A Different Sort

of

Birthday Surprise

Moving on.

xxx

All was right with the world. The sun was shining. The birds were singing. Watnaught was jamming out on his nut carved lute. Mia and Robin took it away. The offkey strumming wasn't appreciated so early in the morning. In spite of that, it was a grand morning. Fresh air all around and not a cloud in the sky. Nothing can possibly ruin the morning. Least of all for Baileywick, who was at the height of glee.

Baileywick hummed a merry tune, unintentionally skipping to the beat, and laughing when he caught himself. He checked off one item on his list of duties, then the next, then the next, and was already 75% through by the time the sun had begun to rise. His crackerjack team of handmaidens and servants were instrumental in expediting his work. Granted, he is a fully capable steward. But without a good and capable team, he'd never be finished. He asked Chef Andre and his staff to begin breakfast preparations, ensured Constable Miles and the Royal guard were ready for a surprise inspection, all while simultaneously drawing up a list of duties for King Roland, Queen Miranda, and Princess Lydia. He was in his own little world, enjoying every second of it.

"Good Morning, Baileywick." Lydia hailed him before he entered Sofia's room. Her trusty owl on her shoulder. The mysterious dome platter on his trolley had her mouth watering. "What has you in such high spirits this morning?"

"Just another glorious morning, Princess Lydia!" He said as he set the trolley aside and fixed up Lydia's goto uniform. He dusted the lint from her blazer. A princess must look her best at all time.

Eezeyal leaned to her ear, "There's glorious, and then there's YEE DOWGGIE, I'M FEELIN' LUCKY TUUNIGH'!" He added a spin for effect.

Lyda fanned those flames before Baileywick learned to speak owl. She followed Baileywick into the sleeping Sofia's room. In one swoop he parted the curtains, flooding the room with morning's light, and picked up her toys. Lydia was unnaturally inspired by his pep to clean the whole castle. "Maybe your yee dwoggie wasn't too far off." She whispered to the gawking bird.

"Told ya…"

"Good morning, Princess Sofia!" Baileywick bowed, platter in hand. He was baffled by her feet at her pillows. Lydia sneakily pointed to the other end.

Sofia moaned drowsily, lifting her matted head from the covers. "GOOOD MORNING, Baileywick. Hey Lydia! What's that?!" She ogled the platter. That's what I'd like to know. Lydia and Eezeyal drooled.

"A little treat to start the day!" Two chocolate and cherry layered cakes topped with frosting and strawberries. In the middle was an ornate bowl overflowing with whipped topping and strawberries. What was beneath was another mystery.

"OH! Thank you!" She blushed. Lydia and Eezeyal suddenly grew ten sweet teeth.

"Nothing like a bit of berry to make your day a bit more merry!" Baileywick must sideline as a magician and origami specialist. He took a red handkerchief and folded it into a swan.

Sofia giggled at her glee. She likes seeing him so full of energy. "You're in a good mood today!"

"See?!" Lydia wrapped her arms to his arm. "Now spill! What has you in such a good mood?!"

Baileywick fell to the mercy of those large blue eyes. "Ha-Ha! I'm in such a good mood because today's my birthday!"

"IT IS!" They squealed. The sisters joined together, one arm each stretching wide, "HAAAPY BIRTHDAY, BAILEYWICK!" Lydia planted a kiss to his cheek. "Is there going to be a party?!" Sofia hoped. She loves parties.

"Oh, I should say not." He was sorry to burst her bubble. "A job well done is celebration enough."

"Sure…" Lydia can agree to that to some extent. "But still, you should-"

"OHH BAI~LEY-WICK!" Roland bellowed.

"Gotta go! Enjoy your breakfast, Sofia!" Lydia and Sofia felt a gust of wind as he left.

Sofia was a little sad there wasn't going to be a party, but she's glad Baileywick was having such a fun day. And didn't raise a fuss when Lydia and Eezeyal stole the two smaller cakes. "Haaa...what would we do without Baileywick?" She dreamily asked. Suzette and Marcy strolled in with fresh sheets and her dress.

"I don't know, Miss. He does everything around here." Marcy stated.

"You can always count on Baileywick!" Suzette boasted.

"We can, can't we." Lydia licked cream off her finger.

"It's true…" She admired. "Baileywick takes care of all of us…" Sofia skipped backward, leading a parade of sister and maids, "Never puts up any kind of fuss!"

Lydia lead her into a twirl, "The castle steward~" A dab of the wand and her pajamas turned into her dress, "Who always aims to please~"

"He polishes all of my trophies!"

James appeared with Rex on his leash. "Making sure that my dog has no fleas!" Baileywick stopped the hyper dog, spraying him down with special perfume.

Amber appeared, holding her itchy nose. "Pro-vides a hankie~ anytime I need to sneeze…" Baileywick cleaned her nose, then handed her the handkerchief. "AH-CHOO!" Sofia and the others flinched at the monstrous sneeze.

"He's Baileywick! The man of the castle!"

