Chronicles of the Vanquished: The Tablet of Dreams

By Joseph Charles Sisk

One fairy
One tablet
A realm of adventure

The Tablet of Dreams is a tablet that manipulates the users mind, and was missing for centuriesuntil now. Garret, the Rock and Pebble Master, writes a letter to his boss, Branson, which intrigues him. Jddah hears from her father, Thaddeus Noland, that Eris, her fianc, and the Prince of the Blue-Water Realm, is missing. Jddah is the only one who can find him. Accompanied by Ignatius, the skunk, Jddah goes on a journey to find Eris. Will she find him, or face an unbearable life without him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 11, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456824778

Joseph Charles Sisk

Joseph Charles Sisk began writing at the age of eight, and he is still writing today. His biggest fan base is his family. Chronicles of the Vanquished: The Tablet of Dreams, the second novel in the trilogy, was in the 2011’s Miami International Book Fair. It was also featured in the New & Noble section of the Wilmington Star News newspaper. At present, he is obtaining an Associates’ Degree in the Arts at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 by Joseph Charles Sisk.

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4797-1033-1

                Softcover        978-1-4568-2476-1

                Ebook             978-1-4568-2477-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

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Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Prologue

Part One

Humans invade the Crystal-Glass

and Blue-Water Realms

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Part Two

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Part Three

A Fairy’s Choice

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

To my cousin Linda Bean.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to all of my dedicated readers. Without you, Chronicles of the Vanquished would not have been written. I thank my mom for having me. Thanks to my grandmother, who gave me moral support throughout the publication process. To my family, who support me by buying and reading the book(s), and to my teachers—you have been inspirational to me. Also, thanks to my publishing company, Xlibris, for publishing this novel.

—Joseph Charles Sisk

Introduction

Being a published author has certainly changed my life. Although I am not a well-known author yet, I have certainly progressed from writing the first Chronicles of the Vanquished to the second book, Chronicles of the Vanquished: The Tablet of Dreams. Throughout the publication of the first book, I have developed a new respect for authors such as Nicolas Sparks, James Patterson, or Nora Roberts.

I was lucky to get a chance to publish with Xlibris Publishing Company. They have made my publishing two novels a reality. While I am studying at Cape Fear Community College, I find time to write in my spare time.

An author’s passion will take him or her beyond the pain of rejection letters. The goal is to see one’s novel on the New York Times Best-Seller List. With two novels completed and online, I have more confidence in my ultimate success.

The second book in the trilogy will touch many more hearts than the first. There are new villains and new characters to join the original lineup of characters. Their adventures will take you farther into your imagination than before. Unlike the first book—which focused on Jéddah in the dark ages—the second book focuses on Jéddah going to the twenty-first century. I hope you find each of them as intriguing as I did, as I discovered them on their journey.

Prologue

Realms have this uniqueness about them: a beautiful season reminds me of how worthwhile each day becomes. In fall, the leaves transform themselves into brilliant burgundy, gold, and light brown. Watching them drift around, I am reminded of how fairies are free—free as leaves, free as birds, waiting to fly off into the horizon.

It is seasons like winter that I am reminded of death and the end of everything. Don’t get me wrong—I like winter. It’s beautiful with its unique flavor—with its ice and snow blanketing the ground. Winter makes me think back to when everything in my realm was dead, departed, and lifeless.

It was not until recently that I realized why I was born. I was meant to save not only the creatures of the Crystal-Glass Realm, but those of the Blue-Water Realm, as well. One may question whether Eris and I were meant to be together. I believe—even now—that I was destined to be with Eris and save the Crystal-Glass and the Blue-Water Realms from chaos and destruction. But only one question still remains: why?

Not only had Theramina done evil in my realm, but the witch wanted my father’s realm, as well. To obtain it, she used every scheme she could think of, including taking me hostage. In the end, it was Eris and I who saved everyone in both realms.

The creatures were appreciative, but Eris got the idea that it was he alone who risked his life to save these creatures. I reminded him that it was teamwork that saved them from death.

As usual, Eris had used an opportunity to gloat that he was the hero. Had I not also risked my own life to save these realms, as well as his life?

Finding Eris unconscious in Theramina’s castle, I risked everything by pushing him out the window and fleeing with him into a forest. I didn’t know what this forest held, nor did I know whether Eris and I would survive. Luckily, we made it past the forest safe and alive.

Some readers may question whether my story is worth remembering, but I believe it is. Unfortunately, there is no record to prove that Eris and I saved many creatures during that time of chaos, but I am going to set the record straight.

I am told by my father that fairy-watchers scan the night sky for any strange signs. They still scan the fields of my realm, looking for tell-tale signs on the horizon—some hint of approaching disaster.

PART ONE

Humans invade the Crystal-Glass

and Blue-Water Realms

Chapter 1

What is this place? asked Garret’s boss, walking through a cave and seeing a lifeless landscape.

"It’s called the Crystal-Glass Realm, sir," answered Garret, the Rock and Pebble Master. It’s the place I described to you in the letters I sent you.

It’s a dump! I thought you told me this was a beautiful place—not some dismal, cheerless hole! retorted Garret’s boss, Branson.

I… I… I don’t understand… this… place is… supposed to be a happy place… not… a… ‘dump’ as you called it, said Garret. I remember it as a beautiful place.

Let me know whenever this place gets some curb appeal, said Branson, and he began to stalk away. But before he could go, Garret grabbed him and begged him to reconsider leaving.

Please… please… don’t go… If you stay, I’ll show you something that might change your mind about leaving.

