#9 Fancy Dresses and Alternate Dimensions: Queen Lydia

What baffled me, of course, was why we were traveling to the city on foot when we could just zip through the fabric. If we were gonna go dimension hopping, it might save some time, but I seemed to be the only one who had a problem with it. At least Vincent was nice enough to let me ride on his back.

"So, if we're gonna just mosey along the yellow brick road to the Emerald City, can someone explain why Octavia randomly showed up and started destroying that town? I mean, didn't the water we threw at her kill her or something?" I said.

"It only disabled her briefly," said Locrio, pointing his finger in the air as though he were an intelligent scientist. "She is not like other witches because, well, she's a Dimensional Guardian."

"Excuse me, what?" I shrieked. "How the hell is she a Dimensional Guardian? She tried to kill us!"

Locrio's face suddenly grew solemn. It was an expression I had never seen before and it unsettled me. Even Molly had the hints of a frown on her lips, making it pretty clear that everyone knew the story.

"I'm not sure where to begin," said Locrio, his voice soft and his gaze firmly planted on the road.

"The beginning might be a good place," said Molly.

"Which beginning?" said Vincent. "There are so many--just so many!"

"Start with the one no one's heard of," said Ophelia. "You get more surprised that way."

"I'll begin with Secoria," said Locrio and took a deep breath. "The Grand Master came to Secoria first and started talking about the fraud of the Fabric Healer. Why encourage division where there can be unity? That was the argument, and it convinced a good number of people, even Dimensional Guardians."

"The Dimensional Guardians who believe this feel it is their responsibility to use their power to bring all worlds together into one form," said Molly. "Secoria is a good place to start an uprising because this world keeps and creates legends. Words are more powerful here than in any other world."

"The kicker is that we don't know all the DGs who've subscribed to the Grand Master's ideas. They're pretty good at keeping themselves underground. I've been saying we should do the same thing forever," said Ophelia, crossing her arms.

"But all the fabric around Octavia's house was dead. I know you guys can't see fabric, but you know it's there." Even thinking about it made me sick and I wrapped my arms around my stomach to keep control. "How can she have all that dead fabric around and not feel like she's gonna die herself?"

"It doesn't make sense to me either," said Locrio with a sigh. "All we know about our former colleagues is that they disappeared after the First Attempt. We don't know if they joined the Grand Master or if they're dead."

"We have tried searching for them, but there really isn't any trace of them," said Molly.

"What's this 'first attempt' thing?" I asked.

"It's pronounced First Attempt," said Locrio. "Capitalization is key for important events."

"Okay whatever. Just tell me about this First Attempt."

"The First Attempt was almost successful in permanently linking Secoria to Portchester, Walden, and Triassica. The Grand Master arranged for several Direct Links to form between those worlds at the same time, but it caused all the worlds to nearly break in half. The sound was like shattering glass, only amplified intensely."

"It was terrible," said Molly. "Many people died and many are still missing. It's been almost ten years since it's happened, but our worlds still haven't fully recovered."

The more I found out about what I was being sucked into, the less prepared I felt. I suppose that's a pretty natural reaction, but I don't like making enemies out of people I've never met. Besides, it seemed like I was up against a pretty mighty force, but that's how these things always go.

"They are rebels," Locrio said solemnly, "rebels who aim to destroy us, including you." He turned to me, his slanted eyes narrow. "You've stepped into a crucial roll at a very unstable time."

On that incredibly bright note, I decided not to respond. Locrio went on to explain how the Grand Master likely gave Octavia something that would lessen the effect water had on her. At least whoever this person was took good care of their lackeys instead of letting them die. Still, that whole First Attempt thing was daunting. Four whole worlds united at once? And it almost worked, too.

"Do not worry," Molly said at length. "Remember, all Fabric Healers exist for a reason."

"Thanks," I said with a nod.

