Strength of Will
Hope you enjoy. Here's another song.
Big and Loud Reprise (Parody)
By: Darla Dimple
Cats Don't Dance
(8)
Sofia could barely focus on school she was so excited for it to end. The second that bell signaled the end of school, she'd be on the field for (trumpets sound) Flying Derby Practices. The greatest sport in the entire world. Flying Derby Practice. Her school. To think her dream of being in races was going to come true in a few hours.
"And what years was that...Princess Sofia?"
"Huh! What?" She jolted back to reality. History class to be precise. An upset Merryweather stared crossly at the dreaming girl. "Umm...what was the question?" She asked shyly, earning giggles from her classmates.
"When did Arendelle begin trade with Weselton? And when did it end?" Merryweather quizzed tapping her wand on her arm impatiently.
Sofia broke out in a nervous panic, skimming pages of the topic in her head. She knew this. She knew this. Hugo and Frederick placed bets on whether or not she'd know. "D-During the year King Agdar and Queen Idun married, and when Queen Elsa ended the eternal winter." She breathed out. Hugo's jaw dropped. Frederick smirked, motioning his fingers. Hugo groaned and handed over a pouch of gumdrops.
"Very good. Now perhaps if you stay focused I will not have to repeat myself."
"Y-Yes, Ms. Merryweather." Sofia sank bashfully. Jun extended a congratulatory palm. Sofia met it with hers. It'd be in her best interest to dream of Flying Derby when she wasn't in class. And she had another five classes to make it through. Lydia, I hope you're having a better day than I am.
(8)
"AAAHHH!" SPLASH! Lydia plummeted right into the middle of the harbor. She floated up with seaweed entangled in her hair. She puffed a strip angrily. "This is becoming tedious."
Eezeyal, humiliated for Lydia, slapped a wing over his eyes. He and Ubos shook their heads. That was the 20th time Lydia splashed in the harbor, or landed in Royal Zoo. Praline will never forgive her for ruining her collection of molted feathers.
Lydia swam, again, to the docks. She wearily climbed the ladder, thrusting half her body onto the wooden planks. Her back rose and fell as she fought to catch her breath. "The second best student in her class can hover trade places with another, but can't move herself to and fro?" Ubos mocked.
"Be happy...I'm too tired...to rip your pages out." She snarled panting. Furrowing her brow was too exhausting. She grunted pushing up on her hands and knees. "One more time." She felt like bloated lead. Her elbows caved.
"This ain't wise, Lydia." Eezeyal removed the seaweed. "Rest up befur teleportin'. Using stamina ya don't got can hurt ya more than help ya."
"Mr. Eezeyal's advice is sound. Rest and relax for a while." He opened wide. The flaring pages cast a gust of wind, drying her wet form. "Afterward, I believe it is lunch time."
"Is it?" She glanced to the sky. Sun in the center means noon. "You win." She let herself collapse. Solid wood supported jelly muscles and throbbing nerves. "Oh yeah. This feels good."
(8)
School seemed as if it would never end. Every tick only passed five minutes at a time. Sofia thought she'd go crazy before school was over. She wanted to go to the Derby tryouts so badly. Miranda told her wanting time to move faster only slowed it down. She couldn't help it. She wanted school to end now. Her wish was granted when the final bell ended science class.
Sofia was gone in a flash, gusting Mae and Vivian's dresses she ran so fast. She rushed to the track with the biggest smile on her face. James and a few other princes were already there. Amber, Hildegard, and Clio arrived to cheer their favorite - Hugo - on. Sofia anxiously paced by the Pegasus stables. She constantly looked up at the sky and to the school searching for Lydia. School ended 10 minutes ago and already students were arriving for Flying Derby Practices. She couldn't expect Lydia to come flying in all of sudden. She did, however, hope she would arrive SOON.
"Everything okay, Sof?" James walked up to her.
"I'm fine. Just waiting for Lydia."
"Brilliant. Let me know when she's here." He waved, joining the other Derby Competitors.
"Okay…" She said lacking confidence.
"Prince Hugo." Amber fawned for her class favorite. Clio and Hildegard were with her to swoon over Hugo. He is the famed rider of the school. Naturally he'd have a fan club.
