The Fiddler's Talisman: Book One of The Fairy Godmother Diaries

By Izolda Trakhtenberg

New York City is only a hop, skip, and Ley Line jump away from the Fairy Lands. And if anyone can make it there, it’s Fairy Godmother, Evie Songbottom.

Evie isn’t your childhood Fairy Godmother. She prefers whiskey to glitter, movies to wishes, music to just about anything.
But she’ll need more than a bottle of Jameson and a bad attitude to guide her Charge, violin prodigy, Joanna Brennan.

Born of fairy ancestors, Joanna caught her boyfriend cheating with her Juilliard roommate. Now, her magic-tinged sorrow is flooding New York with disaster.

Evie must navigate the treacherous landscape of Joanna’s wounded soul, and her own forbidden new love, before Joanna’s grief rips apart the fabric of all the worlds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Izolda Trakhtenberg
• Release date: May 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9780980229882

Izolda Trakhtenberg

Born in Moldova in the former Soviet Union, Izolda grew up steeped in the rich heritage of Eastern Europe. After her family immigrated to the USA, they settled in Michigan where Izolda graduated from the University of Michigan. Izolda worked as Director of Writing and Production for the public records research firm, The Information Prospector. Then, she proceeded to the National Geographic Society's Educational Media Division followed by a stint as an environmental educator for NASA. She has co-authored numerous scientific publications as well as written stories for various on-line magazines. During this time, she pursued her musical interests. Izolda released her solo CD, Sound the Deep Waters in 2003. She is an avid fantasy and science fiction fan, and she devours movies like they are pieces of dark chocolate. She released her first book, "Life Elements: Transform Your Life with Earth, Air, Fire, and Water," in July 2008. Her second book was released in March 2011. The first in the Fairy Godmother Diaries series, "The Fiddler's Talisman" follows the adventures of badass fairy godmother, Evie Songbottom in modern-day New York. "The Piano's Key," the second book in the series, was released in April of 2016. Izolda and her husband reside in Greenbelt, MD with their dog and three cats, and a house full of musical instruments and juggling clubs.

Book preview

The Fiddler’s Talisman

Book One of

The Fairy Godmother Diaries

Second Edition

IZOLDA TRAKHTENBERG

Distributed by Smashwords

Copyright © 2011 Izolda Trakhtenberg

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 publisher
except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This book is available in print at most online retailers.

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 your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Second Edition, 2016

ISBN: 0-9802298-8-X

ISBN-13: 978-0-9802298-8-2

DEDICATION

To all who create music: May the magic you make heal and inspire others to make their own.

To my friends and family: Rich, Emily, Golda, Kristen, Sondra, Terry, Lara, Alec, Petra, John, Kimba, Pyro, Ninja, and Hatha. You are always in heart.

To my teachers: Abe Levine, Mary Alice Powell, and many others.

To all have encouraged me to write: Then, the day came when this hill was only one of many. I reached the top, looked back, and smiled at the ease with which I’d done it.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

About the Author

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

So many people helped with creation of this book. I can only hope to remember as many as I can. Please forgive me if I miss you here. You are thanked in my heart. My thanks go to those who read it throughout its many iterations, and gave me extremely useful feedback: Sara, Mike, Katie, Kathy, Dayle, Rich, Pamela, Julie, Petra, Kristen, Emily, and Golda.

I am grateful to Magdalena Adic for creating the gorgeous cover.

To my writers’ group: Rich Potter, Alex Bradley, Michael Dougherty, David Landis, Diana Sunday, and Renée Camus Bradley. Thank you for listening to it, reading parts of it, and kicking my butt into finishing it.

The movies quoted in the book are some of my favorites. There are too many to list here (see IzoldaTWriter.com for a complete list), but a few must be mentioned. To the creators of, The Princess Bride, Real Genius, The Terminator, Star Wars, Blazing Saddles, and oh so many others: thank you for sharing your creative genius with the rest of us.

To the composers of all of the fantastic classical and traditional music in this book, especially Bach, Liszt, and Mozart: your passion has changed me, for good.

