Fire Sled, An Archer Adventure, Book 6

By Katharine Giles

Fire Sled takes its readers to the high Himalayas where Archer and Aradia must recapture a stolen spaceship and bring it home. Because Archer’s skills will let him and Aradia travel to the parallel world of Archer's childhood to the high Himalayas, they've been called to perform a dangerous task...find and return Fire Sled. The space ship is vital to the kingdom for it contains technical knowledge that Partha can’t afford to lose.

After Archer and Aradia arrive at the Himalayan Inn, they encounter another challenge. Can they solve a puzzling riddle so the Yeti will help them find their way to a stolen space ship that's hidden in a cave at the center of the mountain? And can Archer fly it home if they do find it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katharine Giles
• Release date: Oct 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370715732

Katharine Giles

Her many adventures gave Katharine an advantage when she wrote The Archer Adventure Series. Born in Wyoming, her family moved to the West Coast so early in her life that she barely remembered days on the dude ranch where her grandfather worked as foreman and her cowboy father sang Western songs to the dudes around evening campfires.Katharine's parents loved to travel America's highways and always explored side roads when an interesting sign coaxed them off the Interstate. This is how she discovered getting lost could be an adventure. She learned to fly and toured the Western states with her pilot husband to attend small airport Fly-Ins that hosted everything from Barbecues to Pancake Breakfasts.She's been salmon fishing over the Columbia River Bar in Oregon, deep sea fishing at San Pedro, California, and Mazatlan, Mexico. She's traveled East to West across Mexico on the famous Copper Canyon train, visited the dolphins in Topolobampo Bay and toured Santa Catalina Island (the Channel Islands West of Los Angeles) by boat, seaplane and twin-engine plane that landed at the airport in the sky.She later took scuba lessons and became a PADI Certified Diver. A passion for cooking prompted her to write three cookbooks and compete in a Pace Picante Sauce cooking contest where she won $1,000 First Place prize with a creative soup recipe. After obtaining a Diamond Certificate from The Gemological Institute of America and completing their Colored Stone Course, she became a silver smith so she could design and create custom jewelry for family and friends. Along the way, Katharine added roller skating, bowling, sailing, ballroom dancing, and competition shooting to her list of interests.A few memorable adventures as a solo long-haul driver across America include picking up a load of Christmas trees on a mountain top, dropping a load of tires in a cow pasture where the cattle surrounded her truck before she made it through the gate because they were expecting a hay delivery, and frantically searching for a police escort when she got her big truck lost in the middle of New York City. Getting lost in the big city turned out to be more traumatic than the time she drove her 18-wheeler, with its 53-foot trailer, to the end of a dead-end road.Katharine's many travels by air, land and sea took her down America's Interstates from Victoria, B.C., to Key West, Florida, and from Montreal, Canada, to Tijuana, Mexico, and she's visited every state except Alaska. While she continues her passion for writing, she enjoys painting acrylics on canvas and daily walks with her dog, Jasper.

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FIRE SLED

An Archer Adventure

Book VI

Katharine Giles

Copyright 2017 © Katharine Giles

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered or stored in or introduced into any information storage or retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the author is illegal and punishable by law. Please do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

The author has no control over nor assumes any responsibility for third-party websites or their content.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locations is not necessarily substantiated by fact.

Cover Image: © Shutterstock_357432812

Cover Design: © 2017 Katharine Giles

Distributed by Smashwords.com

Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

Author Website: www.thearcheradventures.com

ISBN: 978-1-946338-03-7 eBook

ISBN: 978-1-946338-06-8 Paperback

Version: 10.25.2017

Digitally created in the United States of America

For Carl, a constant inspiration in my life.

