Lady Eloise [Book 6 of Ever After, an Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood novel]

by Robert Iannone

  “Your turn,” Aero told Bl’azzz.

  Bl’azzz was quite amused by the whole thing – not so much her human-averse boyfriend. “See these,” and she opened her mouth to show him her teeth.

  “Wow. I bet it only takes you two bites to eat an entire man. Do you spit out the bones or do you eat those too?”

  Despite himself, Aero growled an “eek.” Besides the questions being totally outrageous, TK almost never gave them a chance to answer before asking the next one.

  “The bones are the best part,” replied Bl’azzz.

  “What about the person’s clothes. Bet they taste yukky?”

  “TK,” called Kon’dor.

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Give those two a break. Go find your sister and take her to the VR Chamber.” That was a recreational compartment where you could ask the computer AI to create most anything your mind could conjure and experience it in virtual reality.

  “Ahhhhh.”

  “Now, young man.”

  “Oh, all right.” To the dragons, he said, “Sorry, I gotta go.”

  Bl’azzz liked the boy and decided to give him a parting gift. “TK, watch this,” and she blew out a tongue of fire.

  “NO WAY. You’re a fire-breathing dragon? That’s the most awesomest thing I’ve ever seen. Did you ever . . .”

  “TK,” called Kon’dor again. “Move it.”

  “I never get to have any fun,” he mumbled as he left, but loud enough to be heard.

  “Sorry guys,” apologized the Sky’lord. Then he added with a grin – “But a fire breathing dragon is just so darn phantasmagorical.”

  “We understand,” replied Aero. “But it’s tough being so adored by so many.” Bl’azzz whacked him with her wing.

  *****

  A few days later, they were half way to Aerianna. The Sky’lords were going to pay their respects to the Queen then take the Space Tunnel over to Zynn-Zaz’zia. All three were impatient to see this floating city everyone was talking about.

  Then there were the underwater cities filled with sea serpents and mountain top castles filled with dragons. TK was driving everyone crazy with his questions about these wonders. It got so bad that Kon’dor had to pull the young man aside and have a heart-to-heart talk about proper behavior with extraterrestrials.

  Over dinner, the conversation meandered from topic to topic. Bree noticed Feather getting increasingly nervous as the minutes ticked by. She leaned over and whispered to the girl, “Are you okay?”

  “Oh yes. This is so, so exciting.”

  “You seem distracted.”

  “I want to ask Lady Eloise a question. I’m just not sure if I should.”

  “Lady Eloise would love to hear your question.” To Egg she called out, “Feather has a question for you, Lady Eloise.” The moniker came with a big grin.

  “Feather, you may ask me anything . . . but only if you call me Egg.”

  “Oh no, I can’t do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “You’re a Princess and Flying Girl and the Leader of the Hameggattic Sisterhood and the Heroine of Aerianna. I read all about you.” The words came out in a rush and the poor girl was red in the face.

  Before anyone could laugh, Egg gave them all a warning look. “Most of that stuff isn’t true. I’m just like everyone else – I put my flying suit on one leg at a time.” She said it so deadpan that everyone gawked. Then she burst out laughing. “I’m kidding.”

  Poor Feather didn’t understand the reference. “You don’t put your suit on one leg at a time?”

  “Actually no. Ring tend to my suit,” and a moment later Flying Girl was sitting where Egg had sat.

  Both the Sky’lord kids stared. TK was the first to recover. “You guys are the best. I want to become a Hameggattic Sister.” He was serious but the others had to laugh.

  “What?”

  “You’re a silly gosling,” scolded his sister. “You’re not a girl.”

  “So?”

  “It’s a Sisterhood – they only allow girls to join.”

  “That’s not fair. Boys are stronger.”

  Bl’azzz looked at the kid. “You want to wrestle, little man?”

  TK turned white. “No,” he whispered. The dragon flashed her teeth and the boy sank into his seat cushion.

  “Feather, sorry about the teasing. What was your question?”

