Quests of Shadowind: The Grounding Stone

By L.A. Miller

Grounded for Life…by Demonic Forces

On the alien world of Shadowind, Logan and Mindy's journey to find their parents is cut short by a distress call. They return to their village and find their house destroyed…and all their friends have vanished. But the siblings also discover vital clues left behind by a mysterious riddle master. As Logan and Mindy begin their search, evil Lord Grieve—one of the most powerful Deep Shadows—builds a secret fortress. Together with his brutal robot overseers, the specter will launch his conquest of the realm from deep within his impenetrable citadel, protected against the only weapon that can kill him.

With help from a guide in this otherworldly dimension, the siblings decipher what they need. Now it's up to them to find it—then get to their tortured friends before it's too late. But all the while their twisting quest leads them ever closer to Grieve's deathtrap…

"Tense, well-plotted, and sure to fascinate readers of all ages, The Grounding Stone dives through space and other dimensions to pit Logan and Mindy Oakes against a dark, powerful enemy. The characters come alive through the words of L.A. Miller and capture readers' hearts. Definitely an author to keep your eye on."

—David Niall Wilson, author of The DeChance Chronicles and The Parting

"It's a wild romp with Mindy and Logan as they desperately look for clues
to free their friends enslaved by the insidious Dark Shadow Lord Grieve."

—Chuck Kelly, author of Legend of Otherland

"The Grounding Stone, book two in L.A. Miller's Quests of Shadowind series, is a fast-paced tale of adventure set on a truly strange world where the animals are robotic and mysteries abound. Equal parts science fiction, fantasy, and thriller, this book for young readers also contains a good dose of humor despite the serious problems that face its young protagonists—such as finding their missing parents and learning the nature of the world they inhabit. If your children love SF and fantasy, The Grounding Stone would be a fine
addition to their library (and parents will enjoy reading it too)."

—Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff, author of Rocket Boy and the Geek Girls, Shadow Conspiracy I & II, and Dragon Boys and Warrior Women

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.A. Miller
• Release date: Jul 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476376639

L.A. Miller

L.A. Miller has been writing for more than forty years. His backgrounds in science fiction, astronomy, technology, and classic literature inform his work, which has included novels, short stories, and music. He is the owner of Wood n Nails Music and lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with his wife and two dogs. Sky Shifter, The Grounding Stone, and Veil are the first three, respectively, of eight books in the Quests of Shadowind series.

Book preview

QUESTS OF SHADOWIND: THE GROUNDING STONE

By L.A. MILLER

(Book Two)

Terror and pit and snare await you, O people of the earth.

CHAPTER 1

Mindy fixed her gaze on the snow-capped mountains far in the distance. She had to. Watching her brother’s sloppy eating habits made her stomach lurch.

I would save some of that if I were you, she said. I don’t see any grocery stores out here.

Logan pretended to ignore his younger sister and took another bite of his summer sausage sandwich. With the crisp lettuce crunching in his mouth, he put the rest of the sandwich into its plastic bag, then stuffed it into his backpack.

I wasn’t real hungry anyway. I just wanted a couple bites.

His stomach suddenly released a ravenous growl, uncovering his lie. They had walked across the open prairie most of the day and had developed hardy appetites.

Who are you trying to kid, big brother? Mindy retorted. You’re always hungry.

Logan fell silent. He didn’t feel like talking. He just wanted to enjoy hiking through the sunny fields, using his Sky Shifter Staff as a walking stick.

The palm-sized walkie-talkie in the pocket of his shorts crackled. He listened for a voice, but none came. They had used the device to keep in touch with their friends back in the neighborhood. Earlier they had even been able to use it for a short time while inside Computerworld, Shadowind’s internal supply source.

When he and Mindy had left their village on foot, Logan had instructed their neighbors to stay behind. At least the two rows of houses provided some small safety. He had no idea what dangers may have lurked ahead while they searched for their parents. In their strange, new world, they had learned of evil Deep Shadows, mischievous Silhouettes, angry grizzly bears, and enormous, mechanical spiders that made people vanish with a blast of light. So far the giant ants they had encountered seemed practically oblivious to them and had even proven beneficial—they’d repaired Logan’s broken bedroom window.

