When Taryn came out of her hypnotic stupor, she found herself seated in an oversized chair at a long table across from Desmera.
"Well, isn't this special. I finally get to meet the girl from the sky," Desmera said. Her thin pink lips curled into a wicked smirk. "We're a long way from home, aren't we Taryn?"
Taryn didn't answer.
"Oh dear, where are my manners? Would you like something to eat?" She snapped her fingers, which sounded like firecrackers going off. A gloomy looking bear with singed fur came in.
"My guest and I would like something to eat. Make it today's special," she told him. Taryn recognized the bear as Bartholomew. She called his name, but he avoided her gaze as he shuffled off.
A ceramic bowl was placed before Taryn. She looked at Bartholomew, but he still ignored her. He placed another bowl in front of Desmera. The giantess cleared her throat. Bartholomew tasted the contents of the bowl.
"You can never be too cautious with these Ardnasorians. The last cook thought she could poison me. Sad to say she was gravely mistaken," the giantess chuckled. She dismissed Bartholomew. "Dig in," she urged.
Taryn looked down at her bowl. It actually smelled good. The steam traveled to her nostrils. "What is this?" Taryn inquired.
"Rabbit stew," she said calmly, while taking a bite.
Taryn thought about Mr. Timbleweed. She wanted to wring her scrawny neck for hurting her friends. But she couldn't move.
"You know you don't belong here, little girl."
"You don't belong here. The queen and king do," Taryn spat at her.
"I'm sorry, but I have a permanent residence here," the giantess responded.
Taryn fiercely shook her head. "Consider this your eviction," she retorted.
Desmera's obsidian eyes grew wider. "My what?"
Taryn fought against the stronghold keeping her bound to the chair. Helping her friends and getting back home gave her the strength to break free. Taryn leapt at the giantess who remained seated. She extended her long pink arms and caught Taryn by the collar. Her oblong face peered into Taryn's eyes.
"None of those lousy Ardnasorians can defeat me; neither can a mangy little pipsqueak," Desmera said.
Suddenly the giantess let out a screech and fell over. Taryn landed on her backside. She looked up to see Twila.
"Twila heard the bigger they are, the harder they fall." It was the owl from the cell.
Fire blazed in Desmera's eyes as she glared at Taryn and Twila. The giantess stood up to her full height. She cast a shadow over their faces. Taryn felt fear coming over her, but she quickly pushed it aside. She needed to help her friends.
"I'm going to feed you to my crocs," Desmera threatened.
"You have to catch me first," Taryn said, as she slid under the table.
Desmera proceeded to grab Taryn but Twila started pecking and flying around her head.
While Twila had Desmera distracted, she looked around the room for a weapon of some kind. But all she saw was the ceramic bowl. She heard something hit the wall. She turned to see Twila crumbled on the floor and Desmera advancing toward her. She threw the ceramic bowl at Desmera, but the giantess wasn't fazed. She grabbed Taryn and yelled "Bryce."
In came the centaur with the blue ponytail.
"Feed this to the crocs," she ordered.
"Gladly," he responded. At that moment, Twila regained consciousness.
"Twila says no." the owl said as she flew with her claws extended toward the centaur's face.
Taryn turned her attention toward Desmera, with a wave of her hand green smoke billowed into the room.
"Come and find me, little girl," Desmera's voice echoed in the smoke.


Chapter 14 Appearances
Taryn blinked her eyes as the green smoke began to clear. She looked around. There was no sign of Desmera, just the waving biceps of the centaur and Twila's shrill voice. She looked down the hallway. It was empty. "She has to be hiding somewhere." Taryn slowly walked down the dimly lit hall. The first room she looked in was empty. In the second room she entered she saw a rainbow of colors dancing in mid-air. She moved closer to get a better look. The rainbow colors dancing ceased and morphed into teeny girls with sparkling wings. Taryn's eyes brightened. "Oh! More fairies."