To Rich Potter, my wonderful husband, best friend, and biggest fan: here’s to the next seventy years. May they be joyful, passionate, and creative. To Kimba, Pyro, Ninja, and Hatha: I love you.

And finally, here’s to you. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

PROLOGUE

Joanna played the violin concerto and entranced the class. The musical waterfall of the Mozart piece caused part of their euphoria. Joanna herself inspired the rest. Her radiance enthralled all but one of the room’s occupants.

Zeke Dunne, the teaching assistant for the Violin Performance class, watched for the right moment. When Joanna closed her eyes, he waved his hand and froze everyone else in the room. For a few seconds, they neither saw nor heard a thing. Captivated by the music, she took no notice.

Dunne reached into Joanna’s book bag and removed a piece of sheet music. He hid it among his own things. With another wave of his hand, he returned the class to rights. Joanna finished the piece to elated silence.

That was great, Joanna. Now, let’s hear the Prokofiev, he said.

I haven’t memorized it yet so I’ll need the sheet music, Joanna cradled her violin in one hand and searched through her book bag for the sheet music with the other. I’m sorry, Mr. Dunne. She turned to him. I guess I must have left it in my room.

And that’s why I’m so glad Juilliard is such a small place. Why don’t you go get it and then we’ll hear you at the end of class? Zeke smiled and turned his attention to the next student while Joanna nestled her violin and bow back in the case. She made her way out of the classroom and into the halls of the Juilliard School.

She left the elevator on the thirteenth floor of her dorm, the Rose Building, and made her way to room 1313, which she shared with her roommate, Chloe. As she approached their door, she heard the unmistakable sounds of sex.

Oh, Chloe, I hope this one treats you right, Joanna thought. She opened the door and headed to her room to pick up the Prokofiev sheet music. Her steps faltered as a familiar voice moaned from behind Chloe’s door.

Do it! Oh yeah. Just like that! he growled.

Dazed, Joanna moved to Chloe’s door and opened it. Her boyfriend lay stretched out on the bed. Chloe writhed on top of him.

Marcus? What are you doing? Joanna cried.

Their rutting stilled. Marcus rolled from beneath Chloe and stood. His eyes didn’t leave Joanna’s shocked face while donned first his pants and then his shirt. Once dressed, he raised an eyebrow but stayed silent.

What did you do? Joanna choked out.

Look, it’s simple. I needed to get laid, and I was getting tired of waiting.

With my roommate? With Chloe? Joanna whispered.

Chloe swayed side-to-side on the edge of the bed. A small moan escaped her.

Maybe next time, you won’t take so long to make up your mind. Marcus walked by her. Hey, Chloe, Marcus tossed over his shoulder. Thanks. He left the room and shut the door behind him.

Chloe shivered and covered herself with a sheet. She stared at Joanna with tear-stained eyes.

Oh, my god, Jo. Oh my god. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to….

Joanna ran to her bedroom and shut the door. She fell onto her bed and buried her face in her pillow. She wept in the silence.

Joanna? May I come in, please? Chloe opened the door a crack. The light shone on Joanna’s anguished face.

I don’t know what happened. I just … what can I do? Chloe begged. A beautiful young woman, she knew she could have had her pick of men. She still wasn’t certain why she had chosen Marcus.

You can go, Joanna whispered from her bed. Just go.

Okay Chloe replied. I’m gone.

CHAPTER 1

The time had come. I couldn’t avoid it any longer. I needed to do Joanna’s Life Book Review. I already knew that nothing had changed in the Land of Hearts and Flowers.

At least I can do it with a shot or two of whiskey to ease the way, I thought. I stuffed the Life Book into my black messenger bag and headed to the Storm Tavern.

I wandered to the Any Portal In A Storm Tavern. Margaretha had the walls’ mood dampener on, so they were a lovely periwinkle twilight, with a few winking stars. It pays to dampen the mood stuff when you have a lot of Fairy Godparents drinking. The battle of whirling colors and shapes could get even the Buddha sick to his stomach.

I sat in a free plush, blue easy chair and floated it to the bar. A few of the other Godparents in attendance waved as I passed. Most sat around the circular birch tables and played games or chatted over drinks.

Hey Mar, how about a Jameson’s, neat? I settled before the bar’s owner.