  The girl’s heart was beating faster and faster. This is what a level nine must feel like in the Reverie Glass, she thought. “It’s what he said.”

  It took a minute for the others to realize what she meant. “Oh, you want to know how someone becomes a Hameggattic Sister.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Jax’x decided to answer. “Usually Egg has to save your life first.”

  “That’s not true,” complained her sister.

  “Oh really? You saved my life.”

  “No. Benny’s doctors did.”

  “No, you did. If it wasn’t for you, I’d still be the Librarian on Spell ‘Bound.”

  Egg dismissed the argument with a shake of her head.

  “How about me?” added I’za. “I was stuck on a space rock that was about to explode. If that didn’t kill me – which it most certainly would have - the PhoG would have.”

  “How about me?” chimed in Tee’ka. “I wasn’t even alive and now I am. Egg was my very first friend ever. And now I love a beautiful man and he loves me. But we can’t have babies.”

  TK blushed because he had no idea what that meant but it sounded way too female for him. He recovered and asked, “What about you, dragon lady? Did Princess Egg save you too?”

  “Absolutely. I was a nobody with no prospects in sight. If she hadn’t recruited me, I shudder to think what my life might have been like. I owe her everything.”

  “Okay. Enough.”

  “Sorry, no,” said Kon’dor. “Bree, what’s your story?”

  “Much like Bl’azzz. A nobody with no prospects. She also saved our world from this evil man called Mobius. If she hadn’t, I can’t imagine how ugly life would have been for all of us Wind ‘dancers.”

  For some reason, Feather had a look on her face of pure joy. “Then can I become a sister?” she blurted out. “Lady Egg saved all of us Sky’lords.”

  Everyone turned from the girl to the Princess . . . waiting.

  “Feather, I did not save the Sky’lords. I didn’t even know you existed. It was BreeZee, Jax’x, Serenity and Skotti who deserve all the praise. Benny and I just helped a little.”

  “But they work for you so you get the credit.” It was the same argument that Meggy had used.

  “No. No I don’t. Thank you for thinking that but stop thinking that. I’m not that special.”

  “Yeah you are,” yelled TK. “You’re amazing.”

  Egg smiled. “You mean for a girl?”

  He was about to say yes but Feather kicked him under the table. “Ouch.”

  But there was a question hanging out there that required an answer. “Feather, first, the active sisters need to vote in a new member. It used to be all sisters but the others just agree with whatever we want. Second, we need to know you . . . I mean really know you. What are you like, can you be trusted with our lives, are you willing to sacrifice your life for us . . . or for total strangers that may be counting on you? Does your personality fit in with ours? Could we spend months and months cooped up in a ship with you and still enjoy your company. All that takes time.”

  “So I guess the answer is no.”

  “I didn’t say that. The fact that Kon’dor and BreeZee think so highly of you speaks volumes. In time, I think you might very well make a great sister. Let’s see what happens. Is that fair?”

  On impulse, the girl stood up, ran to Egg and gave her a hug.

  “There you go. You just passed your first test.”

  “I did?”

  “Yup. The ability to hug is very important to us.”

  *****

  Later that night, ever
yone had retired to their cabins. Benny was already in bed reading some military reports. Egg eventually came out of the bathroom wearing new pajamas covered with a nauseating amount of yellow ducks.

  Her husband looked up and smiled. “If you think that outfit will destroy my will to live or, at the very least, dampen my amorous feelings, you are fiendishly clever for you have succeeded.”

  Egg laughed. “I told Syl that’s why she was single and would probably die alone.”

  “And how did she take such an insightful observation?”

  “She sent them to me. These are hers.” She pulled back the covers and climbed into bed. “I don’t know about you, but I’m bone tired.”

  “I will be the gallant Prince and shall stay on my side of the bed.”

  “No, you ninny. I meant these last three months have been exhausting. But it was great. My sisters and I rarely get to stay and do the hard work. As you well know, either you or someone else sent by Meggy comes in afterwards and cleans up our mess.”

