Enjoy, fearless featherheads!
(this now has chapter 14)
Chapter 12 The Queen’s Plan
“And this is The Great Library!” Nola said with a pop of her bubblegum.
“As Mr. Blorgan Bottle once said “finally a library!” Oskar excitedly said.
“We don't exactly have time to go to a library for hours.. And no Janner, you cannot go alone, or with Oskar,” Nia said. Janner looked disappointed, but Oskar practically begged her to let him go,“Come on Nia!" In the words of Carly Cooper, “We will only be a moment!” Oskar whined.
“It never ends up well when we all split up.” Leeli remarked as she remembered the last time they all had split up.
“Next up the Elven Meadows!” Nola informed them.
“Ohhh!! That sounds cool!” Sara said as they followed Nola farther into the forest.
But they didn't realize that a little purple and navy owl was perched on a branch watching them with a sparkle in its eyes. After they went to the Elven Meadows the owl flew back to the ship with the other Shapeshifter Owls. She then transformed back into a human and into her human clothes which were a navy ruffle shirt, dark purple armor and purpley silver boots that went to her kneecaps. Her beautiful northern light colored hair was swept over one side of her face, and she had three silver dangling bracelets on her wrist. She commented, “It's someone else's turn to watch the Flingfeathers or whatever they're called”
“Try having a little optimism, Melody! The queen only gives out scout duty to the best Shapeshifters’, said a Shifter, named Shadow, who had a darker skin tone, short jagged black hair that faded to a grayish color, black and gray shadowy armor, and the normal standard Shapeshifter purpley silver armored boots.
“Fine…..”, Melody replied. “Did Leo already leave for the queen?” she asked.
“Yeah, about 10 minutes ago.” Shadow replied.
“I wish I had messenger duty.” Melody complained.
“Just be happy with what you got, Mel!” exclaimed Shadow, annoyed.
“Well how would you like it if you were so close to messenger duty you could almost taste it, but just because the queen is obsessed with finding these Featherheads or whatever you get bumped down to old scout duty.” Melody whined.
“Mel, I do know what that's like. Just like you, I'm a scout as well, but I don't complain about it, it's quite fun to be a scout you know.” Shadow replied, rolling her eyes at Melody.
“Why do Scar, Leo, and Shade get to have all the fun on messenger duty? Why can't we be on messenger duty?” Melody complained.
Shadow sighed and said, “Melody I'm not the queen, okay, if you want to get promoted you stay a scout and you do what she says and that's it, okay. Now please, just go back to watching the Wingfeathers so that I can stay here and tell the other Shifters their jobs!” Shadow said exasperated.
“Ugh!!! I wish I didn't have to watch those silly Mingmeathers or whatever but fine..” Melody retorted and transformed back into an owl and flew off.
“Finally some peace and quiet.” Shadow said to herself.
The Shapeshifter, named Leo, flew back to the queen with the
news.
“Come in Leo.” the queen said as Leo entered the throne room
“Well, what's the news about the Wingfeathers?” asked the queen.
“They're going to the Elven Meadows now and that middle kid with the dark brown hair, and one of the elves, I think Daisy or Sunflower, I don't know, but it’s some flower name, are drawing in the forest.’ reported Leo.
“Something useful please!” she said harshly.
"Oh.. yes, I have something that might be useful to you." He replied.
“Well what is it?” The queen said impatiently.
“It seems like the eldest of the Jewels of Anniera has a friend, a very good friend in fact. Her name is Sara Cobbler,” Leo said.
At this the queen’ eyes lit up, “Well well, well, Janner’s got a
girlfriend you say.” She said with an evil grin.
“Leo, bring-me-that-girl NOW!”
“Yes of course your majesty.. But may I ask, why would you need
just a simple and unroyal girl?” He asked.
The queen smirked and replied, “Because, we've seen by now that the Jewels will do anything for each other. Janner's in love so he will come to save the girl, and Leeli and Kalmar will come for Janner and following them will be Nia, Artham, Podo and Oskar.”
