Paul was your typical waste of skin cruising through life. If you asked his mother to describe him, she would tell you he was intelligent, hansom, and the biggest underachiever she had ever met. Paul was going absolutely nowhere. He filled his days with a dead end job and his evenings with television and marijuana. That was, of course, before THEY came looking for the “Guardian”.
Prince Tomas had been searching for her for years. He was sure he was now close to his goal, but something was not right. “Are you sure?” he asked the old wizard, Aldegard. “Of course, I’m not sure, oh mighty impatient one.” He pronounced, referring to the prince. “However, it can be the only explanation of why we have found neither hide nor hair of her in, not only our realm, but the realm of Learity, either.” “Here, take a look at this one.” The old wizard waved his hand in front of his crystal viewer. It remained cloudy for a few seconds before focusing in on the wizards intended victim. “My God!” the prince exclaimed in surprise. “How can this be!” “That face, it looks so similar to hers, but……….” “I know, I know, but that is surely NOT a “her”.” pronounced Aldegard. “My only guess is that she was reincarnated into the wrong sex.” the wizard said with all the sureness of a wild guess. “We must do something, Aldegard, the kingdom depends on it.” “Is there anything we CAN do?” the prince mewed with a whine to his question. “Hmmmm…………….maybe…….just maybe…”
Paul was toying with the idea of quiting his pot habit, but after what he just heard, he now thought it would be a very good idea to quit, right now, cold turkey. “Uh……………WHAT?” paul asked totally mortified.
“I said, aren’t you bored frying your brain with that weed and watching those moving pictures all night, every night?”
“I heard what you said.” Paul was able to spit out. “It’s just……uh…well….uh….you are a giant face talking to me through my computer!” he cried at the verge of panic now.
“Oh that. No need for alarm, im just using what is on hand to communicate to you from my realm to your own.”
“From your realm to …uh mine?” asked Paul.
“Yes….” The wizard began to explain. “I live in a realm called “Freguard”. We call your realm “Learity”, or as you prefer it Reality, however, its no more or less real than our own realm……stupid name for a realm if you ask me.” The wizard rebuked a bit too grumpily.
“WoH! This must be some killer weed I scored.” Said Paul a bit shakily.
“Oh posh! I assure you, you are not hallucinating.” The wizard said not convincing Paul in the least.
“Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.” Said Paul, trying to make up his mind whether he should run out and get some more of this batch of weed from his connect before it was gone, or to dump it in the toilet and sleep off this weird hallucination he was having.
“Ah, so its proof you need?” asked Aldegard.
“Uh…yea proof would be nice….heh heh.” Snickered Paul, thinking his imagination was running in overdrive.
“Very well, young whelp, type “transfer me to Freguard” on your keyboard and we shall see what we see.”
“Hey, I’m not a young whelp, I’m 33 years ol…..oh nevermind. I am only arguing with my own mind anyway.” Paul said as he typed the words, thinking how silly he was being.
………………………………………………………………………………………….
“WHAT THE HELL!!!!!!”
………………………………………………………………………………………….
One month later…………
The day before Winter Solstice……………………
In the suburbs of California in the dead of night a computer blinked out of standby mode………………
Wooooooosh………..
Paul appeared in his mothers office next to her computer. He snuck into the hall and stopped to look at himself in the hall mirror. “Thank goodness that old coot Aldegard was right about me appearing as myself when I came back for this brief trip back to Reality.” Paul whispered to himself. Appearing as an Elf would have been bad enough, but there were far worse things to appear as in front of his mother, as far as he was concerned. He was glad Aldegard had helped him with those problems for his trip to see his mother.
His excuse to Aldegard and the Prince was to stop his mother from worrying for him, but in truth he was hoping that his mother could find a way to help him out of this mess he made for himself.
“I should have never signed that stupid contract without understanding what it said or the consequences it would bring upon me.” He said shaking his head.
If anyone would believe his outrageous story it would be his mom. She was a Wican. She believed in “The God and Goddess”. She celebrated Winter Solstice instead of Christmas. She loved crystals, tarot cards, and Harry Potter. If anyone could accept what had happened to him it would be her.
He snuck into her room where she and her husband were sleeping. He wasn’t my father. They had divorced a long time ago. He looks a lot like Sam Elliot in “Road House” so he, somewhere down the line, got used to calling him “Sam”.
“Mom……pssst Mom.” he whispered trying to wake her.
Slowly her eyes began to flutter. They slowly opened out of focus at first but then…….
“Paul?” “Paul, what are you doing in my room? Where have you been? We’ve been looking for you for a month now. I hired a private investigator. I’ve been worried to death. Where have you been?” she said with each question getting louder and louder till good old Sam woke as well.
“Mom please, this is going to be hard for you to believe. Lets go down stairs and talk. I have many interesting and unbelievable things I need to talk with you about.”
Sam grabbed his robe and left the room before Paul and his mother . Paul came to find out that since it was the night before Winter Solstice, the house was packed with family guests. Good old Sam thought it was his duty to wake everyone so they could make his life even harder as Paul found himself having no choice but to tell the story of where he'd been for the last month to the whole family. Besides his Mom and Sam, there was Pauls sister, Kimberly(age 35), her son Mick(age 10), and her husband Tim(age 34). Also Pauls younger half brother Jesse(age 20). Oh yea, this was going to be loads of fun…….for them, maybe.
Paul didn’t know where to begin with them all staring at him, wondering where the hell he’d been for the last month after vanishing off the face of the earth. So he did what he used to do best in these circumstances. He sparked a fatty and the world slowed down for the briefest of moments.
“You know I don’t approve of smoking pot in front of your nephew, Paul” his Mom declared.
Paul returned with “Chill Ma, he knows we all smoke every now and again.”
“Quit stalling, where the hell have you been, little brother.” Said my sister cutting to the chase.
“All business as usual eh Sis?”
“Well, you ain’t gonna believe it, but let me give it a shot anyway.”
“What if I told you that there is another land out there beyond our own that we can’t see, living in parallel with our own?”
“No shit, Sherlock, It’s called Europe, you retard.” My brother exclaimed, getting laughs from around the room.
“Shut yer hole, you little butt smear, before I tie you up and tickle you till you wet your pants in front of everyone like last Solstice, to ring in the New Year” Paul threatened.
That shut him up, but got an “If looks could kill” look from him.
“I’m talking about a magical land with wizards and witches and……..f”
“and a Fairie Princess named Paul?” again Jesse chiming in for a laugh.
Paul blushed a bit. If they only knew. Shakily Paul continued. “and elves.” Paul finished
“Sounds like you need to put the joint down, Paul” said my sister.
“What if I could prove it to you?” “What if I could show you?” Paul challenged.
“Hmmm, Really?” Pauls mom said a little too interested.
“Yes, come upstairs to the computer and I’ll show you”
“Sounds like a child’s tale to me.” Exclaimed Sam
“If it is then you can all have me committed and move on, but what if it isn’t?” Paul said.
“Alright,” my mom said making her decision, “show us then.”
As they all made their way back upstairs to Pauls moms computer room Paul continued with… “There are some things you should know before we go, though.” “First and foremost, don’t freak out when you get there. You will change.”
“Change? What do you mean, change?” my mother asked, curiously?
“Well, here we are humans. In Freguard, we are Elves. Expect pointy ears and such.” Paul explained.
“That doesn’t sound so bad.” Said my mom.
“That sounds cool.” My brother added.
“What else?” said my mother.
“Well, the women will have magical powers as do all girls to some extent in Freguard.” Paul continued.
“What about the men?” asked Sam
“Sorry, nope, however, all the men have magical items they can use, based on skills they obtain as children, and I assume you each will have one also.” Paul explained.
“Well that might not suck.” Exclaimed my brother.
“Anything else?” asked my mom.
“Umm…….well there is one other thing…..I sort of had to sign this….uh contract….and it um sort of makes me what they call the uh ….”Guardian” and well……um lets just go there and I’ll explain the rest after you see for yourself.” Paul stumbled out.
So there they all were standing in front of the computer. Paul walked up to the computer and typed the oh so familiar words that branded themselves into his brain after that night one month past…… “transfer me to Freguard” and just before hitting enter Paul wrapped himself in his hooded cloak so no one could clearly see him once they arrived………………..
“OH MY GOD, this is sooooo cool!” yelled my brother as he stroked his pointy ears
For a brief minute no one noticed Paul was hiding under a heavy cloak, covering him from head to toe, his face included.
“Whats with the cloak and dagger look, little bro?” asked my sister
“Nu….nothing sis……..I …uh I……” Paul started to say as Paul noticed his voice get much higher. Paul continued in a fake deep voice… “I just want you to get used to yerselves before I show myself. Here I am “The Guardian” so I look a bit different is all.” Paul lied, hopefully convincingly.
“Yea well, yer voice sounds weird too, little bro.” she said suspiciously, trying to get a look at Paul as he pulled back deeper into his cloak.
“Wow mom, check this out.” My sister said excitedly as she made a fireball in her hand
Pauls sister and mother started experimenting with their Mage powers, while the guys tried to figure out what they could do.
Pauls brother found out he was a Bard here, since he played several instruments in “Reality”
Pauls sister conjured up a guitar for Jesse and he was able to use it to shoot lightening out of the tip. Of course, he thought this was bitchin.
Mick could draw really well. Pauls sister conjured him a magic pen wand. He found that if he drew animals in the dirt, he could make them become real and do tricks for him.
Sam was still thinking on what his talent might be when the Princes' Royal Guard came riding up, flying the Royal colors.
This was the moment Paul had been dreading. He ran up behind his family and in a panicked squeaky voice begged “Please, MOM HELP ME….I….I swear mom I didn’t know what I was signing….. Please Mom help me!!!!”
Pauls family heard the panic in his voice and started to turn to him to question his sudden panicked state when the guards closed in on them and cut the questions off with greetings and questions of their own.
“Hail. I am Sir Quintin of Prince Tomas’ Royal Knights and who might you be?” directing the question at Pauls mother being the obvious matriarch of the group.
“ I am Kathrine, good Sir.” she responded.
“OF COURSE!” Sir Quintin responded excitedly “Queen Kathrine of Learity?”
Paul whispered to his mother explaining that it was her title over here being as she was Pauls mother, that made her the default Queen of Reality or Learity as they called it.
“Yes, that is I” she proclaimed without missing a beat and seeming to enjoy the new title at that.
“Welcome to our lands, your majesty. The Prince and his parents, King Drake and Queen Fiona are expecting you. Where may I ask is the Princess this fine morning, your Majesty?”
Kat felt her son squeeze her shoulders and whimper but before she could ask what was wrong, Paul’s sister spoke. “Princess Kimberly at your service, Sir Quintin.”
“Ah, and a very lovely Princess you are. You are the daughter of Queen Kathrine?”
“Yes Sire I am.” She said as she curtsied
“Wonderful, Wonderful!!” he said joyfully
“Alas, though, I was inquiring about your other daughter, your majesty.”
“My other daughter?” Kat asked thoroughly confused while looking around.
“Why yes, your majesty, the shy one that I believe is, at this moment, holding on to you for dear life trying to use you as a human shield.” He said while laughing jovially
That’s when all eyes turned to the fully cloaked figure. There was complete silence except for the soft crying sobs coming from underneath the cloak. As the cloak dropped to the ground revealing what was underneath, the Royal guards all smiled and Paul’s family all switched their looks between confusion and awe. Standing where her son used to be was the most Beautiful Elvin Fairie Princess, dressed in a flowing glittery pink gown, that Kat had ever seen.
“How…………who………….where………………..what..” Kat couldn’t get out one question before another popped into her head to be asked. Was this her son? How could that be?
“Please Mom, Please help me….” Said Paul…..no not Paul, not here in Freguard. Patricia. Princess Patricia, Guardian of Freguard
Above everything else you could here one distinct sound……..The laughing of a 20year old pest of a brother.
“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH…………Fairie Princess….HAHAHAHA I called that one right on target…..HAHAHAHAHAHA “
Ok, so we left off with our fearless………..errr somewhat fear………ok maybe downright freaked out is a better term. We left off with our downright freaked out hero……errr…..heroine being laughed at by his/her idiot of a brother howling in laughter at her dilemma. I believe it was something like…………………………………
“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH…………Fairie Princess….HAHAHAHA I called that one right on target…..HAHAHAHAHAHA “
“SHUT IT!!!! Or I swear I start telling stories of a certain “bedwetter” we all know” yelled Paul's mother.
The loud gulp from Patricia’s(or Trish as she prefers only for the sake of shortness) brother was priceless and caused quite a few joking smiles.
“I want to know what is going on and I want to know NOW!” Kat exclaimed loudly.
“The Princess can fill you in on the way to the castle, your Majesty. The Queen is expecting us.” Chimed in Sir Quintin.
As they started toward the castle, Trish started to relay the story.
“Well Mom its like this…..”…………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………….♫
♫ENTER DRAMATIC FLASHBACK MUSIC♫
♫………………………………………………♫
ONE MONTH EARLIER
“WHAT THE HELL!!!!!!”
“Where the $##^%$%^$*^%$^%#$%&$#%$#$@ am I” Paul exclaimed a bit colorfully.
“Hey super old dude, who the hell are you and where did my crappy little apartment go?” Paul asked the super old dude AKA Aldegard the wizard as they both stood on a small hill overlooking a rolling meadow to the front and a giant castle at their backs.
“As I said before, young one, we are in Freguard” Aldegard explained.
“OK, I’m like totally freaking out now………..oh crap ….arrrghh …oh crap…dude…..dude…my freaking ears awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwrrrr….my freaking ears are pointy, yer old dudeness!!!!!” wailed Paul while grabbing his ears and hopping around.
“OK, first of all, lets nix the “old” insults. I am aware I am advanced in age, however, I am a powerful wizard who is quite capable of turning you into a newt, child.” Threatened Old du…..err Aldegarde.
“Holy crap, dude, I have no clue what a newt is but it can’t be good. If I’ve learned anything from T.V. its that a wizard turning someone into something he’s not, is never good.” Said Paul.
