Lark's End

by Christina Leigh Pritchard

  Ot’tai heard him.

  Teri lay flat on her back. “I’m dirty again. When will we get out of this poor excuse for a country? I can’t take much more of this.”

  Tahmi didn’t even try to clean herself. Her eyes focused on ten large scorpions. They were much bigger than Ot’tai with green eyes. “I guess Ot’tai’s not the last of his kind, after all.”

  “Meeeee!” Ot’tai hopped around. “Meeeeee!”

  Andy smiled. What would he think had he been the only human alive for many years? And then, one day finding out there were ten others just like him? His eyes watered. “Yoooou!” He shouted.

  Ot’tai flipped, racing towards the largest scorpion. They snapped their claws and touched tails. “Meeeee!”

  The largest stump opened and Ot’tai’s tail pointed. “Do you want us to go inside?” Tahmi asked, inching closer. Two four foot scorpions stood on either side of her. She swallowed. “I hope that’s what you mean.”

  “I can’t fit in there,” Sandy said.

  “Yes, you can,” Jerry said. “It’s a sequoia or was a sequoia. It’s an underground tunnel large enough for two horses standing on top of one another to pass through.”

  The underground tunnel was a steep drop onto a rocky ground covered in moss and tiny tulips no bigger than Tahmi’s pinky finger. “There’s water in here. I can smell it.”

  “You can’t smell water,” Andy said.

  “Somehow, I can.”

  They followed a winding path for several minutes in dim light. The scorpions’ feet clanked the stone, the noise echoed around them. Tahmi looked up. There was batlike creatures hanging from the roof. “What’s up there?” She pointed.

  Teri frowned. “I don’t know. There’s a lot on this journey I’ve never seen before.”

  Ot’tai stooped under a fallen stone. Trusty and Sandy bent, nearly crawling. “My back has seen better days,” Trusty said. “Where are we going?”

  On the top of a broken rock sat one of the bat-like creatures. She had green eyes that peeked out her black, leathery wings. “Can you talk?” Tahmi questioned the animal. “Do you know what I’m saying?”

  “Yes,” it whispered. “I know your language.”

  Tahmi stood. “Can you speak the scorpion’s language as well?”

  “Yes,” the creature sighed. “So can you.”

  “No,” she said. “I can’t. I’ve been studying Ot’tai this whole time and his language is too hard. I think I know what he means sometimes but—”

  “You know it.”

  “How do you know what I do or do not know?”

  The creature spread her wings. On the exterior, the small bat-like animal was ugly and fearsome but on the inside—she was another altogether. Her face was nearly human with large glowing green eyes and long wavy blonde strands hung from her head and around a petite body. Her ivory arms and legs stuck to her winged back. She wore a dress made of moss. Rubies stringed her neck and miniature flowers wrapped around her bosom.

  “Who are you?”

  “I’m Alina; the one my people call the ‘light’. We’ve been waiting for you a long time, Tahmi.”

  “How’d you know my name?”

  “We’ve met before.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I know, you’ve come so late. Where have you been, child?”

  “I’d have remembered you. What are you, anyway?”

  “You never gave us names.”

  “I never gave you a name?”

  “No, you were too young to talk, I suppose.”

  “Where are we?”

  “This is our home. The scorpions found us and we allowed them to share our quarters. We’re very different. When will they be able to go home to their caves?”

  “I dunno,” Tahmi said. “I’m just searching for Lark.”

  “Very good idea.” Alina jumped, landing on Tahmi’s shoulder. “We have a secret tunnel that leads right to the castle. You’ll be there in a matter of minutes. But first, eat, rest and drink. You look horrible.”

  Tahmi leaned down, crawling under the fallen stone. Her friends waited on the other side. “What’s that?” Andy gasped, pointing at Alina.

  “She’s a bright light in a dark place.” Tahmi grinned. Alina’s tiny lips smiled. “They’re stars.”

  Alina covered herself with her ugly wings and a white glow emanated through them, lighting their way.

  “Look!” Jerry exclaimed, pointing at the ceiling. Hundreds of “stars” shined upon them.

