Boxed Set: Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood: [The 12 book 1st adventure + the series prequel]

by Robert Iannone

  “What?”

  “Doing what I tell you.”

  “Eggggg.”

  “Just kidding. Anyway, let’s go to Hide-Away tree and talk.” So they rode over to a big oak tree and dismounted. The center of the tree was gone and there was a big opening that you could walk through.

  It was like a living clubhouse . . . pretty neat if you didn’t mind the daddy-long-leg spiders that called it home.

  They walked inside the tree, saw about ten spiders, screamed and ran back out. “I’d rather face a dragon . . . uggg. Let’s just sit out here,” suggested Sylvia. “Now, what did Dazzle say?”

  “I asked if you could be there the next time she visited. But she said you wouldn’t be able to see or hear her.”

  Sylvia’s faced flushed and she felt queasy in her stomach . . . her body’s way of reacting to being incredibly disappointed. “Why?” she asked.

  “Ummm . . . it’s because you don’t have whatever is that I have that makes me Fl . . . you know who.” You can’t be too careful, Egg thought to herself.

  “So I can never meet her?” Sylvia whispered, fighting back tears.

  “She never really said that. I’ll ask her tonight, okay?”

  That gave her friend a little hope “I’d like that.”

  “Anyway, she showed me a picture of her tiara. It was even prettier than the ones in London. Then I asked her if she had a boyfriend and she said his name is Z’kkk. They were supposed to get married.”

  “What happened?”

  “She didn’t tell me, but I bet you that bad guy . . . what’s his name . . . had something to do with it.”

  “Mobius.”

  “Yeah, that’s the one. It scares me just saying it.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Then she told me about the contest . . .” and Egg recounted the rest of Dazzle’s story.

  “It really does sound like a fairy tale, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes. I sure hope it has a happy ending for Dazzle.”

  “Well, with our help, it just has too . . . doesn’t it?”

  Egg shrugged. It didn’t seem possible that she and Sylvia could make a difference. What could they do against such an evil person like Mobius?

  Without answering her girlfriend’s question, she said, “Let’s go riding.”

  *****

  As they rode along the bike path, Egg told her friend “I got an email from Crispy Bacon.” She was referring to the girl, Claire, who they had met at camp. It was the young girl who had helped patch things up between Egg and Sylvia.

  “What did she say?”

  “Not much. But she did invite both of us to visit her.”

  “Oh that would be nice. We owe her a lot.”

  They were riding along a path that went up a hill. When they got to the top, they stopped . . .

  . . . and checked out the little valley that they could race down as fast as they would dare to go.

  “Well, if we’re going to fight monsters and bad guys, we should see how brave we are by flying down there as fast as a speeding dragon. Okay with you my fearless, friendly Feminion?”

  “Yes, my Queen. But take care . . . there approaches three evil riders from yonder hill.” Egg looked up to see where Sylvia was pointing. Sure enough, three bikers were racing down from the other side. “I shall take the lead.”

  “For Dazzle and Z’kkk,” yelled Egg. And off they rode.

  So down the hill, as fast as they could, raced the fearless queen behind her faithful companion. As they neared the other group, they realized it was their three former friends . . . the Lollipop Guild.

  And before you could say, “follow the yellow brick road,” Sylvia swerved to avoid crashing into Melody and lost her balance. Her bike fell and she went flying right over the handlebars and onto the concrete path. For a moment, there was total silence. Then Sylvia screamed.

  “AHHHHHHHHHHH.”

  “OH MY GOSH . . . Syl are you okay?”

  “AHHHHHHHHHHH.” The girl was holding her arm, which was sticking out in a way that it definitely shouldn’t have been. It was broken.

  The Lollipop Guild looked horrified . . . but didn’t try to help the injured girl.

  “Ring, tend to my suit.” And to everyone’s amazement, even Sylvia who stopped screaming for a second to watch what was happening; a cloud of white mist came out of nowhere and engulfed Egg.

