Chapter Fourteen – What Makes A Good Princess
Even in the dry desert environment of Lonesome Flats, wintertime usually came with heavy ice and snow. There was a nice dusting of it all over town, like powdered sugar on a cake.
"You kids stay in town, okay?" Hickory instructed. "My brother and I will get the gold accents for the wreaths and run a few more errands. We'll leave for Music Central again tomorrow after lunch."
"We were brainstorming all night last night to give Clampers ideas." CJ said.
"After today, Clampers, you'll be much more confident in being queen!" Ozzy declared.
"Best of luck to you!" Dickory waved as the Mashups ran off into town.
"Okay, what's first?" Clampers asked
"Queen Poppy shows that she's a good queen by helping out around town." CJ explained. "Growly Pete needs some help with baking holiday fruitcake."
"Now I can finally see what he puts in it that makes it so heavy!" Clampers cheered.
While Clampers helped Growly Pete bake, she insisted her friends just sit back and watch. They were rather entertained by Clampers practically wrestling with the thick, dough-like fruitcake batter. Then they erupted into giggles as Clampers moved with such careful precision as she washed the dishes. She kept her actions deliberate and slow, so she wouldn't break anything. Growly Pete grumbled and growled, tousling Clampers's hair. While her friends didn't quite understand what Growly Pete said, Clampers looked pleased as they left the house.
"King Trollzart shows that he is a good leader by displaying a wide range of musical proficiencies." Cadence said. "Even if you can only play a few kinds of instruments, you can certainly name them all by look and/or sound, yes?"
"Totally!" Clampers nodded.
The Mashups walked into Kenny's Music Shop, where the proprietor was happy to let them conduct their test. Ozzy tied a blindfold around Clampers's eyes, and the friends guided her around the store. They played some of the instruments and had Clampers run her hands over others, inspecting each one aurally or tactilely. She accurately identified each one without a problem.
"You're doing great, Clampers!" Coral Blush cheered.
"Yes, but is it enough?" Clampers asked. She kicked at the snow. Ozzy led them through town and towards the pastures.
"We'll show you it is!" Coral Blush promised. "Ozzy, what are we doing?"
"Queen Barb is more than our leader. She's our protector." Ozzy climbed up to sit on the paddock fence corralling the cows. His friends joined him. "The farmer who takes care of these cows needed to take her guard cat to the vet. So, she said you could keep an eye on the cattle and protect them from any predators."
"Are there many predators around here?" Blue gulped.
"Just the typical ones like coyotes and hawks." Clampers shrugged.
"Oh, that's not so bad." Blue smiled a little.
Clampers ticked a few more things off her fingers. "And porcupine-skunks and rattlesnakes and scorpion-rats and fanged tarantulas and tumbleweeds."
Blue looked pale. "Why would anyone live here?"
"What's so bad about tumbleweeds?" Coral Blush asked.
To answer his question, he saw a cow try to nibble on a tumbleweed, and the tumbleweed seemed to magically sprout a face and shouted at the cow. The cow lumbered away.
"Protect the cows. On it!" Clampers marched like a soldier, patrolling the corral.
"Um, guys?" CJ piped up. "Not that I'm doubting Clampers and her ability to fight, but what exactly is she supposed to do against a predator?"
"I do not want to see her hurt." Cadence nibbled on her finger.
"You mean by something like that mean-looking doggie?" Blue pointed to a sand-colored canine sneaking towards the cattle. The coyote crept behind a snowbank and crouched low, its muscles tense.
"What do we do?" Coral Blush whispered. "Where is she?"
"Come on, this is Clampers we're talking about." Ozzy assured. "What's the worst that could happen?"
The coyote darted for the nearest cow. Before it could reach the cattle, a blue/orange blur tackled the coyote and started wrestling with it. When they separated, Clampers had coyote fur in her mouth and the coyote scurried away with a frightened yelp. Clampers spit the hair out and trotted to her friends.
"That was amazing!" Coral Blush cheered.
"I think I'm getting the hang of this." Clampers dusted herself off. "What's next?"
