Princess Stephanie Is Taken To Her New Mentor

Veronica Garlandwood and several other fairies all did their best to prepare Princess Stephanie to be presented to her new mentor, Eva-Claire Yellowblossom. They didn’t tell her much about the character or power of the one who would soon take charge of her. Stephanie, who had grown rather tired of resisting the fairies, was resigned to the decision but in her heart, she remained determined to get her own way and eventually go back to Earth.

Night time had come again and she would be travelling to her new mentor the following morning. She managed to get off to sleep but later awoke with a jump after experiencing a nightmare in which an exceedingly bright fairy with flames issuing from her, and whom she understood to be her future mentor, spoke to her in a loud, angry and terrifying voice about how her selfishness and opposition to her rightful role could result in the downfall of the entire United Provinces of the Higher World.

After lying awake in the dark for a little while longer, she began to feel deeply worried and angry. That frightful fairy in her dream was sure to break her down and eventually change her to such a degree, that it simply wouldn’t be possible for her to go back to her beloved earth world again.

The discomfort and foreboding thought of being dragged away to a terrifying mentor made her shout at the top of her voice. “Veronica! Come here!”

Her startled maid braced herself to face the stress of having to serve Stephanie again. She always hated having to go to her at night. Vanessa really would have been better at being the maid of this infamous princess. She then came to the door and entered, her face shining with a gentle light. She had the glass bowl and towel ready. It was dark blue with a gold rim and featured various woodland designs. The towel was green. She took these items in case the princess needed to wash her hands or face.

 “What is it, my Lady? More negative visions of the night? Do let me remind you that these will assuredly pass once your fairy integrity is fully restored.”

“It’s not gonna be restored! I’m not going to that new mentor!”

“No, you must go to her, my Lady. They will take you to her anyway, whether you will it or not.”

“Don’t make me have to use you as a bargaining chip, Veronica.”

“Oh, my Lady! But… But what do you mean?!”

“I mean you fairies shouldn’t have stolen me from my chosen way of life. Now someone needs to help me get back to Earth or I will put your life in danger.”

She then grabbed hold of Veronica and covered her mouth with the towel. Her maid tried to resist, but Stephanie knew how to secure her victim and within seconds, had her on the floor with her hands behind her back and her mouth tied up. But Veronica used her mind to call for Selena and Vanessa. Although this way of communicating could be challenging at times, she managed it quite nicely on this occasion.

Selena took four of her warriors with her and they all marched briskly towards the princess’s room. They saw Vanessa who was also on her way to the same location.

As yet, they were all still out of sight. “Hold up!” said Selena and everyone, including Vanessa, stood still. She then signalled for Vanessa to keep well back. “Here’s our strategy. No negotiating with Princess Stephanie. Arrive at the door, then strike and separate immediately. Strike the princess with paralysis, then rescue the maid and remove her from the room.”

“Yes Leader,” said Hartha, who was Selena’s righthand and Second in Command.

Vanessa watched from behind the Combat Fairies as they arrived at the door. There was Stephanie prodding Veronica violently and demanding that she tell her how to escape and get back to the Lower World. But Veronica was extremely patient and managed not to let the cruel behaviour of the princess get to her.

Selena turned her head swiftly to Hartha and nodded. At this signal, Hartha raised her arm and pointed her fist at Stephanie. She then fired a tiny projectile at her from a small device that was attached to the gauntlet of her armour. It zipped through the room and hit her just below the shoulder. She soon went numb and rigid. Selena then sent the other warriors to place Stephanie on the bed and rescue Veronica. They carried out her orders immediately.

“Smoothly done,” said Vanessa. “Oh, Veronica! I am so, terribly sorry about this. And you don’t have to say it. I know, you can’t cope with being her maid anymore. For now, I will resume that duty myself.”

“Thank you, Vanessa,” said Veronica, now a little tearful and in pain. Vanessa then hugged her. “You did your best, Veronica. But with Princess Stephanie, you need to be very observant and at times, very firm. If you suspect she is about to become violent, you should act quicker.”

