Cloudlands & Darklands: CLOUDLAND, #4

By Chip Hill

The adventure continues in this 4th book in the Cloudland series, Cloudlands & Darklands (approximately 195 pages). Blueworld has been struck by a dangerous lightning weapon, yet the rogue leader who developed it isn't on Cloudland or Darkland. King Nature calls on Jane, Robbie, Neely, and Neely's sister Imani to help. But on their way up to Cloudland they are attacked by a violent wind and separated! The girls will fly between different lands to help put up a shield, and to provide coordination with the boys, prisoners in the rogue leader's castle. They will battle new creatures and encounter life-threatening dangers in trying to bring down this madman before he strikes again. And to do it, they will have to team with their former Darkland enemy, King Rydzat!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chip Hill
• Release date: Apr 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781733873970

Chip Hill

CHIP HILL is the author of the CLOUDLAND series about a magical world hidden from our eyes in the clouds. He received his Aerospace Engineering degree from Texas A&M University and two master’s degrees, which he used to pursue three careers: Air Force officer, senior manager for technology companies, and leadership positions in Texas A&M Engineering. His retirement has enabled him to focus on these Cloudland books and other creative efforts, including a teenage Christian musical. Chip and his wife Carmel live in College Station, Texas. They are the parents of three children and grandparents of five, who are the inspiration for these stories. JOSÉ DENNIS is an illustrator, graphic designer and fine artist for books, comic books, album art, museum exhibits and marketing and advertising. Jose lives and works out of Missouri City, TX and shows art occasionally in Houston area galleries.

Book preview

1. Imani’s Project

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Neely looked back over his shoulder at Robbie and said, Hey Robbie, what happens to a frog’s car when it breaks down? He waited. Don’t know? It gets toad away. Get it? T-o-a-d.

Robbie shook his head while chuckling. The two of them walked along the side of a road, each holding a large bag and stopping occasionally to pick up a piece of trash with their gloved hands. They had just moved past a car parked on the shoulder when Neely told his joke.

Robbie took another step or two. Then he noticed a small pine cone, scooped it up and tossed it at Neely, hitting him in the back.

Ow, yelled Neely, as he whipped around to see a big grin on Robbie’s face. Okay dude. Game on! he called, smiling. He found and launched a pinecone of his own at Robbie.

Stop it! Stop it! commanded a girl’s voice up ahead of them.

The boys turned their heads to see Neely’s younger sister, Imani, standing twenty feet away with her hands on her hips.

If you’re just gonna play around, then I don’t need your help, she continued.

Now ’Mani, replied Neely soothingly, we were just having some fun.

You can have fun later, she answered abruptly. This service project is important to me and I need it done right.

Sorry Imani, piped up Robbie. I kinda started it. But look, he added, holding up his open bag, we’re getting lots of trash. We really think your spring break girls’ club project is important. Don’t we Neely? he asked, nodding at his friend.

Sure do, responded Neely, bobbing his head up and down and smiling. Say, this reminds me of a joke . . .

Imani threw up her hand to stop him and scowled at her brother. She then turned and smiled sweetly at Robbie. I do appreciate your help, Robbie. Very nice of you to volunteer.

Actually, corrected Neely, raising the index finger of his glove, I’m the one who—

A glare from Imani stopped him short.

Robbie looked from Neely to Imani, coughed and said, Well, another twenty minutes should about get the job done.

They picked up their bags and started down the road again with Imani in the lead. They were dressed in sweatshirts, coats and gloves. The morning had opened up into a beautiful spring day, but the air remained a little chilly, especially out of the sun. The road wound through a heavily wooded area that gave off a nice pine scent. Only an occasional passing car interrupted the quiet of the woods as they moved along.

Then Imani stopped, looking ahead and shading her eyes with her glove. There’s someone standing at that intersection, she said. She peered closer and then jerked her head around. Robbie, isn’t that your sister Jane?

