Mystical Quest

By Katherine Lynette

A teenage girl, Sylvia Silver, is an orphan after her mother passed away. Her father was unknown. For a long time she had to struggle out on the streets after she escaped the orphanage. Her bitter aunt had disowned her and made her leave. Though she hated it, she had to steal to survive. Little did she know that a mysterious jewel on a necklace her mother had given her would cause her wish to be granted. She will find herself in a strange land that she had heard stories about. Her magical journey will begin then to find her way back home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katherine Lynette
• Release date: Aug 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310416484

Katherine Lynette

I have always loved writing. A friend told me I should try ebooks and see if I could get a fan base established. Feel free to contact me with any questions ^_^ I write fiction, fantasy, medieval, adventure. Targeted to young adults and adults.

Book preview

Mystical Quest

Katherine Lynette

Copyright 2010 by Katherine Lynette

Smashwords Edition

Chapter I: Cold Streets

Get that girl! A guard shouted to his men. The iron clad boots drummed with hurried intensity that thundered louder than the brewing storm overhead. It was evening. The sky was dark and rumbling. Purple and blue lightning lit up the heavens reflecting off from her pursuers' armor. Rain scattered down from the heavens heavily as did frightened tears from the chased teen. The girl was talked about a lot in the town. Gossipy elderly ladies would say she still had relatives, but enjoyed the life of a filthy scoundrel. They bet each other how soon she would be caught. Many sighed in wonder of why she continued to run and hide away from the orphanage before she turned an adult age. The girl’s name was Sylvia Silver. Her father had abandoned his family soon after her mother had given birth to her. Sylvia was but twelve when her mother had passed on. In her soaked clothing she sat in one of her many hiding spots thinking about her entry into this world, and how soon it felt she would be leaving it. A hidden door was above her head to the left. It was more of a large piece of wood that covered a hole in the ground. The hiding spot was a bit cramped, but it had to do. All that mattered to her right now was that it was hard to spot in this alley way, especially in this storm.

That was a close one. Sylvia gasped and shivered more from the close call than the cold. She removed her hood and waves of red hair poured about her face. Blast, my jacket is soaked. She stated the misfortune as fact rather than simply complaining. At nineteen she was an average girl. Her life on the streets did little to distinguish her from the lowliest of the peasantry. Her feminine features were oft hidden under layers of grime and threadbare clothing barely considered more than horse blankets. She wore black leather gloves that she had found sifting through the trashcans at night. They were dirty and full of tears, but rather than complain of their ill condition, she was grateful to have anything opposed to nothing. To keep warm in the winter season she had a faded gray, knit coat that someone had given her out of charity. Under that she wore a kind of dressy red cotton shirt that she had taken. Her conscience bothered her little with thieving from those who afforded more than they deserved. She wore a dark green skirt with black leggings underneath. Her footwear consisted of black, knee high boots that laced up; her finest possession.

How long can I possibly keep running away like a criminal? She asked herself as she watched her breath form in the cold. She hugged her knees to her chest and tried to retain body heat. I do steal, but only to live. I only take food that the market keepers would never miss and would only cost a few coins, which I do not have. I steal clothes so I will not completely suffer in this winter. Or is there really no point in me living... Her ears became alert when she heard some footsteps above. She sighed when she realized it was only some homeless like her trying to keep warm and start a fire of glorious warmth. She would have gone up to help, but she could not reveal her hidden places. The other beggars that wandered the streets were not as kind as you might think they might be to others like themselves. Greed inhabited many hearts. ...but I do not want death...Sylvia shivered curled up in a corner. As she continued to think about life, she fell asleep.

She got more sleep than she thought she would have. Now it seemed like it was morning, because of the calm of the town she heard. She decided to go above to the cobblestone streets. Slowly, she pushed up on the wooden board and peeked out. Everything was clear so she lifted herself out along with a small bag she carried. Snowflakes danced down from the sky. Sylvia hugged her arms around her stomach as it suddenly rumbled with a painful hunger.

