by Judy Pierce
Looking south, Gizmo tugged at Ozette’s paw and pointed. Princess Abrianna, wearing a deep scarlet gown, flew through the sky on a black unicorn Ozette didn’t recognize. Ozette shaded her eyes to get a closer look. She covered her mouth with a paw and gasped. The princess was holding a red flag. In the center was a white squirrel. Farlandia was written across the bottom. Cassady sat proudly behind her.
Flying above her, elves and fairies, many carrying small pails, were ready for action. As nervous as she was, Ozette couldn’t resist a small smile as she recalled the hours they had spent gathering poke berries, drying them, and grinding them into a powder. Instead of mixing them with water and using them for ink this year, they had a higher purpose. She spied Oliver, and he gave her his famous grin and a thumb’s up.
Ozette heard a clattering of hooves from the north, and Maxwell slid to a stop near her tree. He held something in his mouth and motioned to the squirrels. When Ozette approached, he handed her a green flag. She carefully unfurled it. A simple golden acorn had been embroidered in the center of the flag with the words Queen Ozette of Farlandia neatly stitched below the acorn. Maxwell knelt so that the squirrels could climb onto his back. Gizmo held tightly to the flag, as it fluttered in the breeze.
Ozette heard a rush of wings to the west. She spied an elegant, pure silver unicorn bearing down on them. She squinted into the sun to see who was riding this magnificent beast. As the unicorn came closer, she noticed an elf perched on the unicorn’s back. He was no one she remembered seeing before. His wavy, silver hair was neatly tucked under a silver cap, and he wore a crisp silver tunic, snug silver britches and shiny silver boots. He nodded at Ozette and then took his position. Maxwell reached back and whispered, “That’s Koshi WorldDreamer.”
Ozette’s eyes widened. So this was the elusive elf who had thought this realm into existence. Ozette wondered if he planned to help them. As if reading her thoughts, Maxwell said, “This is the first threat we’ve had here. He’s here for moral support and to see how the events all play out. I don’t think he’ll interfere.”
They all took their positions. Ozette and Gizmo were well camouflaged by the trees, and they focused on the trees’ faces. Ozette almost smiled when a small maple tree winked at them. She looked around and couldn’t see any of the other unicorns or their riders.
“They’re all hidden, Ozette,” Maxwell whispered. The unicorn lifted his head and frowned. “We should be hearing the flutter of wings. I knew we shouldn’t have trusted those magpies. Timing is everything,” the unicorn said, looking around worriedly.
Before Ozette had a chance to respond, she heard the sound of hoof beats coming toward them. Two horses wove through the trees and headed toward Ozette’s nesting tree. Ozette recognized Delaney and Celestine immediately. And their unwelcome riders.
“Here they come,” Maxwell whispered, listening for the sound of wings. Nothing. “Timing is everything, Ozette,” he repeated. This time with more frustration in his voice.
The hoof beats were coming closer, when all of a sudden a tree branch formed itself into a noose and settled itself firmly around Boardmore’s neck, jerking him from his horse.
“What the...” Boardmore yelled, as he hung by the neck from the tree, his stubby legs kicking futilely while his horse wandered away snickering softly.
Smiley turned when he heard his brother’s cry. “I know that branch wasn’t there when I went by. I told you this place was eaten up with strange happenings. Now do you believe me?” he asked, freeing his brother from the tree. Suddenly a root sprang out from a bush and wrapped itself around Smiley’s leg. Smiley fell onto his knees, looking stunned. Just as quickly, the root unwound itself. Smiley stood up cautiously and scanned the silent forest.
“Just be quiet, Smiley,” Boardmore commanded. He rubbed his neck and looked nervously at the tree, which stood silently, the picture of innocence.
“We’ll start here,” Boardmore said gruffly. “It’ll take some time to clear this area, but by the time the queen figures out what’s going on, it’ll be too late. Can’t exactly glue the trees back onto their stumps, now, can we?” he sneered, punching his brother in the shoulder. “I know how to handle Queen Beatrix.”
“I still don’t feel good about this, Boardmore,” Smiley said, removing his hat and running his rough fingers through his hair. “I’ve heard stories about Farlandia...”
