By Sharp
The girls were up early again in the morning to catch the helicopter to Harrogate. Gaby spoke to the companions. “There has been a slight change in our plans. We will still be going to Harrogate. Last night though I was reminded that a flight from Japan is coming into Leeds-Bradford airport. 10 minutes ago I got a telephone call informing me the flight would be landing early. We still will be doing the Knaresborough and Fountains Abbey trip it just will be another day. It cannot be Sunday as we have already promised to be at Fylingdales Parish Church.
Kiko, “That is good mother sent us to church and father to the temple. At least we will be able to go to one of them here.”
Gaby, “I think some of us might be stood outside the church on Sunday.”
Kiko, “Empress Gabriel with the greatest of respect. The Elderly and the infirm should be allowed the seats first. We younger ones who are fit and healthy will stand if we have to. We are also please to be reunited with our sisters.”
“Well as I said previously we still are going to look round the bike show, and then we meet, and collect your sisters along with their cases. Once we have collected them we will return to Harrogate for lunch at the Majestic and then we will decide where to go.”
When they got to the harbour they noticed the majority of the navy ships had left although some had stayed including a second aircraft carrier. They saw the Russian name had been painted out and HMNS Scarborough was now adorning the size of the ship. The sailors all waved to the girls as they got aboard the helicopter.
Sonja. “Gaby have you noticed all the ships have names of towns? It appears the others have taken a cue off you and have renamed some of them.” A fleet of helicopters took off from the St Petersburg. Flying slightly to the southwest they soon recognised the towers of York Minster. They then changed course slightly and headed due west. The pilots circled the town of Harrogate before spotting the Majestic Hotel landing strip. One by one they landed.
Godfrid & Bill were waiting “Mein Kaiser Welcome.”
Renate grinned at what Godfrid had called Gaby.
Bill, “We only need to walk through the gardens and then we are at the entrance of the Royal Hall and Conference centre. Once inside the centre the first visit was the Appolonaris stand.
Appolonaris had one of the biggest stands in the entire show. Adjoining them was also a couple of stands Gaby also recognised. She walked across to look at the skins. There was a man on the stand who was smiling. “Welcome to our display your majesty. How is our prima model today? After you posed for us we got taken over by Appolonaris. We now supply all your teams.”
“Well I am fine. The Appolonaris Angels are going to need more skins, as there is now a disabled section. We also now have a mountain bike section. Sorry I wanted to look round before I have leave. I do have a question by any chance do you manufacturer heavy duty wetsuits. They need to be suitable for very cold water?”
“Actually we do. I presume some of the team are going to enter the triathlons. If you call another day I will have some samples for you to examine.”
The next stand was the Lampkin clan with Butaco motor bikes. Jennifer, “Look Gaby it is dad and my cousins.”
“Is Jennifer behaving herself Gabriel? We all have missed her being about. Her cousins seam to think they might stand a chance at winning the junior motor bike title when she is not around.”
“Well if they want to join us they are welcome. Jennifer will still be entering the same races as her cousin. She though is going to do the Tri peaks race. In addition she is entered in a triathlon race in the same area. Swim in the river Aire. Run and then cycle up mount Sharphaw.”
Martin’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “Our Jennifer is going in for that? Well we will be there to support her. The clan always will be there to support any clan member.”
One of Jennifer’s cousins spoke, “Wow Jennifer, you and who else are going in for that race?”
Gaby, “Well there is me and a German cousin. Most of the others do not want to enter.”
Kiko, “I also enter this race. I practice running up Mount Fuji. I might not win but I will give it a try. Are you boys scared girls might beat you?”
Martin, “Actually the boys had seen the race advertised. They were considering it. It was their father who did not like the idea of them swimming in the river. Now they know you are entering they will certainly want to enter.”
Jennifer,” Well cousins are you going to join our team we are rather short on boys at the moment. Then I suppose you will not mind having lots of girls surrounding you.”
“Jennifer do you realise how cold the River Aire actually is? We tried going into the river at Silsden in our swimming trunks and it was very cold. We were thinking we would have to get a thick wetsuit each if we entered.”
