All of the performers were laughing and cheering. Everyone was so proud of their work, but the celebration was halted quickly with a single word. “SILENCE!!!!”
Druskov, who had been hiding in the back, marched forward inch by inch. He was very large, though not nearly as large as the performers. A cloud of dust and dirt followed him, and he was as dark as the dust on his skin. Everything about him was dark – dark eyes, dark hair, dark clothes, and dark grimace. Tryfod followed him forward. “Druskov, I think it’s time for a vote.”
Ruth couldn’t breathe. Every one of the performers stood nervously behind her. Even Eritol had made his way to the stage. Druskov eyed everyone with hatred. “Fine! VOTE!!”
All hands but four hands went up. Ruth’s mouth dropped in surprise as she felt her eyes welling with warm tears. She had let everyone down. Druskov smiled with venom and leered at the performers. “HA! You fools! You thought you could outwit me by placing a CHILD onstage?! Imbeciles!!!”
The three men in the audience who hadn’t raised their hands began to murmur to each other behind Druskov’s back. Unexpectedly, one of their hands went up to join the rest of the crew. Ruth covered her mouth from a gasp. Druskov turned impatiently to glare at the other two. Slowly another hand went up, and then, finally, the third. Druskov’s eyes nearly popped out of his head from anger. He rushed over to the three men and lifted his sword in the air. “YOU DISGRACE MY FAMILY!”
Ruth closed her eyes; she couldn’t bear to look. Tryfod spoke softly. “A deal is a deal Druskov.” Druskov spun around with his sword still raised. “Do you want me to kill you too, old man?! WE HAVE NO DEAL! I did not raise my hand!!”
Tryfod smirked as his gaze followed Druskov’s raised sword. “You lifted your sword.” Druskov looked around the room like a crazed mad man. He roared a deep, guttural yell, and the entire tent shook from his anger. Druskov ran up to Ruth and pointed his sword at her. The performers gasped. “You. Him.” He pointed his sword at Tryfod. “Tomorrow. 3 o’clock.” Druskov ran out of the tent, and everyone breathed a temporary sigh of relief.
Ruth was angry. They had won – fair and square. It wasn’t right that Druskov just got to make up his own rules at the very end. Ruth hopped off the podium and ran after him.
Eritol saw the tiny child take off after the mad man. He yelled desperately, “RUTH!!” He began to run after her, but Tryfod held him back solemnly. “She must go.”
Ruth made it out of the tent and into the darkness. She looked around to see where Druskov went and darted after him. “Sir?”
He turned around crazed. He unsheathed his sword again. “Why should I not kill you now, child?! I should have killed you in the forest when I had a chance!”
Ruth swallowed. Tryfod had been right. “Sir, your men are ready to leave.”
He scowled at her. “How do you know what my men want?!”
“They all voted tonight sir. I think you should let them go.”
“Excuse me, underling?! Are you saying that I should let my men go on without me?! And stay here?? With? With CIRCUS PEOPLE?!”
Ruth took a deep breath. He was obviously more offended than she thought he would be. She had to think fast. He turned and started walking away.
“Or… or… you can come to Earth.”
He stopped dead in his tracks.
“That’s what you’ve always wanted anyway, right? That’s why you’ve stayed so long? Spending your nights learning magic? You didn’t want to stay here either. You wanted to go to Earth.” He turned around with hatred in his eyes. “So we’re bargaining are we, child?” Ruth nodded. Druskov thought for a moment. “You can have your little town and library back if you show me where the portal to Earth is.”
Ruth shook her head. Her hair flipped over her shoulder softly. “No. But I have a set of stars you can have.” Druskov looked at her incredulously. “Stars?! STARS?! What would I do with those?!”
“The stars… well… they are a moveable portal. You can create a portal… anywhere… with… with both sets.” Druskov was still unconvinced. “Where are these sets?”
“One set is here… and… and… and the other set is… on Earth.”
Druskov’s eyes twinkled, but he shut off his excitement quickly. “How do I know you aren’t tricking me?”
At this, Ruth’s eyes twinkled back. “Because I’m only a child.”
Druskov nodded, and his eyes filled with greed. “You have a week to get me the stars. I’ll clear out my men, unless you don’t hold up your end of the bargain.” Ruth nodded once and walked victoriously back to the tent.
The party continued all the way back to the tents. The performers set off into the Banquet Room to enjoy the victory celebration that they had been planning for years. Ruth was lost in the bitter sweetness of the situation. She ducked out quietly and returned to her room. She sat under the stars for the last time. When Tryfod, Eritol, Ginger, and Pepé walked in, she was already in tears. Ginger tried to calm her first. “Oh Ruth, don’t cry. We are really not as far away as you think.”
“So I can come back?”
