Heads in the Game
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Okay, moving on.
Another song.
Big and Loud Reprise (Parody)
By: Darla Dimple
From: Disney's Cat's Don't Dance
(8)
The sudden enraged rush wore off minutes after Lydia left Cedric in the hallway. Pressure in her suddenly full head, her stamina burned out from her failed teleporting - she was spent. She crashed in her bed, not bothering to change out of her clothes. By the time morning rolled around, Lydia was bright eyed, bushy tailed, and completely riddled with guilt on how she treated Eezeyal.
"I AM SO SORRY, EZEE!" Lydia wailed, hugging Eezeyal so tightly she squeaked him like a toy. Ubos leaned on his spine, mentally laughing at the hazardous love dealt to Eezeyal. He was a little envious. "I should have believed you! But the more I tired to remember the more my head killed me!" She tightened her arms. Eezeyal's bones popped. His eyes bulging in their sockets. "Can you ever forgive me?"
"Pardon me, My Lady." Ubos cleared his throat. He motioned to Eezeyal. "Mr. Eezeyal cannot acknowledge if he is crush to dust."
"Lydia saw what he meant. She was crushing Eezeyal like a tin can. "Sorry!" She held him in her hands, unnerved by the bones popping in place. Sorry...sorry...The true meaning of the word escaped her until that moment. She bowed her head, lying Eezeyal on her bed. "For everything, Ezee. I am so sorry..." She rasped.
"Don't be, Lydia." Eezeyal flapped his wings, shakily twisted his body head to tail, and smoothed ruffled feathers. "From the get go I knew yew would only believe me if the proof stared ya in dead in th' eye. Just sorry it hit ya the way it did."
"So am I…" Lydia massaged her chest. Pain stitched between her chest and back. Ubos pressed his back cover to her back. Cooling green mist soaked in the pain, subsiding it in seconds. "Thanks, Ubos." Lydia was shocked by the time. "I gotta go. I'll be late for Baileywick's lessons." She dove into the closet. Baileywick wanted her to dress in her Princess attire for their lessons. Ubos was taken for a total loop. She filled the dress out nicely. "See you two later. Oh, Ubos, I'll be heading back to the school later today."
"Y-Yes. Just make sure you get in a little practice."
"I will. Bye boys."
"Later Liddy!" Eezeyal waved. He arched a smirking brow at the ogling Ubos. "Stick them orbs back in yer head, Book! Liddy's already got one non-human man on her shoulder."
"First of all: a man is allowed to admire a beautiful woman!" Ubos snarled. Sofia, Amber, Miranda, and Lydia were all beautiful young women. Roland was blessed by the heavens. "Second: who is to tell Lydia that only half the blame for the amnesia belongs to her?" Ubos's grim tone siphon the glee right from the air. Eezeyal wanted to protest Ubos's realistic views. A shame he was right. If Lydia hadn't wanted to forget, the spell would have failed.
"Boy are her sails goin' tuh be deprived."
(8)
When mid morning rolled around, Baileywick fully engrossed Lydia in posture lessons. Guiding her with a yard stick beneath her chin, while she balanced books on her head, Baileywick engaged Lydia in common conversations held during parties and small gatherings of friends. He had her curtsy, walk from one end of the library to the other, speak with dummies of royals and nobles, and quizzed her on Enhancing history. Proper posture, knowledge of your home, and idle conversations were the backbone of gatherings.
King Roland and Queen Miranda are always seen approaching guards, visitors, or servants with their heads held high, backs straight, and chest out. Confidence in their stature is conveyed to the masses. When conversing with others it was important to remember not to use slang words, discuss art, achievements or some form of significant subject. Conversations gave others sight into your upbringing. He had her wear her princess gown and tiara for the occasion. In order to personify a part she needed to look the part. Now if only she could act the part.
"No, no, no, Lydia. Keep your back straight. You're curtsying not bobbing for apples." Baileywick tapped spots of her back, reminding where she needed to keep straight. "Bend at the knee, pinch the dress and…" Lydia kept her back straight, smiled graciously, bent her knee and rose. "A little shaky but passable. Now how do you address a King?"
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness." She curtsied.
"Your Majesty applies to the King and Queen, and Highness is for the Princes and Princesses."
"Then why did Constable Miles call me 'majesty' that one time?" She snarled, keeping her head and the wobbling books completely still.
"Majesty applies to the highest authority in the room."
"Wouldn't it get confusing if there were a bunch of kings and queens in one room?" Tired of her smart remarks, Baileywick snapped the stick on the small of her back. "YOW! SORRY!"
"The proper phrase is, 'Forgive my insolence, sir.'" He stressed the final word. Lydia puffed her cheeks. A human Ubos. Great. "We have reviewed chapter 6 of your studies and covered chapter 7. Hosting, and dining with Visiting envoys." Chapter 7, in summary, described how to welcome those from far away kingdoms into your home and how to create an atmosphere in which they feel most comfortable. In Chapter 3 it covered cultural greetings. "Name the neighboring kingdoms closest to Enchancia."
"Kaldune and Weiling. With Enchancia they are known as the Tri-Kingdoms." Baileywick nodded, wishing for her to continue. "Each year one kingdom will host an event they call the Tri-Kingdom picnic. An event prudent to maintaining a strong, lasting bond between the three kingdom
"Emperor Quan of Weiling is due to dine with us in one day." He chose a fitting example. "How would you prepare for his arrival?"
"Um...wait...no...umm...Right!" She pounded a palm. "Have the chef prepare traditional Weiling cuisine along with dishes of Enchancia. Maybe have some Weiling and Enchancian entertainment."