Maybe we should contact them, Mindy glanced at Logan’s concealed walkie-talkie.

Again?

Yeah.

Logan sighed. We just talked to them an hour ago. If something changes, they’ll call.

Maybe we're like out of range or something. We’ve walked quite a way, you know.

Logan rolled his eyes. "It hasn’t been that far. I could probably look back and see where we were."

Why do you have to be so stubborn all the time? Mindy huffed.

Logan kept walking.

C’mon, Lo, Mindy pleaded. We might be out of range.

We might be running our batteries low. He would say anything if it achieved peace and quiet.

Mindy took in a quick breath. Do you think so? Maybe we should turn it off when we’re not using it. You know, to conserve energy. Maybe check the batteries. Do you know how?

Logan’s shoulders slumped. The batteries—or whatever—are fine.

But how do you know for sure?

A grumble vibrated on Logan’s lips. Because there’s a little green light on it. It was fine last time I checked.

But what about now?

Logan expelled a long breath as he dug in his pocket. He had grown tired of fighting her.

Here, he said, holding out the two-way radio. "You call them. Then you’ll see we’re not out of range and we’re not running low on batteries."

Mindy turned her nose up. I’m not calling them. Especially if you’re gonna be mean about it.

I’m not being mean. It’s just that—"

You’re hungry, Mindy interrupted. When you’re hungry, you’re crabby.

"If that was true, I’d be crabby all the time," Logan said with a grin.

Mindy smiled back. Another storm had passed over as quickly as it had begun.

At age fifteen (almost sixteen), Logan was Mindy’s senior by about a year and a half and as brother and sister, they argued a lot. He would have loved to say he won all the arguments, but Mindy’s intelligence in some areas exceeded his. On top of that, her feistiness and playfulness often left Logan insisting he was right even when clearly he was wrong. Mindy loved pushing Logan’s buttons and he stepped into her traps every time. Sometimes with both feet.

As Logan shoved the walkie-talkie back into his pocket, it sputtered to life. A stranger’s voice suddenly crackled across the airwaves.

Can anyone out there hear me? came a tired, monotone voice. I say, is anyone there?

Logan and Mindy stared at each other. The voice sounded like a full-grown man. To date the only adult person Logan had seen on Topside was a man with a pet bear—a very large, aggressive grizzly. No one else had seen him because they were too busy running for their lives.

Logan had suspected the man’s name was Aimery, and he might be the caretaker of Shadowind. While journeying inside the mainland’s mainframe computer, Aimery’s avatar had hinted at it. Well, at least the police chief hadn’t denied it. Mindy and Logan hoped to find him again soon. They wanted to know who had abducted them, their friends, and their entire families from earth. And why had they separated them from their parents? What purpose did that serve?

Wherever earth is, Logan thought. They had no idea how far away they were from the blue planet now. For all they knew, the asteroid called Shadowind might not even have orbited the same sun but roamed some distant galaxy. A frightful thought indeed. Logan couldn’t even comprehend a solution. Not now and maybe not ever. They needed help. They needed their parents.

I repeat, for the hundred millionth time, the male voice went on, can anyone hear me? Is anybody out there? Anybody at all?

Logan blinked hard and looked away from his sister’s round, brown eyes. Pulling the handset out of his pocket, he raised it to his lips.

Yeah, I hear you, he said. Who is this?

Oh, thank heavens! the voice responded. Finally a reply! Look here. I’m a watchman. I’m at Beaming Station Zero One Niner. I need assistance! I repeat, watchman needs assistance at Beaming Station Zero One Niner!

The man could have repeated his urgent message another hundred million times and neither Logan nor Mindy would have understood it. What was a watchman? What was a beaming station? And mostly, where was Zero One Niner?

