by Zari Reede
“I ken where to get a weapon, but I need you to go with me,” Winnalea said, tugging my hand.
“No problem, but we need to hurry. Is this weapon nearby?”
Winni grabbed hold of my hand. “No, but with my bonding, I can travel short distances and from there, we travel to Ortharos.”
Before I could question her, the sight of the street and my family vanished to be replaced by vaults. Saint Louis cemetery!
“Why are we--”
“This is the way Little Miss and I were able to return to Earth. Once we Blinked to the cemetery, I was able to transport us to Mums.” Winni tugged me and I turned. A circle of light showed so bright I squinted my eyes against it. As we drew nearer, I could hear voices. “Are those...Cyclops?”
“Quickly, sir! We go to the queen to ask for a weapon. We must hie!”
Though nervous, she didn’t need to tell me twice. Most of the above ground tombs were empty. A beacon of light shone from a crypt in the center of the cemetery. I glanced back, spotted the imp Frizzy called Yon Yon, and waved a hand for her to join us. I promised a certain purple race that I would try to find their children and return them. I held the crypt door open for the imp, Winn then hurried me inside and slammed the door shut behind us. My skin tingled, and dread rippled over me, as the blue flames of electricity devoured us from this world back to Ortharos. I knew this, because we stood in the center of what looked like a druid worshiping circle, and the Cyclops people danced in some ceremony with Lil Lone-Eye and Nostril at its center. The queen’s cheeks were bathed in fresh tears of joy, and, overwhelmed with fatherly relief for their reunion, I blinked back my own. I hated to be selfish, but I needed to get back to Earth and save my family. I waved my arms overhead to get the queen’s attention. She untangled herself from the dance and joined our trio.
“How did you make it out of the tunnel? I thought maybe you Blinked,” Fodjes said.
“It’s a long story. I did Blink, but I’m not sure how. Let’s just say it wasn’t a moment too soon. You will have to quiz Winni later, but for now we don’t have time. The necromancer is about to conquer Earth if we don’t return with a steel blade and end his reign over the dead. Can we give you a rain check on the details until we get back?” I pleaded.
Then I remembered Yon Yon and pulled the little one from behind me. She stood shaking in front of the towering queen, but Fodjes held out a hand to touch her shoulder and comforted her. With her other hand she summoned a guard, relieved him of his blade, and placed it in my hands. “Use this wisely and make no mistakes. Liotte is no fool, and his strength over the dead is immeasurable. You will likely have no chance getting near him, but if you should, do not falter,” she warned.
“Thanks, Fodjes, you’re the best.” I embraced her quickly and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. Shock and then a softness crossed her features, and I noticed the blood on her neck and bedraggled cloak. “We will both have much to tell on my return to your world.” I looked at her with concern, and she nodded, silently. I turned and headed back to where Winni and I had entered then turned. “Hey, can you see Yon Yon back to her folks? I sort of promised I would get her back--and listen to her people. They have a beef with the upstairs world, and I’m sure you can help them out.” I shrugged at her half smile of curiosity and then leapt into a dark abyss that charged with blue electricity as we entered.
I barely had time to register the crypt before Winni clasped my hand and presto chango, we were back, standing in front of Max and Frizzy. Frizzy was holding what looked like the mast from the pirate ship. Max had wadded up the sail at one end. He used a large, tarnished Zippo to set it alight. As soon as it was flaming well, the two jabbed at a knot of undead, which had managed to flank Sammy and Mindy. Sammy was using her powers to push the dead back. Mindy acquired a ladder and swung and poked at the malign creatures. The undead writhed and screamed, collapsing as the green lights dimmed and vanished from their eyes. I used the sword like a baseball bat, aiming for necks trying to get to the undead head honcho. The binding still held ’Punzel, but the orange strands were starting to fade and loosen.
“Frizz! Your sis is about to unravel!”
Frizzy turned and looked, her face taut and bleak. “There isn’t anything I can do! I used my last spell!”
“Somebody better think of something and fast!”