The Royal siblings and servants marched in tow to him down the stairs. He motioned the rail polisher to change direction. "Does everything without any hassle," Everyone stopped at Baileywick's collision sending a tea set into the air, "And super quick…" Smile all around when he caught if, and poured the tea. "You can always count on Baileywick…" Baileywick guided the male servant to the banquet, bringing Miranda and Roland into the Baileywick love fest.

Lydia pirouetted to Roland's left side, for this specific reason. "Baileywick, the king's right-hand man," Her sweeping hand directed Roland to the unrolled scroll, "Draws up all of the household plans!" A quick swap of fork for quill set Roland on the fast track.

"Reminds the children," Miranda chimed, "That they need to wash their hands before meals!" She stressed at the flagrant show of seemingly clean hands.

"He jots down all of my proclamations!"

Roland's admired the steward handing the scroll to another servant, "And he never takes any vacations!"

"When there's a problem," Miranda and the children harmonized, "He always understands!" Quick motions of the hands, and Baileywick had the servers on their toes.

"He's Baileywick, the man of the castle!"

Roland and the servers raised cups of tea in his honor!

"Does everything...without any hassle!" Miranda and the kids stretching their hearts to him.

"And super quick!" Roland added as Baileywick dabbed cloth to his mouth.

"YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON BAILEYWICK~~~!" The Baileywick march brought itself into the grand hall. Servants and aids emerging from every door. "He's always there, he's everywhere! All day and every night!" He pretended to be in the game, but was reveling in the hype. "When troubles lurk-" Parasol for Roland, and scepter for Miranda?

"I'll make it work!" A quick swap by Baileywick.

Eezeyal dive bombed on scene, winking to the audience, "HE GETS THE JOB DONE RIGHT!" A tip of his hat.

"He's Baileywick," Lydia received her polished wand.

"The man of the castle!" James' collar was fixed.

"Does everything," Amber took her parasol.

"Without any hassle!" Miranda and Roland strode after everyone.

"He's super quick, through thin and thick…" From the tops of the stairs, to the blue carpet of the main hall, everyone gathered round for the mon of the hour, "You can al-ways-count-on-Baileywick! Count on Baileywick! You can always count on Baileywick!" Baileywick vetted the song's length on his pocket watch, and closed it on the final note. The servants, in single file, returned to work. One maid took Amber's parasol.

"Now to business!" Lydia stretched her hips.

"Speaking of business, Princess Lydia!" Baileywick approached her. "The coachman is ready anytime you are to take you to the village." He handed her a folded paper. "I have here a list of locations perfectly suited for your Music History and Founder's Day projects."

"Thanks, Baileywick!" Crunch time before the year was up. Lydia's taken time away from her magi studies to focus on her royal studies. Her music history and Enchancian history teachers have doing reports and projects that make up a third of her grade. And the royal libraries and music rooms, surprisingly, don't always have the materials she needs. Like an accordion, or the tapestry of Sultan Pasta Al Dente signing a treaty with King Roland the First. For music, she needs to report on the significance of the accordion. And history wants a presentation on the tapestry. Lydia's finals in her Royal Studies are a week before Wassailia. He grades from this point on have to be at their zenith if she's going to have a chance at passing.

"As for you, Children, everything is ready for your Royal playdate!" Amber, James, and Sofia had their best friends invited over for a day of fun and snacks. They've been looking forward to it all week long. The activities they have planned will leave the pet contest in tears of shame. "And I'll be on hand in case you need anything."

"OH NO YOU WON'T, BAILEYWICK!" Roland blurted from the second floor.

"Your Majesty?!"

"It's your birthday! So we are giving YOU," And only him, "The day off!" So declares the King and Queen."

"Oh no, no! That's not necessary!"

"Now I know you always say no," As he was trying to do now, "But this year I insist. In fact…" Roland and Miranda strolled arm in arm to the stubborn steward, "Consider it...A COMMAND!"

"Ooh. Can't say no now!" Lydia elbowed him teasingly.

"But, Your Majesty, I wouldn't even know what to do with my day!" He implored him to reconsider.

"Your brother Nigel does!" Miranda chimed.

"Nigel?!" Lydia hummed.

The trumpets resounded, and the doors burst open with a woosh. There dressed in full fishing gear, throwing his bags down was Baileywick's older brother, Nigel. "HAAAPPYYYY BIRTHDAY, WICKEY!"

"Wickey?!" Amber and James snorted. Sofia and Lydia held their stomachs, trying to not laugh so loud.

"NIGEL?! So good to see you!" Baileywick shook his brother's hands. What a surprise to get indeed!

"Happy Birthday, Baby brother! Birthday Noogies!" He hook Baileywick by the neck, twisting his knuckles into his skull. Baileywick failed in his efforts to escape.

"Psst!" Eezeyal knocked on Lydia's head. "Baileywick has a brother?"

"I guess so." Lydia thinks Baileywick may have talked about him here and there. "It's nice to finally meet you Nigel. Thanks for coming!" Lydia shook his hand.

"Thanks for having me! I tell you, Baby Brother, this will be a day you will never forget!" Nigel would swear it from the top of the castle. "When you see what I have planned, nothing can possibly ruin this day!"

"The entire day seems to be going smoothly anyway." Amber announced.