"The purpose?"
"Cultural sensitivity, and projecting our admiration of the culture."
"He and his family have arrived at the castle steps. What is the customary procedure in greeting them?"
"Let's see. Dad and Mom approach first. They would introduce me…" She executed a rusty yet passable curtsy, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Emperor Quan."
"The pleasure is mine, Princess." Baileywick replied in turn.
"Where do you sit at the dinner table?"
"Visitors sit on the king's right hand…" Lydia muttered, "I'd sit beside mom on the left, then it would be Amber, James, then Sofia.
"Naturally Emperor Quan will want to test you on your knowledge of Weiling. Who was the Hun who laid siege to China?" To that Lydia drew a blank. The only history she knew was of Mulan taking her father's place in the army. Anything else fell to the back of her mind. "It would appear history is going to be a priority." A guillotine to Lydia's mind. History wasn't her favorite but she always pushed through. "Take a seat and open your book to chapter 1."
"What about the conversations and party hosting?"
"They will come after we review…" Baileywick read a copy of the book before Lydia, "The Dynasty's of the Chinese Empire. Chapter 1." Lydia would rather fall into the harbor. Then again she didn't want to risk offending anyone. She opened the book and prepared for another long day.
(8)
Sofia's day wasn't getting on any better. Baileywick kept his end of the bargain and supplied her with a Derby Rider's outfit. A rider, however, that did not make her. Sofia arrived on the field looking forward to her first day of tryouts. Sir Gilliam was no more overjoyed to see her than he was yesterday. Girls in the Derby would sully the sport's reputation. Unfortunately he didn't want to be seen as sexist or a non equal opportunist.
Sir Gilliam showed Sofia the stables, giving her a mule of a Pegasus by the name of Minimus. Sofia immediately took a liking to him. Probably because he was her favorite color. And he was seen as the underdog. Like her. Sofia certainly surprised Minimus when she revealed she was able to talk to animals thanks to her Amulet. A shame the Amulet didn't have the power to make them both excellent racers.
Minimus was a worrywart and lacked any confidence in his abilities. Sofia did her best to encourage him, but her inability to get on and stay on Minimus downplayed her confidence. James, under protest of his pride, helped her onto her horse. Sofia drew a blank on what to do next. Before James had a chance to explain how to get off the ground, Hugo and another Prince mocked James for helping his sister. James guided Minimus, Sofia, and his Pegasus to the other side of the track where they could practice in solitude.
James laid down the basics of flying. How to steer, take off, landing. Sofia made mental notes. She just wanted to fly. She regretted her eagerness in seconds. Minimus barely flew her 20 feet off the ground and she fell right off, landing on trampoline mat. Determined she got back on and managed to make it 505 feet. Again she fell off, bouncing off two mats. Again and again Sofia fell, skipping across every mat until the dirt connected to her butt. She was beyond aggravated, but she wasn't going to give up. She couldn't.
"Maybe we should stop." James proposed. He worried Sofia would hurt herself.
"I'm not giving up! I'm going to try out for the team!"
"You have to stay on your horse first!" Hugo taunted her. "I knew you were a bad rider, James, but you're an even worse teacher. Maybe Derby really is only a prince thing. Maybe you should stay on the ground and go sit with the other princesses."
James stepped in front of Sofia protectively, staring Hugo down defiantly. "You can make fun of me all you want, Hugo, but not my sister!" James grasped Sofia by the hand, leading her to his red horse. If she can't learn to fly without help, then James would help her get a feel for the mechanics and let her fly on her own. He helped her on to his horse and got on behind her. He positioned her hands, made sure she was situated, and asked her one final question, "Are you ready?"
"You bet."
"Then hang on. HEYAH!" He snapped the reins. The horse got a good run and rocketed into the air. Sofia hooted loudly, loving the feel of the wind in her face and the view of the ground as James ascended the horse. They flew through the arch to the track field. James explained how to steer and guided Sofia's hand. For practice they circled the field a few times.
"Amber. Is that your sister up there?" Hildegard directed Clio and Amber to the sky. Clio was awestruck by Sofia's courage. Amber was utterly flabbergasted by Sofia hundreds of feet in the air on a flying horse.
"I can't believe she's really doing it!" Amber gasped. James had the pegasus do a couple flips, dives, and other tricks for Sofia's enjoyment. Amber shook her head. "I really can't believe it."
"I see James finally warmed up to the idea." The three girls twisted around. Lydia had a hand to her forehead like a visor, watching proudly as her sister and brother soared through the air. She was dressed in a new blazer and skirt, added with a spring time scent. "They're doing a good job."
"Aren't you supposed to be doing your lessons?" Amber questioned. She disliked Lydia's encouragement of Sofia's riding.
"After covering Enchancia and Weiling's treaty, how Weiling came to be, and how the Li Shang family contributed, Baileywick let me off to come see Sofia and James." Sofia returned to Minimus and saw Lydia. She waved excitedly. Lydia returned the wave. She gave James two thumbs up. He tipped his Derby Cap. James and Sofia went to the starting line and took off. Lydia was impressed by how well Sofia was keeping up with James. "They really seem to be doing good."
"Shows how much you know!" Hugo snapped scathingly. Lydia glanced unimpressed as he tried to tower her from his horse. "James and Sofia don't stand a ghost of a chance joining the race. Heck. A ghost could do better."
"What I'm hearing, Hugo, is you're scared of being shown up by my sister." Lydia countered with a smirk.
"Why would I be scared of a girl?" Hugo scoffed.
"Those who are scared are the loudest."
"And those who can't rule wave a wand."
