Shupikayi and the Aurelia Forest: Part 3

Oluchi finally took a sip of her tea. It was cold now, but it was still alright. “So, while the King and Queen were worried sick about you and preparing an army, you were having a tea party with a unicorn, and Adali was going to introduce you to other kids who had been kidnapped?”

Shupikayi held her hand out for Oluchi’s cup of tea. Oluchi handed it to her, and when Shupikayi looked at it, the tea inside immediately started to steam up. Shupikayi handed the tea back to Oluchi. “Vimbo and Akhona weren’t kidnapped, necessarily. After speaking with those two, I found out that they had actually been abandoned by their family before being taken in by the fairies. They liked Aurelia much better than where they were before.”

“But you weren't an orphan and Adali knew that, and she still wanted to take you. And you didn’t think that was weird?”

Shupikayi shrugged. “I thought it was odd, but I didn’t want to go home. At least not yet. I wanted to play with Vimbo and Akhona and see what other amazing things were in the forest. I ended up having a little bit of fun with those two that day. But the next day, things took a turn. I don’t remember all the details of that day, but I do remember Adali flying me to a big platform in the trees where many fairies were gathered. There was a stage with a throne…”

***

Shupikayi yawned and rubbed her eyes. Why did Adali have to wake her up so early for this fairy gathering? She was happy that Adali had dressed her up in a pretty light purple dress and put a lilac in her hair, which Adali had put in two afro puffs. However, Shupikayi didn’t have much energy to fully enjoy it after being rudely awoken from a pleasant dream.

Now she was on a wooden platform that was attached to multiple trees. There was one huge tree that came through the center of the platform. The sun’s rays filtered through the tree canopy, but it was still a bit cold outside, and there was a light fog in the air. 

She and Adali were not the only ones there though. By the looks of it, all the fairies of the forest were here. She stood in the midst of over a hundred fairies and their children. 

She didn’t like being in a crowd. It wasn’t fun having little space to move around in, hearing other people’s breathing along with all the noisy chatter and babies and children crying. It was also a little intimidating being surrounded by tall fairies while she was shorter than all of them. It was almost suffocating. She tugged Adali’s dress. “Can’t I go back to your house?”

Adali smiled at her sympathetically. “I’m sorry, Buhle, but everyone is required to be here.” She picked her up. “Besides, don’t you want to see Queen Iyana of Aurelia?”

Shupikayi shrugged and looked around. “I guess so.” She had a better view of the stage now. On the stage was a throne made of the dark wood of the Aurelia Trees. She hoped the queen would hurry up and be done with whatever she had to say quickly, so she could play with Vimbo and Akhona again. She’d rather play with them at the pavilion, where it was quieter, than be here.

“What does the queen want?” Adali asked Dumo and Kiyah, who were standing on her left.

Dumo started biting her nails, and her wings twitched. “I’m not entirely certain, but…I heard a pixie came from Mushana with a message.”

Bwana, who stood on Adali’s right, furrowed his brow. “Isn’t that where Buhle came from?”

Dumo nodded. “Yes.”

Bwana gave Adali a look. “Don’t you think it’s a little odd that–?”

“Look!” Kiyah said, pointing to the stage. “Queen Iyana is here!” 

A fairy in a long black dress with a design of golden leaves embroidered on the hem. She had golden feathered wings swooped down onto the stage. She wore a crown of black wood and golden leaves, her dark hair was in two cornrows, and her skin was a dark umber. She stood in front of her throne but remained standing. 

The crowd quickly grew silent in reverence of their queen. 

Shupikayi looked at her in awe. She wished she had a dress like hers.

Queen Iyana looked solemnly at everyone in the crowd. “I am sure you are all wondering why I called you here this morning, so I will be brief. Last night, a pixie came to me with a message from the King and Queen of Mushana. The Queen of Mushana said that unless we return her daughter, who she claims we have kidnapped, she intends to burn down our entire homeland.”

The fairies in the crowd murmured and spoke amongst themselves. 

