Lark's End

by Christina Leigh Pritchard

  The animal stepped up onto the boulder and peered down at Teri. Her dress was ripped and she sobbed in her hands. This was it; the thing was going to eat her. Whatever happened to the vegetarian world of Gadaie? Had so much changed in only a few days?

  The creature dropped a vine full of grapes. They landed in Teri’s lap.

  She jumped, crying out.

  The monster screeched. It made the same sound she did whenever she were about to create wind tunnels. Did it want her to eat?

  Teri blinked, fingers trembling, and took a grape. Her teeth were numb and she couldn’t taste the flavors of the fruit. The thing wanted to fatten her up. She shivered from the biting wind and her hands trembled, unsure of what was going to happen.

  The beast clawed the rock above her. Teri wailed, covering her head with her hands. “Don’t eat me!”

  Wings wrapped around her, blocking the wind.

  Was it warming her?

  Teri blinked, looking up. The raven towered over her. Its’ black eyes watched the skies like a protector. “Where’d you come from?”

  The Raven said nothing.

  “I’m Teri.”

  She laughed. A few days ago, she would’ve introduced herself as Princess Teri, the most powerful in all of Gadaie. It felt like an eternity since she’d been a spoiled princess looking out her castle window.

  The raven peered down at the princess. They resembled each other. The girl’s hair and eyes were as black as her feathers and eyes.

  “What are you, anyway?” Teri backed up. She stuffed grapes into her mouth finally realizing just how famished she was. The bird shook her feathers and her body began to shrink. Slowly at first, then within an instant, she was small enough to fit in Teri’s palm. The princess held the bird with trembling hands.

  “You’re just a baby,” Teri whispered. “Am I supposed to take care of you?”

  The raven ruffled her feathers. It was as if when she bobbed her head she was telling the princess yes.

  Tears brimmed in her eyes. Warmness filled her insides. “I’ll try my best.”

  “Who’s there?” A voice shouted from a thicket up ahead.

  Teri hid the bird behind her back. “Princess Teri. I’m Queen Maryanne’s daughter. Who are you?”

  “We mean no harm—just want to be left in peace.”

  “Answer the question, pauper!”

  “We will be whatever the Queen decides.”

  “What are you talking about?” Teri stepped back. Was the voice coming from a war pig? She turned her attention to the raven. Her body outgrew Teri’s hands and now the bird towered above her. “What is it?”

  The raven lowered her neck, motioning for Teri to climb on. She sat, grasping feathers in her fingers. Somehow, the creature felt like a missing link to herself.

  Teri braced for takeoff. Her body lay low against the black feathers. They dropped from their perch, spiraling through the sky.

  She glanced over her shoulder. Several war pigs crept out of the wooded area with their backs hunched and their eyes low. Why were they so—unlike war pigs?

  THE SHADOW

  Diane couldn’t breathe. She clung to the rocks with all her might. Gigantic flying bugs contined to swarm her and a strange breathing shadow still loomed above her. Whatever it was, it filled her with a dread she’d never known. It was powerful, whatever it was. “I—I just want to go home,” Diane whimpered. “Please, if you spare me, I’ll just go straight home to my father and sisters.”

  “Look up, little sister,” Teri said. “It’s me and my new friend. We’ve come to rescue you.”

  The “black ones” backed away slowly, angrily. They wished to understand the foreign language of the princesses, but they could not.

  “Are you going to help me up or not?” Diane snapped. “This isn’t the way to treat a princess.”

  “The ‘black ones’ can help you up. They’re very nice,” Teri said.

  “Those things tried to drag me down from the mountain to my death!” Diane shouted, slipping from the ledge. “The flying creatures have been smashing their heads into me, trying to make me slip and one even killed itself trying to take my life!”

  Teri scratched her forehead. “That’s odd, the ‘black ones’ have been helping us.”

  “Never you mind your ugly friends.” Diane struggled, pulling herself up onto the ledge. “Get me out of here. I’d like to go home now.”

  The raven coasted alongside the tor. Teri grabbed her sister by her arm and hoisted her up behind her. “First, we need to find Tahmi. Then, we’ll let her decide what to do with you.” Teri smiled. “She’s the one in charge.”

