Looking for a Story

Larry used to be the King’s personal mage. Until she came along. If ever there was a woman who embodied a wicked stepmother, it was the king’s new bride. Larry grew up with the then prince and Larry’s father had served as the previous king’s mage. Larry was the natural choice for the young prince’s mage. Larry had helped the newly crowned king put on an amazing magical show to win his first bride's hand. The Queen was the most wonderful of women. She had been king and generous. She’d given the King two beautiful daughters, who took after their mother in grace and had their father's wisdom. Any Kingdom would be lucky to have them as their queen. The castle was a place full of life. They held public courts that the whole royal family attended, and as the princesses grew they also started giving the people of the kingdom advice, too. Everyone was looking forward to the oldest princess's reign. Then the Queen fell ill. Larry couldn’t save her. The disease was something not even magic could fix. Too quickly after the time of morning was over, the King took a new bride. Larry was sure the King - his friend - had been bewitched by a spell or potion. He’d tried to find evidence, but he’d been caught by the “queen”. She accused him of treason and tried to convince the King to have him executed. The King looked at Larry. “I doubt he meant any harm, My Love.” Larry tried to hide his disgust. “I don’t care what he meant!” the queen raged. “He was in my office without my approval! You know he dislikes me! I want him gone!” She walked towards Larry. “I want him out of the castle, out of the kingdom, out of your life!” The King looked at Larry; his face felt for a moment, then hardened. The queen almost seemed to be smirking. She was casting a spell; Larry could tell, but before he could say anything… “As the rightful heir to the throne, I remove your permission to be here.” Larry’s oath as a mage forced him to leave. On his way out he slipped three wax seals to the oldest princess so that she would be able to send him messages if she was in desperate need of help. He made a home in the woods as close to the kingdom as he could find. He worked on spells and incantations, trying to find evidence of the queen's intentions from out in the woods. It was proving to be impossible though. Everything he tried seemed to be blocked. “She has to be an enchantress! It’s the only way…” He’d been working on a cloaking spell so he could sneak back into the kingdom. But none of them would last long enough. He wasn't sure if it was his magic or if it was the rule of mages, but the cloak wouldn’t work. He was on the verge of giving up when he received a message from the oldest princess. The queen has had a son… She told me when Papa wasn’t around that she was going to make sure that my sister and I never see the throne. Papa doesn’t believe me… I know you didn’t try to commit treason. Larry stared at the note… The “queen” threatened the princesses…and the King did not care? He adored his daughters; the King had always said he saw his former wife in them. He had vowed that her children would sit on the throne. He wouldn’t take that back, would he? Larry had to get back there; he had to make sure this promise was kept. If the King was under a spell, he would regret not giving the throne to his oldest. Larry opened his book; there had to be a spell or something he could do. He spent the night scanning every spellbook, even ones he’d disregarded before. Finally, he found a spell that would enable him to reveal sights unseen. It was a gamble. It might be nothing, or it could be everything. He had to find an enhanced crystal. He set out immediately to search for the crystal. The spell stated that the crystal could only be found when “Your desperation grows too great. Go to a place where rivers flow and thunder. Seek behind the river’s flow.” Waterfall. He knew where there was one. But was he truly desperate enough? He set out anyway. The waterfall was within sight when another letter arrived. “Father has fallen ill, the queen is trying to get Father to make her queen regent until her son is of age! She’ll send my sister and me away to marry some of the most wicked of princes! Help!” Larry stared at the message. “No!” The queen had to be poisoning the King. He raced to the falls. “Oh, great rivers, flow.” He started the spell, but stopped. “Please show me the crystal. I must save my friend. And the vow he made to his love.” The waterfall parted and a cave revealed itself. Larry entered the cave and saw the crystals; he picked them up. “Please be enough to save my friend.” Another note arrived. “I saw her! She poisoned him! I don’t think she saw me. But I need you to save Papa. As the rightful heir to the throne, I grant you permission to return.” Larry cast a spell on the crystal shard. “Show me the King!” He saw the King lying in bed, weak and frail. “Show me what can’t be seen.” The queen entered the room, darkness emanated from her, and the drink in her hand was the colour of blood. A sign - it was draining the King's life. “I use the invitation of the rightful heir of the throne to grant me permission to teleport to where I can save the King’s life.” With a flash, he was in the King’s chambers. He heard the queen shriek. “Your Majesty.” He bowed. “Brother, in my time of need you have come to me.” The King reached out to him. “Husband,” the queen said sharply. “He committed treason.” “He is the only one who can heal me.” The king looked at him. “If I can be healed.” “You’re speaking madness. Guards!” the queen yelled, but no sooner had the guards entered the room than so had the oldest daughter. “I granted him permission to be here! You can’t touch him!” The princess stood between Larry and stared at the queen. “You wicked girl! You see, My Love, this is why you need to send her away.” She fell to the floor next to the King's bed. “No! You need to leave!” Larry held up the crystal shard. “She is an enchantress and is poisoning the King.” “How dare you!” The queen shot a black lightning bolt toward Larry. He shot it back and she stood frozen. Larry raced to the King. “Your Highness, please let me be allowed back in the Kingdom again.” “I missed you, my friend. I want you to come home.” The King looked over to his daughter. “You will be queen. Your brother will not take your place.” His daughter beamed. “Thank you.” Larry spent weeks healing the King and removing the lingering dark magic caused by the queen. “You saved my life again, old friend. Thank you for not giving up on me.” The King sat out on his balcony looking like his old self again. “I promised to serve you until your rule ended.” Larry stood beside him. “You proved yourself more than worthy.” The king beamed at his friend.

