Courage

It was the best, yet the worst of times. Crops were growing well for the farmers, and the land of Pedrus had not seen a famine for many years.

Yet, in the garden the Queen was sitting on a bench in a pavilion, slumped against a pillar, crying for she could not have children. Her husband came out to comfort her, around them rain was coming down in torrents.
Then, all of a sudden it stopped, and a light so bright shown so suddenly both the King and Queen fell off the bench trying to shield their eyes from it.  Then the light disappeared and in its place was a beautiful goddess.
“Rise” said the goddess in a silvery voice.
The King and Queen got to their feet and sat back on the bench.
She turned to the Queen “why are you crying?”
The Queen buried her face in the lap of the King and began to sob again.
“My wife wishes to have a child,” the King said.
“And she shall,” answered the goddess.
The Queen stopped sobbing abruptly and looked up.
“A girl will be born in the beginning of the spring,” the goddess replied.
“Good day to you,” and once more became a ball of light zooming up towards the heavens.
The King and Queen stared after her then the Queen burst into tears again, but this time they were tears of joy.
“Oh!” cried the queen. “Did she say in the beginning of the spring?”
“Well, yes, I think she did.”
“We are going to have a baby!” She was so happy she burst into tears again.
*  *  *
    
Sure enough, on the first day of spring, the little baby was born a girl, and she meant everything to them.
Her mother named her Stephanya, which means gift from the heavens. They gave her a necklace of solid gold with her name engraved on it which they never let her take off.
  When Stephanya was about three years old the goddess came to visit. She came into the dining hall during diner.                                                             
“Sir?” asked the goddess
“Yes?”
“I think we had better leave the room I need to talk to you about curtain madders” the goddess said darkly.
“What? Why?” The king asked.
“Come, please come”
“Oh alright”
They left the room and went out into the garden.
 The goddess turned to the king
“Sorry that I did not come sooner it is a year’s journey of your time to reach here, and there is problems in the heavens, war is coming, the god of war has been restless, there has not been war here since the one to help Dukoonu.” She posed to take a breath before continuing. “The god of war has planed a something, with the king of Rackess, Rothereus, and the greedy one. He has always been trying to take your land as he took Dukoonu’s but you have always cut off his raids. But this time I think he really means war this time you should probably get ready”
     The king stood up, all business now “thank you, I shall have a meeting with my General and other high men.”
“Oh your highness that is not all, she is the one from the prophecy she is descend to defeat Rothereus”
The goddess stood up she knew that she was no longer needed and burst into her stare like ball and shot back up towards the heavens.
No way is my girl my baby girl ever going to do that I won’t let her try! The king thought.

“Kana! We have been over this many times! We must do it! We must do everything that we can to keep her safe!” The king cried the next day.
“Must we?”
“We must!” The king answered firmly.
The queen picked up her daughter, kissed her tiny bald head and handed her over to the king. The king took her and went down to the old mines were all of the important equipment was stored.
“Your majesty! It is an honor, what my do for you?” asked one of the workers.
“I need an escape pod to earth sent to earth right away!”
The worker led him down a long passage way and down some stairs and into the room where their few escape pods were stored.
“What would his majesty like to put in it?”
“My daughter.”
The worker gave him a surprised look, went into the escape pod and motioned for the king to follow. Inside the worker hit a bunch of buttons.
“Sending to Earth.” A manual voice announced.
The king planted a kiss on his daughter’s forehead and set her down wrapped in her favorite blanket.
“My daughter you are my precious miracle and I will love you always, I will see you again.”









Chapter one

“Beep beep, beep beep!” I reached up and hit the snooze button only to be woken again by it a few moments later. I yawned and stretched. Today is my thirteenth birthday, I thought, great, my parents always make such a big deal about my birthday. We don’t know when my real birthday is though, my parents aren’t my real parents, they found my on their front steps when I was about three. So my ‘birthday’ is just the day they found me. They always started out every one of my birthdays with the story of how I they found me, and I was not looking forward to it. I went to my closet, pulled out my birthday dress, and tugged it over my head. Then I headed into my bathroom, pulled a comb through my hair and quickly did a braid down my back. Then I stood there for a moment staring at my eyes. I hate my eyes, they’re purple, is there even such a thing as purple eyes? You might wonder, well I am living proof that they do, probably the only living proof. I am always teased about them at school and I hate it. I tore my eyes away from the mirror and tiptoed quietly down the stairs, trying not to wake my little brother Ryan, and headed into the kitchen.
“There’s our birthday girl!” My dad cried, “I made your favorite breakfast Anya! Blueberry pancakes!” “Thanks!” I said forcing a smile; I didn’t like to make a big deal about my birthday, seeing as it probably isn’t my birthday anyway. But my parents love planning parties so I didn’t tell them. I have no idea how they find the time to plan it though, my parents are rangers in Sequoia National Park in California, and so we live in the park. There was always something that they needed and 99% of the time my brother I and were home alone, or when I was younger, a babysitter.
As always my new age was planted on the wall above the table and there were streamers hanging from the ceiling, my mom was normally helping with breakfast but she was sitting at the table with a small wrapped box in her hand. She motioned me over and my dad went to the table and sat too. I went over to my mom and took the box.
“What is it?” I asked, “You always give me my gifts after Ryan gets up!”
My mom cleared her throat “as you know twelve years ago today your dad and I found you and took you in...”
“I know you, found me on your front steps and you named me Anya and I’ve lived here ever since. But what does this have to do with this!” I asked holding up the box.
“Well you didn’t let me finish,” she cleared her voice again “One, your father and I found you in the woods...”
I looked up.
“And two, we didn’t name you.”
“What do you mean, who named me then?”
“Open the box,” my mom said.
I lifted the lid and drew out a golden locket.
“Your mom and I found you wearing it, and we took it to the jeweler, Anya its solid gold!”
I was too shocked to speak.
“Turn it over.”
I did and engraved on it was, well my name but it said something else too but it was to faded to read
“What does it say before my name?” I asked.
“We don’t know.” my dad answered, “But we think that it’s the rest of your name.”
“You mean you don’t think that Anya is my full name?”
My dad shook his head. Suddenly I felt really mad.
“Why didn’t you tell me, why have you lied to me all these years!”
“We waited until we thought that you were ready.” My dad answered, “Also your mom and I have been talking and we think that you are old enough to go into the woods now, just don’t tell your brother that!”
All of a sudden all my anger seemed to take flight and left me, I had been begging my parents to let me go in the woods forever. They wouldn’t let me in our woods but we went hiking and camping whenever we could.
“Seriously! Thank you, thank you!” I flung myself at my father and squeezed him so tight that his eyes bulged out of his head.
I shoveled down the pancakes and ran out the door towards the woods.
I had hooked my necklace around my neck and tucked it under dress before I had left. I ran through the trees laughing. I had only been allowed to play in the trees on the border of the woods and the big sequoia that was a thousand years old and hollow, so I knew how to climb. I scampered up one of the towering oaks as I drew deeper into the woods. It was my dad who thought of the nickname monkey, he said that as soon as they let me into the backyard I swung up one of the trees like a monkey and wouldn’t come back down. When I reached the top I looked out and could see all the way to town! I decided to get back to the ground and keep exploring before my mom called me for lunch. An hour later I heard my mom do just that.
“Anya! Anya!”
“Coming mum!” I yelled back at the top of my lungs.
I sprinted back through the trees until I was back at my house.
“Michel came.” She said as I came through the door, “He wanted to know if you wanted to go out to lunch today. You forgot your cell phone in your room so he couldn’t reach you. He’s in your room waiting for an answer.”
I nodded.
“Okay, thanks mom!”
That Michel! He always was asking me out for the second he asks! He needs to learn to plan ahead! Note to self I thought as I headed up to my room, next time pick a boyfriend that’s more organized.
“Anya!” He cried as I opened the door, “Um I got some bad news, um you see, um.”
“Spit it out Michel!” I said rolling my eyes.
“You see, um I got some bad news I need to break up with you.”
“Okay.” I said and turned to leave.
He grabbed my shoulder.
“No hurt feelings right?”
“I think I’ll manage.” I said patting his arm.
“Okay great!” He said as he followed me out of my room and down the stairs to the door. He stepped outside.
“I thought that you might be upset so I’m glad you’re not!”
“Bye.” I said trying to close the door but he grabbed it.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” I cried, “Believe me”
I slammed the door and went to have lunch. Afterword I ran up to my room and called my best friend Liana to tell her all about the breakup.
“Remind me why I ever went out with him?” I asked laughing.
“Because he’s hot!”
“Well yah, but unlike you I pick boys for actions not looks.”
“True.” She said. “Oh I have to go now call me later okay? Bye”
“Yep bye!”
I ran out the door and back into the woods until I reached a small clearing. But it wasn’t the clearing that surprised me it was what was in the clearing. In the middle of the clearing was some sort of big metal sphere. I went over to it and realized that it was hollow; there was a room inside of it.
I stepped inside and a door closed locking me inside. I screamed. Then it powered up and a light flickered on. There were a bunch of buttons on one off the walls; I franticly began pounding on every one of them, trying to get out.
“Sending to Isis.” A voice announced.
“No! No!” I cried.
I felt the machine jump and then move so fast that I was thrown against its side.
       




