Artinia: The Journey of Three Island Princesses Read online

 

   

   

   

   

   

  ARTINIA

  The Journey of Three Island Princesses

   

  By Sheilane Marsh

  This book is for anyone who loves a fun, adventure fairytale, with princesses and all; from young kids to adults who are kids at heart.  Do Enjoy!

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Chapter 1

  Unexpected Disaster

   

  A hurricane of this great magnitude had never struck Artinia before. The sea waves rose high into the sky and quickly flooded the tiny island. The powerful winds uprooted countless trees and destroyed almost all of the beautiful tree houses. But most devastating of all, many persons were killed; including most of the army men that guarded the island’s borders and even the King’s only son, Prince Idris.

  At that time, Artinia was ruled by the brave and honorable King Iba and his lovely wife, Queen Inga. They had four small children: Prince Idris, who was 10, and Princesses: Isla, 8, Iah, 5, and Issy, who was just a baby. They were a very close-knit family that loved each other dearly.

  On the day of the hurricane, the prince and the two older princesses were enjoying a normal day of swimming, at the beach just outside the royal tree house. Then suddenly, the wind began to pick up and the water became a little rough. The kids were not frightened by this at first, and were even enjoying the waves. But then the water became rougher and rougher, and the waves started to crash hard against the shore.

  “Quickly! Get out of the water!” Prince Idris commanded his sisters; and he tried to push them forward. 

  With their brother’s help, Princess Isla and Princess Iah got to shore safely; but poor Prince Idris never made it. A large wave swiftly overtook him just as he was about to climb onto the sand. It carried him too far out into the sea, and he drowned.

  …

  The once majestic island of Artinia now lay in ruins, and the survivors were left in great fear and sadness. They mourned the loss of their loved ones and homes. And they also worried about attacks from the other islands; for the hurricane greatly diminished the army, leaving only a few men to defend them.

  “As soon as the waters have calmed, they will try to raid us!” the Artinians cried.

  Artinia was the envy of a small circle of islands, located far out into the sea; of which it was the most beautiful and most blessed in natural resources, such as: spices, cotton (for making clothes), crops, diamond and gold. Therefore, the other islands often sent warriors to try and steal Artinia’s wealth.

  The Artinians looked to King Iba for guidance and comfort at this time. And although King Iba was extremely sad about losing his son, Prince Idris, he was still able to lead the people wisely, with the help of his trusted advisor and best friend, Sir Evans. Together, they helped the people to build temporary huts and tents for shelter, and to gather a large amount of food and water, so that they would not starve or thirst.

  The King also worked very hard to ensure that the remaining army men were well prepared, just in case there were any outsider attacks. He reminded them that, although they were small in number, they were still very skilled and very powerful.  

  Chapter 2

  Artinia’s new Ruler

   

  Eventually, the Artinians were not so sad anymore; for they had hope. They believed in their hearts that, with hard work and patience, their beloved island will once again be as rich and beautiful as it was before.

  On the contrary, things in the royal household were getting worse. In fact, the family seemed to be falling apart. King Iba and Queen Inga had been arguing a lot, and blaming each other for Prince Idris’s death.

  “You should have been watching them!” the King would say to the Queen.

  “And you should have come home to your family immediately!” the Queen would reply.

  Then one night, after an exceptionally big argument, the King stormed out of their tent angrily; and little princess Isla watched him sadly from the tent next door.

   

  …

  One week passed and no one had seen nor heard from King Iba; and everyone was in great distress because of this – especially the Queen and Princesses.

  “What will we do without King Iba’s wisdom and strength?” The people wondered.

  “We need a new King!” some said.

  “Let Sir Evans rule in his place!” said others.

  Still others said “We already have a Queen. Let her rule!”

  Artinia had never had a Queen ruler before. Therefore, many people did not believe that Queen Inga should rule.

  The councilmen asked “How can she lead us? Women don’t know anything about war! They are not even allowed to join the army!”

  At that, Queen Inga went before the people. She said:

  “People of Artinia, I stand before you a woman in great anguish. I have lost two very important people to me; but I still have hope that one may return. And when he does, I do not want his throne to be occupied by another.

  I also stand before you as your Queen. That means that I have ruled this island beside my husband for many years. So I am not ignorant to your wants and needs.

  I may only be a woman, but I am a woman who is determined to make things right again… determined to make Artinia safe again… determined not to lose anyone else that I love. All I ask is that you give me a chance.”

  Then Army General Atticus – who was a big and fierce looking man - went and stood beside Queen Inga. He said to the people “I believe in my Queen. I want to give her a chance”.

  The people were won over by Queen Inga’s touching speech, and General Atticus’s strong persuasion.

  “Let’s give her a chance!” they agreed. 

  And so, Queen Inga was crowned ‘Ruler of Artinia’ that very day; while Sir Evans was to remain ‘Adviser to the Throne’.

  …

  “Mommy, are you sure that you can rule Artinia all by yourself?” Princess Isla asked when they had returned to their tent.