Lydia formed a retort. It hitched in her throat when the shrill neighs of a horse startled her. "Sofie…"
Minimus dove under the bridge part of the race track. Managing only by an inch to clear it. The final portion of the race was scaling the steeple. The hardest and most challenging. James's horse made it clean over. Sofia drove Minimus at his top speed, snapping his reins as she animatedly encouraged him to go fast and scale higher. Minimus shot up the side of the steeple. Small wings carrying a portly body past the quarter mark to the halfway. The bell tower was in their reach. Minimus's wings gave out. She scrambled his short legs to make a mad dash up the last bit of the tower. Sofia pulled herself up. The saddle vanished under her. The holds released her feet. Her hands lost grip on the reins. In slow motion Sofia plummeted for the ground.
"SOFIA!" Amber and Lydia ran. Sofia's screams echoed across the track. She clawed at the sky to stop. "SOFIA!" Lydia cried. She vanished in a puff of smoke. The ground approached Sofia and she covered her eyes. Lydia dove from a turquoise cloud, catching Sofia long before she hit the ground. A bush caved in their rough stop. "Sofia! Are you okay?"
"Lydia! Thank you, Lydia!" Sofia threw her arms around Lydia.
"There, there. I've got you." She stroked her little sister's back, calming the beating heart pounding her. Amber, Clio, Hildegard, James, and Hugo herded hurriedly, worried eyes glued to Sofia. "She's fine. Just shaken up." The two climbed to their feet.
"That's it! Lydia, she needs to stop! Right now!" Amber declared in a shriek. Hugo and the other non family members made a hasty exit, realizing an argument was on the horizon. Hugo wasn't too far when James heard him berate Sofia's failure at clearing the steeple. "This time you caught her! But what will happen next time when you aren't there? I don't want my sister getting hurt because she wants to play with the boys!"
"I don't want her hurt either, Amber. But I can't make Sofia do something she doesn't want to."
"So she wants to fall to her death!"
"No! I want to race!" Sofia proclaimed.
"Sofia, please! Rethink this! Prince's are just better at this!" Sofia sadly looked to the ground. In her own way Amber was right. But Sofia couldn't accept that. She just couldn't. "The race is tomorrow and you're no closer to clearing the track than you were before the fall. I really think you should stop. I don't want you to get hurt."
"I won't get hurt, Amber. And I'm not giving up. Not yet." Amber threw her hands, giving up on Sofia. If she wanted to fall to her death that's her choice. But she wasn't going to watch. James shrugged and went back to training.
Lydia shared Amber's apprehension. But the race meant a lot to Sofia. She couldn't ask her to quite. Least of all after the music number about perseverance. The thing is Sofia needed to be able to clear the steeple in order to even remotely have a shot of joining the team. Minimus can't even dive under a bridge properly. Everyone's having trouble training.
"THAT'S IT!" Lydia boomed.
"What's it?"
"We're going to help each other. I'll help you cross the finish line, and you can help me with my teleportation. It'll be like when we were kids."
"How can I do that?"
"Because we're going to have a race of our own."
(8)
Cedric hissed pressing an ice pack to his cheek. A nice bruise swelled his right cheek. Pain throbbed his bruised nose if air so much as breathed on it. Violet and Marcy were concerned, wondering if he needed to see Alauna. He declined, assuring them he'd be fine. "She certainly has a hook. Ow..." He prodded his nose. It felt broken.
"AH-HAUH-HAUH-HAUH-AH-HEM!" Wormwood stopped laughing when Cedric glared. When his back was turned Wormwood buried his laughter in a pillow.
"No matter!" Cedric tapped the bruises with his wand. The black blemishes faded. The pain not so much. "The girl can punch, kick, claw, and hug till the cows come home!" He bit his tongue, scratching the last one. "I will have that amulet and the Kingdom will be mine!"
(8)
In celebration of the tryout races, classes were canceled for the next two days to give racers extra time to practice. True to form the princes remained home to sleep. James included. They wanted to be rested up. No sunlight left the sky in a shade of pleasant morning grey. Lydia guided Sofia on Minimus to the race track. The smell of the morning woke them both right up.
"You know the plan?" Lydia asked.
"Uh-huh." Sofia scanned the obstacle course ahead, mapping it in her mind. "Once we start, you're going to teleport to the different obstacles. How fast you teleport depends on how fast Minimus and I reach you."
"And the faster you go the faster I have to go," Lydia pointed to the finish line, "Until both of us reach the finish line."
"How about this? One of us messes up, we both start back at the starting line."
"Loser buys ice cream for a month?" Lydia added sneakily.
"Two months." Sofia challenged.
"You're on!"
"Let's do this!" Minimus neighed, inspired by the wager. He dug his hooves, staring the course down. Lydia took in steady breaths. Eezeyal fluttered high above. He raised his wings, waited, then swept them down.
Lydia let off a fake sneeze, conjuring smoke and vanishing. Minimus ran and he was off. A staggering start but he picked up momentum. Lydia reappeared at the end of the first hurdle of trees. Sofia guided Minimus up and over, around, and past the skinny trees. She leaned over with an open palm. Lydia raised her hand. The hands connected and Lydia teleported to the bridge. Sofia's turn was wide but she dove through the middle arch. Minimus expanded wings too soon on exit and crashed into the pond.
Round 2. Lydia and Sofia made it past the trees. The dive under the first bridge went a lot more smoothly. Lydia cheered her on, inadvertently teleporting to the small cottage. She screamed ducked when Sofia flew over her. Sofia laughed, waving teasingly at the lagging Lydia. She picked herself up and teleported to the three stone pillars. Seeing Sofia coming, Lydia teleported to the leaf rings. Only she appeared on air and fell into a bush.
