CHAPTER 1: THE RUINS
OF KNELL
Even the finest castle
is not a home without
those you love.
~ fairy proverb
Lily could count the spells she knew by heart on one hand – not many. How can I save the True World like this? she
wondered. From the back of the dragon, Ironclaw, she could see the towns far
below them, teeming with Fomorians.
Their flickering fires lit up the twilight, twinkling like fireflies,
but now Lily knew how much more sinister those lights were. Each one represented
a hand against them. Lily felt hopelessly outnumbered. How
many trolls can Edan gather? A troll might best four, maybe five Formorians?
Lily took a deep breath of cold air. The night was growing frosty and
she shivered. She was thankful for Gran leaning against her back to keep her
warm. Jude and Heather rode silently behind Gran, each one lost in their own
thoughts.
Ironclaw carried them swiftly to Lord Gabriel, who waited for them at
Knell Castle. The last time Lily saw the castle, it had been on fire, under
attack by the Morrow. Now that the vile lizard-creature was defeated and Lily’s
grandmother rescued, her thoughts turned back to saving her mother Eleanor, and
her friend Peter, both captured by Lord Kane. Lily shuddered. How could Kane be
so heartless, murdering his own brother? Could he really be her uncle?
Lily couldn’t even imagine the evil that possessed him or how they could
ever defeat him. She hoped Gabriel would have a plan. She checked the crescent
moon amulet at her throat, a gift from her grandmother. They had retrieved the
Full Moon Amulet from DuraDor. Had Gabriel found Eleanor’s amulet, the one lost
in the Ferraden Forest? Lily was certain he had. He wouldn’t return to Knell
Castle without it, would he? Jude’s sudden shout interrupted her thoughts.
“Dragon! Look there!” shouted Jude, pointing to a thick cloud bank
ahead.
“I see it,” said Ironclaw. “It’s one of Kane’s storms, no doubt. Hang on
tight.”
“Can’t you go around?” asked Lily.
“Knell Castle is directly below us. The only way is through.”
Ironclaw’s head dipped lower and she flattened her wings against her
sides, launching into a steep dive. Once in the clouds, a cold stinging ice hit
Lily in the face. Lightning flashed, illuminating the gray clouds for a split
second. They were not alone.
“Harpies!” cried Heather, as the dragon dodged one of the two hideous
bird women suddenly swirling around them.
***
If you'd like to read the series from the beginning, the books can be found on Smashwords, Kobo, iBooks, and Barnes & Noble.
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