"NOOOOO…" Spoke too soon. A desperate cry for help stopped every servant, handmaiden, guard, and bunny in their strides.

"Had to say something, huh." Lydia snorted. Amber blush, stroking her hair. "That sounded like Cedric."

"Ugh! I'd better see what's wrong now." Baileywick rolled his eyes.

"NO-NO-NO!" Lydia pushed him back into Nigel's brotherly grasp. "It's your birthday, and Dad ordered you to take the day off." Roland was already drawing up a contract that will force Baileywick to honor his command. "I'll see what's bothering our esteemed resident drama king. Oh!" She hugged him one more time. "Happy birthday again, Baileywick!"

"Thank you, Princess!"

"Nice meeting you, Nigel!" She said as she moseyed for the tower.

"You too!" He waved. He waited for her to be out of earshot then added, "So that's who Cedric fancies?"

"Yep!" Baileywick grinned mischievously.

Nigel stroked his chin in approval. "He has better taste than I thought."

Baileywick sighed dismally. "Too bad the same cannot be said for the Princess." Meanwhile, Lydia got this strange feeling she was being insulted.

xxx

Sobs of unrivaled despair wailed from Cedric's workshop window. Pencils, quills, clothes, and beakers were being hurtled out. Guards, familiar with Cedric's tantrums, arranged a large cloth to catch every. The consolation to the tedious task was that Cedric changed it up with the kitchen sink. Chef Andre won't be happy about that. "THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING! NO-NO-NO!"

"Whoa! Hey! Watch it! YAH!" Wormwood dodged for his life, losing his graying feathers. And possibly the years left of his span. "GAAAAAH!" He scrambled into the air. Cedric threw his rolling stool, shattering it to pieces. Good thing he has more in the closet. Cedric's door creaked open.

Lydia poked her head in, befuddled by the debris of stool at the door. "EEP!" She ducked out and slammed the door closed. Cedric's spare stool was thrown at the door. There is a third. Hopefully he won't destroy it as well. Lydia cautiously crept back in, fearing Cedric would throwing something else in his frenzy. She slowly closed the door, slinking her way along the wall out of his...random line of fire. "Ugh...Ced-"

"PRINCESS!" Wormwood tackled Lydia into the bookshelf. She cradled him as he violently shook her by the collar. "You have to do something! He's gone off the deep end!"

"What's wrong with him?!" She screamed. Cedric traded throwing things for sucking on his thumb in the fetal position. She snuck a transparent piece of glass and whispered, "Memoriae," And a flash imprinted his less than flattering position to the glass. A good blackmail image for when he's out of line. "The whole castle can hear him."

"LYDIA, IT'S TERRIBLE!" Cedric rolled to her feet like a log. She cringed when he threw himself around her waist, bawling into her stomach. "IT'S HORRIBLE! IT'S AWFUL! THE WORST NEWS OF MY CAREER!" He took her skirt and blew his nose on it. And she just put on fresh clothes too.

"Are they…" She trailed, slipping him off like a cheap pair of pants, "Revoking your Reb Crabster membership?"

"Oh no!" He magically recovered, carrying his decorum like a flowing cape. "I'm making regular payments, and just got the price decreased by 10 shillings." Ten shillings was impressive. those cut throats at Red Crabster are crooks in their own rites with how much they charge for a membership. Worth it to be privileged to an all you can eat seafood feast. Lydia has yet to qualify. The membership does allow two.

"Then what's wrong?" She stressed.

"THIS!" Cedric draped a despaired arm over his eyes, showing her a letter he received in the mail.

He's getting bad mail too? She played along by placing a monocle to her eye. "Attention Cedric the sorcerer, we regret to inform you that, due to a poor season and high demand, we are unable to deliver your Autumn Elysian peacock feathers as scheduled. Please note that the payment you made in advance will be returned, or you may place the order again and the price will be reduced. We apologize again for the inconvenience and hope you will continue with your patronage to us. Thank You, the Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Brother's Grim." She removed the monocle, arching a confused brow. "All of this over peacock feathers? OW!" He smacked her skull with his wand.

"Not just any peacock feathers!" He slipped the wand into his sleeve, the switched it for the article he orders from, "These are premium, molted at the second, have to be ordered months in advance, BY VIP LIST ONLY," He pointed to the big bold letters on the article, "Feathers of the peacock straight from the Elysian fields in Greece!" He wrapped an arm around her and Wormwood, squishing cheek to cheek to cheek. "Supposedly, Artemis herself takes the molten feathers of the peacocks and releases them to the mortal realm. GHEEE!" He squealed like a schoolgirl, prancing away.

"Okay…" She droned. She glanced to Wormwood, wondering what she missed. His serious face assured her there was a method to this madness.

"These feathers are crucial to my Fall Weather Spellcasting! Without them, half my spells will blow up in my face!"

"Half your spells already blow up in your face!"

He struck her again. "NOT THE POINT!" A lump formed. She was going to throw him with the broken stools. "The feathers have special properties I require to regulate my more dangerous spells. Toadstools into tornados, quelling the effects of hocus crocus, grappling with the tirades of very emotional ravens!"

