The Changeling Princess

by Jackie Shirley

  Wade stood there beaming. “That was the best prize of all, but who kissed me, you or Darcy?”

  “We both did, silly.”

  Wade pocketed the prize money and I held onto the first place trophy. Bruce and Sherri were there to congratulate us as we walked off the dance floor.

  “You guys were terrific!” said Sherri. “I’d give anything to be able to dance like that.”

  “You were by far the best of the best,” said Bruce. “Congratulations.”

  * * *

  Wade and I went for a walk around the park. It had turned into a fantastic evening and it wasn’t over yet. We were walking near the park entrance when my senses became focused on a young guy who was acting suspicious. He kept staring at the cash box and I sensed that he was up to no good.

  “Wade, I think that young guy is planning to steal the gate receipts.”

  Wade looked at the guy I was referring to. “He does look like he’s up to something.”

  My senses told me that the young guy was struggling with his emotions. His heart was pounding and his breathing was becoming erratic.

  I didn’t waste another second. I took Wade by the arm and we walked directly toward the young man. “Excuse me,” I said. “We have a problem and we need your help.”

  “I, I uh, I don’t know what you mean.”

  Wade used his power of thought control and had the guy walk away with us. When we were alone, I turned and faced the young guy. “You were thinking about grabbing the gate receipts and making off with them, weren’t you?”

  The guy looked terrified. “I…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Of course you do. What’s your name?”

  The young guy paused. “Johnny Moore.”

  “Look, Johnny, I don’t think you’re a crook. You look like you’re in some kind of trouble and we might be able to help.”

  “You can’t help unless you’ve got a spare hundred dollars you want to give away.”

  “Why do you need a hundred dollars?”

  “Well, I…uh…my dog needs an operation.”

  “That sounds rather fishy,” Wade said.

  “My senses told me that Johnny was telling us the truth. What kind of a dog is he?”

  “He a little dachshund and his name is Sparky. He got hit by a car and he really does need an operation. I’ve only been able to raise fifty dollars and the operation is a hundred and fifty. If I can’t raise another hundred dollars, I’ll have to put Sparky to sleep.”

  Johnny was on the verge of crying and I was always a sucker for an animal story. “I’ll give you the hundred dollars, Johnny.”

  Johnny looked bewildered. “Why would you give me a hundred dollars?”

  “Let’s just say that I’m an animal lover.”

  “But…but I don’t know when I can pay you back.”

  “You don’t have to pay me back. My parents are extremely wealthy and a hundred dollars is chump change to me. I turned to Wade. “Let me have a hundred dollars.”

  Wade handed me the prize money from the dance contest and I gave it to Johnny.

  “I…I don’t know what to say,” said Johnny.

  “Don’t say a thing. Just take the money and get Sparky’s hip fixed.”

  I watched as Johnny walked away with the money. I knew Johnny was extremely happy and that made me happy, too.

  “That was a nice thing you did, Janis. You’re really special.”

  “You would have done the same thing if you were me.”

  “I’d probably have given him fifty.”

  “I don’t believe that.”

  “But you don’t know for sure.”

  “Don’t try to kid me. You’re not very convincing.”

  Wade took me in his arms and kissed me. “Now who’s kidding?”

  I didn’t answer as I wrapped my arms around Wade’s neck and kissed him back.

  I can’t remember when I’d had a more wonderful evening. I spent quality time with Wade, I won a dance contest, and I saved a little dog named Sparky. What more could a girl ask for?

  CHAPTER 17

  School started and I was officially an eleventh grader. Some of the seniors treated me like I was a child, but that didn’t bother me. Looking down on people was purely a human trait I didn’t want anything to do with.

  The school band had tryouts for chairs. I had a problem because I couldn’t reveal my new skills on the flute. I got around that problem by making mistakes on purpose. I was still last chair, but that was okay. Being a member of the school band was all that was important to me.

  Sherri moved up to first chair. It didn’t surprise me because Sherri was talented and she practiced a lot.

  “You should have seen how I blew away the competition,” said Sherri. “I aced the sight reading and I showed big mouth Barbara I was the better player. You should have seen the look on her face when it was announced I was the new first chair. Her sneer was priceless.”

  Sherri never ceased to amaze me. I hoped she always remained the spunky, wide-eyed girl whose gift of laughter filled my heart with warmth.

  * * *

  It was Saturday afternoon and I was window shopping at a local shopping mall. My attention was suddenly directed toward a security guard who was yelling for someone to stop. I turned and saw a young guy running toward me. I put two and two together and used my telekinesis on the guy. I raised his body up off the floor just enough so he couldn’t get any traction. His legs were moving a mile a minute, but he was wasn’t going anywhere. It reminded me of one of those old silent movies with a lot of slapstick comedy.

  I released my hold on the guy when the guard caught up with him. The look on the guy’s face told me he was totally confused. I was giggling to myself as I continued on my way. Chalk up one for the good guys, I said to myself.

