Chapter 3

"So, how was your play date with Trudy, Sofia?" asked her Mom at breakfast the next day.

"It was really fun! We painted, played music and I even learned some archery too!" gushed Sofia.

"You HAD to be tired from pushing that chair, Sofia!" admonished Amber.

"No, Trudy can control her chair manually or by magic. No one had to push her chair!"

"Did she have any pets. Sof?" asked James between bites of a breakfast biscuit.

"Yes! She has two huge Great Danes! They're both as tall or taller than I am on all fours!"

"Whoa, that makes them about twice the size of Rex!"

"Yes, but they are very friendly, as long as you are with a member of the family."

Queen Miranda then turned to King Roland and said, " Are you going to extend the invitations tomorrow, Rollie?"

"Yes, I'll leave early so I can be at the schools before school starts."

"Invitations to what, Dad?" asked James.

"It's time for the Tri-School Games! They are held every five years and this year Enchancia gets to host them!"

"Who are the participants, Daddy?" asked Amber.

"Royal Prep, Hexley Hall and the Junior Knights Academy!"

"Is there a reason why the Dunwiddie Village School isn't allowed to participate?" asked Sofia.

Roland thought for a few moments and then said, "I really can't think of a reason why they have never been invited."

"Then why not invite them this year?"

"I think I will, although I don't know where the students can train for the games."

"Why not ask Miss Flora and Sir Gillium. Maybe they can train with us at Royal Prep."

"That's a great idea, Sofia! I'll ask Miss Flora and Sir Gillium tomorrow when I visit."

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The next day, Friday, King Roland was true to his word. He left before breakfast so that he could talk to all of the school principals and related personnel, to extend invitations to the games.

As the students arrived for school in their classroom, Miss Flora had an announcement.

"Children! It is time once again for the School Games! And to provide more details, here is Sir Gillium."

"Thank you, Miss Flora. This year there will hopefully be a new school added to the games: The Dunwiddie Village School. That would make this the inaugural Quad School Games, if the Dunwiddie Village School principal accepts the invitation! I've offered to let them train with us for the games."

"What games are included, and how many team members can we have representing the school?" asked James.

"Well, James, there are five events: three individual events in which each school may enter two contestants, and two team sports. Ribbons will be awarded to the top three finishers in an event: Blue for first, red for second, and green for third. It is possible, although very rare, for a school to earn two ribbons, and the points that go with them. At the end of the games, the school with the most points wins a gold trophy, second place gets a silver trophy and third gets a bronze trophy. We can field a team of seven participants."

"How has Royal Prep done in the past?"

"Unfortunately not very well. Over the last ten competitions, we have one silver and nine bronze trophies."

"But that means we finished last nine times!" exclaimed Hugo.

"Yes, that is true. But if the Dunwiddie Village School joins the games, a last place finish will receive nothing except any individual event ribbons won."

"What are the events, Sir Gillium?" asked Sofia excitedly.

"The individual events are the 100 meter dash; bowling; and archery. The team events are Flying Derby racing and Dazzle Ball," replied Sir Gillium.

"Who can participate?" asked Zandar.

"Anyone who would like to participate can sign up after school today for the events they would like to participate in!"

"Brilliant!" exclaimed James.

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The Quad School Games were the talk of the day at school! After school, a number of students went to see Sir Gillium to sign up. Everything was going fine until Princess Trudy tried to sign up for the archery competition.

"I'm sorry, Princess Trudy, but I can't let you sign up for any events," stated Sir Gillium.

"Why, Sir Gillium? I am an active participant in the sport of archery!"

Zooey added, " And she's pretty good, too!"

"I'm sorry. The school can't take the risk of an injury to either Princess Trudy or the spectators," and with that, Sir Gillium turned to the other participants.

Needless to say, Princess Trudy was feeling pretty down, as she slowly wheeled her chair away to the waiting coach to take her home for the weekend.

"Zooey! We have to convince Sir Gillium to let Trudy participate!" exclaimed Sofia.

"How? He seemed pretty adamant!"

"I don't know!" replied Sofia sadly.

The students were all starting on their way home, excitedly. But Sofia was very sad for her friend.