Cecile & The Kingdom of Belamor

By Marilyn F Churchill

In this three-part epic adventure, Cecile wakes up in a dream, and finds herself in the Kingdom of Belamor. The fourteen-year-old is unaware that she is, in fact, the Princess of this realm. She soon discovers that a beautiful enchantress has cast a spell over the kingdom and usurped her throne! And when she confronts this compell

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mystic Heroine Adventures
• Release date: Mar 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781532335730

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Mystic Heroine Adventures®

Cecile

&

The Kingdom of Belamor

Written and Illustrated by Marilyn Churchill

Cecile & The Kingdom of Belamor

Illustrations and Text copyright © 2017 by Marilyn F Churchill

Published by Mystic Heroine Adventures®

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 publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Mystic Heroine® and Mystic Heroine Adventures® are registered trademarks.

For more information, please contact:

Mystic Heroine Adventures

www.MysticHeroine.com

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.

ISBN: 978-1-5323-3573-0

CONTENTS:

Part I - The Spider Queen

Part II - The Treasures of Belamor

Part III - The Future of Dragons

Image of an ancient tree behind draped velvet curtains

Part I - The Spider Queen

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Logo image with flowers and spider webs

Chapter One

When she opened her eyes, everything was dark and unfamiliar. She sat up, and from the spot that had pillowed her head, she grabbed a handful of pine needles!

Where am I? she said.

She looked around with confusion. It was dark overhead and dark on either side, but through an opening, she saw daylight.

Image of Cecile sitting inside an ancient tree.

Suddenly she realized that she had been sleeping inside the hollow trunk of an enormous tree! How did I get here? she wondered.

She couldn’t find an answer. She couldn’t remember anything! Don’t panic, she told herself. She took a deep breath, and tried to think clearly.

Slowly, a word came to mind. Cecile, she said out loud. She knew once she heard it that it was her name.

Cecile … she repeated, hoping it would trigger other memories. But it didn’t.

She crawled out of the tree on her hands and knees, and brushed herself off. Then she noticed the blue velvet dress she was wearing!

That’s strange, she thought. This dress is much too fine to wear camping!

She squinted into the bright sunshine, and as her eyes adjusted to the light, a crazy quilt of colors came into focus. A meadow stretched out before her, brimming with flowers of every color and hue. Enormous black-eyed daisies, orange poppies, and starry purple flowers were bobbing, and swaying on a sea of green grass.

Bees buzzed amongst the blossoms, busily gathering pollen. She bent over and looked closely at a bee, trying to decide whether she had ever before seen a rainbow-striped bee.

What a beautiful place! she thought. But how did I get here?

She combed her fingers through her long, golden hair, removing sticks and bits of leaves. A breeze carried the sweet scent of oranges, and her stomach growled hungrily.

She saw an orange grove, heavy with fruit on the far side of the meadow. I wonder if anyone would mind if I pick a few of those oranges and bring them back here. By then, maybe I’ll be able to remember something. She looked around. There was no one in sight.

She headed for the orchard, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face. The dewy grass felt cool under her bare feet. For a moment, she almost forgot her worries as she crossed the dreamy meadow.

At the orange grove, she spotted the best tree for climbing. Stepping into the fork of the old, gnarled trunk, she pulled herself up. Climbing further into the tree, she found a dozen ripe oranges within reach. She balanced on a limb, plucked one, and peeled it.

As she popped the first juicy piece into her mouth, she gazed out at the meadow and wondered, Where did I come from? Where was I before I was here? Still, nothing came to mind. She finished the orange, and threw the peel to the ground in frustration.

Picking up the hem of her skirt, she made a makeshift basket, and soon she had filled it with oranges. But when she saw a perfect orange hanging just out of reach, she stretched as far as she could to get it.

Crack!

Cecile quickly caught hold of another branch, as the one beneath her feet gave way, crashing down through the tree, and falling to the ground in a shower of leaves and thudding oranges!

Cecile looked past her feet to the ground below. That was a close one! she said.

Her heart was pounding as she walked her hands along the branch, and found her way down from the tree.

Safely back on the ground, she brushed herself off. Oh, no! I’ve torn my dress, she groaned. A loop of ragged lace was hanging from the hem of her skirt.

Hey there! What’s all the commotion? a small voice said.

Cecile looked around with surprise. She didn’t see anyone.

Look! Here I am, said the mysterious voice. I’m right in front of your nose.

Cecile saw a little brown spider hanging by a silver thread. Ewww! she shrieked, trying to brush the spider away.

Please! Be careful, begged the spider, swinging out of reach. I didn’t mean to startle you.

Cecile was astonished. You can talk? she said.

Of course I can talk, said the spider. Are you all right?

Yes. I’m fine, thank you. I’m sorry for batting at you.

As a rule, Cecile didn’t like spiders, but there was something fairy-like about this one. She had shiny black eyes, a pointy little nose, and a curly antennae—and her long, thin legs were striped with pink and brown fur! And when the little spider smiled up at her sweetly, Cecile couldn’t help but smile back. She held out her hand, and the spider landed on it lightly.

Are you sure you’re not hurt? the spider asked.

I’m perfectly fine, other than the fact that I’ve just torn my dress.

