Box Set #3: The Serenity Deception: [The 4 book 3rd Adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood]

by Robert Iannone

  She was definitely older but still young and attractive . . . and very healthy looking. The girls walked over and each gave her a hug. “Jenny, Molly’s beautiful.”

  “Thanks to you and Sylvia, she’s thriving on Aerianna,” and she gave them each another hug.

  A burst of banging from the ceremonial lances of the Sentinels caused everyone to look up. It was Lord Z’kkk and another blue-skinned person trailing behind.

  “Your Majesty, Lord Z’kkk and Prince Ben’Edikk”.

  “That’s Meggy’s brother?” asked Sylvia under her breath.

  “Kind of cute.”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  Lord Z’kkk made his way up to the Queen, hugged the girls, shook hands with Grammy and accepted an introduction to Ashley who was staring at the still very handsome, blue-skinned man.

  “May I present my son, Prince Ben’Edikk.”

  With complete poise of a trained diplomat years older, the young man stepped forward and bowed to each of the earthlings. When the introductions were completed, he turned back to Egg and said in a voice that could melt butter, “My mother refers to you as Egg while my father calls you Eloise. How would you prefer that I address you?”

  Egg stared at the handsome face. But all this pomp and circumstance was just too much for her. “I’d be happy with a ‘Hey You’.”

  Z’kkk stole a quick look at his wife who smiled with amusement. Sylvia hid her face in her hands. Grammy’s eyes went wide in horror. Ashley scrunched her face in confusion . . . that didn’t seem like a way to address a Prince.

  But Ben’Edikk was truly poised and not even Egg’s goofiness could put him off. “Such a phrase would not serve to honor the Heroine of Aerianna and the leader of the Hameggattic Sisterhood. I ask your pardon, but I shall follow my father and refer to you as Eloise. Would that please you?”

  “Wow.”

  “I am sorry?”

  Sylvia poked her friend in the ribs. “Ouch. I mean, yes, that would be great.” She turned to Sylvia and gave her an ‘are you satisfied now’ look.

  Rose interrupted any further silliness. “Sisters, we will have a small reception for you in a few hours. I am sorry, but other than Aeri’elle and Sassi, there are no other Hameggattic Sisters on planet.”

  “Where did they go?” asked Egg.

  “K’ssss is back on Zynn-Zaz’zia, Soo, Bl’azzz, Spirit and BreeZee are off wandering the stars, and my daughter as I mentioned has gone on a diplomatic mission to a world we recently discovered.”

  “She’s okay, isn’t she?” The last time anyone went on a diplomatic mission, they were captured by Mobius.

  Rose laughed. “She is very well. The inhabitants are peaceful and friendly.”

  “Glad to hear it.”

  “In the meantime, we have arranged a tour of Q’umulus for Ashley and Eloise. Sylvia, Molly and Jenny would like to spend some private time with you.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “I guess I’m going to do something else?”

  “Yes, Egg. I would have you visit the Myst Tree at Sighing Whorl.”

  “Great. I never got a chance to thank him for sending Spirit to help out.”

  “I ask that you take Ben’Edikk with you.”

  “Okay. Why?”

  “He has never met the Tree. In fact, he has been unable to penetrate the Myst at Sighing Whorl. I am hoping the Tree will admit both of you.”

  “Then what?”

  “Then you will make the proper introductions.”

  *****

  “Okay, I’ll see you guys in a few hours.”

  “Egg . . . he is so cute,” observed Ashley. “Just like his father.”

  “I wouldn’t flirt with his Lordship . . . you might make Dazzle mad. And, she’s got a real mean-looking sword.”

  “No. Of course not. I only meant . . . “.

  “Ash, lighten up. I was teasing.”

  “Egg.”

  “Yeah, Syl?”

  “Behave yourself.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means that if you make his mom angry, she’ll take out that sword and whack off your head.”

  “No she wouldn’t. Would she?”

  “Enough. I’m anxious for my tour,” said Grammy. “Come on, Ashley.”

  *****

  “How do you suggest that we proceed?” asked the Prince.