  “We are what lights this world. Mary destroyed the original light and there was great darkness until we were born only twelve years ago.” Alina told them. “We take turns lighting Gadaie.”

  “What do you mean?” Teri frowned. “You’re what brighten the sky?”

  “Yes,” Alina nodded. “Now, Princess Tahmelia, what can we do for you?”

  “I’m hungry,” she said.

  The star pointed her black wing. “Follow the light.”

  When Tahmi turned the corner, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Right before her, a tall waterfall flowed, collecting below them in a small pond. Moss covered the ground around it with thousands of miniature flowers. Stars hopped from tulips to roses to impatiens. A light mist floated in the air and Tahmi could see that the interior wings of the other stars were various colors. Some stars wore necklaces of sapphires and others, opals. Their eyes were green—all of them. Other than that, and their leathery black exteriors, the stars varied.

  Trusty and Sandy treaded carefully down the narrow slope into the valley. “Look, Sandy, at the cave’s roof.”

  The horse glanced up, eyes wide. Vegetation hung in midair as if by nothing. Carrots, potatoes, corn, tomatoes…

  “That’s the coolest thing I ever saw!” Andy exclaimed. “How do we get it down?”

  Tahmi pointed. An old, spiral stone staircase climbed high above them. This too stood upon nothing. The stairs did not reach the cave’s floor nor did the ending touch the roof.

  “Who will hoist me up?” Jerry questioned.

  Ot’tai clapped, standing next to him. Jerry stood on the scorpion’s back.

  “Watch that tail,” he grumbled, pulling himself up onto the first step.

  Tahmi watched Jerry rise higher and higher. When he reached mid-way, his body floated off the steps towards the center of the garden.

  “What’s happening?” He shouted. His voice echoed below sending the stars into hiding.

  “Tell him to not make sudden noises. Stars are quiet creatures.” Alina sighed. “I shall help him.” She fluttered away. Tahmi cringed at the sight. How could something so beautiful also be that ugly?

  Several stars flew up towards the floating garden. Carrots, potatoes and corn fell from the sky. Teri jumped out of the way. Tahmi spread her arms and spun. “This is my favorite place so far.” She grinned. “Look how it mixes both beauty and eeriness. Isn’t that cool?”

  “Let’s go up in the garden, too.” Andy suggested. He ran forward. Inches from the first step, he lowered his body and jumped. His arms caught the stone and he pulled himself up. “C’mon, Tahmi!”

  “Okay!” She climbed onto a rock and stepped over. “I dunno why you guys did all that when there’s five stones right here.”

  Andy rolled his eyes. His body pressed forward. “I feel like I’m gonna fall, but it’s like some magnet holding me up.”

  “Yeah, me too.” Tahmi held her hands out, letting the gravity carry her upwards. Her head hit a ream of corn. “I wonder how this stuff grows up here.”

  Alina pointed. A cave high in the wall lit up. Several stars held hoes and rakes in their winged hands. Soil wrapped around the walls and even the ceiling. “When the plants are ready for harvesting, the farmers pluck them and they float out here.”

  “Ot’tai, your food problem is solved!” Tahmi shouted.

  Alina shook her head. “Our food disintegrates if taken out of the cave.”

  Tahmi flipped. “I love this place!�
�

  “You should,” Alina whispered. She disappeared into one of the harvesting caves.

  What did the star mean?

  “Princess Tahmi, please follow me.”

  “I don’t know where you are.” She flapped her arms pushing forward. “Where are you?”

  “In here!”

  Tahmi grabbed the sides of the wall. Her head barely fit inside the entrance. “Alina?”

  Several stars—tiny ones, squealed. “Princess Tahmi!” They flapped their wings.

  “Who are you?” She smiled.

  “These are my daughters and son.” Alina grinned. “I promised to introduce you to them.”

  “Why are they in here? Aren’t they too young to work like this?”

  “All the young ones harvest. They play and grow inside the safety of the caves. Once they can fly, they must light the sky.”

  “So what’re your names?”

  The smallest star leaped in the air, placing her hands on Tahmi’s nose. “I’m Dawn.” Her red curls bounced and she wore moss held together by a string of yellow rosebuds. Dawn’s interior wings were soft to the touch like rabbit fur and a shimmering teal, soothing to the eyes. She wore opals around her neck and in her hair. “When I grow up I’m going to light the sky by your castle. You’ll never be in the dark with me above you.”

