Read Online The Tiny Ringmaster by Jennifer Clark - Free Book Online Page A

orange juice instead.
    Ruth found a cozy seat and placed her food down. To her surprise, the room was already cleaned. She surveyed the room, looking around to see who could have possibly cleaned it in the two minutes that she was staring at the pancakes. She didn't notice anyone. She shrugged and decided that she wanted chocolate milk too, so she walked back to drink station. As she picked up a glass, she noticed Lucin. He was walking towards her table and muttering something. Ruth called out to him.
    “Hey Lucin! How's it going?”
    Lucin looked at her and scowled. “Do you know what time breakfast is? You're late! And now I have to wait for you to finish!”
    Ruth felt bad. “I'm sorry Lucin. I'll try to hurry.”
    Ruth heard someone clear their throat, “That will not be necessary Ruth. Lucin, quit bullying our guest. You know very well that breakfast is served until 2 PM. It is not even 10 yet. Go find someone else to bother.”
    Lucin mumbled, and Tryfod shooed him away. Lucin disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. “Ruth, I hope you weren't bothered by Lucin. He can be quite... well... untamable.”
    Ruth shook her head, “No, I just didn't want to get in his way.”
    “His only job is to serve you, child.”
    Ruth wasn't sure how she felt about someone serving her. Tryfod motioned for her to sit down and eat her breakfast. “What's the matter, Mistress Ruth?”
    Ruth sighed. “Tryfod, I'm really confused.” Ruth played with her chocolate chip pancakes and scrunched her mouth. “Well, I'm not sure that you'll know either... I live somewhere... else. I don't even know if it's in the same universe, but it is very far away. Yesterday, when I woke up, I thought I would be here, but I wasn't. I was at home. I thought this was all a dream, and I had a terrible day. Now, I'm here, and I'm afraid that I'm missing band practice, and I'll get in trouble over my homework. Not to mention how worried my mom is going to be.”
    Ruth continued, “So I'm trying to figure out if this is a dream, why does it feel so real? And if it's not, what’s going on?” Tryfod sighed. “I was hoping it would be a few more days until we had to talk about this. I'll try to explain it as simply as I can… You are in both places. I know it seems odd, but at this very moment, you are still sleeping in your bed.”
    Ruth seemed relieved at this answer, “I am? But how is that possible? To be in two places at once?”
    “Because, dear Ruth, you are not an ordinary girl. You are extremely special. You are of this world and of the world you know, which is why you are so important. As you can remember, the visioner told us that we are descendants of the heavens. While we aren't divine in any way, we do possess special powers. This is another world, very far away from yours.”
    Ruth looked up at Tryfod. She wasn't entirely confused, but she wasn't exactly sure that she knew what he was talking about either. “So you’re half wizard?” Tryfod let out a hearty laugh. “No, no. We aren't wizards. We come from a line of magical creatures. They are the beings responsible for planting the trees and painting the sky – but I'm getting ahead of myself.”
    “Wait a minute, wait a minute. So my life is continuing on right now? As we speak, I’m doing something else at home?” Tryfod shook his head. “No. You are sleeping at home. Time passes by much quicker here.”
    “But... will...”
    Tryfod interrupted, “That's enough questions for now. Now, I've got a question to ask you.”
    “Yes?”
    “Are you willing to accept this quest? We need you Ruth. And from what I've told you, I'm sure you've figured out that this can only be you. It cannot be anyone else.”
    Ruth paused. She felt like Tryfod was hiding something, and she wasn’t sure she believed everything she heard. But she was here, so she figured she could make the most of it.
    “I accept.”
     

     
    Tryfod left, and Eritol would be coming to find her soon. On one hand,