Chapter 3: Beanstalk Harvest

Jade fell out of bed when she heard a yell.

ÒTony! YouÕre burning the bacon again! I can smell it from the staff wing!Ó Wolf yelled from the kitchen, which was directly underneath her.

A chorus of howls, growls, and moans followed as the smell woke all the wolves and half-wolves in the prison.

The loudspeaker then crackled on.

ÒListen up. This is Relish, the Troll King. I am taking over the announcements from the snots that call themselves my children. Now, for breakfast today, the staff will have slightly burnt bacon, eggs, ham and cheese omelets, orange juice, pancakes, and fresh baked bread.Ó

By now, every studentÕs mouth was watering.

ÒThe students will have a nice surprise today. Instead of hot fried beanstalk, youÕll be having. . . cold fried beanstalk!Ó Relish laughed at this.

ÒOh, right. Before breakfast, students must report to the Beanstalk Forest and collect their own breakfast. You know what they say, builds character!Ó Relish got off laughing.

A few students dared to lower their hands from their ears, where they had been since the announcements had started.

ÒOh, and students. Whoever does not get their own breakfast, will be given detention with the Queen. Have fun!Ó With that cheery little note, Miss Anya got off the loudspeaker.

After a few more minutes or silence, students lowered their hands and went to get dresses. A few of the stupider ones, simply rolled over and went back to sleep.

Jade didnÕt even bother changing. She knew it wouldnÕt matter, what with Relish and the Queen trying to best each other with a game of Òwhoever makes the students more miserable, wins.Ó Miss Anya had joined, and so far, was winning in the morale department.

Jade walked down into the kitchen, where a group of girls were stampeding King Wendell at the breakfast table.

Struck by a moment of inspiration, she joined in. When she reached the table, she grabbed a few pieces of bacon and ran through the door before the swamp witches arrived.

ÒPssst! Share the wealth!Ó One girl hissed at her, hiding by the door.

Jade handed over a piece of bacon.

ÒIÕm Jade, whoÕre you?Ó she asked with her mouth full.

ÒDeanna. Deanna Bradley. Call me De. Everyone else does. HowÕd you get the bacon?Ó the girl introduced herself.

ÒI joined the Wendell Stampede and snatched it before the minis were called in. Then I ran out here,Ó Jade explained.

ÒOkay. Anymore bacon?Ó De asked.

ÒNope. Sorry. LetÕs go get beanstalks with the others. I donÕt want detention with the Queen. Did you hear what happened to that one girl? She said she wasnÕt afraid of the Queen. . . Ò Jade continued her narrative as the duo walked away.

ÒFace it, weÕre lost,Ó Jade said an hour later.

ÒNo, weÕre not. WeÕre supposed to go to the TrollÕs Kingdom. Then we can get to the Beanstalk Forest,Ó De replied.

ÒBut what kingdom is the Troll Kingdom?Ó Jade asked, exasperated.

ÒThird kingdom. Maybe if you actually paid attention to King Wendell instead of sneaking pictures of Wolf in, you would know that. YouÕre late. Now get harvesting,Ó Miss Anya cut in from behind them.

ÒBut we donÕt know where we are!Ó De whined.

ÒI believe that you will find yourselves on the road to the TrollÕs Castle already. The Forest is just over that hill. Now hurry. IÕll leave Quen and Realish to accompany you.Ó

Miss Anya walked off, leaving the two to look down at the minis.

ÒAhhh!Ó The duo screamed as they ran.