The Adventures of Mary Nobleman: A Novel

By J.T. Joseph

In this YA fantasy novel, a discovery of relics sends a teenage girl on a magical adventure to the time of King Arthur—and deadly witches.

In the year 2020, Mary Nobleman is an average thirteen-year-old girl until one night she falls through the floor of her house and discovers a secret room in her family’s basement that is filled with artifacts. In the room, she discovers a journal, the famous Excalibur, and an Egyptian Amulet. She also finds a hidden tunnel leading to a river. Mary travels with her friend Julie and a Celtic fairy in a submarine to Wales, which used to be called Camelot. While Mary is on her journey, she learns that she is a descendant of the legendary King Arthur from a secret second marriage—and discovers some unique powers as well.

While fighting evil creatures and escaping imprisonment from a mountaintop coven, Mary must discover what other truths the rare relics hold. There are those who seek revenge on Arthur’s bloodline, and right now, that includes her too…

With this story about friendships, family secrets, and adventures, readers are encouraged to think outside the box as they join Mary on her journey of self-discovery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Aug 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781683509493

Book preview

The Girl with the Mysterious Power

Mary Nobleman was an average thirteen-year-old girl, with pure white skin and long, flowing blonde hair, living in New York City in the year 2020. But her life changed one fateful December morning while at school. Sitting in world history class and listening to her teacher talk about England’s history, she wondered what it would be like to live among such exciting historical figures. She did not know much about her own family history and longed for the rich legacy of British royalty. As she was daydreaming, she suddenly felt little wooden splinters stabbing her left palm. She looked down in shock to find her hand disappearing into her desk.

What happened to my hand? she gasped to herself, quickly pulling her hand back from the wooden desk, not knowing this moment marked a change in her life. This newfound ability was about to lead her on the adventure of a lifetime.

She tried to catch the eye of her best friend, Julie Chang, a Chinese-American girl with jet-black hair. She wondered if Julie had seen her hand vanish into her desk but quickly realized Julie did not notice anything from her seat on the other side of the classroom. She decided to tell Julie about her odd experience on their way to lunch. Mary sat frozen at her desk until she heard the lunch bell ring, and then she ran out of the classroom into the hallway.

Julie could tell there was something wrong. Mary, what’s the matter? she asked, joining her friend out in the hall. Why did you run out of the classroom like that?

Still shaken and in disbelief, Mary whispered, While we were in class, my left hand went straight through the center of my desk.

At first Julie thought she was joking, but she noticed Mary’s shaky hands and low, ominous tone. She knew that Mary was being honest. What? she questioned, unsure of how Mary’s claim could possibly be true. Perhaps she was not hearing her properly.

The girls sat down in the cafeteria, and Mary stared at her lunch, wondering if she could make anyone else understand—or believe—the strange sensation she felt as her hand passed through the desk.

Julie slowly began eating her sandwich, wondering what she should say to her best friend. She did not know how to respond to such an odd situation. She wanted to believe her friend, who never lied to her, but it was all so bizarre. What do you think could have caused that to happen?

Mary did not know what caused the experience or what to do about it, but she did know it was strange. Julie, she said nervously, please don’t tell anyone about my secret.

Julie raised her right eyebrow. Okay, but what will you do? She sensed Mary was upset and a bit panicky.

Mary’s eyes filled with fear and uncertainty. I don’t know what to do, but I do know I don’t want anyone to find out about my ability, she finally whispered, lowering her head.

Julie was speechless for a moment wondering if others would treat Mary differently, if they found out. She then quietly reassured her friend. I promise, she said, patting Mary’s arm, I won’t tell anyone about your secret.

Mary knew she could trust Julie with her strange secret and smiled at her friend’s reassurance.

Great, she said, feeling a little better, now that she knew that Julie was going to keep her secret.

As lunch ended, both decided not to talk about Mary’s ability again at school. When school ended, Mary walked home and stood outside her house for a few minutes, debating whether she should tell her mother about what happened in class. She finally decided not to mention it and went straight up to her bedroom, only giving a quick hello to her mother while passing by the kitchen. Mary wasn’t sure what she should say to her parents—if she told them at all—so she decided to wait before saying anything.

She had so many questions. What kind of power allowed her to pass her hand through solid matter? Was this power a curse or a gift given to her for some special purpose? She knew she could trust Julie with her secret, but Julie was just as confused as she was.

She was not sure what to do next and hoped for some kind of a sign. That morning she had been an average girl, but her life changed the moment her hand went through the desk. She felt like she was all alone in the world and no one would understand what she was going through. She had a strange feeling that this special power was a curse, but at the same time she knew that it was a gift given to her for some special purpose.

She decided to call her best friend, thankful she could at least talk to Julie about her problem. When Julie picked up, Mary whispered, Do you think something is wrong with me?

Julie could hear the fear in Mary’s voice and became concerned, wondering if her friend was sick or delusional. Maybe you should go to your doctor’s office, she suggested.

That suggestion seemed like a good plan, so Mary felt better and calmed down. You’re right. Maybe my doctor can figure out what’s causing this, she said, hoping this was not a symptom of a serious illness. "But I’m scared. What if something is wrong with me?"

Julie wanted to make her best friend feel better. Do you want me to come with you? she offered, knowing Mary might need some moral support if it was a medical condition.

