Mount Thionx

By Ana Moraine

On her ninth birthday, Laina embarks on a dangerous journey through unknown land on a quest to find her mother. Joined by her comical cousin Sue, Laina is gifted a magical ring. Living inside is her new tutor, the cranky Sir Leopold the Third, whose wisdom guides her and helps her stand bravely on her own. The girls are trained in archery and sword fighting and are eventually joined by the handsome young warrior, Prince Alexander.

Meanwhile, the insidious Lord Marco has vowed to capture Laina and bring her to his king, who feels threatened by Laina and the powers she has yet to discover. Laina is not the only one with powers; her missing mother has them, too, and the king fears she will use them to overpower him and instill order and goodness in the land.

Will the youthful, inexperienced force of Laina, Sue, and Alexander be enough to fight off Lord Marco and rescue Laina’s mother? Wherever they go, evil lurks in the shadows, and one misstep could prove fatal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Nov 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781480893511

Ana Moraine

Ana Moraine was born in Croatia, where she enjoyed climbing the neighbors’ apricot trees and running through vineyards. She grew up, went to school, and worked as an insurance underwriter in Hamburg, Germany. Although she loved Europe, she never felt she belonged—until she landed in the United States. Embodying all countries, it truly feels like home.

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Copyright © 2020 Ana Moraine.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Archway Publishing

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ISBN: 978-1-4808-9349-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-9350-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-9351-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020913715

Archway Publishing rev. date: 10/23/2023

Second Edition

For you.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to D. H., a retired English professor, who worked tirelessly with me to correct and polish my English, which is not my first language, and patiently supported me throughout my seemingly endless rounds of revision, and thus enabled me to realize my vision. Many thanks to the illustrators and editors, including Chris and Erin as well as Kevin. It was a pleasure working together.

Thanks to my family, and Grandma Jean and Harold, aunts Judith, Judy, and Janet, uncles Harry, Roy, and Robert, and my friends, for always being here for me. Stacy, through all these years you have been my greatest cheerleader. A special appreciation also to my dear friend Theresa.

Last but not least, thanks to my wonderful kids. I want you to know how proud I am of you and how grateful I am that you are mine. Thanks for believing in me as much as I believe in you, and for making every day worthwhile.

Prologue

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Epilogue

Prologue

December 1685

While candlelight from the porch lanterns casts shadows along the dank outside wall, the country mansion’s tall pine columns stand guard.

In the small village of Alfriston, the first snowflakes cover dirt paths. One path extends beyond the village and leads to a few cottages, and farther on to this hundred-year-old mansion.

Farmland and other open fields, and thick woods in the distance, surround this fine large house, its half-timbered structure with red brick infill designed by the most knowledgeable architects of London at that time. Dark clouds crowd the sky above, the snow changing to rain.

Inside the mansion, Mrs. Pavil walks up the stairs and enters her daughter’s bedroom.

Laina is sitting upright in her bed. As lightning strikes, she pulls her gray wool blanket higher, leaving just her eyes, her forehead, and her long dark brown hair that presses against the headboard uncovered.

Mrs. Pavil, who is carrying a bucket and a wide paintbrush, looks at Laina and says, The storm will pass, my dear.

Laina watches as her mother dips the brush in the bucket and proceeds to spread a thick golden liquid onto the wood trim framing the window.

Mama, what are you doing? Laina asks, pushing down the blanket. And what, she says, is that thick liquid?

It is honey, Mrs. Pavil replies.

Laina grows still.

Mrs. Pavil stops her brushstrokes. Laina, for this purpose, it is important to use the finest honey. Please do not tell Papa I am using his best. And now, lie down and try to sleep.

But, Mama, why would you spread honey around my window?

Mrs. Pavil stares at the wood trim for a long moment before resuming her application of the honey onto the window frame and around the door. Unexpectedly, she feels her daughter’s warmth beside her. Do not worry, Mrs. Pavil says as Laina peers into the bucket. Everything is going to be all right. You will see. She gives Laina a little push and watches her climb into bed, before following to tuck her in. You must give me your most solemn promise, Laina, she adds.

Laina looks up at her mother.

At night, stay in your room.

Laina frowns but nonetheless nods.

Do not forget.

Laina gives another small nod.

Whatever happens, I will always be with you, Mrs. Pavil says with a strained smile. She looks intently into her daughter’s big blue eyes and uses a finger to lovingly touch the tip of Laina’s nose. Good night, my dear Laina.

Mrs. Pavil pauses for a moment, blows out the candle on the nightstand, and leaves the room.

Laina lies still on her bed, listening to her door close. The sounds of her mother’s footsteps reaching the staircase, she jumps out of bed and runs to the window.

Yellow-white lightning illuminates the dark sky. She watches her mother, purple cloak heavy about her, hurry along the walkway. A black carriage is drawn by two black horses and driven by a man in a long black cape. Without a glance over her shoulder, Laina’s mother climbs in and the carriage disappears.

Good night, Mama, Laina whispers.

1

June 1686

A n old wall clock’s chimes vibrated in the hallway and spread throughout the mansion as it struck full hour. After its eighth time, it fell into silence.

Laina’s door cracked open, and her father walked in.

I have a surprise for you, Laina, he said. When his daughter did not answer, he added, You will have a special visitor today.

