Babyjayy: thanks! I kinda forgot about the 'update soon' part...

Digitaldonut: You wouldn't believe how many people told me 'I'm supposed to start a new line every time someone talks'. I almost didn't do it out of spite! (Not really-I actually DID it- and I will keep writing it the correct way.) (

I am far too much aware of the fact that it took me years to write this chapter, and even longer realizing that it was finishedlike, 5 months ago. SORRY, PEOPLE! That said, here you go:

Tarra

Chapter 6

The "Garden"

"Princess? Princess Tarra? Where are you?"

All of us froze as we heard the familiar voice calling my name.

Brannon. My calligraphy teacher.

I sighed. Marina pinched me. I looked at her, and sawall of them looked at me with begging eyes. I got it. They where afraid that I would call back to Brannon and give away their secret grove.

In fact, that's what I should have done. But that's not me. I do notlike doing thinks that displease others, or things that make me an enemy. That seemed to be of my weaknesses.

I thought fast. Quickly pulling back the moss that was growing around us up to reach the clean soil,I wrote 'let me out, and I will distract him back to the palace' in the soft, cold dirt. Marina exchanged looks between the girls. I watched hopefully as they exchanged words with there eyes.

Finally, Marina nodded and Daisy walked slowly and silently towards the gate. She quickly pulled a silver key from her pocket and unlocked it. I got up and quietly walked towards her.

"Thank you." Daisy whispered, so quiet that I could hardly hear it. I nodded and turned toward Marina.

"Thank you for-" I was cut of short by Brannon's calling.

"Princess? Is that you? Where are you?" Daisy's eyes grew wide as she carefully shoved me out of the gate. I fell forward and intoa patch of greenbushes.

Itseems to be thatthe gate was hidden between more ivy. I could not see it anymore. This reminded me extremely on a book I had read when I was younger called 'The Secret Garden'.

I looked around. I was distinctively lost. I exhaled and told myself not to panic. 'If Brannon is looking for me here, he will surly know wherehe is,' I kept telling myself.

"Brannon? Are you there?" I called out quietly. Silence answered. I tried again.

"Brannon! Where are you?" a little louder. Panic overtook me as I heard no answer. I started running. In no direction, with no destination. Just... away. I ran and ran, always greeted by more moss and ivy. I meet several dead ends, but that didn't stop me. I ran on, in circles, around things, to dead ends, more dead ends...until I collapsed on the soft moss. Tears streamed down my cheeks as the realization came that I was not in a familiar place. I drifted away from my known world as the fear took me into unconsciousness.

While unconscious, Tarra had a dream.

"Specters are magical creatures that can take shape of any human, and act just like that person."

It was Millie's voice.

"They think it a sport to trick people into following them or going into places that lead them to their deaths. If someone is to catch a specter, they can ask it a question- it would have to reply, for it would know the answer. But Specters find ways around this flaw; they often answer in riddles or in ways people cannot understand.

"Specters are no-good creatures that many set out to kill. That is why we must be thankful, Tarra- that we have brave knights and people of the court to protect us, keep us safe."

Millie had told Tarra this tale many a time, in the idea of making Tarra more thankful. Or, at least, keep her happy and away from worry about the creatures of the dark.

But Tarra rarely thought this way. She did not fear specters, yet she did envy the knights. This was not normal; she knew. She knew the proper thing was to be timid like Millie, or in the least be fierce and demanding like Marina. But she was neither.

Tarra was brave and bold, and she wanted to fight. More that anything, she wanted to fight for her country and people. Of course, this was impossible. At least, it was to her knowledge. Would she ever actually achieve what dreams she contained in her heart?

Tarra awoke to someone shaking her.

"Princess? Princess-Are you all right? Are you hurt?" Tarra slowly pulled herself up from the ground and looked around. Ben was sitting beside her, looking worried as ever.

"Oh, thank god! You arefinally waking up. What happened?" Tarra looked at him for a moment, trying to think straight. 'I had a dream. That I'm sure of. But what was it...? I have a feeling it's rather important...'

Tarra thought back. Ben still looked worried.

"I... I think I'm all right. How did you find me?"

"When you didn't meet me, I went looking for you...I hope that's all right."

"Oh, I'm sorry! I got a little...occupied." But what Tarra really thought was, 'how could I have missed 3 o'clock? It was only around 9:00 the last time I had checked...'

"So, are you ready to leave this awful place?" Ben asked me. I frowned. It wasn't the best place to be, but awful? I, myself, felt foolish for actually cryingYet again I shrugged it off. I must bevery tired.

"Yes, yes-I think I amready..." I answered.

"Well then, lets go. I'm very anxious to show you something." My heard jumped. 'He wanted to show me something?' Why did I get absurdly exited...? I still do notthink I know.

At that point he helped me up and we both started our way out. Normally I would have been perplexed at how he knew exactly where he was going, but I was still in a land of stupid bliss knowing he wanted me to take part in something he was pleased and exited about.

"Just a little farther, and-" Suddenly he stopped in mid sentence. I walked forward so we would be side by side, but he pushed me behind him.

"Stay," was all he said. I strained my ears to listen. What did he hear? I smelled dark birch on his clothes. After what seemed like hours, he grabbed my hand and said,

"This way- I was wrong. Sorry about that." I raised an eyebrow, but he didn't see it. Either that, or he completely ignored me. I focused on trying to remember the dream.

After aboutten minutes, I had still not gotten any closer to figuring it out, and it seemed as if Ben was having less luck finding the door.

"I amsure it isonly a few paces away..." he kept repeating over and over...

I was just going to ask him what was going on when something jumped out from a bush in front of us and scared me half to death.

But what I saw scared me even more.