“Yes. I did sense that she was about to do something but I… I just…”

“Don’t worry about it now. You are free from this duty, Veronica.”

Veronica then left, feeling shaken but happy. It was such a relief to finally be free from Princess Stephanie once again.

“I will leave Hartha on first watch,” said Selena. “Then I will take the second watch, and the rest of you will take the Princess to her mentor in the morning.” 

Vanessa had a more powerful presence about her than Veronica and Stephanie eventually realised that with her former maid at her side again, and an escort of Combat Fairies, she would indeed have to go to the new mentor.

Her heart sank when it was time to leave and she turned to Vanessa for some consolation. “So, you’ve come back to me? I… I’m sorry about Veronica but you know, I… I desperately didn’t want to go to the new mentor. Vanessa?”

But Vanessa said nothing and instead turned Stephanie around so that she could inspect her one last time and make sure that her dress was tied up properly at the back and everything about her was perfectly ready and prepared for her presentation to Eva-Claire.

Stephanie sighed, annoyed. “Oh, just say something, Vanessa.”

Her maid went close to her ear and said, “your behaviour has been nothing short of outrageous, my Lady. Before we leave, I will take you to Veronica to whom you will apologise and thank for her services towards you.”

“Okay. Come on then. Let’s go to her.”

“No, no, my Lady. Not just yet. First, I want you to give a farewell embrace to your parents and Selena.”

“No. I don’t want to do that, Vanessa. Even if you take me to them, I won’t do it. I feel too pushed around by them and I’ll only get even more angry. I don’t care how long I have to stay with this new mentor. I’m not saying goodbye to them.”

Vanessa sighed. “Oh, Stephanie. Will we ever succeed in getting you to the Throne one day? Come on then. Thank you for being willing to go to Veronica at least.”

Veronica was getting ready to go and spend some time in the forest when she sensed Stephanie’s presence. She called out from behind her door. “Vanessa! Help! Please tell me you are with the Princess!”

“I am, Veronica. Open the door. She won’t harm you. I have taken her here to apologise and to thank you for your services.”

Vanessa then fastened a small cuff to Stephanie’s wrist. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Sorry my Lady, but I need to have you under control.”

The cuff had a little chain attached to it that led to the second cuff which was around Vanessa’s wrist. This was one way of securing unruly or dangerous fairies. If Stephanie made any sudden or jerky movements, the chain and cuff would shock her, causing great pain.

Stephanie complained bitterly. “Seriously?! So, you’re leading me around like a dog on a leash now?! I can’t believe this!”

“But you are a danger, my Lady. Once we get you to your mentor, I will remove it. Okay?”

With a sigh, Stephanie opened Veronica’s door and stepped inside. Vanessa gave the Princess a little nudge. “Come on, my Lady. Say what you need to say to her.”

“Only if you take this stupid band off me.”

“Absolutely not, my Lady.”

“Then we’re done here. Let’s go.”

“Take it off her, Vanessa,” said Veronica, “I don’t fear her, so long as you are in the room. And I know the warriors of Selena are also near at hand. It is important that the Princess does not omit her duty towards me.”

Vanessa agreed and slowly prepared to remove the restraint. Stephanie assured her that she wouldn’t do anything rash.

Once released, she approached Veronica. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Veronica. But although I didn’t like putting you through all that pain and pressure, the truth is, I would do it again if I could and if I thought it would help my situation. I want to leave this place and I hope you will always remind my mother and father of this. And Selena. And my maid, Vanessa.”

Vanessa shook her head with disappointment and frustration. She then hurried over and secured Stephanie again.

Veronica said, “I hope you will one day see how foolish you are being, my Lady. And I eagerly look forward to your reform under the new and strict mentorship that awaits you.”

Stephanie was silent during that journey to the formidable Hermit Fairy of the north. She was having some last dreamy thoughts about when things were normal back on Earth. She thought about her stepparents, about David and about her gang members. She also thought about Jane a lot. She thought about how many times she had been made to dress, speak, walk and act like a princess and how it had never really got much easier. She still felt persistent repugnance to her new and radically different way of life. Her heart simply wasn’t in it. But after that terrifying dream, she knew it would be wise to at least try to cooperate with the new mentor.