Nena, “Well boys we have all been measured for a special wetsuit that will keep the cold out and can also double as a skin for the cycling part. If you want to join the White Rose team also nicknamed the head banger by the others you will need to go to the two adjoining stalls to be measured. Next door will use a laser scanner to take all your measurements and make the suit to fit you. After that you have to go to the Appolonaris stand and get Godfrid to take your measurements so your mountain bike fits you perfectly.”
“We like Jennifer ride under Butaco colours with our Motor bikes. Will we riding under Appolonaris colours not cause a problem?”
Joyce Peters had heard that question. “That is a good question young man. However my brother in law decided to ensure there was no problem for Jennifer by taking over Butaco. So in a way if you ride under their colours already then you are already representing us in a different sport. Sorry Gabriel that you were not informed. Normally The Wittlesbach-Battenburg trust deals with which companies get taken over. However we did note you bought three hotels at a reasonable amount and also contracted a builder to work solely for us. These boys will make a decent addition to the head bangers. Perhaps you can persuade them to also join the mountain bike team or the juniors.
Martin. “Besides the Junior & Senior Butaco teams how many other teams does the parent company have?
“Well there is the ladies championship team with mum as the captain. Then there is the junior team with me as the captain. We could have a mixed sex team but for some reason the boys all change their minds, and so currently the juniors are currently girls. Then we have the mountain section. The oldest team member in that section is Nena. We have the disabled team. Which needs the help of able-bodied team-mates? Finally we have the triathlon team also known as the head bangers. There can be some variation in the sport, but cycling and swimming are always included. Sometimes the third sport is shooting. Other times it is running and occasionally it is skiing.”
“Well we can do Shooting and Swimming. There is not much chance to Ski in Yorkshire. We would like to join the mountain bike team and the head bangers. Do we have to sign anything to join those teams? We might also be interested in helping with the disabled team.”
Gaby smiled as Martin said,”So when do they start training?”
Nena, “They can start now by going and getting measured. Once they have done all they need to do they can join us as we are going to collect Kiko’s Sisters.”
“Gaby we have to be here to help with the stands.”
Gaby. “You are not expected to be here every day. There are enough adults to see the stands are fully staffed. If we are working on the stands you will be. If we are going on trips off then you will be. You might be sleeping in Harrogate for the next two weeks but you will be accompanying your team colleagues.”
“Wow and we thought Jennifer was bossy britches. Sorry Jennifer, but giving orders comes naturally to you. We are just the supporting troops.”
Jennifer, “Well cousins like me you will be getting intensive ski lessons at Escape. We have to find somewhere that we can practise shooting.”
Martin, “I can think of two places that might do, and close to where I used to live on the edge of Rombald's moor. The first place is called Sunny dale and is part of a farm called Moorlands at East Morton. There are two sites here that might do. The first is an old quarry that was turned into a shooting range between 1939-1945. There is still an earth bank to stop the bullets, or at least there was the last time I was there. A short distance on from the quarry there are derelict houses and mills. Some preparation work might be needed here. Then in Skipton there is a quarry and part of it has been abandoned. With a little work could be used to practise. I also believe there is an indoor range at the Sandy lands sport centre if any of this is any help.”
Renate, “I will get the military advisors to check out the sites you mentioned. If none are suitable then you will have to train at one of the military sites. As for the boys they will need to learn how to ski if they are to enter the competition in Switzerland. So some intensive lessons would do for them. Now I suggest you girls go and explore the other stands and see what you can get in an hour. I will personally escort the boys to the two stands.”
“Now come on boys you cannot keep the girls waiting.” The first stop was the skin manufacturer. “These boys are joining our Triathlon and mountain bike teams and will require appropriate skins for all teams?”
“Right boys first we switch this to male so it gets your measurements correct.” The first boy stripped off and went into the scanner.
His brother burst out laughing as the machine scanned the boy and it was obvious that the boy had breasts and broad hips. “I keep telling dad he has tits like a girl. Dad just says it sometimes happens to teenage boys and it will all go away.”
Renate looked at the operator and said, “Can you do a deep body scan to see what other changes are happening?”
Madam this is the complete breakdown. For now the child is male and I would recommend male skins adapted to accommodate the chest. Now you sir while your brother is getting dressed.”
