Masi happily picks up the teddy bear from the shelf of the apothecary; his soft fur feeling warm in her hands, his maple brown eyes looking at her. She couldn’t help but feel a deep familiarity with the toy, as if knowing him for years.
“Brantford Teddygram…” She says with confidence. “That is your name, and you are now my guardian.” She says pleased with the outcome, feeling as if she has now opened a new chapter in her young life. Katina scoffs, looking at the princess.
“Listen Masi dear, Sir Teddygram may seem friendly now, but he is as stubborn and strait laced as they come, if he doesn’t feel like talking, he won’t even utter a syllable. Same with fighting, none of us toys even know if can even wield a weapon or use any spell or techniques.” The ballerina tells her with caution.
“This is simply because you are not worthy for me even to study or even look at, never mind train with.” The bear suddenly pipes up. “I train with Juniper May twice a fortnight, I just chose to stay in the apothecary.” He says looking at the blonde-haired doll. “Masi is the one whom I chose, and she will be the one whom I protect, come hell or highwater, now please princess, I am not as spoiled as Katina here, you can allow me to walk on my own yes?” Teddygram finishes trying to wiggle out of Masi’s tight grip.
“Oh well, I suppose.” She says a little disheartened wanting to carry the teddy bear around, placing him on the floor. The bear proceeds to stretch, touching his toes, and lets out a sigh of relief to get moving again.
“Bully!” Brantford says happily. “Let us go to your quarters and review your daily schedule.” He says preparing himself for the workload ahead of him.
“I can handle my own day to day activities thank you!” Masi says defensively, already upset with her guardian’s stiff upper lip mentality.
“Well, let us go over it then, since it shouldn’t be a big problem, you are a grown princess after all.” He says reading the report that Juniper May wrote. “You are supposed to be awakened by 6 in the morning,and yet you’re still out cold, by 0730 you’re supposed to be washed, dressed and in the dining hall with the other children eating breakfast, you’re still asleep by this time.” Teddygram says with a neutral tone, not at all surprised by the report.
“Hey! Now wait a min-” Masi begins to protest before getting a sharp sting across her cheek, for the bear had slapped her with the scroll, upset by his course of action the bear sighs.
“Rule number one, when receiving correction, you will take heed and listen, you will NOT speak over me or any of your elders, understand?” Teddygram sayings standing on a table getting eye level with the princess.
“Yes sir…” She says holding her cheek whimpering, on the verge of tears.
“For too long you have been neglecting your chores, and more importantly the role you play among your peers, I will make a strong queen out of you yet.” The bear says with a prideful tone. “Now, as much as I hate to strike a child, I shall do so again if need be, follow my lead and your consequences will be ones of praise and reward, not discipline and sorrow, do we have a deal?” The bear says, finishing his lecture.
“Yes sir!” The princess says nodding in agreement with the current terms, wiping away her tears, and having the look of fire in her eyes, determined to now mature in her actions and mindset. The bear though still has a cold aura about him, looking at the princess. Masi Starts to feel a pit open in her stomach, fearful of what the bear will say next.
“We guardians have full choice and autonomy, if you fail to work and perform at the level that I require, I will walk back to the apothecary and resign myself from being your guardian.” He relates in a cold manner to the princess, and she nods quickly understanding what’s at stake. The bear smiles in reply. “Excellent, now proceed to the study hall. I shall be there in a moment.” He then instructs, and the child goes quickly as her feet can carry her. Juniper May and Katina both begin laughing like children.
“You really are full of stuffing Sir Brantford!” Katina says, catching her breath and wiping a tear from her porcelain eye. “You know the moment she calls your name, the contract is signed, sealed and delivered.” The bear then chuckles and nods in agreement.
“Yes, indeed that is very true, but she doesn’t know that, she now burns with purpose and passion, she will grow into a fine queen, and even finer warrior under my tutelage, she just now has someone who can keep her accountable at all times, and I shall bear that mantle until I expire. I passed up many children this year and the last, but now I have made my choice, my bed has been made and I shall slumber in it.” The bear says with heightened elation and pride, hopping off the table and walking himself to the Study hall to meet Masi. “Indeed, there is work to be done.” He repeats to himself, ready to finally fulfill his role as a guardian.
Inside the study hall, the once enthused Masi is seen fast asleep. Her book sits upright, blocking the view from the instructor. Teddygram visibly upset by this closes the book gently, picks it up above his head and slams the book upon the table, scaring the whole class and causing Masi to scream in terror, before looking around and seeing the frustrated teddy bear.
