Return to Thunder Mountain

By Ed Dunlop

The Star of Ruskin, a magnificent sapphire necklace worth hundreds of thousands of florins, has been in the House of Vanderbough for generations. When Lord Byron presents young Lady Aldith with the valuable necklace and asks for her hand in marriage, she eagerly accepts and makes plans to run away to Karniva with him.

But when the Star of Ruskin disappears, Aldith begins to wonder if she has made a tragic mistake. Is Lord Byron really the kind, gracious nobleman that she has taken him to be, or is he simply using her to gain favor with King Eristan?

Seeking answers, Aldith reluctantly accepts advice from Lady Prudence and sets out on a quest for Thunder Mountain in order to learn the will of King Emmanuel.
Book six in the Kingdom Tales from Terrestria series

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ed Dunlop
• Release date: May 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311554482

Ed Dunlop

Ed Dunlop has worked in children’s ministries full-time for more than forty years. As an evangelist, he conducts Family Crusades in local churches, presents teacher-training seminars, speaks at junior camps, and conducts visualized drug and alcohol awareness programs in public elementary and junior high schools. His ministry involves ventriloquism, Gospel magic, PowerPoint, and a variety of other visual media. Ed writes fiction for children and resource books for teachers, and currently has thirty-seven titles in print with five publishers. The author grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. and has served churches in California, Arizona, and Tennessee as assistant pastor and Christian Education Director. He and his family entered full-time evangelism in March of 1988. Ed and his wife, Elma, have five grown children and make their home in north Georgia. Ed enjoys canoeing, motorcycling and SCUBA diving. His sons are also certified divers. Ed currently serves as a volunteer diver at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and enjoys feeding the fish, sharks, stingrays and moray eels as groups of school children watch.

Book preview

Return to Thunder Mountain

by Ed Dunlop

Book Six in the

Kingdom Tales from Terrestria

Copyright 2016 Ed Dunlop

Smashwords Edition

This book available in print at most online retailers

Books by Ed Dunlop

The Terrestria Chronicles

The Sword, the Ring, and the Parchment

The Quest for Seven Castles

The Search for Everyman

The Crown of Kuros

The Dragon’s Egg

The Golden Lamps

The Great War

Kingdom Tales from Terrestria

The Quest for Thunder Mountain

The Golden Dagger

Return of the Dagger

The Isle of Dragons

Revenge of the Dragons

Return to Thunder Mountain

Jed Cartwright Adventure Series

The Midnight Escape

The Lost Gold Mine

The Comanche Raiders

The Lighthouse Mystery

The Desperate Slave

The Midnight Rustlers

The Deadwood Bank Robbery

The Young Refugees Series

Escape to Liechtenstein

The Search for the Silver Eagle

The Incredible Rescues

Sherlock Jones Detective Series

Sherlock Jones and the Assassination Plot

Sherlock Jones and the Willoughby Bank Robbery

Sherlock Jones and the Missing Diamond

Sherlock Jones and the Phantom Airplane

Sherlock Jones and the Hidden Coins

Sherlock Jones and the Odyssey Mystery

Phantom Pilot

The Thousand-Mile Journey

Preface

Ten-year-old Aldith huffed and puffed as she ran up the steep slope above Devonshire Castle. Come back, Diogi, she called as she ran. Come back, puppy!

The flop-eared puppy barked twice and ran in tight circles around his frustrated young mistress, easily dodging Aldith’s outstretched hands. Aldith stamped her foot. Diogi! she shouted. You bad little dog! Come here at once!

The hollow staccato of horses’ hooves on the planks of the castle drawbridge arrested her attention and she spun around to see a magnificent coach exit the castle. Four splendid white horses leaned into the harness as the coach sped across the valley and climbed the opposite slope. Aldith felt a stab of fear as she watched the coach. Mama!

Forgetting the puppy, she turned and dashed headlong down the heather-covered slope. Mama! Oh, Mama! Moments later, the sound of her feet echoed in the moat as she raced across the drawbridge. She dashed through the castle barbican and entered the inner courtyard to find Lord Grayson, Duke of Devonshire, standing motionless at the far end of the bailey.

Aldith ran to him. Papa!

Lord Grayson’s eyes were red and tears flowed freely down his face. He grabbed Aldith, lifting her in his arms and embracing her tightly. Oh, Aldith!

Aldith leaned back, studying her father’s face. Where’s Mama? Is she—

Lord Grayson choked back a sob. Aldith, my love, your Mama… his voice faltered and trailed off.

Papa, I saw the royal coach! Where is Mama? Is she—

Her father took a deep breath and cleared his throat. Your Mama is in the Golden City, my love. He stopped, overcome with emotion. Setting Aldith on her feet, he lifted her face to his and kissed her forehead. His voice quavered as he continued. She’s with King Emmanuel. He took her to the Golden City.

