Lark's End

by Christina Leigh Pritchard

  She peeked inside. A woman sat on a throne. There were three smaller chairs on either side of her. All empty. Six out of seven thrones—empty.

  “Tahmelia, please enter,” the woman said.

  Tahmi pointed at herself.

  The woman nodded.

  Andy followed, close behind. But Jerry’s arm stopped him.

  “She didn’t ask for you.”

  Tahmi stood in the center of the room on a plush rug. It was a pale yellow and the tile underneath it sparkled. Water flowed in a narrow trench along the edge of all four walls. Behind the thrones, a stone fountain with lilies flowed into the trench.

  The woman who sat in front of the fountain was the Queen. She had strands of gold in amongst her curling blonde hair. Her eyes were hypnotizing. They were so clear with just a tint of blue to them. They even sparkled somewhat like diamonds.

  Tahmi noticed something else very odd about the Queen. She was young; no older than twenty. Could this really be her biological mother?

  “Are you Queen Maryanne?” She bowed and stood with her hands behind her back. She felt so small and silly.

  “Yes. I am Queen Maryanne Andrews of Gadaie. Do you know who you are?”

  Tahmi nodded, “I’m Tahmi. I’m from Florida—just trying to find my way back home.”

  “No. That’s not who you are.”

  “Yes, that’s who I am.”

  “You’ve forgotten.”

  “No.” Tahmi looked at her feet. Had she forgotten something? She blinked her eyes. “No, I’ve forgotten nothing.”

  “You are my daughter.”

  “That’s impossible.”

  “Is it?” The Queen smiled. “You have eyes just like mine; except mine are much more exquisite than yours.”

  Tahmi grinned. She was funny.

  “If you’re my mother, then why am I living on Earth far from you? You’re obviously not poor and you could definitely raise a child with a palace and subjects. Even if you weren’t a good mother you’d still be able to raise me because you could’ve passed me on to servants or whatever.”

  Maryanne frowned. “When you were a little girl a monster threatened to kill you so I had my friends send you to Earth for protection.”

  The Queen pointed at the shorter throne closest to her. “Sit.”

  “Is that the he in my dreams?” Tahmi sat in the smaller throne.

  “I lost three daughters that night. I’ve called you back to ask you to help us destroy this awful creature called Lark. That’s who he is.”

  “I can’t fight a creature,” Tahmi said.

  The queen continued. “I’ve learned that your sisters are still alive and trapped in his castle.”

  “Mother.” A monotone sigh came from behind the queen. “She just got here.”

  A tall, slender girl with black eyes and shiny black hair entered the room. She looked about thirteen or fourteen. She was definitely a princess. You could tell by the diamond-studded crown, the long puffy dress and the way she walked with such elegance.

  Tahmi knew her immediately. She was the little girl who’d saved her life by hiding her under the sofa.

  “My name is Teri Andrews. I’m your sister. This is your mother; I know your head is probably spinning right now but hey, it’s a lot to take in. Welcome to the family, anyhow.” Teri stood in front of Tahmi and offered her hand.

  She shook it.

  “Teri, get out of my way. I am trying to talk to my daughter,” Queen Maryanne ordered.

  Teri tossed her hands over her head. “You’re insane!” She shouted, storming out of the room.

  “Now, as your mother, I request that you help us find your sisters.”

  Tahmi’s hands trembled. A loony placed a crown made of silver on top of her head. She was overwhelmed beyond belief and yet at the same time, it felt right, somehow.

  “I’ve got a lot of questions.” She admitted.

  The Queen smiled. “And I—many answers.”

  Queen Maryanne took Tahmi by the hands. She pouted her lips and stared deeply, desperately into her eyes. “But first: help me. I need you to get your sisters. All you must do is find them. Lark will talk to you. Also, you’re the one person he can’t hurt.”

  Tahmi nodded. The queen looked just as she’d imagined in her dream. She even wore the white silky dress.

  “So, my child, you will help me?”

  “Will you send me home afterwards?”

  She grinned like the Cheshire cat. “Of course I will. It’s where you’re safest, after all.”

