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.

Chapter Ten

Teachers Deliver Bad News, that isn’t Homework

Sara slept comfortably in her soft bed. She had no nightmares, only dreams of winning American’s Got Talent.

Knock. Knock.

She looked at her watch; it was only 4:45 in the morning. “Why is Mom waking me up so early?” She turned over to go back to sleep.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

“Okay, Mom. I’m awake,” she said, sitting up in bed. It wasn’t her bed, it wasn’t her room, and it wasn’t her mom knocking on the door. “Just a minute,” she said, grabbing a robe from the closet door; the robe had not been there when she went to bed. She opened the door.

Mr. Dalton and Ms. Graham were standing at the door. They had been crying. Ms. Graham had a breakfast tray in her hands.

“Mr. Thompson would like as soon as you have dressed and have eaten.” Ms. Graham placed the tray on the small desk.

“And we would like to say good-bye, Sara.”

“Are you leaving?”

“I believe you will be leaving very soon.”

“No, I’m not leaving until my mom gets here.”

“Just get dressed and eat your breakfast, then go to see Mr. Thompson,” sniffled Ms. Graham. She reached over and gave Sara a big hug.

“We will miss you, Sara. We have enjoyed watching over you the last few weeks,” said Mr. Dalton, and then he hugged her also.

The two of them walked away, holding hands. Sara shut the door behind them. “Ewww… I didn’t need to see old people holding hands. Ew, that’s so gross. I didn’t need to be hugged by teachers, Ew.”

She opened the closet door and pulled out the only outfit in there, her jeans and pink Minnie Mouse T-shirt, cleaned and neatly pressed.

Breakfast was delicious: corn flakes with elbow macaroni and anchovies with bacon on the side. Fantastic.

Dressed, fed, and ready to go, she stood up just as Bradford knocked on the door. “Are you ready Miss Sara?”

“Coming.” She opened the door.

“You are meeting Mr. Thompson in his study.”

“Which door is that?”

“The door at the end of the hall.”

“That door goes to the dining room; I mean the TV Room, oh and yes the study too. This is very confusing, Bradford.”

“You still haven’t guessed the secret of the door, Miss Sara?”

“I guess not. Maybe it is a bit indecisive.”

Bradford smiled. “No, Miss Sara, it knows what it is doing. It is a magic door. It will take you wherever you need to be.”

Bradford opened the door. It led her to the Dining Room where Mr. Thompson was finishing his breakfast. “Good morning Sara.”

Sara giggled and shut the door. Let me try it,” she said opening the door that opened into the study. “Wait, I thought it was supposed to take me to Mr. Thompson. He is in the dining room.”

“Ah, but Sara, I am right here at my desk. We were planning to meet right here.”

“But, Mr. Thompson, you were just in the dining room.”

“Yes, I was, but I am in here now. Come sit down.”

Bradford closed the door.

“I trust you slept well, and your breakfast was satisfactory?”

“Yes, it was unbelievable.”

Mr. Thompson picked up a piece of paper lying on his desk, took off his glasses, and rubbed his eyes. He looked exhausted. Sara sat up straight in her chair, “Mr. Thompson, are you okay?”

“Yes, Sara. I am. It’s just that what I have to tell you is very disturbing. We have been at your house and have investigated the situation. Tenebrae has learned to send instant messages even without an internet connection- very surprising. They sent the instant messages, Sara. I’m thrilled you didn’t read them. They were very disturbing, very disturbing indeed. However, you will be delighted to hear. We don’t think there were any monsters in the house that night. Earlier in the day, there were some rats and toads. Sara, we believe they have kidnapped your mother.”

“What. You were supposed to protect her.”

“Yes, and I’m afraid we failed.”

“What will they do to her?”

“The sisters will find a way to eliminate her- permanently.”

Sara stared at Mr. Thompson; her eyes wide with disbelief. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she cried for a long time before she finally said, “You have to save her, Mr. Thompson.”

“Sara, you love your mother, I know that, but even more than that, she is crucial in our plan to put the white magic back in control of Tenebrae. She must be saved.”

“Then send someone to do it.”

