The Stress

Of

The Uncertainty

Moving on.

xxx

The time fell on two hours since Lydia's test began. Word around the castle was she was at the base of Mistbow Mountain and was starting to trek to the top. Where she, Lezard, and Cedric were at the current mark in time was anyone's guess. The suspense was having an adverse affect on everyone. Worries that Lydia was hurt or struggling showed in the servant's' work ethics. Violet must have dropped three vases. Miles' sword slipped from his hand every other thrust. Clover, Mia, and Robin were just as worried about her. A worry that was stemming from Sofia who tried to encourage everyone with unwavering faith in her older sister.

Sofia, Amber, and James passed the time in the Royal Playroom. A seemingly perfect distraction to help them think about other things. Not likely. Amber must have changed the jewels on the toy tiaras 20 times, creating the same sequences and claiming to have a stroke of genius. James sat languidly on the couch, throwing and catching a ball bouncing off the wall. If it stopped short or went out of his reach, he'd just pull out another one and throw it. Sofia dressed up her dolls and pretended to have tea parties with them. Or she'd arrange them and paint them. Without realizing she painted her family, and Lydia's portrait drew apprehension to her chest. The three simultaneously let out a long sigh, tossing their activities aside in hopelessness.

"Shall we bring in some new toys?" Baileywick knocked, partially joking to liven the mood.

"It's been two hours!" Amber threw her hands in the air. That's one hour and fifty-nine minutes too long for Lydia to be gone on what was labeled as a dangerous journey. "We haven't heard anything new in ages! What if Lydia's hurt?! Or worse!" James and Sofia froze at worse. Lydia might be in trouble. Stuck in a cave. Eaten by bears. STUCK IN A CAVE WITH BEARS! "We have to go look for her!"

"Princess Amber, please!" Baileywick pushed her back in her seat by her shoulders. "All of you, relax!" He swept a hand around the room, blanketing a pacifying air over the anxious royals. "Let me assure you three now, Princess Lydia is fine." Baileywick pulled a notice of Lydia's progress he accepted roughly 20 minutes ago from his pocket. He fixed his glasses, "She has passed the Crystal Forest and is making her way to her third test as we speak. No scratches or injuries to speak of." He put a finger to the name of who sent the report, "So swears Cedric and Lezard." Amber, Sofia, and James released their held breath, collapsing with relief. "If it's any consolation, we're all worried about her. It's our job. We're her family, after all."

"How can you guys be so calm, though?" James questioned, feeling as if he's about to go boom like a cannon.

"Trust me. Queen Miranda almost assembled the Royal Guard to go search for her."

"What stopped her?" Sofia was amazed they hadn't gone.

"King Roland reminded her that Lydia is as smart and resourceful as she is." Baileywick added emphasis on Queen Miranda. He saw closure brighten in the young royals. Queen Miranda is resourceful, patient, and has proven to be wise and clever. Lydia and Sofia are mirror images of her. "You'll see. We'll hear word that Lydia is near the peak in no time, and we'll all be there to greet her." Sofia, Amber, and James felt he was right, and they were being silly. They went back to playing, eagerly awaiting the news.

xxx

Clapping hands at the first split junction caught Lezard, Lydia, and Cedric's attention. Merryweather showered them with praise, meeting them a part of the way down the slope. "Nicely done, Princess Lydia! I pleased you didn't try to fly over it." Disappointment, had that been her choice, reverberated her throat.

"You wanted me to go through, and the idea sparked when I saw you fly over it." Lydia giggled. Merryweather mentally chastised herself. She inadvertently gave away the answer. She'll keep that to herself. "Going through wasn't too easy…" She brushed her face, recalling the close call with the spikes. Thank goodness for Cedric and Lezard, "But avoiding the forest wasn't an option."

"Indeed it wasn't. Avoiding obstacles isn't the same as overcoming them. Always remember that." Merryweather educated her, wanting Lydia to hear her.

"Yes Ma'am."

"Good." Merryweather motioned a hand to Lydia's next path. "Your next test lies this way. Tread carefully. We won't go easy on you." She teased.

"I wouldn't expect you to." Lydia was up for the challenge. She urged them to do their worst. Lezard and Cedric wouldn't expect less of an answer from her. "See you at the top." Lydia broke into a mild jog.

"WHOA! LYDIA!" Lezard shouted.

"SLOW DOWN!" Cedric joined Lezard in the run. Eezeyal and Wormwood rolled their eyes. They're aging trying to keep up with these three.

Merryweather shook her head with a sigh. No matter the generation, some things never seem to change. Shrinking to her fairy size, Merryweather flew for Mistbow's peak.

"LYDIA! YOU SHOULDN'T BE RUNNING LIKE THIS!" Lezard protested her bunny hopping her way up the slope. Cedric falling flat on his face supported his claim. Wormwood and Eezeyal were winded themselves. "Altitudes we are traversing will require a slower pace!"

Lydia stopped herself at a tree, catching her own breath when her zealousness caught up to her. "Sorry!" She panted, laughing as she moseyed down. "Guess I got a little carried away." She helped Cedric to his feet, folding his hands behind his head to clear his airway. "We can slow down. Truth is, I'm in no real rush."

"Could have...fooled...ME!" Cedric frothed between heavy breaths. He threw himself forward. Hands landing harshly on Lydia's shoulders almost dropped her. "Do be mindful of us less than spritely travelers!" Wormwood plummeted to his back, folding his wings and legs like a dying spider. Eezeyal dove face first like an ostrich, falling limp in the dirt. It is not beyond me to turn to into a vegetable from this much exertion!"

"Stop exaggerating!" Lydia jabbed fingers in his shoulder. He lost balance, plopping to his butt. "Besides," Lydia bent forward, hands to her hips, smirking menacingly, "If you die, who's gonna take care of Wormwood?" Wormwood grunted and shot his head up, raising a brow at his name. "I hope you don't plan to leave him with me. I've got one bird brain to watch." Eezeyal rolled a frown at her. Cedric was too out of breath to retort. "You okay to still walk?"

"You'll forgive me if my legs haven't solidified from the gelatin you reduced them to!"

Lydia rolled her eyes. He's always so dramatic. "Come on. Let's go." Lydia knelt and wrapped his arm around her neck. Digging her feet firmly, she hoisted Cedric to his feet. The hand at his waist had him lean on her. Heat rose to his cheeks. "I'll move slow." She taunted.

