Words Above Sorcery

Alright. Moving on.

...

Eezeyal stared blankly at the quarter moon. Crickets he relished devouring went untouched. Thoughts of Lydia clouded his mind. The time struck 9pm. Trills of Lydia's grandfather block startled Ubos awake.

"Aye, chrysler!" He levitated a handkerchief, rubbing sleep inducing sand from his eyes. He grunted irately seeing Eezeyal never moved an inch from his place at the window. "It is that hour?" He feigned surprise, initiating conversation.

"Uh-huh." Eezeyal answered uninterested. Ubos slumped in failure. He'd come to dislike Eezeyal's silent periods. Ironic. There existed a time Ubos would have given his left cover for Eezeyal to stay quiet. "Ceddy should be finishin' the kiddy show." Eezeyal's behavior caught Ubos off guard. Cedric normally lit a blaze under his tail feathers. He might as well be talking about paint drying. Ubos ogled the troubled owl intently. He kept sighing, moping, and sighing again. Ubos's attention was then drawn to Lydia's empty bed.

"She'll be back." He reassured him. Ubos was a little concerned himself. But Lydia will return.

"She's been gone too long."

"She's with James and Constable Miles."

"She'd be safer with a bucket!"

"Safe from what?" Ubos laughed derisively. Eezeyal was acting ridiculous. "She's out with her brother and friends."

"She was supposed to just get some pollen." Eezeyal snarled. He paced the window sill, talons scuffing the wood. "What the hay is takin' her so long?" The furrow of his bushy brow directed at Ubos made him edge back. "Can't ya locate her with with some magicky spell of yers?"

"Eezeyal, you are being silly." Ubos tried to convince him. Eezeyal was puffed like a feather duster. "Lydia is fine."

"Lydia is not fine!" Ubos flinched. Eezeyal rocketed to him, perching roughly on the pedestal. "If you saw her as more than just a notch in yer teachin' resume you'd be able to tell somethin' ain't right!"

"Now see here," Ubos retaliated in equal rage, "My relationship with Lydia is nowhere near the bond shared by you both! I am the first to swear to that!" Ubos pressed his nose to Eezeyal's beak, forcing the owl to meet the roaring anger. "But never EVER assume to know my motives. Nor my feelings towards her!" Eezeyal shamefully glanced to the ground. He mentally accepted he stepped too far over the line. "Miss Lydia is fine, Eezeyal. Please, I ask that you believe in her. We cannot be near her during all hours."

"I'm sorry, Ubos." He sank resignedly. "I jus' worry over Liddy, ya know. We..." He trailed off despondently.

"She's told me." Ubos stated warmly. Eezeyal flashed stunned eyes. "It arose incidentally in conversation. I pressed the matter. And I must admit my envy."

"Why's tha'?"

"No matter how long I remain in her employ, never will my relationship with her grow beyond professional." A stomach twisting sensation gripped Eezeyal. Ubos bowed to him, then excused himself to the upper wing.

"Well...I feel like a right fool."

...

Several twigs snapped. Birds shrieked frightened caws, taking off in a flurry. Constable Miles and James cowered with hands over their heads. The beating wings sprinkled stress molten feathers.

"I wonder what's gotten into them?" Constable Miles hummed. The night was getting really late. Roland was probably worried sick about Lydia and James. It may be too late to fly back home. "Perhaps we should gather the girls and locate a place to stay for the night."

"Yeah..." James stretched his arms up, letting out a long exhausted yawn. "I hope Lydia and Gwen aren't taking too long. Girls take forever when they're together."

"Don't I know it!" Constable Miles chuckled. He pat James on the shoulder, guiding him on the path that led to the grotto.

"AAAHHH..."

Constable Miles and James darted frightened stares to the sky. James recognized the screams. They came from the direction of the grotto. James inched forward, peering around as if he would see whoever screamed. Constable Miles was distracted by shuffling in the bushes. Tiny squabbles were obscured by the sifting bushes.