The spider jumped, and lowered herself on another foot of line, and took a closer look. Oh, my! She sounded very impressed. This fabric is very expensive, and the lacework is exquisite. And I should know! I’m a seamstress myself. Who made your beautiful dress?

Cecile was caught off guard by the question. I don’t know who made it, she said. She thought for a moment. I don’t think I made it. That is, I don’t remember making it.

If you don’t know who made it, then tell me—where did it come from? the spider asked. She waited for an answer, but Cecile didn’t know what to say.

The spider rose on her silver line, and looked Cecile in the eye. This pretty dress didn’t grow on you all by itself—now, did it?

Cecile had a hard time focusing on the spider when she was hanging so close to her nose. And she still didn’t know what to say.

All right, then—keep your secret! the spider said, and Cecile was glad to change the subject.

We haven’t been properly introduced. My name is Esta. She curtsied midair. And you are …?

Cecile smiled at the little spider’s grand gesture, and curtsied back. My name is Cecile, she said, happy to know one thing for sure.

Cecile! And where do you come from, Cecile?

Cecile frowned at another question that she couldn’t answer. Oh, I don’t know. She sighed. Over there, I guess. I woke up in that hollow tree. She pointed across the green meadow.

I see, Esta said, studying her thoughtfully. And then her eyes sparkled. Well, Cecile, this is your lucky day! As I mentioned before, I’m an excellent seamstress, and if you like, I can mend your dress for you.

Cecile beamed. Oh, yes! Thank you, Esta. You’re very kind. I’d like that very much!

The spider rubbed her hands together. It’s the least I can do, she purred softly. Why don’t you hang your dress across that low branch, and I’ll get to work.

Cecile quickly undressed and followed her instructions. Standing in her petticoat, she watched Esta work.

The spider was quick and nimble with her hands, and in no time, she had rejoined the tattered pieces of lace. There we are, she said. Finished! Good as new!

You are amazing, Esta! Thank you, Cecile said. She slipped the dress on, and twirled. The skirt fluttered around her perfectly. But when sunlight touched the mended part, it sparkled. Cecile grabbed the hem of her skirt, and looked at it closely. There’s something unusual about these spider threads, she thought.

Would you be willing to help me? Esta asked. She batted her eyes and smiled sweetly. You see, I’ve been meaning to get a new web pattern to my sister, but I’ve been so busy with work, that I haven’t had a chance to visit her lately. She doesn’t live very far away. Would you mind delivering it to her for me? That would be so helpful!

Cecile could hear in Esta’s voice how much she wanted her to say yes. Well, I don’t have anything else to do, she said.

Wonderful! I’ll get it, Esta said. She quickly climbed her silver line and disappeared behind the leaves.

Besides, Cecile thought, maybe something will jar my memory along the way.

Esta descended a few moments later, holding a small green envelope in her hands. Thank you, she said, handing Cecile the envelope. My sister lives on the other side of the forest. If you follow that path through the woods, you’ll come to a stone wall with a big iron gate. That’s where my sister lives—in the arches over the gate.

Image of Esta the spider descending the orange tree with an envelope for Cecile

Then, without another word, the little spider zipped back up her line and was gone.

Cecile stood for a moment, looking up into the tree. Then she put the envelope in her pocket, and grabbed another orange.

As she ate, she wondered about Esta’s abrupt departure. That was a little odd, she thought. She left in such a hurry! But maybe that’s normal for a talking spider.

Cecile finished eating, and gathered up her oranges, piling them neatly at the base of the tree. I’ll be on my way and come back for these later, she decided.

She started down the path that Esta had shown her, but stopped short at the edge of the woods. The path ahead disappeared into a dark, gloomy forest. She looked back over her shoulder; at the orchard, and her sunny meadow, wondering if she should ever have agreed to deliver Esta’s letter.

She felt for the small, silky envelope in her pocket. Esta did me a favor, she thought, and I will honor my word. She took a deep breath, and headed into the woods.

The forest grew darker the further she went. Only slivers of sunlight found their way down through the dense trees, and tangled vines. There were rustling sounds all around in the bushes.

She looked up, startled by a noise from a branch overhead, and saw a white dove beaming out of the darkness.

Well, hello there! Aren’t you a pretty thing! she said.

The dove cooed, and flew to a tree further down the path.

Where are you going? Cecile asked, following behind.

The dove ruffled its wings, then soared on to the next tree.

I guess you like keeping me company, Cecile said. And they continued down the path like this, the dove always flying just ahead.

A few hours later, Cecile looked around and found the dove had gone. She began wondering if she was lost, and considered turning back. But the forest looked brighter up ahead. She decided to walk a bit further.

Soon, she came to the edge of the forest. Through the trees, she saw a white castle surrounded by a great stone wall. Bright flags flew from the towers, but there wasn’t a person in sight.

What a beautiful castle! she thought. I wonder who lives there.

Image of Cecile looking out of the forest at Castle Belamor

She stepped out of the forest into the long golden rays of afternoon sun. Slowly, she walked up to the gate. She peered into the shadowed arches, looking for a web. Hello! Anybody home? she said softly.

There was no answer. She wondered if she was in the right place. Hello ... hello? I’m looking for Esta’s sister, she said a bit louder.

Cecile frowned, wondering what to do next, when suddenly, from the