Coalwood: The Enchanted Trilogy, #1

By Duane Carter

After chasing a butterfly and hitting his head, a young boy stumbles into an Enchanted Forest where he meets the Faeries who guard the land. His encounter with them alters the course of his life, as he grows up to become the man whom the great Elvish lords had predicted would become - a Hero. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Duane Carter
• Release date: Mar 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215206416

Book preview

DUANE CARTER

Table of Contents:

Prologue

The Training

The Dream

The Hero

The Father

The Mother

The Princess

The King

The Advisor

The Witch

The Promise and Farewell

The Knights

The Task

The Terror Awakens

The Journey

The Road Home

The Battle

The End

The Kingdom Remembers

The Honourable Moment

Epilogue

Introduction to Book Two

Prologue

The faeries held the boy’s head gently and lifted him up. He had tripped over the root of the Great Oak tree and hit his head hard enough to render him unconscious. A few faeries fluttered about as they gathered water from the Lake of Purity to revive the boy and heal his wounds. Their four, almost transparent wings, sparkled in the afternoon sun which filtered through the trees of the Enchanted Forest. They glowed like tiny stars dancing through the trees. Their voices were gentle and happy, greeting the insects and forest animals as they passed. The animals were always happy to see them as they brought such vibrant energy wherever they were. Illuminating the shaded areas of the forest as they glided through, the faeries were greeted by all life within the Enchanted Forest. The Enchanted Forest was and still is, magical – and powerful. Two of the lady faeries had gathered water from the Lake of Purity on a broad tree leaf. Large enough to hold the water they needed, the two held it steady, careful not to spill a drop. The gentle curls of their hair swung gracefully as they glided over the lake towards the Great Oak. They flew over to the spot where several faeries were tending to the injured boy.

They spoke in song and fussed over the young life beneath them. Radiating their healing light from their palms the boy’s wounds magically closed and the blood disappeared. The water-bearing faeries stopped just short of his mouth and sang for the others to help. They gently opened the boy’s mouth and the two water-bearers began pouring. The boy instantly became animated and sat up as they poured the fresh, pure water down his throat.

His aura began to glow gently as they did so and slowly, he wiped his mouth opening his eyes to find at least seven faeries fluttering around him. Are you okay? he sensed the words but did not hear them. Their voices were of a different vibration. Far too high for regular humans to hear. The boy understood the question directed at his heart.

He smiled and nodded in agreement as the faeries rejoiced and their celebration made him smile. He was only eight years old and lost his way chasing a butterfly.

Now he sat in the company of faeries as they played with him and their wings fluttered against his skin.

He enjoyed the feeling of being with them as they helped him to his feet. The boy felt as if the forest had suddenly come alive. The trees seemed to speak to him saying, Welcome child. He smiled back at them and turned to the lake nearby.

The faeries stopped him forming a barrier of light. Do not go near the lake. It must remain pure, he understood. The boy backed off, aware but still looking at the beauty of the calm water. Returning his gaze at the marvel before him the boy beamed at the faeries as they danced in the air around him. They played and sang songs that made his heart beam with joy, a feeling he’d never felt before. It was Euphoria. They led the boy to the outskirts of the forest, to the borders of where they would go. The faeries teased him and pinched his cheeks. He laughed and enjoyed the sensation of their light touch. They were warm, floating, glowing little beings the size of small birds.

Some seemed bigger than others. The lady faeries seemed to have the same look in their eyes as his mother. The male faeries appeared muscular and strong.

The ladies were sweet, beautiful and delicate in their gestures. All the faeries were beings of light and they all possessed immense power and speed. They also were the guardians of the Enchanted Forest. Coming to a stop, close to the border which separated their magical world and the realm of humanity, the faeries sat him down close to another large tree. "Listen closely child and we will tell you of your future." The boy leaned forward in anticipation, crossed legged. The air grew warm and the evening sun began to set on the horizon. The faeries smiled and sang, filling the air with love and warmth. "Your dreams are the key to your destiny. Always follow your dreams and the stories they tell you."

The faeries sang together. The boy was young and knew of dreams and the future however, the message was still vague.

He nodded and smiled at the display of light before him and the faeries repeated, "Your dreams are the key. Follow your dreams."

The world began to spin and the boy felt light, warm and sleepy. The boy awoke in the field where he had found the butterfly close to his farm house.

The Kingdom of Eros was an hour’s walk from his family’s farm and he enjoyed playing in the forest close to his home. On this day however, his playtime turned magical. It was an experience he would not forget, nor was the lesson that was taught. The sky was dark when he awoke. His time in the forest, which for him seemed like moments before, was hours ago. Such was the effect of the fantastical. Spending time with magical creatures was such an exhilarating experience that his world now seemed bland.

The grass seemed more brown than green as he turned around staring at the ground still somewhat in a trance. He dropped to lie on his back remembering what he had seen and experienced in the Enchanted Forest.

Sitting up now, he noticed that the land seemed to be more desolate than lush. It was not that way before. He had always found his land to be bountiful and beautiful. It was always a pleasure to work the fields and play in the open. The sight now seemed to be, uninspiring.

He got up from his spot and lazily made his way towards his family’s house. His bed awaited him in the loft above his parents.

A horrible realization set in that it was very late and he was long passed his curfew. His mother wanted him to be indoors before the sun set on the horizon.

That’s why he enjoyed the summers when the days were longer.

Now the stars twinkled but he did not have time to gaze. He was late. The thought of his father’s leather belt across his backside made him cringe as he ran. Entering the front gate, he leaned on the hinge of the gate too hard coming to a stop, alerting everyone to his presence. And within the confines of the kitchen roared a familiar voice, Jaaaaayyyylllleeennn!

The Training

It is said that, when the student is ready to receive instruction, it is at that moment, which his Master will cross his path and alter the course of his life.

Kylon, the King of all Faeries, stood with his arms folded and watched the boy, now ten years old, play with the smaller Faeries as he chased them around the forest. Play would be the first part of his training. Enjoyment and wonder opened his heart and mind. He learned about maintaining his balance as he chased the Faeries darting about and they sang gleefully taunting him to catch them. Their smiles were small but seemed to shine as bright as their energetic bodies.

Despite their immense power, they were delicate with him as they played along and giggled as he tried to reach out to catch them.

Eventually, they’d hug his cheeks and kiss his forehead, showering him with love and affection.

As time passed and Jaylen returned to them every day to play, they allowed him further and further into their world.

The years passed and Jaylen grew stronger, faster, making them work harder in their games which also seemed to hone his skills in perceiving their movements and how they evaded his capture. Even if he could succeed in capturing one, he couldn’t hurt them, they assured him that they would be fine. Their bodies were nearly indestructible and even though he would become a great warrior, the Faeries were and are still, more powerful beings.

One day, now sixteen years old, Kylon instructed his pupil to sit under the Great Oak tree and calm his mind. The years had flown by in an instant.

The immortal King of the Faeries savoured every day he had spent watching the child’s progress.

"Listen to the Forest. Let your mind soar through the trees," Kylon’s lips never moved. Jaylen heard his voice in his heart and mind. He could sometimes hear him while he was at home. Their connection had grown over the years to what it was now. Breathe. Focus on your breath coming in and hold, Kylon guided his pupil and watched him closely.

Ganulus, Leader of the Elves, had said that this boy would