So… what are these so-called shadow jumpers? Are they real? Were John and Celeste really in danger? Maybe they should keep that medallion tucked away… just to be extra cautious.
They waited for the jostling of shrubs from Ferdinand’s chubby middle plowing through to cease. “Can I see it?” John whispered reluctantly, peering at the medallion. She placed it in his hand with an excited smile.
“Extraordinary,” he whispered. “How can something so small have so much power?” It had the same heavy, cool feeling as the passageway key. “What does it say?” John narrowed his eyes to a
squint.
Celeste leaned in and placed her fingers along the markings that lined the edge of the medallion. “Copia defendat de manu mali. Ne Ovliviscamur.” She bit her lip. It means Protect Copia from the claws of evil. Lest we forget …”
As it pressed against his fingers, rhythmic chiming quietly stirred, then intensified the longer it was in his hand. “What–what’s happening?” He stammered. A whistling breeze blew through his curls. The bushes around them rattled.
“Did you hear that?” Celeste fanatically glanced around. The bushes shook once more.
John nodded and hastily shoved the medallion into Celeste’s hand. “Maybe we should put it away.” The forest went silent. “Here– take it.” The medallion fumbled through her fingers and hit the dirt.
The chiming ceased, and a burst of air shifted the trees. They both stood motionless, exchanging worried glances.
“I don’t think we’re alone,” said Celeste.
“We know you’re out there!” John scolded, giving his meanest glare to the gap in the trees. He clenched his fist tightly, digging his fingernails into his palms.
The bushes replied with a sinister cackle.
Snap!
Celeste gasped and covered her mouth to keep from squealing.
Another cackle rattled off through the shrubs, closer this time.
John slowly lowered to his knees and scooped up the medallion. He secured his sack around his shoulders and gave Celeste a nudge.
“Run!”
The bushes burst open, and leaves flew in a frenzy. From the corner of his eye, John caught a glimpse of a dark blur buzzing through sticks and leaves.
“Go, Celeste!” John pushed her off to the side. A piercing pain throbbed through his shoulders. He
reached up and felt sharp claws stabbing his coat. With a sudden jolt, he was knocked to the ground.
“No!” Celeste shrieked.
In his face was a shadowy beast with yellow eyes filled with rage and jagged teeth. Its claws tore his clothes.
“Where is it?” the creature sneered. Cold, clammy fingers brushed John’s neck.
“Get off of me!” John grabbed the creature’s face and heaved it off of his body. The beast wrapped his claws around John's scarf and dragged him through the dirt. John let out a gagging cough as the grip tightened across his throat. His face went from bright red to purple.
Celeste lunged for the creature’s ankle and gave it a good yank, giving John just enough time to squirm out of his scarf and run to the nearest tree. The creature swiped at his heels. Hugging the tree, he
pulled himself up branch by branch to the top….
I can't add any more to avoid spoilers!
2.Windy Ridge and Queen Aestus
Windy Ridge is home to the elemental fairies, concentrated forces of the Elan formed by the elements, and where I would spend most of my time if I lived in Azra’s Pith.
~As they approached, the water in the lagoon jostled and splashed about. A bright blue light amidst the dancing fairies gracefully floated over to the weary travelers. …
Within the blue light was a fairy with a translucent blue glow. Her body was formed by crystal droplets of water splashing off her with every movement. She hovered just above the stone. “You seek the lost city,” her voice chimed.
3. First Kiss
John and Celeste have had a mutual crush since they first met. With all of the chaos going on around them, they find a moment to be alone and share their first kiss together. It could not be sweeter.
Celeste’s expression turned serious. “I, I know you are thinking about the medallion and Copia … and your father,” she said softly.
John let out a sigh and looked away.
“Just, please, don't go alone. You can see how treacherous this has become. Finding Copia would be even worse, especially if you’re on your own. We were supposed to go together. Remember?”
“Thank you for caring so much. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet.” He brushed her hair away from her cheek. “When I figure things out, you will be the first to know.”
The mill next to the riverbank churning water created a hypnotic, rhythmic melody. “I wish I could stay here a while.” He smiled. Butterflies stirred in his stomach.
Gazing into Celeste’s eyes, John felt himself falling. He was lost in his thoughts, his feelings–time froze. Their faces inched toward each other. John’s heart thumped out of his chest as their lips touched. The vibration of the water churning ran through his body.
