Magical Journeys: The Fire Realm: Magical Journeys, #3

By Terri J. Taber

Fire...
It breathes, it consumes, and it spreads. Some people call it alive. Dawnfire Northstarr knows this to be true.
After being froce to take the fire element as her magic she learned very quickly to treat it with respect or risk being consumed by it's raw power herself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Terri J. Taber
• Release date: Feb 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386912163

Book preview

To Jess and Kevin Flowers,

Thank you for being there when I had nowhere else to go and for encouraging me to keep writing.

One

It was dark... Dark, cold and alone. Well not completely alone... The red eyes of her other half still glowed in the darkness... watching her. Dawn Northstar-Pendragon felt like she was in hell and that wasn’t far from the truth.

Why can’t you just leave me the bloody hell alone? Dawn said to the spirit, but she knew she was trapped in her own mind with the creature.

She seemed so small compared to the darkness that was the representation of the creature that her mind created. It was so much stronger and larger looking than her. She pulled her legs up close to her figurative chest.

I wonder how long it has been. Dawn wondered as she looked up at the blackness above her. How long have I been trapped here with you?

She will come for us. The evil voice that had been haunting her for over a year said.

You barely touched the child, how do you know your plan worked. Dawn replied harshly. You got us into this mess by attacking Iriana! You should have known that Melissa would come back to retake her kingdom.

The air around Dawn seemed to vibrate with the creature’s laughter and Dawn pulled herself closer into her ball of protection.

Enough of my essence was put into the child that I can summon her to release us. When she does I will take her over and have all of the Kaiya the gods have given their first children. I will use the greatest power in the entire Universe to take over the Realms and the Earth!

And what happens to me when you take the child over? Dawn asked as she forced herself to stand up.

You have served your purpose, I will release you and you will face the consequences of my actions.

You’re letting me go? Just like that?

As long as my plan goes the way it is supposed to.

Dawn never thought she would hope for a member of her family being in the same situation as her, but at that point she would do anything to get out of the clutches of this creature.

When do we call her? Dawn asked.

Princess Vivian Gisidra Marks-Pendragon sat in the center of the wood elf camp that had been her home her whole life, and looked up at the stars in between the trees of the Earth Realm forest. She looked down at the reflecting pool next to her and she turned away. The reflection of a sixteen year old Halfling was a lie in her eyes.

She had just been told by her mentor, Keeper Zarah of the wood elf clan Athara,  that she wasn’t sixteen at all, but only one year old. She wasn’t even a wood elf, she was an Arthurian Elf from Iriana and she was the heir to the throne of Iriana, and a descendant of Arthur Pendragon.

Her whole life had been a lie...

I thought it was best to deceive you, my child. At the time you came to us your life was in danger. Zarah said as she sat next to the girl at the pool.

Zarah’s ears were longer than Vivian’s and her reddish white blond hair was starting to reflect her age with spurts of greys in it.

Why did you tell me? Vivian whispered. Things were fine when I didn’t know.

Wood elves don’t use Kaiya, child, which is why we don’t have the odd colorings in our hair. Zarah explained. I thought I could teach you to control it but the recent werewolf attacks in the forest are just more evidence that they are being drawn to the magic inside of you.

Why am I different than any other Arthurian Elf? Vivian asked. I have read about them, I shouldn’t have had color in my hair yet, but I have always had it.

That is something your parents have to explain to you, not I. Zarah said. I have to return you to Iriana. You have to be trained on Avalon.

But I don’t want to leave the clan! It’s all I know, Keeper! Vivian argued as she pushed back her long brown and purple braid.

It’s not up for discussion. Zarah said as she stood up. The clan is heading for the portal tomorrow. She added before walking towards her house carriage.

Alicia Ravenwood shot up in her plush bed in her and her fiancé’s room in the Delious palace and screamed as her white eyes stared at the wall and cried tears of blood as a look of pure fear appeared on her face.

Jonathan Ambrosias-Pendragon woke up as soon as he heard his fiancée’s scream and he pulled her into his arms.

Alicia, it’s alright... It’ll be over soon. Jonathan whispered, as he was about to use his water healing magic to calm her down when she grabbed his hand and looked at him with her white, bleeding eyes.

Let it happen... She said in a hollow voice.

But these visions hurt you. Jonathan said in a helpless tone of voice.

