Aiveni The Eighth Continent

By Pamela S Wright

Allen is fourteen and he can’t take it anymore. The only clue he has to his past is a gold spiral pendant with an orange gem in its center. His uncle will not listen, but doesn’t Allen have the right to know who he is and where he comes from? When a stranger shows up with answers, Allen discovers that the truth may be more than he can handle. Finding himself surrounded by monsters and magic, it will take all his training just to stay alive. With the help of his best friends and some new friends, Allen unravels many amazing secrets and begins the greatest adventure of his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pamela S Wright
• Release date: Dec 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311864949

Pamela S Wright

Pamela S Wright is the author of Aiveni the Eighth Continent. This is her first novel. Aiveni will be a series and if you ask Pamela what is more thrilling than publishing her first novel she would answer... “NOTHING!! Except writing the second novel... and the third...” you get the idea.Her love of children’s fiction and all things fantasy has been a life long passion. The story of Aiveni has marinated in her mind since she was thirteen. “I was waiting for the right time in my life to go for it.” She says. “I woke up January 30, 2007 and said today is the day. Almost eight years later, it’s finally ready. I have always loved story telling, but I realized that I had an even deeper love of writing. I crave to write everyday even more than I crave chocolate. (That’s really saying something.)”She has also written other books that she plans to release in the near future.When not writing, Pamela loves cooking, making up games to force her friends and family to play and designing and making costumes of any kind for any reason, but usually for Halloween.Pamela resides with her family near Houston, Texas. She is the mother of four humans, two cats and one dog.

Book preview

Aiveni

The Eighth Continent

By Pamela S Wright

Illustration by Lanny Markasky

Copyright 2014 Pamela S Wright

Smashwords Edition

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 are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Content

Chapter One: The Three Houses on Maple Drive

Chapter Two: 2:14 am

Chapter Three: The Dimeniom Frame

Chapter Four: Draigit's Catch

Chapter Five: Prisoners of Centravell

Chapter Six: The Other Two Families

Chapter Seven: Monsters and Magic

Chapter Eight: Melevol the Ake

Chapter Nine: Evie's Secret

Chapter Ten: The Starstone

Chapter Eleven: The Ent Vidar

Chapter Twelve: The Escape

Chapter Thirteen: Reunion

Chapter Fourteen: Horns, Pouches, and Other Strange Stuff

Chapter Fifteen: The Knox

Chapter Sixteen: Enchanter's Letters

Chapter Seventeen: River's Edge

Chapter Eighteen: Facing the Darkness

Chapter Nineteen: The Battle

Chapter Twenty: The Eighth Continent

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Chapter One

The Three Houses on Maple Drive

Springtime in Texas, the storm clouds grew menacingly darker, rumbling and churning their way across the morning sky. A chill rode in on the breeze. With each passing minute, the heavy gray canvas above threatened more angrily to release its store of rain. That, however, didn’t prevent an impatient young couple from waiting on the front lawn at number sixteen, Maple Drive. Beside them, sleeping in identical blue baby strollers, and covered in toasty blankets, were their twins, a boy and a girl.

Just in front of the couple, powerful white energy flowed so tightly that it appeared solid. Brilliantly contained within a twelve-foot square of pure light, it hovered a few inches above the grass in silence, as it had for hours. The couple, Marty and June Macey, had everything nicely prepared for the long awaited arrival of the three families that would soon live in the three never lived in grand manors that sat alone and completely isolated from the world outside of Maple Drive. Not odd in the slightest bit to the waiting Macey family was the way in which these families were to arrive, for the three families were to reach Maple Drive by traveling through the twelve-foot square of compressed white light that, somehow, hung before them, as if it had always belonged there.

For a moment, the light that so tightly formed inside of the square spilled out into the morning air. They’re coming, Marty eagerly announced. He was tall, with dark hair and bright blue eyes.

The overflow faded quickly, leaving behind a breathless man who was stumbling through the grass as he clutched a deep blue blanket to his chest. The man, of average height, had smooth, shoulder length white hair. A thin white row of whiskers framed the jaw of his care-worn face. His hands still shaking, he checked the contents of the blanket for injury. He found a happy ten month old, playing with a black leather cord necklace, with a pendent of gold dangling from it that held a blue gem in its center. The necklace rested loosely around the baby’s arm. The man, who looked to be forty-something and was known as Ringer, staggered away from the white light, willing those still on the other side to join him. Uncertain, he, for a brief second, considered charging back through the white energy.

Marty and June, each pushing a stroller, hurried to join Ringer. As they reached him, the large square of light noiselessly, and with no warning, disappeared. Ringer, Marty, and June stood speechless, staring into the empty air.

Cold sweat ran down Ringer’s cheek as he tried to calm his breathing. His disbelief only heightened as he explained, We were attacked.