"That was Lydia and Gwen! We have to-"

Constable Miles put a hand over James's mouth. He shushed him, motioning a finger to his ear then to the area. James understood what Constable Miles meant. An eerie silence enveloped the grove. The light brushing tree needles were louder than carriage wheels on stone. Constable Miles removed the hand. He pressed a shushing finger to his lips. He moved James ahead of him, ensuring to keep close on his heels while scanning the area. Eyes were trained on them. He could feel them prickling his back.

"We need to find the girls." Constable Miles rumbled in a whisper. "Walk swiftly, but act casual." James swallowed, nodding nervously. He took a half step forward. Two stout bodies dropped on him, pinning him to the ground. Venomously hisses snarled from the mangled teeth. "JAMES!" Constable Miles lunged forward. Arms wrapped tightly to his neck. Small frames clung to both legs. His arms were weighed down. Warish snarls shrieked in James and Constable Miles' ears.

Constable Miles wrestled violently against his attackers. Swing and thrashing he struggled to get free. A large rock nudged his toe. Before he knew it a whole figure of dirt connected with his stomach. Numerous small feet bounced on him like a trampoline. He was able to see through a pair of fingers. James was clawing at the ground, being dragged by his ankles. He screamed for help.

"NOO!" Constable Miles smashed his palms in the dirt. He jerked up. Small creatures toppled in their backs. "Goblins..." James's screams drew Constable Miles to his feet. He charged after James in a mad sprint, hand held to his sword's hilt. James pulled and clawed at the soft dirt, kicking the goblins in their pointed noses.

"Nesch kahn lyo!"

"Hob zhem duet pwixs! Draey shzou!" The goblins pulled hard. James anchored to a surprisingly strong weed.

"PRINCE JAMES!" Constable Miles threw himself forward. He grabbed James by the wrists. The goblins pulled hard. Cnsable Miles dug in his heels and pulled harder. The goblins slipped, getting a full face of dirt. Constable Miles tucked James under his arm then took off in the opposite diection.

"DABO GEE!" One goblin roared.

"DABO GEE!" The others howled in response. The small army of goblins charged after Constable Miles.

"CONSTABLE MILES! WHAT ARE THOSE?!" James screamed, being bounced in the run.

"NOCTURNE GOBLINS!" Constable Miles swung his sword up. Fruits and twigs dropped on a couple goblins heads. The rest trampled them, keeping up their pursuit. "But they live in the caverns just a mile west of here!"

"Why's that a problem?!

"They don't live where people frequent!" James glanced at the pursuing goblins. They shouted indiscernible curses, throwing rocks and dirt clods. Saedar's Town is the fifth most populated town in Enchancia. "What are they doing in a populated area?" Constable Miles pulled a branch back. Four goblins leapt for him. Constable Miles let the branch go. The goblins were sent flying into a pile of rocks.

…

"PROTEGO!" Goblins colliided with liquid like shield. Lydia tapped her wand fiercely on her palm, searching frantically for an escape route. "PROTEGO!" Gobllins diving from the trees were repelled. Three more gobins charged, leaping forward. "PROTEGO!" They were sent skipping along the dirt. She was feeling the exhaustion kick in. She woudn't be able to keep this up forever.

The Goblins stalked in a half circle on all fours, training their salivating teeth and beady eyes on the gradually retreating girls. Lydia kept Gwen behind her with one arm while aiming her wand with the other. Gwen tensed herself as much behind Lydia as Lydia's smaller frame would allow. She jumped each time one goblin escaping her sight reappeared on the other side. She squeaked when her back pressed to a boulder's crook. She hugged her hands to Lydia's shoulders, ensuring they both kept close.

"Nocturne Goblins." Lydia rumbled, losing keeping track of one just to lose sight of another. The goblins' movements were making her dizzy. "I've heard of them. Never seen them. Clearly they live up to stronger than I look."

"And then some." Gwen shuddered. "They live in caves a mile west of here."

"What are they doing here then?" She stressed. She jerked away when a goblin swiped at her boot.

"Normally they aren't here until the end of July for the ju-ju-bee fruit." If she recalled the calendar correctly, "We're barely on the third day of July."

