before moving away from the spray and dampness.€ "Here is where we will rest for the night. Are you hungry, Tessy?" the guard asked.€"All but starving!" she answered, delighted that they were getting ready to stop for the night. €The guard did not answer but disappeared into the trees. Tessy was all alone to tend to the camp and the animals. She became impatient for his return, just about the time he came back, holding some supper that he had hunted for them. He began a small fire to cook the meat. Meanwhile, Tessy unfolded several blankets, which would be her bed and covers for the first night, sleeping without any comforts of civilization.€ After the meat roasted on the fire, Tessy and the guard ate without talking, listening to the sweet sounds of the crackling fire and the gentle waterfall. Suddenly a howling noise pierced the evening calm.€ Tessy's wide eyes looked at the guard. He explained that there were wolves around the mountainside, but he assured her that the fire would scare them away. Tessy moved her covers as close to the fire as was safe to do. Then she quickly covered herself as tightly as possible. She tried to sleep but felt uneasy. Watching the fire pop and crackle, she dosed in and out of slumber. € Without enough peace and rest, early morning came, and the two now very weary travelers gathered their belongings to neatly pack onto the donkey. The guard poured a great deal of water on the fire, making sure that not one small spark might still be lit. Their final day of travel began. Compared to the previous day, the third day seemed quite uneventful. Tessy was almost too tired to relish the beauty of the earth, as she had enjoyed doing the first part of their trip.€"You have been very brave, Tessy," the guard turned around to say. "I doubt many young maidens of your age could fair as well as you. This is proof that you are definitely someone very special."€Tessy had troubles receiving compliments. However, this one, coming from her favorite guard, who had seemed almost as close to her as a father, meant a great deal. "Sometimes I feel that there is someone much greater and wiser than myself who cares deeply about me. Do you ever have that kind of thought?" Tessy answered the guard with a question. €"Never doubt the care of one who guides and directs our path, if you feel it. You are like a fine instrument in an orchestra, and when you are in tune, you think such things. Never doubt your deepest thoughts, because they probably come straight from you heart," the guard said with an abundance of reassurance. €Tessy didn't answer but just smiled, and she began enjoying the beauty of nature around her. The path was narrow, hardly to be called a road, but the horses trotted onward, almost as if they were marching in a festival or parade. Weeds and brambles lined each side, with tall barren trees behind them. € After several hours of traveling, the path met a crossroad. One direction looked much easier than the other, but of course, the way to the prison was down the stony, rough path. The guard began turning his head toward the sky, noticing the dark, storm clouds above and said, "The closer we are to the sea, the more frequent are the thunder showers. Let us try to get to Agama, before the downpour."€ Tessy was too tired to answer, so she just nodded her head. Then she concentrated totally on her riding for the duration of the journey. After a climb to the top of a steep and rocky hill, they could see the tremendous stone prison, overlooking the ocean. The prison stood high atop what appeared to be a mountain made of rocks. €The waves of the ocean sliced into the rocks with its tremendous force. No beach with white sand framed this ocean, but only stones and rocks paved the shoreline. The sky was dark, while the waves splashed furiously, proclaiming the upcoming storm. At last, the guard and Tessy arrived at the prison. They were greeted by prison guards, who looked rough and barbarous. Tessy decided the king probably chose the crudest and largest of men to guard the prisoners.€ Tessy's guard handed the prison guard a letter from the king, himself. After reading the contents, they were led inside the enormous drawbridge gate. When inside, the gate closed behind them. Their plans were not to spend the night at the prison. They would wait out the storm, and hopefully speak with the prisoner from the palace. Tessy was allowed to wash and change into fresh clothes. Afterwards, they ate a warm but tasteless dinner.€ The prison was the epitome of gloom and despair, and Tessy longed for the visit to end. Shortly after the dinner, the guards brought the chained merchant to Tessy and her guard from the palace. He dragged chains behind him. His eyes were dark and sunken behind his thin, pale cheeks. Tessy looked at him with sadness and compassion. How could this picture of walking death be the same man whom the lady-in-the-shawl had described? How could someone with such evil intentions of murdering the princess be capable of giving Tessy any information that she would want to hear? Surely, she was being punished even to have to see his face again, and surely he must loathe her for being the one responsible for his imprisonment. € Tessy walked close beside him, and she spoke calmly and softly to the man who masqueraded once so gayly. Now he seemed so entirely different, and it was hard to imagine him as a killer. "I have been sent by the lady in the village who covers herself with a shawl and sells flowers. She told me that you know who my real mother is and that you have information about the princess."€ Tessy stood perfectly still, waiting for the prisoner to answer, but he did not even flinch, much less speak. 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