Sally and the Marauders: Trunk of Alexia, #2

By Judy Lunsford

Welcome to book 2 of the Trunk of Alexia trilogy! Inside you will find the continuing adventure of young Sally as she returns to the mysterious Castle, this time with her mother and grandmother. The story begins the morning after the pirates ravaged the small seaside town and Sally's adventure leads her to meet her true family. Sally and her friends and family travel to the Palace in the center of the kingdom. Along the way, Sally races for her life to get to the safety of the Palace. Will Sally and her traveling companions all make it there safely?

In Sally and the Marauders, the adventure continues with Sally, Abby, Layla, and the faerie Alexia. Join them on their second adventure!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Judy Lunsford
• Release date: Sep 9, 2011
• ISBN: 9781393748441

Judy Lunsford

Born and raised in California, Judy now lives in Arizona with her husband and Giant Schnoodle. Judy writes with dyslexia and a chronic illness & is a breast cancer survivor. She writes mostly fantasy, but delves into suspense, horror, romance, and poetry. She has written books and short stories for all ages. You can find her books and short stories at your favorite online retailers.

Book preview

For Trent

for always believing

CHAPTER 1

THE TRUNK AND THE PEBBLES

Sally awoke late the next morning. She sat up in her bed and stretched. It took her a moment to realize that she was now home. She rubbed her eyes and wondered for a brief moment if everything had all been a long, strange dream.

She looked at the table beside her bed and saw a pink pebble glinting in the sunlight. She knew then that it had not been a dream.

Scrambling out of bed, Sally rushed to get dressed. She grabbed the pebble from her bed stand and ran downstairs.

Her mother and her grandmother were sitting in the kitchen sipping coffee.

Well, sleepyhead, her mother said happily. We were wondering if you would ever wake up.

Sally rolled her eyes.

Maybe she wouldn’t have slept so late if you hadn’t kept the child up half the night retelling her story over and over, her grandmother joked.

It’s just been so long, Aurora answered. I miss everyone.

Not more than me, Grace replied. These are all of my children, remember, and my husband.

Are we going back? Sally suggested brightly.

Aurora and Grace looked at one another for a moment.

We have to, Grace said. Everything has been set in motion. We must go back.

Really? Sally was excited. She didn’t think it would be that easy to talk them into it. When?

As soon as possible, her mother said.

We can’t take anything from this world with us. That is very important. We must not disrupt the balance of our home world, her grandmother said sternly.

But I left mom’s t-shirt with Abby, Sally whispered.

Grace sighed deeply. She looked at Aurora, who shrugged and continued sipping her coffee.

That should be all right, her grandmother said. But nothing else.

CHAPTER 2

THE REUNION AND THE REBUILD

How are all three of us going to fit in there? Aurora asked, looking at the Trunk. It had seemed a lot bigger when she was younger.

We’ll fit, Grace assured her.

They had all changed into dresses that Grace had been saving for this exact moment.

Are you sure you’re ready for this? Aurora asked Sally.

Yes, Sally assured her.

We may not be coming back, Aurora reminded her.

Sally nodded, wide eyed.

All right then, Grace said. Let’s get going, I want to see my family.

Grace climbed into the trunk and sat down, clutching her pink pebble tightly. Aurora climbed in and settled down, facing her mother. Sally stepped into the Trunk, between her mother and grandmother and reached for the lid.

Everyone have Alexia’s stones? Grace asked.

Yes, Aurora and Sally said together.

The Trunk seemed bigger when they were all in it. Sally pulled the lid over their heads and sat down in the middle as she let it drop down above her.

Imagine the Castle, Aurora said, just before the lid clicked shut.

It was dark in the Trunk, but no one was uncomfortable. Sally reached for the lid again and tipped it open a crack. Light came in through the opening. Aurora pushed the lid all the way back and they looked around.

The Trunk had landed on the front steps of the Castle. A wide-eyed guard ran inside quickly.

I guess no one was imagining the inside of the Castle, Grace said, giving Sally a push out of the trunk.

Aurora laughed, climbing out behind her daughter. It’s been a long time.

A line of guards rushed out to meet them, the two on the end each blowing loudly into a trumpet.

I didn’t miss that, Grace said, wincing from the sound.

Why are they blowing into those trumpets? Sally asked.

They are announcing the arrival of the Queen, Aurora whispered.

They recognized Grandma?

At least one of them did, Aurora answered.

A few moments later, Martha appeared at the door of the Castle. She took one look at Grace and ran to her old friend. Martha threw herself into Grace’s arms and the two friends embraced each other for a long time. Martha then remembered herself and pulled away and bent into a low curtsy in front of the Queen.

Stop, Grace said. "You know you don’t have to do that when we’re not in a formal setting.

Martha rose with tears in her eyes and hugged Aurora.

You look wonderful, child, Martha whispered into Aurora’s ear.

"Thank