Owls of Topaz

By neal robbins

Niwan knew he had to find those owls. His family's survival was at stake. The perilous Red Mountain stood in his way. Follow Niwan's every step because it could be his last.

• Language: English
• Publisher: neal robbins
• Release date: Aug 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201180508

neal robbins

Neal Robbins is an archeologist and paleontologist. He has traveled the world as well as done digs and trained under several prolific scholars. He is also an author of 20 books that draw on the rich cultures he has help unearth. Keep up with the exciting exploits of the characters in each novel.  From Istanbul to the Indus Valley, these characters come alive. Sign up to keep abreast of the next exciting novel. 

Book preview

Chapter One

Niwan glanced nervously as he made his way down the trail. Numerous stars shone in the night sky. Now and then Niwan stopped and looked back. Although he had drunk some wine, he was aware of his surroundings. Niwan had walked this path since early childhood, but on this occasion the forest seemed ominous. He felt that every tree might be a hiding place for some frightful being. When Niwan saw a light ahead of him, he knew that his home was in sight. He halted and tried to regain his composure. Since the lamp in the window was still burning, he knew that his mother and his sister Wedinsi were waiting for him. He hoped they would not smell the wine on his breath. Niwan pondered his dilemma for a minute. Then he trudged toward the house, since facing the situation was his only choice.

Soon Niwan reached the cottage. He knocked on the door and it opened. A middle-aged woman with blonde hair stood in the doorway. She was wearing a plain gray dress.

The woman threw her arms around him. She said, Oh, Niwan, I was so worried about you!

I am sorry for coming home late, Niwan said.

NIWAN'S MOTHER RUNA looked closely at him and said, Niwan, you have been drinking wine. I can smell it.

I am sorry, mother. I should not have gone to the tavern. I did a bad thing.

We can talk about it in the morning. For now you should go to bed.

As Run helped him into the house, a teenage girl came from the adjoining room. She had auburn hair and wore a white nightgown. Runa looked at her and said, Wedinsi, I thought you were in bed.

I was, mother, but I was awake. I heard you talking to Niwan. I'm thankful he is back.

Niwan's knees felt wobbly. He said, I feel as if I'm going to fall.

Wedinsi rushed to Niwan. She and her mother held Niwan to keep him steady. Has Niwan been drinking? Wedinsi asked.

Yes, he has, Runa replied. We must get him to bed.

Niwan groaned as his mother and sister helped him to his room. He fell on the bed. Wedinsi said, We need to take his boots off.

Yes, we must, said Runa. Wedinsi gently removed one boot while Runa took off the other. Niwan was

ASLEEP IN LESS THAN a minute.

Chapter Two

Eating breakfast had made Niwan feel better. He had not wanted to get up, but the smell of the meat cooking had inclined him to do so.

Niwan and Wedinsi sat on the couch and talked while their mother was in the storeroom. Niwan said, Mother wants to talk to us about something. What is it?

She told me not to tell you until she comes out of the storeroom.

All right. It is surely about what I did yesterday. I know I should not have been drinking, but ever since Father died, life has not been the same.

I am sad about Father's death. I miss him.

Inheriting this farm gives no consolation.

Runa came into the room. She held a sheet of parchment. Her face bore a somber look.

Niwan, I must tell you that our family is facing a crisis. This document is a writ authorizing all of our money and most of our land to be taken away from us.

Her words shocked Niway. He sat in disbelief for a moment. Then he said, How can that be?

Father left some debts that we did not know about, Wedinsi said. "While you were gone yesterday, two men

CAME AND GAVE US THIS document. If we do not pay ten thousand sivtas within a month, they will take most of what we have."

But how can they do such a thing?! Niwan shouted. It is not right!

Niwan, please do not shout, Runa said. It will do no good.

I am sorry, mother. I did not mean to do that. But what are we going to do?

I do not know, said Runa.

Chapter Three

T his is my chance, Niwan said to himself. Morning had come and Niwan was looking through the window. His mother and sister had left the house. Since Niwan was alone, he could leave undetected.

Niwan had learned some news while at the tavern the day before. Prince Hamon, the ruler of his country, was offering a substantial reward to anyone who would go on a mission for him. The prince wanted someone who would be willing to go to the Red Mountain. As far as Niwan knew, no volunteers had gone to Prince Hamon, for the Red Mountain was a place that people shunned. The few who had dared to go close to it had come back telling frightening tales. Niwan had heard woodsmen tell of strange red mists appearing on the mountain at night. Some had also spoken of hearing terrifying sounds.

Niwan opened the door and stepped outside. He stood and looked at the road. Then Niwan said, Maybe these circumstances are playing with my mind. But I think I have made the most important decision of my life.

Chapter Four

Mid-morning heat and humidity permeated the air as Niwan made his way down the road to Manrava. Trees lined both sides of the wide dirt path. Niwan saw a rabbit dart across the road once. He stopped to rest shortly. Wagon drivers had given him rides to Manrava in times past, but no such luck occurred today. A carriage had rolled past him but it was coming from Manrava.

Niwan reached a place where the forest ended and fields lay between him and the city. An enormous display of tulips grew on the left. Their colors of red, yellow, blue, and purple adorned the plot of land.

After stopping to gaze at the floral wonder, Niwan resumed his walk. He moved at a quickened pace, for the outskirts of Manrava were in sight.

In a few minutes Niwan reached Manrava. On the right side of the street was a whitewashed stone house with a well in front of it. An old man with a long gray beard was sitting on the doorstep. As Niwan was suffering from thirst, he decided to ask if he could get a drink of water.

He approached the man and said, "Excuse me, sir.

MAY I GET A DRINK OF water from your well?"

Certainly, and you may sit and rest if you wish to do so. My name is Zomal.

"My name