Walking through the market, Theo stopped to listen to a performer sing the song of Lady Adria, the King’s greatest warrior. Born to a family poor and distended to die as no one. She enters the King’s army to give her brothers and sisters food on their plates. Graceful on horseback, her sword like an extension of her hand. Saved the King's life not once but three times in battle. Made to be part of the royal bodyguards. Where she has saved the children of the King over 30 times The children who were listening to the performer cheered. The performer did a little jig. Theo clapped along to the rhythm. The next part of this song was his favourite. She was offered to be a wife to one of the princes. From born to nothing to a princess - who could ask for anything more? But our lady said no… And to this day, she serves the King and everyone wonders why. Theo left the performer a tip and collected what he needed from the market. He heard the murmurs of the market, as they shared theories about Lady Adria's choice: “I heard she was cursed in a battle and can’t marry.” “I bet she is waiting to be offered the hand of the crowned prince.” “She must be taken with another soldier.” Theo couldn’t help but smirk as he listened to the whispers; he knew the truth. He was one of the few who knew. Lady Adria was already married and had been before she entered the King’s service… “I’m leaving for training camp tomorrow.” Adria skipped a rock on the river. “And you’re spending your last free afternoon with me. I feel so honoured,” Theo teased and tossed his own rock. “You should be.” She winked and then ran her hand through her hair. “Okay, come on - tell me.” Theo stopped throwing rocks and sat on a fallen branch. “Tell you what?” She fixed her hair. “You keep running your hands through your hair. You only do that when you are worried. So tell me what is worrying you.” “You mean, besides the fact that I’m leaving for the army tomorrow,” she countered. “Yes, there is something else going on, isn't there?” He tapped the spot next to him. She reluctantly sat down. “What if I serve in battle and - don't make it, and the army doesn’t take care of my family? My siblings might not count as my children. What if I do all this and they still st-” Adria lifted her hand to run it through her hair again, but Theo caught her hand. “Not if you're married; then your husband could claim them as dependants.” He interlocked their hands. “Let me marry you. I’ll keep your family fed.” “But that's not fair to you.” Adira looked down at their hands. “You really would do that for me?” “Always. If I’d known you were signing up, I would have married you and signed up for you!” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I care for you Adi, maybe even love you. Let me help you. We can keep it quiet, then we can easily get divorced if that’s what you want.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “You make it sound so easy.” She lifted her head to look at him. “You’ve always been safe, and I think between battles I’d like to come home to you.” “That settles it. Let’s get married.” He took her hand and off they raced. Theo sighed happily at the memory. They’d thrown together a quick wedding with just their families. The next morning he joined her family to wave her off with the rest of the recruits. After Adria was stationed in the Palace, he offered to end their marriage. After all, her risk of death was lower in the Palace, and surely as a hero, they would take care of her family if something did happen. Especially after she was offered to be the prince's wife. “Why would I want to marry a prince? Theo, I married you.” He opened his mouth to argue. “I know it wasn’t because we were hopelessly in love, and it wasn’t to help our parents but…” She walked towards him. “Now that I’m not running off into battle all the time, I want to see what this…” she wrapped her arms around him “...can be like if we give it a try.” Theo never forgot that kiss. It wasn’t their first - that had been on their quick wedding day - but this one was different. So Theo left his life in their childhood village for the home Adira had been given in the Kingdom’s capital. It took time for them to figure out what their marriage would look like, but they were happy. And thanks to the pay she’d been given, he was able to work on his art. His greatest piece was going to be a painting that he had been commissioned to paint of her; the King wanted a painting of her in the halls of heroes. Adria wasn’t due home until tomorrow, so he could go work on the painting without her seeing it. Just as he was about to enter the studio, Adi rushed in, panting. Panic edged on her face. “Problem at the Palace. Will be another week before I can take my leave.” He watched as she gathered clean clothes and a couple of other things; she was about to dash out again when Theo caught her in his arms. “Hey, take a moment to breathe.” She relaxed in his arms. “You’ve got this.” Her pounding heart slowed. “And I’ll be here when you can land.” He leaned down and kissed her goodbye. After he pulled away, she touched his face. “You’re amazing.” He poked her nose. “Not as amazing as you.” She caught his hand. “No. I mean it, this -” she gestured around her. “You made this home; you're my hero” “The hero’s hero.” He smiled. “I like the sound of that. Now go, be everyone’s hero.”

