The Children Of The Amulet: Book 4 - Final Scene

By L. M. Quinpool

In the beginning the Amulet was a legendary symbol of power to the Imperial world of Jerico, and a symbol of hope to the peaceful planet of Chrystalina. Eventually, it came to be known as a symbol of both power and hope to the two very different worlds, who were once war. Now, the two planets are allies and the holders and guardians of the Amulet, from both planets have formed a group sworn to fight against the Rebellion, who threatens the welfare of both home worlds.
It has been twelve years since the guardians of the Amulet were brought together and the war with the Rebellion began. The fight has been long and filled with emotional repercussions. There have been many beginnings and endings, false hopes as well as unexpected triumphs.
The fight has sent the elderly leader of the Rebellion into hiding and his twin assistants have been conquered, but the war against the Rebellion is not yet won. The old leader has yet to be defeated. He has returned now, he and his new second-in-command are not setting out to target the older guardians of the Amulet but the younger.
For there is a new generation of guardians, six young children whom the rebellion has targeted in the hopes of turning them against their elders and to work for the Rebellion, thus reinforcing the strength of the Rebellion's resources.
If the Rebellion succeeds the war will take a new turn and the leader will get his final revenge against the ...Children Of The Amulet.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L. M. Quinpool
• Release date: Feb 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310144103

L. M. Quinpool

My name is Laura Regan and I write under the name L. M. Quinpool, author of two series - Children Of the Amulet and Calendrial.I'm descended from two very artistic families which include writers, actors, musicians and graphic artists. I write under the name Quinpool because my great great uncle John Regan wrote under the name John Quinpool, author of "First Things In Acadia". Re-using the name gave my grandfather and his siblings great joy and I'm proud to carry the name on.My first series Children Of the Amulet has three books already published in paperback through Ottawa publisher Baico Publishing. I hope to have my fourth book in the series I hope to put into paperback soon but for now it'll only be available with the other three on e-book. There are more already written in the series but they just aren't up to my personal standards and therefore not ready for print or digital books.The first 2 of my second, more Canadian series, Calendrial, is available through e-book only until such time as it's possible to publish in print. There are currently 10 in the series and I hope to have the remainder finalized soon.In everyday life I have an hours BA in Linguistics and a General BA in Psychology and currently work for Kumon Learning Centers. I'm also a web designer, music lover, photographer, and graphic designer. I enjoy working with children of all ages, sizes and abilities and helping them reach their fullest potential despite "lables" or "social roadblocks" they may be faced with. I write about children because I believe they are an important of the past present and future. I believe it is imporant to encourage them to shoot for the stars and I hope my books will empower them with the strength to change the world.I very much hope you like my books and will pass the name Quinpool on to your family, friends and associates.Thanks to Smashwords and Baico Publishing for making my publishing dreams come true.LoveLMQ

Book preview

Children Of The Amulet

Book 4 – Final Scene

By

L.M. Quinpool

E-Published by Quinpool Books at Smashwords

Copyright 2015 Laura Regan http://www.quinpool.ca

Discover more Quinpool Books at http://www.smashwords.com

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.

In other words help this author put these digital books into paperback too by purchasing it and encouraging your family and friends to purchase it rather than just lending it out and in return I'll try to keep the prices low and the books coming!

Thanks and Enjoy

LMQ

This book is Dedicated

To my parents,

For their constant love and support,

And especially for bearing with me during this process.

Love

LMQ

In the beginning the Amulet was a legendary symbol of power to the Imperial world of Jerico, and a symbol of hope to the peaceful planet of Chrystalina. Eventually, it came to be known as a symbol of both power and hope to the two very different worlds, who were once war. Now, the two planets are allies and the holders and guardians of the Amulet, from both planets have formed a group sworn to fight against the Rebellion, who threatens the welfare of both home worlds.

It has been twelve years since the guardians of the Amulet were brought together and the war with the Rebellion began. The fight has been long and filled with emotional repercussions. There have been many beginnings and endings, false hopes as well as unexpected triumphs.

The fight has sent the elderly leader of the Rebellion into hiding and his twin assistants have been conquered, but the war against the Rebellion is not yet won. The old leader has yet to be defeated. He has returned now, he and his new second-in-command are not setting out to target the older guardians of the Amulet but the younger.

For there is a new generation of guardians, six young children whom the rebellion has targeted in the hopes of turning them against their elders and to work for the Rebellion, thus reinforcing the strength of the Rebellion's resources.

If the Rebellion succeeds the war will take a new turn and the leader will get his final revenge against the ...