“Perhaps, a smaller class size and more private lessons is what you require.” The bear says rubbing the top of his head. “Yes indeed, lots of work to be done.” He chants again to himself.
“Sir Teddygram sure has his paws full.” Gaia says looking on through a window on the upper floor in her study, smiling happily. She places her head upon her hand and thinks to herself, reflecting on what a handful her husband was when he was Masi’s age. “They are not too far apart in personality, that’s for sure.” She says quietly with a slight sigh. For tomorrow Masi will begin her lessons in combat magic and controlling her emotions in battle.
Meanwhile, in the district of Blackburn, a black leathered book written in ancient Arabic lays on the desk of Anjani-Ra, prime minister of the forsaken prefecture. The book emits a terrible aura, for in its pages are spells of ancient necromancy, written by the former enemy of the land Queen Zellnara. The prime minister walks to the dungeon known as the prison of skulls and stands before an elderly minister of the queen.
“Your time is limited my friend, and your life will not be in vain.” The prime minister speaks, his tail swaying back and forth. “If you wish for your last bit of freedom, there is a price you must pay. A favor if you will.” He says holding the black book in his right hand. It’s blackleather cover emits dark energy that feels blisteringly cold, its pages shine a golden yellow, the print in the language of ancient arabic, spoken only by the ministers and the older residents of BlackBurn. The minister scoffs, at the man before him.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
“You are not ready for the power you possess. That book is cursed and you know it my friend, if you are determined to go down this route, then you will need to pay a high price as well, she’s a wretched whore she is, always hungry and always demanding from her subjects. I will read the pages, and I will tell you how to bring her back to the realm of the living, but know that your life, my life, and any life she deems an eyesore to her is forfeit.” The elderly minister warns, his eyes filled with respect, but a deep seated fear. His voice carries a tone of agreement, but also of empathy for the prime minister, as he stretches his hand through the cell bars awaiting the book.
It is now early in the morning, the sun has not yet broken the horizon, the young Xilric princess is fast asleep, drool crusting on the side of her mouth. Her newly braided hair lay outspread on her pillow. Brantford looks upon the sleeping child then turns his maple eyes to the clock on the wall.
“Five minutes to five.” Teddygram says, thinking about Masi’s new education and training schedule. 5 am she is supposed to be awake, she should then stretch, and be in the shower by 0515, dressed by 0545, and breakfast by 0600. When the clock strikes 5 am, Brantford grabs a bell that he placed by her bed side and aggressively rings it, the sudden sounds jolting the girl awake. Masi grumbles remembering the schedule, she yawns and throws the bear in her toy chest.
“Alright teddy I get it…” she says annoyed by the sudden alarm. She shuffles to the bathroom and begins her morning routine. The bathroom steams and begins to smell of mint and vanilla, Teddygram climbs out of the chest cross with the girl’s reaction.
“This girl and her attitude, throwing me in a bin with lifeless corpses, who does she think I am?! Some sort of plague doctor, that brings forth the dead?!” He curses and mumbles climbing out, as Masi exits her bathroom. “Now listen little miss, I do not appreciate being treated, as an average plaything!” As Teddygram speaks Masi throws her towel on the bear and proceeds to get dressed, ignoring the rant that the teddy bear is going on. She dawns her schools’ uniform. An Olympic blue top that bears the golden lion patch, with a burgundy skirt, black knee-high socks and brown shoes, and then fixing her hair into two buns on both sides of her head. She proceeds to take her guardian and place him in her school back and slings the burgundy bag over her shoulder, the look on her face determined still having the fire in her belly, determined to do her best, while also her patience running thin with her guardian.
“Sir Brantford Teddygram, I appreciate the help, and the correction you administered yesterday, but from that point you continued to belittle me, and make me feel mentally delayed, I know that I’m not the strongest nor the brightest, but let me show you what I can do!” Masi yells through tears in her eyes, wiping them away and trying to regain her composure. “Please continue to push me, but also have respect for me, as your princess.” She says calming down and walking to the apothecary. The teddy bear looks down, reflecting on his actions, and then nods in agreement.
“Right, I apologize Masi, perhaps I was a little too excited yesterday.” Brantford says in a guilt-ridden tone.
Masi stops at the apothecary doors, feeling the same blistering cold she felt yesterday, pulling the handle back she sees Juniper May waiting for her with a group of other children, and their guardians, all coming from different districts within the kingdom. Starting from the left is Princess Jacqueline del sol, from the Gibraltar coast in Tottenham. The elf stands at the same height as Masi, and dawns long Brunette hair with curls at the end with the top being tied with an Opal colored bow, her eyes an intimidating winter grey, she looks at the princess with an arrogant smile. Her shirt is white with the Tottenham cockerel patch, her skirt a navy blue, with black knee-highs, and white heels.
