Beginning's End: Book 3 in the Protectors Saga

By P. M. Dooling

In Beginning's End, book 3 of the Protectors Saga, Avery and the other Protectors must forge new alliances, forcing Jade to step out of her comfort zone and into doing things she would rather not do...like attend a royal ball. Avery's relationship with King Draven comes to a head, as dark secrets from his past are revealed, throwing Avery's world even more upside-down. All the while, the deadline for the final battle draws closer, leading to a confrontation between Avery and the Emperor that brings them full circle, and once again, only one of them can come out alive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: P. M. Dooling
• Release date: Sep 4, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466033894

P. M. Dooling

I was born and raised in Arizona, where besides a healthy love for writing, I also developed an obsession with Chuck Taylors, Jim Henson, and classic rock. In what little free time I have I enjoy writing fantasy, visiting observatories, and spending far too much time reading travel narratives.

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Beginning’s End:

Book 3 in the Protectors Saga

Published by Paige Dooling at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 Paige Dooling

Smashwords Edition License Notes:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 1

As Avery opened her eyes to the pale sunlight, she was thankful for the extra hour of sleep she had demanded from Gumptin the night before, but at the same time wanted to kick herself for not telling Gumptin that training would start two hours later. Avery sat up in bed, letting out a deep yawn. Thoughts of Draven clung to the corners of her mind. She shook her head trying to free her thoughts of him. Last night had been bad enough. It had taken Avery over two hours of tossing and turning to fall asleep. Every time she’d turn towards her balcony doors, she could see him in her mind, standing in front of her. Avery wondered what other personal items of hers that Draven might have touched. The idea had taunted her, keeping her from sleep.

After pushing Draven as far from her mind as she could, Avery got dressed in her normal training attire and headed downstairs. She turned towards the kitchen to grab herself some breakfast and saw Jade seated at the kitchen table, with her family, eating pancakes.

Morning! Cinder called out loudly as Avery entered into the kitchen.

Jade kicked out the chair sitting next to her from under the table. In front of the chair was an empty place setting.

Morning, lazy, sit your butt down. Jade nodded towards the chair she had kicked out, Mom, made pancakes. Jade piled a whole half of a pancake into her mouth.

Avery’s mother and father wished her good morning as Avery sat down next to Jade, filling her plate with her own fluffy pancakes.

Morning, everyone. Avery smiled, swirling syrup onto her pancakes.

From over his newspaper, Avery’s father told her, Gumptin came by early this morning. He said that this probably won’t bother you, because you are some of the most indolent miscreants he has ever had the displeasure of meeting, but the vital training, which you seem to have careless disregard for, has been cancelled. You’re supposed to go to Mrs. Petrie’s dress shop instead.

Avery gave her father a, ‘what the hell’ look.

Hey, her father said defensively, don’t look at me. Those words were straight from Gumptin’s lips.

Judging by the lack of reaction from Jade, Avery assumed she already knew about this.

Cutting into one of her pancakes, Avery asked Jade, So, how long do we have before we have to be at Mrs. Petrie’s?

Jade lifted her wrist, to look at her watch from Earth that she continued to wear, Three minutes.

Avery nearly choked on the piece of pancake she had in her mouth, Three…minutes, she said between coughs, we should get going.

Avery, Jade told her calmly, giving her a few pats on the back, when pancakes are involved, time doesn’t exist.

Once Jade had sufficiently stuffed herself full of syrupy pancakes, the girls headed out. They had walked a few paces away from Avery’s house, when Jade asked, "So, who’s this new friend of yours that Cinder was telling me about."

Avery loved her sister to death, but sometimes she wished her baby sis would learn how to keep her mouth shut.

I don’t know what you’re talking about. Avery lied, trying to look as innocent as she could.

Liar! Jade shouted, smacking Avery on the back of the head and capturing the attention of a few of the villagers, Your mother told me King Draven stopped by your house last night. Then she went on about how polite and good looking he was. I thought I was going to be too sick to eat my pancakes!

Fine! Avery hissed, giving Jade a push and rubbing at the spot on her head Jade had smacked, It was no big deal. He just stopped by to tell me about the ball.

Jade didn’t seem to buy that one bit, Then why’d you lie about it?

Cause I knew how you would react. Avery pointed towards her still sore head as proof, You can’t stand the guy.

I’m telling you, something’s off about him. Jade demanded, Of course, instead of listening to me, you have him over as your freaking house guest.