The attacks were coming from all sides. The vile reek of burning, rancid flesh grew worse. Winni was dodging back and forth tripping up the corpses. The stubby, hung-like-a-horse guy who had been cowering in the middle looked at ’Punzel. His eyes softened as he stood and set his jaw. He bounded off, dodging undead. He was one slippery munchkin. At one point, I thought he was done for. A freakishly tall, skeleton bent at the waist and snatched the back of his shirt. Munchkin twisted and raised his arms. He slid out of the shirt and took off like a mini Flash toward ’Punzel.
’Punzel’s bonds snapped. She raised her hands, her fingertips bright flames. She glared at her sister, her eyes filled with irrational hate. Behind her, Liotte bared his teeth. I think it was supposed to be a grin and threw back his head, laughing.
Tripod made a lap of the court that would have made the Globe Trotters proud. His fit, shirtless torso flexed and rippled, as he shot through the air, and lunged past ’Punzel’s cleavage, hands going for the gold. He ripped away the large stone that dangled from her chest with a great yank, pulling her down to her knees on the cobbled street. ’Punzel looked dazed, disoriented, and oblivious to why she was kneeling on the ground. Liotte’s victory cry turned into an angry howl, as Tripod ran up the levee and tossed the amulet into the great Mississippi’s slow churning, murky brown waters.
“Slam dunk!” Max cried out with a great whoop.
“I’m free.” ’Punzel’s almost inaudible cry raised everyone’s attention, as she stared up at her hero, who was making a quick return to the fight.
“Fools! This war isn’t over yet!” Liotte raised his arms with great flair and the zombies picked up speed. We were outnumbered. Sammy’s shield waves were growing shorter, as she tired and her strength waned. I felt helpless, even though I held a saber in my hands that was sharper than a Ginsu, and heavier than an anvil. Having never wielded one, I feared I should pass this task to Max, but what kind of man would I be if I didn’t step up to protect my family? Adrenaline shot through my wiry frame, and I hefted the saber in front of me.
“Cover me Max, Mindy,” I called back over my shoulder as I followed Tripod’s lead up the court. Liotte stood on the back of a tractor trailer that once resembled a deck of cards. It amused me because he obviously was not dealing with a full deck. The undead were everywhere, but none protecting Liotte. He raised his hand, no doubt deciding what awful thing would befall me, maybe flames or a spell, but I didn’t let it stop me. I saw his look of surprise as I leapt on the float and stood facing him with my sword braced for battle.
“You aren’t strong enough to take me. Step down and today, I will spare your life. I may even take pity on you and release your family,” he said with a confident voice that only a crisis negotiator could pull off.
It was then I knew he was afraid, and this spurred me to finish him. With a surge of strength, I never knew I possessed, I lashed out and severed his head with one swipe. With a gurgling rush of blood, the head toppled off his body, and bounced down the float, making a sickening thwack on the cobbled stone street. His body froze for a moment and then crumpled in unison with all the other dead bodies that had been standing. Cheers went up from everyone in our ragtag party, and bystanders came out of the woodwork to clap us on the back, cheering us on for saving the day.
Chapter 71
The Brownie
The curious and the grateful offered thanks and quickly surrounded us. I and Little Miss got separated from the others, so they could not espy the child swaying on her feet. A wee drop of blood trickled from her nose. Dark smudged beneath her orbs. Her arms hung limp and her hands were a tremor. I ken magic exhaustion and hied to her side. Her
forehead creased with effort to stand. ’Tis frightful to see, but easy to right.
“There, there, Little Miss,” I said, my strong arm around her, sharing me strength. I feared to seat her less she be trampled. “All those new to the magic overuse at least once. Some take thrice to take measure of their talents.”
“Please! I need to get to my daughter!” I heard Mums call out.
Elbowing through the throng, she cried out when she found us thus. Mums knelt, and I patted her shoulder.
“She’ll be right as rain. She need only a sweet like a bite of cake or a biscuit to regain her strength,” I reassured Mums.
She lifted her daughter in her arms. “Come, Sammy, let’s find Daddy. Winni? Could you help us?”
“Of certain, Mums!” I lay a hand on her arm and Little Miss’s leg and magicked us to sir, who near bowled us over, such was his rush to be with them.
