Chapter Seventeen

Courts in Session, You’re Guilty do Confess

In all of Jackson Roberts’ years of military service, he had never had an order that angered him as much as the order that had been hand delivered to him last night by the aid to the High Commander. The Commander didn’t even have the nerve to tell Jackson himself.

According to the aide, because of funding issues and the lack of progress, his troops were to be dissolved effective immediately.

As Jackson packed his bags, he pondered the orders he had received earlier in the day. The orders just didn’t make sense; it was pure madness. Jackson picked up his picture of the family at Splash Mountain and placed it gently in his case. He spent a few moments gazing at the picture and remembering this joyous time spent with his family. “At least Sara and Elizabeth are safe,” he thought. A shadow passed over the Toliver stones in the wall.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the great Jackson Roberts.”

Jackson recognized the voice. He knew the toad behind the voice.

“You are getting careless in your old age, Jackson. I had no problem sneaking up on you. What’s wrong Jackson? Cat got your tongue?”

Jackson reached for his Laser Chronogram 6000 but before he could retrieve the weapon, Appleton lashed out his tongue, and the poison found its intended victim. In a matter of seconds, Jackson lay on the floor of the cave, in poison-induced sleep.

He awoke several hours later. Blindfolded, his hands and feet bound, his skin was numb and tingling from the effects of the poison. He was sure he was still in the cave, but from the foul toad smell about him, he knew he was not alone.

“It appears our friend is awake.”

“Good, we have a few questions for our esteemed prisoner,” answered Appleton. Jackson felt a hard, slimy slap against his face. “Do we have your attention now, Mr. Roberts?” Jackson could only nod.

“Very well, let’s begin.” Appleton picked up the Disneyland picture. “This is a fascinating picture. You are sitting on a log and are falling down a stream. I assume this is some secret entrance to the rebel headquarters, Mr. Roberts? Who is this woman behind you? It appears she has been taken to be tortured. She seems terrified. Where was this picture taken? We are very interested in knowing the location of this camp. If you tell us the location, we might be easy on you. We see your traitorous wife in the picture, along with that spoiled brat of yours.” Jackson felt another slimy slap on his face. “Jackson, we are waiting for your answer.”

“That picture was taken at Disneyland last year. It is a ride, Splash Mountain, not a camp, you moron. As for the person behind us, she was just the next person in line. I can tell you have not managed to increase your intelligence in the last thirteen years, have you, Appleton?”

“Silence, Jackson. You will tell us what we want to know. We can make it tough on you if you resist. Shall we try again?” Jackson felt another slimy slap on his cheek.

From the corner of the room, Jackson heard a familiar voice, “Enough. Appleton, please place our prisoner back under your power of sleep.”

Appleton’s tongue found its target again.

The High Commander stepped out from the shadows. “Appleton, transfer our prisoner to Doldunt prison. We can’t do a proper interrogation in this damp cave. Once at the prison, you can use whatever means you think fit to extract the information from him. Remember, he might come in useful later, so please stop short of death when interrogating Jackson.”

Appleton motioned to one of the other toads to take care of Jackson; he noticed the High Commander step back into the cave. “Appleton, I need not remind you to keep this prisoner away from the other inmates in prison. Remember who is locked up there. And, don’t forget his wife will be joining him later. Take extreme caution. When you are finished here, you are to return to the sisters and give them a complete update on your attempts to locate Sara.” The High Commander turned on his heels and marched out of the cave.

       

The courtroom was filled. There were no seats, however, for the right price; choice seats towards the front could be purchased. It was fortunate the trial coincided with Queen Hillary’s month-long inspection of her legions, now amassed to the west of Tenebrae City in Turalia. The Queen would be gone a substantial amount of time. Janet was pleased with herself; it took a stroke of genius to forge a decree requiring all reigning queens to inspect their troops. Of course, it was Maggie’s idea to forge their mother’s royal seal on the order. Queen Hillary was bewildered; she could not remember making such a decree. She decided it was because she was so busy trying to keep her food tasting service staff. She dutifully left on her tour only three days earlier. It was barely enough time for the sisters to saturate the public with enough advertising.

After a long argument as to who would be the judge and who would be the prosecuting attorney, the matter had been settled the same way the sisters always settled their cases. Janet held her breath the longest. Thus she appointed herself as a judge. Maggie, although still angry at Janet for cheating, became the prosecuting attorney. They would both serve on the jury. It was, after all, their civic duty. Both knew that Elizabeth was guilty and the trial was a mere formality. Selling tickets to the highest bidder was Maggie’s idea. Forcing Tenebrae City’s citizens to bid on a ticket was Janet’s idea.

Janet, sitting behind a desk in the courtroom, struck her gavel on her newly purchased gavel pad. “Dearest citizens of our fair Tenebrae City,” she looked at the group of cutthroats and derelicts seated in the front row. They had been allowed, or more like forced, into becoming the high bidders. Most of the citizens loyal to Elizabeth had suddenly been unavailable.

“I am sad to say, our once dear sister, Elizabeth, is on trial for treason against our most beloved mother.” She paused for an instant to point her bony finger at Elizabeth. “How do you plead?”

Elizabeth remained silent.

“Dearest Sister, may I approach the bench?” asked Maggie.

“My dearest sister and esteemed prosecuting attorney, I believe you refer to the judge as your honor.”

“Please accept my deepest apologies, my dear sister. Dearest your honor, may I approach the bench?

“Well, of course, esteemed lawyer Maggie, it would be most fortuitous to have your wisdom on the bench. Please approach the bench.”

“Dearest Sister, we have overlooked a small matter in these proceedings,” Maggie absent-mindedly arranged the documents evenly on the desk.

“Oh dearest Sister of mine, please tell, exactly what did we overlook?” responded Janet as she rearranged the documents in neat and orderly piles on the desk.

“I feel this trial is a great dishonor to our dearest sister.”

“What? I mean, in which way is it a dishonor, my most beloved DERANGED sister?” Janet glared at Maggie.

“In all of our haste to try our most beloved sister, we forgot to appoint an attorney for the defense, dearest Sister, and most honorable judge. If it pleases the court, I will assign myself as the defense attorney.” Maggie smiled.

“Dearest Sister, you are already the prosecuting attorney, are you sure you can handle both positions and still be impartial?”

“Oh my dearest, most beloved sister and most honorable provider of justice, I am well capable of multi-tasking. It will be no problem serving as both defense and prosecuting attorneys, and still take on the esteemed role of the jurist,” remarked Maggie. Thunderous applause exploded from the front row of the courtroom. Several people, apparently loyal to Elizabeth, exited the courtroom.

“Oh dearest Maggie, I am so proud of you. Of course, it would be an honor to appoint you as the defensive attorney also. Would you like a few minutes alone with your new client, before we continue?”

Maggie looked at Elizabeth with disgust and replied, “Dearest sister and fellow jurist, why would I spend time alone with that felon? After all, she is guilty” Maggie rearranged the documents evenly on the desk, along with the gavel and pad.

“Very well, shall we begin the trial?” asked Janet. Maggie stepped back to the prosecuting attorney’s table and rearranged all the documents in a neat pile on her left and the gavel and pad on the right.

“Yes, dearest Sister, your honor, may I give my closing arguments,” replied Maggie from the prosecuting attorney table. Maggie walked over to the defense attorney table. “As the defense attorney, I object.”

