The Ylimaf and the Sacred Key

By L. J. Smith

On an Island called Noitacav there were simple people called the Ylimaf. The Ylimaf live under a force field for protection from an evil sorcerer. Twin teenage boys, Relyt and Nivram and Princess Nnylyks learn of a possible infiltration of their protective force field and learn of a way outside of their enclosure to go on pursuit for the Sacred Key that will protect them all. They go on a great journey and meet fantastic striking Fairies, a talking rock caterpillar a stunning Annekam, and massive Ydal Gubs and so many more. They also combat horrendous Trolls, giant Orcs and a wicked, foul sprite. They venture through an island only their parents have known. Climb and scavenge through a crumbling castle and travel through glowing mountains that havent seen a human in ages. During their Journey they encounter challenges and issues but make many lifelong friends along the way. Their adventure doesnt go the way they plan and the biggest shock is yet to come. They believe they have finally outwitted the evil Semaj but have they really?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481778343

L. J. Smith

L. J. Smith has written over two dozen books for young adults, including The Vampire Diaries, now a hit TV show. She has also written the bestselling Night World series and The Forbidden Game, as well as the #1 New York Times bestselling Dark Visions. She loves to walk the trails and beaches in Point Reyes, California, daydreaming about her latest book.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

IS THERE SOMEONE OUT THERE?

T he sky is bright orange and red like a fire, with many dark, bold stripes of intense yellow and creamy gray. The golden sun lowers to the west. Relyt and Nivram run through perfumed knee-high wildflowers. The soft, cottony petals of red, pink, blue, purple, and yellow brush them as they swiftly pass. Relyt stops abruptly and stares forward. Nivram, still running hard, slams into Relyt, knocking them both down. They slowly rise to their feet, dusting off.

What is the matter with you, Nivram? Why did you run into me? Relyt shakes his head to remove the leaves.

I didn’t see you stop. Why’d you stop so fast? Nivram, equally irritated, dusts off his shoulder.

I just saw the most unusual bird, Relyt replies. It was a huge black bird with a white chest, white feet, and some white on its tail. It must have been four feet tall. It was just staring at me. He keeps looking all around for another glimpse of the big bird.

Four feet tall? You’re crazy; there is no such bird, Nivram says, tilting his head and rolling his eyes. You probably saw something else.

Are you calling me a liar, Nivram? I saw it standing there, staring at me. Until you knocked me down. What’s your problem? Relyt pushes Nivram. Why don’t you watch where you’re going? He punches Nivram on the arm.

A manly voice from far away interrupts them. Boys, boys, where are you? It’s time for dinner. Come home right now!

I’ll race you, Relyt. Are you ready? Nivram says, grateful his dad called them home so his brother would leave him alone. He bends his right leg and extends his left leg behind him, curling his arms to his sides, ready to race.

I’m ready to race, Relyt yells. One, two … you started too early! He begins running with all his might. Nivram, you’re cheating! I’ll catch you.

The boys run to a quaint little cottage made of wood, mud, and the most marvelous stones with colors of rust, tan, gray, and a bluish black. The roof is made of straw, sticks, and more mud. They walk in through the large arched wooden door. The floor is made of wood, and hangings of lovely, soft, brown tattered cloth decorate the windows. In the fireplace is a large, black pot with a roaring fire underneath.

Hi, Dad, we’re home, both boys say as they run in through the front door and slam it behind them. Relyt rests both hands on his bent knees and takes deep breaths. Nivram stands proud, smiling and breathing heavily, with his hands on his hips.

Boys, where have you been? says their father, Nairb, with a scowl. I have been calling you for over ten minutes. You know the rules: when the sun starts to go down behind Nosirp Mountain, you must be home. Now, where have you been? He begins placing dinner plates on the table.

Dad, Relyt saw something beyond the force field, Nivram says, sitting down at the table. It was a huge four-foot bird. Relyt, tell him what you saw.

Relyt starts describing the new animal while helping his father set dinner on the table. Toward the end of his story, there comes a knock at the door.

Hold on a second, Relyt, Nairb says, getting up and answering the door. When the door swings open, there stands Town Elder Enaud. He is a tall, thin man with short dark hair, olive skin, and slightly slanted eyes behind round spectacles framed in copper. He looks angry.

Hi, Enaud, we were just sitting down to dinner. Would you like to join us?

Good evening, everyone. Sorry to bother you, but Nairb, may I speak to you outside? Enaud asks vaguely, with a conspiratorial toss of the head.

