Search for the Red Wizard: Blue Wizard’S Quest

By B. L. Phillips

Book trailer: Search for the Red Wizard at: http://youtu.be/uK7hyOPo-zA
or under title Search for the Red Wizard

"Romance, Adventure, and Danger provide the reader with a delightful romp as teh Space Darlings encounter Fun, Fear and Perilous situations. When tghe Best Laid Plans go astray the Space Darlings are in the thick of the action"---Alva Underwood, autor of Star Trek Reader's Reference to the novels.

Troubles start for Major Lori and Captain Gladriel when the Heroines in the hit video series 'The Space Darlings' look like them. The Galactic Council orders them to go undercover as entertainers to search for missing reports in the far reaches of the galaxy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 14, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463419059

B. L. Phillips

Barbara Phillips received her BA in Education from Wichita State University and her MA in English from Fort Hays State University. Barbara has been a teacher, adminstrator, mentor and editor during her career as an educator at Wamego High School. She served as an instructor for over ten years and as Outreach Director of Highland Community College in Wamego, Kansas for over nine years. She won two fellowships in Social Studies and a fellowship in Newspaper studies at Kansas State University and two fellowships in Philosophy at Kansas University. Barbara also spent a summer seminar at Stanford University. She has lectured on the structure of fantasy literature and the history of science fiction at various schools and colleges Barbara Phillips, under the pen name B. L. Daniels, has in print a science fiction novel The Best Laid Plans in "The Space Darling Series Vol.1."

Book preview

Chapter 1

New Beginning

Change is a powerful force. This was proven when our new lives began in my kitchen. My four friends and I were going out to the sun porch when a tremendously loud sonic boom and a white sustained flash of light surrounded and blinded us. I raised my hands and covered my eyes to keep from staring into the glaring light. The loud roaring noise continued and the lights flared warmly again and again. It startled us all. Anna shrieked. I think we all five screamed. I mentally reeled caught in a swirling sensation. Then I felt a stupendous wave of nausea which made me gag. This was compounded by the deafening continuous noise which rose in volume while a blinding searing white swirling light encircled us. Then another thundering sonic roar began while a higher pitched sound joined the deafening noise. I was disoriented, confused, blinded and shaking. At this point a rush of icy cold air struck me. The cold permeated my whole body. I felt numb. I had no sense of time or location. It was an empty feeling which was followed by a long period of silence then—nothingness.

During this blankness, my mind churned trying to figure out what had happened to us. Had we been struck by lightning? I remember we were having a party.

A week ago Jill phoned. We’re having a party at your place over Labor Day, Now don’t worry, Meg. I will be out Saturday morning. Then Eve and PJ will get there. Anna’s not sure what time she’ll arrive. You know Anna. (I could imagine Jill rolling her blue eyes upward when she said this. We all knew Anna has no sense of time.) We’ll all be staying until Monday. We’ll have a good old fashioned slumber party. We’re all bringing something, don’t worry about food. We’ll help you christen your new place and celebrate," she ended her speech with a giggle. She always answers the phone with a laugh and a giggle.

Around 9:30am today Jill arrived. She’s a delicate featured dark blonde whose figure had softened at forty. Once she’d been a petite size 6, now time had added a touch of roundness to her full height of five one. Her dancing blue eyes brightened her smiling face. One would believe she will never suffer from frown marks, such is her cheerful nature. She was celebrating her recent divorce from a domineering man. She’s always been attracted to strong older men. They’ve always wanted to control her because she is so loving, giving and gentle. There is something about her which shouts ‘vulnerable.’ I’ve always felt a bit protective of her. Besides, we’ve known each other since we were toddlers. She unpacked several items from the trunk of her Lincoln as I hurried out. It is always wonderful to see her. Today was no exception. We gave each other a hearty hug and a kiss on the cheek.

You really brought a lot of stuff, Jill. Let me help you take it to the house. We each picked up one sack and carried the box between us as we walked toward the house. It did lean heavily to her side since I’m around 6 feet tall and she’s so short and tiny. I’ve made up the guest rooms and stocked the fridge.

I know how you stock a fridge. After all we were roommates in college. Taking no chances I’ve brought a few more goodies, she smiled and giggled.