“Don’t be a ninny, Maggie,” said Janet. “Objection overruled. Please continue dearest prosecuting attorney Maggie.”

Maggie walked over to the prosecuting attorney table and said, “Thank you, your honor. I’m sure the defense objection was a mere formality.”

Elizabeth remained silent and emotionless.

Maggie, pointing at Elizabeth, “Lady and Lady of the jury, It is with great regret that I tell you that I believe we have proven without a shadow of a doubt that our dearest sister, whose wanton and willful acts against her mother have created great sorrow and despair. We have furthermore shown that she has denied her most beloved relatives, living here in this great city, the privilege, and joy of companionship of our dearest niece, Sophie. Yes, lady and lady of the jury, our most beloved sister did willfully hide and protect our adorable niece from her loving aunts. According to the laws of Tenebrae, and I read, ‘When one from Tenebrae, who has been given amnesty into Earth does knowingly harbor and protect a fugitive from Tenebrae, said the person is in violation of the Queen’s amnesty law. All rights of said person shall be revoked. Said person shall be deemed a traitor to the crown and tried accordingly.’ There you have it, ladies of the jury. Not only was our sister a fugitive, because she entered Earth with forged documents, but she was also protecting herself and her daughter, also a fugitive. As you can see, the laws make it quite clear. The only verdict is to find Elizabeth guilty of treason.” Maggie made a low bow to Janet and then again to the spectators as they honored her with another round of thunderous applause. A few more people in the back rows wandered out the exit.

Janet, who was on the verge of tears, also applauded Maggie. Ever faithful to her duties, she asked Maggie, “Does the defense attorney wish to give a closing argument before the jury retires and deliberates the case?”

Maggie walked over to the defense attorney table and, wiped her brow with a handkerchief. “If it pleases the court, my closing arguments as the prosecuting attorney wore me out. I have nothing at this time. Besides, we all know she’s guilty.”

“Very well, I now dismiss the jury for deliberation.”

Maggie and Janet met for about fifteen seconds until they had reached a verdict.

“Dearest and sweetest jury foreman, have you come to a unanimous verdict?” Janet spoke in her most judgelike voice.

“We have, my dearest sister, uh, I mean, your honor.”

“The defendant will rise.” Elizabeth remained seated. “The defendant will rise,” yelled Janet. “Bailiff, please make our dearest sister stand up, she just isn’t playing fair” whined Janet. The bailiff forced Elizabeth to stand up. “Oh, dearest Sister and foreman of the jury, please continue, what is the verdict?”

“Oh, dearest Sister, you were here with me when we talked about it. You know most beloved Elizabeth is guilty of all charges.”

Janet was ecstatic. “Oh, goody, goody,” she giggled and then on a more serious note, “Elizabeth, you have been found guilty of treason. That means mother’s protection spell is no longer valid. If you tell us where that spoiled brat of yours, Susie, is hiding, we might become more lenient and execute you more quickly. Elizabeth, do you have anything to say on your behalf?”

Elizabeth remained silent.

“Very well, guards, remove the prisoner from the courtroom. Escort her to Doldunt Prison. Maggie and I will decide her fate at a later date.”

“Dearest citizens, thank you all for coming to see your fair judicial system in action. Now, please exit the courtroom in an orderly manner. And don’t forget to pay the viewing taxes on your way out. Have what’s left of a beautiful day.”

Chapter Sixteen

Not all Pirates are on the Caribbean

Sara was awakened by a small jab in her right side. A little man with shoulder length curly black hair, a very long mustache, and wearing a white ruffled shirt stood over her. The small man, no taller than Jessup, was holding a walking stick which was the item used to poke her.

“Hey, why did you wake me up that way?”

“Ahoy there lassie, tis I who be askin’ all the questions. If ye don’t be a answerin’ me questions swiftly, then it’ll be you that I be stabbin’ with me ol’ trusty saber here.” The crusty pirate shook his walking stick.

“Well, Mr. Percy. I don’t mean to be rude but, are you aware that isn’t a saber?”

“Shiver me timbers lass dontcha be coy with me child. I know what it be. Since the terrible menacing ornery sea monster ate me saber and half me crew, tis all I can get me hands on. There not be a soul left that trust me with a real saber. An’ mind you lil lass, I be the one askin’ the questions ‘round here. An’ child, just who might ye be, lassie? This field be me domicile since I be not wantin’ to sleep near the water anymore. I be plannin’ a mighty ten-story condominium complex with an Olympic-sized pool shaped like a boat and an eight-person Jacuzzi tub right on this spot. An’, how ye be knowin’ me name? Arrgghhh, if we be outta sea, it would be walkin’ the plank with ya for insubordination. Now, lassie, I’d be a answerin’ me questions, if ye know what be good for ye.”

“My name is Sara, Mr. Percy, and I have come a long way to meet you. I have…”

“Arrggghhh, I be Pirate Percy, Lassie, and as for ye being from a long ways away, well taint true. I heard there were a young lass that just sprung up in Jessup’s crops yesterday, an’ if my ciphering be right, I be ciphering ye be the young lass that sprung up. Now, we be wantin’ to hear the truth Lassie, or I’ll keelhaul ye.”

“Well, if you must know, I did land in Jessup’s corn crops yesterday afternoon, but I did not just spring up from out of nowhere. I told you I have come a long distance to see you. Well, I didn’t know it was you I had to meet, but I knew I had to meet someone who would help me and Jessup told me you could give me a hand. It is true I landed in Jessup’s cornfield, but I first came from very far away.”

“Avast me matey, there taint no way a ship could get into Jessup’s field, so ye must have sprung up from the ground, Lassie.”

Sara looked exasperated, “What do I need to do to convince you I am telling the truth?” Sara debated whether or not to tell Percy the real truth. It could be very dangerous if he couldn’t be trusted. “Please excuse me, but the sun is in my eyes.” Sara reached into her backpack to get her magical sunglasses. A white mist enveloped Percy. Sara was now convinced the pirate could be told the real truth.

“Avast with ye delays, Lassie. I don’t got all day. Now, be a tellin’ the truth an’ be swift, afore I run ya through with me stick.”

“As I told you, I am Sara Roberts. I come from Earth, and I have urgent business in Tenebrae. I was told you were the person to get me there.”

“First, lassie, never say that place aloud. Arrgghhh, I be not a sailin’ thems cursed waters again. For any a person. Last time we be venturin’ outta sea, we was come upon by that demonic, blasted sea creature. And, it did eat me, crew, and most me splendid ship. I taint about to venture out again. Ye just need to be findin’ another fool to do ye biddin’” Percy turned around to leave.

“Wait, I haven’t finished. I need your help. I am Queen Hillary’s granddaughter.” Sara watched Percy, expecting a look of amazement on his face, and got her wish. “Yes, that’s right. The Queen is my grandmother.”

“Hold ye tongue, lass. I have no love for our Queen, she be pure evil through and through, and those whelps of hers be evil too. I won’t be a helpin’ no relation of the Queen. Ye be talkin’ to the wrong pirate. Ye can find another fool to help ye outta this mess ye be in. Twont be me or whats left of me crew.”

“You didn’t let me finish, Pirate Percy; I never said I liked the Queen. I don’t like her either.”

“Why did ye not say that from the start? I still can’t be helpin’ ya, what with the demonic, overactive sea monster still between us an’ Tenebrae. I do be wishin’ ye luck. Now, ye will be leavin’ so I can catch a bit of shut-eye. Twas a pleasure knowin’ ye Lassie, always good to find someone else who not be likin’ the Queen.”