Logan keyed the mike. Um, Mr. Watchman? I don’t get what you’re saying. We’re kinda new here. You’ll have to give us some kind of directions or something.

The radio fell silent for a moment. You’re not an anibot, are you?

Logan looked at Mindy and they shrugged in unison. No, I’m not. Name’s Logan. I’m one of the guys over by the lake…or ocean or whatever it is.

Mindy nudged her brother. Tell him we’re looking for our mom and dad.

Logan relayed the request and waited for a response.

Again the mystery voice paused, but this time for much longer. Fine. They could hear his disappointment. You’re not the help I was hoping for, but you’ll have to do. Tell me, what is your twenty—um, your location?

Logan looked at Mindy again and shrugged. "I don’t know. We’re standing in a big field. A really huge field. But what about our parents? Have you seen them?"

You said ‘we.’ Is someone else with you?

Yeah. My sister. After he said it, Logan wondered if he should have kept that information secret. They didn’t know who they were dealing with and if he was friend or foe. The voice could have belonged to a Silhouette or a Deep Shadow.

Is she older than you?

Logan crinkled his brow. What does that have to do with anything?

Look, the man said. I’m simply trying to improve my chances of getting help—preferably today. I’ve been tied up out here since early this morning, and to say the least my throat is rather parched. He coughed. If your sister can offer better assistance in a more timely fashion, then I would prefer speaking with her.

Logan didn’t know if he should take offense or not. The man was rather belligerent for someone in desperate need. Perhaps his plea would entice them into a trap.

Before Logan could respond, Mindy snatched the walkie-talkie from his hand.

This is Mindy, she said into the mike. How may I help you?

The voice sounded silky smooth. I am trying to ascertain your whereabouts, my dear young lady. As you look around, do you see a tower? A tall metal structure with a large dish mounted on top?

Mindy whirled around. Logan joined the search despite having grown tired of the man’s insults and Mindy’s domineering attitude. After circling a few times, he shaded his eyes with his hand and pointed to the southeast with the other.

There it is! In the distance, beside a stand of trees that lined the beach, rose a tower not much taller than the thin forest.

Mindy keyed the mike. We see it.

How far is it? the man asked.

Mindy hesitated. Logan snatched the radio back. A good mile or so, he said. Competing in high school sports had made him a pretty good judge when it came to distances. It’ll take us… It’ll take us a half hour or so to get there.

The radio crackled. Please hurry. I’m dying of thirst.

Logan gave a quick nod. Right. We’re on our way.

Mindy looked at her brother. It won’t take us that long to get there.

No, it won’t, he agreed. And it’s less than a mile, too.

So what’s up? You have a plan?

Yep, he said, stuffing the radio into his pocket.

We’re going to swing around, using the trees as cover.

Yep, Logan said, angling toward the beach.

Mindy fell in beside him. So we can sneak up and see if there really is someone in trouble.

That’s right. And, Logan added, holding up a forefinger for emphasis, we’ll get there sooner than he expects. Double protection for us.

Looking at the tower, he thought, We might need it.

CHAPTER 2

Logan peered between the trees as he walked, trying to keep the tower in sight. As they drew nearer, he switched off his walkie-talkie—if the man called back, he didn’t want the sound of the two-way radio to reveal their location.

Mindy, walking beside her brother, hoped the stranger would look for them across the open field, not in the forest. She wanted to get a good look at him before he spotted them. She needed to make absolutely certain the distress call had been genuine.

Logan imagined he was a soldier creeping through the forest on a covert special ops mission. He crouched and pulled Mindy down with him.

I think we should separate, he said softly. In case this is a trap and one of us gets caught, the other can run back and get help.

They had already walked for many hours. By the time either of them could return, disaster—even death—might claim them.

Mindy clutched his arm. Lo, you’re scaring me!

