Into The Magic: Fay's Antiques Book 1: Fay's Antiques, #1

By David T.E. Foster

Can Cari restore the Balance between Faerie and the Mundane?

Meet Caeridwen Saoirse Llewellyn (Cari), a vulnerable fifteen-year-old runaway seeking refuge from a murderously abusive stepfather. Cari's life takes an unexpected turn when she's rescued by a woman who runs Fay's Antiques Shoppe. But this ordinary-seeming antiques shop isn't just an antiques store. It's a Magical Gateway to the land of Faerie. The woman isn't 'Fay' but Iarwenys Kaylessa Amastasion, a 3500-year-old Mistress of the Magic and Gateway Warden.

 

Under the guidance of the Lady Iarwenys and the Mother of Magic Herself, Cari discovers her latent gifts for manipulating the Magic. As the extent of her talents are revealed, she becomes embroiled in a battle against rogue Magic users who threaten the delicate Balance in Faerie, and the human world.

 

First introduced through a successful Kickstarter campaign, Cari's adventure begins!

 

Enter a world of magical creatures, ancient secrets, a cast of characters from many cultures, and adventure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Headspring Publishing
• Release date: Jan 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9780968947753

David T.E. Foster

David Foster (Dave) is a life-long oral storyteller, reader and writer with a special interest in world-building, fantasy fiction and science fiction. David is a member of the Science Fiction Writers Association (SFWA). David has always been a writer, although he was not able to turn his focus to science fiction and fantasy until he completed his career in Information Technology. He completed an honours BFA at York University where he focused on photography, and then graduated with an MDes (Master of Design) from OCAD University in Toronto and has been practicing his craft ever since. In addition to Into The Magic: Fay's Antiques Book 1, Dave had his adult short-story For What is a Man published in Alternative Deathiness in 2021 by ‎B Cubed Press. Into the Magic: Fay's Antiques Book 1 completed a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2023. More information can be found at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/faysantiques/into-the-magic-book-1-of-fays-antiques You can follow David at @IamDavidTEFoster_ #DavidTEFoster www.DavidTEFosterAuthor.com

Book preview

Pronunciation, Punctuation and More

As you read or listen to stories in the Fay’s Antiques Series, you’ll notice phrases and names with spellings, pronunciations, or capitalizations that may seem odd or even incomprehensible. I make no apologies for this. The world of Fay’s Antiques is meant to be a multi-cultural and non-judgmental society.

The world of Faerie accepts anyone willing to work within its Laws and the Balance. Different cultures have their own way of spelling and pronouncing words. Don’t despair. I’ve only used a few languages.

Even though readers will pronounce words in their heads as they see fit, I offer a rough guide as to how to pronounce the more unusual or unfamiliar names and things in the universe of the Fey.

Capitalizations

The use of capitalized words in the story are not typographical errors, but you might find them to be a touch distracting. Certain characters are denoted with the royal ‘We.’ There is also a difference between a simple verb, such as ‘see’, and the casting involved for scrying in which one ‘Sees.’

A verb or noun which directly denotes a use of the Magic (a casting) is capitalized, as is the designator of a casting, such as in the following examples:

Summon or Summoning — to call up the Magic prior to use.

See, Sight or Seeing — to use a scrying bowl or mirror as part of the casting.

Look or Looking — one must Look before one can See.

Link or Linking — a casting that involves sharing senses to communicate with animals

Pronunciations

Any common mispronunciation is an insult to a Magical Creature. Both the land and the Magical Creatures of Faerie are pronounced, "Fay-er-ee, not fairy."

Character Names

The following characters are listed in alphabetical order by first name:

