Which character?

So I have two questions for my readers to answer and this is going to be tough. You'll have to epxlain your answers clearly in the comments becaus ethey will have an affect on the next four chapters and how they are set up.

1)If you were to be any of the three charcters who would you be and why?

2)If the story split into three diffrent stories following each character seperately, who would you want to follow first/the most?

3)If any one major charcter had to die, who would it be? If only one could survive who would it be?

Now this doesn't mean I want to kill a main character any time soon, but I am tying to get a feel for which charcetr are working better than others. Thanks and look for my next post tomorrow morning bright and early.

Cheers and have a great 4th.

Chapter 6

Here you go. The next chapter. This one was probably the hardest to write so far, just because of juggling diffrent charcter emotions, and the fact that I'm so tired but decided I wanted to finish it by tonight. Did I ever mention you guys are great? Because of you, I am pressed into writing, even when I don;t feel like it, and that causes me to perservere through it all. You know, I was actually about to trhow teh story out completely until you guys all came along and encouraged me, so thank you. Anyway, i know you're probably anxious to get to the next part so here you go. :)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

“Bella!” called Ivan as he hurtled through the door.

Laburnum spun around and shot him against the doors with a thud. Then she waved her hand across the room and several long pointed ornamental spears dislodged from the walls. They floated and at her command they buried themselves with a dull, sickening thud in the trap door.

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Klaus’ eyes went wide as he saw the spear protruding from Burt’s waist. As he reached for the weapon, he saw Burt cough and sit up. He smiled pulling the spear out, revealing the bent metal point.

“That was close. Luckily those were just the ornamental spears and not the actual guard ones.” He said wiping his brow.

“Um, C-captain.” One of the other soldiers stammered as he peaked through one of the holes made by the spears, “I-I think she heard Burt!”

“Everybody, up the shaft!” Klaus called as he shoved soldiers up one by one.

Then it was just the Captain, Burt, and Klaus left. Burt scampered up the Captain’s shoulders but then fell down on top of the trap door. Klaus helped him up just as the witch threw the real spears. The three were fast but not fast enough and one of the spears found its mark.


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Bella appeared in a poof of white smoke outside by the cauldrons. The soldiers dressed as maids immediately leapt forward swords drawn, ready to protect her. They formed a wall in front of her to begin the charge.

Laburnum heard the commotion from behind her and swung around, her fat swinging back and forth from the sudden motion. Her eyes flashed as she lay eyes on Bella behind the group of maid-soldiers. She ran towards the group, and then a strange thing happened.

One moment she was running, her stubby legs a blur, and then the next she was in the air above them, having launched herself like a toad. She sailed over them, and then came down like a ton of bricks. The ground cracked in concentric circles where she landed and her whole body jiggled with lard.

Now there was no one in her way, no one to stop her from reaching Bella. From behind the group of confused soldiers, Holly and Alexis came limping out trying to catch sight of what was going on. They saw her reach down, and Bella’s whole body go limp under her touch.

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Klaus and Burt helped the Captain out of the shaft. He had been hit, but all he did was clench his teeth in anger as he thought about the witch. They found the rest of the group waiting at the top. Then running they made their way to the courtyard.

“Burt stay here with the Captain. He needs to rest.” Klaus ordered.

“What! No way! That witch is gonna pay for this!” The Captain yelled and grabed a nearby spear.

“B-but captain!” Burt stammered.

“And I’ll do the same to you too if try and stop me!” He said growling. “The Queen needs me. That’s all there’s to it!”

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Holly was supporting Alexis as they came out of the building into the courtyard. Soldiers dressed as maids were trying to advance on the witch, who was keeping her ground, and who held the limp girl.

“Laburnum! Give the girl! Your quarrel isn’t with her!” Holly called. “If you give us Bella, we’ll let you go. Otherwise you will be annihilated.”

“Big vords for vone so small!” She cackled

The Holly noticed how pale Bella looked. As realization struck her she raised her sword and called to the soldiers to make a way. Stepping foreward she could feel her own pulse pounding through her brain from the adrenaline. This was it.

“Come on witch. If you think you have what it takes to defeat me.” Her voice dripped with contempt.

“Dhont make me laugh!” She called back.

Holly quickly checked to make sure neither Klaus or Ivan was around. Then she ran forward, launched herself off of a nearby statue, flew through the air doing a triple flip. She landed crouched like a cat, sword ready, eyes burning with anger standing in the way of Laburnum.

“Like I was saying witch! You’ll have to go through me first!”


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Klaus and the regiment were running through the hallways when they came to the upper clerestory windows that looked down to the courtyard. Seeing what was going on he quickly had the soldiers line up and get their bows and arrows ready. He saw the limp, pale, Bella and knew what he had to do.

“Bows to the ready!” He called, then gave command back over to the Captain.

He stepped up on the window sill, then began climbing down a rose trellis on the side of the building. He was fed up with getting lost in the maze like Castle. It looked like Holly needed his help. She stood alone in the way of the witch.

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Ivan sat up coughing. His ribs ached and his head felt like someone was drumming on the left side. When he stood up, he felt the nausea sweep over him from the blow. Using the wall as support he walked out of the building into the courtyard. From the top of the steps he saw the whole scene and he could scarcely believe what was happening.

From high up in the clerestory windows, the Captain yelled fire, and a volley of arrows flew down towards Laburnum… and Bella! What were they thinking! They would hit the witch and Bella too. However his fears were short lived. The witch pointed her finger at the arrows and they kept flying as candy canes, shattering as they hit the ground. She caught one midair and swallowed it whole, magic crackling on her lips.

Then she pointed her finger at one of the side walls and it transformed into soft white angel food cake, which then buckled and broke from the weight of the surrounding towers. A large gaping hole was now in the side of the castle wall.

Raising her chubby stump like fingers to her mouth she whistled sharply. From far away a squealing, snorting sound could be heard. Then like a mudslide, a large horde of brown and tan wild boars came stampeding into the castle. There were probably thirty total and they were all pulling a single fur lined chariot.

Laburnum, still carrying the limp girl, stepped into the chariot. The boars were busy consuming the remnants of the cake wall. Laburnum chuckled as she said, “Dhat is gud. Feed my cheeldren. Feed und return to me de power.”

“Laburnum!” Yelled Holly as she and Klaus both advanced from one side of the witch. “Give us the girl! You have no use for her!”

“Hahaha! Yous tink you knows everyting Treedweller! Ha, yous know nuting! I hav de girl! I hav de key! Soon I vhil hav the treesure und den unlimeeted power!”

Then she whipped her boars and in a churning of squeals, snorts, and cackles she disappeared through the hole in the wall. Ivan’s eyes went wide as he watched her go. Klaus and holly seemed to be in a state of shock, so looking around he saw the table close to him rested on a single support. He jumped on the one end, sending everything on the table flying like a catapult at Laburnum.

Laburnum was barely out of the hole in the wall when the table's contents landed on her and the boars, who immediatly stopped to begging eating. Whiping the food of her face and clothes she yelled and shot small bolts of magic behind teh animals to get thme miving again.

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“Come on! What are you waiting for! She has Bella! We have to go after her!” iavn called urgently as he saw she was getting away.

“Take it easy Ivan.” Klaus said as he lay down on the grass.

“How can you two just sit there!”

At this Holly and Klaus both laughed and then she replied, “Because we know something that you and Lubrunum don’t know.”

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Laburnum was still going fast, the castle now a small white smudge on the horizon, when she noticed something funny. Stopping the chariot she looked at the unconscious young girl. She poked her in her side and the girl cooed. Stepping back Laburnum grabbed the spear she had with her and threw it at the girl, who then suddenly transformed into a dove and flew away.

Laburnum zapped the dove before it got too far, changing it into a chocolate statue of a dove. Messily biting into the soft chocolate she glared at the far off castle. She had been tricked, by that good for nothing white witch. No matter, she would have her revenge. She looked down at a baor that had begun eating at her dress' edge, covered in gingerbread crumbs. The magic crackled on her lips as she licked them before pointing her finger to the sky and yelling,

“Anon ost et carn vethmal!
Anon verd et lyth bethmal!
Ami dicto omnia morpho!
Zingiber pane de sucrito!”


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“Milady. I am sorry. I have failed you.” The Captain said as he and his men returned into the courtyard full of weary warriors.

“No, everyone is safe now. That’s all that matters.” She said raising his bowed head.

“Um, we may not be out of the woods just yet.” Holly said, pointing to the sky.

A foul voice was upon the wind. Ominous looking clouds were beginning to circle over the castle, the wind picking up speed and the clouds circling faster and faster as lighting flashed across the sky. A strange orange hue seemed to pervade the atmosphere, evidence that the sun had risen behind the smoky black clouds.

“Everyone out of the castle! Now!” Klaus called as he ran to the stable to grab the cart.

The soldiers were all on horse back and the group was in Aconite’s cart as they evacuated the castle. The ride was bumpy and Ivan’s spectacles were knocked off. He found them, cleaned them on his short and then held them up to see of there were any scratches. He was facing backward and he was the first to see it.

“Guys!” he said pointing towards the sky.

Alexis turned and saw it too. Long, thin, wispy tendrils of orangey brown mist was reaching down slowly enveloping the castle. Where ever they touched the structure it changed into gingerbread, the curse spreading until the entire castle was transformed. Alexis gasped as she saw her home, her childhood, her memories begin to buckle under its own weight. Then she heard it.