"HEY!" Wormwood was offended. Lydia tapped his head.

"But now I have to wait another year for them, and my supply is running low!" He opened the desk drawer, taking out a glass case. Lydia was in awe when he lifted the lid. Four flat platforms elevated. Labels of the different peacock were on each, assorted slots for the shaded feathers were labeled as well. The was a large case imbedded at the wall by his desk for the tail feathers. In both he had one or two feathers left. "The whole feather is never required. Maybe a strand or two. But the fact remains that this supply won't last me until January, let alone next fall." He sank in on himself.

"Wow…" She cupped a hand at the side of her mouth, whispering to Wormwood, "He's not exaggerating, is he?"

Wormwood sneakily whispered back, "Not in the least. These feathers are sort of a placebo, but they do work wonders for him. No one better."

Lydia took Cedric's misery into account. He was rocking back and forth in a corner. He really wanted those feathers. He looked forward to them. She would usually pay money to see him squirm, but she knows the pain of being denied what you long to receive. Especially waiting year round for it. "Well…" She tapped her chin pensively, "I may know someone in Dunwitty who can help. I have to go there anyway for references." Cedric stopped midrock, his ear stretching. "There's an aviary in the village run by a man who HAS been known to have peacocks. Whether they are Elysian or not, I don't know, but it won't hurt to look."

Cedric vanished then reappeared before Lydia. He grabbed her by the head. "THANK YOU SO MUCH, PRINCESS!" In the heat of the moment he planted a kiss on her forehead. He choked on his own breath, sucking his lips in. His face heated beet red. Sweat beading down his brow. He glanced to Alauna who was locked in some sort of daze. Her cheeks were pink, eyes sparkling. "Um...sorry…" He inched away.

She blankly placed a hand to her forehead, pressing her back to the wall. "S'okay…" Was the room spinning or was that her? It was getting hot too. Cedric was tugging at his collar. What were we talking about again? The pair were lost. Wormwood cleared his throat, bringing them from their stupor. "A-A-Anyway…" Lydia shook her still cherry red head, "I've never used peacock feathers in anything of mine. Are they really that important?"

Cedric huffed at her silly question. "As barely named a novice rank, you've yet to encounter spells or potions requiring them." He drilled a finger into her forehead. "And I sincerely doubt your appointed sitter has yet to let you venture to his more advanced pages." He crooned menacingly.

"Grr! Ubos lets me!" She swatted the hand. Although, he's been acting strange lately. Ever since that incident with Clover and Eezeyal, the whole pet contest and trading up pets and friends, Ubos has been distancing himself from Eezeyal and Lydia. They don't know why. "And why do you keep saying Novice as if I'm some amature?!"

"The very definition of Novice is-YOW!" She kicked his shin.

"Shut it! If I'm such an amature, then I have no business listening to your drama!" She put Wormwood back to his shoulder, then turned on her heels. "Which means no Peacock Store for you!" She reached for the knob.

Cedric was instantly kneeling before her, tenderly taking her hands in his. He placed the other to his knee. "Please allow me to escort you, Lady Sorceress Princess Lydia of Enchancia!" He kissed the hand. Lydia cackled victoriously. Too easy. Wormwood cannot believe what a sellout his owner is.

xxx

Miranda, Baileywick, Nigel, and Roland adored the gaggle of kids chattering and laughing, animated about the fun they have planned. To be that young and full of spirit again. A treat it would be. Hildegard, Zandar, Jade, and Ruby - best friends of the Royal Trio, aiming to make this a play date their friends will never forget. Games, a tea party, and a wholesome activity to wrap up the day.

"Huh? LYDIA!" Ruby and Jade cheered. Hildegard's brow wrinkled at the pair racing for the approaching princess. Lydia screamed as they tackled her. Cedric cringed at the loud boom when she hit ground. They're remarkably strong for seven year olds. "We're soo happy to see you!"

"My spine can tell!" She groaned. She ruffled their hair lovingly all the same. It's been awhile since they've visited. A good thing since there was too much drama going on. "It's good to see the both of you." Jade and Ruby helped her to her feet. "Zandar! Always fun!" She strolled over.

"You bet!" He bumped fists with her. "Hey, you still coming to my party?! Zaheer can't wait to meet you!"

"And I can't wait to meet him. Naseer speaks highly of him!" Zaheer is Zandar's older brother, and already named crowned Prince of Tangu. Seeing as Lydia is due to be named Crowned Princess on her 18th birthday, he can help her prepare for what's in store. There's more, of course. From what Naseer has said in his letters, Zaheer loves to explore the Deserts of Tangu. He hunts for treasures, goes on expeditions to parts unknown, and is apparently writing a novel. "Hildegard, always a pleasure."

"I know it is." She sardonically sighed, shooing Lydia with her fan. "Astrid got your letter, by the way. PFFT! A tea party! How boring!" She disparaged. Lydia sank miserably. It wasn't MY idea! She cast a berating leer in Roland's direction who pretended to be interested in the dust caked to his shirt. "You won't have to worry, though. Our father will never allow her to come to any sort of party arranged by you!" Lydia decided it best to remain quiet. Because if Astrid is forbidden to come - sad note - Henrik won't come either - happy note. "He'll most likely as it to be held at our home so you may learn the proper manners and etiquette needed at such gatherings." And thus the pangs and arrows of her merciless disparagement strike her in the core. Everyone around her felt it too.