“I need your help. I haven’t told you everything. My evil aunts kidnapped my mother. Pirate Percy, they plan on killing my mother.”

“That be plain terrible, lassie, but there not be a thing I can do to change that.”

“They plan on taking the throne. They will take it by force if they have to, even if it means killing my mother and me to do it. They will be worse as queens than even my grandmother. No one will be safe once they are on the throne.”

“Avast Matey, don’t matter to me which evil wench be sittin’ on the throne. Don’t make no never-mind to me. Still won’t get ye over to the big island.”

Sara thought for a moment and then smiled. “Did I mention I have Queen’s dollars to pay you? I have a lot of them.”

“Shiver me timbers, why did ye not mention that from the start, lassie? I got to persuade a few new victims, I mean crew members, to sign on for the voyage and need to get provisions. That’ll cost you handsome lassie, how much coinage do ye have?”

Sara removed her glasses. As she did so, she noticed a smudge of white haze off to the right, and another smudge of dark haze off to the left but decided it was maybe just glare. She put the sunglasses back into her backpack and pulled out one of the pouches Jessup had given her. “Will this be enough?” She handed the pouch over to the pirate.

“That’ll be enough for starters. We sail afore sunset. Be on the docks one hour earlier. Ye know where me grand ship be anchored?”

Sara nodded her head, “There is only one ship in the harbor.”

“No Lassie, there be two vessels in the harbor. I could only wish that grand, splendid ship in the harbor be mine, but no. Mine be on the starboard side, and it be not quite as magnificent. See ye before sunset.”

         

Percy sat at his usual table at the inn, having just finished hiring most of his required crew. After half of his ship was eaten by the sea monster, he had gone to the Pirate Depot and bought some two by fours. With a few nails and some duct tape, he had repaired his ship as best he could. However, it was smaller than it used to be so Percy had only needed three more crew members. With his new found wealth, he could replace his galleon upon his return from Tenebrae, if he came back. There was no guarantee of that happening.

He had been surprised when Cedric volunteered to be the ship’s navigator. Percy had not known that lizards were naturally great navigators. Cedric had assured him that the most famous navigators had been lizards even though he could not remember any of their names. The second crew member he had hired was a large, scary man with a menacing dragon tattoo. The scary man, Percy could not remember his name, had promised him he would make a perfect first-mate. He had confessed he had no idea what a first-mate did, but he was sure he would make a perfect first-mate, regardless. Percy was pleased.

Unfortunately, Percy still needed to find a cook. His last cook had been the first to be eaten by the sea monster, and everyone knew it. The minute Percy had announced that he was looking for crew members for a voyage to Tenebrae everyone had suddenly taken ill or just run away. Percy sat at the table, mumbling to himself. He had two hours before sunset and only one hour before he was to meet his new client on the pier. He still did not have a cook for the voyage. How did he get himself into these predicaments?

A booming, menacing voice bellowed from behind him. “I can’t believe you got hornswaggled into taking another voyage and over there of all places.” said the voice, pointedly.

“Aye, I did at that.”  

“Just who in the name of Hillary was able to talk you into this fool voyage?”

“Aye, ‘twas the child you be sendin’ from here last night.”

“Child, what child would that be? As I recollect, I only kicked out a wizard. I, right, I get it. You are under a spell. What did she do to you? Threaten to turn you into a frog if you didn’t do as she commanded?”

“Nay, twasn’t that mate.”

“Ok, then did she threaten to turn your liver into jelly if you didn’t do her bidding?”

“Nay twasn’t that either. She taint a wizard mate. She be much more devious and tricky.”

“Sure, sure Percy. Are you sure the child isn’t a wizard? I wouldn’t want it to get around that you were outsmarted by a snot-nosed kid. It would be better for you if she were a wizard. People would understand then.”

“Avast, twasn’t outsmarted, as I be saying the youngster be devious. Aye, she be paying me twenty times the goin’ rate. Couldn’t resist. Curse me ratty old bones.”

The ogre stifled a laugh, “Well, I’ll be. You crusty old pirate, you were outwitted by a brat.”

“Aye, that I was. Now I be in the soup. I have not enough time to fill the rest of me crew. ‘Tis just a lousy cook I be needin’. Now where be found a cook in such a short period?”

“If all you need is one lousy cook, I have been called a horrible cook more times than I can remember. It looks as if you just hired yourself a cook.” The ogre smiled as he rubbed his hands on his greasy apron. “When do we sail?”

“If that clock on the wall be correct, that’ll be now. Tis time to be a saunterin’ over to me grand ship. Told me, crew and the new client, to meet me at the pier one hour afore sunset.”

“Crew?”

“Aye, crew.”

“And just who would be fool enough to sign up as a crew, that is, besides me?”

“Besides ye, fool ogre, there be a fool of a lizard, Cedric, one fool of a scary man with a dragon tattoo, and that dern fool of a girl. That’ll be five including you. You be still game to be me cook?”

“Well, Percy, the outsmarted by a brat kid pirate, let’s go. Our fate awaits us. Let’s hope the sea monster isn’t too hungry.”

Chapter Fifteen

It’s Wise to Fear a Man with Dragon Tattoos

Sara read the sign. NO CHILDREN ALLOWED. “If I’m old enough to rescue my mother, I’m not a child anymore, and no stupid sign will get in my way.”

Sara boldly opened the rickety door, held her head high, and walked into the room, daring anyone to say anything. As she stepped into the room, the loud, lawless bar became silent, and every eye in the place zeroed in on Sara. It reminded Sara of some old movie she watched with her father called Star Wars. There was a scene when the good guy walked into a bar, and there were a lot of mean, dangerous looking creatures sitting around the bar. They all looked right at the good guy. Except, the characters staring at her right now, seemed a lot less respectable. Suddenly, the bold, confident Sara began to feel very small.

The ogre behind the bar looked at Sara from head to toe, and then rubbed his large meaty hands on his greasy, dirty apron. In his deep, booming, menacing voice, he pointed to Sara and said, “Hey kid, can’t you read? The sign says no wizards allowed.”

Sara raised her hands to protest and then realized her star was showing. She quickly dropped her hands to her sides and defended herself by saying, “I am not a wizard, I’m a child.” She realized, child or wizard, either way, she was in trouble.

The ogre laughed, “And I’m the Queen- off to Doldunt Prison with you.” Everyone in the bar laughed as the ogre continued, “Anyway, children aren’t allowed in here either, so get lost.”

Sara turned around, dejectedly, and left the inn. As she left, the patrons of the bar went back to their conversations, except two. A lizard sitting at the table in the very far back corner had noticed the white star on Sara’s palm and stared at the door after she left. He finished his drink and started to follow. He left the pirate sitting at the table, sadly lamenting his recent string of bad luck.

Sitting at a table next to the pirate’s table was a very large, scary looking man with a large tattoo of a dragon on his left arm. He knew instantly who this young girl was. He sneered. His employers would want to know that this white-palmed girl was now near Tenebrae. He knew what he needed to do. It did not escape his attention that the lizard had excused himself from his table and followed the young girl. Chase, the man with the tattoo, stood up and deposited a Queen’s dollar, which he had been running through his fingers. He needed to see what the lizard was up to. It might have been a coincidence that the lizard left about the same time as the young girl, but he had to make sure. Chase left the inn through the back door. No one in the inn noticed him leave.