  When it had cleared, Egg was gone . . . replaced by Flying Girl.

  She went to her friend and put her hands gently on the broken arm and said “Bone, mend thyself and take with you all the pain you have caused.”

  And the bone obeyed. It slowly, of its own accord, returned to normal.

  Sylvia stopped screaming, inspected her once-injured arm then gave her queen a big hug.

  The Lollipop Guild, on the other hand, began to scream. They rode away as fast as they could. They went straight to Melody’s house (it was the closest) and told her mom what had happened. At first, she laughed, but the kids were in tears and seemed genuinely frightened. So she called Mrs. Hampton.

  “Is your daughter alright?”

  “Yes, she’s fine. She and Egg are here right now having some milk and cookies. Why do you ask?”

  “My daughter thought she broke her arm biking.”

  “Sylvia . . . is your arm broken?” Mrs. Hampton didn’t know what else to say.

  “I don’t think so; let me check,” and she gave Egg a high five. “No, it seems okay.”

  Chapter 7 – Mobius & the Crystal Egg

  “Hi, Dazzle.”

  “You are well, Egg?’

  “Yes, thank you. That thing you showed me with my flying suit worked terrifically well today. I used it to help Sylvia.”

  “I know. You acted swiftly . . . I was pleased.”

  “Dazzle, how come you know what I did? You weren’t there.”

  “That is not so.”

  “You were there? Where?”

  “When you wear the flying suit, I am with you.”

  “You’re not ready to tell me what that means are you?”

  “No.”

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Ask.”

  “Will Sylvia . . . my Feminion . . . ever be able to see or talk to you? She was very disappointed when I told her she couldn’t be with us when you visit at night.”

  “All things are possible.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful . . . she’ll be so happy. So, when can she meet you?”

  “I cannot say. What may be possible may not come to pass.”

  “You mean you can’t talk about it until later?”

  “No, I cannot say what I do not know.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “There may come a time when she can communicate with me, but I do not know when or how. But, all things are possible to those who seek answers.”

  “Well, I guess that will make her feel a little better.”

  “I will continue my story now.”

  *****

  “One day the evening sky began to glow as it had never done. A trail of colors painted by an unknown hand swept from east to west spiraling down until it disappeared behind a distant mountain . . .

  . . . and my father knew it was the summons from the Old Ones; so did F’Aerianne, E’ssss and S’eeee. The leaders of all three races made the journey accompanied by hundreds of their most knowledgeable advisors. They traveled for two days and on the morning of the third day, everyone had gathered on the peak of the appointed mountain.

  Below them was a valley, all but hidden in a swirling myst of fog. In the center, shining like a ghostly beacon was a giant glowing tree the likes of which no one had ever seen. It was the Myst Tree at Sighing Whorl.

  Not knowing what to do, the three races sent emissaries down into the valley . . . but to no avail.

  “What are m-and-serries?”

  “An emissary is a person who speaks for the king.”

  “Oh . . . thanks. Does it bother you
when I have to ask what a word means?”

  “No, my sister. To ask questions is to learn; to learn is to gain understanding. And with understanding comes wisdom.”

  “Dazzle, you’re very smart, aren’t you?”

  “If smart means wise . . . then I am not. Had I been, perhaps Mobius would not have succeeded. Now, I will continue . . .

  They could not enter the myst. So, the kings and queens conferred and my father suggested that only the four of them should attempt to reach the Tree . . . for it was obvious that must be their final destination. After much debate, his suggestion was accepted and they descended from their lofty camps.

  As they reached the edge of the myst, they could clearly hear the sound that it made as it swirled over the rocks. To my father, it was the pleasant sound of satisfaction that a man might make when he has accomplished a particularly difficult task. To the dragon and the serpents, it was an alien sound that irritated the senses.