Naw, can’t be, he replied, jogging up to where Imani stood. She’s at that weather camp, not due back for a few days.

Then the girl up ahead called to them. Hey guys! I thought I’d find you here.

Well, I’ll be, whispered a surprised Robbie.

Lugging their large bags, the three of them awkwardly trotted down the road to join Jane.

When the kids, a little breathless, got to where Jane stood waiting, everyone hugged. We didn’t expect you back this soon, said Robbie.

Yeah, replied Jane. But something came up. She paused for a moment, looking at each of them as if trying to decide what to say next. Did you hear about the lightning storm in Europe that caused a bunch of damage?

Yeah, it’s all over the news, answered Neely. Killed some cattle and birds, started some fires, that sort of thing. Pretty weird.

Jane looked at them again, especially Robbie and Neely before she responded. My mentor at weather camp, Dr. Simmons, told me nothing like it had ever happened before, ever. I called our Uncle Josh, Robbie, and... he said... Cloudland may need help!

2. Josh’s Place

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Robbie and Neely opened their eyes wide and exchanged looks.

But it was Imani who spoke up. Uh, Cloudland? What’s that? she asked.

The three older kids looked a bit uncomfortable, waiting for someone else to answer.

So, Imani, started Neely.

But Jane quickly interrupted him. Guys, our uncle’s house isn’t far, I just came from there. Imani, if it’s okay with you, let’s walk over there and I, uh we, can explain on the way.

Imani gave them all a puzzled look. Then she glanced up and down the cross street where they stood, her two black braids swinging back and forth. I suppose that’d be okay, she said. We can leave our trash bags here. Another work crew is coming up this street to collect ‘em.

Sounds like a plan, offered Neely.

They tied a knot in each bag and grouped them together on the side of the road. Then they took off their reflector vests and put them with the bags. Imani inspected everything and seemed satisfied. Jane started down the road they had been on and everyone followed. After a hundred yards or so, they turned into a narrow lane. Branches from trees on either side grew over the road, creating a pretty tunnel effect.

So, Jane began, picking up the conversation again, first things first. Robbie and Neely, Uncle Josh believes we can expect King Nature to send for us!

Whoa! Robbie replied.

Neely whistled.

Imani cleared her throat. What in the world are you guys talking about? she asked, her voice now revealing a trace of irritation.

Jane started to answer, but Neely held up his hand. Let me try, Jane, he offered.

He looked up in thought for a second as they walked, leaves and pine needles crunching under their feet, and then turned to Imani.

Little sis, he started. She frowned, but he went on. Do you remember a year or two ago, during the winter carnival, I kinda, well actually when Robbie and I kinda disappeared for a few days?

Yeah... she replied slowly. Never understood what happened then.

Mm-hmm, Neely said. Now, here’s the hard part. I’ll just go ahead and throw it out there. We went to a land up in the sky called Cloudland. He pointed up at the clouds, mostly blocked by the trees, flipping his eyes upward and then down at Imani. There’s a lot of strange people and things there, ruled by King Nature. And a land next door called Darkland. And our weather comes from there—.

Wait a minute, hold it! Imani stopped him, standing still and putting up her hands. You can’t be serious?

But he is, Imani, added Robbie, with his arms out, I know it sounds like too much to believe.

Imani looked up at Jane, and Jane smiled back and put her arm around her. Then she looked ahead and started them walking again.

You’re probably thinking if something like this was true, you’d know about it, right? Jane asked.

Imani nodded.

We all thought that, too, Jane continued, until we saw it for ourselves.

They were entering a clearing, in the back of which stood a two-story log cabin-style house. A porch ran along the front, partially blocked by a growth of lilac bushes in need of trimming. A breeze carried their pleasant scent toward the walkers. Up on the porch, a man rocked lazily in one of several rocking chairs scattered around.

Uncle Josh! yelled Robbie, and he started to jog toward the house. The rest of the group followed at a slower pace.

Josh stood up and waved. Tall, with white hair and beard, he wore jeans and a