"Not quite girly. We're sprites," said the green sprite with mossy dreadlocks. The little sprite landed on Taryn's nose. "I'm Keria. And these are my sisters, Patria, Iris, and Brie."
"Greetings," they chimed.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Taryn," she said, looking cross-eyed at the green sprite on her nose.
"Are you looking for something?"
"Actually I'm looking for someone. Maybe you can help me."
"I'm sure me and my sisters can help you."
"Yes we can," the others chimed in.
"Did you see a really tall lady come this way?"
The sprites started dancing around the room. Taryn tried to follow them with her eyes, but all she saw was a blur of colors. One of the sprites tugged at her ear. "We can show you where she went."
Taryn saw from her peripheral vision a chunky orange sprite with peach ringlets. "Show me?" she asked.
"Follow us!"
"Don't listen to them," a throaty voice warned.
Another tiny winged being appeared. She was black and gray with a molded s-curl and gossamer wings. She had a melancholy expression etched on her oval face. Taryn stared for a moment. "Why shouldn't I?" she asked the depressed looking creature.
The creature's bottom lip poked out. "Because they're lying."
"We only tell the truth," the sprites chimed. "We will take you to her."
Taryn looked at the rainbow sprites. They have to be good. They're so pretty, she thought. She's so dark and unpleasant looking. She's probably the liar. "Take me to Desmera," Taryn said.
The mossy dreadlock sprite waved her tiny hand. "Follow us."
"Nooo," the gossamer winged creature yelled. She nipped at Taryn's hair. "Don't go with them. They'll lead you wrong."
Taryn brushed her away. "Shoo."
"You'll be sorry," she said, lower than a whisper.
Taryn followed the sprites. They led her up a flight of creaky stairs. To keep her balance, she walked along the stone wall, which was cold and wet. She couldn't see except for the luminous colors of the sprites. "How much longer?"
"Not much longer," they chimed sweetly. The sprites stopped flying. "Just come a little closer," their tiny voices urged.
She took a few steps forward. Gravity grabbed her by her feet and she fell.


Chapter 15 The Fall of Desmera
Taryn fell into dirty water. She heard the sprites above her sounding like cicadas in the summertime. Then she heard a voice that was all too familiar.
"Well done, my pretty pets."
Taryn raised her head, from her distance all she could see was the lean silhouette of Desmera and the luminescence of the sprites.
"Bon a petit." Desmera's voice echoed all the way to Taryn's ears.
"Bon a petit," she repeated with a perplexed expression. She heard a splashing sound behind her. She turned her head to see two crocodiles treading through the water toward her. Taryn's heart started beating like a drum as fear step inside her.
"I told you they would lead you wrong," The gossamer winged creature whispered in her ear.
"How'd you get here?"
"I can teleport," she said, demonstrating.
The crocodiles were inching closer with the glint of hunger in their eyes.
"Can you teleport me?"
She shook her head. "Only myself."
"I don't want to be croc food," Taryn cried.
The features on the winged creature softened. "I won't let that happen," she said, as she whirled around and spat in one of the crocodile's eyes. His tail whipped around and hit the other one. Both crocodiles began fighting and trashing in the water.
"Follow me," the winged creature beckoned. Taryn backed away from her. She flew close to her face. "I'm Rue, unlike those sprites, you can trust me."
"I trust you." She found her mouth saying without the consent of her brain.
When Taryn emerged from the water, she reeked of an odor she couldn't describe. Somewhere between spoiled fish and week old garbage. She wrung out the excess water from her shirt. The creature named Rue perched herself on her shoulder. "We need to be very quiet."
Taryn nodded her head.
They walked down a narrow passage way. Every few paces she would look down. She didn't want to fall into any more pits. The sound of hammering and voices could be heard in the distance.
"What's that noise?" Taryn asked.
"That's where the ones who aren't eaten are kept. You must be careful not to be seen."
"Me, what about you?"