Laina’s father wore his new tailored waistcoat, a fine piece of beige-colored clothing that boasted gold embroidery, and his hair was freshly trimmed.

A successful estate lawyer for the nobility, Mr. Pavil resided often in London and had been appointed Earl of Chawton for his many years of outstanding service, only to discover that his wife, Mrs. Pavil, now the Countess of Chawton, Lady Cornelia, had vanished the night before his return to Alfriston. As the weeks turned into months, his hope for her return started to diminish.

I want you to ready yourself and go downstairs for breakfast, he said, looking at Laina, who was still lying in bed and hugging her soft toy lamb, Alfie. He was ready to close the door behind him when he popped his head back in and briefly focused, even if just this once, on his nine-year-old daughter. Happy birthday, Laina. A short smile surfaced on his lips, and then he was gone.

Laina’s glance remained at the closed door. She pushed the blanket away, and padded to the open window.

My birthday, she murmured while gazing at the outside world. She saw the farmhands’ children playing chase. A boy was running after the others, trying to reach out and touch them on their shoulders or backs, but the boys were too fast for him. Instead, he focused on the girls, who were screaming, laughing, and running about. None of them were aware that Laina had watched them for the past several days.

The door opened, and Louisa, Laina’s old maid, whirled into the bedroom, surrounding Laina with the alluring scent of breakfast. Fresh-baked bread, an omelet, and ham. Laina, she said, you cannot stand at the window the whole day, every day, even though school has ended. Get ready quickly. You know how impatient your papa can be.

Laina stayed at the window, her slight figure and pale complexion contrasting with the old maid’s round stature and rosy cheeks.

Well, you are not going to be late this time! Louisa marched into Laina’s wardrobe and selected suitable clothing. On the bed, she placed a pink dress, a pink bow, and black shoes. She went to a drawer and retrieved white socks and a pink undergown. She removed Alfie, the toy lamb, from Laina’s arms.

Laina grimaced when she saw the pink dress with white lace.

No need to make such a face, Louisa said. You will look pretty for your birthday.

Laina’s nightgown was removed, and her arms were pulled this way and that, before she was made to lift first her right leg and then her left until the undergown, dress, socks, and shoes were forced into place.

Louisa stepped back and examined Laina. All we need is the bow in your hair. She took the hairbrush from the dresser and brushed and arranged Laina’s long wavy hair.

See for yourself. Louisa turned Laina toward the mirror, her hands still resting on Laina’s shoulders, and they both looked at the reflection.

Laina considered her pale face surrounded by dark brown hair. The pink dress seemed too short, falling above her knees, and her black shoes looked oversized. Her gaze rose to the large pink bow sitting on top of her head. It reminded her of a lost butterfly.

You look beautiful! Louisa announced behind her and clapped her hands. Well, well, why are we just standing here? Louisa said, patting Laina on her shoulders. Go and wash your face and hands and come downstairs. The first part of breakfast is ready, and for your birthday I will also prepare your favorite pancakes with blueberry sauce! She gave Laina a final hasty reminder. Hurry, Laina. Your omelet is getting cold, she said, closing the door.

Laina went again to the window and peered down at the children, still laughing and running. This time, a girl was chasing the others.

Suddenly, Laina knew what she needed to do.

She entered her wardrobe and threw things onto her bedroom floor. There it was. Her brown traveling bag. She pulled it out. As it had not been used for some time, Laina did not know what she might find inside it, and opened it carefully. She peeked. No mouse. No spiders. Good!

Laina opened the leather bag wide and started throwing her belongings inside. A rain cloak, just in case. A blanket. Some hidden candy. A pencil and notepad. Also, Alfie.

She explored her clothing still hanging in the wardrobe and found her green traveling dress. Removing her tight pink dress with some difficulty, she finally managed and replaced it with her green dress and the pink bow with a green satin ribbon, tying her hair in a ponytail.

She next took out her notepad and pencil and swiftly wrote a note:

Dear Papa,

Do not worry. I will return soon.

Love,

Laina

Carrying her small traveling bag as she held on to the railing, Laina tiptoed down the stairs. As she approached the foyer, she could hear voices in the dining room. Aunt Margareta, and her daughter Sue? Her horrible ten-year-old cousin from London. This was Papa’s nice surprise?

Laina walked faster and passed the kitchen, then stopped. She decided to look inside for a second, and noticed the trolley was missing, which meant Louisa was serving food in the dining room. Laina stepped into the empty kitchen and took a small red tablecloth, which was neatly folded in the open pantry, and some fresh-baked bread and ham from the table. She was almost ready to leave when she saw a jar of unopened honey on the counter. She grabbed the honey, too. When she was at the doorway, she realized she had forgotten a spoon and quietly snatched one from the silverware drawer.

The tablecloth-wrapped food in one hand and her brown leather bag in the other, Laina slipped through the back door. As she stepped forward into the back garden, a breeze brushed her cheeks.

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Mrs. Pavil planted roses and deep-blue, bowl-shaped bellflowers. In spring, and more so in the summer, flowers bloomed in their designated flower beds. Laina’s father had built a wooden swing with ropes tied to a strong tree branch. To protect Laina from her mother’s thorny roses,