THE LITTLE PRINCESS OF CHERRY TREE KINGDOM

By Kem

Dark secrets and hidden rooms

Wizard spells and danger looms

Archers’ arrows and soldiers’ swords

Mysterious riddles and hidden doors

Ravenous creatures and magical books

A sea of glass through which they look

A little princess and her forest friends

Must save the kingdom before the end.



A magical journey to a far, far away kingdom, filled with mystery, riddles, and danger.

After surprisingly discovering that she really is a princess from a far, far away kingdom, Katlyn is joined by forest friends on an adventure of a lifetime. On their quest to save the Cherry Tree Kingdom from the evil Dark Lord and his evil soldiers, they must solve riddles, seek out mysterious spell books, and face many dangers. While fleeing soldiers with swords, archers with arrows, and the ravenous Silver Wolf and Red Fox, the battle continues to try to break the spells of the Evil Dark Lord and save the kingdom from imminent doom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781633389960

Kem

For all of his life, Kem has been driven by music and the emotions involved in bringing it to life. Today, the internationally renowned R&B singer/songwriter has to his credit: one platinum-selling album (Kem: Album II); two gold-selling albums (Kemistry; Intimacy); three Grammy nominations; five #1 hit singles (“Love Calls,” “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Why Would You Stay,” “It’s You,” and “Nobody”), along with several sold-out national tours and international shows. He is the author of Share My Life. 

Book preview

cover.jpg

THE LITTLE PRINCESS OF CHERRY TREE KINGDOM

KEM

Copyright © 2019 KEM

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books, Inc.

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2019

ISBN 978-1-63338-995-3 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64654-258-1 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-63338-996-0 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

The Dying Forest

The Little Princess

The Journey

The Dark Side of the Moon

Princess Katlyn

Home

The Spell of Teleportation

The Trance of Charlie

The Thief

The Medallion of The Mage

The Reign of Evil

The Royals

The Mission

The Great Escape

The Flight of Christene

The Kataron Crystals

The Desert of Dry Bones

The Diary of Elizabeth Wellington

Search for the Book of Spells

The Deceiver

The Race

The Potion

The Valley of Rainbows

The Cure

Bone Alley

The Battle

The Cave

The Book of Spells

The Triumph of Good

The Queen Mother

Part 1

Chapter 1

The Dying Forest

Katlyn

I’m going outside to play, Mama.

Okay, but stay away from the woods, sweetie.

It was a beautiful bright and sunny day. Katlyn danced around the yard, leaping with joy and picking flowers as she went. I’m gonna give these to Mama, she said with a big smile.

While she stood smelling the flowers, she heard something over by the trees. It sounded like buzzing. Bzzzzzzzzz. All the sudden, three hummingbirds darted out of the woods, flying in circles over her head. Katlyn watched as the little birds then buzzed around the flowers in her hand. She could not believe what she was seeing.

Ummmmhmmm, my favorite flowers, the blue little hummingbird said, looking at the green hummingbird.

Mmmm, delicious. I love daffodils, the green hummingbird replied to his blue friend.

The pink little hummingbird flew right up to Katlyn’s nose, looked into her eyes, and said in her little girl hummingbird voice, Follow us!

The three little hummingbirds flew toward the trees, making little loops and circles in the air, humming to Katlyn.

Hurry! We don’t have much time, the blue hummingbird said.

We need your help, hummed the green hummingbird.

And the pink little hummingbird in her little girl voice cried, The kingdom is falling!

In all the excitement, Katlyn chased after the three little hummingbirds, but as she neared the forest, she remembered what her mother had told her, Stay away from the trees, sweetie.

Just as Katlyn remembered and began to slow down, she tripped on a small stump, lost her balance, and stumbled to the edge of the trees. She grabbed onto a small tree limb to keep from falling, but she was sucked into the forest.

Katlyn shot through the other side, rolled on the ground, and slid to a stop. She was sitting on the ground, still holding onto the flowers she had picked for her mother, but the flowers were all smashed from her fall. Everything looked different. The trees looked like they were dying. The leaves had all fallen off the branches, and the bark was almost black.