“We can’t. The moment any of us step foot in Tenebrae, your aunts would know it, and we would be arrested. We need someone to save her that the Aunt’s don’t have a magic signature on.”

“Bradford, he’s a smart guy, he could do it.”

“Bradford would very gladly do that for you, but he can’t. He’s from Earth. Although we can go back and forth, if someone from Earth enters Tenebrae, they just sort of- well- blow up. It’s very messy.”

“Then who can save her?”

“You.”

“Me? I’m not old enough Mr. Thompson.”

 “I know. I know. Perhaps when you get there, you can find your father, and he can help you.”

“My dad is in Tenebrae?”

“Well, actually, he is in Libero Salus. He and his army are defending Libero Salus, but, I don’t know his whereabouts exactly.”

Sara looked lost. She finally said, “Okay. I’ll do it. You tell me what to do.”

“We were supposed to start training you in the use of your white magic today. Your mother was going to train you in black magic so you could fulfill your destiny. Your mother’s kidnapping has put a little hiccup in our plans.”

“My destiny?”

“Yes, but now, we must rescue your mother first so she can teach you the use of black magic. None of us here knows it, and it is very different than white magic. However, we do have some magical talisman’s that can help you in your journey; it’s not as useful as knowing magic, but better than nothing.”

“But, Mr. Thompson, even with the magic talismans, I just don’t see how I can help all by myself.”

“Sara, you must know a little of what I know. Number one, I know you are smart.” She shook her head no. “Now, hear me out. I know you are smart; you don’t try as hard as you could in school, but you are brilliant like your mother. Your aunt’s, well neither of them are very smart- they are very evil and are superb at being evil- but they aren’t very smart. Number two, you may not realize it, but you are very special. You have a lot of magical power, probably more than anyone in Tenebrae. I know you don’t know how to use it, but it just might help you anyway. I believe it will be there when you need it.”

“Okay, Mr. Thompson, if you say so.” She thought about her mother. “When do I leave?”

“There are preparations we need to make. We need to familiarize you with the magical talismans. We need to program the teleporter. The programming takes about six hours, and if it isn’t done just right, well you could land just anywhere. So, you will probably leave early this afternoon. In the meantime, follow me. We will teach you as much as we can before you leave.” He walked over to the history books and pulled three of them out. Swoosh. A secret panel opened.

“Mr. Thompson, what happens if I fail?”

“Dear Sara, you won’t fail. If you failed, it would be a disaster. Tenebrae will take over Libero Salus, and then they will take over the defenseless Earth and enslave all the people.” He gently held her under her chin and looked into her eyes, “You won’t fail Sara. You are much stronger than you think.”

Chapter Nine

Magic 101

Sara stepped through the French doors into the study, though just a few minutes before; the French doors had led to the dining room.

Mr. Thompson was seated behind the desk waiting for her. “Welcome back, Sara, I trust your visit with Tiffani was enjoyable? Help yourself to some cookies and have a seat.”

She sat down in the comfortable chair and nibbled on her liverwurst cookie.

“Sara, what do you know about your life before you were born?” She looked up, puzzled. “Hmmm, you don’t remember anything at all?” She shook her head. “I see, and neither your father nor your mother has told you anything about their lives before or about magic, am I right?” She nodded. “It is as I feared. We have a long night ahead of us.” He pressed a button on the phone.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Bradford, would you please record America's Got Talent for me? I may be awhile.”

He leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands behind his back, his eyes closed. “I need to decide where to begin. You now know about Tenebrae, correct?” She shook her head. “Let’s talk about magic, shall we?”

“Oh yes, please. You say I am magical? Can I fly? Can I make stuff disappear? Can I turn people into toads?”

“No- I don’t think so, yes and yes- but who would you want to turn into a toad?”

“No one- it would just be neat if I could.”

