“After you rest up, I want you to go to the goo and find Andy. He should be with Trusty gathering food for the ‘black ones’. Go deep out in the goo and pick me a couple strawberries.”
“Trusty is capable of—”
“I want you to pick them for me. I’ll know if you didn’t.”
“Very well, it’s not the oddest thing anyone’s ever asked of me.” Sandy climbed to her feet. Her hooves pounded the ground. “My knees are a bit shaky.”
“Rest,” Tahmi ordered. “You should follow Alina to somewhere safe first and when you’re ready—go. I also need to ask something more from you.”
“Anything.” Sandy lowered her head, motioning for the princess to climb up.
Tahmi refused, backing away. “If I don’t make it back in two days, I want you to bring Andy to an old man in a sailor’s suit. He can send my friend home.”
Sandy wanted to ask what Tahmi was afraid of. She wanted to tell the child to stay with her. She wished more than anything to be the one who found Jerry. Teri was probably on her way now to save him. She could handle anything.
“Teri can handle whatever has gotten Jerry,” Sandy began, “Come with me. This way we won’t have to worry about anyone harming you. You’re not—”
“I’m not special, I know.” Tahmi nodded, wiping dirt from her face. “But Jerry’s my friend and that’s enough.” She closed her eyes. “I’m enough.”
Sandy averted her gaze. Doubt boiled inside her. “What’s happened to Teri?”
“I thought I was supposed to be this future leader or something.”
“You are.”
“Then why is it you doubt me?”
“Because you’re not—”
“What you expected?”
“Right.” Sandy’s heart sunk. What a horrible person she was. “I’m sorry for my thoughts.”
“This isn’t how I planned to spend my summer vacation, believe me.”
“Summer vacation?”
“I still think I’m gonna wake up in my bed any second straight out of this nightmare.”
“Princess Tahmi will remember.” Alina sat on the girl’s shoulder. “I believe in her.”
“Thanks, Alina.”
“Follow me into the air caves.”
“The what?”
“The air caves. This is where the stars shine upon all of Gadaie.”
“Follow the light,” Sandy neighed, trotting alongside Tahmi. “I’m sorry for hurting your feelings. I was out of place. You’re not like the rest of the royal family—you treat me as an equal.”
“You are my equal.”
The horse stopped in the mud.
“Come on, Sandy, we need to get out of here before some new monster decides to attack us.”
Sandy’s eyes watered. She watched the young princess disappear inside a cave just up ahead. She followed slowly; composing herself. What a fool she’d been. Why hadn’t she noticed? Tahmi was the opposite of Mary. She didn’t need special powers—just humanity.
Alina and Tahmi waited at the entrance.
“Sandy, through that tunnel you will be led to the three bridges. Be careful of war pigs when you exit the tunnels,” Alina told her. “The War Pig Forrest is just a few yards away from where you will exit.”
“How will I know that I’ve found the right exit?”
“There’s a big ‘DO NOT ENTER’ sign covering the door.”
“Can’t we all go together? Teri can save Jerry. I’m certain of it.”
“We must journey another way.” Alina looked away.
“Sandy, I need to find Jerry this time.” Tahmi’s lip trembled.
Sandy’s legs grew weak. “Has something happened to her?”
“Do as I say!” Tahmi screamed. She pointed her finger at the tunnel before her. “Now, Sandy, go!”
Maybe Tahmi wasn’t much different from Mary after all.
SCENTED FIELDS
Sandy crept through the tunnel with only the sound of her hooves pelting the ground. She’d never been so tired in all her life. Her wings were caked with mud and flying was not an option should she find herself in harm’s way.
The tunnel was dark and damp. In some places, the sides brushed against her. She grew breathless, uncertain of where to go. Sure, her eyesight was best out of all the other war horses but, when was Gadaie ever in absolute darkness? Not since Mary…
The ground trembled, knocking the horse into some rocks. Mary. She was gaining more and more power each day. Why would the princess send her to pick strawberries? Of all the things she could be used for…
Light seeped through a stone up ahead. Sandy stepped closer, sniffing the air. Was Tahmi outside? She could smell her.
