Short Story Weekly: Brightside Pt. 1

Short Story Weekly has been fun, an its been on of my favorite things to write for the Malacast Editorial, because it forces me, good, or bad, t write a short story, and sometimes not-so-short story weekly. Granted, with the name, that’s pretty much what I set out to do, but the point is I’m excited to see just how a far I’ve come from having a separate blog site, versus just doing it here on the Malacast Editorial. I will eventually be setting up another page, one that has all my posts in a separate area as well as on the main page, so they are easily accessible. This week’s story is no different, and picks up on the same idea, but since it’s anew month, I think the general direction of the story is going to change. As you all know I’m a fan of Halloween more than I am all other holidays combined. I even hold it in higher regard than my own birthday that is the kind of love I have for Halloween. I will be doing m annual Halloween post, which really isn’t all that annual, but has transformed into a legitimate Halloween post, and will probably feature something goofy or macabre, depending n the mood leading up to Halloween. Still, autumn is my favorite time of year, and I hope to be doing a few stories that will reflect the passion and theme of the fall season, but I’m mostly doing stories that separate the bulk of August’s themes with September, so expect something different, in-hopes of showcasing depth as a writer on this particular subject. This week’s story is simply entitled: “Brightside” it’s my first honest attempt of the classic middle fantasy story, and is about a pixie. As I stated above, this is going to be a far more different month of stories, and although this one is looking to be relatively longer than most, I think it will be a fun little story for this week, and lead into this month’s theme. Last month’s theme was about ends: “Throw Away days was basically the end of creativity, symbolized in those days we throw-away, not being productive. Even the Ten-Year Anniversary post was about the end of the first decade of the Malacast Editorial. Then the story a Quiet Peace was the end of innocence, and of course Elmer was the end of old ways, as a new age is thrust upon tradition, however idiotic, or misleading that that tradition may be. I’ll reveal the overall theme of this month’s stories at the beginning of next month; perhaps you can find the theme beforehand. I will try my best to make it somewhat more obvious. For now, I will share with you the first story of this month, so I hope you enjoy this new idea, and a break away from other work with Brightside. Brightside In the Forest of Wonder, lived a pixie named Brightside. She was elegant, and came from a royal bloodline. Her favorite pastimes were skipping above the waters of the placid pond just below her favorite tree line. Se lived in a tree knot on the back of Elder, the Oak-Faced One. He was thousands of years old, and one of the strongest trees in the forest. She was skipping along the surface of the pond, as she did most days when her father did not call her: Glimmer-Beard, the Duke of the Glistening Providence of the Wonder Forest. He kept her at court most das, for she was to be his replacement when he de-sparkled, and joined the ancestors in the morning dew. Brightside wasn’t the typical pixie, she was much smaller, and shined like the tip of a pin, a tiny, but sharp sparkle, which caught the attention of so many male pursuers. Yes, her bloodline was enough to make her a suitable lover, but so many of her male courters found her to be something special in a place where wonder was mundane. She wasn’t necessarily beautiful, in-fact she was rather plain, with the most minimal of profile ever on a pixie. Her mother was a matriarch of beauty, but long ago joined the ancestral lineage in the morning dew. Bloodlines of royalty were said to join the brightest sparkles of souls on the morning dew, for nothing shined brighter than the first touch of sunray to the dew droplets at dawn. Not even the hottest star could ever reach a pinnacle of luminescence that the sun reflects in a tiny spit of dew. Her mother was no exception, and when she passed, it was believed that she spread out across the forest in a burst of droplets, showering like a rainstorm onto the world. Brightside was barely an infant when her mother gave birth, she was nursed to help with the mages of the forest helping to bring her sparkle into existence. She was born prematurely, and for pixies, that can be crucial to even taking form. Brightside was thusly named for being barely an ember in her father’s hands, but grew to be a firecracker of light, and the most sought for hand in the Forest of Wonder. Skipping along the water, a reflection so bright she shan’t look down, or else burn her own eyes, the breaking of the pond startled her, as a singular trout washed from a storm to the sanctum of the pond attempted to grasp her from out the air. A break of the water, and she skyrocketed off towards the tree line, hoping to avoid whatever aberration to her daily routine had tried to kill her. Brightside was naïve, and her naivety was not from a lack of intellect, for she was as bright in hue as she was in mind, perhaps even smarter, for she questioned greatly, and instead of fearing that which was unknown, demanded answers as swiftly as she questioned. She was aimless, car-free