Teraglen: The Journey Begins: Teraglen, #1

By B.W. Walters

A secret land with a disturbing past. A growing threat lurking outside its borders. An unknowing voyager stumbles upon his fate – and he can't turn back...

The lost land of Teraglen is far from being lost. It lies beyond the ocean, on the very edge of the earth – a secret realm, where monarchs rule from their thrones, protectors and protectresses defend the five cities against the East, and fly-darks and fly-lights, loyal beasts of war and transportation, guide their masters. The last thing the Teras need is for an outsider to arrive – but he does – and his name is Daniel Marx.

 

An audacious, young explorer from England, Daniel is determined to live up to his famous father's legacy. Ironically enough, discovering Teraglen is an accident (being led off course is easy enough when you're born curious).

 

Unbeknownst to Daniel, Teraglen's enemy is awaiting his arrival. Daniel's curiosity leads him closer to the East, and he quickly finds himself on a dangerous quest – one he did not sign up for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: B.W. Walters
• Release date: Sep 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798218244545

Book preview

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Copyright © 2023 by B.W. Walters

www.bwwalters.com

Copyright © 2023 by Brittany Walters

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 author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

First edition

Edited by Lynda DuBois

Cover Design by ebooklaunch.com

Logo design by Pixarts Studio (pixarts.net)

ISBN 979-8-218-15658-9 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-218-24454-5 (ebook)

Excerpt from I saw a ship a-sailing by Beatrix Potter. Public domain.

Published by Howling Owl Books in the USA

www.HowlingOwlBooks.com

To my readers:

Everyone seeks adventure. I pray you find it here, as I have. May you believe in the impossible. May you believe in Teraglen.

Chapter One

"W here are we going?"

Come on. I’ll show you.

Daniel followed behind his father, Jonathan, as they stepped out into the night. The sound of the laughter and conversation of their guests faded as they walked further from their mansion. Daniel was seventeen today, and it seemed his parents had invited all North Yorkshire. Daniel had little control over the guest list for his party, but he wouldn’t complain–the rich always gave the best gifts.

Before he left the party, Daniel had glanced over at his mother standing in the center of the dining room in front of a small crowd of people. She must be doing something embarrassing, he figured. If she was not telling a story dramatically, then she was imitating a public figure or socialite (who was most likely at the party). She always embarrassed Daniel. It’s not her fault, he thought. She wasn’t born into wealth.

As Daniel and his father traveled down the stone walkway that wrapped around their house, the heels of their shoes echoed against the pavement. The night was quiet. The crescent moon shone low, brightening the grey tile on the roof of the house. Daniel’s father held two lanterns in his hands, and he handed one over to Daniel. In a nearby pasture, a pair of brown Morgan horses awaited them, grazing among the other mares and stallions. Jonathan took hold of their reins and handed a set to Daniel. Let’s go for a ride, he said. They mounted the horses, hung their lanterns, and brought them to a trot alongside each other.

Bea, Daniel’s horse, had belonged to him since birth. The mare’s sleek, thick mane harbored streaks of white among its dark strands. Daniel learned horseback riding from his private trainer while his father was on voyages. For months at a time, Bea was all Daniel had to confide in.

When his father returned, he taught Daniel everything there was to know about the art of sailing. He took him on voyages and showed him how to captain a ship. Daniel became his father’s apprentice. To Daniel, Jonathan was a father and a master, a leader, and a friend.

Jonathan glanced in his direction. You know your mother used to accompany me on my expeditions?

Really? Daniel said. Aren’t women on the ships bad luck?

Only if the woman is bad luck, his father winked. He picked up his horse’s speed, bringing him to a canter. Daniel followed.

The night air brushed cool against their skin. They rode across the green fields, through the tall trees, nearing the coast. Jonathan slowed his horse to a walk, pulling on the reins. Then, halting the animals, he and Daniel swung their feet out of the stirrups and landed on the grass.

Close your eyes, Johnathan said as he glanced over his shoulder.

Daniel closed them. Shortly after, he felt a jolt on his shoulders – his father’s firm hands leading him forward. As they walked, the air turned chilly; the terrain beneath their feet grew rugged.

Are we there yet? Daniel’s voice echoed against the damp walls.

