Hope and the Kingdom of Galiwell

By Dr. Debra Cunningham

A child shivers in the darkest of forests. A powerful force threatens the entire Kingdom of Galiwell, and it's pulling her closer, closer into a swirling, smoky mist of evil.

Hope and the Kingdom of Galiwell is a novel about that child and a fantasy world filled with magical creatures. In the Kingdom of Galiwell, ten-year-old Princess Hope is eager to join the fight against her father's enemies. Hope looks up to her older brother, Prince Beckon, who travels throughout the realm, fighting the evil that threatens their father and the kingdom. But Hope has a lot to learn about herself before she can meet her own ambitions. Hope's headstrong, adventurous nature soon brings her to a corrupted forest filled with warped beings. Here she finds herself at the very doorstep of Dark Star, a formidable, evil being eager to destroy Galiwell--and capturing the princess would give him the power to do so.

In these twisted woods, Hope learns the secret of her true identity. She also meets good friends who will fight to help her escape the clutches of Dark Star. But when she discovers an unexpected weakness in her own character, Hope becomes enslaved to the very evil she despises. As her brother battles desperately against Dark Star's cruel servants and their plot concerning an ancient agreement, Hope struggles to free herself from the wickedness that ensnares her. And when Dark Star demands a great sacrifice, will Hope be able to break free from the shadows that darken her soul?

This novel will capture the attention of young and old as it takes the reader on a journey to face evil and overcome it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888329870

Book preview

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Hope and the Kingdom of Galiwell

Dr. Debra Cunningham

ISBN 979-8-88832-986-3 (paperback)

IBSN 979-8-88832-988-7 (hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88832-987-0 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Dr. Debra Cunningham

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 publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Hope

Prince Beckon and the Waleets

Father Tree and the Heart Seedling

The Festival of Miracles

The Desert People

A Song in the Night

Dark Star

Hope Faces Dark Star

The Rebellion

A Hiding Place

Beckon's Call

Hope and Tommy

Arett and the Safe Place

Dark Star's Victory

Beckon Brings Good News

Chains

King Longstride Sends Help

Songbird's Plea

Beckon and the Desert People

The Resistance on the Move

Beckon's Journey

Creeping into Darkness

The Sacrifice

A Victory Celebration

About the Author

Hope

It was a time of isolation, a time of grieving, and a time of darkness, but the children of Galiwell woke up with joyful anticipation. Laughter rang out in brilliant streets of gold filled with every delight, ignoring parents' caution. Wearing greens, reds, golds, and yellows, children swarmed the marketplace, alleys, and paths, creating a rainbow of color. They threw flower petals at tables as the merchants began setting up for a celebration. The Kingdom of Light still shined in that night, but careful guards watched the growling shadows as they encroached more and more, threatening even the portals of the great city.

Galiwell was so full of life that it sparkled like a diamond, and every glow came from the throne room. King Longstride had ruled before anyone could remember, and his throne emitted a piercing light that warmed the hearts of all inhabitants. Their hearts were crystal clear, but when that light touched them, they glowed every color in the known universe! Some were a deep turquoise blue like the waters that surrounded the city, and others the pale yellow of the sun and moon, but none glowed more than the king's own daughter, Hope.

Hope was only a child, so innocent, and every heartbeat was a different color. Sometimes it pulsed with purple, sometimes green, and her heart's glow lighted her eyes with the same shades. She was a curious child and would stare deeply into the souls of those around her, asking questions until her heart beat with each heart in the kingdom. The people loved her!

When she ran through the streets, hiding behind counters filled with clothes, food, and tools of every variety, they handed her whatever she desired with a chuckle. Her teachers were amazed by how quickly she learned as she studied their ancient texts, and no dangers ever touched her. She was not aware that any evil could ever exist, so she felt comforted and secure as she wandered through gardens that surrounded the city. Hope sat on carpets of green, and trees sheltered her from gentle rains. Small wildlings ran into her lap as she threaded grass into crowns. One of her favorite hobbies was crawling into the mothering trees and feeling a gentle breeze on her face as she read a story about adventures in faraway places. But soon, the guards would find her and respectfully but firmly lead her back to the palace.