“Very well then, we have an understanding. Now lets move on to the next question, what exactly is this….Dude you keep speaking of?” asked Aldegard
“Oh, riiiiiiiiight, um ok its like …wel you know…dude….bro…bra….like righteous dude. Comprende amigo?” Paul( and I use this term loosely) “TRIED” to explain.
“So Dude is….righteous?” asked Aldegard
“Exactimundo, dude.” “Now you have it.” Said Paul
“Ahhh, a Title of respect in your own language.” “Perhaps I judged you to hastily, young one.” Said Aldegard a bit apologetically.
“Uh Yea, sure….whatever…now what about my question?” Paul asked, a bit calmer now.
“Yes, well, you see, when you transfer from your world to ours, you take on the form of an Elf, as all human forms do.” Explained Aldegard.
“Ahhh ok, cool dude.” Said Paul
“Uh no, not particularly, are you a bit cool? I find it a bit hot out myself.” Responded Aldegard.
“No not…….oh nevermind. I meant to say copasetic….errr groovy? No not that one either…ok fine I mean good. You do understand the word “good” don’t you?” said a very frustrated Santa Cruz native.
“Are you mocking me, young Sir?” said Aldegard who was fast becoming annoyed again.
“NO! I mean no, dude. Im just having a hard time with our language barrier is all, dude. Yer like China and I’m like good old U.S.A if you catch my drift?” said Paul trying (again using trying loosely now people) to explain.
“Nevermind. How’s this, if you don’t understand a word I use, it’s probably not important to the conversation anyway. If I end up having to explain every slang word I use we will be in this field all day, capice?” said Paul
……..*Silence*
“Excellent.” Said Paul “Now lets get back to the freaking out part shall we?”
“Exactly why have you brought me here, Aldegard” said Paul getting serious now.
“Ahh, so you’ve been playing with my head with all this slang talk to get even with me for playing with your head?” asked Aldegard with a bit more respect for what he thought was a less than adequately intelligent person.
“Indeed, Sir. Lets call it my very accurate impression of my Idiot, man child, brother, if you will.” said Paul sharply “Now answer my question.”
“Simply put?” asked Aldegard
“If you please, Sir?” said Paul
“We have been missing our Guardian for 33 years now. You fit all of the qualifications we are looking for to fill this important position.” Explained Aldegard.
“Read my mind, Aldegard. I’m betting the farm that you know my next question.” Said Paul
“Why You?”
“Why me. Qualifications? What could I possibly have in the way of qualifications that fit your needs. To put it kindly, the word “qualifications” does not come to mind when I associate myself with the word “Guardian” said Paul, bluntly.
“You may not see it in yourself, however, it is my job to see it. The qualifications aren’t physical or mental, young one. I am a wizard and speaking from experience, those can always be altered” Explained Aldegard.
“If not physical or mental? Read my mind again wizard and this time let me make something perfectly clear to you. I’ve had many years worth of free time along with a stint in the army one of my hobbies is Martial Arts. 5th degree blacks in 3 different types. I’m good at playing myself down so my foes almost always underestimate me and I’m as sharp as a tack. I could kill you before you utter one letter of one word of a spell and NOW I am losing MY patience with YOU. Tell me I’m lying old man?” threatened Paul turning the tables on the wizard.
“No,” Smiled the wizard “You were only lying when you played down any physical or mental qualities you could have for this job.” Finished Aldegard.
“Very well, lets get down to the nitty gritty then, shall we?” A smile spreading across the wizards face as it dawned on Paul that the wizard knew his slang all along and was toying with HIM, after using the term “nitty gritty”
“Well played, Wizard. I’m still waiting for my answer, though” said Paul
“Again, simply put, your “Spirit. Your spirit is very very old and whether you like it or even agree with it, it IS the Spirit of the Guardian”
“OK, so what exactly is the “Spirit of the Guardian”. I mean what are its origins, how did I get it, and how did your kingdom misplace it for lack of a better word?” asked Paul
“I’m afraid I can not divulge that information unless and /or until you agree to fulfill your destiny as the Guardian.” Stated Aldegard.
“Ok then, and don’t get me wrong here. I’m sure that this Guardian gig is a supercalafragilistic honor and all, but ……….Any guesses what I am thinking now oh mighty ol….er dude?”
“Whats in it for you?” asked the wizard
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAnd Bingo was his namo B……I…..N….G….O…….B……I….N…..G……oh forget it. I haven’t the will nor inclination to finish that lame arse song, but yes, what is in it for me and of course whats the catch of the day?” asked Paul
“Well the “catch” as you put it, is that you must sign this contract with 2 very simple and very non-negotiable rules to it. First though, I will list the perks. You will have the title of, live as, be treated and respected as a Pr………………er……..well as Royalty.”Aldegard started before Paul interrupted him with…
“Heh, you were totally gonna say Prince weren’t you.” Paul chimed
“Well, You did warn me you were sharp as a tack, now, didn’t you?” both Aldegard and Paul smiled at that comment both for totally different reasons.
“Also,” continued the wizard, “You will be Justice throughout our land with no one, royalty included, above the Guardian Spirits sense of fairness. You will be shown how to awaken the Guardians powers, which, fully executed, are powerful beyond even your T.V. educated comprehension. Last but not least you shall have the most beautiful horse in all the land to ride and call your own.” He declared
“Sweeeeeeeeeeet, whats the horses name?” asked Paul
“Bingo.” The wizard said with a smile.
“Now for hummer of all bummers. Whats the rules?” asked Paul
“The contract states that 1. You shall live in Freguard for the rest of your life. You are only permitted SHORT visits to Learity by decree of the Queen of Freguard ONLY.
2. You will only marry Royalty and accept any engagement the Queen may make on your behalf for no less than 3 months before declining or accepting the marriage proposal and consummating it.”
“Rule 1. is designed to protect The Guardian from being trapped in Learity for another 33 years or even longer next time. Rule 2 is designed to give the Guardian, and not its hosts lust, the decision of whether or not to be wed to the chosen one.”
“Ok, so let me get this straight. Let me know if I have this right………I get wealth, respect, power that makes me able to kick the arse of even the coolest of t.v. show heroes, and I get to serve justice to any and all in the land, but I have to live here, can only visit that depressing, polluted, overcrowded, loserville, I call Reality, with the Queen’s permission. Also, if the Queen picks Mchotty Sweetpants or Dogface magee I have to wine and dine either for 3 months before jumping their bones and getting hitched? Did I get it about right?”
“Uh…….Sharp as a tack I tell you.” Again they both smiled for different reasons at that comment.
“Let me see the contract.” Demanded Paul
Written plain as day were those 2 simple rules. Paul even checked for small print, super small print, and borrowing a magnifying glass, extra double super small print. He then pulled out his zippo and checked for heat activated invisible ink. While doing this he couldn’t help but to wave his lighter back and forth and sing…..
“We didn’t start the fire….weeeeeellll we tried to light it but we couldn’t fight it….we didn’t start the….urm ok sorry the weed kicked in there a bit. Everything seems to be in order. Got a pen?”
“No,” the wizard started “but I have a PIN.” He finished.
“Come again?” Paul asked
Aldegard handed him a pin and said “It must be signed in blood for the Guardian to be bound to the contract.”
“Ahh gotcha. You don’t trust me to uphold it if I find I don’t like the deal later, but you trust the Guardians sense of honor and justice to hold me to it. That about size it up?”
“Sharp as a tack, again” this time Aldegard meant it. He was a bit surprised Paul picked up exactly the reason for it.
“Ok, all signed. What next?”
“Next we head to the castle so the Queen and King(Kings didn’t have any official power but they liked to feel important) and the rest of the castle can greet the long lost Guardian. After which you will have a full day to tour the castle and a good nights sleep before a full day of banqueting and celebration of The Guardians return, tomorrow.” Aldegard announced.
“Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet”Paul said
Paul = The only tack in the box without a clue
And so our saga continues with the long trek to the castle.
“Whew how much further is it to the castle, wizard, we’ve been walking forever?”
“Uh……we’ve only been walking for two minutes.” Replied the wizard.
“Yea, I know, Like I said, how much further?” asked Paul
“Uh…The castle is 100 yards in front of us. You can see it right in front of you and we are nearing the draw bridge” Said Aldegard
“Awe man we will never get there.”
“You are mocking my rate of speed and old age again aren’t you, you young whelp?”
“YEP.” Paul replied with a giggle.
“Grow a sense of humor you old coot.” Paul got out in another giggle.
“Hey!!! What the hell….guys don’t giggle…what the hell is wrong with me?”
“Justice!” the wizard replied with a smile.
As they entered the gates of the castle, a cute little firey redhead approached the wizard.
“Madam, you have returned!” said the redhead excitedly
“Uh……..Madam?” asked Paul a little confused
“Er……….well, yes.” Said the wizard “Um……..” the wizard waved his/her arm and, in the place of the old man, appeared a very beautiful middle aged Elvin Matron.
“We……the Queen and I thought you would be more…uh…comfortable with a stereotypical fairytale type wizard, for our first meeting.” Explained Aldegard
“Matron Constance Aldegard at your service, Guardian.” She said as she curtsied.
She continued with, “This is Mya, your guide and liason to the Queen for as long as you need her.” She explained.
“I am honored, Noble One.” Mya said with a smile
“Believe me, your sweetness, the honor is all mine.” Said Paul with a hungry smile on his face.
“Watch it Dear, he is……..a bit spirited.” Aldegard explained.
“Ahhh…I see that, Madam Matron.” Replied Mya
“Uhh……Matron?” Paul began
“I know I said some disrespectful things too you in the spirit of humor………err….ummm…..but, well, I’m sorry. I would never have been disrespectful of you had I known……….” Paul tried to say.
“So you would have been more reserved, had you known I was a woman?” she asked
“Yes Mam.” “And I would never even have dreamed of threatening you.” He replied as Mya frowned at this last remark. She was very protective of her master and one day would graduate from apprentice to master wizard, herself, and hopefully take Aldegards place as The Queen’s personal House Wizard. The Guardian threatening the House Wizard was unheard of. Paul had lost big points with her, this day.
“There is your most important reason why I appeared as I did, young one. We wanted to meet the TRUE you, not some polished version.” Aldegard explained.
“Umm……still I’m sorry.” He said bowing to her.
The Matrons eyes grew very wide. She rushed up to him at the same time Mya reached him. They grabbed him in mid bow and yanked him straight. Looking around, the Matron grew calmer. She didn’t think anyone had seen that. “Quite alright, child, I forgive you.” She continued in a whisper “ Please, do not ever do that again.”
“I don’t understand. I was only showing you the respect you deserve.” He said, confused.
“It was a sweet gesture, however, here in Freguard, the Guardian is the Queens equal in status. You will remember to bow to no one, and give only a half cur……….err bow to the Queen, showing the status of equals. Understand?” she asked
“Uhhh….yea.” he said, a little overwhelmed at how truly important he was to be in this land.
“Ok then. Be off with you then. You have a lot to see, and only a day to see it. Mya take the Guardian to see Her Majesty first, then give him the grand tour. I will be by to pick the Guardian up on the morrow, huh hmmm, properly attired, if you can swing it before I arrive. Otherwise I will see to it. Understand, Mya?” she asked
“Yes Matron.” She said and curtsied.
“Off with you both then, I have errands to see to.” Said Constance.
Paul followed Mya around like a puppy dog as she pointed out important tapestries and paintings of Royal house members, past and present, on the way to court to meet the Queen. There were a lot of curious and surprised looks and mumbles as they passed many of the Queens royal servants. Paul even thought he heard the word “Princess” many times. He felt tingles down his spine sometimes when this happened but thought nothing of it and even managed to make a completely off target conclusion.
“Wow, I thought you were just an apprentice, and here you are a Princess also?” Paul guessed.
*giggle* *giggle* was Mya’s only response as they kept moving.
As they arrived at court, trumpets sounded and he was announce as “The Guardian of Freguard”. Mya leaned into his ear and quietly whispered “Ok, listen closely. This may sound weird, but please, just go along with it and don’t argue. This kingdom is based on a Matriarch system, meaning it is ran by the Queen. You are equal to her, however, SHE makes the rules. Since she is a female and she curtsies, she will expect the same in return. So it may be weird to you, but when she half curtsies you, half curtsy her in return. Understand?” asked Mya.
“Uh…yea I guess, but I’m a guy and I’ve never curtsied before. How the hell do I cursty?” he asked
“Just watch me and do the same, only go halfway as far as I do, ok? She asked
“Okie dokie.” He said getting a confused look from her.
“It means ok.” He whispered and got an understanding nod from her as they approached the queen.
“He noticed other men approach the Queen first and bow to her, which, confused him more, however, he didn’t think his liason would dare try to embarrass the Guardian so he opted to follow her advice
The Queen got a good look at the Guardian for the first time and was a bit shocked at this male who looked so much like the male version of Princess Samantha, the last Guardian. She was aware of the precarious position they were in and the time that was needed to ………..correct was the best word. To correct the gender mistake. She knew she had to be very careful at this point in addressing the Guardian, before he was fully appraised of the situation.
She expected a bow when she half-curtsied the Guardian, but was pleasantly surprised when the Guardian half-curtsied in return. This caused some mumbling in the crowd of court members but her stern look quieted them. Mya chanced a covert wink at her, which caused her to smile. The little devil had convinced him it was proper even if a little strange, she betted. Mya would become a very good House Wizard in her time, the Queen thought.
“I am honored to meet you, Guardian of Freguard.” The Queen announced causing the court to quiet.
“No Your Majesty! The honor is surely all mine.” Paul announced
Did this Guardian have any idea how much he had just honored her in front of her kingdom?
Mya looked thoroughly pleased with the remark
The Court cheered loudly, for the Guardian had returned!!!
The Queen recovered from the shock of the very generous honor and announced, “You would surely like some refreshment and a tour of the castle, so I will let Mya continue her duties and leave you to explore.
With that, they were dismissed and Mya led Paul out of court.