  “Why don’t you go looking for them yourself?”

  “Ah, answers later. Please, do as I say. I’ll send you home. You have my word.”

  Tahmi stood on her feet. A strange wave of familiarity shot through her. This was her mother. Something didn’t add up, though. “How come you didn’t greet me when I arrived?”

  “Times’ a wasting child! Have Jerry take you to Farm House Circle and pick up some horses. You’re a Princess; remember that.”

  Tahmi walked out of the room sort of numb. Her mother looked very young. She didn’t embrace her or cry. Maybe that was because she was the Queen. But she definitely was her mother. She could feel it in her gut.

  TERI

  Teri raced away from the throne room. Mother is sending them to their deaths. She didn’t have time to tie up her long black hair or to change clothes. So, she kicked off her royal heels leaving them on the stone steps and ran through the grass. She needed to find Sandy.

  Deep in the brush sat an old barn, so old that its paint had completely faded away, and chipped pieces littered the ground. Several war horses grazed. Most of them were Arabian with wings, courtesy of Mary. She needed strong beasts of burden that could get her and her army through any terrain—including airborne. Then others, like the Clydesdales, were used by Mary as beasts of burden. Teri’s black eyes darted sideways. What was that freckled boy doing? Following her?

  Teri tapped on the barn door. It squeaked open. Dust floated in the light. Heads peeked out of stalls. “Sandy here?”

  “She’s out back behind the barn. The stable hand never bothered to show up today,” a Clydesdale said.

  Teri ran out back. The freckled human from “Earth” hid behind a birch tree. He clearly hadn’t ever spied on anyone before. His eyes grew big when she stood inches from him. She pretended to not notice his goggling eyes.

  Sandy stood over firewood. She carefully loaded a wagon, piece by piece. Her wings outstretched, barely visible; just like all the other war horses. Sandy was by far the most beautiful resident of Farmhouse Circle (what they called the wooded area around the barn). She was an all-white Arabian horse with a blonde tail and mane. She wasn’t the only white horse or the only one with a blonde mane. What made Sandy exquisite were her soft gray eyes.

  When Mary had disappeared, Queen Maryanne ordered Sandy to guard and protect Teri. She’d been Teri’s guardian since the girl was three years old. At first, she despised being downgraded from a glorified war horse to a nanny. After all, wasn’t that Missy, the Persian cat’s job? But, after a few years, the child grew on her.

  Most people found Teri to be cold and selfish. But Sandy knew otherwise. Teri had to stay in control of herself. It benefited the loonies and other subjects. Whenever the child had lost control disaster seemed to follow along with it.

  “Sandy.” Teri’s voice was low. “There’s a dotted Earth thing following me.”

  “Is it a threat?” She dropped a log, “Should I investigate?”

  “No, he’s just annoying, that’s all. Friends with Tahmi I suppose. They came together when Mother called.”

  “Child, why are you here? I thought this was my weekend off?”

  “Mother has ordered Tahmi to ask Lark for my sisters. She says he will give them back if Tahmi asks.”

  “Isn’t he one of the reasons the young princess was sent to Earth?”

  “Yes.” Teri rolled her eyes. “I told mother that I would ask him for her but she
says I’d never come home.”

  “Is she powerful?”

  “Tahmi?”

  “Yes, is she?”

  Teri twirled ebony colored strands in between her long ivory fingers. “I didn’t notice anything special about her.”

  “Why would your mother send the little one, then?”

  “She’s not little anymore—she’s as tall as me with hair even longer than mine and it’s this golden blonde color, too. Her eyes are light blue and calming somehow. I only saw her for a minute before mother began pouting.”

  “Teri,” Sandy neighed. “Why is she being sent?”

  “Mom says Lark can’t hurt Tahmi.”

  “But, he can harm you?”

  “Yeah.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Go figure.”

  Sandy nudged her in the backside. “What about the war pigs and the elements?”

  “Stop that.” Teri smacked her hands at the horse, smiling. Sandy ignored the princess, poking her more and more. “That’s why I came,” she laughed, floating partially off the ground.