Her lips were even softer than he imagined. He never wanted the feeling to end. Their noses pressed together, and Celeste let out a sweet giggle.
John broke out in a goofy smile, still in a haze of bliss. He laid back against Fuscus until the trees and sky around him stopped spinning.
3.Trail over the abyss
Ever walked across a trail with no bottom on either side? How about one with a fire-breathing dragon and reverse rain…
As they approached the end of the steps, drops of water bounced off John’s armor. The wind furiously whistled upward, nearly knocking him off his feet.
“Brace yourselves!”
Craggy steps dissolved into a flat, narrow walkway with sharp winds and rain flying upward on either side.
“What is this place? The rain is going up! Everything is backward down here,” Mundi shouted and stumbled about with the wind whipping him around like a ragdoll. A piece of armor flew off and over the edge of the path. He and John paused with their ears out. “Did you hear it land? Because I didn't.”
John swallowed the lump in his throat. Where they stood on the map was a bottomless precipice off both sides of the path with rain shooting up. “Everyone stay on the path! No matter what, don’t look down!”
“I have a bad feeling about this. If we fall, who knows where we’ll end up.” Mundi shook his head.
“Stop worrying, just keep your eyes in front of you.” Roman placed his hands firmly on Mundi’s shoulders.
The wind and rain pelted off John’s armor. “Be careful.” He glanced at Celeste. Her soaked red hair blew everywhere at once.
A collective gasp came from the back of the group. Rain droplets clumped together, forming a towering dragon with razor-sharp horns covering its head. Screams of terror rang out as it roared, spraying hot, steaming water at the elves.
“Run!” commanded Pater.
Chaos ensued as everyone scurried up and down the path. The dragon’s claw swept across the path, sending elves flying toward the steps.
“That’s it.” Roman scowled. “I’ve had enough of these big beasts. I’m going to create a distraction. Get everyone off this path.”
John gave an acknowledging nod just before Roman’s cloak dissolved into black raven feathers, and he flapped toward the dragon.
“This way to the other side! Keep going. Don’t stop!” John shouted over the crowd.
“Celeste, you can lead them. We will make sure the dragon does not chase us,” said Mundi.
“That’s a great idea!” John added.
Celeste nodded reluctantly. “Please, be careful!”
Her eyes connected with John’s, and time froze for that instant.
The chaos was muted. John smiled warmly. “I will see you soon.”
She grinned back with a sparkle in her eye and dashed off, disappearing to the front of the crowd.
Quest for Copia
John William Drake
Book Two
E.P. Bellows
Genre: Children’s Fantasy
Publisher: Azra’s Pith books
Date of Publication: 11/1/24
ISBN: 979-8865821205
ASIN: B0CLJ2BQDP
Number of pages: 197
Word Count: 38,000
Tagline: Join John William Drake and his friends on their Quest for the Lost City of Copia… but beware, something evil lurks in the shadows.
Book Description:
John William Drake believed there was something special about the medallion Celeste found. It chimed and sparkled in the sunlight. He was right; the medallion was from Copia, a lost city masked in time. Legendary tales were repeated of a golden city inhabited by Empyrean Wizards until it was plagued by dark sorcery when a meager fledgling magician by the name of Imperious the Great wandered in.
Some did not believe the city ever existed; others who knew better wanted it to stay lost. How did it all start? How would it end? The answer simmered for hundreds of years waiting for the right moment to escape.
John and Celeste were more than ready for another adventure. The journey to Copia was also a search for his missing father. They were unaware of just how dangerous their quest was until it was too late. The medallion’s power could bring the lost city to life again, unlocking the dark past dormant within its walls. The young explorers were in the middle of a battle of ancient sorcery that could end with an evil capable of destroying the realm and they held the key.
~The Copian Mediallion is
discovered after being buried for years by layers of the realm.
Come on, wings! Don't fail me!" Gusts of wind blew the
little bird in all directions. Her vivid red feathers stole the sun’s beams
from the sky.
This was not an ordinary bird. This was a young Empyrean
wizard named Celeste. Empyrean wizards lived in an extraordinary place where
fantastic creatures and magic were a part of every day. All Empyrean Wizards
have a bird form appropriately coordinated with their personality. This
particular Empyrean was fearless and kind. She also had a knack for finding
"Made it!" Her small but determined wings descended
into the trees below. There was a peculiar tree she heard whispers about, and
she was on her way to see it for herself. The tree was believed to be a
passageway to the other side. Of course, she had no idea what the other side
was, which only drove her curiosity. She perched on a boulder next to a single
dead tree that boasted the broadest tree trunk in all of Copious Forest. The
tree was surrounded by a blanket of thriving greenery. Celeste cautiously
glanced around and gave her feathers a ruffle. A young girl emerged through the
feathers with wild hair the same shade of vibrant red.