“Would you like some refreshments?” she asked
“ Nah…..im good, for now. A tour would be nice though, if you don’t mind, sweetheart.” He replied
“Very well.” She said coldly. I’ll show him what a sweetheart really looks like by the end of this day when he looks into the mirror. I promise that, she thought.
Ut oh, Paul thought this girl was beginning to give him the impression that she had a bit of the devil in her with that odd smirk that just crossed her face.
The day passed quickly with lots of castle history from Mya and quite a bit of bowing and curtsying from subjects. Many comments of honored Princess and random giggles from Mya, assured him that she was indeed a Princess and also the Devil, both simultaneously.
“Uh….Mya?” Paul started.
“Yes?” she responded.
“Who is that Man dressed in those fancy black duds that I keep seeing everywhere we go, who seems to have great interest in you, and I do not mean in a plutonic way?” Paul finished.
Mya giggled again and responded with, “THAT is Prince Tomas, the Queens son and Warrior Prime of Freguard, Protector of the Guardian, and his interest is NOT in me, but you.” Mya responded.
“Uh …well if I’m supposed to be super powerful why do I need a protector.” Paul asked
“Mostly, it is just a title, but the Warrior Prime has a very useful power to the Guardian. He is a magic black hole. Magic is absorbed by him with no harmful effects, helping the Guardian during powerful magic attacks.” She explained
“Ah well the looks he is giving me are creeping me out. Someone needs to tell him I don’t play for that team.” Paul said, which caused Mya to giggle some more. DEVIL CHILD!!!! He thought.
As evening approached, he was beginning to tire. “Could you show me my room now, sweatpants?” he said with a smile, knowing the “sweet” nicknames were getting to her.
“Of course.” She replied with pure venom in her voice.
AH HA! She was the Devil he thought with a smile.
“Here are your chambers.” She said as they walked into a lavishly decorated suite of 3 rooms that would make his apartment look like a doghouse for a miniature poodle.
Wow he thought this job is gonna rock.
“Will there be anything else before you retire?” she asked
“No thank you, sweetykins. Thank you for the tour today.” He replied with a smile, not being able to fire one last “sweet” shot at her before she left.”
“It was my honor, PRINCESS!” she shot back as she quickly closed the door and moved quickly down the hall thinking to herself …we will see who looks like the bigger sweetheart in the morning, Princess, and started giggling all the way to her chambers.
WHAT THE HELL!! ! he thought. He shook the comment off, thinking she was getting even with him for all the “sweet” comments. He smiled and yelled “DEVIL WOMAN” hoping she heard him, before making his way to his oceanliner of a bed. He snuggled under his wonderful silk sheets and had one last thought before drifting off to sleep. “ I’ve got to have the maid do something about this pink decorum in the morning.
Paul had some very odd and very erotic dreams that night. The problem was that he was dressed as a Princess and his Prince kept kissing him and feeling up his cute little pink dress. The odd part was that he was enjoying the Prince’s advances way too much and would snuggle further into his large manly chest after each kiss.
Paul woke sometime in the middle of the night with tingles shooting up and down his body. He was sweating profusely and panting hard. WOW, im gonna get even, bigtime with that Devil woman for instigating these dreams …no nightmares….with that PRINCESS comment. He rolled over and went back to sleep…..and to Prince Tomas.
WARNING. This chapter contains the history of the Guardian Princess and is more serious in nature
I promise that i will return to my usual gigglefest writing after this historic piece is out of the way=)
Prince Tomas was not the only theme of dreams that Paul experienced that night………..
10,000 years ago……………………………………
The land was at war. Magic creatures of both good and evil were at constant battle. The race of Man………..well, they were helpless to stop anything. Man held no magic at this time.
The evil race called “The Draven” were intent upon making Man extinct. All of the good creatures of magic banded together to protect man. They decided that Man would be safer if they were separated from all magic. 100 of the most powerful Fairie creatures came together and gathered Man together. They crossed many thousand miles until they came to the borders of the explored lands of Fairie(which is now known as Freguard).
The Fairie creatures then hearded one million men across that line and began to cast the most powerful spell ever attempted. They managed to create a barrier between Fairie and Learity, as the new realm would be called. This spell was so powerful that it almost failed. If it were not for the 100 female Fairies giving their very life force along with all their strength, that spell would have failed.
Not a single one of them survived, and are honored to this day in Learity, even if we do not realize who or how we honor them.
Even with that sacrifice there are still a few holes in that barrier that can be opened by powerful magic. One Fairie creature was trapped on the other side of the barrier when it closed. She invoked a powerful spell to return to her people and help in the war. After being told of this sacrifice, she brought back with her 100,000 of the strongest warriors, both male and female, to help.
Once they crossed back over, the powerful magic still in the air, transformed them into a race now known as Elves. The women were somehow able, on a genetic level to store bits of magic, causing mutations that made them magic savvy.
The Fairie females’ name was Ryana. Ryana marched those 100,000 Elves back to the front line of the war. These 100,000 brave warriors were said to be instrumental in turning the tide of a war that was close to being tragic for the good Fairie creatures.
99,000 fell bravely in battle. If you asked the 1,000 survivors if it was worth it, they would reply with “NO”. They believe that they still owed the Fairie for the selfless acts of the 100 that saved the other 900,000 Men. If you asked the Fairie, they would say the debt was repaid and then some. They intended to repay the “Then some”.
The Good triumphed over Evil and a great celebration was thrown. Later the Fairie met with the 1,000 survivors and helped to set up their system of governing. They created a Matriarch, since the females would become far more powerful than the males. However, since both genders had contributed equally, the fairie had to find a way to ensure that the government and all of its people upheld to justice and honor. At the same time, they wanted to give the Elves a gift that would also guard them from all the worst evil creatures who had escaped the Great War.
500 of the most powerful, magic using, Fairie created a spirit, the Guardian spirit. This spirit would possess an empty Elvin vessel. To ensure that this spirit would not be hindered in its duties, it would rank evenly with the chosen Matriarch. The Matriarch would govern the lands and the Guardian would govern the justice system. To insure that the Guardian had the power needed to police the land, they made the spirit female in nature. She would be the most potent magical being in the land and have near unlimited strength, as needed. “As needed” was a fail safe method so the Guardian would not accidentally crush someone when meaning to hug them and such.
When she was in battle rage or angered by injustice she would literally be able to decimate anything in her way.
The vessel of the spirit would be allowed to have 1 single child. She would not be fertile for exactly 100 years and the child would be carried to term without a spirit of its own. At birth the mother would perish and the spirit would transfer to the child. The child would remember nothing of her past life, however, would retain the skills of Steel and Magic, making her more and more powerful each reincarnation.
The Fairie then created 2 more spirits, who would help protect the Guardian Spirit. They would be deemed “The Warrior Prime”. Since the Warrior Prime would need training there would be 2 spirits that would alternate as master and apprentice and not be empty vessels, but be chosen from the most noble and honorable souls in the land. Their power would entail invulnerability to all forms of magic and the strength of 3 grown men. They would only receive their power after they had been trained suitably and verified by the Queen in an indoctrination ceremony.
The Warrior Prime and the Guardian Spirit would have a supernatural bond to one another. They would share a love bond so strong that if the Guardian ever perished, the Warrior Prime would die of a broken heart. If, however, the Warrior Prime was killed, the Guardian Spirit would let loose a wrath so terrible, the world would tremble.
If the Guardian is killed, her spirit will flee into the closest empty vessel that can be found. If in fact that vessel happened to be male, she would invoke any necessary changes, although, they had to ultimately be voluntary. The vessel needed to cooperate for the changes to succeed. This would seem simple, if it were not for the small fact of the vessels upbringing and the fact that the vessel would not remember its past lives.
This is the “Way of the Guardian Princess”.
33 years ago………………………………..
They had tracked the evil Scorpion Queen to her lair and finally after 2 long years of her minion wreaking havoc on the lands of Freguard.
“your reign of terror is over, Sonja.” Declared Prince Briton, Warrior Prime of Freguard.
“HAHAHAHA. You are no match for me you simple fool.” Sonja exclaimed
“But I AM!!” declared Princess Samantha as she appeared out of the shadow.
“GUARDIAN SCUM!!!!” Sonja yelled in panic as she hurled a summoned magical dagger as the Princess, who easily dodged it.
The Scorpion Queen then changed tactics and started hurling the summoned magic daggers at the Prince, who laughed as he absorbed them harmlessly, since they were made of pure magic, until…………
The Prince’s eyes went wide as he looked down at his chest over his heart where a dagger was protruding. He croaked out “How………..” as the poison in the dagger took effect and he fell over, and managed to say “Im…..sorry…….I …..failed you…..my love….” And died.
The Scorpion Queen laughed as she explained that the last dagger she threw was summoned, however, not magic. She had summoned the poison steel dagger from her belt.
The Heartbreaking wail that came from the Princess shattered rock, steel and potion bottles all throughout the cavern. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAWAWWAWWAAWWWWRRGH!!!!!!”
Sonja managed to escape the Princess’s grasp by using a portal spell.
These were dark days for Freguard. The Princess literally tore Freguard apart with her bare hands looking for the Queen.
Finally she found the Queen again. The Queen was no match for Samantha. To say Samantha punished the Queen before she killed her, was a major understatement. She was brutal and without mercy. This became her downfall though.
As the Princess approached to finish the Queen off, the Queen managed to slip her last poison dagger into the Princess’s ribs. When they finally found the Princess’s corpse, its hands were still wrapped around the brutally tortured corpse’s throat that used to be the Scorpion Queen.
When the Princess died, the Guardian Spirit frantically searched far and wide for a vessel and none were to be found….
……Finally she ripped a hole in the magic barrier and found 1 available vessel just being conceived, in Learity. She knew this was a risk, but she had faith that Freguards Wizards would ultimately find her in her new vessel……………………………...its name was …………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Paul.
This is my longest chapter yet and I have to say I thoroughly loved writing this chapter It was sweet, sad, fun, sentimental, and has lots of giggles. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it=)
Paul woke………….yawned loudly and stretched before, one single, important, thought struck him hard and of course that was ……..”WHAT THE FU#@”........... Oh man oh man he thought what the hell were those dreams all about and why was he tingling from head to toe. The second thought that struck him was why did he have a hard-on and why was it very very very small. “OH MY…..OH MY…..OH MY GAWD!!” his private bits had shrunk to a 1/8th of the size they used to be. Even with a hard-on you would barely even notice any type of lump in his undies.
A loud knock on his door broke him away from his panic attack. He immediately pulled the covers back over himself and yelled “Come in!” Mya came into his chambers, took one look at him and smiled, barely stifling a giggle. “How are you this morning sweety?” she asked with the devils own mischief, in her eyes. “Lucy you’ve gots some splainin to do!!” he growled.
“It seems you’ve forgotten my name is Mya, Honored Princess.” She said with a twinkle in her eyes.
“Nevermind that! I know your damn name, devil woman.” He declared as another tingle shot through him when she called him Princess. “What the hell have you done to me!!”
“Nothing, Honored Princess. You have done it to yourself.” She said
“You are out of you mind! I would never do THIS to myself.” “ And I can give you 2 very good reasons why. First and MOST importantly, I do one hell of an impression of Darth Vader, and I got news for you, sister. Luke, I am your mother!! Works, neither for the impression skit, or me for that matter.”
“Quit playing with me, woman before I go… Bah wit dah bah dih bang dih bang diggy diggy diggy said the boogy up jump my foot to the side of yer head!!” Paul remarked with as much threat as he could muster, knowing his voice was starting to break and get higher.
“I…..I cant really explain it as well as the Matron Wizard can. Please be patient, she will be along momentarily.” Said Mya with a bit of fear and panic in her voice. Had she gone too far in teasing the Guardian? She did not want the wrath that the Guardian was capable of aimed at her. Please forgive me, your Majesty, I only meant to tease a little like you have been doing to me.”
*sigh* “Yes, I suppose Mya, But you haven’t turned into a man now have you?” he returned.
“No your Majesty.” She said nearing tears.
Just then *POOF* the air turned smokey and when it cleared, Constance was standing in its place.
“Oh my, I meant to arrive before he awoke so I could curb some of his angrier emotions. I’m sorry you had to face him alone for this long Mya. Please depart to the other room while we talk so you can collect yourself, dear.”
“Yes, Matron.” Mya got out in a sob
Damn it to hell, now Paul felt ashamed for making the little rugrat, Devil child cry. This did not, however, keep him from yelling at the Matron with “DAMN YOU, WOMAN what the hell is going on!!!!!”
“Calm down, young man.” She replied
“Ok, that is not gonna happen for soooooo many reasons, woman. Beginning with the fact that I just realized that Mya’s Hot looking 16 year old, blonde sister didn’t come with her to my chamber this morning.” Paul said angrily.
“Im afraid I don’t understand what that means.” She admitted
“Uh…..hello...!!!!” paul said while waving his arms and pointing at the mirror in the corner that captured the upper half of his body.
“Ahh, of course, now I understand. You are saying you mistook your…..uh NEW form as being another person.” She finally realized
“ UH …..DUH!” “So lets recap shall we?” he said dripping with sarcasm “I have weird sex dreams about that spying perv, Prince Tomas, all night, which may I please articulate with the strongest words I know for this occasion, which are of course, “EWWWWW to like the 3rd power”, but I also get to dream about the history of like every bloody Guardian for the last 10k years, which by the way were ALL GIRLS. But that’s not all. Tell him what else hes won, Bob. He wakes up all tingly and the “Johnson” he went to bed with, ends up being “Jo” when he wakes up and finds out he looks so hot he’d do himself if “Jo’ wasn’t quickly becoming “J”.
“I know what the guardian is now, and because I do I am feeling the power course through me now. So listen to me very carefully, Matron….very carefully. You tell me to fucking calm down one more time, and I swear I’ll hit you so fucking hard that when you wake up? Your blood soaked clothes will be out of style. CAPICE!!!!?” Paul finished with a yell.
“I…..uh ….well …uh yes…Your Majesty.” She stumbled out and then quickly curtsied, showing immediate respect and a sign that he was to be taken seriously at this time.
