Creative Writing: Snapping Purple Crocodiles

Chapter Twenty

Snapping Purple Crocodiles

Orrin certainly knew how to spruce up a fortress. He waved the scepter again, and it was as if the battle had never occurred. The rubble was transformed into a massive six-story castle with gargoyles on the corners of the roof, soaring spires, ornate turrets, and stained glass transom windows, all amid a moat crammed with snapping purple crocodiles.

Mason looked nervous. “It is safe, isn’t it?” he asked.

“Of course it is.” Orrin laughed. “Come on, boys, I’ll give you a tour.”

We followed him over a green glass drawbridge, finally passing through rows of animal-shaped hedges and into a colorful courtyard that fronted a set of marble steps. I took the stairs two at a time, and as the great oak front doors swung open

“The duds suit you.” He frowned. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fantastic,” I lied. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” Mason dropped his eyes. “Come and eat.”

The castle’s kitchen counter was laden with a gigantic roasted goose, perfectly golden brown and glistening with sauce, and long hot loaves of sourdough bread, plus a super-sized pitcher of grape juice. For dessert, there was blue cake and yellow ice cream.

“Boys, please join me,” Orrin said, gesturing to a candlelit table. The queen seated herself as I did, and Mason followed suit.

Servants in long red cloaks streamed out of the hall, bearing trays of beaten gold piled high with food. They divided into two rows—one for each side of the table—and deposited the dishes with a flourish.

I devoured a goose leg and drank two glasses of grape juice while Mason nibbled on a wing.

“Tell me about the troll. Will he be back?” I remarked, pushing my plate away.

“The only way for him to return is to find the door that leads out of the realm of gloom,” Queen Arianna assured me.

“Where’s the door?”

“It is where dark meets light.”

“Oh,” I gulped, trying to grasp the notion. My thoughts felt poised, not able to attach to anything concrete. “Sort of