  I was rummaging around in a dress shop when I picked up a strange scent. I looked around and saw a middle-aged woman staring at me. It was obvious she’d figured out that I wasn’t a normal human. She dashed out of the dress shop and left the clerk looking confused. The woman headed for the nearest entrance and I was right behind her.

  I watched as the woman rushed in between two parked cars and morphed into a Mist. I morphed into a Mist and was right behind her when as she ascended into the sky. When she floated back down to the ground, she was shocked to find me standing beside her.

  “This isn’t possible,” she said.

  “Please don’t be upset with me because I followed you. I’m a Changeling and I have the power to morph into a Mist.”

  “The only Changeling that would be granted that kind of power is an Ivarr.” The Mist looked deep into my eyes. “Oh my goodness, you are an Ivarr! I can’t believe we have an Ivarr right here in Charlotte. What’s your name, child?”

  “My name is Janis and I’d appreciate it if you’d grant me some time to talk to you. I have a thousand questions.”

  The woman thought for a minute. “Follow me.”

  We both morphed into Mists and flew high into the sky. It was only a couple of minutes before we settled into an apartment about five miles from the shopping mall. I couldn’t help noticing that the apartment had a huge collection of books.

  “Pardon me, but what do I call you?” I asked.

  “You can call me Ms. Forbes of the Bosra Clan. I sense that you’re impressed with my books. Mists observe important moments in history. We record everything we observe.”

  “Is that how you knew about Ivarrs?”

  “Mists have followed the adventures of Ivarrs for tens of thousands of years. You may not know it, but you are one of the rarest creatures on Earth. You only appear in this world once every five hundred years.”

  I was overwhelmed because I’ve never thought of myself as unique. “Mrs. Forbes, my powers are still developing and I don’t really understand what’s happening to me. My grandmother has been doing extensive research for years, but she admits she’s still in the dark. Can you give me any information ab
out Ivarrs?”

  “The only thing I can tell you is that you’ve been chosen because you are a born warrior. The purpose of Ivarrs throughout history is to defend the Earth against evil.”

  “My grandmother came up with that theory too, but she was only guessing. How is it that you haven’t been aware of me before today?”

  “Mists are never involved until the battle begins. When that time comes, our only task is to record what takes place.”

  “Can you tell me anything about the Ivarrs before me?”

  “Only that they were all great warriors. You might be interested to know that an Ivarr always has a warrior companion to fight beside them. Your instincts will tell you when you come across such a companion.”

  “I already have. I met a Witch named Wade with exceptional abilities. We were drawn to each other the first time we met.”

  “It’s not uncommon for an Ivarr to partner up with a warrior from a different Clan.”

  “How will I know when it’s time for me to go into battle?”

  “You will be given instructions by the Supreme Entity.”

  “This is mindboggling. I’m only a teenager.”

  “Don’t forget that Joan of Arc was a teenager when she commanded an army.”

  I took a deep breath. “I know you’re right. I’ll just try to be patient and take what comes.”

  “That is a very intelligent attitude. I wish you success for the sake of everyone on Earth.”

  “Can I visit you again sometime?”

  “No, we do not mix with anyone outside of our own kind. I’m sorry, but that’s the way it is. You must promise me that you will never try to contact me. I only made an exception about talking to you because you are an Ivarr.”

  “I will respect your wishes and I will not bother you again. I just want you to know that I enjoyed talking to you.”

  “You are such a sweet child to have been chosen for such a huge mission. I and all of the remaining Mists on this planet wish you nothing but success. The fate of our world is resting on your shoulders.”

  * * *

  My head was spinning when I returned home. The first thing I did was call Wade.

  “Hi Wade, we have to have a talk.”

  “We’re talking right now.”

  “Now you’re being silly again. The reason I called you is because I just had a conversation with a Mist.”

  “You’re kidding? You actually talked to a Mist? 1 wasn’t even sure they existed.”

  “Oh they exist all right. The Mist knew instantly that I was an Ivarr and I learned a lot about what’s expected of me.”

  “What did you learn?”

  “I learned that the Ivarr will be called upon to fight a great battle.”

  “What else did you learn?”

  “I learned that the Ivarr always has a partner who is also a warrior. The partner is usually from another Clan.”

  “I take it that’s me.”

  “Now I know why my I had such a powerful reaction the first time I laid eyes on you.”

  “And I thought it was my good looks.”

  I couldn’t help giggling. “All kidding aside, let’s get together and head up to the mountains next weekend. I want to get in a lot of practice.”

  “Okay by me.”

  “We could morph into Mists and fly up there. It would save a lot of time.”

  “I’m not quite ready for that. Maybe next time.”

  CHAPTER 18

  I made a date with Wade for Tuesday evening to listen to his police receiver. We usually parked in Peyton Park. It was close to home and it was a great place to go for a walk. Wade was fiddling around with the receiver when he picked up a police call reporting that there was a robbery in progress at the Parkway S & L Bank.

  “This is our chance to do our thing, Wade.”

  “I assume we’ll travel there as Mists?

  “Of course, it’s the only way to fly.”

  I reached for Wade’s hand and turned into a Mist. I made myself invisible and then we drifted outside through the car window. The bank was only four miles away and we were there in two minutes.