"As entertaining as all this is…" Cedric started pushing her out the door, "WE HAVE TO GO NOW!"

"OKAY! OKAY! EASY THERE! WORMWOOD! EEZEYAL!" Lydia fought him. Eezeyal and Wormwood came down from the bannisters, soaring out the front door. "That reminds me!" She spun from Cedric, sending him to a satisfying crash to the ground. She ran up to Nigel. "Take good care of our friend, Nigel! I'm trusting you to make this his best birthday ever!"

"You have my word, Princess!" Nigel hugged Baileywick close. "Picking apples at the orchard, eating ice cream at our favorite cart, and ending our day fishing! I'm ready to do loops!"

"Sounds like you have this covered!" She giggled.

"LYDIA!" Cedric managed to peel off the floor and was stomping at the door, swinging a finger outside. "LET'S-GO!"

"I'M COMING, I'M COMING!" She jogged after him. "Baileywick, kids, have a good day!"

"SEE YA, LYDIA!" The Royal Trio called after her, waves bidding her farewell.

Nigel slyly added, "HAVE FUN ON YOUR DATE!" The two sorcerers lost their balance and fell down the stairs. Though the impact was painful, no one could help holding their splitting sides, desperately trying not to laugh.

Green and turquoise geysers of smoke erupted before the brothers. Separate set of hands yanked Nigel in by the collar, bringing him to enraged and very flushed faces of Lydia and Cedric. Baileywick dove out of the line of fire. "IT'S NOT A DATE!" The two screamed, beads of sweat dripping down their brow. "GOT IT?!" Nigel bobbed his head manically. These two...are terrifying?! "Good! Let's go Cedric!" Lydia stormed out.

"Gladly!" He marched after her, steam huffing from their ears.

Nigel released his held breath. His life flashed before his eyes for a moment there. "Those two are touchy, aren't they?!"

"You have no idea." Baileywick laughed. Miranda was all smiles. She knows how proud those two are. This will take some time. Roland, on the other hand, wasn't sure how to feel exactly.

"Your sister is dating the Royal Sorcerer?" Hildegard scoffed. "Even her choices in partners is backwards."

"Hildy, that's enough!" Amber snarled. "Lydia is a grown adult and can make up her own mind!" Her brow wrinkled in utter disgust of her friend, startling Hildegard. "She doesn't need anyone's approval other than her own!" Hildegard and everyone gazed in utter awe of Amber's harsh wisdom. James and Sofia tossed imaginary confetti in her success. "Now, may we get our day started before it is spoiled!"

xxx

The coachman could not have flown the carriage fast enough to the village. Nigel's insinuation that they were on a date. It was so nauseating that they might stay in bed to recover. Alas there was work to be done. The first stops were so Lydia can gather what she needed for her Royal Work. The book store, miraculously, had a complete reference guide to the creation of the accordion all the way to what historical events it partook in in Enchancia. As for the tapestry, the museum sold Lydia a palm sized, vividly detailed version of the tapestry for her to review. She hopes by the time she goes to form her report, she'll have blown off Nigel's remark.

"Can you believe that moron?!" Cedric hissed, trying on an assortment of wizard hats near the museum. "Us on a date! I've never heard anything so preposterous?!"

"Is dating me such a bother?!" She rumbled with hands on her hip.

"NO! ME dating YOU is a bother!"

"Must not be a big one if he keeps fussin' over it." Eezeyal mumbled to Wormwood.

"I must concur." Lydia snapped a demon's leer at the avians. They suddenly sensed a cook out in their future. And they'll be on the stick.

"Why don't we concede the issue and move on before either of us say something regrettable?" She proposed urgently. The warned birds zipped their beaks shut.

"Agreed!" Cedric raised his right hand, then proceeded to escort her down the bustling streets. The birds returned to their respective owner's shoulder. "Although…" He snickered impishly, "That's a trend you and I seem to keep in style for one another." Lydia shrugged her shoulders with a smile. She can't deny that. It has become their favored pastime that ends with a heartfelt apology. "Why don't we skip the drama and go to the part where we wager on who will be the first to interrupt Baileywick's day off?" He snorted. "That man hasn't had one in...oh! He's never taken a day off."

"That's what I heard. It's sad, really." Lydia pouted her lip, rubbing the back of her neck. "I'll have to bet on Amber. She is the most needy of the trio."

"True…" Cedric cannot disagree with that. He wagged a finger, still in disagreement, "But my money's on James."

"James?"

"That boy causes so much trouble that a needy Amber pales under his thrall!" Ooh! She had to give him that one. The new stain glass window, playing ball in the castle, that incident with the glue cannon. He's a walking disaster. "Princess Sofia could also impede on his time with Nigel."

"I don't think so." Lydia shook her head. "Sofia's too responsible and kind to need him on his day off."