The boy went into the changing room laughing. “That machine has just proved what I have been saying for ages that he needs to see a doctor. At this rate I will be the only Lampkin boy left. I wonder how long it will be before he gets into dresses. At least I am still all boy. The only flaw I have is my nipple has got larger and darker.”
“Madam we also need to make similar adaptations for this one. In fact the deep body scans show the internal changes are far more advanced than the brother.”
Martin who had been watching said, “For now we can let them both believe they are healthy?”
“Sir both boys are healthy. We might need to make appropriate adjustment to their skins and wet suits.”
The younger brother came out of the changing room. “Grandpa my brother there is something seriously wrong. We both have known for some time he was getting a body like a girl & I think the same thing is happening to me. Dad just says it is all part of growing up and would not consider taking either of us to the doctor. My brother and I were getting dressed again in that room. He got very bad tummy ache and went to the toilet. He said he felt very strange. From how he described it to me there was a sudden gush and when he used the paper he discovered everything had vanished. It took me a while to stop him screaming. Is the same thing going to happen to me, and will we die? Dads also going to go ape when he reads his school report most subjects my brother is an A student. He has been skipping sports — Pe as he was getting teased about his breasts. Some of the girls wanted to know when he was going to get his first bra.”
Renate went to investigate. She could hear the boy crying away. “It’s all gone. I am a freak.”
“Stop that this instance. Not everything is as bad as it seams. I see you managed to clean yourself ok. Your brother has been explaining everything to your Grandpa and me. We will be having words with your father he has known for a while this was a possibility. You are not the only one on the team this has happened to. There was nothing you could do to prevent what happened occurring. It is all down to a gene that runs in the family. It causes some girls to look like boys until their hormones kick in and then they become fully-fledged females. It comes as a total shock to the apparent boys as they are not prepared for what happens to them. From now on like all girls you are going to have to use female pads or tampons.”
There was a knock at the door. It was Kiko. “We heard what has happened. I brought you these. I was not sure which you wanted to use. I also brought you a change of clothing, as I was not sure if your old clothing had got spoiled. Hope you do not mind, but in here in this centre it is all sports clothing. As you are on the team I brought you a set of Royals skins and a sports bra. We will get you measured correctly later. I should tell you your younger brother have decided to wear the same as you so you will not be on your own. One day he will also need a big sister when the same happens to him. In future there will be no more skipping of sports lessons. Yes we got informed about that. You will be taking your lessons with the rest of the team. I should also tell you once we have met my sisters from the Airport we are having lunch at the Majestic and your father is going to get a telling off from your grandpa over not taking you both to get medical advice. If you follow me out my sisters are just making your brother look pretty. Also we need you both to think of girls names to use in the future.”
Kiko and her charge came out of the changing room and Kiko told her to sit on the stool provided. There seamed to be four girls working on him. Two appeared to be working on his face and cleaning the tearstains up. They worked around his eyes, his cheeks and finally his lips. They also had put something on his head he thought must be a hat. The other two Japanese girls were working on his fingers and he could see then attach nail extensions. It was amassing how fast the girls worked. Soon they had finished and Kiko said, “You may look in the mirror now.” When he did he saw a quite attractive teenage girl in a Royal set of skins looking back. “Come we have wasted enough time on you. We need to get to the helicopter. He felt somebody take his hand. It was another girl in a similar set of skins.
“Bro is that you?”
“It sure is did Kiko not tell you I would not let you dress like this alone? You should know by now the clan sticks together.”
The group walked the short distance to the grounds of the Majestic hotel to where the helicopters were. They boarded the aircraft and it set off. The actual flight did not seam to take long before they were landing at the Airport. Awaiting personnel ushered them all to the VIP lounge. From there they could see the Japanese Airliner come in to land and then taxi to the terminal building. A long flexible tunnel connected the airliner with the terminal building. Gaby was surprised there were so many females coming off the Jet.
An older one walked up to Gaby and bowed. “The Mikado sends the dragon queen the remainder of his daughters and his greetings. We are the nurses and maids of the Princesses and such are not included in the quota for we are not of Royal blood. While the Mikado has married us all off we are to be considered concubines to do with as you wish.”