Chapter two

 
I looked, up the machine had finally stopped moving. I stood up and that’s when the door opened. I scrambled out and fell to the ground shaking. When I finally got up I realized that I was bleeding, but it took me even longer to figure out where I was. All around me was fields and fields of wheat. Where was I? I sneezed, the stalks were very scratchy and had lots of pollen in them, and I was allergic to pollen. I began walking, and sneezing, until I reached a road. Well I think it is a road it wasn’t paved it was a dirt road. Then I heard a loud noise coming from down the road. I looked and saw a group of powerful looking white horses pulling a golden coach. Who rides like that these days? Then I noticed as they got closer that the horses had horns on their heads. What was this some kind of birthday joke? I wondered. I shook my head trying to clear it. The coach threw up dirt as it went by, I screamed and fell to the ground. It stopped a few yards away from me and a woman in a flowing green and gold gown stepped out. I can just imagine how I look to her, sitting here torn and bloody in my dress that must have looked very plain compared to hers. When she got closer though I realized that she had purple eyes too!
“Who are you child? Where are your Mother and Father?” she asked.
“I-I am Anya. And I-I don’t know.”
I looked up to see that she was staring at my neck. She slowly approached me, reached out and picked up my locket to examine it.
“Ste-Stephanya!” She whispered. “N-no it cannot be you!” She fell to the ground sobbing.
Then out of the coach stepped a man in a long robe of the same design. He went over to the woman and put his arms around her.
“What is it?” He whispered.
“Step-Stephanya! It’s Stephanya!”
The man looked up.
“What’s your name girl?” He barked.
“A-Anya.” I answered.
He came over and examined my necklace as the woman had, he went white.
“Wh-where did you get this?” He asked his voice hoarse.
“I-I have had it since I was born, why?”
“You are Stephanya; you are my daughter!”
I stared at him.
“Come with us.” He said holding out his hand.
The rest is a blur, getting into the carriage, the man, who I found out was the king, explained everything to me, and getting to the castle. Everything made sense then how my mom and dad found me in the woods; they must have found me in the thing my real father called an escape pod. Then how they found my necklace, which I know now says Stephanya. The only thing I don’t get is that my father said that I was on a planet called Isis. I’ve never heard of that place! Does that make me an alien? But aren’t aliens little green people or something like that? I don’t think that I even believe in aliens. I remember that when we got to the castle some servants took me to my room then more came into ‘clean me up’. The gown that they gave me felt very heavy and it took me awhile to get used to it. Also they cleaned up my necklace so it said Stephanya again. After a while I decided to explore the castle.
“We just got her back! How could you even think of sending her away?”
I stopped, and tiptoed back to the door I had just passed.
“The war is not over yet! Keeping her safe must be our first priority!” The king or my father said.
“Even if she is the one from the prophecy it’s not like she will get a chance!” The queen or my mother cried.
“Alright, she may stay for now.”
Now I was really confused, they acted so happy to see me and now they wanted me to go. I wanted answers and I wanted them now. I pushed open the door and stepped into a small sitting room. My Father looked up.
“How much did you hear?” He asked sighing.
“Enough.” I answered. “I want to know why.”
“Well we are at war with another kingdom called Rackess. There is a prophecy saying that the princess will defeat the evil king, and we were told that it is you.”
I stared at him. I don’t think that I could ever ‘defeat’ anyone. My parents had me practice archery and I was pretty good at it. But that was the only thing that I could use, and I don’t even know if they have bows and arrows here.
“Um, do you have archery here?” I asked.
“Yes why?”
“Well I am pretty good at archery maybe that could help me.”
“NO!” My father cried standing up, “No, the whole point is that were trying to keep you safe by sending you away! So you wouldn’t be able to try!”
Now I was annoyed too, did they think I was too weak or something? I was thirteen! At least I knew archery! But I needed some practice. I went exploring a little more, and then I saw a young man coming out of the throne room, he looks important he must know his way around here.
“Excuse me!” I cried hurrying towards him. He turned.
“Princess!” The man cried taking my hand and kissing it, “It has been too long! I am Econ your father’s right hand man.”
“It is nice to meet you. Can you tell me if there are any archery stations around here?” I asked.
“Why yes, follow me.”
He’s was kind of cute I thought, it seemed like he was only a couple years older than me. This might sound weird seeing as everyone here has the same color hair and eyes as me except his hair is a little darker. I followed him out of the castle and down a green slope. The landscape around here was amazing! It looked slot like Yosemite. The grass was the greenest I had ever seen, and when Econ led me past an orchard the trees were so full of color that I felt as though I could stare at them forever! When we passed the orchard I looked back and saw the castle up higher on the hill and behind it was rolling mountains, it was the perfect picture. I sighed and turned to Econ who had stopped at the edge of the woods a few feet ahead of me.
“Everything here is so beautiful!” I cried, “Like I stepped right into a story!”
Econ chuckled. “The landscape isn’t the only beautiful thing around here.”
He was looking right at me as he said it and I realized that he was talking about me! I blushed.
“Oh um thanks.” I mumbled then more awkwardly said, “You’re beautiful too.”
He laughed and I blushed again.
“Alright, this is the archery area the bows and arrows are in there.” He said pointing to a small building off to our right, “And the targets are a little deeper into the forest that way.”
I followed his finger to see that he was pointing straight into the forest.
“Okay. Thank you.” I said starting towards the small building.
“Wait.” Econ said grabbing my arm, “If you don not mind princess, may I join you? I have not practiced archery in a while.”
I blushed again. Man this guy sure knows how to make someone blush!
“Um, sure I don’t mind at all.”
So we headed to the building to pick out our bows and arrows. When we went into the building it was pitch dark and I tripped over something. Then Econ lit one of the lamps hanging from the wall and extended his hand, offering to help me up. I took it. He smiled. I blushed.
“I do not think you have the grace part of being a princess down yet!” He said laughing.
“I don’t think so either!” I said joining him in laughter.
We made our way through the woods until we reached a small clearing. This day couldn’t be more perfect. I thought as we walked towards the targeting line. I loosed some arrows and shot three neatly into the center. Econ’s however seemed to land anywhere but the center.
“I do not get much time to practice.” He said blushing when he saw me staring.
I set my bow down and came over to him.
“Well I could show you how I do it if you want.” I said.
“Yes please!” He said bowing.
“On one condition.” I said.
“What is it?” He asked.
“No more bowing!” I said.
“Anything you say princess.”
“My name is Anya! Use it okay!”
He nodded.
“Alright.” I said taking his bow, “All you have to do is look right down your bow, aim for the center of the target, and keep a steady hand and fire!” I let the arrow go flying right into the center of the target. Then I took another shot and split the other arrow right in half.
“As my archery teacher would say, keep an eye on your target and you can’t miss!”
We took a few more shots before heading back to the castle, and  Econ was a fast learner!