"I'm not crippled! Or old!" Cedric tore himself from her. "I can walk fine on my own! Come, Wormy!" Cedric stormed to the head of the group. Wormwood stomped on Eezeyal, burying his head in dirt as he flew to Cedric's shoulder.

"As you wish!" Lydia laughed at him. Cedric snorted his nose to the air.

"You two baffle me." Lezard pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You're not the first one. We confuse a lot of people. Including ourselves." She openly admitted.

"Am I also not the first one questioning how you haven't killed each other?"

"Not even." Lydia took him by the hand. Cedric was getting way ahead of them. Linger too long and he'll be the one finishing her test. "Cedric and I have come close. But we never finish the deed."

"What's stopped you?" He joked. Part of it was morbid curiosity.

"The castle would be too quiet without either one of us there. And too boring." Lezard stopped in his tracks at her distant response. He blinked in bewilderment, watching her jog to catch Cedric. He found a an iota of courtesy and waited for her, ruining the tender moment by chastising her for being slow. Lydia must have been tired because she took it with a laugh. They're playing a game? Could have fooled him.

xxx

Winifred was crouched by a cave entrance. An elbow to her knee, she drummed fingers to her puffed cheek. Aggravation wrinkled her brow. Frustration heated her glare. A hole literally bore into the solid rock at her feet. Worms were already moving in. A gorgeous bouquet of flowers blossoming from a tender hand spared the ground her glare. Winifred followed the flowers to the arm, meeting the eyes of an impishly grinning husband who is trying to win back her good graces. Goodwin put his hand to his pounding heart, and foxily wiggling his brow. Flowers, and a box of chocolates he slipped from his sleeve, coupled with his award winning smile were his guaranteed method of bringing Winifred from her slump. Suffice it to say, his plan backfired.

"Winifred, My Love. I-" Winifred snapping her fingers hitched Goodwin's excuse in his throat. Skinny pincer legs sprouted from the flower stems, and the flowers transformed into ravenous centipede. The vibrant petals and pollen morphed to a saliva dripping mouths, roaring shrilly at the soon to be dead man. Goodwin howled in horror, dropping the flowers and running for his life. The centipede scrambled over one another to get free and chased Goodwin to his doom in the cave.

"Have I come at a bad time?" Merryweather appeared. Goodwin screaming and holding his robe up to run from flower morphed centipede brought sweat to her brow.

"Not at all, Darling." Winifred waved a hand. She silenced the pleasure of Goodwin's misery. The Good Blue Fairy might make her stop. In spite of her being a troublemaker herself. Winifred rose, dusting off the back of her dress. "How is our little protege doing?"

"She's on her way to Flora right now." Merryweather tapped two rocks with her wand, molding chairs and footstools. Plush pillows for the back and butt popped up. "She's making good progress. Taking her time, but showing a lot of zeal." Taking two apples she packed as a small snack, she tapped them twice and conjured two glasses of apple cider.

"How do you think she will fair marks wise?" Winifred gratefully accepted the beverage. She needed something strong, supple, and wild to the tastebuds. "Do you think she will pass with flying colors?"

"Not flying colors." The two snuggled comfortably in their chairs, sighing blissfully. Merryweather doesn't doubt Lydia. She just knows her too well. "Lydia has always been an amazing student. Determined and driven."

"But…"

"But she...falls short due to an...issue." Issue was hinted by Merryweather directing attention to her head.

Winifred bobbed her head in understanding. The issue shackling Lydia. "You know her better than I. Has she always held herself back because of it?" Winifred wanted a genuine answer. Not a white tale that holds Lydia in high esteem.

"Yes…" In grudging remorse, Merryweather nodded. "Yes she has." Her eyes squeezed closed so not to show the shame growing. "Lydia is set on never relying too long on the true magic within her. It scares her."

"As it should." Winifred did not take her response lightly. Nor did she ignore Merryweather's woeful reaction. "But in that fear I see dedication. Lydia wants to control it. She just doesn't know how."

"Flora, Fauna, and I have tried to help her in the past. But closer we drew to drawing it out, the more steeled her barriers became." Merryweather twisted, clawing at her front in display. "She...for a reason she's too terrified explain...is afraid of what she holds. And she won't tell anyone why."

"Then it is there in that secret that the key to her control lies."

"How can we help her?" Merryweather is willing to do anything to help Lydia remove her headband for good.

"By being supportive." Winifred pat her hand. "That is more than anyone can ask for."

xxx

Lezard, Lydia, and Cedric ogled the new wrinkle in their journey to the top. A three way fork in the road. The sign for the correct path was missing. A fresh hole remaining. One of those three paths led to the top. How to go about picking the right one was the plot.

"Eeny, meeny, miney-OW!"

Cedric slapped Lydia upside the head. "That's not very scientific!" He cursed.

"You got a better idea?" Lydia grumbled, rubbing her sore head. "Better be before I smack you!" She warned.

"Now, now, Lydia! No violence!" A harmonic voice echoed from light gathering at the center of the fork. Flora emerged in a well of light, crossly tapping her wand on her folded arm. "I believe Queen Miranda taught you better." Lydia angrily groaned under her breath, blaming Cedric for starting it. Using her mother against. A low blow for Flora. Lydia's not sure she approves. Flora eased a smile to her lips, "Congratulations on making it this far. Are you ready for the next phase?"

"As I'll ever be." Lydia approached the fairy, confidence beaming in her eyes. "What will you have me do, Miss Flora?"

"You're looking at it." Lydia tilted her head confusedly. Flora stepped to the side, "One of these roads is real. The others are not. One will take you to the halfway mark, the other two will take you back to the base of the mountain." Lydia's eyes widened. "Discern the correct road from the false ones. Use any method you like."

Flora isn't as blunt as Merryweather. She won't accidentally reveal a solution to a problem. There's no simple solution to this one. "How will I know if I've chosen the real one?" Flora could at least tell her that.

"A good question." Flora pretended to be in thought, tapping her wand to her chin. "How can any of us be sure we're choosing the correct path?" She cryptically quizzed with a grin.

"As helpful as ever, Flora!" Lydia ground her teeth, growling with a strong desire to pluck her wings. Unlike Merryweather, Flora seated herself to a bush, folding her hands in her lap. She wished to watch Lydia. For what purpose? Possibly to gain an instructor's point of view on her methods. "No point in mad-dogging you further for answers!"