In the end, I was glad for the long trip. It wasn't convenient, but it gave me time to think. Throughout the rest of our journey, I studied The Fabric Healer's Guide to the Universe more than I had studied anything else in my life. It took me a couple days to completely read through Topaz's section. The narrative parts of it were interesting, especially since she didn't have anyone around to explain things to her. She was constantly negotiating between Secoria and Portchester while taking notes on the many other dimensions she visited. At the end, there was even a web map that roughly showed the location of each world in relation to the others. Secoria was in the center and Portchester was to its right. I doubted it was very accurate, but it was still cool to look at.

It took us seven days to reach the city and when we did, we walked silently through the staring crowds to the castle. People were pointing me out and screaming like fanboys that the Fabric Healer was here and the universe would finally be saved. At first, I wondered how they knew who I was, but then I remembered that I was riding on a velociraptor and traveling with a girl in a lacy dress. The locals of Secoria probably don't see those things very often.

The streets were narrow, hilly, and made of shining gray stones. We could see the towering castle straight ahead of us, its thin spires piercing the sky. A royal procession lined the streets as we approached, including skinny guys playing long horns with banners and knights with shiny swords crossed over our heads. In a word, it was fancy. In two words, it was very fancy.

"So Locrio. These royal folks are acting like they knew we were coming," I said.

"Of course they did. The queen knows everything," Locrio replied brightly.

"She knows everything?"

"Indeed. Queen Lydia can see anything she wants and appears at any time she wishes. She's likely been watching us since you first arrived in this world."

"Geez, she sounds like a creeper."

"Perhaps, but she must keep an eye on her kingdom. Besides, she only watches what seems interesting to her. She's probably been preparing this for days."

"Wait a second, if she's known I was here all along, why did we have to come all this way? Couldn't she have just announced my existence on her own?"

"I see you haven't gotten that far in the Guide."

"Well, uh, not really. I mean, I finished Topaz's part."

"Ah, well, many Fabric Healer traditions didn't start until Amethy, the second Fabric Healer came around. It wasn't until then that people started to believe that the Fabric Healer has a lasting role in the universe, so the traditional routes and gifts weren't implemented until then."

"So that's why we're not just traveling through fabric."

"Exactly."

We were now walking along a wide red carpet leading up to a massive staircase that would eventually take us to the open doors. Castles always had to take forever to reach, but I couldn't complain because I wasn't even walking and Vincent wasn't showing any signs of weariness. Even from this distance, I could spot the queen. She had long pink hair with a silver crown on her head and a puffy purple dress. She stood still and calm until we arrived, then raised her arms as a signal for everyone to be silent.

"Welcome, dear. I am Queen Lydia," she said, taking my hands and giving me a calm smile. "Everyone has been waiting for you for a long time. Many generations of my family have passed on between me and the last ruler to know a Fabric Healer. You couldn't have come at a more dire time. Please, bring your party inside and we'll talk while our servants prepare dinner."

We followed Queen Lydia through the wooden doors and into a vast hall with tile flooring and arched windows on either side. Straight ahead of us was another staircase leading to two thick thrones. The platform was high enough to fit six rooms underneath of it and I assumed that was were the servants slept. On the far right side of the room, I saw a thick metal door with a barred window. The dungeon. Locrio had said that they kept all criminals underneath the library in the forest, but I still wondered if anyone was down there and what they had done.

Queen Lydia sat on one of the thrones and motioned for me to sit on the other. I hesitated for a moment, then hopped off of Vincent and took a seat. This throne was definitely big enough for the fattest king. I could sit cross-legged on the red cushion and there would still be plenty of room for another person. Vincent, Locrio, Molly, and the twins stood in front of us, waiting for Queen Lydia's instructions.

"Servants!" she called, her sharp voice echoing off the towering walls. "Please bring four seats to the throne room at once!"

There was a shuffling. I heard doors slamming open and shut, people's voices shouting incoherent commands. Seconds later, four ornate chairs were placed behind the humans and a giant turkey leg was placed in front of Vincent. He dug in heartily and the others sat down.

"It was very kind of you to bring the velociraptor some food, my good servants. I shall have the cooks make something special for you tonight. Can you now please inform them that we are ready to have dinner?"

"Yes, your majesty," they all said at once and hurried away.