Children Of The Amulet.

Chrystal Bradford

Co-Founder of Chystalina

Chapter 1

High Commander Jaimson of the Imperial Rebellion looked down from his star cruiser upon the peaceful world of Chrystalina. Years ago he'd stood in a similar stance beside his superior, Governor Mackensie, the leader of the Jerico Empire, as preparations were being made to launch a takeover of Chrystalina's government. But the Governor was dead and Jaimson was the superior, though he was not in the position he wanted to be. The Governor's grandchildren were in power on the Jerico home world now; Jaimson wanted that power for himself. His leadership of the Rebellion against the Empire would get it for him.

He would have had it, many years ago, if it hadn't been for the small band of defenders of Chrystalina... And to make matters worse, these 'defenders' of this seemingly weak world turned out to be mere CHILDREN! As such, it was easy for these 'defenders' to manipulate and brainwash the then child heirs to the Imperial throne, who'd been blindly loyal to their predecessor, Governor Mackensie, their grandfather, his ways of ruling and visions of the future. High Commander Jaimson had been confident he could continue to manipulate the Imperial Twins when they inherited the throne upon their grandfather's death. But these CHILDREN of Chrystalina, had beaten him to it. From the moment the Governor died, or possibly before, they'd been an obstacle to Jaimson's dreams. They'd come to the aid of the young leaders several times and superseded many of Jaimson's plans. They'd formed a seemingly strong front against Jaimson's followers to protect Chrystalina and Jerico and they'd turned his two children against him.

For all these reasons, among others, Jaimson now wanted revenge as well as power. It was thirteen years since he had formed the Rebellion and it was time to make the final move.

Revenge to surface, Jaimson said into the long-range intercom.

Lydia here, Sir, a woman's voice replied.

How are things taking shape? Jaimson asked.

We are on schedule and awaiting your decision, Commander Lydia Johnson replied.

Recommendations? Jaimson asked.

Past reports indicate the Empress's presence would be missed too soon, but we have seen that she can be controlled with a minimum of force. The Emperor's wife, however, might make a better choice; she is trusted by the oldest and, she has had the reputation of running off on her own at a moment's notice. She is a little harder to control though.

Are there any other candidates?

Technically any of them could be targeted, but for your revenge to be sweeter, these two are the best choice. The Empress was one who stood in your way directly, her sister-in-law, word has it, was directly responsible for healing the attempts at reprogramming the Empress.

Jaimson laughed.

You have done well, Commander. Proceed with your own choice. You have been observing them for long enough, he said. I trust your judgment.

Thank you, Sir, Lydia said. You won't be disappointed.

I know I won't, Jaimson said. Now you're sure they don't know about your presence?

They have no clue, Lydia said.

Good. Inform me when you're ready and I'll transport you, Jaimson said.

Yes, Sir. Surface out.

Lydia turned off the communication system and looked up at the man that stood before her.

Well done, Lydia dear, he said mockingly.

Come on, Mat; don't start, Lydia said.

Commander Matthew Spencer smiled as he sat down.

Cozying up to the High Commander a little excessively aren't we, Lyd? he asked.

Just doing my job, Lydia said.

Matthew looked sceptical.

High Commander's pet, he teased.

Keep in mind you aren't even on this assignment. I only requested your company because you wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

Not to mention you need my help, Matthew said. You have one half of the equation and I have the other.

Okay, so maybe I need you to help me make the initial contact, Lydia said, "but I will leave you behind if you don't stop. You'll be at their mercy."

No need to make threats, Matthew said. Shall we choose a target?

* * * * * *

Momma! Momma! three-year old Cassandra Mackensie cried, running into the kitchen of her home on Chrystalina.

Mary Bradford-Mackensie looked up from some reports she was reading.

What's the matter, Cassie? she asked.

Cassandra, better known as Cassie, took her mother's hand.

COME! Come! she said insistently.

Okay, okay I'm coming, Mary said. Where's your brother?

COME! Cassie said pulling her mother outside.

Mary's assistant, Cicily Craven, was sitting in a lawn chair reading a magazine. Cassie's twin brother Kyle was sitting playing in the sand box. A man was kneeling down beside him, but he rose as Cassie and her mother exited the house. Cassie stopped and looked up at Mary.

See?

Mary smiled and nodded as the man approached.

Yes, Cassie. I see. Go back to Kyle now, she said and she turned to the visitor. I thought you were going to be gone longer. You seemed to think it was urgent when you left.

It was. An urgent false alarm, he said. I stayed till everything calmed down and high-tailed it back here.