Katlyn dropped the smashed flowers and stood up. She looked around, circling, trying to find her way back to the edge of the forest so she could go home. But there was no edge. Everywhere she turned was nothing but a dying forest. The trees were very sick.

The three little hummingbirds were still flying in loops and circles, crying, Hurry, hurry, we must hurry before it is too late.

I want to go home, Katlyn said, ignoring the three little birds.

You gotta help us, the blue hummingbird said.

Now! The green hummingbird insisted as he zipped past Katlyn’s left ear.

Hurry, hurry, the pink hummingbird demanded in her little girl voice.

I wanna go home, Katlyn mumbled, not listening to the cries of the little bird.

You are home, came a deep, sickly sounding voice.

Katlyn jumped. Looking around, she asked, Who said that?

Two feet to her right, a really tall but skinny, skinny tree started to shake. Katlyn’s eyes got as big as dinner plates as she watched the tree shake. The wind was not blowing, the other trees were not moving, but the real skinny tree was trembling. A branch moved like the tree was waving at her.

I said that, came the reply from the tree as a branch waved back and forth like a hand.

Who are you? Katlyn asked.

I am Red. Red Wood, answered the tree. I was once the biggest tree in the forest. These other trees are my family. We were a big, healthy, and proud forest once upon a time. Until the evil lord of the lands poisoned all of the waters and lands of the kingdom. You can see that now we are all shriveling up to nothing. Soon we will all be dead, and the kingdom will be no more.

Hurry, hurry, the pink hummingbird said in her little girl voice.

Quickly, quickly, the green hummingbird said while circling Katlyn’s head.

Before it is too late, hummed the blue hummingbird as he hovered right in front of Katlyn, looking into her eyes.

Only you can save the kingdom, Red Wood the Tree said in his shaky voice.

What can I do? Katlyn asked. I’m just a little girl, and if I don’t get home soon, my mama is going to be really mad at me.

You are home, little one, explained Red Wood the Tree. And you cannot go back through the doorway from which you came unless the kingdom is restored. There is no longer enough strength left in the forest to reopen the magical doorway. If we die, little one, you will be stuck here forever.

Hurry, hurry, said the pink little hummingbird in her little girl voice.

Follow them, Red Wood the Tree said. They will lead you to the Great White Owl. He knows all and will tell you who you really are and what you must do to save the kingdom.

Quickly, quickly, the green hummingbird pleaded, landing on Katlyn’s shoulder.

Before it gets dark, warned the blue hummingbird, flying in a circle and then a loop.

Run, little one, Red Wood the Tree said. They will lead you to your destiny. Hurry before night settles in. You don’t have time to waste.

The three little hummingbirds shot through the forest like arrows, Katlyn following close behind. As she ran, Katlyn could hear the trees moaning and groaning in pain as the poison was slowly killing them.

Help us, she heard one tree moan as she ran past it.

Before it is too late, groaned another tree as she ran toward it.

The hummingbirds were flying really fast as they weaved their way through the dark, gloomy, and dying forest, but Katlyn was fast too and right behind them. She was scared and wanted to go home, but her heart told her that she must try to save the kingdom.

They reached the other side of the forest coming out into an open field.

Are we there yet? Katlyn asked, struggling for air as she tired from the long run.

Hurry, hurry, yelled the green hummingbird.

We are almost to safety, the pink hummingbird cried in her little girl voice.

As they moved across the huge empty field, Katlyn could see dark clouds filling the open sky. Lightning flashed across the sky, followed by loud thunder. Boom! Crash! Crack!"

Katlyn was afraid the lightning might reach down from the clouds and get her, but she kept running as fast as she could. Then the rain started to lightly fall.

Quickly, quickly! urged the blue hummingbird. We are almost there.

Ouch! Katlyn yelled as the rain began to burn her skin.

Run! the pink hummingbird screamed in her little girl voice.

Katlyn, looking ahead as she ran, could see a big hill with a hole in the side of it. They got closer and closer till they were finally there and just inside the cave entrance. Katlyn fell to her knees, exhausted from the long run, trying to catch her breath. She watched the rain as it fell from the sky, splashing on the ground. She noticed something. As the rain hit the ground, smoke rose into the air. She remembered how the rain burned as it touched her skin. Rain is not supposed to burn, she thought to herself.