If you would have told teenage Jessica that a box of letters would be the most important thing on her wedding day, she would have said “no way” - it would be totally her mom's veil. And yet here she stood, holding a box of letters in her hand and wearing a completely different veil. Teenage her would be freaking out. On top of the box sat one more letter with My Wife written on top in his perfectly imperfect writing. She thought back to the first letter he wrote her. Eric had been the odd kid at school; he kept to himself and always was writing in a leather-bound notebook. She and her friends had been playing truth or dare at lunch, and they dared her to write him a “love” note and stick it in his locker. She didn’t want to make him feel bad so she talked them down to just a note. The next morning, there was a note in her locker. It was short and the printing was hard to read: Thanks for the note, don’t tell anyone I wrote you back, But it was nice to find a note in my locker. And for some reason, she wrote back. They didn’t share a class, and they hardly shared friends. But there was something about the guy - she wanted to get to know him. She learned he was a songwriter and he played in a band and played bass. In one letter there was a handmade VIP ticket for his gig that Friday night. Her mom let her go and even offered her a later curfew, saying something about reminding her of her own youth. Eric met her at the door and brought her backstage to watch. It was a good show - his band sounded good, and she discovered he hadn’t told her that he sang, too! As he played, he looked over at her with a smirk like he had wanted to surprise her. It made her heart skip a beat. When the show was over he walked toward Jessica. She punched him on the shoulder. “You never told me you could sing!” She handed him a rose. “My dad gets me roses after my stage plays, so I had mom stop by the flower shop on my way here.” She held out the flower. His cheeks were tinged pink as he took the flower and set it on the case for his base. “Thanks. And you never asked.” They both laughed, and then an awkward moment settled in. Jessica started panicking; how did they talk in person? Could they talk in person? What if whatever this was only worked on paper? “The band is almost done packing up, and there is a coffee shop next door…” he looked down and trailed off. “My mom gave me a later curfew, so yeah I have time.” She watched him pack up and pretended not to notice his bandmates teasing him. They must go to different schools; she didn't recognize them. It was odd to see him joking with friends; he was quiet at school. They sat in the coffee shop, drinking hot chocolate and sharing a donut. It took a moment but eventually, they found the groove of conversation and soon her mom was there to pick her up. She became the band's official groupie, even helping them design t-shirts. But Eric and Jessica still didn’t hang out at school, they just slipped notes into each other’s lockers. Jessica shook her head to bring herself back to the present, smoothing her veil with one hand. She peaked through the window of the room she had been getting ready in. She could see that rose, dried and sitting in a vase. His friends never let him live it down that she had gotten him flowers first. After four years of high school, so many handwritten notes were tucked in lockers, binders and school textbooks. Jessica couldn’t help but laugh at the fact that they both had phones and yet they both preferred writing notes. *** Eric looked at the box of letters that Jessica had written him. He picked up the letter on top of the box. My Husband was written in her perfect writing. “I can’t believe you wrote notes to her and we never knew.” His best man and former bandmate nudged him. “Well yeah, I didn’t need to give you guys even more of a reason to give me a hard time about her.” Eric rolled his eyes. “Didn't you ask her out in a note?” His best man leaned against the door. “Not exactly…” When Eric had left on the one and only tour he went on, he and Jessica still wrote to each other. But Then they sent photos of the handwritten notes via text. Was it strange? Yes, but it made him smile. They were the opener for a small but more popular band. A small radio show offered to interview with them. And of course, as all boy bands do, they were asked if any special ladies had inspired the songs. His bandmates admitted that Eric did most of the songwriting. Eric, without much thought, said that he had written one song for his girlfriend. However, the truth was he hadn’t asked Jessica to be his girlfriend yet. So as soon as he had time that night, he wrote her a note. So today I did that interview I was telling you about, and well…. They asked about the song Little Line, you know the one for your birthday? Well, I said I wrote it for my girlfriend… He sent the photo of the note and waited… Ding! She texted back a single sentence: “I’m okay with being your girlfriend. ❤️” Her friends gave her a hard time about not making him ask properly. So when he proposed, he had pulled out all the stops. After that, her friends finally agreed that he had made up for it. And now, from across the church, they both opened letters they’d been all morning to read.

