by Sarah Noffke
“What is that?” Payne Springs asked, pointing at the fake grass that ran along the side of the road.
“Astroturf, according to Ever. It’s artificial grass,” Monet informed her.
“What? Why?” she said, disgust written in her green eyes.
“Well, no bugs, dirt, or maintenance. I mean, the forest is a dirty-ass place,” Monet complained. “Maybe after we restore order and save the day, you lot can devote your time to picking up leaves.”
“Monet, if she turns you into a statue, I’m totally chopping off your hand and using it as a paper weight,” Azure said with a laugh.
“Man, you’re a sicko. And don’t even pretend—I know exactly what you’d do with a statue of me,” Monet teased.
“Oh, dear Merlin. I just threw up in my mouth,” Azure said.
This part of Terran was deserted, but small cars and bikes drove through an intersection ahead, cutting off pedestrians trying to cross. They held up fists and yelled curse words at the drivers.
“Hey, do you think this Dairy Queen lady will have a bathroom I can use?” Monet asked, pointing at a sign that stood outside of a red and white building. A picture of an ice cream treat filled the front window.
“I don’t think a queen lives there, nor do I think the place across from it is the home of a king,” Azure said, pointing to the restaurant named ‘Burger King.’
Several residents paused when Azure and the gang of rogue dryads came into view. Their faces filled with alarm before they retreated inside the air conditioned shops or fled down the street. A row of tract houses sat on the eastern ridge, and beyond them a great commotion could be heard. The sound of an amplified voice rang through the air.
“Come this way.” Azure yanked Monet in the direction of the noise.
“So, no popping into a shop then?” he asked, his voice full of amusement.
“The new development would be over here. This must be where they built that golf thing, whatever it is,” Azure said, picking up her pace. She was so close. If she stopped the people of Terran, made them better, everyone would benefit. And then they’d free the statues and her people would… Well, her people would still be suffering from a deadly virus, but she’d figure that out. Maybe those of Terran could help.
Ahead, a crowd of people sat before a large stage. It seemed to Azure that the humans were always having conferences and ceremonies, thinking of the Mount Crushmore ceremony. On the stage the Duke of Terran was holding a large pair of scissors. Azure halted, watching from a distance, trying to decide the best way to proceed before they were spotted. That wouldn’t take long. Women dressed in leaves with tree branches for hair kind of stuck out in this starched land of ties and pencil skirts.
“A great leader on Earth,” Phillip said into a microphone, his voice booming over the speakers, “was acknowledged for his perseverance and ingenuity. Caesar Salad once said, ‘I came, I saw, I consumed. Truer words have hardly ever been spoken. It is our birthright as humans to take that which we deserve. To enjoy the vegetables of our labor. I’m speaking figuratively, of course. But my point is that I, as your emperor’s Regent, have gone to extreme lengths to once again give you something you desire. When I learned of the magnificence of a golf course on Earth, I put myself at great risk to have one built for you. I know that Emperor Frederick would have loved to have been here to share in this occasion, but he was detained in the Dark Forest.
“It is my honor, on behalf of the emperor, the Consumer Party, and the royal house of Terran, to present to you the Lion Woods Golf Course.” Phillip clipped the ribbon stretched in front of him, and a moment later the blue curtain behind him dropped to the ground. Behind it could be seen an expansive lawn, devoid of trees and punctuated by sand dunes. The grassy plain rolled backward until it met the brick wall in the distance.
Clapping filled the air and the humans of Terran bolted to their feet, excitedly talking to their neighbors.
“What have they done?” Payne Springs said in an angry whisper.
“It looks as though they’ve created a treeless forest,” Monet said, opening his mouth to say something else but yelping in pain when Azure elbowed him in the side.
The sound caught the attention of the Duke, and he narrowed his eyes in Azure’s direction. Knowing time was of the essence, Azure started forward, feeling the force of the rogue dryads rippling behind her like a curtain in the wind.