Over and over, Sir Gilliam and Eezeyal watching from the bleachers, Sofia and Lydia raced around the track. Feathers flying and smoke erupting as both girls strived for the finish line. Sofia Minimus's speed and agility gradually improved along with Lydia's aim. Minimus crashed through a tree a few times. Lydia teleported in the water. Before the girls knew it, the time struck three in the afternoon. The entire morning gone. Soon the girls reached the steeple. The greatest achievement. She missed a few times but Lydia was able to teleport to the top and ring the bell. She waited for Sofia, completely exhausted. After four times of clearing the track they had to make it.
Minimus dove under the second bridge. He flapped his wings like he's never flapped them before. His small legs running up the side. Lydia reached out as if going to pull them up. Minimus's front hooves cleared the ledge. Sofia and Lydia's elation faded when Minimus went in reverse, falling short of making it to the bell tower. Her reared himself around, coming to a dismal landing. Sofia took off the helmet, leaning weighed down by defeat.
Lydia appeared beside her, ruffling her sweaty hair. Sofia curled into an shamed ball. "I'm sorry, Lydia. I tired you out for nothing."
"Nothing?" She scoffed. "Sofia thanks to you I can teleport faster and more accurately than before."
"But the whole point was so I could make it to the finish line. I couldn't even do that."
"But you proved you can fly. You flew faster than any of the boys I saw yesterday."
"It doesn't matter if I can't clear the steeple." "There's always going to be a hurdle more difficult than the last. The important thing is to never give up." Minimus rumbled skeptically. Lydia stroked his mane lovingly. "You and I are new at this princess thing. Yet here we are trying our best. I'm a sorceress in training and you're a derby star in training. If we give up, the dreams we've had will die."
"But the race is tomorrow. What if I can't clear the steeple?"
All this nay saying and doubting. Lydia's been there. She nearly quit school because of it. She won't have it with Sofia. "Come here!" Lydia gruffly grunted at her sister, leading her and Minimus toward stables. She stared crossly, disappointed her sister went through all this effort - nearly falling to her doom - and wanted to call it quits. "Listen up Sof...I didn't get where I am today,"Lydia twirled her wand, transforming an old sign into Cedric, "By letting myself get PUSHED around!" She pushed the fake sorcerer aside. She raised her wand. Puffs of smoke created certain figures. "No kings," Alexander and Abraham,"Or queens," Hildegard and Hugo's moms,"Or students," Hugo and Hildegard,"Or teachers..." A fairy dressed in yellow and orange, "Were going to DRAG me down..." She curled her fingers, pushing down. The figures sank beneath the grass.
"What'd they do to you?"
"A lot."
Flashback
Kids surrounding a young Lydia were laughing. "Like lightning, they attacked me!" Elite students picked on the ones they deemed unworthy, including Lydia."Like thunder, their boos did roar!" They booed Lydia off the stage when she tried to cast a spell."They never knew what hit 'em," Lydia raised her head, grinning menacingly at the challenger who mocked her,"When they did see what I had in store..." Lydia aimed her wand at the ground, ensuring her challengers in thick weeds. "PURE WILL POWER!"One by one her challengers fell. "Determination! Re-Solve!" Those who needed her help were healed and encouraged by her bravery. "Stay standing strong and remain TAAALLL..." Lydia and a group of her friends squaring off to a group of bullies. They all raised their wands, and it was over in a flash of light.
Flashback end
"Being strong is your will..." Lydia balanced on the track field railing, strutting confidently from post to post. She twisted around, extending a hand to Sofia, "Standing tall is your power..." Sofia took the hand. Lydia swung her off her feet, thrusting her onto the railing with her. "Never lose your WILL ANNND…!" She sat Sofia down, climbing to the grass so they were eye level, "Perseverance, determination, resolve. It's all part of your will to go on."
"My will and my..." Sofia whispered confidentially. She stood up, puffing her chest boldly. "My POOWWEERR…!" Lydia nodded sharply. "You're right, Lydia. I just need to try! I won't know if I can do this unless I give it my all."
"And I'll be right there to see it." The connected high fives, making it official. Across the school the clocktower tolled. Before the girls knew it the time was four in the evening. They missed lunch. Their stomachs growled to prove it. "Bring lunch?"
"I didn't even have breakfast." Sofia held her stomach.
"Then it's my treat. What about you, Minimus? Eezeyal? You boys hungry?'
"You bet I am!" Minimus bucked happily. His elation subsided for his impeccable sense of doubt. "I just wish you spoke horse like your sister so I can tell you I could eat a horse. Not that I would eat a horse, but if I could - not saying I would-" Lydia clamped his mouth closed.
"I get it, Minimus. You're hungry." Minimus was caught off guard by her response he jumped when she pet his mane. "And for the record…" She pinched one of her earrings, "These little beauties let me talk to any animal I want. Including horses."
"Really?! Well obviously, you answered me. That's so weird. Well not weird-weird. More like a weird-interesting." Lydia and Sofia giggled as Minimus rambled on to save himself. Eezeyal plugged grass in his ears.
(8)
Ubos retreated to the gardens, taking extra care not to be spotted by the servants. He dove in a gap in a bush, hiding in a clear he made for himself. He needed some sort of getaway when Lydia wasn't present. He wasn't going to stay cooped up in her room on the bookshelf.. That bush was perfectly situated. Nice breeze, a trickling pond, Cedric picking thorny blackberries.