Chapter three


At dinner there was enough food to feed an entire army! But it was all only for mother, father, Econ and I! My father told me how Econ was always like a son to him so that is why he joined in our meals. Also at dinner he told me about a kingdom war to help some people in a kingdom.
“Both your mother and I fought in it!” He said proudly.
I looked over at my mother, just looking at her it didn’t sound right. She was so small and frail that it didn’t seem possible. So I sat there for about an hour listening to my father go on and on about it, I was glad when dinner was over.
     After dinner some servants took me back to my bedroom, or my ‘quarters’ as they call them here. I took a bath then some more servants came and dressed me in a night gown or ‘sleep clothes’ and I went to bed.

    I stayed there for the next couple weeks, it seemed as though my father had changed his mind about sending me back to Earth. During those weeks, Econ and I practiced archery, and my mother had made me take ‘edict’ lessons sewing, writing, and the ‘proper way to do everything.
           One day my father announced that one of the neighboring kingdoms was coming to trade. The servants got me all dressed up in an outfit that looked like something that Padme Amidala in Star Wars would wear. When I looked at myself in the mirror I could barely believe that it was me. My crown fit into my hairpiece perfectly.  I was amazed. I hurried down the stairs and into the front hall to find my father talking to a man in a royal blue and silver robe.
“Ah Stephanya!” The man cried as he kissed my hand ignoring my flinch. “It is truly wonderful to see you again! I am king Mostin from Elque!”
I curtsied back, trying hard not to fall over.
“This is my son Décor! Why do not you go do something together while your father and I talk business?”
The king’s son Décor was very tall and he towered over me and he was awfully handsome with his deep blue eyes and silver hair, but yet he looked so serious unlike Econ whose eyes always seemed to be laughing at something. We went outside onto the balcony. Then he grabbed my arm and pulled me close to him, way too close to him in my opinion.
“You are most beautiful.” He whispered into my ear as he stroked my hair.
I tried to free myself from his grasp but he held me fast ignoring my attempts to free myself. He kissed my cheek ignoring my flinch. It was a very wet kiss. I tried to rub it off with my hands but they were stuck in his grasp so I just used my shoulder. He pulled me even tighter up against his chest. Geez this guy doesn’t take a hint. That was how the rest of the evening went Décor hovering around me like an annoying fly. The worst part about it was that my dress didn’t have a back so that was the most targeted area. Though luckily he only kissed me once, on the balcony. At least he didn’t go for my mouth. I was relieved when they left and I went straight down to Econ when they did. He had become like an older brother to me so I told him everything. When I was finished he threw back his head and laughed.
“I saw you to on the balcony, you did look really uncomfortable.”
I nodded, “I am just glad that my father is finished with the business for the year.”
Econ gave me a funny look.
“That is not why they were here. Décor and you have known each other since you were born, he wanted to come see you again.”
“I was told that they were here for business.” I said confused.
Econ shrugged his shoulders.
“Well I do not really know. Go back to your sleeping quarters it is getting late.”
          The next day as Econ and I headed down to the woods I turned and headed down towards the stables.
“Where are you going?” He asked, “do not you know your way around by now? Archery is this way!”
I laughed.
“I know, but today we’re going to challenge ourselves!”
I hadn’t been to the stables yet but I was in for a big surprise, more horses with horns. I smacked my head with my hand.
“Why do these horses have horns on their heads?” I asked.
“Horses?” Econ laughed, “I have not heard of them except in Earthtales! These are unicorns!”
“But unicorns don’t exist!” I cried.
Econ gave me a confused look.
“Horses do not exist!”
“What? And anyway unicorn are white not gray well some are white but not gray!”
“Unicorns are born black and turn white when they are one hundred.” Econ said. “Until then they are a grayish color.”
“Do Pegasus’ exist?” I asked
“Of course!”
“Fairies?”
“Yes.”
“Mermaids?”
“Yes.”
“Dragons?”
“Yes.”
I stared at him, crossed my arms, and raised my eyebrows.
“Do dogs exist?”
“Of course not!”
“WHAT!! I have a pet dog named Coco!”
“Really! Wow! Well remember, you did grow up on Earth.” He pointed out, “You see here Earth’s fantasy is our reality, and Earth’s reality is our fantasy. Tell me did Abraham Lincoln really exist?”
“Yes.”
“Wow!”
“Okay then.” I said, “Well today we are going to do archery on hor- I mean um on unicorns.”
“Okay.” Econ said heading over to one of the stalls, “This is Toro, he is mine. And this is his son Ecwin. He was born around the same time as you were.”
“How long can they live for?” I asked.
“Oh about a thousand years.”
“Wow!” I cried, “I think that plants are the only things on Earth that can live near that long!”
I found out that they don’t have any tack at all here; luckily I knew how to ride bareback.
“While you were working yesterday I hung a few targets from trees in the forest. Just follow me!”
We headed out and into the woods. After shooting almost all of the targets I looked back and realized that Econ had stopped.
“What is it?” I asked.
“That.” He answered.  He pointed at one tree next to him.  I looked to see that it had long scratch in the bark. “We are on the edge of the territory; all of the area out there is wild.”
“Well it’s only a little farther.” I said, “Come on!”
“There it is!” I cried after a while.
I loosed my bow and shot it right into the center. I heard an arrow whizz pass my ear splitting my arrow right in half. I looked behind me.
“You did it!” I cried.
“With help from a great teacher I did it.”
I blushed. We went a little farther until we reached a small stream. We dismounted and let the unicorns get a drink.
“Anya! Behind you!”
I turned to find a giant troll like creature behind me. I screamed and naturally I reached for my bow and arrows but I had left them by the unicorns! Its huge hand grabbed me and swung me against a tree. I let out a cry of pain. Luckily before the creature could turn on me again Econ shot two arrows into its eye. The creature roared and turned on him instead. Econ shot more into its other eye.
The creature roared again but fainter this time, and fell to the ground.
“Anya! Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” I said as I tried to sit up but I had to lie back down again for the pain was overwhelming. “What was that?” I asked.
“An Ogre.” Econ answered looking concerned, “They do not normally come near the capitol.”
He slid his arms under me and lifted up onto Ecwin as we made our way back to the castle.

“Broken rib.” Was what the doctor said. “She will need to rest in bed for about a month.”  
I hated staying in one place for long time but I knew that I had to do what the doctor said, and I managed to get through a day without moving from the bed except to use the bathroom. The next morning food was brought to my bed by servants and after I slept awhile. Sleeping was mainly all I did.
But a couple days after the accident I woke to find Econ sitting on a chair near my bed.
“Sorry did I wake you?” He asked.
“No.” I answered and went back to sleep.
He was staring at me again the next time I woke up.
“Can you not stare at me please?”
“Sorry.” he said holding a book over his eyes, “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
I laughed then winced. Great I can’t laugh without it hurting, do I have any freedom?
“You can look at me just don’t stare.” I said, and then I noticed that the book.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Just a science book, can I read some to you?”
So that’s how I got though the month, Econ’s reading and my sleeping.
Finally I began to feel a lot better. The doctor came back to check on me, and he said that he could that I was resting a lot over the last month because I was good as new.
Later that night my father woke me.
“We have an errand to run.” He whispered, “Get up.”
“In the middle of the night?”
“Come!”
“Okay, okay I’m coming!” I grumbled, annoyed to be ripped away from my slumber.
I followed my father out of the castle and into a carriage.
“Here we are.” My father said after a while.
I stepped out of the carriage and realized that we were back at that field that I was in when I first arrived.
“Why did you bring me back here? You’re not!” I cried.
My father grabbed my arms and half lead and half dragged me over to the escape pod. Econ was standing outside it.
“You fixed it like I asked?” My father asked him.
“Yes.” He said in a quiet voice.
My father threw me into the pod.
“Sending to Earth.”
“No, no!” I cried, “Let me out let me out!”
But it was too late the pod jerked and swayed and this time I grabbed onto something before it threw itself back to Earth.