"I can teleport," she said, with a lop-sided grin, before doing so. She reappeared at the end of the passageway.
Taryn moved along the wall. Her wet shoes squeaked like a mouse with every step. She tried to move more cautiously as the voices and hammering grew louder. She peered into the room. She saw Ambrosia and Twink among other Ardnasorians working on a statue in the likeness of Desmera, while the centaurs kept watch. Cyan was muzzled and chained to the wall. She didn't see Mr. Timbleweed anywhere. She noticed the three leather-faced henchmen were playing cards. The sight of seeing her friends in such a deplorable situation made her scowl. She was going to help them by taking on Desmera. She took a deep breath and ran past the doorway.
"Hey, I thought I saw something," the burly one reported.
"That's just your old cross eyes," the thin one snapped.
When Taryn e got to the end of the passageway. There was no sign of Desmsera.
"Okay, you can show yourself now."
There was no reply.
"Come on Rue. I thought we were a team." She turned and saw a dark hallway. "Rue are you down here?" She cautiously took a step forward. A gentle humming came from the dark hall. She swallowed hard and proceeded down the hall. The humming led her to a door with a moon and rose carved on it. When she touched the knob, the humming ceased and the door opened. Taryn walked in. Desmera sat in a burgundy plush chair. The sprites were dancing around her crown. In the palm of her hand stood motionless Rue.
"Rue," she yelled.
"Oh, this thing has a name," Desmera retorted as she flung Rue, whose tiny body fell like a feather to the ground. Taryn ran to her aide but the sprites blocked her way. "Leave us, my pets," Desmera instructed with a wave of her hand. The sprites obeyed, carrying Rue away with them.
The giantess rose from her seat. Taryn took a step back. Desmera's obsidian eyes looked at her. "Little girl what do you want?"
Taryn sucked in her breath. "What do I want? I want my friends to be free. I want the king and queen returned. And I want to go home."
Desmera raised her eyebrow. "Home you say." She stroked the onyx stone around her neck. An image formed on its surface. Taryn stared at it. She saw her parents as clear as the sky was blue. Her dad was prepping for a patient. Her mom was performing a root canal. She reached her hand out and her parents disappeared.
"Aww, do you miss them?"Desmera said. "I could send you back home." Desmera extended her arm toward a mirror on the wall. The surface took on a ripple effect.
"You really can send me home?"
"Yes, all it takes is one touch."
Taryn stared. She longed to be home with a nice bubble bath and a hot meal. She looked at Desmera, who gave her an encouraging smile.
"Go on."
Taryn's eyes darted to a portrait on the wall. It was the king and queen. Taryn thought she saw a tear form in the eye of the queen. She turned to face Desmera (well, actually her waist) "I can't go home yet. Not until my friends are free, and everything is set right."
"Fine. Have it your way," Desmera said, through gritted teeth.
Taryn felt the fear inside of her shrink, as she approached Desmera. She remembered Ambrosia saying something about the onyx stone being the source of her power. "I have to get it some how." She looked up at the giantess. "I know where they are," she said, as her eyes looked at the portrait.
Desmera dashed for the portrait. Taryn grabbed onto her waist. They fell to the floor. Taryn snatched the necklace and scrambled to her feet. Desmera reached for her foot but Taryn was too quick. Fire flashed in Desmera's eyes as she got to her feet and pursued Taryn.
Taryn shoes squeaked as she ran down the dark hallway. She glanced back, and saw Desmera striding behind her. She pushed her legs harder. When she turned the corner she ran right into a flaxen-haired centaur. She slid underneath his horse body. She looked back again. Desmera had toppled over the centaur. "That should slow her down," she thought, as she continued running. Her legs gave away and she fell on cold wet concrete. She looked around. There was no sign of Desmera, just darkness and the sound of distant water tap dancing. She still held the onyx stone. She rolled it over in her hand. It was just like Desmera's eyes--round and smooth.
"Break it," a raspy voice instructed.
