We're Gone
For
An Hour?
Alright. The Royal Mess Episode.
Hope you like it
xxx
The time has finally come. Tensions were high. Anxious sweat soaked to the armpits. Hands, feet, and whole bodies twitched in eager anticipation. The battle that should have been ages ago. The wide, open, and currently vacant gardens made for the perfect battleground. The Golden Wing Circus can wait a few more minutes. Right now, destiny was calling. And the wind was at the perfect speed. There can be only one who ascends - only one who claims victory, and earns the right, and the privilege to be amongst the best of the best. It all boils down to this.
A RACE AROUND THE CASTLE GARDENS! Eezeyal and Serena will start by the fountain, weave between the trees and dive under the bushes, glide over the cabbage patch and snatch a talon full of weeds, maneuver their way through the maze and drop the weeds in Clover's den. Yes, he will eat them. No one knows why. And then they are to come back around and land on their respective owners' shoulder.
"You might as well surrender, Eezeyal!" Serena's baritone shakespeare drawl ruffled the animated owl's feathers. Her talons grasped to the fountain ledge. Wings spanned to practically the height of Eezeyal, Serena lavished in the breeze teasing her feather. "A stunted birds like you cannot hope to match my aerobatic artistry!"
"This ain't fancy, shmancy artistry, you flabby carnivore!" Serena gasped insulted. She pinched her stomach. It wasn't flab. It was muscle. "This here will finally settle that yer over sized fans ain't nuthin' compared tuh mah maneuverability!"
"We shall see if your size challenged maneuverability can at least reach my tailfeathers!" Serena smacked her tail to Eezeyal's beak.
"Now, now, you two. Be nice." Lydia giggled. "Can't you be a little more cordial to one another?"
Adelea obsessively fiddled with the Thornberry Earring Lydia let her borrow. It was a weird feeling. Not the fresh prick in her ear. Even though the earring was a bit of an annoying presence. Hearing Serena and Eezeyal argue like cats and dogs. Somehow, she's not surprised by Serena's accent.
"How do you expect me to be cordial when she's actin' like a cockney as-" Serena swatted his beak.
"LANGUAGE!" Eezeyal sprang and swiped her beak with his talons.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!"
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" No holds barred ignited in a fury as Eezeyal and Serena tackled one another and wrestled in a huge dust cloud. Adelea pinched the bridge of her nose, embarrassed that Serena could be so childish.
Lydia threw her head back, slapping a palm over her eyes. So much for her assumption they'd be pleased to see one another. Ubos descended from his tree side seat, admiring the avian carnage up close. "And I thought Princess Lydia was the sole summoner of Eezeyal's good side." He teased.
Adelea was ashamed to say so, "Unfortunately, Serena makes animals and humans release their inner warrior." Her inner warrior has been unleashed several times whenever she leaves her molted feathers all over the place.
"To think they actually liked each other!" Lydia massaged her throbbing headache.
"Hard to believe, isn't it?" Adelea gestured to the feather pulling by either party. "By the by, Mister Ubos," Ubos lifted a brow at the young sorceress, "How'd you come to be Lydia's teacher anyway?"
"Mistress Fauna appointed me to her, confident I will be the teacher she needs to guide her on the path to success." Lydia brushed her knuckles on her chest. Ubos, admittedly, was doing a fine job. "Although she never mentioned I'd be a Royal Pet and Babysitter."
"HEY!" Eezeyal and Lydia frothed.
Adelea muffled a laugh. If she didn't know better, she'd think those three were lifelong friends. She's glad Lydia has friends like this outside school. She was such a loner. It was no wonder really. Hearing Serena and Eezeyal continue to go at it like cats and dogs was driving her insane.
"How did you put up with them back at school?"
"As I said, these two were tea rum and biscuit buddies. They never argued. EVER!" She couldn't stress enough how friendly they were.
"Oh...right…" Adelea started to recall what changed the mood. "Wasn't there something about a rare berry that brought this on? A…" She swirled her hand. It was on the top of her tongue. "OOH! The Fignewton Berry. Only rippens once every ten years?"
"Yep." The dominoes that set this madness in motion. "There was only one, they wanted it, and a crow ends up taking it."
"A whole rivalry in a nutshell."
"AND THIS NUT STOLE IT FROM ME!" Eezeyal roared, strangling Serena. She flipped the tables and bent his leg back to the point of cracking.
"I WAS THE ONE WHO TOLD YOU ABOUT IT! THE FIRST BITE WAS MINE!"
"Is it too late to let you keep these?" Lydia joked, pointing to her earrings.
Adelea was considering it. "If they argue too long we'll miss the circus." She can hear that crazy calliope catching her ear. And the distinct sound of a group of people singing about the Golden Wing Circus. It was quite catchy.
"What is with all this ruckus?!" Cedric harped, parting the bushes in his path. Lydia and Adelea closed around Ubos. He held his breath and plunged groundward, vanishing in a splash of smoke. Wormwood ogled the gawking birds on the ground. "And who in Archimedes' toe jam are these two?"
"Good morning, Cedric. We're doing fine. Thanks for asking." Lydia sarcastically batted her eye adorably. A hint that most normal people greet others before nagging. Cedric and Wormwood grumbled and rolled their eyes. "Adelea, allow me to introduce Cedric, Royal Sorcerer to King Roland. And this is Wormwood, his pet and partner." The pair stood straight and puffed their chests with pride. Lydia rolled her eyes next. The hams the pair are. "Cedric, this is Adelea, one of my best friends from Hexley. Over there is her hawk, Serena."
"It nice to meet you, Master Cedric." Adelea shook his hand.
"MASTER Cedric?" Cedric beamed. He liked the sound of that. He elbowed hints in Lydia's ribs. "Hear that, Princess? MASTER. Finally a young sorceress who recognizes greatness." He snapped his bowtie.
"Or a young Sorceress who believes in manners and buttkissing." Adelea blushed, fiddling with her hands behind her back. Cedric huffed angrily. Lydia was experienced in ruining a person's mood. "Did you need something, or are you here to tell us to keep the noise down, old man?"
"First of all, I'm 35. Secondly, I'm here to get ingredients for a potion I've been working on." Lydia would ask, but Adelea didn't need to know the Royal Sorcerer was an aspiring traitor. "Thirdly, Alauna and Gwen need you in the infirmary."
"Is everything alright?" Lydia became concerned.
"By Gwen's urgency, it sounded to be half and half."
"Okay. thanks." Lydia and Eezeyal, who pried Serena off his leg, moseyed along.
"Mind if we come along?" Adelea and Serena sauntered with them.
"The more the merrier. Gwen's been wanting to hang out with you anyway."
Cedric and Wormwood monitored the girls until they closed the palace doors behind her. The pair are marginally surprised. The talking book - what did Lydia call him...Ubos? - wasn't floating at their skirt tails. Cedric began to ponder if Adelea is in on the talking spellbook conspiracy, or if Lydia is being Selfish with her toys.