Logan patted her hand. It’s just in case. Plan B. You know, a precaution. He forced an encouraging smile. Don’t worry, Min. Nothing’s gonna happen. Our plan is good. No one knows we’re here. Now, he continued, shifting his weight, you head over to the right. I’ll go left. Stay low and walk as quiet as you can, but stay in eye contact with me. When you’re close enough to the station and the coast is clear, nod to me. If it looks good from my angle, I’ll nod back. Then I’ll call out to the guy and we’ll take it from there. Sound good?

Sure… Mindy stared into space, her mind lingering on the dangers. Min? You with me or not?

Mindy blinked. Could you repeat that? You lost me.

Logan sighed and echoed his instructions.

What if it looks like a trap? she asked. Then what do we do?

We fall back and meet here. Once we’re far enough away, we’ll figure something else out. Maybe we just have to avoid this area and look for Mom and Dad someplace else.

Mindy finally released his arm. Okay, she whispered and nodded. She wanted to keep the plan simple. Let’s do it.

Right. Logan nodded too. Go ahead. I’ll be on your left. And remember: stealth is key.

Like I don’t know that, Mindy thought. If her heart had been beating like a tom-tom before, now it pounded like an entire drum kit. She crouched low, staying as light on her feet as she could. When she had a good view of the beaming station, she got down even lower and hugged a tree. The station sat on a concrete slab, nothing more than a triangular tower and a few large, metal housing units. It rose above the trees, thirty feet or more. Mounted atop it were two satellite dishes. Bound at the base of the tower was a man slouching wearily. Someone must have overpowered him and tied his hands to one of the posts.

Cr-r-RACK!

Logan was focused so intently on the station, he failed to see the tinder-dry twigs beneath his shoes. They exploded like gunfire. Mindy cringed. The sound could have roused the dead—and every living thing within a two-mile radius. Her heart plummeted, all her hopes of secrecy crushed.

Who’s there? cried the imprisoned man. Logan, is that you?

Mindy’s eyes burned twin holes into her brother’s skull. He hung his head in defeat and slumped against a tree.

The stranger called out again. I say, Logan is that you? Are you out there?

Mindy sighed. She looked at the helpless man and wondered, Could it be Aimery? The voice sounded so familiar. But she dismissed the notion. Nah, couldn’t be. At least the man didn’t seem like a threat.

Yeah, it’s me, Logan called back. Hang on. We’ll be right there.

Nice going, big brother, Mindy said.

I couldn’t help it. How was I supposed to know there was a stupid twig there?

A twig?. Sounded more like a landmine.

Yeah, Logan agreed. It kinda did.

Well, next time be more careful.

Mindy winced. She was beginning to sound like her mother. She missed her so much! Mindy wanted so badly to find her parents and go home. But she had more pressing tasks to perform, starting with freeing this desperate prisoner and giving him something to drink.

Together the siblings pushed through the last of the trees until they emerged onto the concrete slab. Now that they could clearly see the watchman, they couldn’t believe their eyes. He wore a plaid suit coat—and Mindy was sure she’d seen it before.

Detective Danby? she blurted out. Is that you?

Danby the Manby! Logan added.

The two sprinted gleefully to their friend. They had met him in Computerworld and joined forces to find the Staff of the Sky Shifter. Since avatars had to remain inside the computer, Logan and Mindy knew this Danby was the real one.

How do you know my name? And my nickname? The watchman looked at them with a blank stare. Never mind that now. Get me loose! I can’t stand being tied up another minute.

Logan gently dropped his staff and looked at Danby’s hands. They were bound with bicycle cable and secured by a padlock. After clutching his two-way radio for hours, Danby finally allowed it to topple from his tired hands. The walkie-talkie looked identical to Logan’s—an octagon with a flared handle.

Do you have the key somewhere? Logan asked.

If I had the key, Danby said, I wouldn’t be in this sticky mess, now would I?

No, I suppose not, Logan said with a sheepish shrug.

They tossed it somewhere over there. Danby pointed with his nose toward the field.

With one look at the thick, tall grass, Logan and Mindy knew they would never find it. Undoubtedly Danby’s captors didn’t want anyone to find the key…ever.