Every morning, the king called to her, and they walked through the dense gardens in the courtyards of the castle. The king was the tallest of anyone in Galiwell, towering way above her, casting shadows on the glittering garden surrounded by palace walls. Hope loved the rustling of leaves and the deep reds and purples of fruit that grew readily for her to eat in that garden, but more than anything, she loved the feeling of her hand in her own father's gentle grasp. His stride was wide, and his eyes, piercing brown, seemed to search her mind, but to her, they were full of comfort, like a warm blanket. His arms and legs were a burnished bronze, and his white hair hung long with a triple crown on his head, though he seemed ageless, especially when he smiled broadly and laughed. His cloak was a silky purple, and robes beneath were gold, which rustled as he walked, just as the leaves whispered in the garden.

King Longstride sometimes took his son, Beckon, on those walks with Hope, and the prince would play with her until evening, but frequently, her brother had to serve as a representative to other lands so he couldn't stay long. Longstride never left the City of Galiwell, so Beckon served as his spokesman. Hope wanted more than anything to go with Beckon! She begged for stories of the Desert People, the forest creatures, and the wildlings of the sea and air.

With a grin, Prince Beckon would show her maps and describe the riches of the lands, but when he mentioned the darkness beyond their borders, the king would put his finger to his lips in caution, and the prince focused on the happiness of ages past.

One day, when Hope was particularly missing her big brother, she asked where he was, and the king pulled his daughter onto his lap. With a deep sigh, Longstride realized it was time to explain that Beckon was pushing out forces of the dark king of Nettlewood, which had invaded disputed territories. But why, Father? Who is this dark king? Aren't all territories under your rule?

The king smiled at her questions but became serious as he answered, "Daughter, these are things you may not understand yet, but I will try to explain. Long ago, all peoples of every nation could walk with me through these gardens. All were welcome, no matter what their age! I heard every request, and I was able to appear before them any time they wanted me there.

"But on a horrible day, one of my closest friends, Dark Star, broke my trust and started a war. He gathered all the creatures and wildlings he could, telling them lies that they would all become their own kings and queens. Traveling from city to city, countryside to countryside, he wove terrible stories, and the people whose hearts used to shine became corrupted by his own dark heart.

A horrible shadow came across the land and, of course, once Dark Star had them in his grip, it became apparent that he had lied. They did not become kings or queens. Longstride shook his head in sorrow. He took one great hand and moved it across furrows of grief that carved lines in his face. Instead, they became Dark Star's slaves.

Hope gasped. Slaves! But, Father, we must rescue them! How dare this Dark Star defy you. Hope crossed her arms, her lips pursed. I will tell him! He can't treat our people like that!

The wrinkles on her father's brow smoothed, and he gently laughed. Oh, Hope! You are so full of courage, but you are still young, and these things are beyond you.

But, Father.

No buts, my precious one. I named you because of the hope you give that, one day, all people will be reunited in our kingdom, but trust me that we have a plan.

At that moment, the Great White Dove landed in an empty area of the garden. Hope gasped in delight, forgetting her anger, and ran to the sound of cooing. The Great Dove was majestic, glistening in the soft light. His wings stretched wide as he landed and brushed against flower petals and leaves so they filled the air with fragrance.

As Hope ran to him, his feathers embraced her small form, and Hope's dark curls danced as she jumped. She tried to ride on his back, but the Dove carefully placed her on the ground. Ah! The King smiled and strode over. Hope, you can't ride the Dove, remember? He only allows Beckon and me. The huge bird bent his head to the King in acknowledgment, and Longstride put one hand on the bridge between the Dove's gentle eyes, which could both enthrall and dismay those who stared into their gaze. Electricity was exchanged in the touch between the two that ran up the king's arm and through the Dove's body as if they were one.

Hope stomped her foot and crossed her arms again, a stance her father seemed to know well. Why not? Why doesn't he allow me? I'm big enough!

Not yet, sweetheart! But the Dove loves you. You must grow, and one day—

I know, I know, one day he'll trust me enough to let me fly!

That's right! The king smiled, and he swept his daughter up in his arms. Turning back to the Dove, he said, I have things I need to discuss with you, but let me put the child to bed first.

The Great Dove bowed his head and settled onto the paving stones.

Then King Longstride put his daughter on his shoulders and bounced her up the stairs. You want to fly, my little Hope? I'll help you fly! He swooshed her up the steps, and his laughter seemed to fill the entire kingdom. Hope opened her arms, closed her eyes, and imagined the day she could look down at Galiwell and beyond. Then her father gently tossed her into bed. Now remember that every night, you must touch your heart and point your thoughts toward my own. Then the light that is shared between us will warm you through the darkness.