"Ju-ju-bees? You mean those giant, multi-colored raspberry, looking fruits?"

"JU-JU-BEES! JU-JU-BEES!" The goblins chanted hungrily. They lathered parched lips. Lydia and Gwen cringed as they wiped the glob of saliva on their greyish lavender skin.

"The very same." Gwen shuddered. "We give them half the crop. While they collect, we're supposed to stay out of the grove." The goblins were remarkably early. "No big loss. Ju-Ju-Bees aren't exactly edible. They're hard as rocks."

"Then what are they used for?"

"FOOD! FOOD!" One of the goblins snarled in an imp like voice. "Delicious food! Healthy for us!" He rubbed his ravenous stomach.

"You...eat them?" Gwen shuddered. THEY CAN TALK?! Gwen and Lydia exclaimed. The way they talked was kind of cute. A shame their appearance was terrifying. "But they taste horrible!"

"To each his own." Lydia mumbled.

"We like Ju-Jus! Ju-Jus medicine, food, and crafty!" Two goblins demonstrated their arts and crafts prowess. One made the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the other the Sphinx. Gwen and Lydia applauded them. "Made deal with head human person of stone and wood town. 20 end summers ago! Half of Ju-Jus ours. Rest yours. Do not interfere!" The Head Goblin wagged a warning finger. Other gobins hissed rabidly, crawling closer.

It made sense why they attacked. They felt threatened. Betrayed even. Lydia growled defensively. Leaking magic gathered at the tip of her wand. Gwen edged back until her back was pressed harder to the crook.

"GET AWAY FROM THEM!" Constable Miles bowled a path through the goblin crowd. He and James created a small barricade between them and the girls. "Are you two alright?" He shouted, keeping the reorienting goblins in sight.

"We're fine." Lydia reassured him. The goblins were getting closer. Soon someone was going to make a mistake. Lydia pulled Constable Miles in by the shoulder, whispering in his ear, "The goblins are here for the Ju-Ju fruits."

"The disgustingly hard and colorful ones?"

"The same." Gwen and Lydia answered.

Five goblins leapt for the cowering crowd. "PROTEGO MAXIMA!" Lydia thrust her wand. The shield repelled the goblins over the bushes, into a pile of raked up leaves. "REPEL THE EVIL BEFOE US! PROTEGO!" A curved sheild bounced the gobllins back a few more feet. The gobllins only got back up, skulking closer than before.

"Why aren't you blasting them?" James cried.

"They think we're going back on deal made 20 years ago." Gwen informed him.

"But we're not!" James croaked.

"They don't know that, Prince James." The goblins' vicious snarls grew more rabid. They moved closer. Split, unkempt nails digging beneath the dirt. Gwen whimpered, keeping behind Lydia. "And you two charging in only made things worse."

Lydia sucked on her lips. This was getting out of hand. Someone was going to get hurt over a huge misunderstanding. Lydia placed a hand to Gwen's squeezing her shoulders. She nodded reassuringly, parting from the still frightened woman. She knelt to the apparent leader of the goblins. He weaved defensively toward his supporting brethren. He felt them huddle close. They snarled dangerously, prepared to pounce if Lydia so much as thought as stepping out of line. Constable Miles kept a hand to his sword. James picked up two rocks, tempted to bean one of those goblins in the head. Gwen picked up a stick, flimsily holding it up to at least appear threatening. Lydia kept her hands where the goblins could see them. She flashed a stern stare to James and the others. They kept their distance. She needed to do something soon before that restraint faded. She offered her wand to one of them - which they eagerly accepted - showing she meant no harm. James smacked a palm on his face, mentally cursing her.

"I don't think we've introduced ourselves." Lydia put on her warmest smile, batting her big blue eyes. She extended a hand to him. He was caught off guard by the gesture. "My name's Lydia. What's yours?"

"A...Abenheim..." He dumbly shook his head. A shaky hand gripped Lydia's. She placed a second hand on his. He blushed at how soft her touch was. Her soft expression deepened the red.