“Everyone listen! Do you here that!” She asked silencing the chatter.

“Yes! The spell! It must be on the wind!” Ivan said excitedly.

“It’s a curse. A curse on the land, the castle, and the people.” Alexis said as she heard the whisperings on the wind.

“The curse! It’s coming this way!” yelled Klaus pointing towards the spreading browness on the edge of the castle walls slowly seeping into the nearby field.

“Well, if it’s on the castle and the land we need to get off of the land.” Holly said determined as she veered off the road towards the western road.

“We can go to the Winter Manor.” Alexis said, “That’s where I had the people evacuated to. Technically it’s beyond the boundaries of Alexandria. Follow the river; it’ll lead you to the manor.”

The group continued, but as they went on, they passed several people who were still on their way to the manor. Some had gotten lost, other’s had lost wheels on carts, while some just had too many children to travel fast. The soldiers on horses were soon galloping back and forth taking the stragglers to the Manor. They took more and more on each trip but still there seemed to be more people left over each time.

Meanwhile the curse wave was getting closer. Where ever it went it changed houses and buildings, stone and plants into gingerbread. Ivan saw the soldiers and their horses were getting tired and soon would not be able to make another trip. Then the cart pulled up to the Winter Manor.

It was in the middle of a large lake, sitting on a somewhat large island in the middle of the bright blue water. A floating bridge connected it to the mainland. People were on various portions of the swaying bridge trying desperately to get to the island as word spread quickly of what was coming behind them. The soldiers were bringing back the last of the people and helped them on the bridge when they saw an elderly woman with a group of small children struggling up the path.

“Come on!” the wounded Captain said hoping on a horse. He led his soldiers out and they all swooped up a child. Then they rode back as the magic was literally crackling behind the horses hoofs. The Captain kept pressing his horse to go faster. They had to make it. He felt like time stood still as he realized what he had to do. He motioned to his soldiers who all new what he meant and nodded in agreement.

They all threw the children from rider to rider, until they reached the captain at the lead, whose horse was still fresh. He rode ahead and threw them into the river’s water, where they were quickly carried to the lake and fished out by villagers. Then whipping his horse he raced ahead of the rest until he came to the bridge. He got off his horse when he reached the bridge. Then taking Alexis he placed her on the bridge next to Holly, stepped off, and severed the ropes connecting the bridge to the land. It drifted off as he saluted to his Queen.

“Captain!” Alexis yelled and Holly had to hold her back from jumping into the water as tears streamed down her face.

Everyone watched as the wave of magic broke on the soldiers and their horses, all of whom had lain down on the ground to brace themselves. The magic kept coming then seemed to hit an invisible wall when it reached the shoreline. The people rejoiced laughing and clapping that they were saved, but the small group at the end of the bridge all bowed their heads as they looked back on the brown figures lying on the ground, tears flowing down many faces.

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Laburnum felt the magic stop leaving her body and seemed to twitch suddenly to the side as she slumped against the side of the chariot. Getting up she breathed heavily as she cackled at the sight. The entire land of Alexandria lay under her curse. However her cackle turned into a scream as she noticed her fingertips.

Her nails began turning a deathly hue and slowly they petrified into solid stone. She began hyperventilating as she saw the stone spread slowly like grey veins running across her fingers. Running back to the other side of the road where a few houses stood on the path, she unhinged her jaw and began consuming the buildings, animals, and crops that had turned to gingerbread. She even ate the family cat.

Panting as she struggled to swallow the sticky, sweet mess she wiped her dirty face and looked at her hands. The stone veins had stopped and began to slowly draw back until it was just her nails thathad the unearthly grey color. She breathed a sigh of relief. Getting back into her chariot she set off to find Aconite. Too long had this sword hung over her head. She was going to get the girl one way or another.

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As the bridge bobbed and swayed the last villagers got off at the island. The group still stood watching the land, none wanting to move. It was Holly who finally spoke.

“They all knew what they were doing. They gave their lives for their Queen, their people, and their honor. Let us honor their memory by fulfilling their duty. We must protect the people. They are still in danger of Laburnum.”

“Wait.” Klaus said pointing to the shoreline. “I. I think the Captain’s breathing!”

Klaus jumped into the water and waded out to the shore. Everyone watched as he approached the brown outline of a man. Coming up out of the water, he walked over to the Captain.

“Captain. Are you alright?” he asked getting down on his knees.

“Of course I’m alright! Turn me over!” He said agitatedly.

Nearby Burt could be heard sniffing, “That was so beautiful. I hope someday when I really do die someone says nice things like that about me for real.”

This was accompanied by a chorus of laughter and chuckles from the other soldiers. On board the bridge Holly, Alexis, and Ivan dried their tears. Then they jumped into the water too, wading to the shore.

When they got there everyone stepped out of the water except the Queen. They ran up and helped Klaus turn the Captain over. Klaus looked sharply at Ivan who started laughing when he saw the Captain’s face. It was still like a regular face, but now it was bald, dark brown, and smelled of ginger spice.

“Hey you think this is funny!” Why I ought to…” But the Captain could barely even move his neck.

Holly turned the Captain so he could face the queen, and went off to help the others to gather the rest of the fallen soldiers and bring them to the shore. The captain and the queen talked for a while until everyone was back. Then the Queen turned to address the soldiers.

“You have all done more than you needed. And I could never ask for anything more. Thank you my friends, my protectors, proud soldiers of Alexandria. You have saved us all.” She said bowing, then continued, “And now, I will knight all of you personally that everyone may know of your great honor, bravery, and loyalty.”

“Your majesty.” Burt said, surprisingly eloquent all of a sudden, “If you step on land you’ll be cursed too. We could never let you do that on our account.”

“For far too long, you and the people have had no real Queen. While I have played Princess the people have been starved, enslaved, and cursed. But no more! From this day on, you will have a Queen. A true Queen.”

And saying this she stepped on the shore and was immediately engulfed by swirling writhing tendrils of magic, which when passed revealed her to all, transformed. She was now too, just like them, a gingerbread person. However in her willing sacrifice something happened. The soldiers felt power enter their bodies again. They could walk, they could move.

“Laburnum doesn’t know everything about magic.” Alexis smiled, “There are some universal laws which no amount of magic can undo. I have given you your strength back so that you can continue helping me serve the people and protect them from Laburnum. She will be back to transform all she has hated, and to consume all she had transformed so we must be ready.”

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The clouds had gone, the day had passed, and the people were moving busily in the Manor Town as the Manor had been renamed. A mother and her daughter were just finished moving all their family’s belongings into a room in the Manor, when the daughter bumped an ornamental bird that stood in the corner.

A wood panel opened and she followed it to a small side room, filled with royal family artifacts. Soon the room was cleared, the artifacts taken up to Alexis’ chamber, and the small room made into a bedroom for the girl and her sister. They were just done when the dinner bell was wrung. Everyone made their way down to the large, well lit hall with its large wooden pillars and walls.

Then the Queen entered, not in her usual regal, floral dresses but wearing a simple white robe, tied around her waist with a tan scarf. On her head was a white veil but beneath it everyone could see her crumbly, almost sand like skin. On either side of her stood her royal guard, all similarly dressed in tan robes and turbans with white bandages wrapped around their hands and faces to keep them from drying out and crumbling away.

“People of Alexandria. Today we all lost something. For some it was their homes, for some their crops, and for others their very humanity. But we will not let the Witch Laburnum take anymore!”

The people cheered. The speech continued. Alexis laid out her plans for defending the island and for undoing the curse. In the back, three friends watched and smiled. They would be leaving in the morning for the Republic of Koal. Each was lost in their own thoughts.

Ivan could see the hope in every face. That was good. But the people needed more than hope. They needed the curse broken. Ivan itched to get back to his room and keep reading the book. That would answer a lot of questions. The whole idea of magic had always enticed him. He had been more than happy to embrace the idea when they had entered the forest. Now he was caught up in the midst of a full on magical war. This was so exciting.

Holly was glad Alexis had finally risen to be the leader she was born to be. They would need her help before this was over. She was also worried because of what Laburnum had called her in front of everyone. It wasn’t the right time yet to reveal it to eiterh of them. She still needed their trust.

Klaus found his mind wandering. He was tired after the long day and felt himself begin to day dream. As he did, he realized that he saw the glass room and the real room at the same time. It was surreal, glass filaments reaching up and over and growing and shrinking and breathing as they slowly moved in and took the place of real people. He suddenly heard the voice in his head again.

Klaus snapped out of it and motioned to the other two to follow him. They walked through the manor which was thankfully more direct in its architecture and quickly climbed up to the roof. From there they could see in every direction across the lake.

“What is it Klaus?” Asked Ivan, annoyed that he was being kept from his book.

“I, I dunno. I felt like we need to watch out for something.” Klaus said deep in thought.

“Well, I don’t-” He was cut off by Holly sudden movement.

She had seen something. The next moment she had Alexis and the captain up there with a telescope. They both looked grave then explained to the group what this new threat was.

“Their fearies. A great time to show up as usual.” Alexis said sarcastically.

“Um, so their bad?” Klasu asked confused.

