Please, Fence Me In

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

Princess Cassandra’s unsettling encounter with the frog drove her back to the Bower after she delivered her message to Vernon.

Spending a gloomy morning shut away from the sunlight, dreaming up ways to enclose her Clearing and install a Guard at a single entrance, she finally reined in her runaway imagination. This is ridiculous, she told herself. I refuse to allow my hormones to take me prisoner.

“Agatha,” she called to the Spinner assigned as her attendant and stationed outside her door. “I’m going to visit Miss Miranda.”

Agatha entered and curtseyed. “Do you think it’s safe? Shall I ask the Hive to send an armed guard along?”

Laughing, Cassandra shook her head. “I don’t believe Miranda would allow her children to run completely wild. Besides, they’re not big enough yet to do any real harm.”

“Of course not, but—” Agatha stood wringing four of her hands.

“I’ll be back by sunset,” the Princess assured her as she slid toward the door, “so please feel free to take the afternoon off.”

Agatha bowed her head. “Thank you, your Elegance. With the new trouble up North and out East, I appreciate being able to check up on my family.”

Cassandra stopped. “What trouble?”

“They say that awful Arids’ General has invaded Fen. Everyone in the army who isn’t already at the front has gone to help hold him back until the Allies arrive.”

“Then by all means, go home,” the Princess urged. As Agatha jumped down the path, Cassandra took a moment to let the news sink in. Thank goodness Elliot is in Bog. Oh, but if the General finds out Julius and Miranda are here… Worried now about the refugees from The Arids, Cassandra hurried on her way.

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