  With much trepidation . . . which means unease or fear . . . they walked into the myst. To their surprise, it parted and allowed them entry. They made their way to the tree and stopped. Each stood in awe of the great power than seemed to flow from every branch. But, they no longer felt fear for the Tree began to communicate with them . . . not through the spoken word, but through the golden glow in which it was bathed.

  The tree told them that the humans had won the contest. They had learned to grow food and trade goods like the dragons. And they had developed technology and built wondrous things like the serpents. But, more importantly, they had turned their thoughts inward to their souls and outward to the universe. They had demonstrated a most important trait . . . one that the Old Ones held dear. Humans had boundless curiosity.

  They were told that the Crystal Egg was to be awarded to my father. When he returned to Q’umulus, it would be waiting.

  Dragons and Serpents were told that from this moment forward, they must bow to the will of M’earth and his successors.

  And my father was told to rule Aerianna as he pleased. With the Crystal Egg, all was possible.

  There was no argument from F’Aerianne or E’ssss. Standing in the light of the Myst Tree, they knew that they were powerless to change what had been decreed. They turned to my father . . . and bowed.

  But before the Tree told them to leave, it left them with one thought. Anyone – man, dragon or serpent – who demonstrated great courage, honor or wisdom could return and ask for help. The Tree would grant it.

  They did as they were told and left Sighing Whorl. Back on the mountaintop, my father told the others to join him on Q’umulus in one week’s time. Then he asked the dragons to fly him and his people back home. The dragons obeyed.

  On Q’umulus, my father announced to his people the outcome of the great competition and there was much rejoicing. A feast was given and everyone enjoyed the fruits of their centuries of labor and hard work. And a great burden was lifted from one and all . . . for had they lost, they would have been at the mercy of dragon or serpent.

  And then we waited for the Crystal Egg.

  The next morning there was much commotion and my father was summoned to a small room . . . one that had not existed the day before. Inside, in an alcove, was the Crystal Egg . . .

  . . . and the Old Ones had kept their promise.

  “Egg, you grow weary. I shall stop for tonight.”

  “No, Dazzle. Really, I’m okay. I just don’t understand why I need to know all of this stuff.” Afraid that she might have hurt the princess’s feeling, she hurriedly added, “But it’s very interesting . . . especially the whirling tree and the crystal egg.”

  Dazzle did not correct Egg about the Myst Tree. Instead, she asked, “I will continue my story . . . but, first, may I tell you about Z’kkk?”

  Egg was taken by surprise by the question. Without thinking, she said, “Why?”

  “Because I have not spoken of him for a thousand years.”

  “Oh, Dazzle, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound rude. I would love to hear about him.” She may not like boys, but what girl can resist a good love story?

  “Thank you. The first time I met him, I slapped him with a wooden sword and made him cry. I was trying to impress my new friend, Storm.” She smiled at the thought.

  “You did?” Egg laughed. “How old were you?”

  “I was ten and he was eleven. And I did not like human boys . . . they were so noisy and full of themselves. They had nothing to offer a princess.”

  “I don’t like boys either. What made you change your mind?”

  “Ah, my sister, it is the magic of growing older. I met him again years later at my coming of age ball . . . and immediately fell in love.” Egg could have sworn Dazzle actually blushed when she said this.

  “How old were you when you first kissed him?” Egg was shocked at herself for asking the question. Now she was blushing.

  “I will not answer that. You are too young to even ask it of me,” she answered trying not to laugh.

  “Dazzle, what happened to him?” Egg crossed her fingers . . . hoping against hope that the answer wasn’t horrible.

  “Mobius used the power of the Egg and transformed him into a wraith.”

  Egg let out a little sigh of relief. “That doesn’t sound too bad.”

  Dazzle looked down for a moment . . . then slowly lifted her gaze. “A wraith is an evil creature that brings pain and destruction.” And an image appeared in Egg’s mind….

  . . . You have seen him in your dreams as K’aos.”

  “I remember . . . and you were going to fight him.”

  “What you didn’t see was how hideous this creature really is . . .” and another image appeared in Egg’s mind.

