The Princess and the Pearl

  A sudden breeze ruffled Annie’s hair and the hem of her gown. Audun had taken to the air. Rising just above the fighting men, he fanned his wings and ROARED! That got everyone’s attention. The guards had never seen the dragon before. Although they looked frightened, they stood their ground and a few even raised their swords as if they were willing to fight him. The bandits, however, didn’t look nearly as brave.

  “It’s the dragon!” shouted the man Captain Riley had called Short Jack.

  “You said that if it hadn’t come before this, it wasn’t going to show up!” a man with bare feet and oddly shaped toes shouted at the captain. “I should have stayed with Slippery Pete!”

  When Audun roared again, the bandits turned and ran.

  Annie hurried to Liam’s side while Audun chased the bandits into the forest. “Are you all right?” she cried.

  “I am now!” he said, putting his arm around her. “Those bandits have been plaguing us all day.”

  “May I come out?” Millie asked, opening the carriage door.

  “Of course,” said Liam as he moved out of the way.

  “Your husband wouldn’t let me get involved,” Millie said to Annie. “I told him that chasing off the bandits was worth an upset stomach, but he made me promise not to turn into my dragon self unless things got bad.”

  “Thank you for that!” Audun said, landing beside the carriage.

  “And thank you for coming by when you did,” Liam told him. “We would have reached the castle hours ago if the bandits hadn’t sent men ahead to cut down trees and delay us. My men and I had to cut up two other downed trees today. It’s why you should always keep an ax or two under the carriage seat. A tree lying across the road is a bandit’s favorite way to stop a carriage.”

  “They were persistent!” declared Audun.

  Liam nodded. “We rode all night without any problems and came across the first tree just after dawn. The bandits must have thought it would hold us for a while, but it didn’t take us long to clear the road. They must have planned this ahead of time and had men ready to chop down more trees if the first one didn’t work. The main group of them didn’t catch up until just a little while ago. I don’t know what they thought we had, but they were very determined to get it.”

  “They weren’t just bandits,” said Annie. “They were the pirates who attacked the Sallie Mae. From what Snaggle Toes said, I think they stopped you the first two times to see if Audun would show up. When he didn’t, they thought it was safe to attack you.”

  “I don’t understand why they were so determined to stop the carriage,” Millie said.

  “They probably thought we were on our way back with something valuable,” said Liam. “I wonder what Clarence told them to make them so interested in us.”

  “I don’t know about Clarence, but I do know that you had a treasure with you,” Audun said, glancing at Millie. “And I want to get her home right away. Oh, before I forget, here’s the pearl, Annie. Sorry I can’t stay to help you return it, but I really do want to get Millie home.” The dragon reached into the pouch under his wing and pulled out the pearl.

  “I don’t blame you,” Annie told him. She held up her hands, catching the pearl when he dropped it.

  A moment later, Audun turned back into a human and reached for Millie. When he took the postcard of Greater Greensward out of his pocket, he glanced at Annie and Liam, saying, “We hope to see you again soon. Remember, you’re always welcome to visit us, too.”

  “We will as soon as we can,” said Liam.

  “Thank you for all of your help!” Annie cried, and waved as their friends placed their fingers on the postcard and disappeared.

  “How are your father and your uncle?” Liam asked, turning to Annie.

  “Uncle Rupert was in bad shape when we got there, but he got better fast once he drank the potion,” Annie replied. “I don’t know if he would have lasted much longer if we hadn’t given him the potion when we did. I’m really grateful to Audun for taking me to the castle.”

  “And your father?” asked Liam.

  “He’s fine now,” Annie said. “He and Rupert had a big feast at noon today. I think they’re trying to make up for all the meals they missed.”

  “That’s great news! They have a real reason to celebrate,” said Liam. “I’ve been thinking. Now that we know they’re all right, we have no reason to hurry back. I’d like to go straight to Dorinocco, if you don’t mind. We’re so far south already, and we could get my mother and deal with her and the pearl that much sooner.”

  “That’s a good idea,” said Annie. “I just wish we had a postcard for Dorinocco. We’d be there in an instant.”

  “Maybe we’ll have to make another trip to the Magic Marketplace,” Liam replied. “They might have more postcards when we go back.”

  “And more singing swords,” Annie said with a laugh. “I know how much you wanted one!”

  “If we start now, we should reach the castle in Dorinocco before dark,” Liam said as he helped Annie into the carriage. “We could go to the witches’ island early tomorrow morning.”

  “That sounds good to me,” said Annie. “I’d like to get the pearl to the monster as soon as we can. I feel like it’s a hurdle I have to get past before we can really relax.”

  “That’s exactly how I feel about taking my mother to the island,” Liam told her. “The sooner we can get it done, the better!”

  King Montague was just sitting down to dinner in one of the smaller dining rooms when Annie and Liam arrived at the castle. “Excellent timing!” said the king. “I wasn’t looking forward to eating alone, but now that you’re here, I won’t have to.”

  “You could always invite Mother to join you,” Liam told him.

  “Only if I wanted an argument instead of a conversation,” said his father. “I’d prefer a conversation tonight, so I’m glad you’re here. Are you staying or is this another quick visit?”