"We can try the King Trollex style of leadership." Coral Blush suggested. "He always says a good king knows how to throw a good party. Miss Dolly says they're going to read a speech from your Aunt Delta at the Holiday Hoedown. She said you could write a speech, too."
"Aunt Delta says my handwriting is chicken scratch, whatever that means." Clampers said.
"I bet Cadence has nice handwriting." CJ said. Everyone looked to the little Classical Troll.
"Well, I would not say 'nice.'" Cadence blushed.
"Can you write in cursive?" CJ asked.
"Yes." Cadence admitted.
"Her handwriting is the best." CJ declared.
The friends gathered at Miss Dolly's café, where she served them hot cocoa while they worked. The Mashups brainstormed ideas of things to talk about, and Cadence scribbled down notes in her fancy cursive writing only she could read. So, when it was time to write out the final draft, Cadence promised to print it in a font easy for others to read. Miss Dolly and some of the other café patrons complimented Clampers on her work and her friends for their loyalty. Clampers approved the final draft of her speech and passed it on to Miss Dolly to give to whoever was presenting the speeches at the party.
"Bring it on, Blue!" Clampers clapped with delight. "I think I'm getting this down!"
"Okay, King Quincy and Queen Essence are not just responsible or great at throwing parties." Blue said. "They're also very intelligent. They know all about our history and they are full of fun facts about all sorts of stuff."
"Miss Dolly!" Clampers cracked her knuckles. "Another round of cocoa, please! Make mine with extra peppermint."
"Peppermint?" Ozzy asked.
"Cadence says peppermint makes you smarter." Clampers said.
"I said I like to suck on peppermint candy to help me focus on written exams." Cadence said. "But, you know, whatever you wish to do."
Miss Dolly delivered the cocoa, and Blue started the quiz. "Name the six Major Genre troll types."
"Country, Pop, Rock, Classical, Funk, and Techno." Clampers said.
"And the four Minor Genres?"
"Yodeling, K-Pop, Reggaeton, and Smooth Jazz. Come on, at least challenge me."
Blue rattled off the questions, and Clampers answered with ease. It happened as fast as a ping-pong match. The rest of the Mashups even looked back and forth between the pair as though watching them pass a ball between each other. There was much celebration when Clampers got every single question right.
"See, Clampers?" CJ said. "You are totally an amazing princess; so, obviously, you are going to be an amazing queen."
"Have we convinced you at last?" Ozzy asked.
"Just one last thing I need to do." Clampers led her friends back towards her house. Hickory made a fire in the living room hearth, and Dickory was hard at work making sweets in the kitchen.
"Welcome back!" Hickory greeted. "Dickory's making traditional holiday pastries, and we're going to snack on them while we sit around the fire."
"We'll be right there!" Clampers said. She and her friends walked into Delta Dawn's room, and she opened a wardrobe. Inside was a white cowboy hat with a gold band styled like a crown. Hung on hooks above that hat was a six-string banjo.
"What's this?" Coral Blush asked.
"That is the official crown for the leader of the Country Trolls." Clampers said. "Each leader can style their own hat that they wear all the time. But, for their coronation, they use this hat. That banjo? The royal banjo. The official instrument for the King or Queen of Country. The Country String used to be strung in that."
"Why are we here?" Ozzy asked.
"I just need to see something." Clampers gingerly lifted the crown hat and set it on her head. It was so big that it even covered her pigtails. Coral Blush and Cadence helped her get the banjo. Clampers stood in front of the full-length mirror and stared at her reflection. The hat threatened to tilt over her eyes, and her arms and fingers weren't long enough to play the banjo.
"What do you see?" CJ whispered.
Clampers smiled. "A queen." She returned the banjo and hat. "Guys, thank you so much. I'm realizing that this whole thing was a little silly—"
"Not for a friend." Coral Blush insisted.
"Group hug!" CJ squealed. The Mashups enveloped their unofficial leader. They journeyed downstairs to have sweets and cocoa with Hickory and Dickory at the fireplace.
"A bit more confidant in your queenly abilities, Clampers?" Hickory asked.
"Yes!" Clampers said. "I'm totally ready to be queen now."
