Ink & Incantation by E.V. Everest

Author:E.V. Everest [Golden Bird Press]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Golden Bird Press
Published: 2022-07-28T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

The next day, Aiden finishes his homework and chores early and heads to the bookstore, red notebook tucked in his backpack, hoping the sale is over. Seeing the window is clear of the large sale sign that hung there yesterday, he scopes out a good place for his writing. A light pole sits to the side of the door, and he figures it will make a good back rest. Sitting on the sidewalk, back reclined on the metal, Aiden pulls the notebook and a pencil from his backpack. Okay, let’s see where this story goes.

He glances into the shop and, seeing Mr. Farley pick up his own notebook, Aiden waits.

“Hearing stomping boots in the passage, Thomas startles and stands upright. What could be afoot at this time of night? A group of soldiers approach and jog past him. He grabs the arm of the last guard, inquiring what is afoot.”

Afoot twice, really? Who talks like that? Aiden thinks.

Mr. Farley shakes his head, frustrated with the interruption, but he erases the last word.

“—amiss.

‘Princess Grace has been taken.’ The soldier pulls his arm from Thomas’s grip and runs to catch up with the others.

Princess Grace, taken? Thomas must do something, but he can’t leave his post. The Queen Mother will want to know of this news. Even though it is well past midnight, Thomas bangs on the Queen Mother’s door. After a few rounds of pounding, the Queen Mother inches the wood panel open.

‘What is it?’

‘Princess Grace has been taken.’

Her eyes go wide. ‘What? By whom? When?’

‘I know not, but I cannot leave your side to find out. Especially if there are traitors about.’

‘Then we shall go to the King’s Hall to hear news together.’ Opening the door wider, she steps into the hall. She tightens the sash on her cloak.

Side by side, the Queen Mother and Thomas stride to the King’s Hall. Finding it ablaze in candlelight, the Queen Mother instructs Thomas to wait outside.

‘But—’

‘I will apprise you of the news.’

‘You must tell them I wish to help in finding her and returning her safe to this castle.’

‘I will see what I can do.’ She spins away and walks through the half open door, closing it behind her.

Thomas waits with the other guards gathered. It is all he can do to stand still. His hands tremble with fear, wondering who has taken the princess, why, where to, and what they mean to do with her. Surely, they wouldn’t dare harm the daughter of a king with such a large army behind him. Thomas pictures her sweet face and clenches his fists. He will kill any man who harms but one hair on her head.

Hearing chairs scratching the stone floor and boots shuffling, the guards line the entryway, Thomas at the front. The army commander is the first out the door, flanked by his officers.

‘Ready the horses and gather all the soldiers. We ride as soon as everyone is suited up.’

Thomas runs after the commander. ‘Commander, may I—’

‘I don’t have time for a palace guard now, boy.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.