  “That pathetic, puny human is to decide my fate?” Diane snarled. Two wasps butted the princess in her shoulders. Their green eyes narrowed and they circled back around, ready to pound her once more. They didn’t need to understand words to know that Diane was attacking their future queen.

  Teri laughed her hair flying behind her. “Thanks, guys, I needed that.”

  “I don’t find them funny in the least bit.” Diane grumbled. “Get me out of here.”

  “Teri!” A star with green interior wings fluttered towards them. “Is that you Princess Teri?” It was Alina. She stopped short—gasping for air. “What in the world is that?” She pointed at the raven. “It looks like you.”

  “She found me—and saved my life.” Teri patted the bird. Black feathers ruffled under her touch.

  “Tahmi—” Alina wheezed. “Has gone to Lorcan’s lair.”

  “What?”

  Diane sighed. “Lorcan is harmless. He likes carrots. Give him a treat and he’ll roll over and let you pet his belly. It’s quite soft.”

  “No!” Alina screamed. She glowed red. “He’s taken Jerry in his mouth and disappeared!”

  “Lorcan?” Diane seemed truly shocked. “What’s come over him?”

  Teri kicked her heels into her pet. “Let’s go!”

  Alina grabbed the side of Teri’s skirt. “I’ll show you the way.”

  LORCAN

  After all the muddlers ran away, Teri and her raven landed. Tears flooded Tahmi’s eyes. She’d never felt so happy in all her life. “TERI!!” She sobbed, suffocating her sister with her arms tightly wrapped around her neck. “I thought you were DEAD! Where have you been? I’ve missed you. I couldn’t save anyone. I was useless, Teri. We needed you—the whole time.”

  “Looks as if you’ve done quite well on your own little sister.” Teri smiled, embracing her. She was warm and soft. Why hadn’t she done this when the girl first came to her world? This is how it should’ve been. Tahmi, I missed you all these years. I’ve sat at my castle window since I was a child waiting for you. Teri opened her mouth but the words choked her and she couldn’t speak.

  Diane crossed her arms. I just saved that stupid girl’s life but do I get any recognition? “Are the two of you going to hug like children all day or what?”

  Tahmi wouldn’t budge. She squeezed her sister’s hair in between her fingers and breathed in her scent. “When did you find Lolani?”

  “Lolani?” Teri asked. “Who’s that?”

  “Isn’t that the Raven’s name? Lolani—Bird of the sky. Right?”

  The raven nodded and then screeched.

  “How’d you know her name?”

  “I dunno.” Tahmi shrugged. “I just did.”

  “Where’d she come from?”

  “She’s a baby—a newborn it looks like, from her underfeathers. And I have no idea where she comes from. I just knew her name.”

  “The two of you are strange,” Diane said, stepping away from Rolls. “And what is that creature doing?” She covered her ears as Rolls groaned like a stalling engine.

  “He’s saying hello.”

  “You didn’t even notice who else I brought with me,” Teri whispered still clutching her sister.

  Tahmi glanced over Teri’s shoulder. Hiding behind Lolani’s saddle sat Alina. Her head was down and her body was covered in her batlike w
ings. “Alina?”

  Green eyes peeked. “Are you mad?”

  “No.” Tahmi snatched the star. She held her close to her heart. “You’re annoying sometimes, but you’re still my caretaker.”

  “So you remember now?”

  Tahmi blinked. “In this water and mud area I seem to remember things that are fuzzy everywhere else.”

  “Then do you remember your baby carousel?”

  She wiped her blue eyes. “Yes. It was you! You would keep my room bright and would tell me what was happening in the world around me.”

  “And Missy?”

  “She was always busy with Melissa—her favorite.” Tahmi narrowed her eyes. Was she jealous? Who was Melissa?

  “Melissa?” Diane stood. “And Chrysmys! My sisters must be concerned about me.”

  “Yes, you should go home to them,” Tahmi said. “It’s for the best, I think.”

  Diane folded her arms. “I’ve no intention of living over there anymore. It’s gruesome outside the castle. Now that I’ve seen how lovely Mother’s half of the world is I don’t intend to leave—anytime soon anyway.”