Gaby was stunned for a moment and then said, “I bid you all welcome there are a few more than I expected. However we have enough transport to take you to Harrogate.”
Gaby noticed one of the Princesses clutching an item. The Princess held it up, as Gaby got closer to her. “Sisters what the priest said is true. If you hold the Golden Dragon in your hands it will absorb power from the Golden one to restore the injured.”
Gaby picked up the golden statue of a dragon. She examined it. The eyes appeared to be made of precious gems. Smoke appeared to be coming from the mouth of the dragon. “Well my little Friend I am Gabriel Queen of Northumbria to my Japanese companions. I apparently am the Eternal Dragon Queen and through you I can cure certain illnesses. When I did history at school we learned that in ancient times the king’s touch could cure many illnesses. So I presume this is a similar belief.”
One of the concubines spoke, “Mistress you removed that from the temple of Kato?”
“I Anna Su had to as I was commanded by the Mikado to be the keeper of the spirit until the Golden one returned to her earthly abode. By now all the others sleeping in the Shinto temples across the East will be awakening. They will come here when they determine the Empress is ready to receive them. Oh I sense more than the Golden one already here. The eternal daughters of the life giver already protect the queen. Not only that but even the Queen of Darkness sends her heralds to ensure the Queens well being.”
Nena held her hand out to greet Anna Su who was in a wheelchair. “Oh the Silver queen is already here. I thought papa said only the Dragon Queen was here. I would curtsy but currently I cannot. May I make a request? Before we leave here can all the companions who are currently here come in front of me, and tell me their current names, or can the Silver Queen do it please.”
Nena started to introduce all the others. It was only when Saphira & Sidonie appeared Anna Su said, “Oh you two are the representatives of the Dark Queen. The maidens of hell or, Valkerie, The Sapphire and Emerald queens. These little ones who follow you even my untrained sisters should be able to spot them as the daughters of the Lord of life.”
Tiny, “Correction Princess some of us are Grand daughters and great grand daughters of Lord Draconaris.”
“Ah yes my sensei warned me I might not be able to tell the difference. There should be three of you. The three who look like babies, and are apart from the Golden and Silver Queens the most deadly here. I am very pleased to be companion like you.”
“My friends call me Tiny and these are Baby & Wee Wee. The mention of Dragons is banned around here. So please, please do as asked. Now will those classed as concubines by the Mikado please step forward. We have no concubines here. What we have are companions. Gabriel has decreed we all will learn and practise together. We will all take our meals together. However most of you will have to sleep at a different address to the Princesses. This is not because the Mikado made you concubines. It is because there is a shortage of space here. There will be a room available for those who have to stay over with the princesses. So there is no favouritism you will all spend a week at a time with the princesses. You all though will be based at the Queens hotel with other companions.”
Two little boys appeared. “Hello we are also guests of the tinys. We are staying at the same hotel as you Along with Maddy Anne, her parents, Karen & Samantha and then there is the other lady who scares us a little. Yet when we have talked to her, she seams nice. She must be somebody posh because I overheard Baby say she was a Grand Mistress. Will some of you be available to come to the park, and sail our boats with us when our other friends cannot do it?”
Anna Su, “Well there is nothing I like better than playing with remote controlled things. I hope you have plenty of batteries. If not one of my companions will have to go and get some new ones.”
“Great according to Maddy Anne it is only a short distance from the Majestic along The Elgin walk to the Valley gardens. There are two footpaths and we have to take the lower one. On our right hand side we will see a café and behind that café is the boating pool.”
Gaby, “Anna Su some of us after lunch have to take Candy & Brandy shopping. They both need a new wardrobe. So I along with some of my cousins will be taking them. The Tinys however have a date sailing their boats. They like all children need supervision or they will end up getting tired. The three smallest we have got wheel chairs for them as they tire easy. I would appreciate it if some of my new companions would help look after them.”