"Cedric!" Ubos pressed his face to the gap. Cedric was in the garden yanking blackberries. He muttered heatedly under his breath. Lydia's name came up, The Amulet, ruling the kingdom. "This man...he is the son of Goodwin?" He couldn't' believe it. A bitter man was the progeny of the greatest Sorcerer in existence. The irony. "Perhaps the bitterness comes from his mother." He mouthed. Ubos found it hard to imagine Goodwin plotting to take over the world.
"That Princess! Thinks she can strike me! She's the one who wanted to forget! I did her a favor!" Ubos assumed he was talking about Lydia. He was deluded to think it was a benefit for her. Although - and it pained Ubos to admit it - he was correct placing half the blame on Lydia. Realities truly were harsh. "Next time I see her I am burying her in that closet of hers! No! I'll strangle her with her blazer! No way am I taking the blame for something she contributed to!" Cedric shouted all sorts of threats, curses, and fantasies as he stormed off. Ubos only chuckled at the man.
(8)
James wandered aimlessly through the palace corridors, dwelling on the stupid comment he made to Lydia. Trash talking girls when Sofia's proven to be athletic, and Lydia survived a beating by Cedric. Then, of course, Amber could be lethal with her fans. After practicing with Sofia the past few days, James had second thoughts on what it is that separated girls from boys. It's not about being weak or strong. It's about doing what you like and devoting your time to it. Boys just like rough housing more than girls, and girls are more attracted to girly things than boys. There are times where both genders surprise people and take up activities opposite their gender. It wasn't approved of by some, but it does happen. It's probably because Amber chose every girly activity in the book. Sofia and Lydia weren't ordinary girls. And it's time he accepted that.
"Lydia must hate me for what I said."
"It takes a lot more than that to make me hate you?"
"Lydia! You're home!" Sofia and Eezeyal were with her. "Sofia."
"Sofia and I missed breakfast and lunch. So we came home for some spaghetti."
"Where have you guys been?"
"At the track practicing." Sofia replied. "Lydia teleported while Minimus and I tried to keep up."
"Did you clear the steeple?" He asked fretfully.
"Not yet. But I will."
"I know you will. You'll kill at tomorrow's race." James surprised Lydia with how much confidence he placed in Sofia. Three growling stomachs ruined the mood. "You said spaghetti?"
"And mine and Sofie's homemade chocolate milkshakes."
"With sprinkles on top!" Sofia swooned.
"Brilliant! I'm in!"
"Pardon me, Your Majesties." The trio twisted. Lydia's heart sank to her stomach. Cedric reared his ugly head with Wormwood perched comfortably on his shoulder. Eezeyal growled, priming his wings and ruffling his feathers. Wormwood matched the stance, drumming his talons to Cedric's shoulder. Cedric closed a hand to his beak. "Princess Lydia, there is a matter most dire I must discuss with you. Please…" He swept a hand towards the corridor. Defensively she stepped back, placing involuntary hands protectively to James and Sofia. Then something in the rafters caught her attention. She was boggled by its book like shape. Ubos poked out, nodding to her. She was bewildered by gesture, then saw Cedric heading for the door. Glancing back up to Ubos, he was motioning for her to follow him. Why on earth she'd follow that beanpole was beyond her. But if Ubos insisted.
"Save me some spaghetti. I'll meet you guys soon."
"Better hurry!" James led Sofia by the hand. "The marinara sauce will vanish in half an hour!"
"At least save me some chocolate for my shake!" She called back. Jogging after Cedric, the sorcerer led her to one of the many pavillion gardens. It was one of her favorite ones too. Moon Light Lilies in full bloom, a small waterfall spilling into a twinkling pond. She loved to come here and relax whenever she could.
Cedric led Wormwood off his shoulder, setting him to a bird fountain. "In here." Cedric opened the door to the octagonal pavillion.
Trapped in a small space with Cedric. Lydia thinks she's lost her appetite. Ubos made another appearance around the back of the pavillion. He was convinced joining Cedric was a smart move. If only he'd arrived a few weeks earlier. Sighing resignedly she set Eezeyal on the head of a cherub. He didn't need to mention it was a horrible idea. Lydia was already considering teleporting out of there.
Cedric closed the door behind them. Lydia took a seat on the bench swing. She stiffened her posture. Hands and ankles crossed - as Baileywick taught her. She felt a little silly. However if it shows Cedric she wasn't to be trifled with she'd wear a sideways hat. Cedric met her stoic posture with his own. Puffing his chest with his hands behind his back. For a minute they just sat in silence. Harsh daggers grinding between their deadly glares. Outside, Wormwood and Eezeyal sensed the tense air pooling from the pavillion. It made them shudder.
"You wanted talk? Talk?" Lydia broke the silence. She, on the other hand, had nothing to say to him. Cedric drew a slip of paper from his sleeve and handed it to her. Lydia skimmed the contents of the paper in disdain. Her expression softened when she finished.
"As you can see, the Amnesia Spell was only effective due to your willingness." For lack of a better word.
The page burst into flames, dropped like the trash it was. Lydia stomped on the pile of ash at her feet, grounding his pitiful excuse in the dirt. "Are you seriously telling me it's my fault you cast the spell?"
"Not at all." He retorted with a smirk, unphased by her humiliation. "I'm saying it's your fault it worked." Cedric caught a high fly fist aimed for his face. "Twice is all you get, My Dear. Do not lash out because you wanted it."
"I DIDN'T WANT IT! I WAS SICK OF LYING!" She pushed harder, wanting to at least flick him. He pulled her in close, stretching her arm high while keeping the other pinned by the shoulder.