Jill had planned the menu. She knew no one liked the same grilled meat. So she’d brought two chicken breasts for Eve, teriyaki sauce, chicken wings and legs for Anna, two pork chops for herself, a T-bone steak for PJ, and a rib eye for me. As an appetizer she’d added three dozen huge unshelled tiger shrimp and a jar of shrimp sauce. She had asked Eve to bring the ingredients for the beef vegetable soup and bread. She was going to bring a nice size pot roast, which she planned on browning and cubing before simmering it for the afternoon. She’d also brought a pint of cream for her coffee.

Since my husband Vaughn’s death from cancer over a year ago, she’s been a frequent guest and has often taken a soda from my under stocked refrigerator.

We’d almost reached the porch when a blue Chevy pulled into the drive. It was Eve. She honked the horn and waved. We stopped, twisted around and yelled, Hi!

We finished carrying the groceries to the porch and climbed the steps. We paused for a second and I looked back. Eve had already gotten out of the car and gone to the passenger side where she began unloading her boxes and bags. I called to Eve, I’ll help you in a minute. We need to get this box into the house.

It’s okay, guys. I’ve got to unload it first. She took out a couple of large grocery sacks, a plastic sack, and her overnight bag while we went inside.

Jill and I finished carrying her boxes to the kitchen. While Jill unpacked the boxes, I left to help Eve. One look at Eve’s pile made me realize she knew the generally sad state of my refrigerator. It looked as if she was planning a week’s outing. Between their boxes and my shopping it looked as if three days was too short a stay. No doubt my refrigerator would physically reject much of their offerings. I was rapidly thinking of where I could store everything.

I reached her side and gave her a big hug and a kiss. She is almost as tall as I am and a bit stocky. It’s so good to see you, Eve. I’m glad you could make it. Say, I hear congratulations are due. I hugged her again.

It was a special day for her too. Eve was celebrating her promotion at work. Eve has short brown curly hair with golden highlights. Her grey eyes twinkle when she exchanges looks and sly remarks. Eve is blessed with a quick nimble wit. She was not one who’d later say, I wish I’d thought of that. She was the one who’d say it and we all wished we had. She is not a delicate flower of a woman. Her bone structure she blames on her Germanic heritage. She loves blue denim. As usual she was wearing faded jeans and a denim shirt. This one had an embroidered golden bear climbing out of the pocket.

Let’s not stand around. Here take this, she ordered as she handed me a plastic sack with two loaves of bread, one a French loaf and the other some type of specialty bread filled with olives and herbs. She loved the unique flavors of food. Her healthy appetite had filled out her figure, even though she had lots of energy and worked out daily. Next she handed me her overnight bag and one small plastic bag which contained her teddy bear which she brings to all our sleep overs since we were kids. She picked up the rest.

As we carried the items toward the porch a shrill blasting of a car horn announced PJ’s arrival. The bright red convertible she drove fit her style. The top was down and her natural auburn hair streamed back from her fair complexioned face as she sped into the drive. Wait for me, Guys, she yelled.

Hi, PJ, Meg will help you. I’ll go ahead and get my stuff inside, called Eve. We went on up to the porch where Jill had opened the door. Eve held it open with the toe of her shoe.

Jill said, Let me have those bags, Meg. You go help PJ. The two of them disappeared inside.

What can I do to help, PJ? I asked as I hurried to help her.

I’m not quite ready to unload the car. I have time for a hug or two. We embraced. It’s been too long."

Too long, I agreed.

I waited for PJ, which is short for Pauline June, a name she hates. She put up the convertible top and unloaded a picnic basket, large cooler and a duffel bag.

You know, Meg, I’ve really missed seeing you.

Well, you wouldn’t, if you didn’t go gallivanting around the world so much. I quipped as I picked up her duffel bag and set it down. It was quite weighty. What’s in this bag? I asked as I semi-hefted it a second time.

She laughed. I never waste time nor space. Inside my bag are my nighty, swimsuit, clothes, and makeup.

I chuckled. Either you’re packing for a long stay or your makeup is pretty weighty. Maybe this is how you manage to stay so young looking.