We need to know this... She croaked out before her eyes cleared and she looked at Jonathan in shock. It’s happening, but there is something different. Alicia said.

Dawn is breaking out?

Alicia nodded. Jonathan, it’s not what we expected, she’s going to be back to her old self.

What do you mean?

"I mean, I saw her but she wasn’t possessed by the evil force anymore

So we don’t need the swords? Jonathan asked.

Alicia shook her head. That would be too easy; it is going to move on to someone more powerful. I don’t know who it is but I think things are about to get worse... way worse.

It’s not like the Gods not to give you all of the information we need. Jonathan said.

They’re losing their power... Alicia whispered. My visions have become jumbled and only half way there... I think they used a lot of their power to send me this vision and make it as coherent as it was.

You need to tell Melissa.

Alicia nodded before pulling a robe on over her pajamas and heading into the halls of the dark palace.

Queen Melissa Viv Star-Pendragon paced her study as her husband flicked his dragon tail in an irritated fashion. Alicia had just told them about her vision and about the evil possibly leaving her sister and taking over someone more powerful.

You’re sure about this? Melissa asked as she finally stopped her pacing and leaned against the front of her desk.

Have my visions ever been wrong? Alicia said before Melissa gave her a look and she sighed heavily. Ok they have been foggy lately but not wrong... The Evil force is going to escape and it’s going to abandon your sister, Mel. We have to make sure no one is near the dungeon when that happens. Not even yourself. The Evil cannot get a more powerful host. If it does we are screwed.

If the gods warned Alicia about it I am not sure we can prevent it. Jason Marks said telepathically before his large dragon head turned to the window as the tips of the Irianian suns rose over the horizon and he turned into his elven form. You know being a dragon at night is really starting to annoy me. He said, as he ran his fingers through his brown and blue-green hair.

That’s why the goddess called it a punishment, my love. Melissa smiled, as he wrapped his arms around her. You have to admit being a dragon at night is better than being dead.

Ok you got me there. Jason sighed, before frowning as Bracken entered the room. What’s going on?

I am sorry to interrupt, my lady. Bracken said as he bowed to Melissa. Lord Glen just came through the Earth Realm portal in the archives. He’s waiting for you in the throne room, he says it is urgent.

That’s not good. Jason said as he looked at his wife.

Melissa heaved a deep sigh. Tell him I will be there in a minute, Bracken.

As you wish, my lady, Bracken said with another bow and leaving.

I wonder why your step-dad has returned. Alicia said.

It can only mean one thing... One thing we don’t need right now. Melissa sighed before kissing Jason on the cheek and heading out of her bedroom.

I know what you are going to say, Glen, so just stop. Melissa said as she entered the throne room. Things have been hectic this past year and going back to Earth to visit mum’s grave on her birthday just hasn’t really been a priority. Not that mom isn’t important it’s just I have a kingdom to run and expeditions to plan-

Zarah is bringing Vivian back, Melissa. Glen interrupted his daughter’s frantic rant causing her to turn to look at him.

Well... That wasn’t what I was expecting. Melissa said as she plopped down into her plush purple and gold throne. Did she give a reason why?

Vivian’s power has been increasing ever since the aging stopped last month when her Kaiya was supposed to surface. The extra power emanating from her has been drawing the dangerous creatures of the Earth Realm forest to attack the clan.

It’s not the best time for my one year old all-powerful teenage daughter to return home, Glen. Melissa said before shaking her head and chuckling softly. That has got to be the oddest sentence I have ever said.

The reconstruction looks to be almost finished. Why can’t she return to Iriana and take her place as the heir to the throne? Glen asked.

Dawn’s about to escape the prison Alicia, Jonathan, Jason and I placed her in last year. And Alicia says that the evil force inside of her is in the market for a new more powerful host and Vivian is the perfect candidate for it. Melissa explained. It’s not safe for her here, as much as I want her home.

Zarah has made up her mind, she sent me through as a warning. Glen said. She’ll be here in a few minutes.

We’re here now, Glen. Zarah said as she stepped into the throne room with a young teenage girl with brown and purple hair and Jason’s eyes.

Vivian? Melissa asked in disbelief. You’re so grown up.

Do I know you? Vivian asked.

Vivian... I’m your mother... Melissa said as she took a step forward to hug her daughter.

Vivian took a step back. I have no family. She said angrily before turning around and leaving the room.

Vivian! Zarah called after her before Melissa’s hand touched her shoulder.