That’s not how it was. Avery sighed, He just wanted to tell me about the ball. Everything was completely platonic. There was no way Avery was going to let on to Jade that she felt anything for Draven. Jade would either kill her, kill Draven, or go on and on about it until Avery’s ears started to bleed, King Draven barely stayed five minutes. I think I must bore him, or something.

They reached Mrs. Petrie’s dress shop, none too soon for Avery.

Mrs. Petrie shared her shop with her husband, Mr. Petrie, the tailor, who focused mainly on menswear. It was Mr. Petrie who had fitted the Protectors with most of the clothes they wore for training, patrol, and fighting.

Once they walked into the front door of the Petrie’s clothing shops, they were in a very small circular entrance room. From there they could walk through two separate doors. The door to the right was painted a bright shade of purple, with emerald vines painted around the edges. Above the door was a sign, painted in pink letters, saying, ‘Petrie’s Dresses and Garments’. The second door, to the left, was just a plain wooden door, with a wooden sign nailed to the center of the door, with the words, ‘Tailor Shop’ carved into it.

Avery opened the colorful purple door on the right and an airy little bell jingled above her.

Do we really have to do this? Jade groaned, It’s not too late to choose the door on the left.

Come on. Avery grabbed Jade and pulled her inside.

The inside of Mrs. Petrie’s dress shop looked like a box of crayons had exploded. The walls were lined with built in shelves, filled with spools of different colored fabrics, mainly wool and cotton varieties. Fabrics of lighter material hung from racks scattered around the room. Already made dresses were placed over wire mannequins. Most of the dresses were simple, the type that the majority of the women wore around the village, but some were more delicate, fancier, made out of silks, chiffon and lace. Different sized barrels, containing multiple colored threads and beads were scattered throughout the store, and small hutches were filled to the brim with trims and appliqués.

It looks like Tinker Bell threw up in here. Jade grumbled.

Back here! Avery and Jade heard Skylar call.

They snaked their way past racks, barrels, spools of fabric, and dress clad mannequins until they reached a thin hanging sheet of pink fabric. Jade pulled back the fabric to reveal a surprisingly cozy back room. It was about the size of a normal living room, with the back wall completely lined in mirrors. Next to the wall was an old fashioned looking sewing machine and a desk, filled with measuring tape, needles, thread, scissors, and a number of other sewing accessories. Two plush purple velvet couches rested against the right wall, and two rose colored velvet chairs sat in the center of the room, surrounded by tall wooden racks filled with yet more bright colored fabrics.

Where have you guys been? Sasha asked, looking through one of the racks of fabrics, You’re fifteen minutes late.

Avery said one word, Pancakes.

Skylar had a piece of silky purple fabric wrapped about her and was dancing around in front of the mirrored wall. Bunny was sitting down on one of the purple couches reading a book on ancient Demons. Right away, Avery thought about what Gumptin had told Bunny. Avery had always liked reading, and a part of her actually enjoyed Gumptin’s lessons in the library, even though she’d never tell him that, but she thought Bunny might be taking the whole studying thing a bit too far. Bunny acknowledged Avery and Jade by looking up and smiling as they walked farther into the room.

Out of a small door on the left side of the room, came walking out Mrs. Petrie. She was a slight thing, barely five foot, with delicate bird-like bones. Her nest of curly red hair sat on top of her head, wrapped up in a fuchsia scarf, with a bright blue feather sticking out of the side. The sunny yellow dress she wore was striped with the same bright blue as the feather in her hair. Avery severely hoped that Mrs. Petrie’s style would, in no way, bleed into the dresses she made for the girls.

Ladies! Mrs. Petrie said enthusiastically, clapping her hands together, her chestnut brown eyes filling with excitement, Now that you’re all here, shall we get started? I’m so looking forward to this! She giggled like a little girl, Are you looking forward to this?! Without waiting for a reply, she scurried back through the door she had just come out of.

A moment later she emerged once again, this time dragging a long tall rack of numerous fabrics behind her. There were fabrics of every color. Some shimmered and some had fancy beadwork and patterns, but they were all beautiful.

Mrs. Petrie seemed to glow as she ran her hand over the fabrics on the rack, Here they are. Her voice was almost a reverent sigh, The fabrics the King has sent over are truly glorious. In all my life, I never thought I would ever get to work with such material. It is a dream come true.

Avery saw Jade roll her eyes.

Sasha and Skylar began looking through the fabrics.