"Focus now, Lydia." Lezard returned her attention to the three roads. "There's a powerful spell in place to create the two roads. I suggest a counterspell to reveal the true road."

"I hope you heard the contradiction in your suggestion." Cedric mildly derided. "Like with my mother, pulling a spell out of hat and using it randomly has serious adverse effects!" Lydia, joined by Wormwood and Eezeyal perching on her shoulders, listened to their debate. "The spell may work or it may not. How many de-spells do you know, Princess?"

"Five." Give or take the half spells she hadn't entirely finished studying. "Not sure which one will work against Flora's illusions. If they even are hers." She emphasised her impatience for riddles. Flora remained impassive. She expects a few snide remarks. It's how Lydia expresses her respect for her elders. Sometimes.

"Then what do you propose, Master Cedric?" Lezard challenged the senior sorcerer. "You punished her for the child method. Don't tell me there's a scientific way to sorting fakes from authentic."

"There is, my doubtful upstart!" Cedric veered around Lydia, coming face to glowering face with Lezard. "I'd be happy to use you as the perfect guinea pig to demonstrate!" Lydia, Wormwood, and Eezeyal felt their spines turn to ice. Tension was building. Wormwood and Eezeyal wrapped their wings to her head as Lydia took a step back.

Lezard lunged forward, boring hateful daggers at the unmoved sorcerer. "And just what is that supposed to mean?" He growled. Cedric spat through his teeth. The adrenaline pumped his heart at its zenith. What do I mean? Cedric questioned himself. "Speak your mind, Master Cedric! I've clearly been imprinted as blemish to you!"

"Imprint?" Lydia mumbled. Lights lit in her mind.

"What?" Wormwood whispered catching her mumble. Lydia sucked her on her lips. She faced away from the arguing sorcerers, eyeing the dirt studiously. "Have you found something?"

"Not sure." Lydia knelt, touching a hand to the dirt. Flora watched Lydia with intrigue.

"What'cha thinkin', Liddy?" Eezeyal scoured the ground to see what she was seeing.

Lydia scooped dirt to her palm, tipping her hand to let it fall neatly in a pile. She moved to the next road and mimicked the process. And then to the last. She'll grant Flora this, she knows how to replicate dirt. "This mountain is a favorite hiking spot, right?" Lydia remembered Jade, Ruby, and Sofia loved to hike up this mountain as children. They'd come as far as the first fork, and then their mom's would have them come home.

"Yeah?"

"Then why aren't there any footprints?" The obvious answer is Flora covered them. Simple enough for someone of her caliber. Although...there's another situation with this scene that was bothering her. "And then there's…" Left, middle, right - three paths seeming to go off in random directions that don't appear to stretch too far. "If Flora wanted to throw me for a loop she would have changed everything. Instead she made three roads?"

"What are you getting at?" Wormwood asked abrasively.

Lydia dusted her palms together. "It's a cover up, coupled by mirror imaging." Lydia announced, edging to the center. Cedric and Lezard's ensuing argument flooded her ears again. They went from tactics to insulting each other's grandmothers. "GUYS!"

"WHAT?!" They snapped with their forehead smashed together.

"A little quiet please!" She motioned her hands down. She touched two fingers to her lips. Pearl grey gloss coated her lips. The pair ogled her perplexedly. That wasn't a bad color, but they weren't sure what purpose it served. Flora wasn't able to hold in the proud smile Lydia oscillated her head side to side, gently blowing a whistle of air to all three paths. Dirt at her feet rustled and rolled. The tiny winds uncovered pebbles and twigs. Cedric and Lezard watched the dirt wash up the slop, spanning to the three roads. Lezard leaned a hand on her so he could get a better look. Then gasps of awe were heard as the dirt turned the middle road into grass, lead to the base of trees and bushes. The left road was blocked by a couple of chopped down trees that were never collected. Flora's illusionary veil was coming undone. The dirt of the right road washed away, revealing the footprints Lydia sought.

"Poseidon's Pumpkins!" Cedric and Wormwood gasped. Cedric pat Lydia on the back.

"Well done, Lydia!" Lezard clamped both shoulders.

"Yes! Well done, indeed!" Flora applauded.

"UGH…" Lydia's breath ran out, and the world was spinning again. Her lungs were on fire. Everything was tipping.

"LYDIA!" Lezard dove first, catching Lydia in his arms. Wormwood and Eezeyal jumped to the nearest set of shoulders - Cedric. Lezard pressed his bent knee against the middle of her back, placing a hand at the base of her neck. She bent her head all the way back. Shallow, slow breaths struggled to fill and escape her throat.

"LYDIA!" Flora cupped her cold cheeks. She stifled a horrified gasp behind her hand. Rings were showing under her eyes. "You don't look so good! We should get you home!"

"Stop...worrying!" Lydia pushed everyone back. They were consuming her air. A bunch of mother hens. She already has two back at home. "I'm fine!" Lezard winced at the vice fingers clawing his shoulder. Lydia steadily climbed to her feet, dusting the dirt off. "See? I'm fine! But dying slowly by everyone being so coddling!" She cast the glare to everyone involved.

"Lydia! This isn't normal!" Cedric protested. He's sick of her dang pride. Enough to choke a horse. No! An entire stable. "Forget the test. You need to return the to palace and rest."

"What I need...is some water." She popped the lid off her canteen. Cool liquid washed her dry throat, rejuvenating her tenfold. "Oh yeah! That feels better!"

"Are you sure you can proceed, Lydia?" Flora had to be sure. She isn't unfamiliar with Lydia pushing herself while on fumes. "This test isn't worth your health."

"Flora, please. I'm fine. I promise." She just winded. Ha. No pun intended. "I've never used that spell before. It merely took my breath away for a moment." Again, she didn't mean to intend the pun. "I'll be fine. I'll move slow."

"As you will." Flora acquiesced. She was talking to a brick wall by this point. Lydia wasn't going to stop even if her legs were broken. She wouldn't be the first to try either. "Follow that path the halfway junction. There you will be met with you next test. Please endeavour to rest along the way."

"I will…" She sauntered on her way. The loose dirt kindled her knee briefly. She caught herself and moved on. If the trip doesn't exhaust her, her instructors and guides will. All this concern because she isn't mindful of her limits. People need to lay off. She doesn't need to be babied. Not by them or anyone else.

