WINDOWS: A BROKEN FAIRY TALE (12 page)

“You three…”
 
Anger bubbled just beneath the surface as
Sarah took stock of the ruined store, “had better OMPH!”

The lecture was
cut short when a fuzzy missile hit Sarah in the stomach, knocking her head over
heels.
 
She came up against the wall with
the thing buried in her chest and started to yell for help but before any sound
escaped, the thing looked up at her with warm brown eyes.
 
It started to sniff around her neck with its
damp, furry nose, tickling her.
 
Sarah
tried to stand but the thing felt like it weighed a ton and wouldn’t stop
squirming.
 
She sat it on the floor but
it just crawled back into her lap.

Seeing that she
wasn’t about to be disemboweled by some creature from her nightmares, Sarah
tried petting it between its floppy ears.
 
The creature moved its head back and forth under her hand.
 
It’s kind of cute, she thought to
herself.
 
The three Chandlish sisters
were a little more cautious in their approach but soon all four girls were
happily petting the fur ball.

“So what is
it?”
 
Sarah asked.
 
The creature had fallen asleep snuggled into
her arms.

“A prairie-thumper.”
 
Bekah grinned, giving it a final rub before
standing up.

Sarah looked
perplexed.
 
“What exactly is a prairie-thumper?
 
And why did you think it was a good idea to
give one away at the grand opening of a weapons store?”

“I think it likes
you, Lil’bit.”
 
Raven ignored Sarah’s
questions.

“You have a new
pet, Sarah.
 
What are you going to name
him?”
 
Mandy held the prairie-thumper
while Sarah got to her feet.

“Hmmm…”
 
Sarah thought for a moment.
 
The creature was making soft snoring noises
as it squirmed trying to get more comfortable.
 
“I think I’ll name him Snuffles.”

And so Snuffles
the prairie-thumper came to live at Petty and Chandlish Magical Armaments.

           
Sarah
taped a note to the front door saying that the shop was closed for the rest of
the day due to unforeseen circumstances and made the responsible parties tidy
up while she fixed a bed for Snuffles in her bedroom.
 
It was more difficult than she thought it
would be.
 
About four feet long, two feet
tall and weighing close to fifty pounds Sarah guessed, he was certainly too big
to fit in a shoe box.
 
Eventually she
settled on a large crate some supplies had been shipped in and lined it with
two quilts secured from Raven’s room.
 
The prairie-thumper seemed to enjoy it and licked her hand
affectionately.

           
“I’ll
get you something larger later today or tomorrow.”
 
Sarah promised the adorable critter.
 
Snuffles replied by rolling over and going
back to sleep.
 
Within a week, the
creature that had instilled terror in so many people would have free reign over
the shop and be enjoying daily walks to the park where all the kids wanted to
play with him.
 
He was a very content prairie-thumper.

           
The
next night a castle guard appeared at their front door just as they were
locking up.

           
“Her
Grace requires your attendance at a company meeting in one hour.”
 
The man clicked his heels stiffly.

           
Sarah
groaned.
 
The moment she’d been dreading
all day was finally here, ever since the front page of the morning paper
announced to everybody that their shop was the site of a horrific animal
attack.
 
Worse the article made it a
point to tell everyone that they were a subsidiary of Chandlish Rose.
 
Duchess Chandlish was going to go ballistic.

           
Raven
and Sarah arrived at the castle with five minutes to spare, thanks to Bryson.
 
The dragon laughed so hard when he stepped
through the portal that small sparks shot out of his mouth.

           
“We’ve
even heard about that little incident in my world.”
 
He remarked in his gravelly voice.

           
As
they flew towards the meeting Sarah asked how it was possible for news from
their world to reach Bryson’s since only a sorceress could open portals.
 

Raven shrugged.
 
“It’s not only sorcerers and sorceresses that
can do that.
 
Any magic user can bridge
the gap between worlds.
 
It’s actually a
routine spell at the arcane university where they study magical creatures.
 
Of course, that’s only true for smaller
magical beings, like pixies and leprechauns.
 
Dragons require a really powerful spell that allows them too traverse
the realms.”

“So what’s
stopping another sorceress from summoning Bryson one day?”

Bryson answered
gruffly, a bit tired of being talked about like he wasn’t there.
 
“We have a choice of going through the
portals or not.
 
Besides, it’s unlikely
anybody but Raven could open one large enough for me to come through.”
 
Raven leaned forward and stroked Bryson’s
scaly neck.

“How do you know
which one is a portal Raven opened?
 
If
there are portals opening every day…?”

Raven laughed, a
soft tinkling noise Sarah found strangely comforting.
 
“The door way I open for Bryson can be used
by only him.
 
Nothing else can come
through.”

Sarah was a little
confused now.
 