  Queen Inga smiled at her daughter. “My dear little Princess,” she said gently. “I won’t be doing it on my own. I’ll have you and your sisters to help me.”  

  Chapter 3

  Princess Isla

   

  Eleven years passed and, under Queen Inga’s rule, Artinia returned to being the most magnificent of all the islands. The fabulous wooden tree houses had been rebuilt; the crops and flowers regrown; and the beaches and waterfalls were as clear and sparkling as ever.

  The Artinians had also returned to their peaceful and happy lives. They often spent their days on the beaches, swimming and having picnics; and the children could always be found climbing and swinging from the island’s many coconut trees. This of course was when they were not in school.

  School in Artinia was an amazing experience.  It was held only twice per week, in round little huts, on a small hilltop. There, children from ages four to twelve were taught to read and write, sing and dance, and even to fish. Fishing lessons were the best days. The children would run down the hill
of their school to the river below where they spent hours in little canoes baiting their rods and waiting for the fishes to bite; chatting and laughing all the while.    

  The Artinian Army, however, had not gone back to how it was before the Hurricane. It was now much larger and stronger! This was because of an important strategy that Queen Inga put in place. In her first month as ruler, Queen Inga made it legal for girls to join the army, and many volunteered right away. Now, almost half of the army were made up of girls.  

  One such girl was Princess Isla. She had joined the army as soon as she turned twelve and now, at age nineteen, she was one of the army’s best slingers (user of the sling shot). Isla had taken her mother’s words very seriously eleven years ago, about helping to rule Artinia; and she saw her military duties as doing just that. She spent many days in the woods practicing the sling shots with her best friend Yanu- a young boy of the same age, whom she had grown up with. Yanu was also a skilled slinger in the army and very handsome. Many of the girls on the island loved him, but Yanu only had eyes for Isla.

  “Soo” said Yanu after practice one afternoon, “your sister’s kumya is in two weeks”.

  “Yeah, I know” replied Isla, stuffing her sling shot into her pants pocket. “Everyone knows that”.

  “But I was wondering if you would- I mean -If you don’t mind - It’s totally up to you-”.

  “Spit it out Yanu” Isla said. She was puzzled as to why Yanu was acting so shy and nervous- which was very unlike his normal confident and outspoken personality.

  Yanu took a deep breath. “Would you be my date?”

  Isla was even more puzzled. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean for us to go together” said Yanu timidly, looking down at his feet.

  Isla chuckled. “But you didn’t have to ask. We go everywhere together.”

  Yanu looked up and shook his head. “No Isla. I mean for us to go as more than friends.”

  Isla was so surprised that she did not know what to say.

  Yanu then reach out and held one of Isla’s hands. “I think that you’re an amazing girl Isla. And I really like you.”

  Isla could not believe her ears.

  “Ahh, I have to go do something for my mom,” she lied, pulling away her hand quickly. Then Isla ran through the bushes, without another word.   

  Chapter 4

  Princess Iah

   

  A kumya was what the Artinians called a party, held for a girl’s sixteenth birthday. This party symbolized that she was officially becoming a woman. It was also meant to reveal her to potential suitors, for marriage.

  Princess Iah was about to turn sixteen and have her Kumya in two weeks. Since she was a Princess, it was bound to be a grand affair. Everyone on the island was invited. Even the army men would be off-duty that night.

  This would also be the first royal kumya held in Artinia, in a very long time. To everyone’s great disappointment, Princess Isla had refused to have a kumya when she turned 16.   She thought it was too trivial an event to take away from her military duties.

  “Please don’t make me mom” she had pleaded. “I just don’t see the point, and I really haven’t got the time to spare with all of my training”.

  Many of the young men on the island were looking forward to Princess Iah’s kumya; for she was considered to be the fairest girl on the island by far, and they all wished to marry her. Princess Iah had only to walk by and flip her long dark hair or flash her bright hazel eyes and the boys would swoon. Some even followed her around begging to do favors. But Iah paid no mind to the boys of Artinia. She had her heart set on one day meeting and marrying a handsome Prince from another land. Iah ignored what everyone said, about this being impossible, since Artinia was at war with all of the islands around them. She believed that, by some miracle, her Prince would find her.

  At the moment, Iah was at the beach, with a group of fellow dancers, preparing a special performance for her party. She was the best dancer in her dance group (the island had several groups of entertainers: musicians, dancers, singers, jokers, and sports players); and she often helped to organize shows to entertain the people.

  Iah had been working very hard on this birthday dan  ce for the past month. She was also helping to prepare the menu and the decorations.  In fact, Iah was doing so much that she had barely slept during the past two weeks, and was beginning to act a little crazy.

  “The entire island will be there!” she would constantly remind everyone. “This party needs to be perfect!”   She would then put her hands over her face and scream loudly. This made everyone laugh; but only when Iah was not looking of course.

  Iah stopped dancing when she saw her sister running in the sand towards them.