Lezard and Cedric thanked Flora for her time and rushed to catch Lydia before she fell again. Flora watched with her hands tied as Lydia got farther away. She carried herself as if she was fine. But she knew better. Lydia was becoming exhausted. From what, that is the mystery. She shouldn't be this tired. Not so early.

xxx

Miranda fanned seven cards in her hand. He fifth victory over Roland was literally in her hand. The King himself was tasting bitter defeat. Scratching his scalp with the pitiful hand fate dealt him. Miranda was about to place the first card of his defeat in the pile. Her hand stopped when she felt a spike in her chest. She turned to the window.

"Miranda?" Roland lowered his cards. He isn't complaining of a stay of losing. Miranda's perturbed expression troubled him. "Are you alright?"

"I'm not sure…" She moaned. It's there. Pulling at her core. Bad tidings are on the horizon. "Lydia?"

xxx

Ubos sensed the same disturbance as Miranda. He floated to the library's windows, sitting to the sill and gazing to the mountain he knew Lydia was scaling. Something wasn't right. Something that shouldn't be. An irregular shift in the air. "Lydia...what's happening up there?"

xxx

The mountain terrain decided to show mercy and leveled the steep incline to a level strip. Sheer rock and cliff sides gradually replaced the mountain's greenery. The path rose and fell every once in awhile. The pace was a nice change. Everyone was able to catch their breath. That didn't prevent Eezeyal from lurking close by. The moment Lydia seemed like she was going to nod off or crash, he was going to scream so loudly she would jump to the sky. Wormwood decided to take a catnap on Cedric's shoulder. Cedric envied the brid. He wanted to be on someone's shoulder and sleep the day away. Lezard scoured the path ahead for further dangers. Rockslide areas, weak grounding - anything.

Lydia's faltering and they weren't even halfway to the top yet. She was losing her color too. The Musical Geysers - the halfway mark - had to be less than a mile away. Odds of reaching it were dwindling with their slow pace. Cedric traveled beside Lydia, keeping close at her back in the event she collapsed. He shot a malicious glare at the expediently progressing Lezard. The man has the energy of ten lions. He's skipping up the steep slope as if he was running down hill. Forget the lions. He was a mountain goat with the heart of a lion. Meanwhile, the girl he displays affections toward is winded to the brink of passing out while walking.

The mercy was short lived when the path started climbing again. Lydia paused between digging her feet, clawing at the rocky wall to pull herself along. "I think you should rest." Cedric implored her. Lydia stubborn drank a small sip of water, gasping as she attempted to regain a second wind. "I'm not sure what happened, but you've been losing pace since the forest."

"I'm fine, Cedric. Really." This line of concerned lack of faith was starting to bother her. She's not a helpless child. She just isn't too skilled at pacing herself. "I appreciate your concern, however. I don't think I've seen you this worried about me...ever." When she thought about it. Cedric's never been this caring. It's...nice.

"As I said before, I am responsible for your wellbeing whilst in your company." A responsibility he intends to be diligent toward. Lydia should have known it was all for his job. Oh well. "Although the same cannot be said for your friend galavanting these treacherous slopes." Lezard leapt from one rock to the other, climbed up the trees, and darted side to side. He might have been a mountain goat in a past life.

"I wish you would stop being so hostile towards him." Lydia begged him, too tired to really be snide. "Lezard's not the doting kind of guy. He knows I can handle myself."

"Even when you look like you're going to pass-" Loose rocks slipped Lydia's foot right from under her, "OUT!" Cedric dropped to a knee, catching her seconds before she hit her head on a protruding rock. Lezard stopped at a tree, twisting to the shouts. Lydia had fallen, and Cedric was there to catch her. He balled fingers into a tight fist. "See what I mean…" Cedric helped prop her to a toppled trunk. Eezeyal perched to her arm, trilling fretfully for his girl.

"It's alright, Ezee." Lydia pet him gently. "I just...need to sit for a second." Sitting was heavenly. She won't say it out loud, but Cedric was right. She needed to sit for a spell. The mountain peak wasn't going anywhere.

"Here…" Cedric put her water in her hand. "Small, slow sips every five minutes. We'll pick up in half an hour. NO ARGUING!" He erected a commanding fingers.

Lydia, again, was too tired to argue. So she smiled at his medical expertise. "Yes, Doctor, Cedric."

"Good." Secretly, he's upset she wouldn't argue back. It's rather funny when she get's worked up. But she needs every ounce of energy. As shame he can't offer her any. Cedric scrolled hard eyes to Lezard. He took up post ahead, resting to a rock with his legs stretched in the road. Cedric felt a fire boil his blood. Funny how you aren't coming to check on her! He snarled. Almost as if you expect this! What is it about this boy that has him wanting to kill a small animal?

xxx

Flora joined her fellow instructors at Mistbow's Peak. She was slightly troubled by the enormous bugs slumbering at the ledge. Merryweather reassured her that it was nothing important. Goodwin have crazed for breath didn't strike her as unimportant. Nevertheless, she informed everyone of Lydia's progress up the mountain. Then, with a heavy heart, told them about Lydia's collapsing.

"What did you say?!" Merryweather's panicked shout frightened nearby birds. "Lydia collapsed?! Is she alright?!" She pleaded to Flora for an answer. Winifred, and Goodwin - able to breathe after eluding carnivorous plants - looked on terrified.

"Calm down, Merryweather! Lydia is fine!" Goodwin released a breath of relief, clutching his old heart. Winifred put a hand at his arm, sharing the good fortune. Flora winced when Merryweather cast her an incredulous leer. "Or so she claims." She added guiltily.

"That sounds appropriate." Merryweather bobbed a finger.

"What do you mean?" Goodwin inquired.

"I'm fine means I won't stop for anything, in Lydia's language." Merryweather crossly placed hands at her hips. After all these years, nothing has changed besides her hair. "I've seen her fall asleep in the oddest of places when she was in school. She pushes herself too hard." Goodwin elbowed Winifred who scrunched her nose at him. He found Lydia to be her younger twin. "You should have sent her home." Flora's blank stare, and drumming fingers on her arm confirmed the trial and failure of that attempt. Merryweather put her face in her palm. She can't berate Flora. She wouldn't have had any better luck. "That stubborn girl! Where did we go wrong?"

"You sound surprised by her choice." Flora sure wasn't. "Remember when we found her studying in the dungeons." Merryweather lowered her head. That's not too fond a memory.

"What will you both do?" Goodwin approached. Though it will disappoint him to interrupt the test, he is willing to put it aside if they desired. "Would you like me to stop test?"

