Exercise Your Imagination! Do you like stories with mystery and suspense? Well, if you do, keep reading and enjoy Eggcentricsagas. If you are just joining Eggcentricsagas, start from the beginning: A La Mano: Part 1-The Treasure
Herman finished hammering the last picket firmly to the fence and turned to Ravenna. “The fence is repaired.”
“Thank you, Herman. We appreciate your efforts.”
“C’mon boy,” he said to Mason, “you can come with me to the dump. We’ll plant the bulbs tomorrow.” Ravenna noticed Mason frowning. The boy had already helped his grandfather dig out the weed roots and other dead plants over the weekend. They had spent the last half hour filling the back of Herman’s pickup truck with them. The prospect of ridding themselves of the green waste by a trip to the landfill didn’t seem to appeal to him.
“Do I have to Grandpa? I wanted to listen to the story about the gnome.”
“Why can’t he plant the bulbs now? He did a great job with mine,” Ravenna interjected before Herman replied. “The girls and I can come over and help him,” she offered. To encourage agreement, she added, “The sun is out now, but the clouds are blowing in. We are supposed to get rain later today and tomorrow.”
Herman looked over at the puffy, gray clouds forming on the horizon. “Alright,” he agreed, “everything is in the garage. Mason can show you. I won’t be too long.”
“But Baba…” Zerlinda began.
Ravenna shushed her and took her hand to lead her to the garage of their neighbors. Soon, equipped with their tools and instructions, the children started digging. Ravenna told the tale of the gnome.
“Once they had exited the leprechaun’s cave, at his request, the gnome introduced himself to Thaddeus. ‘Goban O’Grady. Tarry filled me in. I’m at your service, m’lord.’ Bowing his head to the prince, he glanced at the fairy. Then, returning his gaze to the teen, he added, ‘For a price, that is.’ When the prince frowned, the man with the red cap expounded, ‘We gnomes have had it rather rough in these economic times. You know, with all the pirating of the moonflowers by those meddling Sun People.’
Tarragon flew around the gnome’s head, jingling and tinkling; spewing out gleaming fairy dust with each noise.
Goban spluttered and then batted her away as he wiped the glitter from his eyes. ‘Fairies! Too spirited!’ Leaning in, he whispered, ‘Especially the lasses! Quite passionate!’ Then he stating louder, ‘I’m sure that we can discuss payment later. But let’s have a look at the scroll for now.’
Thaddeus reached into his pack, brought out the scroll, and gave it to the gnome. Goban unfurled it and read the contents. ‘To find the One become the Three; A Treasure Hunter, A Crafty Pretender and A Seeker of Light. Cut through the Dark and the One Light shall be found.’
‘I need to get Jupiter’s Acorn and the Golden Mango to learn the secrets of the Treasure Hunter and Crafty Pretender.’
The gnome shook his head. ‘No, m’lord, I know all the secrets of the woodland creatures. Those two are quite the pair!’ Goban wrinkled his nose at the thought of them. ‘Squirrel well… And Opposum… Such a long, unbecoming snoot…But they are who they are…’
He handed back the scroll, and the prince replaced it. ‘No, we don’t need their help. But we need the help of the Fairy Queen.’ Goban called Tarragon who was up ahead vigorously flitting back and forth in the tunnel. ‘Tarry, don’t fret, I’ll help the boy but you must lead us to your Queen.’ Addressing Thaddeus, the gnome told him, ‘The Queen is the only one with the power and authority to transport us across Dawn, the international border between the Moon and Sun territories. We must go to Sun Kingdom to find the Light.’
As the prince had done, they followed the glinting, teal sprinkles as the fairy wound her way through the twisting and turning tunnels.
A large raindrop hit Ravenna on the nose, and she halted her storytelling. Looking at the nearly empty basket of flower bulbs and then up at the darkened sky, she said, “We’d better go in now or we’ll get wet.” The children readily agreed. They deposited their spades and the basket at the back door before going in.
“Can we have a snack, Mrs. Mariposa?” Myrtle asked.
“Do you think your grandpa would agree?”