Queen Lydia leaned on the arm of her throne and looked at me. Not gonna lie, it was pretty awkward. She was studying me intently, but she still had a smile on her face as though something about me amused her.

"It's true what they say," she said at length. "'Not even a Fabric Healer is grand beyond measure.'"

"Were you expecting anything else?"

Locrio shot me a terrified look as though I'd just done something rude, but Queen Lydia laughed.

"No. It's just interesting that the tenth Fabric Healer comes from a world that has absolutely no inherent magical abilities. That hasn't happened in a very long time. You truly are starting from square one."

"You seem to know a lot about Fabric Healers."

"Everyone in the royal family must in case one comes about during our reign. It has always been Secoria's policy to keep good relations with the Fabric Healer and the Dimensional Guardians. Other worlds are not as inclined to do so." She paused for a moment, her face solemn. "Well then, this is your first leg of the inter-dimensional tour and that means I have something to give you. Your first relic. It dates back to Amethy's time as Fabric Healer. Please wait here while I get it and then I'll explain it to you."

She rose and walked away with dainty steps. When she was gone, I looked at everyone sitting in front of me. Vincent had already finished his turkey leg and Molly and Locrio sat completely still. Michael and Ophelia were sitting sideways on their chairs with their arms crossed, looking more annoyed than nervous.

"How are you doing, Amber?" asked Molly, cocking her head slightly.

"Just fine. Why?"

"You seem not yourself today."

"Well, I can't exactly talk to the queen of Secoria the same way I talk to you guys."

"It's just that people have many expectations for you. Please do not be overwhelmed."

I sighed and looked away from her. "Too late for that, sweetheart."

At that, even Michael and Ophelia's faces softened. The air suddenly grew thicker and I wanted to kick myself for revealing something I didn't really want to say, but I guess I couldn't hide it any longer. There was too much I had to understand and not enough time to understand it. The more people told me about Fabric Healers and Grand Masters, the less prepared I felt to face it all. I had this huge legacy to live up to and while some days I thought I could learn it all, other days I'd find out that I hadn't learned nearly enough. It was never ending and it seemed that no one was satisfied with the progress I did make.

Of course, I couldn't admit all that to them. At least not inside a castle in Secoria. Still, they wanted an answer so I just told them I was tired. Molly gave me a strange look and I knew she didn't believe me, but I was fine with that. I could tell her later in private if I wanted to.

Suddenly, Queen Lydia came running back to us, her hair frazzled and her face scrunched in distress. "Amethy's necklace has been stolen! I can't find it anywhere!"

Locrio stood quickly, seething with anger. "Dorian!" he shouted and stretched a square of blue fabric in front of him. Before anyone could stop him, he disappeared into the space between dimensions. I looked at Queen Lydia, then back at the four remaining Dimensional Guardians. They were expecting me to do something; I could feel it.

"Who's Dorian?" I asked meekly.

"Locrio's brother," said Molly. "He used to be a Dimensional Guardian."

I rose. Everything made sense now. Once again, the Grand Master was one step ahead of us and I had to do everything I could to catch up. It didn't matter if I wasn't ready. If I had to do this, I wasn't going to make this easy on my enemies.

"Here's what we're going to do," I said. "Michael, Ophelia, and Vincent. You guys are gonna find Locrio. Molly and I will search for the necklace."

"But won't Dorian have the necklace?" said Ophelia.

"Not if he's smart and I'm not going to make the mistake of underestimating the Grand Master's forces again. Queen Lydia," I said, turning in her direction. "If an estranged elf wanted to hide what is likely one of the most important items in the universe, where in Secoria might he put it?"

Queen Lydia thought for a moment and then said, "In a place you can only get to by magic or flight."

"Which is?"

"Harmonia."

I looked at Molly. "Are you ready?"

She nodded.

"Good. Everyone get moving!"

We broke off in our own separate directions. I grabbed Molly's arm and we ran out of the castle together. In one swift motion, she opened her parasol and with our combined energy we jumped into the air, catching the wind beneath us. We soared over the baffled crowed and pierced through a layer of clouds toward that parallel land in the sky.