Her guardian is a toy bull named Sangriento del Toro; standing at 30 centimeters is eye level with Brantford Teddygram. His form is muscular with his coat being cocoa brown, his eyes are a piercing sky blue, his that measure 11 centimeters each. Around his neck is a white bandana that bears the Tottenham crest. His demeanor remains serious, but very jumpy, always ready to charge and attack.
“Well would you look what the lynx brought in, it’s the elf princess Masi, and her county fair prize.” Jacqueline says snickering, petting her guardian tenderly. “It seems you actually found a guardian that’s willing to bond with you, how cute.” She continues, while Teddygram sits on Masi’s shoulder gripping her shirt. The two girls know each other from the days in the nursery going their own way, now here they are face to face once again. Masi was a former victim of Jacquelin’s constant torment, constantly feeling the need to one up Masi, as if being the daughter of Viscount's right hand is not enough.
“Masi, we are going to make that entitled swine regret her words, I am not a fairground prize, and you are not some weak spirited imbecile, those Tottenham citizens are so full of themselves simply because they control the economy of the kingdom, she will see what we can do together.” Brantford says encouraging the young princess. The bull is heard snorting and laughing.
“What a moving speech from a gram cracker mascot.” Del Toro says, adding on to his masters taunting. His voice callous and rash, his tone constantly carrying the intent of murder and bloodshed. Juniper May then claps her hands in annoyance, a sign for the duo to stop the useless bickering.
Next to the princess is her brother Ferro; the elf has brunette hair like his sister but cut short and combed to the side, he is silent and holds his guardian, a toy squid to his chest. He sees Masi and looks away quickly blushing hard, the snow-white squid with navy blue tentacles and black suction cups, the eyes were a cartoonish black and white style.
“Be still Ferro, say hello and be nice unlike your sister over there.” The squid says gently her name being is Alania, her temperament is more caring, and forgiving compared to her bull counterpart. “Go say hello to Masi, my love, I’m sure she is very nice and hospitable.” Alaina says again, encouraging the young noble.
Ferro approaches Masi, his winter grey eyes lock with her emeralds, and he begins to sweat nervously. As if he sees an artic gazelle ready to charge at him, he takes a deep breath and begins to speak.
“H…He…. Hey…” he stammers trying his best to speak, Brantford Teddygram hold his head embarrassed for the young man, and Alania simply places a tentacle on his shoulder chuckling softly.
“Now that introductions are out of the way.” Juniper May says happily. “Welcome to your first day at the Aston Villa school for the gifted, you three are apart of the guardian program.” She says smiling with pride and excitement, opening the latch on the wall showing the previous training grounds, Masi had walked with Katina. “You three are first years, later on in the week I will introduce your seniors, they also have guardians and will serve as your instructors alongside myself.” Juniper explains.
“But first, some ground rules!” Her voice goes firm, and her glare grows cold. “There will be no fighting outside of the education grounds, this includes the use of expansion techniques. Second, you are required to be here on time every day, tardiness will have unpleasant consequences. Thirdly, when we go on outings, we will run into wildlife, civilians, and the occasional bandit; please do not engage unless told to do so, we are not the army, no need to start needless fights. Am I clear?” She finishes and the children nod in agreement. “Good, I am sure you three are tired from waking up early, take a break and we will meet up again for lunch and your first lesson with your guardians.” Juniper May’s tone returns to being one of optimism and happiness.
Masi and Jacqueline lock eyes, the tension can be felt in the air, their magic energy, even though juvenile can be felt throughout training grounds, when suddenly both girls were wrapped in a frog’s tongue. Which prompted Jacqueline to have an immediate panic attack.
“Let me go, let me go…” she repeats the phrase several times before finally being released by the toy frog.
“You girls got some energy, I love it!” A stout halfling bellows happily. “My name is Nicholas Pennyworth from Brighton, I am a senior here and your instructor, pleased to meet you, and what you just witnessed is the Expand technique of my guardian Lillian Hops. She’s a stuffed frog, but when I focus my energy onto her, she turns into this beast before you now.” He is proud of his companion’s ability. “Welcome to the world of guardians and familiars, I look forward to testing your limits, but please lay off on the tension. Lillian has a sensitive stomach and doesn’t like unneeded bitterness.” He says petting the guardian gently, speaking softly to it.
The children look around and notice the seniors and other children working on spells, and enchanting their guardians, realizing now that they are just guppies in a pool of sharks. Their journey had just begun.