"Princess Amber." Hugo gave her bow.
"I just came to wish you luck. I'm your biggest fan." She spread a fan with his face on it.
"You must be if you're coming to watch practice." Hugo puffed his chest, relishing Amber's adoration. Sofia understood why Lydia may be taking her time. Hugo hot air was stifling. "The real show will be the tryout race."
"Then there's no doubt it will be a show to remember."
"LYDIA!" Sofia and James cheered. Lydia saluted two fingers. She rubbed a hand to the satchel. Eezeyal waved from her damp head. Amber waved at her. Hildegard and Hugo huffed at the elder Princess.
"What is she doing here?" Hildegard hissed.
"Probably came to ruin the Derby Races." Hugo huffed.
"Actually she's here to watch the tryouts." Amber informed them, taking no insult to their harsh words. Hildegard and Hugo paid Lydia no mind.
"You made it!" Sofia hugged Lydia. A dank, musty smell repelled her. "Ew! Why do you smell like the backside of a lake?"
"Are you kidding?" Lydia smelled her hair, fresh blazer, and under her arms. The thick scent of seaweed and salt clung to her like glue. "I took a bath for three hours before coming here! In cherry blossom oil!" That explained the wet hair. Eezeyal gave her a quick whiff. He choked on the stench, falling like a plank of wood. "Who asked you?"
"What happened?" James wondered.
"My teleportation training kept landing me in the harbor and Praline's pen." She coughed up feathers and a piece of fish tail. She pinched a long feather from her tongue. Her satchel wiggled. "Slave driver." She growled silently.
"Well we're glad you're here. Tryouts are about to start." James announced. "Sir Gilliam's gonna go over the rules for the next hour though. So you won't miss anything."
"Then will it matter if I went to see The Fairies? I need to ask them about something."
"Is it why you're a pitiful Sorceress?" Hugo snickered. "Because that reason is obvious, Peasant Princess." Hildegard held her stomach laughing. Clio supported her with her own half hearted laughter, then stopped a few seconds later. She mouthed sorry to Lydia, earning a small head shake.
Amber, James, and Sofia growled venomously at the two. James and Sofia wondered what Amber saw in them. Sofia ignored them and kept her focus on Lydia. "We won't mind. Do you know the way?"
"I saw signs on the way in. I'll figure it out."
"Just hurry back." James urged her.
"See you soon then." She scooped up Eezeyal. Turquoise smoke erupted and Lydia was gone.
"Whoa!"
"Brilliant!" James and Sofia commended.
"Love the color she chose." Amber fluttered her fan.
"Please. That's not impressive." Hugo scoffed.
"Not at all." Hildegard agreed.
"Seriously, Amber, what do you see in them?" James scolded. Amber shrugged with a half grin. She's a princess, not a judge of character. Obviously.
(8)
Lydia groaned irritated, blowing a leaf off her forehead. An upside down Eezeyal arched a bored, disbelieved brow at her. "At least I didn't land in a pond."
"Because this is so much better." He retorted sarcastically. The angles changed perspective. Lydia was the one contorted upside down in the limbs of a tree. Eezeyal was perched on a branch across from her. "Honestly."
The satchel hung on a branch overhead. The lid jiggled loose, letting Ubos float to his trapped apprentice. "Do not heckle me, book! Just get me down!"
"As you will, Princess." He puffed a small breath. The branches retracted. Lydia paused in dread.
"UBOS!" Eezeyal and Ubos leaned as she fell. They cringed when she connected with a...wheelbarrow? "Oww…" Lydia lied limply in the barrow, too sore to move. "What did I do to you Ubos?"
"Yeah, pardner! What did she do tuh ya?" Eezeyal prodded Ubos.
"Nothing. I am a tough teacher." He admitted with very little concern. "If she would have focused, she could have teleported to safety."
"In mid fall?"
"Even then."
"Ooh I swear…" Lydia rolled out of the wheelbarrow, "When I get my hands on that book, I'm gonna-"
"Oh my! There she is! Are you okay, deary?" Lydia turned to the sweet sounding voice. A portly woman dressed in a blue pilgrims attire ran to her, checking Lydia's twig and leaf riddled person. Trailing after her was an older portly man. He fixed his askew greyish brown coat and tucked his white scarf back inside his sky blue vest. "I saw you fall out of that tree. Luckily my barrow was there to break your fall." Lydia wondered what she landed it. Surprisingly it hurt less than Praline's pen. "Anything broken? Do you need to see the nurse?"