"Maybe, or maybe not. Time will tell." He winked, elbowing her.

Lydia growled under her breath at the insinuation. Next he'll tell her he knows Sofia's Amulet will curse her one day for being bad. HA! Like that could ever happen. "Speaking of Baileywick, since we're in the village, we should get him something for his birthday."

"What!? Why?! The idea is absurd!" Cedric folded his arms, huffing with his nose to the air.

"Because he does so much for us, and he's our friend!"

"Yours maybe…" He pouted with pursed lips.

"Cedric!" She stomped a foot, drawing a line in the sand. Er...stone, as the case may be. "We are buying Baileywick ad present, and that's final!" He flinched at her proclamation, breaking into a sweat at those harshly glaring orbs. She briefly resembled Roland. To which he acquiesced and moaned his agreement. Maybe he'll get him a coffee mug or something. "Good!" She beamed. Lydia 1, Cedric 0.

"Now enough with the balderdash and return to where you guide me to the feathers!" He demanded. Lydia stopped walking, placing her hands on her hips. "Why have you stopped?!" He snarled, creating an earthquake with each step.

"Because you're waltzing right past it!" She laughed. Cedric stopped, then spun around. Lydia gestured to the Feather-ary shop. Feathers and Aviary thrown together. Hah. Shop owners love their puns. Not entirely on purpose, the owner's name was Doe-Doe pronounced as Doe-ay. He's very touchy about his name.

"Then what are we waiting for?!" Cedric pried the door open. A flock of pigeons ambushed him, flying for freedom. Wormwood retreated to safety atop Lydia's head. The fleeing birds left Cedric with an unflattering mustache, beard, and bushy brow of feathers. "PUAH! Birds…" He dusted himself off. Eezeyal, Wormwood, and Lydia snorted at his expense, then proceeded to enter the shop.

In spite of the birds that flew the cup, the shop's interior was well kept. The array of feathers laminated behind glass in portraiture were surrounded by the regions of the which their avian host resided. The amazon, the savannah, the tri-kingdoms - the whole world of birds was in this one little shop. In the midst of their revelry, Lydia and Cedric were unnerved by the ruffling of their own birds. Eezeyal was mad dogging a parakeet giving him the stink eye, wishing to the heaven to teach that miserable magpie his place in the food chain. Meanwhile, Wormwood was engaged in a gruesome staring match with a crow and...a robin. He was ready to scrap if either made so much as a twitch. Cedric and Lydia were about to get grip on their birds. Suddenly they were shoved rudely out of the way by a small person dressed in a cloak. "MOVE IT!" They hissed, storming out of the shop. Cedric was about to offer sound words were it not for Lydia reminding him of the peacock feathers he needed.

"Well, well, well, if it ain't lil' Lydia!" A chocolate skinned man beckoned in adulation. He was quite young in appearance. Handsome according to the many women who frequent his shop. But the grays in his neatly tied back black hair revealed his true age. "How are you doing today, sweetie?!"

"I'm good, Mr. Doe-Doe!" She smiled with rosy cheeks.

"I see you brought, Eezeyal with you this time." He stroked the owl under the chin. "Looking for his special birdseed?"

"Not this time. I'd like to introduce you to...good friends of mine." Good friends? Eezeyal, Wormwood, and Cedric gasped in their minds. The two of the trio were touched. "This is Cedric, and his raven, Wormwood."

"The Royal Sorcerer and his Raven. It's an honor!" Doe-Doe bowed. Cedric and Wormwood raised their noses, swept an arm, and bowed. In their minds they were jumping for joy at being recognized. "What can I do for The Princess and Royal Sorcerer?"

"You have a wide collection if peacock feathers, right?"

"You bet!" He guided his most beloved customers to the case of feathers he held on display. All around eyes went wide, and oohs and aws made the array of feathers seem like they were glistening. The number of peacocks these would have had to have fallen from. Praline would start a revolution. Cedric was drooling over the feathers. There are several he's never received through his mail order. "Through a particular parlor trick a friend loaned me, I can vacuum seal the collection of feathers to ensure they remain pristine…" He tapped on the vacuum seal material. Lydia was amazed by how flat and perfect the feather was being kept. She's never used this technique before. Might help cut back on food that molds, "And then when I open them, they come back to life as if the bird returned from the salon." Cedric and Wormwood swooned, passing out on bags of seed in a daze. They've been exposed to the promise land. "Is he alright?!"

"That remains to be seen." Lydia giggled. Eezeyal fanned the pair. "Anyway, we came here for Elysian Peacock feathers. I don't suppose you have any?"

"OOH! I'm sorry, Lil Lyd. I just sold my last supply." He cringed apologetically.

Cedric shot upright with a SPROING, stiff as cardboard with an angered look. "WWHAAT?!" He growled. This eerie gust of wind traveled Doe-Doe and Lydia's spines. "YOU-SOLD-THE-LAST-SUPPLY?!" He yanked Doe-Doe halfway over the counter by the collar, "TO WHOM AND WHEN?!" Lydia tried to pry him off. The man was deceivingly strong for someone who doesn't work out. Doe-Doe better answer fast before Cedric pries him apart. He REALLY wants those feathers!