I can't believe you'd be in such a hurry to get back to Chrystalina, Mary said. Has Jerico become boring or something?

Only when you aren't there, he said as they embraced and then kissed.

Welcome back, My Lord, she said.

I missed you, he said. If I could have, I would have been back the same day.

You were only gone a week, she said.

It seemed longer without you, he said.

The great Emperor Andrew Mackensie was distracted by little old me? she asked in mock surprise.

Andrew smiled.

You've always had an effect on me, he said, but I'm not complaining.

Neither am I, Mary said as they kissed again.

Where are Peter and Jack? Andrew asked a few minutes later.

Relax. They're in the house, Mary said. It may be customary for guards to stand posted outside one's door on your world, but on mine, we tend to be a little more discreet.

As long as you're safe, you can arrange it the way you like, Andrew said.

Peter and Jack Craven were Cicily's older brothers and Mary's chosen personal security. Mary wasn't big on security, especially on her home planet, so Andrew compromised by allowing Mary to dictate what form her security would take.

Just then Cicily approached.

I'm sorry to bother you but you asked me to keep an eye on the time for you, she said.

Thank you, Cicily, Mary said. Would you take Kyle and Cassie in to wash up for lunch?

No problem, Cicily said.

Mom and dad are anxious to see the kids again, Andrew said as he followed Mary into the house. Mom says she knows all too well how fast kids grow up.

That's what my mother said, Mary said. Yet another consequence of inter-planet relations.

Which will have to be accepted because I won't live without you, Andrew said pulling her into his arms.

I wouldn't worry about that, she said as they kissed for a third time.

Now where did those little ones go? Andrew asked. Do you know I didn't even get a hug when I walked up?

Mary glanced at the door where Cassie and Kyle were peeking around the corner.

I was beginning to think I was gone longer than I thought, Andrew said. Cassie took one look at me and ran off as if she didn't know me.

Momma's turn first, Kyle said.

Momma's had her turn to greet Daddy, Mary said with a laugh. It's your turns.

Cassie and Kyle ran into the kitchen and threw themselves at their father. Andrew gathered them both up into his arms.

Miss you, Daddy, they said in unison.

I missed you too, Andrew told them.

Can you stay? Cassie asked.

We'll stay for a while, Andrew told her.

You're going to hurt your back holding both of them like that, Mary said. Come to Momma, Kyle.

Kyle reached out to his mother.

You happy, Momma? Kyle asked her.

Yes, I'm very happy Daddy's home, Mary said. Are you happy?

Kyle nodded.

Kiss Daddy again, Kyle said. He was gone a long time.

Cassie nodded emphatically in agreement.

I suppose we can't disappoint them, Andrew smiled.

Certainly not, Mary agreed.

They kissed and the children cheered.

* * * * * *

Things are just wild, An. You wouldn't believe how many people claim the rebellion is returning, Andrew told his sister, over the phone, later that day. It's like everyone's gone into a sudden Jaimson paranoia.

Do you think we should go back there? Empress Andriana Mackensie-Bradford asked anxiously. Someone had to start these rumours.

I don't think we need to worry, Andrew said. There hasn't been any real evidence of Jaimson re-surfacing.

I'll feel a lot better when he's caught, Andriana said.

So will I, Andrew agreed. He's caused too much damage even from hiding.

I don't like it, Andy. This latest Jaimson craze must mean something, Andriana said.

Don't get jumpy, An. It's happened before. It'll pass.

Even still. I think we should be prepared, Andriana said. Jaimson's been lying low for too long. We should call a council meeting.

Are you sure you aren't just giving in to paranoia? Andrew asked.

Maybe I am, but it's also my gut feeling that this is significant.

Okay, An. We'll see what we can arrange, Andrew agreed.

I'll discuss it with Justin before he goes to the parliament, Andriana said. Talk to you later, Andy.

Something wrong? Mary asked as Andrew replaced the receiver.

An's getting the Jaimson Jitters, Andrew said. She insists we should call a meeting to discuss defence tactics.

You don't agree, Mary guessed.

I just wonder if she would have gotten so jumpy if I hadn't told her about the craze on Jerico.

Justin told me she's mentioned it a couple of times, Mary said, though it was just in passing.

She says it's a gut feeling, Andrew said, but I think it's paranoia.

And who's the one with the power to tell the future? Mary asked.

Point taken, Andrew said.

Andriana and her husband Justin both had the power to tell the future as part of their amulet powers. Their gut feelings weren't something to ignore.

I'd like Jack, Peter and Cicily to be part of this meeting, Mary said. Jaimson is as much their enemy as he is ours.