"No, Ma'am. I'm fine, thank you." Lydia dusted the leaves of.
"Up-pup-pup! Wait a min-u-ett! Girls falling out of trees?" The Russian sounding man exclaimed. "Times have changed since Popov was in school."
"Well...um...you see…" She flashed a glare at Ubos and Eezeyal. They grinned impishly, hiding behind a branch. They are dead! The woman plucked a few twigs from her hair, fixing the head band. "Thanks. I'm Lydia." She extended a hand.
"I'm Mrs. Higgins the School Librarian. A pleasure Lydia." Mrs. Higgins shook her hand. "This man hear is Professor Popov-"
"Dance teacher extraordinaire! Never has there been a woman or man who can out match my daring, death defying feats!" Popov executed a perfect pirouette. "In this school or across de world!" He added a dramatic hiss for his eccentric flare.
"The pleasure is mine." Professor Popov hummed as he studied Lydia closely. Moving in close, backing up, coming close again and scaling her form. Lydia was getting a little uncomfortable. Popov circled her like a feline, taking in every aspect of the older girl. He lifted locks of hair, played with the skirt, poked the boots. "Is...something wrong?"
"This clothing. Your hair. The aroma of pond scum and river mud." That's it! I'm soaking five hours in a tub of cherry blossom oil. No water! "You were never a shtudent here! You are not a shtudent now!" Lydia grimaced. Oh boy. "Who are you? What is your affiliation with this academy? What color are my eyes?" He gave her the stink eye.
"I'm Sofia's older sister, an old friend of the fairies, and...brown?" She answered rapidly.
"You are dee older sister of new girl?"
Mrs. Higgins burst in a fit of glee, shoving, Popov into a bush. "So you're that Lydia! I hear Sofia talking about you to her friends all the time. You two must be very close."
"We are." Lydia was dumbstruck by her strength.
"De fairies, however, have never mentioned you." Popov wiggled free of the bushes, trudging still suspicious of Lydia. "How do you know dem?"
This was taking too much time. Lydia would miss the tryouts if they kept interrogating her. "Can I explain while we walk? I really need to meet with the fairies about a book they sent me, and I don't wanna miss my brother and sister trying out for the Derby Races."
"Absotutley-oodly. Follow me, dear."
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Higgins." Lydia twirled her wand. The satchel scooped Ubos and Eezeyal then flew around Lydia's shoulders. "Lead the way." She swirled her wand, cleaning her messy person. Flora would lecture her for hours on personal appearance. Especially know that she's a princess. That'd equal days of lecturing.
"UP-PUP-PUP! Hold dee horses for me!"
(8)
"I'VE GOT IT!" Cedric's slap to the desk startled Wormwood to the floor. "Wormy! My genius has reached an all new level!" Wormwood dreaded those words. "Don't sass me! This is good!" He pinched the back of Wormwood's neck, hoisting him to eye level. "Princess Lydia's headaches are the key to my obtaining the amulet."
"Augh?" Wormwood's head tilted.
"Think about it. Princess Sofia was willing to hand over the amulet for Lydia's arm. What's to say she won't do the same to stop the headaches?" Wormwood agreed it seemed like a sound plan. There's just one hitch. Sofia will go see the physician first. Ask for pain reducers. "I know what you're thinking. We'll have a repeat performance with Alauna the Physician. This time will be different. Do you know why?" Wormwood shook his head. "Because Lydia has no idea why I'll want the Amulet." Wormwood was confused again. "You'll see." Cedric admired the memory vial. "A boost in her headaches ought to bend her."
(8)
Three knocks rapped on the door to the Fairies' Office. The fairies diverted from their tasks to be greeted by Mrs. Higgins' smiling face. "Oh excuse me, Head Mistresses. Pardon the interruption. There's someone here to see you."
"Surprise." Lydia waved with the biggest smile.
"Lydia! Wonderful to see you, dear!" Fauna cheered.
