Mavis: Lust For Gold

By Caroline Crow Salmon

In this, the second novel in the Mavis series, Mavis is called to the Goldfields of the Western Australian outback after a cry of help from a desperate Pelican. As his body morphs alternately from bird to human he tells Mavis that the birds in the inland migratory breeding grounds are mysteriously disappearing. After having been trained by her g

• Language: English
• Publisher: Turquoise Art
• Release date: Feb 5, 2024
• ISBN: 9780648227731

Caroline Crow Salmon

Caroline Crow Salmon is an Australian author and artist inspired by nature, particularly birds. With qualifications in Education and Visual Art Caroline used these skills to create the series about Mavis, the girl with the powers of the birds of the world written for her daughters who loved superheroes.

Book preview

Mavis

Lust For Gold

Caroline Crow Salmon

Turquoise Art

Copyright © [2023] [Caroline Crow Salmon]

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Published by TurqioiseArt

ISBN [978-0-6482277-2-4]

e-book formatting by bookow.com

Dedication

First book in the series

Mavis A Genuine Heroine

REVIEWS

'I really enjoyed the book, Mavis. I loved it because at the end of each chapter something exciting is happening, so you want to keep reading and figure out the ending. Mavis would make an amazing movie because of the excellent characters, plot and imagery. I also loved the great lesson of friendship and trust. I loved it so much I'm dressing up as Mavis for Book Week. I highly recommend!'

Ruby Australia (10)

'This is a wonderful superhero book for YA audiences. The story has some fine action scenes as well as suspense'

A. Kirshner USA

'Mavis A Genuine Heroine is a terrific read - a real page turner and ideal for girls and boys who love an adventure story. Set in Australia it conjures up a very good sense of the country and is full of interesting characters from the fiesty Mavis, her friend Bluey and her extraordinary grandma - highly recommended.'

N. Angus UK

'What a modern-day story! The story was unique with fantastic characters. My daughter and I really loved Mavis and can't wait for more adventures.'

S. Spinley Australia

'Caroline has woven in many twists and turns that make up a classic tale and it leaves you wanting more with each chapter. So...shake your tail feathers and get yourself a copy of Mavis A Genuine Heroine!'

C. Perkins UK

Preface

This, the second book in the Mavis series, Lust For Gold, was inspired through my journeys to the Western Australian Goldfields via the iconic 7 hour Prospector train ride from Perth to Kalgoorlie.

World bird migration, Western Australian history, a young superheroine and the world's lust for gold come into conflict and lives are on the line!

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

THE END!

FOR NOW…

About the Author

Chapter One

Warm sunrays reflected off a kaleidoscope of colour and cool breezes ruffled feathers. Mavis was flying high in a blue, cloudless sky. Yellow soil had changed to red and stretched far into the distance below as Grandma and Jervis flew by her side. Pele, the large pelican soared ahead, effortlessly leading the way. Mavis knew Aquila and his ravens must be waiting for her somewhere on this journey and she was feeling nervous. The next few years as she mastered her skills were a window of weakness that Aquila would try to exploit.

They had been flying since dawn, and with each kilometer the landscape had become more barren. Scattered trees and sparse grasses in the red dirt baked by the sun, were the only signs of life below. They flew on for another hour, Mavis constantly looking ahead towards the horizon wondering where their journey would end. A group of small, glinting dots appeared, shimmering like a mirage in the distance. Mavis used her eagle power of magnified sight and could see the shapes of several old, weathered buildings scattered across the bush. A geometric stamp of humanity in nature. Behind the buildings, in the distance, a large, isolated mountain was the only change in an otherwise flat landscape.

Pele altered direction and led them further as the sun sat low in the sky. They flew over the top of a small town of historic buildings, company names written in bold on the stone facades. As they continued, Mavis noticed the thin snaking trail of a river begin below. The fine line of water continued meandering underneath them as they flew and then began very slowly to widen, eventually growing to become a massive oasis of water and surrounding lush, green vegetation. Pele looked back at the group then began a descent to the ground, diving through the few wispy clouds then smoothly landing on the still water, creating expanding ripples as he lazily came to a stop.

