Chronicles of the Vanquished: the Gold of Youth: The Gold of Youth

By Joseph Charles Sisk

One fairy...
One pirate...
A prophecy fulfilled

Mascar, the pirate, has stolen the Gold of Youtha substance that controls the fairy dust in the Crystal-Glass and Blue-Water Realms. Jddah, a fairy princess, is frightened when she discovers Mascar wants to steal her fairy dust and become immortal. She then goes on the run with Ignatius, the skunk. On their long journey, they meet many creatures, including monkeys, a forgetful badger, and dragons. Will the future be bright for the Fairy Realms, or will they be vanquished?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469187105

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

Prologue

Pirates were—and still are—the most despicable humans in history. In fact, creatures such as fairies, forest nymphs, centaurs, and even skunks, despised them, too.

Pirates roam the seas watching and waiting for innocent victims on passing ships to torture. If another pirate crew spots the same ship, the pirates fight each other for the victims and their booty.

When you upset a pirate, you had better look out, because tempers will flair and swords will fly! You had better duck every time the blade of the sword swings! If you’re not careful, the sword will hit you in the wrong spot and cause you serious or even fatal injuries. Most pirates are excellent swordsmen.

I certainly did not expect to be kidnapped by pirates on my wedding day. Who would be expecting a pirate crew to ruin a bride’s wedding day? No bride could imagine having her wedding ruined pirates, such as I did. Being kidnapped is a horrifying ordeal, and one could only hope for the best.

To understand why I was kidnapped, you must first hear my experience with such a calamity: First, Eris, the Prince of the Blue-Water Realm, was kidnapped by Theramina, the witch; then by Theramina’s daughter, Desdemina. Their purpose was to steal the Crown Prince of the Blue-Water Realm, Prince Eris himself.

Second, Eris, still somewhat befuddled by the horrific experience of having someone kidnap him just last year, informed me of scenes where the guard was torturing some prisoners for fun, as Eris had said to me. Those scenes were too unpleasant to remember.

In one incident, Eris told about a guard hitting a prisoner with a braided whip. In another, the same guard yelled and cursed at a prisoner for whining too much. In other incidents, Eris experienced gruesome, terrifying confrontations. Those situations were far too gruesome for me to share. Just trust me, when I say that it was a nightmare for Eris.

Nothing could have prepared us for the kind of interesting creatures we met on our long journey. Exactly two years ago, Eris and I met Ignatius, the skunk. Later he helped me find Eris when he was missing. We met a badger named Gwendolyn, who, from the look of it, had no common sense, but nevertheless helped Eris and me find our way, once when we were lost.

Two years ago, Eris and I were chased by wolves who just wanted to make a meal of us. A year later, Ignatius and I met a raccoon, Ladamiér, who wanted sympathy from us. After that, Ignatius and I met Joveah, the knight, who wanted a princess to be his bride. The reason was Joveah’s father, King Gladamore, wanted his throne inherited by royalty. To achieve that, Joveah must marry a princess. King Gladamore wanted me to marry Joveah. The only problem was Eris and I were planning our wedding! Joveah had not heard the word no in all of his life. He was stubborn, and would not comprehend that I could not marry him. To shut Joveah up, I agreed to marry him—even though I was engaged to Eris.

Good old Ignatius! I could always count on him to bring me back into reality. He reminded me that marrying Joveah (even in pretense) would cause such friction between Eris and me, that Eris would never forgive me—let alone marry me—if I betrayed him after promising to be his bride. We tried to leave Joveah to wallow in his own despair, but he begged to come along—on the condition that I should find him another princess to be his bride!

In the end, Joveah married a princess. Even though she was not King Gladamore’s first pick as a daughter-in-law, he eventually came around, and accepted Joveah’s marriage to a princess named Loretta, who lived in the Green-Grass Hill Realm.

If that did not get crazy enough, just a year ago, Ignatius and I met Koruna, the looney fortune-teller. Not only was Koruna a drunken fortune-teller, but she as acted as if she had bad hearing, as well. When Ignatius, Joveah, and I approached her, the only word we understood was, Fortune, which caused me to question whether she even saw us clearly along the path. Then she repeated, Fortune, and I knew she was talking to us.

Koruna, the fortune-teller, just wanted to tell our fortunes. She was odd, Ignatius knew, and he did not like it. In fact, he despised it. He knew something was off the moment he, Joveah, and I walked past her. Once she staggered to her feet, it was a dead giveaway that Koruna was the not going to let us by without insisting on telling our fortunes.

Little did I know that Theramina had set the stage for her daughter, Desdemina, to wreak havoc upon the Fairy Community. Without realizing what her mother had done, Desdemina set in motion plans of her own.

A pirate named Mascar would cause more havoc than Theramina had done, with more disaster. All of the evil creatures we encountered had a common purpose—to get rid of Eris and me, so they could rule without one of us to stop them.

Whatever was in store for the fairy realms would happen soon enough.