Table of Contents

Glossary & Phonic Pronunciation Guide

Chapter One: The High Himalayas

Chapter Two: Dangerous Quest

Chapter Three: Village Story Teller

Chapter Four: Mountain Trek

Chapter Five: Mysterious Yeti

Chapter Six: A Gift of Snow

Chapter Seven: The Legend of Volka

Chapter Eight: Treacherous Journey

Chapter Nine: Volka’s Lost Warriors

Chapter Ten: A Hero Returns Home

Chapter Eleven: The Planet Katius

Preview of: The Black Pagoda

An Archer Adventure, Book VII

More Books by This Author

About The Author

Glossary & Phonic Pronunciation Guide

Amethina (Am-eth-ee-nuh): King Zirco’s Daughter, Archer’s Mother

Aradia (Uh-ray-dee-uh): Damani’s Daughter, Archer’s Teacher

Archer (Arch-er): Prince of Water, Heir to Skye

Arndi (Arn-dee): Beasts of Partha

Balycon (B-owl-ee-kahn): Underwater Kingdom on the Earth Star

Damani (Duh-mawn-ee): Crystal Master of Skye

Gawn (Gone): Vesco’s Arndi Pet

Ichos (Eye-kohs): Ruler of Water

Japhron (Jaf-rawn): Kashki’s Son

Kashki (Cash-key): Crystal Master of Partha

Katians (Kay-shuns): People from Katius

Katius (Kay-tee-us): Planet beyond The Mother Star

Martok (Mar-tawk): Leader of the Yeti

Mother Star: Galactic Center of 5th Dimension Galaxy

Munja (Moon-juh): Keeper of Partha’s Fire Sleds

Mylo (My-low): Innkeeper and Mountain Guide

Pacion (Pass-ee-own): Keeper of Balycon’s Crystal Ball

Partha (Par-thuh): High Mountain Kingdom

Shopel (Show-pel): Village Story Teller

Skye(Sky): Galactic Center of 4th Dimension Galaxy

Surika (Shur-ee-kuh): Mylo’s Wife

Timba (Tim-buh): Vesco’s Arndi Pet

Tibet (Tib-et): Country in the High Himalayas

Vesko (Ves-koh): Ruler of Partha

Volka (Vohl-kuh): Leader of the Arndi

Yaika (Yay-kuh): Leader of Zetran Star Fleet

Yeti (Yet-ee): Beasts of Tibet

Zetra (Zet-ruh): Planet in Katius’ Galaxy

Zirco (Zer-koh): Ruler of Skye

Zondo (Zon-doh): Black Moray Eel in Balycon

Archer’s Adventures recorded by Korina, Story Teller of Skye

Chapter One

The High Himalayas

Centuries ago, in the parallel world of the immortals, a volcano erupted in the middle of the Pacific ocean. The mountain disintegrated, sank beneath the sea and left a remnant of its peak above the waves to mark its grave. Thousands of pearls cover the floor of this shallow salt-water pool and those who live here call it The Pearl Grotto.

* * * * * *

Early morning found Archer lying on his back on a flat rock in the middle of the Pearl Grotto basking in the sun. He seldom visited the grotto since his move to the white stone city but he'd come to practice his imaging skills on Zondo, the black moray eel that lived here. Archer rolled onto his stomach to stare at the carpet of pearls that covered the floor of the grotto. Some as large as marbles, others as small as peas with every size in between, they shimmered like a satin blanket in the morning light. Most glowed shades of white, but he found yellow, pink, and black pearls scattered among them.

He raised his eyes to look at the pearl fish a few inches below the water line on the grotto wall. They reminded him of his first day in Balycon when Myra, the mermaid, brought him here. She showed him how to remove the pearl fish from their shells and wrap them in pona leaves to mask their taste. In a kingdom where pearls had no value, everyone ate pearl fish and threw the pearls away.

Archer shook his head at the waste and mumbled aloud, My earth mom would have loved to see this. Pearls should be enjoyed, not thrown away. One day I'll find a proper use for them.

Archer jerked back when a fish jumped in front of him and sent a circle of waves across the pool to lap against the rocks. As soon as the water returned to a glass-like sheen, Archer glanced at the mirrored surface. A youth with a tanned muscular body, shoulder-length blonde hair and violet eyes stared back at him.

That can’t be me! he exclaimed, unable to believe he’d changed that much since his arrival in this kingdom beneath the sea.

Why do I look so old? I don’t look like the 14-year old kid the killer wave dropped on the sea floor. Have I been here long enough to become an immortal like Pacion? After I get back to Balycon, I’ll ask him to explain what’s happening to me.

