Chapter eleven : Under the ground
-I can't believe she let you face the Nome King! Glinda cried.
-Apparently, she doesn't like to talk with me, Strawberry Shortcake answered with an indifferent air. "Especially when she has another head to try."
When Strawberry Shortcake had asked her adoptive mother, the Princess Langwidere, to save the rest of the Royal Family, the ruler had immediately given her agreement. Escorted by two Wheelers, Strawberry had left the Palace to meet her companions: Princess Glinda, Billina and Tik-Tok.
-You can go back to the Palace, she had said then to the Wheelers. "I trust them".
And the only thing the Wheelers had been allowed to do was to answer: "At your command, Princess Evy."
Now, they were four to search a way to break into the underground palace-no, they were five. The mysterious Berrykin, the one who was so laconic, had insisted to follow Princess Glinda.
-Why do you want to come with us? Billina asked suspiciously.
-I know a lot about the Nome King. You will need my help… Won't you, my dear? He said slyly, staring at Strawberry.
Strawberry Shortcake shivered. This voice… it reminded her…
-Well, if you think you can be useful, you can go with us, Glinda said firmly. "But you must know we need to be efficient, quiet and discreet."
-I won't handicap you, the Berrykin promised.
-So-o, let's go-o! Tik-Tok cried.
-Do you know how to enter the Nome King's territory? The Berrykin asked condescendingly.
-To tell the truth, no, Glinda admitted piteously.
-I knew it! The Berrykin cried triumphantly (it was the first time he expressed something else than boredom). "Follow me."
-Do you trust him? Bilina muttered to Strawberry as they were following him. "Personally, I don't."
-You know, he can be disagreeable but trustworthy.
-Don't you find suspect he knows so much about the Nome King? How can you be sure he's not one of his spies?
-Why the Nome King would send a spy in Oz?
-Well, to kidnap our Princess and ask a ransom.
-A ransom? Who would pay the ransom? The Berrykins? They don't have money.
-Do you have something important to tell us? The lonely Berrykin asked ill-naturedly.
-Oh, and I can't stand his manners, Billina sighed. "He's so…"
-For the moment, he's our best ally. We must bear him.
-It's here, said the Berrykins. "This rock hides a tunnel who leads all the way to the Palace."
-Thank you so much for your help, Princess Glinda said. "Now, go back to Oz. This adventure is turning too dangerous for you."
-I won't. It's my duty to keep watch over you…
He glanced at Strawberry Shortcake, who understood what Billina meant. The Berrykin was making her feel ill at ease. But no one noticed her embarrassment. Glinda and Tik-Tok had removed the rock and had already make Billina took the chute.
-Strawberry Shortcake, Berrykin, follow her, Glinda ordered.
Strawberry jumped on the hole and let her slide all along the chute. It wasn't funny: the slope was full of gravel and root, and they all know they were going inside an underground world full of bloodthirsty creatures. Strawberry burst into a cave faintly lighted by torches, were Billina was already waiting for her.
-I'm scared, she moaned.
-Don't worry Billina, Strawberry answered, although she wasn't reassured. "I'm with you, everything will be alright."
At this moment, Princess Glinda, Tik-Tok and the Berrykin emerged of the chute.
-Is everyone here? Glinda asked. "Let's go."
-In your mind, where are the prisoners? Billina asked.
-They must be in the dungeon, the berrykin said. "The dungeon must be more in depth. We should go downstairs, he said, showing a rudimentary staircase at the other side of the room.
Tik-Tok grabbed a torch and headed the little group toward the staircase, which came out on another cave, bigger than the first one, and more hoarded with boxes and empty bottles-but any weapons.
-I've heard something! The Berrykin suddenly muttered.
He was right. The little group heard footsteps, and a figure appeared in the corridor. As fast as possible, Strawberry curled up behind a crate, holding Billina in her arms, while Glinda and the Berrykin dived under a desk, and while Tik-Tok disappeared on an empty wardrobe. The footsteps increased, and then vanished. Apparently, the monster had left the room.
-Do you think he's gone? Billina asked.
-Shhh! Strawberry whistled. "He could hear us!"
-That's useless, miss, the Berrykin said.
-What do you mean?
-He noticed us.
Strawberry Shortcake slowly raised her head. A man-like creature, with a skin similar to stone and canines alike knives, holding a club, was staring at her with a fierce air.
To be continued…