The Circus of Wonders: The Legend of Iski Flare, #8

By Georgina Makalani

Everyone loves the circus. The swinging monkeys, the strange birds, and of course, the mermaid.

 

Life is what Iski always dreamed it could be with the woman he loves and the quiet life between the trees. But something is missing; he just can't put a finger to what that is.

 

Amidst strange attractions and an even stranger ringmaster, Iski Flare finds those in need of help. As a familiar face appears in the audience, one they never thought to see again; they might need some help of their own.

 

Will they discover what they have lost or become the next attraction at the Circus of Wonder?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Georgina Makalani
• Release date: Jul 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9780648722755

Book preview

That is the second time I’ve seen that sign, Flare said, pointing to a tree before them. I don’t think I like it pinned to the tree, she added, sliding down from Nudge as Iski pulled the horse to a stop.

Flare ran her hand over the thick parchment to find it stuck to, rather than nailed into, the bark. She pulled at an edge, but it didn’t shift. She was sure she didn’t like it attached to the tree.

What is it for? Iski asked, leaning forward from the horse. And what is that an image of?

Circus of Wonders, Flare read aloud. She traced the silhouette of a creature in the middle of the poster, but couldn’t make out what it was. I don’t know. She looked up at him with a smile.

You would like to go, he said, returning her glowing smile. We have nothing else to do and we have travelled between these trees for days with no sign of anyone or anything.

I’ve quite enjoyed the peace, she said, offering him a hand so he could pull her back up and onto the horse.

We were alone in the castle, he said, his brow creasing before he took the offered hand.

Flare nodded and let her hand drop. I thought I had lost you, she whispered.

Some parts seem crystal clear. He scratched at his arm. Others not.

Flare held her hand up to him again, and he pulled her easily into his lap. Do you worry that we have forgotten something important? she asked.

He shook his head and then kissed her cheek softly. I have everything important right here.

With nowhere to go and no friends to visit, no calls for the great Iski Flare and his axe; we could visit the circus and see what wonders they have.

We have friends, Iski said, wrapping his arms around her and nudging the horse forward. What wonders would a circus have? he mused and Flare sighed with contentment.

Other than the poster declaring the circus, there were no directions, and they continued their aimless ride through the trees. Flare relished every breath she took, as though she hadn’t breathed in the forest air for so long. She picked up the scents of different trees and although she could smell sweet flowers, she couldn’t see any from the narrow, overgrown path they followed.

The bushes rustled as the light dimmed and Flare sucked in a breath as Iski’s hand closed around the axe handle. A small deer appeared on the path, stared at them for a moment and then walked ahead of Nudge before wandering from the path and disappearing between the trees.

She marvelled at the lack of fear it showed, but then they were no threat.

I haven’t seen another sign, Flare said, slipping down from the horseback and taking the sleeping roll Iski handed down to her.

He dismounted and took Nudge by the reins. The brush is thick here, he murmured looking around.

Flare pointed off the path, to where there was a larger space between the trees.

You always know, he said, giving her a gentle nudge with his shoulder.

She worked her way through the brush into the opening she had sensed from the path. Iski tied up the horse and immediately started to gather dry sticks and small branches from around the clearing. Flare watched him work for a moment before spreading out the sleeping roll.

I could have done with a little meat, she mused, remembering the lazy attitude of the deer.

I’m sure there is a rabbit or two around, Iski offered, looking up from his work as he piled sticks together to form the base for a fire.

The light was fading quickly around them, and she shook her head. She didn’t want him disappearing into the dark. She checked the saddlebags and retrieved some fresh vegetables, which she had collected as they travelled, a hard bread roll and the last of the dried meat that had been in the bag when Nudge had found them.

If we can’t find the circus, she asked softly, what will we do?

Iski shrugged. The flames licked up around the wood; the trees surrounding them reflected the orange light. She waited, and he eventually looked up.

Do we wander through the trees until someone in need finds us?

That is what happened before, he said, returning his attention to the fire.

You spent your life aimlessly wandering? she asked, holding out some dry meat for him.

I was always looking for you, he said, taking the meat in one hand and placing the other under her chin, slowly lifting her face to his. He kissed her lips quickly and then took a bite of the meat. And that seemed to take a very long time, he added softly, looking back over the fire rather than at her.

Flare wiped quickly at the tear that slipped down her cheek. It had been far too long without him and as she thought about the time, the strange feeling that she had forgotten something niggled at the back of her mind. She shook the idea away and slipped her hand through his arm, holding him tight.

The next morning Iski woke to find another poster stuck to a tree within the clearing they had slept. He was sure it hadn’t been there the night before, but he stared at it for a long time before he gently shook Flare awake.

She leapt up as soon as he pointed it out, studying it, running her hands over the crisp parchment and he tried not to laugh at her focus.

She put her finger to a corner and stepped back, her finger still pressed against the poster. The look on her face told him clearly that this was not a time for jokes. He stood slowly, stretched his arms above his head, grinned a little as her gaze shifted down as his shirt lifted, exposing his abdomen, and