The Blue Seal of Trinity Cove

By Linda Maree Malcolm

Blue Seal is the second book in this exciting new series. Young readers will greet with excitement the return of Bobby, David and the professor. The two heroes are thrown into the world of time travel once again, but what do they find? Their Garden of Eden island appears to be in chaos and their beloved Crone near death. The wicked Workhouse Oracle and her orbs need to be stopped in their tracks. Bobby's crystal ball is wanted desperately. What is the Blue Seal and where can they find it?

Maybe Henry and Ina's secrets will be revealed - what do the children hear when they eavesdrop on their conversation?

What does their time travel reveal about the island natives? The illuminating but horrifying tale that Madden relates to the children exposes truths they had never known before. Bobby and David's relationship becomes closer as they experience many challenging encounters, and they find themselves bonding in a way they would never have guessed at when they first met.

Will it be the past or the future that reveals what they need to know to save their precious island and revered Crone?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Woodslane Press
• Release date: Mar 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9780987587961

Book preview

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Chapter 1

Bobby Returns to Paradise

The summer after Bobby came back home from the island she made a vow to herself to return there with or without David. She knew the island was in peril and she didn’t want to lose her new-found friends. Besides, she wanted another adventure and was not in the habit of waiting around for one to come to her. If she could glean a little more information about the life of her grandmother upon her return from the island, Bobby would feel as though her original mission was complete.

It wasn’t long before the opportunity became available. Daphne, Bobby’s mother, was going away overnight to a Psychics’ Convention in the city. This would give Bobby the time she needed to get back to the island.

The first thing Bobby noticed when she spoke the words Oracle in the Mist and entered the tree was that the dazzling bright lights overhead were very much muted this time. She pondered on this. Maybe the lights became less bright the more the crystal ball was used. They certainly would not be noticeable to anyone else in other parts of the town.

These were the thoughts racing through her mind when she found herself again on the bed in the hut with the sand floor. This time though she was not scared as she had been that first time. But there was something else as well; she recognised that she very much missed the companionship of David. She would somehow have to persuade him to join her here; she knew that for sure.

She only had a moment to collect her thoughts when she heard voices that were very familiar to her. The professor was chatting away to Sebastian the monkey as he usually did and she could hear the screeching replies of Sebastian. There seemed to be a sense of urgency in their voices now and Bobby sat up to say hello as they entered the hut. They were so pleased to see her and they embraced the way that old friends do.

So good to see you again, my dear, the professor said with a kind smile and Sebastian held onto her hand and would not let go.

I couldn’t wait to get back, Bobby said with her usual honesty.

How’s your … I mean to say, how’s everything back home? asked the professor in his usual way, which as usual left Bobby feeling as though there was some secret he was harbouring – perhaps about her mother, but she couldn’t be sure.

Everything’s good back home, thanks. Mum’s away for the weekend and David decided not to come this time. How’s everything here? she asked.

All in good time, my dear, all in good time. I’m afraid to say the circumstances surrounding your visit this time are not as wonderful as they were last time. But I think a cup of tea is in order – don’t you? Let’s get you back to the house. That’s right, Bobby giggled to herself; in typical professor fashion all recent news would be left unspoken until such time as when she was seated comfortably in his home with a lovely cup of tea placed into her welcoming hands.

As soon as Bobby stepped out of the hut she was greeted by the natives, who stood to hug her or stroke her arm or her hair. Even the animals seemed happy to see her. They each roused themselves from their slumber and sleepily came to her to lick her hand, rub against her leg or just sit and smile at her.

So lovely to see you, was the general gist of the commotion. Bobby felt as if she had come home after a long time away. It was as though they were her family now. She didn’t suspect at all that part of the reason they were all so happy to see her was because they knew that the future of the island and indeed their very lives lay in her hands.