"You too, Fauna." The two hugged each other tightly.
"I'll let your four get comfy. Toodles."
Before Mrs. Higgins could close the door, Popov popped in to give Lydia one last warning. "I warn you, Elder New Girl, you do not shtop by my dance room and I shall be forced to chain your feet and drag you for a proper lesson in footwork." Lydia dumbly hung her mouth open, unsure of how to respond. Popov shifted two fingers between his and her eyes, then slowly left so she'd see the insanity.
Lydia held up a finger toward the door, so bewildered she was expressionless. "He's...nice…"
"Professor Popov means well. Don't let him scare you." Merryweather hugged Lydia next. "Sorry for not visiting. We've been so busy we haven't even had time to pop in on Aurora."
"No worries. Baileywick's kept me busy too."
"Ah yes. We heard you're taking princess lessons." Flora replied, pleased at Lydia's diligence. "If you ever need extra help, do not hesitate to visit."
"But be careful not to overwhelm yourself." Fauna added swiftly. "Remember what happened last time."
Lydia slapped her forehead, unable to understand why people insisted on bringing up what was years ago. "You blow up one kid's jelly filled donut and you can't let it go, can you?"
"Not when the jelly morphs into acid." Merryweather retorted. Lydia stifled a snort. A sharp brow raise made her choke on the laugh. Lydia may be 17 going on 18, but Merryweather knew her antics hadn't matured with her age. "What brings you here today? Need that extra help?"
"Actually it's about the package you sent me." Lydia opened the bag. Ubos spun out, landing before the fairies on their desk. "I believe you all met Ubos."
"Hello Ladies." He bowed. The three fairies beamed when they saw Ubos. Eezeyal dry heaved climbing halfway out of the bag. Lydia hugged him close, stroking his back to relieve the nausea.
"Ubos tells me you sent him to be my teacher."
"We thought he would be a perfect match for you." Merryweather pet Ubos's spine. "Even during your last year you never responded well to a stuffy, stiff, and strict teacher."
"Instead you send me a sadistic, psychotic, shameless book. Thank you so much." She sarcastically replied with a roll of her eyes. Ubos chortled at her dismay. "One Eezeyal is enough. OW!" Eezeyal pecked her rib.
"How do you think we knew you both would get along?" Fauna giggled, putting a hand to Lydia's shoulder. "You both wear stoic fronts, but deep down you're both mischief makers just waiting to get out." Fauna made them sound so shady.
"We're glad to see you, Ubos. Your trip went well?" Flora greeted him.
"A little rough and tumultuous, but a pleasant journey nonetheless." He smirked to Lydia. "My destination yielded intrigue and wonder within the first hour. My two favorite attributes of any adventure."
"Splendid. I knew you two would hit it off."
"Speaking of hitting things off. Fauna? Can I speak with you a moment?" She set Eezeyal on the desk. The spectacled fairy followed her into the hallway. Flora, Ubos, Merryweather were curious of the secret. Eezeyal on the other wing had an idea what they were going to speak about.
(8)
Fauna passively stood to the wall with a rare phenomenon of stern stare locked with Lydia irate glare. She kept her hands folded to show she was going to hold firm regardless of Lydia's famed stare. It may have unnerved Fauna when Lydia was a child. Now it is the basis for a conversation to proceed without further complication.
"Before we begin playing innocence," Lydia began after a few deep breaths, "I'm not mad that you told him. I just want to know why you didn't ask me before telling him."
Fauna lowered her head, yielding to the guilt. She sadly glanced to Lydia's headband. "Throughout the years you have grown into a fine young woman. Learning to control your magic and pent up anger." Fauna's classic butter up before slipping the horrible truth. "But you still harbor fear of the magic within you. i worried if you knew we'd Ubos - someone familiar with predicaments like yours - you'd…" She shyly rubbed her arm. Lydia understood why she trailed off.
"It's not my fault I'm like this. I never asked for it." She hissed, making Fauna sink in regret. Lydia placed hands to her shoulders, warming Fauna's spirits with a smile. "But since the day you gave me the headband you've done nothing but look out for me. Because of you I can shake someone's hand and not cause a black hole to appear in the floor. So if Ubos can help me become a sorcerer, more power to it." She jiggled a finger in her ear, dislodging a piece of seaweed. "As long as he doesn't drown me."