Mavis, Jervis and Grandma flew towards the dense bank and headed for a small tree with iridescent green leaves. As they approached to land, the tree exploded into fragments of green and yellow as hundreds of budgerigars flew up and away leaving lifeless, brown deadwood in its place. The trio flew on and settled in one of the other trees lining the edge of the water. Several birds appeared from under the trees and flew over to the lake. A Freckled duck swam quickly towards Pele followed by a Pacific Heron. They quacked excitedly but received no response so turned and followed him, still quacking, as he paddled over to the bank.

Pele waddled out onto the sand to be met by several Black and Musk ducks and the quacking became louder as all the ducks joined in. Birds of all kinds flew down from the trees and up above them, the sky filled with thousands of birds that flew together then circled overhead like a giant multi-coloured cloud with individual birds, one by one, leaving the flock to land on the ground or the water. Eventually the area became so crowded with birds there was little room for the late-comers to land on. The sight of so many birds was astonishing and the sound was deafening.

Pele flapped his wings and glided over to land on top of a huge, black stump that rose high above the ground. He drew his wings in then sat still, waiting. The birds nearest to him quietened first and then, like a wave, the sound of quacking, chirping and squawking slowly diminished into the distance as all fell silent. Pele waited for absolute quiet. The rustling of the leaves in the trees became the only sound.

You have all travelled great distances to breed at this lake. Usually a desert, the huge rains brought life and richness to this place and you flew here from as far away as the coast and laid your eggs. Pele paused, looking around at the thousands of birds. But the rains have also brought us to danger. An evil magic has come to our lake. Some of us have been caught in its spell. Our bodies have started to change back and forth from bird to human. A change that cannot be controlled. The more times we change, the more uncoordinated we become. I am one. We have seen birds in flight suddenly falling dead from the sky. We have seen human forms staggering and injuring themselves. Instead of being here to breed new life, we may be here to die! Pele shouted in anger.

The birds began shrieking and squawking in response, their bodies and necks arching and their feathers standing up on end. Pele stood up tall and raised both his wings high over his head dramatically and the massive flock became silent again.

I have travelled to find us help, he continued. To find a legend. The birds of the south told me of a heroine. A girl who has harnessed our abilities. A girl who can do what we can, but bigger – better. A girl who can bring us peace.

Mavis listened wide-eyed to the pelican as he gave his oration. She was still so new to the skills Grandma had taught her and the pelican was talking like she was their solution, no hesitations, no concerns. She moved back further behind the screen of leaves.

She is here with us now, in the trees behind the lake, he announced, pointing his wing in her direction. She has flown here from the city. She has come to save us all, he stated with confidence, his eyes shining.

All heads turned towards Mavis as they searched the trees trying to see who this heroine was. The green leaves blocked the riot of colour she wore. Mavis sat back on a bough inside the tree, stalling time.

Mavis, don’t be afraid. You are here because of destiny. Not your decision. Not their decision, Grandma reasoned. You are the one.

I don’t feel ready Grandma, Mavis responded in a hoarse whisper. These birds need my help but I don’t know enough. I’m not strong enough.

You are on your journey and this is a challenge in your path, Grandma replied. It will strengthen you and build your confidence. You must jump Mavis. For you. For these birds. Have faith.

Mavis looked through the branches at the sea of birds stretching into the distance. There was a noise starting to build. A chattering and clicking that was getting nearer and nearer to her. As she looked through the leaves she saw birds opening and closing their beaks, making a clattering sound that grew louder and louder. It soon became deafening and Mavis knew she had no choice but to show herself. Grandma gave her a nod and that was the catalyst that made her move. She crept slowly out along the branches and stood tentatively, exposed, holding tightly onto the waving boughs. Her multi-coloured feathers radiated out against the green of the tree and all eyes turned to her. Mavis took a big breath then burst out from the tree and soared over the thousands of birds. She crossed the expanse of lake to land on the stump beside the pelican. The chattering of the birds stopped and they waited for her to speak. The pelican looked hard into her eyes. His eyes were telling her that she was his solution. She was his hero. Mavis had no idea what was ahead but knew there was no going back. She turned and surveyed the optimistic birds then took another big breath to calm herself.

My name is Mavis! she shouted out to the birds. Pele has told me of the danger here in your land. I have come to help you. Help you the best that I can as unlike you I was not born with bird skills. Mavis stopped and looked around at their expectant faces feeling very embarrassed.

The birds watched silently.

I…..am learning, Mavis finally forced out, thinking how stupid that sounded.

