Chapter four: The cave and the castle

Strawberry Shortcake pushed the door. It opened on a small, dusty and dark cave dug directly on the face. But the strangest thing on the cave was a kind of small automaton, motionless and which body was round.

-I don't like it, Billina muttered.

-It doesn't look dangerous, Strawberry replied. "Even if it turns aggressive, we would be strong enough to immobilize it and throw it on the ravine."

The two travelers examined the robot. He was a little big taller than Strawberry, and very rusty. It seemed to have been left here for a long time.

-In my mind, it doesn't work anymore, said Strawberry, considering the hole on the robot's back. "But, maybe it needs to be wind up."

-Hey! Billina shouted. "Look at what I found!"

The little hen, who was scratching the floor to find worms, had unearthed a little key.

-It surely belongs to the robot! Strawberry shouted. "Give it to me."

The little key perfectly slotted into the keyhole in the automaton's back. Strawberry Shortcake slowly wound it and waited. For two second, nothing happened. Then, the robot started to move and make clinking. He raised his head, stood up, looked around him and noticed Strawberry and Billina.

-Hello-o young ladies, he said. "My-y name is Tik-Tok, at your service."

-Hello, responded Strawberry Shortcake (Billina had taken refuge behind her and was too scared to talk), "I'm Strawberry Shortcake and here's my friend, Billina. What are you waiting for, here? Can we help you?"

-I-I never need help. My-y old owner, the King Evoldo, locked me here after he had sold his wife and his children to the Nome King, in exchange on a long life.

-That's horrible! Strawberry cried.

-Yes-es. When he realized what he has done, he committed suicide.

Strawberry didn't know what to add after those revelations, until Tik-Tok broke the silence.

-What-at can I do for you?

-Well… Strawberry said, unease, "We are lost here, and we are looking for an inn, or a hotel, where we could spend the night."

-Follow-ow me, young ladies, Tik-Tok ordered. "I'll lead-ead all the way to Evna's Royal Palace."

-Evna? I never heard about this country.

- Evna in the capital of the land of Ev, a city in Oz.

Strawberry Shortcake didn't know how to announce to Tik-Tok she had been banished from Oz a few months ago, so she simply nodded and followed him.

Tik-Tok perfectly knew all the roads. He made Strawberry Shortcake and Billina avoided the Wheelers, and, one half-hour later, they entered the Capital. The place was on its center.

-The Princess Langwidere will take care of you, Tik-Tok said, as they stopped in front of the Palace.

-Did you even meet her? Strawberry asked, curious.

-No-o. The Princess rarely goes out.

-What does she look like?

-It's im-impossible to say. She has the very particular power to change her physical appearance whenever she wants, and I've heard she has a huge collection of head.

-That's weird, Strawberry muttered. "That's weird but I need her protection. I know how this horrible police officer can be stubborn, and he's certainly after me, now. The Princess is maybe be the only one who could reason with him", she thought.

-Let's go! She purposed, instead of showing her embarrassment.

Princess Langwidere was certainly a very rich princess. The floor was in polish silver and the walls were made in mirror. When Strawberry Shortcake looked around her, she saw thousands of Strawberry Shortcakes around her. It was funny, but a little bit worrying, too.

-The princess is in her cabinet, said a maid. "I'll inform her of your presence."

-Thank you, Strawberry said, embarrassed. She didn't use to live in such luxury.

-What a beautiful henhouse! Billina cackled. "I'd like to have one like that."

-Is Langwidere a good princess? Strawberry asked to Tik-Tok.

-Well-ell, she's Ev's ruler…

The sound of angry cries interrupted him.

-Who dares disturb me?! The prettiest woman Strawberry Shortcake had never seen shouted. "Who dares disrupt my rest?!"

The woman was as pretty as she was terrifying. She was wearing a long dress, encrusted with jewels; but the most noticeable thing with her as her face, her pale flawless skin, her dark, curled hair… and her anger.

-So, she said curtly to Strawberry Shortcake, "You are the stupid little girl who believes being important enough to disturb me?"

Strawberry shyly said "Uh… I only…"

-No! You made me lost my time. Now, go away, you and your boring friends, and never come back here!

Strawberry, speechless, picked Billina and ran toward the door.

-Hmm… Finally, stay here.

Strawberry Shortcake stopped. Princess Langwidere approached her, and, catching her chin, examined her carefully.

-You're not so bad, she said. "Would you like to give me your head?"

-I bet your pardon? Strawberry cried, who couldn't believe her ears.

-We could make an exchange. If you give me your head, I'll give you one of the ones I've got in my collection.

-But… If you take my head, I'll die.

-Stop bothering me with your questions! Princess Langwidere suddenly shouted. "I'm your princess, so you must do what I say! Guards, grasp this anarchist!"

And, before Strawberry Shortcake, Billina and Tik-Tok could understand what was happening, Princess Langwidere's guards had locked them on a dungeon.

To be continued…