"TH-TH-THE GIRL! THE ONE THAT LEFT JUST NOW!" Doe-Doe pointed a trembling finger for his swinging door. "She was the one in the cloak! She bought the last bundle!" In a gust of wind, Cedric was out the door and halfway down the block. Wormwood and Lydia were left cradling an empty space, and Doe-Doe was left to crash face first to his hard wood floor.

"AH! CEDRIC! THANK YOU, DOE! SEE YA!" Lydia sprinted after him. Doe-Doe would be left to feel this injury for the next couple of days.

xxx

Lydia lost Cedric the second he rounded the first corner. She sent Wormwood and Eezeyal to the skies to find him. Hopefully before he does anything stupid. Which usually doesn't take long. She just needs to hear the screams of the desperate and disadvantaged. "LYDIA! HE'S NEAR THE FOUNTAIN SQUARE!" Wormwood bellowed. "HE HAS THE CLOAKED CHILD!" Lydia darted for the square, wand drawn in the event he was behaving as irrationally with the child as he was with Doe-Doe.

A rowdy commotion was stirring from the square, knotting Lydia's insides. She gripped the corner's street sign, swinging on the tight turn. "CEDRIC!" She screamed, utterly horrified by what she was seeing. A crowd of mortified parents stunned in place, Cedric was wrestling with the cloaked girl from the shop trying to pry the feather from her grasp. Thank goodness they were in a case or they'd be torn to ribbons.

"HAND IT OVER!" Cedric barked. He pried at the case, using his free hand to push on her forehead.

"No! They're mine!" The girl protested. She smashed her forehead stubbornly to the palm. She planted a foot at Cedric's waist, twisting with all her might to rip her case from his hands.

"GIVE IT!"

"NEVER!" Lydia, Eezeyal, and even Wormwood were at a loss for words. A grown man fighting with a child in broad public daylight. He must really want those feathers if he's behaving like this.

"What's he doing?!" A woman cried.

"Is that the Royal Sorcerer?!" A man growled.

"Someone call the guards!"

"Get King Roland!"

"STOP HIM!"

The contempt of the crowd was suffocating. They were in an uproar. Please for help, cries for the King, demands that someone stop the madman - it was growing uglier by the second. Lydia, Wormwood, and Eezeyal were in a box. Mothers and others were crying out for help from local patrol or the guards. A handful of people were ready to make a mad dash to the palace and warn Roland his sorcerer was attacking people. Burly men were rolling up their sleeves, mutterings of tying Cedric into knots sent chills down Lydia's spine. If Dad get's involved, this whole mess will be a PR nightmare on a downhill spiral to the pits of Tartarus! That's if the people don't rip Cedric to pieces before he gets there.

"Princess! Do something!" Eezeyal begged.

"Oh! Right!" She's a princess. Roland doesn't need to get involved. Least of all confirming a member of his court has no sense of control or tact whilst in public. The mockery he would face would be unbearable. So...time to flex my big girl crown. Lydia's fists balled, she took a deep breath. Time to see if I carry any weight! "STOP THIS, IN THE NAME OF THE KING!" The crowd spun on her echoing roar, mouths and eyes agape in abject shock. Cedric and the cloaked girl froze, utterly speechless. "Wow...it worked." Lydia amazed herself. She honestly thought no one would take her seriously. Wormwood and Eezeyal chortled at how easy that was. Lydia shook her mind of its complacency and kept her entrance moving. The crowd parted like the seas as she stormed on scene. She threw a commanding hand forward, "Cease this fighting immediately!" For effect, Wormwood and Eezeyal perched to her shoulder, looking as menacing as they could. Although, both can admit, that last line isn't Lydia at all. Even she tasted the bitterness.

"Isn't that the Princess?" A child cheered.

"Princess Lydia!"

"Thank goodness she's here!" A young man sighed.

"What's she doing here?" A haughty retort amassed.

"Doesn't the King only have power over the Royal Sorcerer?"

"Yeah. Why's his daughter here?"

"She sure doesn't dress like a princess."

Lydia cringed at the mixed admiration/discontent emanating from the crowd. The arrows sticking her are only paled by the fact she's become immune to petty remarks and is subjected to constant beratements by Cedric. Every...single...day. Still, their wanting the King instead of a Princess. Sucks being a princess. "Cedric, have you lost your mind?!" She snarled. She slipped between the pair and pried them apart. The girl's heel touched a protruding tile, slipping onto her butt. "I'm sorry! Are you alright?!" She reached for the girl only to have her hand swatted away. Lydia took that to mean she was fine. The girl had dropped the case, feathers scattered about. Lydia knelt and started gathering them up, returning them neatly to the case and back to their owner. "Here you are. Sorry about-" The girl snatched them angrily, hugging them at her chest. Touchy. She whipped around to Cedric, glaring daggers at the clearly devoid of senses sorcerer. "What do you think you're doing?!" Lydia snarled, shoving Cedric as far away as possible. She lowered her voice, "Attacking a shopkeeper is one thing! BUT A KID?!"

