Susan and the Sunflower

By James Huffman

With the aid of a mysterious crystal ball, a wicked queen named Evilla creates and then drinks an immortality potion. The potion turns her bottom half into that of a black widow spider with an actual hourglass on her back. For the next five hundred years, Evilla must turn the hourglass every night after midnightbut before sunriseor risk certain death.

Her nemesis is a powerful wizard who hopes to foil all her destructive plans and preparations. In order to stop him, the queen again seeks guidance from her ominous crystal ball. If not hindered, the spider queen will become owner of the chrysoprase: a yearned-for staff bestowed with the ability to cast powerful spells from an ancient book of black magic.

If the queen achieves her goal, the entire kingdom will be at her mercy. The wizard has no choice but to seek out a foretold young girl, Susan, who may be able to put a stop to Evillas sinister plan. Although Susan is special, shes only thirteen! What can she do to stop a queen with magic powers? Susan must look inside herself to find out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Oct 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781480811911

James Huffman

James Huffman is a respiratory therapist with an associate’s degree in applied sciences from Stark State College. Huffman lives in Waynesburg, Ohio, where he is currently at work on a sequel, Susan and the Crystal Mountains.

Book preview

Queen of the Garden

Queen of the garden, I’ve heard them confess—

‘Tis the flower whose jewel-filled crown we bless.

Off with her head, like Marie Antoinette!

Off with her head, without any regret.

Dethrone her, besiege her golden-brown crown,

Behead her, lay her aureole to the ground.

They rob her tiara relentlessly—

As she bows, she eventually bequeaths every gem;

Her half-botched face hangs defenselessly.

They gather before her stiffening stem

And snap and crack every stone like a bone—

They sing her praise in harsh monotone.

Hunched and faceless, she silently stands in the cold air of late November—

The startling sound of her cracking back I doubt they will remember.

Prelude

O ver five hundred years ago, in a faraway land, was an evil queen who lived in a castle. This queen was so mean and vile that all the people of her kingdom fled to a nearby kingdom because they feared her so. The kingdom was called Taberon. Even her army fled. For many years, consequently, she lived alone in her castle. With each day that passed, the evil queen’s hate and anger grew. Revenge consumed her, and she swore that one day, all the people who had abandoned her kingdom would feel her wrath. With no one left to push around, the only pleasure she got was from admiring herself in her looking glass (for she was extremely vain), from her mysterious, black crystal ball, and from her vampire bat, Manfred, which kept her company. Her name was Evilla.

Evilla was very beautiful. She was tall and curvaceous. She had coal-black tresses that hung about her shoulders and down her back. Sometimes she wore her hair up in big, lofty curls stacked nearly a foot high. Her face was like chiseled porcelain, with high cheekbones, and her neck was long and slender. Her eyes were green and striking, like almond-shaped emeralds, and they were accentuated with thick, long, and curled lashes.

Evilla had a penchant for over-the-top, beautiful objects. Her gowns were exquisite, her jewelry extraordinary. Her castle was no less stunning, filled with opulent objects and magnificent furnishings. But all this beauty could not hide the ugliness within because Evilla had a shadowed heart and a crazed mind.

One night, while pondering the fact that she would eventually grow old and die without getting the revenge that she so badly desired, the wicked queen went to her ominous, black crystal ball for advice.

Crystal ball, tell me, the queen began. A way to live forever—there must be a way? she inquired.

The crystal ball was large and black and mysterious. It sat upon a golden, waist-high, claw-footed pedestal. Looking into the crystal ball was like peering into a starless night. And whomever possessed it—whether good or evil—the crystal ball aided, regardless. The difference was that if the possessor was of good heart, the entity within helped knowingly and conscientiously. The possessor of an evil heart the entity helped wantonly and with neutral interest.

At first, nothing happened. There was a long, silent pause. Evilla just stood, gazing into it. Then the crystal ball began to pulse a ghastly, pale green light from within. A face slowly emerged from a swirling mist within the orb. The face was aged and gaunt.

There is a way I know for eternal life, replied the face within the crystal ball, speaking in a deep, throaty, almost monotonous voice.

The evil queen’s curiosity was piqued, and she drew close to her crystal ball. Tell me, crystal ball, Evilla demanded, and drew even closer. Her heart quickened with excitement.

One must drink a potion made from the root of the ancient life-tree, informed the crystal ball.

The evil queen went to her desk to retrieve a quill, ink, and paper. She was warm and flushed from this exciting revelation. Her mouth and throat were dry, so she poured some water from a carafe into a silver goblet and drank deeply. Then, she dampened her lips with her tongue a few times.

