Zephyr Spheres and the Lost Spell (Book 2)

By Myles B. Hibbett

Zephyr loathes her life on Earth. She wonders when she will be able to go back to the magical world of Danus and to her kingdom Crystotopia, where she is an amateur sorceress and a princess. When Zephyr's wish is fulfilled, she journeys to Danus with classmates: sarcastic Trinda Temple, energetic Brandon Longfellow, and witty Elizabeth Thompson.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Myles B. Hibbett
• Release date: Jul 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958122600

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ZEPHYR SPHERES

AND THE LOST SPELL

MYLES B. HIBBETT

Zephyr Spheres and the Lost Spell

Copyright © 2022 by Myles B. Hibbett

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN

978-1-958122-61-7 (Paperback)

978-1-958122-60-0 (eBook)

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1Chilling With the Krumples

Chapter 2Trinda's Mansion

Chapter 3Return to Crystotopia

Chapter 4The Thirteen Kingdoms

Chapter 5Little Herb

Chapter 6Escape from the Crystal Castle

Chapter 7The Card Reader

Chapter 8A Thief in Sandus

Chapter 9The Bad Luck Genie

Chapter 10King Jaffa

Chapter 11The Yuck Yuck Monsters

Chapter 12Elda's House

Chapter 13Prince Wart

Chapter 14A Lucky Enchantment

Chapter 15The Cragmister

Chapter 16Saved By the Spell

Chapter 17Heat At Last

PROLOGUE

Once, in a secluded section of Danus, there lived a healer whose remedies remained unparalleled. Many sought him for medical aid, and the few who succeeded in finding him, boasted of his wondrous powers and abilities.

But one day, the healer himself fell ill to an unknown sickness, and none of his remedies proved useful to him.

As a last resort, the healer began to work a new and dangerous spell—a spell, which once complete, could cure any illness, sickness, or disease. He spent countless months chanting, collecting herbs, and mixing ingredients for his incantation. However, much to his lack of fortune, the healer died, and the spell was left undone.

CHAPTER 1

CHILLING WITH

THE KRUMPLES

Winter can bring so many good things: holiday cheer, laughter, fresh crisp snowflakes, and anxiously awaited hot chocolate with melted marshmallows to soothe the senses. When one considers these positives, they know that winter also brings with it a care and kindness that causes everyone to impulsively embrace his loved ones and be happy.

But, for the Krumples, winter brought nothing but bad feelings and an unbearable chill. The heater was broken in the Krumples’ household, and as usual, Mrs. Krumple was complaining to not only the man of the house, Mr. Krumple, but also to her fifteen-year-old foster daughter, Zephyr Spheres.

Also, another Christmas had passed, and the Krumples hadn’t even so much as hung up a single decoration let alone even think of giving Zephyr a present.

All Linda Krumple did was pace back and forth in her blue bathrobe and curlers while yelling, One of you two had better fix that heater before I get frostbite! Her husband, Arnold, was frantically running around making phone calls to repairmen he knew they couldn’t afford. And, to no avail, he was also actually trying to fix the heater himself.

Zephyr, on the other hand, was oblivious to this, and she was in a completely different temperature range. Having finished her chores at an amazing speed which no one but her and her falcon, Scorn, comprehended, she was curled up on her old creaking mattress in her bedroom next to a frying pan, in which flickered a radiant flame—a flame that’s warmth could fill an entire room.

Mrs. Krumple never visited her room since she despised her so much, and Mr. Krumple was busy with the broken heater. So, Zephyr relaxed in solitude as she read her book, A Beginner’s Guide to Sorcery, for the umpteenth time.

Scorn sat beside her comfortably as he played with her long sparkling silver and midnight black hair and gently pecked her shimmering cocoa skin. Surprisingly, the Krumples hardly even noticed him, and they didn’t care that he was there if he stayed out of their way.

When do you think they’ll stop trying to fix that metal contraption and come up here where it’s warm, Zephyr? he asked sarcastically.