“Very clever, your majesty!” Leo said smiling and off he flew to
capture Sara Cobbler.
Chapter 13 Lost and Found
“Welcome to the Elven Meadows!” Nola said. They were at a large green meadow with rolling grassy hills, dotted with colorful flowers especially ones in pastel colors. There were tons of small little creatures inhabiting the meadow and just something about the ground was sparkly.
“Wow! It’s beautiful, right Sara,” asked Janner, but Sara didn't respond.
“Sara?” “Sara?” He said again and turned around.
“Sara Where are you?” He asked as he looked around for her a few more times and called her name over and over again but Sara was nowhere to be found.
He ran to Nia and said “Sara’s missing!” Janner said with worry and his voice. Nia put her hand on his shoulders and said, "We will find her, don't worry.” They searched everywhere: The Meadows, the schoolhouse, the forest, the village, even the Dragon School, but they couldn't find her.
They went back to The Great Pixie Tree to look for Sara. Kalmar was standing in front of The Great Pixie Tree and was talking to Rose. Leeli rushed over to him and told him that they couldn't find Sara.
“What? where is she?” he asked.
“Artham, check the trees; Papa, Oskar go check the Elven Village. Leeli, Kalmar, and Janner come with me to check the boat!” and that's exactly what they all did.
They got the entire Elven Village searching for Sara too but no one could find her. It was about 4:00 p.m. When Kalmar found a little piece of paper folded on Sara's bed in their boat, it was a note!
“Hey guys, I think I found something.” he called from Sara and Leeli's room. They all came rushing in. Nia took the note from him and read it out loud:
“Hello, Wingfeathers, I know where your little friend Sara Cobbler is. And if you help me I'll give her back to you. For your friend has been captured by the dark queen of the dark Island of Darkness, and she requests your presence! If you come, the girl is yours. If not, well I think you get the idea. The Dark Island of Darkness is just a little bit outside of Aerwiar on the outskirts of the Dark Sea of Darkness. Choose Wisely Wingfeathers, or you will never see your friend again.”
When she was finished, Janner said,“Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go save her!”
“Janner, I know you want to save her, and we will save Sara, but we have to be careful,” Nia said.
“but.. but.. she might get hurt!” Janner pleaded on the verge of tears. He would never be able to forgive himself if he left Sara behind again.
“Janner, I promise, we will find Sara and bring her back safely, but I need to talk to the others, we can’t risk you three getting hurt.” Nia said in a strong voice and expression that Janner knew meant no more questions.
He reluctantly followed her, Kalmar and Leeli out of the ship and into The Great Pixie Tree where the others were waiting.
“In the immortal words of Rowin the Rascal ``We didn't find anything, you?” Oskar asked.
“Actually, yes.” Nia said, then she turned to Janner, saying,”Janner, why don't you take Kalmar and Leeli to find Rose, while we discuss that note.”
He reluctantly agreed. He still wasn't thrilled about having to watch Kalmar and Leeli but it was better now that they were older. But today just wasn't a normal day.
“Literally Sara was just stolen by some “queen” and it seems like no one even cares! We should be on a boat sailing to that strange Dark Island and saving her!”, Janner thought. Then an idea struck him.
“Kalmar, Leeli come with me.” Janner said, turning towards the docks.
“Janner, where are you going? Rose’s house is that way.” Kalmar said, pointing his finger in the opposite direction.
“We aren't going to Rose's house.” Janner said.
“But Mama said!” Kal reminded Janner.
“I know what she said!” Janner snapped.
“We're going to get Sara back with or without them.”
“What! Are you cazy?!! We can't go alone!” Leeli exclaimed!
“How are we even doing that, we can't sail?” Kal declared.
“No, but we can row.”, Janner said, tossing an oar at him that Kal caught. With exasperation, Kalmar responded, "Janner, you are absolutely crazy!”