Mindy cast her troubled eyes on the lock. We’ll have to figure out another way to open it.

Logan pursed his lips. "Hmm. It’ll probably be easier to cut the cable. He whirled around. Is there a saw or wire cutters around here?"

I’m afraid this isn’t a hardware store, Danby said with a heavy sigh. "Don’t you have anything to cut it with?"

Logan removed his backpack and tossed it to the ground. After digging past a few sandwiches and bags of chips, he found what he was looking for: a pocketknife. However, disappointment cut through him when he realized how tiny the blade was. Thin, and an inch and a half at most.

Mindy shook her head of dark hair. It’s too small, isn’t it?

Danby averted his gaze. Please tell me you have something a bit better.

Slowly Logan placed the knife back into his pack. His paused in futile thought. Suddenly, light dawned across his face like a noonday sun peeking between storm clouds.

I know! I’ll use my staff! He bent to pick it up.

Danby eyed the Staff of the Sky Shifter. Do forgive me, but that old thing? I’m sure it would snap in half if you tried to pry open a wet paper sack.

"I’m not going to pry the cable apart, Logan said, holding the staff aloft. I’m going to blast it apart."

Whoa, Lo, Mindy said, holding her hands out. Are you sure about that? I mean, you haven’t had much practice with that thing. Are you sure your aim is good enough?

Sure it is! Logan grinned. He gazed at the staff and its ornate headpiece. There’s nothing to worry about.

Danby looked puzzled. "What do you mean by ‘blast it apart’?"

Don’t you remember? Logan asked. I used it to blast the virus in the computer.

And then the Sillies up here, Mindy added.

Virus? Sillies? Danby seemed confused.

Yeah, Logan said. The computer and the Silhouettes. Don’t you remember? You were standing right there. Well, when we were inside the computer anyway.

Inside the computer, Danby repeated.

Yeah, Logan said.

With the Sillies, Danby added.

Mindy jumped in. "No. They were outside the computer—by our houses."

Oh, yes, Danby said. I meant to say ‘the virus.’

Right! Logan said. Now you remember!

I’m sure I don’t know what the devil you’re talking about! the watchman exclaimed. It’s all gibberish to me. A bunch of mumbo-jumbo nonsense. Ooey-gooey gobbledygook. Ickity-bickity—

Alright, alright! Logan said. We get the picture!

Danby paused to collect himself. "Look. Just do whatever you must do to cut me loose. I need to report this attack as quickly as possible."

What attack? Logan asked.

Mindy nudged him. Free him first.

Okay. Logan steadied the staff.

But be careful, she warned, again sounding like her mother.

Yes, Danby added, do be careful. If you can blast a computer with it, you can blast my hands too.

Logan stopped. I didn’t blast the computer, I blasted the—

Blast it all! Danby snapped. I don’t care what you blasted or didn’t blast. Just get on with it, dear boy. But do be mindful of my hands! He calmed down and added, I have need of them.

Yes, Mindy replied, trying to keep the conversation civil, we’re sure you do.

Logan looked at his sister. In response, she offered a shrug.

Quite, Danby agreed, finding the remark perfectly sensible. Carry on.

Logan took a deep breath to steady himself. Holding the staff in his right hand, he gazed up at the headpiece. He wouldn’t need to turn it. For reasons unknown to him, turning the headpiece adjusted the position of the sun and moon. It had proven very useful when battling the Silhouettes but seemed unnecessary in this situation.

He pressed the button below the headpiece. From the bottom of the staff a round, metal foot clicked out—the trigger mechanism. Whenever Logan tapped down on the staff with the trigger extended, the headpiece shot out an energy ray that fried its target. Logan nervously licked his lips. He had never fired at such a small target before. He needed to use extreme caution in order to hit the cable and miss Danby’s hands.

He aimed and tapped the staff on the concrete.

