Friends Reunited
In today's story, Carrie takes a trip to Scale City to reunite with her best friend, Hanna
Howdy!
Welcome back for a new story in the Princess Hanna series! In today’s story, Hanna’s best friend, Carrie, has packed her bags to make the trip to Scale City.
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Carrie stood by the window in the living room with all her bags by her side. It was early in the morning and Carrie was too excited to blink. Any second now, Princess Hanna’s Uncle James was going to be stopping by to pick her up. Then it was time for Scale City.
Carrie’s little sister Lily had woken up early too. She didn’t want to miss out on the action. She also wanted to savour her last moments with Carrie before she left.
“How long are you going for again?” Lily asked.
“I told you,” said Carrie, still looking out the window. “A week or so. It’s just for the Fire Carnival.”
Lily went silent. Carrie turned towards her and saw the sadness on her little sister’s face.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” said Carrie.
Carrie’s mums were chatting and yawning as they brewed some tea in the kitchen.
“Do you think she’ll get homesick?” asked Annie.
“She’ll be fine,” said Jodie. “She will have Hanna with her. That’s the same as having family with her.”
Carrie’s eyes were back on the corner of the street where James would come from. Finally, she saw two horses come trotting into view, pulling a carriage behind them.
Carrie lit up.
“He’s here, he’s here!” she shouted.
She was tip-tapping her feet like a dog who has just been told they’re going for a walk. Lily, meanwhile, had the exaggerated frown of a sobbing clown.
Carrie and her family made their way to the front door and went out to meet James as he arrived.
James parked up and hopped out. Once Carrie saw James, she instantly recognised him, even though she didn’t think she was going to. It was a sudden feeling of familiarity, of safety. It was like seeing an old friend.
James and the kids were reintroduced and then the adults talked for a while about the good old days. As the adults chit-chatted away, little Lily had a look on her face like it was the end of the world.
Time to go, Carrie gave each of her parents a last big hug. She turned to her sister.
“I’ll be back in no time,” Carrie told her. “I’ll bring back a present for you, ok? What present do you want?”
Lily still looked like she might start crying.
“Something cool,” she said.
Carrie smiled. “Something cool. I promise.”
Carrie climbed into the carriage and they set off for Scale City.
As they left Courage Town, Carrie was nervous to be going so far away from home and her family. She tried to stay calm and composed.
“You know, you and Hanna were the exact same when you were little ones,” said James with a nostalgic smile. “I remember you two spending hours running around the castle fighting together against an imaginary army of enemies. A pair of noble little knights.”
Carrie smiled.
*
They eventually arrived at the mighty Scale City. Just like Hanna, Carrie was overwhelmed by the sudden action and movement that surrounded her.
They went through the city to the town square where Hanna and her dad were staying. James had already been in contact with the King of Courage Town and told him when they would arrive.
As Carrie’s carriage rolled into the town square, Hanna was already out on the balcony of where she was staying, watching and waiting, with Michael there with her too.
Hanna immediately called back inside to her dad, “They’re here! Carrie and Uncle James are here!”
She flew down to the town square just as Carrie’s carriage was coming to a stop. Carrie leapt out when she saw Hanna and gave her a great big hug. Carrie then noticed Michael standing nearby. There was a sudden shyness in him.
“This is Michael,” said Hanna. “He’s competing in the Fire Carnival too.”
“Hi,” said Carrie.
“Hi,” said Michael.
James hopped out of the carriage. Hanna ran to him and gave him a hug too.
“Can you help me win?” she asked, just loud enough for only her uncle to hear.
“I’ll try,” he said.
At that moment Hanna’s dad landed just nearby.
“Hello, hello,” he said.
Hanna took a step back, refocusing on Carrie.
“First thing’s first, we need to get Carrie a proper view of the city,” said Hanna. “What’s the best spot, Michael?”
He nodded towards the tower at the centre of the city that soared way above any other building. “It’s hard to compete with the tower.”
“How about a race?” Hanna asked with a smirk.
“I’m not much of a flyer,” said Michael.
But Hanna and Carrie were already in competition mode, looking at each other with a knowing grin.
“We’ll be back soon, dad,” Hanna said.
“Where are you going?” her dad asked.
Hanna wasn’t listening.
“Go!” she said suddenly, and took off into the air.
Carrie was quick to click into action and launch after her. Meanwhile, Michael was briefly stunned and still adjusting. He then scrambled to take off and fly after them.
Hanna’s dad and uncle just shrugged at each other. Let the kids have fun.
It didn’t take long for Carrie to catch up to Hanna. Carrie then took off ahead with ease. She charged ahead, in another league.
Carrie made it to the roof of the tower way before anyone else. When Hanna and Michael eventually arrived, they were both panting and out of breath. Carrie, meanwhile, was busy taking in the view, her lungs barely even tested.
“You’re getting pretty quick,” said Hanna, still recovering.
Carrie was focused on the view. It took her breath away.
They all looked out across the city below.
In the distance, just outside the city where the farmland began, Hanna saw a spiral of flames fly up into the air. The fire held steady, swirling like a whirlpool.
“It’s a fire tornado!” Hanna shouted excitedly. “Look, look!”
Carrie and Michael turned their attention to the distant twirl of fire, nowhere near as captured by it as Hanna was.
“We need a closer look,” said Hanna. “We need to get over there.”
Before anyone could respond, Hanna took off flying through the air.
Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful rest of the week.
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