The Lonely Phoenix

By Care Lynn Marshall

The Sun Phoenix, the only one of her kind, has lived a long time. Whenever she grows old she builds herself a lovely pyre and is reborn from the ashes, becoming young again. Generations of crow buddies and eagle friends provide her with some company, and Father Sun comes to her mountaintop to chat when he can, but one day she begins to feel deep in her heart that something important is missing from her life.
She decides to ask Father Sun a question whose answer leads her to discover an entire hidden realm filled with fantastic creatures and unique new Magick, and to discover more about her own dark origins that continue to pose a threat not only to her but also the rest of the world. To get to this new realm she must leave her protected home, and learn to trust in others, even humans.

Join the Sun Phoenix on her journey to Levannalé, The World Within!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Feb 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9781543959857

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Copyright © 2018 by Care Lynn Marshall

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 author

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

Printed in the United States of America

First Edition

First Printing, 2019

ISBN 978-1-54395-984-0 eBook 978-1-54395-985-7

BookBaby Publishing

7905 N Crescent Blvd

Pennsauken, NJ 08110

To order more printed books, go to:

www.bookbaby.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Cover art and character illustrations © 2018. Artist Larry Thompson

Edited by Jillian Hinrichs

I dedicate this story to, Rebecca and Amanda Friedlander, and Cameron, Courtney and Connor Risner. Thank you for keeping me full of wonder and young at heart. The time I spent with all of you, filled me with Magick and kept my Imagination Sparks alive. To this day, I wholeheartedly believe it was the best job in the whole wide world, and I will cherish it and all of you, always and forever. Squishes!

"Imagination is more important than knowledge.

For knowledge is limited to all we know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand." 

- Michael Scott, The Warlock

Contents

Acknowledgments

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

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

List of Illustrations

The Sun Phoenix

Ronnoc, Portal Jump Master

Zorb, the Queen’s henchman

CiiCoo, All Arts Teacher

Nylerac, Selrahc’s wife

Reppi, Selrahc’s familiar

Selrahc, Lore Master

Father Sun

Acknowledgments

I want to thank my parents, Richard and Marcia Brautigam, for running my first draft through the word machine so I could send a decent copy to my editor. Can you believe I wrote this whole book in a text document? I still followed my dream and wrote the story anyway. So anyone reading this, even if you think you don’t have what it takes, or what you need to accomplish something, do it anyway, it will all fall into place.

Thank you to my artist and friend Larry Thompson, for helping bring my characters to life. I will always look forward to our sessions of creation.

And lastly, to one of my dearest friends, Jillian Hinrichs, who is like a second mom to me. A great big THANK YOU goes to you for editing, shifting, rearranging and guiding me through my story more times than we can count. It was a great story, to begin with, but you made it ‘sound’ so much better. I really appreciate your help and guidance.

Chapter 1

On a very hot summer day, the Sun Phoenix looked up from where she was resting in the sun and felt a tingle in the air, like an electric charge. It was getting close to the special time. Over the past week or so, the Sun Phoenix had been cleaning and straightening her cave and preparing for her special day. She went and visited her eagle friends, bringing earthworms to the baby eaglets to trade for eagle feathers.

The Sun Phoenix used the feathers to make the cover suits that she wore when she went out and was too close to civilization. She had two of them, one eagle suit, and one owl suit, which she had made from the old cast-off feathers of her friends, and, not to puff up her own feathers, but when she put the suits on, she could pass for an eagle or an owl from a distance!

Her crow buddies had also stopped by for some conversation. Well really, she would have conversations, and her crow buddies would mimic her. But it was the closest she came to enjoying a friendly talk, other than with Father Sun, while they traded the shiny bits and pieces they had gathered for her in return for the fish and berries she brought back from her travels.

The stuff the crows brought her was all good stuff, shiny and sparkly and some very odd indeed. She had no idea where they found such great odds and ends, but they all seemed to work well with her crafts and mosaics that she loved to work on, and, in return, her crow buddies enjoyed the gourmet delicacies they received in trade.