The “DO NOT ENTER” sign lay on the ground. Someone else had already come this way. Sandy wasn’t alone. She felt the air shift.
“Who’s there?” She backed herself against the wall. “I’m a powerful war horse that could do some great damage. Show yourself or prepare for battle.”
“Sandy?” A tiny voice echoed above her. A dim light shined. The horse dropped to her bottom.
“Eliora, you scared me.”
“Sorry, they told me to wait right here.”
“Who told you?”
“Andy, Trusty, and Ot’tai. They’re still out getting food for the ‘Black Ones’. The War Pigs woke up already and the other scorpions chased them away. There’s one still out there; the one that tried to kill Andy.”
“I’ll take care of him.”
“You mean her. The war pig is a girl—or was.”
“Oh, I didn’t even think—”
“How’s my mom? I miss her.”
Sandy looked up at the young star. She resembled Teri with her ivory skin and ebony colored hair. Her silvery wings sparkled more so than any of the other stars that she’d seen. “Alina is on a special mission with Tahmi. They’re heading up to the invisible air caves right now.”
“Okay, good. Because, the scorpions said that a lot of stars and ‘black ones’ got hurt in the war pig attack. I was afraid something had happened to my mom.”
“Stay here, Eliora. I’ll need your light to get back home.”
“Watch out for Sable.”
“That’s the pig’s name?”
“Yes.”
Sandy climbed out, barely able to see. She squinted, eyes watering. The light was dim here compared to her part of Gadaie.
She looked around. There were several spears left in the mud, a few pieces of war pig armor and even an axe. The mud was tossed about as if a tidal wave had crashed into it, disturbing its normal flat exterior. Sable was hiding; probably in the tree. Sandy took a deep breath.
The smell of Tahmi was much stronger outside the tunnel. What was it? Was Tahmi here in this part of the world? Maybe she was above her in the air caves. Legend was they intertwined all through Gadaie.
Right before her, the golden bridge glistened. It was the only thing left in the Muddy Palace Realm that still remained glorious. The Weeping Willow’s leaves swayed in the breeze, relaxing her.
Wake up.
She shook her head.
A War Pig is in that tree.
Sandy stretched her legs and back. She wished there was a miracle plant that could eliminate the soreness in her body. Every step she took sent jolts of pain through her.
Her hooves slapped the mud.
A dim fire burned. She stamped it out. There was no need for that—once she was done with the filthy beast.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are.” Sandy neighed, stepping onto the bridge. “I’m not in the mood for games. I’ve had a long day.”
Sandy studied the shadows that bounced around. They danced from branch to branch. Her gray eyes shifted from each with instant reflexes.
“Sable, where are you?”
Nothing.
“Sable?”
Sandy stepped forward, inching her way towards the willow tree. She stood just below its branches. Was anyone up there? Had the little star been wrong?
Maybe Sable had run off.
“Weird, but typical,” Sandy said, trotting to the end of the golden bridge. “Figures I’d be a war horse with zero action.”
Sandy skidded to a stop. Tahmi’s scent filled her lungs. It was as if the girl were standing next to her—only, the smell didn’t come from a human. The horse surveyed her surroundings.
“What in the world?” Hadn’t they watched the orange goo in front of the bridge several days before burn up before their very eyes? Teri’s acid evaporated any and all life—goo—whatever. Now, a garden of flowers—regular sized—grew in patches lining a small creek of water that spilled over into the emptiness below. Mist blew across the garden, disturbing tiny butterflies and bees with black and yellow stripes. A prism of colors arched above the plant life. Surrounding the flower garden were sections of fruit trees and other sections housed various vegetables like corn, wheat, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, carrots—her favorite and turnips.
“Pretty, isn’t it?”
“Who said that?” Sandy stamped her feet, readying herself. “Sable?”
“Yes, who else did you think to find out here?” A horned war pig stepped out from behind a stalk of corn. She was miniature in size compared to the vegetation. “This garden wasn’t here before.”