Chapter four

I looked up, the pod had come to a stop and the door had burst open. I stepped out to find myself back in that clearing in my woods. I looked around the pod and discovered a small note attached to one of the seats.
Anya,
It read.
I am so sorry that you have been sent back to Earth, I had many good times with you. I would never disobey your father but well I will miss you more than you know. I fixed the pod so that if you hit the big red button above the seat it will automatically send you back to Isis. I will be there in the field waiting for you.

Econ
I reached towards the big red button but then stopped myself. I wanted to defeat the evil king.  
I mean if I am the one from the prophecy then I don’t really have a choice do really I have? There was just one thing that I needed to defeat him, my bow and arrow. My parents had it made for me for my last birthday it was made for me it was like a part of me it was like it came alive in my hands. I carry it with me everywhere I go, well maybe not everywhere. I ran through the woods until I made it back to my house. When I got to the back door I looked under the flower pot, grabbed the spare key, and turned the lock. I slipped in the door and quietly tiptoed up the stairs to my bedroom. I went over to the closet and took out my bow and arrows. I strung the sheath of arrows around my back and looped my bow across it, then I quietly tiptoed back downstairs and almost went out the door but then I noticed something on the table. It was the newspaper ’13 year old girl gone missing!’ the heading read. I picked it up and sure enough it was about me. My school picture from this year was in it. I felt a tear fall down my face. I was being so stupid and selfish! I wasn’t even thinking about my parents!

Mom, Dad
I wrote
I am so sorry for leaving you but I have great news! I have found my real parents and I have gone to live with them. I am so sorry but I cannot come back. I will love you always.
Anya

I left the note on top of the paper and slipped out the door locking it behind me. I ran back through the woods until I was back at the escape pod. I stepped in, hit the red button and grabbed onto the nearest thing I could find.
When I landed and the door opened I jumped out and hurried towards the road.
“Anya!”
I looked up to find Econ perched in one of the trees near me. He jumped down to me and gave me a hug.
“It is good to see you again.”
“And you.” I said.
He smiled.
“What do you want to do?” He asked.             
“I need to defeat the king of Rackess, tell me all that you know about him. My mother told me that you were highly educated.”
He stared at me.
“What, are, you, talking about?” He said slowly as if he thought I had gone crazy.
“Don’t you know about the prophecy?” I asked.
“The one about the king of Rackess?”
“Yes my mother and father say that I am the one in the prophecy.”
Econ took a long deep breath.
“That would explain so much!” He said, “Why your parents sent you away in the first place, and why they sent you away now!”
“So you didn’t know?”
“No I did not, I do not think anyone did.”
“That’s strange.”
Econ nodded his agreement.
“Well now that you know can you tell me about him?” I asked.
“It is a long story.” He said.
“Well we got plenty of time.”
“It all started a long time ago when Isis was just formed. Kind humans found this planet, humans that did not believe in war and suffering. They landed on Pedrus and made it their home. But then about century later, people found out about Isis people who liked war. They lived on Rackess and made it their home. Soon the people on Rackess became jealous of Pedruses beauty and invaded. The people of Pedrus were overwhelmed. They had no idea how to fight! So one day your great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great…”
“I get it.” I said, “A long way back.”
He nodded and smiled before continuing with his story.
“Snuck into the enemy’s camp and stole weapons so that they could fight back. To make this story shorter I will just say that we won the war. But ever since then Rackess has wanted our land, and that is why we are at war again now.  The man who stole the weapons was named king and his daughter defeated the king of Rackess then and is apparently going to do the same now.”
“How did the princess defeat him last time?” I asked.
“Legend says that the princess had a bow and arrow, but it has been lost in time.”
“Well that’s useful.” I said sarcastically.
“It will be, if we find it.”
I looked up at him in surprise.
“That’s your plan? Trying to find something that may or may not exist? That’s crazy! Do you have any idea where it might even be? It could be anywhere!” I exclaimed.
“I know I know!” I will think of something!” He cried.
“Well maybe there is something in the book.” I said.
“Yes! That’s it!” Econ cried, “In the book it says that the girl’s mother was a mermaid! Therefore she could breathe under water!”
“So you’re saying that it might be with the mermaids?” I asked.
“Yes!”
“Okay so we just find the mermaids! Where are the mermaids?”
Econ laughed and pulled out a map. “Around here.” He said pointing to a small island off to the side of Pedrus.
“It’s uninhabited so it’s great for them.”
“Yeah for them! How are we supposed to get there?”
“By unicorn of course!”
I heard a high whinny and looked up to see that Ecwin and Toro were underneath the tree that Econ was in moments before.
“Oh.” I said, “I guess I didn’t see them.”
We got up and went over to them.
“Oh great there’s no foot stool!”
“Allow me.” He cupped his hands next to Ecwin and helped me up.
“Thanks.” I said and blushed.
He nodded and smiled before scrambling up on Toro himself.
“Oh I almost forgot!” He reached into his cloak and took out another, “So you won’t be recognized.”
I slipped it on, “Thanks again!”
We set off down the road Econ next to me with the map, and me just hoping that Econ would be right about all of this.
*  *  *
Four days later we were beginning to run out of food and we weren’t even getting enough to begin with.
“Ah we’re almost there! We have just entered Mancher and will probably be there in three days.”
Then Ecwin just collapsed. I screamed and jumped free and rolled once before getting up. I went back over to him, he was breathing very heavily.
“We need to take a break! Ecwin’s exhausted!”
“Okay we will wait there for the night.” He said pointing to a small in on the side of the road.
We tied Toro and Ecwin up outside the door and went in.
“Pretend that we’re married.” Econ whispered into my ear.
“What?” I said blushing.
“Just do it! I will explain later!”
The inn was very small with small windows that cast shadows into the room. There was an old lady sitting at a desk that matched her perfectly old and shabby.  I shivered it was a very creepy place. Econ cleared his throat and the lady looked up.
“Ah what can I get for yah?” She asked.
“My uh wife and I would like a room and a place to keep our unicorns.”
“Of course! Peyquinn!” A boy who looked a little younger than me ran in.
“Yes!” He said.
“Take these couples’ unicorns, bring them to the stables, and give them some food and water! Now!”
“Yes mam!” The boy cried running out the door.
“Benyell!” She yelled. This time a man about Econ’s age came in.
“Take this couple to room 1910!”
“Of course mam! Follow me.” He said leading out of the room and down a long hallway.
“Here is your room. I hope you enjoy your stay!”
There were carvings of mermaids and sea dragons all over the walls. It was truly breathtaking compared to the main room. There was only one problem, there was only one bed.
“Great!” I exclaimed. “Because you had to tell them that we were married they gave us a room with one bed!”
“What! I don’t have fleas!”
“Well can you please tell me why we had to pretend to be married?”
“Well it draws less attention to us. People will get suspicious if they know that we’re just friends!” He explained. “And it was either that or you pretending to be my daughter and that would be even more unbelievable. I mean I am only sixteen! And you’re thirteen!”
“Okay, okay I get your motive.” I said sighing.
“But you could have just said that we were brother and sister.”
“That wouldn’t work either.”
The next morning I woke up to find Econ’s face inches away from mine. I scrambled back; normally he woke up before me. I looked down on him he looks so peaceful when he’s asleep I thought. He has such long eyelashes. I got dressed and went back to the main room to be joined by Econ a few moments later.
We went and sat at a table and Benyell brought us some food to eat.
“How did you sleep?” He asked.
“Fine, thank you.” I answered.
After we finished breakfast Peyquinn came in the door with a solemn look on his face. He turned to me.
“I am afraid that your unicorn is sick mam.” He said.
“What!” I cried. “But we have somewhere we need to go, now!”
“If you want you can pay me to care for him and you can stay in your room for free until he’s well again.”
“Thank you.” I said sitting back down, “That is very kind of you.”