“Why is that?”

“When someone like
me first uses a summoning spell to find a familiar, the magic seeks out a
compatible energy if that makes any sense.
 
That way familiar and sorceress will always get along.

           
Sarah
nodded, though she had no clue what that meant.
 
“Can demons move from world to world?”
 
She was sitting behind Raven so didn’t see the redhead’s eyes close or
her jaw clench.

           
Raven
shook her head, tickling Sarah’s nose with vanilla scented hair.
 
“No, they have to be summoned.”

           
When
they finally arrived at the castle, a maid immediately showed them to the same
office where the contract was signed.
 
The family was laughing about something.
 
Duchess Chandlish beckoned for them to join.
 
Sarah knew at least a severe tongue lashing
was coming, so she trailed behind Raven who calmly walked up and gave Stephen a
fist bump.

           
“Well
you two, how’s business?”
 
Elspeth
produced a copy of the newspaper from a desk drawer and tossed it to Sarah.

           
Speaking
quickly, barely glancing at the paper she had read twice this morning before
breakfast, Sarah recited the apology she worked on after the summons.
 
“Your Grace, I beg your forgiveness.
 
We felt that a raffle would be a way for people
to remember our shop.”

           
Elspeth
pursed her lips.
 
“Oh I believe people
will remember your shop for quite some time.”
 
The lady of the manor walked around the front of the desk and leaned
against it with her arms crossed.

           
Sarah
trembled, knowing Duchess Chandlish had to be furious despite the friendly
demeanor.
 
Again she apologized, this
time for bringing shame on Chandlish Rose.

           
“What
ever are you talking about child?”
 
Elspeth chuckled and patted Sarah on the arm.
 
The blonde, expecting a slap, almost drew
back.

           
“So
you’re not mad?”
 
Sarah asked in a
hesitant voice, still not sure what was happening.
 
Everyone except Sarah laughed.

           
“One
of the most important parts of running a business is word of mouth.
 
That little stunt with the,” Elspeth glanced
at Raven and Bekah, “prairie-thumper, I believe it was, made your shop the talk
of the town.
 
How many more people did
you have in your shop today?”

           
After
thinking on it for a moment, Sarah realized that there were even more customers
today than at the grand opening.
 
“A
lot.”
 
She answered slowly, beginning to
hope they might not be in trouble.

           
“Of
course there were.”
 
Liz came over and
draped an arm over Sarah’s shoulder.
 
“Everybody wanted to see where the incident took place.”

           
Elspeth
smiled at everyone.
 
“Branwyen, Sarah,
you have done a fabulous job in opening your store and getting it noticed.
 
Congratulations to you both.”
  

           
The
four daughters exchanged high fives as Sarah finally felt comfortable enough to
smile herself.
 
“Thank you, Your
Grace.”
 
She bowed her head slightly to
Elspeth.

           
“What
are you five waiting for?”
 
Stephen
admonished with a wink, “Go out and celebrate.”

           
After
the girls left, all giggling and discussing which club they should hit first,
Stephen turned to Elspeth.

           
“So
do you think she’ll work?”

           
The
Duchess didn’t have to ask who Stephen meant.
 
“Do you find it strange that within a month a simple blacksmith has
managed to become such close friends with those four?”

Stephen agreed,
“Liz and Mandy don’t surprise me but Raven and Bekah are never that quick to
let someone else into their little world.
 
I think that we should keep an eye on Sarah.”

Elspeth smiled
slyly.
 
“That blacksmith will be perfect
my plan.
  
We can’t keep track of
Branwyen anymore so I think it’s about time we invited Sarah into the family?”

           
Stephen
gazed at the door the group of girls had just left.
 
“I think it’s high time indeed.”

CHAPTER
10: SCHEMES

The girl stood on top of a mountain, arms
raised in triumph.
 
Below, a crowd
numbering in the millions chanted her name rapturously.
 
 
“Me!
 
Me!”
 
She pumped her fist and
yelled to the adoring crowd, reveling in their adulation.
 
A warm boysenberry pie floated in front of
her face and she took a bite.
 
The pie
was still whole so she took another bite.
 
The pie was unchanged.
 
That’s
when it dawned on her; this was a magical pie pan that never emptied.

“I do love a challenge.”
 
She attacked the pie with both hands as the
crowd changed their chant to cheers that she could do it.

Suddenly something bumped into her and she
fell off the couch, blinking dumbly at the stone walls.
 
Where were the mesa and the admiration of her
followers?
 
More importantly, where the
hell was that magical pie?

The shadow pulsed and writhed in the back.

Late Friday
afternoon found Sarah and Raven sitting at a small table in the smithy while
Snuffles rummaged around in a corner looking for something interesting.
 