Sara was angry. How dare that ogre make her leave? She thought to herself, “If I had been a wizard, I would have turned him into a...a….” She couldn’t imagine anything worse than a greasy fat ugly ogre with a dirty apron. She noticed the figure of a large lizard slithering towards her. She looked around but could find no place to hide. Like a deer caught in a trance from oncoming headlights, she could do nothing but wait for the lizard to reach her. She reached down and grabbed her backpack for protection.

“You don’ need to be scared, I am a friend. My name is Cedric.”

 The lizard did not look trustworthy. She thought of using the sunglasses, but she didn’t want to waste one of the three uses so soon. Besides, Jessup had mentioned a lizard named Cedric. “Ok, Cedric. Jessup mentioned you. Jessup said you could help me find a pirate, but you weren’t where you were supposed to be, and now I’ll never meet the pirate.” She folded her hands across her chest. “And I don’t know you, so you are not my friend.”

“I was having a drink with the Pirate Percy when you came in waving your white starred palm so everybody in the inn could see it. That’s not the wisest thing to do. There are those who are looking for a white star palmed child.”

“I didn’t mean to show off my palm. If I had my way, I wouldn’t even have a star. If I had my way, I’d be at home with my mom and dad.” She paused for a moment, and her face brightened. “You know the pirate? Can you introduce me to him? I need to get to ten….”

Cedric stopped Sara before she could finish her sentence. “Please, don’t talk about that place out-loud. There are those who report all that is spoken here. It’s best that place is spoken of in private. It will take someone with experience to convince Percy to go anywhere near his ship again and even more to convince him to go to that place.”

“Cedric, I have no other choice. I have to get to—to that place, and his is the only ship in the harbor.”

“Well….”

“A friend would help me.”

“Yes, Yes, I know.” Cedric rubbed his chin. “The only way to get from here to there is by Percy’s ship,” Cedric looked up, his eye’s bright and a smirk on his face. “All we need to do is to make him think that the idea to take you is all his. I think I might be able to do this. It will take some time. I have a cot in my tent; you are welcome to stay there. We can talk to Percy tomorrow.” He started to walk away from Sara, and then turned his head around again, “Are you coming?”

The thought of staying anywhere near the lizard gave Sara the heebie-jeebies; she didn’t know why he seemed like a nice enough guy, but nevertheless. “Well, actually, I have a sort of phobia of cots, and I was thinking of sleeping out here under the stars. I like sleeping outside.” She had never slept outside alone before but somehow. It sounded better than sleeping anywhere near Cedric.

 “Okay. Sara, be careful. Not everyone around here will be friendly.” Cedric turned and left.

                              

Hiding behind some bushes and unnoticed by Cedric or Sara, a scary person with a dragon tattoo had seen and heard everything. “I will be joining the Pirate’s crew tomorrow,” Chase said to himself. He knew his employers wanted the girl; he would have to find a way to join up with the pirate before Sara. “Unfortunately the ships only travel on the water,” thought Chase, turning a bit green. He was terrified of water.

“This is not what I expected in this job.” Chase had been hired to take the girl to a rendezvous at Hemits Cave. They had not told him the girl was a wizard. His father had been a wizard and had abandoned him, and his mother just after Chase was born. His mother died shortly after his birth, and he grew up in an orphanage. He vowed to avenge his mother’s death if he ever found the wizard that had abandoned her and left her to die. However, a job was a job, and the pay was good. Once he completed this job, he would have the money to continue the search for his miserable father and avenge his mother’s death.

                            

Sara watched the lizard walk away. She had an uneasy feeling about Cedric. Off towards the right, she saw a gigantic man moving away; she had an uneasy feeling about him too. Perhaps it was because they were both strangers, and both a bit strange, but they gave her the creeps. The large man left, leaving Sara alone as the sun finished setting. Exhausted, all she could think of was a soft bed. “Maybe I should have taken Cedric up on his offer,” she said aloud, talking to herself again. She used the backpack as a pillow and lay down on the ground. “This is so uncomfortable,” she said, “I’ll never get to sleep.” She gazed up at the stars. They didn’t look much different from the ones at home, except they were green. She closed her eyes, and within seconds Sara was drifting off into dreamland, dreaming of her trip to Disneyland with her parents. She smiled in her sleep.

Chapter Fourteen

Have an Ear of Creamed Corn

“Naw, Clearance, I ‘spect she ain’t dead. Clearance, how in dad burn blazes am I ‘spose to know where she comes from?”

Sara listened while regaining consciousness.

“I ‘spect some wizardly magic were used.”

She lay motionless, afraid of how the owner of the voice would react if it knew she was awake.

“Why don’t you nudge her a might bit, Clearance.”

Sara held her breath, expecting whatever it was to nudge her.

“Now, Clearance, how am I “spose to know if she got some secret weapon? I don’t ‘spect she’ll scratch an eye out if you deesturb her. If she does, you got hundurds of eyes. I ‘spose ya could survive with a few less eyes. Go ahead and nudge her with that big old head of yours.”

Sara screamed, “Don’t you dare touch me.” Sara opened her eyes to find a large caterpillar-looking creature with the saddest eyes she’d ever seen, and a dwarf-sized person was looking on with surprise.

The dwarf said to the caterpillar-like thing, “Well, Clearance, sounds like we have ourselves a spitfire. An’ I told ya she warnt dead. It looks as if your eyes is safe.” The caterpillar backed away with a fearful gaze. The dwarf stared at Sara, his arms folded, and said, “Sorry Lil’ lady, we don’t mean you no harm. And, just cause you chose our crop field to land in don’t give you the right to be mean to Clearance.”

Sara finally sat up and looked around. She was in the middle of a large cornfield. Sara had seen cornfields before. This cornfield was different. The ears of corn had a yellow gooey goop dripping from them. The grassy field with smudges of dirt and twenty-foot high green corn stalks smelled like fresh spring rain. A drop of goop oozed from an ear, fell to the ground, and sizzled in the hot sun.

“Lil’ lady, are you all right? Like I said, we don’t mean ya no harm; y’all just lucky Clearance here noticed ya afore she squished ya. All we was doing was minding our business harvesting our cream corn crops. And there you was just lying there as if ya was dead.”

 The dwarf was no taller than three feet, with a beard that had to be twice that. He was dressed in a floppy green hat, a red plaid shirt, and purple bib-overalls. Clearance was a long green and red caterpillar type creature. It had to be at least twenty feet long, with a large head, filled with at least one hundred eyes. The creature was frightening.

 “I’m sorry for screaming at you, but you startled me. Will you forgive me?” Sara blinked once and then looked around the field feeling disoriented. “Could you tell me where I am?”

The dwarf stood with his legs apart, hands on his hips, sucking on a strand of straw. “I just told you Lil’ lady. Ya, be in my cream corn crop. I be Jessup, and my friend here be Clearance.”

 “It’s nice to meet you, Jessup. My name is Sara.” She started to put her hand out but changed her mind when she remembered her star. “When I asked where I was, I meant besides being in a cornfield.” Tears fell from half of Clearance’s eyes, and the caterpillar bowed her head.

