The Daughters Daring (The Daughters Daring & The Enchanted Forest Book 1) (4 page)

Chapter 6

     Being smaller creatures, standing no taller than Elizabeth, it took three goblins to carry Emily into the lower reaches of the cave before dropping her, rather abruptly, onto the floor of a large wooden cage. One of them muttered something about how heavy she was and kicked her leg. Emily had discovered that her legs were unbound and returned the favor. She kicked him in the backside, sending him crashing into his cohorts.

     The three goblins stumbled, and fell outside of the cave. Two of them started yelling at the one Emily had kicked, but this one was busy shaking a fist at her. She hoped that perhaps, in the confusion, they would forget to lock the door of her cage, but she had no such luck. They quickly locked her in and went about their business. Two more goblins guarded the entrance to this section of the cave, which was a small, oval-shaped room.

     Emily assessed her surroundings. There was a torch on the cave wall but it wasn't providing much light. She would need time for her eyes to adjust. She could also just make out a strange figure that was laying down inside the cage. The figure exhaled.

     “Who's there?” Emily demanded.

“Em?” a small, familiar voice answered, “It’s me!”

“Liz! It is you!” Emily rushed to grab her sister up in a tight hug.

“Ugh,” Elizabeth groaned, “you're squishing me!”

     Emily stepped back, looked her sister over, and grinned. “Are you ok? Before I was captured I heard you scream.”

     Elizabeth shrugged off Emily's concern. “I'm fine. I thought I heard you scream, too, but I realized too late it was those nasty goblins.” 

     “They got me, too,” said Emily. “I was really worried about you.”

      Not one to be sentimental, Elizabeth insisted, “I told you I'm fine. We shouldn't be fussing over that anyway. We need to find a way out of here.” 

     Emily agreed but decided that she would check on her sister later, after they were free of their cage.  “So, have you already searched for any weak spots—any place that we could escape through?”

     Elizabeth shook her head, “No, I've searched top to bottom and I can't find anything.”

     Emily peered at their enclosure. “Search again. There has to be a weak point. Goblins aren't exactly known for their craftsmanship.”

     “What you say there?” One of the goblins approached the cage with his hands on his hips. “What you know about goblin cage? Goblins make best cage. No escapes!”   

     “Eww!  What's your name, Stink Eye?”  Elizabeth said and Emily began laughing.  The goblin Elizabeth had called Stink Eye had one bulging eye, drooping and gooey.  While Emily was bent over laughing, she noticed that the other goblin had an unattractive trait of his own. 

     “Hairy Foot!” she gasped before laughing even harder. 

     The two goblins stared wide-eyed at the girls. Then they turned to look at each other with suspicion.

     “How the human know your name Hairy Foot?”  Stink Eye asked in a demanding whisper.

     Hairy Foot's eyes grew wide.  “How they know your name Stink Eye?” He looked even closer at his companion.  “You traitor!  I knew it!  I knew it!  You traitor!”  Hairy Foot was bouncing up and down shouting his accusations. 

     “Me traitor? You traitor!” Stink Eye yelled, lunging to pounce on Hairy Foot. The two goblins went rolling on the cave floor, tossing this way and that. 

     Emily finally stopped laughing and looked over at her sister, who was watching the fight, cheering on Stink Eye. The sight of the goblins rolling around, hitting and gouging each other, was both funny and frightening. For the moment, the goblins were preoccupied and ignoring the girls in the cell.

     “Elizabeth, this is our chance to find a way out,” Emily said, pulling Elizabeth away from the cage bars. Both girls went back to scouring their prison cell for a way out. They were busy pulling on the cage bars when they heard the klink of metal on stone.

     One of the goblins had dropped a ring of keys as the two of them scuffled around the room. Emily and Elizabeth carefully moved to the bars nearest to the keys. Each tried reaching them, but even Emily’s longer arms were not long enough to touch the keys. Their efforts went unnoticed. Stink Eye was chasing Hairy Foot into the darkness of the passageway. Their goblin grunts and yowls grew fainter by the moment.

     “They’re gone now,” Elizabeth said.

     “Yeah, but we can't reach the keys! What are we going to do?”

     The girls were stumped. The keys were out of reach and so was their gear. Emily's staff was sitting along the wall next to Elizabeth's bow and both of their backpacks.

     Emily looked again at her backpack. Even in the dim light, she could see it moving.

      “Liz, look at my pack!”

     “Eeeew, there's a rat in your backpack!” Elizabeth shivered at the thought.