Almost.

This feels like some kind of initiation, Daniel thought. He tilted his head up, hearing dripping sounds coming from above them. Water. He stumbled along further, keeping his eyes closed. Soon, they came to a stop.

Alright, his father said, Open your eyes.

Daniel opened them.

They stood in a cavern. In front was a large ship, floating beside the rocky trail of the cave. Daniel lifted his neck. At the head of the ship, the figurehead of a roaring lion rested boldly on the prow.

This was your grandfather’s ship, then mine, Jonathan said, shining his light from his lantern.

Daniel ran his fingers beneath the letters on the side of the ship. Armageddon. The bold letters in white stood out against the dark wood. Daniel remembered his father’s stories about his ship. The Armageddon was strong. Swift. Its white sails, for having been exposed to the coarseness of the wind, still looked pure.

When I was little, your grandfather would come home from his expeditions with many stories – some bizarre. I remember wishing I could be there to witness every struggle; every triumph.

Jonathan turned to Daniel. Did I ever tell you why your grandfather named this ship ‘Armageddon?’

Daniel shook his head anxious to hear the story.

He was on his way to explore Australia’s west coast. There was only one problem: your grandfather hadn’t yet named his ship. ‘I am waiting for the right name,’ he would tell those who inquired. While he was at sea, dark clouds began to form in the sky. The wind and rain became heavy and lashed against him and his men. The waves beneath his ship became a supernatural battleground. There was a great pulling from the depths of the ocean—one that man could not fight. The waters tried to devour your grandfather and his crew. But, in the end, it delivered them from its wrath. God saw them through and led them to victory. Every man survived and went home to their family that night.

Daniel could visualize everything as his father spoke it. His father had always been a wonderful storyteller.

His father continued, "Your grandfather wanted to always remember the battle that was fought that day and their triumph over the enemy. ‘Armageddon.’ That would be the name of his ship. Each year on the anniversary of the great battle at sea, he shared his testimony with us: me, your grandmother, your Aunt Susan, Uncle Mark, Uncle Richard–except by request, no sooner–nor later–did he tell it.

Your grandfather trained me on this ship, Jonathan went on. When my turn came to be captain, I told my stories. Daniel, there was always a look in your eyes, from the time you were little–the same look your grandfather told me I had when I was younger. When the time came, I knew that you would experience the same pride that your grandfather and I experienced: the pride that comes with captaining a ship.

Daniel’s heartbeat raced. What does he mean? He can’t mean…

Daniel, my days with this ship are coming to an end. It needs a new master. He wrapped his arm around his son. After my next expedition, it’s yours. Happy birthday, Daniel.

Daniel’s mouth fell open. Breathless, he said, You’re giving me the Armageddon?!

With a wink, Johnathan said, Along with a few other things. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a golden device.

Your compass?

Johnathan attached the strap to Daniel’s wrist, like a watch. He then traveled the ship’s steps and disappeared below the deck.

Daniel expected a normal gift from his father, like a painting, a sculpture, or even a new sailboat – but his father’s ship? His late grandfather’s ship. Not even his gift from King Charles II this year could compare to this.

Johnathan returned to the deck holding another golden device – this one larger.

Daniel’s hands flew up, grasping his hair. Your telescope?

It’s all yours, Captain Marx, he said, handing the telescope to Daniel. Its weight tipped before balancing in Daniel’s hands.

Daniel laughed in disbelief. Captain. He would have to get used to hearing that.

My men will accompany you on your journeys: Huckabee, Farebanks, Pinkman… Jonathan stopped, thinking to himself. Who else? There’s Collings, Dutton, Hansford, Morrison…

Daniel stared at the compass and telescope in his hands. These items belonged to The Jonathan Marx. These items were famous. Maybe, they would make Daniel famous. Maybe–

–are you listening?

Daniel raised his surprised face to his father’s words, which had drowned beneath his excitement. Yes. I’m sorry, I just – I can’t believe you’re giving all of this to me.

You’ve shown your mother and me that you’ve earned it.

Are you sure you and mum were sober? Daniel asked, raising an eyebrow.

I can’t speak for your mother, Jonathan said with a laugh, But we are both proud of the man you have become.