Chapter five


So that’s how it went for the next couple of days, but luckily Econ woke up before me the rest of the days. Finally about a week later Peyquinn came up to me and told me that Ecwin was fit and ready to travel again.
“Well that took too long in my opinion.” I muttered when Econ and I got back on the road.
“At least Ecwin is okay.”
“I guess.” I said.
We continued forward for the rest of the day and that night there wasn’t another inn around so we had to make do with sleeping on the ground. I was surprised to find that even with the blankets I was a lot colder than normal. Econ seemed to have felt the same way because he scooted over next to me.
The next morning I woke up and took the rest of our food out and prepared it for when Econ woke up, when he did we quickly ate and set off again.
I was in another bad mood today and after a while then, at lunch, I said something that seemed to push Econ over the edge.
“What is wrong with you?” He cried, “You’ve been in such a bad mood ever since we left that first inn! I thought we were like brother and sister so why do you care so much about the beds?”
I don’t know why but I burst into tears.
“Oh I don’t know!” I said wiping my tears away as I felt Econ come up and embrace me, and I hugged him back. “I guess I was just really embarrassed.”
“I am sorry about what I said.”
The next day I was in a better mood and we reached a Mancher by the end of the day.
We rode down to the wharf right when we got there I knew that something was wrong but I couldn’t quite place it.
“Where are the boats?” I asked.
“We do not have boats here.” He answered, “Unicorns can fly.”
“Oh.” I said pretending that it made perfect since to me.
“But it is too far a trip for them to make so they built two landing platforms in the ocean for the unicorns and the people to rest.”
I nodded
“Follow me.” He said.  
We turned away from the water and headed back into the city. A little while later we reached a small hut on the water. Econ knocked on the door and a woman opened it.
“Econ!” She cried embracing him, “You are here!”
“Hello mother.” He said his voice muffled by her clothes. So this is his mother I thought.
“I just need to stay the night, me and my friend.”
“Oh.” The woman said looking disappointed, “Well at least you are here for now, come I was just about to start dinner.”
We followed her into a small dining room set with two plates with one fish on each plate. A boy about my age came in with three speared fish.
“Koska! Look! Your brother is here!”
“Koska!” Econ cried embracing his brother. “It’s good to see you!”
Koska laughed.
“You too, who is your friend?” The look that he gave me was so strong that he might as well of said I love you.
“This?” Econ asked, “Oh this is, Minyell.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” I said.
He nodded.
Then Econ’s mother went into the kitchen and came back with two more plates of fish. After we ate Koska, Econ, and I went outside to the beach. After Econ made sure that we were alone he said.
“Koska listen to me I need you to keep a secret this is princess Stephanya, we are on a quest and I might not come back I need you to take over for me if I don’t. Okay?”
Koska just stared at us.
“You are joking right?” He said.
Econ shook his head.
“Well then I am coming with you! I have fought off all kinds of creatures before!”
“I was afraid you would say that.” Econ said sighing.
“If you do not let me I will tell mother!”
“Okay, okay.”
The next day we left and Koska slipped out the door after us with his spear when his mother wasn’t looking. When we reached the docks we took a break and kept going.
As the day slowly drifted by with no landing platform I drew restless.
Although before I could open my mouth to comment on this Econ opened his.
“There is the platform. Come on.”
Koska and I followed him down to land on the big metal contraption in the water.
A man came out of a hole in the platform and hurried over to us.
“I shall take your unicorns.” He said, “Go down here and you will see a man that will give you a room.”
We went down into the hole that the man had come out of. Like he had said there was another man waiting at the bottom.
“One room for three or three rooms for each?”
“One room for three!” Econ answered at once.
The man nodded and led us down a flight of about fifty stairs through a door and a hallway then another long flight of stairs and down another hallway before he finally stopped at a door.
“This will be your room for the night, enjoy your stay.”
It was then that I noticed that the entire thing was made of glass, except the top of course.
I looked out under us, on top of us, and all the walls except the one with the door were made of glass. You could see all of the fish and sea creatures everywhere. It kind of made me nervous just thinking about it, sleeping with the fish.
   The next morning after breakfast was delivered I tried to get out and back to the unicorns on the surface but I got lost and it took me about two hours before I found the man that had showed us to our room the night before.
“Excuse me sir.” I said, “But I have gotten lost could you please show me the way to the surface?”
“Of course, follow me.”
I followed him up and out to the surface.
“Thank you, sir.” I said.
He nodded and left.
I went over to the barn to find Econ and Koska waiting for me.
“What took you so long?” Econ asked.
“I got lost.” I answered.
“Did not you have someone come and escort you out?” Koska asked.
“No.”
They both laughed, and I blushed.
“Well.” Econ said. “We better get a move on.”
I mounted up, with Econ’s help, and we started off. Econ and Koska on Toro, and me on Ecwin.
This time it was almost pitch black out and we still hadn’t reached the landing platform.
“Koska.” I said as I watched Toro’s hooves start to scrape the top of the water. “Get on Ecwin with me, Toro needs a break.”
He nodded and I had to come over to him because Toro could barely fly anywhere but straight.
About an hour later we finally saw the platform. I won’t go into much detail, let’s just say that it was the same as the last place. Except this time I had someone escort me so I didn’t get lost.
The next day when we set out Toro didn’t look so good.
“Econ.” I asked, “How old is Toro?”
“About eight-hundred thirty-six.” Econ said scratching his horse lovingly behind his ears. “He was your fathers and your grandfathers and your great-grandfathers and..”
“I get it, old.”
This time Koska and I would ride on Ecwin the whole time.
“He doesn’t look so good. I can’t believe I’m saying this but maybe we should stay at the next landing platform for a couple days so the unicorns can rest.”
Econ sighed, “I think you are right.”
So we stayed at the next place for two days before we started off again. When it was getting near the end of the day Econ decided to go above the clouds with all of the other travelers.
“Why?” I asked, “You said that it would be better to stay down here so we could talk without people listening.”
“Well that was when no one would really notice us. We are nearing Purus and we better get in with the crowd so we look like normal travelers.”
“What? I thought that you said that the islands the mermaids live around are uninhabited.”
“They are but there’s another island near it called Purus, that’s where everyone else is going so we fit in with the crowd we will go there too. Then from there we will head on to the islands.”
So we went up into the clouds to be with the others. It was a little weird being around other people when I had just gotten used to our small group, but I got used to it after a while. No one seemed to notice our appearance; we probably were nothing out of the ordinary to them. For me though, I just wanted to get this day over with so I could talk to Econ again.
“Land!” someone cried out.
I looked up and sure enough I saw a coastline in the distance and felt my stomach lurch. We’re almost there! All of my worries played over and over in my mind. What if we couldn't find the mermaids? Or what if we could find them and they didn’t have the bow and arrows? Then what would we do? Even though Econ had told me over and over not to worry I still do.
When we finally reached the docks it felt like it was around two o-clock in the morning. I could barely keep my eyes open.  Correction, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. According to Econ I fell asleep on his shoulder as soon as we landed.
“It’s like the only thing that was keeping you awake was the chance to see land.” He joked later that night after he woke me up.
I just rolled my eyes, “Well aren’t we going to find a place to stay?”
“The nearest place is about five miles that way.” Econ said, “So I was thinking that we should just find a soft patch of grass to lie in for the night.”
Neither Koska nor I disagreed; we just flopped down where we were and fell asleep.








