The Lazarus Stone

By Barry J McDonald

Discover a world of thrilling adventure, sibling bonds, and a mysterious stone that holds the key to unimaginable power in "The Lazarus Stone." Join Caeb and Usla as they embark on a heart-pounding quest that will challenge everything they thought they knew about themselves.

 

Caeb and Usla, two siblings with an unbreakable bond, stumble upon an ancient artefact known as the Lazarus Stone. Little do they know that this seemingly ordinary stone holds extraordinary secrets and abilities. As they delve deeper into its mysteries, they find themselves thrust into a perilous journey that will test their courage, resilience, and the strength of their sibling connection.

 

From the vibrant streets of their hometown to far-off lands teeming with magic and danger, Caeb and Usla must navigate treacherous landscapes, and outwit formidable adversaries. Along the way, they uncover the true extent of the Lazarus Stone's power and the pivotal role it plays in the fate of multiple worlds.

 

As the siblings delve into the unknown, they discover hidden truths about their own identities and the legacy of their family. Caeb, gifted with extraordinary abilities linked to the stone, must come to terms with his own destiny while protecting his sister and those they hold dear. Usla, resourceful and fiercely independent, faces her own trials and finds strength in her unwavering determination to support her brother.

 

"The Lazarus Stone" is a captivating and immersive tale woven with rich world-building, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable characters. Barry McDonald seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, adventure, and sibling bonds to create a thrilling narrative that will keep readers of all ages on the edge of their seats.

 

Prepare to be enthralled as you journey alongside Caeb and Usla, experiencing the magic, suspense, and heart-pounding action that awaits. Will they unlock the true potential of the Lazarus Stone and overcome the challenges that stand in their way? Can their bond withstand the tests they will face and lead them to victory?

 

"The Lazarus Stone" is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and compelling storytelling. Brace yourself for an adventure like no other, where the bonds of family are tested, destinies are forged, and the power of a stone can change everything. Are you ready to embark on this thrilling journey of discovery and unlock the secrets of the Lazarus Stone?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barry J McDonald
• Release date: Jun 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223736448

Book preview

Chapter 1

The land of Bellona shone as a beacon of bustling activity, with no city embodying that spirit better than its prime seaport, Fayhaven. Nestled on a crescent-shaped bay, this coastal jewel transformed into a vibrant oasis of life and commerce at the break of dawn, when the sun's first rays caressed its cobblestone paths. The city then transformed into a spectacle of its own, bursting with the energy of a new day.

The bustling harbour, a vibrant mosaic of colour and sound, stood as a testament to Fayhaven's prosperity. It overflowed with vessels of all shapes and sizes, their towering masts reaching skyward like slender fingers yearning for the heavens. Bathed in the sun's radiant glow, their polished hulls swayed gently with the rhythm of the waves. Sailors, merchants, and fishermen moved with purpose, their actions painting a vivid portrait of a place where life thrived in its raw, unfiltered form.

Yet, amidst this symphony of activity, one man appeared oblivious to it all. Grober, a burly figure with a beard marked by the passage of countless storms, lay sprawled on the wooden planks of a ship. His weathered face told the tale of a life lived hard, and his unconscious form hinted at a night of excessive revelry.

The sharp clack of heels against the wooden deck pierced Grober's stupor, jolting him awake. He blinked, his vision blurred, as he recognized the towering presence of a sailor, his gold teeth glinting menacingly in the daylight. The man's sneer served as a stark reminder of the previous night's folly, and Grober found himself pulled into a sitting position, the weight of his predicament crashing upon him.

'Grober... Grober... Grober... That was a good game of cards last night, wasn't it?'

'Was it? I can't remember,' Grober admitted.

His reckless gambling had exacted a heavy toll, but nothing stung as sharply as the loss of the Lazarus Stone. Helpless, he watched as the sailor dangled the coveted prize before his eyes, the triumphant smirk etched on his face a bitter pill to swallow.

'Oh, I'm sure someone would pay a hefty sum for this. Not to mention the other debts you've managed to accumulate...'

Debts? What other debts? Grober strained his mind to piece together the fragments of the puzzle. And then it hit him. In a drunken haze, he had foolishly wagered a year's labour on the strength of his final hand. He could still hear the crew's laughter and cheers when he lost. 'Oh, that.'

'Yes, that,' the sailor grinned. 'Let's just say the next year on this boat will be a busy time for you.'