“Yes. Have you ever heard of locust swarms and how they can strip a field bare in seconds? Well the fearies are like that but they don’t just eat plants they will eat anything.” Alexis explained. “That is why we will have to divert them somehow.”

“How?” Asked Ivan.

“With this!” The Captain said pulling a small shriveled purple and white object form his bag.

“Sugared plums.” Said Alexis.

“So, they have a sweet tooth.” Said Klaus smiling.

“Exactly. But you’ll need to get in front of them to do that before they reach the lake. Which means you’ll have to leave now.” Alexis sad sadly.

“I was hoping we could stay a while longer.” Holly said, “But it was time to go anyway. We nee dto go fetch Bella in Koal.’

“But once we get her we’ll be back soon.” Said Klasu optimistically.

“Good. Now follow me.”

The three friends followed her down to the stables where the cart had already been filled by the royal guard with sugared plums. The three got on it, as the Captain opened the door. They rode out on the brodge accompanied by the Captain and the Alexis. Once they came to the end, they all walked up on shore.

“Go around the lake to the other side. When they catch your scent they will pick up the pace so you’ll need to be ready to dash. Take it to the Red Highroad, which should lead you to the station. When you get there, give the engineer this ring and he’ll take you to Stoken from there you can sail to Koal. Make sure you send the cart into the woods before you board. Fearies can’t enter the forest but they won’t leave the cart either so they’ll be trapped. Well, I guess this is farewell. Until you return.”

“Good bye you three trouble makers. You make sure that Bella is safe. If you don’t take good care of her I’ll…” But he was cut off by the emotion in his voice.

And so the three raced off around the lake to intercept the fearies. The empty feeling of leaving friends behind was aching in each chest and not one word was spoke the entire time. They reached the other side and in the distance they could see small bobbing lights. They waited a few minutes then the lights seemed to suddenly get agitated.

The cart went flying down the road with Holly at the reigns. She had known this would be difficult but they were only just beginning and already they were facing challenges that were beyond any one of them. It would take a miracle for her to finish her mission.

Klaus was trying his best not to fall asleep. He knew where he would go and it didn’t sound very appealing. He just wanted to get Bella and go home. Deep down inside he didn’t even want to go back to Alexandria. He just wanted to go home.

Ivan was reading his book, flipping through page after page. When he finally came to the last page he felt confused by the order of things. It seemed like a lot was missing. He looked at the strange curly script when suddenly alight bulb went off in his head. Turning the page upside down the letters suddenly changed and the book continued. He turned it on its side and there was more too. It appeared there was more to this then meets the eye.

They reached the station and saw the far off twinkling lights making their way closer and closer. They could faintly hear a buzzing sound from the wings and what sounded like windchimes caught in a violent windstorm. Pushing the cart into the woods, they mad their way onto the covered platform. A thin man with a round face, big nose, and brown handle bar moustache stepped up. He was dressed in a smart blue uniform with gold trim and kept a golden pocket watch in his hand. He adjusted his gold round spectacles as he said,

“You three are just on time.”

“Wait, how did you know we were coming?”

“Because that is my job Ivan, to know. And don’t look so surprised, I know all of your names. Holly, Klaus and Ivan. My three passengers for today.”

“So then our destination is already planned?” Klaus asked.

“Why yes it is, but whether you board or not is up to you. Some take the Express, others choose the more difficult path on foot. But all who are meant to take the journey end up taking it, whether they even want to or not. So will you be taking the Express tonight?”

“Yes.” The tree answered in unison.

“Good, now I’ll need your validated fair of course.”

“Will this work?” Asked Holly holding up the ring.

“Ah, I see you have the royal mark on you. Please board, we will depart in a moment.”

And with that he stepped away with a flourish. The three boarded the warm, cozy train. Walking along the plush scarlet carpet they found three small room like compartments each with their name written in spirally gold on front of the door.

They each found a small bed, a small bathroom with a bath full of warm water waiting and a small desk in their rooms/compartments. All of them relaxed in their baths, feeling the stress and weariness seeping out of their bodies. When they were done they were surprised to see a set of new clothes on each bed waiting for them, along with a small white card.

“Dearest Passangers,

Welcome to the Caeling Express. We hope that the clothing provided will be to your liking, and will aid you further on your quest. Supper will be served promptly at 9:15 in the dining cart. Please refrain from overt noise making as there are other passengers who are going to rest. Thank you and enjoy your trip.

The Engineer”


End Chapter


So there you have it. I'm still not quite happy with it though I don;t knwo why. Maybe you guys can point out something obvious that needs work or was left out. Oh and here is the quick translations for you.

The Curse:

Before was flesh and bone, cursed be the people
Before was green(leaf) and stone, cursed be the house/lands/land of people
Be tranformed all by my words,
Into sweet bread of ginger (gingerbread)

Also the Caeling Express is pronounced "KAY-ling".

Good Night

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The sun shone down on the flowery valley. Klaus, Holly, Ivan, Bella, and Aconite rode on the bright red cart across the winding road. The golden fields bent and waved as the wind ran through them. White clouds skittered across the blue sky, and the towering castle shrank in the distance behind them.

As they neared the woods, Klaus could see all sorts of spiders and creatures waiting in the shadows. Klaus caught Aconite’s eye who gave a malicious grin as she kept riding towards the woods. Everyone else was too busy talking to notice the creatures waiting for them. As Klaus was about to warn them, Aconite placed her old withered finger on his lips, and all speech left him.

He tried opening his mouth, but he couldn’t. Holly asked him why he was so silent all of a sudden. Klaus tried pointing towards the woods, but she just tilted her head sideways in question. Klaus got up and began waving his hands pointing towards the woods, but everyone only laughed at his bazaar actions. Klaus looked worriedly at the group sitting in the bright red cart.

Then he realized something. Aconite’s cart was faded red not bright red. He reached towards the painted wood, and began rubbing at it with his finger. The paint came off, revealing glass underneath. With realization of what was going on, the world suddenly stopped. In a split second, all the color drained off the cart, the people in it, and the world around it, revealing bright, shining glass underneath all.

Klaus was not on the road home. He was in the bright white room, rubbing one of the glass walls. As he realized where he was and that he was probably asleep, his eyes opened suddenly and he sat up in the luscious bed. He was back in the guest quarters of Castle Alexander.

Getting up slowly, he walked out of his room. The large window in the stone passage showed the morning sun barely beneath the horizon, coloring the world in eerie blue light. Klaus rubbed sleep from his eyes as he continued walking. Turning around a corner, a pale hand grabbed him, covering his mouth.

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Holly tried to open the door to the throne room as quietly as possible. There in the pale morning light, illuminated by a window nearby, Queen Alexis of Alexandria sat on the cold ground within the small white chalky circle. She looked up as Holly entered wiping tears from her eyes.

“Hi there.” Holly said quietly.

Alexi only looked at her questioningly, asking why she had come with her eyes.

“I came because.” Holly looked around, “I know you are not a witch.”

Alexi stood up, quickly and urgently nodding.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come earlier, but I had to wait until the Captain stopped guarding you. He only just went to sleep after guarding you all night long. You know, he’s still devoted to you.”

Alexi’s eyes began to tear up again. She nodded in agreement, then waited for Holly to continue.

“I don’t know how to undo Aconite’s charm, but what I can do is this for now.” She said handing Alexi a blanket and pillow. “Get some rest. Later today before we leave I’m going to prove you’re innocent.”

As Holly’s hand reached across the chalk line, Alexi pulled her in the circle and spoke to her urgently.

“Holly, thank you, but I have to warn you. I know the answer to the riddle. I have been thinking about it all night. I know who the real witch is.”

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Ivan let Klaus go as he pointed towards the stairway, motioning for silence. The two crept on in the shadows. They climbed the stairway to a passage that led to a storage room. Then they followed some more passages till they came to a dead end. There, on the left side of the wall, was a small sliver of golden light. Both crammed to try and get a good view.

There were two figures in long black, hooded robes with their backs to the two. They were in a heated argument when Klaus and Ivan arrived.

“No, you may not take the girl! I have already made the necessary preparations!”

“Bhut I tink our seesters know. If, you-know-who, found out…”

“She won’t. Not until it is too late that is.”

“Yous know dat none kan hide from her silver eyes. Let mee tek da girl to Sylvania. Der ve kan perform de ritual in de voods.”

“No, we would be in Oleander’s territory, and she would betray us. She has only one mistress.”

As the conversation continued, Klaus and Ivan began fighting for a better view, trying to see the other figure. They already knew that one must be Laburnum, but the other one’s voice, while familiar, was elusive. The two figures walked out of the room, and Klaus and Ivan pushed the fireplace out of the way.

They walked into the room and looked around. Just then, the library door opened again. Klaus dove behind the large globe and Ivan behind the chair. Laburnum entered again. She looked around, taking her hood off, and as she did, the entire black robe, cape, and hood retracted back into the broach on her shawl. She was back to her normal self. She walked past Klaus who silently circled the globe.

She stood in the middle of the room, then opened the fireplace and entered, letting it slide behind her. The two came out of hiding. They tiptoed back to their room to talk about what just happened.

“So, Laburnum’s the real witch.” Klaus said pensively.

“It seems we were too quick to follow her words.” Ivan said, polishing his specs. “You know, it was so strange. I had a dream the moon came to me and told me that Alexi was innocent. Then I was in the library and I heard their conversation.”