"It's always so quiet. The earth rests under my care. Not like you, Solis. The earth comes to life under your watchful eyes. They get up early to watch you rise and stay up late to watch you go," she calls to her love whom she hardly sees. "That may be true, my Luna, but they trust you to guard them while they dream. You move their tides. They stay up late to tell stories under your light," he calls back. Just as her time on this side of the globe comes to an end, she catches a glimpse of Solis standing tall in his glowing flame. His light glows stronger when he sees her. Solis waits for Luna, just to catch a sliver of her beauty. Her glimmer is the best thing in the depth of space; nothing else that he can see from his spot in space compares. "How much longer, My Love?" she reaches out for him as if to bring them closer together. “Soon." He reaches out, even though he knows it's pointless. Their time together is always brief, never long enough. “It's always soon." Luna sighs as she loses sight of him. This is the dance they are unwillingly playing a part in. For all of eternity, so close yet always so far. No matter their love's strength, they can never be together. There are days when Luna shares Solis’s sky. The children ooh and ahh at the sight of her in the daylight. Solis beams with pride. She is never close enough to hold him. It is a cruel fate only to watch the one you love. However, every so often they get to dance together. Luna’s light blocks his or Solis’s light making hers glow orange. He holds her close and spins her around their Milky Way ballroom. Her laughter fills the space. He revels in this moment. For Luna, there is nothing better than being safely in Solis's arms. "I know it would do the humans no good, but I wish I could stay in your arms forever." She lays her head on his chest as they dance. “I know, my sweet Luna, but we have been given the most important jobs - I to guard the day..." He lifts her head to him. "And I to guard the night.” She looks down. "I know they are important jobs. I just spend so much time missing you." She reaches up and touches his face. He catches her hand and feels her being pulled away. "No, not yet! I'm not ready to go!" Her grip tightens. "I know, Love, but it is time!” He leans down and kisses her quickly. "I will see you again.” They hold hands until they have to let go.

To whomever finds this letter, I hope you are from outside my world. My name is Princess Stardust, the youngest daughter of King Rainstorm, ruler of The Element Kingdom. I am training to become the kingdom's next Mistress of Magic to help my brother rule. I am hoping to reach worlds beyond our own to seek wisdom. Even if you are unwilling to help, please write back so I ensure my plan can work! Please - I must prove myself to my family. High Lady, Stardust Age 18. P.S. I have sent magic paper for you to write back on. I've been rereading your letter for the last three hours, trying to decide if this is one elaborate prank from my little brother or if this is somehow real. But if this is real... It challenges everything I know. So assuming I believe you, Stardust (I'm not calling you princess or anything like that. Too embarrassing) how did your letter come to me? It literally came together like Pixie Dust in front of me. Which is the only reason I can't believe this is a prank. Why do you need wisdom and why would you pick earth of all places? We can't even help each other, let alone another planet! Oh, my name is Sara. Ironic - my name means princess in my language. If this is real I guess I wouldn't mind if you wrote back. Sceptical Lady, Sara Age I8 Hello Sara! This is most amazing! I had no idea my magic could do this! I am so happy. This will show Father and Brother I have what it takes! Thank you for replying, Sara! But I must confess, I lied. Our Kingdom needs no wisdom. But I wanted and needed a friend. A real one. Not one that works for Father. They aren't real. They tell Father everything! I have no one I can be real with. So I asked the magic to find me someone who was a kindred spirit to mine. Can we write to each other, Sara? Would you be my friend? Also, I'd rather you didn't call me princess. Everyone around here does... By the way, what is Pixie Dust? Hopefully your friend, Stardust Oh, Stardust! That sounds horrible! Yes, I will be your friend, or at least as best a one as I can be from far away. I can't imagine what that must be like. Oh, Pixie Dust is from a story in my world about a boy who never grows up. It was one of my favourite stories when I was little. I used to dream that I was the girl in the story and that the boy would take me away to a land where I would never have to grow up. It was just a dream. I don't have time for a dream now. High school sucks. The only great thing now is getting ready for college. Do you have a favourite story from when you were a kid? Your new friend, Sara Sara! Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have made me so happy! Your story reminds me of one we have here, but that little boy was evil... Yours sounds nicer. My favourite story was about a prince who was turned into a swan for being ungrateful and he is cured by a village girl who takes care of him. Father used to read it to me until he decided I was too old for stories. I guess in different ways we both had to grow up. Ever wish you hadn't? Or that you could stop it? Your friend, Stardust Stardust, Your story reminds me of a few we have here. How funny. Sorry that your dad told you he wouldn’t read to you anymore. I told my dad I was too old for that the last time he tried. Maybe I should ask him to read the same book as me... He might like that. I mean there is a part of me that hates growing up, but soon I’ll go to college! Then I won't live with Mom and Dad anymore. I'll be freer than ever! But I bet it's different for you, bringing a princess and all. Do you have much say in your life? Your friend, Sara Your life sounds so amazing, Sara. Let me know if you read with your dad. I'd love to know how that goes. I have some say, kinda. When my brother takes the throne, I will try to prove I can be the next Mistress of Magic. And if I can't, well… My brother will have me married off to either another prince or a noble who is no threat to his rule. Thankfully I have a few years until he takes the throne. The Elements forbid anything should happen to Father. It would seem our lives are very different. But our hearts seem to be similar. Sincerely yours, Stardust Married off?! Stardust, what? You mean, if you can't prove you should be the master of magic or whatever, you have to get married to someone your brother chooses? That’s ridiculous! You should have a say in who you marry! What about love? What about your voice? Always your friend, Sara I didn’t think this would be so surprising to you, Sara. It is what happens, it is better than being killed - in theory anyway. People don't marry for love... Love is rare here. Even in families... Everyone has a role and you follow it. No questions asked. Maybe that's why I like talking to you so much. No rules. Just us. Yours, Stardust What a dreadful fate. Wish I could bring you to my world, Stardust. Then you'd have all the choices you want! With your magic, I bet we could even get ya into my college! We could go on all kinds of adventures together. You've given me dreams again, what do you know? I know we've only been writing for a short time but your letters have become a highlight of my day. Always your friend, Sara Dearest Sara, Sorry, I took so long to write to you again. I have terrible news. My father died in a small battle near the Kingdom's edge. I wish that was the worst of it. I couldn't prove to my brother that I was the best choice for the role of Mistress of Magic, so Brother offered me to the king whom we lost to, as a bride for his son. So I am to be married into a family that killed my father. And to add salt to the wound, I must give up my magic. So this is my last letter. Don't stop dreaming, Sara. Dream enough for both of us. Go on all the adventures you wish you could go on with me. I shall try to earn the prince's favour and maybe be able to write to you again, and I want to hear what you have done. Okay? Promise me! It's the only way I can survive this. Faithfully yours, Stardust.

