Royal Twins Shalin ε Esme ~ Book 1 Esme’s Wolf

By Dory Lee Maske

Esme’s Wolf takes place around 900 A.D. This is book one of an eight-book series. The adventure begins when one of Esme’s two wolves returns to Henge without the other members of his wolf pack, almost dead from an infected arrow wound.

Esme has been trained in animal medicine at her cousin Electra’s school of medicine. With her ability to read the minds of both animals and people, she sees that her wolf’s brother is dead, killed by an arrow. She struggles to save the one who has returned to her.

Esme’s identical twin, Shalin, who has been given an ancient ring by her cousin Electra, longs to go into the world to search out her ring’s origins and unlock the ring’s hidden spells.

Shalin sees an opportunity to make this dream a reality when her Uncle Phinn is ordered to travel by ship to far-away Manoa. However, no amount of pleading will change her father’s mind about allowing her to travel with her uncle. He feels she is too young to make the voyage.

The twins go in opposite directions as Esme looks for revenge against her wolf’s attacker and Shalin decides to stow away on her uncle’s ship in spite of her father’s ruling.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dory Lee Maske
• Release date: Nov 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463850152

Dory Lee Maske

I've always been a reader--loved fairy tales when I was young. I started writing when I had children of my own. My husband, Bob Maske, does all the art work for my stories. He did all the book covers and the animations that accompany each story.I try to keep at least half of my stories and books free and would love to receive feedback from my readers. You can contact me at [e-mail] or at [e-mail] Thanks to all you readers out there for your support.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Kingdom of Henge

Esme sat on a barrel of flour in Cook’s kitchen, eating a gingerbread cookie and sipping a cup of apple cider as Cook chattered on about the menu for tonight’s dinner.

I thought a nice leg ‘a lamb to welcome Ambassador Phinn and his troupe ‘a actors back ta’ Henge might be just the thing. Cook held up her raw leg of lamb for Esme’s inspection.

Esme nodded, not really paying attention to anything but her snack. At eleven years old, she found the kitchen a convenient hiding place to avoid lessons in Latin. She knew Cook would always vouch for the fact that she had been here learning to cook some new dish.

Esme’s head jerked up when something scratched at the kitchen’s back door.

Cook turned to open the door but Esme jumped ahead of her.

It is my wolf. Something is wrong. Esme’s face mirrored her fear.

Esme yanked the door open to reveal one of her beloved wolves. The wolf limped a few steps and sank to the floor. Sticking out from his left front paw was the broken shaft of an arrow. Blood and pus oozed from the infected wound, staining his swollen paw red. Esme wrapped her arms around the wolf’s neck, sobbing. Her wolf nuzzled her cheek and licked away a tear.

Get Mama! Esme cried out to cook.

Yes, yes. She’ll know what to do, Cook murmured in a consoling voice as she rushed out the door.

Who did this to you? Esme sobbed as she stroked her wolf’s fur.

A picture of the wolf’s brother lying dead with an arrow through his heart flashed into Esme’s mind.

Not him, too? Esme moaned.

Esme knew her wolf had dragged himself home to say goodbye but she could not accept it. You will not die, she vowed. Mama will save you. And if she cannot, Electra will.

Striding into the kitchen with Shalin, Esme’s twin sister, close behind, Serafina stopped briefly to take in the scene before her. She gently lifted the wolf’s paw to study the wound.

Cook staggered into the kitchen, flushed and breathing hard from her race up and down the stairs. Serafina looked up at her.

Cook, bring me your sharpest knife, she ordered. We need to cut out the arrow’s barb.

Surely you can save him, Mama? Esme pleaded.

Serafina looked skeptical. He is old. It is doubtful.

No, he is not old. Esme clung tighter to her wolf’s neck. His brother is dead. Someone shot him with an arrow.

Serafina turned to Shalin. Get a castle guard. We need someone to hold him while I cut out the arrow.