He used to address Zephyr as Her Highness, but he simply used her first name now that they knew each other better.

Zephyr had discovered that she could talk to animals as a sorceress and that she was a princess from another world.

"I don’t know," she responded. But, I’m sure they’ll figure something out. I don’t think my mother can stand not having heat for another day.

Snickering, she imagined her foster mother frozen in ice. She remembered the freezing spell, which she had yet to master, though she did have the gist of it. She learned everything from the few books that she brought back with her to Earth from Danus, the world of magic.

Wrapping a black quilt with white and gold patches around herself that was a gift from her nursemaid, Helga, she sighed as she reflected on her home world. You see, Zephyr was not like other teenagers her age. In fact, she wasn’t even...human. It seemed like it was just yesterday when she had been whisked away through a portal where she found the answers to the questions about her past. She was the Princess of Crystotopia—the daughter of a deceased but once all-powerful sorceress as well as of the wielder of the mysterious Sword of Wonders. On a spurt of luck, Zephyr managed to save Crystotopia and her father from the hands of her wicked uncle, Otto, the Duke of Eastwood, and the Dark Forces, an evil alliance bent on taking over her kingdom.

But this was old news to Zephyr and Scorn. Not a day would go by that they wouldn’t hope for some sign or message alerting them to the fact that it was time to return to Danus, and Zephyr drew many pictures of her adventures in Crystotopia in her sketchbook.

Closing A Beginner’s Guide to Sorcery, she put it in her sliver trunk, which she had placed inconspicuously in the corner of her room. She kept various other personal items from Crystotopia in the trunk, such as a silver and white crystal ring from Scorn that could grant her a wish on the night of a full moon, a thin golden friendship bracelet that was a gift from her friend, Cor, as well as a silver heart-shaped locket containing a picture of her mother, which her father gave to her.

Turning, Zephyr peered at the brilliantly dancing flame in the frying pan on the floor.

"I think the room is warm enough for now, don’t you Scorn?" she asked as she wiped a few drops of sweat from her brow.

I agree, Scorn screeched in reply.

Aqueous Executo! she said loudly, and a blue line of light emerged from her fingers and became a jet stream of water just before it hit the flame, extinguishing it and wetting the floor.

Breezus Executo! Zephyr said, and slight gusts of wind dried the water she conjured up a moment before.

That’s settled then, she said as she grabbed the frying pan.

Stay here, she told Scorn as she left the room.

Descending the stairs, Zephyr couldn’t help but smile at her foster mother, who was shivering on the couch in layers of blankets and her blue bathrobe.

Mrs. Krumple was short with skin the color of peanut butter. She really had gray hair though she always dyed it platinum blond. And, covered with her various blankets and her robe, Zephyr thought that Mrs. Krumple seemed ten times bigger than usual, though she was already considerably plump.

However, Zephyr’s smile faded as soon as Mrs. Krumple’s light hazel eyes spotted her.

You! she bellowed. Where have you been?!

Startled, Zephyr almost dropped the frying pan she was holding on the stairs as her dangerously brown eyes widened with terror. She was used to being yelled at by her foster mother, but there was something about seeing Mrs. Krumple in this frigid state that made her seem...scarier.

I was in my room, she replied nervously.

A likely excuse, Mrs. Krumple said as she examined her suspiciously. Aren’t you bothered by the cold? You don’t seem to be disturbed by it.

It’s not so bad up here, Zephyr said with a gulp.

I see, Mrs. Krumple said with disgust at her lack of suffering.

Pausing, she rubbed her arms for warmth.

Why aren’t you in the basement helping?! she asked. I’ve been calling you!

I didn’t hear you, Zephyr answered as calmly as she could. But, I’ll help now.

Walking into the kitchen, she put the frying pan in the sink. Then, she went into the basement where she found her foster father bent over the now chilled piece of machinery that used to warm the house.

Do you need any help? she asked.

Ow! Mr. Krumple said as he bumped his head on a loose pipe. As he felt the swollen bald spot on his head, he gazed at Zephyr with his pleasant gray eyes.