wit life, but even with the ever=present danger of the majestic forest, she was still stunned by such a beast springing forth from her tranquil pond. “Could it be a bird, mayhap it a hawkish gull has learned to swim beneath? What sort of creature but with boned wings would attempt to dim the light of a pixie?” No fish has ever crossed the threshold of the pond before, all rivers diverted away from the forest. The diverted rivers were made of might from troll-like figures to dissuade man from traveling deep within the magical canopies, and to keep unhinged threats to the magical ecosystem. Magic was the defense of the pixie, but it also served as the might of keeping monsters at bay. The troll-like figures, described only as benign monstrosities, did not harm the pixies, rather ignored them as something too small to attack, and too miniscule to eat. The pixies knew not what they were, but likened them to the trolls of long ago that would come from down the mountaintops, and forge new streams and ponds with their footprints and axes. The would drag their tools to make canyons, and their bones would form new mountains, combining with rock to make new homes for young trolls to dwell in, repeating the cycle forever. Brightside knew the stories of the trolls, she knew to fear the birds that came through every other season, and because of built-in calculations, they were simple to avoid, but this new beast was without warning or caw. She knew it was safer to go back to Elder, and perhaps with his thousands of years of wisdom, he would know what terror has come to her placid pond. Trees gave pixies life, a twinkling home for them to hold out, and live in peace and prosperity. She trusted Elder, a tree that was of equally impressive lineage as her, and has been like a great friend since birth. Elder was a true friend of the pixies, and he admired little Brightside, and her inquisitive nature. Although he served the royalty of the Pixie King, and the court of the Glistening Providence, he assertively pleaded t Glimmer-Beard, to let Brightside come under his care, and study the ancient arts of the forest. He knew that such a small stature could not reign in a corrupt kingdom of carapace-hardened souls, the pixies of the Glistening Providence were heartless, and would surely betray little Brightside. He saw her as an excellent historian, he could see her holding highest positions in the courts a grand historian. She had the makings of a great leader, yes, but deep down, he felt that she would be better spent as a scientist, a poet, and a historian of pixie and faerie lore, anything but a monarch. Glimmer Beard had other children with his new mate, a fair stepmother to Brightside, but none have been closer to her than Elder. Brightside climbed the canopies with a speed of tiny wings, and hushed mosquito buzzes, as she flew deep into the opening holes that gave Elder his magical ability of hearing the pixie language. Her buzzing was enough to stir him from his eternal rest, which all trees must do to keep from aging too rapidly. However, Elder was not difficult to stir, and enjoyed the time spent with his miniscule companion. “What is it, little firefly? Our hummingbird heartbeat is pulsating to a standstill, be it a hawk that dare tried to make you dew? Speak of its beak, and I shall surely shut it forever!” “Oh no, Elder! It’d be easy to see a bird from above, and none is as swift, or as agile as I! I have been a target of birds that move at speeds that defy friction, but this bird came from the depths of my pond! Every dawn I seek the fine waters of the placid pond, skipping graceful over the surface tension of the calm water. Today, a bird from beneath, a gull or stork of sort, broke the surface, and attempted to devour me!” “Ha! No bird exists in such a manner. Birds cannot survive underneath water, as trees cannot soar above clouds! A fish, or amphibian of sort has tried to make you dew. ‘Tis not a matter to be concerned, but do not skip across the surface of the pond during the mornings, I’d suggest you wait until the when the sun begins to descend from the tip of the sky. If it is a fish, and my judgment says it must be, for the storms were difficult these past months, I would suggest you not worry; they cannot live on land. Fear not my little firefly, you are safe here in my breadth, aloft from the furrowed floors, and twinkling ripples.” Brightside nodded, and although she didn’t quite understand what a fish was, let-alone the aforementioned amphibian, as Elder was so wise to know of nearly every creature in, and from out of the forest she just didn’t quite get what it was that tried to eat her. Though Elder could not see her nodding, as it was impossible to hear Brightside speak, and to gaze upon her brilliance at the same time he felt a resonating kinship, as she nodded not in understanding, but in agreement that she believed what he told her. Brightside was naïve, but adored learning, and wanted to be understanding of what was around her, although her cheerful friendly nature would worry Elder enough to stretch a root in contempt. However, she loved Elder’s wisdom, for it allowed her a passing thought that wasn't spent on pixie politics, and the whole of running a nation. Even though her father was a pixie in the king’s court, and practically did the job as the Duke of the Glistening Providence, she was far more interested in the