  “Nonsense . . . this is the easy part. It’s what the Hameggattic Sisterhood does first that is the most difficult.” He leaned over and kissed his wife. “So, what is your next great adventure?”

  “Oh please. We never plan anything. Stuff just happens.”

  “Then how shall we spend our down time until the next cosmic event overtakes you?”

  “Whatever you want to do. But, I’ll need some time with Meggy and Syl. I think the Sisterhood needs to change. To evolve.”

  “How so and why?”

  “Everyone’s got a significant other. Eventually they’re going to want to start families or at the very least, spend more time with their partners than gallivanting amongst the stars. I can’t keep taking them away from those that they love.”

  “And what about us?”

  This time she leaned over and kissed him. “That includes us.”

  “Any ideas on what should come next? Please remember, the Hameggattic Sisterhood is too important to Aerianna and the entire Federation. I, for one, would not want to be the cause of its demise.”

  There are many different things a man can say to a woman to elicit a strong emotional response. For Flying Girl, Benny nailed it perfectly if serendipitously. Egg leaned over – the other way – and turned off the light. A few moments later she whispered, “Remember my yellow ducks?”

  “Forever etched in my mind. Why?”

  “They seem to have gone missing.”

  His goofy grin wasn’t visible in the dark. “I grieve deeply at your misfortune. Perhaps I can take your mind off this tragic loss.”

  *****

  They entered orbit around Aerianna. Egg, Benny, Bree and the Sky’lords were going to transport directly to Q’umulus. Jax’x would ‘park’ the ship at the naval base then she, Tee’ka and Bl’azzz would go to Se’rene. Aero and Grex would begin to prepare for the ship upgrades authorized by the Prince.

  “If anyone needs me, I’ll be going to Zynn-Zaz’zia with Bree then on to the university to see Syl.”

  “What did you want us to do?” asked Jax’x.

  “You can relax anyway you want . . . you’ve earned it. All of you have. But, in your free time, start thinking about what we should do when Mister and Misses Sparky return from their trip. Skotti said this new power source is a game changer. I need you to tell me its best uses. And I need you to figure out how someone could do ‘no good’ if they were to get their hands on the technology.”

  “Good thinking. Mind if I get K’ssss to help me?”

  “That would be great. I love when the active sisters work with the retired ones.”

  “What about me and Goofy?” asked Bl’azzz nodding towards Tee’ka.

  “I want Jax’x to teach you both how to make the avatars.”

  “Really? Why?”

  “I’ll tell you later. Okay, Jax’x, six to beam down.”

  “Energizing.”

  A moment later they materialized on a balcony of Q’umulus . . .

  “Wicked.”

  “How beautiful.”

  “Amazing.”

  The Sky’lord’s reaction was just like everyone else who first visited the floating city. Benny beamed with pride.

  “Kon’dor.”

  “Yes, Bree.”

  “Wouldn’t a floating city be perfect for your people?”

  The man smiled from ear-to-ear. “It would be absolutely perfect. Your Highness, may I be so bold as to ask if this technology is something your people would share with us?”

  “We would if we could, but we can’t so we shan’t.” Egg giggled while Kon’dor looked confused. “Sorry, one of my wife’s witty sayings. As for the technology, unfortunately, the scientists that created it died a thousand years ago. The know-how died with them.”

  “Doesn’t mean you can’t try to replicate it,” added Egg. “I’ll get Meggy to invite your best scientific and engineering minds to visit. Together with K’ssss, Jax’x and Serenity, I’m sure you could figure it out.”

  Bree added, “That actually might be a really great project for Serenity. She can use some of the remaining nine months in transit to think about it. It’ll keep her busy.”

  “Then it’s settled,” proclaimed Benny. “This project will be the first in what I hope will be many more opportunities for shared cooperation.”

  TK was getting bored with all the talking. “Lady Egg, can I jump off.”

  “Runt, you can’t ask that,” cried his sister.

  “Why not?”