They went up the winding path that led to the professor’s house, passing the stunning view of the ocean, which remained unchanged and still took Bobby’s breath away. After Bobby had taken a seat in the professor’s house with all of the familiar surroundings – including hundreds of books and precious knick-knacks which still fascinated her – and been given the customary cup of tea, the professor launched into the island’s news.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, my dear, but I’m afraid it’s not good. Our lovely Crone – who has been with us for centuries and has the magic and wisdom of all of the generations since the beginning of the dawn of this civilisation and indeed this island paradise – is fading fast and getting worse every day and it’s all because of that evil Workhouse Oracle. Do you remember her? She made an appearance at the beach party and I spoke of her in the story I told you about Henry and Ina? They almost lost their lives at her workhouse and indeed would have been mutated by her into slaves of some sort – some say she changes children into orcs; others say they become sentinels of sorts who nevertheless are filled with her wretchedness and who thirst after evil and power just as she does. We’re not exactly sure what she’s up to but one thing’s for sure – all of the children that go into that workhouse of hers never come out. She seems to have a growing number of grotesque creatures in her service, most of whom I have only seen in my nightmares during sleep time and would never wish to meet if I could help it. I have this growing sensation that she somehow plans on rising up against us and all that is good in this world; I dread to think what hideous plan she is hatching even now as we speak. This island has only ever known serenity and peace; there is no history of evil in the form of murder, theft or hatred here but all that could change overnight if we’re not careful. One thing’s for sure – we know she wants your crystal ball and she will stop at nothing to get it. Our Crone is strong but she is also old and frail and the weaker she becomes the stronger the Workhouse Oracle becomes. We don’t know why she wants the ball, only that she asks for it day and night and is torturing our Crone from the inside, or so it would seem. As her power grows stronger she seems to be able to completely possess our Crone for moments at a time and my worst fear is that she will actually come to be a constant presence among us through our Crone, if we do not somehow find a way to stop her. Heaven help us if that was to happen. I shudder to think what she has in store for us.

The professor broke off and stared at his feet for the longest time, looking more serious than Bobby had ever seen him before.

Another cup of tea anyone? he asked and suddenly jumped up. It took her a moment to gather her thoughts.

No, thanks, she answered. I just don’t understand how this can be possible when Henry and Ina and the other children manifested an island paradise that, since then, has only known peace. How can that change suddenly and why does she even want my crystal ball? What does she intend to do with it; maybe it’s because she thinks she can get to Henry and Ina with it?

That’s a very good question Bobby and one that bothers me too. I would like to hope that was all she had in mind, Bobby, but once you see our Crone I think you’ll understand that she definitely intends on something much more sinister. This isn’t just some small plot of revenge we have here. My instincts tell me we are facing a very dark chapter in the history of our island …

Right then a blood curdling scream could be heard emanating from the village below the professor’s house. They all stared at each other for a split second before springing to their feet and bounding down the hill. Bobby was deeply disturbed when she noticed all of the natives running towards the Crone’s hut. By the time they got there, there was already a large throng of people standing outside her hut asking if she was okay. But the natives closest to the door took a step back once they had looked inside her hut, with a look of terror on their faces. The professor quickly made his way through the crowd.

What is it? he asked. But the natives, looking terror-stricken and pale, only shook their heads as if they had lost the power of speech.

The professor turned to Bobby and in a very serious voice said, "I suspect the Workhouse Oracle senses that the crystal ball is here on the island and will do whatever it takes to get it. Whatever happens you are to stay out here. Do you hear me, Bobby? Do not enter under any c ircumstances." They locked eyes. Bobby was shocked to hear the professor talk to her in this manner. She had never heard him speak this way before. In fact she had never been spoken to in that way by anyone. And in that split second she also wondered if the professor knew her well enough to know that she wasn’t one to back down from a challenge – nothing really frightened her – and that she certainly wouldn’t go promising anything as stupid as that, but she stole her gaze away from his and nodded her head anyway. As the professor opened the door a sharp-edged, robotic-looking disc came whirling out of the hut, narrowly missing the top of the professor’s head. It whirled all about, slicing the high ponytail off one of the natives before finally embedding itself into a tree. It beeped and hissed very loudly as if it was trying to communicate something. Many lights flashed on the surface of its dome and then it shut down completely. All of the people looked from one to another in dismay.

Are you sure you want to go in there, Professor? Bobby asked; even she was not so sure now.

The Crone is in there. I have to see if she’s okay, he answered solemnly. As soon as he opened the door another five or six discs came whirling out. This time everyone ducked down to avoid them. The discs hovered, one on top of the other, as if communicating with one another and then flew into different directions so that now each of the trees in the space outside the Crone’s hut had a disc embedded into it.

The professor opened the door gingerly. He looked at Bobby and Sebastian with resignation, entered the hut and closed the door behind him. A few moments later they heard the sound of the Crone’s voice. She was talking and then screaming as if something was hurting her intensely.

You don’t understand, she said, aaarrgghhh, she screamed. "It’s got me, don’t you see? I can’t get away … aaarrgghhh. It’s got me aaarrgghhh, it’s