"Well, you won't have to be queen for a while." Dickory pointed out. "No need to grow up so fast."
"But I will grow up someday, and maybe I'm ready to do big kid stuff." Clampers said.
"Maybe all of us are." Ozzy said. "I mean, we're always told, 'Let the adults handle it.' Or something like, 'This is not something a kid must worry about.'"
"It's so annoying." CJ huffed.
Hickory chuckled. "The kinder are always so eager to get older."
"But being old sucks." Dickory huffed.
"It's not that we want to be adults yet." Cadence said. "We just do not like it when our abilities are judged by our age."
"I doubt any of your parents or guardians doubt your strength because of your age." Hickory picked up a guitar and strummed it idly. "Sometimes, we like to protect our children from the troubles of the world. Sometimes, we force them to grow up too early. You need a nice, happy balance."
"What would you do if you had kids?" Coral Blush asked.
Hickory kept strumming, a fond smile on his lips. "You all are like my own. Dickory and I care very much for you."
"We would tell you when something was going wrong." Dickory said. "Not to scare or burden you, but to keep you informed."
"We would acknowledge your mistakes, if only to help you learn from them." Hickory continued. "We would push you to challenge yourself, but never expect you to take on more than you can handle."
"You shouldn't rush life." Dickory refilled his cocoa cup. "It's so wonderful to live. There's no great hurry to get anywhere."
The Mashups exchanged looks. They understood the Yodelers' words, even if it raised a few more questions. They sipped on their cocoa, and collectively decided it wasn't so bad to just sit and relax in this moment.
The Mashups sang together on their way home, in much better spirits since arriving in Lonesome Flats. Hickory and Dickory often joined in on their songs, keeping a close eye on the children so nobody wandered off alone.
"I can't wait to tell Aunt Delta about all the stuff we did!" Clampers said.
"What you did!" Blue corrected. "You are so ready to be queen when she says you're old enough."
"Bow down to the future Queen of Country!" CJ cheered.
"I'm so glad you're feeling more confidant, Clampers." Hickory said.
"Thanks for letting us tag along." Clampers hugged Hickory and then his brother.
"It was a pleasure." Dickory chuckled.
"Are we home yet?" Coral Blush yawned. "I need a nap."
"I told you not to stay up so late." Cadence giggled.
"Techno Trolls are….." Coral Blush yawned again. "Night owls, as you say. There isn't much that will wake me up."
Dickory froze, and he suddenly jumped in front of the group and chucked a rather large rock into the trees. A loud yelp of pain came from the branches, and several trolls dropped down with weapons drawn.
"Whoa, whoa! Hold your horses!" Hickory called. "It's us!"
"Stand down, guys." Marimba told the other armed trolls. "It's Hickory and Dickory."
"Thank goodness you got here safely, but we had hoped you got our letter." Tambora said.
"What letter?" Hickory asked. "And why are you leading an army to attack us?"
"The guard around Music Central was increased soon after you left." Tresillo explained. "Something happened while you were gone. We tried to get a letter to you, so you would stay in Lonesome Flats where you were safer."
"Safer from what?" Ozzy asked.
"The others can explain when you're back within the city." Marimba said, still talking to Hickory and Dickory. "Take the kids with you. Tambora and I will bring you to the castle."
Despite asking numerous times on the way into town, the Mashups received no answer. As frustrated as they were, that irritation gave way to fear when they saw Music Central. It was so quiet. Very few trolls were out and about. Decorations for the holidays had fallen, with fewer trolls to jump up to fix them. Armed trolls patrolled the area. Marimba and Tambora led the returning group to the Major Genre leaders, who talked with a dozen other trolls in front of the castle.
"Take a few of our best trackers to follow the trail." Branch ordered to a couple trolls. "If they were recently taken, it should be easier to track them."
"Describe to me what happened." Trollzart gently demanded from a pair of parents.
"Every detail you can give. Nothing is unimportant." Trollex added.
"Everything has been quiet, sir." A guard said to Quincy.
"Be vigilant nonetheless." Quincy commanded.