"No." Flora's answer surprised him. "Only because she's gotten another wind in her. Stopping her now will put her in a sour mood." She giggled. Merryweather snorted under her breath. She heard that one.

"Besides, there's one more chance to get her to stop." Merryweather announced indifferently. "If Fauna can't get her to stop, then Lydia really will run herself ragged."

xxx

The half hour mark passed 15 minutes ago. Lydia yawned herself awake, stretching her arms high and cracking her neck. Guess she was as tired as everyone said. The power nap felt good. Her fatigue was 90% gone. Save the 10 for the drowsiness. She was about to stand when she felt weight in her lap. Eezeyal was fast asleep in her lap, sucking on a feather like a newborn babe. She cradled him in her arm, careful to not jostle him awake. She firmly ste one hand to the rock wall, helping her tired legs get her to stand. There was no head rush throwing her off balance. That's a good sign. As she reached to grab her pack, Eezeyal stirred, smacking his beak in a yawn.

"Liddy?" He groaned, batting to clear his tired eyes. "Is it breakfast time yet?"

"Not yet, Ezee." She dug a fruit seed from her pocket, putting it in his mouth. He suckled and savored the juicy flavors bubbling on his tongue. "Soon though. That is…" She flashed a mischievous grin at the two slumbering sorcerers and the bird behind her, "IF THESE LAZY BUMS WAKE UP UP!" The shrill echo frightened Lezard and Cedric wide awake. Wormwood was inadvertently thrown and landed in Lydia's arms. "Oh good. You guys are up." She remarked impishly.

"MUST YOU BE SO OBNOXIOUS?!" Wormwood fumed. No words can describe how direly he hated being dragged along on this adventure.

"I couldn't help it, Wormy, you looked too cute." She cooed, kissing for his beak. He shot from her hands and drove a sharp peck on her skull. "OW! So rough!" She staggered. Wormwood hid on the other side of Cedric's head. He'll never get the stench of Lydia off of him now. "Sorry to wake you guys up. But we missed our half hour mark."

"Not a problem, Lydia." Lezard twisted his body walking to her. Weary muscles stretched and warmed up for the hike before them. "Though, would it kill you to show a better bedside manner?" Lydia tied and hung herself with a fake noose. "No one likes sarcasm, Lydia."

"I love it." She sardonically batted her eyes.

"Ahem! Kids! Listen to something other than your adorable banter." Cedric cynically placed a hand at his ear. Lezard and Lydia rolled their eyes, straining their ears for whatever sound he's hearing. It's faint. Muffled exhausts were coming from above, carrying a strange tone of music. Tilting their heads up, they moved to the other side of the trail. Wafts of multicolored smoke streamed by. "That would be the sound of the Rainbow Geysers. Our halfway mark."

"Then what are we waiting for?!" Lydia, forgetting herself, darted in a sprint up the curving slope. Eezeyal decided he would enjoy the ride in her arms. The rocking was nice. "Come on, slowpokes! What's taking ya?!" She waved tauntingly.

Lezard, Wormwood, and Cedric dropped their shoulders and threw their heads back groaning. She's supposed to be the winded one. Lezard shrugged, then laughed excitedly as he ran for her. Lydia threw him a hand, helping climb the small drop. Cedric held on to Wormwood and mustered himself to a run. He's starting to regret wanting to come along. Lezard was the one to help him up the small ledge. Their palms touched. A shock bit harshly in his palm. Razor sharp teeth chomped in his mind. Cedric froze momentarily, tilting stunned eyes to the bewildered sorcerer. What is blazes-

"LEZARD! CEDRIC! COME QUICK!" Lydia shrieked ahead. Cedric climbed the small ledge and was hot on Lezard's heels to get to Lydia.

The enclosed mountain opened to a flat, solid rock terrain. Mistbow's peak was just another hop, skip, and a jump away across the next turn. Colorful stacks of hot steam erupted, throwing itself as another obstacle in their path to ending this madness. Quite the catchy tune they howled. The castle orchestra could weasel a tune out of this. Lezard and Cedric spotted Lydia standing not five feet from one of the geysers.

"Lydia?" She turned partially. Lezard and Cedric finally caught up. "What's wrong? We heard you scream."

"LOOK!" Lydia pointed. Right in the middle of the geysers, something black and purple was lying on it side. The stomach rising and falling with languorous breaths. As the incessantly erupting geyser caught a second long breather, Cedric and Lezard saw the wings spanning from the mysterious, rotund creature's back. Mouth agape and a bottom row of protruding shape teeth, the creature was smothered by dirt and colored steam.

"That's a wombeast!" Lezard gasped. "He's supposed to live on the Horrid Hills!"

"What in blazes is he doing all the way out here?!" Cedric shouted.

"Who cares about why? He needs help!" Lydia declared.

"WAIT!" Lezard stopped her before she charged aimlessly. "Lydia, it's too dangerous! You don't know when the geysers will erupt!" The pattern was too random for anyone to pass safely.

"Listen!" Lydia cupped her ear, straining an ear to the rhythm she heard earlier. She darted a conductor's finger from one geyser to the next. The colorful steam erupted as her finger fell on the respective geyser, and the tune ended right at the start. "There's a pattern to the geysers. Like a song. Just listen for it and we'll be fine!" Before Lezard or Cedric could protest, Lydia dove headlong into the geysers. She waved her hands, keeping track of each geyser and when they would erupt. Lezard and Cedric plugged their noses and ran in, following her path to the letter.

Lydia went left, right, spuun, and darted straight. The music of the geysers opened the path for her. The injured Wombeast was in her grasp. Cedric and Lezard tripped over their own feet trying to match her steps. The pair were stopped on a dime by a wall of red, blue, and green geyser steam. The rainbow stained to their faces, spiking their hair in an unflattering fashion. Wormwood held his beak closed to stifle laughing at their expense. Cedric ripped Wormwood off his shoulder and held him out.

"NO!" Geyser steam blew in his smug face. He was a shade of black and pink now. "Oh...Karma's Cows!" He slumped defeatedly. All joking aside, the haze cleared enough for Cedric and Lezard to see Lydia had reached the fatigued Wombeast. Cedric stuck Wormwood on his head and went opposite Lezard to catch up.