Oh, it’s you, he said. Not unless you know something about heaters.

Zephyr smiled at her foster father with compassion.

Mr. Krumple had gray hair, a large mustache, and dark chocolate skin. Also, he was considerably nicer to Zephyr than Mrs. Krumple, who used every chance she got to treat her like a slave.

Did you call a repair man? she asked.

Everybody in Boston...but it’s too expensive to have it fixed. We just can’t afford it.

Well, I don’t know a thing about them, Zephyr said with a sigh.

She wanted to try to make up an incantation, but with no one to monitor her, she feared making a mistake that she couldn’t fix without a sorcerer’s help.

We might as well make other arrangements, Mr. Krumple said as he pulled on his mustache.

Together, he and Zephyr were about to walk upstairs in failure when Mrs. Krumple yelled once more.

Arnold, Zephyr, I’m cold! she screamed.

Oh dear, Mr. Krumple mumbled.

Don’t worry! he called to his wife. I’ll have it fixed soon!

He turned and ran back to the heater as he tried to think of a solution to getting it to work.

Shaking her head, Zephyr left the basement knowing that there was no end to Mr. Krumple’s plight.

But just as she entered the living room, the telephone rang unexpectedly.

Hello, Zephyr said politely as she picked up the phone.

Is Zephyr there? someone asked in an innocent voice.

It sounded familiar to her, but she couldn’t quite place it.

This is she, she answered.

So, it’s you!

The voice changed its tone and became evil, and Zephyr’s grip on the phone tightened with the anticipation of hanging up. It was Trinda Temple, a wealthy girl with whom she had gone to the Grannold B. Dickens School. Trinda was always mean to Zephyr, and she despised her terribly for it. Only now that Zephyr was fifteen, she attended Prichard High, a local high school in Boston not too far away from her house on Waverly Avenue. She had hoped that Trinda would choose another school besides her own to attend, but she was dead wrong.

Trinda, Zephyr said in a dry voice. Is that you?

Of course, Trinda said. You know it’s me.

Well, what do you want?

Don’t tell me that you’ve forgotten. Yes...then again that would be like you wouldn’t it though, Zephyr? Not too bright and always forgetting things. Aren’t you lucky that I called you?

Get to the point! Zephyr said with clenched teeth.

She couldn’t stand Trinda’s useless dribble. In the back of her mind, she allowed devilish spells to linger about that she would gladly cast on Trinda if she had the chance.

Remember, the project silly! You know, for our Algebra class. We’re supposed to get together and do it during the break. It’s me, you, Elizabeth Thompson, and Brandon Longfellow.

Oh! Zephyr said with surprise.

Do you…do you have any ideas? she asked with a stutter.

She didn’t want to admit that the project had lapsed from her memory.

Not me! Trinda said. Of course not! That’s Liz’s department. She’s the school genius. I’m going to supply the place, and you guys are supposed to handle the means and the know how. Brandon suggested that we meet at your house, but I told him that was stupid since we all know how small and rundown it is. We’re going to meet at my home instead. It’s the perfect place to do our project.

Chills of revulsion crept down Zephyr’s spine at Trinda’s insulting words.

Did you talk to Elizabeth about it? she asked.

Yes, Trinda told her. We decided to meet this weekend on Saturday. My address is sixteen twenty-five Huddleburry Road. Do you think that you can find that on your own, or do you need assistance?

That’s enough, Trinda! Zephyr said as she raised her voice angrily. I know how to find my way! I’ll see you on Saturday!

Slamming down the phone, she didn’t wait for a response.

She checked the calendar on the wall of the living room and saw that it was Thursday. Then, she wrote Trinda’s address down on a blank piece of paper she removed from a wooden desk by the stairs.

Who was on the phone? Mrs. Krumple asked.

It was Trinda Temple from school. I have to go over to her house on Saturday. We’re supposed to do a project together.

Did you say Temple?! Mrs. Krumple said as she sat upright.