“You’ve been having strange dreams lately too?” Klaus asked surprised.

“No, not really. This was the first. Why?” Ivan asked, sitting up.

“No reason.” Klaus said, trying to get his mind off the glass room.

Then the door slammed open and Holly ran in. Jumping on the bed with the two, she grabbed both by the collars and pulled them down secretively.

“Guys, we were wrong. Alexi is not the real witch.” She said looking around secretively. “Laburnum is!”

“We know!” Ivan said, “We just heard her talking about taking a girl, I’m guessing Alexi, to some forest place for a ritual of some kind.”

“Wait, who was she talking to?”

“We don’t know.” Klaus said, getting up off the bed. “But we have a bigger problem. What are we gong to do? Come on, we’re only three kids, against a witch. No one will believe us over her. They might even think we are accomplices.”

“So we can’t out rightly expose her.” Ivan said thoughtfully.

“Arg! Why does everything have to be so complicated!” Holly said as she began pacing the room.

“We don’t even have any allies.” Ivan observed, and just as he said it, the door opened and the Captain walked in.

“Yes you do!”

“An’ me as well.” Aconite said stepping out from behind him.

“Good, now we have to get some sort of plan ready.” Holly said urgently checking all the windows to make sure no one was eavesdropping.

As the planning commenced, the sky grew bluer and bluer by the minute. Aconite’s dove’s innocently sat by the windows keeping watch, while Burt the Imbecile guarded the door. Inside, everyone was trying to keep their voices down while at the same time trying to talk at once.

Klaus got tired of all the planning and decided to check up on Bella. He entered her room, finding her sitting on her bed talking to Silver. The dog barked softly when he entered, but remained by Bella’s side.

“You know, I still have to thank Silver.” Klaus said talking softly. “Silver led me to you tonight.”

“I know.” Bella said petting the dog’s golden hair. “She told me all about it.”

“Did she now?” He smiled sitting down next to Bella.

“Yip. She told me how she had to change herself into a giant with seven arms to tear the door down and knock the guards out.”

“Oh I see. And then what.”

“She wasn’t finished telling me yet.” Bella said pointedly. “She was just getting to the good part about the glass room and the white light.”

“Wait, what?” Klaus asked taken completely off guard.

But before he could ask anything else, Holly and Ivan entered the room and told him they had a plan. He followed, looking back to Bella and Silver. He smiled a reassuring smile, but below the front he was confused. How could she have known?

><><><><><><><><><

“So the plan is simple. Well, actually the plans are simple. But we have to time everything perfectly.” Holly said, addressing her troops like a real general.

“Um, why don’t we just do what we did with Alexi?” Klaus asked confused.

“Well, we have lost the element of surprise. She knows that Aconite’s powers are not just for healing, but that they are also containment.”

“Af’re las nights perform’ce, she’l most likely b’ wearn’ a r’flective charm.” Aconite explained.

“If Aconite tries to trap her, the charm will reverse on Aconite.” Ivan explained.

“So, instead we have to disarm her manual.” Holly said, motioning to Ivan.

“Okay. So, this is Laburnum’s ring.” Ivan said holding up the book for all to see the illustration. “According to this, it is her main source of power, or something like that. The wording of the book was somewhat vague.”

“If we destroy the ring, she will be defenseless.” Holly said stepping up. “But to destroy the ring it has to be cast into boiling water. So, the plan will consist of three teams. One team, headed by Ivan will be outside manning large cauldrons of boiling water under the pretense of it being laundry day.

The second team will be led by myself and Aconite. Its purpose will be to draw her attention and hopefully buy enough time for the third team to get the ring off her finger using the trap door above her. Captain, you will be leading that team. Alright, any questions?”

“Um. Yeah. I have a question.” Burt said raising his hand. “What happens if the plan doesn’t work?”

“That is not an option.” Holly said with resolution. “The witch must be stopped. No one will be safe as long as she is free.”

With that thought, everyone left to prepare for their parts in the plan. Ivan beckoned Holly, Klaus, and Aconite over after everyone else had left. They shut the door tight then had a whispered conference.

“Burt made a good point.” Ivan said. “We need a back up plan.”

“We don’t have time!” Holly said irritably.

“I might have one.” Klaus said speaking up. “If worst comes to worst, we need to protect Bella and the other defenseless people in the castle.”

“We can evacuate the servants through the tunnels to the flower fields.” Holly said.

“An’ I can keep yon young un’ safe with me. If yer plan should fail, I shall transport us to m’ home in the Republic of Koal.” Aconite said. “Once ever’ting settles douwn, meet meh dar.”

“That sounds good.” Klaus said. “So, which team am I with?”

><><><><><><><><><

Laburnum entered the half lit hall. The Queen was standing indignantly within the chalk circle, clutching her blanket and pillow to her face. The haggard laugh filled the vaulted ceiling as the real witch approached the young girl.

“Hahaha! So, yous now da trooth, ya? Hehehe, yous is very klefer girl, but not enough!” The witch cackled.

The Queen could only look daggers at her betrayer. For years the nurse had tended her, had watched after her, had been her most trusted and most loved advisor. She had been like Alexi’s mother. But know Alexi saw her for who she really was. She had been using her, and while it hurt, it also filled her with anger. She clutched the blanket harder, her knuckled turning white.

“Hehe, you knows vhat. I knew dat you vould see de trooth vhen da boy spoke. Dat you knows da ancient verse he quoted from da kastil’s loolabys speek of da queen’s nurse. For many yeers I half vaited for dis moment. To reveal my troo self.”

With a touch of her hand, the magic broach on her shawl caused her entire frame to seemingly begin to expand. Cloth rippled like it was made from water, and her face twisted and contorted until with a final shake of her head she had transformed herself into her true form.

She was always a very large and imposing woman, but now she had grown extremely obese. A large dark unibrow ran across her forehead, her nose swelled into a wide button nose, and a large mole had popped up on her upper lip. Three brown hairs sprouted from it one after another. She wore her dark brown hair in two hair buns on either side of her head. On her finger was a ring with a red and white swirled enamel amulet.

“Vhel, vhat do you tink?” She laughed and snorted as she said. “Vhat, da princess is speechless?”

><><><><><><><><><

The three teams were ready. Klaus shifted in the dark, bumping into the Captain. They were squished inside of the small chute leading down to the main room. They were all carrying extra weapons to toss to the others, but hopefully that wouldn’t be necessary. Hopefully, Klaus would be able to grab the ring first, and if he failed, the Captain could just slice it off.

They sat in the silnce and waited. Klaus’ mind began to wander. The room. The light. The voices. What did it all mean? Why was this happening? Should he tell anyone, or would they just think he was crazy? The oppressive darkness seemed to be heavy with doubt as they waited.

><><><><><><><><><

The boiling water sent columns of steam up into the sky. The various servants had been sent away through the secret tunnel in the prison. Now, several embarrassed soldiers were dressed up as maids pretending to do washing. At least three had already burnt themselves on the water. Ivan rolled his eyes as he looked to the cool, dark doors, that seemed so peaceful in the morning sun, but that were ready to burst forth with furry at any second.

He sighed as he watched the sun line move across the building starting at the roof. When it hit the top lancet windows, it would color the entire hallway with brilliant red light. That would be the signal for the ones hidden in the shaft to attack. Then it would be their part. Even if Klaus got the ring it would be pointless if they didn’t destroy it before Laburnum got it back. But that was all easier said than done.

Ivan wished it had all passed. That he was back, sitting in the huge library enjoying the History of Alexandrian Magic. But then again, he though, it was because he read it that they were in this mess now. The sun kept lowering almost touching the windows. It would soon be time.

><><><><><><><><><

Holly watched the shadows as they became shorter and shorter. The edge was on, but it was a good edge. The kind that reminded any old soldier that they were still alive, still kicking. The adrenaline threatened to enter her veins but she resisted the urge to let it. If she let it take her now, she would not think clear enough to make sure everything went as planned. They had to make sure the distraction was convincing.

Laburnum would be expecting some sort of trap. She had probably spotted the look in Holly’s eyes. Now would be their only chance. Laburnum had to be stopped. Something deep inside Holly told her that this must be the one they called the Bavarian Witch and if she was then that made the entire situation much more dangerous. The shadow reached the center line of the courtyard, signaling the tme had come. Holly nodded to Aconite.

><><><><><><><><><

“Vhel, yous friends are sleeping soundly. Soon, dey too vil realize der mistek and vhil come to rescue you. Den, dey vhil all pay. Yous may remember, a long tem ago vhen you learnt aboot da Bavarian Witch. Vhel, I am herr!” The witch cackled as she snorted and gloated. “Yoor friends vhil all dies!”

“No!” Alexi yelled, stepping out of the circle, drawing her sword from inside of the blanket.

“Vhat! How is dis possible!” Laburnum asked confused, backing off.

“You are the one who will die this day witch!” Alexi said walking forward furiously.

“Ha, you stink dat leetle sword vhil help yous?” The witch snorted.

“No, they will.” She said motioning to her friends behind the witch.

“Alexis are you alright?” Holly called.

“Stay back everyone. She is the Bavarian witch!” Alexis called urgently.

“Dat is right! Yous half all herd about my rath, but today you vhil feel it!”