Part One

Mascar the Pirate

Chapter 1

Mascar

The hazy mist of the night air was cool, as the pirate steered his ship toward an island. To the naked eye, the island was small, but to Mascar, the pirate, it was a treasure trove. He had roamed the seas for what seemed like an eternity, and the sight of land—any land, for that matter—excited him. As the ship reached the sandbar, Mascar’s excitement grew.

Is this it? he asked his cabin boy, who stepped from the lifeboat onto the sandbar just like Mascar, holding a map.

It seems so, answered the boy, but I can’t be sure that this is even the right island.

What do you mean, ‘not the right island’? snapped Mascar. Of course, it is the right island!

I wouldn’t be so sure, Captain.

What makes you so doubtful, Fulton? Mascar asked. Is it the shape of the island, the scenery, or is it your mind?

My mind isn’t playing tricks on me, said Fulton, "but according to this map I stole, it shows we have to travel to a place called Lockmore Valley. You might want to reconsider your direction."

Don’t be ridiculous! shouted Mascar. Of course, I know where I’m going! I don’t need you or anyone else to say otherwise!

But Captain, I—

Don’t you ever interrupt me again! yelled Mascar, spraying spit in Fulton’s face. I don’t deserve a lazy, immature cabin boy to tell me the direction I should be going!

Fine. I’ll shut up, Captain. On one condition…

And what condition might be so important that makes me want to care? asked Mascar, yawning, to show his indifference to the cabin boy.

You will not scream at me, tell me I’m scum, or throw me aside as if I were a piece of garbage!

Mascar laughed. "You’ve got to be kidding me! You? You want me to do a favor for you—the scum of my crew? Why would I?"

It’s either you do what I ask, or you won’t get this map! Fulton pretended to let the wind blow the map away.

Mascar’s face was beet red. You wouldn’t!

I would, and you know it! You know as well as I, that without my help, you would be lost, Fulton said. So, if I were you, I’d take the condition without any objection.

"And what if I don’t take your little condition into consideration? What are you going to do then, huh? Abandon me? Mascar asked, glaring into Fulton’s anxious eyes. Because you know as well as I, that you’d be lost without a pirate crew!"

You’re wrong, Fulton said, outraged at Mascar’s statement. I wouldn’t be lost! You took away my childhood! You never once asked me, ‘Do you want to be a pirate’? Because being a pirate is not what I want to do! You forced me to go with you, because you said that if I didn’t go, my family’s life would be miserable. You might have thought it was funny to threaten me, but it wasn’t funny! It has been a nightmare!

Before Mascar could butt in, Fulton continued his rant:

"My parents searched for days—weeks, even—to find me, and you know what happened to them? Of course you do! When they found me, you killed my father by hanging him from the mast of the ship! Then you tortured my mother—my own mother, the one who raised me and told me stories! Then after you were satisfied torturing her, you killed her, too! How could you be so cruel?"

"Fulton, you know the answer to that question. I wanted—and still want—the Gold of Youth, so my health will not be compromised, Mascar said. I must be in tiptop condition at all times to maintain a pirate ship!"

"What does the Gold of Youth have to do with us now? Fulton asked Mascar. It’s no use to us, now that it is known to be in the Fairies’ Museum of Natural History. Besides, no creature could get inside the museum, without being caught by one of the guards!"

"The Gold of Youth only got into the museum because you didn’t know what you were doing in the Lockmore Valley Mines! Mascar said, exasperated. Of course you had to dig where you obviously knew the mine was most likely to collapse!"

"It only collapsed because you stood where I was digging, and I couldn’t reach the Gold of Youth!" Fulton argued.

Oh, grow up, Fulton! You need to stop whining and start using your brain once in awhile, if you got one!

The argument between Mascar and Fulton continued for a few seconds more, until Mascar said, "Forget it! Let’s find some fool who knows where the Fairies’ Museum of Natural History is located. Then we will find out whether we can live forever!"

"Don’t you mean you will live forever? Fulton asked. I’m not eligible to live forever; no one can live forever—not even you!"

Not necessarily. You could live forever, Mascar said, hoping to persuade Fulton to go along with him.

Oh, you’re full of crap, Mascar! Fulton yelled. You aren’t really going to offer me eternal life. I don’t trust you!

Go ahead! Don’t trust me! See if I care, but there is gold in it for you as my companion, and a better life for your remaining family. Remember, Matey?

Fulton was shocked. Blackmail! You wouldn’t dare!

You know perfectly well that blackmail is my specialty, Mascar said, taking out a sharp knife and cleaning his disgusting, black fingernails.

Which is the reason I’m not going to go along with your plan, Fulton said, eyeing the knife warily. I have a right to turn down your plan!

Fine! Just fine! Don’t help me get the most valuable piece of history in the world! I’ll get it myself!

Mascar was tempted to leave Fulton there on the sandbar alone, but then he realized he needed the assistance of his cabin boy.

Mascar added, If I promise to not call you ‘scum’, will you go along with me to seize the Gold of Youth?"