Marty hated the helplessness that coursed through his veins. He wrestled with the many questions that rushed, all at once, into his mind.

June, a tall woman with auburn hair, was the first to shake off the shock. Swallowing her growing concern, she gently offered, with all the self-control she could gather, Let’s take the babies inside before it rains. Badly faking a sense of optimism, she added, We can wait for the others while I put the little ones down for a nap. She looked tenderly at the fuzzy, blonde haired baby in Ringer’s arms. I assume you have… She paused to force the right words, then simply said, Allen. She rubbed the baby’s soft little arm and thoughtlessly fidgeted with the black leather cord she found there. June, Marty, and Ringer had failed to notice the change in the small pendent at the end of the necklace, for inside the spiral, corkscrew like pendent of gold, the blue crystal that fit tightly in its center had turned a fiery orange.

Ringer nodded to affirm that he indeed held Allen. He hesitated with a last glance back at the spot where the light had hung, and with a heavy heart, he turned to go inside.

Fourteen years later…

Concealed behind a gated brick wall, the three manors in the Royal Estates subdivision appeared as average as any three lone houses that sat behind a long, thick brick wall could. As the years came and went, well past the appointed time to return home, Ringer waited hopefully at first, then patiently, and now doubtfully for the twelve-foot square of white light to reappear. Trapped on this side, with only one member of the rightful families living on Maple Drive, Ringer devotedly made a home for Allen and himself at number sixteen, while June and Marty lived with their twins at number fourteen. Number eighteen, however, had been transformed into a no expense spared, well equipped training gym that found Allen and the twins, Parker and Evie, daily drilling in some discipline. Today, they had spent the morning studying their school lessons upstairs in the classrooms and after lunch, the boys worked with Marty on hand to hand combat while Evie continued her attempt to reach the bell at the top of their most difficult rock wall.

Come on Evie, hit the bell and I’ll let you spend the rest of the day on the archery field, shouted June, as she held firmly to Evie’s safety rope.

From the other side of the room, Marty yelled out, Did you hear that, boys? If you want to knock off early, you’d better impress me. Marty rounded the edge of the mat. Allen, palm strike. Good block, Parker. The boys moved in a cautious dance around the mat, each maneuvering in carefully thought out patterns of attack and counter-attack.

Evie screamed as her foot slipped and she found herself dangling twenty feet in the air. I’ve got you, shouted June. She gently lowered her defeated daughter. Once on the floor, Evie dramatically dropped to her hands and knees and kissed the padding. Unbuckling her safety harness, she stared with frustrated, angry eyes up at her mother. Why do you keep making me do this? I stink at it. I don’t have the strength that the boys have. She growled in frustration as she wrestled out of the harness, got to her feet, and redid her messy dark brown hair into a tighter ponytail. Really, Mom, I don’t see why I have to keep trying. I’ll never hit that bell.

I think it’s time for a break, declared June. You will try again tomorrow. She hugged her daughter, who resisted and rolled her eyes at her own failure. A great huff escaped Evie’s lips as she decided that her mother had ignored her words. No, not her words, but her plea to end this pointless, endless attempt to make her strong.

As June headed for the kitchen, Evie moped over and watched her brother, once again, get the better of Allen. Parker, stop being nice. Pin him so we can go to the field. She crossed her arms to put a fine point on her impatience.

Thanks, Allen managed to spit out while trying to pry Parker’s arm away from his throat.

Sorry, grimaced Evie, now sincerely regretting her choice of words.

 Parker held Allen in a choking headlock, which Parker made look worse than it felt. As usual, Parker was miserable and his disappointment showed. He hated humiliating his best friend every day. He released Allen. Knowing his father would not be satisfied, he flipped his off balanced friend, landing Allen on his back and, in a fake body slam, pinned him. One, two, three, Parker said quickly. Jumping up, he helped Allen to his feet, grabbed his opponent’s hand, and gave it a speedy shake. Good match, added Parker, who, looking a great deal like his father, waited for the man’s response, hoping this was enough to set them free for the day.

You’re good, Allen, really good, Marty said sympathetically, as he gave Allen a firm pat on the back.

That’s why I’m the one always pinned to the mat, Allen replied, judging himself a failure while starring down at his shoelaces. Marty placed a firm hand on each of Allen’s shoulders. Sounding slightly annoyed, he stated, We should be very thankful that Parker is considerably gifted in combat.

Gee, Dad, said Evie. It was her turn to be annoyed. It’s not like they’re going into battle. Can we go now?