 “Now, now, Clearance, I don’t ‘spose she meant to be rude by not being pleased to meet ya also.” Jessup handed the caterpillar a tissue. “You just went and hurt Clearance’s feelings again, well, if ya be so high falootin’ I’ll tell you where you be. You be on the Isle of Rand. Now, if you’ll be a leaving and on your way, Clearance and me can finish our harvesting.”

Sara bit her lower lip. “I’m so sorry for ignoring you, Clearance.” The caterpillar peered down at her. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m happy to meet you.”

The beast’s eyes brightened, all hundreds of them. Before Sara could react, Clearance had licked her face with a long tongue. Sara stood in shock, with slime dripping from her face, staring at the giant bug. She reached out her hands and felt the big caterpillar, who was as soft as her favorite stuffed teddy bear back home but smelt like the garbage disposal.

 “Well, lookee there Sara, look as if Clearance has taken a shine to you. She don’t take a shine to many. She has a sense about peoples. She ain't no caterpillar. She be a waggert. Waggerts be bred to be harvestin’ pets.”

Sara wiped the slime from her face. She needed to find her backpack, which she noticed was missing. “Have you seen my backpack?”

“I got no idea what a backpack is, Lil’ lady, looks as if your back is attached to your front.” Jessup pointed to Sara’s back.

Sara’s expression changed. She wouldn’t be able to save her mother without it. “No! My backpack is not my back. It’s important, and I need to find it. It’s about so big.” She did her best to show the size of her backpack with hand movements, but Jessup stood there with a blank, confused look on his face. Sara shook her head. “I might as well be talking Latin for all the good it is doing me now. Ubi proprius dorsum Sarcina.” She jumped. What were those strange sounds coming from her mouth? Even more surprising, Jessup understood what she said.

“Well, Lil’ lady, why didn’t y’all ask for your satchel in the first place?” Jessup glanced at Sara. “Clearance found your purse, a way up in the tops of the cream corn stalks afore we knew you was here. Weren’t Clearance’s fault, though, she was thinking a bird left it for her. I tried telling her she couldn’t keep it. Jessup nuzzled Clearance’s huge head, again. “Give Sara her satchel back.” A sad look came across the beast’s face, and with a slight hesitation, she reached behind with one of her arms/feet and handed Sara her backpack.

“Thank you.” Sara opened the bag and searched inside making sure everything was still there.

“Jessup, could you tell me the best way to get to Tenebrae? I’m in a kind of a hurry to get there.” She began pulling grass from her hair.

“Tenebrae eh? Clearance does ya hear that? I think your radar ‘bout this girl is wrong.” Jessup eyed Sara suspiciously. “Spect we have us a spy. Likely sent here to get information ‘bout our cream corn crop. No real person would go to Tenebrae.” He rubbed his chin. “You knows that. Now, lookee 'ere Lil’ lady, I was joshing you when I said this here was creamed corn. Naw, ‘tis creamed asparagus.” He swept his hand, gesturing toward his crops. “The Queen ain’t suddenly taken a disliking to cream asparagus, has she? ‘Taint my fault she suddenly took a dislike to cream corn and made me illegal. Ya can just tell her majesty we ain’t growin' no cream corn. All we got is asparagus. Tain’t that right Clearance.” Jessup folded his arms and tapped his feet on the ground.

“Now, if you are finished spying’ on us, you can just go back from where you came. Go on get. You ain’t welcome no more. Clearance, hush up, I knows what I'm doing. Clearance and me has some cream spinach to harvest- - -I meant cream- - -. Psst, Clearance, what crops did I say we was growing? Oh, ya, cream asparagus.” Jessup said, with his back to Sara. “She gone Clearance yet? I don’t care. Do what I says and turn your back on her, too. Maybe if you ignore her, she’ll disappear. I told you to ignore her.” Jessup faced Sara. He wanted nothing to do with a spy. Clearance had moved over next to her as if to protect her.

“I’m sorry.” Sara scratched Clearance’s huge ear. “Did I do something to offend you or Clearance again? If I did, I didn’t mean to do it. I do need to get to Tenebrae. I love creamed corn. Please, you have to trust me. I have significant business in Tenebrae.” She pleaded. “If it would make you any happier, I think the Queen wants to kill me.” Sara sat down on the ground, placed her head into her hands and broke down into tears. Who am I kidding? Did Thompson think I could do this? “I can’t do this. I’m just a little kid.”

“There, there Lil’ lady. Clearance didn’t mean to make you cry.” Clearance had a confused look in its eyes. “She’s sorry. Tell her you’re sorry, Clearance.”

“That’s okay.” Sara thought of Clearance’s tongue. “I believe she’s sorry. Will you help me? I don’t know what to do. I think I can trust you.”

“Well, Clearance and me ‘taint nothing but farmers. I’m sorry ‘bout the Queen trying to kill you. What’s you done anyways? Never you mind, ‘taint none of my business. You can stay here. Queen’s people don’t come here often. I see that I can't stop ya from going to Tenebrae. You’ll need a professional.” Jessup looked at his friend and shook his head, his eyes widened. “I reckon you are right. Clearance says old Pirate Percy would be your best bet.” He pointed to his rear with his thumb. “If you can convince him to go out again after the sea monster done ate half of his ship and most of the crew.”

“A pirate? Can I trust him?” She had never met a Buccaneer before, trustworthy or not.

The waggert shook its body. “Clearance says he’s not a good pirate. I reckon Y'all can trust him.”

“Thank you so much, Jessup. How do I find Percy?” Sara glanced around the field.

“Well, everybody knows ever since the sea monster, Percy will be hanging out at the old Rusty Anchor Inn. It’s in the Sea Port of Randula ya know, just over yonder.” He slapped his knee. “I forgot you ain’t from round these parts. First, ya gotta get to the end of my crops.” He pointed to the right. “Just go straight, don’ turn, or you’ll get lost. When you come to the end of my crops, you’ll find a road. Take the path to the right.” He rolled is beard up and shoved it down into his bib-overalls. Clearance shook her head. “Now don’t go a getting her lost, Clearance. Oh ya, Clearance is right, you turn left when ya get to the road. Keep a walking down the road ‘til ya get to the lizard - - -”

Sara interrupted, “What makes you so sure the lizard will be there?”

“Don’t you worry about the lizard, he will be thar. He has been there every day, all day long for the last four months. As I was saying, what you need to do is ask Cedric...Yes, Clearance he has. You have never met him before. No Clearance, I don’t know why he has been there. I ‘spect he has a reason.”

Sara interrupted again, “Who is Cedric?”

.Jessup swatted a mosquito the size of her fist from his nose. Clearance gobbled it up as it flew in the wrong direction. “Taint you paying attention? Cedric is the lizard. As I was saying, what you’ll do is ask Cedric to show you the way to the Rusty Anchor. After you get to the inn, Percy won’t be too hard to find.”

 Clearance pushed him with her big head. “What’s that Clearance? Clearance wants to know if you got any money. You don’t do you?” He whispered something. “Are you sure, Clearance, you been saving for years. I see you can tell this girl is in need. Clearance here says you can have her half of our money.” Jessup handed Sara a big pouch. “I don’t wanna be outdone by Clearance. You can have my half too.” Jessup gave Sara the second pouch. “This’ll get you started. Now, Sara, you best be a going if ya wanna make the Sea Port of Randula. Lil’ lady, it twas right nice a meeting you. If you ever need anything, you just call us. And Sara, don’t go letting the Queen kill you.”

“Jessup, I’m curious. Why did you name her Clearance?”