"I'm sorry if we startled you, Mr. Abenheim. My friends and I were here for these." She showed them the tulip stocks. The goblin sniffed the jar. Confused babble exchanged in their language echoed in the crowd. "We never meant to intrude. The fruit ripened early this year, didn't it?"

"Very early. Needed to get before next day. Seeds and juices go bad." Lydia studied her botanist's almanac. According to the Ju-Ju fruit chapter, when the fruit is at its ripest it will normally decay around the following day. The seeds and juices become harsh.

"Do the townsfolk know about this?" She circled a finger to the situation.

"No-no. Not tell. Move quickly. Way behind."

"I see..." Lydia tapped her chin, "That is a problem."

"Why problem? Almost done." The goblin pointed overhead. Constable Miles and Lydia gaped. Gwen and James gasped, huddling close. Goblins lurked in the trees, holding sacks filled with Ju-Ju fruit. "Almost done. No one not know."

"Which I am impressed by. You goblins are swift." Abenheim nodded with a proud smile. "But..." Abenheim's smile faded, "Situations like this one would be avoided had we known you were here. Someone could have seriously been hurt."

"Cannot talk to people. People not like goblins. Think we steal children." James massaged his ankles buying into that rumor. "Not hurt. Just keep out of way. People not like us."

Lydia pet his astonishingly smooth head. Sliding the hand to his chin she tilted his attention to meet hers. "I like you. Do you like me?" Abenheim blushed madly, shying to the ground. Lydia giggled adorably. "I'm sorry again that we startled you. And trust me when I say being a sorceress with a human face doesn't grant me anymore love. I know how you feel."

"You pretty sorceress." Abenheim fiddled anxiously with his hands. "Not know why not liked by all." Lydia pecked a kiss on his forehead. Steam whistled from his ears. He collapsed into his friends arms, laughing goofily.

"Oops..." Lydia giggled. Other goblins started laughing. James, Gwen, and Constable Miles relaxed, tempted to smile themselves. Abenheim shook free of his daze. Lydia dusted him off. "Mr. Abenheim, I believe we both have business to get back to, and it's very late. Can we end this night on a good note and apologize?"

Abenheim turned and huddled with his fellow goblins. They muttered within their close knit space. Lydia and the others exchanged glances, looked to the goblins, then back at each other. Shrugs were shared. They felt like they were on trial. Abenheim finally broke from his group. Lydia faced him with confidence. He reached a hand out to her.

"Deal."

"Deal." He and Lydia shook on it. The goblins in the trees vanished in the darkness. Goblins on the ground ducked in the bushes. Abenheim bowed graciously to Lydia, then disappeared with his brethren. Lydia released a held breath of relief, dropping to her butt.

Constable Miles and James helped her to her feet. "Most exemplary, Princess. You handled yourself with steadfast pinasch." Gwen then collapsed herself, grabbing her chest. Constable Miles deviated to her. "Are you well?"

Gwen bobbed her head wordlessly. Lydia helped Gwen up, dusting her off. Gwen broke down and threw her arms around Lydia. Petrified tears dripped to her shoulder. Lydia stroked her back soothingly. "I was so scared...so scared!"

"I know...so was I..." Lydia's own terrified tears dripped down her cheek. "So was I..."

…

"THA'S IT! DADDY'S GOIN' HUNTIN'!" Eezeyal flapped furiously, bending his scrawny legs to launch.

"NINE!" Eezeyal was recoiled by a yank on his tailfeathers. Ubos had him by the teeth. Eezeyal futilely tried to flap to the open window, all the while glaring at Ubos. "SHE DOES NOT NEED YOUR HELP!"

"SHE ALWAYS NEEDS MY HELP!"

"SHE IS 18 AND A SORCERESS!"

"SHE'S 17 AND A SORCERESS IN TRAININ'!"

"SHE'S FINE!"

"NO SHE ISN'T!"

"Yes she is." Lydia chortled.

"LYDIA!" Ubos's outburst launched Eezeyal like a softball into a potted plant. He parted the plant, growling humilitaed. "I told this foolish bird you were alright. If not a little scuffed up." He flapped his pages. Remaining dirt dusted off.