world around her, than the makeshift world of political gain, and power grabs. “Aren’t you supposed to meet Glimmer Beard today? I was certain you are up to learning about the rules of holding the title of Duchess. Your father is quite morbid, always worrying about passing on to the dew, as though his time is nearing. I suppose in his position, the possibility of being dewed is as common as being subdued by either talon or pick.” Asked Elder with a deep concern for her having to miss out on yet another vital lesson to her future. He cared for Brightside, despite brooding protest. “Must I go? I would much rather stay here and learn more about the world! Tell me again the history of the pixies, please? Tell me of the great battles of old, having to lead of a peace agreement with the faeries!” Oh, how I wish I could teach you all I know, and save you from the subjugation of the royal courts! Curse Glimmer Beard for his pigheadedness! Elder thought gently in his roots, for fear the pulsation of is frustration would tell all to Brightside. “Yes, you must go! It is befitting a duchess to learn of her place, and to perhaps become queen someday, is the goal of all duchesses, I suppose. For you may be married off to a prince, and then you will be the princess of pixies! You will then be able to do as you please, learn what you want, rule as you will, with might or with comfort. I know you shall be a lovely ruler, and one I would be proud to see grow and love in peace. For now, you must take the steps to becoming a duchess, and learning to run the Glistening Providence. To hold the whole pixie kingdom, is a far greater task than this little muck-filled spot, this niche of vile flora. Oh, how I detest the shade, how I despise this land! I would rather us spend hours gabbing over histories, but your father sees fit for you to become Queen one day! Fathers always want what’s best for their children, yet not necessarily what is right for their children.” “Mayhap we can speak before slumber time, I love to hear your recollection of the pixie and faerie treaty, which wrought forth six-hundred years of peace, and counting! Oh how I love when you add in ‘and counting’; for it makes me think it can last forever!” Brightside hurriedly flew off to meet her father at Castle Leaf, several trees over, but they were not old enough to yet speak. She was not a fan of her father’s home, but Glimmer Beard had distaste for chatty trees, thinking they carried too much thought on leaflets and wind. Brightside waved vicariously back to Elder, who of course returned with a slight wave of a branch. It pained him every time, but he refused to ever let nothing but a smile cross the face of his little firefly. “Mayhap my dear, we can speak for an eternity on the history of everything, but for now, you must do what your father commands. Still, I fear what will come from his treacherous need to push you into power. I will see you soon, my little lightning bug, I will lullaby you with stories of courage, rather than the ample cowardice in court now.” Elder didn’t know if his treasonous words were spoken loud enough to cause a stir, but he didn’t care much about what he says, no pixie would dare speak ill of the oldest living creature in the forest, especially one so adamant for the survival of the pixies. Elder was apolitical, judged by only his tree peers, who had little to say, and couldn’t swing far enough on the winds to do much about it. A plutocracy were the governing aspects of trees; yet what they lacked in wealth, their gains were in age, and their power in hardened bark as tough as stone. Brightside was off to her father, and flew with a speed unlike most pixies. Her magic was empowering which came with royal lineage, but even the pixie king was in awe of her talents, having her study with mages and floramancy, to grow some of the finest plant life. She had so many skills, and Elder had saw that in her when she was barely a sprite. Still, her father was harsh, not cruel, but adamant on his only daughter’s success. His newborn son was far too young to take over any position in the government. However, he had always known Brightside was special. She had studied a great deal of information on all ruling subjects, surpassing her constituents in blazing speeds. She was simple in many ways, but a computer of knowledge, which allowed her to mostly think deeply on subjects, and teach herself the answers, if not to further study with a passion that would make the court’s top mages and romancers blush. She reached Castle Leaf, not much enthusiasm about being in the presence of the sleeping tree. Her father was always excited for a visit from her, and with opening of the leaves of the twig-like castle parted, an elderly pixie with long white beard, and bald cap surrounded by buds of hair came fluttering out like an overexcited butterfly towards her. She hugged him with a kind-hearted smile, but deep down, she’d rather be doing something else, yet she refused to let Glimmer Beard know anything of her intent to be anywhere but under his wings. “Dearest daughter, only link to Mother, whose dew has been trapped forever on these sacred leaves! It feels like eons of time have eroded the forests of the land since our last meeting! I’ve missed you greatly, and I hope you are enthusiastic today! For today is very special, we no longer need to teach you a blessed thing about politics. I know, boring, eh? Well I assure you today is a cause for celebration!” “Celebration?” Brightside didn’t feel any different, or seem any more enthused than she does to see her father. She loved him with all her being, more than she loved anything else that caused her even the glint of happiness. She’d never say it, but she loved him even more than Elder, who has stood in as a true teacher and member of her family than any of her many friends. She unconditionally loved her father, but even now, his cause of great of outbursts have turned her generic happy smile into a concerned scowl. “Surely you recall this is the 7665th sunrise from the day you glimmered into this world! 