When they were within about a hundred feet of the destination, Eva-Claire stood outside of her dwelling place and stretched out her hand, signalling the escort to come to a halt.

Stephanie nervously took her first look at her. Thank goodness. She didn’t seem too frightening. In fact, there was a charming smile coming from her radiant face. But yes, that was the same fairy in her disturbing dream.

Vanessa took the restraints off and said, “you may go to her now, my Lady. Go on.”

“But, what about you? I don’t want you to leave me alone with her, Vanessa.”

“The rest of us are staying in a small village nearby while you undergo your training, my Lady. But don’t worry. I’ll attend to you whenever your mentor allows it.”

After swallowing hard, Stephanie slowly walked over to Eva-Claire who told her to go inside the small rocky dwelling and wait for further instructions.

She did as she was told but gave one last look at Vanessa, indicating that she was feeling uncomfortable and afraid without her. She then said to Eva-Claire, “oh, um, can Vanessa come inside too? Just for…”

But she received a reproachful look from the mentor which told her not to keep speaking but to follow the directive.

Stephanie felt her heart jump with fear after seeing that look of displeasure from Eva-Claire and she promptly did as she was told. She sighed with reluctance and despair, sensing that she was in for a rough time.  

Eva-Claire then said to Vanessa, “you bring me one who is a complicated combination of a fairy princess and street-savvy criminal and I tell you now that I can give neither you nor the Queen any firm assurance whatsoever that I will be able to deliver positive results.”

“Well, I for one, have much faith in you, Eva-Claire. I believe you will change the heart and conduct of the Queen’s Firstborn. May I see Stephanie before I leave today? I sense she is unsettled. I want to give her some last words of encouragement and support.”

“As you wish. See to her now and then leave her to me. The client’s room is to the left and mine is upstairs. Take her to her room.”

Vanessa gave a small bow and said in a low voice, “thank you.” She then approached the hermitage and saw Stephanie looking around in the kitchen.

“Stephanie, come here. Quickly now. Go to the room on the left.”

The princess started wingding and kicked the table, “this is the beginning of a nightmare! Isn’t it?!”

She then followed Vanessa into the small, sparse room with its bed of straw.

Stephanie then felt so void of energy and hope that she just laughed, “oh, this is brilliant. Bread, water and straw mattresses. I get it. Time to finally make Stephanie a good girl again. Lol. Not that I ever was good I suppose. Not according to you lot anyway.”

“Use more appropriate language, my Lady. You are a royal fairy of very high standing and you do need the mentorship of Eva-Claire.”

“Haha. She didn’t even bother to tell me her name. I’m screwed, no matter what happens. I can feel it.”

“Now, before I talk to you, my Lady, just come here and let me place the restraint on you. I know you don’t like it but I can’t have you even thinking of running off.”

“You’re more powerful than Veronica Garlandwood, aren’t you? Aren’t you? Hello Vanessa! I’m talking to you!”

“Just come here, Stephanie.”

“The reason I say that is because when Veronica would try to get me to do something, I knew I could resist if I wanted to, but with you, I feel like I sort of have to do what you say. Maybe not all the time, but mostly.”

Vanessa then walked up to her and took her arm. She then fastened the enchanted restraint on her wrist. Stephanie knew by then that this was a rare method used in the past to secure dangerous or unpredictable fairies.

“Now listen, Stephanie. Come and sit next to me, here on the bed. We need to talk before I leave you in the hands of Eva-Claire.”

“Yes, well I already have an idea of how this mentorship is going to go. She gives me a routine to follow and I have to listen to her and follow her instructions and lead an austere life. Right? Something like that, I’d say.”

“Yes, my Lady. You are quite right. But there is something important I want to say before I leave you with her. If Eva-Claire ever goes too far and becomes excessively harsh towards you, or uses cruel and unconventional methods while training you, then you must let me know, okay?”