"All the more reason it worked!" He snarled. "You didn't want to lie anymore, therefore, you wanted to forget! Ergo," He released her, fixing her uniform shirt, "Half the blame is yours." Lydia growled hatefully past gritted teeth. Noticing Ubos on the roof only made it worse. He knew what they were discussing. Which means he knew about the spell and why it worked. Another harsh lesson by her so-called teacher.
"Fine. You're right. It's half my fault." Lydia threw her hands up. Total shock slapped Cedric's smirk right off his face. "I have to know. If I didn't want to forget, what would you have done as plan B?"
"Sorry, Princess, a sorcerer never reveals his secrets!" Cedric locked his mouth and turned his back.
"You didn't have a plan B?!" She gasped. Cedric cringed, making Lydia burst in laughter. "WOW-HOW-HOW-HOW! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! YOU DIDN'T HAVE A PLAN B!" She held her head and stomach.
"Not like you performed any better!" Cedric's cheeks were red in humiliation. Lydia leaned a hand to the glass she was laughing so hard. "Not only did you let your guard down, you...you...YOU HUGGED ME!" The laughter choked. Lydia forze with dread. Her returned memories didn't erase the others. Her face lit up like a thermometer. "That's right! In gratitude for my service you hugged me! Tightly, I might add."
"TH-THAT MEANT NOTHING!" Her voice cracked. "I was just...delusional from the headaches!"
"Delusional yet grateful." Cedric studied his nails boastfully. "By the way, who knew such a violent girl had such soft, tender arms." He hugged himself, batting his eyes. Lydia stomped on his foot. He squeaked in pain. Lydia ground his toes before storming out in a puff of smoke. She reappeared in the garden. Eezeyal didn't waste a second flying to her. With one more stomp Lydia vanished in smoke.
Ubos gazed mouth gaped. When he looked up, he saw Lydia appear on her balcony. Two perfect teleportations. Eezeyal did say she was practicing with Sofia on the track. It would appear Sofia and Lydia shared more in common than their magical talents. He took off for her bedroom window, finding it time to turn in for the big day.
Wormwood rumbled, leering at the place fuming girl disappeared. He squawked at Cedric who was babying his foot. "I think...she took it…rather well."
(8)
D-Day came with the rising sun. The day of the Flying Derby Tryouts. Sofia and James had already left to get in last minute practice. Miranda packed them breakfast to eat along the way. Sofia almost couldn't eat she was so nervous. Remembering the faith Miranda, Roland, James, and Lydia placed in her made swallowing easier. It didn't ease her nerves though.
Lydia dressed in her princess attire as per Baileywick's instructions. The Flying Derby Tryouts counted as a Royal Appearance. Roland and Miranda were so excited for Sofia they never heard Lydia muttering to herself, cursing Cedric. It was the headaches. THE HEADACHES! Before she knew it they were at the entrance of the Royal Prep track. The barrage of people broke her out of her funk. So many people for a tryout race. Eezeyal was as nervous as Sofia must be. And he wasn't even racing.
"A popular sport." Ubos whispered from her satchel.
"You have no idea." Eezeyal whispered back.
"GOOD LUCK, SOFIA!" Miranda and Roland waved to Sofia. She laughed unnerved, returning a weak wave. She wasn't fooling anyone with those shaking knees.
Eezeyal flew to Sofia, nestling to her neck. Lydia asked the coachman to stop. She exited the carriage and told them she'd meet them inside. Roland urged her to hurry before she missed anything. "Nervous?"
"I could fill a bucket with sweat!" Sofia squeaked. "AMBER!" Amber strolled on scene with Hildegard and Clio on her heels. She threw herself at her older sister. "Everyone's here!"
"I know! It's a good thing I wore my Derby Tiara." She adjusted the sports tiara. Lydia wasn't surprised she had one. Hildegard and Clio gaped in awe of Lydia's princess attire. Hildegard huffed, pretending not to be dazzled by how well the Sapphire matched her eyes.
"Wow, Princess Lydia, you look amazing." Clio dumbstruck Hildegard. "A real Sorceress Princess."
"Thanks, Princess Clio." Lydia curtsied. "I've been meaning to tell you how much I love your gown. The feathers add an exotic flare."
"Thank you so much!" She animatedly curtsied back. Hildegard scoffed with a roll of her eyes.
"Oh! He's here!" Amber swooned as Hugo road his horse to the track. "Prince Hugo!" She opened the fan. Amber and her friends went to wish Hugo luck...and fawn over him.
Once again, Lydia wasn't surprised by Amber's shallowness. "I think Amber meant to wish you luck. Good luck from both of us."
"Three of us!" Eezeyal added haughtily. "I'll be rootin' the loudest, Sofie!"
"Thanks, Eezeyal." Sofia tickled under his chin.
"Perhaps we can make it four." Sofia jumped at Lydia's satchel talking. "If it is not an inconvenience." Lydia and Eezeyal were surprised as well. Sofia hummed confusedly, pointing to the bag. "Undo the latch so I may give her a proper godspeed."
"Lydia. Your bag is talking." Sofia whispered frightened.
"Actually, Sofia, there's someone I've wanted to introduce you to." I just didn't think he'd do it like this. She undid the latch, lifting the flap just enough so Sofia could see. She squinted to get a good look. When Ubos popped up, Lydia had to cover Sofia's mouth to keep her from screaming. She shrieked behind the hand, 'What the heck is that?' "Sofia, this is my magic teacher. Ubos. Ubos, meet my sister, Sofia."
"Uhh...hi?" She can talk to animals, summon princesses before her, and she has a sister who casts spells and talks to animals. But a magic instructor who fits in a bag? That was too farfetched for Sofia. Even though Ubos was RIGHT in front of her. And she believed in Halloween Town and Mermaids.