“What on earth is she talking about?!”

“We don’t have her daughter!”

“Who would take the queen’s kid? That’s insane!”

“Why does she think we kidnapped her child?!”

Queen Iyana raised her hand up. “Quiet, please.” Once the crowd became silent, she continued. “The pixie explained that a raven had seen two fairies take the girl away from the forest in Mushana.”

Duma and Kiyah looked at each other. 

“If any one of you has any idea who might be responsible for this, now is the time to step forward. After all, the people of Mushana, whether we like it or not, are our brethren. We should not fight with them if it’s avoidable.” 

Shupikayi tilted her head. She had heard stories that the founder of Mushana came from the Aurelia Forest, but not everyone at home believed them to be true. However, Queen Iyana seemed to believe otherwise.

“Instead,” Queen Iyana went on, “We should help them, which in this case means helping the King and Queen of Mushana get their daughter back.”

One of the fairies pointed at Adali. “She has her! She adopted a kid yesterday! That girl must be the princess.”

The group of fairies stared at Adali then they looked at Shupikayi.

Adali took a few steps back and held Shupikayi tightly.

Queen Iyana looked at Adali with disappointment and maybe even pity. “Is this true?”

Adali glared at the fairy who had pointed her out. “My friends did find this child in a forest in Mushana, but she was all alone. Surely, she can’t be the queen’s daughter.”

“Why don’t you ask her?” Another fairy said. “She’s old enough to talk, isn’t she? Let’s see what she has to say!”

Shupikayi wanted to run off. She didn’t want to be the center of attention. Well, she did, but not like this.

“Adali, bring the child here,” Queen Iyana said.

Adali’s face became a little red. She flew up to the queen and stood before her, right in front of the stage.

“Put her down.”

Adali hesitated and reluctantly sat Shupikayi down on the stage, right in front of Queen Iyana.

Queen Iyana knelt down, so she was on Shupikayi’s level. “What is your name?”

Shupikayi stared at her. “Do you want my new name or my old name?”

“I would like to know the name your parents gave you.”

“Shupikayi.”

The Queen didn’t seem surprised by her name unlike most people or fairies had been. “And are your parents not the King and Queen of Mushana?”

Shupikayi sighed. “Yes.”

“I knew it!” the fairy who had called out Adali said.

“How did you arrive here?” Queen Iyana asked.

“Dumo and Kiyah brought me here after I fell down a hill. They said Adali wanted a child.”

The fairies in the crowd glared at Dumo and Kiyah.

Kiyah looked at her shoes and her face reddened.

Dumo glared back at the others. “What?! So you wouldn’t try to help a little girl lost in the woods?”

“Yes, but we wouldn’t take her home with us if she was the princess!” one fairy said. She was Vimbo’s adoptive mother. “We would have taken her back to the Mushana Palace!”

“How were we supposed to know she was the princess?! After falling down the hill, she couldn’t say a word to us!”

“That’s funny, because she seems well spoken now! And don’t try to tell us you didn’t know she had parents either. Vimbo told me that Shupikayi told her that her mother was probably worried about her.”

“Enough,” Queen Iyana said, and turned her gaze to Dumo and Kiyah. “I will speak to you two later.”

Dumo and Kiyah looked flustered and didn’t say a word.

Queen Iyana looked again at Shupikayi. “Is it true you were in the forest by yourself?”

Shupikayi nodded.

“What were you doing there alone?”

“I was angry, because my cousins and my little brother were being bullies. So, I ran away. And I like it here better.”

“See?” Adali said. “She likes it here.”

Queen Iyana stood up and looked at Adali. “That doesn’t change anything. She doesn’t belong to you. She must be returned to the Queen of Mushana. Otherwise, there will be war. They were very clear about this.”

“But, but…” Adali looked at Shupikayi.

“I know you want a child badly,” Queen Iyana said more gently. “But do you want to put another mother through the pain of losing her child simply to ease your own pain?”

Adali looked at the queen, then at Shupikayi, then looked at the floor. She put her head in her hands and flew away.