Just let her be, this is going to be hard for her. Melissa said. "I’ll arrange her transportation to Avalon tomorrow. Jason and I need to spend some time with her.

Zarah nodded and heaved a sigh. You understand I had to think of my clan’s well-being first.

I understand. Melissa said. I would have done the same thing.

Jonathan had just left his room to go check on Alicia when he rounded a corner and ran right into a woman he had not seen in the castle before.

I’m terribly sorry, He said before he saw the brown hair, purple highlights, and brown-yellow eyes staring up at him from the floor.

It’s alright, I guess I am just used to just my clan being around. Vivian said as she let Jonathan help her up. I’m Vivian, Apprentice to Keeper Zarah... or at least I was.

Jonathan Ambrosias, Jonathan said. I... uh... delivered you when you were a baby and I am your big brother.

Great, more family I don’t need. Vivian sighed before turning around and walking in the other direction.

Hey wait! Jonathan said as he ran to catch up with her. Melissa and Jason had a very good reason for sending you to the Earth Realm. You shouldn’t hold it against them; they did it because they love you.

Then why don’t you call them mom and dad yourself? Vivian asked as she turned around mid-step and faced him.

That’s a very long story... Jonathan sighed. My point is...

They abandoned you too didn’t they? Vivian said before continuing to walk again. Figures...

You know they are just following the will of Gaia. Jonathan said. Just as your clan does.

I didn’t ask for your advice, bro, and now, if you would excuse me, I would like to be left alone. Vivian said hotly.

It’s not safe for you to be alone in the palace right now. Jonathan said.

Vivian rolled her eyes. You just want to talk to me some more about how great the king and queen of this realm is. She said.

Come with me. Jonathan said after thinking for a long moment before grabbing his sister’s hand and leading her towards the dungeons.

Two

It’s not that I don’t care about your people being attacked by werewolves Melissa said. But it is not safe for Vivian to be here. Alicia had the vision we have been waiting for her to have for a year. Dawn is going to escape any day now and it appears the evil force inside of her is searching for a more powerful host.

As I have told you before this evil you are fighting is no concern of mine and my clan. Zarah said. I have raised your daughter until she can defend herself. My obligation to you is completed. With your leave I will return to my clan and try to move away from the creatures that have been stalking us.

Are you out of your wood elf skull?! Alicia demanded as she rounded on Zarah. I have seen what this evil can do! It will attack the Earth Realm no matter if you aren’t Kaiya using elves! It will not stop until the Gods are destroyed and it has complete control of all of the realms! If it gets a more powerful host than Dawn all is-... Aww Crap Vision... She said as her eyes went white.

Melissa ran over to Alicia as the human girl fell to her knees and the blood started to flow from her eyes.

Jonathan... No... What have you done? Alicia cried.

Alicia? Boo, what do you see? Melissa said as she took her friend’s hand.

Go to the Dungeon, hurry... Alicia whispered as her eyes cleared. She grabbed Melissa’s arm as she tried to get up. Don’t blame him... He was only trying to help.

Melissa gave Alicia a confused look as she let her friend go. Melissa turned to one of the guards and told him to fetch Jason as she went to the dungeon.

This is why they sent you away. Jonathan said as he unlocked the cell that held the stone statue he had helped trap Dawn in a year ago. This is our Aunt Dawn. Two years ago she came here with Melissa from Earth. She was seduced by Alvin to drink the water from the Lake of Kaiya and she became corrupted and possessed by an ultimate evil that even the gods cannot fight. A year ago we trapped her in this stone prison to save her from herself until we can find the rest of the sacred swords to cure her of this evil possession.

What does that have to do with them sending me away to another realm? Vivian asked as she looked at the statue.

Jonathan heaved a huge sigh. The memory of Vivian’s birth still shocked and haunted his dreams. He still couldn’t believe that Dawn had been so evil that day.

When Melissa was still pregnant with you, the evil force inside Dawn sensed your massive Kaiya power and it forced Dawn to cut you out of Melissa... Jonathan whispered. Melissa almost died.

Zarah never told me that. Vivian said as she took a step closer to the statue.

I wouldn’t get too close; my fiancée just had a vision that she’s going to escape soon.

Vivian wasn’t listening. She had just been all of a sudden overcome with the sudden urge to touch the statue. It was as if a lost part of herself was trapped inside that statue and if she could just touch it she