"A pleasure indeed, Princess Sofia." Ubos bowed. "In a way I never imagined, not only has your practice helped Lydia excel in her teleporting, but I sense new found confidence in your abilities. Truly, you an amazing girl worthy of the admiration and love conveyed." Sofia blushed, laughing bashfully. She see's why Lydia may like the book. Lydia rolled her eyes at the mush. Then James came walking on scene. She tapped three times. Ubos noticed the boy. "Best of luck to you. And please, I am trusting one responsible for her own magic to keep me confidential."
"I will, Ubos. And it was nice meeting you." Lydia closed the bag.
They feigned innocence when James placed a hand on Sofia's shoulder. "Today's the big day, Sofia. You ready?"
"Why are there so many people here?" Sofia hushedly panicked.
"They wanna see if a princess can make the team. So let's show 'em." He encouraged.
"I'll be in the cheap seats watching. Good luck guys."
(8)
Trumpets resounded the beginning of the race. The audience was fired up as the racers sauntered to the starting line. The pegasi neighed and flapped their wings in excitement. Lydia joined her family in the Royal Box. On the roof side, Ubos and Eezeyal had a birds eyeview of the whole track. Sofia and Minimus, and James were at the starting line ready to race. Lydia heard mocking and awe murmurs about Sofia. Others were a little more encouraging. Nevertheless she ignored them. People were allowed to have their opinions. What mattered was Sofia doing her best. If she happened to prove them wrong...Lydia would have something to laugh about.
"WELCOME TO THE FLYING DERBY TRYOUT RACE!" Flora announced. She and her sisters hovered by the starting stables. "As you all know, the first two riders to cross the finish line will earn their place on the Flying Derby Team." The horses fidgeted in anticipation. The racers were just as stoked. "So without further ado!"
"On your wings…" Fauna signaled. The horses arched their wings.
"Get set…" Merryweather whirled her wand.
"GO!" All three swiped their wands down. The gates opened. Dust trampled as the horses took off. Minimus and Sofia getting off to a waning start.
"Prince Hugo's out in front! Prince James is right behind him! All the while Princess Sofia brings up the rear!" The announcer practically leaned out of the box to watch the racers. They already cleared the first hurdle of trees. The racers snapped their reins and howled at their horses. Vigorously flapping wings swatted the air, hooves galloping relentlessly for Hugo's place in first.
"GO, HUGO, GO!" Amber cheered, waving her fan. Hugo and James rocketed by.
"GO SOFIA! CATCH THEM!" Lydia screamed the loudest, ignoring the rest of the horses and following Sofia.
"CATCH THEM, MINIMUS!" Minimus crossed over one racer, pulling ahead of him. On the first turn she passed two more.
"HERE COMES PRINCESS SOFIA!" The announcer's voice cracked as he was shocked how well she was doing. "She's making her way through the pack!" Hooves splashed the water as five horses at once fought to clear the first bridge. "WHAT A MOVE BY ENCHANCIA'S YOUNGEST PRINCESS!"
"COME ON, SOFIE!" Eezeyal flapped adamantly.
"SHOW THEM WHAT FOR!" Ubos flipped.
"Come on, Sofia. You've got this…" Lydia crossed all her fingers. Sofia was in third place. Right on James's heels and catching up. Hugo held an impressive lead but not by much. As James caught up, Sofia was right behind him.
"Looks like we need to take the princess out of the race." Hugo sniggered.
Clearing the cottage chimney was the next obstacle. A stack of smoke rising to the skies. Hugo slowed his pace. James didn't question it as he was now in first and the first to clear the chimney. Sofia was catching up to Hugo fast. She was only feet from passing him. Hugo cleared the chimney. He leaned back and yanked hard on reins to a dead halt.
"LOOK OUT!" Sofia pulled so hard on her reins Minimus bounced her off.
"SOFIA!" Lydia cried. Sofia landed, thankfully, on a bed of soft hay. The crowd howled an audible gasp of pure dismay. James veered around to see what happened. Sofia fell off her horse, and Hugo was the rat responsible. He'd crossed the line. None were more appalled by Hugo's tactics than Amber. Hugo's now former biggest fan.
"PRINCE HUGO DID THAT ON PURPOSE!" Amber howled.
"THAT NO GOOD…" Eezeyal was so infuriated he didn't know what to say.
"VARMINT?" Ubos snarled.
"Darn tootin!" Eezeyal and Ubos took a deep breath and roared, "NO GOOD VARMINT!"
"See ya, Princess." Hugo laughed at Sofia returning to the race. Sofia sat on the hay, utterly embarrassed and not wanting to return to the race.
"That's not right." Amber snapped her Hugo fan in half. "BOO, HUGO!"
"Come on, Sofia! Don't quit now!" Lydia clawed the wall ledge. "Get up."
Sofia curled her knees to her chest. She wished the hay would swallow her up. Minimus hovered by her, hoping she wasn't hurt. "You okay?"
"Yeah…" No she wasn't. She failed.
"Sofia! What are you doing? Get back on your horse!" James scolded her.
"What's the point, James? I blew it. But go. You can still win."
"So can you." He flew down and lifted her by the hand. "No way am I finishing this race without you." He dropped Sofia back on Minimus. Regaining lost momentum, James and Sofia rocketed back into the race, gaining the lead of the other racers and catching up to Hugo.
"THE PRINCESS IS BACK IN THE RACE!" A man from the audience cheered.
Amber and Lydia thrust themselves over the rail. Sofia and James were riding up fast. "GO SOFIA!" The two cheered.
