When the sea serpent burst into the chamber, Princess Nataleigh and Frangen both ran for their lives. Neither of them was aware of Nathan’s previous conversation with Mama. Nor did either of them understand that the raging, axe-waving Viking on the monster’s back was a friend of the prince who was here to rescue them. They both thought the worst had happened and that they were about to be devoured. And this time the princess did not have the Serpent’s Eye in her hands to protect her from the beast’s fiery breath.
So they ran blindly down the tunnel right behind the wizard and the black king unnoticed by Kugelbone’s guardsmen who were completely focused on the raging sea serpent. As the sounds of battle faded behind them and the tunnel came to its first branch, the princess came to her senses and pulled Frangen back to a safe following distance.
Panganiban and King Kugelbone were soon joined by Hagwig who was still carrying the Serpent’s Eye.
Nataleigh began to shake with anger at the tiny little witch who had stolen her prize and wanted to rush out and tackle her by surprise, but Frangen put his hand out to calm her as they listened.
“Hagwig, where have you been?” shouted King Kugelbone, clearly put out by this whole affair.
“I have found that which we seek, my lords.” She said, caressing the Eye and stepping closer.
The king’s eyes would have grown wider with excitement had they not suddenly been forced shut by a sudden burning stench that struck them like a bucket of raw sewage. He gasped instead and stepped away from her, as did the wizard.
“Egads, woman! What have you been rolling in? Where did you find the Eye, in the creature’s toilet?”
“Pardon, my lords, but Hagwig suffered great peril to bring the key to the Magic Castle for you.” She said, bowing low.
“Now if we can only get out of here, and escape the reek of the place.” King Kugelbone complained.
“This way, my lord,” Hagwig said and stepped back into the shadows of the largest tunnel.
Nataleigh noticed that it was the tunnel she and Frangen had marked on their way here from the submarine and hoped that the three villains were not following those marks back to the submarine. On the other hand, she was going to need more help if she was going to wrestle the Eye back from them. Perhaps Heindel had some more gadgets he could put to good use capturing these three or maybe Maid Madelyn would be revived and ready for a good fight! She only wished she had a way to contact them and warn them. Either way, she was determined she was not going to let the Serpent’s Eye out of her sight.
It didn’t take long for her to confirm that the thieves were indeed following her marks and that they were nearing the sea cavern where the sub was docked. But just before they reached it King Kugelbone suddenly lagged behind the others. Nataleigh didn’t know why except that he seemed as though he were getting tired. Whatever the reason, it frustrated her because it forced her and Frangen to slow down and lag behind even further which meant that they lost sight of the witch and wizard who kept running up ahead. Soon however, they returned to assist the king who had seemingly caught his breath now and the chase resumed.
Cautiously, princess and inventor crept through the dark tunnels quietly following around corner after corner and down branch after branch of tunnels until they came to the final group of tunnels that split off from the main tunnel before it rejoined the large sea cavern. When they got to this branch, they found Hagwig alone. She appeared to be trying to decide which tunnel the others had gone down, as if she had been left behind. And she was holding the Serpent’s Eye!
Nataleigh’s breath caught in her throat. This was too good to be true. The witch had been forgotten and she still had the Eye! This was their chance to recapture it! Surely she and Frangen could manage it two against one.
Turning to Frangen, she leaned in close and whispered in his ear. “This is our chance! Do you have anything in your tool bag to help us capture her and take back the Serpent’s Eye?”
Frangen shook his head and whispered back. “I don’t know about this, your highness. Something doesn’t seem right about it. Why would they leave her behind with the treasure?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care!” She hissed back. “This is our only chance and I’m taking it with or without you. I can take that witch by myself. She won’t get me again with her little bag of tricks!”
“But, your Highness,” Frangen started to protest.
It was too late. Nataleigh was done talking. She jumped out of the shadows and charged Hagwig.
The inventor sighed and started to follow when suddenly there was a whooshing sound and a great net fell from the ceiling of the cave trapping the princess! The net was weighted with lead balls around its edges and Nataleigh was instantly tripped up in it. Instantly she found herself unable to rise from the cave floor and helpless!
Before Frangen could move to help her, Hagwig pounced upon her and out of the main cave behind her Panganiban and King Kugelbone appeared. The king was wielding his large battleaxe which he had just used to chop the rope holding the net trap. He moved to block the inventor from the captive princess. Then Panganiban raised his staff and Frangen felt his eyelids grow heavy. A moment later he was snoring on the cave floor.
No comments:
Post a Comment