The Adventures of Draikin and the Light Faerie

     Time passed and Draikin and Ciara met more and more frequently in the woods. At first the mysterious light faerie had only come to her clearing once a week as she used to, but as they had gotten to know each other, her visits to meet the Royal Ixi in the forest became more and more frequent, and after a while, they were meeting each other every day.

     Sometimes Ciara would try to surprise the young ixi prince by sneaking up on him beside a stream or far from the clearing, where and when he least expected it. But it was difficult for her to surprise him, because Meridell was so grey these days, and the beautiful light she gave off always preceded her.

     The only thing that was a bit troubling to both of them was the moaning, windy voice that Ciara said was her guardian. It always found them eventually and would urgently and angrily call her away.

     Despite that one spooky impediment, when they were together, Draikin felt more himself than he ever had with anyone before. Before Ciara’s arrival in the woods Draikin had become an expert at wandering the Meridell forests unnoticed by other Neopets and Petpets. Now that she was with him, he showed her everything he knew. Together they spied on buzzers sipping nectar from lazydels in the shade, and Meturfs rolling gaily around the forest floor, playing with one another. Ciara loved everything about the forest, just as he did, and she was a quick study too, so that they even managed to spy on a pair of deavers, gnawing away at the bark of a Yellow Eesa Tree without the Deavers knowing they were there.

     He had always been terribly shy around the castle, but Draikin found his confidence growing as he and Ciara spent time together. Soon, he was friendlier with the other royals, the nobility, the guards and even the cooks and chambermaids. And soon, he wasn’t even afraid of Miss Taff anymore. It flustered and frustrated the Moehog governess terribly that she no longer had control over him the way she used to. And though she still grumbled and growled and whined around him, she didn’t try to discipline him as much as she had before. The mean-minded Yellow Ogrin, Blau, had even begun to stay out of his way.

     Life had gotten better and better for Draikin since he had met her. Not only had he lost his shyness and his bumbling ways around his brothers and his parents, but he was doing well at everything he put his hands to. His performance at his studies was better than ever, and his training in the battledome had improved so fast that he was surpassing his older brothers with his skills! His father, King Blackfawn and his Mother, Queen Blackfawn, had noticed their youngest son’s more princely bearing.

     “What in Neopia is going on with our Draikin?” The king asked Miss Taff one morning in his chambers while she was making her usual report on his sons.

     “I’m sure I don’t know, sire,” the pudgy Moehog replied, fidgeting and tapping one of her tusks. “What exactly do you mean?”

     “I mean the way he’s been acting lately! You can’t say you haven’t noticed it! His whole manner is different! He's a true warrior in the battledome now. He's become far more confident than he used to be. Why, the boy is downright dashing! Draikin behaves more like a prince now than his two older brothers do these days. And they're the ones in line for the throne! What have you been doing with him?"

     “I—I’m sure I don’t know, Sire!” Miss Taff shook her head and then gasped. “Why, perhaps it’s my discipline that’s done it!” She beamed. “You know, I have always tried to be a strict disciplinarian with Draikin. I have always believed that if I were strict enough with the boy, he would know his place, and one day see the error of his wild, foolish ways and--”

     “Well, why haven’t you been putting the same energy into disciplining his two older brothers?” the king interrupted, glaring at her. “Erutan isn’t progressing at all with his studies, and Evale can barely carry a sword! With this terrible grey hovering over everything and dangerous wisps everywhere, we need all the fighters we can get! Those two are first in line for my throne. Your attention should be going to them!”

     “Sire, I mispoke myself before.” Miss Taff stammered, back tracking and tapping one of her tusks nervously. “I have noticed a change in Draikin, it’s true. But in all honesty it’s nothing I have done differently. In fact—though I can’t say for certain what has changed him lately, I’m quite sure that whatever it is…comes from the woods.”

     “From the woods? What in the name of Illusen could be in the woods that would cause this this change to come over him?”

     “Um, I really don’t know, Sire. Who knows what mischief a young ixi alone in the forest may get into! Why, when I think of the trouble I’ve had trying to keep that child in the castle! But alas, I’m only one Moehog, Sire, I can’t watch him every second of the day!”

     King Blackfawn stalked to the window of his chamber and looked out across Meridell as Miss Taff prattled on. He wasn’t a bad king really (although it’s certainly true that he wasn’t the best father). “I do my best, your highness, if I do say so, and I do. I’ve tried my best with that child and yet—“

     “Have him watched,” the king interrupted her gruffly. “I want to know what has caused this change in my son. Do you hear me?”

     “Yes, your highness. Of course, your highness.”

     “Good. We must discover what magic it is that turns a buffoon into a prince.”

     “Yes, your highness.” Miss Taff curtsied low to the king.

     The moment she was out of the room, the Moehog governess went to find Blau. The scrawny yellow ogrin was only too eager to assist.

     “I’ll watch him, Miss Taff, don't you worry.” Blau grinned at the governess, prancing around her in delight. "It will be my pleasure!"

     “I’ll bet that young brat is up to no good!” The Moehog shook her head, tapping one of her tusks again in dismay. “When I think of all the hours, days, and years that I’ve spent doing my best to make him know his place in the royal family! That child thinks much too much of himself. He is up to no good I’m sure!”

     “I just bet he is, Miss Taff,” agreed Blau. “I’m certain you’re right. But don't you worry, I’ll watch him for you. I’ll find out what he’s up to. You just leave it to me!”

     “I’ve always wondered what the boy does out there,” Miss Taff said, almost to herself. “What could he be doing, out there in the woods from morning till night?” She looked down at Blau. The skinny Yellow Ogrin was still looking up at her, grinning his malicious little grin. “What are you still doing here?” She snorted down at him. “He may not have left for the woods yet today! Be off with you and find him!”

     Blau gulped, nodded, and raced off to find Draikin. He arrived at the Royal Ixi’s chambers, just as the young prince was leaving them. Quickly, the Yellow Ogrin threw himself into a shadowy doorway as Draikin headed down the hall whistling. When he had gone down the stairs, Blau followed at a safe distance.

     Downstairs Draikin seemed to meander in the hallways for a bit, with Blau following close behind. Still whistling, Draikin pushed through the wide, swinging wooden doors which led to the kitchen. Blau had just crept close enough to peek inside when the swinging door flew open again, pinning him against the wall. The skinny ogrin held his breath.

     Draikin marched back through the door and continued on his way, oblivious to the Ogrin frozen against the wall where the door had pushed him. The prince was still whistling, but now he was also tossing a rainbow doughnutfruit up and down in his hand!

     Blau slid down the wall breathing a sigh of relief before he scurried to follow Draikin again. The young ixi headed out into the sunny courtyard and Blau followed him, making sure once again to keep himself in the shadows. As Draikin rounded the corner to the side courtyard, Blau crept along the wall behind the shrubbery.

     When Blau turned the corner, Draikin was already across the courtyard beside the castle wall. The young prince looked around himself cautiously, and when he seemed convinced that there was no one about, he quickly disappeared into the hole that took him beneath the castle wall and away.

     Blau giggled happily to himself. Miss Taff would be so pleased! Once he was sure the young Royal Ixi was far enough ahead, he followed.

     To be continued…