Sure, Enaud. Boys, I will be right back. Nairb follows Enaud outside and swiftly shuts the door behind them.

Nairb motions for both men to walk to the side of the cottage so their conversation will be more private.

Is there something I can help you with, Enaud?

Nairb, there are stories of your boys playing near the force field again. You know the town rules. I realize you’ve had a hard time raising the boys by yourself, but you need to enforce the town regulations. He pounds one hand on the palm of the other like a gavel. Please, Nairb, for the sake of our people.

I understand, Enaud; I will speak with them this evening. I appreciate your visit, Nairb says, walking back toward the front of the cottage.

Enaud walks away with a quick wave good-bye. Nairb goes back in the cottage, frustrated, shaking his head. He looks over to the table where the boys have already started eating dinner. They look like a pack of dogs as they fight over the last biscuit.

He sighs, smiles up to the heavens, and looks down at the boys again, fists on hips. Boys, you have caused a lot of commotion today. I need you to stay in town and away from the outskirts by the force field. You know the rules. You must follow them, or I will have to punish you. Do you both understand?

Yes sir, we understand, they say in unison.

Now clean your dishes, and head straight to bed, Nairb says, pointing to the bedroom at the back of the house.

Both boys quickly do as they are told.

CHAPTER 2

ADVENTURE IN THE VILLAGE

T he next morning, when the boys awake, Dad has already left the cottage to have a meeting with two of the town elders, Enaud and Onyaw. He has left a note on the wooden table next to the kitchen telling the boys that he will return later. He told them to go to Ydnil’s for breakfast and pick up some bread to go with dinner. He reminded them to stay out of trouble and away from the force field today, or else they will be in big trouble.

Relyt, are you ready to go? Nivram says impatiently. Come on; you’re taking forever. I want to pick up Nnylyks on the way to the bakery. Relyt, come on! he says, waving his arms for emphasis.

I’m ready. Stop yelling, Nivram. Relyt is bent over, fumbling for something under the bed. Let me get my shoes on, and we’ll go. He puts on tattered light brown suede shoes with no laces and a hard sole. Both Nivram and Relyt grab their jackets made of the same material as their shoes and beautiful blue scarfs of a very fine silk that smells somewhat of the wildflowers on the outside of town near the force field. They leave the cottage and start walking over to Nnylyks’s house.

Relyt, are you going to tell Nnylyks about that big bird you saw yesterday? asks Nivram, skipping next to Relyt.

No, probably not, Relyt replies hastily.

Why not, Relyt? That was so weird. You have to tell her, Nivram begs.

You know how her mom will feel about us being near the force field, Relyt says, kicking the rocks while he walks.

Yeah, I guess you’re right. But Nnylyks would love to hear about it.

I know she would. Be quiet; we are almost there, Relyt says, pressing a finger to his lips.

Relyt and Nivram come up to a much larger cottage than their own. It is also made of the same wood, mud, and the most marvelous stones with colors of rust, tan, gray, and a bluish black. But her home is larger than everyone else’s and has two chimneys, while everyone else has only one. She also has a front porch with a lovely swing made of long tan and dark green tree vines. The seat of the swing is a thick piece of dark brown bark. She has hand-woven wooden baskets all over her porch with enormous, brilliant yellow flowers spewing from them. Her windows have skillfully tailored pieces of red cloth. The front door is an arched, marvelously carved wooden door.

Nivram walks up to the door and knocks. Nnylyks answers. She is a beautiful young girl with long, silky blond hair. She is petite with small feet. Her eyes are as blue as the deepest blue in the ocean, and her eyelashes are so long they look like appendages. She has a birthmark on the top of her left hand in the shape of a heart. She has a sweet and innocent aura.

Hi boys how are you? she says with a smile, thrilled to see them. What are you guys up to?

We’re good, Nnylyks, Nivram says cheerfully. Do you want to go to Ydnil’s with us to pick up breakfast and some bread for dinner?

Sure, I can go. Let me just tell my mom, Nnylyks says quickly and runs back inside.

The boys hear her talking to her mother. Then she says, Thank you, I will. Nnylyks puts on a striking vivid blue hand-knitted shawl and walks outside, closing the door behind her. I’m ready, she says with an animated wave of her hand. Let’s go.

The three kids start down the rocky pathway, which is surrounded by overgrown, shapeless trees of green and gray. Some of the trees have large clusters of pink and white flowers in them. Some trees have grapefruit in them. The trees