“The people of Tenebrae have had magic for thousands of years. Legend says it was given to a select few by a magician. Because we were human and fallible, the magician would not give any one person all the magic- it would make them too powerful. She split magic into two pieces, white and black. Some people and creatures were given white magic, and others were given black. The type of magic traveled down from generation to generation through the father. The strength of the magic traveled down through the mother. In time, many of those with the black side of magic became evil. It is believed the magic changed them somewhat. Fortunately, Queens with white magic ruled the Queendom. Two thousand years ago, the good Queen Amelia fell in love with the evil Count Doldunt. Since then, the black magic has traveled through the Queendom, with each successive queen becoming even eviler than the last. It was interesting that you mentioned turning people into toads. Hillary, the current queen, turns people into toads when she is angry with them. It is her favorite evil deed. You were followed by one today, Appleton. They have been hired to search for you.”

“Ew. But, Mr. Thompson, why did no one else notice a toad driving a car?”

“The toads have a magic spell on them. People without magic see them only as an ugly person.”

“Ah, that explains it.”

“Now, to your family. Queen Hillary is your grandmother. Your mother is the next heir to the throne.”

“Cool. I’m a princess. I always wanted to be a princess. Wait a minute, an evil princess? Mr. Thompson, no one calls my mother evil. There must be some mistake. I want to leave right now.”

“Sit down, Sara. Your mother is not evil. I said many of those with the black side of magic were not to be trusted, but not all of them are. Your mother never was bad, though she does have black magic. The magic itself is not dark or white. Black magic can be used for good and white magic can be used for evil.”

 “Okay.” She sat down. “So, once my mother gets the throne, Tenebrae will be good again, right?”

“If your mother goes back to Tenebrae, she will never make it to the throne. Her older sisters will have her killed long before she can take over the throne. They are the ones hiring the toads to find her.”

“Older sisters? So, wouldn’t they be the heirs instead of my mom?”

“Funny detail about magic, it is condensed in the seventh born daughter or son. Therefore, it was declared in Tenebrae a long time ago that any seventh daughter born would immediately become the heir. Queen Hillary was the seventh daughter, and your mother is her seventh daughter. Your mother has some powerful magic.”

“Awesome.”

“Your hot chocolate, Sir.” Bradford entered the door carrying a tray. “And some of those little donuts you like.”

“Thank you, Bradford. Sara, would you like to have some hot chocolate with me?”

“Oh, great, thanks.”

“Tiffani tells us you had an interesting night last night. Would you like to tell me what happened?” continued Mr. Thompson as Bradford stepped out the door.

“I came home from school and sat down at the table to do my homework like I always do. And then….”

“Sara,” interrupted Mr. Thompson, “I think it would be most helpful if you were entirely truthful.”

Sara turned red. “Okay, I didn’t do my homework. I sat down at the computer to check my email and talk to my friends online, but no one was online, so I started playing a game. I kept getting this IM- it said, Sara are you there? It scared me because it was a stranger, and it came back even after I ignored it. I forgot to turn the internet off right away, and the calamities must have gone into it. Even after I turned the internet off, the IM came back.”

“Calamities?”

“Yes. My mother always says if you leave the internet on all sorts of calamities can happen. I left it on, and I battled monsters in the house all night.”

“Where was your mother, Sara?”

“I thought she was in her room with another headache. When I came home from school today, she wasn’t there. Mr. Thompson, I don’t believe she was home at all yesterday.”

“Do you have any idea where she might have gone?”

“Well, there was a note saying she was helping Aunt Abigail, but I don’t have an Aunt Abigail.”

“You do have an Aunt Abigail. She lives in Boston.”

“I have an aunt in Boston? The note didn’t look like it came from my mother.”

“Are there any other reasons you think your mom was not there the day before?”

“Well, I left a note on my mom’s bed to say I loved her yesterday morning and it was still there this afternoon. She did not sleep in her bed. And, her purse, keys, cell phone, and sunglasses were on her dresser.”

“Bradford.” Mr. Thompson pressed the button on the phone.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Please send someone over to Sara’s house. I want to know what messages have been on the computer and look for signs of monsters, toads, and rats at the house.”

“Yes, Sir, immediately Sir.”

She started to cry. “Mr. Thompson, I’m worried about my mother. I need my mother right now. Please find her for me.”

“Sara, we will find your mother, I promise. In the meantime, would you like to join me in watching American's Got Talent?” Mr. Thompson handed her a tissue.

They stepped out through the study room door and directly into the TV room.

Later that evening, as Sara left the TV room, the door led to the hallway again.