Myrtle nodded, and Mason was already opening the cupboard. Fishing out some cookies, he ordered his sister, “Myrtle, get the milk.”
Ravenna noticed the refrigerator was almost devoid of food, and she knew Janelle was on a business trip out of town. “Does your grandpa cook?” she inquired as she got down three glasses for the kids.
Mason’s face had a wry look. “We eat frozen TV dinners when Mom’s gone.”
“Oh. Does your mom have any tea?”
“Do you want peppermint or jasmine?” Mason asked.
Sitting with the children and their food and drinks at the kitchen table, Ravenna resumed her story.
“Whilst they walked, Goban did most of the talking. ‘With all due respect to your royal highness, your mother and father govern Moon Kingdom, but it is us gnomes that make it our business to know what goes on in Grey Woods. We take care of the animals, especially the deer. If they need it, we give them First Aid and they help us in return. We are the governors of forest magic.’
For the first time since being summoned, the prince seemed to be interested. ‘So, you said that you know their secrets and how it will help me on my quest.’
‘Ah yes, their magic of survival. But first, I must tell you that pointing knives at them or harming them will not do. The animals will be your friend but you must be their friend first. I know that the younger gnomes encourage rock-throwing, but I am a friend to the woodland inhabitants first and foremost. Do we have an understanding?’
The prince nodded solemnly.
‘Well, the magic of the possum is strategy. You must learn to expect the unexpected and make-believe. Pretend everything will be okay and it will be. Squirrel builds trust by being charming and entertaining. Flicking his tail just so and with those big, brown eyes, he, the Treasure Hunter, gains access to gather whatever he needs.’ The old man with the beard looked at Thaddeus. ‘The solution to your problem is becoming like them. Pretend to be charming. Smiling now and then brings joy to your face and others when they see it. It is hard to be unhappy when you are laughing and smiling. Try it, m’lord. Smile for me.’
The prince considered this request ridiculous. Smiling? But whatever for? So, he tried and thought his face might crack in two…’
Ravenna made a funny face as she pretended to force a smile, and the children laughed.
“Finally, a smile broke out on the prince’s face.
‘That wasn’t so bad, eh?’ The gnome smiled to himself, creating even deeper lines on his wrinkled face. ‘You practice that, m’lord until it comes naturally. You will get the chance soon enough when we meet the Fairy Queen. Let me do all the talking and you just stand there and smile.’
Easy for him to say, but for Thaddeus, who was used to frowning, it would take some effort.
Eventually, Tarragon led them to the queen’s hall. Posted at the entrance were tall fairy sentries. There was an exchange of Fairy talk, and they could proceed. The room expanded into a massive area with crystalline stalactites and stalagmites of all colors, gleaming and sparkling with light. Fairy magic lit the crystals from within, and they were almost brighter than the leprechaun’s cave, enchanting and spell-binding. Overcome, Thaddeus became woozy as he passed by. Goban sensed this, and he grabbed the arm of the prince to propel him forward. Soon, they reached the entrance to the queen’s chamber. After more conversation with other sentries, the gnome nodded to Thaddeus. Summoned, the butler escorted them inside.
The Queen’s Chamber was a spectacular chamber filled with fairy royalty and attendants dressed in shimmering garments of all colors and hues, but mainly green, purple, and blue. Captivating yet eerie light was everywhere. The strangest thing of all was that the prince seemed to have shrunk. Or the fairies had grown as the Fairy Queen, and her companions were the same size as Thaddeus. Even Goban seemed bigger. The queen sat upon her magnificent, jewel-encrusted, intricately carved wooden throne. Clothed in a silvery gossamer gown dotted with sparkly diamonds, she wore a large tiara of similar stones.
Goban whispered to the prince, ‘Remember what I said.’
The Fairy Butler, dressed smartly in his bright green livery, announced the visitors. ‘May I present his Royal Highness, The Moon Prince, and Mr. Goban O’Grady, Your Majesty?’
The gnome removed his cap and bowed by inclining his head, and the teenager followed suit. Then Thaddeus looked up at the queen, an enormous smile plastered on his face.”
Next: The Myth of Madame Mariposa No. 2: Part 3- The Statue with the Three Faces