I am going to look so hot in one of these. Sasha gloated.

Mrs. Petrie grabbed the measuring tape off of her desk, Let’s just take your measurements and make sure they haven’t changed since the last time I made dresses for you. Gumptin told me that Earth made you terribly out of shape, she put on a little pouty face, so sad. Shall we start up top? She snapped the measuring tape between her fingers.

After successfully getting the measurements of each of the girls, and not getting knocked out by Jade when she told her that Earth hadn’t done anything to improve the size of her chest, Mrs. Petrie moved on to the fabrics.

I’ve already made some choices off of our past experiences together, your favorite colors, and what types of fabrics do nothing to compliment you…that sort of thing. She told the girls.

For Sasha, her main choice was a scarlet organza with red crystals, which Sasha approved of immediately. Mrs. Petrie showed Bunny an emerald green crushed velvet and mint green chiffon fabric. Bunny, who didn’t seem to care too much about what color or type of fabric she was put in, agreed. For Skylar, she chose a violet silk and lilac tulle.

Mrs. Petrie told Jade, You were never into bright colors, even before you died…when you were more feminine.

Jade looked confused, like she wasn’t sure if she had just been offended or not.

For her, Mrs. Petrie chose a midnight blue chiffon and black lace.

For you, Avery, Mrs. Petrie pondered, looking over the fabrics, …hmmm, I just don’t know. I’ve made dresses for the other girls before, so I know their likes and dislikes, but I’ve never had a chance to truly work with you before. The last dress I made for you was for that Fairy shindig you had to attend. Avery wondered if Mrs. Petrie knew that she didn’t have any remembrance of the Fairy thing she was talking about,

Anyway, Mrs. Petrie said, looking just a little bit annoyed, the only things you were interested in were if you could move in it and that there was room to strap a knife sheath to your thigh."

I like that idea. Jade broke in, Keep that in mind when you’re making my dress.

You didn’t really care about the style or color. Mrs. Petrie told Avery, I was going to show you some fabrics and colors when you came in to have your measurements taken, but you ended up never having the time. In fact, I ended up getting your measurements from my Mr. Petrie, who had made all your other clothes. You know, you didn’t even have a favorite color.

Wow, Avery, Skylar exclaimed, you were so vanilla.

Mrs. Petrie nodded her head, agreeing with Skylar’s assessment. Avery didn’t need Skylar or Mrs. Petrie to tell her that.

So, Mrs. Petrie asked, did you ever pick up a favorite color? And please, please with your skin tone; do not tell me it’s yellow or orange.

There was no danger of that.

I like blue. Avery told her.

Mrs. Petrie cringed, Well, you see she said, Jade’s already wearing blue, and I would hate to put the two Protectors with pale skin both in blue. It would look like I have no creativity.

Alright, Avery said, not really seeing Mrs. Petrie’s point, I also like purple.

When Mrs. Petrie scrunched up her face even more, Avery knew her second favorite color was about to be shot down as well.

Skylar’s already wearing some purple shades, she said, shaking her head woefully, and I think one purple dress is quite enough.

Avery wondered why the woman had even bothered to ask her what her favorite color was. She turned towards the rack of fabrics and started sorting through them, looking for something that jumped out at her, in a color that wasn’t already being used. In the center of the rack, Avery found a white iridescent satin fabric. Seeing the fabric, Avery was happy that Mrs. Petrie had turned down her blue and purple choices, because it was one of the most beautiful pieces of fabric she had seen.

This one. She told Mrs. Petrie.

Oh, yes, yes, Mrs. Petrie smiled approvingly, with some crystals and lace, I could turn that into a stunning dress. Don’t you worry, Avery, I’ll make you look decent if it kills me.

Thanks. Avery said, a little unsure whether or not Mrs. Petrie had just insulted her. She thought she had.

With everything done, Avery, Jade, and Bunny left. Skylar and Sasha stayed behind in the shop, discussing what they wanted their dresses to look like with Mrs. Petrie.

"That was a wasted hour of my life dedicated to suck. Jade said, walking out of the shop, Doesn’t give me a real good feeling about the ball."

When did you ever have a good feeling about it? Avery asked.

Jade considered Avery’s question for a minute, then said, Good point.