She laughed. Time has been kind. Besides, if I can lift it, so can you. She managed to carry the bedroll, and a cooler loaded with vegetables and her favorite soda, as well as a bulging picnic basket. Truly time had been kind to her, and although she was well over 40, she looked to be in her early thirties. Her trim petite figure was kept in shape by her strenuous daily workouts and her mother’s genes. It’s also true she’s always treated her pale delicate skin with care. She never forgets to wear sunscreen and she limits her time in the sun. Her rich green eyes and fair complexion were the only connections hinting to our family relationship. She was my first cousin, yet she and my sister look more alike, than do I and my sister. PJ had inherited the family height. I’m a full six-foot tall and big boned while she’s a small-framed 5'10 tall woman. At one time we had the teaching profession in common. She, however, married young and quite well, so well she quit teaching. When she divorced, she divorced quite well. PJ still didn’t have any desire to return to work. She was a great golfer, volunteer, and bridge player. We planned on playing a few rubbers of bridge over the weekend. We’d follow our sumptuous lunch today with visiting and bridge. Then they’d top the evening off with a hot bowl of homemade soup and crackers.

Eve teased PJ. "I thought you were only bringing the salad and fruit. You have enough food to a keep us alive for a month, are you expecting a tornado.

PJ laughed, I brought bagged ice and salad fixings. She smiled, A few treats aren’t bad either. She opened up the bag and pulled out a variety of cheeses: a small chunk of blue cheese, a hunk of cheddar, smoked Gouda and Swiss cheese. She topped this off with, a variety of fresh fruit, and two boxes of crackers.

Eve and Jill began to laugh when they saw the three pound box of chocolates. She lifted her head, tilted her chin back, and said defensively, This is my ‘card playing incentive’ program.

I was ready for all their goodies. Earlier I’d loaded up my two stainless steel serving carts with cutlery, silver, and plates. I’d put the wine and a stick of butter in a plastic bag in the ice bin which PJ shortly filled with ice. She also put ice in the other cart’s bins and in the glass pitcher. I placed the shrimp sauce and a container of sour cream and salad dressing in the other ice bin. While Jill and Eve washed the vegetables and put them in a colander, PJ and I loaded the cart with the rest of our supplies and stocked the refrigerator with things we’d use later.

PJ spoke up; Instead of sitting around waiting for Anna, we could prep these veggies and get everything ready to cook the soup before we play cards.

Why don’t we go out on the sun porch? Meg’s already got the table and chairs out there. We can visit and work, suggested Jill.

Sounds workable, Jill. Oh, by the way I’ve already fixed the potatoes for lunch. I oiled them and rolled them in coarse salt and wrapped them in foil. They’re on the bottom shelf along with the roasting ears Jill brought.

Before we head out I’ll put the package of meat in the stew pot. I think I’ll grill it and then cut it up. Do we have any more ice, PJ? Eve asked.

Sure do. Do you want me to dump some under and around the meat?

Good idea. Now, what else do we need? asked Eve.

A wee bit more organization and a commercial refrigerator, teased Jill.

I hope Anna gets here soon, said PJ with a touch of worry in her voice.

What if she’s late? asked Eve.

No problem. We have no shortage of food, advised Jill. And then there are four of us, so we can play cards.

While they were talking PJ took out the mixed lettuce bag and put it, along with some of the other salad ingredients into the colander. She added the salad bowl, filled with smaller salad bowls, tongs and more vegetables on the second cart on the middle shelf, along with the wineglasses.

Meanwhile Eve poured a carafe full of hot coffee and sealed it tight. I love to have a hot cup of coffee after a meal, along with a piece of chocolate, she remarked as she set the carafe on top of the second cart. She went to the fridge and took out the cream. Perfect. She set it in the cart’s ice bin. She laid the box of chocolates under the colander. We could have a bon-bon or two while we wait for Anna. She winked.

I think it will save a trip of two if we bring a pitcher of ice water, glasses and coffee cups, added Jill as she set these beside the coffee on the cart. Jill then picked up the bread in the plastic sack.

Do we have it all? asked PJ, as she looked around the kitchen.

I shook my head no. I’ve made a pitcher of tea. It’s in the fridge in the plastic container. Would you get it, PJ? I’ve got to get the cards and score sheets. I went into the dining room and picked up the cards, the score sheets, a pen, and pencil. I tucked these in my pant pockets. On a last minute whim, I picked up my Polaroid camera. It isn’t digital state of the art, yet it is instantaneous. Smile, I called as I snapped a picture of our gang on my entry into the kitchen. I set it aside to wait to be developed. I wish Anna would get here soon. Then I’ll take another photo."