     “It's not a rat, silly!” Emily said.

     “What is it, then?”

     “You’ll see.” Emily fished in her pocket and pulled out a round stone. “This is my last one,” she said, holding it in her palm for Elizabeth to see.”

     Elizabeth was amazed at her sister. “How did you get that in here?”

     “Let's hope I can hit my pack!"

     “I'm sure you can," Elizabeth said, “but what’s in the pack that can help us?"

     “Be quiet while I aim!"

     Emily cocked her arm back and hurled the stone straight at the pack, hitting it with a dull thud.

     “Ow!” A little voice cried out from inside the pack. As the girls watched, tiny hands, then a head, popped out of the backpack.

     “Not very nice to be throwing things at me,” the gnome said.

     “Periwinkle!” Emily said, trying to whisper. “Get the keys and help us get out of here!”

     “Oh, very well," Periwinkle said. “But if you’re not nice to me, I’ll crawl back into my new home and take a long nap!"

     “Your home?” Emily said, somewhat annoyed. Elizabeth had to restrain her sister from saying anything more, lest the gnome change his mind. He scuffled over to the keys and handed them to Elizabeth.

     “Why are you so small?” Elizabeth asked him.

     “I am a garden gnome, cousin to the forest gnomes.” Periwinkle answered.

     “And they’re very resourceful.” Emily chimed in.

     “I see.” Elizabeth responded.

     Within moments, the girls were out of the cage, their gear back in hand. Periwinkle had decided to ride in Emily's backpack again, and in no time, they could hear him snoring.

     “Seriously, Em,” said Elizabeth, “you keep gnomes in your backpack, now?”

     “Oh stop,” Emily answered, but before she could continue her defense, she noticed a heap of cloth on the floor. “Look here! Those goblins left their cloaks. We can use them as a disguise!”

     “You're too tall to be a goblin, Em,” Elizabeth said. “And these things smell terrible!"

     “Just put one on.”

     Soon they were both dressed as goblins, and had rubbed some dirt on their faces to be more convincing. With weapons in hand, they headed back into the main corridor of the cave. No sooner had they left the cage room, than they passed two different goblins headed the other way. They passed by without a second glance!

     “See?” Emily whispered.

     “Oh all right, your plan worked,” said Elizabeth, softly. “But you still don’t look like a goblin.”

     Emily swept her sister up in another hug.

     “Eeew,” said Elizabeth, louder than she’d intended to be, “you smell like one, though!”

     The girls cupped their hands over their mouths to quiet a fit of giggles. Now it was time to get serious. They had to find the sweetberries.

Chapter 7

     As the girls made their way deeper into the earth, the passage widened into an enormous cavern. It was huge, at least twice as large as the king's horse arena, and the ceiling must have been at least fifty feet high. Elizabeth saw bats nestled there in the hanging rock formations, and shuddered. Below the bats were scores of goblins (Emily guessed one hundred), many of them humming strange tunes as they worked.

     Along one wall of the cave were baskets and baskets of sweetberries.

     There seemed to be three groups of goblins. One group was mashing sweetberries in wooden bowls, while another was mixing in what Elizabeth identified by its scent as valerian root. Finally, the bowls went to the last group who mixed in sugar, then carried the bowls to a doorway leading to what had to be a kitchen.

     “Valerian root is used in sleeping potions,” Elizabeth said. “I read it in one of Mother’s books.”

     “Then they’re making pies with the sweetberries to put people to sleep,” said Emily. “But who are they for?”

     “And who is baking the pies?” Elizabeth added. “Goblins aren't known for their tasty desserts. Someone else must be in that kitchen.”

     “Look, there,” Emily whispered, pointing.

     As one of the goblins delivered a bowl to the kitchen, an even smaller creature, suspended in air, took the bowl and flew back inside. The small, winged creature was glowing weakly, but with a mesmerizing light.

     “Of course!” Elizabeth exclaimed in whispered delight. “Faery Folk!”

     “Faeries?” Emily questioned, “Why would they help the goblins?”

     “They must not have a choice,” said Elizabeth. “Did you see how weak that one looked? I think someone has captured them and is forcing them to do this."

     “Probably the witch,” Emily said, gripping her staff. “We need to free those poor Faeries and make her pay!”

     “Not yet, Em,” said Elizabeth. “We still need to find out where the ogre king and that nasty witch are.”

     A sudden commotion spread across the cave as the ogre king stepped into the main cavern.

     “There he is!” Emily said, her eyes wide.