Delta Dawn noticed the group approaching. "Clampers!" She galloped over and scooped her niece into her arms. "I thought you would still be in Lonesome Flats."
"We didn't get any letter before we left." Dickory explained. "What is all the commotion?"
"Something horrible happened." Poppy looked frazzled. "The guard has been increased, and no child is allowed to be left unattended."
"Why not?" Hickory looked around. "What happened?"
"Chef." Cooper answered, looking angry. It was a little unsettling to see on the normally goofy troll. "She attacked during the party. But we didn't realize until it was too late that she was just a distraction."
"Half the kids in the kingdom were stolen while we were fighting Chef." Darnell continued. "Even worse, more were taken last night and early this morning."
Hickory growled a little. "Well, we know who's behind it! Let's go to Kikimora's house and—"
"We already sent the K-Pop Gang and the Reggaeton Trolls to apprehend her, and she was gone." Essence said. "There's no sign, no trace of her. Any tracks she might have left were swept away. Right now, we're trying to keep the last children safe."
"Hickory, Dickory, help me get these guys home." Delta Dawn ordered.
"Can't we help?" Clampers asked.
"No!" Delta Dawn mentally reprimanded herself for sounding so cross. "No, Clampers. Let us take care of this. Come on, kids. Let's get you to your families so they know you're safe."
After such a wonderful adventure in Lonesome Flats, the new rules in Music Central had a sobering effect on the Mashups. They would still go to their music classes and be allowed to hang out with each other. However, there were so many new restrictions that it made things a little tense.
No child can be left unattended. There must be a minimum of one-to-one ratio of adults to children.
No one is permitted outside the borders of Music Central without accompaniment by a Major or Minor Genre leader.
Children must obey their guardians and teachers to ensure their safety.
Even when the Mashups would get together just to play, things felt tense. The adults in charge of watching them would take turns staring at the kids and looking around for danger. Everyone was extra protective of their children. However, even with the heightened precautions, more children were taken every night for the next week.
"Some holiday this is." CJ sighed.
"This is worse than that ice storm that locked us all in our houses in Symphonyville." Cadence said.
"At least we have each other still." Coral Blush said. True enough, the Mashups clung to their friendship even tighter than before to keep their hopes up.
"Clampers, you've been hanging out in your aunt's hair." Ozzy pointed out. "Have you heard anything?"
"Nothing good." Clampers used to love nestling herself in Delta Dawn's hair. Now, she was practically trapped there most of the time, even during meetings with the leaders. "They're saying that there aren't many kids left. Trying to find them isn't working. Even the best hunters and trackers can't find them for some reason. The kings and queens sent letters back home to warn everyone, and to ask them to keep an eye out for the kidnapped kids."
"Don't we have two layers of guards around Music Central? Plus, like, a dozen more within town?" Blue pointed out. "With everyone so alert, how are the kidnappers still getting through?"
"Even the guards are confused by that." Clampers said. "They say that they see someone leaving with kids, but nobody ever saw someone come in."
"Let's not play dumb. We all know who's responsible." CJ said. "It's Kikimora. She hasn't given up since we stopped her last time."
"Who knows how strong she'll become if she drains all those kids?" Blue gulped.
"Then what are we waiting for?" CJ demanded. "We should find her and stop her, like we did last time!"
Clampers noticed her friends looking to her once more, and she hummed in thought. "We do need to stop her. But even the grown-ups are having trouble tracking her down. What we need to do is follow the kids who get taken."
"Should we not stop them from being kidnapped?" Cadence asked.
"The way things are going, there's not much we can do about them being taken. Somehow, Kikimora is able to slip past the guards." Ozzy snapped in fingers. "That's it! We need to know how Kikimora is getting in! If we knew that, we could stop her!"
"Even if we can't stop her from taking more kids tonight, we need to find out where she took the rest of those kids." Coral Blush said.
"He's right. I don't believe for a second that she's already….you know…" Clampers shook her head to refocus. "If we can find Kikimora, we can find a way to stop her. We can do what the grown-ups can't."
"Then what's the plan, boss?" Blue asked.
Clampers looked in the direction of her aunt. "Actually, we're going to need the grown-ups to help."