Lydia treaded carefully, moving slowly so not to alarm him. Barely a tiptoe as she reared from the limp tail to the wings to the long pink tongue hanging out to dry. His raspy breathing followed by agonized moans broke her heart. Saliva pooled at his open mouth. His fur matted by the steam washing over him, doused in an abundance of wild colors.

"Careful, Liddy!" Eezeyal hugged to the side of her head. Lydia paused with her knees bent. "Wombeasts are tricky suckers! Capable of tearing off yer skin as soon as look at ya!" Never mind that he compared a Wombeast to a piranha. Lydia was unnerved just the same.

"He-hello?" Lydia knelt close by him. He groaned lethargically in response. He wasn't unconscious. A good sign. The slits of his squeezed eyes parted, revealing his eyes rolling in the back of his. She kept her guard up evermore. He was an impressive beast. Intimidating. Her hand hovered near his head, feeling hot, musky breath shallowly exhale from his nose and mouth. He was starved for fresh air. "Hello? Can you hear me?"

Beady yellow and black eyes fluttered languorously open. They glossed in much needed moisture, clearing the blur to reveal the concerned girl. "Hu...man…" He uttered, the confusion stealing his breath. Shaky breaths carrying his words. "How...can…"

"That's a long story, and we don't have that sort of time." Lydia politely interrupted. He jumped at her hand to his side. Lydia motioned for him to relax, and tenderly ran her hand along his side, coaxing smooth breaths. "What's your name?"

"Hrm...Wil...Bur..." He dryly heaved. His stomach dipping deeply to force the short syllables.

"Nice to meet you, Wilbur. I'm Lydia. This is Eezeyal. " She warmly cooed, running her hand between his short ears. Eezeyal bowed his head. His heart ached for the scary beast.

"Do you remember how you got up here?" She spoke softly, uncapping her canteen.

"Looking...for food..." He panted heavily. Lezard and Cedric crept around. Lydia raised her hands to Lezard and Cedric, wanting them to wait before approaching. They raised their hands, taking a couple steps back to open the air. "Got...trapped...by geysers."

"I'm sorry. Well Wilbur," Lydia poured water to her palm and rubbed it around Wilbur's smoldering face. He leaned into her palm, lavishing in the cool liquid. "I'm going to prop your head on my lap. Can I do that?" Wilbur managed an exhausted nod. He poured his weight to one side, rolling onto his stomach. "Okay. Here we go." Lydia gently lifted his head by the chin, and carefully slid her thighs under his. "There you are. Drink this." She tilted the canteen. Wilbur extended his lower jaw. The water flooded his dried, cracking mouth, sending shocks shooting through his throat as he lapped it back. Lydia proceeded to pour the rest of the water over him. He shivered and shook, letting the water flow. "Are you hurt anywhere?" He languorously shook his head. Lydia trickled the last bit over his eyes. He batted them, letting the moisture lap over the dry orbs.

"What's happened?" Lezard whispered.

"His name's Wilbur, and he got stuck up here trying to find food." Lydia quickly summarized, petting Wilbur so he wouldn't fall asleep. The heatedly erupting geysers startled Lydia. Wilbur caught the colorful steam and started coughing up a storm. "We have to get him away from these geysers! Over there!" There was a patch of greenery well out of the geysers. Far enough that Wilbur will be able the catch his breath. "Help me move him! Wilbur, can you walk?" He nodded fervently.

"But the test!" Lezard urged toward the last stretch before their way to the peak. "Why not use a levitation spell, or transport spell to move him?"

"Lezard is correct." Those words from Cedric's mouth made the surrounding minds explode into confetti. Cedric stopped the snide remarks before they left the mouths. "Don't get your hands dirty!"

"That's the difference between myself and the two of you!" Lydia wrapped her arms to Wilbur's stomach. "I wasn't born with gloves and a maid. I live for getting my hands dirty." Her furrowed brow shot her daggers directly into their souls. The proverbial foot shot into their mouths. Wilbur's stunted legs building what lingering muscle was left. He was heavier than he looked. Dense like lead. Lydia's spin was bending. "WELL?!" She bellowed. Lezard and Cedric weren't sure what to do. "DAMN THE TEST! HELP ME MOVE HIM!" Her brash language aside, Lezard and Cedric blew hot breath, diving and taking a side on the Wombeast.

Lugging the Wombeast was similar to lugging a block of plaster. Lezard almost blew a vessel in his head pushing from the back. Cedric and Lydia dragged Wilbur by his sides. The Wombeast was trying to help them by walking. He had nothing left to give. Luckily he wouldn't have to. The lush grass tickled his toes. He groaned as if he was in heaven and poured his weight into a plop. Dandelions shot in the air in a huff. The fresh, mountain air filling his lungs was a blessing wrapped in a bow. The wind wafted the soaked fur, alleviating Wilbur of the unbearable heat about to send him into a stroke. He purred leatedly. Throbbing muscles earning a massage from the plush patch of grass.

"You feel better, Wilbur?"

"Much...better. Thank you." He had tears in his eyes.

"You're very welcome." Lydia rifled in her bag. Wilbur's eyes lit up like stars at the three apples in her hands. "I hear Wombeasts like apples." Wilbur panted like Rex when James has a treat for him. He opened his mouth wide. Lydia put all three in and he chewed them to right up. The sustenance hitting his stomach gave him the strength of ten animals. "That better."

"So much better! Thank you so much! This is the nicest thing anyone's ever-OH!" Wilbur surprised her when he shot around and started licking her. Lydia was barreled over, laughing as the tongue lapped her like a lollipop.

"HA-HA-HA! WILBUR! STOP IT! THAT TICKLES!" She flailed her legs, pushing at the mountain drowning her in slobber. Lezard and Cedric had a laugh at her expense. Wormwood and Eezeyal were just happy it wasn't them.

"I see you've taken to your third test quite nicely!" The cherub voice of Fauna interrupted the happy licking. She hid her flushed laughter behind her hands. "You've always had such a way with animals."

"Hold on…" Lydia honked Wilbur's nose, stopping the licking on a dime. He panted ardently, savoring the taste of her lotion. "You mean this was part of the test?"

"Indeed. And I am proud to say you passed this one beyond all expectations!" Fauna's shoulder's bounced as she giggled. She pat her thighs. Wilbur trampled over Lydia and rushed to Fauna's side, hanging his tongue out. Lydia groaned sickly, spreading her arms. Gallons of drool dripped like a waterfall, pooling at her legs. "The Wombeast you see here was in no immediate danger. In fact he is an old friend to Hexley before he decided to move to the Horrid Hills."