The Sun Phoenix knew all the best places to find what she needed for her pyre, for she had done this many times before. Some cinnamon and balsam, berries and fragrant leaves were just a few of the items she had gathered this time. She was old again, for she had lived for many long years, and she was tired. She could feel it was time for her to sing to Father Sun and be reborn again, but this year she first had a question to ask Father Sun.

The Sun Phoenix lived atop the tallest of the mountains surrounding the valley and had to wait for Father Sun to rise high in the sky for their visit, because Father Sun had very powerful Magick that allowed him to manifest his essence into a physical shape anywhere his sunbeams could touch. When he had risen high enough in the sky, she went out to meet him and ask him her question.

Father Sun stepped out of his shining ray onto her mountaintop with outstretched arms, awaiting her morning hug and greeting. The Sun Phoenix just sat there with her head on her wingtip, and when she finally noticed Father Sun’s bright glare, she blurted out her question before even saying good morning to him!

Father Sun, why have I always been alone?

Oh my, said Father Sun. I knew this day would come, when you would ask questions and want to know more, but I just didn’t think it would be this soon.

The Sun Phoenix scrunched up her face. Huh, this is soon? Father, we have known each other for many, many years.

Yes, but when you have lived forever like me, many years feels like a few mere seconds sometimes. And, there was a time before we met, when you lived a different life. I think it is finally time for me to speak about that with you.

The Sun Phoenix closed her eyes and could see flashes of memories, but they were dark and scary and lonely, and she didn’t like to think of those times very much at all. She loved her life now, talking with Father Sun, hunting, gathering, working on her crafts, even having silly conversations with her friends, at least until lately. Now she could feel a longing deep inside her, where her heart was.

Sweet daughter, it seems you are all grown up and ready to fly from the nest.

Again, the Sun Phoenix furrowed her brow. What? You do know I’ve been all grown up since moments after my rebirth, right? I am full-grown in…in just seconds! And leave my nest? No! No way!! I love my home, and you, and my friends, and I’m not even close to being finished with my mosaic that I’ve been working on forever, and... her voice began to tremble and trail off.

All right, Father Sun chuckled. I thought you were here to listen? I need you to pay attention, so hush now and I’ll tell you your story, now that you are truly ready to hear it, and he sat down next to her on the bench.

My Dear One, you were created from a time when the World had great Magick. You were fashioned from a Bennu bird, to be a Magick pet to a Queen who wanted to live forever.

A Bennu bird?

A Bennu heron, specifically, Father Sun replied. The name Bennu comes from an Egyptian word which means ‘to rise brilliantly’ or ‘to shine’, and you do both beautifully.

The Sun Phoenix thought for a moment and then smiled, Well, you do too.

Do what?

Rise and Shine.

I guess we do have that in common, don’t we, Father Sun chuckled, putting an arm around her and giving her a light squeeze.

Father Sun continued, The Queen had all the powerful ones of her time imbue into you Life, Vitality, Health and Youth, with special Magick spells and elements that gave you everlasting abilities. That is why your tears and oils can heal others and how you can also resurrect.

The Queen had you fashioned from a living creature so that she would have your Magick, your tears, and your oils always available for her to use. So at the snap of her fingers, or your feathers really, she could have instantaneous healing. She believed it was beneath her to wait for potions to be made every day. Having to wait would cause her to grow ever more impatient and she would furrow her brow, creating more wrinkles that would need to be healed.

Also, some herbs and ingredients were not available during certain times of the year, so some potions prepared during those times were less powerful, and she began to age. Her vanity and greed overtook her, and using her power as Queen, she forced the truly Powerful Ones of the time to make an ever-lasting Magickal creature, you, that could heal and give everlasting youth.

After making you, she struck the spells that created you from the pages of the books, and under the worst and most horrible coercion, she forced the Powerful Ones who helped with the spells into secrecy so that she would be the only one with a Sun Phoenix in the world. That was how you came to be the only one of your kind.