“What are you…they doing here?” Phillip asked, his voice filled with disgust. His dark eyes narrowed with disbelief. As usual, he wore his long brown trench coat and a snarl that matched the edge in his tone.
The crowd turned, the faces of the humans constricting with panic at the sight of the rogue dryads. “A witch,” “The dryads,” “That’s Emperor Richard’s daughter,” various voices in the crowd whispered frantically.
“We are here to put a stop to your consumption of the Dark Forest.” Azure stood several feet from the crowd, her eyes scanning their faces. “We don’t want trouble, but we will cause it if you don’t comply.”
“Comply?” Phillip laughed loudly. “What are your demands?”
“You must stop harming the forest. There are sustainable practices to draw energy that you can teach the humans of Terran. Emperor Frederick knows these methods. And those who don’t comply—”
“Emperor Frederick is missing,” Phillip said, shaking his head as if Azure were a dumb child who misunderstood.
“Emperor Frederick was assaulted and imprisoned by you,” Azure accused.
“How dare you? You broke through our borders, and now you’re making accusations,” Phillip said. He’d backed up several feet and now stood on the far side of the stage. The crowd swiveled back to Azure, awaiting her reply.
“Yes, I’m accusing you of trying to murder the emperor, as well as successfully murdering Charmsgood, our Potions Master in Virgo. And for these crimes, the rogue dryads have promised to deliver your punishment,” Azure said, her voice clear and loud.
“Your threats won’t work on me!” Phillip yelled and flicked his eyes behind the group. “Now!”
A net flew up and around Azure, Monet, and the rogue dryads. It cinched them in tightly to one another, pulling them down to the concrete. Azure held the staff out and muttered a single incantation, making the net flicker, but it didn’t disappear. It had been enchanted against her magic, similar to the nets the humans had set as traps in the Dark Forest. Remembering what she had done when she freed Buzz Buzz, Azure muttered a different, more powerful incantation and the nets disappeared.
Azure and Monet popped up again, their eyes focusing on the guards who had encircled them. They held some strange metal objects that Azure had never seen. The rogue dryads leaned forward, their viny hair seeming to come alive as their eyes turned fiery red.
“Stand down, men, or you will pay,” Payne Springs said, holding her hand up at the men in front of her.
“You thought you could intimidate us by turning us to stone, but you women aren’t so powerful when staring at a barrel of a gun, are you?” Phillip said with a cold laugh.
“Stop this! Someone is going to get hurt!” Azure yelled.
“You’re the one who trespassed into the Land of Terran. Twice, I’ll remind you. Whatever happens next will be your fault,” Phillip exclaimed, appearing too proud and standing smugly on the stage.
“We are trying to help you!” Azure screamed, her heart pounding loudly as she stared at the armed men, their eyes nervously scanning the rogue dryads.
“Take the rogue dryads and this vermin to the exit. We will be reinforcing the border’s security immediately,” Phillip said smugly.
“You will have no more borders,” Azure yelled and pointed the staff at the wall closest to the golf course. The bricks exploded, leaving a gaping hole in the newly constructed wall. The expenditure of power drained Azure, but she kept her arm raised proudly.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Phillip said as a dozen more rogue dryads spilled thr
ough the opening. The humans in the audience, who had been watching the exchange with mild interest, tore from their seats and sprinted to the tract homes on the ridge.
“I’m stopping you, that’s what I’m doing. This has gone too far,” Azure stated.
“Men, fire at will!” Phillip ordered. He jumped off the far side of the stage and disappeared onto the golf course.
In slow motion, Azure spun around. The guards aimed the weapons and there were clicks as they cocked them. “No!” Azure yelled, just as the triggers of several guns were pulled.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Smoke filled the air, blanketing the rogue dryads. When it cleared, the guards had all dropped their guns. Monet stood victoriously staring at the uniformed guards, waving his wand at each one as if tempting them.
“Have I mentioned that I have to fucking pee? Can we get this whole drama thing over with?” Monet asked, sounding bored.
A guard standing closest to Monet froze, his fingertips turning to stone. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. The stone crept over his skin, covered his arms and chest, and then spread up and down, turning him into a statue.
