Julius and Miranda

Glad you could join us for the next creepy episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

Late for her rendezvous in The Arids, Lady Lucy left the Freelands immediately after turning the Stinger prisoner over to Prince Elliot.

Julius and his family waited in the moonlight at the base of the tallest agave, just as they’d planned. “I was afraid you weren’t coming,” he whispered as she extended her left wing for them to climb onto her back.

“Sorry. I made sure the Stinger that General Hai sent to follow you saw me carry you off so he would go back home and report you dead. They won’t be looking for you. But the General’s messenger followed the Prince to the Freelands after I took you home, and we couldn’t have that. He saw me, but they’ve got him in custody, so I’m not too worried.”

“We’re just glad you’re here,” Julius said. “This is my partner, Miranda.”

With their babies clinging to her back, Miranda beamed. “Thank you for helping us. We really need a safer place to raise the children.”

Lucy’s stomach cringed as she viewed the squirming mass of teensy scorpions she was inviting to fly with her. She took a deep breath. “Queen Lilian is grateful you want to help, and honored to provide a safe home in Fen for you and your family. Um… they know to hold on tight to Mama, right?”

“Well, they’ve never flown before, but I don’t think they’ll wander too far,” their proud mother assured her.

“That’s… good,” Lady Lucy said as she lifted into the sky. In the privacy of her own head, she added, No matter how fast I fly, this trip is going to take too long.

To be continued. . .

Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .

Author: Sue Ranscht

Having survived valve repair surgery and an experimental cardiac bypass at age 5, three years before it was an accepted medical procedure, Susan grew into the size of her overworked and enlarged heart. Maybe she thought she had enough to give it away -- twice. Both times, she had to retrieve the shattered pieces and puzzle them back together. She thanks her Dad for the only advice of his she ever followed to the letter: "Never get married. Learn to take care of yourself." So of course she is a writer. Susan has co-written a YA SciFi novel, and has three more novels in various stages of evolution. She's had several short stories published in other people's anthologies, some of which were contest-related. Let her tell you a story... View all posts by Sue Ranscht