This better be good, Garret, because if it isn’t— He cut off Garret, and waving an index finger in front of his face, he threatened, You’re going to be sentenced to an insane asylum. Got it?

Got it, Garret agreed.

Garret knew that if he failed to show his boss what he had promised, he would be in deep water, but he knew Branson would be intrigued by what he was about to show him.

Telling Branson to follow him, Garret led the way, advising him to stay close to avoid danger.

Garret stopped in front of a shed.

"Garret, what is this? This is a big waste of my valuable time!" Branson exclaimed.

No, it isn’t. Look!

The door of the shed opened, revealing stairs that went beneath the ground.

What do stairs have to do with what you are about to show me? Branson asked, irritated.

Nothing… but—

Just as I thought, he replied. You made me follow you, and for what? Nothing! I’m out of here! He turned to go, but before he could, a sign caught his attention.

What’s this? Branson asked.

It’s a sign, sir, Garret answered idiotically.

I know that, replied Branson sarcastically. "But what does this sign really say?"

"It says, ‘The Tablet of Dreams will intrigue you. Be forewarned: Anyone who steals the tablet will be imprisoned in it for eternity’."

So let me get this straight—you brought me out here to look at a sign I’m clueless about, right?

Right. But you won’t be clueless when you understand why I wanted you to see this tablet, Garret said.

Garret… Garret… Garret… all this proved to me was that you are a bigger idiot than I thought! Thanks for ruining my lunch hour! Why did you cause me to walk a mile in a blazing sun to look at a stupid sign?

Garret ignored his boss’s rant, for he had other things on his mind. He started to go down the stairs. Branson huffed, and then decided to follow Garret.

The darkness was just enough to make Branson complain some more.

This place needs some light. How can you see down here?

If you don’t like the darkness, why did you come down here? Garret asked, taking a lantern off the grimy, dusty wall, brushing it off, and lighting it.

"I don’t know! All I know is that I’m crazy for ever thinking I would get some thrill by following you," Branson declared.

Listen, said Garret. I’ll tell you why I brought you underneath the ground… if—

If what?

I’ve known about this tablet for almost a year now. If you tell someone, I’ll never forgive you for it. Got it?

Branson didn’t seem convinced, so Garret repeated, Got it?

Got it, Branson replied.

Garret had told Branson about the secrets of the Crystal-Glass Realm—how it was he who had met Ignatius in the forest exactly two years ago.

Branson asked, If this is all true, why did you want me to know this? Why not someone else?

Because I wanted you to experience the same pleasure I felt when I first heard—and saw—the things I’m telling you, Garret replied.

Garret could see Branson’s eyes; they were fully opened.

I do not know whether Garret was fearful about Branson’s intentions, or not. What could Branson be thinking? Could he be thinking of taking over the Crystal-Glass Realm? If so, there was no way of knowing what was in store for our poor, defenseless realm.

The sun was hot as a hooded figure made its way through the forest. Its features were indistinct because it didn’t want its identity known. It made its way past the sycamore, apricot, maple, and apple trees.

There, in front of the hooded figure, was a circle of trees swaying in threatening movements as the hooded figure unveiled itself.

Mom, it breathed. "It’s me, Desdemina. Things have certainly changed since you were here. Disasters you wouldn’t believe—volcanoes erupting and flooding of the rivers. Mom, who’s responsible for all of this chaos? They should pay! Did you know your castle is slowly disappearing? Statues disintegrating—crumbling rocks—tremors in Mount Trickledown? Mom, I need some guidance! Oh… I almost forgot to mention that last week I was crowned Queen of the Forest by the wizard Count Lockmalvo…"

Count Lockmalvo was a wizard everyone loved to hate. Despite everyone’s hatred for him, Desdemina adored him. After all, he had promised her that she would be Queen of the Forest. This wizard knew his own evil deeds, and he was proud to flaunt them.

He made Desdemina queen so he could manipulate her to do his own evil deeds. I was not sure how he was going to influence her, but an evil wizard functions that way.

Wind hurled through the trees, causing Desdemina to wonder whether her mother heard her. If she had, she would have given her a sign.

When the wind finally hushed, there in front of Desdemina was her mother’s face, etched in the tree, plain as daylight. For a moment, Desdemina could not move.

Mom, she said. What the—

Hush, my child, the tree said. I came to you in this moment because I need you to do something for me.

Anything.

"I want you to dump Lockmalvo. You hear me?"

Why?

Because he’s manipulating you.

Manipulating me? Desdemina repeated, stunned at what she was hearing. "No… no… he… made me queen… Queen of the Forest . . ."

"Listen to me, Desdemina, Lockmalvo is an evil, spineless, heartless wizard who should never be trusted."

You’re just mad that you’re a tree and I’m a witch! Desdemina yelled angrily.

You know better than to snap at me! I’m—

Maldetreemous!

The spell hit the tree in front of Desdemina, causing her to fall backward. Straining to look, she saw that Thaddeus Cornelius Noland was approaching. He was wearing a burgundy garment and a gold sash. He looked every bit the king he actually was.

There was something about my father that you must understand: Like most fairies of his kind, he was into helping the less fortunate—even if it meant helping an enemy. If an enemy had an injury, my father was willing to help—if it were serious enough. My father acted as if it did not bother him that Desdemina was Theramina’s daughter. She seemed to dismiss his help, because she pulled away when my father tried to assist her in getting up.

Leave me alone! she snapped, trying to get her balance.

What were you doing? my father asked, looking intently into Desdemina’s eyes.

None of your business! If you don’t mind, I must be on my way! Desdemina tried to continue along the path, but as