What is going on? Katlyn asked, looking around but hearing no answer.

The three little birds were also sitting on the ground, trying to catch their breath. They were really tired—way too tired to answer her question. They just watched as she stood up and walked around, looking. Katlyn noticed that it was getting really dark. Night was settling in.

It is getting too dark in here, she said. We need some light.

Whoooo? came a voice from the back of the cave.

Aaaaah! Katlyn screamed, jumping back. She saw two big glowing eyes looking at her but could not see what it was. Katlyn stood in silence, staring at the big yellow eyes. She then noticed, on the ceiling of the cave, a little bitty light come on. Then another and another and another. One at a time, these tiny lights flickered on, making a big circle on the ceiling of the cave until the whole cave was lit up nice and bright like her mother’s house. She could now see everything. The tiny lights were hundreds of fireflies hanging on the ceiling with their little tails hanging down, lighting up the cave. The big yellow eyes belonged to a giant white owl. He looked big enough to ride, Katlyn thought.

Are you the Great White Owl that Red Wood told me about? Katlyn asked.

Yes, he answered. My name is Oliver. We have been expecting you for some time now.

What do you mean? Katlyn asked.

We have been waiting for your return since you left, Oliver answered.

I’ve never been here before, Katlyn insisted. I’m just a little girl.

Oh yes, you have, Oliver explained. You just do not remember because you were not yet born, and you are more than just a little girl.

I don’t understand, Katlyn said, shaking her head.

We will stop for now, Oliver said. After you have eaten and had your rest, I will tell you all you must know. Charlie! Oliver called. Bring her something to fill her stomach.

Right away! came a voice from behind a big rock.

Katlyn watched as a tiny chipmunk came out from behind the rock. He was dragging a bag behind him. It took both of his hands and all his strength to drag the bag because he was so small and the bag was so big. When Charlie the Chipmunk got next to Katlyn, he plopped down on his butt.

Whew, he muttered. That sure was hard work.

For me? Katlyn asked, picking up the bag. She looked inside of the bag and saw that it was full of acorns. Thank you, she said, smiling at Charlie.

Charlie jumped to his feet, bowed to Katlyn, and said, You are most welcome, my princess.

Charlie! Oliver hooted.

Princess? Katlyn asked.

Sorry, Oliver, Charlie squeaked as he scurried back behind the rock he came from.

As I said, once you have eaten and rested, I will explain everything, Oliver reminded.

Katlyn ate a few acorns and then poured the rest of the acorns on the ground. She grabbed a few more and then asked, Anybody want these? I’ve had enough.

All the sudden porcupines, beavers, squirrels, mice, rabbits, and Charlie came running out from behind every rock in the cave. It was a stampede. Everyone raced for the acorns, sliding to a stop as they reached them, creating a big dust cloud where Katlyn sat. She coughed and sneezed because of all the dust stirred up by the many little hungry animals.

Gee, she mumbled, watching the animals eat.

Food is very hard to get around here, Oliver explained. The evil Dark Lord has ruined the land. Enough for the night. We will talk in the morning. Lights out!" he ordered.

The tiny fireflies started to turn off their little lights one by one, just as they had turned them on.

Wait, Katlyn cried out. Can we have just a little bit of light?

Make it so, Oliver commanded.

A small group of fireflies flew over to Katlyn’s resting place and landed on a small rock next to her head so she could have a night-light. Katlyn drifted off to a happy dream of home and her mother.

Chapter 2

The Little Princess

Morning came quick, and light flooded through the cave entrance, but Katlyn did not move. She was too worn out from the day before. Charlie the Chipmunk quietly tiptoed over to check on her.

She’s okay, just tired, or really lazy, he whispered with a laugh.

Awaken her! Oliver commanded. We haven’t much time.

Charlie the Chipmunk grabbed Katlyn’s nose and shook her head from side to side.

Wake up, sleepyhead, he hollered. Time’s a-wastin’.

Katlyn sat up and looked around. It wasn’t a dream. She yawned, stretching her arms out. I really am here, wherever here is.

