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
The two girls were lying in their respective beds with the covers pulled up to their chins. Magic had curled into a ball at the foot of the bed of Zerlinda. He had been on Myrtle’s bed, but she persisted in petting him. Subsequently, he had abandoned this place and found one with less attention. Myrtle expressed her dissatisfaction with his move, so Zerlinda informed her, “Kitty cats don’t always like being petted, Myrtle.” This statement seemed to ease her unhappiness.
Ravenna sat in her chair in the middle of the room between the two beds. She asked, “So, Myrtle, has Zerlinda kept you current with the story?”
“Yes, Mrs. Mariposa. I think so anyway,” Myrtle replied.
Zerlinda interjected. “Yes, Baba. She has heard everything up to now.” She looked at her friend. “Remember, Myrtle, I told you that the Prince and the Princess were about to read their scrolls.” She addressed her grandmother again. “We’re ready Baba.”
Saying nothing, Myrtle just nodded her head. The fortune-teller resumed her tale.
“The Moon Prince’s pale face had a dull and annoyed look as he glanced at the scroll. He was much more interested in the knife in his hand. The Court Jester signaled again to the Prince to lay his weapon down and open his scroll. Meanwhile, the Sun Princess had already opened hers. Her haste was less about wanting to know what was on the document than showing the Prince that she was ready to outdo him. She silently read the contents.
To discover the Three, you must follow the song of the One. It is the same sound of Two. Two and Three both live in the sky but one has wings of Dark and the other has wings of Light. Use the Light to find the One in the Dark.
The princess looked up at the Jester. Her rosy, freckled face had a confused expression. ‘Huh? I don’t understand.’
The Jester smiled and said, ‘Take the lamp and your scroll. Ponder it well. The Royal Owl will come to you. He will be your guide and mentor.'”
Zerlinda interrupted as she briefly looked over at Myrtle. “See, I told you she uses big words. Baba, what does mentor mean?”
“It means an experienced adviser. Someone she can trust that will tell her the right thing to help her on her quest,” Ravenna replied. Before continuing with her narrative, she added, “Oh, by the way, did I forget to mention that the Court Jester, as the director of the Supreme directive, now had magical powers?”
“The Sun Princess picked up the lamp, and then the Jester tapped her on the head lightly with his baton. She disappeared immediately from view. A gasp arose from the crowd as they understood the newfound powers of the court fool, but the Prince was unfazed. Finally putting down the knife, he was taking his time opening the scroll while yawning. Realizing the Fairy Queen’s attitude regarding the Prince was correct, exasperated, the Jester lost his temper. He snapped at the boy, ‘Hurry up! The Princess has already read her scroll and is gone. You’ve barely opened yours!’
The lanky teenager just looked at him and rolled his eyes in boredom. Then he looked down and read his scroll.
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.
The Prince raised his eyes and looked at the face of the court fool.
The Jester picked up the knife and roughly gave it to the teen. ‘The Royal Hummingbird will accompany you,’ he told him, and with that, he rapped the black-haired boy sharply on the head. When the Prince had vanished, the Royal Fool turned to the crowd. ‘I don’t know about that kid…'”
Myrtle sat up and laughed loudly. Startled by her exuberant outburst, Magic raised his head, flattened his ears, and watched her closely.
Ravenna asked Myrtle, “What’s so funny?”
“I laughed because that’s what my dad says about my brother, Mason.”
Ravenna recalled Mason’s recent behavior and agreed, “I’m sure he does. Now, where was I? Oh yes…”
“The Princess found herself back in her bedroom next to her window that overlooked the Sun Kingdom. Setting the lamp down, she once more read the scroll. More lives than a cat? A cat has nine lives. Who has more? she thought. Not knowing what to make of it, she put the scroll down and hoped that the Royal Owl would show up soon.
The Moon Prince also found himself back in his room. Feeling disgruntled, he threw the scroll on the ground and rubbed his head where the Jester had hit him.”
“Mrs. Mariposa,” Myrtle interrupted, “does disgruntled mean mad?”
“Yes, Myrtle. The Prince was angry and dissatisfied with his situation. You see, he thought he was being treated unfairly.” Having answered the question, Ravenna proceeded.
Even though he seemed not to be paying attention, the Prince had been listening. He griped to himself. ‘Hummingbird? I get a wimpy hummingbird, and she gets the Royal Owl? The wisest of all birds? Seems to me that this is a rigged contest, already fixed in her favor.’ He sat down on the bed and tossed the knife across it. Grumpy, he stated, ‘It’s a stupid quest anyway. They can’t make me do it.’
All of a sudden, the Royal Hummingbird appeared in his bed-chamber. Her wings beating furiously, she dived and buzzed his head. ‘Follow me and I will lead you to the One,’ she chirped.
‘No!’ the Prince answered as he pulled his legs up, flopped back onto his bed and defiantly crossed his arms over his chest.
But the little bird with the brilliant feathers was determined. ‘Don’t deny me! I will stay here until you accept my help!’
The Prince ignored her as he turned away and rolled onto his side. Flitting to and fro, she continued to hover and hum over him. Putting his pillow over his head, it did not drown out the sound. Over and over him, she flew continuously, humming as she went. He tried throwing his pillow at her repeatedly, but the bird dodged it easily. Knowing the Royal Hummingbird wouldn’t stop, the Prince finally gave up. ‘Okay, okay. What do you want me to do?’ he demanded.
Ravenna stopped and consulted her watch. “Time for bed, you two.”
“Awww!” the girls said simultaneously.
“But Mrs. Mariposa, I want to hear more,” Myrtle implored.
Ravenna smiled. “How about helping me and Zerlinda in the garden tomorrow?”
Next: The Myth of Madame Mariposa: Part 7-The Garden