"I know I said we'd try to forget the book, Wormy, but it's KILLING ME!" Cedric scrunched up anxiously. Wormwood cawed in agreement. "The knowledge that book must have! The power! It might even surpass the Amulet!" A stretch. The Amulet of Avalor is the most powerful jewel in recorded history. It says so it the catalog. "The Amulet, the book, the amulet, the book! DOOH! Why not both?!" Wormwood pecked the side of his head hard. He fluttered to the ground, took up a stick and put leaves on his head like a crown. "Yes, yes! I am aware of King Roland!" Wormwood moved on and waved the stick. "And yes, I haven't forgotten Lydia's annoying keen sense of me. I also haven't forgotten the incredible power she displayed back in Merroway Cove."
Night and day was Lydia's power back at the cove. Raw, unrelenting, merciless...scary. He can still feel it. Cedric would go so far to surmise it wasn't even Lydia whom he crossed. Another being emerged in those caves. But who? Or what? More precisely, how did it come about?
"There are many mysteries in this world, Wormy. Question is, which one do we unravel first?"
xxx
"He seems like a strange one." Adelea giggled. She let her mind drift for a second passing through the throne room. She can't get over how amazing it is. Violet passed by with a tray of cookies for the staff's lunch break, and handed the girls and birds one each.
"Try living with him." Lydia drowned her misery in her cookie. Chef Andre makes the best cookies. Nibbled his cookie from one side, ding, then back the other way. He melted in the smooth, chocolatey goodness turning to goo in his mouth. "At least he keeps things interesting."
"Mmmhmm. Very interesting." Adelea wriggled her brow, nonchalantly eating her cookie.
"Alright! What's brewing in that twisted head of yours?"
"Oh nothing. Just…" She purposefully paused, leaning in close, "Do I sense an unspoken attractive tension?"
"ATTRACTION?!" Lydia shrieked, erupting cherry red. Serena and Eezeyal cackled. Eezeyal's as repulsed by the idea as Lydia, but he can't help laughing when she reacts like that. However, it does make a bird guardian ponder. "To that spindle legged...chalk board accented...scrawny…" What is another word to describe how infuriating he is?
"Charming, charismatic, handsome…" Adelea counted on her fingers.
"And he does possess that certain sex appeal." Serena flourished her wings curvaciously head to toe.
"THAT'S IT! I'm not taking either of you to the circus!" Lydia marched off, growing redder by the second. Adelea knows she doesn't mean it. It's still too easy to tease her! She giggled.
"I didn't even realize we were still going." Adelea continued to tease. Lydia's fuming evaporated to steam. That was a good point. Roland wasn't busy today, but he never actually said if they were going to attend the circus. Knowing Baileywick, work will fall into Roland's lap at the last second.
"Oh good! There you girls are!" Roland jogged after them. He was beaming with excitement. Sort of like James whenever the cannons are going to be test fired. Lydia suddenly felt nervous. "Lydia, where's your mother?"
"I think she's still down by the harbor." Miranda has tea with Mrs. Henshaw on most Tuesdays.
"GOOD! Come on!" He got behind them and pushed them to the throne room's adjacent hall. Amazingly, none of them tripped on the thrones along the way. All the while urging the girls to speed up, Roland was giggling like a school girl. It kind of freaked Adelea out.
"Is your Dad always like this?"
"Only when dessert's ready and he's being sneaky for mom." She glanced pensively, unnerved by his twisting elation. "Might actually be both."
An array of colorful lights shined to the marble floor ahead. Lydia and Adelea tilted their heads with intrigue. Adelea found the colors beautiful. Lydia, on the other, wondered what was causing them. They weren't there before. Roland pranced past the two, racing into the room where Baileywick awaited him. As Lydia and Adelea entered, their mouths and eyes flew open in absolute awe, sparkling like the glistening window before them.
A gorgeous stain glass window of the Royal Family basked in the warm morning sun. King Roland and Queen, gazing dreamily into another's eyes, held tender hands. The King wearing red cloak adorned by white faux fur shoulder shawl hanging by his shoulders. A greyish purple tunic to match Queen Miranda maroon robe like dress and purple cloak. The golden ends of her sleeves radiating. Seated between them, the hands arched above, was Lydia. A mint green cloak to her shoulders, offsetting her sapphire robe. A scepter clenched in her hands signifying her future reign, and her sorcery. James stood before her, portrayed as a young knight and wielding a sword. The protector of his family when his father is not available. A purple cloak to match Miranda's donned his shoulders. One either side of him were Amber and Sofia. Both wore red cloaks to match Roland's.
Serena and Eezeyal wolf whistled at the artistry. That was some beautiful piece of glass. Although, Eezeyal had one complaint. HE WASN'T IN IT! Honestly! Did the Royal Glass Window guy not NOTICE Lydia sports a very stylish, handsome, and charming shoulder accessory. She only has him with her ALL THE TIME! "Come on! What's a bird gotta do tuh get some fame, fortune, and recognition he deserves?"
"I hear throw rugs and mantel pieces are revered." Serena snorted.
"Don't you have a biscuit to choke on?"
"That leg of yours isn't thick enough to fill a thimble."
"Will you two shush!" Adelea ordered in a hushed voice. Roland seemed deaf to the arguing. Typical animal screenings without an Earring of Thornberry at his earlobe. But it amazed her he wasn't curious of all the noise.
Serena and Eezeyal scoffed and turned their backs on each other. "She/he started it!"
"Dad, the window looks amazing!" Lydia marveled, distracting herself from the irritating birds. The royal window maker worked tirelessly day and night while they were off on their summer vacation. The dedication and love he put into his creation shined. "Did Gustave finish it just now?"
"He actually finished it yesterday, and made it possible for it to be installed today." Gustave's aides were perched on the highest seat of their ladders, fortifying the extra strong industrial adhesive to the seals.
"It's beautiful, Your Majesty." Adelea gleamed. Roland allowed her closer, not minding her gliding gentle fingers across the mosaic glass. "Simply magnificent. Queen Miranda's going to love it."
"Thank you, Adelea!" Roland tap danced in place, squealing like James whenever there's an explosion. Lydia can't stand it. It's too adorable to not squee. She questioned if James and roland aren't the real twins. "What about you, Baileywick? What do you think?" Roland needed the jury to be unanimous on this one. Technically, counting the short months, Roland and Miranda are considered newly weds. This present had to go off without a hitch. Not that Roland needed to be worried. Miranda loves him unconditionally.
"Queen Miranda will be delighted beyond words." The window requires a final polish after it is finished being installed, then it will be perfect. Roland was beside himself with excitement. He'd rocket after Miranda to show her the window now if it weren't still in the prepping stages.
Whoops! Spoke too soon. Polish doused the window arch tip to flat base. Adelea and Lydia waved their wands, saving the floor from an unneeded polishing. It was just waxed last night. The two aids set squeegees to the stain glass window. They jumped off the ladders and rode their squeegees to a perfect landing. The polish pooled off in one swift motion. A huge glob saved by the young sorceresses, and placed in their buckets. A whole new shine flooded the hall. The marble floor cast the aurora gleam to the ceiling, filling the room in magical lights. A sense of romance gripped Lydia and Roland.