Just as long as you keep your promise, I’ll go with you.

Mascar sighed, knowing his lies and trickery could not deceive Fulton all the way.

All right, he said hastily. I promise.

Soon Mascar and Fulton’s footprints could be seen a mile down the island, going back to their lifeboat that was tied up nearby.

Chapter 2

Jéddah

In the lifeboat, with the wind blowing favorably, Fulton looked once more at his map. He thought he saw a sketch of a castle, and looking across the waves, there seemed to be the form of a castle rising in the mist.

The castle was the main feature of the Crystal-Glass Realm, and it was visible as soon as Mascar and Fulton were underway. They soon stepped out of the lifeboat onto a sandy beach and looked for a place to hide, finding plenty of brush to conceal them. Checking to make sure no one was in sight, Mascar and Fulton made their way toward the castle.

The plan was for Mascar to find a way into the castle, and leave Fulton to be the lookout for guards.

As Mascar stepped upon the drawbridge of the castle, it began to sway, causing him to become anxious. However, he remained calm, not letting his nerves get the best of him. When he stepped on the other side of the bridge, he sighed in relief. He had made it to the other side without falling into the huge abyss below. Using his pocketknife, he picked the lock of the castle door. Instantly, it swung open upon his light touch.

The castle was dimly lit, with lanterns casting ghostly shadows upon the stone walls. Mascar stealthily walked the hall, staying alert for passing guards who might question his presence here in the castle. To his relief, there were no guards in sight.

As Mascar turned a corner, he saw a huge auditorium door. There was something about that door that intrigued him. Approaching it, he pulled on the door handle; it swung open without too much effort.

Once he was inside, he saw a vast array of wedding items scattered throughout the room. Hearing a faint sound of voices, he cautiously hid behind a column.

I was trying on my wedding dress, with my sister, Efra, and my four teenage fairy bridesmaids: Tararina, thirteen; Rosa, sixteen; Prissy, seventeen; and Evaline, eighteen, at my side.

Efra was just helping me try on my wedding gown. She wasn’t a bridesmaid. My gown was sparkling with hundreds of sequins glittering in the reflection of my dressing room mirror. My bridesmaids were each wearing lilac dresses. They had dismal expressions on their faces, because they hated being dressed up.

This stinks, whined Prissy. Why do we have to do this, anyway?

Because it’s a wedding, and I chose you to be my bridesmaids, I answered, turning in the mirror to get a better look at my sparkly white wedding gown. Why do you have to complain all the time? This is a wedding, for pity’s sake! We’re supposed to be celebrating—not complaining!

It wasn’t our idea to be stuck in a dressing room while you stare at yourself in the mirror, Prissy said. Besides, this is a waste of time!

Yes, I agree! This is a waste of my time! shouted Rosa. This dress is itchy!

Mine, too! agreed Tararina, who took it upon herself to scratch her leg, which was buried under a net of lilac lace.

All right, I said. Things could be worse. Shouldn’t we all be grateful for the fact that the wedding will go as planned? This is not the time to complain about what you’re wearing!

Worse, said Rosa, outraged. What do you mean, ‘things could be worse’? Things are already going downhill!

"Things are not going downhill! I yelled. Are you doubtful about my marriage to Eris? Are you jealous?"

Jealous? Rosa repeated, shocked at my accusation. I’m not jealous! Why would I be jealous of your marriage to a handsome fairy prince?

Clearly you’re jealous, Efra pointed out. Why else would you call my sister’s fiancé a ‘handsome fairy prince’?

Rosa’s face flashed beet red. "I’m not jealous, and I’ll prove it!"

Rosa, having been buried underneath a mountain of bridesmaids, struggled to get up. When she finally did, it caused the rest of my bridesmaids to tumble to the carpet.

I’ll kiss Eris to prove to you all that I, Rosa Fairwood—do not, and never will have—a crush on Eris! I’ll just show you that I’m not in love with him!

Rosa was about to slide open the dressing room door when Efra stopped her. If you truly did not have a crush on him, why would you suggest kissing him? Besides, that doesn’t prove anything.

So?

So… you have a crush, I said. And I don’t mean a small crush, either! You’re clearly in love with Eris.

So what if I’m in love with him?

So you admit it, Evaline said, getting up and brushing the dust off her dress. You’re in love with Eris.

So what if I’m in love with him? repeated Rosa harshly. It’s not a crime to be in love with a prince who’s desirable in every way! Is it?

When my sister is going to marry the love of her life, yes, it is! declared Efra furiously.

Efra… c’mon… Rosa was just expressing how she felt about Eris, I said. No need to get angry.

Of course I’m angry about this! Efra yelled. Rosa was going to kiss your fiancé! Eris was the one who saved you from falling off a bridge—not another fairy—Eris! He was the one who saved you from trolls who wanted to eat you! It was Eris who—

Wait. How do you know this? I asked. Did our father inform you of my past adventures?

Yes. He did!

Why?

"He