"Weren't these two in a duel not too long ago?"

"Yeah. The princess lost bad."

"I saw it. She put up a good fight."

"HA! I bet she followed the sorcerer and is scolding him for revenge!"

Ignoring! She growled mentally. "Children have no business owning such dangerous and powerful materials!" Cedric declared. He erected a judgemental finger in the snarling girl's direction, "YOU are one such child! Under King Roland the Second, I demand you turn those over to me at once!" Beyond the girl's half covered face, her teeth were seen gritting rabidly. The crowd mumbled amongst themselves in shocked bewilderment.

"He's using the King's name for feathers?"

"He is a sorcerer. A Royal one at that."

"Guess we can't fault him."

"But he was attacking a child!"

"Oh yeah!"

What is with these people today?! It's like she's in the middle of a court proceeding. The Royal Sorcerer hassling a kid must have riled them up. Lydia slapped his hand down. "First off, you have no right to invoke Dad's name! And secondly," She offered the fallen girl a hand, "You can't demand something from someone if they paid for it!" Whether the girl wanted it or not, Lydia helped her to her feet, dusting her off. "Not everyone is a sorcerer, Cedric! Sometimes people collect particular items for fun!"

"She has a point!"

"I have cauldrons I collect for fun. They also cook awesome soup."

"But then why would the Royal Sorcerer attack a child?"

"There must be a reason."

"Cedric, you can't take things from someone because they are vital your own personal work." Lydia continued to scold him, trying her best to ignore the crowd around her. Secretly, she wished they'd obtain a life and go about it.

"I can if I know who the person is, and the danger they pose to the kingdom!" Cedric turned about, frothing at the mouth. Lydia and a number of people's eyes widened. "And you'll agree without hesitation when you see who this parasite is!" He bared his teeth venomously. The cloaked girl hissed under her breath. Curious mutters from the crowd seemed to unnerve the fallen girl. She twisted into a ball, anxious to run for her life.

"Who the girl is?"

"A danger to Enchancia?"

"With just a bunch of feathers?" There goes the crowd again being worked up.

"COULD THAT GIRL BE A WITCH?!" A woman screeched. Several others screamed Witch, witch. Next thing they'll be erecting stakes and making bonfires.

Lydia was nearly knocked over by the outlandish allegation. Trust me, sweetheart, there are only two witches and neither live in Enchancia! Not counting Hildegard. She's a different type of witch. "If you don't believe me, see for yourself!" Cedric dared.

"Fine!" Lydia swept her hands, ending his tirade. "If for nothing else than to calm everyone down!" Lydia approached the girl again, still believing everyone was overreacting. Especially Cedric. Who could possibly be hiding under that hood that he'd be opposed to letting have the peacock feathers? "I'm really sorry, but could you remove your hood to cool off this old man over here." Veins in Cedric's head popped. Old man?!

The girl clutched the case in her arms, seething through gritted teeth. "STAY AWAY FROM ME!" She shrieked. Lydia flinched back. "As if I'm going to tell you anything!" She held her hood down. Her shivering brought a twinge to Lydia's heart. Is she scared of me? "I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY TO YOU! There aren't any worms for you to threaten me with this time!" The Girl gasped and clamped her mouth closed.

"Worms…?" Lydia blinked baffled. Why does that sound familiar? Cedric tilted his head in confusion as well. The worm sounded very familiar. In fact, if he recalls correctly, Lydia did threaten this young girl with a worm not too long ago. "Wait…!" Lightning struck in the back of Lydia's mind. It can't be! Worms...won't tell her anything...and that voice. Lydia's heard this voice before. Not to mention, Cedric sounds like he's met this kid once before. No way! Their time in Lyndor came crashing back to the forefront of her memory, overwhelming her in its tidal wave.

"What are you looking at?!" The girl hissed.

Lydia grit her teeth. Only one way to find out! She startled the obscured girl, grasping at the cloak's collar. The girl screamed. Lydia tore it off, throwing it to the air. He abject anger was mixed with unbridled shock with the defiant green eyes leering in revulsion. A dark burgundy pointed hat fell to the ground. Gasps echoed amongst the crowd, eyes and jaw flying agape. Wormwood and Eezeyal were stricken in utter disbelief of the colorfully dressed child that was hidden beneath such a dampening cloak. Her cape flapping in the wind, wrapping to her leaf decorated dress. Cedric's nostrils fumed with raging steam, his pupils shaping to rabid dog teeth at the plump cheeked child before them.

"LUCINDA?!" Lydia cried. Lucinda the little witch from Lyndor. There IS a witch in Enchancia?! A REAL WITCH?!

Lucinda puffed her cheeks heatedly, then put on her most irritating smile. "Yo, PRINCESS! Long time no see." She winked mockingly.

"BAILEYWICK! BAILEYWICK!" Another voice broke through the village.

"Sounds like James…" Lydia's brow arched. Cedric snickered victoriously, tallying the score chart to his favor. And to think, Cedric being right isn't the worst part of the day.

To be continued.

Sorry, guys. I have more for you next time. I'm not feeling well these days.