Marty studied the three. Give me two miles and then you can head to the archery field. With exaggerated moaning, they turned for the door. Allen, called Marty. Allen turned to face his coach, knowing what he was about to say. Show me, said Marty. Allen pulled the black leather cord around his neck out from under his blue tee shirt. This leather cord, with its gold spiral pendant and fiery orange crystal in its center, was the same necklace that lay wrapped around Allen’s arm the day he came through the square of white light. Allen held it up for Marty to see. A nod from Marty and Allen joined his friends.

Once outside, they began their two miles, which meant that they would jog to the gate and back twice. Keeping a steady pace with the boys, Evie asked, Is it me, or are my parents getting harder on us?

Harder! exhaled the boys in unison.

The three jogged in silence. Once at the gate, Allen stopped and grasped the iron bars as if it were a prison door. He pressed his face to the bars as he stared down the road that led some twenty miles to the large city of Houston. I wonder what it’d be like to be… normal?

You are normal, insisted Evie. "And this isn’t a prison. You know the code to open that gate as well as I do."

Yeah, but his Uncle would kill him if he walked out that gate without permission, Parker reminded them.

Evie shook her head. Ringer has never laid a hand on Allen, and you know it. Besides… She pulled Allen away from the gate. You can understand why he wants you to stay close.

They began an unmotivated slow jog toward the houses. Allen felt that familiar emptiness that grew larger with each passing year. So I’m just supposed to keep waiting for my parents to show up? I don’t think they’re ever coming, he mumbled. Maybe they don’t want me. He ran ahead of the twins.

With an understanding glance at each other, Parker and Evie gave Allen the space he needed, staying just behind him as they jogged. They finished their second mile without another word. Just as they came dragging into the yard, Allen turned and politely offered, as a way of taking the edge off their conversation, I’m sorry I’m being a jerk again. Uncle Ringer says my parents want to be with me, so I guess it’s true. It’s just so hard to believe sometimes.

It’s okay, shrugged Parker. Allen knew that meant everything was fine with Parker, but Evie was a little more complicated. Allen braced for her reply.

Maybe, Evie began in her best counselor’s voice, you just need to sit your uncle down and let him know that you are old enough for the truth. Maybe he will finally tell you all about your parents, where you come from, and why you are in hiding.

Pleasantly surprised, Allen stood dumbfounded. That’s… That’s a great idea.

Of course it is, insisted Evie, leading the way to the gym to grab their archery gear. Her act of confidence was just that, an act; she tried so hard to keep up with the boys, but they were bigger and stronger these days, and things were just not the same now that they were teenagers. However, she shined in archery, and she would be content to stay out there in the archery field all day, if only her mother would allow it.

The empty lot beside number eighteen, Maple Drive, boasted an elaborate archery field. Its lush green grass spread out to host an array of straw creatures built by Ringer. Today, Ringer had placed the targets at a closer range, yet spread them out randomly all over the field. Evie went first, shooting an arrow into the center of a small blue ring, which sat over the heart of a giant, nine-foot straw monster. This blue ring represented a kill. Parker went next, hitting just outside of the blue ring placed over the heart of a giant straw bird, hanging by wire from a pole. Allen, needing desperately to do something right today, aimed at the straw alligator, and then changing his mind, turned to the closer gorilla, but at the last minute he turned once again and shot his arrow at the straw creation they jokingly called The Lizard Man. His arrow flew straight and swift, but landed two inches outside of the blue ring, causing his disappointment to multiply.

In practiced rhythm, the three took turns in rapid order, until all ninety arrows rested in the straw creatures. Allen’s thirty blue arrows found a resting place on the outside of the blue rings twenty-five times, but he took satisfaction in the five that found the center of the ring. Parker did better, with only ten of his white arrows landing inside the blue rings, but Evie, in typical form, outdid the boys, hitting twenty of her thirty gold arrows inside the blue rings. The ten that missed nearly pierced the ring itself in most cases.

Walking across the field to retrieve their arrows, Allen announced, I’m going to do it.

Do what? asked Parker, wondering what he had missed.

I’m going to convince my uncle that I’m ready for the truth tonight at dinner. Allen felt energized. I’ll ask him my questions and I won’t stop until I get some answers.

Never meeting his parents or knowing their whereabouts had left a terrible emptiness deep inside of Allen. If he had been orphaned, at least that would be something. Maybe things would feel settled, but not knowing was the worst. Sometimes, he didn’t feel like he belonged anywhere. He was desperate for answers, and tonight, he was sure he would get them.

That’s great Allen, but did you forget that we’re coming over for dinner tonight? Evie asked apologetically.

Oh, right, said Allen, his mind playing out a few possibly disastrous scenarios, not one being nearly as bad as the time his Uncle Ringer merely refused to give an answer in front of the entire Macey family when Allen asked for a puppy. I don’t care, declared Allen, I’m going to do it – tonight. The color drained from his face in a moment of panic. He quickly added, You’ll both back me up, right?

