New Moon Ascendant

By LaDonna Davis

New Moon Ascendant is a story about a girl who learns through a journey about herself and the true nature of her world. It's been many years since the end of the wars that rocked her lands and resulted in an exchange between the two peoples: Human and Troll that is used to ensure that peace continues. During her experience that directly hits her family she is thrown into a new experience of her own. It leads to the discovery of self that is unparalleled.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716652110

Book preview

New Moon Ascendant

LaDonna J. Davis

Copyright © 2010, LaDonna J. Davis

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-329-00817-5

978-1-71687-675-2 (paperback)

Imprint: Lulu.com

978-1-71687-675-2 (eBook)

Imprint: Lulu.com

Manufactured in the United States of America

Published by LuLu Publishing

New Moon Ascendant

Samantha glanced at the lit torches that lined the outskirts of Earlton, the small village where she lived, and briskly rubbed her arms for warmth.  As she did, she reviewed her actions from earlier that evening.  She had hidden the sprigs of rosemary in Nigel’s bedroom and even secretly mixed a powdered blend into his soup at dinner and yet despite her efforts, he now stood with three other young men on All Soul’s Eve taking the Sojourner’s Oath.  She watched resignedly as each pledged themselves to the Troll Queen and the Other Side for the next one hundred years.  She wondered what England would be like in 2009. Where had she gone wrong? 

Samantha, don’t worry love.  What Nigel does will maintain the peace between us and the Other Side.  Her mother whispered as she placed an arm around her, pulling her closer.

Samantha nodded solemnly and said nothing in response.  Instead she remembered the important lessons her brother had given her over the years.  He taught her two rules for dealing with trolls if she should ever meet one:  1) always be polite, and 2) never accept gifts unless they were ‘freely given’.  Every inhabitant of Baelson and Earlton, the two villages that were linked by a small toll bridge, knew that should the Troll Queen’s Raid happen during their lifetime, they could be selected to go, but it was Nigel who had explained that in truth only those souls willing to commit to the ancient Inner Wessex Agreement would hear the call.  It was a choice of the soul, not the mind and it was only too painfully obvious to Samantha that he had heard the call and accepted; otherwise neither he nor his family would have awakened from the magically induced slumber that engulfed the two villages every 100 years.

Samantha secretly envied the other villagers who would remain asleep until dawn.  It was at dawn when the Sojourners from the prior 100 years returned, after which memorials would be held for those that had gone followed by celebrations for those that returned.  Then from dawn until dawn, the Crossway between worlds would remain open to travelers from both sides.  However if desired, she and her family would be allowed to visit with the Sojourners in advance of dawn as part of the Troll Queen’s Raiding Party precession back to the Other Side, but Samantha had already decided she would stay behind.  She could not to bear to see Nigel after he underwent the transformation into what was known as a ‘Human-Troll’.

The ceremony ended with the Troll Queen kissing the cheeks of each Sojourner to seal the pact.  Nigel turned around and smiled.  The pale blue flames of the torches casted an eerie glow to his face.  Samantha worried his skin had taken on a pale green tint. Had the transformation already begun?

Nigel placed his hands in his pockets and walked over.  Without waiting for him to reach her, Samantha walked away from her parents in no particular direction. 

Samantha…!?  Her mother and father called after her.  She ignored them.

Not watching where she was heading, Samantha walked into one of the McQueen brothers.  It was William McQueen, the eldest of the brothers. Sorry…  She replied quickly and made an effort to continue along her undetermined path.

Samantha isn’t it?

Yes Lord William.

William McQueen placed his hand on Samantha’s shoulder, No need to be so formal.  William is fine.

But you are a Dragon Lord…  Samantha replied hesitantly.  The Dragon Lords were responsible for ensuring the terms of the Inner Wessex Agreement were followed by both the humans and the trolls.  She had never spoken to one before now even though all inhabitants knew about the Dragon Lords and the location of their cottage near the toll bridge.

He chuckled and ran his hand through his dark hair. 

Yes, that is true…. but even so, William will suit.  He paused and gazed around him.  Well Samantha…what do you make of it?

Samantha glanced in the direction of her family and the others.  Most were smiling and mingling with the visiting trolls while taking some refreshment. She watched as Nigel bit into