"Where ya been?!" Eezeyal flew into her stomach. She hugged him tightly. "Its been absolutely boring without you here!" Lydia arched a brow at Ubos. He shook his head, urging her not to ask.

"Sorry for being gone so long. Got held up." She showed them the tulip's empty of their stocks. "Needed to get the pollen stocks for Alauna, and I remembered needing the petals."

"Any problems?"

"Nothing James, Gwen, Miles, and I couldn't handle." She stretched a finger. On cue Eezeyal perched on her finger. "I promise." She kissed his beak. Ubos shied. "We were considering spending the night in town, but wanted to get back. So how was your evening?"

"Eh, still goin'." Eezeya grumbled. "Cedric's attemptin' a magic show. Probably tryin' tuh steal the amulet."

"Sofia's too smart for Cedric." She reassured them. No way Sofia will break her promise for magic trick. As if reminded, Lydia grinned impishly at Ubos. "By the by, who opened you?"

"I will permit you three guesses." He matched her grin.

"Ah Princess Hildegard. She never disappoints." She crooned.

"It disturbs me she finds your practice fruitless." He sounded more offended than disturbed.

"Her father believes the same thing. Only her resentment seems more personal."

"Why do ya say that?" Eezeyal arched a brow.

"Baileywick made a point in my studies to mention King Abraham is a stickler for tradition." Ubos bobbed his head understandingly. "Hildegard...she's like Amber. Her traditions are all that matter. For whatever reason, she hates that I am a princess and a sorceress. Or she simply doesn't like me."

"Why not ask her?" Ubos proposed.

"Because it'll seem as if it bothers me."

"Doesn't it?"

"It's a peeve. Not a bother. I'll get over it." She set her bags down. "I'm going to go say hi to the girls. Try not to demolish my stuff while I'm gone." She let the door close behind her.

"What gives her the impression-" Eezeyal stopped Ubos by directing his attention to the somewhat destroyed plant. "Oh. Oops."

"I'll get the broom."

"I think the dustpan is over here."

...

A small wave of chocolate milk covered glazed marble flooring. The toppled over chocolate milk fountain gushed gallons of milk. Ruby and Jade's dresses were soaked through and through, including their hair.

"ERRGGHH! MY DRESS! IT'S RUINED!" Amber screeched, stretching her nightgown to where a drop of chocolate stained. "THIS WAS MY THIRD FAVORITE GOWN!"

"We're sorry!" Jade cringed.

"SO, SO SORRY!" Ruby moaned. Sofia his behind her hands. Her friends have been ruining the party since they arrived.

Lydia shyly peeked inside. Amber, Hildegard, and Clio - mostly the first two - were frothing at the mouth at Jade and Ruby. Her aghast focus was centered on the chocolate mess. James was off to the side, trying not to bust a gut laughing.

"We're gone for a couple hours and you guys tip the fountain?" She exasperated. "I know you guys don't like each other but this is overkill." Amber and Hildegard flashed impatient glares. Sofia, Jade, Ruby, and Clio nervously glanced in other directions. James itched the back of his head with guilt. Lydia would guess what happened later. "Geez. Maybe I should babysit."

"THEN BABYSIT THEM!" Amber was salivating with rage, directing a finger at Jade and Ruby. "They have been nothing but trouble since they got here!"

"We said we were sorry!" Jade snapped in an apologetic tone.

"Sorry doesn't clean the mess!" Hildegard snarled.

"Then let me take care of that." Lydia gruffly drew her wand. She flourished it upward. Glitters clung to the milk and fountain. The spilled chocolate milk returned to the fountain as it was lifted to the upright position. It flowed naturally again. Now to get the party flowing naturally. "Baileywick, get these two cleaned up. I'll take care of Amber." She edge Amber into another room.

"Come along, you two." Baileywick guided them to one of the dressing rooms. Meanwhile James comforted Sofia. A rough night only continued to get rougher.

...

Lydia helped Amber on her bed in the observatory. She gently erased the chocolate stain with her wand tip. No one would ever guess chocolate tarnished the silk.