I will get Father, Shalin yelled. She ran out the door before Serafina could stop her.

Prince Blackwell, the twins’ father, came through the door with Shalin a few minutes later.

What has happened? he demanded. Shalin said it was a matter of life or death.

Someone has shot Esme’s wolf, Serafina said in a calm voice. I told Shalin to bring a soldier to hold him while I cut out the arrow.

Father was closer, Shalin contended.

Prince Blackwell put a hand on Shalin’s shoulder. Yes, quite right. I will hold him. Prince Blackwell moved closer. He looks to be in bad shape.

He cannot die, too. Esme wiped the tears from her face. He and his brother were both shot.

Prince Blackwell gently pried Esme’s hands from around the wolf’s neck as Cook handed her sharpest knife to Serafina.

Cook tried to pull Esme back from the wolf but Esme shook her off. He needs me to be close.

Esme locked her mind to her wolf’s mind, showing him what was about to happen.

The wolf growled deep and threatening in his throat, but Esme put a picture in his mind of the arrow coming out and the wolf quieted.

Prince Blackwell, a tall muscular man, draped himself over the wolf’s body, one knee on either side, clasping his hands around the wolf’s jaw.

Serafina made a quick, deep cut and pulled the arrow free.

Cook handed her a clean towel to staunch the flow of blood.

As Prince Blackwell rose to his feet, trying not to cause the wolf more pain, Esme flung herself over her wolf and burrowed her face in its fur.

Where is the other wolf? Prince Blackwell asked.

There is only the one, Serafina answered.

Esme said they were both shot. Prince Blackwell looked at his daughter, still clinging fiercely to her wolf.

The other one is dead, Esme choked out between sobs. This one told me.

"Who told you?" Prince Blackwell asked.

My wolf! Esme spoke in a loud, defiant voice. My wolf told me. He put a picture in my mind. Esme knew her mother had forbidden her to tell Prince Blackwell that she and Shalin could read minds but she was tired of keeping her powers a secret from her own father.

Prince Blackwell turned a questioning look in his wife’s direction.

Serafina shrugged. I do not think it is a thing you want to hear.

That a wolf speaks to my daughter? What am I to make of such a thing? Prince Blackwell knelt down in front of Esme, who still had her face close to her wolf’s neck. You are very upset, my dear. Your other wolf did not return with this one. It is quite understandable that you would assume the worst. I will send soldiers out to follow the tracks. We will find out what has happened to your other wolf.

Prince Blackwell stood and stepped over the wounded wolf, heading for the barracks.

When he closed the door to the kitchen, Esme looked up at her mother with sad eyes. "Why do you not tell him? Would it make me a monster in his eyes to know I can read minds? Do you think me a monster?"

Serafina ran her hand down Esme’s hair. Certainly not. I think you are blessed with extraordinary gifts. Your father will agree in time.

Esme felt her sorrow dissipate as anger took its place. Shalin and I are already eleven years old. How long is it going to take?

Serafina lifted the bloodstained towel and handed it to Cook who stood transfixed, her mouth hanging open as she took in this conversation.

Serafina fixed her eyes on Cook in a steely gaze. Anything you have heard is not to leave this room. I am sure you understand. Serafina’s voice held a note of warning.

Yes, yer Majesty. Cook nodded as though in a daze. Her hands shook as she stared at the bloody towel.

Please go upstairs and bring down my bag of herbs, Serafina ordered.

Right away, yer Majesty. Cook stumbled and caught her balance on the door frame in her haste to leave the kitchen.

Serafina sighed and closed her eyes for a moment.

It seems we have come to a crossroads where your powers are concerned. I will speak to your father but I cannot guarantee he is ready to accept what has always been before him.

Will he still love us? Shalin asked with a worried expression.

Of course he will. He is your father.

