Expedition Dipuma

Chapter 9: Rosie

I stare out at the faintly glowing castle and homes that glow from their fireplaces, letting myself relax and unwind. Heather and I were out flying with a few friends all while keeping an eye on things, like the little people, when suddenly one of them was waving their arms around and shouting for help.  Heather asked our friends if they could help, they agreed of course, and then she turned to me. “Find your favorite spot to perch until your brother comes to get you.” She started to turn away when I stopped her. “Wait! What is going on?! What about my lessons?!” I demanded. She locked eye contact with me, smiled softly, and put her forehead to mine. “I believe that you have all the training that you need. Some day you will make a great queen.” And she left. 
Now I am still waiting for my brother to come and fetch for me. Oh! I see him riding fast through the forest searching for me. I jumped down from the small cliff that hangs just a few hundred feet above any tree, and it’s directly above our home tree. Once I have gained enough air, I open my wings, and glide over to him. He looked up and saw me so he slowed down. When he stops,  I land a few feet away, and walk over to him. “So…..” I trailed off, “What happened?” “I will fill you in on the way.” he said rushed. “Climb on, we have to hurry.” Just as I made sure that I was on, we sped off in a heartbeat. He filled me in on everything that happened, and all that I could do is let the information sink in. The queen is dying. It circles around in my head over and over again. We are coming in too hot, so I open my wings to help stop us. Our breaths heavy from the speed and the close call. We hop down and I am instantly being pulled inside the castle. Rushed around the corner, and pulled into the medical room. My breath catches as I take in the view of our Queen, risking her life for humans. I slowly approach her, I fall on my knees, and I lean my forehead on her hand as I cry. Not caring who hears me or sees me in such distress. I feel her hand move and wipe away my tears. She is still asleep but I know what she means. 
I wipe away the rest of my tears unlady like and I stand up to gather enough strength to not cry any more. “I need to prepare on my own for this but declare that the queen is dying and that we will be holding a coronation this  Xiàzhì. Let all who are eligible compete.” I finally turn to look at him, his face as glossy as mine was, and said “I will see you soon, brother.” At that I walked out and flew back home. Just as I got to the castles front door the sun started to peek through. I left, feeling so empty. But this is not the time to dwell on the past. 
When I reach our home tree, I grab the end of my braid and I let it hook up with a branch of our fathers ancestor tree. It’s so relaxing for my body and only me and my brother are able to do this. I am able to talk with my father here amongst all of the others who have passed from this life. “Welcome home, my daughter. You look absolutely stunning today. What brings you here my love?” His voice is very soothing to my soul, strong and steady like a river. I smile with a touch of sadness and said, “You already know, father.” I slip a soft chuckle in. “Yes. I already know, but it is healthier to talk about it.” “The queen is dying. She has been one of my closest friends ever since you and mom had passed away.” I sighed, “I just wish that she didn’t have to go so soon.” He smiled softly at me and said "When the time comes, the time comes. There's no need to be in a hurry. Hold on to the time that you have with others and hold dear the time that you had with them because those memories are so precious. I know that you are going to make a great queen." He leans over and plants a kiss on my forehead. Then I open my eyes and I am back in reality. I take my braid off of the branch, take a deep breath, and I stand to look outside. Everything is all set up and ready for the competition. From the sounds of it the competition will start soon because I can hear and see the excitement of a large crowd, and the smell of the feast. Oh, it smells so savorly delicious that I can feel myself starting to drool. Ugh! Ew! That's definitely not lady-like. I wipe my face, turn around, and I grab a fruit to snack on on my way to the competition.