  We drifted down to the ground and quickly sized up the situation. The police had the bank surrounded and no one was going in or out. We drifted under the bank door and floated toward the rear of the bank. There were four armed gunmen with hi-caliber rifles and about fifteen hostages lying face down on the floor. I assumed the gunmen were waiting for their demands to be met before taking any action. We materialized at the far end of the bank behind a panel outside one of the offices. I talked to Wade through my thoughts.

  This is a good opportunity to use your power of suggestion. I’ll back you up with telekinesis if there’s a problem.

  Wade nodded his head and went into deep concentration. One of the gunmen placed his gun on the floor and said out loud, “Why am I doing this? My mother would be ashamed of me.”

  Another gunman followed suit and eventually all four of the gunmen laid their guns of the floor. I used my power of telekinesis to march the robbers out the front door. Police officers rushed into the bank and all of the hostages rose to their feet. It was then I noticed Ms. Forbes at the other corner of the bank, writing something in a book she was carrying. She looked at me and smiled before she turned into a Mist and disappeared. Now I knew what she meant when she told me that Mists did a lot of observing and recording.

  The situation was well in hand, so Wade and I returned to Peyton Park. We materialized in the car and I was trying to control my excitement. “That was simply amazing, and you deserve a medal, Wade the way you handled those bank robbers. Your power of persuasion is extraordinary.”

  “Thanks for the compliment.”

  “You have to admit we’re getting better and better at this. I think that’s a plus.”

  Wade crinkled his nose. “I love your positive attitude.”

  “What about my charming personality?”

  I was laughing as I reached across the seat and kissed Wade on the cheek. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  The park was beautiful at night. There were couples strolling side by side and the atmosphere was enchanting. “I love the park at night,” I said. “It’s so peaceful and so romantic.”

  Wade smiled. “It certainly is. I bet a lot of men proposed to their wives in this park.”

  “Wade Wilson, I think you’re becoming a romantic.”

  “So, when are you going to ask me?”

  “Ask you what?”

  “Ask me to marry you.”

  “What gave you that idea? Besides, it’s the guy who does the asking.”

  “I was told that in the Changeling Clans, it’s the girl who asks the guy to marry her.”

  “That’ not true.” Wade did his best to keep a straight face, but I knew he wasn’t serious. “You’re teasing me again, Wade.”

  Wade didn’t answer. He took me in his arms and kissed me. I loved being in Wade’s arms and I kissed him back.

  “I shouldn’t have done that, Janis. I don’t know what came over me.”

  “It wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t want it to happen. It’s just that this isn’t the right time to think about a relationship.”

  “You’re right. Besides, you have multiple personalities. I never know if I’m going to be dealing with Janis, Darcy, or the girl who showed up at Anna Millburn’s pool party.”

  “Which one do you like best?” I asked teasingly as I ran my finger over Wade’s chest.

  “I like Janis. I can always have you morph into one of the other girls when I get bored.”

  “Bored! Is that what I am, boring?” I suddenly realized that Wade was teasing me again. “You’re a stinker, Wade Wilson…a low down dirty stinker.”

  Wade took off running and I chased after him. I caught him near the water fountain and tackled him. We rolled around on the grass and began laughing out loud. When Wade kissed me again, I realized just how much I loved him. I knew it wasn’t the right time for a relatio
nship, so I’d just have to wait and see what life had in store for us.

  * * *

  The weekend was drawing near and I had a new project. I’d decided to make a sword and a shield to teach Wade the art of sword fighting. Janis French wasn’t skilled with a word, but the Ivarrs have had centuries to develop their skills.

  I decided on a shield that was two and a half feet wide and three feet long. I wanted the shield to resemble a “school crossing sign for children” turned upside down with the narrow portion at the bottom. I planned to make the shield slightly curved and add two handles on the inside for gripping. The advantage of a shield made out of air was that it was lightweight and stronger than steel. I’d just have to be careful not to make the edges on the sword too sharp. I didn’t want something that could cut down a tree with one swipe.

  I was getting to be quite the artist when it came to shaping force fields. I’d learned a lot of shortcuts and I was really fast. I made two shields and the project took me less than twenty minutes. The second half of my morning project was to make a set of swords.

  I fashioned the swords to be thirty-six inches long, with long handles so we could grasp them with both hands. The design was similar to the gladius sword used by Roman foot soldiers during the reign of the Roman Empire. With the proper training, Wade’s sword would be extremely deadly in close combat.

  I did one last test by morphing into a Mist while holding onto my shield and sword. To my delight, I was still holding onto my weapons. The ability to do that might come in handy someday.

  I packed the shields and swords in my car trunk, along with my backpack. When I got to Wade’s house, he was waiting for me, wearing his usual smile and singing as he got into the car. “Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to the mountains we go.”

  “Now you’re one of Snow White’s dwarfs?” I commented, trying to keep a straight face.

  “You’ve got to keep your spirits up, Janis, and that means having a good attitude.”

  “In other words, you’re making excuses for being silly.”

  “Let’s just say that being logical all the time isn’t any fun.”