Hi Evie, Mar spared me a smile as she supervised the crew of sponges cleaning the birch counter. A purple headband held back her long, black dreadlocks. She bounced to the beat of a jazz combo on the sound system. Aren’t you on duty? How about some hot cocoa instead?

That’d be just great as long as there’s a shot of whiskey in it.

I don’t think so, Mar replied, eyes twinkling. A steaming mug of hot chocolate appeared in front of me. I pushed it towards the bottles of whiskey that sat in a row behind her. She raised a brow and kept working.

I hopped down off the chair and drew myself up to my full less-than-impressive height.

Margaretha Swanglider, I am a Level Three Fairy Godmother. I have been at this gig for two hundred and twenty-seven years. I can handle a shot of whiskey without going loopy. Besides, I quieted. I’m just doing my Charge review, so it’s not like I have a lot going on. I withdrew the Life Book and placed it on the bar. Life Books are pretty cool. There are about three or four pictures on every page and each one chronologically highlights a pivotal moment in the subject’s life. You can look at either stills or moving pictures depending on what you need. So, it’s like a This Is Your Life episode, only on steroids.

Is that Joanna’s Life Book? Mar asked.

Yeah, and nothing ever happens to her that isn’t awesome. I’ve got to say, ever since I won her case, it’s kind of been one long snooze-fest.

Mar stopped cleaning and studied me. You know they gave her protection from all harm for a reason.

Yeah, yeah, she’s all powerful and mystical and magically protected against Banes and stuff and her happiness keeps everyone else up to their eyebrows in hearts and flowers. But she’s never so much as skipped school! It’s making me twitchy.

I flipped open her Life Book to a random page. It contained three pictures. Each image depicted a pivotal moment in Joanna’s life. The top image showed her at four years old, already playing the violin. I touched my wand to the image, and it animated. The little girl in the picture moved and played. The sound that emanated was clear and pure. Gorgeous.

See? She certainly didn’t need any help here. I picked another page. Or what about this one from last week at school?

The image showed Joanna, her boyfriend Marcus, and her roommate Chloe eating lunch at the Juilliard Cafeteria. The oak walls and the light from the city outdoors shone on them. I touched my wand to the image and animated it.

Chloe, a flute performance major at the school said, So, then he said, ‘what do you mean I have to pay for the ticket? It’s your car.’ Argh. Why are all guys such jerks?

Sweetie, they aren’t all jerks. I’m sure you’ll find someone and soon. Joanna laid a hand on her arm. You’re so wonderful, how can you not? She continued.

Promise? ‘Cause I feel like I’ve kissed way more than my share of frogs.

I promise, Joanna replied with certainty. Right, Marcus?

Marcus smiled at Chloe. Absolutely, he said.

The image stilled, and I closed the Life Book. And you should see her Talisman, I continued. It’s so bright and shiny it hurts my eyes. There’s not even a speck of doubt or sadness in it.

Regardless, Mar said. If you’re on duty, you’re drinking cocoa.

My ire deflated like one of those ridiculous floating puppet things they use to get your attention at used car dealerships. Fine. I’ll take it, I grumbled.

She handed the mug back to me. I lifted it to my lips and whispered a quick incantation under my breath. The aroma of the shot of whiskey now in the mug wafted up to me, and I grinned in anticipation.

One of the candles that adorned the bar blazed to five times its normal size. A tiny face peered out of the flame.

Evie, thank goodness I found you. I need your help, a voice cried out of the candle’s flame. Round eyes and elfin features separated out of the flame as the Fire Fairy formed. Fire Fairies like to travel on sunbeams and since the sun had set, Torlyn Sunrider had used another, more expedient method.

The head and body emerged out of the flame and Torlyn floated above us. She held a small glass jar. A firefly winked on and off inside it.

Torlyn, sweetie, what’s going on? I asked concerned. Torlyn always knew what to do. If she needed my help, trouble was brewing.

It’s Leili. Something’s terribly wrong, she said.

What about her? Where is she?

Torlyn held up the jar. She’s right here.

Wait, what? The firefly? That’s your sister? What happened? I shrieked.