  “Your choice . . . walk, swim or fly.”

  Ben’Edikk stared at the girl. He had never met anyone quite like her. “I would be honored to fly with Flying Girl. I presume that I just need take hold of your hand?”

  She held it out and he took it. The sight of his blue fingers entwined with hers gave her goose bumps. That was never a good sign. “Ready?”

  “Of course.”

  She leaped skyward, over the edge of the floating city and headed towards the mountain range. Ben’Edikk looked down . . . the full two miles to the ground below and, without realizing it, gripped Egg’s hand a little tighter.

  “Scared?”

  “Certainly not. Fascinated.”

  “How about now?” Like she had done to Ashley, she flew straight up and out of the atmosphere then dove straight down to the valley known as Sighing Whorl . . . and landed.

  “Here we are.” She glanced over at him then giggled. He looked a little blue in the face. That of course was his natural color.

  “Something amusing?”

  “Your hair . . . it’s sticking up a bit.”

  Chapter 5 – Simply Irresistible

  “Grammy, is this your first tour of Q’umulus?” asked Aeri’elle. She had volunteered to be their guide. The Queen thought that Ashley would appreciate the dragon’s knowledge of Aerianna history.

  “I have seen parts of it . . . but never on a guided tour. This is very exciting.”

  “How many times have you been to Aerianna?” asked her granddaughter.

  “Well, let me see. The first time I came was to get a feel for what Egg was getting involved in. That’s when I met Sassi, K’ssss and Soo. Unfortunately, that visit ended rather badly. I was attacked and captured by a Mo’beye.”

  Ashley shook her head in amazement. “Gram, I never would have guessed you were the adventurous type.”

  “Then you obviously need to spend more time with me,” and she smiled at the girl. “Anyway, I came back for the Queen’s coronation and wedding. Both affairs were breathtaking. The last visit was to meet the Princess and escort her back to Earth.” That reminded her of something. “Aeri’elle, Megg was supposed to come to earth for that operation but never did. Would you know why?”

  “I was told she went elsewhere. She and the Queen decided it would be a grand diplomatic gesture if she had doctors from another world – one we wish to have commerce with – perform the surgery. That’s where she is now.”

  “I see. Certainly sounds reasonable.”

  “Our first stop ladies is near and dear to me . . . the Galleria of the Hameggattic Sisterhood.” She stood up taller and prouder when she said it.

  “Really? Has Egg seen it?”

  “No, Grammy. She’d just get embarrassed. You know how she is – hates the attention and the accolades.”

  “She is very sensitive about being thought of as special.”

  “I probably need to spend more time with her too,” said Ashley.

  “Your sister adores you, sweetheart.”

  That almost made the girl cry. The hero on two worlds looked up to her . . . how extraordinary was that?

  “Here we are,” said the dragon. “Ladies, if you would,” and she opened the door.

  The first thing to greet them was a terrifying sight . . .

  “Geez!” exclaimed Ashley at the floating image of the Evil One. Grammy just stared in horror. No description from Egg’s diary could ever do justice to the hideous figure in front of her. The thought that she had allowed her nine-year-old granddaughter to face this man made her sick to her stomach. What had she been thinking?

&nb
sp; “Cheese?” asked Aeri’elle misunderstanding what Ashley had said. “That’s not cheese, it’s Mobius . . . the bad guy.”

  “What? No, no . . . I said geez not cheese. It’s just an exclamation of surprise.”

  “Oh, sorry. Anyway, this is the loveable loser that we fought twice . . . and beat twice.”

  “How in the world did my nine-year-old sister do that?”

  “She’s brave, fearless, lucky beyond reason and she had a little bit of help from six other girls.”

  “Of course she did,” said Grammy always sensitive to the feeling of others. “Each of you had an important role . . . a true team effort.”

  “Thank you Grammy.”

  “I’m sorry, Aeri’elle. I didn’t mean to imply it was all Egg’s doing.”

  “You have every right to be proud of her. I am.” She hesitated then asked, “May I share a story with you? It’s one that no one else has ever heard.”

  “Please. That would be wonderful.”