Her chilled disposition seemed to suddenly melt away.

That wouldn’t be Temple as in the Temples that own the bank where Arnold works would it?

Yes, Zephyr said irritably. It would.

I believe I’ve seen that sweet child before. Why, she’s just a dream. I would give anything to have a nice girl like her instead of you!

Zephyr cringed as she forced herself to ignore her foster mother’s comment.

May I go to her house on Saturday to do the project? she asked.

Of course, Mrs. Krumple said. You may go as soon as you’re done your chores. Maybe Miss Temple will be a good influence on your character. And, don’t forget to put in a good word for your father.

Zephyr trekked back upstairs disturbed by Mrs. Krumple’s fondness of Trinda.

They deserve each other, she mumbled under her breath.

She was sure that she knew the way to Trinda’s house. The address wasn’t far from Waverly Avenue, and she was familiar with the entire neighborhood.

However, Zephyr couldn’t believe that she had forgotten about her Algebra project. She had been so self-absorbed in her studies of magic that it slipped from her mind. The assignment was an oral presentation and a written report on a topic from what she had already covered in class.

As she went into her room, Zephyr pondered about what ideas she might be able to use. But, she also wondered if she could stand to work with Trinda Temple.

CHAPTER 2

TRINDA'S MANSION

Early Saturday morning, Zephyr awoke quietly, and she noted that the temperature in her room was down again. Through her frosty breaths, she removed her quilt and her multiple blankets that she had covered herself with to keep warm throughout the night. She showered and dressed in an old red sweater and some green pants that were representative of the holiday season. Hurrying downstairs, she cooked breakfast for her foster parents—a heap of pancakes, eggs, sausage, and bacon.

Then, after she finished her chores with the aid of a little magic, Zephyr went back to her room and unlatched Scorn’s cage. She tapped the brown-feathered falcon lightly, and Scorn’s dangerously brown eyes sparkled with the reflection of her own.

"Good morning," he said.

"I’m going to Trinda’s house," Zephyr told him. Remember, I have to work on my Algebra project.

Oh no! Scorn said as he hopped onto her arm. Not that wicked witch again! All you ever do is complain about her! Why don’t you just turn her into a fly? You’ve learned some of the basic art of incantation.

I wish I could, Scorn. But the last time I turned her into something, I got into a lot of trouble.

Zephyr closed her eyes as she recalled what took place when she accidentally transformed Trinda Temple into a doll at school and almost ended up being sold to the government.

She packed her book bag with math textbooks and a notepad on which she had written ideas about the quadratic formula. Opening her bedroom door, she tiptoed out so as not to wake her foster parents. She especially didn’t want to have a confrontation with a grouchy and unpleasant Mrs. Krumple.

As Zephyr reached the front door, she put Scorn and on her book bag on the floor as she bundled up in an old puffy yellow down jacket that was too small and some red ear muffs.

Come on, she whispered to her falcon as she picked him up and threw her book bag on her back.

She was sure that taking Scorn with her would keep Trinda Temple in check with her nasty comments. Trinda was terrified of Scorn—an advantage, which Zephyr used against her every chance she got.

Walking outside, Zephyr found a silent sanctuary of white, and nothing stirred except for the occasional bend of a leafless tree to a gust of wind. She observed the neatly layered tufts and dunes of snow as well as the pathways, which had been cleared and covered with salt. She also stared at all of the other houses on Waverly Avenue, which were still adorned with Christmas decorations and lights. She sighed as she wished her foster parents would get in the holiday spirit at least once. Reaching into her pocket, Zephyr removed the paper on which she wrote the address to Trinda’s house.

Okay, Scorn, she said. Lead the way to sixteen twenty-five Huddleburry Road.

Shaking her arm, she helped give the falcon lift-off. She figured that she could find the way to Trinda’s house herself, but she wanted to give Scorn a chance to exercise his wings. Besides, he had an excellent sense of direction.

Ascending into the air, Scorn circled the Krumples’ house a