"You sent him here? You faked an animal injury for Goodwin?!" Lydia stressed as if she sent Wilbur to his grave. Cedric wouldn't be surprised. Fauna drew her wand, five red apples trailing at the tip. "Wilbur?!" She can't believe he sold her out for apples. Wilbur shrugged his shoulders and opened his mouth, happily accepting the red delicious apples. "Sell outs! Both of you!" Lydia reprimanded. Fauna and Wilbur stuck their tongues out at her. Lydia gathered a glob of drool and threw it. Fauna shrank, easily dodging, and reappeared by Lydia. "You always knew how to stick it to me. Your morbid means continue to scare me."

"Then I am remarkable at my job." Fauna remarked with an adorable smile.

Lydia's sneer cracked. She can never stay mad at Fauna. "Yes. Yes you are." Fauna handed Lydia a slip of paper. "What's this?"

"A pass for the night. It's getting late." An orange glare reflected off her glasses. Lydia, Lezard, and Cedric gazed stunned. The sun was starting to set on them. Seems like another day was going to be needed to finish the hadn't the first clue where the time had gone. Last time they checked it was still the morning. "There is still plenty of daylight left. You may proceed if you want. But I strongly advise you make plans for camp."

"Might not be a bad idea." Lydia stretched her neck, rubbing the soreness at the base. She ignored the prying eyes studying her drowsy form. "Thanks, Fauna. Take care, Wilbur!"

"Be careful, Dear!" Fauna pleaded to the departing girl. She gave Cedric and Lezard pats on the shoulders, thanking them for looking out for her. "Don't push yourself too hard!" Words pleaded so often and always falling on deaf ears.

"Fauna does have a point, you know." Lezard agreed, running up on Lydia's heels. "It might be wise to make camp for the night. Replenish your energy and be rested for the last stretch." The last trek of the mountain will be steeper, and likely push Lydia past a limit she doesn't currently have to spend. "Look…" He guided her to a sturdy clearing shelter by an erecting wall. "This will be a good spot to stop and rest for the night. Not too scenic, but it will have to suffice."

"The boy makes a point, Liddy." Eezeyal whispered. "You may have gotten a second burst, but I don't need tuh hug yer shoulder to know you ain't a hundred percent."

"Okay, okay! You guys win!" Lydia threw her hands in the air. "We'll stop here for the night." Her stomach gurgled loudly. "Wilbur reminded me that I've been starving for the last two hours."

"Then it's decided." Lezard declared, clapping his hands. He swiped her canteen and Cedric's. "I hear rushing water nearby. I'll go fill up the canteens." Cedric sneered repulsively as Lezard meandered into a nearby tunnel, disappearing around a corner.

"I...think I will join him." Cedric handed Wormwood to Lydia who set him down on a nearby rock. "Princess, if you'll excuse me."

"Sure, but-CEDRIC!" Cedric was gone before she could stop him. "What's his rush?"

"What's his deal?" Eezeyal scoffed. "That man's been itchier than a flea infested mutt all day."

Wormwood noticed their curious stares. "Don't look at me!" He spat. He bore a harsh glare to Cedric's escape route. "I don't know what's gotten into him today."

xxx

Natural, fresh mountain water flowed leisurely through a narrow trench. Lezard knelt down and submerged the canteens. Footsteps strained his ears. He turned halfway. Cedric, carrying his signature grim expression, hands folded behind his back, approached Lezard in a stiff, but casual stride. "Master Cedric? I didn't hear you coming." Lezard announced startled. Cedric replied with a snort. "How's Lydia?" He awkwardly returned to the canteens.

"You'd know if you bothered to pay an inch of attention to her!" Cedric directly stabbed at the boy.

"If this is about earlier-"

"It's more than that!" Cedric stormed to Lezard, towering over his bike. Lezard paused momentarily, drowning out the flowing water to hear the frothing breath. "I don't know what level of trust developed between the two of you before you met me - quite frankly, I don't particularly care," He put a halt on that. Lezard hid the smirk at the discorded and half hearted remark. His care for her is as transparent as glass, "But you can at least show you aren't comfortable with the pace she insists on traveling at! One word of protest!"

"May I interject?" Lezard politely inclined, wanting Cedric to cool down before he proceeded. When Cedric released a gruff breath, Lezard licked his dry lips, rising to his feet, "Back in school, Lydia chose to distance herself from others for a variety of reasons. Rely on no one, ask no one for favors. Her one pet peeve was people fretting over her." Cedric glanced to the side. That removed a fog on a mysterious subject. "Adelea and I always warned her to pace herself. Told her she had nothing to prove to anyone."

"Why would she think she needed to prove herself?" Cedric shook his head. Sounds rather silly. Lydia has nothing to prove.

"That's what we told her." Lezard bobbed his shoulders resignedly. "Lydia's always had this paranoia that she's being judged. She tries and tries."

"Until she collapses?"

"Unfortunately." Lezard stepped forward.

"I'm surprised you allow it to happen." Cedric crossed his arms, maintaining a wall. "Given how close you are with her, I thought you'd be the doting friend. Regardless of her protests."

Lezard sniggered under his breath. He sees where this is going. "We used to be a couple." Lezard said simply. Carriages crashed in Cedric's head, freezing him like a deer in torchlights. "Lydia and I were romantically involved in school." Another twinge pricked his chest.

A couple...romantically involved...couple? Cedric expected that was the reason. But hearing it aloud...irked him. "What happened?" He hoarsely asked for follow up. Truthfully, he would prefer it if he let the matter die.

"We broke up due to a change in roles." Changes in roles - A simple way of saying a Princess cannot be romantically involved with a sorcerer of Noble - not royal - upbringing.

"You could have fooled me." Cedric retorted curtly. "You constantly hang on her as if that bond were reinforced with iron and steel." Cedric had to laugh the longer this conversation drawled on. Seeing Lydia in a relationship was a knee slapper. "I'm surprised you haven't tried to...to…"

Lezard let the silence settle for a moment. A sneaky smirk slithered to his lips. "We kissed. If that's what you're getting at?"

Thunder rumbled in Cedric's heart. He swallowed a massive lump. "Couples generally do kiss." He was sweating. Why am I sweating?