Mistress Gabriel, “I am the senior of the former concubines. We are honoured that you see fit to place us with your companions and friends. We consider it an honour. There are certain things we were not allowed to bring with us. I will oversee the purchases our mistresses require. I take it in a town this size there will be a shop or store that I can get some remote items for the mistresses. Their father smashed theirs to pieces and said they were not lady like. As you over rule the Mikado then they once again they can enjoy them. They will be the first things I get.”
Pia. “Actually if we go to the Victoria Centre there is a model shop on the second floor and on the Third floor there is a TKMAX that does discount clothing. I have got some Branded names there previously when Brian was at the bike show.”
The enlarged groups boarded the helicopters to Harrogate. One waited behind for the luggage and then went directly to Scarborough. At the Majestic with the exception of Godfrid & Bill the remainder of the group was the. Anna Su took her wheelchair over to a group of ladies. “Hi I am Anna Su daughter of the Mikado and keeper of the Golden Dragon. Have I the privilege of saying hello the Angharad Grand Welsh Mistress?
Maddy Anne. “Yes this is her and I am Maddy Anne. These are two dear friends of mine Samantha and Karen. We have been instructed to write the biography of the Empress and her family. It is the Empress Gabriel’s wish that the royalties from the sale of the books goes to fund the Mermaids Charity.”
“In that case some of my companions can help you as they are super at illustrating. I understand they are to be placed in the same hotel as you. So it will be easier for you to collaborate. What sort of computers have you to write the stories on?”
Karen. “At the moment we had not thought about that as we have been so busy doing other things the last few days.”
“Well you need a room with networked computers that you and others can put the stories on. In addition you need a laptop each with portable internet connection.”
Gaby, “Actually they do have access to computers with high speed internet access at the Royal. They do though require Laptops so they can do their work elsewhere. We will get them today.”
Anna Su, “Could you also get my disabled sisters a computer each. While we may not be good at writing the stories we can listen to and type up the stories told to us. The storywriters only then have to make them interesting. Father banned many things but listening and typing was not one of them.”
Den, “I will take the Princesses in the coach as the remote items are in my new Betsy. Can I borrow a couple of the guards to help carry the princesses on board?
Draconaris & Brightflame stepped forward. “No need for that we can do that job easily. We understand you have been asking questions about us two. Well we look after princesses. That is our duty. Poor Isis does not know what to make of you. As for Lucinder she is laughing away. The priests have trained you well. All here seek the well-being of Gabriel.”
Angharad looked daggers at Draconaris. “Anna Su knows full well whose spirit resides in your body. I only said your Ancient name.”
“In Japan I had a dream many times. It was of a mountain. Only a small mountain and it came to a sharp point like this. All of us went up there two were dressed as brides. We all danced on this mountain until dawn. When the first rays of the sun hit the mountain a great column of fire arose from the mountain. It was a strange flame. You could walk into the flames and not get burned. When we left the mountain the flames were shooting hundreds of miles up into the sky. Aircraft reported seeing the fire on the foggiest of days.”
Angharad, “Well even I know when we have to go there. What you saw in your dream was the Eternal flame being lit. We all will go there on that day. Now I am going to go and get my laptop for I already have much to put down. Gabriel there are many of you in parallel worlds. There will be lots of similarities between the different versions of you. In some you may marry Maddy and have a daughter. In others it will only be as a lesbian couple. Throughout them all though you will ride a bike and win. In one world it will be a distant cousin that assumes the mantle you have now wear and you can still ride. Even there though you are known as the Queen who rides, and you summands the Valkerie to ride with you. Once the flame is lit it can never be extinguished. It will announce to everybody the ancient lords of the land have returned.”
Den with the Princesses on board left for the Valley Gardens. He pulled up outside an entrance that said Ripley’s. Down a slope there was the café and the boating pool. The two boys were happy when they saw the pool. The Tinys came with their boats. Anna Su found she had to help change the batteries as one set after another died. After playing with the remote controlled boats for over an hour all the batteries were used up and the boats went back to the coach.
Gaby and the others had gone with Pia to the Victoria Centre. The model store did a roaring trade with Gabriel & friends. Kat even managed to negotiate a discount because they bought so much. After that they followed Pia to the third floor of the Victoria centre. Pia managed to get all she needed for her new daughters. Gaby looked at the sports section and was surprised at some of the things on sale. She called the others over to look at what she had found. Greta went and got a shopping trolley. “We might as well take the lot as all of us will be returning to the Escape centre.”