Hope smiled and nodded. She felt the darkness was not so deep. The pale-yellow moonlight always shined on her. Then sleep well, Hope, and I will see you in the morning!

As her father left the room, he sent one last kiss to his daughter, and she blew a kiss back. She grabbed her teddy bear on the bed with its sagging eye and worn grin. Hugging it, she said, One day, Teddy! One day, I'll fly with the Dove, and I'll take you with me. Hope lay there, dreaming about sailing in the blue skies. And I am old enough! Almost ten. He'll see, and I'll prove it to Father! She turned on her side so the shadows covered her eyes, I'll find that Dark Star and tell him he can't treat my father that way. Then I'll show them all!

Hope smiled and grabbed her teddy all the harder, and it seemed he winked at her with his good eye. She fell asleep mumbling, I'll show them. I'll show them all— but in her blissful dreams of flying, she forgot her father's words. She forgot to touch her heart, but it still shined along with the moon, creating a lovely glow around her bed.

As Hope lay there, sleeping, King Longstride entered the garden once more. Putting his arm on the Great Dove's wings, he whispered in his ear. Watch over my son, the king admonished. The Dove nodded and cooed as the king told him of plans, plans that Hope could not imagine, that no one in the kingdom could possibly understand.

Prince Beckon and the Waleets

The prince stood on the precipice of a great divide that separated his father's kingdom and that of Dark Star. He had beaten back shadowy forces to get to this position, and his arms were folded in grim determination as his feet firmly gripped the edge of the rock. Dark Star, you have gone too far! You know this is territory that you are not allowed to cross!

Over the edge in the deep darkness of the faraway woods, an evil mist emerged. A pale face of death formed and jeered in disgust at Beckon. I will honor this barrier for a time, but know that my people are gathering, and one day, we will overthrow your kingdom! Dark Star sneered at the chiseled face of the prince.

Not while I live! Beckon responded, and with one wave of his arm, a shard of light shot from his right hand and separated the encroaching mist. Dark Star emitted a shriek of pain and withdrew like a growling lion into the festering woods.

At his retreat, Prince Beckon withdrew from the edge of the cliff and breathed deeply. The prince turned to his troops of light, crimson soldiers who stood at his command. Return to Galiwell, my friends. I will join you soon. As the troops flashed away, Beckon touched his heart, which beat the truest of all gold and white light a sun could ever emit. Father, he whispered. Suddenly he felt tired, and he drew the sapphire blue of his cloak about him. It set in folds, bathing him in stars, and as it wound round him, his form disappeared from that barren land, the place of in-between.

The place of in-between at the edge of the desert had long been the battleground as limping, hideous howlers at the chain of Dark Star's snapping orders attacked all living things in the king's realm. At times, they encroached that dry, parched land, and King Longstride sent his son to remind them of Dark Star's agreement. Prince Beckon bore the scars of battle on his bronzed arms, but those marks of Dark Star's wrath did not compare with the slaughter that the king's armies inflicted to sever the shadowy force's hold. Prince Beckon and all the kingdom had mourned their losses and the greatest loss of all, their precious Nettlewood Forest, which had fallen and now lay beyond the kingdom's grasp on the other side of the Cliffs of Claymere. It was Nettlewood that Longstride surrendered in compromise. As long as Dark Star's forces stayed out of the in-between and the forest closer to the kingdom, Longstride would accept the blasphemer's hold on the lost ones, for now.

Prince Beckon spun past the desert lands, and in a blink of an eye, he emerged from his cloak's hold and stepped onto a tall perch, far beyond the land of in-between. Gazing over the scene to the east, he cast a glance to see if Dark Star had kept his word and did not try to cross the barrier. Convinced that all was safe for now, he extended his gaze to that of his father's kingdom.

To the north was Galiwell, in all its golden light! A smile came to his face as he lovingly considered his father and sister. He imagined being able to see them again. But he instantly sobered. It was too soon to think of rest. He had more to do before he could return home.

Shifting his piercing eyes, brown like his father's, he examined other parts of the kingdom, then focused on Walee. The water that surrounded Galiwell danced with life. Flying fish that shined like gold spread their wings into a perfect dive, and small creatures rode on their backs, squealing with delight. Prince Beckon turned his feet toward the ocean depths. "I will see our