Ivy and Flint landed on the floor to thunderous applause. Ivy front flipped off Flint's back, and then they stood together and bowed. Ivy led Flint over to the front-row seats. "Oh! My gosh! It's Ivy and the dragon Flint!" The fan gripped her mother's arm. Ivy offered her a signed poster. The girl's knees buckled. Ivy moved on quickly. Flint was distracted by people giving him treats. She let it slide this time; Uncle hadn't fed them enough yesterday. So let him indulge. After a few minutes of letting fans bask in their presence, she whistled for Flint to start their big farewell to the crowd. Flint raced toward her. The crowd took a collective breath. Just as Flint was about to run into her he leapt into the air and caught her in his claws. They did a lap around the tent with her dangling from his claws. He tossed her in the air and caught her on his back. The crowd rose to their feet. The cheers made the tent rattle. They flew out the hatch of the tent. Ivy longed to fly away, far from the circus, but she knew better. She and Flint landed and she led him to his cage. Uncle never let Flint mingle with the crowds other than in the tent. She’d learned long ago that they both felt better when they stayed together, so she often stayed in the cage with him. After all, her uncle made Flint seem like he couldn’t be trusted, so the circus folk didn’t want to mess with the dragon's prize. She could hear her uncle saying farewell from here and knew that meant the crowds would be stopping to stare. Sometimes her uncle would bring a few brave souls by the cage to gawk at the girl and her dragon. "No, we can't let the beast roam free, he could go crazy and do a lot of damage." Her uncle chuckled. The scales on Flint's back stood up and he grew as her uncle approached. "Easy there, Boy." Ivy patted his nose. "I know. I'm here!” He pressed his scaly forehead into hers. She hummed him a song she remembered her mother singing. “See, only the girl can calm him," her uncle boasted. “Is that why she is locked in there with him?" A woman, whom Ivy assumed was the mother of one of the kids in the group, approached her. Her uncle put a hand on the woman's shoulder. "You know what hoarders dragons are." He waved his hand dismissively. "Wouldn’t want to know what would happen if we tried to separate them." The women didn't look convinced. "Don't worry, we take excellent care of our little star. The beast is used to the rest of us circus folk. He doesn't see us as a threat to her safety." Ivy resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She quickly glanced at the women. "I feel quite safe in the cage, ma’am." Ivy stood so she could get a better look at her. She hoped the bruises, which couldn’t be explained by an accident in rehearsal, were hidden. The women looked her up and down. "May I approach?" Ivy looked at her uncle. "You may.” Her uncle sighed. The woman took Ivy’s hand and slipped a note into it. "You put on quite a show, dear girl. Best of luck." Ivy locked eyes with this woman. It was as if she knew her. No sooner had the woman arrived than she left. Ivy slid the note into her pocket as she watched the woman walk away. Her uncle stood guarding her. Once the crowds were gone, Ivy climbed out of the cage. "How come you never let anyone know I'm your niece?" "Would you want people to think you're the star of my show because I took pity on my orphaned niece?” "No..." she muttered. "Do you think your sister would want you to treat her only child this way?" "What did you say, girl?" Her uncle grabbed her by the shoulders and squeezed them so tight. "You’re hurting me, Uncle!" Ivy felt the tears prick at her eyes. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of making her cry. "Your pathetic look won't work on me anymore." He pushed her to the ground. "You are the same age as my foolish sister was when she ran off with your father. And look where it got her - 6 feet underground in an unmarked grave. Your father, half dead, arrived at my circus on the back of his beast.” He pointed to Flint, who was pacing in his cage. “With you and that thing in a basket." Her uncle picked her up like she weighed nothing and tossed her back in the cage. Flint flared up and roared so loud that the whole camp shook. "Flint!" Ivy quickly stood in front of him. "Please," she said weakly, falling into him. Flint relaxed and cradled her. His warmth soothed her pain. "You will stay there till morning!" Her uncle locked the cage and left Ivy to her silent tears. She knew the real reason no one knew she was his niece; how could he treat his own family that way? Flint nudged at her pocket. “Oh! The note!” Ivy slowly opened it. It read, Are you happy? Safe? If not, meet me at the edge of the forest near your camp after night falls. I'll stay till the moon is high in the sky. Run away from the circus? She looked at Flint; he always knew what she was thinking. He pressed his head into her arm. "You think we should? But we don't even know her!" she whispered. Flint circled his head as if to say, Look around you. "You're right... It can't be any worse than it is now. If only I hadn't made Uncle so angry. Then he might not have locked the cage." Ivy felt defeat wash