Dragon's Tale

“Wake up Alyia! yelled Elma as she kicked in the door and walked in. The unexpected brightness that filled the room hit her hard in the eyes. Squinting, she was surprised to notice her friend sitting in front of the mirror fondling with her hair “You're dressed already? ” she asked in mesmerized bewilderment “is that surprising? ” replied Alyia, focusing squarely on her image in the mirror “I figured I'd have to drag you outta bed, like I do every morning” “Well this isn't just any morning now is it, I see you are also dressed, so why don't you stop whining, close the door and let's see what can be done about this situation” said Alyia, gesturing towards her head. Elma who was standing firmly in the doorway, leaned on the doorpost and began humming while feigning enthusiasm as she blew at her fingernails. Alyia, understanding this theatrical gesture, let the brush fall to her lap and clasped her hands as she turned to the door, a smile breaking out on her face and added, also with obviously feigned sincerity “Please” Elma pettily stuck a finger in her ear, spontaneously flicking it out again then turned the ear towards Alyia who was giggling now. “Please! Alyia repeated, hanging out her right arm on which she now held the brush Elma feeling satisfied, once again stepped in the room swinging the door closed as she made to collect the brush from Alyia, all the while with a pronounced smirk on her face. On reaching her, she flicked the princess hard on the temple making her face contort slightly with pain. In trying to avoid Alyia's revenge flick, Elma looses her balance and falls squarely on her buttocks, they both laugh. “A'ight, enough jokes, let's get your hair did, I'm sure you don't want -you know who- seeing it like this ” “What about you, this will be the first time you get to see him in 4 years, are you finally going to speak your mind? Alyia teased “D dd don't be silly” stammered Elma Her cheeks more than slightly swollen Alyia laughed so hard she snorted, making them both laugh some more. Just then they heard knocking on the door, 3 simultaneous thuds, all evenly timed and spaced. “See? I told you, his majesty has sent his dogs” “why do you call them that” “They're all mindlessly obsequious” Alyia turned around looking surprised at Elma who all the while kept at brushing her hair, her gaze down. “Yeah, I read, big deal” Another sequence of knocks “We'll be out in a minute!” Alyia yelled “His highness would like a word with my lady” Came a voice from behind the door “Then tell my father that I'll be out in a minute! “The prince my lady, it is the prince that beckons you” Alysia and Elma exchanged glances with faces full of surprise and awe. He was back!? “I can't see him yet Elma, not like this. Make up something ,say I'm asleep, No! Say I'm ill” “Then we're both ill because I'm not going out there” “That'll make you guys the liveliest patients I've seen”. The girls turned sharply towards the window, from where the voice seemed to have originated. First, an arm then both, then the rest of his person became visible as Enraq undid his cloaking spell. Even as a child Enraq had always proved a whiz kid when it came to magic. The king was pleased with this development and made sure Enraq never lacked a thing, Enraq was always going places, acquiring knowledge in different forms of magic, he was unrivaled in its use through out the province. The crowned prince had just returned after a supposedly nine(9) year course in learning creation magic in a far away kingdom, his return after merely 4 years raised only very few eyebrows as all were thrilled by the news of his return. “What are... How long have you been there? Mouthed Alyia “Is that all the welcome your big brother gets after 4yrs away? He said with a grin Alyia ran towards him without slowing down, almost knocking him through the window, she squeezed until enraq began to shove. “When did you arrive” she asked, after letting go “Last night, Would have stopped by but your father kept me talking through the night” “He's your father too” she giggled “I'm pleased to see you look amazing, alyia. And speaking of looks, we might have to change your maid, can't have the maiden rivalling the princess now can we” as he said so he turned towards Elma, who shrunk with embarrassment “Hello Elma” “Nice to know you at least remember the maid's name” replied Elma, a fleeting wave of boldness coming over her. “Like I could forget one as beautiful as you” Enraq teased Elma shrank again, the brush with which she fidgeted fell to the ground, she lowered herself to pick it but loosing strength in her knees, couldn't bring herself to come up again, she fell. Looking up she saw Enraq's face and his outstretched arm, she took it and he helped her up, Alyia all the while giggling inaudibly. “Well I've said my greetings, I better go get ready, wouldn't be nice if the main attraction is late” With the spiral wave of his arm enraq conjured up a portal and walked through, leaving behind not a trace of his presence. Elma stepped back and fell on the bed feeling exasperated, she jerked her head up and looked at Alyia, just now realizing that she had been laughing, she grabbed a pillow and flung it at her. Alyia evaded with little effort but made no attempt to quell her laughter, which was audible now. Elma laid back on the bed with a sigh, needing something to prop up her head, she regretted having thrown the pillow.