Daniel always assumed his father would sell his ship at an auction once he retired. Daniel never imagined he would be the next captain. He looked up at his ship.

He still remembered being only twelve years old, when his father took him on his first voyage. His father had been around that same age, too, when his grandfather introduced him to voyaging. They had passed the Armageddon down from generation to generation–and soon, it would be Daniel’s turn. He was ready.

Chapter Two

As captain of his ship, Daniel had ventured out on three expeditions without the help of his father. He had also returned from each voyage with no news of discovery. On his first expedition, he traveled a longer distance–further than he could navigate. It was a miracle that he and his crew returned home after being lost at sea for several weeks. There was also when he and half of his crew got typhoid fever from rats infesting all the food on the lower decks. As a result, it forced the men to abort their voyage.

The people of England crowned Daniel the King of Unsuccessful Voyages–at least, in his mind. He wanted to find something new–something undiscovered. How could he call himself an explorer until he had a prosperous voyage? He had not yet found anything to explore. Still, Daniel swore to himself that he would not stop until he earned the name he was fighting so hard to keep: explorer.

Now age nineteen, Daniel prepared to set out on another voyage. His belongings were spread across the living room floor in boxes, and a large stagecoach awaited his possessions outside. The family home was spacious, with fancy decorations and furnishings in each room. On every wall hung portraits of Daniel and his family, striking noble poses in their finest attire.

Daniel had grown up to be reasonably handsome. His physique was average, and his complexion was fair. However, the freckles on his face and the redness of his hair had darkened since he was a boy. He blamed the sun for his child-like features–although his sister, Jane, who had never been on a voyage, bore the same resemblance.

As he began his familiar routine of feeding his goods to the carriage, his mother Catherine stayed busy in the kitchen, cooking breakfast for her family. His younger sister, Jane, had been helping her, but she eventually wandered off. She watched Daniel carry his belongings from the house to the stagecoach outside. Jane leaned against the wall, fidgeting with her long, dark green dress and the matching ribbon in her hair. Do you need help? she asked Daniel.

No. He lifted a heavy package from the floor and hurried past Jane. He soon returned with his hands empty.

Can I help you, anyway?

This is a man’s work, Jane.

Standing upright, Jane pushed several strands of her wavy hair behind her ears and searched for something to carry. She chose a smaller box and left for the carriage. Moments later, she came waltzing into the room with a look of triumph upon her face. Daniel hadn’t even noticed she’d left.

I think you should rename your ship, Jane said, wrinkling her pretty nose. ‘Armageddon’ is not very pretty. Maybe something like, ‘The Jane.’

Ha! Surely you would not want a ship to be named after you.

Why not?

Because– Daniel said through clenched teeth as he grabbed another heavy box. Jane accompanied her brother outside. –ships are filthy, he finished. He dropped his package into the stagecoach and began toward the house. Jane followed.

What was grandfather like? she asked.

Daniel heaved a sigh. Jane, why are you asking me this now?

In case I begin to wonder later, when you haven’t yet returned from your expedition.

I was seven years younger than you when he passed, he said. I don’t remember what he was like.

Not at all?

Daniel thought about it. He was nice, I suppose. Mum and Dad say he used to read stories to me.

What about?

Ships and sailors. And fictitious lands.

A memory settled in Daniel’s head. A modest brick house stood behind a low wooden fence. Inside, in the living room, sat a reading chair, and a wooden desk with a stack of books on top. The smell of his grandmother’s cooking filled the house as she prepared supper. Daniel could see his grandfather peering through the pair of spectacles resting on his nose. His fingers tremored a little as he held an open book against his lap…

"A ship, a ship a-sailing,

A-sailing on the sea.

And it was deeply laden

With pretty things for me.

There were raisins in the cabin,

And almonds in the hold,

The sails were made of satin,

And the mast it was of gold."

Gold? Daniel’s young eyes grew wide.

Yes, gold.

Go on, Grandpa!

All right, all right. He continued…

"The four-and-twenty sailors,

That stood between the decks,

Were four-and-twenty white mice,

With chains about their necks…"

The poem went on about the captain being a duck, Daniel remembered. How silly, Daniel thought. Ducks can’t sail ships.