Chapter six

The next morning Econ literally had to drag me up onto Ecwin so we could get moving.
“Come on you lazy bum!” He said laughing as he tried and failed yet again to pull me up on Ecwin. “At least stay on!”
“Mm tired.” I mumbled.
Econ laughed.
“Econ I have an idea.” I heard Koska say.
The two stood there whispering for a while then they stopped. I laid there waiting for a bucket of cold water to hit me, or a blow over the head, but what came next was about the biggest surprise I have had yet.
“Tickle attack!”
The lunged at me tickling every area from my waist up that they could reach.
Soon I was laughing so hard that I was wide awake. When they finally stopped I turned and jumped on Econ knocking him over and taking in surprise with my own tickle attack.
“Never, do that, again!”
Econ was a lot stronger than me so he rolled up so he was on top of me and started tickling me back. Then we were just rolling around on the ground tickling each other. When I was up on top of him again he found my weak spot, my arm pit. I let out a shriek and collapsed on Econ laughing. Then I raised my arm, but before I could strike him Koska grabbed it.
“If you two are done we really should get a move on.”
“Right.” Econ said still laughing as he got up.
As Econ got on Ecwin behind me he whispered in my ear.
“Well that was productive.”
“Why’s that?” I asked.
“Because, I found your weak spot!” He said as he stuck his hand under my arm and started tickling me again. But this time I just squeezed my arm against my side.
“I am glad I came or it would have taken you two months to finish this quest!” Koska said laughing, “You two are acting like children!”
“Well.” Econ said turning as red as a beat, “That is enough play time! Let’s get back to busyness!”
Koska and I glanced at each other and burst out laughing.
“Ah!” Koska said whipping his eyes, “You sure are funny bro.”
“What?” Econ said pretending to look offended.
That just got Koska and I laughing again and after a while Econ joined in too. The rest of the ride was spent in silence and I don’t even know if it’s possible but the day seemed to drag on longer than the day before had. I managed to fall asleep and fall off Ecwin in the middle of the day though, but when I hit the cold water I was wide awake. It was a little annoying because Econ and Koska couldn’t stop laughing when they came down to get me.
I must have fallen asleep again though because when I woke up there was a dead fire next to me and Econ and Koska were on the ground sleeping next to me. I got up, Ecwin and Toro were awake and tied to a tree near us. I went over to them and took a towel and a bar of soap out of the one of the bags. Then I went over to Toro who had the best sensing ability.
“Do you know if there’s a spring near hear boy?” I whispered him as I stroked his nose.
He nickered softly and I untied him. He turned and headed off into the woods I followed him behind a few bushes and trees until we reached a small waterfall with a little pool beneath it. It was beautiful the water was crystal clear and there were flowers all along the side of it.
“This is probably why Econ picked this spot.” I said kissing Toro’s velvety nose. You head back so Econ doesn’t get worried.”
I undressed and headed into the water. I expected it to be freezing but it was just perfect. This was a tropical island after all. After I finished bathing I got out and cleaned my clothes and set my over dress on a rock to dry. Then I put my under dress on and went back into the water. It was just too warm to leave. I dosed for a while.
“ANYA! ANYA!” Econ voice shattered the silence.
“I’m over here.” I said sinking low into the water.
“Anya.” Econ said as he crashed through the bushes, “There you are!”
Econ ran straight into the water and hugged me so tight my eyes probably bulged out of my head.
“You scared me so bad! You could of at least waited for me to get up before you headed out!”
“Sorry.” I answered, “I didn’t think about that.”
Econ, still looking a little cross took off his over shirt and over pants, and through them onto the grass.
“It is pretty warm.” He said as he swam back over to me, “You are right it is great!”
The water level was up to my neck so it was about two thirds of the way up Econ’s chest.
Econ began taking off his under shirt, then stopped. He had a strange look on his face.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Nothing.” He said as he dived into the water.
I stood there waiting for him to resurface, but he didn’t. I dove down into the water but I couldn’t see him. As I was heading back to the surface I felt something grab my arm. I jumped out of the water and screamed. Then another hand covered my mouth, and pulled me up against its chest. I looked up, it was Econ. He released me and I turned and slapped him across the face.
“Don’t you ever do that again! You scared me half to death!”
“Sorry.” He said, “But I need to show you something.”
I took his hand and he pulled me under the water. But he was heading straight for the waterfall! I tried to wriggle my hand out of his grasp but that just made him hold me tighter. What was he doing!?!
He just kept on going right through the waterfall. Wait through the waterfall? Yes! He wasn’t going crazy there was a cave behind the falls!
“Whoa.” I said smiling at Econ, “This is so cool!”
Econ nodded and smiled.
“I thought you would like it.”
We sat there for a while talking then swam out and ley out on the grass to let the sun dry us.
“I have not done something like this since I was still a kid!” Econ cried.
“Wait a minute!” I cried sitting up. “I knew I forgot something where’s Koska?”
“He is still asleep.”
“Yah.” I said, “And what did you do when you couldn’t find me?”
“Oh right!” Econ cried.
We quickly through our over clothes back on and ran back to the camp.
“Oh there you are.” Koska said looking up from his breakfast as we came up, “Why are you wet?”
“We went swimming.” I said as I sat down next to him, eating my own breakfast.
“I see.”
I looked up at him he was giving me a weird look that he gave me back at his house.
“Please don’t stare at me like that.” I said looking back down at my food.
“Why not?”
“It makes me uncomfortable.”
“Sorry.”
After breakfast we started looking for the mermaids.
“Okay.” Econ said taking his book out of his bag. “It says here that the only way to know that mermaids are around is to look for things washed up on the beach. Pearl necklaces, a purse of seaweed, and just a bunch of other sea like stuff.”
So for the rest of the day we went around every beach searching it from the water to the grass but found nothing. At about seven o-clock we finished and headed back to our campout area.
“Man!” I said as I collapsed on my sleeping blanket, “We didn’t find anything! I guess we should just fly to the other island tomorrow and see if we can find anything there.”
“No!” Econ cried, “There are still two more things to look for!”
So we stayed there two more days and still found nothing that would let us know about any mermaids around. So we finally left after one more night for the other island. Grab a box of tissues because this is where our nice little story starts heading downhill.




Chapter seven


“Econ what’s that?” I ask pointing off into the horizon.
Econ’s face turns white.
“Oh no it is a dragon! Quick everyone below the clouds!”
But it was too late it had already spotted us. As it joined us beneath the clouds it shot a fire ball at us. We dodged it and Koska through his spear at it but it just bounced off as easily as if it had been made of paper.
“Aim for its eyes!” Econ cried.
I loosed a few arrows and fired them towards the dragon but it just simply burned them to dust in midair, and shot another fire ball at us and we dodged it again. Lucky for me I brought all twenty of my arrows so I still had plenty more to fire but the dragon just burned all the ones I shot to bits. Econ shot all of his arrows until he and Koska were completely vulnerable, and the dragon noticed that and shot another fireball right at them. It hit Toro’s side making him give a high whinny from the pain. They dropped out of the sky plunging down into the water below.
“Econ!” I screamed, “Koska! Toro!”
Ecwin gave a high whinny also, then his horn began golden and the dragon was paralyzed. The problem was it was right above us and when it was paralyzed it began to fall, Ecwin tried to move but it still managed to tear my back with its long claws. I barely noticed though, I was too worried about Econ, Koska, and Toro.
Then Ecwin shot down to the water. When we were about a yard above the water I jumped off his back and dived into it. I came up with both Econ and Koska unconscious on my back.
“Ecwin!” I croaked, “Help me!”
Ecwin sadly swam over to me and let me lie them down on his back. Econ was badly burned all up his leg so I let that sit in the water. The only kind of healing I know is that burns need water. Koska however seemed to be burned everywhere, except his face. I some places it was burned down to the bone though, it must be very painful. So I took him back off Ecwin and floated there with him in my arms.
“You may go see to your father now.” I told Ecwin.
But that just made Ecwin’s face drop lower. I closed my eyes.
“He’s dead isn’t he.”
Ecwin let out the longest highest screech I had ever heard and I knew it was true, Toro was dead.
“Anya?”
I looked down I was wrong Koska was conscious.
“Koska!” I cried hugging him you’re okay!”
“Anya.” He whispered weakly stroking my hair, “Before I die..”
“You’re not going to die! Don’t say that!”
But he just smiled up at me.
“It is okay I am not afraid to die.”
“You’re not going to die!” I repeated as hot tears began to spill down my cheeks, “You’re not!”
I grabbed his hand and held it to my cheek trying hard to stay above the water.
“I just wanted to let you know that I that I..”
His eyes began to close.
“No, No!” I cried shaking him,  “Stay with me you’re going to be okay you’re not going to die!”
“I-I love I love y-you.”
Then his eyes glazed over and he was gone. The tears started coming down even harder so that I was blinded.
“No Koska!” I cried shaking his lifeless body as hard as I could, “No! NO!”
I went limp sinking into the water. He can’t be dead he can’t be. The last thing I remember is feeling something grab my shoulder and pull me up onto Ecwin.