Jessup’s eyes narrowed as he whispered. “I didn’t name her. When I bought her at the pet shop, she had a tag on her with her name on it. Got a mighty good deal on her, too!”

Clearance licked her face again. Jessup gave her a big hug. “I won’t forget the two of you. I will repay the money when I am able. Goodbye.” She ran off in the direction Jessup told her to go, tears running down her cheeks.

Sara had only walked a few minutes when she came to the road Jessup had told her about. She could also smell the fresh sea breeze. The road was well cared for, about twenty feet wide, and made from dirt. Sara was the only one on the road. She turned to her left and walked down the road. Sara walked for about an hour, with no sign of any lizards. Sara wondered about the lizard. Mr. Thompson said they could never trust rodents and amphibians. “Are lizards amphibians?” thought Sara. Sara wished she had paid more attention in class. She was sure lizards were not amphibians. Lizards are reptiles like snakes and alligators. She hoped she was right. Finally, she saw the Rusty Anchor Inn, as it was the only structure in the village that even resembled a building. The rest of the village turned out to be small shanties.

There was only one ship in the harbor, a timeworn, dilapidated ship. The ship had no appearance of having been out to sea for decades, let alone looking sea-worthy. She shook her head; she was in a lot of trouble. Certainly, she could not trust this ship to get her to Tenebrae, but she had no other choice.

The Rusty Anchor Inn was also dilapidated, but still in better shape than the ship.

There was a faint glow coming from the windows, and there was a hub of voices coming from inside. She had never been in an inn before, but she needed to find the pirate. The sign on the door stopped her cold. It looked as if it had been written in blood and it read,

NO TENEBRAENS, WIZARDS, LIBERO SALUSONS OR CHILDREN ALLOWED.

Chapter Thirteen

The Lab

The laboratory reminded Sara of something from Frankenstein’s Monster or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Beakers and tubes surrounded her. Some of them were empty, a few bubbled over with strange red or yellow gooey concoctions, while others had blue smoke spiraling from out of the top. A workbench sat along one side of the room with several partially constructed contraptions. Sara noticed areas of the lab were dirty, untouched for years. Cobwebs hung from cobwebs. Cages lay strewn along the other side of the room, most were empty, but a few held weird-looking animals in them. A giant toad with bulging eyes stared at Sara from one of the cages. She gasped.

“Oh, he won’t bother you,” said Mr. Thompson, “That’s Benjamin. We’re working on figuring out how to undo the spell your grandmother put on him. He is somewhat of a relative of yours. He is your evil aunts’ father.

Sara looked at the toad; looked up very close to the glass and then backed away. Turning towards the middle of the room, she found a table with only one item on it- her backpack. She looked around the room quizzically, “Mr. Thompson, where are the wizards?”

Mr. Thompson looked at Sara. “Wizards are very secretive. And, they are very stubborn and untrusting. It took a lot of convincing for them to allow you into their lab. Now, they have disappeared. I will have to continue without their assistance.” Mr. Thompson placed a finger to his lips to tell Sara to be quiet and winked at her. “After all, wizards are of little use anyway. They very seldom get the calculations correct.”

A voice came from behind one of the cabinets, “This time you have gone too far Thomas. First, we don’t mind visitors; it is just this visitor we wish to avoid. Thomas, the creature you brought in with you is the grand-daughter of Queen Hillary. Evil is as evil does.” The voice went silent.

“Grady, I told you, Sara is nothing like the Queen. She is our salvation. Now quit acting like dwarfs and get out here this moment.”

Another voice came from behind another cabinet, “If she be not as the Queen, then why be she a black starred palmist?” Sara looked at her palm in horror and held it up in front of her and as far away from herself as possible.

“Mildred,” responded Mr. Thompson, “I explained the star to you in detail this morning. It changes from white to black. Now, will you assist me, or not?”

From behind the cabinet came yet another voice. “Black or white changes not a thing, Tyrone, she be who she be, we will not be changing our spots to help. We have made all the preparations. They be in yonder vessel as per your command. Be on with your matters; show the black palmist her weapons. We shall be distant till you be done. Close yonder door when you leave. Be fast, Tyrone, there be black things afoot.”

“Very well, Penny, I shall continue unassisted. Thank you again for all your help and calculations.” Mr. Thompson turned to Sara, shrugged his shoulders, then looked back at the cabinet, and smiled. “Did I mention that Wizards are stubborn?”

A hrmph sound that came from behind the cabinets.

“It looks as if I will do this solo.” He led Sara over to the backpack. “Sara, to expedite matters, I will remove items from your backpack, one at a time. Please hold any questions until the end.” Mr. Thompson did not wait for her answer; instead, he went over to the backpack and peered inside. He did not allow Sara to look into the backpack. Sara was craning her neck to peek in. “Patience, Sara.” Mr. Thompson placed his hands inside the backpack and brought his hands out holding a bunch of ordinary stones.

Sara knew she shouldn’t ask the question. She knew she should keep her mouth shut, but the words wouldn’t stay in her mouth. “Mr. Thompson, am I supposed to throw rocks at the evil people?”

Mr. Thompson raised an eyebrow, “Sara, I said no questions.” Sara stepped back and lowered her head. “Sara, these are special stones. They are Toliver stones, and they come only from Libero Salus. At one time they were highly sought after, but since electricity came to Tenebrae, the stones are easy to obtain. I bought these stones on eBay. Toliver stones have a particular property. As long as you keep one stone in the sun for a few hours each day, at night all the stones will become bright lights. Please, use these only when necessary because they are highly traceable.” Sara nodded. The next item was a small bottle of perfume. “The concoction in this vial came from the boiled feathers of a Canaboro bird. The process is fascinating. First, you,” Sara’s eyes began wandering around the room, Mr. Thompson realized, she didn’t need all of the details. “Maybe it is best if I just tell you what each item does.” Sara nodded. Next, Mr. Thompson pulled out a pair of sunglasses.

“Those are my mother’s,” exclaimed Sara.

“Yes, Sara, they are. We have altered them just a bit. Put the sunglasses on, and you can tell if the subject you are looking at is trustworthy- the ones you can trust will have a white mist around them. Those you can’t trust will have a black mist. Sara grabbed the sunglasses and lifted them to her face; Mr. Thompson grabbed her hand. “The glasses only have three uses, also. Save them for when you need them.” Sara put the glasses on the table and nodded her head again. Mr. Thompson pulled a bracelet out of the bag.

“That’s pretty.”

“It’s pretty and unique. Simply place it on your left wrist and twist the yellow and green beads and it’ll make you invisible for thirty minutes. The bracelet can be used only….”

“Three times,” finished Sara.

Mr. Thompson didn’t skip a beat. He pulled out a very small container of Doritos next. “The Doritos in the container is never-ending. Anytime you want a chip, open the lid, and take one. These are special Doritos, guaranteed to give you an extra burst of courage if you first tell them, I need courage.”

Mr. Thompson smiled, “But Sara, like the rest, the Doritos will only give you courage three times. You must get used to using your courage as well.” Mr. Thompson pulled out Sara’s hairbrush.

She grabbed the hairbrush. “That’s the hairbrush my dad gave me,” and then she lifted the hairbrush to her hair. Gasps were heard coming from behind the cabinets and one very shrill scream as Mr. Thompson grabbed Sara’s hand.