  “Where’s Jerry?” Teri wondered, “Have you found him?”

  “Not yet,” Tahmi said. “I was just about to—”

  “Foil things!” Diane snickered. “That is, until I showed up and saved your little, pathetic—”

  “I had things under control,” Tahmi mumbled. She tossed Alina into the sky and watched as Ziv reunited with his friend. They fluttered around each other and embraced.

  “Okay, so what’s the plan?” Teri asked. She watched as Tahmi caressed Lolani. The bird hummed happily.

  “You’re asking the puny human what to do?” Diane said. “Let’s go on into the lair—duh!”

  “We don’t know what’s in there!” Tahmi said. Diane was already halfway there. She floated above the mud gently touching the exposed rocks with her toes as if she were a ballerina. She was graceful and her long hair fell around her shoulders like rain. “Hurry up,” she ordered. Her body disappeared inside the cave. Teri motioned for Tahmi to follow.

  “Lolani and I will watch for danger, go on in. I think Diane can keep you safe.”

  “But,” Tahmi smirked, “Is she safe from me?”

  Ziv and Alina followed.

  “No.” Tahmi pointed to the cave entrance. “Stay with Teri. It’s not safe inside here with Lorcan. He’d eat a star in a heartbeat—he’s not like the other muddlers.”

  Alina, ready to object, mumbled something under her breath. “Let’s go, Ziv.”

  When the stars left, the cave grew dark. Water dripped in the corners and up ahead she heard Diane shouting.

  “Give back my silly little sister’s friend or else I’ll pound you!”

  “He’s dead. I’ve killed him.”

  “Look, you worm—I know you didn’t kill him. I’ve spent my whole life playing with you. Lorcan, you cried whenever I bit you. Don’t you remember tattling to my older sister, Chrysmys?”

  “Y-Yes,” he stuttered. “But, my mother made me kill him.”

  “Who’s your mother?”

  Tahmi poked her head around the corner. Diane had her arms on her waist.

  “I’m his mother!” Quella detached herself from the wall and lit the cave with her yellow wings. “What are you doing out of your muddy castle prison?”

  “Tahmi came to fetch me.”

  “So you’re her pet now, too?”

  “I’m no one’s pet!” Diane charged. Quella bounced from pillar to pillar. Diane’s fists crushed rocks with each punch. The sparkler cackled.

  “You’re even more fun than your little sister.”

  “Mom, please, she’s my friend!” Lorcan wimpered and hid his face.

  Tahmi bit her lip. The muddlers really were just children. They didn’t belong in the mud anymore than the aqualoons or even the hammerloons. Mary was evil for destroying their habitat and they needed it back.

  “It’s me you’re looking for, Quella.” Tahmi stood in the entrance. “C’mon, over here, you monster.”

  “I’m not a monster!” Quella screeched. She dove for Tahmi.

  Diane punched the sparkler in the thorax. Quella tumbled to the ground. Her wings shriveled up and her light dimmed. The raven princess stood above her with her fist pointed. “Good night,” Diane said.

  “Stop!” Tahmi cried. She ran and stood in between Quella and Diane. “Don’t kill her. She’s just angry.”

  “Yes, yes,” Quella stumbled over her words. “I-I’m angry.”

  “Look what’s become of her sparvae. They should be beautiful sparklers like her but instead they’re forced to live in this mud—because of our parents. It’s not her fault.”

  Diane shrugged. “Does it look like I care about her and her problems?”

  Lorcan tripped Diane with his tail. “Don’t kill my mother!” He begged, blocking her with his huge body.

  “Get out of my way, Lorcan!”

  “No, Diane!”

  Deep inside her soul, the princess knew killing Quella was wrong. Lorcan was her friend and how would she feel if someone killed her beloved father? But she was Gadaen and her passion took over. She couldn’t stop. Diane wanted to but could not command her legs to halt or her fists to unravel. It was as if she were the puppet and her emotions the puppeteer.

  “DIANE!”

  Quella soared through the air in a perfect arc. Her battered body dropped like a rock inside the mud.

  Mother!

  Mom!

  My mom!

  Muddlers cried, searching the muddy pool for their fallen mother.