21 times over were you born, and you are now a full-fledged pixie. No longer a sprite in the eyes of the kingdom, you have but a concern for great joy, and a father’s great pride. You are so grown, so majestic, and I have great tidings to bring to you, Brightside. Today, you will be not but a scholar of the court, but be on your way to the makings of a regal princess! Aye! Don’t look so surprised, a young, vibrant sprite like you has grown into a much sought-after pixie. Much so, that the King has inquired of me to offer your hand in matrimony to his son. You will not become a Duchess of the Glistening Providence, but instead, you will become princess! Yes, princess my dear!” “Princess? Why me? Surely there are others far more fitting for such a prestigious honor! Truly I am not to be deemed a princess simply for my character, nor for my bloodline, but because I would rule greatly over the lands! I am not sure I fit the mark of someone as regal as mother had been! She was only a duchess, and I’m barely half the pixie she was! How could I ever compete with those who seek such a title, without having gone through the trials?” “Nonsense, Brightside! You are a beautiful, intelligent pixie, able to take control of any providence with dignity and gallant virtue! You are my child, and I place a great deal of stress on you for being so, but this is for the bloodline, and you must perform flawlessly! You will be prepped in the finest heirlooms, and richest silks we have to our disposal. You meet the prince tonight, and he seems very enthused to make your acquaintance.” Glimmer Beard smiled immensely, he could tell that this was going to be the biggest night of Brightside’s existence, and that she was not going to move away from that petty tree, and stop with her heads mustered in scrolls, always questioning, never leading. He knew that his lineage would someday bear the fruit of kings and queens, mighty empires forged from his name. He would grandfather the future rulers of the Forest of Wonder, and wonderful things truly would manifest from the plots he has raked and hoed, and the fruit of his labor would bear a new title: Princess Brightside. He couldn’t be more proud of his own likening in his lovely child. She was the beaming beacon of reflection to his long lost first wife, and although there was some minor malice on the part of his new duchess, he had promised to step down as Duke, so the infantile son would be promised position In the lower courts, right after he had seen 6000 sunrises. Although this stifled the new Duchess, it did not ease the permeating displeasure of her stepdaughter to such a powerful position in the kingdom. Glimmer Beard’s new wife was a staunch character, and extremely strict with her sprites. She was viscous, but to Brightside, she held almost and indifference. She sneered at her stepdaughter, and joined her husband to his right side, wings spread out elegant in a royally fashion. “Ah, Brightside, how pleasant to see you again! Do you like the new draperies I’ve put up? The fall colors from last season have browned into very becoming dried leaves. They are very fragile, but such decorative hue, I simply cannot bear parting with them. How are things going on your side of the forest? Still living in that cranky old tree?” “Elder is not just any tree, Duchess Magpie! He is perhaps the oldest tree in the forest, perhaps he’s the oldest tree in all the world!” “I sincerely doubt it, Brightside, many a trees have existed in this world well before the time of pixies and faeries. Some say they once reached the skies in towering bodies, branches that hung like suspended mountains. No, it is doubtful that Elder is truly the senior tree, even of this forest.” Glimmer Beard also held a great discontent for the tree, particularly when it came to over-encouraging Brightside into studying the most general of topics. Luckily with the marriage to the Prince, Brightside will be too busy making tiny sprites, and following her destiny towards becoming queen of the all the Pixies of the Forest of Wonder. Brightside and her makeshift parents, moved into Castle Leaf’s front gates, as knighted pixies pulled the stringed iron leaves apart, and they stepped inside the inner workings of the nested castle. It was like a twigged bird’s nest, built more like a bunker than a castle, and although it housed more sensibility tan a aesthetic appeal, the brown, thorn castle was a magnificent work of natural art. It could house a hundred pixies, and fifty faeries, in-case of ambassadorial meetings having to occur outside of the largest castle in the land: The Castle Geranium. Brightside admired her father’s little castle, she loved the hues, and the shades that spoke more to Fall all