Aldith’s world came crashing down around her. No, Papa, no! she wailed. She seized his hands, pulling him close. No, Papa! We need Mama here! Why would King Emmanuel take her from us?

The puppy jumped up on her in an attempt to lick her face, but Aldith didn’t notice.

Lord Grayson wiped away his tears. His Majesty knows best, my love. He wanted your Mama with him, so he sent the royal coach to take her to the Golden City.

Aldith’s heart was breaking. Papa, how long will she be gone? Will she come back? When will we see her again?

My love, she won’t come back to us, Lord Grayson replied, but one day we will go to her. We will see her again when King Emmanuel calls us to the Golden City. The tears flowed as he hugged Aldith again.

Aldith twisted free of his embrace and pushed away from him. Why? she wailed. Why would our King take Mama away? How could he do this to us?

The King knows best, her father replied. He loves us, Aldith, and we must trust him. We’ll see Mama again one day, but for now we must love and trust our King.

No! Aldith shouted. I cannot trust King Emmanuel! Look what he did to us! Papa, I can never trust the King again! Hot, bitter tears blurred her vision as she turned and ran from the bailey of Devonshire castle.

Chapter One

The townspeople paused to admire the beautiful mare as she trotted smartly down the busy street. Milk white in color with a sheen like polished alabaster, the horse was broad in chest and powerful in limb. She moved with an easy grace that told the casual observer that she was spirited, yet gentle. A trained eye would have recognized that she was the equal of nearly any horse in the kingdom.

Her rider was equally striking. Tall and slender, the woman had a regal beauty about her person that suggested royalty. Long, brown hair framed a pleasant face with large, expressive eyes and a lovely mouth with crimson lips. Her delicate features caught the attention of men and women alike.

Lady Aldith! a woman’s voice called, and the young rider reined the mare to a stop. Lady Aldith, have you seen—

Runaway carriage! a man’s voice called in panic, and all eyes darted to the brougham carriage speeding through the town.

Just down the street, several workmen had been raising a long, slender pole into the air to be used as the ridgepole on the house they were building. As the workmen lifted the pole to the workers atop the building, it somehow slipped from their hands, toppled over in a long arc, and fell to the earth with a loud crash.

Standing nearby was a stylish carriage pulled by a pair of spirited, well-muscled horses. Two small children sat in the back of the carriage, waiting patiently for their father’s return. The impact and the loud noise startled the horses, and they both reared high in the air with snorts of terror and then bolted down the street, wide-eyed with fear. The children cried out as they were thrown from the seat to land upon the floor of the carriage.

Townspeople scattered like ashes in the wind as the runaway horses darted recklessly down the narrow street. Women screamed; children shrieked with fear; men stood dumb-founded, incapable of helping. Stop the horses! a man’s voice cried above the tumult, but no one moved in the direction of the wildly galloping team. Everything had simply happened too fast.

Hearing the shouts and the ruckus, Aldith looked up to see the terrified horses speeding past her. With no thought for her own safety, the young rider put her heels to the mare’s flanks, wheeled her horse around, and gave chase. The mare was fast, and in no time caught up to the runaway carriage.

Startled by the sudden appearance of the mare, the carriage horses snorted and ran even faster. Leaning precariously from the saddle, Aldith managed to grab the reins of the nearest horse. Whoa! Steady there! she called in a calm, soothing voice as she drew back on the reins. Whoa! It’s all right. Whoa!

To the amazement of the startled spectators who witnessed the girl’s heroics, Aldith managed to bring the runaway team to a complete stop in little more than a furlong. She dismounted and stood in front of them. The two powerful horses stood trembling in every limb, blowing hard, wide-eyed and nervous as if they could take flight again at any moment. It’s all right, the young woman called soothingly, stroking both the trembling necks in a frantic effort to quiet the runaways. It’s all right.

The townspeople had now caught up with the runaways and they surged toward the carriage in a noisy, chattering throng. Stand back! Aldith called urgently in a low voice. Stay where you are—don’t come any closer! You’ll spook them again!

To the girl’s relief, the crowd heeded her warning. Thirty paces from the carriage, they abruptly stopped as one man. Please, don’t come any closer, Aldith urged again in a low voice. Let me get them settled. Continuing to stroke their necks, she spoke to the trembling horses in a crooning, soothing voice. The animals quieted.

Thank you, my lady, a child’s voice said, and Aldith turned to see the two terrified occupants of the carriage peeking over the seat at her. You saved our lives!

A tall man stepped into the street and carefully approached. My lady, you saved my children! I am grateful.