Chapter 2

Kingdom of Henge

Esme lay on a blanket in a corner of Cook’s warm kitchen with one arm thrown over her wolf. The wolf, his paw wrapped in a poultice of herbs, had been given a mild sleeping potion. He slept fitfully, pawing the air as if running.

He is dreaming of running away, Esme told her sister.

Shalin sat on the floor, her back against the wall, within touching distance of the sleeping wolf. I do not think he will be running any time soon.

If it is not better in a few days, I will take him to Electra. Esme ran her fingers over the swollen paw, stroking his fur to calm him as he slept.

Do you think Mama will let you?

Esme shrugged. If she does not, I will go anyway.

Would you really do that?

Esme’s face was a mask of defiance. Yes, I would.

Shalin changed the subject. The soldiers are still not back from following the tracks.

They have nothing new to tell me. This wolf came alone from Fernland. I could see the ferns and trees around my other wolf in this one’s mind. The rest of the pack ran away. New tears gathered in Esme’s eyes.

Were there new pups? Shalin asked.

Yes, they were on their way here, as always, to show us their new spring pups when they were attacked. To save the pack, one gave his life. Esme brushed away the tears as they dripped from her eyes. Look into his mind and see for yourself.

Shalin’s bond with the wolf was not as strong as Esme’s. The wolves had been a gift to Esme from the Silent Men, a religious cult that had kidnapped a two-year-old Esme and held her briefly as their reincarnated goddess at their mountain sanctuary. The wolves became her family at the cult’s sanctuary.

Shalin did not communicate with animals frequently, but at her sister’s request, she reached out with her mind to touch the mind of the injured wolf.

A picture took shape in Shalin’s mind. The wolf was running fast through the trees, but each step was filled with pain. He was alone. His pack was not with him. She broke the connection. He is still dreaming. In the dream, he is on his way here, I think. He is alone in the forest.

I will find whoever did this, Esme’s face flushed with unspent anger.

What can you do? It is not against the law in Fernland to kill a wolf. We knew this might happen when you allowed your wolves to form a pack in Fernland.

I do not care about the law. Esme realized she was holding her wolf too tightly when he made a sharp cry in his sleep.

What would you do? Kill the person who killed your wolf?

Esme let out a long breath. I do not know. But something.

If you go to Helsop, to Electra, I will go with you, Shalin vowed, hoping that would take her sister’s mind away from thoughts of revenge. Shall we try asking Mother’s permission first?

Esme looked at the door to the dining room. Let us wait to see if she keeps her promise to talk to Father about our powers.

Shalin nodded. What do you think he will do when he is forced to accept we have these unusual abilities?

Esme pursed her lips as she thought about the question. I think we may have to prove it before he accepts it. He could have believed it before now if he wanted to.

Shalin nodded slowly. This is true. You have slipped up enough times.

Shalin’s reminder brought a slight grin to Esme’s face. They were not always slips. I was tired of keeping our powers secret.

Like the time you read Father’s mind and guessed that you were getting a pony for your birthday?

Esme’s grin widened. Yes, and the time the piece of cake flew off Grandfather’s plate and landed in mine.

By now Esme was giggling and Shalin was glad they were off the subject of revenge for the wolf’s death. Father has probably known all along. He just does not want it to be true.

Esme’s sullen expression returned. Why? What is so bad about our gifts? He could make use of them if he chose. We could tell him what people are thinking. We could help with irrigation projects like we did in Helsop, by guiding the flow of water.

Shalin grimaced. What I actually did in Helsop was flood the castle. Then she laughed at the memory.

Do you think he is afraid to see our powers? That we might use them to do bad things? Esme asked.

Shalin shrugged. Mama has done worse things than we have, and he still loves her.

Esme nodded slowly. She kidnapped Electra from Delphinia. That was really bad. That was so bad everyone tried to keep us from finding out.

And Electra thinks Mama may have tried to kill Prince Avor. Electra tried to keep from thinking it once when she was talking about her brother, so I pretended not to have read her mind. Shalin looked at her sister to see if she thought such a thing could be true.