Taryn jumped. It was Rue. Her upper lip was cut and there was a gash across her tiny forehead.
"You must break the source of her power," Rue whispered.
"Give that to me," Desmera screamed.
The flaxen-haired centaur stood next to her with his arms folded.
"Break it now," Rue yelled in her ear.
"Get that wretched girl," Desmera instructed the centaur.
He galloped toward Taryn, but Rue flew up his nostril. Taryn slammed the onyx stone against the wall. It cracked down the middle. Desmera whirled on her. She grabbed her by the arm. "Give it to me now." Taryn pursed her lips together and slammed the stone again. This time it broke. Desmera screamed. Taryn tried to twist out of her grasp but she held on tight.
"You shouldn't have done that," Desmera said angrily. She lifted Taryn off the ground. Taryn's arm felt like it was detaching from the rest of her body. She closed her eyes. "I guess she's going to smash me into the wall." She felt her bottom hit the ground. She opened her eyes and saw Desmera flinging her arms. Rue was flying around her like a fly at a picnic. Her long arms hit Rue and she hit the ground. Desmera pushed the hair out of her eyes and saw Taryn running up a flight of creaky stairs. "You won't get away that easily."
Taryn's heart felt like it was going to beat out her chest and onto the floor. She hadn't run so much in her life. She sat down to rest. The stone was broken, but Desmera didn't seem weak to her.
"The necklace was a family heirloom. You can forget about going home," she said with her eyes blazing into Taryn's. She was coming up the stairs two at a time. Taryn scooted backwards.
"There's no place to run, little girl. You broke something precious to me. Now I'll break every bone in your body," Desmera grinned wickedly. She bent down to grab Taryn, who quickly rolled out of her reach. The giantess tripped on the hem of her dress, and fell face forward in dirty water. She pulled herself up just in time to see two crocodiles treading toward her with their mouths agape.



Chapter 16 Many sides of one story
When the stone was broken, the Ardnasorians were released from their thralldom. Twink blinked his eyes. A centaur furrowed his brow at him. "Get back to work," he ordered.
Ambrosia zipped in his face. "No. We're in control now," she said with defiance.
The centaur looked around. The craven Ardnasorians were now becoming valiant. Two of the henchmen were being restrained by two bears. The centaurs weren't faring too well either. The dwarves pointed their very own arrows at them. Amid all the commotion, the thin one tried to escape, but Cyan's tail blocked the exit. In the background Desmera's statue was given the old heave-ho.
King Moonbeam and Queen Roseblossom were released from their enchantment. The king let out a yawn and straightened his crown. The queen smiled at him. "I think that girl set us free," she said.
"What girl?"
"The girl who fell from the sky."
Taryn uncovered her eyes and peered into the water. She didn't see Desmera at all, just two satisfied crocodiles. Her hand ran along the broken stone. Was it over? Were her friends okay? Would she ever get home? All these questions ran a marathon inside her head.
"Yes, yes, and yes," answered a sweet melodious voice.
Taryn turned to see the woman from the portrait. Her soft pink spirals flowed like a waterfall around her round face.
"I'm Queen Roseblossom," she said extending her delicate hand to Taryn. "And this is my husband King Moonbeam." The king bowed to her. His face glowed like the moon outside her window.
"Sweet child, what is your name?" the queen asked. Her voice was the most pleasant sound to Taryn's ears. "I'm Taryn," she said giving her best impression of a curtsey.
"Nice to make your acquaintance," they said, wearing smiles.
Taryn couldn't help but smile back. "The others are waiting for you," the king said as he and his wife took her by the hand.
Taryn entered the great hall. She saw many Ardnasorians seated at long tables. She was greeted by Ambrosia, who placed a necklace made of morning glories around her neck.
"I knew you could help us," she beamed.
"I really didn't do anything," she replied humbly.
Ambrosia didn't pay her any attention; she started telling the other fairies how Taryn slew the giantess.