I was pleased to do it, my lord, Aldith replied. I just did what anyone would do.

The man shook his head. Nay, what you did was nothing short of a miracle, he replied. My team ran past at least a hundred men, yet not one of them tried to do what you did. He flashed her a smile of gratitude.

It happened too quickly, Aldith argued. None of them was in a position to help, my lord. I am grateful that I was in the right place and that I was able to bring your team to a stop.

You’re the bravest young woman I have ever met, the man asserted, again displaying a grateful smile. You saved my children.

Aldith simply smiled and ducked her head, patting the horses’ necks again as she did. Your team is quieting now, sire. They’ll be all right in another moment or two.

What is your name, my lady?

Aldith, my lord. I am the daughter of Lord Grayson, Duke of Devonshire.

Lady Aldith. You’re a brave one for a noblewoman. You have my undying gratitude. That was an incredible display of valor and horsemanship.

The crowd surged forward, laughing and chattering excitedly as they closed in around Aldith and the carriage. That was some quick thinking, Lady Aldith, the blacksmith called. You saved the young ones’ lives, I’m sure.

I am thankful that I could be of service, sir, Aldith replied, glancing at the horses and then handing the reins to the owner. They’re still a little anxious, but I think they’ll be all right. Talk gently to them.

Not only are you a brave one, you’re also an excellent rider, the man told her with an admiring glance. We are in your debt, my lady.

Aldith smiled, nodded, and remounted the mare.

Fifty paces away, two young men stood quietly watching. Is she the one? the taller youth asked.

His companion nodded. That’s Lady Aldith, sire. She’s seventeen years old. Her father is the Duke of Devonshire, cousin to King Eristan.

The tall youth smacked his palms together in delight. Perfect! He studied her for a moment. She’s absolutely breathtaking. Look at that hair! And what a lovely face! He grinned broadly. You know what to do. Follow her.

His companion smiled. As you wish, Lord Byron. She’s definitely the one you’ve been looking for.

The tall man moved away. You know what comes next. No mistakes.

* * * *

Well, Victoria, Aldith said, speaking to the mare as she raced across a grassy meadow, that was quite an adventure! You did well to outrun that team and save those children! I’m proud of you.

Victoria whinnied as if she understood.

Let’s ride to Settler’s Ridge, shall we? You could use a good workout, and I want the chance to be alone. Aldith eyed the sky, noticing that dark clouds were rolling in from the north. We’ll make it a quick run, though. Looks like we’re in for a storm in a little while.

The wind snatched the hat from her head, hurling it high into the air and then sending it bouncing and scurrying across the meadow like an energetic rabbit. Aldith laughed as she and Victoria chased it across the wind-blown grass. At last, she managed to ride past the hat and dismount in time to intercept it as it tumbled past. She stepped on the hat to pin it to the earth and then bent over to pick it up.

As she reached for the hat, a soft whine arrested her attention. She paused, motionless, listening intently. There it was again. The lonesome, heart-rending sound of a hapless creature pleading for help. Aldith slowly lifted her head, standing motionless as she scanned the grass and thickets around her. She sensed movement out of the corner of her eye and slowly turned her head in that direction. The creature, whatever it was, was timid and afraid, and the hesitancy in its voice told the young rider that it was terrified of her, yet was calling for help.

She saw movement behind a clump of sagebrush and moved slowly in that direction. She called softly as she walked. It’s all right, timid one, it’s all right. I won’t hurt you. Moving slowly, she circled behind the sagebrush and then inhaled sharply at the pitiful sight that met her eyes.

A black-and-white dog was caught in a hunter’s trap. The pitiful creature was emaciated, so thin that Aldith could count its ribs. As Aldith approached it ducked its head and cowered in fear. The dog’s tail wagged feebly, but its body trembled violently. Moving slowly, slowly, Aldith knelt and reached out one hand. It’s all right, timid one, she crooned, remaining motionless as the dog timidly sniffed her hand. I’m here to help you.

Moments later, still trembling, the dog leaned against her as she gently stroked its head. I’ll get you out of this trap, timid one, she told the dog. She petted the pitiful animal for another minute or two and then rose slowly to her feet. The dog whined and moved timidly toward her. I won’t leave you, she promised. I just need to find a sturdy stick to get you out of this wretched trap.

Searching through the trees that bordered the meadow, Aldith found a stout branch almost as tall as she. When she returned to the dog, it cowered away from her, afraid of the branch. It’s all right, she crooned, I won’t hurt you. Backing away from the branch, the dog pulled the trap to the end of its chain, yelping as the iron teeth bit deeper into its leg. Aldith winced at the sound.

The poor dog stood