She pointed her stubby little finger and began muttering, when Aconite stepped forward holding her staff. The other witch smiled shaking her head as if to reprove Aconite for interfering. Then she raised her hand and shouted,

“Torspel!”

From her finger shot a beam of orange light that collided with what appeared to be an invisible barrier, turning into a brown material that crumbled away. Aconite raised her staff and shot a beam of white magic at Laburnum. But instead of hitting her it seemed to hit some sort of liquid and then bounced back at Aconite and the group, who all barely dove out of the way, Aconite disappearing and reappearing to the left of the group.

“Ha, did yous tek me for a fool? I hav my protektif barrier on!” Laburnum called in triumph.

“Protect this!” Holly yelled throwing a javelin at the witch. Labrunum simply stepped back, allowing it to glance of the stone in front of her. Behind Holly, a swarm of dove flew in and began to circle the room like a giant horde. Laburnum waved her hands like a conductor cackling as each dove she pointed fell to the ground a brown statue that broke into pieces on contact.

“Holly, I’ve to call ‘em back!” Aconite yelled over the noise.

“That’s fine, we’ve almost got her where we want her.” Holly called back.

Alexis had been circling trying to get a good opening. The chance came and she lunged forward. The witch however had anticipated the move and immediately countered with an orange glowing sword that sent sparks flying each time it made contact with Alexis’ sword. The two continued on as Holly also grabbed her sword and joined the fray. By now Laburnum was fighting with a sword in each hand. She was surprisingly fast for such a large woman.

“Ha, you seem surpised. Did you stink you ver de only good schordsman?” She taunted as she countered an incoming ball of white magic from Aconite.

Then she seemed to suddenly grow tired of the entire ordeal and popping her grotesquely thick neck and cracking her stubby fingers she brought both hands in, dissipating the swords, and then sent both open palmed out towards the two swordswomen. As she did this a wall of magic flew out of both hands towards the unsuspecting girls. They were thrown against the walls of the room.

“Ye shall leave dem young ‘un alone. Do ya hear me Laburnum! Yew hav disgraced all magick with your afron’try!” Aconite said, swinging her cane at Laburnum, who countered with her ring.

“Yous half not learnt how too fight a reel vitch yet half you?” Laburnum laugh as she suddenly turned her hands, inverting Aconite and levitating her above the ground upside down.

“An’ neither have’ yew!” Shouted Aconite as she righted herself, turning Laburnum, and throwing her through the air onto the designed spot.

“Now!” She called as her doves flew against the roof beating their wings on the trap door.

><><><><><><><><><

That was the signal. It was the right hour. The sun was in the right position and the shadow had already passed its mark. The Captain order all the weapons readied and then pulled on the latch. The problem was that it only raised an inch then fell back. It was the right time and the right moment and they had gotten the signal. And they were stuck in the shaft. Klaus shook his head in disgust as he watched the Captain try to lever the door open with three of his men and a spear in the confined space. He could hardly bare to imagine what it must look like from below.

><><><><><><><><><

The entire battle had stopped. Laburnum, Holly, Alexis, Aconite, and all her doves stared at the ceiling, where the trapdoor was being nicely outlined by the dust and dirt that was falling between the cracks as someone was obviously trying to open it while standing on it at the same time. Holly held her head as she tried to channel her anger at Laburnum.

“Those idiots.” Was all she could say.

“So, yous tought you could be tricky?” She said shaking her head, causing her massive triple chins to sway like overfilled watersacks.

The next instant Silver ran in, followed by Bella. The girl caught up to the dog that was barking at the witch, and threw her arms around Silver’s neck. Laburnum’s eyes seemed to light up when she saw Bella. Raising her ring she sent a beam of the magic right at Bella and the dog. There was a large explosion and on the spot that they stood was only a blackened bow, like the ones on Bella’s dress.

Old Chapters 3 + 4

Bella was escorted through the huge castle by the two elderly gentlemen and four soldiers dressed in red uniforms and tall black hats, carrying long curving swords. They walked through the main courtyard, and up the large flight of stairs leading to the main throne room. As they stood before the doors, the two gentlemen looked at one another, than rapped on the door three times in unison.

“Enter!” A distant voice called from inside.

The two great white doors, studded with red jewels opened slowly. Inside Bella could barely believe her eyes. There were candies and lollipops as big as trees everywhere. She was led to a large and ornate table that stretched for what seemed like forever, but that was only set for two. She sat at one end, and squinted to try and see the other end.

“Where is the girl!” The voice asked irritably.

“Your Majesty, she is here at the other end of the table…do you wish her to enter your presence?” One of the gentlemen asked nervously.

“Well, if I didn’t I wouldn’t have invited her! Bring her here!” Came the reply.

Bella rose from her seat and walked over to the other end of the table. She was so hungry looking at all the sweets and treats that adorned the room. She walked and she walked down the long room following the table. Eventually she started to make out the other end. There was a huge canopy that had silk curtains hanging down. Sitting underneath the curtains was a girl, about Bella’s age, with a purple dress and purple ribbons in her black hair. She had a diamond necklace and crown on her head and looked very regal.

“You may leave us..”She said, then looking at the gaurds onher sides, “..that means you too!”

When all had evaquated the hall, she turned to Bella and smiled. Snading up from her small golden throne, she walked out from under her canopy and sat down next to Bella.

“So whats your name?” She asked, her voice notticebly sweeter and higher.

“My names Bella. Are you Queen Alexandra?” The young girl asked.

“Yes, but you may call me Alexi. I had you brought here to be my official friend.” Alexi said smiling even bigger, “We can be best friends in the whole world.”

“Okay!” Bella said, followed by a growl from her stomach.

“Oh! You must be hungry!” Alexi said, “Here have some tea and cake.”

Alexi clapped her hands, and several plates with cake in them appeared, along with two tea cups with sweet tea in them. She and Bella ate the cake and drank the tea as she told Bella about Pastri, the Kingdom she was in.

“Well, the kingdom is bordered by the Great Woods on one side and the Ocean of Ice on the other three sides.” Alexi spoke with cake in her mouth, “So it makes it easy to rule. See, no one could ever really attack us because we are surrounded by the sea.”

“So why are you Queen if you are so young?” Bella asked sipping from her cup.

“Well, when I was still a baby my parents went into the Great Woods and were turned into statues.” Alexi said, gulping down some tea. “But luckily I had Yagba my nurse to raise me. She is the one who taught me to summon tea and cake like that.”

“So,” Bella asked, pausing to think of the right words, “…she knows magic?”

“Yes,” Alexi answered enthusiastically, “But she’s not a witch. She’s one of the Woodland Elves.”

“Oh, so why can’t she turn your parents back then?” Bella asked.

“She doesn’t know that much magic…and even then she couldn’t go back in the woods. The other elves hate her because she taught me their secrets.”

The conversation then turned to unimportant matters as the two girls kept talking for hours. Later, they went outside and played in the garden until Alexi was called by one of the gentlemen to take care of some official business. As she left, Bella was escorted back to her room. On her way up the stairs, she saw a dark figure peeking out from one of the side doors.

~~~~~~~~

The three were still running when they came upon a path winding through the hills. They followed it, the going much smoother on the broad, even road. According to their map, it would lead them to the Castle. The plan so far was not much.

“So let me get this straight,” Klaus said, going over what they had so far. “Ivan, you are going to scout out the west side of the castle, Holly the east, looking for a way in. Meanwhile, I’m suppose to distract any soldiers we may encounter. Don’t you think we should be a bit more specific?”

“Well, we don’t have anything else, other than the rough sketch of the parameter on the map to go on.” Ivan said as they stopped for a few seconds to catch their breath.

“I like the plan.” Holly said, looking off towards the distance. “Its simple. Its flexible. Most importantly, it can work. That’s if we all do our parts.”

“What about once we are inside?” Klaus asked as they started running again.

“Well…” Ivan’s voice trailed off.

“We would make our way to the largest room. It would probably be a throne room right? Well, that’s were the witch will be and I’m pretty sure that’s where we will find Bella.” Holly said off handedly as she suddenly started curving off the path to the bushes.

“Yeah that’s what I was implying.” Ivan said, noticing her course change. “Its perfectly logical tha-”

He was interrupted by Klaus’ body being shoved against him by Holly, who pushed them all of the road and into the bushes. After a few seconds, Ivan opened his mouth to ask what, but Holly’s vice like grip covered his mouth. He had never realized how strong Holly was, but now that his jaw was being crushed against his skull he did.

A cart rattled up slowly on the road. It was old, weather worn, and had at one point been painted red, though it was so faded and chipped one could barely tell. The harness hung in the air in front of the cart as if on some invisible horse’s back. At the reigns was an old woman with long unkept white hair and a long white robe. She was thin and gaunt with big red hoop earrings hanging from her long earlobes. Her face was so wrinkled that her lips weren’t even there any more, and instead her mouth was bordered by many long lines.

“Ye three young uns in yon bushes best be gettin’ out o’ thee mod. I knows thine hiding place well, an’ sure as nought ‘ul be ate alive by yon ‘squeeters.” She said in an old sounding voice, turning her milky blind eyes towards them.

They rose slowly, Klaus and Ivan still flustered from getting shoved into the mud. Holly walked up to the path and spoke, “Thank you marm. We are travelers… and we know that not everyone on the rode is friendly.”

The old lady found this hilarious, and while she had herself a good, haggard laugh, Holly quickly pointed at the letter from the elves, specifically at the word ‘witch’.

“My der.” Said the witch, smiling as if she knew what Holly had done, “ye ar right ‘bout that. Not all ar friends, but some may turn ot to be ‘n time.”

“I am Klaus, this is Ivan and Holly, we seek the Castle of the Bavarian Witch.” Klaus said speaking up.

The old woman smiled, then looking in Holly’s direction said, “I can sense that thou has mad contact wit the Woodland Elves. So ye probly knowth that I be a witch. Donest theou be alarmed, for I be a white witch. I do specialize in protective, curative, and transportive magiks alone. I lev the tricky thungs and curses up to the dark ord’r.”

Ivan and Klaus seemed to relax more at this statement, but Holly seemed even more tense. The three walked along with the witch, who called herself Maydle. The conversation was dull for the most part, with Maydle trying to find out more about their quest. However, with Holly’s insistence they didn’t divulge anymore of their stories.

“So Maydle how far is it to the Castle?” Klaus asked, as they came to a cross roads.

“Well, if ye follow yon path, the on thine elvish frinds marked for thee, we shall rech it by let afternon. However, the path is watched, and hath many of her servants guarding it. The capturing all who take the rod. Thats why I never do.” She said pausing.

“Is there another way?” Klaus asked, looking up the other path.

“Wiel, ye can trav’l with me. But, be f’rwarned, thee journey, tis two days. We would hav te stop fur de night.” She said smiling, showing her three teeth.

Reluctantly they accepted her offer and set our on the other path. Up the road the elves had recommended and over the next two hills was the castle they had been seeking.