I just reached the back of the castle when I saw my brother waving at me just behind the medical room. I smiled as I turned around and landed next to him. "What’s all this?" I asked seeing him with a bowl of white stuff. He chuckled and said "Well, this isn't how they made the paint, but I ground one of the flowers from up top from the last harvest and I turned it into paint. It is a part of our heritage, after all." He smiled "Might I do the honors, sister?" "Yes!" His eyes sparkled like he was a boy again. Just as he was about to start painting me, I smacked him on the side of his head and said "Just don't make me late." He rubbed the spot where I smacked him, laughed, and said "You will be if you keep distracting me." I laughed and shook my head. Hmmm. Always the child even though he's the oldest. He paused, only to step back to take a look at his work, smile at me, and said "You are ready." He gives me a huge hug and scurrys off. I take a glance at myself in my reflection on the castle. Wow. I thought, he did such an amazing job. He is a great artist. Then I  flew over to the starting line. Everyone stopped talking and stared in amazement when I came into view. I suddenly felt very uncomfortable. As I tried to hide my discomfort, I saw my brother who nodded and gave me a thumbs up. That's when I realized that I was the first to be at the starting line, only just now hearing a fellow contestant land along with the others. Welp, at least the audience got a grand entrance. I mentally sighed and mentally smacked myself in the face. I really need to focus. I hear a pair of female competitors chattering "Looks like since the queen is dying, the freak gets to join us." "I am wondering what gross stuff she had to fly through to look like that." They laughed and laughed. I glance over their way, but the one thing that I didn't expect. Not only is Heather's daughter here and competing, but her expression is full of disappointment and sadness. Then we made eye contact, I saw an angry expression on her face and I looked away continuing the stretches that I had been doing. "You have no right to say those things about her!" I heard Pearl say, my skin hair raising. I have never heard her get mad before. And from the silent crowd, neither have they. I look over to see a seething Pearl and two cowering girls. "S-sorry, Pearl." They stuttered in usion. The crowd started buzzing again while we stretched out and got ready. 
Then Heather came out and sat at the top of the stairs next to my brother. She looks so weak. My brother was chatting with her, she nodded as he got up, and gave the announcements and rules. We listened intently as he talked. I saw the two females from earlier sneer and giggle at him and at whatever they were planning. Somehow I just know that they're planning something. Instead of dwelling on what they could possibly be planning, I took a deep breath and focused on the challenge that's a head. Everyone lined up and we are bound up ready to pounce. There is a friend of Pearls in front of us at the edge of the rectangle of space that we have to run in. He jumped up into the air and dropped to the ground to signal us to go. I wasn't entirely prepared for that so I took off a few steps late leaving me the last one to get into the air. Dang it! I flapped my wings a little harder to catch up with the others who are flying higher and higher. The competition consists of a race to the top of Sunyata to drink from the Mùlán. The nectar is at its highest potentiality of all the queens from the past to help guide the new queen. Heather has been training me for this moment ever since my parents died. She helped us fit in along with Sarah and her family. I have never truly felt like I belong within the Angels world, despite the fact that we are crammed in a planet with them. So I just kept to myself, although I am welcomed in Sarah's home. 
Once I have caught up with everyone, the two from earlier slowed down. Huh, whatever. It's their choice. I find it weird though. Suddenly it felt like something was trying to rip my wings off! I was screaming out in pain, making everyone stop, and Pearl dove down to help me. A pair of guards pulled the girls off of my wings and they were disqualified. They checked up on me but I felt fine despite the fact that my wings are sore. Pearl flew all the way alongside me. "Aren't you competing?" I asked. I was a little frustrated and glad that she's worried about me. We were almost at the top when she put her hand on my shoulder and said "I'd rather see you win." She smiled and let herself fall, indicating that she believes in me. I finally realized that I am ahead of everyone, so I got back into action and flew higher. I am so exhausted. My wings and lungs are burning from the amount of exercise it takes to reach the top.
I landed in the soft green grass that has tiny white things fluttering around. The Mùláns are droopy and full of delectable nectar. Glorious in color, in between the blooming stage and the fruit bearing stage, and most importantly the perfect time for coronation. I gently cupped the flower and drank every last sweet drop of nectar, feeling an energy flow through me with such a strong force that I fell backwards back into Sunyata. While falling fast, all the past queens memories flashed in my vision, I  opened my eyes, and I snapped open my sore wings fast and sharp. I was just above the treetops when I heard the crowd cheering. I hover in the air, taking it all in. My vision has been sharpened by the nectar because I can see Heather's soft smile clearly. I descended to the platform that we started the race on and I walked up to Heather who stands when I reach her. 
It's like everything around me stood still and I can seemingly only hear Heather. I started to cry and I said "I wish that you didn't have to go so soon." She wiped away my tears and said "I knew from the start that you were going to become my successor, you were born for this moment. So take it." She takes off her necklace and put it on me. Then she put her forehead to mine and I can see all of her memories. I  closed my eyes for a moment, then there's a bright light encasing her. I took a step back and watched for whatever came next.