We'll take the kids to the simulator and have Chrystal watch them, Andrew agreed.

I'll talk to Jem and Luke while I'm at the parliament, Mary said. I have a meeting this afternoon, but I'll be back before the twins get up from their naps. I'm taking Jack with me. I want to talk to him too. Peter and Cicily are running errands.

I'll be here, Andrew said.

I'm sorry to leave you here with the monsters, Mary said.

I'll muddle through. Besides how much trouble can they be while they're asleep, Andrew said.

Mary kissed him.

You need to spend a little more time alone with them, she said. I'll be back soon.

* * * * * *

I know you were hesitant to get involved with our group at all, Mary told Jack Craven as they walked to the parliament, but you and your brother and sister are in as much danger as the rest of us.

Jaimson doesn't scare me, Jack said. He's just a crazy old man who doesn't know when to lie down and die.

He's also a powerful man who will more than likely reach beyond the grave if his rebellion isn't stopped, Mary said. It's your choice, Jack. If you want to stay out of it, I'll arrange for the children to stay home tonight.

If it were just me I would still be living alone on Jerico, but Peter and Cicily are the reason we associated ourselves with your group. I know they'll want to be in on anything to bring Jaimson down. For their sake, we'll be there.

Mary smiled, amused at the tough guy role Jack portrayed every time she talked to him. He and his two siblings had been on the run since they were children. Their parents were associates of Jaimson himself. The running had stopped three years ago when Mary happened upon them and quickly earned the trust of the younger two. Jack, the eldest of the three, was still a little cautious.

You're wise to be cautious, Jack, Mary said. You do realize though, we wouldn't leave you, Peter and Cicily unprotected either way.

I don't care about protection, Jack said. I can protect us. I do what's in our best interest. If it means helping rid the universe of Jaimson, so be it.

We have to find him first, Mary reminded him. This meeting is only about defence, should he come looking for a fight.

Undoubtedly it'll eventually come to his defeat, Jack said.

I know. I want to get him too, Mary agreed. Speaking of defence, can I impose on you to walk Leslie home after the meeting?

Jack almost smiled.

Well, Peter's going to walk Emily home and Luke and Jess will want to get Timmy home to bed because undoubtedly it'll be late... Mary explained.

Who'll protect you? Jack asked.

My husband, Mary replied, or do you not think he's qualified?

I wouldn't presume to question the Emperor's qualifications, Jack replied. If it's your wish, I'll escort Leslie home after the meeting.

Good, Mary replied. I'd appreciate it and so will she.

Jack didn't reply. He knew Mary was just giving him reason to be alone with the young healer whose blue eyes seemed to sparkle whenever she saw him. But she was at least three years younger than him and, more to the point, he had a job to do that didn't leave much time for romance... no matter how hard his brother and sister tried to convince him otherwise.

Chapter 2

It's not his style, Jeremy Mackensie said that night. If Jaimson was planning an attack he would target Chrystalina, not Jerico.

But isn't he after the Empire first and foremost? Cicily asked.

That was what he was after in the beginning, Mary said. We've gotten in his way too much though. Now he wants revenge, then control of both Chrystalina and Jerico as his reward.

If he hasn't targeted Jerico why has everyone suddenly decided the rebellion is returning? Andriana said.

Because it's been three years since we caught Briana and Brian, Justin Bradford told his wife. It only takes a little speculation, taken out of context, to start a rumour.

The rumours may have some merit though, Jessica Williams said. Lately I've had this feeling that someone's watching the house, but I've never seen anyone.

And you said I was paranoid, Andriana said to her brother.

We have a right to a little paranoia, Celeste Mackensie said. The descendants of the Children of the Amulet are added targets for Jaimson.

We're always paranoid, Mary said. Every time someone says the word ‘Jaimson', we all scurry down here to this cave where we wait anxiously for nothing to happen.

Sounds like he's got you well-trained, Jack said.

This from someone who wouldn't let me out of the house till I was old enough to hold a blaster, Cicily said.

Jack's right. Jaimson has us all trained to shiver at the sound of his name, Peter agreed.

The problem is he counts on attitudes like Mary's and Jack's, Luke Williams said. Once we start thinking about how unfair it is or how paranoid we are, we start to get rebellious.

Some more than others, Emily Bradford added looking directly at Mary.

Mary's a perfect example, Luke continued. She gets rebellious and...I'm sorry to say this, Mare... careless. She was a perfect target for Brian and Briana.

And they knew it too, Leslie Williams agreed. "If those of us with the powers to