"You really have grown into a fine woman, Lydia." Fauna gave her another hug. "Now you better hurry. The Flying Derby tryouts are about to begin."
"How'd you know I came for those?"
"Sofia's been daydreaming and might have uttered your name." Lydia wasn't surprised. Sofia was a loud daydreamer. "But...there's something she should know." Lydia raised a brow. Bad news was on the horizon.
(8)
Sir Gilliam took the boys to the track and was explaining each and every detail and rule they would need to know in order to excel at the Derby Tryout Race. Amber, Clio, and Hildegard fawned over Hugo and the boys in the bleachers. Meanwhile Sofia hid near the steeple, obscuring her sorrows from the others. A sad sigh deflated her to the ground. She leaned on her elbows and knees, staring hopelessly at the grass.
Crunching grass drew her somber attention to a pair of black thigh high boots appearing from around the steeple. Lydia greeted her disappointed sister with her own droll smile, joining her on the grass. She set the satchel aside. Sofia curled her arms to her knees, turning from Lydia. Eezeyal landed at Sofia's toes. Maybe his cute face would cheer her up.
"Fauna told me. Only Princes tryout for Flying Derby." Lydia proclaimed dismally.
"It's such a stupid rule!" Sofia huffed. "I can't tryout because I'm a girl?"
"It's not a rule. It's a preference." Lydia corrected.
An idea popped into Sofia's head. "Maybe you can turn me into a boy!"
"Hold up, Baby Sister!" Lydia stopped the ridiculous idea by placing her palm over Sofia's face. "Firstly: I cannot and will not turn my adorable sister into a smelly boy." Eezeyal growled. "Sorry. And secondly: from the way Fauna explained it, you can't tryout because the boys claimed the sport as a man thing. Like fishing and hunting."
"Or maybe it's because girls can't do what boys can."
"Sofia Balthasar! What kind of talk is that?" Lydia scolded her usually upbeat and optimistic sister. "Mulan joined the army! Princess Merida is an excellent archer and outmatched her father in sword play! And Princess Anna broke Prince Hans's nose! Girls can do anything boys can if they try."
"Oh yeah. Says who?"
"Says me." Lydia jumped to her feet. "If I gave up every time a someone berated me, I wouldn't be the sorceress I am now."
"How did you do it?" Sofia was pulled to her feet.
"It's called perseverance. Strength of will. Hardened resolve." Sofia was confused. "It means unless you try, you'll never know what you can do. Besides, there's a first time for everything. And girls in Flying Derby is one of them."
Sofia pondered those words with a heavy heart. Boys enjoyed roughhousing and being set apart from girls in regards to sports and outdoor events. Society deems boys - men in general - were more qualified for arduous tasks. Creating a glass ceiling for girls to not cross. If a girl were to join in it would set the bar higher. And it would spin some heads.
(8)
Sir Gilliam droned for a good hour and a half of the first day of tryouts about rules and regulations. The boys got in a little practice before everyone was sent home. Lucky they did. James was so hungry he almost ate the saddle. He egged the coachman to go faster and faster the entire flight back to Enchancia. His stomach growled so loud Eezeyal thought a bear was on board.
Until dinner was prepared, Lydia and Sofia hid in Sofia's room to talk about their long day. Clover, Watnaught, Mia, Robin, and Eezeyal sat around them. Clover munched on the end of a carrot, loudly savoring how rip he made it by burying it in the garden.
"How was school today, Sofia?" Robin perched on her shoulder.
"Okay. I went to tryout for the flying derby team."
"That sounds like fun!" Mia cheered. Sofia sighed sadly, robbing her glee.
"I wish it had been fun."
"Uh-Oh. What's wrong?" Robin braced herself.
"Everyone thinks boys should only tryout." Lydia answered emotionlessly.
"WHAT?!" Clover shrieked. "Robin, have you ever heard anything so RIDICULOUS?"
"I dunno. You say ridiculous things all the time."
"And has the antic tuh match 'em." Eezeyal sniggered.
