Alicia'a Magical Garden by Ian Mcluckie (best english books to read for beginners TXT) 📕

to do it now,” Alicia said, now that the door had closed. The further down the tunnel she got the larger it became and the brighter her surroundings.
The tunnel walls stood no higher than 6feet. Covering these walls were the roots from the Honey Tree that grew down from above. These roots not only kept the Honey Tree's alive with nutrients but were shelter & vital to the Fairy city. The lights that covered the whole city were an oil extract that seeped from the roots of the Honey Tree.


After descending what felt like a few minutes, Alicia found herself standing in a large walkway.
“ What are you doing here”, shouted a small Badger Fairy holding a spear. Alicia jumped with fright throwing her arms in the air.
“ Your not going to spear me with that thing are you,” Alicia mumbled a little afraid.
“ Well that depends, maybe I will or maybe I wont,” the Fairy growled walking up to her. Now the Badger Fairy guard stood beside her sizing her up and down. Alicia gave a little chuckle, she was twice the height of him.
“ I like your clothes, kind of cute” she said. The guard smiled easing the tension between them.
“ I'm Alicia what's your name,” she asked. The guard stopped trying to look mean and answered her, “ My names Aiden, I'm 1st Guard of the Highest Chamber,” he said proudly puffing his little chest out. Aiden felt she wasn't there to attack the city. Taking her by the hand, he led her down into the city. Aiden guided her through a maze of tunnels, going this way and that. The covering on the walls of the tunnels went from gloomy to bright to dazzling. It wasn't long till they reached the heart of Badger Fairy city. Alicia stopped in her tracks, her eye's wide with amazement. Covering the walls and the floors was gold, beautiful shiny gold. She could see Fairy's everywhere polishing the walls & floors. Even the oil lamps that clung to the walls were made from gold. Alicia was so taken by what she saw, she didn't see a group of Fairy's walking towards her.
“ What are you doing here, this is not allowed,” said the tallest Fairy of the group. Alicia shook her head still stunned by all the gold. Eventually she managed to say,
“ I saw 5 of you come out of a tree last night.” The tall Fairy stamped his feet & shouted, “ That's impossible! humans cant see us unless we want them too see us.” Alicia gave a wee laugh and said, “ Well I can see You, Mr Grumpy Pants.” This made him even more grumpy, he shouted stamping his feet while his face went red. “ I am General Poo of the Badger Fairy's & I could have you speared, Alicia.”
He knows my name she thought,
“ How do you know my name, Grumpy Poo.” A crowd of Fairy's had now gathered around them. The Fairy's at the back of the group, were all quietly sniggering. They had never heard anyone talk back to or be cheeky to General Poo. A Fairy dressed in fine clothes and wearing a gold crown made his way over to the group. When the crowd saw who was approaching them, they all went quiet and bowed their heads.

King Campbell of the Clan Campbell was King & feared Ruler of Badger city. It was his duty to rule the city & increase the Gold that adorned these city walls. His father before him had been king of this great city. His wife who was Queen was feared by all. If you broke her law, you stood the chance of being eaten by her. The King walked up to Alicia and asked,
“ You do not belong here , why did you come here. “ The King was the same size as Alicia, much taller than the other Fairy's. A little nervously she bowed her head & replied.
“ Sir, I saw 5 of your subjects in my garden last night.” The King looked down his nose at her, finding her rather unpleasant.
“ I don't think so, humans cant see us. Your obviously here to steal my Gold.” Feeling a little scared she softly replied.
“ I don't steal Sire I was exploring.” The king scoffed, not believing her.
“ Why would you come to our great city, if not to steal from it,” The King asked. Alicia started to get cross with the King.
“ My friend Princess Lily told me there was a great city under the garden, Jay showed me the door in the tree.” The King looked shocked, Princess Lily brought honey to the city every week.
At the exit of another tunnel a tall female Fairy appeared listening. After a second the female Fairy approached the crowd.
“ What is all this commotion,” the Fairy shouted. Even the King got a fright, jumping a little. All the Fairy's recognised who it was and bowed their heads. This was Queen Libra, the feared ruler behind the throne. Although she was regarded as the most beautiful of all Fairy's, she was not a Fairy to insult. Libra made her way through the crowd slapping and shouting. Now she stood face to face with Alicia. Libra closely studied this invader from the human world. After a minute or so Libra smiled showing a huge set of fangs.
“ Don't be afraid girl, so you were exploring,” Libra said still showing of her fangs.
“ Yes mam, I'm sorry if I broke the law, “ Alicia said. The Queen continued to smile, her tongue running along her huge fangs. The King looked worried, smiling nervously at his Queen.
“ Do you no the punishment for stealing My Gold,” Libra hissed.
“ But I wasn't going to steal anything.”
“ Rubbish, you humans love gold nearly as much as I.” King Campbell coughed, attracting the Queens attention.
“ My husbands gold I meant to say.” The King bowed his head & smiled. Now the Queen showed her horrible side.
“ Guards take her to the dungeon & chain her in irons,” Queen Libra laughed. “ Tomorrow you will be put in the Royal ovens & cooked for my dinner. The guards handcuffed Alicia and led her away to the dungeon.


Alicia had been taken to the lowest dungeon in the city. A small light clung to her prison cell that was cold and damp. Every few minutes a bug could be heard scuttling around on the floor and up the walls. The smallest of sounds were amplified in her cell, where she sat chained. A scream from another cell woke her from a short nap. After the scream a loud laugh followed by another scream.
“ What have I got myself into,” Alicia said, looking around in the darkness.
“ You've got yourself into Badger Fairy's worst prison,” Said a voice in the dark. Alicia jumped up with fright, she hadn't seen anyone else in her cell.
“ Who are you, I cant see you,” She shouted afraid.
The sound of many marching boots rang out in the cell. They went around the floor, up the wall & over the ceiling marching toward her. The sound came from a large red Centipede who had a 100 legs & feet. Thankfully her visitor was friendly and introduced herself.
“ Nice to meet you mam, my names Truedy.” Alicia screamed, Truedy put 2 of her boots in each ear to cut out the noise. After she stopped screaming, Truedy ran around the room again then stopped at Alicia's head.
“ I don't bite,“ Truedy said softly.
“ I'm sorry Truedy I’ve never spoken to a Centipede before,” Alicia said.
“ Are you a prisoner as well, “ Alicia asked her new friend.
“ No, I'm small I can sneak in and out of the city.” Truedy showed her how she could walk upside down, in & out of cracks in the wall. That gave Alicia an idea and she sent Truedy on a mission.


Early next morning a Badger Fairy guard opened the prison cell door and looked in. “ Hello are you awake, “ he laughed being horrid.
“ Queen Libra has commanded that you drink this potion.” The guard opened and handed her a small bottle of liquid. Alicia took the bottle but didn't drink.
“ What is it,” she asked. The guard laughed and answered,
“ Its garlic, our Queen Libra loves the taste of garlic.” Alicia screamed and poured the bottle of garlic over the guards head,
“ She will love the taste of you Badger Fairy.” The guard ran from the cell screaming, the garlic burning his eye's.


At the Queens commanded time, the Royal party made there way to the prison. The King wore his crown and robes, the Queen wore her crown of gold & diamonds. The robes she wore were the finest silk, spun by captive Fire Beetles. The sparkle from her diamonds could be seen all over the city. Great and small, little & large the Fairy population came out to see the procession.