I don’t know. She was doing a fly by in New York, and suddenly her fire felt different to me. I went out there and found her like this. Sparks flew from Torlyn’s flame body as she flickered side-to-side.

I took the jar out of her hands and studied it. I had no idea what to do, but I was going to do something. There was no way I’d let Leili stay like this. No way.

Evie, Torlyn whispered. Please, help me. Help her.

Absolutely! We’ll figure it out, Torlyn. Come on. Let’s go see the Tribunal. We need bigger fish for this. I opened my bag and made to put away the Life Book. Joanna’s talisman slipped out and landed on the bar’s wood floor. I picked up the dingy disk and held it up to Mar and Torlyn.

Oh, my stars, Mar cried. What happened to it? Every time I’ve ever seen her talisman it’s been gold and glowed.

I know, right? It’s always been iridescent, I held the drab, dark brown piece up to the candlelight. It swung in a lackluster arc. The candle’s flame leaned towards the drab and dirty talisman. As it got closer to the flame, the candle flickered and winked out.

What just happened? This is bad, I turned to Mar and Torlyn. This is very bad. Wait! If her Talisman is messed up, something’s happened. I opened the Life Book and turned to the last page that contained an image. The image showed a close-up of Joanna’s shocked eyes as she saw … what? I touched my wand to it.

We saw through Joanna’s eyes as she watched Chloe gyrate on top of Marcus. Waves of nausea engulfed me.

Ow, ow, ow, ow, I grabbed my belly and doubled over. I managed to shut the book and straightened. Mar, Torlyn, and everyone else at the bar straightened at the same moment.

Holy shit! I whispered. Is everyone okay? I glanced around the bar to a chorus of yes, and I think so, and what was that?

Wow, I could only imagine what it did to any fairies who happened to be close by. As understanding dawned, I said, Torlyn, was Leili near Juilliard when you found her?

Yes, she was right near Lincoln Center.

Crap! Come on, we’ve got to go.

We made rushed to the Tribunal Chambers. I pulled on the round, brass handles, and we entered through the massive oak doors. The entire Tribunal sat on its dais. They murmured amongst themselves.

I stopped right before the Chief’s throne and called, Honored Tribunal Members. We have a serious problem.

The hubbub continued unabated. I raised the jar above my head a la Norma Rae.

Hello! I shouted. We need help! Something’s happened to Leili Sunrider. We need to fix it and right now!

The Chief separated himself from the rest of the group. Godmother Songbottom, we know there’s a problem. The alarm bells went off about half an hour ago, and data is still coming in.

The room had begun to fill with fairies as more and more heard the news. Now, a colorful yet nervous throng filled the room to capacity.

The Vice Tribunal Chief stood and addressed us. Not only Leili Sunrider, but Mermaid Elnora Seafarer changed into a fish and Imp Geron Featherduster transformed into a plain dust ball!

Shouts of Oh, my stars! and What happened? rang throughout the room.

The Chief held up his hands, and the crowd quieted. Everyone, we must resolve this crisis quickly. Three have been changed, and more might succumb.

But what caused it? Someone yelled from the crowd.

The Chief looked pointedly at me. A pulse of deadening energy triggered these transformations. The epicenter of the pulse came from the Juilliard School of Music in New York. Many of you have charges there, but only one charge has the power to do this.

Everyone turned his or her eyes to me.

What, Joanna? I gasped. No, there’s no way. She’s the Hearts and Flowers girl. She’d never do something like this.

Torlyn floated by my side and whispered. Evie, she might not mean it. She might not even know she did it. I mean, look at her talisman.

We know it happened, and we know Joanna Brennan’s grief over her boyfriend’s betrayal sparked the energy pulse, the Chief announced. Then he sighed. We protected her from all harm, but …

But you couldn’t protect her from being betrayed and devastated, the Clue Bell finally rang loud and clear inside my head.

I held up the jar. And that’s what’s caused this? I asked.

Yes, and now you must fix it, the Chief replied. You won her talisman, and you’re the one responsible.

Responsible? I’m only a Level Three. I have no idea how to fix this. I could tell by his wide, squirming eyes and undulating ears that he was just plumb too scared to take care of it.