"Bread! Would the bakery really miss one loaf of bread?" Sylvia walked straight ahead in the alleyway. She lifted herself as she climbed a wall. She caught bright sunlight in her eyes as she climbed atop the wall. The sun was behind wintery clouds. Over the years her agility had grown. She kept going and walked carefully over a roof. Below was the bakery. The streets were empty at this early hour. Shops and businesses prepared their goods to sell. She did spot a couple of guards that wielded swords along with a small gun at their side, across the street wearing their dark red uniforms, and funny looking hats. I bet the townsfolk are happily stuffing themselves with breakfast in front of a pleasant fireplace. Ah! How sickly happy they must be. With no thoughts of inviting any so called filthy, street thieves inside. We don't even know if we will have a next meal." Sylvia knew this was going to be easy because there was only the baker down there. Perhaps she was slightly cocky at what she had become so good at. She covered her head with her hood. Then with quickness she jumped down and landed on her feet. She was not noticed. She gathered strength and then with swiftness and precaution she ran by as she grabbed a large, warm loaf of bread.

Not too soon after she heard the baker cry out, Thief, thief! Guards catch her! She pushed her fear away as she ran with knowledge of those guards behind her. She could not run to an underground hiding place. The town guards were too close. She turned into an alleyway; and she heard them say she had nowhere to go, and to give up. She never looked back, but continued to run. With strength built up over years she jumped up on a trashcan that fell over when her feet left the lift. Then with barley a struggle lifted herself up onto the wall. She climbed over. When she jumped down she was behind a house. She rushed to the front and quickly knocked before she twisted the doorknob. It was unlocked and she entered with no thought. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest. When she entered, she paid no attention to who may be in the house, but had quickly turned around to the door as she shut it. Her ear was against the door listening for the footsteps of the guards to pass.

Who do you think you are? A chair crashed to the floor.

Sylvia turned around to see a man. His wife was standing behind him at the kitchen table holding their small son. I-I… it was unlocked… She could hardly find the words to say anything.

So that gives you a right to enter a stranger's home? The man asked.

Honey, she's a beggar girl. She is probably that runaway orphan that was never caught. His wife informed with little emotion towards Sylvia other than surprise that she had barged in.

After all these years, people still blew her mind at the lack of care or empathy. She certainly didn't want anyone's sympathy.

No thieves are welcome in my home! Get out! The man shouted.

Sylvia shook as she stood propped against the door. The stolen loaf of bread was stuffed down in her zipped up coat. She was not sure what to do. She did not want to go out and risk bumping into a guard. Would this family have kindness? The father of the house already shared his bitter tone. Pl-please, her voice quivered, sir and ma’am, I really don't have anywhere to go. I am hungry and freezing in the snow out there. Could you find the kindness in your heart to let me stay a bit even if it’s for one night to be warm with a full stomach?

We cannot! The man walked up to her; and if she were an unwanted animal gripped her arm, jerked the door opened and literally threw her out onto the icy ground.

Sylvia did not know what to think, but before she could; she had a feeling guards would be on her tail so again she ran. In the distance she heard the man call for the guards. They were far behind though. She wiped away unneeded tears as she ran and made it safely into a different hiding place.

She took out a rationed piece of bread and ate it down quickly. She sniffled. Why? She sighed. Well, surely I did not expect strangers to show a poor, filthy, orphan girl kindness. Instead I'm treated like a nasty stray dog being thrown out of a home. They may be warm in their stupid house, but their hearts are cold! She tried to hold back the tears welling up inside. There was so much pain inside. What do I care? I can cry if I want, and she did. She was still cold and numb. She sneezed twice and sniffled. Great. What would it matter if I died from a cold? No one will miss a thief. She sneezed once more.

Who’s there? A feminine voice asked.

With a sniff Sylvia lifted her head. She looked down from the tree she was hiding in. An elderly lady with white curls hanging loosely from her hat stood looking around. She was dressed in nice clothing. Why is she looking up here?

"Is there someone up in that tree?"