Clover blew off the stab at his pride. Robin and Eezeyal could have that win. This was about Sofia. "Listen up, Sofia, if you wanna fly those flying flea bags," And he had no idea why she'd want to, "Then I say go for it. There's a first time for everything."
"See." Lydia said the same thing earlier.
"You're right, Clover!" Sofia beamed.
"Huh. There really is a first time for everything." Robin retorted.
"And just wait. Pigs are sproutin' wings and flyin' like eagles." Eezeyal, Mia, and Robin fell over laughing.
"Everybody's a comedian!" Clover hissed.
(8)
A mouthwatering dinner spread greeted the starving young royals upon arrival. Baileywick already had their plates prepared with refreshing glasses of sparkling blueberry water poured. James immediately dove into the pork chops. Meanwhile his sisters thanked Baileywick and the chef for the food, then enjoyed the meal.
"How was Flying Derby Practice, James?" Roland loved hearing about the day his children had.
"Great!"
"So you did actually practice?" He asked hopefully.
"More or less." James shrugged nervously.
"More on the less." Amber chortled.
"What about you, Lydia? How's magic training?" Roland wondered eagerly.
"Terrible. I'm learning teleportation without words and I keep landing in the harbor! I'm still cleaning gunk out of my hair." She dug one last scoop of algae from her ear. She wiped it on a napkin and a servant immediately removed it. She neglected to mention the destruction ot Praline's pen. "Thank goodness Baileywick's my teacher tomorrow."
"Use my Herbal Hairwash. It does wonders to remove imperfections from the hair." Amber offered, flipping her hair. Lydia wondered how her hair always glistened.
"I have an announcement to make." Sofia's giddy outburst drew attention right to her. "I'm going to tryout for the team!"
Amber and James gasped aloud in outrage. Lydia and Miranda on the other hand sang her praises. Roland was indecisive. His youngest daughter participating in a known to be dangerous sport, at the same time a character building one. He'd give himself a moment to wrap his head around it.
"Sofia! I already told you! Princesses don't do that!" Amber wagged a finger.
"Well there's a first time for everything, Amber." Sofia winked. Lydia returned the wink.
"I think it's a wonderful idea." Miranda pat Roland's hand, hinting for support.
"As do I." He cleared his throat. He mulled it over the last second. Perhaps Sofia's trying out would benefit the school and James.
"But she doesn't know anything about Flying Derby! She can't even ride a horse!" James pressed on to discourage his little sister.
"What exactly did you two expect when Sofia heard her school hosts her favorite sport?" Lydia quizzed them harshly. Amber and James were inside the box thinkers, but she never imagined this inside. Especially with James. "That she'd just wanna watch?"
"YEAH!" James and Amber blurted.
Lydia slapped her forehead, shaking her head. "Royals really are closed minded." She froze sensing Roland leer insulted. "Ah-ha. Sorry Dad."
"Changing the subject, someone will have to teach Sofia the ropes." Roland was set on Sofia joining. He just needed one more hard head to see things his way. "Someone like you James."
"ME?! BUT-But what will the other princes say?"
"They'll be too busy laughing to say anything." Amber chortled.
"They'll say what a great brother you are." Miranda countered Amber's famous insensitivity.
"And you'll get in some extra practice."
"But she doesn't even have riding clothes." James added crossing his arms.
"She will by morning." Baileywick reassured the royals, catching the last bit of the conversation.
"Thanks, Baileywick." Sofia beamed.
"It's settled then." Roland declared.
"Then may I be excused." Sofia was already out of her chair. "I wanna be rested up for tomorrow." Roland motioned a hand. "Thanks, Dad! Good night!" She was out the door before anyone could blink. James and Amber groaned loudly, sinking dreadfully in their chairs. Lydia began to wonder if she loved or just tolerated the little royals.
"Is it really so bad to help a younger sibling?" Lydia scolded the snide twins. "I helped Sofia all the time just as she's helped me."
"You're a girl, that's why! Girls are supposed to help each other! Be dainty and frilly!" He bat his eyes and wriggled his fingers mockingly. Lydia huffed angrily through her nostrils. James's water splashed on his face.
"Keep in mind, little brother, that your big sister here survived much worse than Flying Horses." She hissed. "Most boys quit where me and others girls kept exceeding. I'd like to see you fall in the harbor over a dozen times."
