Greenwood: Legend of Old

By Heather Neil

On a faraway planet, there is an ancient legend that speaks of portals appearing all across the land, these portals lead to new and strange worlds. As these portals begin to appear they cause strange occurrences across the land setting in motion the renewal of the planet. According to this same legend, there is a group of children that must find one another and help each other grow in both strength and mind. The fate of the planet depends on these children who will ultimately decide the fate of the world. Can these children save their planet or will they lead to its destruction?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546235651

Book preview

BEGINNINGS

Greenwood is a planet made up of four major landmasses; the largest is Nasturtium, second is Alabaster, third is Rime and last is Hallowed Ground. Nasturtium is the land covered by never-ending forest while Alabaster is covered by igneous rock and fire. Rime is covered in ice and snow, as for Hallowed Ground no one knows what it looks like for it is the land of the Gods and none have returned from it.

Upon Rime, there is only one Kingdom to govern over all the people, the Kingdom of Frost ruled by the Sunrise family. On Nasturtium, there are two Kingdoms; Lotus and Tread. Tread is ruled by the Magic family. Lotus is split into five villages to be ruled by the five royal families, these villages are called; Bluster, Brooke, Fervor, Zeal, and Bristle. Bluster is ruled by the Mooncrest family, Brooke by the Sunset family, Fervor by the Craft family, Zeal by the Drake family and Bristle by the Thistle family.

Greenwood’s buildings consist of wood or stone buildings, the weapons consist of bow and arrow, swords, daggers, spears and the likes. Portals will occasionally appear upon Greenwood leading to new worlds, resulting in strange occurrences all over the planet. These occurrences can mainly be contributed to the strange beings who come from a planet they call Earth. These beings from Earth have uncommon metal objects that they hide behind, they have metal buildings as well.

Now there is a Legend which speaks of these strange events that would trigger the beginning of the renewal of the planet. There will be a group of children that must find one another to grow in strength in order to decide whether or not they will save the world or lead to its destruction. This is the story of these children and how they band together to face the trails before them, our story begins upon Rime in the castle of Frost.

*  *  *  *

Rain, a pale woman of thirty-one with blonde hair and blue eyes, stands in her son’s room helping him finish packing his belongings while she goes over a mental list. While she begins to pack the last of his clothing she turns to Vega, a pale boy of sixteen with blonde hair and green eyes. Vega dear, will you please go wake Tula? Rain asks as she folds a shirt. Vega finishes tying his sword around his waist as he nods, he then turns away and walks to his sister’s room. Vega walks into the room and sits beside the little girl on the bed and begins to gently shake her.

Come on Tula get up, Vega says. Tula wakes and looks up at her brother. Tula is a pale girl of twelve with blonde hair, blue eyes and silver white wolf ears on top of her head.

Alright. Tula yawns as she sits up. Vega forces Tula to get out of bed before leaving to let her dress. Tula quickly changes then makes her way out to the snow-covered courtyard where she finds her Father Yolen. Yolen is a pale man of thirty-two with silver-white hair and green eyes. When Rain and Vega join them, the small family make their way to the dock where they board a ship destined for a seven-month journey across the sea to Nasturtium.

*  *  *  *

As the ship docks at the port closest to Brook, the family gathers their belongings on a wagon before beginning the small walk to the village. When they were about halfway to the village, Tula freezes on the path as her ears twitch. Tula hears some rustling in the forest and looks in the direction of the sound in time to see a group of kids running through the forest, curious, Tula runs after the group. Tula follows them deep into the forest to a clearing where they stop, allowing her to see that there are seven of them. The other kids are all around her age, there are three girls and four boys. Five of the kids are gathered in a small circle as two of the boys stand together but separate from the others. Tula notices a man sneaking up on the others, knowing that they haven’t noticed the man, Tula walks into the clearing between the two groups. Hi, Tula says catching everyone’s attention. I’m new around here, can you show me around? The girl with red hair and green eyes stares at Tula cautiously.

Who are you? The girl questions coldly. Tula opens her mouth to speak but is quickly interrupted by the man walking into the clearing along with a few more men who block the children’s way to escape.

Seven children for my plan. The man says before turning his eyes on Tula. What I don’t understand is that you saw this was a trap but you didn’t run away, why? Tula doesn’t answer and the man quickly loses interest in her. Back to business then. The man returns his attention to the other children, who are now all huddled together. The other men begin to come out from behind their hiding places. Tula takes a deep breath before raising her hands out in front of her, obviously concentrating. Suddenly tree roots grow out of the ground and around each of the men entrapping them where they stand. Tula lowers her hands as she turns to the others.

We have to run, Tula says tiredly. The other children continue to stand frozen in their place, unsure as to what has just happened. Hey! The others snap out of it and begin to run with Tula following close behind. The children run for a good distance before they come across a rundown temple where they find refuge and hide.

How did you do that? One of the boys asks.

I’m not sure how it happens to be honest, Tula admits as she sits beneath a tree and leans on it, she then looks up at the boy. I wasn’t even sure it was going to work this time. Tula is finally able to get a better look at the others, the boy who had asked the question is pale with light brown hair and green eyes.

Are you alright? One of the girls asks as she kneels beside Tula. The girl is tan with long black hair and brown eyes. You’ve gotten pretty pale.

I’m just a little tired, Tula admits. It always happens after I do that. The girl then turns to the others.

We should let her get some rest. The girl says taking a seat on a nearby fallen log. The others agree and also take seats on nearby boulders, fallen logs or the ground.

I don’t know about you guys, but that was weird. The redhead announces as she smiles nervously.

She did it to help us. The tan girl with auburn hair and brown eyes says in Tula’s defense. So, she can’t be a bad person.

In any case, we should introduce ourselves. The redhead says. I’m Lily Mooncrest.

I’m Jake Thistle. The boy with red hair and green eyes announces.

I’m Tracy Craft. The black-haired girl says.

Damian Drake. The boy with black hair, pale skin, and brown eyes says.

I’m Daisy Sunset. The girl with auburn hair says shyly.

Ren Magic. The tan boy with brown hair and eyes says.

Derrick Magic. The boy with pale skin, light blondish brown hair and blue eyes, introduces himself.

Tula Sunrise, Tula says forcing herself to stand up, the others follow suit and stand as well. We should head to Brooke, it should be close by. Tula takes a few steps forward before falling to a knee.

Are you okay to walk? Daisy asks helping Tula stand back up.

Yeah, I just got a little dizzy, Tula admits. Ren walks over and picks Tula up.

I’ll carry you, Ren says as the group begins to walk. It’s the least I can do for you seeing how you saved all of us. Tula smiles up at him thankfully.

HERMIT’S LEGEND

Tula’s family stands in the grand ballroom of Brooke castle as happy music plays in the background and the villagers dance. King John and Queen Star had decided to throw a ball in honor of Tula’s bravery as she saved Daisy and the others. Tula looks around slightly dazed still tired from earlier in the day. Tula let’s go play, Daisy says as she grabs Tula’s hand. Tula smiles slightly as she nods. Daisy leads Tula away, with Vega close behind, leaving the adults alone to enjoy the ball. Suddenly the heavy doors to the ballroom fly open causing the music to stop. Everyone’s attention is now on the open doors where a raggedy old man stands with the help of a crooked walking stick.

All but one has a complete power within! The crazed old man shouts. "This child must go through pain beyond any of us will ever know!