What did she do to the Powerful Ones?

It is said that the Queen took their children into her care, giving them jobs in the castle where they would be close, so she could keep her eyes on them while keeping the Powerful Ones away with other duties. She was very cunning and knew just how to get her way and how to force people to listen and obey.

Not long after you were brought to life, the people saw how beautiful their Queen had become and how she was not aging anymore, even though other young children from long ago were now old grandmas and grandpas. Soon they became jealous and wanted your tears and your feathers for themselves. They tried to grab you and catch you, but they never could, because you were much too fast and powerful.

The Queen, becoming concerned that others might succeed in stealing you away from her, locked you up in an iron cage, in order to keep you hidden from the world. She couldn’t afford to lose you, for by then, after so many years, she needed your Magick because there was no one left who had the skills to make her potions.

The Queen kept you bound in the iron cage for so long that you grew old and bedraggled, even for a Magick bird. Because it was actually my Rays of Sun that were part of the Magick spell that brought you to life that day, but the Queen didn’t know this for she had stricken the spells from her books years before and cast out the only people who did know.

When you started to wane, so did the Queen. Because she needed you in order to live, she opened the cage one early morning before the dawn while everyone was still asleep, to sit with you and give you medicines in the hope that you would get well. She sat with you on the balcony, and just as the light was dawning and my Sun rays touched your feathers, you instantly perked up.

The Sun Phoenix smiled at this, and settled herself more comfortably on the bench. She knew she needed to listen carefully.

Wanting more of the energy and warmth you were feeling, you flew away from the balcony, flying higher than you had ever flown before. Do you remember? That was the day we met, and you told me much of that part of the story. You were sitting, resting on the mountaintop. You were so happy to be free, and you were singing such a beautiful song, that I stopped to listen for a while.

I asked you if you would be my Daughter and sing your beautiful songs to me always, and in exchange, I would shield you in my light and protect you from the world. My Sunstone that I placed on top of your mountain shields you and the surrounding area even when I am not shining my rays directly. But even my power has its limits, and that is why I ask you only to travel in the direction of my setting. And if you do go out, to use the cloaks you made because even I can’t hide your image from the true Believers.

I don’t come here every morning just to hear your lovely songs, even though they are the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. I also come to recharge the Sunstone with my rays in order to always protect you. And so it has been ever since, Dear One.

The Sun Phoenix had not remembered everything of her past, or how she came to be before Father Sun. Because, back then, she had been locked away in the cage for so long, the only thing she remembered was the loneliness that she worked so hard to forget. Are there still Bennu herons living today, do they look like me? she asked hopefully.

Sorry Dear One, the Bennu heron has been extinct now for many years. Besides, they wouldn’t be the same as you. Remember, you were imbued with great Magick. Although they were very large birds like yourself, standing just about five feet tall, but they didn’t have your magnificent colors. I think you get them from me, too, Father Sun said, shining brightly in reds and golds to match the Sun Phoenix.

"Nowadays, the Phoenix is just a legend or a myth to all the people living on the land. And it’s better that we let them keep believing this," he said with finality.

The Sun Phoenix was sad to learn that she truly was the only one of her kind, for on her journeys around the world to find her nesting items, she saw mothers with babies, loved ones holding hands, people smiling at one another, animals with their families… why even Father Sun got to see Mother Moon sometimes. And now this feeling she was having in her heart was making her long for more in her life, even though her life seemed mostly perfect.

Father Sun could see her sadness, for he knew how hard it was to be away from his love, Mother Moon, for so long. He remembered the last time he was with Mother Moon, it was a special day that they were able to be together. Many of Mother Moon’s Star friends were shooting across the sky, and he remembered hearing so many of the World’s children, Human, Animal and Magickal alike making wishes to the Shooting Stars.

Father Sun felt the belief in Magick that day, and knew the World’s Magick wasn’t completely gone, just hiding away deep inside of the world, in the Magickal creations that still existed there, and in the hearts and imaginations of the young ones’ who lived on the land.