Oh, no, said Jill as she looked around. I almost forgot the cutting boards and knives, she said as she picked up a small paring knife, a bread knife and two larger knives. She jammed these onto the first cart. Did you remember the steak knives, Meg?

"I sure did. Voila," I said as I uncovered the silverware and sharp knives.

How about a peeler? asked Eve?

I shrugged my shoulders. I wasn’t thinking about such a chore.

She turned, opened the whatnot drawer, and searched for the small device. Found it. I also have the meat tongs, a spatula, a grate for the carrots and the toothpicks. She dumped everything, including the box of toothpicks into a plastic grocery bag and set it on the stew pot on top of the ice covered meat.

Meanwhile Jill noticed the breakfast supplies on the cabinet. You still have an ant problem, Meg? she asked. I nodded yes. Meg, would you grab the stadium blanket I’ll use it as a bench cover?

I picked it up, slung it over my shoulder, and went to help her. She opened the refrigerator and saw the mess inside and laughed. Meg, hold the box of cereal while I make room.

Jill reached in and picked up the luncheon meats, and dumped the meat into the meat drawer. She was rearranging the rest of the items on the shelf when PJ pushed open the kitchen door. As PJ pushed the cart over the door’s sill and onto the porch she bumped into the grill. Eve was right behind her pulling the second cart. This caused Eve to bump into PJ. I was losing my balance and awkwardly leaned against the cart to keep from falling. Meanwhile Jill’s right hand was on the metal shelf in the refrigerator. At the same time she was touching the box of cereal I held. Exactly at the same moment Anna reached Jill’s side and held back the refrigerator door with her shoulder. Her arms were filled with her bags of groceries and her sleeping bag. It seems everyone or some item was linked together.

At this moment something happened. I still didn’t know what it was.

We were in a state of nothingness until sometime later a bright light flicked a couple of times then failed for an unimaginably long length of time. I felt as though I was holding my breath. The pressure on my body was intense and I fought to breathe. I don’t know how long we were in this state. It could have been hours or days it seemed to be eternal, and then suddenly we burst into daylight again.

We weren’t in the house anymore. Nor were we on the porch. Gone was the kitchen. In fact, gone was the house. Gone was almost everything I’d ever known. We had one thing in common; we were totally confused. Perhaps confusion is a mild word for our state. Maybe a better word was ‘stupefied,’ yet even this word wasn’t quite right. We looked at each other. For a long time, no one said a word. It seemed as if our vocal cords and our minds were on different planes.

I don’t know who made the first sound or motion. I recalled hearing Anna’s colorful language and Jill’s outburst of laughter. I don’t know who or what broke the silence.

Jill officially ended the silence when she whispered, Have we been struck by lightning?

Eve spoke in a sotto voice stammered, "I—I—don’t think—we’re not in Kansas—anymore.

Am I dreaming? asked Jill in a soft voice.

I know we’re not in my home. If this is a dream, it is a powerful one. I felt my arm rub against Anna’s arm. She felt solid enough and I could feel the sensation of touch. This doesn’t feel like a dream. I know at least two of us are really here.

Something really weird happened. Did you all feel the mad rush of cold air before the really long silence? asked Anna. We nodded yes. I don’t think I’ve ever been colder. Thank goodness it didn’t last any longer. My fingers feel numb. Could we have died?

Eve looked at her. You look alive to me and I feel alive. We are all sharing the same experience so it cannot be anything we know. We could have been transported to another dimension or world.

Eve. You are reading too much science fiction, said Anna.

After a bit more constrained conversation we accepted the fact we were not hallucinating, dreaming, dead or been struck by lightning. The reality was we were not anywhere near my screened porch or kitchen. We seemed to feel a need for secrecy and spoke quietly among us. For a time we didn’t move other than our head or arms. We were immobile and in shock. I remember looking in all directions, yet I felt locked in place. I looked around again. Instead of being in my home, we were on the outer edge of a sunlit forest clearing. We were not more than forty feet away from a huge tree. This clearing had a small grassy meadow surrounding the tree. Everything else outside the circle was forest. Suddenly Anna gave a lurch and fell over my right leg. Her sack of groceries spilled onto the ground. Out tumbled three big cans of nuts, a bag of chocolate covered peanuts, a bag of lemon drops, a package of cinnamon gum, a bag of pecan halves, a large container of fresh strawberries, a box of mixed hard candies, and a box of chocolate covered toffee. We began to laugh hysterically. The spell of speaking softly was broken and we could move once more.