He released a sigh, shook his head and glanced at the multicolored gemstone stars splashed across his swim costume. They flashed like fireworks in the sun and reminded Archer of his fire stone charm. He grabbed the chain around his neck and raised the charm to eye level. The instant it caught the light, geometric puddles of color flashed in the depths of the milky stone. Gifts from his grandfather, the clothing and matching charm were his most treasured possessions. Although he’d been told more than once he owned the rarest gem in Skye, he didn’t call it a fire stone. He preferred to call it an opal because it resembled his earth mother’s birthstone.

Archer let the gem fall to the end of its chain and spoke aloud. One day I’ll understand why grandfather gave this charm to me. Aradia keeps telling me that I have a lot to learn before that happens. I’ll think about that later. It’s time to look for Zondo and practice talking to him with the image language Arcos taught me.

Archer rose to his feet, dove from the rock and his strong, smooth strokes took him to the bottom of the pool. The sunlight reflecting off the pearls illuminated the entrance to the tunnel that connected the grotto to the open sea. Once inside the tunnel, cracks in the overhead rocks let in enough light to help Archer search for the eel’s den. Shortly before he reached the end of the tunnel, he nearly crashed into Zondo who was hanging out of a small tunnel. He looked like an old tree branch stuck between the rocks and Archer didn’t notice him until they were nearly eye to eye.

Archer jerked back, bumped his head on the tunnel wall and scolded,.Zondo! You scared me half to death!

Zondo tilted his head and blinked his eyes.

I came to visit you and give you a treat, Archer told him in the silent language of the sea. He closed his eyes and materialized a squid in the water.

Before he could open his eyes, something hard crashed into his arm. His eyes snapped open and he jerked back when Zondo grabbed the squid he’d accidentally placed a few inches from his nose.

That was stupid, Archer told himself. I put the squid too close! Why didn’t I ask Arcos to come with me and teach me how to do this? Maybe I’d better put Zondo’s treat at the end of the tunnel and try to lure him into the open sea.

Before Archer could close his eyes, Pacion’s voice rang in his ear, Archer. I need you in the communication chamber.

Pacion’s words expressed an urgency Archer couldn't ignore. He looked at Zondo and reached out to touch the top of the eel’s head. He didn’t know how to tell Zondo goodbye with an image so he spoke to him in the silent language of the sea.

I have to go. I’ll come back as soon as I can.

Archer removed his hand and backed away. Zondo turned his head sideways, gave him a sly wink and slid into his den.

Zondo understood what I told him! Why didn’t Arcos tell me he understands the thought language? I wish I had more time but I’d better see what Pacion wants.

Archer closed his eyes and, in the blackness beneath his lids, pictured Pacion in Balycon’s communication chamber hovering near the crystal ball.

When Pacion’s image appeared, Archer told him, I’m on my way.

As soon as Archer expressed a desire to be at Pacion’s side, his vision transported him to the communication chamber where he found Aradia waiting with Pacion.

Good morning, Archer greeted. What’s going on and what’s Aradia doing here?

Pacion called me too, Aradia told him. I don’t know what’s going on.

Pacion smiled at Archer and replied, I regret interrupting your visit with Zondo but someone called this morning who needs to speak with the two of you. Now that you're here I’ll call him back.

Is it Damani or Marcoli? Archer asked.

Neither, replied Pacion.

Curious at who might be calling them, Archer and Aradia moved close to the crystal ball. A white mist boiled up beneath the polished facets and cleared to reveal a man's head floating against a white background.

That looks weird! Archer remarked.

I’ll fix it, Pacion told him.

Pacion adjusted the image until it captured the shadows cast by folds in the man’s clothing and attached the man’s head atop his turquoise robe. Pacion enlarged the image until the man's angular features, long white beard and ice-blue eyes filled the crystal ball.

Archer and Aradia are here, Pacion told him. Please tell us the reason for your call.

Hello Archer. Hello Aradia, the man greeted. My name is Kashki. I’m the crystal master of Partha, a mountain kingdom on the Earth Star. Partha’s ruler asked me to invite you to Partha to assist him with a most urgent task. If you agree to come, you'll learn the details upon your arrival.

