THE PRINCESS OF ÉLEVÉ

Screaming Meemies and Tenty

The hardy, resolute band of companions now marched with a greater sense of unity and urgency after the visitation from Princess Mia. Murgi, in particular, marched with a furious pace to save "his lady"! With the addition of the TWOWOOs and Calypso, the team was formidable. After marching for two days, they entered another large cavern.

Archie emerged through a sparkling, crystal archway, followed by Yuri, Murgi, Pre, Calypso, and the WOOs. Archie was stunned by the beauty of the chamber. All the walls were crystal, glittering in the light. Could they contain diamonds? Archie wondered. The archway added to the beauty of the cavern. From the archway there were two paths leading to two other passageways. One was larger than the other and had a square crystal rim at the entrance. Archie thought this passage entry point was lovely but not as beautiful as the archway. The other entrance was smaller and plain without any crystal around it, but it did have some moss growing around the rim. She called the passageways Archie after herself, Square, and Moss. A small cave was carved from the crystal walls and the fallen debris was placed at the entrance.

Murgi had his axe, Pre his staff, Calypso and the WOOs their wands. Archie and Yuri each had a sword and backpack and Yuri also dragged Murgi's sack. We are well armed, mused Archie.

Archie perceived that the air was slightly fresher and cooler than in the previous cavern, but the light was still dim. She thought the cool air meant they were getting closer to the surface. She was tired of these long dark underground passages. She'd love to see the light of day.

The annoying and mischievous WOOs teased Murgi, pulling his coat and hair. He tried his best to ignore them.

"Look, it's a fork in the path," Murgi exclaimed, swatting at WOOTU's hand. "Which way do we go, Pre?"

"Let me think a moment," he responded.

The TWOWOOs rhymed alternately

"Which fork will we take?

What choice will we make?

If we take the right turn

Then who knows what we'll learn?

If the right path we take

Then t'will lead to the lake!"

"Quiet!" screamed Pre. "It's been many years since.."

Pre was not able to finish his thought. Terrible shrieking, screaming sounds came from the Square entry. Half a dozen of the most hideous, small, nerve-wracking creatures ever imagined came streaming in. They were ragged in their looks, wearing threadbare, dirty, ratty, shifts that barely covered them. They caught the band of seven by surprise. Their red, wide-eyed look and terrible noises caused the the seven of them to shrink and cower together.

The creatures encircled them, going round and round, trapping everyone in the middle of the clearing, except for Yuri who had drawn back toward Archie, the passageway. He still carried the sack, and drew his sword.

"You'll feel this steel, you wretched creatures."

The surrounded group covered their ears to stop the piercing screams. They dropped to the floor and cowered in the center of the cavern. As the creatures continued to encircle them, the two WOOs tried to use their wands.

"The wands don't work," yelled Pre. "Yuri, the sack."

Yuri waved his sword with one hand to keep the creatures at bay, and reached into the sack with his other.

"Back! You'll taste my sword. Prepare to die." Yuri pulled the recorder from the sack.

"Play it! Play the recorder," Pre screamed above the noise of the shrieking creatures. Yuri played a soft melodic tune that had an immediate effect on the creatures. They slowly sank to the ground.