"Now that, Dear Father," Lydia winked and held her fingers as a picture frame, "Is a gift fit for a Queen." A signed seal of approval by Lydia herself.
"I must agree." Baileywick adjusted his glass, transfixed in a whirl of awe. "Queen Miranda will love it."
"Then I can't wait to show her any longer!" Roland broke into a brisk and with purpose speed walk. "Miranda's going to burst when she see's this!" Lydia and Adelea jogged after him. He walks pretty fast when he's excited.
"THE GOLDEN WING CIRCUS IS HERE!" James literally leapt to Roland's arm out of nowhere, impeding his path with a spin. "Can we go, Dad?! Please! Please! PLLEEAASSEE!" James begged and pleaded, ready to get on his knees. Hard to take him seriously in the red guard hat. Roland's own eagerness paled to James's zeal. Amber and Sofia hugged his arms. Batting their big eyes, and flashing those cute smiles. Roland was right in the palm of their hand.
Lydia shrugged and jumped to Roland's shoulders. "Please, Daddy!" She fluttered her legs.
"HA-HA! I don't see why not." Roland waved the white flag. He can't possibly say no to all this adorability. Lydia grinned like the imp she was, bouncing her brow to Adelea. She always knew Lydia had horns. "Baileywick, would you please arrange tickets for today's show."
"Right away, Your Highness."
"YAY/YES!" The youngsters cheered. Victory goes to them.
Adelea saw Gwen poked shyly from the nearby hallway. She motioned a hand urgently to Lydia. Adelea tugged Lydia's shirt and showed her Gwen. She'd almost forgotten in all the excitement. "We'll meet you there then, Dad. Alauna needs help with something in the infirmary."
"Alright. You both don't be too long now."
"We won't." The girls raced after Gwen who was already breaking into a brisk walk.
Roland must be getting old. He can barely keep up with his children's never ending supply of energy. "JAMES! NO BALL IN THE CASTLE!" But he'll try if it's the last thing he does.
xxx
Adelea howled in a fit of uncontrollable laughter. Her stomach was in stitches. "You four...are such...HAMS! Buttering up your Dad for tickets to a show! Hilarious!" She hooted between laughs. Gwen stifled her laugh behind her hands. Lydia flipped her hair proudly. She's still got it.
"I've only been here a few hours and I don't think I've seen those three run low on energy."
"Put sugar in these kids and they'll run on for days." That wasn't a figure of speech. Sofia gets the worst sugar rushes.
"I saw Prince James literally flipping off the walls once." Gwen chimed in. She tapped her chin. It was both disturbing and amazing, that day. "I'm still trying to figure out where he got that adhesive webbing from."
"Which reminds me, how is Chris doing?"
"He's good." Adelea was happy Lydia asked.
Chris is Adelea's younger brother. About James and Amber's age if Lydia remembers correctly. A handful of a handful. Babysitting Amber and James was easier. From Adelea's word of mouth, Chris crashed the graduation ceremony and was the reason the welcoming confetti was actually sneezing powder. The snot rockets shooting across the Broom Ball field is an engraved nightmare for the teachers and students. A family of pranksters they were.
"His latest letter says the Junior Knights are treating him well."
"Oh! Your brother is in the Junior Knights Academy?!" Gwen skipped over to her, eager to hear. "That's amazing."
"Yep, and he's liking it a lot."
"I'm glad." Lydia sighed with relief. "He wasn't all for it when your Dad sent him off."
Chris didn't have a say in the matter otherwise. The school, students, and his family were humiliated. After the sneeze powder incident, the teacher's and staff caught him and were about to make him clean up his mess. A bad idea. He would have just used the powder all over again. That's when Adelea's Dad got the idea to send him to the Junior Knights Academy. They would teacher him discipline, respect, and overall responsibility for his actions. The fit Chris tossed terrified the trolls living beneath the school. Might explain why the trolls live beneath the castle now.
"That's what he gets for running with a bad crowd." Chris gained no sympathy from Adelea. Truth be told, it was a blessing in disguise. No more babysitting while he attends. "Changing the subject, what's wrong with Alauna?" She asked Gwen.
"She wouldn't say." Which made Gwen worry more. "But she seemed upset."
"It can't be too bad, can it?" Adelea asked with hope.
xxx
"AAAHHH!"
First aid kits flew and broke open against the walls. Along with a squeaky toy for the younger patients. Gwen, Adelea, and Lydia cautiously sprouted from behind the safe gurneys. Gwen and Lydia neutral glances made her regretfully scratch the back of her head.
"Sue me! How was I supposed to know?" She's been in Enchancia for a few hours. How was she supposed to know the deceptively svelte woman was a fireball. Her short, frizzy red hair resembled one too. Daggers paled to butter knives under her brown daggers.
"STUPID! WRETCHED! BLOCKHEAD FLAKE! GRR!" She shoved clothes, medicines, and few other essentials into a bag.
Serena and Eezeyal decided to stay another hallway away where it was safe. Alauna seemed to have inhaled too many rubbing alcohols. "Is the young miss normally like this?" Serena fretted.
"Only when someone's properly thrown her a curveball." Eezeyal cringed hearing glass shatter. "Last time this happened, Constable Miles was out for a week."
"What'd she do?" Serena feared to ask. It was too horrible to say aloud. Eezeyal whispered in her ear. Serena screamed like that famous portrait. "How on earth is he able to walk so well after that?" Eezeyal would rather not regale her on his rehab.
Lydia bravely approached. Adelea and Gwen wished her the best. "Alauna!" Alauna whipped around with a roar, raising an axe. "AH! ALLIE! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! I COME IN PEACE!" Lydia held up a pan, awaiting impact.
"PRINCESS!" The physician's rage hitched in her bowels. Smoke in place of fire exhausted from her mouth. "Princess Lydia, please forgive me!" Alauna tossed the axe in a closet. A cat meowed in agony. "This is turning into a bad morning."
"What's wrong? I haven't seen you this upset since Dr. Merr spilled acid on your acupuncture set." Gwen shuddered at the memory. It took second to Chef Andre's pudding invention fiasco.
"It was an accident. I got over it!" Alauna hurriedly flattened her hair, and fixed her brown gown and white apron. The princess is one of her close friends, but etiquette demanded she be presentable. "But this is no accident! You know my helper Lefty?" Adelea shared surprisingly confused stares with Gwen and Lydia. She has an aide named Lefty, was the shared question. "He was supposed to watch the clinic for me but got sick at the last minute! And I'm supposed to go to the circus!"
"We understand the circus part." Gwen sympathized, placing a hand to Alauna's shoulder. "But people get sick all the time. Why be mad at him?"
"Because Dr. Merr told me he saw Lefty buying tickets for a coach to Sunstone Village 15 minutes ago. And the only thing Lefty does in Sunstone is gamble away his paycheck!" Now things were making sense. No one likes a liar. Especially when that liar works for the second most respected physician in Enchancia. "I can't go get him. I have too much work to do now that he's leaving."
"Or do you…?" Lydia trailed off, grinning slyly. "You said he bought the ticket 15 minutes ago right?" Alauna nodded fervently. "The coach to sunstone doesn't leave for another 30 minutes. We can catch him." Gwen and Adelea crossed their arms, accepting the volunteership. "And while we're at it, Lefty can pay for your Royal Box seat with me, Lea, and Gwen."