over her as she watched the rest of the cast head to bed. Her stomach growled. She sighed as the moon lit up the sky. Maybe the lady would come back. "Pst!" Ivy looked around. "Lewis?" she whispered. Lewis was one of the few people her age in the show, and he had earned Flint's trust and become one of her few friends. "Yes, I brought you some food. I bribed one of the kitchen ladies. I'm doing dishes for a week!” He sighed. "But you hadn’t had a real meal in days." He slid the tray into the cage. She reached for it and their hands touched. They both blushed. Flint snorted. In between bites of food, Ivy explained. "Lewis, I need to leave. Ring Master will kill Flint if he has another outburst like that!" “I know." Lewis showed her the key. "I stole it during supper. I'm gonna sneak it back after you’re out of sight." He unlocked the cage. Ivy and Flint carefully stepped out. "Lewis." She kissed his cheek. "I'll come back for you, I promise." Lewis helped her onto Flint's back and kissed her hand. "See that you do. The circus won't shine as bright without you, Ivy." Flint took off as gracefully as Ivy had ever seen. She looked back to see Lewis locking the cage. She hoped he could sneak the key back safely. She would come back for him. But tonight, she would fly for freedom.

A group of adventurers had hired Liam on their quests to become heroes. Liam was mostly an errand boy. He helped them by guiding their luggage cart while they did their adventurer things. This group had a list of heroic tests they had to complete to become real heroes. If you asked Liam, it was a bunch of hogwash. Whatever oracle, deity or idol gave them this list was just sending them to their deaths. Killing off the village's best and bravest, likely in order to come and destroy them someday. But hey, eager adventurers paid well for one less worry on their minds. So Liam made quite a business going along. He took a week or two to travel with a group, see how far they got, and head back when they inevitably failed. There was a reason he took payment at the start of the journey. A long time ago he had stopped getting his hopes up that this group would be the ones. He knew it was a fool's errand. He told every group as much. And every group ignored his warning. But hey, a job is a job. He never made friends with the groups; he stayed out of night discussions about plans of action. But this group? Well, they were different. They included Liam in discussions. They wanted to know all that he had learned from the other groups. Did he have tips and tricks that could help them? He did in fact. He knew this route better than anyone else. Liam knew the masters, the tests they had, and how to pass them. He became more than just their luggage guide; he became the adventure guide. He knew what tools they needed; they became a team. Kind of. He was still just the errand boy. He was thanked by the adventurers for his aid, but when villagers celebrated their successes he was never included. He was left outside the tavern, not even a drink offered. He tried not to be offended, but it stung. This group was doing well - with their skills, yes, but also his help. Soon they made it farther than Liam had ever been before. He still had advice to give based on what he'd learned. He no longer sat outside the battle zone; he was there in the battle, calling out actions for them to take, tossing new weapons, and handing out healing potions. He even fought off a monster or two. Soon they were at the final monster. They entered its cave and found a small man sitting next to a large fire. "Welcome, Young Travelers. You have done well. But you are not heroes yet." "How are we not! We have served every challenge you threw at us!” the leader yelled. "Yeah, we've earned the title!” another party member shouted. The group looked like they were ready to kill the man. "Wait!" Liam stood in front of them. "Hear him out." "Fine!” the group huffed. "Thank you, young man." The small man nodded. "You are not heroes yet; one of you must do the greatest task of all." "Which is…?” the leader asked, annoyed. "Sacrifice. One of you must sacrifice yourself so the team can go on to live out their dreams of being a hero." Fighting instantly broke out in the group. Who would commit this great act? But they weren't fighting for the honour; rather, they were trying to force each other to make the sacrifice. Liam walked to the fire. "I'll do it." The team looked at him. "You will?" He shrugged. "Yeah, ya'll have this dream, I've helped you get there. No one is waiting for me back home." He stepped into the fire, but he didn't burn up. He floated up, and a light shone around him. He landed back on the ground. He felt stronger, bolder and braver, and he had a new sword and a shield. "Welcome, New Hero." The shorter man smiled. "What!" "How can he be the hero?" "He was just the bag boy!" the group called out. The man raised his hand. "He helped you face your challenges, never asked for glory, and when push came to shove, he was willing to give it all up. He's a hero." Liam looked down. “I thought this was a bunch of nonsense." "You'd be surprised how many heroes do.” The man laughed. “Your journey has only just begun.”