Again, Paul felt guilty when he heard Mya start sobbing very loudly from the other room. Just then, the house guards burst into the chambers, asking if their assistance was needed. Paul found a more adequate target to turn his rage too at that moment. “GET…THE ….FUCK…..OUT……..BEFORE I RIP YOUR DAMN HEADS OFF, NOW!!!!” he yelled.
He wasn’t sure but he was almost certain as the guards ran out, some left little yellow puddles behind. That caused him to calm a bit and even let out a giggle.
“Ok…OK!” “Sorry I lost my cool a bit, but can you blame me?” “Don’t you dare answer that, it was rhetorical.” He said and the Constance nodded at that.
Paul took several deep breaths, closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. He calmed considerably and said one word, that without question, he demanded in his tone, that he meant to be obeyed. “Explain!” and gave her a look that said you had better not ask what to explain, bitch.
“please, do not harm me, Your Majesty, but to explain adequately, I have to ask you a few questions.” She stated with genuine fear in her eyes.
Again he felt guilty and ashamed. *sigh* “Ok, Matron Constance, I am sorry I scared you. I’m a little overwhelmed right now and I apologize for my cad like behavior. So, forgive my outburst, please and let me begin, again.” As calm as he could he continued with “Please, Constance, I know the history from my dreams, I beg of you, please tell me why I am becoming a girl?”
Constance saw the genuine fear in HIS eyes as he asked this and she also felt a bit ashamed for not preparing him better and even using omission as a for of lying to him.
“Paul?” she asked softly “In your life in Learity, did you ever feel a bit off about you life? I mean like you were wrong in some way?” “Maybe even had an affinity for feminine things, but were too ashamed to admit it because of upbringing and social gender role programming?”
“Sometimes.” He whispered, ever so softly
‘Did you ever feel those tingling feelings when you were feeling a bit feminine, in Learity?” she asked
“Yes.” Again softly
She knew this was a very delicate matter to approach, so she was gentle as possible with her probing questions. “That was her, the her inside of you. The Guardian Spirit. She had no power in your realm. She has great power in ours. Those tingling feelings you felt here was her slowly changing you into………….please……don’t take this….….wait. Let me ask this, first. Yesterday when you thought they were calling Mya Princess……..did you feel those tingly feelings when they’d look at you as they said it, and even imagined it was you they were making the reference to?” she finished.
“Yes.” He cried through a quiet sob
“You know what I’m going to say, but you need to hear it from me, don’t you?”
“Yes.” He sobbed again.
“The Guardian Spirit knew, and so did you somewhere deep down inside that Mya wasn’t a Princess, Paul.” “Each time she and you in turn being of the same spirit accepted this, you felt the tingle of your body changing into what you were meant…….no….were DESTINED to be. The drams made the changes accelerate, because the dream world is also the spirit world and there she rules. It may be hard to admit so I wont ask you, but tell you that SHE thoroughly enjoyed the dreams of Prince Tomas. She had no choice really. She is bonded to the Warrior Prime. He is the Warrior Prime. Her heart belongs to only him.” She finished sadly seeing his pain and tears.
“I……….I …don’t want to be a girl……I don’t want to be in love with a man, Please….help me…Please…*sob *SoB* …Please?” he begged
“ Im sorry,” she said softly “What is done cannot be reversed.” You will look like the Princess you were destined to be.” “The one string of hope I can offer you is that you can reject the complete change if you are strong enough. You cant change that you will from now till death LOOK like a princess, but if you can manage to fight the Guardians love bond with Tomas from now till your 3 month engagement has passed….there is a chance you can keep what little bit of maleness is left….down there.” She said pointing at Paul’s……..no not Paul anymore……Princess Patricia’s crotch… “And when your 100 years has passed, you will expire and the spirit will have to take her chances once again.” She finished a bit sadly at this last revelation.
“It is ultimately your choice whether you will become a whole female or not.” She said
“And if I do………..choose to be….whole?.....how……uh…..?” he couldn’t finish the question
“Although, you must remain a virgin in the female way till you are wed, to envoke the change…………this is going to be difficult to say………..you will have to let him……..uh…….fill you with his seed……..from behind.” She whispered the last knowing she was un very shakey ground. “And, you will have too………oh dear….verify your……want of it………from him………the moment before he….uh fills you with his seed.” She explained quietly.
He began to sob again, begging her to help him undo this whole matter.
“I am so very sorry my Guardian, I cannot help you.” She said in a whisper.
“If you could, would you?” he said between sobs
“No.” “I assure you on my honor, and deep down the Spirit can judge truth from lie, so somewhere you know what I say is true, but I swear I have no power to help you, but no I would not if I could.” And then she began to cry also. “The kingdom needs you so very very much my Princess, so very very much.” She finished with another rack of sobs.
So….there it was….looking down on them…you would see 2 very beautiful elven females, one 33 who looked 16 and another who was 86 and looked 40, both holding each other crying at the new Guardians Destiny, both powerless and one unwilling to change it.
I wont bore you with the details of her first festival, nor with the trouble they had coaxing her into her pretty dress, needless to say she was very uncomfortable in her new role and has so far in the last month, avoided Prince Tomas like he was the plague. Not because she was afraid of what he would do to her, but of what she might let him do to her.
PRESENT DAY
“And that…..is the whole story.” Trish said crying on her mothers shoulder as they slowly walked behind everyone toward the castle.
“One thing about Trish’s mother was that she was an aspiring writer of the erotic nature so she was able to articulate her words well. The gem she came up with for a response for her newly created daughter was… “Oh Dear me.”
“If you had asked Paul what he would have thought of a response like this he would have said “Even a retard could have come up with more comforting words than that, however, after the change, Trish’s response was… “I KNOW!” with a few sobs.
“What may I ask was your decision, sweety?” her mother asked.
“Decision?” Trish responded.
“Will you become “whole”? she asked
Trish shook her head, not in a NO answer but accompanied with a shrug signaling she didn’t know.
“Dear, I want to say something and I want you to listen closely and take this into your heart, ok?” her mother asked.
“Yes, mother” Trish responded
“I love you very much. We ALL love you very much, even if some of us,” nodding toward Jesse, “don’t always show it well.” “Whatever you choose will never change that love we have for you.” She finished with a tear in her eye.
“Thank you, mommy, I really needed to hear that right now.” She said tearing up again.
As they reached the castle, Jesse spotted Mya first. “WoW Im gonna really like it here. Hey mom?” he yelled back to Kat.
“Yes, Pain in the Arse, I claim as my own?” Kat responded with a giggle.
Jesse grew a wide smile, knowing his mothers sense of humor was back and fired back with “If you are a queen, does that mean I’m a Prince, now?”
“Hmmm, very good question. Trisha?” she deferred
Trisha nodded. “Yes dear unless you continue to tease your new sister, then you might be a Princess instead.” She finished looking at him deadly serious.
(*Warning* *That comment was made souly to gratify John from Cincinawouswhatevers ego)=P
Jesse’s loud *Gulp* was sufficient evidence enough to ensure he would treat Trisha a bit more sensitively in reference to her predicament, however would not guarantee her protection from normal family banter.
He then recovered from the remark and continued with “Sweet, a Prince, in a kingdom of hotties, my “Getting Laid” factor just shot through the roof.” He said with a devilish smile.
“Uh…little brother?” said Trisha.
“Yea Sis?” he said perhaps a bit too sweetly due to the past threat.
“One bit of advice. Watch out for that redhead you are undressing with your eyes.” Trisha remarked.
“Why is that, sis” he asked genuine in his question.
“I think shes the spawn of the Devil.” Trisha said with a smile.
Jesse just chuckled at this remark.
“Relax little sis.” Kimberly said “he couldn’t get laid if my little Mick conjured up a giant chicken just so he could crawl up its ass and wait to get laid. More likely the chicken would just get constipated and explode first.” Laughed Kim
Everyone including the Royal guards laughed at that one.
Then out of nowhere Mick popped up putting his hands in front of his mouth to make his voice sound deeper and louder and yelled … “ CANT GET LAID BY A GIANT CHICKEN ……..BURN >>>>>>FATALITY…….PRINCESS KIMBERLY WINS!!!” In his best Mortal Combat announcer voice. Which, caused the family to laugh and the natives to be a bit confused by the joke.
“Yea, yea whatever Im gonna go scope out that redhead, cause Devil child or not sis, Id still pay to see her even if she was just sitting on a ship sipping Schlitz.” He remarked.
The Queens met. The Queens conspired, mostly about how to get the Prince and Princess together once and for all, and the whole castle had another celebration. The brain trust came up with the idea that a family adventure/mission was needed. The Warrior Prime had to accompany the Guardian Spirit on any Mission she might venture on. It was law. So the setup was in the works. The family decided to go hunting for the terrible Giant Basilisk that was terrorizing the mountain pass.
The whole trip to the mountains was a “Banterfest”, where everyone kept trying to “one-up” each other, and left the Warrior Prime either laughing his heart out or completely without a clue.
“Hey Kim, don’t you think naming this little newt here “Mick” was a mistake given his last name?” Jesse asked seeming genuine in his concern.
“How so, little bro?” she asked falling into his trap.
“Well, Mick Drake, doesn’t that sound like some baby dragon meal you get at Micky D’s? HEHE can I get the McDrake meal with fries please?” he finished
Out of nowhere, Trisha jumped into Jesse’s path, grabbed him, lifted him up and shook him while saying”LITTLE BROTHER, YOU MUST TELL ME……….” With a look of desperation in her eyes she fished “WHAT IS A BLOODY NEWT!!!!” this scared him so much he did what he was best at….he wet himself. She put him down and laughed as she walked off say “geez cant you take a joke?” He of course vowed vengence
This, of course had the 10 year old swear that he would get even with his uncle very soon for that comment.
Right before they entered the mountain pass where the Giant Basilisk was known to have appeared Jesse started singing the most ridiculous tune and accidentally made himself the brunt of a joke of his own doing.
You could hear him singing “Ooh ee ooh ah ah ting tang walla walla bing”…….and then he tripped and you could hear his head finish the song with a distinc “Bang” as he hit the ground. The Prince didn’t understand this joke either but even he was laughing so hard he was in tears.
They followed the trail of bones into a cavern where they found………a 2 foot high salamander?
“well,” Trisha said “you don’t look like a very terrifying killer now do you?”
It then turned to her and actually started to talk. “I will have you know, I am a very dangerous creature. I have poison breath and can even kill with a proper stare and my broth….. *eeeeeak* He didn’t get to finish because Trisha stepped on its head killing it instantly.
“THAT, my lovely sister was a newt.” Jesse said winking at Trisha. “Well it wasn’t very impressive, whatever it was” she said. They were both smiling as they heard the loud Roar and the sound BRRRROOTHHHHER!!!!!!.
Trisha turned around and saw something 6 feet high on all 4 legs charging at her like an unstoppable train. Trisha tensed up and right crossed it with all her might. It was like the thing just stopped right in front of her and stared at her for a full 5 seconds before it crumpled to the ground. Trisha just shrugged her shoulders, grabbed its head, and pulled it clean off the body.
“Jeez, Zena Warrior Princess, at least save some action for us.” Her big sister said.
“Well this wasn’t much of an adventure eh, Tomas?” Jesse remarked.
“Any adventure that we all survive is a good one, lad.” He replied seriously
“Hey Sis, ok if we were popsicles and since I’m a guy and I like girls…that would make me a heterocicle and the way mick acts hes gotta be gay, so hes a homocicle…well sis you’re a girl who used to be a guy and you liked girls but now your supposed to like guys……wouldn’t that make you a…uh bicycle….hehehe cause everyone gets to ride yah?.....hehe told you id get ev….” At that point Trisha threw the raptor head at Jesse smacking him on the side of the head, coving it with slime and blood.
“ACCCK OWWWW OWWWW the blood is like acid HELP ME……” everyone ran toward him in concern as he finshed with “…..im melting……heheh just kidding.” He laughed.
Down at the entrance you could hear Mick yell “SLIMEY FLYING HEAD >>>FATALITY>>>>>>FLAWLESS VICTORY>>>>>PRINCESS PATRICIA WINS” in his famous Mortal Combat announcer voice, which even had Prince Tomas laughing.
“MICK! I told you to stay with the horses.” Kimberly yelled
“Sorry ma, it couldn’t be helped.” He responded as he chuckled
The victorious family head back home after a successful adventure. Princess Trish thought she got away without too much contact with the Prince until alas she slipped on the way down from the mountain. Now the Guardian Spirit Is uncannily agile and has perfect balance…one must wonder if the Spirit was giving Trish a nudge, because she fell right into the arms of the Prince as he caught her. For a minute their eyes locked….she seemed to snuggle further into his chest and they …almost kissed before she pulled away quickly.
She now knew she was doomed………the rest of the trip all she could think about was his strong arms holding her……..
CRAP……she was doomed
...We return to our Saga 2 months and 3 weeks after Princess Patricia entered the magical land of Freguard as Paul...
This fits my character well, I think.
Fumbling his confidence
And wond’ring why the world has passed him by
Hoping that he’s meant for more than arguments
And failed attempts to fly, fly
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Dreaming about providence
And whether mice or men have second tries
Maybe we’ve been livin with our eyes half open
Maybe we’re bent and broken, broken
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
We want more than this world’s got to offer
We want more than this world’s got to offer
We want more than the wars of our fathers
And everything inside screams for second life
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live
We were meant to live
--------------------Switchfoot "Meant to Live"-----------------------------
"Princess?" said the guard, waiting to be given permission to proceed with his message.
"Yes, guardsman?" she said in response, giving the go ahead for him to speak.
The guard continued with, "The Queen would be honored if you would join her for tea and a chat at mid day."
"Tell the Queen that it would be my honor to accept
Trish arrived at the Queens tea room at a little before 12 and knocked on
the door.
"Come in." replied the Queen, to the knock.
Trish entered and sat down next to the, already seated, Queen.
Trish was a bit curious as to why the Queen was being so informal.
