Leah was a princess. But she was not in distress. She was the hero of her story. Wearing a tiara and looking down at her kingdom, she made a decision. She was capable of anything. The swing set was a towering castle and the backyard was the land she ruled over. The other children all played their parts. Mackenzie was a royal guard patrolling the dead grass in front of the swings. And over yonder in the moors was Dillon, the villainous wizard. He was a vulgar and oppressive boy. Leah was on her back staring up through the leaves of the great tree. The wind rustled through the leaves revealing bursts of sunlight and, if she was lucky, a hint of a cloud.
Being a Princess had its perks but often Leah wanted to go out and adventure like the brave knights who fought for her. She sat up and swung her legs over the bars of the swing set and looked down at her royal guard who had taken to swinging.
“Guard, did I give you leave to swing?” demanded her highness.
“No, my lady, but from the apex of my swing I can see a great deal more of the kingdom than I could on the ground.”
“Very well. I desire to mingle with the commoners. Would you kindly escort me into the moors?
“But my lady, the nefarious wizard dwells across the moors.”
“I know. And I would have words with him.”
“Very well, my lady.”
The royal guard Mackenzie took a few looks across the fields and then with careful precision let loose her body from the swing and landed in a tumble on the lawn. Princess Leah climbed down the wooden ladder with a regal air about her. The ancient wood was splintered under her soft hands.
“Guard! Where is my royal scepter?”
“Right here, my lady.”
Mackenzie was at her side, scepter in hand. Together the Princess and her trusted guard galloped off across the moors. The lands surrounding the castle were well groomed. The journey was long and arduous, but Leah was a tough spirit and craved the adventure. Slowly the bright sun became hidden as they crossed under an awning into the wizard’s lair. The great wizard sat on the ground playing with a toy car. Surely he was concocting some evil plot to overthrow her kingdom. He looked up at them and then ignored them and continued in his machinations.
“Attention you vile and odious wizard,” the Princess decreed.
Dillon continued to ignore her Highness. Leah was displeased and Mackenzie could see it in her scowl.
“Her Royal Highness has addressed you boy wizard. You would be wise to acknowledge her presence.”
“Go away,” Dillon groaned.
“Dillon you’re supposed to be an evil wizard,” Mackenzie whispered through her teeth.
“I’m not playing that anymore, go away.”
The Princess was not surprised that the wizard was playing coy. He was well known for his trickery. Leah was unafraid.
“Wizard I have a proposition for you. You see, I grow weary of my rank and I believe you are the only one who can assist me.”
Mackenzie looked taken aback. Why would her Royal Highness utter such blasphemies? Dillon looked up from his task with an interested eye.
“Go on...”
“I want to leave my kingdom behind for a new life and you’re just the man to help. I need you to cast a spell that will allow my Royal Guard and I to switch castes. She will take on the role of Princess so that I may live the life of a commoner. In exchange, I grant you her hand in marriage and with that my kingdom shall be yours as well.”
“Leah...” Mackenzie complained.
Leah closed her eye and turned away.
“But he’s gross.”
Leah turned and placed her hand on Mackenzie's shoulders.
“I know he may seem that way. But I knew this wizard long before he turned into such a repugnant monster. Our kindness will turn his heart and together the two of you can usher in a hundred years of peace for our great kingdom.”
“Very well, my lady, if that is your wish.”
“It is. What say you wizard?”
Dillon looked past the girls toward the swing set and grinned.
“And I can play on the swings?”
“Of course. This land will be yours to do with as you, and Mackenzie, see fit.”
“Sure then,” said Dillon, as he jumped up and ran across the backyard.
Mackenzie ran off after him.
“I call the good swing,” Dillon yelled.
“Na-uh I'm the Princess, I get the good swing!” Mackenzie retorted.
Leah watched as the two shoved each other in the distance, each vying for a spot on the swing set, even though there were two perfectly good swings. Leah was a little remorseful that she had given up her throne but mostly she was excited for the freedom it now granted her. She looked down at the sparkling scepter in her hand and watched as it fell to the ground. The world was hers to explore now and she would conquer whatever villains stood between her and victory.
The Kingdom and the Moors was written by Daniel Weinell and illustrated by Maribel Navarro.
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