The Lost Desphere

By Neha Harpanhalli

The land of Tahitia is no place for the weak in spirit. When Stephen and Katheryn Clayne are whisked from modern times to the wondrous world of chivalrous knights in shining armor, lovely mystical beings, intrepid royalty, and malicious foes, the twins are left to wonder of its very existence.Soon, they learn that Tahitia’s very existence depends on them. And if anyone has the will to save a kingdom, it’s the twins. Join Stephen and Katheryn as they embark on a truly exhilarating expedition---one of mystery, intrigue, and true wonder!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483532042

Book preview

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CHAPTER 1

And now, for Rick’s weekly weather report, issued a deep voice from the television. On the cue, the camera focused on a dapper young chap, dressed crisply in a navy blue tuxedo and a rather squat bowtie, whose oddly toothy smile was a mere shade away from blinding white. The afore-mentioned Rick cleared his throat selfimportantly, smiled blandly for the camera, and gave his bowtie a final tug.

Stephen and Katheryn Clayne smirked, for this televised spectacle never failed to appear on Sundays at precisely five o’clock in the evening. Just the way the weatherman droned on and on with hardly any expression always managed to gather amusement from the twins.

Stephen, just change the channel, Katheryn weakly protested, with tears in her eyes from laughing.

Stephen reluctantly hastened to do so, taking a large swig from his now-empty soda can.

King Arthur, and the Knights of the Round Table, a dreamy voice murmured, as a regal fanfare played in the background. The screen zoomed in on a castle of great grandeur, true elegance to the very least. A striking knight in gleaming, silver-plated armor posed on a mighty steed, which was equipped with a chamfron with a red plume, barding, and a red caparison with a golden coat of arms delicately sewn on. He was armed with a lance, and although his face was masked with a helmet, he seemed to give the impression that his eyes were boring through one’s own.

That was what caught Katheryn Clayne’s attention. Her mind immediately set upon her Uncle Louis, a history professor at one of the top universities in the state, who had visited for New Year’s, and given the family a calendar that featured ancient times. One of the pages featured a knight, very much like this one, with a castle in the background.

Ooh, a movie! Stephen exclaimed in delight, for he was a self-proclaimed addict.

Katheryn’s mind snapped back to the present, but she was now giving the screen her full attention, for the knight had not only interested her----he had intrigued her.

Stephen was about to ask his mother for a bowl of liberally buttered popcorn, movie-theater style, but suddenly gaped at the television with a wild look in his eye.

For suddenly the knight had turned, charging at the twins. He drew his lance, and, for the first time, Katheryn could see how dangerous it was to handle. It was of pure silver, encrusted with a single ruby, with a point sharper than the tip of the quill of a porcupine. Deadly sharp.

Katheryn let out a useless scream, as brother and sister tumbled into pitch-black darkness.

CHAPTER 2

In a time long before the arrival of the century of the Claynes’, leagues away by ship, there was a lovely land situated in the rolling hills. Luminous amethyst mountains loomed over the fertile plains, and radiant cerulean lagoons gleamed and shimmered like a bed of glittering stars. Villages and small towns were dotted across the magnificent landscape, with a great many streams of flowing water between. The people of this land dubbed it Tahitia---in the old language, paradise.

Now, the land of Tahitia was ruled by King Melvin Atracus, or as he was known in neighboring kingdoms, Melvin the Mighty. He resided in a palace of utmost elegance, for, privy to only his trusted servants, Melvin enjoyed a touch of glamour in his life.

As for the kingly residence, it was entirely constructed of deep blue marble. Blossoms danced on the lawn, and bowed to the passerby when a sudden gust of wind struck.

But what was famous among the people---nay, famous in the entirety of Tahitia---were the three towers, each of which had its own small flag that soared and waved. A red flag for Courage. A white for Purity. A third for Peace and Love.

Above the grand oak doors was a small plaque of granite. Carved in calligraphy were the words, ‘Union is strength’ King Heinrich III, 1278.

These were the sights that greeted a certain young knight as he arrived at the palace. He was quite new to the business, you see, and was still not used to being addressed by his new title, Sir Julius Wolfram Friedrich Humphrey, or simply Sir Humphrey. He was a graduate of the vigorous knightly training, coached by the master of all knights, Sir Octavius Atheus. Though a novice, and very young, he was the brightest of the bright, and the bravest of the brave, so it was only fit that the King had summoned him.

Nevertheless, he was let inside, treated very kindly by the footmen and maids, and was finally escorted to the throne room by the Royal Emissary of Tahitia. After a short period of waiting for His Majesty to be relieved of his other important matters to attend to, Sir Humphrey finally received the chance to meet him.

Now, I am quite sure, my knight, that you are wondering why I have sent for you. I, by all means, shall inform you of the great deed you shall perform for me and my kingdom, the King began.

Your first task shall be to travel to the modern world and choose a suitable person to complete my mission.

Oh, yes, that means the time has indeed come, Sir Humphrey bobbed his head. Though I can assure Your Majesty that there are plenty of young lads and ladies in Tahitia who simply desire to serve their Great King, I fully understand that the prophecy states that only moderner-younglings can accomplish the task. The young