Chapter Eight

Wicked Sisters of the Traveling Plans

Thirty - six years before, in Tenebrae.

“Mr. High Rat. You are in charge of our security, correct?” asked Maggie.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“And you work for us, and must do anything we ask?”

“Not exactly, I work for your mother, th’ Queen.”

“Technicalities.” Nine-year-old Maggie weighed her options. “How much does my mother pay you?”

“Enough for a single rat with no responsibilities, why do y’all ask?”

“My sister Janet and I have more spending money each week than you make in a year, am I right?”

“That is correct. I still don’t know why y’all askin.”

“How would you like to make a little extra money on the side?”

“What would I need to do?”

“Just make sure my sister Barbara is standing precisely here at exactly 3:15 tomorrow afternoon.”

“Ah reckon I can do that.”

At 3:15 the next afternoon, a large piece of the castle wall smashed Princess Barbara. There were few witnesses. One reported seeing the High Rat escort the Princess a few minutes earlier. Another witness reported seeing Princess Maggie and Princess Janet on the castle turret above just moments before the horrendous accident occurred. All the witnesses disappeared as several empty cells in Doldunt Prison became suddenly occupied. The High Rat was seen walking to his office with a large attaché case.

                       

One year later.

“Mr. High Rat. I have another assignment for you,” ordered Janet.

“Ah reckon as long as it don’t include the injury of any of your sisters. That last accident was most unfortunate.”

“No, of course not, but it would be a financially wise decision. I am doing a report on the Terina bee, and I need to study one. Could you get one for me?”

“Them there Terina bees are very poisonous Princess Janet. It would be costly to acquire one of them on such short notice.”

“Oh, we are willing to pay well.”

“What would y’all like me to do with the bee once I find one?”

“You see that tower room over there, the one no one ever uses? Put it in there.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

                          

*

Three weeks later, a Terina bee stung Princess Briana while she played hide and seek with Janet and Maggie.

There were no witnesses. Nevertheless, anyone found in the vicinity had been executed. The High Rat in charge of Princess Security was seen leaving the castle with two large attaché cases. He was never seen or heard from again.

Queen Hillary was alarmed. Her two oldest daughters had been killed in only two years. Someone was threatening the royal family. She spent several weeks concocting a special protection spell for herself and her daughters. “Anyone causing harm to any of the royal family shall receive the same in return.”

One month later.

“Teresa, we know who’s been murdering our sisters,” whispered Maggie.

“Yes, and we are aware who’s next on her list,” added Janet.

“Who?”

“It’s Abigail, and you are next.”

“How do you know that?”

“We overheard her yesterday talking to her maidservant about how she was going to kill you.”

“Why?” asked Teresa.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“She’s removing all of her competition for the throne. You are next in line to the throne.”

“Oh, dear. I never thought about that.” Theresa walked away.

One week later, an attempt was made on Abigail’s life. A part of the castle wall fell right next to her, and a Terina bee landed on her but did not sting. Her sister Theresa was stung by the bee, and a falling part of the castle wall crushed her.

                          

*

Two months later, Queen Hillary gave birth to her seventh daughter, Elizabeth. The Queen announced her birth to the Queendom as follows: “I am pleased to present my seventh daughter, Elizabeth, as my chosen heir to the throne. In accordance with the rules of the Queendom, any seventh born daughter shall be the heir to the Queendom by virtue of the greater magical power inherent within her.”

Janet and Maggie were not pleased. For the first time in many years, they spent long hours studying the rules of the Queendom. They hired scribes to study more. The law was clear; Elizabeth was the heir.

Today in Tenebrae.

Janet and Maggie were in the middle of their weekly meeting. It was Janet’s turn to host the meeting in her sitting room with magenta curtains and magenta upholstery. A beautiful cherry curio cabinet with all of her evil talisman’s lined up in order from shortest to tallest stood by the door. Everything in the room was lined up from shortest to tallest. Janet even remodeled the doors and windows to match the slanting décor. Janet was pacing back and forth in front of the slanted windows.

“I can’t believe how long it is taking for dear Mummy to succumb to the poison.” Maggie stood in front of the curio cabinet and rearranging the talismans in tallest to shortest.

