Scarlet suddenly walked up and tugged on Lily’s sleeve.
"Are you a real princess?" she asked.
Lily looked down and smiled, as she stroked Scarlet's hair. "No, my love," she said. "But I bet you are.”
Scarlet’s eyes opened wide, and she giggled, as she looked embarrassed.
"No I'm not," she said.
Caitlin looked down at Scarlet with all the seriousness she could muster, and said, "Yes you are, Scarlet. Don't ever forget that.”
Scarlet stared back at her, wide-eyed, and slowly, Caitlin saw her fill with pride. Caitlin took her hand, and held it as they walked.
"My mission has led us here," Caitlin said to Lily, as they walked, continuing across the courtyard. "I am still searching for my father.” Caitlin turned and looked at Sam. " We are still searching for our father," she corrected, wanting to include him. "And for the mythical shield.”
"I know," Lily responded. "I've been expecting you for some time now. Vampires are usually the keepers of the relics. But in this case, I was chosen.” Lily stopped, and looked at Caitlin with all seriousness. "I know exactly what it is you're looking for.” Caitlin stared back, and felt her heart beating faster. She suddenly wondered if her father could be in this place? It certainly looked grand enough to hold him.
"This way," Lily said, and suddenly turned, entering a magnificent building.
They followed her as she marched down corridor after corridor. She led them up a winding, stone staircase, down a grand hallway, up a twisting, medieval stairwell, and down another corridor.
Caitlin marveled at their surroundings. They walked on the finest of rugs, and everywhere were massive crystal chandeliers.
They finally arrived at the grandest staircase Caitlin had ever seen. Unusual banisters framed either side, and as they walked down the steps, they faced an enormous marble statue, with suits of armor around it. The statue soared above them, dozens of feet high, and as they descended the red-carpeted, marble steps, Caitlin felt as if she were royalty herself.
"Queen Elizabeth lives here now," Lily said, "with her court and her servants. Hundreds of people live here at any given time—the royal staff, and all the royal advisers. This castle is like a city in and of itself.”
They walked through another chamber, all stone, with high arched ceilings, stained glass in every direction, passing dozens of guards as they went. Finally, Lily led them to a grand, oak door, opened it, and stepped aside, a smile on her face.
"Saint George's Chapel," she announced formally, with a wave of her hand.
Caitlin walked in, with the others, and the sight took her breath away.
It was immediately apparent that this room was the crown jewel of the castle. It looked like it had taken hundreds of years to build. The floor was bedecked with a glorious white and black diamond-shaped marble tile, so brightly polished that the sun reflected off of it. The ceiling was hundreds of feet high, arched and coming to a point, and made of limestone. The room was long and narrow, and all along the walls were huge, arched, stained-glass windows. Before them were long wooden benches, on which sat, Caitlin assumed, the royals or politicians when they had grand meetings. It looked like an ancient parliament, from medieval times. She wondered if King Arthur and his knights had met here, too.
Up above hung rows of flags, of all shapes and sizes and colors.
"The Knights of the Garter," Lily explained. "This was once a meeting room. The Knights of the Garter were the highest chivalric order in England, the most elite and most honorable association to belong to. This was their meeting place.
“More importantly," Lily continued, "this room has also been used as a burial place for British Kings and Queens for hundreds of years. Which is why it is significant for our purposes.” Caitlin looked at her, puzzled, but Lily turned and continued walking, her heels clicking on the marble. They followed.
"Is this where the Princess lives?" asked Scarlet, as she tugged on Caitlin's pants.
Caitlin smiled down at her, and stroked her head. "I'm not sure," she answered. "I guess we’re about to find out.”
As they continued, the room became divided by a huge, elaborately carved mahogany divider.
They walked through the doorway, and appeared on the other side of the room.
This side of the room was even more breathtaking. There, off to the side, sat dozens of sarcophagi—huge, marble, elaborately carved. Caitlin could tell right away that they were the final resting places of Kings and Queens.
And as soon as they entered this part of the chamber, Caitlin felt an electric thrill. She felt the ring on her hand heat up, and knew that they were very close to whatever it was they needed to find.
Caitlin stepped forward, allowing the ring to lead her, and found herself standing before a single, huge sarcophagus, in the corner of the room. She surveyed it closely, and saw the effigy on its lid: it was that of an ancient king, with a long, flowing beard, wearing a crown, and holding a staff. He was dressed in royal garments, and chainmail, his hands folded across his chest.
Oddly, one of his fingers was raised slightly higher than the others. Caitlin knew, she just knew, why.
She reached down, slipped the ring off her finger, and let her senses guide her to slip it onto the finger of the effigy.
Everyone crowded around her and watched.
The ring fit perfectly.
There was the slightest click, and in the effigy’s other hand, Caitlin saw a small, marble scroll.
She looked at it closely, and saw that its tip was now slightly ajar.
She reached over and pulled at it gently, and discovered that it was hollow. Inside, lying there, sat a real scroll—a real piece of parchment.
Caitlin's heart beat faster as she reached in, and slowly, gingerly, slid out the frail piece of parchment.
Everyone crowded in even closer, as she rolled open the small scroll. On it was a delicate, antique handwriting, which she immediately recognized as her father's. She felt overwhelmed with emotion, looking at it.
She cleared her throat, and read aloud:
My Dearest Caitlin and Samuel,
If the two of you have made it this far, then you're standing here together, joined on your search for me and the Shield. This scroll you are holding has been especially well hidden, so if you are here, it is only because you are meant to be. I commend you both.
You are two fruits of the same vine, the Rose and the Thorn, and you have different destinies.