When supper was ready, Grandmother would put dishes full of carrots, meat, potatoes, and peas on the table. Daniel never wanted to wash his hands. Instead, he would run away from his grandmother as she chased him around the room, flinging her hands into the air. Her aged face would tighten as she furrowed her brows. Daniel was always getting in trouble. Spare the rod, spoil the child, his grandmother always said. It was her favorite scolding to mutter.

Daniel had a favorite chair in his grandparents’ kitchen– facing the big window, where adventure lay beyond. He always imagined that a storm had taken over the sky, sending wind and rain against the flapping shutters. His plate transformed into the big, black ocean, and his carrots and peas were a crew of sailors who struggled to stay afloat in the stormy waters, and he, as their captain, would save them. He always wanted to be an explorer, like his father; and his grandfather.

One night, during supper, when Daniel’s imagination got the best of him, he saw his plate transform into the scene with the sailors in the water. What could Daniel do? If he picked the sailors up with his fingers, Grandmother would tell him to put them back. He couldn’t stand to see them drown, so he ate them quickly, putting them out of their misery. He glanced over at Grandpa, hoping that he wouldn’t be disappointed in him.

Grandpa must have felt bad about the sailors, too, because he turned pale. He struggled to his feet and Grandmother rushed to his aid. He pushed her away weakly and said he was fine. It must have been a mere case of seasickness, Daniel thought. Watching the ocean’s crashing waves had made Daniel feel a little sick, too.

Grandpa made his way to his bedroom and closed the door behind him. Daniel wanted to tell him he shouldn’t feel bad about the sailors; that there was nothing that could have been done to save them. So, Daniel waited for Grandpa.

But Grandpa never came back.

That night–his grandfather passed away–remained a vivid memory in Daniel’s mind. He didn’t like to talk about it. Daniel wished his thoughts away and continued to work, gathering boxes to take outside to the stagecoach.

Perhaps the reason why I don’t want to be a sailor is that he didn’t read to me. Jane sighed dramatically. How long will you be gone?

I can’t say, really. It depends on what I find, he answered.

What if you don’t find anything?

Then I will hope for better luck next time, he said. Then, to himself, he mumbled, As I always do. He reached for another package when small arms embraced him.

I don’t want you to go! Jane cried.

Daniel patted her back impatiently. I’ve gone on plenty of expeditions, Jane.

She sniffled loudly. I know.

Are you worried again that I will get lost?

She shrugged.

Well, you needn’t worry. I have the skills of an entire crew in my head.

Jane looked up at her brother. A faint smile struggled to appear beneath her tears.

Ask me anything when I come back, he insisted before grabbing another box and heading out the door. He was met by the sound of a horse’s steady footsteps and a carriage’s turning wheels approaching in the distance. He expected it was his father returning from wherever he had gone. His father had not mentioned to anyone where he was going when he left, and Daniel had been too busy to care, anyway.

He returned to the house to find Jane standing near the doorway. She swept her fingers across her wet eyes, smearing her cheeks with tears. I know what I want to ask you. She stood up tall, as though she were about to recite a monologue. What is the name of one of the stories that Grandfather read to you?

Daniel laughed out of surprise. How should I remember?

You said you had the skills of an entire crew in your head!

"Yes, the skills of an entire crew – not the memory."

But memory is a skill.

Well then, I suppose I lack that one, he said, throwing his hands in the air.

The rising irritation in Daniel’s voice could be heard from the kitchen. Jane, Catherine called, Stop bothering your brother and come help with breakfast.

Jane scoffed. Goodbye, she told Daniel disappointedly, as she headed to the kitchen.

Daniel let out a sigh of relief. He resumed his work and searched the room for another box to carry outside. He soon heard footsteps approaching the front door. The steps were slow as they dragged against the pavement. He knew they were his father’s steps.

Jonathan walked into the house. His mustache, once full, was now thin. He wore his dark hair past his shoulders – what was left of it, anyway. He was young, but illness had aged him. When Daniel lifted another box from the floor, his father said, Why don’t you hire someone to do that?

I can do it myself, Father, Daniel answered. He took the box he was holding outside.

Jonathan waited for him to come back before asking, "Who are the men who will be accompanying you? The