Sally and the Sorcerer: Trunk of Alexia, #3

By Judy Lunsford

Welcome back to the Trunk of Alexia trilogy!
We rejoin Sally as she and her friends take on the evil sorcerer who has kidnapped members of the royal family. After daring rescues, and a desperate battle to stop a war, Sally must make a choice between good and evil. But the choice may cost her everything, including her own life. In this final book of the Trunk of Alexia trilogy, everyone is in danger. Including the Trunk of Alexia itself.
Children's Fantasy Fiction, Ages 8-12

• Language: English
• Publisher: Judy Lunsford
• Release date: Sep 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781393921677

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

;)

Special thanks to:

Don & Cheryl Williamson

Jim Lunsford

CHAPTER 1

THE CARRIAGE AND THE DISAPPEARANCE

Sally climbed into the carriage followed closely by her father. He closed the carriage door behind him and sat down. Sally’s eyes hadn’t adjusted to the darkness yet.

Sit down, her father said. Please.

Sally felt for the bench and sat down. She could make out his silhouette, but not his face.

Are you really my father?

Yes, Mordecai sighed. I take it your mother hasn’t told you much about me.

No, she has never really said anything, Sally admitted.

For a mother to not tell her child about her own father, don’t you think that is a little cruel? he asked.

It depends on how horrible the father is. Maybe she was trying to protect me.

Don’t you think she would have told you something about me? he asked. I mean, if she wanted to protect you from me, shouldn’t she have given you some sort of warning about me?

She didn’t need to warn me, I already don’t trust you, Sally said defiantly.

What have I done to make you not trust me?

Well, kidnapping my mother, grandmother and Abby for starters, Sally said, crossing her arms across her chest. I assume the marauders were working for you?

You assume correctly, he chuckled. And the pirates.

The pirates too? Sally couldn’t contain her shock.

I have a proposition for you, he said slyly.

Sally did not like the tone in his voice. She felt like she wasn’t going to have much of a choice in the matter.

You can come with me willingly, to my castle, and see your mother, and your grandmother, and Abigail, he paused. And try to save them.

She could see a smile cross his face in the dim light. Or?

Or, you can stay here, I will use the Trunk of Alexia to transport my army and I will destroy the kingdom.

You have an army? Sally said doubtfully, trying to keep her voice from shaking.

Yes, I do, he said. Consisting of much more than pirates and marauders.

What is to stop you from destroying the kingdom even if I go with you? she asked.

You have my word, Mordecai smiled.

What if I think you are a liar? Sally asked.

It doesn’t really matter if I am a liar or not, Mordecai said. What matters is that you are stalling for time so that Aurora, Angelina, and Abby can try to escape. But I assure you they will not escape. They are locked up, and the Trunk is here with me.

He stood up and removed some fabric from the carriage seat. Underneath was not a seat, but the Trunk of Alexia.

You don’t know how to make it work, Sally said.

Mordecai held out his hand to show her two small pink pebbles in his palm. He opened the lid of the Trunk.

Shall we? he said, stepping into the Trunk.

Sally looked at the carriage door in a panic.

If you run, I will still go back to my fortress and I will make sure you never see your mother again.

Sally sighed. She was trying to hold back her tears. She slowly climbed into the Trunk. Just before she sat down, Alexia flew through the curtained window. She gestured to Sally with one finger over her lips to remain silent. The fairy flew to Sally’s shoulder and settled in her collar under Sally’s hair. She patted Sally on the shoulder reassuringly.

Sally sat down and Mordecai closed the lid. The Trunk disappeared as Netty opened the door.

CHAPTER 2

THE OLD CASTLE AND THE SINISTER PLAN

Mordecai opened the lid and Sally looked around. They were in a large dusty library.

Where are we? Sally asked.

We are in my fortress, Mordecai said, stepping out of the Trunk.

Your fortress?

For all intents and purposes, yes.

What does that mean? Sally eyed him suspiciously.

"This is one of the royal castles. It was where your mother