  “A quick one, I’m afraid,” said Liam. “We’ve actually come to pick up Mother and take her to an island very far from here.”

  “We’ll be back to stay as soon as we’ve left her on the island and taken care of one other small errand,” said Annie. “And then you and I will plan Liam’s coronation celebration.”

  “Then I suppose I should write my abdication speech,” the king told them. “I can’t put it off any longer. I must admit, while I’m glad your mother will be leaving the castle, a part of me is going to miss her. She may be a vile woman, but she certainly has made life interesting.”

  “We’ll be here to keep life interesting for you soon enough,” said Liam.

  “Yes, but sometimes it takes a good argument to stir the blood. Ah, look! We’re having roast rabbit tonight. I hope there’s more than one, because I’m hungry!”

  Annie and Liam were both exhausted. Soon after the last course was served, Liam turned to his father. “If you’ll excuse us, Annie and I would like to retire for the night. We had a long, hard day and tomorrow may be even worse.”

  “Then by all means, go get some rest,” said the king. “I believe I’ll do the same. I’d rather face your mother when I’m well rested. Dealing with her is always draining.”

  They all walked up the stairs together, but when they reached the top, the king went one way and Annie and Liam went the other. They trudged down the corridor to Liam’s boyhood room in an older part of the castle. “We’ll move to a bigger room after the coronation,” Liam said as he opened the door.

  Annie smiled when she stepped into the room. It was about the same size as the room that had been hers in her parents’ castle, and it was filled with the kinds of things that young princes liked. A tapestry depicting a boy dressed in old-fashioned clothes walking through the woods with a dog was on one wall. An even larger tapestry with a picture of a unicorn and a lion nearly covered another wall. Crossed swords, both of which were badly nicked and battered, hung above the bed.

  “Where is the magic mirror?” Annie asked. “
I asked the men who brought it in to put it in the room I was going to use.”

  “I didn’t want it spying on us all the time,” said Liam. “I had them put it in a room down the corridor.”

  “But it’s harmless!” said Annie.

  “I didn’t say it wasn’t,” Liam said. “I just don’t want it in the room.” Pulling her into his arms, Liam gave her a very tender kiss.

  “Good thinking!” Annie finally said as Liam blew out the candles.

  Annie wasn’t looking forward to seeing Lenore again, but she was just as anxious as Liam to get their trip to the island over. She was carrying a soft cloth bag with the pearl inside when she entered the small dining room. The king was already sitting down, and she took the seat beside him when he gestured to her. Liam had stopped to speak to a servant, but he joined Annie as soon as he had finished. The king was telling Annie what he planned to do that day when his wife appeared in the doorway and the conversation died.

  Two guards flanked Queen Lenore as she strode into the room, looking as haughty as ever. When she reached the table, she scowled at Annie, who hadn’t realized that she was sitting in the queen’s seat.

  “You may sit across from me,” the king told Queen Lenore. “I want to be able to keep an eye on you.”

  “Because you think I’m so beautiful?” asked the queen, smirking.

  The king shook his head. “No, because I don’t trust you.”

  “Why did you send for me, Montague? You haven’t requested my presence in nearly a week.”

  “He sent for you because I asked him to,” Liam said as he joined them at the table. “Enjoy your breakfast and I’ll tell you all about it when we’ve finished eating.”

  “Are you here to tell me about Clarence?” the queen asked, taking the seat across from the king.

  “No, but I can if you’d like,” said Liam. “He’s embarked on a new career.”

  “What are you talking about?” demanded his mother. “Princes don’t have careers. Except for you. As far as I can tell, your career is to ruin my life.”

  “Lenore!” chided the king.

  “But it’s true!” said the queen. “Clarence was a perfect baby. He slept through the night from the day he was born. When he was a little boy, he always listened to me and did everything I told him to do. You were a fretful infant, a bratty little boy, and an impossible young man. If only you had gone off to sea and stayed there!”

  “Speaking of going off to sea,” said Liam. “We took Clarence to a faraway land where he can’t cause any trouble. As far as I’m concerned, that’s perfect!”

  The queen glared at Liam. “And how long are you going to keep him exiled to this faraway land where he’s supposed to engage in this career?”

  Liam smiled as he leaned toward his mother. “Forever! Now I really do suggest you eat. It may be the last time you have a meal like this.”

  “What do you mean by that?” asked the queen. “Are you sending me into exile as well?”

  “No,” Liam said, looking serious. “I’m not sending you anywhere. Annie and I are taking you there.”

  “If you’re taking me to that dreadful tower where you locked up Granny Bentbone, you should know right now that I refuse to go,” the queen said as she reached for her cup.

  “I wouldn’t dream of taking you there!” said Liam. “That’s much too close. Now eat your breakfast and I’ll tell you what I have planned for you as soon as we’ve finished eating. Not another question until then!”

  “Why does he get to decide my fate like this?” the queen said, turning to her husband.

  “Like I told you before, I’m about to abdicate and he’s going to be king. Now eat your breakfast! No more talking!”

  Despite Liam’s warning about future breakfasts, the queen picked at her food, and had eaten very little by the time everyone else had finished. “Are you ready?” Liam asked, turning to Annie.