"Trish I'd like to have a, sort of informal, non ceremonial, tea time with you on occasion.
We never really get much of a chance to talk, with our busy schedules." said Fiona.
"I would very much like that, Your Highness." returned Trish.
"As you noticed, I called you Trish. As I said before, I'd like this to be informal. Please call me Fiona." reminded the Queen.
"Ok, Fiona." said Trish.
"Thats better, dear. I'd like to say some things to you, Trish. Some things you might not want to
hear or face. I'd like you to do me a favor. No matter how badly you may want to respond, I'd like you to remain quiet until I've had my say. After I am finished, I will promise to give you the same courtesy. Can you do that for me sweetheart?"
Trish nodded slowly.
"Thats a good girl." said fiona sweetly.
Trish grew warm and tingly inside and even blushed a bit in response to that comment. She still was not used to being called a girl or sweetheart or any other feminine name or pronoun, for that matter.
"It's ok sweety, I understand. You are still fighting who you really are." Fiona replied when she
saw trish blush. "That is partly the reason I've asked you to tea."
Trish figured as much.
Fiona continued with, "My son loves you very much, Trish. I know this is very hard for you, since you still fight your destiny. Your engagement ends in a week. You must then decide
whether you will fulfill destiny and marry the Warrior Prime, or shatter my precious sons heart. I will make you a deal. If, indeed, you can look me in the eyes and tell me you have, at no time, longed for his touch against your body and lips, then, I will write you a decree this instance and let you go back to Learity and that poor excuse, that you insist was a life. However, if you cannot do this, then you owe it to the kingdom and my son, to stop avoiding him, and spend the last week of your engagement really trying to get to know him. I'll be able to tell if you are lying dear."
Trish began to cry. Quietly at first, but eventually developing into heartwrenching sobs. Anyone could tell that she was comletely torn with internal conflict. The only words Fiona could understand were, "How could he love me? He doesnt even know me. I'm a boy not a girl."
Fiona asked, "If you believe what you say, then, why are you crying child? Tomas knows your spirit, Dear, and for him that is enough."
Trish responded with, "A part of me wants to run home as fast as I can. I dont want some strong man to make me his "Little Princess"............unless I am near Tomas. He makes me yearn to be his little girl. It's not fair." She finished, in a cute little pouty voice.
"Why are you fighting against being what everyone, including you deep down inside, wants?" The queen asked in wonderment.
"Because it is wrong!" Trish responded, between sobs.
"The kingdom needs you to be their Guardian Princess. Your own mother is happy with her new daughter, The Princess. More importantly, the Warrior Prime longs for his promised wife, The
Princess. We need you, Princess. Why do you reject us so and how could a kingdoms desparate need for their Guardian Spirit, be wrong?" Fiona asked, a bit sadly and almost in tears herself now.
"I ........I dont know.......it just is." Trish said quietly.
"Will you at least do as I ask, Princess? I'll send you home after that, if you still want." The Queen said, with tears flowing freely from her eyes. She finished with, "I'm so sorry I've caused you so much turmoil and pain by ordering Aldegard to bring you here." In a whisper.
"I will do as you have ordered, My Queen." she replied, in a sharp and formal tone, then got up without another word, and walked out, clearly both hurt and angry that she was being asked to give up what small amount of manhood she had left, for strangers in a strange land.
The queen just sat there for a bit sipping tea and crying silently.
Prince Tomas noticed Trish leaving his mothers tea room. I know she will just make another excuse to keep avoiding me, but i must keep trying, he thought to himself. "Princess, oh Princess. he called to her. Trish turned around and waited for the Prince to approach.
Well at least she didnt turn and run away this time. Thats certainly a good sign, he thought.
"Umm.......would you care to.....that is......i mean.....could i.......ummm....would you like to
picnic with me, today?" He finally managed to get out.
"Yes." She replied.
"Oh, I understand, you must be pretty busy." he returned quickly, not registering the "yes".
"Ummm..............I said yes." She said, a bit amused. *He is so adorable. STOP THAT!!*
"Oh, dont worry about it, I'm sure some other ti............. wait, what did you say?" Tomas asked, sure that he was hearing things when he heard "yes".
"Tomas, I'd love to picnic with you, this day. She replied with a giggle.
His face lit up so bright, in happiness when he realized she had agreed to picnic
with him, that Trish was overwhelmed with a yearning to make HER Prince
smile like that, whenever possible. Wait, what? Her prince? What had come over her?
"I will need an hour to get ready." She replied, walking away quickly.
He called after her, "Okay, I'll head to the kitchen and prepare a basket, then meet you at the front gate."
She waved back, signaling that she heard him and agreed. After she turned the corner and was out of sight, she started running for her room. Once there, she closed the door quickly and leaned on it, panting hard. How am I supposed to get through a week of this when I can't even spend two minutes in his presence, without aching badly for him? As she thought more and more about him, at some point, she went on auto pilot while getting ready for her "Special Prince". She realized
her thoughts were affecting what she was doing, but it was too late. She subconsiously had been getting pretty for HER Prince, and now, her hour was up. It was too late to change. she stood in front of the mirror trembling, as she started to notice her flawless makeup. Her eyeshadow was purple. She had applied her eyeliner in a way that had made her, almond shaped elven eyes of jade, look even more catlike.
Her golden hair was just below her pointy ears, with lushous curly locks dangling all around her head like a crown. Somehow, she had succeeded at putting her hair in cute little pigtails, each high on the head, canting out and back at a 45 degree angle. It was no surprise that they were done up with pink ribbon and tied off into a bow.
She had a cute, pink dress on, that didnt quite make it to her knees.
She was wearing pink, mary-jane flats with white ribbon and bows, replacing where her buckles would be.
Ascending up her legs, were white stockings that stopped just above her knees. Each stocking sported a cute little pink bow at the top. The stockings were attached to a white garterbelt that contrasted the cutest little pink bikini briefs she had ever seen, with little kittens sewn on them and "Daddy's Little Princess" written on the rear. She would have to remind herself to kill her sister, later. These clothes had to have come from Kimberly. Most likely as a joke, however, the Spirit fancied them for some odd reason.
Finally, under her dress, she had on a lovely white corset with pink laces and bows all up and down it, making her, already curvy body, into that of a goddess.
She was doomed and she knew it.....................................................................................
As Promised here is Another chapter today=P
Tomas was holding the picnic basket while pacing back and forth near the guard shack. Every now and then he'd catch them looking at him with pity on their faces. They knew, as did he, that the Princess was already 10 minutes late.
"I should have known. How could I be so stupid as to think she would change her mind and want to spend time with me so suddenly." he mumbled.
As he was facing away from the castle, he heard "MY GOODNESS!!! It should be against the law to look that cute!" from one of the guards.
He turned around and froze. He wanted to tell her how amazing she looked. He wanted to yet again declare his love for her. He WANTED her in the worst way. Of all the things he wanted to say and do at that moment, he picked the most intelligent, chivalrous thing that came to his mind.
He lost his mind the second he saw her so, of course, he chose to stand frozen with his eyes wide and his jaw dropping to the ground.
"You picked a nice day for a picnic, Tomas." she said, so sweetly you'd need an insulin shot just to process it.
"Uh.........I......er.............uh..........th.....th....thank you, Your Highness." he stumbled out.
"When did we become so formal with each other, Tomas?" she said in a pouty little girl voice that she had no idea, until just now, that she was capable of doing.
"Sorry......uh......I'm just a bit nervous, Trish." he explained.
"Why?" She asked.
"Um......well.....um ...look at you." he said motioning at her.
"Believe me Tomas, I have." She said sourly before returning a fake smile onto her face and declaring, "So lets be off to this fabulous place you've picked for us to have a picnic, shall we?"
"Yes Your Hi...............Trish." he corrected.
"Thats better." Trish said
It was truely a beautiful spot to picnic. Right next to a shallow creek with a great oak tree to shade them. You could see the castle in the distance. The creek ran through an area with beautiful green grass covered hills. Growing all around were Freguard poppies with their lavish purple pettles contrasting the green perfectly, just as her eyeshadow complimented her eyes.
They could see anyone coming long before they were spotted themselves, from the spot the Prince picked.
The Prince laid out a blanket, so as not to get grass stains on the Princess's beautiful dress.
They sat in silence while he served her. They ate in silence. Then just as the silence began to get awkward, the Prince worked up the nerve to discuss what he brought her here for. She beat him to the punch, though.
"Tommy? I get the feeling you brought me out here to talk. I'm willing to listen, but I will be more honest with my responses than you may like." she warned.
"That sounds fair, Patty." he returned
"Ewww, point taken. May I call you Tom, then?" she asked.
He smiled and responded with, "I insist on it, Trish."
"Trish? Why did you agree to come with me today after avoiding me every chance you get?" he asked sullenly.
"I made a promise to your mother." she responded honestly.
He nodded at that. He had figured as much.
"Why do you avoid me?" he asked sadly.
"Not so fast. A question for a question seems only fair." she said
"Very well, ask anything. Just as the Guardian cannot lie, neither can the Warrior Prime." he explained.
"How can you love a boy that looks like a girl and not even know them?" she asked
"Heh, you have it backwards, Trish." he said with a chuckle.
"Huh?" was her reply.
"First, let me answer the second part, then i'll explain it. I do know you, Trish. When we first saw you through Aldegard's seeing crystal, Even in male form I knew you for what you would become. The Guardian Spirit has been coming to me in my dreams since I was a young boy. It is how they determined that I would become Warrior Prime. Some folks think that the Queen decides who becomes a Warrior Prime. Not so. The Guardian Spirit decides. We grew up together, Trish. You may not know it, but it's true. I've dreamed of you every day since I was 12. We have flown and climbed and played with each other all our lives. It doesnt matter what you look like on the outside. I know you on the inside." he said with passion.
"I will always love you, no matter where you run away to or what you look like. I would give my last breath for you, Princess. Now as I said, you had it backwards, Trish. Your spirit has always been female, whether you want to admit it or not. It was decreed so 10,000 years ago. So, see? You have it backwards. You are a GIRL trapped in a boys body." he explained
"Now tell me, Trish, is it because I'm ugly? Or stupid? Or boring? Or creepy? Why do you treat me with such contempt?" he asked sadly
"Is that what you have been thinking all this time?" Trish asked, a bit shocked.
Tom nodded with his head low.
"You poor thing I am so sorry, I didnt mean to cause you...." she tried to finish
he cut her off with, "Please dont pity me, that hurts worse. Please just tell me why so I will at least know."
She started to giggle.
"Why would you laugh at me, so, when I hurt so much?" he asked
"Because, Tom, assuming makes an ASS out of U and ME. You never once even came close to guessing the real reason. I have told no one this, Tom. Although im sure your mother has guessed it. That is why she has made me promise to spend the last week of our engagement by your side." she stated
He brightened for a second then became sullen again and asked, "But you do not want to. Isnt that so?" he asked
"That is true, Tom, but not for the reasons you think.
"Why, then?" he asked, thoroughly confused.
"Tom, In Learity there are what are known as "Gender Roles". Our World is becoming more liberal as time goes by, but due to "Social Programming" Each sex has things expected of them that sets each other apart. An easy example is, Men forage and women cook. Here women are strong and independent so you cant fully understand, but you can sorta get the broad scope of it. Do you understand what I've told you so far?" she asked
"I think so. In your world, men and women have certain roles that guide them through life, similar to say a smith here. In a family of smiths, you are born into the family and expected to become a smith also. Am I close?" he asked, trying to understand.
"Yes! Very well done. Now say I was trained my whole life to be a warrior, but i was yanked from battle one day and told that I was now a Wizard. Do you think I would go along with it quietly?" she asked
"No." He said sadly, knowing she was right.
"You still havent answered my question, though." he reminded.
"I was working up to it. Bottom line, Tom. I've been avoiding you, because I'm madly in love with you. I ache for you Tom. I know.......You ask whats the problem then?" she said
Tom nodded in response.
"Social Programming, Tom. I was raised a male. I can look like a female, even act like one. Deep down I might, say, even desperately want to be one, but my male side says "FIGHT!" so I have been fighting you the only way I know how. By avoiding you." she explained.
This time Tom started to laugh. "All this time I thought you were avoiding me because you hated me and now I find out it was the exact opposite." he said while chuckling.
She stared at him for several minutes, getting lost in his eyes. This talk would be what triggered her doom. She knew that much. It helped her to see why she was fighting. It was getting too hard to fight anymore.
He closed in on her. She knew what was coming and was powerless to stop it. He leaned in to kiss her. She did what any respectable boy would do. She parted her lips and welcomed him.
If a bond like theirs were physical it would be like strings. The more strings that attached them, the stronger the Bond. Her willingness to his kiss, wove many strings around them.
NO!
The strings were snapping!
It hurt so bad.
Something was very wrong. Trish opened her eyes.
Tom gave her a confused look and fell over. Fang marks on his arm told the tale. She saw the Reaper snake race off. Reaper snakes were comparable in deadliness as the Coral snake was, in Learity. The snake never had a chance. Trish ripped it apart with her bare hands.
"Tom, Dont you die on me. Hang on Tom. Please Tom, I .........Love you." she cried out. She did the only thing she could. She picked him up and cradled him like a baby and ran like lives depended on it, because they did.
The guards saw something very wrong. The Princess was running for the gate faster than he'd seen any man run....and she was carrying the Prince.
Trish got to the gate. It didnt open fast enough. 2 tons worth of wood. She kicked it. It was no longer wood, it was kindling.
She ran straight for Aldegard.
"Please ......I will give you anything you desire........please help him." she begged.
"What happened?" The Matron asked.
"He was bit by a Reaper on the arm." she said sobbing.
"Oh dear. I'll do what I can." She invoked several spells slowing the poison. She couldnt stop it, though. "Child, give me your hand!" yelled Aldegard.
Trish didnt question her. She grabbed the wizards hand and helped her attain the power she needed.
Turning to the guards, the Matron said "Take him to his bed."
"NO! Anyone touches him and I promise they will die before they can feel the warmth of his skin!!! I WILL TAKE HIM!!" She yelled as she picked him up and carried him to his chamber.
