Ordinary

Chapter 7

She walked over to the wardrobe and laid an outfit on the bed for me. "I mean no offense to your clothing, but I think the king would prefer if you changed into something from our realm," she explained, too polite to use the word 'smelly' about my clothes, which she was probably thinking.

Walking over to the corner of the room, where a wooden bath and some towels laid, she said, "I'll run a bath for you." She snapped her fingers and a pitcher of water floated above the bath and poured out. An endless supply of water trickled out of the pitcher until the entire tub was full. She smiled and said, "I'll send Marcus for you in an hour. I can't wait to see you at dinner!" She left the room, her gown trailing behind her.

I dipped a toe in the water, surprised that it was actually warm. I stripped down and slid into the tub, happy to have the filth from the past day off of me. Through the window that reached from floor to ceiling, I could see the endless garden from my tub. The flowers swayed in the wind, seeming to mix and change colors when they did.

I wasn't sure how long I stayed in there, watching the sun set over the colorful land, but the water never turned cold. Eventually, I pulled myself from the tub, feeling cleaner and new, ready to fully immerse myself in this world.

I put on the outfit that Valeria laid out for me and looked in the mirror. I looked amazing. It was the exact outfit I would have loved to be able to wear, but would have been made fun of for wearing in 21st century days. It looked like a hunting suit, made of comfortable, but fashionable, brown and tan leather. The clothes were tight, but breathable. There was a belt with a sheath, but no sword. I would have to remember to ask for one later. I loved how I looked. Beautiful, but ready to complete a prophecy.

I heard a knock on the door. When I opened it, I saw Marcus, with his jaw hanging.

He quickly cleared his throat and said, "You look lovely." I blushed but thanked him. "You're missing one thing though." Before I could ask what it was, he opened his hands, and a beautiful teal rose bloomed, matching the ones around the room. I tried to control my heart rate, but with no luck.

"There, now you're ready to meet the king," he said as he held out his arm. Cheeks still red, I took his arm. "You know, you look much better in these clothes than your human clothes. Kind of like you belong here."

I smiled. "I like the sound of that, belonging here," I told him. As an afterthought, I added, "Those aren't my normal human clothes," I explained. "I only wear those when I'm exercising." His eyebrows raised. Not that what I usually wore was much better.

"That does make a lot more sense," he replied as he lead me down the stairwell. "So a lot of people are here who want to meet you, mostly people of the royal family and their friends." A large door creaked open slowly. "But just be yourself and don't be nervous—"

He was cut off by bellowing applause as the doors opened to the throne room.

I was definitely nervous.

About one hundred people, all dressed as elegantly as Valeria lines the path to the huge thrones. Atop them sat who I assumed were the king and queen. Marcus had to practically pull me towards them, I could barely move. I wished that I could act cool and confident, but I felt as if I were about to faint. It seemed like an eternity had passed by the time we reached the thrones. Valeria stood beside her father's throne, her smile giving me a bit of confidence. The boy standing next to her, I assumed was her brother. He had some of her same features, but his face was a bit rounder, and he didn't share her confidence and grace.

As someone announced my name, the cheering continued. If I wasn't so nervous, I probably would have enjoyed that moment.

I attempted again to curtsy, trying to remember how Valeria had done so earlier. I felt ridiculous, but no one laughed at me.

Eventually, the cheering stopped, and everyone waited for the king to speak. He stood from his throne, power basically radiating from him.

"Sam, of the human realm," he announced. "Thank you for coming to our land to save us." I didn't trust myself to speak so I just smiled and nodded politely. "We have all waited many years to meet you."

Marcus, realizing that I wasn't responding chimed in, "Thank you, sir, for your hospitality."

The King beamed. "We hope you have—" he was cut off by the loud crash of glass breaking. Everyone turned behind me to the door through which we had entered. An old man shuffled through, his eyes glazed, and his hair disheveled. He was muttering unintelligibly, only to be paused by a loud burp. When he got within ten feet of me, I could smell the stench of alcohol on his breath.

Everyone in the room grumbled at his presence, but the king smiled and welcomed him. "Arlo, I'm so glad, you could join us!" Pointing to me, he exclaimed, "This is Sam! She's the girl from the prophecy, who has come to our world to rid us of the evil infesting our land."

The old man gave me a look and said, "That's not the girl from the prophecy."