'And the Captain?' Grober inquired. 'Perhaps he and I could have a chat.'

'You'll have the chance, but the Captain is currently ashore. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to lay eyes on your pretty face when he returns.'

Grober lazily surveyed the deck. It seemed the rest of the crew had accompanied the Captain, leaving only the two of them aboard. With the Captain's imminent return looming over him, Grober knew he had to take action. The throbbing pain in his head served as a reminder of his recklessness, strengthening his resolve for the challenge ahead. Years of combat experience had taught him to trust his instincts, and as he rose to his feet, he knew this time would be no different.

In a swift motion, he delivered a headbutt, catching the sailor off guard, the impact sending jolts of pain through him. The sight of the sailor staggering back, clutching his bleeding mouth, was enough to ignite Grober's determination. Seizing the opportunity, he swiftly followed up with a powerful punch to the man's midsection, sending him sprawling to the deck. In one fluid motion, Grober reclaimed the Lazarus Stone, clutching it tightly in his hand.

His heart pounding in his chest, Grober knew he had to escape the ship and avoid the impending wrath of the Captain. Without hesitation, he hurled himself overboard, plunging into the frigid embrace of the harbour waters. The icy shock jolted him awake, and with powerful strokes, he propelled himself towards the shoreline.

Chapter 2

Usla's heart raced like a war drum in her chest as she and her younger brother, Caeb, darted through the bustling marketplace of Fayhaven. Each beat reverberated through her, a call to fight for their survival. The cobblestone streets beneath their feet were slick and treacherous, but they had to navigate them swiftly, outpacing the dangers that pursued them. The marketplace buzzed with a cacophony of noise, a blend of scents filling the air - spicy, fresh, and sweaty. But to Usla, it all faded into the background. Right now, their sole focus was escape.

'Stop those thieves!' The enraged cry echoed behind them, emanating from the rotund merchant whose purse Caeb had snatched. The merchant's crimson face contrasted starkly with his now-empty purse, his shout like a herald's trumpet, commanding the attention of the entire marketplace.

Usla's heart sank as the gravity of their situation dawned on her. Caeb had broken one of their cardinal rules of survival in this rough town: never get caught stealing. It was a lapse in judgement that could cost them dearly. 'Why did you have to be so reckless, Caeb?' she hissed, tugging him along as they weaved through stalls teeming with vibrant fabrics and glistening trinkets. Usla's once neatly braided auburn hair danced around her face, mirroring the chaos around them.

Caeb's face flushed with guilt and embarrassment. 'I... I didn't think he'd notice, Usla,' he stammered, gasping for breath as they pressed on.

As they manoeuvred through the labyrinthine marketplace, they passed an array of mediaeval stalls. The clang of blacksmiths' hammers against metal merged with the scrape of woodworkers' tools on timber. The tantalising aroma of freshly baked bread intermingled with the scent of savoury meat pies and spiced pastries. Fayhaven was alive with its tumultuous, vibrant spirit - a tapestry they couldn't savour at this moment.

Suddenly, their path was obstructed by an unsteady figure. A drunken man, reeking of cheap ale, swayed in their way, blocking their escape. His crooked grin revealed a row of yellowed teeth. He reached out and grabbed Caeb with an unexpectedly strong grip, relishing in their predicament. Usla's heart leapt into her throat. They couldn't afford to be separated, not here, not now.

With growing panic, she tried to free Caeb, but the drunkard's hold was unyielding. He seemed to find perverse amusement in their struggle, tightening his grip and causing Caeb to wince. In a desperate move, Usla seized a handful of pepper from a nearby spice stall and flung it into the man's face. The man responded with an explosive sneeze, yet his grip on Caeb only momentarily wavered.

Usla's mind raced as seconds ticked away. They couldn't afford to be caught, not when the consequences were so dire. She had heard the stories - tales of children their age locked away, beaten, or worse. The thought of Caeb, only ten years old, being sentenced to toil under the ruthless sun, working on a ship in harsh conditions, sent shivers down her spine. And as for herself, at thirteen, she didn't dare to fathom the fate that might befall her.

Driven by sheer desperation, Usla summoned her strength and delivered a swift kick to the man's groin. He yelped in surprise, his grip finally loosening as he crumpled to the ground, doubled over in agony. With a grateful sigh of relief, Usla grabbed Caeb's hand and pulled him away from the incapacitated drunkard. They sprinted down a narrow alleyway, their breaths coming in ragged gasps, their hearts pounding like wild horses. They needed to lose themselves in the maze of side streets, alleys, and hidden paths they knew so well.