“Adali!” Bwana called. He flew after her. “Adali, wait!”

Queen Iyana sighed and turned to the rest of the fairies. “We must prepare a peace offering for King Jabari and Queen Makanaka. Gather a good portion of our fruits and livestock and have them placed at the base of this Tree of Meeting. They should be here by nightfall. Hurry!”

All the fairies quickly went in different directions to do as they were told.

The queen looked at Shupikayi. “As for you little one, you will stay by my side until your parents arrive.”

“So I can’t stay for another day?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“If I can’t stay here, then can I visit later if I want?”

“Do you think your parents would allow that?”

Shupikayi thought about how angry her mama would be about the whole situation. “Probably not.”

***

As the stars glimmered in the dark sky, floating firefly lanterns surrounding the base of the Tree of Meeting shone on seven large baskets of fruit. There was also a large herd of three-horned goats roaming around, which was intended to be given to Shupikayi’s parents.

Shupikayi didn’t like goats, but she had to admit that three horned goats were interesting to look at from the treetops. They had two long horns on their heads, and a shorter one just above their noses. The male three-horned goats liked to spar with each other from time to time, but all of the goats were mostly gentle and enjoyed grazing more than fighting. 

As she looked down from the wooden platform in the trees, Queen Iyana, who was standing beside her, and a small crowd of fairies, waited for King Jabari and Queen Makanaka to arrive.

Most of the fairies had left, fearful of the wrath of her baba and mama. She had never thought fairies would be so fearful of her parents, but it made sense. Her mother had a fire ability after all.

Shupikayi had looked around for Adali, but she was nowhere to be found. She had wanted to say goodbye to her before leaving and she had wanted to thank her for the dress, but Queen Iyana had said that she would relay the message for her.

Shupikayi appreciated that, but she was a little sad. She didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye to Adali in person. She could tell Adali was in pain, but she also knew she wouldn’t be of much help to her. She would need to find another way to heal without her.

Suddenly, there was a bright gold and orange light–no, there were several of them–moving through the trees. They had to be torches from her parents and their army.

Soon, King Jabari and Queen Makanaka came riding up to the large Tree of Meeting with their army marching behind them. Her baba, mama, as well as the soldiers wore armor of thick cloth and leather. King Jabri and the soldiers held spears, while Queen Makanaka did not have an obvious weapon herself. However, Shupikayi knew that her mama could wield fire.

Shupikayi smiled. She didn’t really want to leave Aurelia Forest, but a part of her was happy to see that her parents had come with an army for her. Even though her birthday was ruined, at least they still cared enough to come get her. She waved at her parents. “Hi, Mama! Hi, Baba!”

King Jabari looked up and gave a sigh of relief. “Shupikayi!”

“My baby!” Queen Makanaka said. She glared at Queen Iyana. “Give her back this instant!”

Queen Iyana picked Shupikayi up and flew down to the king and queen.

Queen Makanaka leapt off her horse and quickly yanked Shupikayi out of Iyana’s arms and hugged her. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

“No,” Shupikayi said. “They gave me tea and cookies and let me play with Vimbo, Akhona, and a unicorn.”

Queen Makanaka scoffed and glared at Queen Iyana. “Where are the ones who kidnapped my child?!”

“The two fairies, Dumo and Kiyah, who brought her here, as well as the one who intended to keep your daughter to raise as her own, will be dealt with according to the laws of our people,” Queen Iyana said.

“Which means…?”

“They will be banished for a few years at least.”

“Banishment is hardly a punishment for kidnapping!”

“It is our way.”

“My way would be the death penalty.”

“On behalf of my people, I apologize for the grief we put you through regarding your daughter. Please accept our humble apology, as well as our peace offering.” She gestured to the baskets of fruit, as well as the herd of three-horned goats that were grazing nearby.

Queen Makanaka looked at the offering. She sat Shupikayi upon her horse, walked up to one of the baskets, and placed her hand on one of them. The basket of fruit immediately combusted into blue flames, and a ball of flame jumped from one basket to the other until all of them were on fire.