~~~~~~~~

Bella was having the time of her life. Anything she wanted was hers in an instant. Not just that but she had a new friend who was her age, something she had never had growing up in her village. But in all the perfection, there seemed to be something wrong. Everything was just a bit too perfect.

When Alexi had gone to take care of some government matter, Bella snuck down to the stables to see silver. The small Labrador was excited to see her, but as soon as she let Silver out of the stables the dog ran for the Castle. Bella chased after. As she followed the dogthrough the castle she let her thoughts be known.

“Silver, I think there is something going on that no one is telling me. I don’t know why I feel like this but I think that there is something we are suppose to do here.”

They kept going deeper and further into the castle till they came to a large room. As soon as Bella stepped inside after Silver, the torches on the sides magically lit. A crow cawed and flew across the large room, the walls of which was covered with shelves of books.

Silver ran across the expensive looking carpet, stepping on a hand design on it. The far wall started sliding over, revealing a secret passage. Silver ran in and Bella as usual followed. There were stairs that went down and led to a large room full of paintings leaning against one another.

Bella turned when she heard the wall slide back and saw the torches go out. She was in the pitch darkness and didn’t know how to get out. Silver made a howling noise and suddenly the tip of the dog’s tail started glowing a strange white light, like a firefly had landed on it.


“Wow! How did you do that?” Bella asked the dog, who just barked back at her happily, “Are you magical? I knew it! I knew when I saw you that you were special! So what else can you do?”

The dog didn’t respond, and so Bella amused herself by exploring the many paintings. There were some that looked like paintings of royalty, probably Alexi’s family and ancestors. There were others of buildings and animals and creatures that Bella ahd never seen before. While she was still busy looking at some, she heard voices from the library.

“…if we are to positively identify her.”

“I know we have to be sure. Look here is the book that describes her.”

“mmm…brunette hair…blue eyes…and a birthmark on her left shoulder shaped like a star…this is it!”

“Okay, lets make sure. She won’t be happy if this is a wrong girl.”

“Alright, lets check the portrait.”

Bella heard them scuffle around trying to find the right spot on the carpet. Silver pulled her behind a stack of painting she had not looked at yet, and then the dogs tail stopped glowing and all went dark. After a few seconds light came in through the sliding wall.

It was the two gentlemen she had met previously. They walked down the steppes and stopped. She thought they might start looking around too but instead she found out otherwise.

“Alright so it’s an enchanted painting right?” The one asked.

”That’s right, we should be able to summon it.” The other one said.

“Well lets see.” He said clearing his throat. “We seek the painting named ‘The Two Daughters of King Nicholas XII’.”

Immediately a painting of two babies next to Bella started rattling and then glided over to the two. The second one checked the name at the bottom to be sure. Then he motioned to the other gentleman to say the words.

“Painting. Please age the picture 8 years.”

It started glowing and when it stopped the two leaned in to get a good look. They both smiled, then placed the picture against another canvas. They walked up the stairs, and tapped the wall three times. It slid open and then close again. A few minutes later Bella came out of her hiding place and Silver’s tale was glowing again.

She was glad that she knew how to get out know. As she opened the door, her curiosity got the best of her and she went to see what the two had been looking at. She picked it up and held it to the light. On the painting, the two babies had aged to age nine. The left most one looked like Alexi. But it was the right most one that shocked Bella, because the other princess was herself.


~~~~~~~~

The caravan walked all day long along the path. Holly had been silently letting Ivan and Klaus know her fears concerning Maydle as they marched on. She had pointed out the moss on the stones along the way and how they showed that the groups was really going in a large loop. Klaus and Ivan didn’t seem too worried.

As they pitched camp for the night, the boys gladly excepted Maydle’s offer of some sleeping bags. Holly refused, saying that she preferred sleeping on th eground. But really, she didn’t trust the old hag. As everyone’s eyes began to droop shut, Holly pretended to go to sleep.

Several hours later, everyone was firmly asleep. Maydle stirred from on top of the wagon. She took some hobbled steps towards Klaus, and reached in her robe. She pulled out a menacing dagger and razed it. Suddenly she felt a blade against her own neck.

“So, ye ar whetI took thee to be?” She said her eyes turing to Holly.

“That’s enough of that! Don’t even look at me. I know about your ways. I know how you laced those sleeping bags with sleeping potion, and how you can turn me to stone by staring at me with your real eyes!” Holly said, raising the witch up from the ground.

“Well, you do know more then I thought,” The witch said, her voice no longer concealed by her fake accent, “but I would have thought that you would then know better than to step within one of my enchanted circles!”

Holly’s eyes went wide with fear as she looked down and realized she was indeed standing in a withcling trap. It was a simple circle draw in the dirt, but it had been drawn with the witch’s magic cane, which made it enchanted. Holly should have known better.

“Hehehe! You can’t harm me know! And you can’t leave the circle either until someone outside of it pulls you out!” She said grinning maliciously, “Now to take care of your friend.”

“Klaus! Wake up!” Holly yelled, but her words couldn’t leave the circle either.

Maydle kept getting closer to Klaus with the knife. As she raised it once more, there was a distant noise heard from up ahead of the path. It sounded like wind chimbs being battered in a storm. It was the witch’s turn to be filled with fear. She started scampering towards her wagon, but then realizing that it wouldn’t go fast enough.

She pulled her cane from her robe and drew a line in the path, muttering as she went. Holly had slumped down and uttered a silent prayer for her companions. As she gased up the path she saw what looked like a mass of fireflies caught in a tornado.

“Faeries!” she said, with a shudder.

Maydle had drawn another enchanted circle around herself and smiled wickedly at Holly. They were both safe inside the circles, because fearies dared not cross the lines. But Klaus and Ivan were still in danger, and the fearies were coming closer.

~~~~~~~~

Ye Olden Storie

So today I was looking around my computer when I came across the original first four chapters of my story. I wrote these almost six months ago. They are very diffrent from the ones I haev now, so I thought I'd post the first two chapters for a comparison. Oh, and don't worry, chapter five is almost done. :)

