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the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | She looked down at Faen, and he looked up at her. They subtly nodded heads as if they were having a conversation only they could hear. Faedra jumped up and headed back to her room, followed closely by him. "Where are you going in such a hurry?" Henry asked. "This is serious stuff going on here," he continued, pointing at the television. "I know, Dad, but it's a beautiful day outside and I'd like to take advantage of it. I'm going to take Gypsy out for a ride. Besides, there's nothing I can do about it," she inwardly cringed at how callous she sounded. "Oh, the frivolity of youth," he muttered, but she was already charging up the stairs to her bedroom. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "What on earth's going on?" she spoke in a harsh whisper to Faen as he blurred between forms. Faedra wondered if he could hear when he was half in, half out, so to speak. "This is very grave, Ms. Faedra." Apparently, he could hear between forms. "I have to get to Azran and see Elvelynn." She looked at him incredulously. "No, _we_ have to get to Azran," she stated without compromise, "and who's Elvelynn?" "It is too dangerous for you outside of your home. Elvelynn is the Keeper of the Book of Anohs." "The redcaps chasing me are here, not in Azran and you promised me you wouldn't leave my side, remember? How can you keep me safe if you're not around?" |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faen could see by the determined glare she was shooting at him, he didn't think he was going to win this battle, and, besides, she did have a point. He was not happy at the thought of leaving her alone either. "Okay, you may come with me," he conceded, "but we have to hurry." She ran to her closet and tore out some clothes. She looked at him; they were in a hurry and she didn't have time for formalities. "Um, just turn around a minute," she instructed. He did so without hesitation. She threw her clothes on at breakneck speed and was ready in about thirty seconds flat. Faen blurred again into his dog form. They ran back down the stairs and into the living room, trying to steady their pace in front of her father so he wouldn't be too suspicious. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "We're off now, Dad. See you later," she said as chirpily as she could muster and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. "But you haven't had any breakfast." "I'll grab some on the way," she called over her shoulder as she and Faen exited to the porch. "It's Sunday, there isn't..." they were gone, "anything on the way," Henry continued to himself and shrugged his shoulders. His daughter was certainly starting to act strangely the past couple of days. Faedra and Faen jumped into her car; she heaved a sigh of relief when the engine roared into life on the first try. Well, it was more of a meow than a roar, but she wasn't complaining. Faen blurred into his true self and climbed over to sit in the front seat beside her. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | They drove in silence for a few moments, passing a couple of cornfields as they did. Faedra glanced over at the corn that should have been lush and green but was now brown and dying. "Someone's stolen the Book of Anohs, haven't they?" she asked with trepidation. Faen didn't respond. "Haven't they?" Faedra insisted. "We do not know that for sure, Ms. Faedra." "Well, it would explain why someone wants the amulet and seems quite happy to kill me to get it." "Yes, that would be a logical conclusion," he agreed, then sighed. "Can this car go any faster?" |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "You tell me, Faen. You've ridden in it since I got it, you should know." Where had she gotten all this sarcasm from all of a sudden. A few days ago she would never have dreamed of being rude to anyone, but she was firing off at Faen left, right and center. Maybe it was the fact that she was worried about a pending global famine, or it could just be the effect he had on her. She couldn't quite decide which and kept the thought to herself. "Oh, no, it's Sunday," she cried as they pulled into the church car park. It was full. "Yes, Ms. Faedra, we have already surmised that fact," he shot her a bewildered glance. "Which means that there will be loads of people around. People that might see something they shouldn't." She was exasperated. Did she have to spell it out for him? |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "They will only see what I wish them to see." "And what about me?" "As long as we are touching, the glamour will hide you too," he explained as if she should already have known that fact. "Oh." Faedra sandwiched her little old car in between a couple of bright, shiny new ones. Faen got out of the car and was around to her side, opening the door for her before she had even pulled the keys out of the ignition. His manners were impeccable; she certainly couldn't fault him for that. "Thank you." She at least hadn't forgotten her manners either. "You are most welcome," he nodded his head graciously. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Um, Faen, you are wearing your old worldly clothing again. You'll stick out like a sore thumb, not to mention that carrying a lethal weapon in England is against the law." She eyed his sword intently as she tried to sound as diplomatic as possible under the circumstances. "No one can see me, Ms. Faedra." "Great, so now I look like I'm talking to myself?" She closed the car door and shoved the keys in the front pocket of her jeans. He gave her one of his wry smiles and took her hand. "No, now only I can see you talking to me." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | She looked down at their intertwined fingers and found herself at a loss to understand why someone who irked her the way he did, had the ability to send bolts of electricity up her arm and straight to her heart. He looked down and caught her staring at their hands. "Is there a problem, Ms. Faedra?" She felt her cheeks flush. "No, no problem." "Then come, the portal is this way. We must find Elvelynn." He started with determination in the direction of the graveyard gate. Faedra held her breath as a couple of people walked straight past them, but didn't even glance their way. "People can't hear us either?" she asked. "No, they cannot." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | As soon as they entered through the gate, the friendly black and white collie bounded over to see them. Faedra beamed at it when it gave her its usual toothy grin. It felt good to see a friendly face. "She is of age now, Jocelyn, you may show yourself." When Faen spoke, his voice was laced with just a hint of irritability. Faedra stood upright sharply. In the blink of an eye, the collie shimmered in front of her and was replaced by the most beautiful girl she had ever set eyes on. She noticed that when Jocelyn changed form, it was a distinct shimmer, compared to Faen, who blurred into his form. She fleetingly wondered if it had anything to do with being a male or female fae. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | She took a step back and gasped. Faedra couldn't help herself; she wondered if all fae were as beautiful as these two. Jocelyn stood a few inches shorter than Faedra, and looked younger, too. Although, she knew in actual years she was probably much older. But she estimated that Jocelyn looked about fifteen or sixteen years old. She had flawless, luminescent skin that almost sparkled in the sunlight. Striking, liquid blue eyes, like her brother's, with long dark lashes that framed them to perfection, smiled at her warmly. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Jocelyn also took on similar coloring to her dog form. Her hair, that was long and sleek, flowed halfway down her back. It was almost all black with the exception of a band of white blonde at the front of her head, which had been braided into delicate braids. The braids had been intricately woven through the remainder of her hair creating a unique lace effect pattern. She wore a gorgeous black and white dress with a fitted bodice and flowing skirt that came to mid-calf with a handkerchief style hem. But the thing that took Faedra's breath away, was that Jocelyn did not care to hide her wings like her brother did. Faedra realized that she had been quite blatantly gaping at them with her jaw dropped for a moment now. She snapped it shut and hoped she hadn't looked too rude. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Jocelyn's wings, that rhythmically opened and closed at a slow steady pace, reminded Faedra of someone subconsciously tapping a foot or drumming their fingers on a table. Her wings weren't beating fast enough to lift her from the ground, but, rather, she looked like a resting butterfly that opened and closed its wings while perched on a petal. They reached at least two feet taller than her shoulders and each one spanned another good body width wide, to either side of her. They were made up of four sections. The upper, larger sections were white. The lower, smaller sections were black and shaped into a teardrop at the lower outside corner just like one of those exotic butterflies that she had only seen in a book, or on the Animal Channel. Her wings, as a whole, had a luminescent quality to them, also, and shimmered in the sunlight. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Wow," Faedra breathed. "Hello, my name is Jocelyn." Her voice was high pitched and musical. Jocelyn spoke with excitement dripping from every word. "It is so good to be able to actually talk to you at last. I cannot believe you have finally turned of age. I was starting to get so impatient, I nearly gave myself away on several occasions," she giggled and a flush came to her cheeks. "Err..." Faedra started to talk, even though she was somewhat speechless at that moment. Faen interrupted, but that didn't stop her from scowling at him for being rude to his sister. "Jocelyn," Faen said bluntly, "there will be plenty of time for small talk later, we need to see Elvelynn." "Ooh, Elvelynn," Jocelyn squealed. "I have not seen Elvelynn for an eternity. Can I come with you?" |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "You saw her not more than a moon's phase ago, and, no, you cannot come with us. We are going on business." "Oh, Brother, please. You have to let me come. Can I come, please?" The musical sound of her voice as it went up and down the octaves as she spoke, reminded Faedra of a cat walking on a piano keyboard. "The answer is still no." Faen was frowning at her now and moved to walk Faedra past her. "But I'm bored!" she exclaimed with a pout as she stomped her foot. Faedra's eyebrows rose at her outcry. "Wow, fae get tantrums too?" she whispered to Faen. "Only the spoiled ones," he replied. "Please?" Jocelyn made one last attempt with shiny tear pricked eyes. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | That did it; Faedra was on her side. She always was a sucker for anyone who cried, and she had taken an instant liking to Faen's little sister. She also knew she would probably get a lot more conversation from the young fairy than she would from her brother and had visions of this being another very long day. "Oh, go on, Faen. Let her come with us. It will be one more person to watch over me. Especially if I'm as prized as you seem to believe I am." He hesitated, sighed, and frowned. "Alright, Jocelyn, you may journey with us to Elvelynn's. But you must come straight back here and continue your duty." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Yes," Jocelyn cried in victory as she clapped her hands together a couple of times then held them up to her lips like she was getting ready to pray. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Thank you, Brother. I will not get in your way, I promise." She planted a kiss on his cheek and he rolled his eyes. CHAPTER TEN "Are you alright, Faedra?" Jocelyn asked as they moved forward down the path. "You look a little pale." "I think I'm about to have a meltdown," Faedra replied. "Don't be silly, Faedra, you are human. Humans do not melt, not that I have ever witnessed." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "It's a figure of speech, Jocelyn. Two days ago I was a normal – well, I admit some odd things had been happening to me, but that's beside the point – seventeen year old. Then yesterday, bam, I turn eighteen and, all of a sudden, I find out that I descend from an ancient Celtic bloodline, who were once fae themselves. My dog morphs into a man in my bedroom, scaring the living daylights out of me, and turns out to have been a fae all along. I am Custodian of an ancient fae amulet that has the power to control weather. An evil, murderous redcap attacks me, and more are still after my blood. If that's not enough, I'm about to step through an invisible door into another world, your world. So please excuse me if I quietly have a meltdown." She admitted to herself that she was being a tad melodramatic at that point. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "My dear Faedra, there was nothing much quiet about that," Jocelyn snickered. "You get the gist, though?" Faedra grinned. Jocelyn gave her a warm smile, put an arm around Faedra's shoulders, and gave her a squeeze. "I think we are going to be great friends," she stated. Faen rolled his eyes again and held up his arm to direct Faedra towards the portal. "Come, the portal is up ahead." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faedra couldn't see anything, even when she squinted her eyes. All she saw was the gravel path laid out ahead of them. They had only walked a few yards when Faen and Jocelyn came to a stop. Faedra had no choice in the matter, her hand was still being held by Faen's. She had to confess it reminded her of the way she used to feel when her father held her hand as a child. It was strong and sure, and made her feel safe, and dare she admit, cared for. Jocelyn stood on the path in front of them and said something in a language that Faedra was sure she had never heard before. She looked with bewilderment up at Faen. "She was speaking an incantation to open the portal," he replied to her unspoken question. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "But if you need an incantation to open it, and it's definitely not in English, why would you need to guard it?" she asked Jocelyn. "Because, my dearest Faedra, some silly person got drunk one night," Jocelyn replied. Although she spoke in her usual musical voice, Faedra could sense she was somewhat disgruntled by that fact. Faedra looked at her blankly. "Many years ago a man was walking through the church-yard as a short cut on his way home from the pub, he was very drunk and talking to himself. When he got to where the portal was his slurred speech sounded similar to the incantation. The portal opened and he walked straight into Azran." Faedra's eyebrows shot up. "I bet that caused a stir." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Somewhat," Jocelyn continued. "He had been walking around Azran for a while, watching us flying around and going about our business before one of the king's sentries spotted him. They carefully extricated him through the portal back to your world, but the vision stuck with him. Luckily, because he was so drunk, no one believed him, but it started, what do you call it, an urban legend?" Faedra nodded. "I've heard about that legend. Wow, so that really happened?" |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Jocelyn nodded. "Every now and then someone will try and see if there is anything to the legend and try and get through the portal. No one has succeeded since, but the king decided that he was not willing to take the chance on another human accidentally stumbling into our world. I was assigned to guard it and make sure only those who should, could pass." Faedra thought it best not to admit to the fact that she had considered trying it out when she was younger, but had never gotten around to it. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "It's open," Jocelyn said, motioning for them to follow her. A second later, she disappeared right in front of Faedra's eyes. Faen stepped forward to continue after her but Faedra was glued to the spot, staring at where Jocelyn had just vanished. Her heart started to pound, and she found herself feeling incredibly nervous. What would they find on the other side? Did it hurt traveling between realms? Would she be able to get back home? She felt Faen give her hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. She searched his eyes and found reassurance there, too. "You will be fine, Ms. Faedra. I will not let go of you." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | She gave him a feeble smile and allowed him to lead her forward. At that moment she had an epiphany. She knew without doubt that she would follow him to the ends of the earth, his or hers, it didn't matter anymore. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "We are through, Ms. Faedra," Faen whispered in her ear. _Well, that was quick,_ she thought. _Somewhat of an anticlimax really._ She was thankful that there was no pain, just a tingle that shot through her whole body, but was gone almost instantly. She exhaled and opened her eyes. Her jaw dropped again. She had a feeling that was going to be happening quite frequently in the foreseeable future. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | They had just walked through an ornate stone archway. It was similar to the one at the entrance to the cathedral grounds near her home in Norwich. They were now standing in a tropical paradise. Although Faedra had never actually been to a tropical paradise, this is how she imagined it would look. Minus the ornate stone archway that looked somewhat out of place standing alone in the vegetation. They were surrounded by lush forest, and flowers of all shapes and colors carpeted the ground. The air smelled so sweet she thought she would be able to stick out her tongue and taste it. Up ahead, a waterfall cascaded into a deep aqua pool of crystal water, which flowed into a stream that meandered past where they were standing. She looked into it and could see brightly colored fish swimming around. A couple of the fish jumped up out of the water and made small splashes as they dove back in. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "You live _here_?" she asked Faen and Jocelyn, her voice full of wonder. "Welcome to the Land of Azran, Ms. Faedra," Faen announced with grandeur. Jocelyn looked very pleased with Faedra's response to her world. A world she was obviously very proud of. A rustle in the bushes distracted them and all three turned their heads at the same time. Faen drew his sword halfway out of its sheath and then slid it back in when the creature making the rustling noise appeared. He was a little man with a squat face and big pointy ears. He had rosy cheeks and kind eyes, a leprechaun perhaps. "Todmus, my friend." Faen walked over to greet the little man. "Mr. Faen, it's always a pleasure to welcome you back to Azran," Todmus said with a sincere smile. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Todmus, we need to travel to the City. Do you have three horses we can borrow?" Faen asked the little man. "Yes, Mr. Faen," he snapped his fingers. "They will be ready momentarily." Then he cast his gaze over to Faedra; his eyes grew wide when they rested on the amulet. "So the legend is true?" "It is, Todmus, but I know I can rely on your discretion in this matter." "You can trust me, Sir. I did not see or hear anything." "Thank you, Todmus. You have long been a faithful friend and loyal citizen." Faen said as he patted the small man on the back. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "This way, Sir," Todmus motioned for them to go through the small opening in the bushes. Faen went first and Jocelyn last, sandwiching Faedra in the middle. Faedra had a feeling she was going to be a fairy sandwich on several occasions throughout their journey to Elvelynn's. They walked a short distance on a narrow winding path through some dense vegetation, until they came to an opening. There waiting for them were three pure white horses. Faedra sucked in a breath. "Oh, beautiful." she breathed as they wandered over to the horses. She stood beside one and stroked its neck. It's hair felt as soft as silk to her fingers. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faen wandered up beside her. "Here, put this around your neck," he said as he conjured a beautiful silk scarf out of nowhere and tied it gently around Faedra's neck. "Not everyone in Azran is as trustworthy as Todmus." Faedra looked down at the scarf, it covered the amulet nicely. "Thank you." Faen inclined his head and gave her a leg up to mount her horse. She watched as he walked around to his horse, rose gracefully in the air, and lowered himself onto his saddle. Jocelyn, with a couple of beats of her wings, did the same. "Err, if you can fly, why are we riding?" Faedra asked. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | " We have much ground to cover to get to Elvelynn's. We will ride part of the way and fly the rest," he answered. Without further ado, he kicked his horse into a gallop and flew off at speed down the dirt trail that exited out the opposite side of the clearing from which they had entered. "Come on," Jocelyn squealed with excitement, and the two of them galloped off behind her brother. Jocelyn and Faedra fell into a steady pace behind Faen, who kept the lead. They continued at a gallop for what seemed like several miles until Faen adjusted their pace to a steady canter. The lush forest flew past them in a blur of green. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "I don't know how much longer my legs will be able to take this," Faedra admitted to Jocelyn after a while. "Most people think that the horse does all the work but my muscles are starting to feel like jelly." "Brother," Jocelyn called out to Faen. "We need to steady to a walk for a while." Faen didn't question her. He brought his horse down into a trot then slowed to a walk, Faedra and Jocelyn followed suit. "Thank you," Faedra said with relief to her friend. "Do not mention it," Jocelyn replied with a warm smile. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faen kept the lead several yards up ahead of them. Faedra noticed his head scanning the woods from side to side. It was obvious that he was keeping a lookout for anything untoward, which left her and Jocelyn able to talk. They fell into easy conversation. Jocelyn was very amiable; Faedra felt like they had been friends for a long time, and, in an odd way, they had. "Jocelyn?" Faedra asked after a lull in their conversation. "Yes?" "What's with the wings?" she continued, nodding in Faen's direction. Jocelyn drew her eyebrows together in confusion. "I do not understand." "Your brother, he hides his wings. Haven't you noticed?" "Glamour does not work on us, Faedra. I see his wings just as I always have, but he hides them from you?" |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Yes. He won't let me see them, but won't give me a reason why." She gave her brother's back a knowing smile. "That is very interesting." "It is? Why?" "What do you think of Azran so far?" Jocelyn said lightly, trying to steer the conversation down a different path. "Don't try and change the subject, Jocelyn. Why is it interesting?" Faedra pressed. Jocelyn sighed. "I should not have said anything." "Oh, don't you start. I've been hearing that a lot lately," she thought back to Rose at the festival. "I'll keep pestering until you tell me." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Jocelyn looked thoughtful for a while. She was trying to find the best way to explain what she wanted to say. "It is very rare for a fae to have feelings for a human, but if that should ever happen we tend to be very cautious about it," she paused and looked to see how Faedra was digesting the information so far. Faedra was engrossed, hanging on Jocelyn's every word. "Go on," Faedra encouraged. "Well, if we were to have feelings for a human, we would want to know that those feelings were mutual before we would show our wings." Faedra looked at her in obvious confusion. "Let me see, how do I explain this?" Jocelyn continued. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | She looked around as if she would get the inspiration from the trees or the sky. "Ah, yes, I know. In The World of Men it would be like someone who is rich, having feelings for someone who is poor. The rich person would want to make sure that their feelings were reciprocated because of who they really were and not just because they had lots of money. Therefore, they might have a tendency to hide that fact until they knew for sure that the poor person liked them despite of, and not because of, the fact they were rich." "Ah, I think I understand what you are getting at," Faedra nodded in response to Jocelyn's explanation. "You see, our wings have a tendency to, how shall I say, enchant humans." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faedra gazed at Jocelyn's stunning wings again for the umpteenth time. She had to admit she was having a hard time taking her eyes off them. They were indeed enchanting. "I see what you mean," she agreed. She let the information sink in for a moment. Faedra was one of those people that would get the punch line of a joke a minute after everyone else had finished laughing at it. "Hold on a minute," she searched Jocelyn's face while she spoke. "Are you saying that Faen has feelings for me?" Jocelyn just smiled warmly. "But you must be wrong on this one. I know for a fact that he doesn't," Faedra stated bluntly, looking at Faen's back. "Are you so sure, Faedra?" Jocelyn asked. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Yes, I'm sure. He always acts as though it's an inconvenience to be lumbered with looking after me," Faedra insisted. "My dear Faedra, my brother has been with you every step of your life for the past eleven of your years. He has had the very rare opportunity to spend time with you when you thought no one was watching. You have been at your most uninhibited in those times. You, shall we say, have completely enchanted him." "So answer me this then. Why does he act so detached around me all the time?" "I cannot answer that, Faedra, but I am sure he has his reasons." Faedra turned her eyes forward to gaze at Faen who was still several yards ahead of them. She thought for a while about what Jocelyn had just divulged to her, then shook her head. No, she must be mistaken. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | They rode in silence for a while. Faedra was in a daydream, still trying to absorb what Jocelyn had told her. She wasn't quite sure how long they had been riding in silence, but was torn from her thoughts by a gasp that came from beside her. She turned to look at Jocelyn and was shocked to see the look of horror on her friend's face. "What it is, Jocelyn? What's wrong?" Faedra asked, but she didn't need Jocelyn to answer. She could see for herself what had shocked her friend. "Oh, no, not here, too." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Her heart sank as she observed that the forest around them was dying. Some of the trees still had green leaves, some had leaves that were turning, and some were already devoid of all foliage. They had walked from summer to winter in just a few paces. Up ahead of them all the trees were bare, the grass was brown, and the flowers were wilted and shriveled. The air didn't smell sweet anymore either. There was a dank mustiness to it now, and Faedra could taste its sourness on the back of her throat as she breathed in. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Up ahead she could see an opening in the trees. When they eventually reached it, they came to a stop side-by-side. She gaped open-mouthed once more. They were standing on the edge of a valley. Laid out below them, and as far as the eye could see, was brown, dying countryside. There was a city in the distance. It looked like a good-sized city, with a castle that stood proudly in the middle. She could sense that this view would usually have held such radiance that it probably would have taken her breath away. As it was, she wanted to weep at its lifelessness. Jocelyn did weep; big fat tears rolled down her cheeks and splashed onto her dress. "Oh, Brother, what has happened here?" Jocelyn asked Faen. "I do not know, Jocelyn, but I fear the worst," he replied stoically. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "The castle, it does not sparkle anymore," she cried. Faedra looked at the castle in the distance. It did indeed have a lackluster appearance. She could see the remnants of its grandeur and imagined it sparkling when it was in its previous condition, but right now everything, including the castle, looked insipid. "We fly from here. The horses will find their way back to Todmus," Faen announced as he stepped down from his horse with a grace that was not lost on Faedra. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faedra took both of her feet out of the stirrups and jumped down from her horse as she always did back home. Not the most graceful of dismounts, but the one she had been taught from her very first riding lesson, and old habits die hard. Jocelyn lowered herself down with a couple more beats of her wings. They stood still, hardly daring to breathe as they looked over the dying valley spread out ahead of them. Before Faedra even had time to register what 'we fly from here' meant to her, there was an arm wrapped around each of hers and she was being launched off the side of the valley wall, which up until this point, she hadn't considered to be that steep. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "You could at least warn me when you are going to do stuff like this," she squeaked as her heart lurched into her mouth and her stomach did cartwheels. The wind blew in her face and whipped through her hair. Jocelyn had hold of one arm and Faen the other, and they were looking ahead, concentrating hard. She had to admit, it was the most incredible feeling to be flying outside of a plane. A bit like being on an amusement park ride without being strapped in. She couldn't decide at that point if the queasy feeling in her stomach was a product of just being launched off the side of a hill, or the fact that her heart was saddened by the devastation below them. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | They were flying low to the ground now and she could see close up how dead everything looked. The queasy feeling developed into a definite knot in her stomach, and her question was answered. Thoughts of the book flew through her mind almost as quickly as the ground passed beneath her. The realization that something had happened to the book was quickly taking shape and that didn't bode well for anyone in any realm, least of all hers. Remembering what her mother had said in the letter, that combining the book and the amulet would give the user the ultimate power to control not just plant life, but the weather, too. Whomever had the book made it very clear that they were going to get their hands on the amulet, too; only that could not be accomplished unless she were dead. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | She closed her eyes and tried to change the subject that had now taken on an obsessive quality in her brain. She felt herself being moved and opened her eyes to see that Faen had taken hold of her. He was carrying her as he did last night when they had returned to the party. She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a questioning look. "Jocelyn was growing tired," he answered. "She is not used to carrying extra weight when she flies." "Sorry, Jocelyn," Faedra called over her shoulder. "There is no need to be, Faedra, I am not as strong as my brother. I am glad I was able to help him up to that point," she said with kindness. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faedra now understood why they had made part of the journey on horseback. They had an extra body to carry. She assumed it would be much like her trying to carry someone a great distance, and knew for a fact that she wouldn't have had the strength to do it for very long, either. "We don't have too much further, Ms. Faedra," Faen said looking ahead. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faedra looked in the same direction and could see the city looming closer in front of them. A huge wall encircled the city in a protective manner. It looked medieval, but in a much more beautiful and less rugged way. As they got closer, Faedra could see another ornate stone archway just like the portal, but this one was several times bigger. Jocelyn slowed and lowered herself to the ground just in front of Faen who did the same. He lowered Faedra to the ground, but her legs instantly collapsed underneath her. They had turned to jelly, what with the galloping and the flying, she wasn't sure how much more her body could take that day. In a flash, Faen scooped her up before she had a chance to hit the ground. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Sorry, Ms. Faedra. I had forgotten the affect flying with us has on humans," he said apologetically. "Your legs should return to normal in just a few minutes." They stood in front of the archway for a moment, almost hesitant to proceed any further and have their suspicions confirmed. As though, if they didn't have them confirmed, everything would go back to how it was. After a moment, they walked forward. Faen was still carrying Faedra and Jocelyn stood closely by their side. The three of them a united front against whatever lay waiting for them on the other side. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faedra looked up in awe at the underneath of the archway as she was being carried through it. A beautiful mosaic of a fairy kneeling down to admire an exotic flower just like the ones near the portal, adorned the ceiling. They got to the other side of the arch and stopped. Faedra turned her attention to the scene unfolding before her. What she imagined after seeing the mosaic, as once being a peaceful and calming place to live, was in utter turmoil. "I think my legs will hold me now," she whispered to Faen. She couldn't be sure, but she thought she felt him tremble. This was his home and it was in disarray, it must be having some effect on him. He lowered her to the ground keeping a steadying arm under hers until he was sure she was stable enough to stand on her own. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | All three stood side-by-side, just as they had on the edge of the valley, and watched the chaos unfold before their eyes. People were running in all directions, panic and desperation on their faces. Some were crying, some were carrying small children, some had stopped and were looking around with dazed expressions. What were once quite obviously areas of lush greenery, like miniature parks and gardens, were now brown and dying. The city seemed to be dying from the inside out. A lump developed in Faedra's throat. She was determined that if there was any way she could help restore this majestic place to its former glory, she would move heaven and earth to do so. CHAPTER ELEVEN Faen and Jocelyn started walking with an urgency Faedra could physically feel in the air. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Elvelynn's is this way," he said to her as they made their way through the panicking inhabitants of the city. Faedra stuck out like a sore thumb in her World of Men clothing, but no one noticed her. They were all too busy trying to make sense of what was happening to their home. There were many different kinds of people running around them. She realized now that not everyone who lived in Azran were what she considered to be fairies. She also recognized what she thought were elves, dwarves, a few pixies and a leprechaun or two amongst them. It wasn't hard to figure out that these peaceful souls had never experienced fear or confusion before, and it broke her heart to see the pain on their faces. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | As they made their way through the streets, the pandemonium started to settle as the residents made their way into their homes. She looked around to see shutters closing hastily over windows, and doors being slammed shut. It wasn't too much longer before she could see that the three of them were the only ones left walking down the cobbled lanes. An eerie hush lay over the city like a blanket, and it caused the fine hairs on the back of Faedra's neck to stand to attention. "It is just around the next corner," Jocelyn said, breaking the unearthly silence. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | They turned the corner, and out of all the houses that lined the street, Faedra knew instantly which one belonged to Elvelynn. It was the only one with a door and windows that were still wide open and welcoming. It was quite obvious that the inhabitant was not at home. "Stay here," Faen commanded as they approached. Jocelyn and Faedra did as he asked, and watched as he drew his sword and stepped with caution through the open door. His sword, which he held out in front of him with both hands, entered first. A moment later he was standing in the doorway, his sword back in its sheath. "There is no one here," he said with disappointment. "It is safe to enter." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Jocelyn and Faedra didn't hesitate, they walked up to the front door and entered the pretty house. There had once been a climbing rose framing the front door to welcome guests, but this was now all shriveled and dry. Once inside, they could see that a struggle had taken place. Faen was standing beside an armoire that was intricately carved with Celtic knot work. The doors were open, and one of them was hanging at an angle on a single hinge. There was nothing inside. "I take it that's where the Book of Anohs should be," Faedra whispered, although she wasn't quite sure why she was whispering. The atmosphere had such a hushed quality to it she didn't dare speak any louder. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faen hung his head. It was all the answer she needed, and a shiver ran down her spine. She looked around the room; it, too was in disarray. The chairs were overturned, there was broken glass on the floor, a wilted flower laying in amongst the jagged shards from where a vase had been knocked off the table, and smashed to the ground in an obvious struggle. "Elvelynn," Jocelyn spoke with a catch in her voice, and tears welled in her eyes. "They would have to kill her to get the book." Faedra's heart sank. Jocelyn had lost someone she quite obviously loved, and she knew first hand how that felt. She put a comforting arm around her friend's shoulders. "I'm so sorry, Jocelyn." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Come, we can do no more here," Faen said. "We need to get to the castle. Maybe the king knows something that will help us." They turned to leave, but Faedra stopped short of the door. She could feel something but didn't understand what it was at first. "No. Wait," she said and looked all around her. She could feel the amulet heat up under her scarf and moved the scarf aside to see the stone in the center of it glowing. "What is it, Faedra?" Jocelyn asked. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "I'm not sure," she held the amulet in her hand. "Mum didn't say anything in her letter about the amulet glowing." She looked at her ring. It was not glowing so there was no danger near, but she knew something was wrong, she could sense it. What was it trying to tell her? _Think Faedra, think,_ she told herself. She closed her eyes and concentrated hard on the feelings surging through her body, then a window in her mind opened and she could see a vision as clear as day. "If whoever stole the book had to have killed Elvelynn to get it, wouldn't they have just left her body? Why would they have taken it with them?" Faen and Jocelyn looked at her in confusion. "She's still here, I can sense her, and she's still alive." "Where?" Faen said as he stepped closer to her. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Hold on," she closed her eyes again and scanned the room in her mind. "There." She pointed over to the corner of the room as she opened her eyes. They all looked over to where Faedra was pointing, but there was nothing there. Faedra ran over and lowered herself to the floor, her face just fractionally above it. She was trying to look through a crack in the floorboards. "She's under here," she cried, her heart swelling with hope. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faen looked for something to pry the floorboard with and grabbed a poker that was resting up against the fireplace. He ran over to where Faedra was lying on the floor, asked her to move aside, and shoved the poker hard between the boards. He pried it open until he could get his hands under and pulled the board up. They had not been nailed down, so once the first one was up Jocelyn and Faedra helped lift some more until they had uncovered what the floorboards were hiding. "Oh, Elvelynn," Jocelyn gasped in horror, putting her hand to her mouth. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | The body of an old woman lay crumpled unnaturally in a small hole in the floor. She had her hands tied behind her back and had been gagged. Her wings had been broken when she had been shoved into the tiny space. Her eyes, that were full of pain and fear, looked up at the three of them in desperation. "Stand back," Faen instructed as he kneeled down and lowered his arms into the hole. He gently moved them under Elvelynn's broken body and eased her up and out of her tiny prison. He carried her over to a chaise that was positioned next to the fireplace and, after laying her down, removed the bonds from her hands and the gag from her mouth, taking care not to cause her anymore distress. She was barely conscious and mumbling something that was incoherent. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Who did this to you?" Faen whispered in Elvelynn's ear, but the only reply he got was unintelligible. "Why isn't she healing?" Faedra asked. "You can all heal just like me, can't you?" "She has been tortured and poisoned. The poison disables us from using our ability to heal. It makes the torture much more effective," he explained gravely. "This is the work of redcaps. She would have died fairly soon if you hadn't found her. We need to get her to Bedowen, he is the only person who can help her now. He may be able to find an antidote to the poison. If he can, she will be able to heal herself in time." He scooped Elvelynn up in his arms and carried her through the door. Faedra took one last look around at the chaos in the room before she followed them. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Jocelyn, take Faedra and wait for me outside the castle," he instructed his sister. "I am going to fly Elvelynn to Bedowen's house; I'll meet you there shortly." He hovered above the ground for a second, turned, and flew away. Jocelyn took hold of Faedra's arm. "The castle is this way," she said, pointing in the opposite direction. "How was the amulet able to tell you that Elvelynn was still alive and where to find her?" Jocelyn asked a few moments later as they wandered down the empty streets. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "I don't know," Faedra answered. "Maybe because the amulet was constructed to be used with the book. And because Elvelynn had been in possession of the book for so long, it saw them as one and the same. Other than that, I have no explanation. All of this is so new to me; I have to keep pinching myself to make sure I'm still awake." They carried on through the deserted streets in silence. Faedra knew there was nothing she could say to comfort her friend. People had tried to comfort her with words all the time after her mother had died, but she had wished they would stay silent. Nothing they said ever gave her any comfort; their words just reiterated the fact that she had lost someone she loved, and that person was never coming back. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | She prayed that Bedowen would be able to help. Elvelynn had looked like a helpless, sweet old lady, but she knew for the room to have been turned upside down the way it was, she must have put up a good fight. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | They walked down streets and around corners for what seemed like most of the afternoon. It was a labyrinth of lanes and alleys, not dissimilar to some she had seen in an old town in Spain that she had visited on holiday once before her mum died. Eventually, they turned a corner, and Faedra found herself once again gaping in awe. The street came to an abrupt end and they were standing on the edge of a huge spacious courtyard. A lavish marble fountain stood in the center. Cascading water was flowing from jugs that were held by statues of fairies, into a basin that had been carved into a marble garden. Ornate stone pillars held up an archway that lined both sides of the courtyard, and even though the once lush vegetation that adorned the courtyard was now brown and lifeless, it was still impressive, even in its starkness. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Further behind the fountain, there was an enormous double door. Faedra let her eyes wander above the doorway to admire what was beyond it. An immense castle towered above it, and them. Its walls were made of white stone that she could imagine sparkling in the sunlight like Jocelyn had described, but even though it had lost its luster for the time being, it was still majestic in every way. She didn't even want to hazard a guess as to how big it was, but it certainly dwarfed the one back home in Norwich. This one had more beautifully spiraling turrets than she cared to count, with a flag swaying in the breeze from each one. A great swath of burgundy material with what she assumed was a royal crest emblazoned in gold, hung from the main balcony of the castle, and she imagined that that must be where the king held court. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Wow," she mumbled, "you guys don't do anything by halves do you?" Jocelyn replied with a smile and looked up at the castle, too. "It is pretty impressive, is it not? Come, we shall wait for Faen by the door." They walked past the fountain on a floor of mosaic artistry that was so big it must have taken eons to create it. When they reached the door, Faedra sat down on the ground and leaned up against the wall. She yawned and let her head fall back to rest against the wall and closed her eyes. The sun was getting low in the sky, promising the close of another day in a few short hours, and she was beyond tired. Faen was not long in arriving. He made his appearance shortly after they did. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "What did Bedowen say?" Jocelyn asked anxiously as soon as his feet touched the ground. "He thinks that he can keep her stable until he can find an antidote for the poison, but it might be a while. Unfortunately, she cannot help us identify who did this to her and won't be able to in time for us to find the book and reverse this damage." He looked sourly at the dead vegetation around the courtyard. "We need to go and see the king and find out if he knows of anything that can help us." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faedra got to her feet as Faen walked up to the doors and rapped hard on them three times. Slowly the two solid doors, that must have been at least twenty feet high, opened allowing the three to walk through before they closed again. They were now standing in another spacious, beautifully landscaped area in front of the castle. At one time, it would have been the most elaborate flower garden. Home possibly to every kind of flower that existed, but not now, everything had wilted and died. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | They walked up the path that led to the entrance to the castle, up some steps to another set of solid doors, and stood before them. Faen rapped hard three times on these, too, and again they slowly opened, allowing them entry. Faedra looked around to see if she could see any security cameras. She didn't expect to see any, of course, but it was bugging her that they had just gained entry to a castle without there being any kind of visible security. For goodness' sake, there weren't even any guards around. The place seemed deserted. As they walked through this set of double doors however, all that changed very quickly. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | As soon as the doors opened, the silence swiftly changed to an inarticulate din that was coming from further down the marble corridor they were now standing in. They walked towards the noise and it grew louder and louder until Faedra could make out that it was lots of angry, concerned voices. They turned through another set of solid oak doors, which were already open this time, and walked straight into a cavernous room that was crammed with people all talking at once. There were lots of them, nearly filling the sizeable room, and this time they noticed her. Some of them eyed her with scrutiny, others looked at her with confusion, some with concern, and others with a knowing expression. She noticed that some of them looked out of place, too. A distinct feeling of unease swept over her, and she subconsciously moved closer to Faen until she was almost touching him. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | The setting sun was streaming in through vast stained glass windows that lined the walls and depicted scenes from nature. Floating chandeliers bobbed about overhead, casting sparkles of light on the inhabitants of the room below them. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faen pushed his way through the crowd, and as people caught sight of him, they parted to either side like a wake made by a speedboat. Some doffed their hats, others acknowledged him with an incline of their heads, but one thing was for sure, Faedra could see he was very well known, and very well respected. Jocelyn subtly guided Faedra into doing the fairy sandwich thing again as they fell in line behind Faen and followed him in single file until they got through the crowd. Once through the hoards of people, they positioned themselves just behind and to either side of him. Faedra saw the king then for the first time. He was sitting up rigidly on a throne at the other end of the room and they carried on walking until they reached the steps that led up to the throne. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faen came to a stop and kneeled in front of the king. Jocelyn did some sort of a curtsy, and Faedra tried and failed miserably to do the same. She had never been before royalty and had no idea of the formalities, but tried her hardest to not insult the king by her lack of etiquette. At least she was giving it her best effort. "Your Majesty," Faen spoke with respect and looked up at the king who gestured with his hand for Faen to stand. Faedra had noticed that the room was now silent. Even though it was fit to bursting with people, you could hear a pin drop. "Guardian, I knew you would come. I fear my worst nightmare has come to fruition." "Your Majesty, we found Elvelynn. She lives." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "She lives? But I sent sentinels to her house to see if she was there and they found nothing. Where was she?" "Ms. Faedra found her," he answered and gestured a hand in Faedra's direction. "She had been tortured and poisoned, and they had left her under the floorboards to die. She is with Bedowen now." Faedra thought she may have been mistaken, but she could swear there was just a hint of pride in Faen's voice when he said it. "Ah, Lillith's daughter, of course," the king said in dulcet tones as he rose and stepped down from his throne. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | He was a commanding figure, moving with grace and assurance. He had the face of authority; experience seeped from every fiber of his being. She could tell just by looking at him that he was much much older than he appeared. He wore sumptuous robes made of heavy velvet that were forest green in color and edged with the obligatory gold trim. The same crest she had seen on the huge banner draped from the balcony outside, was embroidered onto his robes also. Faedra gulped and gave him a feeble smile as he came to a standstill in front of her. His presence alone was compelling enough to fill the entire hall they were standing in. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | The king took Faedra's chin in his hand and moved her face gently from side to side, examining her features with interest. At first Faedra felt incredibly uncomfortable, if not just a little intimidated, but when she dared herself to look into the king's eyes, she saw only sadness there. "You are the image of your mother, my dear child," he spoke in a whisper so that only she could hear. "You cannot even imagine what your being here means to me." She gave him a puzzled look, but he'd already let go of her chin and had turned to stand in front of Faen. "Come," he said to all three, "I need to speak with you in private." He gestured to a door to the side of the room and walked ahead. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | As they made to follow him, the room once more erupted into a frenzied hubbub. The people here obviously wanted some answers, and as yet, Faedra doubted that the king had been able to give them any. They followed the king through an elaborately carved wooden door and into another vast room. The walls were lined from floor to ceiling with bookshelves full of books, an immense library by anyone's standards. Faedra glanced at a few as they followed the king to where he had seated himself behind an imposing oversized desk in the center of the room. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "You have Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream?" she blurted in surprise, without giving a thought to the company she was in. She had just not imagined that the fae king would read Shakespeare. Especially the one about fairies, and wondered what he thought of it. She blushed when she turned to see Faen and Jocelyn looking at her incredulously, and decided it may be wiser not to ask. "Indeed, my child, I found it very," the king paused, "intriguing. Now, shall we get to the business at hand?" "Yes, of course," Faedra blustered as she walked over to join them. "Sorry." "No need, my dear. I understand that this is all, shall we say, new to you. You just turned of age yesterday, did you not?" "Yes, Sir, I did." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | He rose and stepped around the desk until he was standing in front of Faedra once more. She had to physically stop herself from taking a step back when he suddenly brought his hands up to her neck. Her eyes widened with concern and were met with a warm smile, which made her relax a little. He untied the scarf and let it hang open around her neck, uncovering the amulet as his did so. She was surprised when he lifted it from her skin and held it in the palm of his hand to examine it. He looked at it with the warm expression you would give a dear friend who you hadn't seen for a while. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Well, I have to tell you, my dear child. You are the first Custodian since I passed the amulet to be hidden in the World of Men, to find themselves in this predicament. There has only been one other Custodian, in all that time, who has ever entered the Land of Azran," he stared deeply into her eyes for a moment. She couldn't quite read the emotion behind his gaze, then he sighed, averted his eyes, and laid the amulet carefully back against her skin. He turned and resumed his position behind his desk. "Sire," Faen said as soon as the king was seated, "do you have any idea who may have taken the book?" |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | The king shook his head. "Unfortunately, I do not, Guardian, but the situation is more involved than just the stolen book." He hung his head and took a deep breath as if fighting to keep his composure. "Is the same thing happening in the World of Men as it is here? "Yes, Sire, it is," Faen replied. Faedra and Jocelyn listened intently, watching Faen's every gesture and expression as the king continued. "My daughter, Vivianna, was visiting with Elvelynn at the time of the attack. She was taken, along with the Book of Anohs," he explained. "I am so very sorry, Your Majesty," Faen replied. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "There is more," the king continued, looking gravely over at Faedra, which caused goose bumps to appear on her arms. "They have demanded I hand over the amulet in exchange for my daughter's safe return." He handed Faen a piece of paper with some writing on it that Faedra had never seen before. "We cannot hand over the amulet, Sire. You know the implications of that. It is not just nature that would die." "I know that, Guardian. Do not concern yourself, I have no intention of handing over the amulet or..." and he stopped mid-sentence and glanced at Faedra. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | The hairs on the back of Faedra's neck bristled. She knew exactly what he was about to say. If he had to hand over the amulet, she would still be attached to it. She was the only one who could use it, or she would have to be dead for someone else to. "You are the best I have, Guardian. I am entrusting you with finding the book and bringing my daughter safely back to me." "Yes, Sire, you have my word," Faen assured the king. Faedra couldn't stifle it anymore and another loud yawn escaped. Three pairs of eyes all turned to look at her; she could feel her cheeks burn. Here they were talking about the impending doom of goodness knows how many realms, plus the kidnap of a princess, and she could hardly keep her eyes open. "I'm sorry," she mumbled through her embarrassment. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "You are tired my child, tonight you will all feast and rest. You will need your energy for the journey ahead." The king clapped his hands and two beautiful fairies appeared at his side. "See to it that they all get plenty to eat and the best rooms in the castle," he commanded. They nodded their understanding and flew to hover either side of the group of three. Faedra looked at them, and although she admired their staggering beauty and was entranced by the way their wings beat rhythmically to keep them flying, she also realized how quickly she had become accustomed to being surrounded by fae. It dawned on her now that she hardly even noticed their wings anymore. They were as much a natural part of them as their arms or legs were. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "This way please." One of the fairies said in a lilting voice, and gestured towards a different door from the one they had entered through, much to Faedra's relief. She hadn't much liked the idea of having to walk back through the rabble that was waiting for them in the great hall. "Good luck," the king said as they exited the library room. "If anyone can find the book and return my daughter, I know you will be the one to do it." Faen inclined his head in that gracious way he always did when acknowledging someone, and continued out the door. CHAPTER TWELVE |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | They followed in silence behind the two fairies that the king had assigned to them. For the second time since they arrived, Faedra noticed that it was only her footsteps that could be heard on the hard marble floor beneath them. She looked over at Jocelyn and then to Faen to see if they were hovering above the floor, but they weren't. They were walking just as she was, but they stepped so lightly their footfalls were whisper quiet. It didn't help that she was wearing her riding boots that had fairly hard soles. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | She started to feel embarrassed about the way her footsteps reverberated off the walls of the grandly decorated corridor they were walking down, and made a conscious effort to soften her steps. It was not easy; she almost had to walk on tiptoes. Try doing that when you need to keep up with others who are moving with definite purpose in front of you. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | They turned a corner and walked down another corridor. Faedra could feel that Faen was deep in thought. She wasn't quite sure what would be going through Jocelyn's mind, though she had a pretty good idea her friend was wondering how Elvelynn was doing. They carried on down the corridor until it came to its conclusion at another big wooden door. One of the fairies pointed at it and it opened up before they reached it. All three followed the fairies through the door into a vast bustling kitchen. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Yet again Faedra looked around in awe. The kitchen was almost the same size as the great hall they had been in earlier, although, the ceilings were not as tall. Down the center of the room stood a long, solid oak table. Faedra guessed that it stretched about thirty feet long by about three feet wide, and along either side of it little people like Todmus were lined, busily preparing food. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Some were rolling dough, some were chopping vegetables. She saw one woman making a pie, and another peeling potatoes. Each of them had a specific task and they were going about it with studious enthusiasm. There must have been at least thirty people working in perfect harmony, making the table its own little industry. She scanned the rest of the room. From the ceiling hung vast cast iron racks from which pots and pans of all shapes and sizes hung. Down one wall of the kitchen were sinks and draining boards. A hoard of workers were busily scrubbing pans, drying them, and stacking them in neat piles. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | On the opposite side of the room, the wall hosted several huge fireplaces, easily big enough for her to stand up in. A couple of the fireplaces had fires blazing in them with a hog turning on a spit above the flames. A couple of little men bustled about tending to the fires and keeping them hot enough to cook the meat roasting above. Another of the fireplaces did not have an open fire, but was home to an immense cast iron oven, easily ten times the size of the old fashioned stoves she had seen in history books back home. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | No one had even given them a second look when they entered. The workers were so engrossed in their chores, and Faedra felt slightly relieved about that. She was feeling more and more like a fish out of water as each moment passed, but the minute she stepped foot into the vast kitchen a feeling of calm swept over her. Even though the kitchen teemed with life and people were going about their business with an energy that was almost palpable, there was just something about being in a kitchen that brought everyone to the same level. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | The fairies motioned for them to follow down to the end of the table. They spoke to a couple of the women working there who looked up to acknowledge the three, nodded their heads, and shuffled themselves, and the food they were preparing, further down the table to make room at the end. Three chairs appeared out of nowhere and the fairies gestured to Faen, Faedra and Jocelyn to sit and make themselves comfortable. Faedra noticed that Faen waited for her and Jocelyn to be seated before he sat himself. Within a few moments, a couple of the little people walked up and placed plates full of food on the table in front of them. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Thank you," Faedra spoke to them as they bustled around her, laying an empty plate, cutlery, and a goblet before her. She was responded to with a warm smile and a gracious head bob, just like the one Faen was famous for. They didn't speak but the fact that they gazed intently at the amulet hanging on show around her neck, and then quickly averted their eyes, did not escape her, but it did not make her feel as nervous any more. She had accepted the fact that the amulet was now as much a part of her, than she was of it. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | She turned her attention to the plates of food the dwarves had placed in front of them, and recognized a rumbling deep from within her stomach. She was starving. There was a plump, steaming hot chicken, surrounded by dishes of steaming, brightly colored vegetables. A dwarf with a pitcher made his way around to all three of them, filling their goblets to the brim. He lingered next to Faedra, shooting a quick glance at the amulet before scuttling off into the pantry again. Faen gestured for Faedra and Jocelyn to help themselves to the food first. _Ever the gentleman_ , Faedra thought as she gave him a warm smile and leaned in to pull a leg from the chicken. Dark meat was definitely her favorite. She scooped some vegetables onto her plate and tucked in. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Do you have any idea where we go from here?" Faedra asked Faen between mouthfuls. "Tomorrow we journey into the pine forest to summon Kernunnos," he replied, after careful thought. "How will Kernunnos be able to help, Brother?" Jocelyn asked with interest. "Um, would someone care to enlighten me as to who Kernunnos is?" Faedra asked, slightly disgruntled. She only started learning about this stuff yesterday, and although she understood that she was at the bottom of an extremely steep learning curve, it irked her how everyone talked as if she already knew what they were talking about. Most of the time she felt horribly in the dark, and she didn't like that feeling at all. |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Kernunnos is Lord of the Woods," Faen stated, before turning back to Jocelyn to answer her question. "My dear Jocelyn, I believe Kernunnos can help us because he is closer to nature than any other entity in our realm. Because of what the book controls, he may be able to sense its whereabouts through nature here or in other realms. I am hoping he can point us in the right direction. At the moment, it is the only hope I have to start looking for the book." |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | A thought suddenly occurred to Faedra. All color drained from her face and she had trouble swallowing the food in her mouth. Jocelyn noticed her sudden change of demeanor and her look turned to one of concern. Faen noticed the unsettled glance that Jocelyn was focusing across the table and turned to see what had caused such a rapid change in her expression. Faedra's face was as white as snow as she looked blankly into space. "Whatever is the matter, Faedra?" Jocelyn asked. |