This wasn't supposed to be a love story, Alice was sure of it. When the story started she was a princess trying to save her sister and her kingdom, alone. Then he showed up. Jeremiah, the dorky, charming patrol guard. Who apparently was now a critical part of this story. The author had made a tone shift halfway through, so honestly Alice wasn't sure what was real and what wasn't anymore. She was fairly certain that she had gotten separated from her party somehow… How a royal entourage lost the princess was something the author was going to have to figure out. And Jeremiah had found her and was helping her. And this man gave her butterflies, and she hated it! She glanced at him, as he led her through the unfamiliar woods. He hacked through a thick brush. She found herself watching his muscles move. She shook her head; she had a mission, no time for love, especially for a patrol guard. Her father would never let it happen. But what if Jeremiah won her tournament…? Alice, stop this! You’ve only met this man, you can't love him. Just because he's the first man you've met who isn't some egotistical prince doesn't mean you love him! “My Lady?" She loved it when he called her that…. She snapped herself out of her thoughts. "Yeah, Jeremiah?” She noticed he'd found them a small clearing. "We should stop here for the night." He took off his pack. “It's still early, I can handle walking a bit further." In truth, she couldn't. She was so tired, but he didn't need to know that. He chuckled. “I'm sure you could, my Lady. But there is no cave here. Setting up camp will be more work, so better to do it with some daylight left." “Ah! Yes, of course. How can I help?" She didn't have many survival skills, but she wasn't going to let him do it all himself. “Why don't you collect firewood again? You did great last night.” He smiled and rolled out the sleeping mat. "We're lucky, it doesn't look like rain so we should be able to sleep under the stars tonight.” She hummed in agreement and focused on collecting different branches. She heard him say something about going fishing. But she was too lost in thought to really pay attention. She was thinking about what she was going to do when she met the dark prince. Would he accept her father's offer? Or would he try to marry her - or worse, her little sister…? When she had collected enough wood Alice looked at the space Jeremiah had left for the fire. Could she start the fire for him? She'd seen him do it enough times, surely she could do it… She set up everything like he had the night before. Then she rubbed the twigs between her hands, moving them up and down, and trying to keep the same level of force. Just as the fire started, her hands gave out, red and raw. She blew on the fire to keep it alive. She was feeling pretty proud of herself. She had given herself a small cut on her hand, but she was planning on ignoring it. When Jeremiah came back, he had a few small fish and a shocked look on his face. She was pretty happy with herself. “Well done, My Lady.” He quickly started cooking. "The river is sheltered enough that you could rinse off tomorrow morning. We should find them by midday tomorrow if you were right about where your party should be." Alice's stomach dropped; finding her party meant meeting the dark prince. Which meant dealing with the unknown fate that waited for her. She shook her head. “How…how wonderful." “You don't have to lie, Princess, there are no spies here." He chuckled. “I know there is a small part of you that would rather stay lost in the woods." He winked. She felt weak in the knees. “I…" She pulled herself together. “I have to protect my sister. Even if it means…" She couldn't bring herself to say it out loud. She fidgeted with her hands. “Ouch!" “Princess!" He ignored the food and darted to beside her. “What happened?" Alice hid her hands in what was left of the layers of the skirt. “It's nothing, Jeremiah." He offered his hand and she slowly lifted her cut hand to him. “It's just a small cut from the firewood.” “It's actually a sliver. Once our food is done, I'll dig it out." He moved away and she felt the emptiness. She wanted him to stay close. Instead, she just looked at her hand. She got so lost in thought that she didn’t notice when he came to sit beside her again. "We'll let the food cool while I get the sliver out, it won't be very comfortable.” She cautiously placed her hand in his. He took out his small knife and carefully worked at the sliver. She'd never had someone she knew this close sit this near to her. Sure, there were servants, but she wasn't allowed to know them. She winced in pain. “Sorry." He paused, and she nodded for him to continue. “I know it doesn't mean much, but I think it's courageous of you to marry that prince to protect your sister." "Thank you,” she whispered. "In truth, I’d give away half the Kingdom to keep her safe.” "She's lucky to have you. My older brother sold me to a farmer for a week's worth of food." He lifted his knife, showing the sliver. Then before she could say anything he tore a strip from his shirt and wrapped her hand. “I'm so sorry your brother did that.'' She timidly reached her hand up and touched his face. He caught her hand and held it. “It's the way of orphaned children." He shrugged. “If I ever am Queen, maybe I can change that…” she muttered. "You'd be a very good queen if given the chance." He interlocked their hands. “I'll be very glad to say that I got to meet the queen. I'll tell everyone what a wonderful woman she is." “Maybe I'll hire you as a personal bodyguard." She leaned in closer. “And watch you fall in love with some arrogant prince. Sounds like a cruel fate." He took her other hand in his. She blushed. “Maybe it would be. But then you would always be near.” Their foreheads were touching now. “Maybe I should just knight you, then you could enter my tournament. I could rig it, you know… Princesses have done it before." “You tempt me, my Lady." He kissed her; it was soft but everything Alice wanted it to be. She kissed him back, forgetting all the rules and all the proper protocol. He quickly backed away. "I’ll get the food!” He quickly moved to the fire and finished preparing the stew. She heard him mutter, "You kissed her! What's wrong with you… she's the princess." This…this was going to be a problem, wasn't it? Her not-a-love story was quickly becoming a love story…and worst of all, she liked it!

