The low wall enclosing this place is of warm, golden brick with a small iron gate in one end. Ivy mingled with brilliant red clematis run rampant along the wall. As you push open the gate it squeaks only a little.

You stand in the gateway of the Queen's Garden. Miniature roses of myriad colors are grouped off to oneside. Ahead is a small, pebbled path that winds among fragrant cherry blossom trees, amid a patchwork of grassy gnolls and verdant niches.

The path leads to an oaken bridge that spans over a long pond, in which lazily swim a pair of huge goldfish along with a school of smaller silverfish. Across the pond is a small shrine, carved in deep relief on the tiny altar are images of panthers, of lions, of cats great and small. The arbor surrounding it cascades with more pale blue clematis, which pools down into some deeper blue hydrangea. Two silver-belled wind chimes idlly create soft music on an errant breeze as they dangle on each side of the arbor.

Bypassing this, you come to the end of the Garden. Ahead of you is a gilded set of double glass doors. Your guide looks at you, waiting for your decision.

Enter the Doors

Go Back

Leave Oridosha

Featured music: "Swept Away" by Yanni

Graphics Courtesty of

© 1999 E. Angeli Mansfield