Tryfod stepped in as Eritol blew his nose. “Well yes, my child! You must come to see the village… once it is clean again. And of course, you’ll have to come for those magic and history lessons Eliza has been so desperate to teach you.”
Ruth’s tears fell even harder. “But you’ll have to turn the stars off so Druskov can’t come to Earth.” Tryfod laughed. “Oh, he’ll be going to Earth. We’ve got a few places we can drop him off.”
“But… but… you’re going to let him go to Earth? What if he comes back mad?”
Tryfod chuckled again. “Oh child, you underestimate us. His will only be a one-way journey.”
Ruth blushed. “Do I have to take down my stars at home?”
“No! How do you think you’ll get back here?!”
Ruth nodded and walked around the room giving her good-bye hugs. She squeezed everyone as hard as she could. Tryfod hurried her along. “We’ve had to take care of some things back home. Just play along, and no one will ever know the difference. Don’t be too sad. You’ll be back here before you know it.” He scooted everyone out of the room. He unrolled the covers so Ruth could climb into bed, and he turned off the lights. Ruth wasn’t sure how she was going to fall asleep, but, as soon as her head hit the pillow, she drifted off into a deep slumber.
Beepbeep. Beepbeep. Beepbeep. Ruth opened her eyes and shot out of bed. Her bedroom door flung open, and her mom rushed in. “Can you not turn off your alarm?! That thing has been driving me crazy for the last ten minutes! You better get up! It’s talent show day, and you don’t want to be late!”
Ruth’s eyes got wide. That was impossible! It was still a week away!
“Well don’t just stare at me! Get dressed! Let’s get some breakfast. You must have really slept hard last night. You’re acting strange.”
Ruth rushed over and hugged her mom. Darla was caught by surprised but hugged Ruth back tightly. Darla smiled gratefully. “Where’d that come from? Honey, I really am proud of you for working hard in Math and bringing your grade back up. Mr. Lucus called yesterday and said you’ve been like a different kid!”
Ruth bit her tongue. “Play along,” she thought, “Play along.” She cautiously responded. “Thanks mom. Let me pack my talent show bag, and I’ll be downstairs.” Darla nodded, patted her on the head, and walked towards the door. Ruth spotted an old pair of drumsticks on her floor. “Hey mom! Do we have any silver glitter?”
“In the office cabinet, top drawer. But don’t make a mess, I hate that stuff.”
Ruth took a deep breath as she finished dressing. She heard her other band mates scurrying around outside. It was déjà vu.
“Ruth! RUTH! Why are you taking so long?! Lindie Meez just finished! Her backup dancer fell off the stage! Everyone booed! We’re up next!! HURRY!!” Ruth stepped out of the bathroom stall. The lead singer, Lucy, looked at her confused. “What are you wearing!?”
Ru
th grinned as she straightened her sparkly red tie and black hat. She pulled her freshly-glittered drumsticks out of her pocket.
“This old thing? It’s just my lucky outfit.”
To my parents and my brother, my three-person audience and safe haven. Your love and acceptance has led me to some of my greatest accomplishments. You never silenced my stories, even when they caused me to act like a space cadet. You always made this quirky wallflower feel like a rock star. I love you more than you know.
To Chris, my husband and my soul mate. Your unconditional support (and occasional kick in the butt) has pushed me to become more than I knew I could. You taught me to believe in myself again, and you helped me realize my dream. I love you always.
To James Machen, my incredible mentor. Your gentle encouragement (and hallway high fives) reminded me to stand firm and keep pushing. You fortified my strength and reserve. I am forever grateful.
To Chicka Chicka, Jerry, Oma, and Opa, my adopted family. You were with me when I thought I would have to go it alone, and your hugs are food for my soul. Thank you for always playing along with my shenanigans and fantasies of fame and fortune. You’ll always have tickets to my private jet.
To Allen, my love. You taught me that life is painfully short and that we must seize the moment before it’s gone. Your home is now my heart. I miss you every day.
Jennifer L. Clark has written four NanoWrimo novels and countless poems and short stories. The Tiny Ringmaster is the first to be self-published. She currently resides in Louisiana with her husband and lots of books.
For more information on her other works, please visit www.jlclark.org.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Chapter 1: After School
Chapter 2: The Giants Beyond the Forest
Chapter 3: The Transformation
Chapter 4: The Elders
Chapter 5: The Townspeople on the Hill
Chapter 6: The Prophecy
Chapter 7: The Banquet
Chapter 8: Math Class
Chapter 9: The Training Begins
Chapter 10: The Waterfalls
Chapter 11: The Dress Rehearsals
Chapter 12: The Tunnel Beyond the Waterfalls
Chapter 13: The Portals
Chapter 14: The Tiny Ringmaster
Chapter 15: The Final Performance
Chapter 16: The Return
Acknowledgments
About the Author
The Tiny Ringmaster Page 9