Origin Story Part 1 Origin Story Part 2 Origin Story Part 3 Origin Story Part 4 Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12

It was New Year's Eve, and parties were happening everywhere. Everyone was waiting for the New Year to come. And at Holiday Magic Head Quarters, things were no different. Christmas had come and gone and the next big holiday may be Valentine's Day. New Year had its own special kind of magic. The Kiss to Ring the New Year. This year Nadine was one of the chosen ones to help those kisses find their mark. The New Year Kiss wasn’t as powerful as a true love’s kiss, but it still could change the course of someone's night. Nadine sat at her station, ready to do her part. The night was going well so far. Every kiss she gave out had found its intended target. Then the alert went off, she quickly silenced it. A kiss had missed its target. This wouldn’t do. She had to fix it! It was part of her job! She told her adviser she was taking her “coffee break” and dove through the portal to the earth. Her tracking device told her the kiss had gotten lost at a small house party. How could a kiss get lost in a place so small? She needed more info. She found the couple that was supposed to share this kiss, and the lady was not happy. What had happened? Nadine got closer. “He just…Argh!” The lady set her glass down with force. “He knew tonight was important to me! He knew I wanted everything to be perfect. And he ordered the wrong food! I even wrote it down for him!” She pulled the note out of her pocket. “See! It would have had something for everyone!” She let out another angry sigh. Her friend put a hand on her shoulder, “Hey, hey, it’s not the end of the world, they both brought their own snacks just in case, no one is going hungry.” She looked around, “And I doubt he did it on purpose.” Oh… Angry couple… or at least angry wife… Is the husband mad too? Nadine looked around until she found a man sitting very defeated in an office chair in the next room. “I don’t understand, I ordered what was on the list she gave me…” He showed a list from his pocket to the man in his office. “See? How could she say I got it wrong?” Oh no! They’d somehow mixed up lists… Nadine looked at her bag; she didn’t have much in her emergency kit… Maybe an idea spray would help… But who to spray it on? She looked at the man and woman; the wife was still angry, so she’d better not risk the spray giving her bad ideas. Nadine sprayed the idea spray into the man’s office. “You don’t think there was a second list, was there?” the man’s friend suggested. “What do you mean?” the husband asked. “Like, do you think this is a first draft of the list, and she had a second one that you somehow didn’t get?” he explained further. “How? This one was next to the rest of the party lists.” The husband paused. “Then again… She might have said something about a note on the fridge…but she’s had so many lists for this thing that I can’t keep it all straight.” He put his head in his hands. “That might be all it was.” The other man shrugged. “The best you can do is go out there and explain what happened. Especially if you want to ring in your New Year with a kiss,” he teased. The husband rolled his eyes. “I mean, that's not why I want to fix it, but it would be nice to not break tradition.” He walked to the next room. Nadine raced back to the kitchen where the wife was still mad. Maybe she could use some of the nerve-calming candles? It was designed to give nervous targets the confidence they needed, but it was the best shot she had. She lit the candle and waited to see what would happen. “Girl, come on - you said it yourself,” the lady’s friend coaxed. “He knew how important tonight was. Is there any chance there is a logical reason things got mixed up?” The wife took a breath. “I mean, maybe. I’ve been going crazy planning everything, but I just don’t know how! I put it on the fridge for him. I told him where it was.” “But how many versions of the food list exist? Is there a chance he grabbed one of those by mistake?” Her friend gave her a look. “We both know how you get when you’re planning. And are you really going to let this be the reason you don’t kiss him in a few minutes?” Her friend pointed to the door, where the man stood, holding his list in his hand. The wife looked down at the list in hers. He walked in, and her friend placed a hand on his shoulder as she passed by. “Can we both admit that somehow there was a mix-up? And that you know I didn’t mess this up on purpose and that I should have double-checked that I had the right list?” He gave her a lopsided smile. She nodded her head. “Yeah, I’d like that… I’m sorry I overreacted, I know you didn’t mess it up on purpose.” He took her hand and pulled her in close, and the countdown began in the other room. Nadine watched as the lost kiss landed on its target, and then she slipped back through the portal. Another kiss saved.