"Rough Draft Atlantis" by Stephanie E. Ripley

It was in the early noons. I could tell. I’ve always been thankful to have so many wise philosophers here in our town. They taught us to write, they taught us about the stars, and most importantly, they taught us how to know what part in the day it was. “Time” as they call it. I knew it was in the early noons because the sun was just past the Eastern Tower. Using the towers was my little trick to telling time. I guess that makes me not as smart as the other kids my age. They all know how to pretty much just look up at the sun, and know the time. At least, that’s what they say. I never have been the best in school. I feel like a disappointment to my parents sometimes. But can you blame me? Its not easy being an average student , while your brother is an above average student who is now the apprentice of Genadie, our wises philosopher of all of Gentue’s history!

So I had to find other ways to impress my mother and father. That’s what I was doing that day. A new trader from the Eastern Islands had just arrived, selling dolls made of beautiful white glass. One girl said the trader called it “porcelain”, and its made in China, wherever that is. I knew my mother would love one; but what would my father want? I wasn’t really sure what he liked, since he’s never around. I never see him because he’s a trader to the island routes.

I picked up one of the smaller sized dolls. It looked like my mother, with bright blue eyes, blonde hair, and a gorgeous smile.

“Pieces for this one?” I asked the man who owned the cart.

He took the doll and examined it. I think he just made up prices as people wanted the items.

“Two red ones, little missy.” He replied with an ugly grin.

Two reds meant two copper coins. I sighed at this, but in relief. I gave him the pieces from my bag, but only gave it to him once the doll was back into the safety of my hands. You really can’t trust foreign traders. Especially Belenians. They charged low, usually, but often would steal the rest of you money while you looked for some coins, or wouldn’t give you the item you paid for.

It wouldn’t be too terrible to loose two reds, but I’ve lost enough already. Once, a trader took two silver coins from me. I had to work in the weaving mill for 2 weeks to earn it back. And by then, the trader with the gorgeous blue dress I was after, had already returned home. I held the doll tightly, along with the bag of coins, and started down the path to my cottage.

“Penelope! Penelope! Wait up will ya!” I hear a familiar voice calling.

I turned around to see Christopher, my best friend, running down the path to catch up to me. Startled, I jumped to the side and hid behind a small tree. And thank the heavens I did. He was going so fast that it didn’t look like he could stop. He skidded to a halt just past me. As soon as he did, he fell to his knees, trying to catch his breath.

All I could do was laugh as I walked out and sat down next to him.

“You need to learn how to use foot brakes, Christopher! They just might come in handy.” I said laughing, as he got up and plopped down on a tree stump in front of me.

“Why bother? You know how to dodge.” He said with a grin, taking in a gasp of air between every other word.

“You think I like dodging you?” I gave him a look, and he only shrugged in response, and stayed quite for a moment. Everyone says we look like siblings. But I disagree. He has bright blonde hair that falls to his eyebrows, gorgeous blue eyes, and tan skin. I have long brown hair, green eyes, and light skin. I think they only say that cause he stole my brother’s style. My brother, Tyler, always wore black shorts, and a red shirt. That’s all you ever see Christopher in. But I can’t complain, since I’m always wearing my brown dress.

The path with the forest surrounding it was so much more peaceful than the square. Even though I could still hear the buzzing of the people in the square, the shade-giving trees and birds covered the noise in my head. I heard Christopher start speaking, which startled me back into reality,

“Huh?” I said as a first reaction.

“I said…” he began again. “I didn’t know 15 year olds played with dolls, Pen”

“16, And its not mom, its for my mom…” I sneered.

“When did you turn 16? No matter, I’ve still got you beat. Turning 17 real soon.” He said with a grin. I just rolled my eyes. I started back into my own world again. The forest is so lovely, but so is the square. Its like a large circle in the middle of the town. On the outer edge was five large buildings; the school, philosophers housing, medical building, and traders quarters (where foreign traders slept.) I’m not sure what the fifth building is. In between each building is a path that leads to the outer rim of the town, where are the cottages are. The path between the medical building and philosophers housing was closest to my cottage. Christopher’s cottage was by the path on mine’s left, between the medical building and school, but we were still real close by. The path on the other side of me was the path leading out of Gentue. A gate stood almost 20 feet tall where the path and the square met. The two towers were on either side of the gate.

“So how much did he charge you for it? A white one?” he asked. I blinked and stared at him for a second.

“Oh, um, two reds,” I answered back, looking from him to the doll.

“That’s it? Let me guess, a Belenian?” he said, raising a brow.

“Who else?”

Suddenly, we heard the town horn blow. Christopher looked down the path startled, and then to each other. We got up quickly, and I clutched the doll and bag of coins tightly, and started at a full out run down the path towards the square.

We found our friends Terrance and Sylvia. Someone, I wasn’t sure who, was at the front of the crowd talking to us. I listed for a moment, and then realized that it was Joshua, the head elder’s son. If it hadn’t been for the fact that he was talking in a serious matter about something obviously important, I probably would have been all dreamy-eyed. Joshua is only a few years older then I am. Every girl in the village from age 8 to 18 would love to have a chance with him.

“A messenger arrived early this morning. He was a messenger from…”there was a short pause “…from Atani.”

Everyone just looked around at one another. The four of us could hear whispering all around. Atani was full of stubborn people as far as we were concerned. I continued to listen though, curious about the messenger.

“We all know about their rivalry with the Western Cost Islands. The people from these islands have recently attacked Atani.” He stopped again and everyone started back up with their whispering.

“Silence, please. Thank you. As I was saying, this messenger has sent a request from their ruler to send a trader family here to our village.”

Christopher and I just stared in shock.