Without warning, a trio of fierce-looking dragons, flames darting from their mouths, dove toward the men. Horrified, the men ducked but still felt intense heat as the dragons bore down on them, swerving at the last minute.
“Fire! I’m on fire!” yelled Smiley, running in circles.
Boardmore grabbed his brother’s arms. “You’re not on fire. Those dragons just got off course. Stop that nonsense and let’s get cutting. You start over there,” Boardmore said, pointing to the large hickory tree that Ozette loved to use as a lounging area, “and I’ll start with that elm.”
Ozette caught Maxwell’s look of fear as the men, axes in hand, headed for the trees.
“I’d hoped they were bright enough to get the picture early on and would give up,” Maxwell muttered. “Where are those magpies?” he fumed, stomping his feet.
Chapter Nineteen
Ozette Takes a Stand
Ozette focused her energy and saw the looks of horror on the trees. Without hesitating, she launched herself from Maxwell’s back and landed on the trunk of an oak near the men. Chittering and making as much noise as she could, she scrambled through the branches while Gizmo, Maxwell and the rest of the watchers looked on in horror. Hearing the commotion, Boardmore looked up just before executing his first cut into the mighty elm.
With a wicked grin on his face, he dropped his ax. “Well, isn’t this a fine omen. It’s that pesky white squirrel who fancies herself queen of my land,” he said, grabbing the bow he had slung over his shoulders. Plucking an arrow from his quiver, he announced, “I came prepared.”
Because the men were so out of tune with Farlandia, they couldn’t hear animal, elf or fairy talk. They didn’t hear the screams that echoed through the woods.
“No, Ozette!” Gizmo cried, staring in horror as Ozette bobbed and wove through the branches, her loud “THAWRKS” ringing through the trees. Boardmore took careful aim while Smiley watched silently. Aiming carefully at the white squirrel who was perched on a limb as if taunting him, he let the arrow fly just as Ozette dove behind a thick branch and ducked into a hole in the tree.
“Zinggg!” the arrow flew, lodging itself in the tree where her head had been seconds before. The tree grunted. Ozette had not counted on Boardmore being such a good shot. She grabbed the arrow, showed herself to Boardmore, broke the arrow in two and threw it to the ground.
“Get out of there, Ozette!” her friends called in terror.
“Why you pesky rodent,” Boardmore growled, grabbing another arrow. Ozette jumped swiftly to another tree as the arrow zipped past her left ear, taking a few pieces of fur with it.
Ozette was distracted for just a second by the faint sound of wings somewhere off to the east. That gave Boardmore just enough time to fit another arrow into his bow and send it winging straight toward Ozette’s heart. Before she could move, the arrow hit Ozette with a loud thud, and she fell backward, stunned. Was she dead? She wasn’t sure. All she knew was that her chest was tingling with such intensity that she felt disoriented.
She looked down and realized that the arrow had hit the Heartstone on her chest. The Heartstone was glowing with the iridescent colors of the rainbow. She watched in amazement as the arrow caught fire and turned to ashes, which rained down from the tree. She chanced a look down to where Maxwell and Gizmo were standing, and seeing the look of horror on their faces, she waved a paw at the ashes floating to the ground. Boardmore and Smiley looked shocked as ashes fell at their feet.
Ozette heard the whir of wings directly overhead. Boardmore was fitting another arrow into his bow when a flock of magpies flew low ove
r the two men, and they, well, they did what birds do often after eating. The men were soon covered with gooey bird droppings.
“Sorry we were late,” called Melanie Magpie, swooping low over Maxwell and Gizmo. “We had to load up on food so we’d have plenty of ammunition, and then we had a headwind.”
Ozette looked stricken. The harness-the-wind fairy dust. They’d forgotten to sprinkle it to give the birds a strong tailwind.
“Yuck!” Boardmore said, as the gooey substance slid off his hat and onto his shoulder. He took off his hat to survey the damage when another wave of magpies let loose of another load of bird droppings. Ozette had to put a paw over her mouth to keep from laughing. Smiley tried to wipe the mess from his hair but only succeeded in smearing it into his scalp.
