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
Standing in the kitchen doorway, Herman watched Ravenna direct the children as they set the table for dinner. “Would you like some wine?” she asked him.
“No, thank you,” he answered. “I quit drinking.”
“Oh,” she replied and put the wine glasses back.
“You can have some if you want,” he quickly offered.
“No, I’m fine. Dinner is ready. Please sit down,” Ravenna suggested.
After the meal was over, he got up and helped the kids to bus the table. “That was a delicious meal. Thank you,” he expressed as Ravenna put the leftovers in the refrigerator. Then watched as she filled the sink with soapy water. “Should I dry?”
“Sure, why not?” She smiled at him and handed him the dishtowel.
They worked in silence for a while and then he said, “You inspired me to change. I have been going to AA meetings.”
“That’s wonderful, Herman. Change is hard, but can be rewarding.”
Herman looked down. Magic was rubbing his body back and forth on Herman’s legs. “Magic seems to approve.”
They finished with the dishes and made their way into the family room. The children were murmuring among themselves. Raising her eyebrows, Ravenna glanced at Herman before directing her attention to the kids. “Do you want a little more story-time and some ice cream before Mason and Mr. Stanley go home?”
“Yes!”
They returned to the kitchen, and while the children ate their ice cream, Ravenna commenced.
“As they stepped into the inky cavern, Cora asked Owl, ‘How far do you suppose he is?’ Eerily bouncing around the stone walls, her voice echoed loudly before dead silence. Then the princess heard rustling and raspy murmurs. Turning, she swung the lantern around to see if anyone was there. She found nothing but black rocks with ancient carvings in them. To determine if Owl had heard the strange noises, Cora whispered, ‘What was that?’
‘I’m not sure,’ Owl softly whispered back. ‘I think we should follow the green light.’ He pointed with his wingtip to a very distant speck of light ahead.
They followed it. Slipping into the King’s Lair, farther and farther they went. Cora could feel tendrils of cold air wrap around her. Soon, the green light disappeared. The passage narrowed and sloped downwards. Traveling forward, they descended. Every few steps, the ceiling of the tunnel slanted closer to the floor. Thinking she would soon have to duck; Cora and Owl came upon a stairwell. There was a sign with four lines on it and two big, black arrows, one pointing up and one pointing down.
‘To the Hall of Starry Wisdom. Only the wise should enter. To the Hidden Chamber of Utter Darkness. Only the brave should enter.’
Cora looked at Owl. ‘Which way is the King?’
‘The Hall of Starry Wisdom, I hope,’ he answered before flying up the stairwell and landing six stairs up. The bird waited for the girl.
Cora attempted to follow him. Stepping up onto the first stair, she hit an invisible barrier. ‘What should I do? I can’t go up.’
‘Try to go down,’ Owl suggested.
Cora turned around and descended four steps. Was it her imagination, or was the cold air pushing her down? Turning back to him, she urged, ‘Are you coming with me?’
The bird flew down but could not get past the landing and another undetectable wall. ‘Perhaps, you must go alone,’ Owl said.
Cora grimaced. ‘Really? What if I don’t want to?’ she asked. She tried to step up to the landing, but the same structure stopped her. ‘Ouch!’ she cried and rubbed her toes. Placing her hand upon it, the princess felt a solid, invisible wall between her and the raptor.
‘You have no choice. You must find the Moon King on your own and bring him out,’ Owl stated gravely.
‘I’m scared,’ she replied and shivered as she looked down the shadowy stairwell.
‘Use your lantern to cut through the darkness. I’ll be waiting for you outside. Don’t forget your mission.’ Then he flew away.
Holding her lamp high to light her way, the Princess reluctantly began her downward journey into what she imagined was an icy tomb.
Meanwhile, Thaddeus and Goban had entered Skull Mountain. Goban had pulled a candle from his tool belt and lit it. “M’lord, we must be careful as we are in Troll country. They inhabit this hollow domain and hoard their stolen treasure. Filthy, smelly, and ugly beasts they are. Their favorite food is drippy boogers from their own long, pickle-like snoots!’
Mason burst out laughing. “Boogers! They eat their own boogers!” Ravenna glanced at Herman, a grin on his face. Sitting in his lap, Magic stared across the kitchen table at Mason with his big blue eyes.
“Grr..ross!” Zerlinda blurted. Both Zerlinda and Myrtle had wrinkled their noses in distaste. Looking at Mason, holding his stomach in hilarity, the red-haired girl derided, “You would think it’s funny.”
But the thought of someone eating his nasal mucus was too funny, and even Zerlinda’s belittling tone would not dampen Mason’s high spirits.
“‘I have my trusty knife,’ Thaddeus reassured the gnome.
Goban looked at the prince’s dagger. ‘I’ll need to fix it with Elven magic if the time to use it comes.’ The gnome held the candle high. ‘Keep your eyes peeled as these cowardly creatures like to stay concealed and attack when you least expect. They exist mostly in shadows and vagueness. Hiding behind closed doors and under rocks. Scurrying hither and thither creating misery and torment whenever they can.’
‘What do you think is the great treasure is that I am supposed to give to the Sun Queen?’
‘I’ve been thinking about that, m’Lord. When I saw the Rune of Transformation open the portal, I knew our quest had to be the King of all Jewels. The Dagaz Diamond. I thought it was only a myth, but it must exist. That must be our goal, to obtain the legendary stone concealed in this mountain. No one can refuse it. Not even a Queen!’
‘Where do you suppose it is?’
‘Deep in the heart of the mountain, beneath the Chamber of Inner Desire, is the Starfire Room. It must be there.’ The gnome shook his head. ‘The trolls will not let us take it so easily. They will put up a good fight.’
But the prince was not afraid. Prepared to do battle, he said, ‘Let’s go! I’m ready!’
Ravenna stopped and looked at her watch. “Gee, it’s a little later than I thought.”
Herman, taking her cue, said, “Yea, it’s late. Sorry, Magic.” He placed the big black cat on the ground and got up. “Time to go, Mason.”
“Awww…” Mason got up unwillingly.
Ravenna suppressed a grin. “I’ll walk you to the door. Girls, please put the ice cream dishes in the sink and then go get your pajamas on.”
Thankfully, the rain had stopped. Mason and Herman stepped out onto the porch. Ravenna inhaled the crisp air and then said, “Thanks for the lovely flowers.”
“Thanks for the dinner and story. I’d like to hear more.” Then, smiling at her, he put his hand on Mason’s shoulder and gently propelled him forward. “C’mon boy. Let’s get home.”
Next: The Myth of Madame Mariposa No. 2: Part 7- Inside the Heart