Yeah, of course, answered Evie, insulted by the question.

What’s for dessert? Parker dryly asked.

Parr-kker! Evie pushed her brother.

A little too seriously, but sincerely, Parker answered, We’ve got your back.

By six o’clock, appetizing aromas filled the kitchen and circulated throughout the house, luring Allen downstairs. He found the kitchen spotlessly clean, yet Ringer was nowhere in sight. A tray holding a large, chilled bowl of salad was set on the island counter. In the oven rested Ringer’s vegetarian lasagna (most of the ingredients had come from Ringer’s own garden) and left uncovered on the counter stood a chocolate cake. It looked so tempting that Allen found it impossible to pass without swiping a finger along the bottom for a tiny taste.

Self-control is a vital part of a young man’s character, grinned Ringer, stepping into the kitchen and catching Allen with his finger in his mouth. Ringer looked exactly as he did the day he stumbled out of the square of white light, not one new wrinkle or any sign that he was aging. He appeared to be a strong, healthy man, but there always seemed to be deep concern behind his tired eyes.

Allen froze for just a moment, but Ringer said no more about the cake. Ringer’s manner of discipline, whether for the big stuff or the small, was only lessons, lectures, and advice, and always in a firm, but gentle, tone. The kind Allen could never get angry at, no matter what his uncle said.

Get the silverware. Ringer nodded toward the drawer as he took the stack of plates out of the cabinet. Allen obeyed and followed his uncle into the dining room.

Uncle, Allen laid a fork to the left of each plate and a knife and spoon to the right. Why do you keep things from me? Why not tell me about my family, or why we hide here? I would really love to know where I’m from. I mean, I’m just assuming that we’re not from Texas. Allen had never been told about the white light or the day they came to live here. His best guess was that he might be from a northwestern state, like Montana, or maybe the east coast, like Virginia. He spoke in his calmest voice, hoping Ringer would think him mature enough to hear the truth, whatever that might be. Can you at least tell me where we are from?

Ringer paused, studying the boy for what felt like an eternity, but Allen couldn’t read the expression on the man’s face. Was it compassion, maybe pity? What did this man know? Please, Uncle, Allen begged, but then, realizing he was in danger of losing the maturity card he was playing, he added, I just want you to know that I can handle it.

Ringer opened his mouth to speak, but it was not to happen, for at that very moment, the Macey family filed into the dining room, bringing cheerful conversation from Marty and June and ending any chance Allen had of hearing the truth, at least for the moment. Evie gave a wide-eyed stare at her friend as if to ask whether he had learned anything. Miserably disappointed, Allen returned her stare with a downcast shake of the head. Determination quickly returned and Allen shook off his failure and decided to try again during supper.

Throughout their meal, the conversation had ebbed and flowed over light topics, such as Marty’s desire to buy an old car just to see if he could rebuild the engine. Ringer had for years talked him out of it, saying it would be a waste of time. June had suggested that they add Shakespeare to the reading list for the next school year. Ringer nodded his agreement as he took another bite of lasagna. Parker and Evie had remained eerily silent during dinner, giving Allen every chance to begin his questioning. This tactic had not gone unnoticed by the adults.

What’s going on? June finally asked, having had enough of their strange behavior.

Before anyone could respond, Ringer spoke up. His voice was calm and his thoughts collected. I can tell you what you want to know, he said as he wiped his mouth on his napkin and slid his chair away from the table while all eyes gazed in utter surprise at him. But, he said strongly, there would be great consequences.

I’m ready, Allen proclaimed eagerly, dropping his fork onto his plate. However, there was an unexpected fear beginning to course through his veins that he could not dismiss.

Parker, seeing the look of panic on Allen’s face, spoke up. Are you sure you’re all right? You look like you’re going to be sick.

I’m fine, mumbled Allen angrily. You’re not helping. He turned his attention once again to his uncle. Please, Uncle Ringer, if you don’t tell me the truth…

Ringer stood. Pacing slowly around the room, he patted Marty’s shoulder. Allen had one of those feelings where you watch a secret pass between friends and you’re the one completely left out. From that moment, the Macey family sat still as statues, with only their eyes moving as each of them watched Ringer move around the table.

 "In time the truth will unfold, stated Ringer, but I do understand how much you desire to know your parents. If only you would see that by keeping these things from you, I am doing you a great service. You cannot alter the past by knowing it, nor can you change what will be."

Allen fought to contain his frustration, Can you please just tell me, are my parents safe?

Regrettably, replied Ringer, I do not know. The disappointment he caused his nephew grieved him terribly, but he held a strong front for the boy’s sake.

Hot tears burned Allen’s eyes. Are they…?

"There is no reason to believe that