Days of Chaos: A Fantasy Adventure (Prequel: Quest of the Guardians): Quest of the Guardians

By S.R. Olson

Mya Tate lives in a peaceful world where everyone knows how to do magic— even her naughty little brother, Dillon. But then one day, the magic stops working...

 

Prequel to the Quest of the Guardians series, Days of Chaos follows one family's experience of the events leading up to the opening scene of Dust of Earth and provides back-story insights pertinent to the series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.R. Olson
• Release date: Dec 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519962584

S.R. Olson

S.R. Olson has traveled throughout most of the lower-48 and has held many job positions including horse trainer, photographer, columnist, teacher, and snow-plow operator. She is an avid student of ancient history and cultures, as well as an armchair philosopher. All of which she injects into her fiction stories. Disabled by a back injury in 2006, she now lives in rural Minnesota with her two Miniature Pinschers, who keep her around because she has opposable thumbs and can open doors and stuff. She’s also a push-over when it comes to handing out doggy-treats.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Maaaa! He’s doing it again— Mya watched in horror as the clay vase she’d been working on all morning shape-shifted into a toy ship with billowing sails. He’s ruined it, she whined, throwing down a clump of clay.

Patience, honey. Her mother’s voice came from behind a canvas propped on an easel in the shade of the open-air studio. He’s only five.

But Ma… Mya rolled her eyes. It was almost finished, and now—

Giggling floated on the air above their heads and they both looked up to see Dillon’s impish face grinning down at them from the thick branches of a nearby YinYin tree.

Dillon, come down from there. Lily Tate looked up at her son. And apologize to Mya.

No! he shot back with a giggle, disappearing into the wide leaves as he retreated along the branch.

Mya sighed and rose from her place at the pottery wheel to step behind her mother and admire the half-finished painting. Do you think he’ll come home? Mya’s voice was barely above a whisper as she studied the lines of her father’s face.

The brush in Lily’s hand paused midair, poised just above the smile lines along the edge of Dustin Tate’s left eye. Of course he will, Mya. She failed to disguise the slight quiver in her voice.

I wish he hadn’t gone, Mya said, leaning forward for a closer look. Her mother had done a fine job of capturing the twinkle in his eyes and she had even painted the V-shaped scar on the tip of his nose.

We’ve been over this, Mya. Lily dropped the brush in a cup and picked up a rag to wipe the tips of her fingers. The King asked for volunteers and your father felt it was his duty to go.

But Pa isn’t a soldier. Mya returned to the pottery wheel and glared down at her brother’s magically created ship. It was pretty good for a five year old. What would King Jakin want with a hinge maker, anyway?

Lily chuckled. He’s more than just a hinge maker, Mya. A blacksmith can make weapons too, y’know.

Ma? Mya held up the clay ship. Could I just—

You could, but you’ll never learn to do it with your hands if you always fall back on magic. Lily lifted a brow, leaving the decision to her daughter as she turned to watch Dillon scramble down the twisted trunk of the YinYin tree.

Mya sighed. She knew her mother was right, even if she didn’t want to admit it.

Dillon skipped across the grass manifesting a single Solar Bloom in his hand as he arrived at Mya’s side. I’m sorry, Mya. He grinned up at her, his eyes twinkling just like their father’s as he offered her the flower.

Mya tried to squelch a smile as she accepted the flower, she could never stay angry at Dillon for long. You don’t seem sorry, Dillon. She tried to sound stern but Dillon’s hopeful face melted her heart.

I can fix it. Dillon reached for the ship but Mya slipped it behind her back.

Oh no you don’t, that’s enough magic for one day!

Dillon reached around her side, giggling. But Mya was quicker, and much taller at seventeen so she easily held it out of his reach. Dillon began running around her, leaping for the ship. Gimme-it! he shouted over and over between shrieks of glee.

Lily laughed from behind her easel. Okay, you two, settle down before you break something—

She was too late. Dillon crashed into a shelf laden with bowls of colorful clay beads, several of which tumbled to the ground, scattering the beads onto the tiled floor of the studio.

Dillon’s mortified face was almost too much. Mya struggled to not burst into laughter as she looked over to her mother who was scowling from behind the easel.

Lily took a deep breath and then exhaled. I think someone needs to burn off some energy, she began, looking from Dillon’s face to Mya. Would you take him for a walk while I clean up this mess?

Yes, Ma. Mya reached for Dillon’s arm but he snatched it away, plopped down on his knees, and began to push the beads into neat rows in the gaps between the tiles. C’mon Dillon, let’s go. Mya grabbed the back of his shirt and lifted him to his feet.

Nooooo— he squealed, trying to squirm away, but when he saw the sternness of their mother’s face, he slumped his shoulders and allowed Mya to lead him away.

Dillon’s submission was short-lived. The moment they passed through the gate and stepped out onto the dirt road, he burst away from Mya and sprinted ahead, waving his arms in the air like a half-crazed monkey.

Mya watched him go, shaking her head at his antics as he swerved from one side of the road to the other.

Look Mya! I’m a ship! Dillon whipped his shirt over his head and pulled it taut between his raised arms. See? Here’s my sail! He waved his arms back and forth and made swishing sounds to mimic the wind as he pretended to be blown along the road.

Mya shook her head. What is it with you and ships? she shouted after him. This obsession had been on-going since he was two, and their parents had even discussed the possibility of moving closer to the coast so Dillon would be able to see ships every day.

I’m gonna be a sailor! He shouted back over his shoulder as he continued to sail along the road. I’m gonna sail over the edge of the world all the way to the three moons!

Mya smiled. I do believe you will, little brother.

# # #

No magic, Dillon! Mya snatched the beads out of the air and glared at her