“Incredible!” she gasped and scuttled over to the tree. She
poked her fingers out of the sleeve of her cloak and ran them along the rigid
bark on the trunk. The bark chimed a soft melody as her fingers went along.
“So it is real.” Her eyes beamed. She stepped back and pulled
a scroll out of her cloak. As she unraveled the scroll, the verses of an
ancient spell were revealed. “The Tunnel of Light Enchantment ...
Cuniculum lucis incantationis tempus sit, electi
ingrediantur. Cum tempus est, electi per cuniculum lucis relinquere possunt.
When it is time, the chosen may enter. When it is time,
the chosen may leave through the tunnel of light." She gazed at the dead
tree, waiting for even a small flicker of magic. The trunk looked like it had
not been seen or touched in years. “Hmm ..." Celeste raised her brow.
A prickly chill traveled down her spine. She squeezed her
arms across her chest to soothe her goosebumps. "Hello? Is-is someone
there?" Celeste frantically glanced around.
An angry groan rumbled through trees.
“I'm not afraid of you!" she declared. “Come out and
show yourself!”
Twigs and bits of forest flew past her curls. She scrambled
behind the boulder. Sharp whispers buzzed through the gaps in the trees.
“The moan went from a groan to a vicious roar. A wind funnel
shaped like a pair of long, wretched claws appeared.
“Oh, no—it’s the Rive.” Her body tensed.
The dark spell was strong enough to twirl her straight into
the air with one dizzying burst. It plowed through trees and shot rocks in all
directions. Celeste's cloak whipped around in a frenzy. She crouched behind the
boulder and gripped her hands around the base. Then her body lifted off the
ground. Inch by inch, her fingers slipped from the boulder. "Oh no!"
Her head throbbed from intense pressure as the wind consumed her.
"Where is it? I must find it," the Rive whispered
sharply, bringing a sting to Celeste's ears.
"Where is what? What are you talking about?" she
shrieked.
"Where is it? I must find it!" the Rive's whisper
was now at a rattling shrill.
Celeste closed her eyes and fisted her trembling hands. She
felt herself drifting into a dizzying slumber. “I have to channel the élan.
Come on, Celeste ... concentrate. I can do this!"
She took a deep breath. "Azra lucem tuam ostende. Azra
tua industria illuminet …
Azra lucem tuam ostende. Azra tua industria illuminet."
A warm, vibrant energy burst through her cloak. The dark
spell released its grip. It hissed and hurled rocks at Celeste. She stood her
ground and
Celeste collapsed to the ground, breathless. “I just did
that.” She examined the palm of her hand in astonishment.
She scooped up the shimmering clump and scraped the forest coating off
it until all that remained was a medallion with strange markings and feathered
wings carved in the center. It chimed and sparkled in her hands. Celeste
stuffed it in her cloak and cautiously looked around. An excited giggle slipped
out just before she morphed back into a little red bird and flew above the trees.
About the Author:
A little about me…
Let's see... When I was eight, I had a pet turkey. I used to take it with me on my short-lived paper route. Needless to say, I was terrible at delivering the paper. No one wanted a "Dollar Saver" with turkey poop splattered across the best coupons on the front page.
Books... "Treasure Island" is a fantastic pirate tale. I love just about anything by Roald Dahl. Who could ever leave out Tolkien? I would also like to thank C.S. Lewis for sending me on an unrelenting childhood quest for portals to amazing worlds.
I write fantasy stories for children. Yep - proud fantasy geek here. It's pretty darn awesome to escape to another realm with sorcerers and wizards for a chunk of the day. The underlying theme in my stories is empowerment and living purposefully. We all have that spark inside just waiting to shine ;)
When football is on I turn into a cookie-eating pottymouth. I have a theory that avocados are the Jedi of all foods. I also believe the aroma of garlic and butter sizzling in a pan is pure magic.
Last random nugget… few things make me smile more than chocolate, cheese, and a nice splash of vino... AND, if the Chargers would make it to the Super Bowl again - just once
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