“Thank God!” Sir hugged them close. “What’s wrong with Sammy?” he asked Mums with worry.
“Winni says she’ll be fine. She just overdid it. We need something sugary, and I bet ’Punzel or Reggie has candy secreted away if not both.”
“They both have sweet tooths? Or would that be sweet teeth?” Sir quipped as he placed a kiss on each of his sweetlings’ heads and encircled them with one arm. He placed a hand on my shoulder to steady me when the throng shifted and a knee bumped me.
“Don’t want the best brownie ever to get squashed by this crowd,” he said.
“Winni’s wonderful,” Little Miss murmured.
Astonished, was I. None ever than the princesses worried on me behalf.
“Thank ye, sir. I’m stronger than most ken, but thank ye.”
“Let’s find ’Punzel. Reggie’s sure to be nearby.”
Happy I was and ’spect I shall be. This family was made for me and me for them. I’ll have the best bonding of any brownie. A single happy tear slid down my cheek. I let it be, for good luck for me and mine.
Chapter 72
Mindy
I trusted Winni, I did. But after all the wild occurrences, I wanted to make sure Sammy was fine. I missed her so. Forcing myself to focus on the craziness in my life, I shoved down the feelings of worry and loneliness. I patted Sammy’s back and squeezed Jim’s arm reassuring myself that my family had returned. I didn’t want to risk losing them again.
’Punzel sat on the curb. Reggie held her hand and stroked it gentle as you would a skittish kitten. Her hair agitated, spasmed then settles to drape around Reggie’s shoulders as he whispered in her ear.
“’Punzel? Reggie? Are you two okay?” I’d seen both of them in manic mode too many times not to be cautious, so I put my finger to my lips and looked pointedly at my dear, but sometimes mouthy husband.
“I think so,” Reggie answered. He paused his petting and touched ’Punzel’s cheek, turning her face toward his. “We’re okay, aren’t we, Rapunzel?”
She nodded leaning into his hand.
“This is my husband Jim and my daughter, Sammy. Winni is--”
Before I could finish, Winni, beaming, piped up, “I am their brownie!”
“Yes, our brownie, Winnalea.” ’Punzel still looked dazed so I asked Reggie, “Do you have any sweets with you? My daughter needs something desperately.”
Reggie nodded and stood, maintaining skin to skin contact with ’Punzel. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a Hershey’s bar and a handful of partly-melted M&Ms. I took the bar and sat with Sammy on my lap beside ’Punzel to unwrap it.
Color suffused Sammy’s face as she nibbled. She recovered enough to remember her manners. “Thank you, Mr. Reggie.”
“Reggie, where did you get the bar?” I asked not remembering the purchase.
Reggie grinned. “There were a whole bunch of them sitting by the moving table at the grocery, so I took a few.”
“Reginaldo, that’s stealing!”
Reggie shrugged. “I take what I want in my realm.”
Chapter 73
Jim
Mindy’s mom and a guy rushed up to us. “Melinda? You scared me to death!”
“I’m okay, Mom, we all are.”
Sammy slipped out of Mindy’s arms and was having an animated discussion with Winni and Tripod. ’Punzel started to take an interest. She added details to Tripod’s comments and my daughter--the consummate diplomat--took her hand. “You can do magic like me and my mom, right? We have a lot to learn, but I bet you could teach us.”
’Punzel blushed and stumbled over her words. “Of course. If it is allowed.”
The dude with Mary Katherine introduced himself and shook everyone’s hand. “Harry, Dr. Harry Meltzer.” The doctor gazed at the sky. “The magic influx appears to be stable. The atmospheric effects have ceased.”
Huh, I thought to myself.
“And Earth has retained magic, per my calculations.”
“How can you tell?” Mindy asked.
“The Ortharians retain their sanity and the magically talented Earthlings can use magic. The curious part is this. What of the Blinks? Will interactions between the worlds cease? Are the people of Ortharos trapped here?”
“Oh, I can answer that one, Doc,” I said, pleased to be able to contribute.