Anna’s stumble and our laughter must have alerted the small man by the tree. It was then we saw his movement. We all looked toward the motion. Beside the huge tree was a small dark figure who was dressed all in brown stopped and reached into the tree’s hollow trunk.

Jill hollered, Hello, there!

He didn’t reply. He must have been stunned by the sudden presence of five distraught mature women carrying various bags and boxes. No doubt he noticed the two filled carts; the barbeque grill; the kitchen door sill, which was still attached to the screen door and kitchen door; and the side-by-side refrigerator. I’m sure he heard Jill’s hello. I’m surprised he didn’t hear us earlier. Even though we spoke quietly, we were no doubt a bit noisy. We were too rattled to recall later. When he realized we were there, he screamed, said something unintelligible, turned, and ran off into the dense woods.

Eve called out, Wait, wait! No doubt the sight of us was too much.

We fell into a fit of hysterical laughter. Once we calmed down we looked around. Anna began repacking her sack of goodies with PJ’s help.

What do you suppose the man was doing? asked PJ.

There’s no way of knowing unless we look, responded Eve. It’s true we were all quite curious as to what the man was doing. Unfortunately knowing what he was doing was easier to solve than the mystery of where we were and what had happened.

Chapter 2

The Gifts

The others hung back a bit as Jill and I walked slowly to the tree. I set down my burden and looked inside. Something glimmered. What is this? I turned toward Jill, Jill, I see something inside. I turned back and reached inside the hollow trunk. My hand touched a glistening slightly warm crystal. I pulled the object out. It was a water lily shaped gold leaved pendant with a yellow amber gem resting in the center of the blue gem encrusted flower. The mounting was attached to a long twisted golden chain. I studied the sparkling crystal. This is beautiful.

It is. Is anything else inside? asked Jill. Her curiosity was really aroused.

I don’t know. I’ve found a necklace. Why don’t you look inside? I suggested as I put on the necklace and stepped aside from the opening. I caressed the crystal with my fingers’ tips; it tingled warmly and radiated a soft blue glow. I then felt the petals; these weren’t smooth as I’d first thought. The petals were studded with aquamarine crystals; this was even more stunning when exposed to sunlight. No doubt their presence gave a hint of color to the golden flower. I tried to remember what a crystal was supposed to do for the wearer. I thought it might have protective or health powers. I knew there must be more powers.

While I pondered the power of a crystal, Jill walked over to the hollow and looked inside. Two bright gleaming dots peeped from the darkness. She stuck her face closer to the hole, and then backed up, put in her right arm and stretched until she was standing on her toes. She’d found the source of the bright dots. She withdrew her hand. She was holding a pair of golden earrings which looked like miniature trumpets with a polished blue-green amazonite set in each trumpet’s opening. She removed her own earrings and put them in her pocket. Next she inserted the earrings in her ears. She pivoted. Look, she said. Everyone had arrived at the tree by this time. Each one of us took turns looking at her earrings.

Wow! Those are really great. They have a brilliant shine. Maybe there’s more inside the tree. Let me try, said Anna as she hurried to the opening. We stepped away from the tree. She set down her sleeping bag, and looked in the dark opening. The angle of her head showed she was seeing something lower down. She stepped back, bent her knees slightly and reached inside. She fumbled around momentarily and then slowly withdrew her arm. All eyes were locked on her as she opened her hand to reveal an almost two inch wide gold and silver interwoven chainmail bracelet adorned with a pair of miniature golden scissors, a silver needle, a gold dimpled jewel encrusted thimble and a long strand of multicolored thread. Additionally six bejeweled miniature gold and silver spools of thread randomly adorned the bracelet. There seemed to be no pattern to the placement. A quick study of the bracelet revealed the spools were each adorned in one gemstone. We looked closely at each one. The red one was covered with red rubies. The white one was milky quartz and the blue spool was crusted with turquoise. There was a yellow limonite, black onyx, and green jade. Buttons of fire opals and purple tanzanite were scatter randomly here and there. Jill helped her put it on. This is great. It fits. She held up her arm. It fit perfectly.