"There you go. All better." Lydia pretended to scribble on a piece of paper and then handed it to her. "Take two whiffs of tea and call me in the morning." Amber crumbled the paper and threw it at her head. Lydia laughed at her. "Sorry. Couldn't resist."

"HOW DID YOU DO IT?" She frightened Lydia.

"Do what?" She blinked wide eyes.

"Put up with Jade and Ruby!" She drew Lydia in by the collar. Her blazing green eyes sent chills down Lydia's spine. "How in the world could you stand them?"

"Patience, perseverance, and a silence spell." She answered rapidly. Amber, Hildegard, and Clio blinked in shock, and mentally wondered why she didn't make it permanent. "Until Sofia stopped talking to me, then I lifted it." That made sense. Lydia sat beside Amber, leaning on her palms. "I know how annoying they can be. But they're also the best thing that happened to her."

"What. Are we not good enough?" Hildegard scoffed.

"Sofia and I had to give up a lot when mom and dad got married. Not that it ever crossed your consideration, Hildegard." Hildegard grunted contemptuously, biting her lip. "Jade, Ruby, me, mom - we're all that's left of her previously life. Why should she give up a single piece of it for a new life that wasn't her choice?"

"I don't...I'm not asking her to do that." Amber stammered nervously.

"Sounds like you are." She narrowed her eyes. "Does Sofia need you approval in order for you to love her?"

"I do love her! As much as you do!" Amber hissed, offended that Lydia thought she didn't care.

"Then don't ask her to give them up." Lydia pleaded. Amber dropped her head sadly. Lydia felt sorry and pat her shoulder. "Give it time. You'll grow to tolerate them." Amber's dry humored scoff held doubt. "In the meantime go enjoy some dancing in the ballroom."

"There's dancing?!" Clio brightened.

"Passed by it on my way in. I'm going to get James and distract him."

"Thank you." Amber rasped. "He has this uncanny talent for ruining my parties."

"Lydia!" The girls all darted their heads toward the door. Roland stood in the doorway of a spare set of stairs with a stern look on his face. "May I speak with you for a moment?" Lydia became nervous. He knows about what happened in the grove. Constable Miles poking his head an inch past the corner confirmed that.

"R-right." Lydia croaked. "Uh...see ya." She rushed past Roland, not daring to meet his gaze. Roland bowed to the girls and closed the door.

"Is everything okay?" Clio asked concerned.

"I hope so."

...

"You were attacked by Nocturne Goblins?!" Roland scolded her. Lydia sank in a parlor chair. Constable Miles sighed regretfully near the fireplace. "Do you know how dangerous they are?"

"Apparently not." She replied, failing to hide her sarcasm.

"Gwen and James could have been hurt far worse than they were! Not to mention you and Constable Miles could have been killed!"

"Well we weren't now, were we?" She rebutted. "I'm sure Constable Miles mentioned how the situation was handled pretty well." She said his name so scathingly he wanted to cower in the corner.

"It doesn't matter how well the situation was handled! You have magic under your belt and you were helpless to use it!"

"I wasn't helpless! The circumstances didn't call for unnecessary spellcasting! There was a reason for their presence, we ascertained that, and everyone went home without incident!"

"Well what if a severe incident had occurred? What if the goblins were beyond reason?"

"That's an issue I will inevitably face when I am Queen! I was only applying what you're having Baileywick drill into my brain!" Part of her lessons entailed coming to compromises. Searching for a middle way that avoided aggression or any form of confrontation. She applied those teachings to the letter this night. Roland only heard how his eldest daughter put herself in danger for the sake of magic. Neglecting to remember she went out for Alauna. "I figured you'd be proud of how I handled myself! How I used a means besides magic to solve a problem! Yet here you are crucifying me?"

"I'm not crucifying you!" He roughly shoved his hair back, pacing side to side furiously. "Facing down goblins, gathering ingredients for potions, getting into dangerous situations is not what a future queen should be doing!"

"Oh right!" Lydia leaned back, rolling her eyes, crossing her legs. "I'm supposed to be a pretty trophy on my future husband's arm."

"Lydia, don't be ridiculous! I don't want you to be a trophy!"