I’ve never heard of Partha, Pacion replied. No wonder I didn’t know you.

Partha is Skye’s oldest kingdom on the Earth Star. If Archer and Aradia choose to accept Vesko’s invitation, they’ll learn why Partha is older than Skye and how it came under Skye’s rule.

Archer grinned broadly, glanced at Aradia and nodded yes.

Aradia looked at the man’s image in Pacion’s crystal ball and told him, We accept your invitation.

As soon as Kashki’s image vanished, a field of white filled the crystal ball. Aradia reached for Archer's hand but he was staring into the crystal ball and backed away.

We can’t go there! he told her.

I’ll fix it. Pacion told him and directed the crystal ball to scan Partha’s communication chamber. Pacion quickly found Kashki standing beside a crystal ball sitting atop a carved turquoise pedestal.

He looked at Archer and asked, Is this satisfactory?

Archer answered with a nod and reached for Aradia’s hand. They clasped hands, closed their eyes, and placed the last image in the crystal ball in the blackness beneath their lids. Their vision transported them through the crystal ball and into Partha’s communication chamber.

The instant Archer’s bare feet hit the floor, he opened his eyes and his mouth gaped open. He stared wide-eyed at the man who’d invited them here and rapidly discovered Aradia’s shocked expression matched his.

Pacion’s crystal ball had failed to prepare them to meet this giant of a man. He towered above them and had to be seven feet tall. Kashki’s shoulder-length white hair softened his angular features. His long white beard melted into his turquoise fur robe and appeared to attach his head to his clothing. A fist-sized white gemstone charm hung to his waist from a heavy gold chain and would have disappeared into the fur except for its flashing fire.

Archer met Kashki’s ice blue eyes and backed away. Uncomfortable beneath his gaze, Archer turned his head to scan the room and quickly found the reason for the field of white that he’d seen in Pacion’s crystal ball. Everything in the room was stark white except for an empty black stone platform at the back of the room, Kashki’s turquoise robe and the pedestal beneath the crystal ball.

"Welcome to Partha," Kashki greeted before Archer could ask the purpose of the empty platform. You’ve arrived at the snow-covered mountains from your home in the tropical sea. Before I take you to meet Partha's ruler, I'll provide proper clothing.

Kashki’s words reminded Archer that they’d arrived in their swim wear and he glanced down. Steam rose from their wet, dripping bodies and he and Aradia stood next to Partha’s crystal ball in an ever-widening puddle of water. Archer looked up when Kashki reached into the ether above his head and held two glistening fur robes when he lowered his hand.

Your color of Skye, he said and gave Aradia a red fur robe.

She acknowledged the gift with a nod, took it from him and slipped it over her head.

This belongs to you, Kashki told Archer and handed him a white fur robe adorned with multicolored gemstone stars.

After Archer accepted the robe, Kashki reached up a second time and brought down slippers that matched their robes. After they donned their new attire, Archer and Aradia reached for the chains to their gemstone charms and pulled them from beneath their robes. A ray of light reflected off the crystal ball, hit Aradia’s red gemstone charm and red and blue fire exploded around her. When Archer pulled the fire stone free, jagged streaks of color shot across its milky surface.

Kashki's eyes widened at the sight of Archer’s charm and he remarked, I’ve heard of the fire stone and am familiar with its powers but this is the first one I’ve seen. How is it that you wear the rarest of gems?

Grandfather gave it to me, Archer told him.

King Zirco gave you a precious gift, Kashki responded with a shake of his head. It’s good you travel with your charms of Skye. You’ll need them on this journey.

"We always wear them," Aradia told him and turned in a slow circle to model her her new clothing. I like this soft, shiny fabric. Where do you get it?

We once wore clothing made from the metallic fabric of Skye until your father taught me how to create the shining fur. On the way to meet Vesko, you’ll discover why it's more suitable for Partha.

When Kashki turned and led them into a narrow hallway, Aradia walked at his side. Archer dropped behind to stare at the pyramid’s glass ceiling but before he could ask why the glass was white, he realized a cloud had drifted overhead and obscured the sky.

He turned his attention