Tell me, crystal ball, what do I need for this potion of eternal life? Evilla asked. Please!

My dear queen, Evilla, you will need a leprechaun’s pot, water from the Ancient White Forest, sands from an hourglass, a few toadstools, a straight pin to draw three drops of your own blood, a black widow, and most importantly, a piece of root from the life-tree that grows in the Ancient White Forest, as well.

Evilla wrote down the instructions and repeated each ingredient back to her crystal ball to ensure she hadn’t missed anything.

I must warn you, my queen, if you drink the potion of eternal life, there is a price, said the crystal ball.

What price? Evilla asked.

Yes, continued the crystal ball. While it is true that one who drinks the potion of eternal life will, indeed, live forever—the price is steep! The ghostly green face nearly filled the crystal ball, becoming clearer. One must carry the hourglass of endless time upon one’s back for eternity.

That doesn’t sound too bad.

And one who drinks this potion is partially transformed into a black widow, added the crystal ball.

Now it sounds bad, said the queen, disheartened.

But only half of you would become black widow; the other half would remain virtually unchanged, encouraged the crystal ball.

Only half, Evilla said sarcastically.

From the waist down, one’s body transforms into a black widow; however, above the waist, one’s body remains mostly the same, with two minor exceptions: honeycombed eyes and fangs.

Oh, is that all? Evilla asked in a sharp tone, irritated.

There are a few unique perks due to the transformation, however. You would become significantly stronger, and your bite would be debilitating, for your venom would be toxic, and it would cause paralysis. The victim would remain comatose until you changed back into your original self or were killed—either would cause the spell to be broken. It’s a gift—it’s a curse—it’s the price for immortality! There is one more important warning you should heed, said the crystal ball.

What might that be? the queen asked dryly.

If you should decide to drink the potion, you must turn the hourglass that you would carry upon your back and allow the sands of eternal life to run completely though. This must be done every night, after midnight but before the sun rises. Fail to do this and death is certain! cautioned the green face within, becoming stern.

Ugh! the queen sighed and then glowered at her crystal ball, arms crossed. Evilla took a moment and thought about everything the crystal ball had told her. You mentioned something about changing back. Is that possible?

Yes, began the crystal ball. There are no spells or potions that I know of that cannot be reversed. Whether by another …

How? Evilla snapped, interrupting, curiosity tugging at her mind. What do I need?

You need Dragar’s book of black magic. It’s an ancient book filled with some of the most powerful black magic spells ever created. In this book, you will find a spell to change you back to your normal self. Plus, you will obtain some very powerful spells—spells beyond your wildest dreams.

I don’t know, the queen said. I have some pretty wild dreams. Then she laughed out loud, wringing her hands together. Where can I find this book of black magic? Evilla asked.

The book is in the lair of a mighty dragon; his name is Dragar, informed the crystal ball. His lair is located in a desolate land now known as Devil’s Breath, formerly Ergostone, in the Bowery Mountain region. It is a perilous place that is charred and smolders. Every morning, Dragar rises from his lair and torches everything around with his powerful fire breath. He is a great, powerful beast who should not be taken lightly. Dragar terrorized and destroyed villages all across the lands.

Sounds like my kind of dragon, said Evilla.

The crystal ball continued. Dragar planned on attacking Taberon, but a wizard called the Elder foiled those plans. Before the dragon could strike, the Elder struck him blind. The Elder further punished the dragon, banishing him to the last village he had destroyed, which was Ergostone. Although the mighty wizard could have slain the dragon, he chose to let him live, using the dragon to guard the ancient book of black magic. Because Dragar is blind, he knows his limitations and does not stray too far from his lair. And it may also interest you that the Elder is Wazto’s grandfather.

The queen jerked backward when she heard Wazto’s name. What? she asked.

Yes, it is true, my queen!

I must get my hands on that book, said Evilla.

Ah, ah, ah … I’m not quite finished, said the crystal ball. There is one more detail, a very important detail.

What now? asked the queen, even more impatiently.

I must inform you, my queen, even if you did retrieve the book of black magic, it would be rendered useless without the chrysoprase. Only the one who possesses the chrysoprase can cast the book’s magic spells, said the crystal ball, sounding sympathetic.

What is this chrysoprase you speak of? asked Evilla, and with a slight irritation in her tone.

It’s a magical crystal that sits atop a golden staff. Whoever possesses the chrysoprase controls the ancient book of black magic. However, one must possess both, stated the crystal ball.

Where is the chrysoprase? enquired the queen with waxing hope.

The gaunt, green face within the crystal ball winced, as though he had just taken a bite out of a crab apple. He knew divulging the location of the chrysoprase was not likely going to sit well with the queen.