  Tahmi wiped her face. Tears stained her cheeks anyway. “I’m sorry, Lorcan,” she whispered. “I know she wasn’t really a bad sparkler.”

  ANDY

  Andy sat on the makeshift cart amongst the fruit. Strawberries squished against his arms, staining them. He watched Trusty nudge Sandy. They pulled the cart in a rocky unison. Bored, he leaned over and spotted Ot’tai. He clung to the side. Sandy explained earlier how uneven the cart was with all the fruit and boy inside so the scorpion volunteered to hang on the side leveling it.

  Something flew through his stomach. It was as if he were on a rollercoaster dropping at a fast velocity and then whoosh barreling through a dark tunnel. He glanced at the garden. Sandy had been right. Just hours ago, the area was barren with only a human shaped vegetable patch. The water gushed trickling over the tor. Where’d it go? Mist sprayed him. He struggled. I won’t forget where I come from!

  “Andy, darling,” Sandy’s voice cracked. “You’ve a visitor.”

  A tall man stood at the edge of the rotted rope bridge. He waved. Andy waved. Who was he? Was that his father? Wait, who was his father? Did he have a dad?

  THE MISTLANDS

  Lorcan lowered his head. “I didn’t listen to her.”

  “What do you mean?” Tahmi touched his leathery skin.

  “She said to kill Jerry, but I couldn’t. So I entrapped him in the mistlands forever. I’m sorry.”

  “Where are these mistlands? Can you show me?”

  “He’s gone forever, I’m sorry.” Lorcan hid his face, “There’s no way out of the mistlands.”

  “Let me see, please, Lorcan, for myself.”

  Teri and Diane folded their arms. If it weren’t for their clothes, Tahmi would never be able to tell them apart. A sickness overwhelmed Tahmi. According to Alina and all the other inhabitants she’d met so far, Diane was what Teri should be; an uncontrollable, selfish creature. Would she become this way, too? Did this mean that she wasn’t completely human? Would she have to struggle to be good like Teri when she turned fourteen? Tahmi shook the thoughts from her mind; impossible. Teri stood silent and did not shift as if she were a statue. That’s her way of keeping her emotions controlled. How could she have ever judged Teri so harshly?

  “Okay, Lorcan, let’s go.”

  He led Tahmi to the top of his lair. A bridge made of bricks appeared. It caught fire and then
quickly vanished, brick by brick. “I left him here.”

  “Did you see him fall?”

  Lorcan thought. “No, he just disappeared in the fire.”

  “Did he scream?”

  “Yes, very loudly.”

  Mist blew in their faces. Lorcan shivered. “I think I’ve got an idea.”

  “What is it?” Ziv fluttered above them. His eyes shook and he stayed clear of Lorcan’s mouth.

  “I thought I told you to stay outside?”

  The star ignored her. “Is Jerry down there? We’ll never see him again!”

  “Calm down, Ziv. I’ve got an awesome idea.”

  “What if it doesn’t work?”

  “Then I guess I’ll be trapped here in this world, too.” Tahmi ran down the narrow tunnels with her star lighting the way. “Teri!” She shouted.

  JON LANDERS

  Okay, so the man waiting by the bridge to greet him was not his father. That much was certain. Andy frowned. Who wore pajamas during the day? Wait. Was that a sailor’s suit? It was the old man! What did he want?

  “Hey, you!” Andy shouted, “Remember me?”

  Jon Landers nodded. “Yes, I have quite the memory. Why don’t you follow me? I’ve something I need to share with you.”

  Andy jumped off the cart and ran through stalks of corn. He couldn’t believe how large the garden grew in just a few hours. Why did it smell like Tahmi?

  “The great barrier will hold Mary only so long,” Jon Landers said. “Soon, your friend will have to come home to us.” Just not right now.

  “Tahmi belongs on Earth with me.”

  Jon pointed to the vegetation. “Are you certain?”

  “Why would you abandon her for so many years if she didn’t belong on Earth?”

  “I hid her.”

  “From what?”

  “Herself.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Come with me and I will explain.”

  Andy hesitated. The wrinkled man motioned for him to follow. “What the heck, might as well; what do I got to lose?”