Aldegard had mixed feelings. It was apparent that what ever happened before the bite had caused a bond between then. She could only hope he survived.
"Will he live?" Trish asked, in tears.
"I dont know, child. He would be dead already if it werent for you. He is in a coma. Only time will tell if we stopped the poison in time." she said sadly.
"Please leave us." said Trish
"Of course, Dear. I'll be right outside if you need me." Aldegard said.
"Ok, Thank you." Trish said in response.
as the door closed, Trish moved close to his ear and said, "Now you listen to me, you are not going to get even and avoid me, by dying, do you hear me?" she started to cry. Her wracking sobs could be heard throughout the castle. Everyone could hear the pain she was in.
She stayed by his bedside for 3 days with no sleep before the Queen ordered her to get a little rest.
"Yes Mam. Tom, I know you can hear me. Before your mother makes me get some rest I'd like to share a beautiful song from Learity with you."
She Began to sing softly in his ear:
if this world is wearing thin
and you're thinking of escape
i'll go anywhere with you
just wrap me up in chains
but if you try to go out alone
don't think i'll understand
stay with me
stay with me
in the silence of your room
in the darkness of your dreams
you must only think of me
there can be no in-betweens
when your pride is on the floor
i'll make you beg for more
stay with me
stay with me
you'd better hope and pray
that you make it safe
back to your own world
you'd better hope and pray
that you wake one day
in your own world
'cuz when you sleep at night
they don't hear your cries
in your own world
only time will tell
if you can break the spell
back in your own world
stay with me
stay with me
.......................
"TOMAS FIGHT........DAMN YOU......FIGHT!!!!!
He was being chased again. He was always being chased, it seemed. He was too fast for the store owner and eventually got away with his prize. As the crowds saw him pass, some saw, perhaps, a young slight boy. Others thought perhaps, a girl. He was 5’5, barely 100lbs at 15 years old. He had golden blonde hair, delicate features, and the most stunning purplish blue eyes that most had ever seen. His name was Justice Winters, orphan runaway extraordinaire
He doubled around, and then again, to be sure no one could see him enter the abandoned bomb shelter. Once inside he felt safe again.
“Yummy!” declared a half starved Justice, as he unwrapped his prize. “Let’s see.” he thought out loud. “If I eat only one of the twinkies now and save the other till bed, I may just get to sleep tonight without too much pain. Now if only I could do something about my nightmares, I’d be golden.” he snorted, thinking of the golden twinkie in his hand. “No pun intended.” he said chuckling at the golden cake.
“Mmmmmmmmn!” This had been his first meal in 2 days. He had to be careful, and only go out at night. The orphanage would still be looking for him.
Justice Faith Winters had lived at the orphanage all his life. From what he could piece together, his mother was a very young girl who left him on their doorstep. They saw her through the window and rushed to the door to find him, alone. She had run off.
His first and middle name were pinned to his shirt along with age. He was almost a whole hour old. The matron declared him bad luck from the get go, on the account of, what he later found out, was some 30something year old loser, getting hit by a large truck just down the street, as they found Justice.
Growing up in the orphanage didn’t start off so bad when he was younger, but the older he got, the tougher it got for him, due to his size and looks. He had to learn to fight the hard way. He lost a lot of fights before he was good enough to start winning. He learned to use his lightening reflexes and agility to execute devastatingly quick and ferocious attacks directed at the weakest and most painful spots on their bodies.
They learned for awhile.
Then came the “Blanket Parties”. That’s when they wait till you fall asleep, grab your blanket or sheets, and hold you trapped in them while they beat you with pillow cases filled with bars of soap. That was one month ago today and also the day when Justice ran away, not for the first time.
Still, Justice kept a fierce sense of humor. He felt he had to. It’s what kept him going most days. All this and more passed through his mind until he finally drifted off to sleep, forgetting to eat his second twinkie.
****Dream World****
Justice looked around and recognized the tragic scenes about to; again, interrupt any chance of a good night’s rest. It was strange. He was detached from the dream itself but watched it play out right in front of him, helpless to stop the events. The people, whom, he was positive that he had never met, seemed oddly familiar. He also seemed able to feel their emotions.
Each time Justice had the dream, which seemed a lot more often lately, a little more would play out. Lately they were more like nightmares though. He stood and watched it unfold. The first 10 or so times hadn’t gotten to the dark parts. This was Justice’s favorite part to both feel and watch. He wished it could last.
**Tomas was holding the picnic basket while pacing back and forth near the guard shack. Every now and then he'd catch them looking at him with pity on their faces. They knew, as did he, that the Princess was already 10 minutes late.
“Heh.” Justice chuckled, knowing what was coming next after seeing it dozens of times.
"I should have known. How could I be so stupid as to think she would change her mind and want to spend time with me so suddenly." he mumbled.
As he was facing away from the castle, he heard "MY GOODNESS!!! It should be against the law to look that cute!" from one of the guards.
WOW! Justice thought. She is more stunning each time I see her
He turned around and froze. He wanted to tell her how amazing she looked. He wanted to yet again declare his love for her. He WANTED her in the worst way. Of all the things he wanted to say and do at that moment, he picked the most intelligent, chivalrous thing that came to his mind.
He lost his mind the second he saw her so, of course, he chose to stand frozen with his eyes wide and his jaw dropping to the ground.
“What a dufus!” Justice yelled, knowing they couldn’t hear him. “Have a twinkie with me instead.”
"You picked a nice day for a picnic, Tomas." she said, so sweetly you'd need an insulin shot just to process it.
"Uh.........I......er.............uh..........th.....th....thank you, Your Highness." he stumbled out.
“Uh,UH,UH….spit it out already would ya? Geez” , Justice declared in silly outrage. After all he had to get his entertainment where he could, considering he lived in an abandoned bomb shelter from like forever ago.
"When did we become so formal with each other, Tomas?" she said in a pouty little girl voice that she had no idea, until just now, that she was capable of doing.
"Sorry......uh......I'm just a bit nervous, Trish." he explained.
"Why?" She asked.
"Um......well.....um ...look at you." he said motioning at her.
"Believe me Tomas, I have." She said sourly before returning a fake smile onto her face and declaring, "So let’s be off to this fabulous place you've picked for us to have a picnic, shall we?""Yes Your Hi...............Trish." he corrected.
"That’s better." Trish said
After this things were pleasant for awhile, but then…..the pain started. First the snakes bite. That was just the very beginning. Justice could feel the Princess’s pain as she did. No not pain….torment. It was like she was being ripped apart, only, on the inside. Then the deep sadness this was the second worst part for Justice. When the last tiniest strand snapped and the Prince died, so did she in a way.
Hate consumed her. Hate for the snake. Hate for the land. Finally it turned to hate for the people that cursed her and made her love a man purely due to magic. A man that, with all their magic’s and potions, they could not save, cursing her to a life of misery.
This was the worst part for Justice. He didn’t hate anyone. Not even the kids who beat him or the mother who left him to them. Justice had a big heart and was quick to forgive. He also had faith, as dictates his middle name. Faith, in that, those children were too young to know better. Faith that his mother must have had no choice but to give him up, and faith that one day, his life would get easier.
Next came the horrifying part. Now that Justice knew what was coming, he covered his eyes. It was a dream, though, so after a few seconds it stopped working.
There she was in front of the whole royal house, her family included. Well, except for a young wizards apprentice that, in each dream, had been sent to town minutes before the end.
She was yelling at the Queen to send her home to her old life. When the Queen refused she was so full of anger and hate that she literally went nuclear, well if the cloud was pink anyway.
Everything was vaporized, except the Princess. When she had seen what she had unintentionally done, what little of her heart was left, was shattered.
Justice paid attention when the new part of the dream started.
Completely out of her mind in pain, she ran toward the grove where she had first arrived on that cursed day. When she arrived, she fell to her knees and screamed. She tore at the ground and air. Her hands started to glow.
“Holy crap!” exclaimed Justice as he saw her rip an actual hole in mid air. As she started to force her way through the hole, Justice could see what looked like asphalt streets. Then everything went black.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Justice woke to the sound of someone banging on his door.
“OH CRAP!!” he said, a little too loudly.
“I can hear you in there, boy.” said the voice. “You either come out or we will come in. If we come in…well you definitely won’t like it”.
Knowing he had nowhere to run, and was too hungry at this point to pass up the free meal that social services usually fed hungry runaways, Justice surrendered…uh….sort of.
Justice opened the door and said, “Ah good, you are finally here. I’d like to report a
crime, please.”
“You, Ms. Twinkie Thief, want to report a crime?” officer Collins remarked amused.
“Come on Collie, I’ve told you a billion times that I’m a boy. Careful I’m starting to think you are sweet on me.”
“Yea real funny kid.” Said his longtime partner Officer Mclean
“No seriously, I’d like to report a crime.” Justice pointed to the half eaten twinkie wrapper. “Yea so I was like minding my own business wandering around like I usually do…..and THAT’S when I saw it.”
“Saw what?”, asked Collins
“There it was sitting on the shelf, oh yea, I knew what was up. The store was holding my twinkies captive! Probably for some deviant type activity. So I told myself, you can turn the other cheek for the theft of your twinkie, but could you really live with yourself if you walked away from a dear friend in peril? So you see? I’m the hero of the story and “the store” is the evil twinkie sex trader.” He finished and looked up giving the officers the most innocent puppy dog eyed face he could muster.
Once they stopped laughing, Officer Collins managed to get out, “Yea well, your buddy looks half eaten to me”, and started laughing again
“Oh no Sir, we just didn’t like his friend much.” laughed Justice.
“Funs over kid, lets go.” ordered Officer Mclean.
The ride to JDH (Juvenile Detention Hall) was a familiar one. After being processed, which took half the day, Justice was finally served…uh, I mean fed (no pun intended=). They always put kids in solitary their first day here, so fortunately for Justice, he could have a safe nights sleep.
****Dream World
Completely out of her mind in pain, she ran toward the grove where she had first arrived on that cursed day. When she arrived, she fell to her knees and screamed. She tore at the ground and air. Her hands started to glow.
Again, as she started to force her way through the hole, Justice could see what looked like asphalt streets. Then he saw something that would change his life forever.
As the Princess pushed her way through the hole, Justice was teleported to the other side. When the Princess came out the other side she was a….a man? It was then Justice noticed the familiar surroundings. This was King Street!! The street the orphanage was on. He looked closer and saw a woman carrying a basket up the steps. “It can’t be.” He whispered. “It isn’t possible.”
Then a truck came speeding around the corner headed right for the Pri……middle aged dude. Just before the truck hit….blackness.
When Justice woke up, his surroundings were unfamiliar to him at first. *Oh right* he thought to himself, “This blows.” He finished out loud. Now comes the embarrassment.
Justice had been in JDH more times than he could remember. Every time he was there, someone, he or the other guy, got hurt. It would always start innocently enough. The rest of the boys would start to pick on Justice, and he would smile and join in with them. “That the best you got?” he’d say and come up with, one of a dozen, better insults that he’d heard before, and make fun of not just them, but himself too. He never took himself that seriously.
This would of course anger the boys for some warped reason, pertaining to, taking the fun out of torturing him. This of course would lead to innuendos about his sexuality and masculinity. Justice would say something like “That’s not what you implied when we were snuggling up together last night.”
That’s usually when the punches started flying.
After his third trip here, the facility director decided that for everyone’s safety, he would be transferred to the girls’ wing. He didn’t mind actually because he knew he could take them. The girls treated him nice, usually, but he got teased a lot for being forced to wear the pink scrubs that were available on the girls’ side. He thought it was goofy that they couldn’t just walk 2 halls over and get him some blues, but, whatever. Something about quick counts and visual accountability in case of a fire drill.
Once the girls were done in the shower, they were locked back in their rooms till breakfast and it was Justices turn. After his shower he had to surrender his street clothes and dress in the scrubs. Thank goodness they had the sense to get him boys’ underwear, even if they didn’t fit right. Then it was to his favorite meal of the day. Any meal.
Though, on the boys side they knew him as Justice, due to snoopy girls who cleaned the admins office and saw his middle name, on the girls side it was…..
“Faith! Your back!” exclaimed an excited teen as she ran up to hug him. Her name was Katie Summers. She was an inch taller than Justice/Faith, about 5lbs heavier, with red hair, and cute freckles under her stunning green eyes. “What did you do this time?” she asked with a mischievous smile. “Come on, spill it.”
“Honest I was framed!!!” he declared with mock outrage.
“Uh huh. Framed for what?” she asked as the other 10 girls gathered around the breakfast table in curiosity. Half didn’t even know who this seemingly new girl was.
“I merely felt the need to liberate a helpless comrade from his totalitarian dictators.” He reasoned with a chuckle.
“For crying out loud, Faith, this is somehow about twinkies again, isn’t it?” asked a giggling Katie
When he smiled and nodded all the girls started laughing. “Geez, your weird, you know that, Faith?” Katie asked.
He, of course, agreed readily. Justice didn’t mind weird. “Weird is good”, was his mantra. That and “da da da dat da da…UNDERDOG!!! (Or maybe it was Mighty Mouse. He got those mixed up)” but he thought it best to keep that one to himself. There was such a thing as too weird.
Looking upon Katie and seeing her laugh at his absurdness, he realized how much he missed her. She was the first person he had ever agreed to run away with. Not, mind you, because of romantic feelings, for her anyway. They kissed once. She said he kissed like a girl, and that was pretty much it as far as he was concerned. No, she was like a sister to him, not that he wanted her to be, considering he was still crushing on her. Summers and Winters, what a pair, they’d say. They got caught, of course. Eventually, when they were hungry enough, most did. Katie thrived better with structure, anyway. She was smart and knew how to play the game inside, but couldn’t handle the hungry feeling of her stomach for very long, on the outside.
“So you got a plan yet?” asked Katie.
“A plan?” asked Justice coyly.
“Come on, Dork-a-saurus Rex, stop playing coy.” She said rolling her eyes.