  “Thank you, Dawn.” Tahmi chuckled.

  “Want to see me glow?”

  “Enough, Dawn,” Alina said. “This is my eldest daughter, Eliora.”

  Eliora hid behind her wings, shivering.

  “She’s a chicken,” Dawn said. “Never wants to leave the cave. She can fly but is afraid of what lurks outside.” Her voice deepened. “Scary war pigs!”

  “Stop that,” Alina said. “When your sister is ready, she will light the sky.”

  “It’s okay to be scared,” Tahmi whispered. “Eliora, I’m afraid all the time.”

  Green eyes peeked out.

  “Being cautious is good, actually. The war pigs are dangerous. They nearly killed us.”

  “Why would you risk being killed?” Eliora barely spoke.

  “Because even if you’re scared you can’t hide from danger; it will find you no matter where you are. Plus, you miss out on so much. If I would’ve let my fears stop me from coming out here then I never would’ve met your mom, your little sister, or you.”

  Eliora’s wings opened. She had long black hair and her body was covered in diamonds and pearls. Eliora’s interior wings were swirled with pink, brown and orange spots.

  “What about me?” A small male star tumbled forward. He was about three inches tall. “I’m Blake.”

  “Hi, Blake.”

  “Can I come with you on your adventure to see Lark? I want to see the monster with my own eyes!”

  “Blake!” Alina shouted. “What did I tell you about inviting yourself places?”

  “But, mom,” he whined, “She’s so cool.”

  Tahmi’s eyes watered. “I have to see Lark alone. I’m sorry, Blake.”

  “Will you tell me what he looks like?”

  “Yes.” She swallowed. How could she lie to him?

  “Hurry up and come down. We’re hungry.” Andy smacked her in the foot. “And you need a bath; you stink like a war pig.”

  “Bye, Tahmi!” Dawn waved.

  She waved, stepping onto the stone steps. Tahmi’s arms shook. Why did this place feel right to her? It was as if she were home down in this cave.

  “Here, I saved this for you.” Jerry tossed a pile of vegetables at her. They rolled into her lap. A large bowl held water and she drank it fast.

  “Thanks.” Tahmi wiped her mouth. “Where’s Ot’tai?”

  “With his new friends,” Andy said.

  Eliora floated down, gently sitting on Tahmi’s shoulder. She jumped, sending the star into hiding.

  “Sorry, you startled me, Eliora.”

  “This is the first time I’ve gone out of the harvesting cave.”

  “Good for you.”

  Teri glanced up. “You look a little bit like me.”

  The star nodded. “My mother told me that Princess Teri was the most powerful in all Gadaie.”

  “Don’t flatter her.” Tahmi grumbled, stuffing the most delicious carrot into her mouth.

  “Why not?” Teri grinned, winking at the young star. “You’re all right, blackie.”

  “I wonder what Ot’tai and the other scorpions are talking about.”

  Eliora pressed her tiny hands against Tahmi’s ear. “They’re telling him about the secret tunnels. The scorpions plan to help him get to the goo safely.”

  “Trusty, did you hear that?”

  “Yes, Tahmi, I did. Shall I go with them?”

  “Could you? They can’t swim in the goo. At least this way they’ll be safe.”

  Sandy stiffened. “Trusty, what about our mission?”

  “The others will starve if I do not help.” Trusty answered. His nose touched Sandy’s neck. She shivered. “You’re at the castle. We’re right above it. There’s no need of me now.”

  “I’ll help too,” Andy said.

  Tahmi stood. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because, you’ll get hurt or something bad will happen to you.”

  Eliora touched Tahmi’s cheek. “But if he doesn’t go he won’t be able to share in an adventure that belongs to him. Ot’tai is his friend.”

  “I want to do this.” Andy touched her cheek. “C’mon, Tahmi, don’t be a hypocrite.”

  “Please be careful, okay? I don’t know what I’d do if something bad happened to you.” Tahmi wrapped her arms around him. He held her tight.