“Yes, you filthy creature, there was nothing but a history of war painted here in this very spot; thanks to your attack on us.”
“Silly horse.” Sable pulled a tulip from the ground. “Want to know a secret?”
“What secret could I possibly want to learn from you?”
“I have two secrets. Ones you’ll never believe.”
“Then why tell me, Sable?”
“Ya know, sister, you’ve never been very good at accepting anything that came from me. I am after all only a war pig. Once, you were nothing but a—”
“Stop it!” Sandy shouted. “You are not my sister.”
“Remember how proud mom and dad were when Mary chose me to be in the Royal Guard? She didn’t pick you. Oh, how furious that made you! I loved it.”
“I’m a war horse. I’ve always been a champion.”
“Poor Sandra Anne.” Sable shook her head. “You’ve got the beauty but not the glory; a mere pet—that’s what you’ve become.”
“Shut up, pig. Face your fate. This war horse is going to prove to you just how strong she really is.”
“You’ve always been quite confident. That’s what mother and father said I lacked. Funny, I did all the dirty work for Queen Mary. What did you do besides fly her around on your back?”
“Shut up, Sable!”
The war pig snapped her fingers. “I remember now! You just watched while she killed our parents! Did you like the view from up in the sky, sister?”
“Stop it! You evil monstrous creature! I’d never do such a thing. My parents—” Sandy stopped, eyes moist. “My parents.” She blinked. They were human. Why wasn’t she? Had she been a woman before? How come she couldn’t remember?
“Funny.” Sable snickered, pulling petals. “This orange goo makes us forget the bad. But, if you submerse yourself in it—like pick a strawberry or two—all your past demons are remembered; like mine. I remember who made me this way. I also know who’s responsible for this little garden.”
“Who?” Sandy stiffened.
“I’ll give you a hint—it’s not a gift from Mary.”
“Just answer me, pig.”
“Is that the way you talk to your little sister? What would mother think?”
“Sable!”
“Okay, okay, another hint—since you love puzzles so much.”
“No puzzles, just answers.”
“The same person who created the goo, the stars, the ‘black ones’ and the war pigs is also the gardener. And by war pigs I mean the real ones—not the humans turned war pigs like me, although, now I wonder about my misfortune. Did this same one decide to turn me inside out?” Tears spilled down Sable’s cheeks.
“Stop this nonsense.”
“I can’t tell you,” Sable said. “If I did then there’d be way too much anger among all the different cultures. Some would hate while others would feel vindicated. I can’t be responsible for more grief. I get it now, though. I understand.”
“What do you understand?” Sandy inched closer, heart pounding.
“What does Mary hate most?”
Sandy didn’t have to think twice before answering. “Ugliness.”
“Very good,” Sable sneered, pulling a blade from her belt. “I’m sorry, sister, but you’re not as good of a person as you think. Mary changed you. Another changed me into what Mary hates most. I’ve also remembered why I changed sides now.”
“Why?”
“You’re a traitor and a murderer!”
Sable held the blade above her head. She squealed, piercing Sandy’s ears. She raced towards the horse with tears streaming down her fat, mutilated cheeks.
“This is for mother and father!”
Sable jumped, flying through the air with her weapon aimed.
Sandy lowered herself to the ground, flattening her wings.
The war pig’s body soared above her.
The horse kicked her hind legs, smacking them into the pig’s flesh.
Sable spun like a football, arching upwards and then, she disappeared into the mist below—falling to her death.
AIR CAVES
Tahmi and Alina stood before the air caves’ entrance. Her legs trembled. Sandy had gone on. She was all alone with a two-foot rollie pollie named Rolls and Alina; the “star” that seemed to think she could do impossible things. Hadn’t the star been a witness to her sister, Teri’s death? Alina must’ve held some resentment for her—after all, hadn’t it been her words that led Eliora out on a dangerous mission through the underground tunnels? What if her daughter came back hurt or worse—dead? Would this star still be faithful to her? Tahmi didn’t like what she’d become. Sadly, everyone close to her only suffered. What would she do if Alina were hurt? She was little and had delicate wings that were not meant for danger. What about poor Andy? All he’d ever been was a good and faithful friend. Now, he was out risking his life to feed roaches. She should’ve listened to Teri and made Jerry and Trusty stay back in their part of Gadaie. The war was here and it was no place for the ones you loved.
