The Tale of Atterberry: The Faire Pendant Series, #1

By Leah Price

A magic pendant, an enchanted realm, and a daring quest to save Atterberry the Magician...

 

Glenna's life is anything but ordinary. The daughter of Renaissance festival vendors, Glenna's days are filled with magic and medieval reenactments as she travels the faire circuit with her family.

 

Then one day, Glenna's life changes forever. With the help of a pendant, she discovers Otherworld. An enchanted realm, Otherworld is the land in which all the myths and magic woven by the Renaissance players comes to life!

 

Suddenly, Glenna is thrust into a quest filled with danger and deception when Atterberry, a great and powerful magician in Otherworld, needs help recovering a stolen item.

 

Can Glenna find the item in time? Can she summon the courage to become the medieval hero the residents of Otherworld expect her to be? And perhaps most importantly, can she juggle both her life in the real world and her life in Otherworld without damaging either?

 

If you like strong female characters, mysterious quests, and epic journeys through vivid lands of imagination, you'll love The Tale of Atterberry.

 

Perfect for fans of Diana Wynne Jones, C.S. Lewis, and Bryan Chick.

 

Buy The Tale of Atterberry today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Talebearers Publishing
• Release date: Jul 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781507039304

Leah Price

Leah Price was born and raised in Tennessee. She enjoys reading and writing as well as horseback riding and traveling. After studying abroad and working in a variety of locations, she has returned to Tennessee and devoted herself to writing. She LOVES hearing from her readers so don’t hesitate to drop her a line at www.LeahPrice.com.

Book preview

The Faire Pendant

The Tale of Atterberry

by Leah Price

THE FAIRE PENDANT

THE TALE OF ATTERBERRY

Published by

Talebearers Publishing

Nashville

Copyright © 2014 Leah Price.

Cover Photo © susanafh / Adobe Stock

Cover Frame © Leah Price

All Rights Reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Chapter One - The Beginning

Chapter Two - An Unexpected Vision

Chapter Three - The Bridge

Chapter Four - Celebration

Chapter Five - A Mysterious Coincidence

Chapter Six - Mr. McMillan

Chapter Seven - Atterberry

Chapter Eight - The Fox

Chapter Nine - Foxhunt

Chapter Ten - The Fortune-Teller

Chapter Eleven - Caught!

Chapter Twelve - The Cloak

Chapter Thirteen - The Show

Chapter Fourteen - The End

Sneak Peak of The Ballad of Captain Thatch (The Faire Pendant Series, Book Two)

Also by Leah Price

About Leah Price

Connect with Leah Price

Acknowledgements

I’d like to acknowledge everyone who supported me during the making of this book, including my parents and family. Thank you for answering my million questions and helping my dream become a reality.

This book is dedicated to children everywhere, but especially the dreamers & storytellers.

CHAPTER ONE

THE BEGINNING

THE LIGHT BROKE THROUGH the trees, leaving patchworks of dappling over the narrow lane. Glenna yawned as she carried a basket filled with food to her parents’ tent. Her bed had been warm and comfortable. It had been hard to leave it for the cool morning air. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she struggled to readjust the large basket in preparation for the uphill trek. The lane curved and wound like a snake through tents and stages.

Everywhere Glenna looked, people were getting ready for the long day ahead. And not just any people. Magicians and performers intermingled with fairies, knights, and ladies. A tent advertising handmade baskets and soaps filled the air with aromatic scents. The hustle and bustle made the narrow lane crowded, and Glenna inched forward slowly.

Good morning, Glenna! a booming voice above her head exclaimed.

Glenna craned her neck to stare up at Roger. Roger Atterberry was one of Glenna's very best friends, even though he was older than her parents. She had known him for as long as she could remember. Her button nose crinkled into a smile beneath her hazel eyes as she greeted him.

Roger was dressed outlandishly as usual. His purple and black cloak swirled around him, and his clear blue eyes twinkled merrily.

Good morning, Roger! Usually, Glenna called adults Mr. or Mrs., but her parents made a special allowance for Roger. He was like an uncle to her and had insisted that she call him by his first name for years.

Suddenly, his nostrils twitched, and he gasped. Laying his finger upon the tip of his nose, he stared thoughtfully into the distance. I'm sensing something.... Today is a very special day.... His voice was no longer friendly and laughing, but had become dark and mysterious. Glenna stared at him expectantly.

Today... today is.... The stars embroidered onto the fabric of his cloak glittered faintly in the early morning sun, and its folds fell in waves to the ground as he lifted his arms above his head.

Today is Glenna's birthday! His voice rumbled loudly over the crowd, and a few of the vendors Glenna knew stopped and applauded, cheering for her. She smiled shyly.

Her eyes widened in amazement as Roger bowed with a flourish and a flower appeared in his right hand. She took it from him and inhaled the sweet smell of the buttercup. You haven't even noticed the best part. He offered her the cinnamon roll he held in his left hand. Glenna laughed in delight as she took it.

Happy Birthday, Glenna. I hope it's a great one, he said with a smile. He waved to her again before disappearing into the crowd.

Thank you, Roger, Glenna called to him as she hurried away. Her hands were full, and the basket was heavy. She wanted to stop and enjoy the sweet taste of cinnamon and sugar frosting, but she knew she didn't have time. She ate it in three quick bites and was still licking the frosting off her fingertips when she saw it.