The next few weeks leading up to the ball went by surprisingly fast for the Protectors. Having more time for themselves and their families really made a difference. Avery found herself more relaxed and optimistic. Spending time clowning around with Cinder, cooking with her mom, playing a game of chess with her dad, hanging out with Jade, who was almost always at her house during their free time, and spending time with her friends, doing things like pigging out on Mrs. Bott’s sweets, and being taught dance moves by Skylar, gardening with Bunny, and even having her hair and complexion critiqued by Sasha was bringing Avery back to herself. She was beginning to feel more like the normal girl she had been back on Earth, and it was a feeling that Avery wanted to keep.

Besides having the added free time, their lives as Protectors passed by just as normal. They trained, studied, and patrolled. On one particular day, during patrol, Sasha managed to kill a Succubus Demon, Bunny took down an ogre, Skylar killed three trolls, Jade bagged a Shifter Demon and two trolls, and Avery fought with and killed a small scouting party of four Shifter Demons. This led Gumptin, who had been grouchy and demanding since the girls had insisted on more time off, to finally accept the enforcement of less working hours. He made it know that he still didn’t like the idea, but after such a stellar performance, he stopped being so hard on them.

Sasha’s birthday ended up falling about a week before the ball. The villagers threw her a celebration, just as they had for Bunny. Gumptin viewed the celebration as a great opportunity to teach the girls proper etiquette for a royal ball. However Gumptin’s lesson on etiquette only lasted about twenty minutes, before he was overcome with the joviality of his surroundings and talked, rather easily, into enjoying some ale. After half a mug, Gumptin could barely say the word, etiquette, let alone, try to teach it to the girls.

I guess that means we’ll just have to rely on our natural charm. Avery joked to Jade as they watched Gumptin get into an arm wrestling competition with Colson Greenley, the village’s two hundred pound blacksmith.

The day before the ball, Gumptin had the Protectors take it particularly easy during training and only patrol the immediate surrounding areas of Havyn. On the day of the ball, he didn’t have them train or patrol at all. He was trying to ensure that none of the girls suffered from any ugly looking injuries, before meeting with powerful kings and rulers.

Around noon, on the day of the ball, Mrs. Petrie came by Avery’s home and dropped off her newly finished dress. Avery was almost too nervous to untie the long canvas covering that the dress was wrapped in. She saved opening it up till last. She had never had a reason to get so dressed up before. The last school dance she had attended, she had worn a small purple mini-dress, so Avery had some concerns that she would just end up looking like a little kid playing dress up.

When she finished with her shower, Avery let her hair dry naturally in waves of loose curls. She pulled her hair back at the temples, into crystal star barrette’s, so that her hair still hung down long, but was out of her face. For her face, she opted to keep it natural looking, without too much makeup. To go with the color of her dress and her pale skin tone, Avery brushed a light layer of frosted violet eyeshadow onto her eyelids, and then covered that with another light layer of silver eyeshadow. Onto her cheekbones, she dusted a small amount of light pink blush. To her lips, she applied her pink tinged cherry flavored lip gloss. She put on a pair of small diamond stud earrings and was ready for her dress. Untying the canvas bag that was now hanging from her wardrobe, she let it fall to the ground, revealing Mrs. Petrie’s creation. Avery took a gasp in. The dress was more beautiful than she had ever imagined it could be. It was an A-line gown with corset closure in the back. It had a satin bodice that fell slightly below the waist and a full bottom of delicate lace, spattered with crystals that surrounded a tulle skirt. The sleeves were off the shoulder lace cap sleeves, studded with crystals. A silk contrasting band, with a crystal star embellishment, wrapped around the actual waistline.

Holding her breath, Avery slipped the dress up and over her hips. She had to call in her mother to help her do up the white satin ribbon of the corset closure.

You look so lovely. Her mother told her, staring at Avery all done up, I never thought I’d live to see the day where my eldest daughter would look so much like a beautiful woman.

Avery laughed, You mean, you never thought I would live long enough for you to see that day.

Her mother’s face darkened into one of disapproval that told Avery her remark had probably hit closer to home than her mother would have liked.

Sorry, Avery said quickly, trying to avoid her mother’s anger, bad joke.

It’s almost four o’clock. Her mother said, pushing back a strand of Avery’s hair behind her ear, You don’t want to keep the others waiting.

Once her mother was gone, Avery went to stand in front of her full length mirror. She was awe struck. Never before had she seen herself looking so good. The tight bodice hugged her curves in all the right places and forced her to stand up even straighter than she did normally. Her long auburn mane smoldered against her skin and the bright whiteness of the dress, which seemed to make her emerald eyes illuminate. A little smile came to Avery’s mouth, as she thought about Draven seeing her as she looked now, like a beautiful girl in a nice dress and not wounded, dirty, or weighed down by warrior garb.