Esme believed it possible. Maybe Father is afraid we will be like Mama and that is why he doesn’t want us to have powers.

I suppose that could be it, Shalin agreed. "Maybe we are like Mama. You want to kill whoever killed your wolf."

Esme was quiet for a moment. Yes, I do. Maybe Father is right. Maybe we should not have powers. It would be easy for me to kill the person who did it, if I could find him. I could send a knife right into his heart, even from far away.

A shiver ran through Shalin’s body. She had not realized the extent of her sister’s rage. What do you think Mama would say if she knew what you were thinking? What would Electra say?

I do not know. I do not intend to ask Mama, but I might ask Electra. She is good at keeping secrets.

Shalin nodded. I think that is a good idea.

Cook came into the kitchen through the dining room’s swinging doors.

How is your wolf doing this morning? she asked.

The sleep is good for him, I think, but he is not much better. Esme rubbed her wolf between his ears, a thing she knew he liked.

I’ll just make a pot ‘a warm broth in case he wakes up hungry, Cook decided.

Shalin could tell Cook no longer felt at ease around them. Their old friend was a little afraid of both her and Esme since learning Esme could read the mind of a wolf. Shalin guessed it was just this sort of uneasiness that made her father reluctant to acknowledge his daughters’ gifts.

Have Mama and Father come down for breakfast yet? Shalin asked.

Not yet, but yer granddad’s there, thumpin’ his knife on the table like always. Cook blushed a little, and quickly added, Not that it’s my place ta’ be sayin’ what yer granddad should or shouldn’t be doing.

Shalin’s smile defused Cook’s embarrassment. Do you want some help with breakfast?

Now there’s my little bit ‘a sunshine, Cook exclaimed. I could surely use some help. The whole lot ‘a the actin’ troupe will be down presently, and they’re always big eaters. Specially that there giant of a man, Smiles. I think I’ll make a big bowl ‘a pancake batter. Do you want to make those little heart-shaped pancakes they all rave about?

Yes. Shalin looked at Esme. Do you want to make some?

No. I need to stay here and keep my wolf warm. Suddenly realizing she was hungry, Esme yielded a bit. But if you make them, I will eat one.

Chapter 3

Kingdom of Henge

Ambassador Phinn, known in his youth as Take the Thief, came down the stairs from his castle suite with his wife, Juanita, and their six-year-old son, Drake.

Descending the staircase slowly, Phinn checked the dining table to see if any of his friends from the acting troupe were there yet. Only his father, old King Blackwell, was seated at the table, watching the swinging door to the kitchen and thumping the table impatiently with his knife.

Having lived his young life as an orphan, scrounging for food in Fernland’s marketplace to survive, Phinn knew how much he owed his father for his present situation. He was now Henge’s ambassador, complete with his own ship for himself and his acting troupe. He loved the querulous old man.

Good morning, Father, Phinn said from the staircase.

The old King dropped his knife and whipped his head around to view the staircase. Son, he called out as a delighted smile spread across his face. Back from Sandovia are you?

Noting his father seemed a little older each time he returned from one of his voyages, Phinn gave him a brief hug before pulling out a chair. We arrived late last night.

As Phinn, his wife and son took their seats, Cook came through the swinging doors with a tray of cups and a pot of tea.

Finally. the old King glared at Cook.

Cook ignored the old King’s comment and smiled at Phinn and his family. Welcome home, Ambassador. I held over the leg ‘a lamb I made for ya’ last night. We’ll be havin’ it tonight. And this mornin’ we got a special treat made by yer niece, Shalin.

Heart-shaped pancakes? Phinn guessed.

The very same, Cook said, dropping her voice, but I’ll let the twins tell you ‘bout that when they’re feelin’ up to it.

Phinn looked at his father as Cook set the tray down and returned to the kitchen. Is something wrong with the twins?