Eve stepped forward. I might as well give it a look. She peeked into the dark interior. First she looked up, and then down. After stepping back she put her right arm into the opening. Reaching deep down into the tree she pulled out a thick short chain. It was made of sturdy double gold links. Clear yellow amber, red streaked and dabbed bloodstones, deep green emeralds and silvery hematite gems encrusted the lock which secured the anklet bracelet. Attached to it was an ornate gold key. She unlocked it, bent down, put it around her ankle, and locked it again. As she locked the anklet the end of the thick handled key opened and a matching golden chain cascaded from the top. How convenient, she remarked as she put the chain around her neck. I guess we’re the lucky ones. I hope no one else was coming for these. Somehow they seem to have been made for us.

It’s my turn. I’d like a look before it’s announced the tree store is closed. PJ was not going to be denied her turn.

I’m sorry, PJ. I was so excited. I thought everyone had looked. I’m really sorry. Please give it a look, said Eve.

PJ peeked in cautiously. I see something up higher. I can’t make out what it is. She put in her right arm. It wasn’t long enough, so she stretched onto her toes as she reached inside the dark trunk. She groped around for a time. She stretched a bit more and then withdrew her hand, Look. She held up a silver or platinum broach. Its design was unique. Upon the silver base rested a finely detailed golden hand. The hand grasped the middle of a brown enameled cane studded with fiery opals and winking yellow and red tiger’s eyes. The cane’s handle looked to be one large carved lapis lazuli. It was stunning. She pinned it to her lapel. I saw something else too. She turned back to the hollow and reached inside. This time she pulled forth a full sized cane with a carved lapis lazuli handle. It had the same handle as the one on the broach. Embedded at the other end of the cane was a carved lapis lazuli stone. The cane itself was carved and studded with tiger’s eyes. All were held in place by silver mountings. As if to test its weight and balance PJ spun the cane around like a twirler’s baton and touched it to the ground firmly. Where she struck the earth a hole appeared twice the size of the end of the cane. She struck it again. The hole grew to be one foot wide and two inches deep. She touched a tiger eye and the cane folded into a walnut sized tiger eye marble. She put it in her pocket.

PJ, your cane could be quite dangerous, warned Eve. Handle your stick carefully.

We took turns looking inside the tree. We didn’t find anything else. It was while doing this Jill, who has a hearing problem, removed her hearing aide, leaned against the tree and listened, as if she was hearing something. Shortly she spoke, Ladies, I know you may not believe what I’m about to say. The tree speaks. She raised her hand to cut off any response from us. It says we have each been given special talents based on our innate skills. It seems I can hear some inanimate objects speak, such as this tree. You, Eve, have been given great strength and agility. You are to take a branch from the tree. She pointed upwards to a long straight branch. It is your weapon of defense and walking stick. Eve reached up. The branch fell readily into her hand. It was well over six feet long. She stepped away from us and spun it around playfully, yet skillfully.

Jill continued, You, Anna, can make anything. Those scissors are magic and can cut anything and the needle and thread can sew or mend anything. This is a great power. It fully confirms we are not on our own world. You, Meg, can read, speak, and understand any language and cast magic spells. You have a bit more work to do. You are to dig under this root. There’s a hide wrapped bundle under there. She pointed to a long raised gnarled root. PJ, your tiger eye studded cane is to be used to plant things or to make holes of any size. Whatever you plant will grow quickly. You can also refill the holes by touching the holes with the handle of your cane. You are to be our organizer and keep us prepared.

I looked at the ground and went back to the cart. I picked up the butcher knife and a spatula and returned to the tree. These aren’t the greatest tools and I hate to think about dulling this knife. I sat down, took a deep breath and began to dig with the aid of the large kitchen knife.

Hold off, Meg. Let me give it a jab or two. PJ came over. She took out the tiger eye and touched it with her other hand. It instantly became a cane. She practiced making a few holes. She was afraid to go too deep. I’ll see if I can get it to pile up on the side. She swept the ground to one side leaving a groove. She kept working at it as I dug under the root.