“I tried to tell you this place was...” Smiley started.
“Not another word, Smiley,” Boardmore said, using a handkerchief to wipe his neck.
Smiley screamed. Ozette was laughing so hard she had to hold her sides. Milligan Mouse and a large troupe of mice were climbing on Smiley’s boots. Several had made their way up his pant legs. They were squealing and showing their little rodent teeth in a most menacing way.
Smiley was shaking his leg so hard that he fell to the ground in a heap. Milligan quickly climbed onto Smiley’s nose, reached up and tweaked the man’s eyebrows before he scampered off with the rest of the mice in tow.
“You chicken!” yelled Boardmore to his brother, not realizing that the mice were coming up behind him. They gave a collective squeak, and Boardmore jumped, startled. The mice scampered into the woods and were soon out of sight.
“Imagine being so scared of some harmless mice. Surely they’d gotten the message and would now give up their plan,” Ozette whispered.
Shaken but determined, Boardmore demanded, “Let’s get to work. We’ve lots to do.”
“But Boardmore...” Smiley protested, his face pale and glistening with sweat and bird droppings.
“Are you going to help me here or not?” Boardmore asked, holding his ax in front of him, a snarl on his face. He called for the horses as they were carrying some of the men’s tools.
Ozette heard a whirring noise and looked up to see fairies and elves dumping poke berry powder on the men. The men gasped as the deep red powder settled on their heads and clothing, looking a little like dried blood.
Before the horses took a step, a water spout swept over the men, lifting them into the air and swirling them around and around until they were dizzy. In the blink of an eye, the wind thrust them onto the ground, where they lay stunned and soaked for a few minutes. The water had mixed with the powder, leaving them with streaks of deep red on their hair, faces and clothing. Ozette shuddered at the effect.
Before the men could move, Harley, Beemer and Suzuki launched themselves at the men. This wasn’t part of the plan. Suzuki and Beemer clung to Boardmore’s pant legs, growling ferociously while Harley climbed on Smiley’s neck and pummeled him with his little paws.
“That’s for trying to kill Ozette,” Harley chattered. “She’s our bestest friend.” Boardmore gave a swift kick, dislodging the chipmunks who were flung onto the base of an evergreen nearby, where they landed with a thud. Ozette looked on in horror as the chipmunks lay motionless under the tree. Smiley grabbed Harley and threw him on the ground. He was getting ready to stomp on the chipmunk when the ground beneath Smiley gave way, and he fell into a grave-sized pit. “Help me!” he shouted.
“What the...” Boardmore said as he fell into a similar pit. Ozette caught a glimpse of groundhogs, chipmunks and moles, who’d busily followed the men from underground and dug tunnels through the soil.
While the men tried unsuccessfully to get out of the pit, Ozette ran to the chipmunks. She held them to her chest, her tears falling on their still, small bodies. They’d been willing to give their lives for her and for Farlandia. Why hadn’t she been more patient with them when she’d had the chance?
Beemer shivered, gave a little snicker and opened his eyes, but Suzuki was not moving.
Harley scrambled out of the pit and scurried to his siblings. When Ozette saw him, she slowly shook her head, her eyes sad. Grief stricken, he picked up his sister and held her to his chest. Shuddering sobs wracked his little body.
“We were only trying to help save our new home,” he sobbed.
“You did help. You kept those men distracted long enough for the ground to cave in, trapping them,” she said, trying to soothe Harley, although her own heart felt like it was shattering into tiny pieces.
Ozette took the little chipmunk’s limp body from Harley. She had given her life to protect Farlandia. She held Suzuki tenderly in her paws, kissed her forehead and then clutched Suzuki to her chest, against the Heartstone.
All of a sudden, Suzuki stirred and sat up. She looked around, confused. Then she smiled. Ozette gave a huge sigh of relief and hugged Suzuki to her yet again, but this time she was filled with joy.
Maxwell ambled over with Gizmo on his back.
“I wanted to go with you, Ozette, but Maxwell made me stay with him,” he said.
