15 for 15 Contest --- Closed

The small glittering ball held Karina's attention more than what the Chancelor was saying. Flecks of light and energy danced around the curved edges of the glass, drawing her eye toward a single pulse emanating from within its opaque interior. Shaking her head, Karina tried again to focus on what was being asked of her. Her attention returned just in time to hear the destination and recipient. She was to take her first flight to the Royal Palace. A delivery to Her Royal Highness. After just three weeks as a messaenger, Karina was going to travel deep into the heart of their forest, and deliver something to the royal family. The beat of her heart nearly drowned out the remaining instructions from The Chancellor.

Karina wrapped the delicate package in her braided case. The soft vines she had enchanted sprang to life and encircled the orb, cushioning it from the turbulence of flight. She immediately extended her wings, and began flying through the numerous twists and turns of the High Court Oak. Emerging from the executive branch, Karina felt the radiant glow of the city lights. Each bulb emitted a soft pink pulse, leaving Karina warm from the blanket of light. The pathway from the forest center was lined with similar strands of softly-tinted strings of light. Each path designated with a different color, mostly for aesthetic reasons, but also as a guide for the many dignitaries that visited the Fairy Center.

The pathway to reach the center required Karina to follow the green and then the blue paths. Karina had never followed the blue road all of the way toward the magnificent oak, but she knew the path. Eager to reach her destination, Karina began to push her wings harder and harder. Fluttering past the shops where many of her friends now labored; Karina whispered on the wind about her great achievement. So intent on her destination, she nearly missed the bend in the road that signaled the start of the emerald, green path. Karina shifted her body to the right and temporarily slowed her wings for the turn.

It took another ten minutes for her to reach the blue crossing, and before Karina knew it she was slicing through the broadest leaves of the forest. Buried deep within the trunk of the central oak lie the royal palace. Karina's heart again began to race as she pictured what the grand opening must look like. Ducking beneath the forest canopy, Karina flew around the tree at the heart of their village. Each branch was lined with sparkling flowers that dripped glittering liquid from their petals. Several guards walked up as stopped her as she touched down on the forest floor. After checking her credentials, the guards murmured to each other, and Karina was asked to step just inside the main entrance. Looking all around, she held her breath as the opulence of the reception chamber reached out ot her. Curved planters, jewel-encrusted chairs, and mahogany art graced every inch of the grand room.

It was then that Karina noticed a small group of fairies approaching. As they neared where she stood, the fairies near the front moved to over, and Karina got her first glimpse of Her Royal Highness. Falling to her knees, Karina mumbled a few incoherent words, and struggled to pull the orb out of her bag. With an extended hand, Karina handed the messenger globe to The Queen of the Fairies.

Phoenix