  “What is it Isla?”

  “I need to sp- speak to you” Isla said breathlessly.

  Then, before Iah could respond, Isla grabbed her hand and pulled her away from everyone.

  “Gosh Isla, this had better be important. I still have a lot of work to do on the dance.”

  “Oh Iah! The worst thing imaginable just happened” Isla groaned.

  Iah started to feel concerned. “Wow sis. I’ve never seen you this upset before.”

  “It’s because of Yanu” said Isla. “He… He likes me. Can you believe it?”

  Iah stared at Isla for a while, and then burst out laughing.

  “This is serious Iah” said Isla angrily. “I really need your advice. You’re so good with this kinda stuff”.

  But Iah continued to laugh.

  “Fine!” Said Isla. “I’ll just ask someone else then.” Then she turned to walk away.  

  “Wait! Wait!” said Iah, in between chuckles. “I’ll help you. It’s just that, it’s no big surprise.”

  “What do you mean?” demanded Isla, still upset.

  Iah finally managed to stop laughing. “Anyone could tell that Yanu loves you, ever since you were kids.”

  “No he hasn’t!” said Isla, shaking her head from side to side. “We’ve always just been friends”.

  “Think about it” said Iah. “He’s never had a girlfriend, even though all of the girls on the island are crazy about him; he spends most of his free time with you; when you’re upset or in trouble he’s the first one on there; and” Iah paused and playfully ruffled Isla’s short hair, “he’s the only one that likes your new haircut.”

  Isla pushed away Iah’s away. “But those are things that best friends do, aren’t they?

  “Maybe.” Said Iah grinning. “But people also do those things when they’re in love.”              

  Isla stood in silence for a short while, trying to make sense of everything that Iah had just said. Then her face became suddenly serious. “Yanu doesn’t love me.” She finally said. “He only thinks he does”.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Iah, confused.

  “Love isn’t real Iah!” Isla snapped. “Look at what Dad did to mom, and to us”. Then she turned and stormed away.

   

  Chapter 5

  Princess Issy

   

  Up at the royal tree house, Issy was staring through her bedroom window, eagerly awaiting Isla; so that she could ask her for a very important favour. But Issy’s pet pig, Lucy, kept disturbing her.

  “Stop nibbling on my clothes Lucy!” said Issy, pulling her skirt out of the Pig’s mouth. “You’ve gotten me into enough trouble.”

  But actually, it was Issy’s own fault that she was grounded and not able to enjoy the beautiful sunny day outside with her best friend Yosh. She should have never taken Lucy to school (without Queen inga’s permission), and hid her in one of the class closets. Everyone knows that pigs have very large appetites. Therefore, Lucy burst out of the closet during class and ate all of the children’s work, knocking down the desks and chairs as she went. Issy’s excuse was that she wanted Lucy to learn how to read and write too.

  But even though Issy gave a lo
t of trouble, everyone loved her; for she was very energetic and playful. Her plump cheeks, pretty dimples and short, curly dark hair made her even more adorable; not to mention the fact that she was very small for an eleven year old.

  Issy finally gave in to Lucy’s nibbles and the two of them began to tumble around on the ground playfully.

  “Stop Lucy! That tickles!”Issy screamed.

  After a while, Issy heard footsteps coming up the walkway. She quickly ran back to the window. It was Isla. Issy dashed out of the room (closing the door behind her, to keep Lucy in), and down the stairs. She met Isla at the front door.

  “Isla! Isla! I’m so glad you’re home.”

  “Not now Issy. I’m not in the mood to play” said Isla grimly.

  “I don’t want to play!” said Issy, folding her arms and stomping her little feet. “I want to ask you a favour.”

  Isla sighed “Ok. What is it?”

  “Could you make two sling shots for Yosh and me, so that we can put on a show for Iah’s kumya? Please.”

  “I’ve told you Issy, sling shots are not toys. They’re dangerous.”

  “But the performance will be my birthday present to Iah” said Issy. “I can’t think of anything else to give her, and I know she’ll like it.”

  Isla sighed again. She knew that Issy would not stop begging until she got what she wanted. “Alright Issy, I’ll think about it”.

                “Oh thank you, thank you! Issy exclaimed excitedly, hugging Isla tightly around the waist. “You’re the best sister ever!”

  “I didn’t say yes Issy… I said I’ll think about it” said Isla, struggling to loosen Issy’s grip.

  But Issy continued anyway. “I can’t wait to tell Yosh! We’ve got to start practicing.”   

  Isla couldn’t help but smile at Issy’s excitement before walking off towards the stairs. “Bye Issy”.

  “Oh! One more thing” Issy shouted. “Are you and Yanu boyfriend and girlfriend now?” 

  Isla stopped walking and turned back around quickly. “How did you- Where did you hear that?” she demanded.

  “Ahhh…” said Issy, looking down at her feet.

  “Tell me Now Issy!” said Isla.

  “Well, Yosh and I may have been playing in the bushes where you guys were training today.”