“Jeepers Katie, I’ve been here less than a full day…….OF COURSE I have a plan.” He announced confidently.
“Ooooooookay? Well, what is it?” she asked.
“Ok, so here is what we will do. We go up to the “Screw” with the keys. You, then, drop your scrub top and distract the “Screw”, while I sneak the keys, and tada.” He finished with a wave of his hands.
“Uh, Faith? You do realize that the “Screws” on this side, probably aren’t interested in what I have under my blouse.” She said, rolling her eyes and giggling. She was a tomboy so she usually had a pretty good sense of humor about her breastesses.
“Hmmm, good point. Well you should probably only show them to me, then.” He remarked jokingly…sorta.
Laughing, she responded with, “How will that help you get out?”, while pushing on him with fake outrage.
“Ooooooh, a plan for getting out….uh…hmmm. Well I won’t lie to you. It will be a lot trickier than your ingenious plan to take off your top, but give me time and I will come up with something.” He said smiling widely.
“Uh, the top thing was your idea, pervert.” She said between giggles
“Oh.” Justice stated with mock seriousness, but then continued with, “That’s ok. You know I don’t mind sharing credit.”
Still giggling, along with the rest of the girls , she responded with, “I don’t want credit for…….oh never mind.” She finished knowing that, like a bad Abbott and Costello film, this could go on forever if she let it.
Breakfast passed with wit and humor flying around the table. After breakfast, they were locked down again for an hour. Next was JDH’s version of school, for 4 hours, until lunch. Unfortunately for Justice, school was co-ed. Justice was not at all surprised to see Billy Williams here, again. He was a bully. A big, ugly, smelly, dark haired retard. Not mentally, socially retarded of course. At least, then, Justice could understand and let it go. But no, he was just mean. He also wasn’t surprised to hear……….
“Hey Faithie girl, pink really is your color.” mocked Billy, with a smile.
Billy just never learned no matter how many times Justice fought him, either by wit or force, Billy never fared well enough to confidently say he’d won. Justice was beginning to think that Billy was just a glutton for punishment.
“Oh Billy! You are so sweet! Just like last night when you bribed the Screw to let you into my room, ahhh so romantic!” he exclaimed and finished with a longing sigh.
The girls were laughing so hard, that several needed to rush out and pee. The boys were thrashing around on the floor holding their guts and snorting like pigs. Billy turned bright red and was seconds away from pounding Justice when Justice decided to push it too far by turning to Katie and saying in a whisper that everyone could hear………
“You know Katie, he’s actually a lot gentler in bed than you’d think.”
Then, it was on. Billy hopped up and rushed Justices desk. Justice was quick though and immediately hopped up and sidestepped, pulling Billy away from the desks. Billy came in hard, grabbed Justice and slammed him against the chalkboard. Justice saw this coming a mile away, though, and had lifted his arms above his head so as not to be caught in a bear hug. Justice slapped both of his palms against Billy’s ears. His immediate reaction to grab his ears had freed Justice.
Justice knew if he didn’t finish this, while Billy was dazed, it could turn out like last time when Justice ended up in the hospital. As Billy turned, Justice slapped him lightly across the throat. When Billy grabbed his throat and gagged, Justice, who did what it took to survive, punched him right in his “jewels”. As Billy bent, Justices knee connected to Billy’s chin, lifting his big, 6ft frame off the ground.
The whole thing happened in a matter of seconds, before the teacher could even do anything about it. She called the guards and had both of them put on lockdown, after a quick trip to the infirmary for Billy, of course.
He could expect to be locked in for 3 days, at least.
Lunch and dinner came in through a tray slot. He was really starting to miss Katie about now.
Finally, at the end of a very crappy day, yet also good as far as seeing Katie, Justice closed his eyes. It took him forever to doze off, though. Ironically, all he could think about was that, even though Billy was a douche, he hoped he hadn’t hurt Billy too bad. Not that he liked Billy in any way, but because Justice had empathy for all life. Bugs, birds, fish, furry things, humans, and yes even Billy, he supposed. He hated the way it made him feel when he knew he was responsible for causing pain.
Finally, Justice drifted off……..
****Dream World****
The Truck had come out of nowhere, it seemed. Justice looked on, horrified, as the truck smashed into the man/princess. It was then that Justice witnessed the strangest thing he had ever seen.
He saw and felt the Entity. She did not have form, but looked as a pink mystical aura. Justice felt that the Entity was in deep pain shadowed only by the fear of her predicament. She needed a vessel to survive, and not just any vessel. She needed an empty one. She saw a baby being left on some steps. As she floated over, she knew the baby would have a spirit of its own. She had to at least be sure though.
Justice saw the spirit float over, to what he was beginning to realize, was him, as a baby. The Entity reached the baby and saw that the baby clearly had a spirit of his own. The note pinned to him simply read one word. Justice. The Entity….gave up. With all that had happened, all the pain and all the torment she had lost faith.
That’s when the most amazing thing happened. The babys spirit was filled to the brim with love and kindness. Because of this, his spirit reached out and embraced hers, whispering have faith, as he pulled her lovingly inside him. She was the one who had added Faith to his note.
****
Justice woke with a start. He didn’t know what to think. Obviously it was a dream, wasn’t it? Before he could ponder it more thoroughly, someone started to unlock his door. Weird. He hadn’t expected visitors for another 2 days. The door opened and the guard threw Justice the recently cleaned street clothes that he came in with.
“Get changed. You’ve got court today.” the guard announced.
“Court? So soon? Yup, I knew they were sweet on me, up there” replied Justice humorously.
“Don’t flatter yourself kid. Now get moving. You’ve got 10 minutes.” He said gruffly.
Justice was surprised to see Katie at the van. They hugged and discussed their court stuff with each other on the ride over. Katie hadn’t had a chance to tell him earlier, because of the fight. Justice came to find out that Katie’s year, for stealing a car, was up and she was going to court to find out what was going to happen to her next. He told her about running away and valiantly rescuing a twinkie. They were both puzzled by my extremely quick court date, though. It was rather odd.
“Ok, I got a plan.” announced Justice. “The driver and escort are dudes, so I think you should take off your top and distract me.”
“Uh…don’t you mean THEM, Faith?” she asked, confused.
“Ewww! Why would I want THEM to take their tops off?” he said with a wry smile and wiggling eyebrows.
They both started laughing and when she finally was about to respond, they heard….
“Uh…you two DO know that we can hear you up here in front, don’t you?” the escort said, chuckling.
They started laughing again. Twenty minutes later, they were pulling up to the family court building. Justice hated this place. It was musty and creepy. They took the elevator up to the 5th floor. The 5th was known as hoodlum court to the crusty old judges. Basically, kid criminal court. Once they were on the 5th floor, they made their way to the courtroom that they were assigned to, and sat and waited for their caseworker, on the bench outside the courtroom. They had the same caseworker, so it wasn’t unusual for them to see the same judge for the convenience. Oddly, she didn’t come, but a lawyer claiming to represent them did.
“I’m Frank Evans. I’ll be your representation for today.” He said motioning to shake their hands.
“Um… where is our caseworker?” Katie asked
Frank told them that she was overloaded with cases and since they now had representation, which she had approved of, he would handle this. They were confused as to why he would. He told them to be patient and everything would be revealed to them soon.
Justices case was up first. The Judge intimidated Justice with talk of hard time for troubled kids like him. Finally, thank goodness, it was Franks turn.
“Your Honor, the event that transpired can surely be chalked up as a desperately hungry child merely trying to eat. Can you not see that?” Frank said lightly, playing on the Judges emotions
“Uh…well…I…uh.” Was all the judge managed before Frank boldly cut him off.
He explained about a newly staffed and certified foster home that, with the help of the judge, Justice would be safe in. Frank produced signed paperwork and recommendations from family services and JDH all stating this to be Justices best option for a normal life. Justices head was spinning during all this. No one had told him a thing.
After reading the documents, the judge agreed. Justice was going to a foster home. Actually, Justice was thrilled. It was better than the orphanage. It was Katie’s turn next.
Again, surprise. Katie was being recommended for the same home.
The judge responded with, “Who exactly runs this home, Mr. Evans?” the judge asked.
“I do, Your Honor.” Said a woman in the back who couldn’t have been more than 25.
“You look a little young to run a foster home Mrs………? Step up to the front so I can see who I am talking to.” ordered the judge
Justice turned and saw a very cute, fiery red head moving up the row. *Devil Child!!!* Justice shook his head. Why had he thought that so loudly?
As she reached the front she announced, “Mrs……..Aldegard…Your Honor…..Mya Aldegard.
******Warning: I made myself cry writing this chapter******
Myamar Vison
18 years ago………..
Myamar Vison was a slight boy. He weighed 105lbs, soaking wet, and stood only 5’ 3and1/2inches tall at the age of 14. He had fiery red hair and the most beautiful green eyes. His father and 2 brothers, on the other hand, were built like gladiators. All 3 had jet black hair. His father, James, was 6’1 and 200lbs. The youngest of his older brothers, Jason, at age 15, was 6’0 already. His eldest brother, Ryan, was 6’2 at 17. Both were around 170lbs. Myamar had a different mother than his brothers. His father never said for certain, but would hint that he had an affair with a Sprite.
A Sprite in Freguard wasn’t tiny like the myths in Learity. Sprites looked like winged elves, except that Sprites were always incredibly beautiful females. They were very powerful magic users and usually picked Elvin men to mate with, taking the girls to raise as Sprites. They would leave the boys for the Elvin men to raise. Most Elvin men preferred Elvin woman, though. Sprite/Elf relationships were usually considered taboo.
Because of the way Myamar looked, his father and brothers were all convinced that he was what they called in Freguard, a bit of a “Fancy boy”. He thought that was a bit ridiculous, considering he was too young to have feelings for anyone, as far as he was concerned. Though, that meant that he couldn’t be certain that they were wrong, either. He didn’t tell them that, of course. His brothers nicknamed him “Sprite-ling”, which in their eyes meant “little girl”. They all treated him that way, in a sense, also. He didn’t tell them that his nickname secretly pleased him, either. His father even joked about wondering why they left one of their Sprite-lings behind. Myamar cooked, cleaned, and laundered for them. According to them, it was all his fragile little frame was meant to handle. He played the victim a tad bit. Only because he did not want them to know that he actually liked not working in the field all day.
Myamar had another secret, also. He was completely infatuated with magic. Magic was for girls. Everyone knew that, but he didn’t care. He could sense it all around him. He could almost…….touch it. As a boy though, he couldn’t. That made him a little sad.
Today though, his secret was discovered. He hadn’t even heard his dad and brothers come in from the fields. Myamar was hunched over a magic book, as usual. When his father saw, he let out a growl. Myamar turned in fear and surprise.
“Ffff..Father…I….I….I dddid not hear you come in.” stammered Myamar.
James looked upon his son in disgust. Then he grabbed Myamar roughly by the collar and said, “I knew you were “Fancy”. I just let it go because I couldn’t be sure. Now I can. There is no place for you here, “Fancy Boy!” James finished in a shout as he dragged Myamar out the front door.
“No! Dad, please. Who will wash your clothes and cook your meals?” Myamar said in a panic, realizing he had nowhere to go.
“That is no longer your concern, stranger. You are NOT a Vison any longer!” James declared as Ryan and Jason snickered in the background.
Those were the last things Myamar would hear from his family for a very long time.
Casterfell was roughly 20 miles away. It was the closest place, really the only place that Myamar could think to go. It took him the rest of the day and part of the next of travelling before he arrived. The city was huge to a farm boy. Lots of comings and goings. The excitement of a big town was magnificent to Myamar. Though he was heartbroken over his family, he couldn’t help being so excited about exploring this spectacle called Casterfell. First though, he needed rest. He found a shaded area near the banks of the river, and slept.
3 months later………
Myamar was giggling loudly as he hopped from roof to roof. He was racing Henry again. He didn’t know why. Henry always won, but Myamar didn’t care. It was fun just being with Henry. Henry was a medium sized, well built, boy at age16. He had light brown hair and Hazel/gold eyes. Myamar could stare in his eyes forever. Not that he would ever dare tell that to Henry. 3 months ago Henry had found Myamar huddling in an alley, soaked and shivering in the pouring rain.
“Hey there. You know, they say there is a chance it might rain tonight.” He said as he smiled down at a shivering Myamar. He continued with, “Come on let’s get you dry and warm, sweetie.” mistaking Myamar for a girl.
Myamar told him the truth, of course, just not till he was dry and warm. Henry was surprised, at first, but it didn’t matter to him. Even if Myamar had looked like a boy, he would have still rescued the poor little drowned mouse.
Henry lived in the ruins near the river. There were a few old structures that were still mostly intact. He was able to fish and forage, being close to a water source. He also had a few odd jobs that fetched a few copper here and there. Over the next few months Henry taught Myamar how to thrive in the big city. They got close. Perhaps too close.
“Dang it! You won again, you cheater!” Myamar declared giggling
“Bah, I didn’t cheat. You just have tiny legs.” He remarked with a chuckle.
That night was when things became complicated. They were lying down, huddled together by the fire, Henry behind Myamar, keeping his back warm. Myamar turned and locked eyes with Henry, perhaps staring a bit too long before saying, “Umm…Henry?” he whispered and continued with, “Is that your…… “Myamar said, too embarrassed to continue.
“Sorry.” He whispered back. “Sometimes, in the light of the fire, you are just so damn pretty. I guess that I forget sometimes and so does….uh…you know, my hormones.” He finished uncomfortably.
Truthfully, Myamar was quite flattered. Henry was such a sweet, handsome boy, and Myamar was beginning to think that his father might have been sort of right about him. Maybe Myamar was “Fancy”.
“It….It’s ok, really. I……I understand. It’s ok…you know….if you like me in that way.” Myamar got out barely.
“No! It’s not, Mya. I like you, but you are a boy and so am I. You know how things are in Freguard, Mya. From what your father did to you, I’d say that you know better than anyone.” He finished with a regrettable sigh.