I opened my eyes and sat up Econ was sleeping against Ecwin and I realized we were on land. I sat up maybe the whole thing about Toro and Koska dying was just a dream maybe they went looking for food. I stood up and began walking towards the trees for we were on the beach.
“Anya.”
I stopped Econ hadn’t been asleep. I wonder if he had even ever been unconscious when Koska was dying.
“I’m sorry about your unicorn and brother.”
“From what I saw yesterday I wasn’t the only one.”
“He was a good friend.”
I turned, Econ looked very sad and it looked as
though the burned on his leg had swelled a lot.
“Put your leg in the water.” I told him, “It will help the swelling go down. I sure do wish we had medical supplies.”
“We do in that bag.” Econ said pointing to the smallest bag.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” I cried.
“Because well, I do not know how to use them.”
I went over to the bag and took out a small medical kit.
“Why didn’t you just read the directions?” I asked.
“Directions?” Econ said looking amazed, “It comes with directions?”
“Yah.” I said, “See look this one says it’s for burns, and wait a second this says made in China! This is from Earth!”
“Oh yes.” Econ said, “We have a very small supply of Earth made products.”
“And I grew up on Earth, so don’t you think I would know at least something about things from Earth!”
“Oh yah that is right.”
“Okay this might sting a little.” I said as I rubbed the ointment over his burn.
He didn’t complain but he did wince a little.
“Thanks that helped.”
His face expression just seemed to get sadder. Without thinking I leaned over and kissed his cheek. I went red.
“I-I-I.”
“It’s okay, I don’t mind.” As he hugged me, “Your hurt.”
“Really.” I said as I felt my back, “I guess I was so worried about you and Koska I didn’t notice.”
“Is there anything in that box that could help?”
“Yah there’s a cloth strip and some stuff that will make sure that it doesn’t get infected.”
“This and this?”
“Yep.”
I took off my over dress as he unscrewed the lid.
“Should I rub it on?”
I nodded and he began to rub it on.
“How should I put the bandage on?” He asked when he had finished.
“Here” I said taking it from him, “I’ll put it on myself.”
I stood up and went into the trees, there I removed my under dress and fastened the cloth strip over my wound. Econ joined me a few moments later.
“There, now I shall fetch some coconuts and bananas and we can eat.”
He went up to the nearest tree and shimmed up it.
“Look out below!” He yelled as two coconuts fell down out of the tree and landed in my arms.
“Whoa!” I cried as he dropped back to the ground, “These are heavy! Can you teach me how to do that? I can only climb trees with branches!”
“Sure.” Econ said as he went over to one of the banana trees, “Come here.”
He pointed to little groves cut into the tree.
“These are substitute branches.” He said as he shimmied up the tree, “Now you try.”
I grabbed the tree with my hands and tried to fit my feet in the small groves, then I slowly inched my way up the tree. When I was almost in reach of the top my foot slipped and I found myself tumbling towards the ground. I screamed and closed my eyes waiting to hit the ground but I never did. I opened my eyes and looked up. Econ had reached down and grabbed the end of my dress before I had gotten out of reach. I grabbed back onto the tree and Econ let go of my dress.
“Thank you.” I said panting as I joined him at the top of the tree.
We stayed there for a while eating bananas and talking. Then Econ climbed down the tree opened one of the coconuts, brought it up, and we ate that too.
“Okay.” I said when we had finished, “Now let’s go swimming before we start looking for the mermaids again.”
We climbed back down the tree, Econ under me just in case I fell again. When we reached the ground I followed Econ into the woods to a small spring. We took off our over garments and jumped into the water. We swam around for a while splashing each other and stuff before Econ took longer than normal to come up. But there was no waterfall to go behind this time. That’s when he grabbed me. I screamed as he came up to the surface.
“Don’t do that!” I cried as I jumped on him knocking him back under the water.
He jumped back out of the water.
“Oww! What was that for?”
“What was what for?”
“You stabbed me!”
“No I didn’t.”
“You didn’t?”

That’s when I noticed the cut on his hand..I dived back down into the water where Econ had fallen. And came up with, a comb?

“Whoa!” I cried, “This looks like a mermaid comb!”
“What let me see?” Econ tried taking it from me, “I think you are right! But how would it get in this brook? Mermaids live in the ocean.”
“I don’t know.”
We got back out of the water and put our over clothes back on, then we headed down the brook, Ecwin following along behind us towards the ocean.
“Econ look!” I cried, grabbing his arm.
There was a large fish tail poking out from under a bunch of big logs.
We ran over and ripped the logs away. I gasped. It was a mermaid, but it had a big gash in its side!
When she saw us she tried to scoot away.
“Mermaids are mostly afraid of people.” Econ explained, “It is okay, we want to help you.”
“I don’t think she is going to make it.” I said sadly.
Econ just ignored me.
“Ecwin!” He cried, “Come here!”
Ecwin came up behind him and his horn began to glow again. Immediately the gash in the mermaid’s side disappeared.
“What!” I cried, “He can heal! Why didn’t he heal Koska! He could have!”
Econ shook his head.
“No.” He said, “When a unicorn’s horn glows it means that they are using strong magic, it shortens their lives about a year every time they do it.”
“And why is this mermaid so special?”
Econ picked something up off the ground.
“Because, she is the princess.” It was a tiara and a beautiful one at that. “She will be able to help us.”
I looked back at the mermaid and she was staring at us. Econ handed her the crown and the comb.
“Are these yours?” He asked.
She nodded and took them from him.
“Who are you and what do you want?” She asked clutching her things close to her chest.
“I am princess Stephanya from Pedrus.” I answered. “But you can call me Anya.”
“Oh!” She cried, “I am so sorry! I did not realize who you were! I am Princess Diara.”
“How did you get stuck here?” Econ asked.