Father Sun shook himself out of his reverie and went on to tell the Sun Phoenix what happened after she became free. Long ago, creatures and men from the time you were born gave up their Magick, their true knowledge, their inner Sparks that all the World’s people and creatures received when they were born. It started not long after you fled.

"As the Queen grew older and weaker, she became greedy with what Magick was left in the World and hoarded it all for herself. She imprisoned all the Magickal Beings she could find and kept them all for her own uses. When they too waned of their Magick or expired just like you would have, the Queen would hunt for more.

This forced the ones that still had Magick to flee to save themselves. For no living Being should be kept bound from their true nature or existence. Eventually, almost all Magick on the land was extinguished. Today Magick is just the stuff of fairytales, or so they say.

Who says? asked the Sun Phoenix.

Well, the people on the land. At least that’s what Mother Moon says. People are always wishing to the stars and dancing and singing under the full moon. Mother listens and hears all their gossip and singing, and so she learns a thing or two. She told me once she heard from the wolves that there is a place deep down in the core of our World where the Magick still exists. They call it Levannalé, the Realm within.

Upon hearing this, the Sun Phoenix lifted her brow and cocked her head sideways and said, "Really, Mother Moon speaks wolf?"

Of course Daughter, Mother Moon speaks Wolf. I can understand birds songs, and I’ve witnessed you have full conversations with your eagle friends, without even saying a word. We all have different talents. But anyway, hush now and let me continue.

The wolves told Mother Moon that Magickal creatures such as you fled to Levannalé when the Queen was hunting them, and Unbelief was spread across the land. I believe, Dear Daughter, that if you were fashioned with Magick into being, then lots of love and great Magick should allow another like you to also be created, and that this could happen in Levannalé. Perhaps he could even be your true love.

How come you never mentioned this place before?

Father Sun thought for a moment, Well, you never asked about why you are alone before. And if I’m to be totally truthful, I think I also didn’t want you to leave. You’re not the only one who has felt lonely. I’ve spent eons mostly alone before you came along. Dear One.

You know I don’t want to leave you forever. I just have this feeling inside me that I can’t explain, the Sun Phoenix said sadly.

I know, Father Sun said patting her knee, it’s called growing up.

I need to talk with Mother Moon. I will ask her what you will need, and how to find Levannalé. Mother Moon knows more Magickal creatures that come out of hiding at night and can ask them how to get there.

But how do you talk to Mother Moon? You are always so far apart and don’t see each other very often. How do you stay in touch?

We use the Shooting Stars. They carry our thoughts, wishes, and dreams across the sky to each other. Go now and build your pyre Dear Daughter, and I shall see you on your new dawn.

The Sun Phoenix went back to her mountaintop and gathered her herbs and spices, sticks and fragrant leaves. She worked all through the night, determined to build the prettiest nest using the few blue and purple feathers she had, for they were her most royal feathers. She sang her most beautiful song with all the love from her heart. She wanted to look her best for she was going to meet the inhabitants of Levannalé, the Magickal Realm, in the hopes of finding her true love.

By the new day’s dawn, the Sun Phoenix was ready. She sang to Father Sun, a song more beautiful than ever before, a song of hope and love and joy. The flames of her nest grew hotter and larger than ever, and in a flash of the purest, brightest light and fire, the Sun Phoenix was gone.

Nothing was left on the mountaintop but a pile of silvery, blue and purple ashes. From the center of the ashes popped up a chick’s head, redder and more golden than she had ever been before. Ever so quickly, she grew and grew until she was her normal size once again.

As Father Sun rose higher in the sky, he again saw the Sun Phoenix on the mountaintop. She was so beautiful and shining more brightly than he ever remembered her doing. He stepped out of his rays to greet her and said, Dear Daughter, your song was so harmonious, and you look happier than I can ever recall. You look different too; your blue and purple feathers are all gone.

They were my favorite feathers, and since I only had a few, I plucked them out first and added them to my pyre. Do you think they will grow back again?

"They just might, Dear