  “But you must promise to keep my secret . . . not even Egg, can be told.” Both ladies agreed.

  “Egg assigned me the role of stealing the Crystal Egg. Whoever possessed it could command limitless power. Once I had it, I flew to Sighing Whorl to return the thing to the Myst Tree. When I arrived, I found dozens of injured dragons . . . including my father. He was in great pain and there was nothing I could do for him. Then the Myst Tree spoke to me. He said that with the Crystal Egg, I could cure my father and the others. All I need do was think it.”

  She paused as she relived the memory. Grammy, however, had a hunch where this story was going. “You didn’t do it, did you? You refused to use the power.”

  Aeri’elle shook her head. “No, I didn’t. I had promised your granddaughter that I wouldn’t. I could never break that promise. I was . . . I am . . . a Hameggattic Sister. That’s why it’s going to be so incredibly difficult to tell Egg.”

  “Tell her what, dear one?”

  “That I must resign from the Sisterhood.”

  *****

  Sighing Whorl

  “It is a foreboding place, is it not?”

  “Foreboding?”

  “Yes . . . ominous, dark sinister.”

  “I know what it means.”

  “Then why did you ask?”

  “How old are you?”

  The Prince was momentarily taken aback. He really wasn’t used to anyone being so familiar with him. He certainly was no mega-brat like his sister had been. But he believed in royal protocol, in following the traditions of the nobility. “Is my age of some importance to the task at hand?”

  “Listen, if you want to talk like that, fine. Just don’t do it around me. You sound weird for a kid.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Fifteen or sixteen?” she asked.

  “I shall be sixteen in a few weeks.”

  “Do you ever talk to Meggy?”

  “Meggy? Are your referring to my sister, the Princess M’egg-Alynnia?”

  “How many other Meggys do you know? Of course, your sister.”

  “Our paths cross occasionally.”

  “OH MY GOSH. Listen to yourself. Your paths? She’s your sister and a member of the Hameggattic Sisterhood. She can teach you a lot about dealing with people. Trust me.”

  “I resent your tone of voice.”

  “I resent your stuck-up attitude.”

  “You have a very disagreeable and altogether displeasing personality.”

  “You have the warmth and charm of a mannequin.”

  “I dislike being addressed in this manner.”

  “I dislike being talked to like an ignorant school girl.”

  “I find your whole demeanor uncivilized and distasteful.”

  “I find you . . . to be the cutest guy I have ever seen.” She leaned forward and gave him the briefest kiss . . . on the lips.

  She stepped back, blushed a very pretty scarlet for what she had just done and stared at him defiantly.

  He returned the stare for a few seconds then said, “I see. Well, now that we have settled our differences, perhaps we should attempt to pay a visit to the Myst Tree.”

  “That’s it. That’s all you got? I just kissed you . . . you . . . you infuriating, irritating, immature idiot.”

  Ben’Edikk’s eyes twinkled, then he smiled at her . . . and somehow his face transformed from movie star handsome to heartthrob gorgeous.

  And Egg fell in love.

  *****

  Q’umulus

  “Oh dear. May I ask why?”

  “Grammy, I’ve been offered an incredible opportunity . . . one that I simply can’t pass up.”

  “Please, continue.”

  “Queen F’Aerianne . . . “ She saw the confusion of Ashley’s face so she quickly explained, “She is the Queen of Dragons. Before the Crystal Egg, she ruled my kind, King E’ssss and Queen S’eeee ruled the Serpents and King M’earth, Rose’Alynnia’s father, ruled humans.”

  “Thanks. I was getting confused.”

  “Of course. Anyway, on Aerianna we have universities for each race but none for all races. So dragons attend their own schools while humans and serpents attend schools for their own kind. My Queen finds this unacceptable. She feels that we are missing an opportunity to keep the three races involved with one another . . . to insure that prejudice between species doesn’t re-emerge. With Dazzle’s support, my father and I have been asked to build and run a new university; one that serves all three species. It is a wonderful challenge and a very worthy cause.”