"You three would really do this for me?" Alauna was misty eyed. "Thank you!" She wrapped the three in a huge hug. "Thank you so much! Lefty likes to hang out at the Horse Stables by Luigi's Diner. Bets on rat races there." The four cringed in revulsion. Rat races, chicken fights - Lefty's a regular sucker gambler. "I'll close up shop when you return."
"Do it sooner. This shouldn't take long." Lydia confidently assured. "You two get a coach ready. I'm gonna let Dad and Mom know we're stepping out for an hour or two."
"We're on it." Adelea saluted.
xxx
James and Sofia huffed and puffed. Their short legs sprinting at their top speed, racing for their lives for Cedric's tower. Fearful glances met the half dozen clocks they passed. The ticking hands drawing closer to tonight's circus caked them in sweat. James almost left Sofia in his dust. It was harder to run in that dress than it looked.
"I sure hope...this...works!" Sofia rasped.
"It has to! Otherwise I won't be able to go to the circus!"
"Dad told you not to play ball in the castle!"
"Can we talk about that AFTER Cedric fixes the-" BAM! "OOF!" A sharp turn rebound Sofia and James on their butts. The pair winced at what they hit. Large lumps formed in their throats seeing Lydia. "Uh-oh!"
"Yeesh! What's the rush?" Lydia rubbed her stomach. She inwardly questioned whether or not their heads have gotten harder. "The circus isn't going anywhere." She hoisted them to their feet.
"Rush?! There's no rush!" James forced a dry, weak laugh. He tugged on his collar. The castle was stuffy all of a sudden. "Why would we be rushing?! Are we rushing, Sof?"
"NOPE! No rushing here!" Sofia's unnatural laugh, and tapping fingernails begged to differ.
Lydia placed hummed at their suspicious behavior, resting hands on her hips. Eezeyal shuffled to Lydia forehead, leering harshly. He knows bull feathers when he hears it. Fast speech, jerking side to side to break past. And Sofia's tell: interlacing her fingernails. "Alright. What'd you three do this time?"
James latched on by her blazer, "WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD?!" He pressed their noses. Lydia crossed her arms, hooking James with an impassive stare. He looked up to find Eezeyal with the same stare. "I...mean...what do you mean?" He failed at a smooth recovery. "WEEE haven't done a thing!" Sofia hid her hands behind her back, shaking her head fervently. "Nothing, nada, zippo, ZERO TROUBLE!" He looped Sofia in a hug, adamantly trying to laugh the awkwardness off.
"James…!"
"Love to stay and chat, Lydia! But we gotta run! Again!" James led Sofia by the wrist. Lydia closely watched them desperately elude her gorgon stare. "We'll see you at the circus!" They waved in a heated sprint.
Lydia shook her head defeatedly. "At least tell Mom and Dad Gwen, Adelea, I will be out for an hour!"
"WE WILL!" They shouted back, then vanished from sight.
"You ever get that feeling you were just lied to?" Lydia huffed insulted.
"Whenever Wormwood talks about his ex-wife." He drawled. Lydia gaped in disbelief. She wasn't clear on what shocked her more. That they talked or that Wormwood had a wife. "What? We have our moments like you and Cedric."
"Right…" Somehow she doubted that. She returned her attention to the empty hallway. A twinge of hurt prickled her chest. Sofia and James were hiding something. "Anyway, I need a favor from you and Ubos while I'm away." An insubordinate gambler is too sorry a job for them.
xxx
Paper bills slapped to a grubby, clammy hand. A balding, obese gentleman wearing Corinthian Matador clothing flicked the bills, and bit the shillings. The sweet, dulcet sounds of money. A menacing toothy grin parted a combed black beard and mustache. Church bells in his ears leading him to his dream of retiring in Fiji. He nodded and winked to the stable doormen. One closed the wooden doors outside, the other locked it from the inside.
Serena circled the setting sky, spotting the stable near the abandoned diner Alauna mentioned. Lucky for the people the place was closed. Serena was half a mile in the air and the noise was loud enough to drill in her sensitive ears. If that is not the place, then Serena was a chicken breaking a flight record. She screeched loudly, signaling the hiding trio in the alleyway near the old diner. Adelea extended a thumb, and motioned her hand for Serena to hide. She nodded to Lydia and Gwen, assuring the coast was clear. This was going to require a similar finesse like at Boswell's circus. And what better way than crashing a party they weren't invited to.
xxx
"GENTLEMEN, DEGENERATES, AND RATS OF ALL AGES!" The rowdy conversing died on the massive crowd's lips. Heads turned toward the half cube arena. Rats imprisoned by drop gate cages gnawed rabidly at the bars. "Tonight is a special night! I, your Host Stromboli, am throwing in something special for this night's...altercation." A sarcastically gentle term exciting malicious laughter from his hungry guests. "Tonight, whoever bet on the winning rodent, will receive THESE PASSES to meet and dine with King Roland and the Royal Family themselves!" Tongues hung ravenously for those passes. A box of tickets that will grant them all access to the Royal Household. The food, the drinks, the valuables just ripe for the picking and collecting dust. "The bets are in, Gentlemen, and the rats are starved and ready for a meal! Shall we INDULGE THEM?!" The roar of the crowd agitated the rats.
Lefty cackled maniacally, pounding adamantly at the arena wall. His wavy locks masked three quarters of his pimply features. One bloodshot green eye darted from his favorite rat to the one he needed to bite the dust. With this victory, he'll not only be filthy rich, but he'll finally be able to eat alongside the Royals, instead of receiving their leftovers! No more serving under that mediocre physician! This is his night. And nothing was going to ruin this night.
A flash darted past his head, grazing his cheek. A wooden stick pierced the support beam. Lefty rubbed where the stick grazed him. He wasn't bleeding. But boy did it feel like someone took a razor to his cheek. Stromboli tapped the stick curiously. It was rather unique. Reminded him, sort of, of a...wand?
"STOP!" The wand resonated at the call. A pearl colored aura emanated then spanned like a dome, coating everyone inside the stables. Flinching, surprised, about to run, and completely oblivious - the rat betting crowd was frozen in place. Time ultimately trapped them in a stagnant plane.
The guard outside caught the sudden silence ringing in his ear. He pressed an ear to the door. Nothing. "What duh sam hill is goin' on?" The chains were wrapped tightly to the posts inside, preventing him from investigating. A finger poked his shoulder. The guard turned and gulped. A local officer and his squad waited for him with a pair of shackles. "Aw man…"
Not a sound eluded wand's vibrating pulses. Feet traipsing the hay covered ground were as silent as falling leaves. Lefty was spotted with a hand to his cheek. A hand touched his back, freeing him from the spell's binds. He slumped to the arena, breathing heavily. "Woo! That was scary! For a second I thought-" Stromboli was frozen like a statue. Lefty staggered to him, poking his nose. It was like touching a brick. He noticed all was too quiet in the stable. When he peered around, everyone inside was still as stone. No one moved. No one spoke. No one was breathing as far as he could tell. "The powers that be! What happened?!"