year long, and it was perhaps the warmest during the winter months. Castle Leaf was trite in comparison to even Castle Dewdrop of the North, which was always a glistening tint of splashed magic, where the mages staved their teachings to a minimal few allowed to even take tests in the magicians’ arts. She loved the smell of dying leaves, it smelt of raw dirt, and a hint of lively green, as the piling on of old leaves built with the spit of sparrows created an even stronger barrier, tougher than even the smite rock of the West, she grew up in this castle, and would cherish her time there for all her life. Still, this news of being betrothed to the Prince of Pixies was alarming, almost consuming all her happiness into a great concern. She was no longer young, and though she had a sprite-like innocence, she knew that impish things were to be laid to rest. However, she wasn’t certain if this would also entail that she move out of Elder’s tree-line, which has become her home-away-from-home, never faltering with such beauty, and her placid pond that she’d skip ritualistically, it was all to much for her to think it would be gone before she could even appreciate her new home at Castle Geranium. She had been to the castle only once before, and it was gigantic, spreading for what seemed infinity, too big for the forest to contain. Castle Geranium was where she would live, she could tell, because t was traditional for the pixie prince and princes to stay 365 sunrises with the king and queen, until they were moved to the Brooding Bark. The all sat down on pebble chairs in the inner courtroom, as innkeeper pixies flew around and filled their glasses with bee nectar, Royal Jelly, the richest and sweetest of honey. It was slightly chilled through the mage’s ice spells, and was impossible to find outside a castle. Brightside wanted to sip heartily, se wanted to enjoy the luxurious taste that was such a strong sense of her sprite-hood, but it was impossible for her to feel anything but concern over her father’s news. Glimmer Beard saw the disconcerting look in his daughter’s eyes, and saw it fit to ease her mind. He didn’t want his only daughter, and oldest child to feel like she was going to be put in danger. “My dear Brightside, do no fret! I have personally met the prince, and he is a kind-hearted young man, he is about your age, although I feel he has several rises on your existence. Still, he’s very fond of you, and I wouldn’t fret until you've met him. You will be meeting him shortly, because I’ve arranged for a trip for our entire family to Castle Geranium comes two sunrises from now. I know that seems like very little time to gather yourself, and to compose yourself dutifully, but you have never had much worry to look out of place, always the beautiful flower you are.” Glimmer Beard smiled with pride, and Brightside blushed enough to make her rosy cheeks look like miniature setting suns, for she glowed even more brilliantly when placed under extremely pressing situations. Glimmer Beard could see his dewed wife in his beautiful daughter. Even as a sprite, she had the characteristics that made him feel young again, always happy and in love with the passing of his longest-lasting love. Yes, he loved his new wife, but she never did fill the voided that was left behind. “Yes, yes, we are all aware of the wondrous beautify dear Brightside is, but let’s not forget that she is also quite fragile. She may not fair well in this gruesome, and unbecoming heat to Castle Geranium. Perhaps you should wait until the days are not so long, and the sun does not test the leaves so harshly?” Glimmer Beard grew slightly enraged by his wife’s observation. He slammed his glass of Royal Jelly down onto the stone table, and nearly knocked over an innkeeper flustered with trying to refill the spilt drink. “What are you insinuating? My daughter comes from a strong stock! She may be small in stature, and she may be deceivingly rail and thin, but she is a strong soul! We shall leave in two sunrises, as I’ve stated, and I ill hear nothing of it! My daughter is not weak! She is powerful, and will have not one inkling of a struggle on such a measly trip!” Glimmer Beard was always protective of his daughter, especially since she was of such small stature, especially for a pixie, but even he would not take the Duchess’ allegations, even if they were stating the obvious. She may have been slightly different, but to Glimmer Beard, his daughter was the largest, brightest pixie in all the lands, and none could ever compare. As most fathers are, he aw his daughter as the greatest accomplishment of his life, even greater than becoming a higher-ranking Duke. Brightside hated to be the center f attention, and especially talking point of an argument between his father and stepmother. She also knew that if she were to be leaving in only two sunrises, that meant she would not be going back to Elder, as she hoped to do, but instead would stay in her old room at Castle Leaf. This was understood, and she would never dare to argue with her father. This also meant that Elder would have to wait patiently for her return, that is, if she ever was to return. Her father was sneaky, and could have her married off before she even recovered from the journey to Castle Geranium. He could have his guards send for her stuff, and relay an obtuse message to Elder, and that would be the last time she ever sees