Forgotten Magic: Journey For Trust

Chapter 13

"Ann! Ann, wake up!" Varian nudged me.

"Mmmmmmm...." I blinked open my eyes. "Varian...what...what time is it...?" I glanced out the window. "Varian...the sun has barely risen...go back to sleep..."

"Ann! Today's the day of the expo!" He tugged on the sleeve of my nightgown.

I sat up. "The...that's today...?"

"Yeah! C'mon!" He grabbed my arm, pulling me out of bed and onto my feet.

"Wait!" I laughed. "Let me get dressed. You can go get your invention ready."

"Already did that," Varian answered.

I smiled. "Then you can help your dad fix breakfast."

"Alright then!" He turned and ran out my bedroom door. I could hear his footsteps as he ran down the stairs. And then I reached in my closet, grabbing a beige blouse and a pair of pants. Sure, it wasn't typical of girls to wear pants, but hey, who cares.

~ ~ ~

Varian's writing this next part. He was so embarrassed when I mentioned I was writing about the expo. Oh my gosh...

~ ~ ~

"Dad!" I ran into the kitchen, skidding to a stop next to my father. "Dad!"

"Good morning to you too, Varian," Quirin chuckled.

"Dad." I ran a hand through my bangs nervously. "Today's...the day of...the science expo...in Corona. I...was going to enter one of my inventions. I was wondering if...you'd come watch my presentations."

My father paused. "Varian...I...can't. I have to work here."

My smile faded. "But Dad, I-...Please? I spent weeks on it...I-Please? Ann's coming."

He hesitated again before sighing. "I'll see if anyone can take over. Maybe Parker or Earl..."

I pumped my fist in the air. "Yes!"

"Now, help me set the table."

~ ~ ~

I asked Sarah Chance and she told me that Quirin stopped by that day and asked her and her husband to take over his job for that day. But I couldn't find anyone to retell that part. So we'll move on, I suppose.

~ ~ ~

The walk to Corona was quiet. Almost too quiet. Varian didn't speak. So neither did I. I decided he was worried his father wouldn't show up in time. I hadn't seen Quirin that morning at all.

So I finally asked him as we reached the bridge connecting the island and mainland. "Is your dad coming?"

Varian didn't respond for a few minutes. I think he was wondering the same thing. "He said he would," he finally answered. "He said he just had to get someone to take over his job. But I don't know how long that'll take... He said maybe Mr. and Mrs. Chance could take over the job but...I dunno. I mean, everyone in the village already does their part... I don't think he wants to put his part on someone else."

I nodded. "I see. That makes sense." And it was back to silence for the both of us.

We arrived in the courtyard just in time to see Cassandra fumble with one side of a banner announcing the expo.

"Don't see why the lady-in-waiting has to help set up for this thing," I heard her grumble. "Dumb science expo's for dorks, anyway."

I rolled my eyes and trailed behind as Varian walked over to the ladder Cassandra was on and saying very obviously to her... "Who's ready for the expo?"

I thought I saw her roll her eyes.

"Hey, Cassie! Hey, you wanna see my new invention? Rumor has it, it is a shoo-in for the first prize in the contest. I started the rumor." He winks and looks back at me, smiling.

I smile right back at him.

"Oh. Hey, Varian," Cass groaned, turning around to glare down at the both of us. "Ann. First off, it's Cass, not Cassie. Secondly, I'm slammed, so..."

"Oh, yeah, I... I hear ya," the alchemist assures her. "Hey, so did I tell you that my invention can create an entirely new element? I call it..."

He gets cut off by a royal guard who comes up and whispers to the lady in waiting. "Cassandra, I thought you should know, the Captain is short on guards
for the expo. This could be your big chance!"

A bit confused, I watch Cass's face light up. She scrambles down the ladder and runs off. "Come on, let's go!"

She had left behind her owl holding one end of the banner. It struggled with the weight of the rope, and Varian scrambled up the ladder to tie it down.

"Cassandra! Lookin' good!" Rapunzel and Eugene walked into the area, the princess with a pair of...goggles? "You should see some of the inventions on display! Look at these crazy goggles!" She seemed to focus on the person actually on the ladder. "Oh. Hi, Varian! I haven't seen you since we..."

"Since your last invention almost killed us. So glad you're here. With what looks like another invention," Eugene adds as the alchemist jumps off the ladder.

"Please, I wouldn't miss a chance to promote the merits of alchemy," he says before leaning an arm against his invention. "And wait until you see my invention. I think, uh, everyone at the expo will be impressed. Cassandra's gonna be here, right?" He waves his hands in the air before...well, hugging himself, basically. "Not that I'm doing this for Cassandra! But, yes, she's gonna be there, right?"

I smiled sadly. It was obvious. Much too obvious. And impossible too.

~ ~ ~

You wouldn't believe who stopped by this week! Cass! And she had something to add. So you'll be noticing some of her views in here too. She stopped by at just the right time, huh?

~ ~ ~

So, Stan and I arrive at the...well...I think it's a map room? A-anyways, we arrive just in time to hear my father, the captain of the guards, yell "We need more guards!"

Stan and I enter.

"I'll need the room."

Max, Pete, and Stan leave.

"So, you want your first guard assignment," my dad says. "We've talked about this, Cassandra. I just don't know that you're ready."

I keep myself from rolling my eyes. "Dad, I've been training with the guards since I was six. I know castle procedures and protocol better than anyone, so if there's any other reason why you feel I'm not ready besides me being your daughter, I'm all ears."

I think I stumped him.

"Very well. But..."

I groan. "There's always a but."

"Your lady-in-waiting duties come first. Only after you've finished those, including setting up for the expo, may you help. Are we clear?"

"Crystal." And I'll admit I was willing to do anything to make that happen. "You only let me because you wanna give Nick a break, huh? Isn't he going to be Master Dr. St. Croix's 'personal assistant' or whatever..."

My father smiled. "Partially."

I smirked. "Ah, I see."