“What are you doing?” Azure asked, lunging at Payne Springs, who held her arm out at the guard. Her sisters all lifted their hands in unison, directing their powers at the rest of the guards, who had frozen in a similar fashion as the one who was now a statue.
“I’m protecting my sisters,” Payne Springs stated, her voice full of venom.
“We promised we wouldn’t hurt them if it could be avoided,” Azure said, watching more rogue dryads, who were still spilling through the hole she’d made, spreading around the city.
“These men tried to shoot us, so we are defending ourselves. However, they don’t have to remain stone. You promised us the Duke. Bring him to us, and the truce will begin. Until then, the people of Terran will be punished,” Payne Springs said, holding her hand out at the city where humans ran for their lives.
Azure stumbled backward. This was all about Phillip. He was the problem. And he had to be stopped.
“Come on, Queeny, let’s go take down the baddie,” Monet said.
“No, you stay here,” Azure said, backing up.
“What? Hell, no. You don’t know what that man is capable of. He has guns, and who knows what else?” Monet shook his head at her furiously.
“Yes, and he’s going to underestimate me if I’m alone, which is what I need. More importantly, I need you to keep order here,” Azure motioned to the rogue dryads, who were stalking toward the city streets. “Keep Payne Springs here. And I’m going to need backup, so look for my signal.”
“What does that mean?” Monet asked, reaching for Azure as she angled backward.
“The Duke has constructed the perfect hand, but he’s about to pull the fire penalty,” Azure said, referring to the card game ‘Elements’.
Dawning understanding ran across Monet’s face. He nodded. Swallowed. Turned his back just as Azure ran for the golf course where Phillip had last been seen.
***
Azure sprinted, the staff still in her hand. The golf course stretched out in all directions. What a strange game, that it would need such a huge piece of manicured land. She hastened forward, scanning the area to see where Phillip could be hiding. There were small trees, but nothing that could hide a man. The grass under her feet was slick, nearly making her slip, and she slowed down.
“You’ve been a pain in my ass since I became Emperor,” Phillip said at her back.
Azure froze, tightening her hand around the staff. She turned, expecting to find Phillip, but saw nothing except a cluster of trees.
“You’re wondering where I am, aren’t you?” Phillip’s hollow voice echoed, seeming to come from everywhere.
“What kind of game is this?” Azure asked, spinning again.
“This is magic like you’ve never seen it. You’re so limited, you little filthy witch.” Phillip laughed so loudly that it hurt Azure’s ears.
“That’s ‘Queen Witch’ to you,” Azure said, remembering Gillian’s advice about taking pride in her title. He’d beaten it into her with angry stares. “And you have never been Emperor, so I don’t know what you mean.”
“I’ve been Emperor since your loser father took the crown. I am the rightful heir and have been acting in that capacity, but soon I’ll have the formal title.” Phillip’s voice filled the space, but Azure’s eyes couldn’t find him. How was he hiding in plain sight? That kind of magic was rare. Not even pulling from the elements would make something like that possible. However, there was one object a human could use to accomplish such a thing.
“Show yourself, you fucking coward.” Azure heard something and turned in that direction.
Phillip flickered and then took form, standing squarely in front of her only a few feet away. He clicked his tongue. “Who will take the crown when you die? The Vladar family will lose it, won’t they? Sad, really.”
“I don’t plan on dying,” Azure said, scanning Phillip. His dark trench coat didn’t give anything away, but he had to be holding something of great power to have made himself invisible.
“Well, the best laid plans of rats and men often go awry, I’ve heard,” Phillip said, his thin mouth showing a devilish smile.
“That’s a ridiculous saying,” Azure said, trying to buy more time. And then in Phillip’s right hand she spied something. She didn’t actually see anything, but the clenched fist was the clue that he held onto an object. That made sense, because he’d need to have it close to him.