Aibreann Ó Broin – Aye-bree-ahn Oh Brah-inn

Aiduin Fevalar – Aye-dwin Feh-vaal-ahr

Ailmar Wynlamin – Ale-mahr Win-lah-min

Almon Bygwyn – Ahl-mahn Big-win

Ankhorian – Ahn-Khor-ee-an

Aoife O’Bannion – EE-fah Oh-Ban-yun

Ashura Amiri – A-sure-ah A-meer-ee

Banou Baharia – Bha-noo Bah-hahr-ee-ah

Björn Halfdan – Be-yoorn Haff-dan

Caeridwen Saoirse Llewellyn (Cari) – Kay-ridth-oo-wen Seer-sha Thloo-weth-leen

Chameli – Cha-mel-ee

Daiki Tanaka – Da-yee-kee Tah-nah-kah

Darius Papadakolaou – Dah-ree-us Papa-dack-oh-la-oo

Delmuth Genalla – Dell-mooth Gehn-al-ah

Ellyncia Ballyn – Eh-lin-see-ah Ball-lin

Ethan McGuire – Ee-than Mug-wire

Fenian Shasandoral – Fee-nee-en Shah-san-door-all

Hiamovi – Hyah-mo-vee

Hisao Minowara – Hiss-ah-oh Me-no-wah-rah

Iarwenys Kaylessa Amastasion (Yar) – Yar-wen-iss Kay-less-ah Ah-mah-stass-ee-on

Jerrara Cullangarra – Jeh-rah-rah Cool-ahn-gah-rah

Kethryllia Vraymar - Keth-rill-ee-yah Vray-mahr

Khalil Afa’af bin Aisha – Kaah-lill A-faaf bin Eye-ee-shah

Kieran Aire Yinleth – Key-yair-ahn Eye-reh Yin-leth

Kiirion Genlyn – Keer-ree-on Gehn-lin

Kyrtar Olalen – Keer-tahr Oh-lahl-len

Memrellian Zemrorys – Mehm-rail-ee-an Zehm-roar-eess

Moira Caitrin Llewellyn – Mo-eye-rah Kay-trihn Thloo-weth-leen

Nahiossi – Nah-hee-oh-see

Nithenoel Morceran – Nih-then-oh-well More-seh-ran

Pengil – Peng-gihl

Pythogenes Demetriou – Pie-thaw-jen-ease Deh-mee-tree-oo

Tarron Krispaeros – Tay-rahn Kris-pair-ohs

Thulian Ersandoral – Thool-ee-an Air-san-doh-rahl

Tokko Sung-Chul – Tock-oh Sung-Chool

Torstein Leifsen – Tohr-steen Leaf-sehn

Yuan Zelan – Yoo-wahn Zeh-lahn

Languages Used in Faerie

The following languages are used or spoken by characters in the story. The examples (and a translation if not offered in the text) are offered to give you an idea of how I believe they should sound. This list is not comprehensive (particularly regarding Old Celtic). The languages appear in the order they are introduced in the series.

Ancient or Old Celtic

I make no claim to being a Gaelic speaker. My use of old Celtic is loosely based on the modern Irish Gaeilge (apologies to Cornish, Manx, Scots, and Welch readers). I know Llewellyn is a Welch name, but Caeridwen and Saoirse aren’t.) Author’s privilege is such fun.

The letter ‘r’ is always rolled or trilled. The letter ‘h’ is silent as it is a modifier in Old Celtic to ‘soften’ the sound of the letter and/or give it a ‘buzz.’ The ‘bh’ sounds sort of like a buzzy ‘v’, ‘ch’ is pronounced as in the German ‘ach’ except at the beginning of a word — where it’s pronounced as the English ‘sh’. The ‘gh’ is usually considered silent (though you can hear it in some words as a glottally sounded ‘g’), ‘th’ is a buzzy ‘t’ as in ‘then’ (and not like the ‘th’ in the English word ‘theme’). Here are some samples:

Teacht chugam – tay-akht shoo-gahm ("come to me")

Thuaidh, Theas, Thoir, Thiar – thoo-ay-dth, thay-ahss, Tho-ire, Thay-ahr ("North, South, East, West")

Taispeáin dom – Tie-spin dohm ("Show me")

Glacadh – Gla-kadh(Accept or Accepted)

Bogadh ansin – Boh-gahdh awn-sin (Move then)

Mar sin lig dó a bheith – Mahr sheehn leeg doh ah veeth (So let it be)

Go raibh maith agat – Goh rah-eev mah-ith ah-gaht ("Thank you" – formally)

Tá fáilte romhat – Tayh faylth-eh rom-aht ("You’re welcome" – formally)

Sea Aoife. Cad atá le déanamh don dinnéar? – See-ah Ee-fah. Kad ah-tay leh day-an-ahv don deen-ay-ahr? (Yes, Aoife. Do you know what’s for dinner?)

Dóiteáin – doh-it-ay-in (fire)

Cabhraíonn Tiarnaí an tSléibhe liom – Kah-vra-ee-ohnn chee-ahr-nigh an t’Slave-eh lee-ohm ("The Lords of the Mountain help me")

Do Cheartas – Doh Khee-air-tahs (for justice)

Basque

Basque is a very old language from Northeastern Spain. Its spelling is very similar to English. If you think of it as being spoken by a Spanish noble, you’ll be close.

katu adar handia – kat-oo ah-dar han-dee-ah (Great Horned Cat)

Indarra eta ohorea – Ihn-dah-rah eh-tah oh-hor-ee-ah (Honour the Courage)

Greek

Ancient Greek uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Fortunately, I only use two names and a few Greek phrases. I have tried to spell them as phonetically as possible. Here is one example:

I Kardia mou – eeh kahr-dee-ah mooh (my heart)

Introduction

The following is a translation of a few sections from one of the ancient scholarly documents in the Council’s library (author unknown) from the original Sumerian language to English – by and for myself, Jonathan Wykham-Jones, a student of the Magic. I received the kind permission of Speaker Zalaeria Datoris (and, of course, the Mother of the Magic). Unfortunately, the scroll document is in fragments and many portions are damaged. Much of the writing (and all the illustrations) have faded badly due to the age of the parchment and its frequent handling, so there are portions where the writing is worn to the point of being illegible. Speaker Zalaeria warned me that any attempt to recover the illegible portions with the Magic carries the risk of further damage or even the destruction of the original document. Despite this, and despite the fact that none of the Greater Castings are described or mentioned, I believe it is an important first step in the education of those new to the Summoning and use of the Magic.