“I didn’t want the lad to see...well, you know, Ozette. In case the chipmunks weren’t all right,” Maxwell said, kneeling down. Ozette, holding the chipmunks, gingerly climbed onto the unicorn’s back.
As she approached the pit, she saw hundreds of spiders marching toward the men, and not just your average spiders. These were large, black, hairy spiders. Now if there was one thing the brothers feared, it was spiders. Undaunted by the men’s screams of terror, the spiders began busily building webs around the men. Within minutes, they were encased in spider webs, unable to move. Boardmore tried to open his mouth, but the webs held his mouth tightly closed. Smiley was white and trembling.
Ozette looked up in time to see the four unicorns with their riders surrounding the men. Boardmore tried to glare at Ozette as best he could through eyes that were bound by webs. He blinked a few times until he could see again.
“Well, Boardmore, Smiley. What do you have to say for yourselves?” Queen Beatrix asked, her arms folded across her chest.
Ozette and Gizmo sat silently on Maxwell and wondered how this would end.
“Well, cousin,” Boardmore said, sneering as best he could with spider webs stuck to his face. “You’ve made yourself very clear. You and your henchmen.” He gave Ozette a particularly scornful look. She shrank back onto the unicorn. Then, remembering that she wasn’t the instigator here, she straightened her shoulders and looked straight into the pit at the men.
“It’s obvious we’re not wanted here,” Smiley said.
“Don’t try to lay this on our shoulders,” Queen Beatrix said, dismounting from her unicorn. “You brought this upon yourselves when you decided to destroy Farlandia. You weren’t honest with me, and you plotted behind my back. You don’t belong here because you don’t share what we value.”
Despite her words, both the queen and Princess Abrianna were heavy hearted because of the rift between them and their cousins.
Since the webs restricted their movements, Boardmore and Smiley nodded as best they could, dislodging some of the spider webs that still held them tight.
“You’re our family,” Boardmore said, “but we’ll not stay where we’re not wanted. We’ll return to Earth World since we know that’s what you want. You’ve made that painfully clear. Even though you gave our birthright to that, that rodent!”
By now the men had cleared their faces and hands from the webs but still looked nervous.
“So be it,” the queen said.
Tears were coursing down the queen’s cheeks as she raised her arm to cast the men out of Farlandia.
Chapter Twenty
All It Takes Is A Little Fairy Dust
While Ozette watched the drama unfolding before her, the Heartstone began vibrating, shaking the earth beneath her feet and the air surrounding her. Once again, Ozette felt disoriented and thought she heard the Heartstone whispering. As she tried to
understand the softly spoken words, she heard a rustling. Gizmo had slid off of Maxwell’s back clutching his pouch of fairy dust.
With a determined look, he reached his paw into the bag and flung a paw full of fairy dust on each of the men. Judging by the colors, Ozette realized that Gizmo had mixed all their fairy dusts together! He chanted some words Ozette couldn’t hear and waved his right paw in a clockwise motion. Ozette put her paw to her mouth while the queen and princess looked on, horrified by what they saw.
The men coughed as a puff of rainbow-hued powder billowed over them. The crowd gasped and drew back. A hushed silence fell over the crowd as a gust of wind blew bits of fairy dust over the group.
Ozette tried not to breathe because she didn’t know what the effects of this mishmash of fairy dusts would be. How could Gizmo have done something so foolish?
A blinding flash of light illuminated the sky. Ozette’s Heartstone felt like it would explode, then break her into a million pieces. Her ears rang, and she felt disoriented to her core.
Had she been looking at the men in the pit, she would have noticed that they had grown rigid; their eyes were wide open in disbelief and their hair standing on end. The men began vibrating, shaking the earth under her feet.
The ringing in Ozette’s ears faded, and she heard the most exquisite sound she’d ever heard. She sighed in ecstasy, as a voice whispered, “That is the song of the uni-verse, the one song that fills all things. Open your eyes, child.” The voice sounded, strangely enough, like her grandmother.
Cautiously, Ozette opened her eyes and gasped. Everything was vibrating with life. The soil, the plants, the very air she was breathing was pulsating with color, sound and movement. Everything shimmered and sang, and Ozette felt a sense of peace, unity and bliss.