“I…..um…” Myamar started to say before Henry cut him off with, “Mya, as much as you like magic, with your personality, have you ever….uh…you know….. uh….thought about just….uh…..you know…..becoming a….uh………girl? You could learn magic…..and well…uh…we could….well you know…..be together.” He finished in a whisper.
Of course Mya had. Sometimes it was all he could think about. He’d go to sleep at night thinking about being an all powerful sorceress for hire and Henry would be Myamars white knight, who would travel with her on her adventures, protecting her from snakes and spiders. “Uh….well…yea I guess, sometimes, but wishing won’t get us anywhere, Henry. I can’t change who I am.” Myamar stated, with certainty.
“Uh…well that’s not entirely true, Mya. With enough money, there are potions that could change you. You’d have to be sure, though. It would be irreversible. It would change you, and then you would become immune to any future transmutation potions or spells, in effect, making it irreversible.” informed Henry.
“I….I know.” Mya said, a little guiltily before finishing with, “I went to see alchemist. It’s hopeless though. 100 gold for the potion, Henry. There is no way that we could come up with that.” said Myamar, sadly.
“Look at me, Mya.” said Henry.
“O….ok.” countered Myamar.
“Do you want to be my girl? Now be very sure about your answer.” He warned.
“Yes.” Myamar whispered.
“What was that? I couldn’t hear you.” He had heard but wanted to hear it louder.
“YES! More than anything I want to be a girl….your girl!” exclaimed Myamar.
“Then we will get the money we need.” He insisted.
Myamar rushed into his arms, crying in happiness he looked up and said, “Promise?”
“On my life, Mya.” He swore.
Henry had a plan. He knew some men that needed his skills in climbing. He’d actually turned them down twice. He liked his life with Mya and didn’t want to screw up a good thing, being as this job would be very dangerous. That was before he found out Mya felt the same way for him that he secretly had felt for Mya. The job would pay 500 gold split 3 ways with 10% cut off the top to pay for the bribes it took to get the info for the job. He’d walk away with 150 gold. They could get Mya his ……no HER potion and still have plenty to travel and have adventures with.
The two men were happy to hear he had changed his mind. They would do the job in 2 days. All Henry had to do was travel the roof tops till he arrived at the target building. He would then slide down the roof, dangle by his hands on the edge, and swing in to the ledge just below. He would then scoot along to the window located 5 feet in. He’d then open it by any means necessary, preferably the quietest, and head in to unlock the door for the other 2 men. Oh and he’d do it all on a moonless night. *Piece of cake* he thought.
The afternoon of the “job” Henry had a talk with Myamar. He wanted to make it clear to Myamar that he was going to do this alone. Myamar wanted to at least be there to watch his back but he insisted that it was his job to take care of Myamar, not the other way around. Myamar baulked at this.
“Look Mya, I know we live in a world where girls can be more powerful than boys, but it’s still our job to take care of and protect our girls. That will never change. Even when, one day, you will be able to kick my arse.” He finished with a chuckle.
He made it clear that Myamar would wait at the ruins for him. He assured him that everything would go smoothly and he would be back before it became light out.
It was pitch black out, but Henry knew these roofs like the back of his hand. It only took him minutes to arrive at the target building. He looked over the north side at the back entrance. He saw a shadow and heard a bird chirp. That was his signal. He swung down and barely caught the ledge with his tip-toes. Slowly with his hands still gripping the roof, he swung in and released hugging the wall for dear life. *Whew, that was a close one* he thought to himself. After gaining his composure, he made his way along the wall until he arrived at the window. He was in luck. It was unlocked. They must have figured that it was safe to keep the windows this high up unlocked. Piece of cake. Henry made his way down stairs and unlocked the door. As the two men moved to come into the building, Henry felt a cold, burning sensation in his gut. He looked down to see a knife, held in one of the men’s hand, buried in his gut. Henry slumped to the floor.
After the men broke into the safe, retrieved the gold, and headed back to the door, they discovered that Henry was gone. Only a pool of blood remained where Henry had been.
Myamar was told to pack, so that’s what he did. He was so excited. His life was finally going to be tolerable and maybe even downright wonderful. When Henry returned, he would get to be a girl. Even better, he would get to be with the boy he loved, and no one would bother them for it. They didn’t have much, so it didn’t take long to pack. Myamar was just finishing up when he swore he heard something. He went to the opening of the ruin he was in and listened hard.
Then he heard, “Mya…” in a barely audible whisper. Myamar raced into the darkness toward the sound. He found Henry lying there in pain. “Please….inside…help” was all he could manage. Crying, Myamar dragged the helpless boy inside and near the fire. Henry was covered in his own blood. Some of it from being coughed up.
“Oh God, oh God, oh God!!!! Please don’t die…please please please….I love you so much…please” begged a hysterical and sobbing Myamar as he pulled Henry’s head against his chest and started rocking him.
“I…..I’m so……..sorry…Mya…….I knew this…*cough* cough* …was a bad….idea. I….love……..y.” was all Henry could manage before he died in Myamar’s arms.
Myamar was lost. He spent 2 full days doing nothing but holding Henry and sobbing. He was paralyzed with grief. Then she found him.
Constance Aldegard was The Queens “House Wizard”. Basically she answered to no one but the queen. She had many duties. Most were of a magical nature, but some were political. When the queen wanted to let someone know she was serious, she’d send Constance. House Wizards were also responsible for everything “Guardian”. Finding, training, guiding and so on. Unfortunately she hadn’t found her yet. There was also finding a worthy apprentice to worry about. It was time she started training a successor.
Though the intention was to train an apprentice over many years, merely having one was the most important thing, especially in a House Wizards case. Even if the apprentice does not receive all the knowledge and training required to succeed the Matron Wizard, the Matrons(Matron is the Freguard females word for Master) death would trigger a magical download, of sorts, to the apprentice. Of course, to protect the Matron from an overly ambitious apprentice, there was a catch. The Magic would look into the apprentice’s spirit and judge whether she was worthy, first. Apprentices who were responsible for a Matrons death, directly or indirectly with intent, was never judged as worthy.
On this particular day, she had been on a mission of a political nature. They cowed to her quickly and she found herself free for the rest of the day since she would not be heading back to Summer Haven, where the Queens palace was, until the morrow. She decided to take a walk along the river bank to clear her head. She was closing upon some ruins when she swore she heard sobbing. She investigated.
“Oh my!” Constance exclaimed, when she stumbled upon a young girl who was holding onto what looked like a corpse to her. His lips were blue and skin gray. It was obvious he had been dead far too long for Constance to be of any help. The child looked up at her with the most heart wrenchingly sad emerald green eyes. “What is your name child?” All she heard was the name “Mya”. They stared at one another for a few seconds before Constance reached out her hand and said, “Come with me Mya. This is no place for a sweet little thing like you.”
Mya Aldeguard
15 years and some change ago…………..
It took a long time for Mya to get over her first love. The Matron had taken her away from Casterfell a couple years ago. It was sad to think that eventually Mya had gotten everything she had wished for and Henry was not here to share it with her. When Mya had come clean that she was a boy, back then, it disappointed the Matron, at first. She was pleased when she found out that, not only did Mya come from Sprite “Stock”, but that he desperately wanted to become a girl and learn magic to protect the people he loved. She obliged Mya’s first wish with a simple potion, warning her it was irreversible. Then she officially introduced Mya to the Queen as Constance’s apprentice, making both Mya and the Queen happy.
Mya worked hard for the Matron, doing whatever she needed without question. She would accompany the Matron when she traveled. It was exciting to see the Matron at work. Whether she was hunting a rogue sorceress, or threatening a Duke for suspected slave trade involvement. She was amazing. Mya learned all she could, like a sponge. What impressed her most was how rich in gems the Matron was. It seemed that the Matron had many secret lairs spread everywhere throughout the kingdom filled with gems the size or Mya’s fist. Eventually she learned that gems contained energy that helped to boost magic for the tougher spells. Once used up, they became just gems. The Matron was as rich in gems as the Queen was in gold and platinum and someday so would Mya by default.
One day her hard work paid off. The Matron actually wanted Mya to be the real life Guardian Princess’s personal attendant. Wow. This was considered a real honor, and the Matron had picked her. It felt like one also, for like the first few minutes. Once she met him/her, she felt much less honored. She thought he/she was what he/she referred to once as a “douche”. Of course, she felt the Princess’s pain when she lost the Prince, but what had occurred next devastated Mya.
Mya and Constance had just received the news of Prince Tomas’s death when Constance saw the Princess enter the Court with a look of rage on her face.
“Mya, my dear, I need you to go to town and pick up my order of herbs.” Constance urged.
“Now, Matron?” asked Mya a little confused as to the urgency of herbs.
“Now, Mya. Enough with the questions. Be off with you, NOW!” she declared even more urgently.
Mya hurried off. She had gotten halfway down the hill to Summer Haven when the blast took out the Palace. In an instance the palace was vaporized along with the walls and guard houses. All that was left was an empty crater. Well, almost empty. The Princess ran from the crater, towards the grove. Mya followed her. Mya witnessed the Princess rip a hole into the Veil. Mya tried to follow, but it shut before she reached it. Mya was angry and heartbroken that this supposed “Guardian” killed both, the Queen, and her Matron, who gave her everything to live for. Just then a ball of pure energy came from nowhere and entered her. She felt a shock and screamed. That was the last thing she remembered before it went black.
Now that Mya had the knowledge of Constance, she knew what she had to do.
First, she used her immense wealth and power to find out every scrap of information on the Guardian spell. Then, she found a way to modify it to her needs. After Many years and a lot of money, she found a way to eliminate the unnatural bond of the Warrior Prime, and substitute him for a mate of the Spirit’s choosing. The bond would then grow between them, in effect, making her chosen mate the Warrior Prime, if the feelings were returned. Her next step was to find a way to open the Veil. Then to hunt down and destroy this……Paul, to make him pay for what he did, since he had no power in Learity. Once the spirit was released, she would find the Spirit’s new vessel and raise her properly before returning. Gems here weren’t cheap, but she was told that a gem the size of a fist in Learity was considered priceless. She had lot’s of gems left to finish her mission.
It took her 5 years to accomplish everything she needed to gain access to Learity. In that 5 years wars raged on to see who would rule. Evil crept back into the lands in the form of oraci, The Draven, and dark elves. Dark elves weren’t dark skinned like the myths. They were DARK elves, because they worshipped supernatural magic, created from blood and other dark ingredients. Dark pretty much equals evil in this sense. The world was in chaos and the Guardian was gone. It was a free for all. Some of those dark creatures caught wind of Mya. Unbeknownst to her they were watching her closely.
Mya had to try twice to open the Veil before succeeding. The first experience was a nightmare that Mya would regret and feel guilt toward for the rest of her days. She improperly spoke the words of the spell. The Veil opened, however, it opened 1000 years in the past. Her observers did not know this, though. Once the Veil was opened, they attacked. 1000 Draven, orcs, and dark elves rushed at the Veil. Mya did the only thing she could. She ran. As the evil creatures stepped through the Veil, they changed. Some became vampires, werewolves, witches, and some even lost their forms and became specters and ghosts. Pretty much every nightmare and myth was let loose on Learity. Well except of course…….
Santa Claus? Dirty old man who breaks into houses.
Easter Bunny? Mutant rabbit with an egg fetish.
Tooth Fairy? Uhhhh………well that one is true….kind of.
You see, it all started with a brownie named Ariel SwiftFoot. She had no wings, like some brownies, but she was impossibly fast. At 3 inches tall she was all but invisible to most. One day, a long time ago, she stumbled upon a small crack in the Veil that only she could fit through. She explored Learity and happened upon a house late at night. Curious, she went in to explore. She happened upon a little girls room (not so little to Ariel), and found her at slumber. She then discovered the most amazing thing. A human child’s tooth. In Freguard they were worth a fortune and almost impossible to get for spell use. Feeling bad about taking such a valuable object, she replaced it with a shiny disk that had twenty five cents written on it. She had found it in the gutter outside the house. The next time she came, there were teeth under many children’s pillows. She collected them and later replaced each with other disks she had liberated from around each child’s house. Eventually, Freguards market became flooded with human teeth, but not before Ariel became filthy rich and a new tradition among human parents was born….but I digress.
Mya waited a whole year this time and hired a merc company of soldiers to protect the Veil this time. This time she was more careful and said the spell properly. It worked.
Mya brought many large gems with her. Her first step was to convert them to viable commerce. She converted slowly at first. She bought a highly expensive new identification. The forgeries would fool even the toughest government scrutiny. Once legal she bought a small front business to work out of and live in while she was hunting Paul down. It only took a few months to discover his death. This worried her. How would she find the new Spirit? She knew where the accident was and knew when approximately when he died, give or take an hour. She discovered that there were only 2 babies born around that time frame, in hospital close to the accident. A Katie Summers and a second baby that had no name on record, due to the mother taking the baby and leaving almost immediately after birth. The mothers name was Abigail Sapphire. Mya later, through magic, divined that the baby was taken almost directly to the orphanage. His name was Justice.
Over the next 9 years she watched both of them, hoping for a sign telling her, which was which. At the same time, she grew her business into a powerful and influential foundation. She had a secret hand in both Children’s lives. She was the one that influenced JDH to separate Justice from the boys. She even left money for Justice to find when he’d run away. She even told the cops where his bomb shelter was when she knew he needed help. She couldn’t interfere directly until she was sure she was bonafide in this world. When the children turned 15, she knew it was time to make her move before they were too old to influence properly.
She pulled a lot of strings to get the State and the caseworkers and the family judge to sway things her way. Today was the day. She focused when the judge asked about her.
The judge responded with, “Who exactly runs this home, Mr. Evans?” the judge asked.
“I do, Your Honor.” Said a woman in the back who couldn’t have been more than 25.
“You look a little young to run a foster home Mrs………? Step up to the front so I can see who I am talking to.” ordered the judge
Justice turned and saw a very cute, fiery red head moving up the row. *Devil Child!!!* Justice shook his head. Why had he thought that so loudly?
As she reached the front she announced, “Mrs……..Aldegard…Your Honor…..Mya Aldegard.