The old King shrugged. No one tells me anything, he complained. Then his frown turned to an expression of anticipation as he leaned in closer to his son. Except you. Tell me what happened in Sandovia.

Phinn knew his father was eager to know if he had picked up any hints of espionage in Sandovia, but he decided to begin with a review of the show they had put on for King Gundar and his court.

We put on the new show we had been rehearsing. We had a castle backdrop with a secret entrance where a changeling slipped in and out reappearing as a variety of characters – a king, a princess, a wizard…

The old King held up his hand. We can get to all that later. I’m sure you had your whole audience on their feet, cheering. No doubt of that. He paused and lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. But what about any secret information? Any rumors about what King Gundar is up to these days?

Phinn traded a furtive glance with his wife. Actually, Juanita heard a rumor in Sandovia’s marketplace.

Old King Blackwell rubbed his hands together. Now we’re getting to it.

It was only a conversation I overheard, Juanita began. A woman was complaining that the price of cabbage was higher every week. She said unless her husband found out where Henge was mining their exploding powder and could claim King Gundar’s reward, they would soon be forced to eat stone soup.

The old King sat up straight. A reward, is it? Gundar’s trying to find out where we get our exploding white powder. I knew we should keep a close watch on him!

Phinn watched his father with a caution born of experience. He knew his father was quick to call for an armed response to anything he perceived as a threat to Henge. In this case the threat might be real. King Gundar bought his supply of exploding arrows from Henge at inflated prices. He needed the fearsome weapon to keep Sandovia’s pirate dens under control. If he could find the source of the unstable white powder needed to manufacture the exploding arrows, he would no longer be dependent on Henge for his supply, thus depriving Henge of a major source of income.

Old King Blackwell leaned forward in his seat with excitement. "Wait until your brother hears about this. I told him our Kingdom of Henge ship would pay for itself in secrets."

Just then, Phinn’s brother, Prince Blackwell, ruler of Henge, appeared at the top of the stairs. He did not look happy. His wife, Princess Serafina, joined him and together they helped their aging black panther, Ebony, down the stairs.

Phinn, Juanita, you are back. Prince Blackwell seemed pleased. Over the years, since discovering he had a brother, he had become fond of the former thief. And who is this big fellow? he added, pretending not to recognize his nephew, Drake.

The shy boy grinned. I am Drake.

No, that is not possible, Blackwell teased. Drake is just a little fellow. You are at least two inches taller than Drake.

Drake giggled but did not reply.

Serafina did not stop to acknowledge Phinn and his family. She continued on through the swinging doors of the kitchen with Ebony the Panther.

In the kitchen, Serafina found Shalin standing on a block of wood as she poured pancake batter into a heated pan to cook her heart-shaped pancakes. Esme lay next to her wolf, keeping him warm.

I have brought Ebony to take your place next to the wolf while you have some breakfast. Serafina nudged the big cat closer to Esme’s wolf.

Esme stood up and hugged Ebony. She put a picture of her wolf with an injured paw into Ebony’s mind so that she would know why he was incapacitated. Then she helped Ebony lie down beside the wolf on the blanket. If the wolf was old by wolf standards, Ebony was ancient by panther standards. No one knew how old Ebony was when Serafina purchased her, but over twelve years had elapsed since then.

Esme looked at her mother. Did you talk to Father?

Serafina nodded. I did.

And?

And he feels your mind-reading powers are nothing more than an excellent sense of intuition. She paused and pressed her lips inward in a contemplative expression. He loves you both very much. Serafina included Shalin in her glance. He sees his primary obligation as your father to be one of finding suitable husbands for both of you in a few years’ time.

Esme was surprised by this announcement. I do not wish to marry anyone, she said in a shocked voice.

Nor do I. Shalin did not move from her place at the stove.

Of course not. Serafina did not appear surprised or dismayed by their reaction. "You are eleven years old. But your feelings about marriage