"I happened." Adelea trilled, sauntering to her staked wand. Lefty scrambled to run. His back pressed to another gambler, trapping him with the unfamiliar face. "Sorry to interrupt. But someone needs to talk with you." He followed where she pointed. Lefty screamed like a little girl. Lydia was leaning to a post, wriggling fingers in a malevolent salutations.
"PR-PR-PRINCESS LYDIA!" He dropped to his hands and knees, putting his face in the dirt. "WHAT-I MEAN-To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?" He laughed nasally.
"Alauna told me you weren't feeling too well." Lydia knelt to one knee, looming ominous near his bowed head. "So I thought I'd help her out by coming to check up on you."
Lefty's dry throat made it difficult to swallow his guilt. "Is...is that so...well…" He rasped, breaking in a nervous sweat. That tail of his was shaking between his knobby legs. "You...can-COUGH, COUGH - tell her I'm right as rain!" Lydia and Adelea simultaneously rolled their eyes. "So...um...once I get back from Sunstone Village-"
"Oh, come now, why trouble yourself with a round trip? Make it one way."
Lefty lifted his head in bewilderment. "Princess?" He doesn't understand.
"On behalf of Alauna," She cupped his chin, and dropped her smile to a frown, "You're fired."
"WHAT?!" Lefty slapped her hand away, jumping to his feet. "You can't fire me! You don't have the right!" Lydia dusted her knees, impassively standing so Lefty wouldn't be talking down to her. "You only wear the title! You're not a crowned Princess! You have no authority!" He declared with a very complacent smirk.
"Perhaps not." She will grant him that. Until she is 18, Lydia's title as Princess is just an honorific. She smiled smugly all the same. "But my friends do." Adelea extracted her wand, dropping the time spell. Confused moans hummed through the reawakening crowd.
Stromboli and the others raised curious brows at the two girls. Before they could ask who they were, "Gambling is illegal in Enchancia, right Lydia?" Adelea crooned.
"Yep. GWEN!" Gwen picked the lock on the chain and opened the doors.
Whistles blared as Dunwitty Guards stormed the barn. Barks for the guilty parties to drop to their knees, raise their hands, and not to move quaked the stables. The horses neighed shrilly in fits. It was every man for himself in a split second. Adelea and Lydia shuffled Gwen to the side. A handful of stragglers escaped. The rest, including Lefty and Stromboli, were wrestled to the ground and handcuffed. Gwen tripped a man trying to escape. Hidden cash exploded from his shirt.
Lefty shouted profanities, cursing the guards and their grandmothers. He thrashed violently to throw the guards off, digging a trench in the dirt. A boot stomped by his face. He beared rabid teeth, growling at Lydia as she knelt to him. "Like I said. You're fired." The guards lined up the convicts, identifying more than half from wanted posters plastered throughout Dunwitty and most of Wit Dune.
"Thanks for the tip, Ladies." The captain shook the girls' hands. "We'll take them from here."
"Thank you, Captain. Have a wonderful night." Lydia curtsied. "I'll have Alauna send you his termination papers by the next morning." Lefty spat at her foot. He's lucky he missed. But it'll be Hades on Earth once Alauna get's ahold of him. If they hurry, they'll be back at the castle right as everyone is about to leave.
"I wonder how things are back at the castle." Adelea pondered aloud. It was on the verge of tipping to a madhouse when they left.
"Hopefully they're better than when we left." Lydia slouched in the coach.
xxx
Lydia must learn to not expect the best out of what's already a bad situation. At least not on days like this. A lot happens in the mornings in Enchancia. After she and the girls left, Eezeyal found Ubos hiding away in the library, reading up on a Hunchback Man in a bell tower. A fascinating read indeed. Eezeyal informed the spell book that Lydia needed a huge favor from them.
"Alauna didn't accidentally impale her with her syringes, did she?" Ubos was able to hear the commotion from the opposite side of the castle. Alauna is dangerously good at darts.
"No, no! Nothing like that!" Thank the stars that wasn't the case. Eezeyal thought it wise to skip the part where Alauna almost axed Lydia in half. Affects relationships negatively, you see. "Li'l Sofie and James are actin' mighty strange this mornin'."
"Strange how?"
"They were more nervous than a mouse surrounded by cats." Eezeyal could have filled three buckets of sweat. "Not tuh mention, Sofie's tongue ran dry talkin' tuh Liddy." Ubos was aghast. That's never happened. "Liddy and I caught the rascals bee linin' it fur Cedric's. At least we assume it's tuh Cedric. We heard them say his name before they bumped intuh us."
"This is strange indeed." Ubos hummed. This day was certainly bringing out the strange in the children. "Earlier, I saw Princess Amber dragging the King and Queen to her room. Something about a song on the harp."
"Didn't the King wanna show the Queen the stain window?"
"Yes…" Ubos trailed off. An epiphany welled inside of him, "And I do believe I overheard Miranda say a particular surprise can wait."
Eezeyal was disliking the chain of events the more they linked the pieces. "Yew don't suppose…" He nervously weaned.
"The new window is fine...right?" Ubos sought reassurance.
"O'course it is! It was installed not even an hour ago." Eezeyal forced a hearty laugh. He's sure whatever's wrong isn't related to the window. Right? "Have you seen the window yet?"
"Not yet."
"Tell ya what then, let's both go see it and put this whole matter to bed."
"Good idea!" Ubos heartily agreed.
Bad idea. Ubos teleported him and Eezeyal to the throne room. Baileywick meandered by, carrying six tickets to the night's Golden Wing Circus show. The tickets offered a plus one guest permit for them to invite Adelea, Alauna, and Gwen along. Ubos and Eezeyal slowly crept from behind the thrones. Baileywick was out of sight, prompting them to dart into the Window hall. A strong breeze Eezeyal didn't notice the last time blew through.
James and Sofia paced side to side, running a hole in the floor. Ubos saw what Eezeyal meant. Those two could be relatives to the Lonesome Ghosts. There was a chance James would spot Ubos if they admired the window from the hall. In spite of his attention darting left to right from where the window was. Eezeyal guided Ubos into a tunnel at the ceiling Mia and Robin made. Those two and Clover had tunnels running all throughout the castle. Faster travel and easy access. The pair arrived to a spot where Ubos would be able to admire the window perfectly from.
When Ubos and Eezeyal glanced to the window, it took an immense amount of willpower for them not to scream. A huge hole replaced Amber's entire face. Adding to the repulsive sight were the cracks webbing across the stain glass. Miraculously, the whole window hasn't shattered yet.
"No wonder these kids are actin' funny!" Eezeyal obsessively rubbed his eyes. It had to be a trick of the light or something. "Darn kids broke the window.
"How does something like this happen in one hour?!" Ubos can hardly believe it. Technically, it's been 50 minutes. But still. A brand new window ruined. "That would explain Princess Amber leading her parents away on a wild musical chase! Her room is on the opposite side of the palace."
"She's distracting them while these two try to fix it!" A not so farfetched hypothesis.
"Hello, Children!"