"No! You want me to be what King Abraham is having you groom me to be!"

"Lydia, please! You're being silly about this."

"I saw the letter, Dad!" Roland froze. He looked to Constable Miles who shook his head and hands fervently. "Baileywick and Constable Miles didn't tell me. If you recall, I told yoou Eezeyal was more than a pet."

"You had Eezeyal snoop on me?" He asked hurt.

"No. Eezeyal found the letter when you decided out of the blue to start teaching me the ways of the perfect princess. He showed it to me."

"Eezeyal can read?"

"And more. He's a lot smarter than you think."

"Lydia, whatever you thought that letter said-"

"The letter basically says King Abraham wants you to turn me into a trophy wife. Something that looks good on a family postcard. Like mom." She flaunted sarcastically.

"Do not speak of your mother that way!" Roland warned her dangerously.

"Am I supposed to bend over backwards to my husband's wants, needs, and position?" She rose slowly and defiantly, strutting to Roland with a steadfast glare. "Be this perfect little ornament that boost his ego?!"

"Lydia!" His anger was boiling.

"IS THAT WHAT KING ABRAHAM WANTS YOU TO GROOM ME FOR?!"

"ENOUGH!" White hot pain splintered Lydia's cheek. She went wide eyed in utter shock. Constable Miles stifled a cry. Roland gasped. A red bruise shaped on her cheek. Throbbing stung the top of his outstretched palm. Roland slapped her. Her really slapped her. Ldyai touched her cheek, being convinced by the stinging. Static clung to her headband. Her blue eyes turned red. "Lydia...I'm-" Lydia's fist connected with his stomach. The wind was knocked right out of Roland, crippling him to his knees.

"STOP!" Constable Miles pulled a Lydia back. Her eyes returned to normal. But she was so enraged she hadn't registered the seriousness of her actions.

"You closed minded little tool. Do you know something? I never wanted to be a princess." Lydia announced emotionlessly. Roland shook off the punch in seconds. He was shocked she packed such a powerful punch. "I wanted to be a sorceress. But I can see Sofia's not the only one who's expected to give up her old life to be accepted by the new."

"Lydia I-"

"Save it!" She violently unsheathed her wand. Roland didn't flinch, but he worried what she would do. "You don't want me to be a sorceress? Fine." She threw it at his feet. Roland and Constable Miles stared at it in disbelief. "I'll be a normal trophy like Mom, Amber, and Sofia. I'll live up to society's expectations. Maybe I'll finally win the approval of at least one father."

"What do you mean?"

"If you'll excuse me, I must retire for the evening." She sardonically spoke in formality. She gave him a false curtsy. "My princess lessons being bright and early. Now that my silly, wandwaving hobby is behind us." Silly wand waving. Verbatum for the letter Abraham sent. Lydia stormed past Constable Miles.

"Lydia! Wait!" The door slammed. Roland froze in his place. He deluded himself into believing none of that happen. The pain in his heart told him otherwise. Roland groaned irately, itching the back of his neck. He looked at Lydia's wand. Picking it up he was stunned to find etchings, charred bits, and years of damage done. The paint job and care put into maintaining it conveyed the hardwork she put in to her work. "I've messed up. Haven't I?"

"It's not too late change it back." Constable Miles redirected the conversation. "Perhaps you may wish to wait until the morning, Your Majesty." Constable Miles was right. To approach Lydia now wouuld nly aggravate the situation.

"One father's approval..." Roland muttered. "What do you think she meant?"

"Perhaps the answer to that is the reason she vehemently practices magic." Constable MIles winked. Roland blinked in awe. He glanced at Lydia's wand. "Good night, Your Majesty."

"Yes. Good night." Constable Miles left Roland to his thoughts. He sank in a chair, wiping the guilt into his forehead. King Abraham, sorcery, being a princess - Roland knew there was a reason Lydia had been acting odd around him. He associated it with her headaches and with her odd friendship with Cedric. "A trophy...that's not what I want you to be." King Abraham's letter specified otherwise. "What a mess."

...