  The horse circled round her, nipping at the edges of Teri’s dress. “When do we leave?”

  Teri’s black eyes glanced up and into Andy’s eyes. His freckled cheeks reddened. “Now,” she decided, pointing her finger at their intruder.

  Andy raced out of forest and across the drawbridge. She’d seen him.

  SANDY & TRUSTY

  Tahmi stood at the edge of the Silver Castle’s spiral steps. What had happened in there? Had she actually agreed to meet this Lark creature? He was dangerous. Why would her mother want her to meet with him anyway? He couldn’t hurt her. What did that mean?

  “What’d she say?” Jerry nudged her. His eyes softened. “You’re upset.”

  “No, I just want to go home but the queen says she won’t send us back until we meet Lark.”

  “Lark!” He jumped, “Why would she have you do that? He lives in the Muddy Palace Realm. Do you know what lives there?”

  “Mud?”

  “Very funny. The place is swarming with war pigs.”

  “What’s a war pig?”

  “It’s a nasty creature nearly as tall as us with a pig body. They have rat noses and rat tails and stink really bad.”

  “How do I get to this Muddy Palace Realm? Is it part of Gadaie?”

  “It was at one time. But that was before the earthquake and destruction of Mary. Now, the land is in three pieces. No one goes there.”

  “The queen said I have to. It’s our only way out of here.”

  “Why don’t you look for my uncle? I’m sure he’ll help.”

  “What about her daughters? They’re prisoners there.”

  “You do realize that she’s your mom and that they’re your sisters too, right?”

  “I know.”

  “Then why do you keep referring to them in that manner?”

  “What manner?”

  “That one—as if they aren’t important to you.”

  “What’s your problem?”

  “I don’t have a problem.”

  “Sounds like it to me.”

  Andy finally reached the top of the steps. He’d been watching Teri the princess—until she spotted him, anyway. He stood, wiping the sweat from his face. What in the world did Tahmi have on her head? “Nice hat.”

  She touched the silver crown. “The queen gave it to me.”

  “Uh, huh.” He turned away. “Next she’ll be giving you a robe and a throne.”

  “What’s so horrible about that?”

  “Nothing, I guess, but you’re not exactly princess material.”

  “Apparently it’s in my blood.”

  “I take that back—you’re good at bossing me around so maybe you could be a royal pain in the—”

  “Do you guys always fight like this?” Jerry stood in between them. “We’ve got more important things to discuss than crowns and robes.”

  “What do you know?” Tahmi snapped. “Who are you anyway to be giving me advice about anything?”

  Jerry froze.

  “What? Why are you staring at me like that?”

  “I just thought—”

  “Come on, spit it out.”

  “I just thought you were different.” He narrowed his eyes. “But I was wrong. You’re just like them.”

  “Who’s ‘them’?”

  Jerry backed away. “Sorry I tried to help you. I hope you make it out there on your own. I’ll let my uncle know you’re looking for him.”

  “Who’s ‘them’? Who am I acting like?” She ran after him. “Did I do something wrong?”

  He shook his head. “Bye, Princess Tahmelia.” His voice was dry and he bowed before her. “May you acquire many crowns.”

  “That’s messed up.”

  “It is what it is. I hope you hurry up and get out of my world. It’s getting crowded with you here.”

  “Excuse you!” Tahmi’s heart pounded. “Next time, maybe you should be more selective with whom you save.”

  “You’re right, I should!”

  “Who needs you, anyway?”

  “We need him,” Andy whispered. Tahmi frowned. What had she done? She wasn’t quite sure. Why was she so short tempered lately? Andy leaned in close. “He seems to know a lot about this world. Maybe you should apologize.”

  “Why me? I didn’t do anything!”

  “You’re a little moody right now for some reason.”

  Andy and Tahmi leaned over the wall and watched Jerry stomp down the steps. He muttered inaudible words the whole way. Had she been mean? Ever since coming to Gadaie something strange bubbled inside her. She reached down, placing her hands on her stomach. Tiny jolts of pain pierced her from inside. She cringed, holding in the pain. The last thing she wanted was for Andy to find out something was wrong with her. He needed to get home and if their only way out was to do as the queen said—well, she was going to do it. Even at the cost of war pigs.