"But I didn't slew . . ." she started to say, but someone tapped her shoulder. It was Twink. He looked up at her; both his orange eyes were twitching now.
"You can't get a word in swordwise when fairies start chattering."
"Oh," she said, glancing at the gaggle of fairies.
"Besides, dwarves know you turned her into a beetle and stomped her guts out," he demonstrated, pounding his stubby fist.
She gave him a half smile as she slowly walked away. She saw a rabbit in a tweed jacket. "Mr. Timbleweed," she called after him. But the rabbit kept his back turned. "Mr. Timbleweed, don't you hear me?"
The rabbit spun around. "I'm sorry my dear girl. I'm not who you say. I'm Mr. Fiddlewick."
He sure looked like Mr. Timbleweed except his tweed jacket was green instead of gray. "Oh I'm sorry. Have you seen him?"
Mr. Fiddlewick's ears drooped. "He was turned into stew," he said, while turning away from her.
Taryn was rendered speechless. That really was him in that bowl, she thought sadly. She felt something tug at her pants leg. She looked down, a squirrel held up an acorn.
"Thank you," the squirrel said dulcetly.
"You're welcome, but I really didn't do much."
"Trail mix! We squirrels know you took an acorn and hit her square in the eye. And then she died," she said gleefully, waving her little arms. A bunch of squirrels danced around her feet. They soon scampered away when Cyan waddled toward Taryn. His wing was in a sling and his side was bandaged.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently touching his wing.
"I'm much better, thanks to you, Tear-rain."
Taryn inhaled. She was waiting for him to start telling his version of her victory, but the dragon didn't say a word. His green eyes just glimmered like an emerald as he gave her a warm smile.

King Moonbeam and Queen Roseblossom were having a feast in Taryn's honor. She was led by the queen into the royal chambers to change. There was a sparkling satin gold gown waiting for her. Taryn made a face. She wasn't too keen on dresses. She picked up the gown and stood before the full-length mirror. She frowned at her reflection. The mirror began to ripple like water. Without thinking and a moment's hesitation, Taryn touched the mirror. And through it she went.

Chapter 17 Home
"Closing time," announced the petite lady with wiry white hair.
Taryn was back in that musty old shop. She touched the mirror. Nothing. She looked at the dock on the wall. Five minutes to six. Her parents would be home soon. The bell on the door jangled as she ran outside.
When Taryn made it home, her parents were already there. She ran over and hugged them as they were getting out of the car.
"Hello there, pumpkin," her dad said, planting a kiss on her forehead.
Sand and sable perfume filled her nostrils as she hugged her mom.
"What's this?" her mother asked.
Taryn looked down. Her morning glory necklace was still around her neck. "A friend gave this to me."
"Very pretty," her mom said with a smile.
Her dad placed his arm around Taryn and her mom. She felt happy. She was home.
Taryn decided to rest before dinner. She went up to her room and opened her door. Someone or something was sitting on her Pre-Algebra book. She moved in closer. It was Rue. Her teeny head was wrapped with bandages and her left eye had a shiner. She knelt down so she was eye level with Rue. "How'd you get here?"
"I can teleport, remember."
"So you came here to say goodbye to me."
"No, I want to stay with you," she said shuffling her feet.
Taryn looked surprised. "Stay with me, but why?"
The gossamer winged creature bit lip. "Because I like you. I want to be friends."
Taryn smiled. She was really a cute little thing. She liked her, too. "But I wouldn't know what to feed you."
"I'm very fond of nuts, any kind. And I like berries."
Taryn pulled a bag of honey roasted peanuts from her book bag. Rue rubbed her little hands together.
Taryn lay on her bed and closed her eyes. She let all the feelings of home sink in, along with the sound of Rue's munching.

Rosandra Davis lives in St. Louis. She has a B.S. in business and plans to pursue a degree in writing.
Copyright © 2006. Do not reproduce without permission.

Chapters 1-12
ContentsHome