Eezeyal groaned at the singing voice. "And here's Mr. Fixit himself!" He scoffed at Cedric sliding on entry.
"Your faithful Sorcerer has arrived!" He bowed with his wand and spell book in hand. Faithful my tailfeathers.
"Oh good!" Sofia and James felt the first wave of relief wash over them. They may just get out of trouble yet. Cedric walked on over to inspect the damage rendered. James and Sofia stood out of his way, pleading to any higher power that he would be able to fix it as if nothing ever happened.
"No way that varmint is doin' this out of the goodness of his black heart!" Eezeyal spat.
"Do not be quick to judge, Eezeyal. People do surprise you once in a while." Ubos clung to the blind hope Sofia and Lydia are attracting Cedric's better qualities from wherever he's stored them.
"The only surprise here is he isn't tryin' tuh snatch Sofie's amulet while Liddy's out!"
"Oh that is one broken window alright." The fact that Cedric responded so disinterested rested Eezeyal's case. And he knows that smirk a second ago wasn't an AH-HA smirk.
"So...can you fix it?" James asked sheepishly.
"Of course, I've got a spell right here." Cedric opened his book to a random page, then closed it on their noses "Now, I need you both to stand in front of the window!"
"W-why?" Sofia found it odd. She and James bumped into each other standing by the window.
"You'll see, you'll see!" Cedric propped open his book, sniggering ecstatically. He'd glimpse in his book, studying the repair spell for the window. Then he'd continuously glance Sofia's way, falling into a laughing fit again.
"I really don't like where this is going!" Eezeyal fidgeted. "I gotta get in there!"
"Will you relax for a minute?" Ubos huffed. "He's not plotting all the time!" Their summer vacation is the perfect example. There wasn't so much as a peep made from Cedric a majority of the trip. Or Wormwood.
Eezeyal dragged the book in, shoving him toward the diabolical sorcerer, "He's got that evil twinkle in his eye!" Twinkles shimmered in Cedric's beady eyes. He spun away from James and Sofia, raising his wand.
"Lydia gets the same look when she and James perform their prank wars!" Ubos wiggled free of his grasp.
"Why do you insist on defending him?!"
"Because he and Lydia are finally breaching the walls!" He's lived in Enchancia a very short time. However, Lydia and Cedric's rivalry has become a novel of interest for him. "Those two are regularly at each other's throats. Recently they have actually managed to pass by one another and have docile conversations." His somber expression cooled Eezeyal's anger. "I don't want them going in reverse."
"Ubos…"
"HATOOTI!" Hatooti? Ubos pondered. A stream jetted for the two kids. Eezeyal and Ubos gasped. It was going for Sofia! Thankfully James and Sofia ducked sideways. The stream met the base of the window, reeling Cedric in close. Cedric dug in his heels, fighting the momentum. The rebounding spell glossed over him and he was sucked into the window. Squished to the front by the Royal Family.
"Oh no!" James squeaked. Hinges broke Ubos and Eezeyal jaws wide open in disbelief. To think they thought things couldn't get any worse for these kids.
"Ohh...Mr...Ceedric~" Sofia whimpered. They were doomed. One bright side, the window was no longer broken. But Now Cedric's part of the artwork, and his wand and spellbook are...duds! "OH MAN! I wish Lydia was here!" Sofia whined.
"NO! SHE CAN'T FIND OUT!" James edged her from the window and her foolish idea. "If she finds out, she'll tell Dad! Then I'll get in trouble!" Ubos and Eezeyal shared scowls. The plot was starting to come together. James is responsible for the window, and Sofia and Amber are helping him to cover it up.
"It won't matter if she tells Dad when he see's Mr. Ceedric in it!" Sofia stressed.
"Then...I'll…" Think, think, think, he pressured himself. Amber won't be able to distract Roland and Miranda forever. His foot bumped Cedric's wand. "I know! I can use magic to fix everything!" Eezeyal and Ubos groaned in agony. That was James' worst idea so far, and they barely got there a few minutes ago.
"But you're not a sorcerer!" Sofia protested.
"How hard can it be? Lydia and Cedric do it all the time."
"They went to school! And they're older than you! And..and…" Sofia cannot find the right words to discourage him. Or tell him that his ideas have been absolute disasters. She's too nice...and too flustered.
"Relax, Sof. I'll just find a spell in Cedric's book, wave this wand around-"
"I REALLY don't think you should do this!"
"Shouldn't you be intervening right about now?!" Eezeyal shook Ubos. His secret should not be a priority right now. "James is gonna blow the castle sky high!" Ubos shivered from his stupor. Why is he standing there like a ninny?
"Here we go!" James raised the wand to the window. "This spell looks like it will work."
"TOO LATE!" Ubos and Eezeyal ducked for cover.
"I can't look!" Sofia turned away, covering her eyes.
xxx
"Well that was a fun trip." Adelea stretched her arms in victory. "Who knew busting a gambling ring could be that much fun?" Serena sympathized with her pride. She's never been a look out before. She would relish Eezeyal challenging her in scouting. Seeing as their race was interrupted.
"If it's all the same," Gwen sheepishly drummed her fingers together, "I'd rather not walk into a stable of scary men again."
"Not to worry, Gwen," Lydia patted her back, "Our next girls day out will be to wherever you want."
"In that case," Gwen cupped Lydia's hands, "Let's get Alauna and head to the circus already!"
"That's right! Alauna will be able to go to the circus with us!" Adelea cheered, skipping like a child up the front entrance stairs. "Especially after we help her catch up in her work!" A little Adelea-Lydia dazzle should clear her schedule.
"It's a series of win-wins today!" Lydia looped Gwen and Adelea in a hug. The lady trio giggled animatedly. The guards who opened the door for them had their day brightened by their laughter. "Lefty's gone, my best friends are coming to the circus, and Mom gets a new window to spruce up her marriage."
"I have to agree!" Gwen pirouetted, overcome by the glee. "Nothing can possibly ruin this day!" CRASH! Gwen froze in mid-skip. Adelea and Lydia stopped dead. The three stiffly turned to one another. "We all heard that right?" Lydia and Adelea bobbed their heads frantically.
"THE WINDOW!"
"DAD?!" Lydia darted after the cry. Adelea and Gwen chased after her.
"Oh it wasn't me, Your Majesty!" Cedric's crooning echoed. Lydia and the others staggered to a stop. Cedric escaped into the perpendicular hallway. "It was the CHILDREN~"
"What was the chil-WHOA!" Lydia's headband flipped. Cedric almost jumped from his skin. Gwen and Adelea's jaws hit ground. Serena was stricken by terror, falling like a dead plank. A gaping hole sporting jagged glass edges was where the new stain glass window was supposed to be. "We were gone for an hour. WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO THE WINDOW?!" Lydia yanked her hair. James, Sofia, and Amber cringed. On top of Roland and Miranda, now Lydia saw it. It was hard to tell who was more horrified.
"What window?" Miranda stressed. She was so lost. Was there supposed to be something there?
"I'll take my leave now." Cedric bowed to the King and Queen, and Lydia, and left burn marks racing for his tower.