When Pia saw the snowsuits she went over to the children’s section. Gaby followed her and sure enough there were lots of small snow suits. “Pia put them all into your trolley. What do not fit your children will fit the Tinys. In fact I would say there are enough for a couple of them each.”
They also spotted some small heavy duty wetsuits which also went into the shopping trolleys. Then Pia spotted a rack of evening dresses all by top designers “Oh my god these are just divine.”
Julia, “Yes they are rather nice, but no good for me at the moment. Not the way I am swelling up.”
Kat, “Look Gaby they have remote flying dinosaurs for sale and they are rather cheap.”
Laden down with shopping from the stores, Gaby and friends headed back to the Majestic Hotel and the helicopters. There they deposited the purchased items except the dinosaurs. Gaby and party then made for the Elgin walk.
Draconaris vanished and then returned with ice cream for everybody. “Well as all your batteries are flat we might as well eat these and then explore the park.”
As they were eating the Ice cream Su Lin appeared with some of the others. We got you your remote ships, Planes and Helicopters. And plenty of batteries. Why are you not sailing now?
Anna Su, “That is easy sister we are all having an ice and we ran out of batteries for the ships so we decided to explore the park. Den can my sisters put their packages on your coach, and we will use them later.” Meanwhile Draconaris went and got more ice cream.
After eating their Ice cream the group turned down to the right and followed the stream down hill. There was a fantastic selection of plants. Occasionally they caught the waft of the sulphur springs. Saphira who had come with the second group said, “Wow we must be near Lucinder’s home.”
Draconaris, “Yes I admit it is very much like her preferred scent.” Draconaris noticed the Japanese girls all start to shake. “There is no need to be scared of our Lucinder. She would not harm any of you. Perhaps she might turn up before the day is out.”
They got to the Main entrance to the Valley Gardens and decided to follow the top footpath. This footpath led them to a covered walkway and then to a sun lounge. They passed the area where they had been having their Ice cream. The boys and the Tinys spotted the children’s play area, and shot off to go on the equipment provided.
Anna Su saw there was a lady dressed in Red watching the children play. “They are enjoying themselves. “I am Anna Su and I am here with some friends.”
“Well I have many names my brothers all call me Lucy when in the company of friends. I am sat waiting here for my niece and friends to come along. She will be along shortly with her companions. In the meantime I am enjoying watching the children play. For it is not often I am able to come here and sit down. The park is such a lovely setting. I keep watching the people as they get a waft of the Sulphur springs. It is amusing to watch their faces. I saw you and your companions screw up your faces when you passed the springs.”
“Oh is that what it was. I thought perhaps there was a doorway to the under world that normal mortals could not see.”
“Anna Su you must by now have realised who I am. You uttered my name earlier. I must say you were correct it does remind me of home.”
Draconaris & Brightflame walked across to then & sat down. “Well sister what do you think of Anna Su? Is she an acceptable sacrifice?”
“Anna Su take no notice of these two they are teasing. They leave all the cleaning up to me. I got the two packages you boys recently sent to me recently. Currently they both are in the justice department. With a little bit of luck they should turn out ok.”
Anna Su, “Sorry Lucy I have just realised who you are. I believe some of my sisters may have helped capture one of those packages if his name was Meadows. They told me what they did to that man. They also got a lot of interest in the shop. Can you only appear where there are sulphur springs?”
Lucinder started to laugh, “Anna Su I can appear where I want. I even talk to you when I need to. You are thinking where is this leading? Well apart from the fact your father honoured the words of his ancestors. I also needed you here. You of all the Mikado’s daughters can recognise most of our people. Justice is my trade not vengeance. I know some people think I do other things. Just like they believe Draconaris takes lives. I much prefer to give people another chance. Even those two packages that got delivered to me recently. They though have to live their lives many times again.”
Two little girls in red dresses came running up. “Mummy, Mummy there is some little girls like us. Can we play with them?”
“Yes girls they are your Uncle Draco's daughters. So you may play with them.”