“Why are you never happy unless you are overconsuming? Why force that indulgent and dangerous lifestyle on the humans of Terran?” Azure asked, sidestepping and trying not to trip on her robes. Her heart beat so hard she thought it might bruise the inside of her chest.
A hollow laugh. “Do you know where I belong?”
“I’ve heard of this place called Hell,” Azure said coldly.
“Ha-ha. I’ve been on this stupid planet all my life. All my ancestors have. Zebadiah, my great-great-great-whatever,” Phillip waved off the “greats” with his hand, “decided to come over to Oriceran, and we’ve been trapped here ever since. My father understood it. I understood it. We’re locked on this planet with mutations like elves and witches. We belong on Earth. And no, I’m not going to limit my power by consuming less. Do you know that on Earth they have what they want all the time? There’s no resource rationing. They indulge, as we should.”
“How do you know that?” Azure asked, stalling to try to find a plan. There were so many things that could go wrong. Everything was at stake.
“I’ve seen evidence. On Earth, they enjoy their life.” Phillip ripped a page from his jacket pocket and thrust it into Azure’s face. “Do you see that? Those are their children. They play and laugh all the time.”
Azure took the paper, noticing that Phillip’s other hand was still clutched tightly. On the piece of folded and faded paper were children wearing pajamas and throwing pillows at each other. A fake tree twinkled in the background, and cookies and milk sat on a nearby table. The caption on the advertisement read, “Every morning can be Christmas.”
“This isn’t real. You’ve misconstrued. I’ve been to Earth, and people there are happy and sad and confused and strange,” Azure listed the emotions as the different memories filtered through her mind. “Earth isn’t better than Oriceran, just as humans aren’t better. We are all uniquely perfect. Don’t you see, you’re trying to create something that can’t exist? That doesn’t exist, even on Earth.”
Phillip ground his teeth together, his eyes narrowing. “You’re wrong,” he hissed.
“I’m not. But I’ll give you one last chance to change. Swear not to harm the forest and to leave the palace, relinquishing full control of the throne to Frederick. If you do this, I’ll allow you to go free,” Azure stated, taking a breath, her fingers clenched tightly around the staff that trembled in her hands. She felt the power pooling in the staff, but knew
that it was almost drained. Soon the staff would be depleted and need to recharge.
A chuckle devoid of humor spilled from Phillip’s lips. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You think you can intimidate me? Remember, I can become invisible.”
“Oh, I remember,” Azure said, and pointed her staff at Phillip’s hand. “Adolebitque!”
Phillip’s hand glowed red and he yanked it up to his face, disbelief covering his expression. His arm shook, and as if they had been cemented together and were breaking free, his fingers slowly opened. A round purple amethyst slipped from his palm and landed on the grass with a thud.
“That belonged to Charmsgood,” Azure said, staring at the soul stone at Phillip’s feet.
“I didn’t much think he needed it, since he was dead. I had the harpies retrieve it for me,” Phillip said, reaching down to pick it up with his other hand.
Azure’s arm rocketed downward with the staff in her hand. She slammed the tip to the ground, forcing all its magic out in one swift bolt. The ground underneath their feet shook violently, but Azure stayed standing, the staff still pressing to the ground. Phillip flew backward, soaring several feet and landing on his backside. Azure leveled the staff out, and from the orb fireworks shot into the air, visible from miles away. She took a step forward, then knelt and scooped up Charmsgood’s soul stone, the very last thing that remained of the great Potions Master.
“What you’ve done can’t be healed by a potion. You’ve killed. You’ve harmed my people. I’ve given you every chance, but now you’ll pay,” Azure said, lifting her chin to the sky that was darkening all around her. Rogue dryads flew in from every direction, dropping down around the Duke. They lifted their pointy fingers in the air and opened their mouths, which now resembled notches in the wood of a tree. The gentle rustling of the leaves in their hair grew loud and overpowering.
“NO!” Phillip yelled, pushing himself backward on his rear end. He covered his white face with his shaking hands, tilting his head back and forth. His crazed eyes pleaded with the rogue dryads standing over him. “Please, no! Please!”