They had been in business for two weeks now
and Sarah couldn’t be happier with the money they were making.
 
Best of all Daniel showed up three times,
offering to bring them lunch, which Raven accepted on their behalf.

She wanted to
focus on the sword for Daniel, but orders were backed up through the next three
months and people were still visiting in droves.
 
Word of their shop reached beyond Valentria’s
borders and customers were coming from miles around for swords and shields.
 
In fact business had been so good that they
were going to have to hire someone to work the register if she and Raven wanted
to actually build the armaments they sold.
 
So now the blonde and redhead were interviewing applicants in the shop
while Mandy watched over the store.

“Thank you Mr.
Clift, we’ll be in touch.”
 
Sarah shook
the man’s hand and nudged Raven with an elbow.
 
The sorceress snorted and jerked awake in time to wave at Mr. Clift’s
back.

“How many was
that?”
 
Raven muttered, still half
asleep.
 
“Fifteen, twenty?”

“That was number four.”
 

“Have we hired
anybody yet?”

Struggling to keep
the frustration out of her voice, Sarah said, “No.
 
It’s rude to sleep through an interview, you
know.”

“But I’m
tired.”
 
Raven whined.
 

Sarah tapped the
pile of papers in her hand on the desk and looked at the next application.
 
“Beverly Berksdale.”
 
She called.

A timid looking
woman Sarah thought seemed familiar entered.
 
Raven, for the first time that morning, stood and offered her hand.
  

“Beverly, how nice of you to come see the
shop.
 
How’s Alma doing?”

The small woman
with brown hair shook hands with Raven and sat in the chair Sarah motioned
to.
 
“She’s doing quite well, thank you
for asking, Lady Bra…“ Beverly
caught herself and looked to the floor, “I mean, Raven.”

“So did you want
to buy a sword or a shield?
 
I’m sure we
have something in your size.”

The sales pitch
was interrupted by Sarah loudly clearing her throat.
 
She finally recognized the woman.
 
“I think Ms. Berksdale is here for a job
interview.”

Raven’s eyes
widened in wonder and she sounded impressed.
 
“How do you know?
 
Are you
psychic?”

Sarah handed Raven
the application, wondering if her business partner ever paid attention to
anything.
 
Quickly the redhead skimmed over
it.

“Okay, so where
does your husband work?”
 
Raven seemed
intent on doing this interview so Sarah leaned back to watch.

Beverly told them her husband was a laborer
doing construction jobs around town but money was always a little tight.
 
Since Alma
was about to start school, she decided that taking on a job would help.

Studying the
application, Raven barely glanced at Sarah before saying, “You’re hired.
 
Two-hundred and fifty gullions a week, full
insurance and two weeks vacation a year plus seven personal days.
 
We open at eight in the morning and close at
five Monday through Friday.
 
Start
tomorrow.”

Sarah’s mouth hung
open.
 
“Uhmmm… Raven, don’t you think we
should discuss it first?”

“Why?”

Thanks for putting
me on the spot, Sarah inwardly fumed.
 
Thinking
of the most polite way to phrase her words, she forced a smile,”We have to do
background checks on all applicants.
 
There are things we have to look at and discuss.”

Raven rubbed her
chin thoughtfully.
 
“Alright, Beverly if you steal from
us there isn’t a place in the world where my family can’t reach you.
 
We have a deal?”

It was Beverly’s turn to look
startled but she managed to nod her head twice and tried to say something that
sounded like, “Yes, Lady Branwyen.”

“Okay that’s
settled.
 
Now let’s go get some
lunch.”
 
Raven grabbed the still irate
Sarah and dragged her out of the room.

A soft, misting
rain fell from slate gray skies.
 
The
water soothed Sarah’s cheeks that were still flushed with anger.
 
No sooner had they settled down to lunch when
a castle guard interrupted them.
 
Raven
had been summoned by Her Grace again so Sarah grudgingly came along.
 
They walked through the castle doors without
knocking and immediately a serving girl rushed forward to take their coats.

“I’ll be right
back, Lil’bit.”
 
Raven promised, “I have
to go grab something from my room and then we’ll go see what Elspeth wants.”

So Sarah waited
for five minutes, then she waited another five.
 
She was about to get up and explore the castle when a loud bell
chimed.
 
A maid she hadn’t noticed
hurried from a corner to open the front door.
 
Sarah grinned and decided some things were worth waiting for.

“Ms. Sarah, what a
pleasant surprise.”
 
Daniel Blackstone
bowed graciously in the castle entrance way.
 
Sarah demurely offered her hand.
 
He brushed his lips against the soft skin and smiled while the maid shut
the door and disappeared from view.

“I would have
thought you would be at your shop this afternoon.
 
You seem to be doing a lot of business.”

           
“You’re
at the top of my to-do list.”
 