Lydia blinked with abject shock and horror. She and the others were gone for an hour and...the window was completely destroyed. A marvel of love and adulation nothing more than shattered dreams on the floor. Lydia motioned for her friends to go tell Alauna the news. The pair held no objections. This was a family matter. She slowly approached the melancholy king, placing a hand at his forearm.
"I'm sorry, Dad." She moaned.
"It's...it's not your fault…" He hung in failure.
"Rolly? What's wrong?" Miranda hugged his arm. He can tell her anything. Anything so she can make him smile again.
Roland faced the blowing air whistling to his misery. His breaking heart was mutilated the closer he dragged himself to the scattered shards. The beautiful Stain Glass Window of the Royal Family - the family he loved so dearly - handcrafted and polished for weeks, was ruined. How ardent he was to show it to Miranda, and profess the symbol of the bond he holds with her and their children. Only for him to return and have it be broken like his spirit. He carefully lifted a piece with him and Miranda gazing dreamily into each other's eyes, just as they did on their wedding day.
"There was a stain glass window here of the entire family. That...was your surprise." Alauna, Adelea, and Gwen felt a sting when he said was. Lydia cupped hands to her sad heart. He was so happy this morning. James, Amber, and Sofia writhed at their father's anguish. "I had it made just for you."
"Oh, Rolly, that's so sweet." Miranda touched his cheek. She smiled all the same at the sentiment. Holding the piece of glass, she can see the window in her mind. How beautiful it would gleam in the sunlight.
"It really was a beautiful window, Mom." Lydia hugged Roland, patting praises to his slouching back. It helped a little, but not enough. And Lydia isn't sure she knows a spell that will repair it. It was a tall order.
"Children," James, Sofia, and Amber stiffened as Roland approached, "You know the window was a surprise for your mother and it was very important to me! Now it's broken!" Roland with it. Lydia and the kids have never heard him sound so hurt. "What happened here?" That's what Lydia and Miranda would like to know. Those three have been acting strange all day.
"Mom...Dad…" James stepped forward, "What happened was-"
"I broke it! It was me!" Sofia blurted. Miranda and Roland gawked taken aback.
"Sofia?!" Lydia gasped, arching an incredulous brow. Eezeyal and Ubos cautiously crawled out of hiding. Both stunned to hear Sofia make a false claim.
"I was playing ball in the house!" She pressed. Amber and James stared wordlessly.
"YOU did this, Sofia?" Miranda asked doubtfully. "This...is so unlike you."
"Very unlike you…" Lydia drummed fingers on her arm. Wooshes drew her attention to the beams. Ubos and Eezeyal ix-nayed Sofia's confession. They gestured toward James who looked like he was ready to vomit. Amber was glaring at him with hands on her hips. "I see." I don't believe this!
"We're very disappointed in you." Roland regretted to say.
"And...since you broke a castle rule…" Miranda didn't want to, but she had no choice, "I'm afraid you'll have to stay home from the circus."
"I understand…" Sofia sank in misery.
"ALRIGHT, EVERYONE!" Baileywick cheered, checking his pocket watch. "It's time to head to the circus-AAHH!" The nightmare greeting him on entry. "THE WINDOW!"
"Sofia played ball in the castle." Roland's disappointment increased the weight on James and Sofia's shoulders.
"Sofia?" That didn't sound right to him. You and me both, Baileywick. Lydia sneered.
"Would you escort her to her room please?"
"Of course, Your Majesty."
"Have fun everyone!" Sofia wished, dismally following Baileywick.
Amber trained her angry eyes to the sickly James. Lydia moved her glare between him and Sofia. Ubos and Eezeyal urgently demanded her attention. "Well…" Roland exhaled, "Shall we get going?"
"I'll meet you outside!" James darted after Sofia and Baileywick.
"I'll meet you at the circus." Lydia informed them. "There's something I need to take care of." She signaled Ubos and Eezeyal to meet her in the throne room. She hid amongst the suits of armor, well out of Baileywick and James' line of sight. Eezeyal and Ubos propped a suit's helmet open, waiting for Roland and the others to walk on by. "Do I even WANT to know what happened?" She pleaded in her mind they wouldn't tell her.
"Nothin' we can't explain on the way to Cedric's lab!" Eezeyal growled.
"Cedric?"
"Yes, Princess…" Ubos cleared his throat. He is not so proud he can't admit when he's wrong. "Before the window's untimely demise, Cedric played an infinitesimal part."
"How so?" She groaned.
xxx
BANG, BANG, BANG! Cedric's door hinges nearly broke off. "Yes! Yes! Yes! What do you-" An infuriated Lydia and Eezeyal greeted him at the door. "Lydia?!"
"DON'T YOU LYDIA ME, MISTER CEEDRIC!" She stormed in. Cedric retreated, knowing full well he's in trouble. She only messes up his name, lately, when she's angry. "An attraction spell on a window?! Really?! In the midst of a desperate situation, you try to swipe her Amulet?"
"What?! You weren't even there! How could-" Cedric's protest hitched in his throat. It wasn't too farfetched to accuse Eezeyal of telling her. He is, after all, as well versed in magic due to his time with Lydia. Or so her theorized. But there is also the matter of that book of hers that also lingers. "Ahem! As I was saying," He fixed himself, "How are you so certain was attempting to steal the amulet?"
"Unless snowballs are surviving in hot places, attraction spells aren't used to fix cracks in a window!" She smashed a finger in his nose, preventing him from formulating a crack pot tale. "Or get certain Royal Sorcerers trapped in them!"
Cedric chuckled irksomely, lifting his hands in defeat. "It would appear I am no match for yours wit." Lydia flinched at his fingers delicately wrapping to her wrist, lifting her hand away from his face. "What will you do now?" He purred, pinching her chin. Eezeyal's feathers ruffled to a fluff.
Lydia blushed madly, snatching her hand back. "I have a little sister to take care of. I'll deal with you later." She slammed the door behind her, shaking beakers to the floor.
"Ah...she's kind of cute when she's angry." He dreamily leaned on a knuckle. Wormwood rolled his eyes.
xxx
Baileywick and Sofia raised their tea cups and clinked them together. Sofia was happy Baileywick decided to stay with her and have peppermint tea with her. It erased her unease of having lied to Roland and Miranda. Like Sofia told James when he caught her at the stairs, she knew how much the circus meant to him, and she wanted to make sure he got to go. Baileywick, being the perceptive steward he is, caught on to the subterfuge. He's known James longer than he's known Sofia. However, he knew she'd never play ball in the castle. Baileywick admired her for her kindness in taking the blame. A fine quality in a princess. But a lie is a lie, regardless if you're trying to help someone. He just hoped she'd consider that for the next time. So, for the duration of the day, he'd spend time with her. Hopefully she'd cheer up and muster the courage to set the record straight when The King and his family return.
Knock, knock. Sofia door opened. She held her cup nervously as Lydia entered. "Can you excuse us for a minute, Baileywick?"
"Of course." Baileywick bowed. As he walked for the door, he whispered, "Don't be too hard on her." Lydia smiled solemnly. Guess I must have that look. When the door closed, Sofia felt a suffocating pressure building on her shoulders. Lydia topped the her tea off. Sofia timidly nodded in thanks. She'd need it.
