The terrain became more and more similar to the meadow where she had met the creature (after the illusion had been stripped away). Star slowed Stew to a slow walk as even the dead grass disappeared, leaving swirling dust and small pebbles. What little grew here was oddly colored, as if sick or mutilated. Suddenly, Stew froze and would not budge a hoof forward, no matter how Starlynn urged.
Curious, Star dismounted and reached her fingers forward beyond the mare’s muzzle. With a tingling sensation, the tips of her fingers vanished! Star yanked her arm back as if burned. She examined her fingers carefully, incredulous to find them once again whole. Tentatively, she reached out and pushed her hand through and the tingling rested on her wrist. Star attempted to wriggle her fingers and found that, on the other side of this strange barrier, they responded.
The next step made Star a little queasy. Retracting her hand, Star pushed her entire face through the barrier and looked around. The barrier was like a great invisible dome and the inside was filled with dark clouds, oozing swampland, and lightning. The sulfuric smell made Star’s stomach (still on the outside of the barrier) dry heave. Grunts and bellows filled the air and Star could hear the clang of metal striking rock. The actual scene was blocked from view due to several low hills.
Star pulled her head back out of the barrier. She knew she could spend the day half in and half out, leaving both halves in danger of discovery. Grabbing the bridle, she pulled Stew’s head and looked the horse straight in the eyes. “You won’t come with me, will you?” It was more of a statement than a question, but Stew’s snort of disgust confirmed it. Star released the bridle. The loyalty side effect of Aunt Thyme’s charm had obviously worn off. Even though Stew would be a good escape, Star knew she couldn’t leave the horse here to be found. Grabbing the reins, Star turned the stubborn horse around to face the way they had come. She emptied the last few crumbs of food from the saddle bags into her satchel. When she released the reins and stepped back the horse didn’t move. “Go on,” Star encouraged, “Go home, Stew!” Still the mare stood there. Star drew back her hand and smacked Stew hard on the rump. “Home!” she shouted and finally the horse took off at a gallop.
Feeling frightening and isolated, Star ducked under the barrier. She felt exposed but, looking around, saw no one. Leaving her satchel at the foot of the incline, Star dropped down on her stomach and used her elbows to pull herself forward. What she saw when she reached to top of the hill made her breath catch in her throat. Tall, disgusting creatures that she had never seen before stood towering over people who writhed in agony on the ground. Companies of the creatures marched by in endless rows. And over to one side sat someone on a throne, looking down on the entire scene with smoldering anticipation. Star was surprised. She thought the demon from the meadow would be the one who had ordered her siblings taken. But this man—no, more boy than man—was darkly handsome. His face was hard and angular as stone and smooth as marble. His maroon and navy blue garments looks like they belonged to royalty. He inspired fear, not through appearance as the demon had, but through actions—and he seemed a man capable of terrible deeds. Cowering next to him was a miserable woman in rags. She had long, scraggly hair and was dressed in colorless rags. Something about the woman seemed familiar and Star tried to focus on facial features. Mother! Star’s heart leapt in her chest. Her mother was still alive! She was here! Perhaps she could—
“Has you seed thems yet?”
Star jumped and looked around, but could see no one.