     “Shhhhhh,” Elizabeth cautioned. “Someone will hear you!”

Goblins were scattering out of his way. One stumbled in front of him. The huge brute kicked the goblin like a stone and sent him bouncing across the cave, crashing into one of the sugar mixers, causing another commotion as these goblins argued over the mess.

     The girls were stunned at the sight of him. The ogre king was huge; he was taller even than their father and some of the tallest knights in the kingdom. He was also thick like a burled tree trunk, with skin that looked almost like bark. He tossed crates around the room and bellowed about being hungry, while goblins skittered in all directions. Finding nothing but sweetberries, he threatened to start eating faeries.

     He stopped, when an icy voice sliced through the din from above. “Oafish fool!”

     Emily soon realized the sound came from an opening in the cave ceiling. She could see strange lights, and spidery webs there.

     “You will not touch the faeries,” the voice continued. “There will be plenty to dine on when the king is under our control and you sit upon his throne.”

     The ogre king grumbled and went back to the room where he had been sleeping. The goblins quickly returned to their work, not wishing to draw the attention of the witch, who was clearly watching them from her chamber, above.

"OK Liz," Emily whispered, "what's your plan?"

     “One of us needs to get to the kitchen and find a way to free those faeries,” Elizabeth said. “I’ll go, because I'm smaller and look more like a goblin. Stop giggling.”

     “OK, and what should I do?” Emily said, barely containing herself.

     “When I give the signal, you cause a distraction.”



     Elizabeth walked past the first row of goblins, who were busy mashing the sweetberries. She could smell the delicious berries and really wanted to reach out for a handful, but she knew that was a bad idea. The cave was brighter than the tunnel they’d come through, and she feared these goblins would get a better look and realize she didn't fit in. To her surprise, the goblins seemed to ignore her as she walked past them. There were goblins everywhere, busy with myriad tasks. To them, she was just another busy goblin.

     After passing seemingly endless rows of goblins, Elizabeth had almost reached the kitchen when a goblin suddenly stepped in front of her. This goblin wore several beaded necklaces around her neck. She wore them with an air of importance, and the others seemed to shy away from her. Elizabeth guessed she must be a chief.

     “You!” the goblin chief growled, pointing at her. “Where you going?”

     “To kitchen, need supplies.” Elizabeth spoke in a low and grumbly voice. The goblin cast a suspicious glance over her, looking her up and down. Elizabeth tensed, believing she’d been caught, and her plan had failed.

     Just then, a small round rock smashed into a mixing bowl of sweetberries, mere feet from the two of them. The goblin mixing the berries squealed as crushed berries and juice splashed over its head, right onto the goblin chief. The chief immediately began yelling, beads flying, while chasing the poor mixer goblin around the cave, shaking her fist and threatening all sorts of nasty punishments.

     “Thanks, Sis,” Elizabeth mouthed the words quietly as she hurried on into the kitchen.

     “You’re welcome,” Emily whispered back. From her vantage point, she could see that her sister had been in trouble. She also was able to make the perfect shot to create the necessary distraction. Now she would just have to wait for Elizabeth's signal.

     Watching the scene intently, Emily noticed movement at the edge of the cave. But when she looked closer, she saw nothing. Then, before she looked away, she saw it again. There, in the dark corner of the cave, was a small creature, moving slowly into position near the goblins.

     It was a gnome!

     As Emily looked around, she started seeing more gnomes. They were coming down from the ceiling on ropes, and coming in from small cracks in the walls. They were wearing dark clothing, and carrying more ropes and weapons over their backs. They were surrounding the goblins and getting into attack formations!

     Oh no, Emily thought, if they attack now they'll ruin everything! Liz will be trapped!

     Meanwhile, Elizabeth had successfully reached the kitchen and was face-to-face with a faery—an honest-to-goodness, real, live faery. She had read about them, but never thought she’d actually see one. This one was enchantingly beautiful, but under the circumstances, very sad. It only gave off a weak light. It was as if these poor creatures were shackled in sorrow and despair. Their lights seemed to be going out! But that would soon change, if Elizabeth could help it.

     This faery was hovering, perhaps a foot from the ground. She had to be only about a foot tall, if that. Her wings, normally described as looking like a butterfly's, now more resembled a dull, brown moth's. The faery looked up at her and cast an odd glance. “You're a little tall for a goblin, aren't you?” The faery asked sluggishly.