Bright light shot from the lens in the center of the headpiece. The beam of energy struck a nearby metal box, blowing off a side panel. It careened off the base of the tower with a crash. Mindy and Logan ducked for cover as it ricocheted back toward the top of the metal box, spinning wildly like a saw blade. The panel dislodged a cylinder that then tumbled end over end as it arced through the air. The cylinder caught the edge of a pulley, knocking it off its mount so it rolled like a tire until it struck something behind the metal box, tipping over a concealed bicycle. The bike clattered as it fell, landing on its horn, ending the mayhem with a loud HONK!

At least now Logan knew where Danby’s cable and lock had come from. Red-faced, he slowly arose from his crouched position. I meant to do that.

Mindy scowled.

"I did! Well, not exactly like that. But I aimed wide on purpose. I wanted to work my way closer. That way I could adjust my aim so I wouldn’t hit his hands."

Danby shifted his weight nervously. Perhaps we should reconsider our plan. That small pocketknife is looking much bigger about now. Besides, finding the key wouldn’t require much more than a year. Furthermore, instead of shooting my hands, you might get us all killed. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead. Finding oneself imprisoned, he added thoughtfully, is better than finding oneself dead.

I’m not going to kill anybody. I swear! Logan replied. I meant to shoot wide. Honest. Now, I’m going to take two more shots—one more to get my bearings, then the second to open the lock. Okay? Logan looked around. Are we good with that?

Mindy wasn’t sure and neither was Danby.

Logan threw out his free hand and let it fall to his side. "What other choice do we have? Unless you want us to go back to our ’hood and maybe, maybe find something to cut the cable."

Mindy chimed in. That’s no good. It would probably take a couple of days. It took almost the whole day just to get here. And I don’t think riding a bike through that grass will get us back any quicker.

Nobody touches that bike! Danby shouted. "It’s my patrol vehicle. I am personally responsible for its well-being. I will not have some—some delusional child gallivanting across the countryside on it. You’ve undoubtedly already caused it great harm with that staff of yours."

Man, Logan said. You sure aren’t as nice as the Danby inside the computer.

Was he bound to a tower? the watchman contested.

Logan shrugged. Well, no—

Then consider my present condition. Danby’s voice rose an octave. Do I need to point out that I have been stuck here all day while you have been free to roam about wherever you please? I’m hungry and I am thirsty, and in my weakened condition I am liable to say most anything—and nothing too pleasant at that. So if you are finished with your chattering, let’s just get on with it, shall we? He softened and added, Just proceed with caution, if you please.

Mindy toed the pavement with her shoe. The Danby in the computer had a car.

Why had she felt the need to stress that point at that exact moment? Was it a cutting remark to get even with the watchman for barking at them? No matter the reason, the thought of taking a pleasant drive on such a beautiful day sounded delightful. If the real Danby had owned a car, they could have swung by the house and brought back a cable cutter. Both siblings were too young to drive, but there was nothing but grass between them and the village. Logan had driven race cars on his computer. What was the difference?

Danby shifted his weight, trying to get comfortable. That may be so, he said. "Perhaps this computer twin of mine did have a car. And that might be one more reason why I’m so persnickety. Now, I must say, do get on with it, dear boy!"

Right! Logan said. Oh, Min. Could you pull his lock down a bit more? Then it won’t be so close to his hands.

Mindy hesitated for only a moment before complying. She tugged on the lock, pulling it several more inches from Danby’s curled fingers. He winced.

It’s not too tight, is it? Mindy asked.

That’s the least of my concerns, dear girl, he replied. But no, it’s not. Thank you for asking.

Mindy rose and stepped behind her brother. All set.

Logan nodded and lined up his next shot. After pressing the trigger button, he carefully tapped the staff down onto its hammer. A bolt fired out and scorched the concrete about a foot away from Danby’s hands, leaving a black, fan-shaped mark.

Logan gave a confident nod. Perfect! That’s right where I was aiming. Next shot, the lock. Ready?

Neither his sister nor the watchman acknowledged his query, nor did he expect any responses. He made a small