You will go to New York and befriend her. Then, you can rectify these tragic events, the Chief stated.

But, I don’t know how to do that! Besides, I hated school and anything to do with school. Send someone else.

Parsnipa Roadspinner, bane to good times everywhere, marched up to the dais. She tugged on her starched, gray tunic, straightened her already ramrod-straight back, and faced the Tribunal.

She’s right. She should not be sent. She’s incompetent, and she lacks focus. Parsnipa announced.

Hey! I prepared to defend my shoddy honor.

Parsnipa continued over me. I will go. I will take care of this immediately. She should have never been approved for this case, she tried to skewer me with a glance. Joanna Brennan needs a firmer hand, she stated.

The Chief looked like he would much rather eat old shoes with Tabasco sauce than be here right now, but somehow he stood his ground. Godmother Roadspinner, not only did Godmother Songbottom win Joanna’s case, but she is the most musical of any in the Godparent Guild. She is the best-suited to resolve this crisis.

He looked at me. Get Joanna back on track. Make her feel better. If you do not, we will have to call on the Ramrocks.

A collective shudder raced through the crowd.

The Ramrocks? Are you serious? I cried. But that’s overkill. They won’t make her feel better. They’ll end her!

The room’s occupants shifted uncomfortably, but no one contradicted me.

Be that as it may, the Chief’s voice resonated through the entire chamber. The Ramrocks are our last defense, and we will call on them if you can’t turn Joanna around. You have one week. Do not fail.

Okay. Got it. Fix it or Joanna dies. I’m on it. I announced it with every bit of false bravado I could muster.

I turned to Torlyn and made a promise I hoped I’d be able to keep. We’ll get Leili back. I’ll make sure of it.

They parted for me like the Red Sea as I made my way out of the room.

Great! I sighed as I left the Chamber. Just great. How am I supposed to fix this mess, especially with no one to help me? The Chief was a major pain in my butt. He’d been weaseling his way out of doing any serious work for the last two hundred years. Sure, he was all about going to Court and schmoozing the ladies, and it didn’t matter which court or which ladies, either. But when it came time to get his hands dirty, it was always someone else’s job. I mean, look at Snow White. She should have never been caught by that sleep spell. That’s rookie stuff! The Chief hadn’t bothered to oversee her properly, and she’d been his charge, after all. Then, the whole Realm ended up paying for it for a long time. Her real mother was part fairy, and that meant it was personal. The Chief was a Level 5 FG. He was supposed to protect her until she could marry, become queen, and rule well and wisely, but no, he was too busy drinking mead and flirting with barmaids to pay any attention.

I knew I had to take this situation in hand and deal with Joanna. When I officially took on her case on her 18th birthday, I thought she’d be a no-brainer. She was talented, open, and joyful. And, the magical lineage certainly went back as far as the eye could see. She seemed like she’d be an easy case. I guess I was being prejudiced. I believed if you had fairies for ancestors then you didn’t need that much help. I thought we’d have a terrific time, she would achieve extraordinary things, and I’d help her do them. Now, she’d caught her ass hat of boyfriend in a cliché with Chloe. And, things were going to hell in a hand basket.

Geron Featherduster turned into a dust pillar. And Elnora had transformed into an actual fish. And of course, poor Leili had become a firefly. Don’t get me wrong. Fireflies are terrific, but there’s a gigantic difference between a firefly and a Fire Fairy. I needed to figure out a way to change her back and help everyone else too. I just hoped it wasn’t too late.

I ticked off what I knew. She was born, and the amount of sheer magical energy she put out the instant she was in the world set off every alarm in the Magic Realms. Every single FG’s wand started humming as if they were all playing a John Philip Sousa march. She tugged us all towards her like the proverbial moths. Everyone had to see her, and everyone had to bask in that tiny, vibrant glow. At the hospital, the Ancients ceremonially blessed her. A huge number of FGs and other magical creatures showed up for this baby blessing. Let’s get back to the hospital. Do you ever wonder what happens in those baby nurseries at night? Ever wonder why visiting hours end so early? I mean, come on, eight p.m.? Most of you are just getting off work and have precious little time to