"You have magic!" James dried his face off. "All you have to do is wave a wand and-" A turkey leg plugged his mouth.
Lydia slipped her wand back into her blazer, then pushed herself back from the table. "May I be excused as well? The air is a little too stuffy for me."
"By all means." Roland permitted gently. Inside he was sort of proud she took the high road instead of arguing. Her demotion in marks came from attacking James with food.
"Baileywick, I read the sections and wrote down some questions I have."
"We shall review them tomorrow." He bowed.
"Good luck with your studies tomorrow. Throw in some time for your teleportation training." Roland requested. He saw how deadset she was on accomplishing her task. Lydia nodded. She closed her eyes. Turquoise smoke swallowed her up. "Oh my! That is impressive!" Roland gasped. James sank low in his seat. He had a sneaking suspicion he offended Lydia.
(8)
Cedric skipped happily towards Lydia's room, tapping his heels in a little ditty. A few lyrics that weren't hummed mentioned King Cedric the Great and everyone will bow. He pirouetted when rounding a corner, leaping like a giddy ballerina picturing the Amulet of Avalor in his grasp. For now the only consolation prize in his slender fingers was the vial of Lydia's memories. Just a little tweak of her already volatile headaches and Princess would be delivering the Amulet to his grasp.
"Soon they'll see I'm meant to BEE..." A turquoise cloud dropped Lydia right on top of him. The vial flew in the air, becoming trapped on a small ceiling ledge. The two groaned dazedly. "HERA'S HORN TOADS! WHO'S THE MORON-PRINCESS?" Cedric's roar died when he realized Lydia was on him. Lydia pushed up on her hands and knees, massaging her sore head. Cedric propped on his elbows, bewildered by the princess's sudden drop on him. "P-Princess Lydia! What are you doing here? Where did you come from?"
"I...think...there's a joke involving my mom somewhere in there." She was so dizzy she was slurring. "Ugh. Stupid teleporting." Her blurry, spinning vision gradually steadied and centered on Cedric. She and he blinked a couple times. Simultaneously they rolled their gazes lower. Cherry red blushes lit up their whole face. Lydia was on his lap! Sitting on it! She screamed shrilly, rolling off his lap and groveling profusely on her hands and knees. "I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! THAT WAS AN ACCIDENT!"
"NO! NO! I'M SORRY!" Cedric waved his hands frantically, sweating in the blush. "CLEARLY I WAS IN THE WRONG PLACE!"
"I should have paid better attention where I was porting!"
"Still I'm sorry!"
"I'm sorry!"
"I'm sorry more!"
"I'm sorrier!" They both came to dead halts. The sudden silence let them hear their own pounding heartbeats. The clapped their heated cheeks, snapping themselves from the undignified banter. "I should really stop teleporting blindly."
"You're supposed to visualize your destination before porting." Cedric educated her on his feet, dusting himself off. "Only skilled Sorcerers, such as me-self, can thrust themselves to and from a destination with ease."
"Is that why you appeared in Chef Andres' human sized cake?" Lydia retorted boldly.
"I had a tyrannical sweet tooth that day!"
"Sure you did." She shook her head. Small clanking noise lured the two to peer toward the ceiling. A small vial was thrashing wildly on the narrow pillar ledge. "Is that a vial?"
"No!" Cedric yelped. He searched every pocket and slot on his robe. That was his vial on that ledge. It was out of control. Worse than before. "That vial! If it breaks…" He bit his tongue too late. Lydia furrowed her brow. That piercing glare seeing past the front he barely mustered. He staggered between catching the vial or letting it fall in Lydia's hands. Either way he was done for.
This...feeling. Adrenaline pumping, anger flaring, the urge to run and or punch Cedric pulling heatedly at her. It was sickening familiar. Cedric's person at this point radiated menacingly. I don't know why… Lydia squared her stance daringly to the nervous sorcerer, But letting him have that vial is a bad thing. Cedric swallowed nervously. "What's in the vial Cedric?"
"Nothing special!" He blurted dryly, tugging his collar. "Just...some...Holy Water! Yeah! That's it! Holy Water…"
"Holy Water? You're sweating over Holy Water?" She doubted with an arched not amused brow.