The three-horned goats bleated and ran away in terror.

Shupikayi gaped at the burning baskets. That fire was not a regular fire. It was the Unquenchable Fire. She had never seen it before, and she didn’t even know her mother could use it. But she had heard that this particular fire was incredibly hard to put out.

Queen Makanaka looked coldly at Queen Iyana, who stared at the fire in shock. “Keep your offering and accept mine instead.” With that, she mounted her horse and her and King Jabari, along with their army, quickly made their way out of the forest.

A harsh gale blew through the forest, which caused the fire to spread.

The queen held Shupikayi tightly as they rode on a dirt path heading back home. She didn’t say a word, but Shupikayi could tell she was still upset. She could feel it. 

Shupikayi watched the forest, as it was engulfed in her mother’s Unquenchable Flames. As if unsatisfied, the flames reached for the dark night sky, trying to engulf the stars and moon as well. She rested her chin on her mother’s shoulder. “Do you think they’ll be okay?”

“I should hope not,” Queen Makanaka muttered. “Why? Don’t tell me you actually like those horrible fairies!”

But Shupikayi didn’t answer. She was fast asleep. In her dream, the golden-leafed trees’ branches snapped in the heat of the fire. The scent of sweet golden leaves and ashes enveloped her, and one leaf floating in the air was now auburn and blue in color. As she watched in a daze, not quite sure what to do about the fire, she heard her mama somewhere muttering, “That’s what they get for taking her away.”

***

Oluchi shook her head and leaned back in her chair. “Your mom burned the entire forest anyway?”

“Yes. I sometimes wonder if she went too far. After all, not all of the fairies were in on the whole kidnapping thing. But I can understand why she was so upset. However, she did break her promise about not burning down the forest as long as I was given back to her, so...there’s that. Frankly, I don’t know what to make of that event at this point.”

“Sheesh. Did anyone die?”

“Not that I know of. Most of the fairies who saw my mama and baba coming took off because they knew there would be trouble, so most of them were able to escape their wrath.”

“Most of them?”

“Yes…some got burned as they tried to put the fire out. But I only heard about it after the fact.”

Oluchi stared at her. “And you were nine when all that madness happened?”

“Yes.”

“That sounds a little traumatizing.”

“It probably was for the fairies of Aurelia. I would be if I were them. I feel bad for Vimbo and Akhona though. They weren’t there when the fire started, but they did lose their homes.”

“So, the forest is gone?”

Shupikayi shook her head. “The forest grew back, eventually. It was a mess for a while, but the Aurelia Forest fairies had some plant-fairies among them who were able to regrow some trees. But an odd thing happened.” Shupikayi poured herself yet another cup of tea. Was it her fourth or fifth one? She wasn’t keeping count.

“Which was...?”

Shupikayi sipped her tea. “According to a pixie I met, the Aurelia tree leaves are mostly auburn and blue now. Most of the trees don’t have their original golden hue.”

“The queen’s blue flames permanently damaged the trees?!”

“It seems that way. I think the golden leaves have lost their potency, because those who drink Golden-Leaf tea don’t get the same healing benefits as in times past. It’s a shame, really. There would have been benefits for all who were ill if they drank the same tea I had when I was little.” She sighed. “All because someone decided to try to keep me when I wasn’t theirs.” She sat back in her seat and looked up into the sky through the greenhouse’s glass roof. “I wonder if things would have been different if…”

Oluchi’s ears tilted to the side. “Uh, Shupikayi? You okay?”

“Huh?” Shupikayi sat up. “Sorry, what was it?”

“You were saying something but got lost in thought.”

“Oh…It’s nothing important.” She shook her head. “I guess I wish certain things were better when I was little, but it doesn’t matter.” She looked at one of her lilac bushes that was in a flowerbed. Perhaps she’d put one in her hair later. “The past is the past. We must remember it, but we must also move on.”

THE END