Through extrapolating the legible portions, my intent is to eventually produce a usable primer for newcomers to Faerie. The following is what I can share of my work to date:

The Classifications of the Magic

A description of how various castings may be taught.

(Portion illegible...) but since we are now able to analyze much of what we may accomplish (portion illegible...) of all the Magic, I herein attempt to explain (portion illegible...) for the benefit of those Mundanes with ability newly come into Faerie.

The examples offered are not comprehensive but as samples only. (Portion illegible...)

In simplest terms, the basic castings (portion illegible...) divided into three realms, as follows:

The Realm of 'This and That'

All castings which affect the basic position, state, or form of matter (portion illegible...) simplest of castings (portion illegible...) includes basic physical movement (portion illegible...) such as levitation or (portion illegible...)

Large portions are illegible but there appears to be a catalog-like list with section headings and words such as ‘levitation’ or ‘pull’ can be discerned. Various castings are accompanied by considerably faded illustrations.

The Realm of 'Here and There'

(Portion illegible...) In the next stage of the student’s progression (portion illegible...) more complex castings (portion illegible...) involve considerable precision as to the intended position or destination of the object, living or not, which is (portion illegible...)

Multiple portions are also illegible in this section. Along with another list, the occasional word such as ‘location’ or ‘destination’ can be discerned. Some of the illustrations are in slightly better condition, although very faded.

The Realm of 'Now and Then'

(Portion illegible...) are considerably more complex and should be left until the teachings of The Realm of This and That and The Realm of Here and There have been (portion illegible...) for later teachings. They involve precise and rapid calculations and visualizations of both velocity and position (portion illegible...) including (portion illegible...)

While large portions of this section are illegible, the Realm of the Now and Then appears to include more lists of castings. Words such as ‘speed’ and phrases such as ‘intended point of cessation’ can be discerned. There are no illustrations in this (portion illegible...) section, perhaps because of the nature of these castings.

Chapter 1

Yes, My Lady, Aoife said, slumping over the workroom table. I’m sorry, but you’ve been telling me for months that I’m almost fully trained. My apartment in the Mundane world is furnished to my liking and I want to begin teaching music at the University while I further my studies in the Magic. But my successor still hasn’t arrived.

The Lady Iarwenys smiled at her ward over her teacup and said, Many of us Wardens are worried as the Balance has drifted further away, but the Titled Fey in Council have been unwilling to take any action. We know your successor is coming. Hopefully, this one will actually arrive.

Frowning slightly, she continued, Many replacement wards have been blocked or gone missing over the last thirty years. The Wardens think someone, or something, is blocking successor wards from arriving here in Faerie. I’ve had a few suspicions myself.

Is no one able to push through the ward arrival and future haze, My Lady? Aoife asked plaintively.

No Aoife, dear the Lady replied with an understanding nod. "The future haze is always there and calling out to them is nearly useless, until they’re quite close, in both time and distance.

"Even Kethryllia, with her strong scrying ability, has only determined that he or she is of ancestry similar to ours and will probably come here to be my new ward and student. Perhaps it’s time you tried a Call through scrying, since you’re about to receive your Warden-in- Waiting title and it’s intimately tied to this matter. If we link our See and Summon castings together, we might be able to push through and See with more clarity."

Turning slightly, the Lady lightly flicked her wrist, raised her hand and said, Teacht chugam! A large bowl, carved out of clear rock crystal and polished to a glassy sheen, lifted off a high shelf, drifted over to the table, and placed itself in front of the Lady. Repeating the same gesture, an intricately shaped ewer with a golden handle drifted to sit beside the bowl. At a gesture and word from Aoife, another bowl made from the same crystal, along with a heavy crystal flask, floated over to in front of her.

Each woman poured a large measure of clear spring water into their bowls, closed their eyes and sat still for several minutes, breathing deeply and rhythmically. Without opening their eyes, each dipped a finger into the water and whispered, Thuaidh, Theas, Thoir, Thiar, and touched their bowls at the cardinal points. At the final touch, the symbols and runes deep in the crystal began to glow in multiple colours around the edges of the bowls and the water changed into something resembling fog. A gleaming tendril of the Magic connected the two bowls. Opening their eyes, the two spoke the final command together, Taispeáin dom! and bent to look into the bowls.