Pele turned and looked at Mavis, his eyes questioning. The birds hearing her words started to squawk and the sound began to slowly grow louder. Some of the birds shrieked, some chattered their beaks and some ruffled their feathers as if shaking off the news.

I want to help you, yelled out Mavis. But I will need your help…… The noise from the massive flock of birds then increased with groups of them taking flight and circling boisterously over the top of the crowd.

Grandma flew over towards the stump, weaving her way through the bodies ascending to the sky. She landed next to Mavis, her feathers fluttering as she turned, her large, round eyes observing the melee before her. The pelican spread his massive wings as wide as he could. His white feathers stood out against the blue of the sky. Those circling slowly descended back to the ground, movement stopped and finally there was silence as Pele folded his wings back into his body. He turned to Grandma, awaiting her words. His face radiating hope.

"We are here to help you. Mavis is the one you seek. began Grandma, Yes, she is still learning, but the strength of many generations sits on the shoulders of a young girl. Mavis has heart and integrity and she will fight for you. You must fight with her."

Pele nodded. Who is with Mavis? he addressed the flock, his right wing raised high.

The birds didn’t reply. They watched on noiselessly and Pele now looked defeated.

Mavis knew she needed to convince them that she was strong enough to save them. She thought of showing them her speed of flight or mimicking a sound but as she looked down, deep in thought, she saw white. Mavis’s feathers had lost all their colour. There was a loud screeching from the birds as she looked at Pele, his eyes wide and in them a reflection, also of white. Herself! Mavis stretched out her arm and saw a huge white wing with black tips. She realised she had become a Pelican, the same as Pele. She was their leader. A duplicate! She stretched out both her wings as Pele had previously done but then they again changed colour to a jet black and reduced in size. Several identical black swans at the front of the crowd reacted by hissing and honking. Turning to Pele she now saw in his eyes the reflection of a pink and grey galah. The birds were building to a deafening crescendo. Mavis changed back into her suit of feathers and mask as Pele seized the moment.

"See her powers. You have seen her change her body. She can become you. She is you! She has the magic. She is the one to save us. He paused as the birds quietened. I am with Mavis. Who of you is with Mavis too?" he challenged.

This time the birds didn’t shriek. Instead, a loud cooing began to build. Heads bobbed up and down and the noise grew louder. Grandma nodded. Pele smiled. Mavis knew she couldn’t let them down.

Chapter Two

Out in the outback alone, Francesco sat under the dark, moonless night on a rusty, metal chair, the leather seating torn and frayed. Behind him was a wall of weathered, holey, corrugated iron. Above him the Southern Cross. There was silence all around. He was thinking of his family. A small fire surrounded by gnarley, broken bricks crackled in front of his feet as he leaned forward and stirred the contents of a black pot hung on a metal tripod above it. In his mind he could hear the sounds of children playing and the smells of his mother’s cooking. He slowly stood up, the years of heavy toil bringing pain to his joints.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gun shots ricocheted around in his head. He remembered the loud sound of shooting as galahs flew over his head then fell to the ground, and him eagerly running to collect them and take them proudly to his mother. The smells a few hours later of roasted bird and polenta still filled his nose and memories. He remembered the other jobs he had as a boy. Feeding the goats and the pigs was always a bit scary. They would push and shove to get to the food and many times he was bowled over. Occasionally the goats were let out to roam. He liked following them, watching them forage through the bush. A shake of the food bucket would have them running to him to return them to their yard. The work was worth it though, he thought, smiling warmly at the memory. The sausages the family made were special. The recipe traditional and the songs of home sung as they worked. A glass or two of homemade wine kept the adults in happy voice as they sang and reminisced. Francesco closed his eyes and felt the cool of the green leaves of sprawling grape vines that had meandered over the buildings and supports, providing relief from the summer temperatures. Stories of their hometowns were exchanged with dramatic tales telling of their land and sea journeys to Australia, and the reasons why they had decided to migrate from a lush, green country to an isolated, red dirt town.

Francesco remembered that most of the time, the chatter of the day was in Italian until a language test was introduced by the Australian government, and they were told that anyone who couldn’t pass, wouldn’t become a citizen, and would lose their job. The mine manager knew he had good workers and didn’t want to lose any of them so he offered to provide free English classes. One of the women who had travelled from Italy was very educated and spoke several languages including English, and she soon had work teaching the migrants to a level to pass the test. Francesco was brought up with both languages. When his family were very emotional; happy, sad or excited, their Italian was