Chapter 7

Imani and Elijah were busy handing out beds and temporary remedies for the children back home. They worked really hard along with many of Rood Bridge's citizens. And surprisingly, the parents even put in their part too by helping other parents and comforting them.

Rood Bridge was a united and strong community. Imani was touched by watching her kingdom together through this rough time. If only Joshua were here she thought. She wondered what became of him.

"Imani! A message has arrived!" cried Elijah carrying a telegram. Imani looked at the telegram with one eye brow raised for she saw that there were worms and dirt all over the messy piece of paper. Imani grabbed it despite how dirty it was and she read it.

"It's Moss. He's coming over." Said Imani with a very dark tone in her voice.

"M-Moss!" said Elijah.

"If he's coming here, we will demand him to help us." Said Imani.

"He won't listen to reason." Said Elijah.

"But it's worth a try. He wants Rood Bridge, but perhaps we can talk with him. Moss wasn't all bad from the start." Said Imani.

"Regardless he poisoned our children. How can he show sympathy over what he had done?" asked Elijah.

Imani shook her head. "Emmet must have found Joshua by now. It's only a matter of time before things will look up. In the meantime, prepare everything for Moss's arrival." Said Imani.

"YOUR MAJESTY!" cried a maid.

Behind the maid were giant bugs and giant slugs storming in on Imani's house. Elijah got his sword ready.

"That won't be necessary." Said Imani patting Elijah's shoulder.

The giant bugs and slugs were then pulling a large carriage made of old wood, with fungus, moss, mushrooms and little spiders and bugs crawling all over. The carriage door opened, letting out a foul stench. It was as if this was a bathroom than an actual carriage.

Elijah and Imani covered their noses and out of the carriage came out two large horns, then a face. A Human face with purple shades. He had messy orange hair with cobwebs, bread crumbs and spiders all over. He then stepped out to reveal his massive body. He had the hooves of a bison, and he was wearing a long dark orange coat that was reeked of the foul stench and he smiled wickedly.

This was him. This was Moss.

"Imani baby! It's been so long!" he said with a deep booming voice.

Elijah was about to swing his sword, but Imani stopped him. "Let me speak to him." Said Imani.

Elijah lowered his sword, not taking his gaze off from Moss who was looking at with his toothy grin. His teeth were sharp like a wolf's fangs. This guy was seriously ugly.

"Great King of Fungus and Carcasses; Future Emperor of the Forest, we present to you Lord Mossaniel Cervidae Bryophita Pompador Jujus The Fifth!" said one of his slug lackeys.

"Otherwise known as Moss. Thank you for revealing my embarrassing yet elegant name." said Moss.

"Moss, you humble us with your presence." Said Imani politely. The last thing she needed was to offend this monster.

"Imani, by now you are facing a lot of unhappy things." Said Moss.

"Yes. Our children are fallen ill. Do you know how it happened?" asked Imani nicely, yet with anger.

"Don't play dumb wench. You know I had something do to with this. Where do you keep your wines? I'm freaking thirsty." Said Moss walking about in the room.

"Our children are our treasure Moss. You had no right to poison them." Said Imani.

"My plan backfired actually. Originally, it was to be the adults who were to be poisoned. However, kids got sick instead. Whatever. Either way works for me." Said Moss.

"What are your demands?" asked Imani moving the conversation.

"I want the entire forest! However, that is in the future. My aim right now is to target smaller villages. The first one is Rood Bridge of coarse! It was here where I suffered my most humiliating defeat the first time!" said Moss.

"We had to face you because of how awful you were!" cried Elijah like a little kid. Imani turned to him with a worried face.

"Awful is an understatement. You fools were awful. All I ever done was trying to help Rood Bridge become a powerful kingdom. Sure I had an army here, but it was the best! You see Imani, you are weak! Had you kept me as Warlord, I would have created a powerful army to take over the forest! Imagine all I have missed out on! Bloodshed! The violence! The chaos on the battlefield! How I lust for it all!" said Moss.

"You point of view has not changed at all Moss. Violence is not the answer. The forest belongs to all people and creatures. Your vision of a kingdom in the future…. It's terrifying dare I say it." Said Imani.

"It is. And that's what fascinates me!" sneered Moss.

"I ask again. What are your demands?" asked Imani.

"Didn't you hear my epic villain monologue wench?! I'm after the forest! And Rood Bridge! So here are my demands for right now! Step down from your throne Imani! Give me your crown and Rood Bridge will be spared. If you refuse, I will allow my giant bugs and slugs to wreak havoc on the village, and banish all your citizens to the outside forest along with their sick children! No one dies either way! Yet that is." Said Moss.

"Will you be willing to listen to my demands?" asked Imani.

"Let me guess. Your going to ask me nicely to leave and offer me tea in a small table full of powdered face ninnies. Is that it?" asked Moss.

"No. Hear me out. If I allow you to stay, will my people stay? If they do, allow me to stay with them all. Let me help them." Said Imani.

"I don't really care for your citizens, nor you. Stay if you want for all I care, but the kingdom is mine! Rood Bridge will no longer by under your control!" said Moss.

Elijah screamed. "NO IMANI! ARE YOU CRAZY!?" You can't do this!" cried Elijah.

"If I refuse we all be thrown into the forest. There is nothing out there for our children and they will all die. If we stay, we get to help our people. There is no choice." Said Imani. She then walked towards Elijah and whispered in his ear.

"Besides, I have a plan. Moss will be gone before we know it." Said Imani.

"Time is money! And I'm Money! Get a move on!" demanded Moss saying nonsense.

"Done! Take my crown." Said Imani.

"No. I would look ugly with that tiara of yours. What's next? Dress me in a tutu? OH! I get it! I get the Kingdom! Silly me. Of coarse my dear! Say hello to your new king! Slugs! Fetch me my long cloak!" demanded Moss.

Seconds later, Imani revealed the news to her people. "We are allowed to stay, but don't fret everyone! I know that Moss will stay here temporarily. It's only a matter of time." Said Imani.

She then turned around to Elijah.

"Get your guards ready for anything. I don't trust Moss. He can hurt somebody." Said Imani.

"Will do, but I still think it's a terrible idea. Why are we waiting for a boy and someone who hates us to aid us?" asked Elijah.

"There is something I need to tell you. I have promised to keep it a secret until due time, but now there is no choice. Long ago, a dear friend of ours made an antidote. One that can cure "Possession". Said Imani.

Elijah's eye's widened in surprise. "Will it work?" he asked.

"Only he knew. I want your guards to search the "his" old home. There should be blue prints on that antidote. But be careful. Moss should not suspect." Said Imani.