Book I:
Seeking the Lost Sister

The pale moon hung over the clouded sky. The wind blew fiercely over the tops of the viridian trees, causing their branches to sway and evergreen needles to scratch faintly against one another. The needles made an erie whispering noise, as if the trees were speaking. That's because the trees were. The wind picked up speed, wistleing between branches, and the whisper turned into a moan. The forest was crying out. Down between the massive brown columns, deer and other small animals fled, while birds took to the skies to get away from the forest. They could sense what was coming. The two figures running with the bundle however could not. All they heard was the pounding of their hearts as they raced to get out of the forest, the moan of the trees striking fear into their souls. As they reached the edge, they stepped into the grassy field, nearly getting knocked over by the fierce gusts, and accidentally dropped the treasure they were carrying. Branches broke, and the forest roared with rage as the two figures stared at the bundle, which has started to glow. The forest suddenly seemed darker, thicker, angrier. Lightning streaked the sky, and rain started pelting down. The two ran away, not waiting to see what happened to the treasure they has dropped.

~~~~~~~~


"Bella!"

"Bella! Where are you!" The cry rang out and echoed back over the small village.

The upset old woman, dressed in big billowing black dress and wearing a clean white apron walked down the windy main street of the village of St. Sherone. The small village of about forty-five people was at the foot of the great Northern Most Alps. On one side were the rolling mountain hills. On the other were the river Djag and the open fields, were a few families raised wheat and turnips. However, the woman was too tired to take in the serene surroundings as she called for her granddaughter.

"Bella! You have to come bath! Now!" She said as she walked past the bakery.

"Hello, Gran Helda." Called Franz the Baker, "Looking for Bella again?"

"Yes Franz, have you seen that little rapscallion today? She's hiding from me again." Said the cross grandmother.

"Well, no actually, but I bet either Ivan or Holly has." Franz said, pointing to the mountain.

"All I know," Said Gran Helda," is that she better not be playing up in those heard lands again. She knows she's not old enough to be up there yet!"

Grandma Helda briskly bustled up the mountain path that led to the heard land. The winding path went up through the foothills, to the top platue of teh mountain. There, huge fields of yellowed grass and the occasional wildflower bush spread out across teh face of the mountain. Clustered in one place was a large black blotch, which was the herds of black goats grazing on the foliage. A stone's throw away, three figures lay in teh grass, watching the clouds slowly move across the blue sky.

"Ivan, look that one looks like a goose!" Said the red haired girl.

"Oh, I see it." Said the boy with the black hair parted at the side," Look at that one, it looks like a giant..."

"Tree?" Asked the other boy with the dark brown curly hair.

"That’s the one Klaus!" Ivan said, polishing his glasses on his grey sweater, "A cumulus if I'm not mistaken."

The girl rolled her green eyes and turned back onto her stomach, resting her head on her elbows. "I am done with cloud watching, how about you two?"

"Holly, we've only been doing it for an hour." Said Klaus, rolling over, not caring about getting his grey sweater dirty.

"Yeah, I know, but we do it every day! Don't you guys want to do something exciting! Like go rafting down the river, or explore the Black Fo..."

"Don't even say it! Do you want to bring us all bad luck!" Said Ivan fiercely, sitting up in the grass.

"What, you believe all those old wives stories about the woods?" Holly asked mockingly with a grin, picking grass from her pale green dress.

"Its been proven over and over again that the woods are cursed, that’s why we don't talk about them!" Ivan said, turning away, polishing his spectacles again.

"Ha! I'll prove that the Black Forest isn't cur..."

"Holly! Ivan! Klaus! Where are you!" Gran Helda's voice rang over the field.

"Now look what you've done!" Ivan said crossly, pointing at the distant figure as he got up.

"Don't be silly! Gran Helda didn't come up here just because I called the woods by its name." Holly said indignantly, getting up too.

Before they could argue more, Gran Helda arrived huffing and puffing.

"Oh dear! Saints preserve us but I'm not as young as I use to be!” She said as she caught her breath.

"What is it?" Klaus asked getting up slowly from his spot on the grass.

"Oh Klaus! Your sister Bella's gone missing again! You haven't seen her by any chance have you?"

The three shook their heads but agreed to help search for the missing child. They brought the herd back down early, letting them eat in the field instead, as they went looking for the little one in all teh usual places. Holly checked Mrs. Wikkerschtein's large woven baskets. Ivan checked the tree house by the river. But no luck. Klaus was walking up the road, trying to think like his little sis, when something caught his eye. It was a red ribbon in a bush at the top of the street...that led into the Black Forest.

"She wouldn't..." he groaned, as he started up the path to the woods.

As he walked, Ivan and Holly came running up, followed shortly by Gran Helda. She was about to ask where Klaus was when she saw the two staring at the trail, with Klaus reaching the entrance to the woods. The whole village had stopped working and were looking up at the forest. They knew what it meant of the little one went in there. None who entered ever returned. No one would follow her in. None dared.

"Puppy, puppy, puppy. I have a pwetty puppy." Came the sing song voice.

All the heads turned to the small figure walking up from the bakery. She would have looked like a small girl, about 6 or 7, with brunette ponytails and a faded pink dress, if she wasn't covered in dough. Gran Helda shot Franz a dirty look, who simply raised his shoulders in innocence, before she ran to the small girl. Her face was a mixture of anger and relief as she went on.

"Oh Bella, my sweet Bella. Why have you been so naughty! Letting Gran think you were gone! But it doesn't matter now that your back! But next time you'll be in big trouble...."

Before she could finish, a bark came from behind Bella's dress. A small golden Labrador peaked out behind the faded pink, whining for food. Bella picked the puppy up none too gently and held him up as her prize for all to behold.

"Look! I gots a puppy! His name is Silver, cause he had this around his neck when I found him." She said as she put him down and pulled something out of her pocket.

She held up a silver chain with a flat stone in the middle. Ivan took the stone and examined it while Holly started rubbing Silver's belly. Klaus interrogated his little sister about the puppy.

"Where'd you find him?"

"By the river. Silver swam right up to the bank and got out."

"Why were you hiding in the bakery?"

"I was warming Silver by the ovens cause my dog was wet silly."

"Wha-" But before Klaus could continue, Ivan called him over.

"Look at this! This is exquisite. This is no rock my friend!" Ivan said with a twinkle in his eye," This is a piece of petrified wood. It's one of nature's rarest miracles, and for the dog to have had this around its neck must mean it belongs to someone important."

"Oh...the poor puppy is all skin and bones! It must have been missing for a while. Here lets go get it some hot food." Holly said leading the dog to their house.

"I wanna feed my puppy!" Bella said, but was briskly carried off to her bath, crying, " Silver save me! They're trying to drown me with soap!"

As Klaus watched Holly feeding Silver, and Ivan examining the petrified wood, he felt slightly strange. He'd never come that close to the woods before, and having stood at the very edge gave him butterflies in his stomach. Just thinking about it made him feel dizzy and he sat down. Silver ran up to him, and placed its head on Klaus' leg, looking up at him with a knowing look. Even though it was only an hour before sunset, Klaus felt his eye lids grow heavy, and sleep enclosed him.

~~~~~~~~

There was bright green light everywhere. From somewhere in the green mists, Klaus heard a voice calling him. He turned to the voice but all he could see was the blinding green light. The voice called him again, this time louder.

"Klaus..." It was soft and loud at the same time.

"Who are you!" Klaus called back.

"Klaus...you must follow...."

"Follow? Follow what? What do you want me to follow?" Klaus asked confused.

"When the time comes...you must follow...you must follow her..." It spoke with authority.

"Who? Who are you?" Klaus yelled at the voice, "Who am I suppose to follow?"

"You must follow her...she will guide you to your destiny..." It spoke with urgency.

"Klaus!" Ivan's voice cut through the dream.

Klaus open his eye, blinking at the darkness. It was night, and a sickle moon hung in the clear sky. Ivan was running towards him, while several villagers came out of their homes in their night robes, confused looks on their faces.

"Klaus! You have to come quick! It's Bella!" Ivan yelled, scampering up the steep path on all fours.

"Not again! What has she done this time?" Klaus asked annoyed.

"She went into the Black Forest!" Ivan stammered, his eyes wide with fear.

~~~~~~~~

Holly was standing at the entrance of the woods with a torch in her hand, calling after Bella when they got there. She quickly explained to Klaus the situation. Apparently after Klaus had fallen asleep under the big tree next to his house, they had left him and eventually went to bed. In the middle of the night, Silver started barking, waking Holly and Bella. Holly looked out her window and saw Silver dashing up the main road heading straight for the woods. When she and Ivan came running out they were just in time to see Bella run after Silver into the Black Forest. Klaus stood there, staring at the path that led into the darkness. What could he do? No one ever returned from the forest.

"Klaus!" Holly said irritated, "Come on! We have to follow her! Maybe she isn't too far in and we can save her before its too late!"

"Are you crazy Holly?" Ivan said angrily, "We can't go in there! Bella is gone...forever!"

Holly looked at Klaus pleadingly. Klaus was thinking, but before he could make up his mind, Holly said, "Fine! You two can stay here! I'm going after her!"

As Holly ran into the woods, Klaus remembered the voice in the dream. He looked at Ivan, who was holding their lantern, and Ivan knew what he was going to say.

"Fine! But don't say I didn't warn you!" Ivan said, wrapping his scarf once more around his neck.

"Thanks Ivan. If we're going to find our way back, we'll need your knowledge." Klaus said as he and Ivan stepped into the forest.

"You sure will! Not that we'll ever find our way out again! But still, at least I know about the..."

Before he could finish, suddenly several vines dropped down and grabbed them around the waists, pulling them up into the trees.

"What were you saying?" Klaus yelled, as the vine started gripping them both harder and passing them from one vine to the next deeper into the forest.