her mentor and friend. Deep in thought, her stepmother misdirected her attention further with a slam of her cup, and a light splash of purified nectar touched Brightside’s pale cheek She awoke from her musings of fright and discourse to the inevitable future of marriage, to see that the argument had intensified with the Duchess backtracking, and her father growing as red as a raspberry. She went over and smoothed out her father’s thinning white hair, and smiled as he cooed into his ear, singing a light song from her childhood that would always settle him down. Her mother would sing it to him whenever he had been wounded in battle, or had a tough time at court. “Father, don’t fret over me, I’m sure the Duchess was just concerned about my overall health. I know you defend my honor, but she does not speak a lie, I am frailer than others, I am smaller than many in court, and below average my number of rise in-comparison to other pixies. The heat is enraging so man, perhaps we should all retire to the cooler atrium, and bask in the vanishing wisps of ancestral dew. Is that okay with you, Duchess?” Brightside smiled sincerely at her stepmother, who graceful returned a smile that was light, but regal. “Indeed, I find this courtroom to be unbearable, and why we even have our nectar in here during this season is beyond reason. Your father just has to come in here at least once a day; I swear he has a frugal compulsion to use up ever room of this castle every single day, as if to get the most of it! How ludicrous! How absurd to be so quantifiably insane in such a maddening routine!” “I happen to admire the courtroom, it’s always been my favorite room in all of the castle!” Glimmer Beard defended. Both Brightside and her stepmother laughed gallantly in how offended Glimmer Beard had taken the jab at his immense ego and compulsive behavior, because it went to prove the Duchess’ point. After they all regained their senses, the atrium was their destination, opening up to the widening gates between the castle, and the bride to the canopies. The atrium was a wide bridge with tables and chairs, wrapped in the protective silk spider webbing, so a nice breath came through, but the area was protected from anything harsher than a mild rainstorm. It was practically impenetrable, and that made it a safe, cool, and refreshing part f the castle, and Brightside loved it the most. She remembered as a sprite sneaking out every chance she had to the atrium, and feeling completely free. As beautiful as the castle was, it was always stiff and suffocating in both it’s build, and lack of scenery. Only the Atrium really allowed you to feel like you were out in the environment of the forest, but it also had that protective barrier, which gave the safety of feeling at home. For hours they talked, as they sucked cool dew from out of leaflet cups, and smiled at catching u on old times. Brightside missed her father, and very much-so wanted to make a stronger connection with her step mother, especially now that she was not only older, but going to be betrothed! She was hoping that her stepmother would be able to give her some guidance on the next step of her life, but something told her that there was still some shrewd animosity held towards her. So much was spoken about: Brightside’s encounter with a fish, which her father immediately took as a personal attack on the kingdom, and sent a fury of pixies to the placid pond to be done with the beast. They spoke of Elder’s teachings, and how she was coming along with learning the true history of the Pixies, and the forming of Nature. Her father was disapproving, but put on the guise of being interested in her words. She was superiorly intelligent than many of the other pixies, better than many of the scientist mages, and philosophers that stood in as historians for the pixie race. Still, he refused to have his only daughter anything but a magistrate to the kingdom. They spoke of the past memories, and when the great feast was presented to them, they ate heartily wit even happier talks, until the full bellies, and setting sun tired them past exhaustion, and the pixie Duke and Duchess retired. Brightside stayed awake longer, fighting off the incredible tiring that has settled on her from an exuberant day. She kept up good spirits, but now she began to thin o what will become the reality in less than a sunrise: her meeting to her future husband, and future king of the Forrest of Wonder. She knew that her father would be disappointed if she denied his request, especially without firs having the pleasure of meeting the prince, but something inside her felt that although her father loved her dearly, this was to better his standings in the government, rather than provide her with an ironclad future. Granted, she knew that if she were Queen, she’d have her queenly duties, but more-importantly, she would be the equal ruler over the Forest of Wonder, and all the providences of the pixie kingdom. And yet, she felt there was something missing from that splendid equation, and she knew it was something that no scroll, no tutor, or any historian could ever say or do to keep her mind occupied: Elder. Elder was missing, ad would never be there to help her, for she would be so very far away, and he would brow even more bitterly than he was, and mold over as a solider tree among so many mutes. He would be gone from her presence, and she would lose