Wingball Finals: A Queen ascends

Miira “Everbright” stretching her wings from divine child, and stepping up onto her throne as a queen.

“Queen energy is full of power, confidence and femininity. Queens are humble leaders, clear communicators and advocates for selflove and self-resilience. The Queen archetypical energy is not catty or competitive, but rather wants to see all people thrive in life.”

Kim Howie, The Wisdom Coalition

Miira leaned in closer to Furiosa,

“Hey Big Red, watch me make them sweat ok.”

“HA! This is going to be great, just like we practiced, yeah?”

“Yeah, with your big finale too. When I call out, you lead right? I’m counting on you Red.”

“Sure thing Silverwing.”

The stadium shuddered in awe and dread as the two first ladies of Jungian High, Astriarlaissas and Leropahneth arrived together and took their places, nearly stone thrones in fact, ringside. Wooden seating and an adult red dragon was a recipe for disaster.

“Astriarlaissas, another year, another final. Looks like your sister’s hatchling is still captain it would seem. You must be so very very proud, on her behalf of course.”

“Leropahneth darling please, the team wouldn’t be here without your fearsome Furiosa, first wing, the best flight time in the province and top goal scorer again. What was it, six goals last match? More than the other girls combined.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere, Silvertounge. Indeed my mighty Furiosa has performed admirably this season. Let us hope for another six today. Maybe, unlike some others, she will earn her name with honour.”

She spat the words, a few small flames licking her tongue.

“The greatest honour for us as parents is that they do appear to be getting on finally.”

“Oh please, it was what? Three mortal generations ago the two of us would have leveled this stand and destroyed everyone here should we but chance a meeting. They would fear our gaze and grovel before us.”

“More civilised times, dear Lerophaneth, more civilised times.”

“Some will call it that.”

Miira had studied her mothers magic well, both of her mothers. She saw The Shadow in others and could dance with hers now. This was going to be fun. Playful, useful and fun.

She strode up to the captain of Baynes High, Selene the Hippogriff was normally cold as ice, their biggest rivals at wingball and fearsome athlete, not hot headed like Red, a cold and efficient wingball machine. She had known Selene in primary school, she was good then, she was better now.

“Selene, my old friend, so good to see you. May I just say your feathers look particularly fine this season.”

“New wing oil, top of the line, used by the national champs. Good to see you too Miira. Best of luck today, you will need it to take on my girls.”

“Oh girls you say, you just brought girls did you?”

A little cheeky grin cracked the silver dragon’s scales as she sauntered forward into her old friend’s half, head held high. Looking up and down slowly, calmly at the rival team in front of her.

“You there, blue dragonette, why are you here?”

“Ummm because it’s the finals right?”

“Oh that’s a good enough reason I suppose, because you made it here, nice, solid.”

“You there, griffon girl.”

“Yeah what!” Squarked back the tall griffon.

“Why are you here?”

“To try my best, to bring my best self obviously.”

“Oh that’s sweet too, to try your very best. Very nice, a good sentiment for girls.”

“What’s your point Miira?!” Selene turned with one eyebrow raised.

Miira turned slowly and smiled at her friend and then called out, loud and strong. Not a little girl dragon’s call anymore, the call that summons armies and rallies kingdoms. The warcall of a silver dragon.

“Daughters of the four winds, why are you here???!!!!”

The whole team had lined up behind Furiosa and with a thunderous flap of their wings they all raised up in the air and shouted together. Three times with the beat of their wings and their cries of fury. The perfectly synchronised call rang out, filling the stadium with their strength, their shared purpose, their power.

They finished the third call with a mighty roar from Furiosa, an adult dragon’s roar and a burst of spectacular flame that filled the stands.

For a second Lerophaneth heard something in that roar that haunted her. It reminded of her of her own mother “The Crimson Death” the last great dragon queen, a woman so terrible and powerful she never yielded, never sued for peace after the last great dragon war. She fought on undefeated and alone. When they finally found her she had nothing left, spent her entire hoard, every last coin to wage that war, and no one was there at the end. She died bitter, angry, penniless and alone, but invincible and unslain, her kingdom of one intact. That roar reminded Lerophaneth of her wretched mother and for a second she felt a shiver of fear.

Miira grinned at the Hippogriff, whose beak was now hanging open in shock.

“See old friend, I brought flyers, not girls.”

Miira turned to waltz back to her side. She was so keen to see Selene’s ice cool facade finally crack, she needed to have her feathers ruffled a bit, but didn’t turn back to gloat, confident the magic had worked.

Many parents and supporters turned their heads aside from the heat of Furiosa’s flames. The two dragon mothers looked on, externally undisturbed, chatting calmly.

“Impressive indeed, did you know about this little spectacle the two of them had obviously cooked up together.”

“Oh a mother knows. Their inner flame burns most brightly when our two girls work together, it’s lovely to see them both stepping into their power.”

A small smoking snort was the red dragon’s only response.