“The Edstrom monarchy have ruled this kingdom for generations. Many castles throughout the world have served different purposes; to house wealthy families, military personal during times of unrest, but one thing they have in common – there’s always an abundance of space to store war materials or food and water supplies. In this castle, five of the twenty-three bedrooms in the guest quarters serve this purpose.
Suzanne whispered in Megan’s ear. “I think one of those rooms has my name on it – next to the Prince.”
Megan frowned at her. “What part of guest didn’t you understand. They wouldn’t put you anywhere near a Prince – for his own protection.”
The doors began to swing inward and before them loomed a huge courtyard. Stone pillars held an overhanging balcony, and the main floor verandah stretched around the entire u-shaped structure with vertical stone walls as high as she could see.
Damien pointed to a large center entrance. “The Keep is a well protected tower inside the outer walls. The royal family’s personal quarters are located through that entrance. The inner court, similar to the one you’re standing in presently, leads to the garages, the barns, a chapel, the Royal Residence, guest quarters and the many rooms used for entertaining – none of which we will be viewing today.” He paused until the group settled. “But we do have photos of present-day changes for you to see hanging on walls in stately rooms preserved with historic medieval splendor” Damien pointed to the left. “The tour will continue this way. Follow me.”
A heavy oak door opened, and a doorman dressed in black and white with accessories in red, ushered the group inside. Megan gasped at the sight that lay before her. Shoes clicked on the marble floors of the Great Hall as Damien’s voice echoed in the expanse. His spiel continued, pointing out details in the stonework, wood carvings, and the multiple purposes of the room in days of old. The magnitude of it left Megan spellbound. Her entire condo in Springvale would barely fill the center ring.
Megan pushed Suzanne who dawdled as the group started to move forward. Her friend nodded upward and Megan followed her gaze. A man stared openly at them from the bannister of the first floor. Megan chuckled. “He’s as forward as you are.”
“He’s gorgeous – do you think he’s part of the royal family? asked Suzanne.
“How would I know that?” She slapped at Suzanne’s arm. “Stop gawking. The tour is leaving us behind.”
They hurried to catch up, and for the next two hours learned the history of Edstrom Castle, toured the public viewing wing from the bottom to the top, and learned much about life behind the massively thick walls hiding them from the view of commoners. The man they’d encountered at the beginning never showed his face again, but they did learn the room he’d excited from were offices that state officials occasionally used when Parliament was in. As a parting gift, they offered the group a few tempting nibbles of the royal family’s favorite foods.
Late in the afternoon, Megan and Suzanne dined at the hotel, a perfectly cooked steak, marinated in a tasty blend of spices and grilled medium rare. For sides they added a loaded baked potato and stringed green beans.
“What are your plans for the rest of the day?” Megan asked.
“Bed. I should have listened to you last night and retired earlier,” Suzanne moaned. “I promise to wake up fully refreshed tomorrow and we can shop ‘til we drop.”
“Deal,” said Megan. “I think I’ll go for a walk. I saw a ruin not too far off and thought I’d explore.”
“Haven’t you had enough history for one day?”
“It’s a ruin. There’s no tour guide there, just ghosts crying out from the old stones.”
“Have a blast,” said Suzanne. “I’m headed to the room.”
Megan strolled close to the park area and found the stone that marked the entrance to the path leading toward the old dilapidated half walls of a crumpled structure. Apparently, it was one of the castles outbuildings, used in medieval times. She turned away from the brief write up and started toward the ruin. Bushes and flowers in full bloom grew along both sides of the gravel walkway. She particularly like the bright red blossoms that reminded her of the season. Solar lights sticking out of the ground, stood ready to light the path when darkness fell on Edstrom. She still had a couple hours of daylight. The distance proved further than she’d anticipated and was relieved to feel the deteriorating cobbled stones underfoot.
The place appeared abandoned and she breathed in the solitude after a busy day with the tourist crowd. Squeezing through an opening in the six-foot outer wall, she noticed the remains of a derelict fireplace and a rectangular stone structure that might have been a table at one time. Cracked pottery, goblets and plates were cemented to the surface so spectators might have a better idea as to a medieval table setting. She moved through another opening into a large room, where the exterior walls reached only five feet in height and against the two side walls sat numerous cement platforms, she guessed the length and width of a single bed. She lay on one and hoped for their sake they had straw mattresses.
At the sound of a voice she jumped to her feet. “Not too comfortable, is it?”
“No,” Megan answered. “I’m sorry, I thought I was alone.”
“As did I,” the man said. “But what a lovely surprise to find you here. Welcome to the soldiers, Base One – first in line of fire should rascal rebels wish to invade the castle. Poor chaps, guarding here in the open space; likely died protecting the