  “It’s not polite.”

  “I’ll tell you what, TK. Only one human has ever done that. We need to get her permission.”

  That got Kon’dor’s attention. “I take it this individual isn’t a Wind ‘dancer?”

  “No. It was Benny’s grandmother who was ten years old at the time.”

  “May I ask how she accomplished such a feat?”

  “You may . . . but you’ll have to ask her.”

  *****

  This social call was treated as a State Visit by Meggy and her parents. Lots of pomp and circumstance. All the royal and non-royal citizens that participated were thrilled by these three, winged humans. The older women tended to congregate around Kon’dor which caused BreeZee to stay very close to his side . . . trying to smile while shooting darts with her eyes.

  The two teenage Sky’lords attracted their share of attention from the younger attendees. Feather was loving it while TK was distinctly uncomfortable. That is until he met his first sea serpent. The two then drifted off together laughing at something or other.

  *****

  The next day the group was ready to travel to Zynn-Zaz’zia via the space tunnel. Benny was staying behind while Meggy was joining Egg and the others. She had not seen her old Wind ‘dancer friends in quite some time and was looking forward to the reunion. Afterwards, she would journey with Egg to the university to meet with Sylvia.

  “Where’s your crown?” teased Egg. She was surprised by the other girl’s serious answer.

  “Between us girls . . . I am not cut out to be Queen.”

  Still trying to keep it light, Egg asked, “Is that because you secretly want to use contractions and earth idioms?”

  This time Meggy laughed. “Actually, that is part of it.”

  They were interrupted by TK. “Lady Egg, what’s a space tunnel?” The other two Sky’lords turned to listen to the answer.

  “My sister K’ssss can explain it in technical terms. The best way I can describe it is that it’s like a hole in space. You walk in one side and instantly come out the other side. The scientists can aim it at any planet . . . but because it consumes so much energy, it can only work with one planet at a time.”

  “Maybe that can be the first application of the new power source Sparky is bringing back? We can use it to connect to many planets – like between Zynn-Zaz’zia and Splendora.” Yeah, that was Bree.

  “That’s a terrific idea. I’ll send a message to Jax’x and have her discuss it w
ith K’ssss.”

  “Does that mean I can come visit anytime I want?” asked TK. “Sluggo and I are best friends now.”

  “Who is Sluggo?” asked the Queen.

  “That sea serpent I met at the party. I can’t pronounce his real name so he said I could call him that.”

  Meggy laughed. “Your friend’s name is Slug’ovavidium . . . and he is actually a she.”

  “NO.”

  “Indeed. You now have a girlfriend.”

  “NO WAY.” Feather just rolled her eyes.

  Chapter 9 – A Year in the Life

  Zynn-Zaz’zia

  Egg had put on her flying suit and she and Meggy were airborne heading for Reven’s castle-turned-university. The meeting with Bree’s parents had been wonderful. Then again, both girls were a bit of an afterthought. All of Zephyr’s and Azure’s attention was on the three Sky’lords, as you would expect.

  It was obvious that they were captivated by Kon’dor – a seven-foot hulk of a man with his square jaw, electric eyes, and magnificent pink wings. He literally filled a room with his physical presence and personality.

  Like all parents who worry constantly about their daughter’s future, they were imagining what Bree’s children would look like with Kon’dor as their father. You might think they were getting a bit ahead of themselves. Maybe a tad but this was the first man that their little girl had shown any interest in. As far as they were concerned – ‘she done good.’

  Egg and Meggy said their goodbyes as quickly as was polite and headed off.

  And now they were almost to their destination.

  “I can’t even remember the last time we flew together?” said Egg.

  “Likewise.” She paused then added, “This is so exhilarating. I do envy you.”

  “Yeah. I’ve been so lucky.”

  “On a different topic, are you with child yet?”

  The girl was so startled by the unexpected question that she momentarily let go of her ‘passenger’ who yelped as she began to plummet. “Sorry,” said Egg as she dove down and grabbed her friend.