Thinking about her warrior garb, Avery decided to finish her look with a small leather sheath and dagger strapped to her thigh. She wasn’t too keen that it had been pre-dead Avery’s idea, but she knew it would be reckless for a Protector to make any kind of trip outside of Havyn and not have some kind of weapon with her.

Wow, Cinder gawked up at Avery as she walked down the stairs, you look like a princess!

Kissing her sister on the top of her head, Avery told her, That’s why I love you, Cin. Then, she hurried away as fast as she could, to avoid the dogs and their unwanted hairs on her white canvas of a dress. She grabbed her black cloak out of the hall closet, to protect herself from the chilly November nights. Slinging the cloak over her arm and picking the bottom of her dress up off the floor, she walked out of the house.

Gumptin had told them all to meet at the stables at four in the afternoon. It felt weird for Avery to be walking over to the stables, dressed up, in the middle of the day. She was usually out patrolling at this time, or doing some other Protector related activity Gumptin had assigned.

Jade, Bunny, and Gumptin were already waiting at the stables when Avery arrived. Jade was leaning up against a fence post, talking to Pip. Her midnight blue dress looked almost black, even in the sunlight. It was an A-line design, just like Avery’s, but more form fitting on the bottom. It was made out of soft chiffon and had black lace asymmetrically draped around the bodice, with a one-shoulder black lace shoulder strap, dotted with black rhinestones. The dress seemed to accentuate Jade’s lean physique and height. She had her jet black hair pulled back into a tight, intricately wrapped pony tail.

When Pip, who was in the middle of conversation with Jade, saw Avery walking towards them, his jaw literally fell open. Jade turned in the direction Pip was gawking and smiled when she saw Avery.

Jade! Avery exclaimed when she reached her, You look awesome!

Look who’s talking, Prom Queen. Jade told her, reaching over and closing Pip’s still opened mouth for him, You rendered stable boy, here, speechless.

Pip’s face turned beet red, Ya do look real nice, Avery. He told her, looking down at his feet, and then hurrying off inside the stables to help Thomas with the horses.

If anyone’s the Prom Queen, it’s me. Sasha said, sauntering up to where they were standing, followed closely by Skylar, I had that title locked back at Phoenix Mountain.

Turning to see Sasha, Avery’s mouth almost dropped open, just as Pip’s had done for her. Sasha was looking even more gorgeous than Avery would have thought possible, which was a hard thing to do. Her dress was a bright scarlet organza halter top. It had panels of ruched organza, sprinkled with red crystals that plunged into a floating tired skirt. Her hair was pulled to the back of her head, held in place by cluster of red crystal barrettes. Sasha’s olive skin and deep red dress, not to mention her scorching red lipstick, gave Sasha a smoldering affect. Avery suddenly wasn’t in a rush to see Draven at the ball. Not if Sasha was going to be standing next to her when she walked in.

Skylar was looking amazing herself. The top half of her dress was a corseted, sweetheart neckline, violet silk bodice, which stopped at her waist. Then came a billowing bustle violet organza overskirt, atop whimsical gathered lilac tulle and lace. Her long blond hair fell down her back in loose waves, with small violet crystals pinned into some of the strands. She looked like a combination of princess and ballerina.

Bunny and Gumptin strolled over to join them next.

Bunny was dressed the most demure and conservative out of all the Protectors. She was wearing an empire waist dress, with an emerald green crushed velvet empire bodice, and emerald and gold empire band. It had a mint green chiffon skirt, with pleated detailing, and long bell sleeves. Her hair was braided, with a green ribbon woven into it and placed atop her head in a headband design.

Skylar pouted, I can’t believe we’re going to miss our Prom. I was so jazzed about it! Skylar looked like she was thinking for a moment, and then asked, Do you think we’ll miss our Prom? I mean, if the Emperor doesn’t kill us, do you think we can go back to Earth in time?

Gumptin let out a half-cough, half-scoff, "Being a Protector is a lifetime commitment, Skylar."

Avery kept her mouth shut, but in her head, she was telling herself that she fully intended to prove Gumptin wrong.

I can see the whole thing in my head. Sasha said, lost in her own Prom fantasies, "Me, the Prom Queen, looking killer, as always. I suppose I’ll have to go with Percy Zewolski. He’s the star running back and