“Well.” Diara said, “I love to go to the pool every morning at high tide, but this time I stayed too long and it was almost low tide when I headed back. But then I got stuck so I decided to wait until the next high tide. But then the branch on the tree above me broke, and then you found me. Now, can you please take me back to the water?”
“Of course.” Econ said as he slid his arms under her and lifted her up, walked down to the water, and set her down.
“Thank you!” Diara cried, “You have done me a favor now I shall do you one. You must be here for a reason. What is that reason?”
“We need to know if you have the bow and arrows of the Princess of Pedrus.” Econ answered.
“Oh, I am afraid that I do not know the answer to that. But I am sure that my mother will. Follow me.”
She turned and began to swim around the side of the island. We followed along on the sand. Soon we reached a small cave half flooded by the sea.
“We’re sure lucky it isn’t high tide.” I said to Econ. “Or we wouldn’t be able to follow her.”
Diara kept swimming and headed into the cave, Econ and I followed. When we reached the back of the cave Diara grabbed a large stone, rolled it aside, and took out what looked like a big pile of coral colored scales and a couple big shells.
“Here put this on.”
I took it from her.
“What is it?” I asked.
“It will help you breath under water.”  
I nodded and went behind the rock to change. I undressed and managed to put the scale skit and shell top on. I was about to step out from behind the rock when my legs began to glow, and I fell over.
“Econ need a little help over here!”
Econ came around the rock and gasped.
“Help.” I said again. “Please?”
“Sure.” He picked me up and carried me over to the water.
When Diara saw me she gasped too.
“Why didn’t you tell me that this dress would turn me into a mermaid!” I cried as Econ set me down next to her.
“Because I guess I didn’t know. Maybe it’s the mermaid blood in you. Try it out.”
I stuck my head under the water and took a deep breath. It was so cool air bubbles floated out of my nose and drifted lazily towards the surface. I could breathe! I pulled my head up out of the water and smiled.
“That’s so cool!” I cried. “I have to admit I have always wanted to be able to breathe under water! Do you have another one of these for Econ?”
Diara sighed.
“I am afraid not. Yours is the only one.”
“So you are saying that he can’t come with us?” I cried. “If he’s not going I am not going!”
“No!” Econ cried, “You need to go don’t worry about me!”
I could tell that he was disappointed.
“Are you sure that there is no way that he could come?” I asked.
“Yes.” Diara said, “But wait! There is a plant garden that has a special plant that he could use to breath under water.”
“Then let’s go get it then!” I cried.
“We could, but it wouldn’t be very good.”
“Why not!” I cried.
“Because, it’s dangerously hard to get to. It’s best that we just go without him.”
But I was stubborn and wouldn’t listen.
“I don’t care!” I cried. “Where is it!”
“Well if you are going then so am I!” Diara cried. “It’s not like you know how to use a mermaid tail yet anyway!”
“Okay let’s go!” I cried. I turned and swam towards the entrance of the cave. When I reached the entrance I turned to wait for Diara.
“Are you coming?”
“Right behind you.” She said sighing as she swam up next to me.
We swam out of the cave and back down to the beach. I was about to dive under the surface when I remembered.
“Darn!” I cried as my hand flew up to my hair, “The hair piece that is holding in my braid bun is metal! It will rust in the water!”
“Take it out then.” Diara said.
“Oh.” I answered as I as I took my hair out of the bun and then the braid then shook my head letting my hair fall down around my waist, “I guess I didn’t think about that. Back at the palace the servants always did my hair up in some exotic way in the morning and put it in a braid at night. I haven’t had my hair down in a while.”
I looked up to see that Econ was staring at me.
“What?”
“What?”
You were staring at me.” I said.
“Oh sorry.” He said, “It’s just I have never seen you with your hair down before.”
“Oh yeah,” I realized, “you haven’t.”
“That would be what I just said.” Econ cried laughing.
“Okay” I said turning away from him and looking out across the water. “We will be back soon.”
I dove under the water without bothering to look to see if Diara was following, I just kept swimming straight as best as I could. I still wasn’t quite used to the mermaid tail.
“Anya wait!”
I turned to see Diara swimming towards me.
“Wait!” She cried again. “We need to go that way.”
She was pointing towards a giant kelp forest.
“Do we have to go in there?” I whined.
“If you want to get the plant, then yes.” Diara answered as she swam up next to me, “I am not doing it by myself.”
“Fine.” I said sighing as I we swam into the kelp. “How far away is the plant garden exactly?”
“Not far now.”
“Ahhhhhhh! Something touched my shoulder!” I screamed.
“Calm down!” Diara cried. “It was just a piece of kelp!”
I looked up at her.
“Sorry.”
I had never noticed this before but Diara was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen, even in movies. Her skin was the color of almonds like mine, and her beautiful white blond knee length wavy hair floated around her swaying gently in the soft current. She was skinnier then any model back on Earth, and her eyes were the lightest blue I have ever seen. Her shell top and tail were a soft silver, her tiara was made from small stones the color of her eyes, pearls encircled her tail, and she had a necklace and earrings.
“What are you staring at?” Diara demanded.
“Well it’s just, you are really pretty.” I said blushing.
I could see Diara blush too.
“Oh thank you, you are much more beautiful than me though.”
“Me? Thank-”
Suddenly I felt something grab my tail and I screeched.
“Something’s got my tail! Something’s got my tail!”
“What the?” I heard Diara cry. “The kelp is attaching to your tail! This has never happened before!”
“Get it off me!” I screamed.
Diara grabbed the piece of kelp and ripped it away from my tail.
“Swim!” She cried grabbing my hand as we sped through the kelp.
I looked back to see the plants stretching out trying to grab our tails again.
“It’s chasing us!” I cried.
“Do not look back!” She cried, “Just keep going!”
We sped through the kelp swerving this way and that trying to escape the wayward kelp, and I couldn’t help but look back again and find that the kelp had stopped chasing us.
“Diara” I cried trying to pull her to a stop, “It has stopped chasing us!”
Diara stopped and turned around.
“Good.” She said sighing, “Because we are here.”







Chapter nine

I don’t exactly know what I expected, but what I saw definitely wasn’t it. We were in a small clearing surrounded by kelp on all sides, and in the middle of the clearing was a large hole in the ground.
“Um where is this plant garden exactly?” I asked.
Diara swam up to the edge of the hole and picked up a shell that was sitting next to it, I followed.
“Down there.”  She answered pointing down into the hole.
“Um don’t plants need sunlight to grow?” I asked, “That hole looks pitch black!”
“Not these plants!” Diara said handing me another shell, “Come on!”
Diara swam down into the hole and a moment later I saw a light appear coming from the shell in her hand.
“Come on!” Diara repeated.
“I’m coming!” I cried as I followed her into the hole, “I’m not really a big fan of the dark though!”
“Just turn your shell on!”
“And how do I do that exactly?” I cried as I swam up next to her.
Diara took it from me and hit it against the palm of her hand, it lit up immediately.
“How does that work!” I asked staring at the shell, “It’s amazing!”
“It has cliton in it.”
“What is cliton?” I asked.
“It is a type of clear diamond shaped crystal  that takes in darkness and turns it into light.” Diara replied. “You need to hit it to wake it up.”
“Seriously? Wow that is so cool! I sure would have been a lot easier to stay awake in science if they taught us stuff like that!”*
“What?” Diara said staring at me.
“Nothing.” I said as I swam deeper into the hole, “Never mind. You coming?”
“I am coming.”
All of a sudden something or someone grabbed me and pulled me against the side of the hole. One hand around my waist the other around my mouth. It muffled my scream but Diara still found me and managed to get me lose.
“Come on!” Diara said as she grabbed my hand as we sped deeper into the hole away from what grabbed me.
“Why does stuff have to keep grabbing me and leave you? Why am I so special?” I whined as we sped along.
Diara ignored me, stopped, and turned off her light. She stopped so suddenly that I went flying. Diara swam over to me.
“Turn you light off by hitting it again.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Just do it!” Diara cried.
I shrugged and turned off the light. I was immediately blinded by the light that followed.
“Great!” I cried rubbing my eyes, “My eyes were just getting used to the darkness!”
“Whoa!” I cried gasping as I opened my eyes, “This is so cool!”
We were in a small cave a soft gray color with what I was guessing to be cliton covering the celling. The floor and walls were covered in plants. The plants were of the most beautiful colors! Coral pinks, plants the color of Diara’s eyes, and the deepest greens that I have ever seen. Corals, seaweeds, and other plants that I couldn’t identify. It was truly breath taking. I swam into the middle of the cave and circled around trying to take it all in.
“Where’s the plant?” I asked turning back to Diara.
“Over here.” Diara swam to the far side of the cave and moved aside a big plant growing up from the ground. Behind was a small shallow hole, Diara took out a couple pieces of seaweed.
“Here” Diara said handing it to me. “Let’s go.”
She turned and headed back to the entrance of the cave.
“Wait, wait!” I cried, “What do these other plants do!”
“Come on!”
“Okay, okay I’m coming, I’m coming!”