"It's…" He circled a hand, drawing a half baked explanation, "A family Heirloom."
Lydia dug her brow sharply, boring fiery daggers in Cedric's story. 'Cedric lurking in Sofia's room...the Amulet in his hand...his mouth spewing clumps of lies.' She winced at the splitting pressure on the left side of her head. "You're lying. Whatever's in that vial you really don't want me to have it."
"It has nothing to do with you!"
"Then why are you lying to me? Tell me!"
"The only person I answer to is the king." Cedric unsheathed his wand. "You, My Lady, are not him."
'Cedric conjured a huge gust of wind, launching her out a window.' Lydia sifted in her blazer, keeping her glare locked on him. "Then why do I get the feeling you'll be answering me soon?"
Cedric growled venomously in the back of his throat, biting his lip so hard he cracked the skin. Crossbones reflecting in his glare did nothing to deter Lydia, but she did draw her wand fully. "Even with half your mind gone..." Lydia hadn't heard what he said, but the next part put her on her toes, "You are still a THORN!" A barrage of thorns launched form the wand's tip.
Reacting quick, Lydia touched her wand beneath her lower lip and blew. A flash of fire reduced the thorns to ash. She spiraled the wand, gathering the ashes and sending them in a funnel at Cedric. The sorcerer extended a flat palm. A yellow glow summoned the ash, coating it to his palm like a glove. He drew the hand back. The yellow glow emanated past the cast. Cedric thrust the hand. The hand shaped ash flew so fast Lydia couldn't' defend before it struck her right in the chest. The blow smashed her hard into the wall. Vibration traveled fiercely through the wall. The bouncing vial jiggled to the ledge. Lydia rubbed her head. White hot pressure ground her head. The headaches chose the worst possible time to pound her brain to jelly.
"I'm putting an end to this! The farce! Your interfering! ALL OF IT!" Dark maroon magic swelled to his hand, crawling halfway up his arm. Lydia pressed her back to the wall. Cedric loomed over her. He raised his wand. Lydia cowered behind her arms.
The vial toppled over the edge. The glass shattered with a pop. A flash of blinding light exploded with flailing ribbons. Agonized wails and moans froze Cedric and Lydia. The ribbons wrapped to Lydia's head, snaking in her mouth, nose, eyes, and ears. Her head was swung back, a hiss of breath inhaling the remains of the ribbons. The tails vanished in her ear. Her blue eyes dimmed to dismal grey. He arms and legs fell limp.
For a while Lydia just sat there. Face petrified in blank shock. Cedric pinched her arm up. It dropped like a noodle. Moving in closer, flashing gleams drew him to her discolored orbs. Cedric gasped in horror. The flashes were images. Memories formerly trapped in the vial. 'I will have the Amulet!' 'We can't tell dad or Sofia!' 'That Sorcerer is a no good varmint!' 'I wish I never learned Cedric's secret.' 'Cedric entered her room, holding a wand to her head.' 'Wish granted!' One after the other they flurried, rejoining her mind. When the images stopped her eyes returned to blue. She blinked coming back to reality. She lost color seeing Cedric. Struck with fear. He hummed in order to muster consoling words.
"Princess…?"
Lydia's faced contorted sharply in rage. A fist connected with Cedric's nose. He hit the floor, holding his throbbing nose in dumbstruck shock. "You...YOU…" She touched where Cedric left a swelling lump the day he got the jump on her. It all came flooding back to her. She remembered everything. Everything! Including his desire to steal Sofia's amulet. She was vulnerable that day in her room. Cedric swooped in and in a flash of light he robbed her half her memories. The very cause of her mind splitting headaches. "You pathetic...worthless...CONNIVING WORM!" She punched Cedric again. Cedric had no witty, snide remark he was so stunned. She had a hook. Luckily for him her hand started to hurt. "This is war, Cedric!" She frothed at the mouth. "One way or another, I'm going to make you pay for this!" She stormed down the hallway, disappearing around a corner.
Cedric pushed up, climbing to his feet. He massaged his cheek and nose, feeling throbbing pain splinter to his head. His shoulders sank in defeat. "And my time is up."
To be continued.