Usla took the lead, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings for any sign of their pursuers. The rhythmic thud of their footsteps echoed off the stone walls of the buildings that flanked them, a chilling reminder of their desperate flight. Spotting a stack of empty crates beside a baker's stall, she veered towards it, dragging Caeb along. With a swift boost from the crates, they scrambled onto the rooftop, leaving their pursuers to navigate the ground below.

From rooftop to rooftop they bounded, their small frames blending with the shadows. The wind whistled in their ears, tousling their hair and clothes as they leapt with agile grace. Below them, the marketplace continued its usual hustle and bustle, blissfully ignorant of the life-or-death chase unfolding above. The shouts and cries of their pursuers, though growing fainter, lingered in their ears, a haunting reminder of the danger they had narrowly escaped.

As they neared the edge of the marketplace, Usla's sharp eyes caught sight of a large haystack piled against a stable. It was a risky move, but if they could make the jump, they would disappear from sight, hopefully out of mind. 'Trust me,' she whispered to Caeb, squeezing his hand for reassurance.

Together, they took the leap of faith from the rooftop. Time seemed to slow for a heartbeat, and then they crashed into the soft straw, their fall cushioned by its thickness. Usla held her breath, waiting, listening. The seconds stretched into eternity as they lay hidden, the straw prickling against their skin.

When the sounds of pursuit began to fade, Usla dared to let out a sigh of relief. She turned to Caeb, who was staring back at her, his wide eyes still filled with fear. 'I'm sorry, Usla,' he whispered, his voice trembling. 'I'll be more careful next time.'

Usla fought back a wave of anger and frustration. Now wasn't the time for blame. They had escaped, they were safe, and that was what mattered most. She pulled Caeb into a tight embrace, comforting him in the sanctuary of the haystack. 'We're okay, Caeb. We made it,' she murmured, her voice filled with a mixture of exhaustion and relief.

Caeb returned the embrace, his small frame trembling against her. For all their hardships, he was still just a child, thrust into a world that demanded too much from him. Usla felt a surge of protectiveness and a renewed determination to shield him from the perils that lurked within the shadows.

Gently disentangling themselves from the haystack, Usla brushed off the clinging straw, her thoughts drifting to their absent father, the man who had abandoned them to this life. Today's close call was a stark reminder of the dangers they faced daily. They deserved better than this.

'Come on, Caeb,' Usla said, mustering a small smile. 'Let's see what you managed to snag.' Caeb reached into his pocket and retrieved the heavy leather purse, its weight promising a fruitful haul. A glimmer of excitement sparkled in his eyes as he held it up. 'Last one home is a rotten egg!' he exclaimed, his youthful exuberance returning as they dashed off into the distance.

Usla chased after him, the echoes of their laughter blending with the morning's lively sounds. Despite the close call, they were still together, still surviving. Maybe today would be the start of better times for them.

Chapter 3

Cold and biting, the water clawed at Grober as he struggled through the sticky clay along the shore. Each step felt like a Herculean effort, with the weight of his soaked clothes dragging him down. Yet, he fought against the resistance, his sheer willpower propelling him onto the water's edge. Collapsing onto a bed of reeds on dry land, he found solace in their gentle rustling, a welcome relief from the ordeal he had been through.

Exhausted, Grober lay still, closing his eyes to steady his ragged breath. His heart pounded in his ears, a harsh reminder of his mortality. The smell of wet clay evoked memories of battles long past—his younger self fearlessly charging into the fray, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. The echoes of clashing blades and the weight of fallen comrades etched indelible impressions on his soul.

Opening his eyes, he pushed those memories deep within, wondering when his luck would eventually run out. He held the Lazarus stone up to the light, examining it closely. How times had changed. Once, he had been a young warrior, fearlessly engaging in battle, his sword a symbol of his prowess. Now, he found himself lying in mud, nursing a fragile head from a night of revelry, all for the sake of a stone. His gaze swept over the stone's surface, tracing the intricate markings with his thumb. At first glance, it seemed unremarkable, save for the glimmering flecks that sparkled within and the delicate silver holder.

Allowing the stone to sway on its silver chain, caught in the gentle breeze, Grober couldn't help but feel a pang of disbelief. The concept of a rock capable of resurrecting the dead seemed like a mere fairy tale when he first heard it. And yet, here he