Glenna didn't remember a trail cutting through the woods, but it appeared to lead towards her parents’ tent. She was making little headway against the crowds of people trying to set up their wares and prepare their acts. Her parents’ tent was a little farther up the hill and to the right. Glenna stood on her tiptoes, craning her neck. She thought she could just spy the top of the tent. Hesitating, she glanced back at the crowded path before making her decision. She stepped onto the narrow trail.

The trail was shaded and cool, much cooler than the previous path. The distant murmur of voices faded as she walked deeper into the woods. As she ventured towards a curve and then around a bend, she expected her parents’ tent to come into view, but it didn't. Instead, a small covered bridge stood perched over a dry ditch.

Odd, she thought, I don't remember a creek bed being here. Her family came to this faire every year. Maybe this isn't just a new path.

Glenna began to worry that she had gone in the wrong direction. Perhaps this path was just made by animals or... wait, that doesn't make sense. If it was made by animals, then there wouldn't be a covered bridge. She took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The bridge appeared to be old, but sturdy. It didn't surprise Glenna that it was weathered and worn. Everything at Renaissance festivals looked ancient. Intricately carved wooden vines and leaves, interwoven with brambles and cascading flowers, climbed up the rafters and wrapped themselves around the heavy beams of the bridge.

Glenna paused to study them more closely. She was amazed at how well-made they were. It was impossible for her to find a seam or flaw. The vines tangled and twined around the posts as if they were real, magically frozen and transformed into wood. Her eyes followed the path of the nearest beam to the ceiling. She stared with mouth agape.

The ceiling appeared to be made of a canopy of leaves, again wooden. Glenna stared in wonder at the beautiful work of art before her until the aching in her hands brought her back to earth. She winced as she shifted the basket to her other hand and walked slowly across the plank floors. They echoed with her footsteps, and she paused at the archway regretfully, glancing over her shoulder one last time at the delicate handiwork. She promised herself she would come back to inspect the bridge more closely as soon as she delivered her parents’ breakfast.

The trail turned sharply to the right, just outside the bridge's archway. Glenna jumped in surprise as she stepped onto the dirt lane. An old woman was sitting on a stump to the left of her, to the side of the path.

H-hello..., Glenna stammered. She realized suddenly the woman was playing some sort of musical instrument, as light and tinkling as the sound of wind blowing through chimes. How could she have missed that?

Hello, the woman said. The tinkling music faded into silence.

How were you making that music?

What music? The old woman countered.

I thought.... Glenna shook her head. Never mind. I better be going.

Glenna?

Glenna stopped and turned. In a hurry that morning, she had slipped on flip-flops. As she whirled to face the old woman, her feet kicked up dust.

How do you know my name? Do you know my parents? Glenna narrowed her eyes, confused.

The old woman cocked her head to the side, just like the birds Glenna had seen in the trees while exploring. She smiled slowly. You might say that. Or you might not.

Glenna wrinkled her forehead in bewilderment. What does that mean?

The old woman chuckled. It's your birthday, isn't it?

Glenna nodded slowly, unsure of how the woman knew that. She relaxed as she realized the old woman must have heard Roger wish her a happy birthday.

You're eleven.

Glenna nodded again. The old woman was making her nervous. She began to back cautiously up the path. What's your name?

Byfroste. Where are you going? The old woman smiled and wrinkles filled her friendly face. Her blue eyes twinkled as they met Glenna's own.

Glenna paused, confused. She had been sure she should hurry away, but... why? The heaviness of the basket pulling against her fingers reminded her. I've got to get breakfast to my parents.

The old woman nodded slowly. Her fingers moved, nimble and quick, and Glenna realized she was weaving something. Without thinking, she lowered the basket to the ground and approached the old woman, curious.

As she neared her, Glenna could have sworn she heard the music again, briefly. The old woman peeked up at her from under snow-white hair. I'm almost done.

What is it? Glenna asked, hesitating.

It's your birthday present. I’ve been thinking lately that you’re ready. What better time to give it to you than your birthday?

Glenna gasped in delight as the old woman turned her hand over to reveal a pendant. The stone shone a deep, dark red in the center of leaves and vines. They reminded her of the woodwork in the bridge she had just crossed, and she glanced back at it quickly, missing the old woman's swift smile.

I can't take that, Glenna exclaimed. It would be too expensive.

You have to take it, the old woman responded.

I can't. Glenna put up her hands in protest and began to back away again. Only... she found she couldn't physically force herself to leave the beautiful necklace. You can't give me that. It's too precious.

The old woman nodded sagely. "You’re right. It is precious. But I'm not

Reviews for The Tale of Atterberry

[arkhamreviews · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this to be a truly charming little novel.Although the plot did wrap up a little quickly as it neared the climax, it was well written and thoroughly engrossing throughout. Price has a very vivid writing style and it lends itself well to the fantastical descriptions of both the renaissance faire and the Otherworld. The setting is highly imaginative and I really enjoyed how much effort had been put into the world building. It is made very clear how the Otherworld functions and when the nature of the people who live their is revealed it helps to a add a lot to the tension.My only real problem with the story was that I felt that the characters were a little flat. While I appreciate that it's a very short novel and so Price did not have a lot of space in which to develop them, I really would have liked to see them become a little more rounded. Glenna seems to just be too perfect - always polite and acting for the greater good - while the villain's attitude is just because he's always been bad. I hope that the next novel fleshes them all out a little more.All in all it's a very fun little novel and will be readily enjoyed by both middle graders and young teens who are looking for a light read. I can't wait for book 2!