a greater friend than any before. She loved Elder like a student infatuated with the teachings of a scholar, with the love that comes from enlightenment and intrigue on a certain subject, that the relationship grows far beyond what it normally was, and becomes something grander, something far more magical. Elder was that spark of intellect, which helped her to grow as a pixie. She wouldn’t know how to live without him. The sun rose and set, and rose again, and with the morning dew settling at the top of her bed, and gently sprinkling down to awaken her from the sweetest dreams; Brightside opened her eyes to the rest of her life. The day for their journey had come, and she was certain there was no way of talking her father out of it, she would have to meet the prince, no matter the protest she rose, or the tears she cried. She was no longer a child, she couldn’t get her way with teary eyes, and screeched voice as she had so many moons back. Still, she was accepting of her fate, and dressed, although not so hurriedly as would come to expect of a bride to meet her husband. She knew this was a marriage, rather than a meeting. She was old enough, he was willing enough, surely from what her father had said; and it would be awkward to travel here, and not expect to get married on the same trip. Father knew it was a long enough journey to Cattle Geranium, and this was a one-way trip. She couldn’t say good-bye to her dearest friend Elder, and she wouldn’t be able to skip her placid pond one last time I childish fun. No, it was time for all her studying to come to the surface, and be the backdrop for the next part f her life. Brightside was not very enthused, even when her father made it seem like it was a special party, as though her birthed anniversary had sprung upon her again. No, this was a farewell, and it was sad, not a present-filled da y of cheer, but a mourning of her freedom, and a force-case of responsibility. A carriage made of the same material as Castle Leaf came about on the backs of a thousand dragonflies, the finest of the forest. Brightside boarded, and sat adjacent her father and stepmother She tried to seem happy, and be mature, but it was heartbreaking to think that this was the last time she was ever going to see Elder again. She actually will never be able t explain, and she was certain this pleased her father well enough, as he was always at arms with the ancient tree. Despite the history of Elder t the pixie race, her father still saw him more as a discrepancy on her, feeling Elder was far too close for comfort, and bastardized the friendship as something forbidden, and unnatural. The larger faerie coachman took their belongings, and smiled heartily at Brightside, saying something jovial in his native tongue. She spoke very little of the faerie language, but it sounded like: “An honor to drive the future queen!” She didn’t feel the honor was one that fit her well, nor one she wanted to be associated with, but he nodded, and in her best tongue, replied: “The honor is truly mine, sir!” This set the faerie blushing. Although he was more sunrises past her, closer to her father, he was still quite a beautiful specimen. Faeries stayed pretty for so long, it was difficult to ever tell their true origin point, because they were timeless. He jumped above the coach, and with a quick whistle, the swarm of dragonflies took off in a lighting-fast shot, towards Castle Germanium. The dragonflies flew in a flutter, but had to stop periodically to rest and then they would be off in a speed unlike any other creature. It was a very stop/go, stop/go style of travel, but far quicker, and less tiring than flying all the way to the castle on one’s own wings. “Do not fret, my dearest Brightside! We shall e at Castle Geranium shortly, and we will have plenty of dew and nectar to drink, I made sure to pack enough for ten trips! So do not fear, we are in very good hands. Rodomico is one of the best drivers in the entire kingdom, despite the misfortune of being a faerie. Bah, I only jest dear boy! I trust him like family, Brightside. It wasn’t Rodomico’s driving, or the lack of drink that had her feeling uneasy. It was all that has passed, and the attempt to make due with feeling absolutely fine with the situation, despite feeling absolutely sickened by her circumstances. Despite the put of her stomach feeling knotted like a beansprout, Brightside sat back, as the skies flew by in violent jerks and halts, towards the Prince of all Pixies, and her dire future. And so ends part 1 of the story Brightside. Part 2 will be out early next week followed by another short story. So yes, even though this is just part 1 of 2, there will still be a brand-new Short Story Weekly to follow next week! I would’ve made this one part, but just like the Harrowing Inheritance, I feel as though this story deserves to be longer, and now that I can see how many words I’m typing, and have a better editing system on the laptop, I will make the story coherent, and more-importantly, not be longer than two parts! Just to clarify, Brightside will only have 2 parts and there will be a WHOLE story as well next week. I may come back to this story arch later on, perhaps do a sequel to this short story, but more familiarly a continuation of the story. For now, I will leave you on the threshold of Brightside’s coming-of-age story, and say thank you for reading the Malacast Editorial!