Queen Sariyah

The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished. The sun would not rise, the trees’ bore no leaves, flowers wilted as they died, and even the bees refused to make honey. Sadness spread throughout the entire kingdom and beyond. The queen had vanished, and so did the happiness of the people in the kingdom.

Queen Sariyah was the type to avoid putting flowers in water anytime they were gifted to her — they were going to die anyway. Instead, she’d immediately hang them upside down by clipping them to a curtain. That way, they’d dry out and stay upright when it came time to flip them back over.

She had dead flowers all over the castle. They were in vases, framed, held in the hands of statues, or clipped upside down on curtains. It was like an art gallery or a museum of dead flowers. When asked why, the queen answered,

“Though the flowers are beautifully dead, the memory of when they were given to me live on; and when I die, I want each bundle, every singular flower, to be buried alongside with me. Every time I walk the halls or enter a room, the memories come to life beyond my mind. It helps me stay focused, to love, to always fight for our people.” 3 days after the queen’s vanishment, letters were delivered to every beating heart.

“We as a people must come together, not only to ensure that Queen Sariyah is found safe and unharmed, but to ensure that she is brought back to her throne with pride in her people.

Queen Sariyah has always treated each and every person as if they were family — with love, kindness, and respect. She makes sure that all our needs are met as best to her ability. Now, it’s time that we put our needs aside and prioritize what she needs of us…”

The letter continued for 2 pages. It was delivered to each household, each business, and each person walking the street. Queen Sariyah’s sister, Princess Catalyna, was now in charge. Everyone knew this was something she never wanted for herself. Princess Catalyna convinced her sister to gift her with freedom from the typical princess obligations.

The kingdom loved Princess Catalyna as much as they loved their queen. She spent her days teaching kids to read, how to ride horses, and how to defend themselves from scary monsters.

There were plenty of others that could take on the role of all the princess’s duties, and they were each evaluated and hired to do so. This kingdom was unlike any other. Everyone there had value and was given the opportunity to live lives as they’d desired. It truly made the people in the Kingdom of Flor wonder with deep curiosity, “what happened to Queen Sariyah?”

The day before the queen vanished, she sent the entire kingdom a letter:

“Dear friends,

I apologize ahead of time for any inconvenience. Tomorrow, promptly after the sun rises, I will deliver a message to the people of Flor. It is urgent that each beating heart should be there, and as expected, I ask that you are there with kindness and an open mind. Forgiveness will be asked of you, and though it may take some time, I believe I will earn it honestly from each of you through my hard work and clarified communication.

Sincerely,

Queen Sariyah.”

Obviously, the message was never delivered. Leaving the people of the Kingdom of Flor with many questions. Today marks the 4th day of the queen’s disappearance. Everyone has said “life must go on,” but for me, it doesn’t. I’ve been in love with the queen since I was a little boy. Never have I had the courage to tell her of my feelings, and the regret now builds inside of me more and more.

King Joel and Queen Lizbeth befriended my parents, who owned a bakery near the kingdom, when Sariyah and I were just kids. We were invited to all the lavish events and even the ones that were more reserved. I always felt destined to someday marry Sariyah, but then the tragic event happened, and I knew what Sariyah needed of me was my continuous support.

King Joel and Queen Lizbeth were found lifeless in their beds one morning. Many had questions and uncertainty, but the doctor claimed it was from a sickness that didn’t show intense symptoms. Those that saw the King and Queen the night before state that they were as healthy as ever — leaving the doctor to be questioned and accused of falsifying what happened to them.

Days later, the doctor was nowhere to be found. His house was empty, his license was left behind, and no-one saw him leave. Rumors circulated that he might’ve even killed the King and Queen himself, or at least knew who had done it. Answers were never discovered.

Sariyah was only 20 years old at the time, Catalyna was 17. It’s been 5 years of Sariyah serving as a fully committed queen and now she has vanished; and I, Mateo Ambroso, vow to do whatever it takes to find her… or to find out what’s happened to her.

“Mateo, where will you even start?” His mother asked as she rolled more dough to prepare the bread for the day.

“There’s been rumors that Doctor Henderson moved to the Valley of Isolation. I’m going to find him and start by asking what really happened to King Joel and Queen Lizbeth. There just has to be a correlation with the disappearance of Sariyah.” Mateo answered as he packed a leather bag with money, food, water, and other necessary supplies.

“Queen Sariyah.” His mother corrected him.

“Yes, Queen Sariyah.” He responded.

“In order to get there, you’ll have to travel through much of the unknown, through dangerous places, and without the use of your magic — who knows what can happen to you.” Mateo’s mother said as she put the dough aside, wanting to stop Mateo, but knowing there was no way that she could… or even should.

“I know that if I use my magic — he will find me… but it’s a risk I’m going to have to take.” Mateo noticed the worry bleeding through his mother’s eyes, “I promise I won’t use it unless it’s absolutely necessary. You know I have no other choice but to do this.” They both paused and absorbed the truth of the matter.

“I know Mateo, I know. Just, with your father being sick in bed and unable to help… I’m worried for the both of you; but even more, I’m worried for our Sariyah.” She whispered.

“Queen Sariyah.” Mateo said as he smiled and winked at his mother.

“Yes, Queen Sariyah. She may be sweet, and she may be kind, but I also know she can take care of herself. Remember when she thought you were breaking into her painting room. The entire kingdom made fun of you for losing a fight to a girl.” she laughed.

“I didn’t even fight her back and everyone knows it.” Mateo also said with laughter. Silence then filled the room.

“Okay, so, how will you get to Doctor Henderson? What’s the plan? What’s the path? What happens if you don’t find him, or even worse — you do find him, but he has no answers for you?” Mateo’s mother asked as she began kneading the dough.

“One step at a time. I will figure it out as I go. As of right now, I’m just focused on the path to Doctor Henderson.” Mateo answered as he pulled a brown, thick paper from his leather bag.

“And the path would be?” Mateo’s mother asked, hoping he’d at least give her an answer to that. She knew that once Mateos father would be better, he would set off to find and join Mateo’s search for Queen Sariyah — their Sariyah.

“Don’t worry mother, this is your copy. I had just forgotten to give it to you.” He handed her the paper, and she began to read it out loud,

“A day’s trip through the Ghost’s Garden of Deception, a days trip through the Valley of Shadows and Death, and 2 days trip through the Waters of Fairies or Fears.

Mateo, did you even do your research on what these places contain? On what these places do to people? Your magic alone might not be enough to help you survive, let alone reach Doctor Henderson in the Valley of Isolation. Isn’t there another way?” she asked yet demanded of him.

“No, mother. Other routes will take longer. Adding 5 days or more. Every second to finding the Queen counts…” silence once again filled the room, Mateo’s mother again pushed the dough to the side and placed the paper next to it, and then Mateo slowly walked up to her. He kissed her on the forehead and said,

“Take good care of father, I know he’ll be coming to help me once he can. You know where I will be; and you know I can handle anything.” Mateo’s mother wiped her hands on her apron and quickly hugged him. Giving him a long and tender kiss on his forehead, agreeing with what he said.

“Yes, you truly can handle anything. Especially when your heart is settled on saving the woman you love.” Mateo, never having verbally spoken of his feelings for Sariyah to anyone, knew at that moment that his mother loved him more than anyone else ever could. She winked at him, handed him another loaf of bread, and he was on his way.

Little did Mateo know; his very own mother was holding a life-changing secret about the vanishment of Queen Sariyah.