Morning rolled around troturously slow. Lydia never changed out of her uniform. She dropped on her bed, laid a hand over her eyes, and fell asleep. In that same position she woke up, lifting the arm up. Surpsingly, Roland was at her bedside, sitting at her feet. "What are you doing here?" Her attention drifted to her side. Her wand was lying beside her with a red bow tied to it. "Um...what's this suppposed to be?" She was still furious with him. But she wasn't about to prevent him from explaining.

"A peace offering." Roland rumbled with his head down. "I was...out of line last night. I never should have hit you." Lydia almost forgot he hit her. The pain went away so swiftly she forgot about it. It hurt her feelings more than it hurt her.

"I'm sorry too." She groaned hoarsely. "But Dad, try to understand! Since I arrived I've been expected to play this role and give up a life on the whim of others. Being a princess is an obligation forced on me that I am taking seriously!" Roland nodded, agreeing with her 100%. She's never strayed. When ahead with magic, she moves on to her royal duties and progresses swiftly. "Being a sorceress isn't just a hobby. It's my life. A dream I have. And you berating it and allowing others to berate it only makes me want to send you to the moon."

Roland couldn't resist a laugh. That's how mad she is. "Boy am I a piece of work, huh?" Lydia shrugged, curling her knees to her chest. Rolland reached a hand to hers, curling his fingers to her palm. "My intent was not to berate or crucify you. I was worried sick to my stomach when none of you had returned. When Constable Miles told me what happened, I was beyond proud. If I were there, I'm sure I would have been blown away by how well you handled yourself. What infuriated me was goblins attacking you because of an oversight. One you may have been able to avoid had you read Enchancia News." A tabloid circulating Enchancia covering who or what is living where and when. Lydia arched a brow. "The tabloid said the goblins arrived ealy due to an early harvest." Roland handed her an article. Saedar's Town was top news. Right smack dab on the first line were the goblins. "As future queen, had you read this, you would have been better prepared. Being unprepared when in charge of a troupe can bear a hefty consequence. One I would never wish upon anyone."

"I..." Roland was right. If she had kept up to date with current events this incident could have been avoided. "I messed up. I was excited to help Alauna, to prove I could balance Royalty and Sorcery. I never thought about...anything else."

"Trust me, I know the feeling." Roland pat her knee. "The weight we bear is heavy. Responsibilities forced upon us only we can carry." He tiled her head up by the chin, "To carry them alone is a foolish option. I allowed you to go into Saedar's Town without looking up the goblins. Therefore I am equally responsible. I guess that's why I'm majorly upset."

"You're human. You make mistakes."

"Yes, but as King my mistakes can be costly."

"Does that mean any mistakes I make will be less costly?"

"No. The choices we make inevitably relfect on the kingdom we serve." He lovingly ruffled her hair. "And you and I chosing to be proud bigots isn't going to help anyone." Lydia and he laughed derisively at each other. Roland picked up her wand, handing it to her. "I don't ever want you to stop being a sorceress. Regardless of what Abraham said-"

"Even if he hadn't said anything, I would have needed to take up the mantle anyway." She stopped him. She just really disliked how he called her sorcery silly wand waving. "It's just...Dad..."

"It's hard. I cannot imagine how hard things are for you right now." Magic. Royal duties. The public. Her having to live up to the expectations of people who barely knew her. That's not what he wanted for her. He gave her a tender kiss on her forehead. "I'm confident you are the perfect Sorceress Princess to face the challenge. And clear the obstacles involved." Lydia smiled, blushing lovingly. "That being said, let's go eat some breakfast. You and I have a stack of pancakes to reconnect over."

Lydia's whole face beamed like a holiday lights, "WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND WHIPPED CREAM?! LOTS OF WHIPPED CREAM?!"

"And maple syrup."

"Woo-Hoo!" Lydia waved her wand, conjuring a fresh change of clothes, and was down the stiars to the banquet hall in minutes. Roland chuckled following after her. It was hard to remember she was only a child. She deserved to enjoy it while it lasted.

"King Abraham..." He hummed. "Perhaps it is time I arrange a meeting."

To be continued