  She nodded and took his hand when he offered it. “Let’s get this over with,” she told him.

  The servants had brought in a large crate and a small trunk, placing them just inside the door. “You need to join us, Mother,” Liam said as he led Annie to the crate.

  “I’ve decided that I’m not going anywhere,” said the queen.

  When Liam motioned to the guards, they each placed a hand under her arms and lifted her from her chair. “Let me go!” she shouted, trying to squirm free.

  “Annie, this should work if you sit on the crate and hold the strap with one hand and place your other hand on my arm. Mother, stand beside me and hold this,” Liam said, handing her the small trunk.

  “This is heavy!” exclaimed the queen. “Just where do you think you’re taking me?”

  “To the witches’ island,” said Liam as he made a show of taking the medallion out of his shirt.

  “It’s a beautiful tropical island where a group of witches live,” explained Annie.

  Annie noticed that when Liam took hold of his mother’s hand, he stuck his free hand in the pocket where he’d placed the postcard of the island. “What?” screeched his mother. “I’m not going to any island with witches. You can’t possibly believe that I would spend any time with a group of old hags, let alone live there!”

  The queen was still ranting about witches when Liam touched the postcard and they disappeared.

  CHAPTER 17

  Annie, Liam, and Queen Lenore found themselves on the sandy shore of a tropical island. Waves broke on the beach in front of them while tropical birds called out in the frond-topped trees behind them. Annie was pleased to see that the crate and trunk had also arrived.

  “No!” wailed the queen, jerking her hand out of Liam’s grip. “I am not staying here! You take me back to my castle this instant! How dare you treat me like this! I am your queen and your mother!”

  “What’s going on here?” a short, plump woman asked from a path that led into the trees. “Who are you people? Why is that woman screeching?”

  “Norelle, isn’t it?” said Liam, turning to face her. “I don’t know if you remember me …”

  “I do now that you’ve turned around!” said the woman. “Did you go to Greater Greensward? You aren’t still looking for a way to get home, are you?”

  “No, no! We’re fine. We went to Greater Greensward and they were able to help us. We’re back because I’d like my mother to live here with you.”

  “Is she a witch? We don’t let just anyone stay here,” said Norelle. “We’re a very select group. I think we need to go to the village so you can explain yourself to everyone.”

  “No, I’m not a witch!” cried Queen Lenore. “I don’t belong here! I’m a queen. I can’t live on an island with witches!”

  “Oh, really? Think you’re too good for us, do you?” said Norelle. “Follow me. I want you to meet my friends.”

  “What about the crate and the trunk?” Annie asked Liam, but it was Norelle who answered.

  “I’ll take care of that!” the little witch said. Pointing at the crate, she muttered a few words. The crate wobbled back and forth, but didn’t go anywhere.

  “Why isn’t this working?” Norelle said to herself. Frowning, she stared at her fingertip as if the answer might be written there.

  Annie glanced down. Her leg was touching the crate. “Uh, it was probably me again. Remember how magic doesn’t work on me? It doesn’t work on anything or anyone I’m touching, either. The last time I was here, Hennah’s spell bounced off me and tossed her into the ocean.”

  “I remember that! We still get a good chuckle when we talk about it!”

  “Look, I’ll go over here so you can try again,” said Annie.

  “All right. Nope, nope, a little farther just to be sure. All right now. Let’s try this again.” Pointing her finger at the crate and trunk, the witch said a few words. Both objects disappeared in a bright flash of light. “Did you see that?” cried Norelle. “The old girl hasn’t lost it yet!”

  “Very impressive,” said Liam.
r />   “You bet it is!” Norelle exclaimed. “Now follow me and we’ll be there before you can say my full name backward five times!”

  “But we don’t know your full name,” said Annie.

  Norelle chortled and grinned at Annie. “Exactly!”

  Annie and Liam followed Norelle across the sand into the trees with Lenore trailing behind. Annie wasn’t concerned that the queen would run off. It was a small island and from what she had seen during their last visit, there really wasn’t anywhere to hide. It wasn’t long before they were passing a freshwater pond that marked the center of the island. Minutes later they emerged into the sunlight to find a cluster of grass huts roofed with fronds from the trees.

  “What did you find, Norelle?” shouted a tall woman with a sour expression.

  “Did you send this stuff here?” asked a surly-looking woman. “It almost clobbered me when I was on my way to the pond.” She kicked the crate, apparently forgetting that she was barefoot. Swearing, she began to hop on the other foot while cradling the sore foot in her hand.

  “Sorry, Hennah,” said Norelle. “That stuff belongs to these people. I brought them here so they could tell all of you what they were telling me. I found them on the other side of the island and this one was yelling her head off.” She pointed at Lenore, who looked like she’d rather be anywhere but there. “She says she’s a queen.”

  “What were you yelling about? Were you having a fight?” asked a tall, thin witch with a long face and a narrow nose. “I like good fights. I can watch if you want an audience.”

  “We’re here because I want my mother to live with you ladies,” said Liam. “I’m banishing her from my kingdom, and I’d appreciate it if she could stay here with you.”