So where is it? demanded the queen.

The chrysoprase is guarded by King Stricker, said the crystal ball’s face nervously.

And where can I find King Stricker? prompted the queen.

Taberon, said the crystal ball, bracing himself for the worst.

There was a long, pregnant pause. Evilla looked away. She placed one hand on her hip and the other on her chin. She stroked her chin a few times; then she took her index finger and tapped her lower lip, deep in thought. The face was holding his breath and turning greener. The queen’s silence was killing him as he wondered how the queen was going to react to the fact that that was the very kingdom that all her people had fled to. Excited, the queen said, Taberon! Well, isn’t that just convenient? First, I will retrieve the book of magic from Dragar. Then I will go to Taberon and take ‘care’ of King Stricker. The chrysoprase is as good as mine. I will then be able to drink the life-tree potion and then quickly cast the spell that changes me back. Simple!

On the contrary, my dear queen, said the crystal ball. Unfortunately, in order to control the chrysoprase, one must possess the chrysoprase for five hundred years.

Five hundred years! cried out Evilla. Your constant dangling of carrots before me, then yanking them away—is there no end to your tormenting me? She rolled her eyes and began biting her lower lip.

Let me finish, said the crystal ball. The Elder cast a very powerful spell on the chrysoprase. Not only does one have to possess the chrysoprase for five hundred years, but one also has to live in the crystal palace in Taberon and be ruler for five hundred years. Having been inside the crystal palace, I can tell you firsthand how jaw-droppingly beautiful it is. Fit for a queen! This is why you still need the life-tree potion.

Hmmm, Evilla pondered.

What’s a mere five hundred years for someone who will live forever? And you do want to rule again, don’t you? asked the crystal ball encouragingly.

You’re right! I see your point. I’m going to live forever—what’s a mere five hundred years? the queen asked. And I do want to rule, again, badly.

Evilla rushed across the room to a coatrack holding a long, black cape. She pulled it from the hook and then draped the cape about her shoulders. I’m off to the Ancient White Forest, she said. The crystal ball’s face began to fade. She grabbed a large leather bag from the coatrack. She folded the list of items three times and then tucked it into her bosom. Evilla exited her chamber, closing the heavy, wooden door behind her.

Chapter One

The Ancient White Forest

T he evil queen arrived at the edge of the Ancient White Forest, sitting upright and stoic on a coal-black steed named Masterstroke. The morning sun, peeking over distant white hills, outlined several rows of tree trunks. For a few moments, Evilla and the horse didn’t move as they looked out over the land. They looked as one, like a monument (a general on his gallant horse returning from battle) frozen for all eternity. Evilla took a rolled map from a saddlebag and unfurled it. She studied the map. Looking toward the horizon, her eyes moved from left to right, further surveying the land. She made some mental notes to herself, leaned forward, whispered something into Masterstroke’s ear, and then dismounted. She stretched her arms above her head and let out a long, audible yawn. Then, in a few interesting places, she tugged downward on her dark grey pants, which had crept up during the ride. Evilla readjusted her long, black cape, redoing the button and clasp at the neckline. Under the cape, she wore a simple, white pullover blouse.

The Ancient White Forest, Evilla announced.

Evilla had brought only what she thought she needed. She untied a spade that hung horizontally on Masterstroke and plunged it into the ground. She undid the rope that tethered a bucket to the neck of the saddle and laid it on the ground. Retrieving a small burlap bag from one of the saddlebags, she poured the contents, oats, into the bucket and placed it before Masterstroke. Evilla proceeded to remove a small cart that he had pulled, then the harness and reins. She continued to strip down her horse, relieving him of two rather large saddlebags and the saddle and stirrups. Masterstroke stood with only the wool blanket that protected him from the saddle, and it was nearly as black as him. He ate quietly while Evilla collected what she needed for the journey that lay ahead. After placing one of the saddlebags filled with the necessities over her shoulder, she grabbed the spade and began using it as a walking stick.

Stay, I will return for you, she said to the horse. Masterstroke stopped eating, raised his head, and nodded up and down as though he understood. Evilla walked into the woods.

According to the map, the Ancient White Forest was approximately seven miles long and five miles deep. That meant the life-tree was about two or three miles away, near the center of the forest. This forest was home for many different kinds of animals, insects, plants, and creatures. The life-tree itself was inhabited by frites.

Frites were magical creatures with no real magical powers at all, with the exception of possessing the abilities and having the knowledge of making white magic dust. They had light brown skin with a slightly barky texture. The height of a frite was about four inches—six if you counted the hair, which grew upward and into a