  “I’m not the one you gotta worry about,” He teased. “I always land on my feet.”

  “Get lost, you punk.” She shoved him.

  “What’s happening?” Teri stammered. “You’re sending the dotted one out unprotected?”

  “You should be glad,” Andy said, brushing past the princess. “I’m just a big nuisance, right?”

  “Tahmi!” Teri screeched. Eliora and the other stars hid, darkening the cave. “Make him stay!”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  Eliora glowed dimly. Andy couldn’t believe his eyes. Teri had tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”

  Teri jerked away. The freckled boy’s hand was warm on her skin. She blinked away the remaining tears. “Don’t touch me.”

  Andy covered her stomach with his hand. “I didn’t know you cared so much.”

  “I don’t,” Teri mumbled. “It’s just my job to protect you, and I can’t if you’re off gallivanting through dangerous worlds. This isn’t a picnic, ya know.”

  “I know,” he whispered. His breath tickled her ear and she trembled when his body embraced hers.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m gonna kiss you goodbye.”

  “What?”

  Teri pressed against his chest. Andy ignored her, his lips closing in. “C’mon, black one.”

  “I am not a bug!” Teri smacked him, oil seeping from her fingers.

  “You could be.”

  “Let me go. I’m a princess and princesses don’t kiss paupers.”

  Andy backed up. “I’m not a pauper.”

  “Peasant; whatever, it’s the same thing.”

  “No.” Andy shook his head.

  Teri’s skin turned cold and empty somehow. “Why haven’t you left?”

  “Ot’tai!” Andy shouted. “Let’s find your food.”

  Tahmi grabbed his arm. He hugged her one last time.

  Teri’s fingers wouldn’t stop producing oil. Why did she feel so weak and helpless?

  “I will go with them,” Eliora said, “To light the way.”

  “Eliora!” Alina cried, “There will be war pigs.”

  “I know, mom.”

  “You’ve never gone outside before.”

  “I won’t leave the tunnels, just light the wa
y. I’ll be careful, I promise.”

  Tahmi waved, trembling. It was better for Andy to be far away from Lark.

  Trusty, Andy and Eliora disappeared inside one of the underground tunnels. The only sound she could hear was the clanking feet of the ten scorpions that followed closely behind them.

  Teri wiped her cheeks. “Let’s get moving. Jerry, fetch us food and water.”

  “He’s not your slave,” Tahmi said, knocking into her sister’s shoulder. “Jerry, don’t do anything she says ever again.”

  “Somebody’s in a bad mood.” Sandy snorted.

  “My best friend just ran off with a bunch of deadly scorpions. How would you feel?”

  “My daughter is with them; all because you told her to be brave.” Alina sat on Tahmi’s shoulder. “How should I feel?”

  “They’ve got Trusty and Ot’tai. Eliora and Andy will be fine,” Jerry said, brushing back Tahmi’s bangs. “You should be proud of Andy. He was afraid of the black ones half a day ago and now he’s risking his life to save them.”

  “Yeah, I’m real proud.”

  “It’s time,” Alina said, “You’ll go to the castle now.”

  “Can I rest first?” Sandy leaned against a stone. “I’ve carried people, pushed heavy boulders ten times my size and chipped one of my shoes.”

  “Yeah, we should sleep, actually.” Tahmi yawned. “I’m exhausted.”

  Jerry nodded, spreading out in the moss. It squished beneath him, encompassing his body. “This is nice and soft.”

  Tahmi did the same, and finally Teri. They closed their eyes, drifting off into a deep sleep. Troubling thoughts refused to leave Tahmi’s mind. Even in the depths of sound sleep, she couldn’t help wondering what Alina meant by “you never named us”.

  SURROUNDED

  Tahmi stretched. Jerry lay passed out in the moss. His bangs fell in his face and she could hear him breathe. She wondered why it made her nervous.

  Teri yawned. “Why are you staring at that peasant?”

  “I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are. I can tell.”

  “I was going to wake him up.”

  “Let’s leave him here.”

  “What? No, why would you say that?”

  Teri shrugged, “We’re going to be up against the war pigs again and I don’t think it will be all that safe for him. That’s all. He can head back home and stay alive.”