“Please, Sara, do not brush your hair with this hairbrush. This is a unique hairbrush. It's a very powerful laser. It had run out of power and needed recharging, which I did. Lucky for you there was no power in this brush all the times you have used it. I shudder to think the mayhem you could have created.”

A disembodied voice floated out of the cabinets. “I do be shuddering right now.”

Mr. Thompson smiled. “There is still another hairbrush in the backpack for actually brushing your hair as well as a copy of Huckleberry Finn which I have loaned you. You should find it to be a pleasant company on lonely nights. There are maps in the backpack as well. That about does it; I think you are well armed now.”

Sara glanced through the items in the backpack. “Mr. Thompson, what will I wear? I can’t wear this same outfit every single day.”

“Oh, I almost forgot, Sara.” Mr. Thompson pulled a small, Barbie size wardrobe out of the backpack and opened it. “Here are your clothes.”

“Mr. Thompson, those clothes won’t fit me, although,” and Sara craned her neck to look very carefully, “they do look like my clothes.”

“Of course, they will tell the article you wish to wear to resize, and it will enlarge to fit you. Twenty-six hours later it will go back to its Barbie doll size. It conserves space this way. Well, Sara, it looks like my work here is done. We should be able to get you back into your room and off to Tenebrae.”

A throat clearing came from behind the cabinets. “Something be forgotten, Thomas.”

“Of course, Sara, I forgot to tell you about the food packets. The instructions are very easy to follow, and the contents of each food package are labeled on the front.” Mr. Thompson faced the cabinets, “Okay, Grady, are we done yet?”

Another voice from the cabinets said, “Thomas, you do not be finished. Look in the side flap.”

Mr. Thompson fished through the front flap and pulled out a necklace, a very unattractive necklace. “Okay. What is this? I don’t remember ordering a necklace.”

A female voice answered from behind the cabinet. “Thomas Tyrone, now don’t be getting too excited, be remembering the blood pressure. We do be thinking we need one more safeguard. This be an anti-truth talisman. If this creature do be our salvation, Tenebrae will not be stopping at nothing to stop her. The necklace do be useful if they capture the creature. She be not able to tell anything about the defenders when she do be wearing this necklace. We do be thinking of her protection too. Tenebrae cannot be torturing the creature when she be wearing this necklace either. We be admitting, we be worrying for she be a black palmist and we do be wanting to protect The Manor, Tyrone. And, Tyrone, we be wanting that she put the necklace on now. She not be able to take it off again.”

Mr. Thompson thought about the necklace, “Thank you, Penny that was very thoughtful of you.” Mr. Thompson put the necklace around Sara’s neck as the phone rang. “Thompson here.” There was a pause, and then Mr. Thompson continued, “Are you sure?” another pause, “Yes, that does change matters. Yes.” Mr. Thompson turned to Sara, and she saw the heads of three small people peek out from behind the cabinets. “Sara, there has been a slight change of plans. We must leave from here. I was hoping to send you off from the teleport in your room. The calculations are more exact from that location, but we have run out of time.” The wizard’s eyes widened as they whispered to each other. Mr. Thompson continued, “You must leave from this location, right now, and we don’t have time to recalculate. We will try to get you as close to your destination as possible, but it will be up to you to get to your final destination. Our last information is that she was taken to the castle in Tenebrae City. You are to go there to free your mother and then return here to The Manor. It is as simple as that. And Sara, use your senses. You can trust few in Tenebrae or Libero Salus to help you. Oh, and Sara, a lot of people in Tenebrae do not like wizards, white or black so keep your star a secret. Good luck Sara. Be safe.” Mr. Thompson pointed to the door they had entered when they came into the lab. “Sara, that’s your entrance to your destiny. It is time to go.”

Sara stared at the door, closed her eyes, and walked towards it. Music piped through the loudspeakers.

Climb Ev’ry Mountain. Ford every stream. Follow every rainbow. Till you find your dream.

“Okay, that’s enough,” yelled Mr. Thompson, “it’s way too corny and not helping.”

Sara turned to Mr. Thompson, That’s okay. I kinda like it, and it might help.” Standing in front of the mysterious door; Sara said “Open.” She walked through the door and vanished.

“I do be worried Tyrone. She be not trained as a wizard. It takes years and years of training to become a wizard; you do be knowing this. She be no use to us unless she be trained in the arts. It is not like ye be born knowing it or that it just come to ye.”

“I would not be concerned; she is very special. More special maybe than even I know.”

“And one more thing need be said, Thomas.”

“Yes.”

“It be about the invisibility bracelet.”

“What about the invisibility bracelet?”

“We be trying hard to make the bracelet. We be all working together with Thomas. We do not sleep at night Thomas. You know Thomas; invisibility has never been done before. Now, remember your blood pressure, Thomas.”

“What about the invisibility bracelet?”

“There might be a small flaw that might alter its effect.”

“Out with it Grady, what’s wrong with the invisibility bracelet?” ordered Thomas, running out of patience.

“It not be working, Thomas.”

Chapter Twelve

Defenders of the White Star, Huck, and Fairies

Sara and Mr. Thompson walked through the bookcase and stood in front of an elevator. To the right of the elevator was a framed picture of Mr. Thompson with another man with messy white hair. The picture looked ancient. It was signed, “Thanks for the tip about the frogs and the name change, Samuel Clemens.”

“Hey, that looks like that Huckleberry Finn dude, but his name was Mark Twain.”

“They are one and the same. The Defenders sent me to investigate some unusual amphibian activity in a mining camp east of San Francisco. Down.” The elevator started down. “I met a young reporter from the local newspaper, and he volunteered to show me the way to the camp. He said, and I do quote, ‘I have been hankering to go out exploring the countryside, and I would be as happy as a June bug in clover to escort you to the camp.’”

Sara reached out to press the button on the elevator. Mr. Thompson stopped her hand.

“The buttons don’t work the way you would think Sara. They are a trick. The elevator only works with verbal commands from selected voices. Elevator, authorize the following voice. Sara, say down.”

“Down.”

“Now you can authorize the elevator yourself. The buttons are a trap. If you press the button, you will teleport somewhere- anywhere.”

Sara put her hands down. “Wow. So tell me more about the June bug in clover dude.”

“Well, Sam and I became wonderful friends. The amphibian activity turned out to be some jumping frog contest. I suggested to Sam. He should write an amusing story and perhaps change his name to something simpler. He wrote a very famous story called ‘The Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County,’ and he changed his name to Mark Twain.”

“That is cool. This elevator is slow.”

“It is not that slow. We are going down to the very core of the installation.”

“Wow. Hey, Mr. Thompson, who are the Defenders? You mentioned them in your story.”

“The Defenders of the White Star are an organization I belong. They were around a very long time. It is their mission to destroy the evil in our world so everyone can live in peace again. We were a very active organization once, but the arrest of most of our leaders led us to work covertly.”

“I bet my dad would join you.”

“Your father works for the Senate of Libero Salus, and they have declared our organization illegal. He fights against Tenebrae in his way. Well, we are here now, come along Sara.”

She wandered down the hallway. On each side was a brightly colored door with a picture window alongside it. At the end of the hall was a very plain, but somehow ominous brown door. Mr. Thompson entered the door on the left side while Sara peered through the window.