The young princess slid down the wall, smacking her bottom on the stone floor. She covered her face in her hands and sobbed. She’d become a person she did not recognize.
Tears poured. An emptiness she’d never known filled her chest. “I’m useless. Back home, I can’t do anything right. I’m not any better here, either. Look what I’ve done! My sister, Andy—Jerry! Oh, he’s as good as dead if I’m his only hope of survival; might as well just go home. I should’ve let the death cloud take me.”
“Tahmi?” Alina sat on her shoulder.
The girl brushed Alina away, turning sideways. “I hate this world and I don’t want to save it. I can see why Mary decided to destroy it. Everyone is mean and nasty.”
“This is my home,” Alina whispered. “How could you say such a horrible thing? Don’t you care about anyone but yourself?”
“I’ve done a lot for a bunch of people or ‘creatures’ that I never knew before this week.”
“And they’ve done a lot for a princess that has only disappointed them—knowing you could never be our hero we still protected you!” Alina’s wings shined brightly, blinding Tahmi.
“Knock it off, you glow bug!”
“I’m not a bug!” Alina’s wings darkened and she flew away, deep in the tunnels below. “See if I ever help you again!”
“There, now at least she’ll be safe.” Tahmi rubbed her eyes. She looked up at the rollie pollie. He sat, resembling a ‘C’. He rocked himself back and forth, flashing his green eyes to and fro.
“Vroom, Vroom,” he attempted to say. “Vroom.”
“You can’t come with me either, Rolls. You’ll just get hurt. I’m a magnet for destruction. I�
�ve gotta do this alone.”
“Vaa-room.”
“Don’t tell me no!” Tahmi stopped, clasping her hands over her mouth. “Did I just understand you?”
“Ahh-room.”
“Well, since you know what I’m saying, I order you away. Just, point me in the direction of this Quella creature. Alina said she was who controlled the Muddlers.”
Rolls curled up into a ball and rolled forward, making noises like a stalling engine. He stopped, opened himself up, looked both ways and then closed up again, taking a left.
Tahmi laughed, then cried some more. “Now, I talk to bugs.”
Rolls led her farther down a darkened tunnel and out onto a slick flooring. It felt like glass or freeze-dried ice. She walked further along, following the sound of Rolls’ voice.
Up ahead, several stars lit the cave. Tahmi squinted, trying to adjust her eyes to the light. What she saw, she’d never thought possible.
“Rolls,” she screamed and attempted to clutch something. There wasn’t anything to grab onto. She was standing in the middle of nothing. There were no walls, floors or even a ceiling.
“It’s okay, princess.” Ziv flapped above her. “These are the air caves. The stones are invisible. We can see through them like glass. Tell me this isn’t the most amazing place of your travels and I will drop to my death right now.”
“Please don’t die,” Tahmi gasped, pressing her hand to her heart. “The last thing I want is for you to die, Ziv.”
“Ah, you remembered my name!”
“How could I ever forget the ‘star’ who sang war songs about me?”
Ziv’s eyes sparkled. “I’m not as great of a guide as Alina, but, if you let me, I’ll try and help.”
“No.” Tahmi shook her head. “If you come you’ll end up dead.”
“Who’s died?” The star flipped backwards.
“Teri, my sister.” Tahmi held her composure. She wasn’t going to cry again. “And Jerry will be next unless I find this Quella creature.”
“I know where she lives!” Ziv flapped his wings. “Let’s go!”
“NO!”
The little star tried to sit on her shoulder. She flicked him away.
“I don’t want you following me. Keep Rolls here, too. He doesn’t need to die, either.”
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