The fog in the Lady’s bowl flashed and glittered with brief images that formed and faded. A woman, a man, and then an older woman, with joy and love on their faces ... what appeared to be a funeral in the rain ... hair in a long dark ponytail tied back with a silver clasp worked in a Celtic knot ... deep grass-green, intelligent-looking eyes in a mirror ... clean, long-fingered hands putting groceries into a bag ... another rainy funeral ... the sound of gloriously intricate guitar music ... an impression of satisfaction in what looked like a dance class ... a fire ... a drunken, angry face with a short greying beard ... a few items being thrown into a backpack ... a long country road in the moonlight ... a bus ... an apple ... another man’s face with a smug and evil smile. But before the images in the fog faded into nothing, the Lady felt her Call touch a girl briefly, so she sent out a Shield.

Her brief connection left her with impressions of violence, fear, anger, hunger, weariness, loss with a deep and abiding sadness and, most importantly, a strong sense of curiosity and dauntless, stubborn courage. To her surprise, the rune at the Northern cardinal point of her bowl was glowing blue-white and remained so for several seconds before fading into nothing.

The images in the fog in Aoife’s bowl were clearer and lasted seconds longer, perhaps because of her particular talent in the Sight, or the beginning of the connection with her successor. They offered more graphic visual details and stronger impressions. Her Call and Shield seemed to touch, and be felt, by a teen-ager. The North cardinal point of her bowl also glowed strongly.

Oh, My Lady! Aoife said as she trembled and wept. She’s lost, sad, and so frightened! That man was beating her!

I know, Aoife, I know. The Lady swept her ward into a comforting embrace. "I understand it hurts you, but we managed to touch her. I think the Shield castings adhered to her as well. That much similar pain also means she felt your Call and she’s strong in both latent powers and the inherent ability to use them. Her time of trial should give her the necessary sense of justice and the Balance between the Magic and the Mundane.

Your successor is coming from the north and is no more than a few days away. All we can do is prepare for her arrival and wait.

*—*

Someone else was scrying that night — a solitary cloaked and hooded figure in a room in a high iron tower that sat like a toadstool atop a great pile of a castle, in a Cloaked valley nestled between two of the Redstone Mountains deep in the Fey Lands.

He peered into a casting bowl made of intricately figured bronze. The incised symbols around its edges were sharp-edged and glowed blood red. His reflection showed a disdainful smile that barely contained his cruel, selfish pride. He thought, So! That pretty fool Iarwenys and her Irish brat think they can get this one through, do they? We’ll see about that! Shielded or not, no slip of a girl can escape me. I’ll stop this successor as easily as I’ve stopped all the others.

He paused as he tried to tune away the fuzzy interference he kept seeing. He’d been forced to use bronze ever since his Crystal bowl had stopped responding to him altogether, adding another annoyance to his growing list of imagined grievances. Giving the side of the bowl one last frustrated slap, he gave up for the night, and began to pace.

I nearly had her once already, and would have if her idiot stepfather hadn’t passed out from the drink. Perhaps an ‘accident’ before she becomes too much of an irritant? No ... why should I spend that much effort? I could send a Mundane under my influence to deal with her before she really bothers me. Nobody, nobody who counts anyway, suspects my castings can eliminate anyone who rivals my power.

He clenched his fists in frustrated rage and hatred.

Iarwenys and other Wardens in Council can preach and teach the pestilential wards about the Balance all they want! Not one of them, not even my own oh-so-honourable teacher, knows how far I’ve come in my studies. I’ve been sending my own castings into the Mundane to recruit useful underlings for years, and bringing them through to Faerie.

Chapter 2

Cari was bruised, aching, and heartsick by the time her bus pulled into the city station. Months of escalating verbal and physical abuse had begun after her mother’s death in that convenient — for her stepfather anyway — barn fire.

She was determined to never go back, even though she was more frightened than she’d ever been in her life. Even more than on that horrible afternoon when she cowered under her stepfather’s fists and feet, while he kept calling her a ‘witch’, and she’d tried to block his drunken verbal abuse until he’d passed out. Then she’d frantically grabbed and stuffed what she could into her backpack, and run out of the farmhouse along the long moon-lit road into the small town, leaving behind the beloved antique classical guitar her grandmother had given her.

On her second day in the city, her backpack holding those few precious possessions and keepsakes was stolen, but she was afraid of being forced back to live with her stepfather if she went to the police. The money she’d carefully hoarded in the front pocket of her jeans — from her part-time job at the local grocery store — had run out after she’d bought an apple on the third day. Food was so expensive, and after what she’d heard, she didn’t trust the youth shelters. Since then, she’d had only the occasional drink from public water fountains and very little sleep as she walked through the city.

Something seemed to be urging her to wander further and further south, away from the bus station and the crowds in the city centre,