The room was filled with computers and sitting at the computers were small children with beautiful iridescent wings. Mr. Thompson was talking with one of the magical creatures. “Fairies, they are fairies.” One of the fairies flew over to the window and looked at Sara. The fairy was wearing an iridescent blue dress that matched her blue and purple iridescent wings. She smiled at Sara and then returned to her computer.

“Are you ready, Sara?” Mr. Thompson exited the door.

“Yes, what are the fairies doing? They are fairies, aren’t they?”

“They are monitoring the internet. Tenebrae has been using the internet to plant seeds of evil which they will use to invade Earth. The fairies are removing the evil put onto the internet by Tenebrae.”

“Cool. Mr. Thompson, what will happen to the fairies and other magical creatures if I fail?”

“Remember Sara. You will not fail. What do you think the answer to that is, Sara?”

“Not good?”

“Tenebrae does not like good magical creatures, like fairies, which use white magic. I need to go into the map room for just a moment. You can wait right here.”

“Okay.”

Mr. Thompson entered the other room while Sara looked through the window. Inside the room was a hideous creature. It reminded her of something from one of her nightmares, part warthog, and part camel. The walls were covered in maps. One of the maps looked like her neighborhood, and the creature was putting a red pin on her house. “That can’t be good.” Thompson patted the creature on the hump and came back to the hall. Sara was still staring at the creature.

“I know Stanley takes a little getting used to, but he has been with me since the beginning, and I would trust him with my life.”

“The fairies are so beautiful, and he’s so, so....”

“Yes, they are, and many good magical creatures are beautiful, but some of the evil creatures are beautiful also. And some good magical creatures are, shall we say, unique looking. You mustn’t judge good or evil based on outward appearance, Sara. Always look for what is in the heart.”

“What do the red push pins mean, Mr. Thompson?” Sara and Mr. Thompson walked towards the ominous door at the end of the hall.

“The red push pins designate where someone has been kidnapped. Your mother was not the first, and she won’t be the last.”

Next to the door at the end of the hall was a plaque. The second name on the plaque was Thomas Tyrone Thompson. Stanley’s name was third. Also on the list were Grant S. Dalton, her teacher, and Jackson Roberts, her father.

“Mr. Thompson, what is this plaque? It has my father’s name on it.”

“Ah,” smiled Mr. Thompson, reminiscing, “That is a plaque honoring the brave members of the Defenders of the White Star from about fifteen years ago. The first name on the list, Darrien G. Fulmer, was our leader. Well, we are here Sara, at the lab, where we can train you on how to use the magical talismans. Are you ready?”

“I’ll never be ready, but let’s go on anyway.”

Chapter Eleven

The Food Taster’s Die-t

Janet and Maggie stepped into their study. Appleton, unaware of their entrance, as he was paying too much attention to a fly as it buzzed from one spot to another. The fly didn’t know the toad was considering him as a light snack. Appleton, with the agility of a great hunter, poised himself for the strike, his tongue slowly unfurling towards the fly.

“Harrumph, Appleton,” Maggie said sharply, “You have lost your manners. Since when did it become unfashionable to bow when royalty enters a room?”

He jumped, his tongue, only centimeters from the oblivious fly, snapped back into his mouth with a loud popping sound. “My humblest apologies, your Evilness’s, I was just going for an afternoon snack,” sputtered the toad.

The fly heard the pop and turned around. “Whew,” he said, wiping his forehead, “That was close.” He flew away, unaware that royalty had entered the room but glad not to be an afternoon snack.

“Appleton, how dare you think about yourself on such a momentous occasion? You should be thinking only of us.”

“We have been waiting for such a long time for this to happen, Appleton. Give us some time to savor the moment.”

Janet and Maggie stood facing each other, hands held in front and took a deep breath. They took a moment to shed just the correct amount of fake tears.

“Okay,” Janet said, “That is enough savoring. Appleton, where is our dearest little sister we have longed to be with, and her adorable little angelic daughter we have never had the pleasure of meeting?”

“Where’s Elizabeth and the kid?” amended Maggie.

Appleton backed away from the sisters. “Uh, you see, we do have Elizabeth but, Sara, the child, she was too heavily guarded. We have not been able to capture her yet, your Evilness’s,” he said as he bowed to the Princesses, trembling.

“What,” yelled Maggie and Janet in unison, their faces turning a lovely shade of purple.

“You incompetent fool of a toad; we ask one simple assignment of you. I can’t be….”

“Oh, dear daughters, could you help me?” Queen Hillary stepped into the room, “Oh my, was I interrupting something?”

“Oh, no, not at all dearest mother.” Maggie glared at the toad,” We were just visiting with our dear friend.”

The Queen motioned for the Princesses to join her at the door. “Are you aware, children,” she said. “You are speaking with a toad?”

“Oh, yes,” said Janet, “Toads are our friends.”

The Queen said, “They are disgusting creatures, and I’ve always thought they were disgusting creatures.”

“But mother,” said Maggie, “You made the toads, don’t you remember? You were angry at our dear father, and you turned him into a toad.”

“Ah, yes,” said the Queen, “I did, didn’t I? That was my toad phase and everyone I became angry with I turned into a toad. It was quite fun. They are still very disgusting. Janet that isn’t your father, is it?”

“No, mother. Appleton was your butler.”

“Oh, yes, I remember. He let a mosquito get into my room.”

“Mother,” said Maggie, “Did you want us for some reason?”

“Oh, yes,” said the Queen, “I almost forgot. I’m hungry, and I can’t find my food taster.”

“Oh, dear,” said Janet. “I forgot to tell you, Mommy, he quit. He decided to retire in the South. He left right after lunch this afternoon.”

 “I just don’t understand,” said the Queen. “I can’t keep a food taster for more than a week. They are always retiring or quitting. And none of them come to tell me. They don’t show up.”

“I know good help is so hard to find. I will send my groom to you. He can be your next taster.”

“Thank you, dear daughter. You are so good to me. I always enjoy it when you make my food like you made my lunch this afternoon. That was very sweet of you.”

“It is our pleasure, mother.”

“Send the groom to me immediately. I am ravenous.” The Queen stepped out of the door. Under her breath, she said, “Except the food those girls make is terrible. I must find a way to stop them from cooking for me.”

Janet laughed, “What happened to the taster this time, dearest sister?”

“I haven’t disposed of him yet. He’s right here.” Maggie lifted the top of a cabinet. Inside the cabinet was a dead body.

“Ew.”

“It’s the price we must pay, Appleton, and speaking of price’s to pay. There will be a price to pay if we don’t see that child here very soon.”

“Yes,” said Maggie, “We gave you strict orders for you to bring back our sister and our brat niece. I do not recall anything in the order about bringing our niece back if it was convenient.”

“We tried every effort to secure the girl. She was too elusive. Every time I thought I had her, one of those guardians would show up. I did manage to bring back your sister,” pleaded Appleton.

“Very well. Where have you hidden our dear Elizabeth?”

“Your sister is being held hostage in another room. Two of my men are guarding her as we speak.”

“Well, take us to see her you simpleton,” squealed Maggie.

“Yes, certainly your Evilness,” Appleton, bowed respectfully, “Did I mention we have located the White Manor where your niece is being given sanctuary? It is only a matter of time before my operatives break the security of The Manor,” Appleton boasted.

“Well, then, what are you doing here. Go finish the job you were sent to do.”

“Yes,” said Maggie, “And Appleton, I need not remind you, no one has disappointed us twice.”

“And lived to tell about it.” Janet handed Appleton his green sports coat.