"YEE-HAA! THA'S MAH WEE GIRL!" Eezeyal swung his wings, bucking like a bronco.
"KEEP GOING, PRINCESS!" Ubos screamed at the top of his lungs.
The racers kept on James and Sofia's hooves as best as they could, but the two were just too fast for them. Throughout the second turn they passed the competition. "Princess Sofia and Prince James make their way through the pack, and pass them right by!" One by one the racers fell behind. Sofia and James fought to catch Hugo. Fought for first. "Prince Hugo still has an impressive lead!" The crowd was going mad cheering them on. James and Sofia egged their horses on, glaring the obstacles down and passing them with little effort. "James and Sofia are catching up quick!" James and Sofia weaved between the stone pillars and lunged through the hedge rings.
Now the moment of truth. Hugo was only yards ahead, and coming up fast was the steeple. Sofia's toughest hurdle. She envisioned Lydia teleporting to the top, waiting for her with a hand out. Lydia was losing circulation in her clasped hands. Amber hung to her arm, bouncing as she watched through her binoculars.
"Come on, Sofia! Beat Hugo!" Amber cheered. James and Sofia were right on the black stallions tail hairs. "YOU CAN DO IT!"
"You can do this, Sofia!" Lydia howled. Ubos and Eezeyal were hugging close.
Hugo, James, and Sofia dove under the final bridge. The steeple erected taller, towering forebodingly as it was the last obstacle between victory and defeat. Hugo began the climb. James soared into it. Minimus became unnerved but pushed onward as Sofia clapped her heels. Hugo rang the bell first. Amber and Lydia hugged each other tightly, holding their breath. James rang the bell second. Ubos and Eezeyal were biting molting feathers it was so close.
"Climb...climb...CLIMB!" Sofia chanted. Minimus raced his legs, flapped his wings harder than her ever could. The steeple arch was in their reach. "ANND...TUCK THOSE WINGS!" Minimus tucked his wings and Sofia rang the bell.
"SHE DID IT!" Amber and Lydia squealed, giggling and jumping hand in hand.
"GO GIRLY!" Eezeyal jumped on Ubos's head. "IT'S ALL YOU!"
"GO FOR THE GOAL!" Ubos hovered.
"How did she…" Hugo couldn't believe it. She cleared the steeple. And a tree was was about to meet his horse. "WHHOOAA…" He yanked the horse in a spiral back on the track. Now James and Sofia were right alongside him, and the finish line was coming up fast.
"All she has to do is pass Hugo and she'll win!" Amber hooted.
The cleared the final turn. It was all or nothing. The finish line dead ahead. "As they turned down the final stretch, it's Hugo, James, and Sofia neck and neck!" The crowd was on the edge of their seats. Hugo gained a small head, then Sofia took it, then James. All three fought for first place, the team, the win. James and Sofia snapped, snapped, snapped the reins. Hugo leaned in the saddle. His determination failed as Sofia and James started to pass him up. The finish line was right in the grasp. Lydia, Ubos, Eezeyal, Amber - everyone paused. All three racers gave it one last push. It all happened in slow motion. And...The ribbon snaps. "AND IT'S PRINCESS SOFIA AND PRINCE JAMES!" The crowd, Amber, Lydia, and everyone burst a roar. "Princess Sofia and Prince James won the tryout race and are on the team."
"SHE WON! SHE WON! SHE WON!" Amber wrapped her arms to Lydia as she was spun around. "OUR BABY SISTER WON!"
"SHE DID IT! SHE DID IT!" Ubos and Eezeyal danced in circles.
James and Sofia landed their horses in the winner's circle, basking in the cheers of family and friends. Lydia, unable to contain herself, teleported in the center in a puff of smoke. "YOU GUYS DID IT!"
"BRILLIANT!" She and James clapped hands and bumped hips. Lydia gave her brother a noogie.
"WE MADE IT!" Sofia jumped from Minimus into Lydia's arms. "WE MADE THE TEAM! I'M ON THE TEAM!"
"Way to go, Sofia! You guys were amazing."
"It never would have happened if I hadn't practiced with Sofia." James admitted. "Lydia. I'm really sorry for what I said. Girls can do what boys can."
"I never would have had a chance if you two didn't help me." Sofia held their hands, meeting them in the middle. "You both are the best." James and Lydia blushed. Lydia saw Hugo pouting when Amber brushed him off. Losing the race and Amber must have been hard. Lydia laughed on the inside.
"May I present you both with the team jerseys." Sir Gilliam and two young princes sauntered over with two powder blue sweaters. James and Sofia graciously accepted them, throwing them on to add to their stunning victory. Roland, Miranda, and Amber joined their family in the winner's circle.
"You were great Sofia!" Amber ran over and gave Sofia the biggest hug. "I was wrong. Racing is a princess thing." Lydia pressed a hand to her aghast cheek. Somewhere pigs are flying.
"Anything can be if we try hard enough."
Amber's mood was ruined by the jersey. She pinched the edge, finding it absolutely tacky. "That's what they gave you for winning? No. You need a real prize." She pondered a moment. She had a great idea. She removed her derby tiara.
"Amber. That's your Derby Tiara." Sofia gasped.
"I want you to have it." Sofia removed her helmet. Amber bestowed her the Tiara, declaring her a winner. "Besides, I'm your biggest fan."
"Second to me, of course." Lydia winked, putting the helmet on her Amber's head.
"Of course."
"You know I won too." James announced, feeling left out.
Lydia and Amber exchanged impish glances. "We know."
The end for now!
Not the best song, but it fit. SUE ME!
Hope you guys enjoyed it. Later!