“Yes?”
“That sword I used to chop Mr. Death--I got that from Ortharos. There’s a...well, I’m not sure what it is, but there’s a way to get there in the cemetery.”
“The portals have stabilized.” Harry clapped his hands and hugged Mindy’s mom.
Uh oh. I think our free babysitter will be busy in the future.
Chapter 74
The Witch
We accepted thanks from the bystanders. Max, much more charismatic, conversed as I guided him toward the last place I saw my sister. I caught sight of Jim. His arm encircled his wife. An older couple stood with them. The flushed gentleman gesticulated to an oddly subdued Jim and grinning Mindy as the smiling elder woman linked arms with the gentleman and squeezed his bicep. My sister sat beside Sir Reginaldo, of all people. Sammy chattered to her as Winnalea looked on.
“Rapunzel?” Her eyes met mine. Rage distorted her face, followed by confusion. Her pouting lips quivered, and she shuddered. With a cry, she turned toward Sir Reginaldo, trembling.
He glared at me and snarled, “Go away! I just calmed her down.”
I strove not to strangle the oaf.
He softened his tone. “She’s not ready to deal with you, Princess Phrysia. Please--go.”
“Who are you to address the princess?” Max bowed up to the man one third his size, as he pulled me close and propelled us away. Tears blurred my vision. I rarely cried, but the air here was different and the day too grand.
For so long my life had been tepid and gray, like dirty dishwater. These few days of turbulent activity exhilarated and exhausted at the same time. I had many emotions to explore, one of which held me at present.
“Hey,” Jim said. Max spun, ready to fight. “Whoa!” Jim backed up with his hands held out. “She’s just upset, Frizzy.” He was speaking of my fire-welding sister.
Max bristled. “Stop calling her that! She doesn’t like it.”
“Dude. I get going all protective with someone you love--” Jim paused and gestured to me.
Love? My heart sang.
“--but I am not the enemy,” he continued. “Since Corpse Collector lost his head, we’re short a realm-threatening baddie. Max, you know St. Louis cemetery, number one?”
“Yes.”
“A doorway to Ortharos is there. Why don’t you and Frizz--I mean, Phrysia--go back and tell them what happened.”
“We will need an Earth ambassador there to negotiate,” Harry chimed in excited at the prospects. “We need to set up guidelines for travel.”
“Hello. I’m Jim’s wife, Mindy,” the woman with Jim said. “You must be upset. ’Punzel is much better, but she is still pretty fragile. Liotte has poisoned her for years. Give her time.” Jim’s nice wife shifted her gaze from me to Max, i
rritation clouding her features. “Max, if you ever use that tone of voice to my husband again, I am going to seriously hurt you.”
Max had the decency to look guilty.
Rapunzel walked to us, holding Sir Reginaldo’s hand. “I’m sorry for the way I reacted,” she proclaimed, staring at the ground with wet eyes.
My eyes widened with shock. My sister never apologized to anyone, let alone felt remorse. “We have always had an uneasy relationship.” Traversing warily, I continued. “The necromancer worsened it. I hope we can get past that and become family again.” Inside, I cringed at the hollow-sounding words. I truly hoped our damaged relationship mended over time.
“I am willing to try, Phrysia.” Rapunzel’s earnest gaze met mine, then she smiled. “I think I would like to spend time here. You should return to Ortharos and attend your duties as princess.”
My heart sank. How would I leave her now that she might be a normal sibling? But she was right, I had been away from Rhineguard too long. Our parents were unwell and relied on my help. The realm needed my guidance into this new age.
Chapter 75
Mindy
Max and Princess Phrysia agreed to travel to Ortharos. As liaisons, my mother and Harry contacted the police with ISMAT and took the first steps toward ousting the chief. Magic was out of the bag, so to speak, and if Harry was correct, more people would discover special gifts. Harry offered to have ’Punzel and Reggie stay with him. I think he was happy to have visitors. As for Winni, Jim, Sammy, and myself--after wishing everyone good luck and saying our goodbyes, I used my new magic to take us back to the apartment where I planned to enjoy spending time with my dear family.