Sarah’s
face burned crimson with embarrassment when she realized what she said.
 
“I mean I’m making your sword first.”

           
Daniel
chuckled, “I can hardly wait.
 
I’ve
noticed you are the finest blacksmith in Florence,
as well as the most beautiful.”
 
He gave
one of his patented grins, perfectly designed to melt any woman who saw
it.
 
It worked but Sarah recovered
herself enough to ask what brought Daniel to the castle.

           
“Business,
and a request seeing that you’re here.”

           
“Which
am I?”
 
Sarah thoroughly enjoyed the
direction this conversation was headed.

           
“As
soon as I deliver these reports, there is something I’d like to ask you.”
 
Daniel handed a thick stack of envelops to
the maid waiting nearby, with instructions that they be given to Lady Chandlish
as soon as possible.
 
The maid bowed her
head and vanished.

           
“What
are they?”
 
Those papers could have been
a map to a buried treasure and Sarah couldn’t have cared less.

           
“Just
the annual medical reports.”

           
Sarah
murmured something to make it seem like she was really interested then asked if
Daniel would like to have a seat in the parlor.

           
“No,
thank you.”
 
Daniel licked his lips
nervously before taking Sarah’s hand in his.
 
“Ms. Petty, may I have the honor of escorting you to dinner one
evening?”

           
She
maintained a calm exterior but beneath the façade Sarah was bouncing with
joy.
 
The richest, most handsome guy she
had ever met was asking her on a date.
 
It was her childhood dreams come true.
 
Oh she was going; oh heck yes she was going and Daniel would be taking
her.

           
“I
would be delighted, Daniel.”
 
Sarah
jerked rigid as if someone had just thrown a bucket of ice water down her back.

           
“Looks
like Sarah caught herself a man.”
 
Bekah’s words floated accusingly from the stairs.

           
“Seems
like it, Sis.”
 
Raven’s voice joined her
sister’s.

           
“I
think he wants to kiss her.”
 
Mandy was
there too.

           
Sarah
saw her fear reflected in Daniel’s eyes.
 
All three redheaded Chandlish sisters together, being almost polite,
meant that something was about to go horribly awry.
 
Not daring to look up the stairs, Sarah and
Daniel shared the same hope that something-- anything-- would show up to
distract the demon sisters and their assistant imp.
 
It didn’t.

           
“You
might be right, Mandy.
 
But I bet he’s
flirted with every woman in the house except me.” Raven complained.

           
“And
me.”
 
Bekah sounded offended.

           
“He’s
never flirted with any of us.”
 
Mandy
bellyached.
 

Sarah cringed.

           
“You’re
married.”
 
Raven and Bekah pointed out in
unison.

           
“He
didn’t before I was married.”

           
“So
he’s flirted with mom and Felicity, who are both brunettes, and most of the
maids.”
 
Bekah sounded like she was
enjoying herself which didn’t help calm Sarah who wondered who would feed
Snuffles in the event of her untimely demise.

           
“Now
Sarah, who is very much a blonde.”
 
Mandy
sang the words “a blonde” way to cheerfully.
 
Daniel could see where this was going and knew what was expected of
him.
 
Fortunately he could be very
charming when the need arose.

           
“Maybe
he doesn’t think redheads are pretty?”
 
Raven’s voice was full of sorrow and Sarah knew right then that
something was about to go boom.

           
Tales
of heroism when confronted by immeasurable odds inspire the human soul to
greater strength in the face of sure defeat.
 
Bravery becomes story.
 
Story
becomes legend.
 
Legend becomes a clarion
call to those who struggle against oppressive forces.
 
Hundreds, even thousands of poems and stories
have been told of a warrior’s valor in combat.
 
The songs of bards pass from generation to generation describing in epic
detail the heated pitch of a last desperate battle.
 
In Sarah’s opinion, they were nothing to the courage
Daniel displayed at that moment.

 
          
He
turned to face the three sisters, who were standing about half way down the
stairs with their arms crossed, trying his best to avoid what promised to be a
very bad time.
 
“Ladies, of course I
think each of you is quite lovely.
 
It’s
just that, up until now, I’ve lacked the words to pay sufficient homage to your
beauty.”

           
“So
you’re a dullard?”
 
Bekah didn’t sound too
sure of that excuse.

           
“No,
of course not, it’s just that I was nervous.
 
What is the old expression?
 
Red
on the head--“

           
“Fire
in the hand!”
 
Mandy finished
enthusiastically.

           
“I
believe its fire in the hole.”
 
Daniel
flashed his most disarming smile.
 
Sarah
stood frozen in abject fear.

           
“No,
no Daniel.”
 
Bekah corrected him.

           
“It’s
definitely fire in the hand.”
 
Mandy
giggled.