  “I should say it is. Congratulations, Aeri’elle. I know you will succeed. Hameggattic Sisters simply refuse to allow failure to be an option.” She walked over and gave the dragon a hug.

  “You’re very kind, Grammy.”

  “I’m sure my sister will understand,” said Ashley.

  “Of course, she will. But of the seven original sisters, K’ssss is gone to Zynn-Zaz’zia, Sassi is home with her family and now I’ll be off on this project. It’s very sad to see the Sisterhood slowly fade away.”

  “What about BreeZee and Spirit?”

  “They’re great. Like Megg, they just weren’t on the Quest. They weren’t there in the beginning.”

  “Who will replace you, dear one?”

  “Therein lies the other problem. The Sisterhood needs to have seven active members. It’s tradition. I was kind of hoping Ashley might consider joining.”

  “That’s incredibly flattering . . . but I can’t.”

  “May I ask why?”

  “I’m nowhere brave enough to begin with. Just the picture of Mobius will give me nightmares for a year. More importantly, I promised my grandmother that I wouldn’t . . . assuming I was ever invited to join.”

  “Why, Grammy?”

  “I will not put two grandchildren at risk. That would be unconscionable.”

  “You’re right. I should have thought of that.”

  “What about Molly?” asked Ashley.

  “I don’t know her very well. But, I doubt if her mother or the Queen would allow it.”

  “Why?”

  “Sorry, I won’t engage in gossip . . . that would be catty. And I can tell you from experience, I don’t ever wish to be a cat.”

  “Huh?”

  *****

  Elsewhere on Q’umulus

  “It’s so hard to see you like this. You were such a cute little girl.”

  “Ouch,” answered Molly feigning hurt.

  “Oh, no, no, no. You’re beautiful now but you’re all grown up. You’re fifteen . . . how weird is that? You’re older than me and Egg.”

  “I agree . . . that’s pretty weird.”

  “So tell me everything. What’s it like living on another planet?”

  “Planning on moving here?” teased Jenny.

  “Believe me, Egg and I talk about that all the time. If we didn’t have families back on Earth, we’d do it in a heartbeat.”

  Jenny was the first to volunteer an answer to Sylv
ia. “As to your question, I’m great friends with Ss’ong and Sassi. The three of us are inseparable. I was beside myself with worry when Sassi was captured. I should have known that the famous Hameggattic Sisters would rescue one of their own.”

  “And do you work . . . or just lounge around all day with important people eating exotic foods?” teased the girl.

  “I’ll have you know that I teach at Aerianna’s equivalent of elementary school. I love it. The children on this world are different then on Earth. Seems like they are all family oriented and love to learn. The biggest difference however is there are no video games or TV.”

  “Yikes. How barbaric,” and all three laughed. “What about you, Molly? Studying to be a Medicus?”

  “No, not really. I am learning about healing but I won’t become a full doctor. I’m actually learning to be a lady.”

  Well, that was a provocative statement. “What does that mean exactly?”

  “Mom, you tell her.”

  “Okay. The Queen has bestowed a title on Molly and me. I am now . . . hang on to your hat . . . the Countess of Earth-Shire and my daughter is the Marquesa. We are royalty. How’s that for a change in fortune?”

  “On behalf of my dearest friend, let me be the first to say OH MY GOSH. That is too amazing.”

  “I’m guessing Ss’ong, better known as Princess Ss’ong and Rose’Alynnia’s beloved younger sister, may have had something to do with it. She refuses to answer my questions on the subject which, of course, is an answer. Please don’t tell anyone except Egg. The Queen hasn’t announced it yet.”

  “Mum's the word.” Sylvia was still smiling at their good fortune when she asked, “Remember that awful room where we first visited you?”

  “That was the worst,” answered Jenny shaking her head at the dreadful memory.

  “Actually, Molly’s wall filled with scribbles was pretty bad, too,” and all three laughed again.

  “Hey, my red, fire-breathing dragon was pretty good.”

  “Bl’azzz would have loved it.”

  “I think the best time was when we all walked out on the balcony and looked down from the dizzying heights of this city. That’s when I really felt that Molly and I had been delivered from our old life and into this one.”