     “No,” Elizabeth answered, pulling back her hood so they could see her face, “I'm Elizabeth Daring and I'm here to rescue you!” She quickly surveyed this new cave room. It had been fashioned into a kitchen, with a row of wood-fired ovens and tables covered in sweetberry pies. There were a dozen more faeries, all acting as confused and groggy as the first one, making and enchanting pies in a tired, disheartened manner. None of them were smiling or glowing as in the books she had read.

     Elizabeth was beginning to feel drowsy, herself, when she noticed a strange orb hanging from the center of the ceiling. It was melon-sized, and its appearance changed from glass to stone, then back to glass. Dark energy and smoke roiled within it like vapors in a teapot, waiting to burst forth. Elizabeth found that the longer she stared at it, the less she cared about the faeries, or her sister, or anything.

     Elizabeth decided that this must be the source of the strange spell that hung over the Faeries, and could sap her will, too. She reached into her quiver and found the arrow with the strongest broad head. This one was steel, meant for a more dire purpose than her training arrows.

     She nocked the arrow and drew the bowstring back, stretching it to its limit. She waited to aim until the last moment, not daring to look too long at the orb, lest it capture her will. Even now, it reached into her mind, compelling her to relax and surrender. It was sapping her will and her arms trembled, but all she had to do was let go of the string.

     Elizabeth's arrow flew true. It smashed into the orb with a loud cracking sound and bounced to the stone floor, below. The orb broke open and the dark energy inside flowed, snakelike, around the room before flying out the doorway. Elizabeth felt her strength and resolve return as soon as it left.

     “Thank you,” the first faery said. Her color was already returning, along with her glow. “What was your name, again?”

     “Elizabeth Daring.”

     “Daring?" Another faery asked, flying over to them. “Oh my, yes,” she said. “You look so much like your mother!”

     “I’ve been told that,” Elizabeth said, “But how do you know my mother?”

     An angry, venomous scream pierced the moment’s calm.

     “The witch!” exclaimed the Faeries.

     “Come on,” Elizabeth said, “We have to get you out of here!”

     One of the faeries pointed to the corner “There’s a venting tunnel that leads outside!”

     A bellowing roar echoed through the cave.  It was louder than any goblin.

     “Oh no, the ogre has awakened!” The faeries fluttered about in alarm.

     Elizabeth turned her attention to the vent. A crude grate covered the opening. The ogre’s advancing steps seemed to shake the whole room. Elizabeth kept her mind on the vent and managed to pry the grate off. The faeries quickly flew into the tunnel.

     “Come with us,” the last faery said, beckoning to her.

     “I can't fit,” Elizabeth stated, “and I won't leave without my sister.”

     “We will try to send help,” the faery declared. Then, looking at the tables, she added, “Don't eat the pies. They'll make you sleepy!”

     From out in the main chamber, Elizabeth could hear a great commotion. She moved to the doorway to see what was going on out there. To her surprise, she saw gnomes mixed in with the hundred or so goblins. Tables were overturned, bowls were broken, and a slick of sweetberry goo was everywhere. She wondered if she could get through that mess to warn everyone. She had an idea and, pulling her journal from her backpack, she started writing as fast as she could.

     Looking around the make shift kitchen, Elizabeth tried to discover a way to escape. There was an open cupboard against one wall. She pulled on it, hoping it concealed a passageway to freedom. As it tipped forward she could see only a solid wall behind it, and something clattered off one shelf. Spectacles. She hadn’t seen anyone wearing them, but picked them up and tucked them into her pack to keep them safe.



     “Attack!” Randolph shouted from the walkway above the open cave. His gnome force suddenly appeared, surrounding the goblins, and pelting them with stones from every direction.

     Emily was only a few feet from Randolph, and had tried to stop him before he yelled. Too late. Confusion erupted, below, as goblins and gnomes went after each other with the tools at hand: spoons, bowls, axes, table legs, and rocks. The gnomes had brought weaponry and the element of surprise, but the goblins had an ogre.

     The ogre king burst into the open cave roaring and throwing little people out of his way. His roar was like thunder echoing through the caverns. His long arms swept both gnomes and goblins aside without care. Several gnomes tried forming a ladder, standing on top of each other’s shoulders, to challenge him, but a swift kick sent them all flying.    

“Gunners!” Randolph yelled to his men. “Fire on the ogre!”

     The gnomes had set up two of their mechanical rock shooters on the upper walkway beyond where Randolph stood. They were strategically placed where they could fire on the whole area, below. Anyone wanting to attack them would also have to make their way up the narrow path, and past Emily.