“Crazy, maybe, but I'm not losing her again, so you two can either help me save Sara or stay here, but I'm going either way.” Janner said, as he finished a note to his mother, telling her where they were going,
“Well, I'm not leaving you!” exclaimed Kalmar as he stepped next to Janner.
“Leeli are you coming?” Kalmar asked. In response, Leeli looked at the ground for a second, sighed and replied, “For Sara.” and stepped next to Kalmar. Then they hugged Janner, “Thanks!” he said and let out a worried sigh. Kalmar got in the little rickety, brown, tiny row-boat. Then he helped Leeli in, which she reluctantly agreed to; although, she was actually quite thankful for his help. Finally, Janner got in the boat and untied it from the dock.
Chapter 14 “Where in Anniera Are They?
“Kalmar found this note on Sara's bed.” Nia said, showing Podo, Oskar, and Artham the note. Podo took the note and read it, and said
“Who's O.S.?”
“I have no idea, but whoever this is, they sound dangerous.” Nia said.
When Artham read the note a look of horror raised over his face but he quickly brushed it off and said, clearly very worried,
“Yeah.. I.. have no idea who O.S. is.”
“We need to rescue Sara, but we also have to protect Janner, Kalmar, and Leeli. They're The Heirs to the throne of Anniera, if they fall, Anniera falls.” Nia said grimly.
“That boy’s been loving on Sara for the past two years now, I'd wager he’s out there now looking for her.” Podo pointed out, suddenly a look of panic came over Nia’s face when Podo said this.
“Why did I send them alone!?” “I should have known!” Nia said, frustrated with herself and rushing towards the village.
“In the mighty words of Pam Paddlesworth ‘Wait for me!’ ” Oskar said, trying to keep up with Nia, Artham, and Podo.
When they reached the village Nia knocked on every single door until she found one that had a carving of a cloud with raindrops underneath, reading the Storm Family House. She knocked furiously on the door until a 16 year old girl with straight navy, fading to dark pink hair, wearing a magenta mid-length dress with a black choker necklace, answered the door. “Hello! My name is Sophia Storm. Can I help you?” she asked.
"Hello, are you by any chance Rose's older sister?” Nia asked.
“Yes I am Rose’s older sister” and she repeated, "Can I help you?"
“Yes, actually, I'm looking for my children, Janner, Kalmar, and Leeli. They are friends with Rose, I told them to go find her, are they here now?” asked Nia.
“Um.. just a sec..” Sophia said.
“Rose, have you seen your friend Kalmar, or his brother and sister?” she asked, calling from the door?
“Coming, Sophia.” Rose answered, bounding down their staircase, she met Sophia at the door and replied, “I mean, I saw Kalmar this afternoon but neither he, nor Janner, nor Leeli have been here.” she stated.
“They never came here?” Nia said as her face turned as white as a ghost.
“You don't look so good, miss,” Sophia said. “Are you okay?” she asked.
"No, no I'm not, I told them to come here but they're not here. I've looked everywhere.” she said as tears filled her eyes.
“Wait, Kalmar is missing?.. I mean Kalmar and the others?” Rose asked nervously.
“Yes, they're missing and we need to find them. Before anything…” Nia said as her voice trailed off, “Thank you, you have been very helpful.” she concluded and started walking away.
“Wait, Miss Wingfeather, I know who might be able to help.” Rose said, walking out the door and stepping in front of Nia.
“Rose, Mom said you can't go alone at night.” Sophia warned.
“Well what are you waiting for Soph?” Rose asked as she pulled on her sister’s arm. Sophia sighed and replied, “Fine… I'll go with you”.
“Where are we even going anyways?” Sophia asked.
“To Mr. Stars, the wizard.” Rose said with a smile.
Hooo boy, Nia is going to be MAD when she finds out that the kids are gone... hopefully Janner has a good plan to get Sara back...