“Daughters Lucinder?”
“Sorry I forgot to tell you two. You boys are now uncles. For long enough I have been recycling, because the rest of you did not want to do it. You boys do not visit me often. I was pleased to get the packages you sent me. Something went wrong with the recycling. I ended up with two daughters Fiona & Rachel who like me will never age.”
As they were talking they got buzzed by flying reptiles. “Mummy, Mummy these flying things are trying to get us.
“I think not girls they have come to say the Empress Gabriel is on her way here with her court.”
Rachel, “Mummy is this the lady we have to curtsy to and show her our bright red dresses?”
Fiona, “But Mummy she is a girl not much older than us.”
Lucinder. “Yes she is just a teenager, but she is a queen many times over. Many mortal kingdoms have already made her their Queen. Soon the immortals will follow. First the everlasting fire needs to be lit on the mountain sacred to us.”
Gaby came up with Sidonie & Saphira. “Hello my cousins wanted to fly their dragons. I am Gabriel and you must be one of the sisters of Draconaris.”
“Yes I am known as the Red Queen. I see you have appointed a sister of mine as one of your story writers. Isis I know you are hiding in there. I read the stories Angharad wrote about a nurse. The majority of people will think it is just fiction. You and I both know differently.”
“Lucy did you have to tell them? Even our brothers had failed to spot me. So I like writing and I write about what I know about. I am looking forward to writing the stories about Gaby. I will start with the holiday in Dorset. In addition I am still going to be writing about other things.”
“Well Lucy thank you for the messages. Some of my companions intercepted the package before it could cause any damage.”
“Yes Gabriel. Although I was surprised how quickly the changes happened. One minute I was providing a bolt hole for Meadows. The next he was sick and loosing weight rather quickly. I somehow managed to taint the other package with the same virus. Looking at them now nobody would believe they once were male. Any evil that was in either of them has been burnt out of them. They have enjoyed playing with their tiny cousins.”
Gaby, “Do they have any memories of who they once where?”
Lucinder tapped one of the girls and then the other. Fiona, “I still have some of the memories of Vlad. They though are disappearing and once they go I will only remember mummy Lucinder. Neither of us can return to the world of men. We have to stay with Mummy forever.”
Rachel, “Gaby I apologise for Meadows. His spirit has retreated so far that it can never ever return. I am in sole charge of this body now.” We would like to meet up with the tinys while you are visiting here if that is possible?
Gaby, “There is no problem with that. However Princess Kat has made a promise and tonight she wishes to sing with the Angels & Royals at St Peters church in Harrogate town centre.”
“Then we will be there to support her and the team.”
Tiny, “Will you be coming across to the Majestic for your evening meal with us?”
“Well that depends on if I and my daughters are welcome or not?”
Nena, “Well earlier today I was called the Silver Queen and I need not tell you who was referred to as the Emerald & Sapphire Queens. I understand the Red Queen and her family have been protecting the Golden Queen and her family. So if that was true then the Red Queen should attend.”
Wee-Wee, “Aunt this Tiny ones instructs you to come and join us for our evening meal. We want to thank you for the information you sent. I also want to show you how we sail our boats on the water.”
With that the group made their way back to the boating pool. Each one of them had a turn with the boats. Although they had some on different wave lengths some of the boats caused interference with others. Wee-Wee discovered as her transmitter was the most powerful it also tended to capture some of the other boats and they followed the signal from Wee-Wees receiver. Once again the batteries got used up.
Nena spoke, “Well that is all the batteries done. I remember seeing an electrical store not far from the show; I will go there and see if they have any rechargeable batteries that will fit.”
Kiko, “If you do not mind I will come as we need heavy duty rechargeable.” Kiko notices Julia is in a wheelchair. “Are you injured like us? I thought I saw you walking earlier.”
Julia chuckled, “No I am not injured like you. The team doctor had ordered me to use this because of my pregnancy. My nurse has to monitor my blood pressure as it is very high. I am also retaining lots of fluid.”
Kiko looks at Julia’s hands for a wedding ring. “Did you have to remove your ring because of the swelling?”