That would be great, Mary agreed, thankful she would not have to go to the doctor alone. She would, of course, have to sneak the insurance card out of her mom’s purse and make up an excuse as to why she was leaving with Julie, but it had to be done. She just had to ask the doctor about her strange experience.

Mary continued to worry while she waited on Julie to ride her bike over. When she saw her friend outside, she grabbed her scooter and told her mother she was going to hang out at Julie’s.

Thank you for coming with me, she said to Julie, pressing the button on her scooter’s handle bars. The girls rode together to the doctor’s office, hoping he could explain what was happening.

Looking for Answers

At the doctor’s office, the girls walked up to the counter and knocked on the sliding glass window, waiting for the receptionist to slide the glass open.

With a sense of urgency, Julie told the woman behind the glass window, "My friend must see a doctor now."

The receptionist slid the window aside and gave Julie a puzzled look. Sorry, but you need to have an appointment to see the doctor.

Julie turned to Mary and suggested reassuringly, Why don’t you go sit down in the waiting room while I talk to the nurse for a moment?

Mary was grateful Julie had come with her and hoped her friend could convince the receptionist to work her into the doctor’s schedule. She sat down in a blue chair and grabbed a magazine off the table, trying not to worry. She had a hard time concentrating on the magazine because she could not stop wondering what could have given her such strange power.

After Mary sat down, Julie turned back and looked at the receptionist. My friend must see her doctor, she explained quietly. She had a very disturbing experience today. I think she might have a serious medical condition.

The receptionist begrudgingly looked again at the doctor’s schedule to see if he could fit Mary in without an appointment. She wondered why two girls were here alone and what could be so serious. She called the head nurse and explained: Excuse me. A young lady is here to see Dr. Davidson. She doesn’t have an appointment but believes it might be an emergency. Do you want me to send her back to one of the exam rooms?

Mary overheard the receptionist talking to the nurse and was glad Julie had made clear the urgency of her situation. It wasn’t long before a nurse stepped into the waiting room and called her name. The nurse waited at the doorway as Mary and Julie walked toward her.

I’m Nurse Roberts, she said to the girls with a kind tone as she led them down a narrow hallway to a vacant exam room. When they entered the room, Nurse Roberts checked Mary’s height and blood pressure. Mary’s blood pressure was a little high, but the nurse did not seem too concerned.

As the girls waited for the nurse to record Mary’s information in her medical chart, Julie noticed Mary was getting anxious. When can we see the doctor? she asked, hoping they would not have to wait long.

Nurse Roberts looked at her watch and estimated when the doctor would finish with the other patients. He will be here in a few minutes, she replied before leaving the room.

Mary assumed her blood pressure was a little higher than normal because she was afraid of what the doctor might find. Both girls were nervous, hoping the doctor could find an explanation for her newfound ability.

Julie, I’m scared, Mary said. I don’t know what’s going on.

Julie gave her a comforting smile. Just relax. We’ll take it one step at a time, and we’ll figure it out.

Mary looked at Julie with uncertainty. It just doesn’t make sense.

When the doctor entered the room, the girls found that he was tall and thin, with brown hair and a short brown beard. He was wearing a blue shirt, khaki pants, candy-cane-striped tie, and white lab coat with a silver name tag pinned to it. With kind eyes he studied the worried look on Mary’s face.

Hello, Mary, how are you today? he asked, looking up from Mary’s chart. And who’s your friend?

Mary motioned her hand toward Julie. This is my best friend, Julie Chang.

Julie, I’m Dr. Norman Davidson, he said as she shook his hand.

Thanks for seeing us on such a short notice, she said, smiling at the doctor. We need some advice.

Dr. Davidson turned his head to look at Mary again. Why didn’t your parents come with you? he asked, thinking this was an unusual circumstance.

Mary looked up at Dr. Davidson with a blank expression. I don’t want my parents to worry, she explained nervously.

The doctor did not understand what Mary was trying to tell him. I’m sure, he said, becoming more concerned, your parents would understand—whatever your situation.

Mary lowered her head. I’m not so sure. I guess I’ll have to show you what I mean, she said, knowing the doctor could not possibly guess her situation. Give me your clipboard, and I’ll show you why I’m here.

Dr. Davidson raised an eyebrow. Sure, he replied, handing over the clipboard to his young patient.

Mary held the clipboard in front of her and placed her fist in the middle of it.

Just keep your eyes on the clipboard, she said, taking a deep breath as she made her fist go through the clipboard as if it were air.

Dr. Davidson watched in awe as her arm went straight through his clipboard. He was shocked. What happened to your arm? he asked, hardly believing his own eyes. How did you do that?

Honestly, I don’t know, Mary answered, looking up at her doctor. That’s what I want to figure out.

Julie could tell Mary was a bit overwhelmed and decided to tell the doctor about what happened at school. She discovered this ability when her hand went through the desk at school today.

Dr. Davidson was amazed at the young girl’s ability. He wanted to dismiss the phenomenon as his imagination, but he could tell by Mary’s very real concern and worry that something bizarre was truly happening.

I think it’s called intangibility or phasing, but I’ve only read about it in comic books when I was a young boy, he explained, writing something on Mary’s chart. I need to take blood samples to test for genetic mutations in your DNA. I’ll also check for any other medical conditions.

Mary was scared about the possible results but agreed. I guess that’s okay. She hoped the blood tests might reveal the origins of this strange power.

Dr. Davidson gave Mary a gentle smile. I will have Nurse Roberts come back in to draw blood, he said. He turned around and walked out into the hall