Stephanie felt afraid and looked at her maid with a concerned expression.

Vanessa continued, “I can already sense that she might do something excessive but I don’t think it is wise for me to say anything to her about this feeling just yet. But again, you must be open with me whenever I am allowed to see you. And this is not only for your sake, my Lady, but for the overall security of the United Provinces as a whole.”

“Okay. Got it,” said Stephanie. “Bring it on I suppose. If she dares to try anything excessive, she’ll be reported anyway.”

Vanessa then called for Eva-Claire and released Stephanie into her keeping.

The mentor waited for Vanessa to leave before turning to Stephanie who looked awkwardly up at her. Eva-Claire then abruptly and rather coldly handed her a document.

After some deliberation, during which Stephanie attempted in vain to strike up a friendly conversation, she was left on her own to read the contents of the mysterious document.

It said, ‘Favoured Princess Stephanie, I would like to formally welcome you to the S.C.I.P.P. (Special Cases of Intense Purification Program) during which you will be trained and purified in the short space of fifteen days and nights.

You are the first candidate in this new program. Training will consist mostly in written material which you must read and in exercises which you must write down and leave for my inspection.

Purification will consist in spending most of your time here in the underground dungeon. There you will be whipped by fire once a day, sleeping but little due to the mental disturbance from voices and visions of fury and reproach that will plague you without ceasing. And you will fast, taking only a small ration of bread and water which you must spread out over the course of your purification. Each day, the lashes from the I.W.D. (Ignited Whip of Discipline) will reduce by one, until, by day fifteen, your transformation will be complete.

The blows from the I.W.D. will reach into your inner being and cause burning sensations long after the administration of the punishment. To reduce the pain, you will need to inwardly conform your will to your right path and forsake every downward and earthly inclination. After you have been subjected to the I.W.D., the marks on your skin will fade. This will ensure that if your maid examines you, she will find no trace of that which will be administered to you. And should you speak to her about this program, you will violate the Agreement of Secrecy which you must sign below. If it is violated, the consequences for you will be immediate, lingering and extremely unpleasant.

Now, take some blood from your hand and give yourself to the S.C.I.P.P. by reading and signing the statement of commitment below. Sign it with your own blood.

Your devoted and most determined Mentor,

Eva-Claire Yellowblossom.’

Stephanie felt a pit in her stomach and froze when she read the terrifying document. She needed to tell Vanessa immediately. But dreading the consequences of opposing Eva-Claire, she first burst into a quiet and repressed fit of crying and then drew some of her own blood. Then, with a quivering hand and fast-beating heart, she signed the document of commitment to the S.C.I.P.P. in her own blood.

If her own rigorously disciplined Safer Streets gang back on Earth was something to be feared, it could hardly compare with Eva-Claire’s brutal and terrible new program of intense purification.

While Stephanie had been forming hardened criminals under a vicious, cruel and relentless regime, she herself was now about to be subjected to the frightful iron fist of Eva-Claire – a terrifying, expert mentor who was clearly hell-bent on making of her a reformed, competent and worthy Fairy Princess; one who would eventually be ready to become the next Queen of the Higher World – fully prepared to rule efficiently and defend it against the Unpeaceful Ones.

Little did Eva-Claire know that Joyce the son of Marius was planning to visit Stephanie during her training (something that was strictly forbidden) and express his love to her with all his heart. He was determined to marry her and be ever at her side, should she eventually cooperate with the fairies and embrace her rightful role as the future monarch.

But she was also ignorant of the fact that Rachael Lavinia, the Dark Witch, was now ready to send her apprentice, Raven Eagle-Bane, to the Higher World where she would pretend to befriend Stephanie and lead her back to Earth. With Stephanie on Earth, the Dark Witch would be able to manipulate the Unpeaceful Ones and instigate them to wage a full-scale war on the Fairy Realm. If the plan were to succeed, the Dark Witch could then become the new Supreme Ruler of the Higher World – a milestone which she had long striven after and very deeply desired.

Coming soon…