  Jerry had been right. She didn’t know any of these people—there was no attachment to them yet; yet. But, Andy was her best friend—her brother. She’d known him her whole life. Who was most important? Andy.

  “Jerry!” Tahmi called out. He stopped in the center of the drawbridge. “I’m sorry. Ever since coming here I haven’t been myself.”

  He wouldn’t look up. “Maybe this is your real self.”

  “How will I know if you don’t help me?” Her voice shook.

  Jerry glanced over his shoulder. Tahmi’s hair fell in her face like rain. Maybe she really would be different. “Okay, I’ll get you to the golden bridge but that’s it. I don’t go in the Muddy Palace Realm.”

  “I do—or will.”

  Jerry jumped. “You scared me!”

  Trusty stood inches from him. “Why are you so high strung?”

  “That’s why.” He pointed at Tahmi and Andy. “That girl does something to me.”

  “Butterflies?”

  “No,” he said. “More like nausea.”

  “I was on my way up to inform Queen Maryanne of a possible attack.”

  “What are you talking about, Trusty?”

  “While I was out fetching fruit—”

  “Something you’re not supposed to be doing.”

  “I saw,” Trusty’s voice lowered, “war pigs gathering.”

  “I bet they’re coming for the girl.”

  Tahmi and Andy raced down the steps. They ran out onto the bridge now only a few yards away. Trusty studied them. “She doesn’t look very special.”

  “No, she doesn’t,” Jerry agreed. His eyes fixed on her lips. “She’s not very interesting, either.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far,” Trusty said. “Tahmi is the only reason either of us are alive today—‘special’ or not.”

  “And that’s the only reason I’m helping her.”

  “Somehow that seems hard for me to believe.” The horse lowered his head making his mane fall all around him. “Ready?”

  Jerry climbed up, motioning for Tahmi an
d Andy to do the same. They sure were slow. At this rate, it would take forever to get them to Lark. Why in the world would Queen Maryanne send Tahmi to see him?

  DONNA & CHARLES

  Charles stood in the bathroom searching the medicine cabinet for his back patches. “Pharmacy, back restoration patches, quantity one.” Was Tahmi going to turn into a juvenile delinquent?

  “Dispensing one back restoration patch.” The medicine cabinet opened.

  “Found them!” He snatched the exposed product.

  “What’s going on out there?” Donna shouted from the bedroom.

  “Our daughter has broken her door, window and our staircase.”

  “She’s what?” Donna sat up. “Charles, why aren’t you disciplining her?”

  “Tahmi hurt her back. I’m more interested in that, right now.”

  He took the steps two at a time. She was probably at the table eating jello. “Tahmi, here’s the patches. Once you’re feeling better we’re going to have a talk.”

  Charles stopped.

  The front door was ajar.

  The kitchen—empty, dining room—no one and the living room was so quiet that he could hear his heart pounding.

  “Tahmi?”

  “Charles!” Peg screamed. She was in a fluffy pink robe and curlers. Her face was green with some sort of mask and she wore dirty slippers.

  “What’s the matter, Peg?”

  “Andy—he’s, he’s gone.”

  CROSSING THE GOLDEN BRIDGE

  “Thanks for coming with us.” Tahmi patted Trusty on the side. “It’ll be more fun with you I think.”

  “What’re you trying to imply?” Jerry mumbled. “I’m not fun?”

  “Tons.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Somehow I don’t believe you.”

  “What gave it away?”

  Andy smiled. Finally, someone Tahmi was irritated by more than him.

  Trusty’s hooves clomped against the purple path. Up ahead, Tahmi saw what looked to be gigantic flowers over ten feet tall. They stood near the wooden rope entrance. She hadn’t noticed them before. Maybe because they were so high above her but now, they were in the distance and nothing she’d ever imagined possible. Strawberry patches and grape vines intertwined with the various flowers and there were enormous loonybugs. Some had wings with striped thorax’s and large bug eyes.