  “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.”

  “It is not you who needs to be sorry.”

  “Why did Mobius do that?”

  “It amused him to turn my love into something ugly and evil . . . for Z’kkk was handsome and good.”

  “Dazzle, what did Z’kkk look like?”

  The princess smiled at the thought, “I believe he was the most handsome man in the universe . . .”

  And Egg had to agree. For a boy, he was very good looking . . . even if he was blue.

  “It grows late and I would quickly finish tonight’s story. M’earth experimented with the Egg and discovered just what the Tree had meant. Whatever he thought became reality . . .

  He thought a glass of wine . . . and it materialized in his hand.

  He thought to calm the wind that threatened a village . . . and the wind died.

  He thought to increase the harvest . . . and the fields produced three times as much fruit and wheat.

  Then my father summoned F’Aerianne, E’ssss and S’eeee. He told them that he would create a Council of Equals to govern and make the laws, and they would be members.

  And Aerianna entered a period of prosperity beyond all imagination.

  Then one day a strange craft landed on Q’umulus and out stepped Mobius. He had come seeking refuge from his planet where evil men were trying to harm him. What we did not know was that he was the evil man escaping from justice.

  My father befriended him and over the coming days learned to take his counsel and to trust him without reservation.

  Then through means I still do not fully understand, Mobius took control of the Crystal Egg.

  And the dark days descended on Aerianna.

  M’earth, my father, and Kat’Alynnia, my mother, disappeared.

  Z’kkk, my love, was transformed into a wraith.

  Ss’ong, my sister, was turned into the Green F’aeri.

  E’ssss, S’eeee and F’Aerianne also disappeared. Then the lowborn B’ludd, who bowed to Mobius’ every wish, was made king of the dragons

  And I became a warrior princess – fighting for my people until the day I accepted defeat.”

  Chapter 8 – On Second Thought

  “She showed me a picture of Z’kkk. He’s very handsome with blue skin. H
ow cool is that?”

  “What did she say?” Sylvia was thrilled with the talk of a lost love.

  “When she first met him, she slapped him and made him cry,” Egg said very seriously – though a whole mouthful of laughter was trying to get out.

  “SHE DIDN’T,” yelled Sylvia. “It must have really hurt for him to cry.” Then she thought about it some more and said, “That doesn’t sound right. I think she was teasing you.”

  “No . . . she did and he did. But she was ten and he was eleven,” and they both broke out into a terrible bout of giggles.

  “Oh, you; don’t do that. Now tell me the rest. Is he okay?”

  “Syl . . . it’s horrible. That Moby guy turned him into a mean ugly creature.”

  “Why?”

  “Dazzle said it was because he was handsome and good.”

  “So, if Dazzle wanted to throw Mobius into prison and become queen, she would have to fight her own boyfriend?”

  Egg’s mouth dropped open. “Oh my gosh.”

  “She didn’t tell you that, I guess?”

  “No. Poor Dazzle; first her father, then her boyfriend and then her sister.”

  “I didn’t know she had a sister.”

  “Her name is Ss’ong . . . isn’t that a pretty name?”

  “I think they all have interesting names. Like her boyfriend Z’kkk,” but she pronounced it like ‘Zeke’.

  “Hmmm . . . do we know someone else named Zeke?”

  “I don’t think . . . oh, wait. Isn’t that the name of one of your grandmother’s new neighbors?”

  “Oh, yeah, the twins. What was the other one’s name?”

  “It was Zeke and Zack.”

  “And Grammy said they were ten, didn’t she?”

  “I think so. Why?”

  “Isn’t it just a little weird . . . Dazzle met her Z’kkk when she was ten and he was eleven. And now a Zeke moves next door to Grammy and he’s ten probably almost eleven . . . and I’m nine almost ten.”

  “EGG . . . I thought you didn’t like boys?”

  “I don’t. And Dazzle didn’t either . . . at first. She said it took her years before she changed her mind.”