Nena took hold of Julia’s hand. “Kiko Julia & I were colleagues and cousins. I was not always as you see me now. I thought you understood some here had once been male. Like Empress Gabriel I was once male. I carry the same gene that changes a male to female. Julia & I got engaged and had intended to wait before starting a family. Julia had other ideas when she noticed how feminine I was becoming. Getting Julia pregnant with twins would be one of my last acts as a male. The first I knew about the pregnancy was the other day when Julia started being sick & Doctor Helga came to attend to her. Since then Julia has inflated rather quickly. Julia’s breasts are already leaking milk and she should be nowhere near giving birth yet.”
Pia placed her baby in Julia’s arms. “Suck a lot here managed to drain Maddy Anne. Perhaps she can help you out and relieve the pressure on your breasts.”
“Wow that feels a lot better already. You better have your baby back. I will go with Nena for the batteries. We will meet you all back at the Majestic.” Some of the group decided to walk back while others took Betsy back to the Majestic hotel.
Lucinder, “Gabriel something was said about having to go to Fylingdales tomorrow.”
“Oh yes, for the first time in over 400 years an Anglican-Catholic priest will look after both denominations in the Robin Hood’s bay area.”
“Oh in that case I better turn up with all the girls.”
Nena and the small group that accompanied her soon found the Bek electrical store. They went in. Kiko looked around. The shop keeper asked if he could help.
Nena, “Yes we want rather a lot of rechargeable heavy duty AA batteries and the relevant chargers. We also need rechargeable in the small oblong batteries.”
The manager went and got the required batteries. Kiko had spotted some conversion packs to change self-propelled wheel chairs to electric ones. Then she spotted a small generator. “If we get some larger items can you deliver them down to the Majestic? We are going there for our evening meal.”
Manager, “Have you one of our trade cards? I can give you extra discount if you have.”
Kiko looked in her handbag. “I have one that allows me discount with Fuji electronics.”
The manager chuckled, “Well if you have a discount card from them you must be a very good customer of theirs to get it. What is your company name?”
Nena, “You had better put Appolonaris as that is our parent group.”
“Apollonaris now that is a name I do know. I presume you ladies are here for the bike show. My son likes to watch the races that Gaby Bond is entered into. He informed me that Apollonaris had signed Gaby like they did with her mother.”
Nena, “Well if you bring your son to help you unload the items I am sure I can get the juniors and seniors to sign your son’s autograph book.”
“I can bring this order round after we close at 5.30 if that is ok with you? I will ring home and ask my wife to come down with our son. I am positive he will not miss a chance to meet Gaby Bond in the flesh.”
Nena & group left the shop. “Kiko how did you come across the Fuji card?”
“That is easy in Japan when I look round places they always give me discount cards. Most I discard but the Fuji I kept because I thought I might get a computer or two cheaper.”
All they needed to do was go down the hill and cross the A61 and they were back at the hotel. A quick wash and change and they were having a meal. They had just finished it when reception called to say there was somebody at reception for Nena.
Nena said, “Godfrid & Bill can you help with the items please? It did not take them long to transfer the packages to Godfrids van. “Right if you care to come this way we will see about those autographs for your son.”
For a minute or two the boy was speechless. He held his autograph book out to Gaby. “Gosh dad was not teasing. I try to get to all your races. Please may I have your autograph and those of the team members? Do you mind if dad takes some photographs of us?
Jenny, “I presume you would also like the senior ladies team autographs as well as the juniors.”
“Yes please it is almost new. I managed to get Lance Armstrong’s autograph a short while ago. I help out in the shop at holiday periods and I have been saving up for a new bike. I have been looking forward to this show and on Monday I will be one of the first waiting to go in.”
Tiny, “No Monday morning you have a date with the members of the junior team. You may bring your parents, but you need to be here for 07.00 in the morning. If you have skins then I suggest you wear them.”
His autograph book was passed back to him and he gave Tiny a hug. “Thank you we will be waiting on Monday morning.”
It was not until they got home his mother looked at the autographs and then went to the family’s computer. “Mum is there something wrong?”
“No dear there is nothing wrong. You have just collected some autographs I did not expect to see. I presume some of them must have something to do with the team or they would not be there.”