“Shh, dear Sister, the walls have ears,” cautioned Janet.

“That is very true, dearest Janet, but let’s not forget just who pays the wages of those ears; I believe that happens to be us,” cackled Maggie.

“Mother is being so stubborn, but stubbornness does run in the family. Remember when we tried to get our dearest sister to jump off a cliff and take the screaming brat Liz with her?”

“Yes, I remember. Her name was Abigail, wasn’t it?”

“It doesn’t matter what her name is or was, does it, Maggie?” Janet said while rearranging the talismans in order from shortest to tallest. She walked over to the window and stared out. “If the urchin had just done as we suggested, we would not be in this predicament.”

“I was sure it would work. Remember Theresa?”

Janet smiled. “Oh, poor sweet sister, dearest Theresa, she was so gullible.”

“Oh, yes, she just gobbled it all up. She wasn’t very creative though,” laughed Maggie, as she rearranged the talismans.

“That was so perfect. Dear Mother just took it all in. It convinced her that Theresa was the guilty party all along.” Both sisters laughed, tears streaming down their faces.

“Past victories aside, we still have the Elizabeth problem.”

“Maggie, you know how to spoil my fun. Have you thought of another way to kill her?” she said, rearranging the talismans in order of shortest to tallest.

“Oh, Janet, if you don’t stop second guessing every evil move I make, I’m not going to share my crown with you,” yelled Maggie.

“Share your crown with ME?” screamed Janet, “I might not share my crown with you.”

“Just one second there, dearest Janet, it is I who plan to share MY crown with you. After all, I was the firstborn,” jeered Maggie.

“Oh, no dear Sister, I was the firstborn. Mother was specific; she said the firstborn had a small pink mole next to her right eye. She saw it clearly when the nurse held me up to her after I was born. See, I have a pink mole next to the right eye.”

Maggie smiled, “Ahh, but dearest, dearest little Sister, when I was held up, the mole next to my left eye was on mother’s right side. Thus, she said, the oldest is the one with the mole on her right- HER right. Besides,” she turned away from Janet and rearranging the talismans again, “it is not important now, dearest. Another simple twist of fate puts Elizabeth’s claims on the crown above our own.”

“Oh, I don’t think we need to worry about our baby sister. I forgot to tell you, dear Sister. I had the foresight to place an operative at a popular theme park, and he spotted the whole family outside his station, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride last year. They were followed. Appleton is on his way right now to retrieve our dearest sister and her brat child.”

Maggie retorted, “Bringing Elizabeth here would not solve our problem. Mother still has that annoying protection spell in place. True, we can bend the spell’s protection against Mother, but we haven’t been able to budge the protection against Elizabeth.”

“I was saving that for last. Elizabeth has been protecting her child from us.”

“Of course, she has been protecting her from us. We want her dead.”

“Doesn’t that make Elizabeth a guardian? And hasn’t our mother made it against the law and subject to the penalty of death to be a guardian?”

“Yes, and the spell does not protect her daughter.”

“Exactly dear Sister.” Janet folded her hands across her chest.

“My dear Sister, I haven’t given you proper credit, you are much dastardlier than I thought. This might work.” Maggie was sweetly thinking, “I mustn’t let her get the upper hand on me again.”

Knock Knock.

“Enter.”

The servant girl, Alice, entered the room. “Pardon the interruption, your Evilness. You have a visitor. It is a devious looking toad. I believe it is Appleton.” Alice, the servant girl, went to her knees and bowed until her head touched the floor.

“Show Mr. Appleton into the study, and please tell him we will attend to him momentarily. Now, leave us, girl,” demanded Janet. As soon as the girl had left and shut the door behind her, Janet and Maggie both skipped around like school children. “It looks like our hard work has finally paid off.” The sisters left the sitting room arm-in-arm and headed to their reward, waiting in the study.

As they were leaving, Janet stopped suddenly and said, “Dear Sister, I think one of our dearly departed sisters’ ghosts may be haunting us. My evil talismans keep rearranging themselves.”

“My dear Sister,” Maggie said, “I believe you may be

right; they are doing the same to me.”