"Before we started the test." Lezard added. Cedric felt electric jolts shoot up his spine. He can see them. In his mind he can see them kissing. Lezard's grounding footsteps brought him out of his stupor. "I think...Lydia and I might reunite." Lezard stated with confidence, heading back to the possibly lonely princess. He stopped at the bush gap, facing Cedric with a casual expression,"That's not a problem, is it?"

"Not at all!" Cedric's outright appalled Lezard would ask him such a thing. Why should he care? Lydia's nothing more than a nuisance to him. "I don't care! Take her!"

"As you wish." Lezard chuckled. That's all he needed to hear.

xxx

Wormwood moaned loudly, collapsing languorously to his rock perch. "Relax!" Lydia rolled her eyes at his exaggerated impatience. She tapped her wand to a caplet, producing three rice balls. "Cedric will be back with something for you to eat soon."

"It's not the food that has me wanting to pluck myself naked!" He ripped fistfuls of black feathers off his head. "It's the fact that Cedric VOLUNTARILY agreed to be your chaperone!" He shot her a murderous glare. He used the word voluntarily as if Cedric were bound, gagged, and threatened at swordpoint to accompany her.

"Don't get mad at me! I was just as surprised as you when he agreed." She thought she'd entered the twilight realm of her own. Cedric normally uses any chance he can to avoid her like the plague, and her him. Today he's her greatest moral support. If she were a bigger person...she'd admit to liking having him along. "If you were so against it, why didn't you squawk in his ear and change his mind?"

"Because my squawks would have fallen on his deaf ears!" He might as well have been talking to a wall back in the workshop. The man contradicted and argued with himself in his pursuit to understand what he didn't even realize what he already knew. "Cedric is determined to prove that your friend, Lizard-"

"Lezard!" Lydia barked.

"Whatever - Isn't all the he's cracked up to be!" Wormwood huffed sourly, slumping his chin to his folded wings. That wrinkle in his brow rankled Lydia to no end. What truly angered her was how he dragged Lezard's name into her feud with the bird and his master. "For a reason beyond my avian knowledge of the human psyche, a ROYAL SORCERER feels threatened by a NOVICE!"

Lydia scoffed at the declare. "Please! That's stupid!" She waved it off as another of Wormwood's follies. "Cedric has no reason to be threatened by Lezard. He's harmless."

"Oh?"

"Yes!" Lydia wasn't appreciating his sarcasm. She marched to him, folding her arms as she stared angrily upon him. "And in spite of what prejudices you have against me," And she's aware of how long that list is, "I appreciate Cedric coming along. Ubos refrained since he's my mentor. But I also wouldn't have reached this point if Cedric hadn't pushed me so far." In the back of her mind, spoken loudly by Wormwood's shock, she could hardly believe the words that left her mouth.

"Well if you want my opinion," Which she didn't, "Cedric will be in a much better position in his life if he kept his distance from you." Lightning struck Lydia in the stomach. Wormwood gravely dislikes her. Heck. He hates her. She can accept that. But to hear him say Cedric's better of without her. It hurt. A lot. Wormwood rose to his feet, folding his wings at his side. Lydia inhaled heatedly, steeling herself for the onslaught of insults about to be hurtled. "You're an unhealthy distraction. An obstacle to a true victory. A cancer depleting him of life one day at a time."

Lydia's brow twitched slightly. A nearby flower puffed suddenly and exploded into petals. "You really hate it when we get along, don't you?" The low tremor in her tone told Wormwood he struck a nerve. The familiar, contemptuous gleam in her eye warned him to tread lightly. But he would not.

"It makes me want to vomit for each day you both have swapped friendly words!" He stamped his talons. Lydia allowed him to vent. Since he can't with Cedric or any of the other animals without giving away Cedric's intentions. "Have you forgotten he wishes to take over the kingdom? Your father's kingdom? With your sister's amulet?!"

"I have not!" That will never elude her. She knows very well what Cedric is behind closed doors.

"Then why are you so set on being friendly with him?"

Lydia stammered at the question. Her cheeks flushed a shade of pink. "We're not...I mean…" She itched the back of her head. How else can she classify her and Cedric? Frenemies? Rivals with calm periods? Either way...they have been getting along. Better than when they first met, anyway. "I...guess...you can say we are." She dryly chortled, scratching her cheek.

"OH GIVE ME A BREAK!" Wormwood stretched half his face in dread. This is too painful and moronic to listen to. "That hesitation fuels my theory to a positive result! The relationship between the both of you is so strained you don't know what you are to one another!" What we are to each other? Where Wormwood was going with his comment was a mystery. Are Lydia and Cedric supposed to be more or less? For that matter, why does he sound like everyone else? Saying Lydia and Cedric have some sort of...attraction or something stressing between them? It's starting to become annoying. "This long term charade has me molting ten years off my lifespan! I can't stand it!"

"I get it! Okay!" She exploded. Wormwood was not going to control this conversation. "Yes - we argue! No - our relationship isn't the best!" It's got to be in the top 100 of stressed, virulent, violent, and rigorous of relationships since Hades and Persephone. "But you obviously care about Cedric! Why would you ruin a chance for him to be happy?" Cedric's for more appealing when he's happy.

"Because the person that makes him happy is also the person that makes him cringe with guilt!" Wormwood hates how Cedric goes from have a fantastic day plotting behind the King's back to take his throne, only to have it falter at thoughts of this Sorceress Princess.

"Plotting against one's friend's dad and sister will do that!"

"It's more than that! Much more! In fact, he's done so much right in front of you and you've never-" Wormwood hitched that statement with a button of his beak. Stupidity and curses radiated off of him like a stench.

"What?" She tilted her head. Lydia's curiosity lit in her eyes. Wormwood's little stomach cringed. He was lowering a drawbridge he couldn't retract. Perfect, right? He despises the growing friendship between his master and his enemy. Were it they were at one another's throats, Cedric would feel up to scheming in darkness, plotting to bring the Royals and Enchancia to their feet. Lydia crossed her arms, squaring defensively to him. "You clearly have something you wanna say! So say it!"

Wormwood smirked sinisterly. There's no turning back now. He has her right where he wants her. She'll never allow this to die. Not when she's so eager to know the truth. He can return everything back to the way it was. "Are you sure your delicate, loving heart can handle it?" He bat his eyes tauntingly.

Lydia put her wand to his throat. "This delicate and loving heart will roast you if you don't start talking!"

Wormwood chuckled malevolently, "As you wish."

To be continued

Not the greatest, but it serves its purpose.