Lydia sat at the small tea table and crossed her arms and legs. "Want to explain why you lied straight to my face?" Sofia twisted her dress, fumbling her gaze anywhere but to Lydia. She was too ashamed. Lydia sighed disappointed. "Sofia, I'm not Mom and Dad. I can't and won't punish you for lying. But I would be lying if I said it doesn't make me question whether or not I can trust you."
"You CAN trust me!" She sprang from her seat. "I just…"
"Didn't want James to get in trouble?"
"Uh-huh."
Lydia should have known. Sofia's too kind for her own good. "Sofia, part of growing up is learning to take responsibility for your actions." Lydia dabbed the gloss from Sofia's eyes. "If someone does it for you, it only hurts you later on in life." She tilted Sofia's chin up, flashing her a smile to show she wasn't upset.
"She speaks true, Princess Sofia." Ubos chimed, floating beside the younger Princess. Eezeyal perched on Lydia's shoulder. He didn't bother hiding his resentment of her fib. "The more a lie is fed, the larger it will grow until the truth is brought forth in an ugly mess." Case in point being the destroyed window.
"I'm sorry. I never thought about that."
"I hope you will next time." Lydia ushered.
"I will. I promise." A promise Lydia trusted Sofia to keep.
"Good. I'm always proud of you, kiddo." Lydia kissed her forehead. "How about some cake from the kitchen?"
"What about the circus?"
"There will be other ones." She winked. She's not going without her. Sofia smiled brightly. She won't pass up free cake.
"There you are!" Adelea burst into Sofia's room. She'd apologize later. Something strange just happened. "Your Mom and Dad are back. They said to meet them in their room!"
"Uh-oh. This can't be good." Sofia dreaded.
"You never know." Lydia shrugged.
xxx
The string of disappointments wove into a thick rope looping the castle several times over. Roland and Miranda cannot recall the last time they last time they'd been so cross with the children. They leered at James and Amber in silence until everyone was present. Waiting for Sofia and Lydia to join them had James and Amber writhing on the red couch in the bedroom parlor. Pits curdled, and knots tied their stomachs. They can't stand all this waiting. The creaking door hinges were music to their ears. Lydia escorted Sofia inside. She shied to Lydia's hip feeling Roland and Miranda's hard stares lock on her.
When one is asked to face the music, it's never the song you want. Sofia felt she was on a death march when she sat with James and Amber. Lydia sat on the arm of the chair Miranda was in. Roland remained standing, towering above his young culprits. The trio sank in their guilt, not even sure what to say at this point.
"I don't know where to begin with your three." Roland gruffly huffed.
"The beginning would be nice." Lydia itched her whirling head. "I'm still wondering how Cedric got involved."
"It's all because of me." James slouched. After the guilt ate at him at the circus, he can't hide it anymore. Especially if Sofia was going to take the blame. "I was playing ball in the castle, I broke the window…"
"And then Amber and I tried to help him cover it up so we can try to fix it." Sofia added. Miranda and Roland know where that portion of the story led. Amber poured her energy into distracting with with music and tiaras so they wouldn't see it.
"We're very disappointed in you." Roland frowned. "James, you broke a castle rule."
"And then the three of you tried to cover it up." Miranda input hurt.
"I'm sorry." James wheezed.
"So am I." Sofia confessed.
"Very sorry." Amber added.
"Sofia, you and James lied straight to my face." Lydia can't begin to explain how hurt she is. "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"Because we didn't want you to tell Dad." James whimpered.
"That's no excuse." Roland scolded harshly.
"Families need to be honest, and not keep secrets from each other." Miranda educated them.
"So the next time something like this happens, just tell the truth from the start." Roland urged them. That way a mess lik the one from before will be prevented.
"We promise." James and Sofia moaned.
"On the rare occasion I do something wrong," Amber maintained her shining innocence, "I'll be sure to tell you." James, Lydia, and Sofia weren't buying it.
"Thank goodness!" Lydia stretched. Finally, that was all cleared up. Today's been nothing but trouble after trouble. "I'm gonna need a chiropractor after this." She babied her shoulders.
"Why? What have you been up to today?" Miranda asked.
"Funny story-"
"Excuse me, Your Majesties," Baileywick arrived, "There is someone who would like to speak to you right away." Before Roland and Miranda could ask who, Baileywick was already sauntering for the front door.
"Huh. I wonder who it is." Roland shrugged.
"We'll be right back." Miranda assured, walking after Baileywick.
Adelea, Alauna, and Gwen entered the room after Roland and Miranda left. Lydia excused herself while she breaks the bad news to them. "Lydia!" Lydia paused at the door. James bowed his head, "I'm really sorry."
"I know you are." She wouldn't hold this against them for longer than an hour. Torture them for fun a bit. She's lied plenty when she was their age. She joined the girls in the hallway, released a breath of relief.
"Is all right with the world again?" Adelea teased.
"In a matter of speaking. Looks like we aren't going to the circus." Lydia regretted to inform them. Adelea and Gwen weren't surprised. The wave of issues kind of put roadblocks in the way.
"Perhaps it is for the best." Alauna acquiesced. "Without Lefty, I'm going to be up to my neck in work by the morning."
"Yeah, sorry about him." Lydia may have gone overboard getting him arrested. But Alauna deserves better than him.
"If you like," Gwen piped up, "I can help around the clinic until you find a replacement."
"I'd love that."
"Well that's one problem solved." Adelea clapped. Now if only the circus would fall into their laps as easily. Adelea doesn't want to be a pushy houseguest. But she's been to Kaldune and back to rescue her bird, and just faced angry gamblers for a physician she's grown to love in a few short hours. Something needs to balance out.
"Oh good! You girls are here!" Miranda cheered. Roland and Miranda's chipper vibrance threw the four girls for a loop. "Are the kids still inside?"
"Haven't moved. Why?" Lydia raised a brow.
"You are not going to believe this." Roland challenged. The girls were all ears. "The Circus Ringmaster has offered to put on a private show in the courtyard for all of us here at the castle." Lydia, Gwen, and Alauna burst with joy. Adelea dropped to her knees, throwing her fists to the air. CAN I ASK FOR MY OWN GOLDEN CHARIOT! "I take that to mean you girls are in."
"Dad, we're already on our way outside!" Lydia led her pals onward. The front seats are theirs before the bad kids can swipe them.
"We'll get the kids and meet you outside." Miranda bellowed.
"Okay-YAH!"
"COME ON! COME ON! COME ON!" Adelea forgot her manners and was shoving Alauna, Gwen, and Lydia straight for the front door.
"ALRIGHT!"
"WE'RE GOING!"
"CHILL OUT, LEA!"
Miranda and Roland can only imagine Sofia, James, and Amber's reactions. The afternoon wasn't over quite yet. There's still a chance for a bit of magic.
To be continued!
Not one of my best endings, but it's an ending.
No I did not add the circus bit. Why? Ugh, I dunno. I've been stuck for three days just trying to type a sentence.