That is correct, Oliver the Owl replied. You are here, and this is real. Eat, and then we will continue where we left off last night.

Eat? Eat what? Katlyn asked, looking around.

Just then, a big black raven flew right over her head and dropped two apples onto her lap.

Wow! Where did these come from? she asked. I thought all trees were poisoned and dying.

They are, replied Oliver. In our lands anyway. The Dark Lord has his own reserve where the soil is pure, and the fresh clean water is plentiful. All who oppose him are cursed with his evil spells and cast out into this land of death to slowly die of hunger, and poisoning. Rupert the Raven took great risk flying into the reserve to fetch you breakfast. If it wasn’t for Rupert and those like him, we would be much worse off than we are.

Thank you, Rupert, Katlyn said, looking around the cave.

Rupert the Raven flew down and landed right in front of Katlyn. He placed the tip of his left wing on his chest and bowed.

It is an honor to serve you, my princess, he said.

Princess? Katlyn asked, raising her left eyebrow in puzzlement. I’m not a princess, she said, taking another bite of her apple.

Yes, yes, you are, replied Oliver. You are the princess and rightful ruler of Cherry Tree Kingdom.

Nuh-uhh, Katlyn responded with a giggle.

Aaaaah, but you are, Oliver answered. And you are the only one who can restore the kingdom and everyone in it back to the way they were. I am afraid, without you, we are all doomed. It is written in the ancient books of prophecy. That is why the Dark Lord banished your mother to the land from which you came while you were still within her belly. He feared that his plans to rule the kingdom would not come to pass if you had remained here. He would have destroyed your mother had your power not been so strong. His only choice was to banish both her and you from the kingdom. Once he had done this, a great rebellion rose against him. That is when he cast his evil spell across all the lands of the kingdom. We eventually found the magical doorway to the world the Dark Lord had sent your mother and, of course, you. However, the Dark Lord had placed a mighty seal of magic upon it so we could not open it.

What do you mean? Katlyn asked, taking the last bite of her second apple. Isn’t that how I got here?

Yes, it is the very same doorway from which you entered to this side. You see, as you grew, so did the power within you. The stronger you got, the weaker the seal got on the doorway. Until finally, the trees of the mighty forest were able to combine their strength and momentarily open the door, though I am afraid that they no longer have the strength needed to reopen it, Oliver explained.

I know. Red Wood told me, Katlyn answered.

Then you know that if we fail and you do not restore the kingdom, you will remain here, and your mother will be stuck on the other side, Oliver told Katlyn.

What am I supposed to do? Katlyn asked. I don’t know how to restore the kingdom. I keep telling everyone that I’m just a little girl.

When the time comes, you will see that you are more than just a little girl, Oliver explained. As for how you are supposed to restore the kingdom, I do not know…my little princess. You will have to journey to the mountain of the Great Oracle. It is there you will find the answers you seek.

Well, why don’t you go find the answers and figure out how to restore the kingdom? Katlyn asked. After all, you are an owl and owls are supposed to be wise, aren’t they? And since you are the Great Owl, shouldn’t you be really, really wise?

It is not for me or us to seek these answers, Oliver said. They will be revealed only to you. You are the chosen one, he explained. The one foretold of in prophecy. If you fail, we all fail.

Well, I guess I don’t have much of a choice, she said. What now?

I’m glad you understand and accept your duty as a princess of Cherry Tree Kingdom, Oliver said. Now you begin your journey to the mountain of the Great Oracle. You will be guided by Larry, Garry, and Cherry.

Who? Katlyn asked.

The three who brought you here, Oliver explained.

As Oliver spoke the three little hummingbirds zipped around the cave and landed one at a time in front of Princess Katlyn, introducing themselves as they landed.

I’m Garry, the green hummingbird said as he landed.

I’m Larry, the blue hummingbird said, taking a bow after landing.

And I’m Cherry, the pink hummingbird said proudly. At your service.

These three will guide you on your journey, Oliver said. But do not fear, Rupert will patrol the skies for signs of the enemy, and there will be other friends watching over you on the ground.

Chapter 3

The Journey

Travel