~~~~~~~~

Bella was lost. She had caught up with Silver just as she entered the woods, but now she was scared, and tired, and lost. Silver seemed to know where they were going. The dog kept running, following a path that only it could see. Bella stopped, her eyes starting to close on their own. Silver stopped when the dog felt Bella's hand slip of its back. Through her half open eyes, Bella saw a glowing light, and then felt strong arms pick her up and put her on what felt like a horse. She fell asleep to the sound of the heavy breathing of the animal.

~~~~~~~~

Holly was still looking for Bella's trail. At first it had been easy to see, the flat grass, the footprints on the moss, and the white of the broken braches. But then it had suddenly vanished. She felt like she was going round in circles when she heard a muffled grunt. She looked around but saw nothing. There it was again! The sound seemed to be coming from two trees. As she got closer, she realized they weren't trees but two people covered in vines. Taking a long tree branch she swung it hard and accurate, cutting the vines off from the ground. The two figures struggled loose, and soon the familiar bushy brown hair and large round spectacles revealed the identity of the two "trees".

"What are you guys doing here?" She asked hotly.

"We decided to follow you." Ivan said. "We figured you would need our help."

"Me? Need your help?" Holly asked with a grin. " It seems to me that I'm the one doing the helping."

"Right." Klaus said sheepishly, "And thanks. So have you found Bella?"

"No, I lost her trail." Holly said pointing the way she came.

"I suggest we continue the conversation somewhere else." Ivan said getting up fast.

"Why?" Klaus and Holly asked simultaneously.

"Because the vines are reconnecting!" Ivan yelled, as he pointed at the squirming mass of tangled shrubbery.

The three started running briskly through the forest, going up rocks and down ravines, dodging between large brown trees, all the while looking for a sign of Bella. As they ran Ivan explained the forest to them.

"The forest is not something to take lightly. Step on a sapling, and you will turn to stone. Disturb the forest and it may turn you into a tree. There are many reasons why people never make it out of the forest. The most common reason why no one ever returns is the carnivori. They are the vines we saw back there, and they eat only human flesh. Luckily that wasn’t a full grown one."

“But if no one ever makes it out, how do you know so much about it?” Holly asked ducking below a low hanging branch.

“Well, last year when I apprenticed in Vale Abbey, I met an old hermit by the woods. He said he had gone in and talked with the Feyfolk, a race of creatures that live in the woods. He studied with them for a while and learned all their knowledge before returning to the Abbey.”

“And you believed this nonsense about Feyfolk?” Klaus asked skeptically as they splashed through a shallow stream.

“Well, they may have called him Geoffrey the Mad, but he’s been surprisingly accurate up till know.” Ivan said as they climbed over a large fallen tree across a ravine.

As they rounded a large boulder, they found one of the red ribbons on Bella's dress. By it they found strange tracks in the moss, like some kind of giant animal tracks. They continued for hours, running and following the tracks. They didn’t talk anymore as they realized that there was something big that was after Bella.

~~~~~~~~

Bella’s eyes opened to the sound of running water. She was lying on course gravel next to a stream. On the bank was a large dark figure, but the night was too black and trees too dense for her to see what it was. It turned and saw that she was awake, then spoke in a soft and motherly tone.

“Bella. Bella. You should not be awake yet little one. Go to sleep Bella, for we still have a long journey to make before we reach the other side of the woods. Go to sleep little one and dream of sweet smelling flowers and talking trees. Sleep. Sleep.”

Bella’s eyes dropped shut to the mesmerizing voice. The figure walked closer, revealing herself to be a giant gray wolf with deep golden eyes. She picked Bella up. And placed her on the warm, soft, back. The wolf started off at a face pace run, jumping over boulders and logs like a jackrabbit. Soon, there was no trace that the two had ever been there. No trace except for the red ribbon lying next to the stream.

~~~~~~~~

The exhausted trio stumbled into the clearing, completely focused on the large tracks leading them on. The air was nippy with cold, and the advent of dawn colored the whole world with a strange and ethereal blue light. As they kept walking, Klaus thought he heard giggles echoed around them. He was so fatigued that it didn’t quite register in his mind. He was using all his energy to keep his eyes open, and then he heard the song.

It was like an angel’s voice, high, sweet, and distant, almost faded away. It poured into his soul like warm milk, lulling him to sleep. He knew his knees fell to the ground, but he was so captivated by the song, he didn’t feel it. In the corner of his eye, he saw Ivan collapse on his face, and Holly lie down slowly against a tree.

“Lets take a quick rest. We can continue in a little bit.” Her voice sounded far away and different than usual.

Klaus’s eyes closed, the last thing he saw was a figure dressed in long flowing green robes walking out of the woods before them.

~~~~~~~~

The sound of chirping birds called Ivan from his dreams. He smelled smoke and something like roasted beets. He opened an eye and was greeted by the sun shining over the tops of the distant trees. Klaus was still asleep across from him, and Holly was poking something in the fire.

“Hmm. Something smells good.” He mumbled sleepily.

“Morning!” Holly said with a smile. “ How do you like your dandelion root?”

Ivan made a face, then sat up and took in his surroundings. They were literally out of the woods, in the clear barren field of red dirt. Here and there were patches of green grass and white snow. Behind them lay the Black Forest, which did not look nearly as black or scary as it had the night before, and before them stretched open country as far as the eye could see.

“Where are we?” Ivan asked getting up.

“I’ll explain once Klaus is up too. We were put under an enchanted sleep so there’s no point in trying to wake him up till he’s ready to wake up.” Holly said matter-of-factly, “You can go wash up in the stream over there by the blackberry thicket before breakfast.”

As Ivan left, Klaus began to stir. He was still asleep, but he was asking questions. He kept saying “Who are you” and “Who do you want me to follow” as he twisted around on the ground, yelling louder and louder. Holly ran to his side, grabbing a nearby flower as she went. Placing his head on her lap, she poured the dew inside the flower into his ear, speaking softly to him as he instantly calmed down. When he was soundly asleep again, she laid his head back down and went to stir the fire. She could only imagine who was trying to talk to him in his dreams.

~~~~~~~~

Across the plains, over the icy sea and beyond the land of snow, in a colossal silver tower, two crystal blue eyes, as cold as the northern winter snapped open. Someone had interfered with the dream. The cold calculating eyes searched the clouds for any new news on the three’s progress, but there was none. No matter. The boy would have to sleep again sometime.

~~~~~~~~

Bella woke up about the same time as Ivan did. She was in a large, warm room, with light brown walls with studs of red and green jewels every now and again. She was woken by the smell of sweets and sugar, as the heavenly aroma called her from her dreams. The doors to her room swung open and in came two men dressed very formally.

“If Your Highness is ready, the Queen is ready to receive you.”

“Where am I? And were is my puppy?”

“Oh, you are in the Castle Bvarium, Home of Queen Alexandra the Magnificent. Your hound has been taken care of, and you may see him once your audience with the Queen is over.”

“Okay.” Said the young girl, but before she could utter another word, six ladies came rushing in all talking at once.

In less then two minutes they had washed, dressed, perfumes, make uped, and primed the young girl. Bella almost laughed when she saw herself in the mirror. She looked like a clown, with her fancy, poofy dress and hair all made up with at least 50 bows, and face painted red and white with make up.

“Come now.” Said one of the two men. “We cannot keep the Queen waiting. And it’s almost breakfast time.”

~~~~~~~~

Klaus woke up, feeling more tired than he felt before going to sleep. Ivan and Holly were sitting by a fire, eating some kind of root, and the sun was just over the tops of the trees.

“Where are we?” Klaus asked sitting up.

“Good morning sleepy head.” Holly said, handing him a piece of blackened root, “Breakfast?”

“Um, I’m not really that hungry, thanks anyway.” Klaus declined politely.

“I’m actually curios as well as to how we came here Holly since you seem to know so much.” Ivan said, gulping down a piece of root less burnt than the rest.

“We stumbled upon your Feyfolk Ivan. They handed me this, after you two had already fallen asleep.” She said pulling out a birchbark scroll.

Klaus took it and read,

“To Our Weary Travelers,

We apologize for our behavior, in placing you in an enchanted sleep, but you nearly entered upon one of our main encampments. We deduced that you were in pursuit of the small child carried by here and so we hoped to make amends by spiriting you to the other side of the forest, on the side closest to where she is being kept, in the castle of the Bavarian witch. We are sorry but we cannot presently leave our woodland realm to aid you further, but may the forest ever smile on your fates, and may fate bring our paths together under more amiable circumstances.

Godspeed,
Woodland Elves”

Klaus handed the parchment to Ivan when he was done. Ivan reread the letter and studied the tiny map accompanying it. Klaus walked over to where Holly was sitting, staring into the fire.

“So what do you make of it?” Klaus asked, biting of a piece of burnt root and regretting it instantly.

“Well, if Bella is being kept in the Bavarian Witch’s castle we need to hurry. Probably break camp as soon as possible. And…Klaus, can I ask you something.” Holly said, turning to look at him. “What were you dreaming about?”

Klaus thought for a second then said, “Well, it’s this dream I’ve had before, where there’s a bright light and a voice calling me. Except this time, I felt like something inside of me wanted to know more. Wanted to know details about who I am suppose to follow.”

The two sat by the fire, an awkward silence settling in, then Holly said, “I think you should listen to the voice, but not ask anymore questions. If its fate, like the woodland elves said, than we don’t need to question it and just do what it says.”

Before they could talk any more Ivan came running over, a look of childish pleasure on his face. “I figured out the map! According to this we are about two hours march from the Castle. We can figure out a plan on the way. For now, I think its better if we get going sooner than latter.”

“Alright, it sounds like a plan.” Klaus said getting up and putting out the fire.

Soon the trio were back on the move, this time over the rolling hills, casting one farewell look to the forest before they turned their backs on the woodlands and started jogging. Unbeknownst to them, hundreds of emerald green eyes were watching them anxiously as they left. Once they were sure, they faded into the darkness of the forest, and soon everything was quiet again.


So thats the first two old chapters. If you guys like I can post 3 and 4 too. The main diffrence in the old ones and my new ones is the style. In this one, the style is done in the classical method, kind of like the Redwall Series/Narnia Series. In the new chapters I haev been writing in the naturalistic style, developed in the 1870s that is more like Lord of the Rings, much more detailed. So, I am personally not sure which style to use, and thats why I would really appreciate your opinions. Which one works better for you and why.