After a few seconds, her own vortex slowed and finally stopped. Marcelle staggered for a moment, trying to gain her balance. She looked down and patted her body, once again dressed in her black warrior’s garb. “How strange!” she whispered.
The other cyclone formed into a girl in a white dress and blue cloak. When her spinning halted, she looked at Marcelle and smiled. “We made it. You did magnificently.”
“Magnificently?” Marcelle looked at her hands. They were ghostly pale. “What did I do?”
Cassabrie laid her palm on Marcelle’s head. “Your memory will come back soon. After you do this a few times, you learn how to resist the brain scrambling.”
Marcelle blinked at her surroundings. She stood in a forest clearing with the sun breaking through low in the trees. A bird chirped somewhere in the branches, a familiar song. Dew covered the grass, and a shallow depression spoiled the pristine turf.
She pointed at the spot. “The gas tank was there.”
“That’s right,” Cassabrie said. “Very good.”
Marcelle lifted each foot in turn, sending new feeling into her tingling legs. “I was away, but now I’m home.”
“Excellent! Do you remember where you went?”
Marcelle closed her eyes. A flood of memories stormed through her brain—dragons, slave children with pails, Adrian chained to a stake, Zena pulling a sword from her own belly, the horrible pain at the cooking stake, and even vague memories of flying with Cassabrie.
“I was being executed,” she said. “I had chains wrapped around me, and I couldn’t escape. Adrian tried to save me, but I blacked out. I don’t remember anything after that except for flying with you.”
Cassabrie nodded. “Of course your memory is stricken. It’s such a frightening experience, very few of the promoted slaves remember. Some remember Arxad’s transport to the Northlands, as you have, but little else.”
Marcelle patted her torso again. “At least I survived.”
“In a way.” Cassabrie laughed. “If you could see your face, you might have a different opinion.”
Marcelle touched her cheek. “What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say that you don’t have your usual rosy color. When absorbing the elements to gain a body here, it’s hard to get a blush without real blood flowing through our veins.” Cassabrie touched Marcelle’s sleeve. “You did a great job with your clothing, though. You must have a powerful mind to get it right the first time. It’s too bad you lack experience or else you could have created a sword as well.”
“I … I don’t understand.” A chill ran along Marcelle’s skin. She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. “What are you talking about?”
“Just as with the promoted slaves,” Cassabrie said, “the reflections sphere drew your spirit out of your body. Since Arxad was less vulnerable to my storytelling, he sneaked out before Magnar recovered. Then he carried us to the Northlands, and we helped you transport back to your home planet. Before we left, I explained how to reconstitute your body when you arrived here, and you followed my instructions beautifully.”
More fuzzy memories filtered into Marcelle’s brain, including Cassabrie’s serious expression as she explained the reconstitution process only moments ago. Marcelle rubbed her hands up and down her arms. “So this isn’t my—”
“Real body?” Cassabrie shook her head. “Adrian rescued your body before the dragons could eat it. That’s what they do to the others once the spirits are removed. You are dwelling inside the body your mind conjured, and now that you’re on your home planet, you constructed it from the materials here.”
Marcelle shivered harder and pressed her hands against her stomach. All the amazing revelations seemed to pour acid into her gut, if there really was a gut in there. “So Adrian has my corpse?”
“I’m not sure if your body survived or not. I couldn’t be certain, but it didn’t appear to be breathing. If it did survive, it would be no more than living flesh hanging on bones. It might walk and respond instinctively to stimuli, but the real you wouldn’t be there. I wonder if Adrian would even know the difference.” Cassabrie lifted a hand to her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I mean Adrian might think it’s the real you and that your brain has been damaged.”
Marcelle frowned. This girl was quick, real quick. “Why did you bring me here?”
“To get help. Now that you have seen how powerful the dragons are, you must realize that you and Adrian can’t do this alone. Go to your governor. Tell him what you have seen. Perhaps your ghostly appearance will be convincing enough.”
Marcelle tapped her chin with a finger. “Prescott might believe, but I’ll have to avoid Orion. If he sees either one of us, he’ll think we’re witches of some kind.”
Cassabrie backed away a step. “I am not going with you. Adrian is still in great danger, so I have to return to see if I can help him. His father is well now, and he and I will venture out to search the wilderness for Adrian. Without my help, I don’t think he will make it.”
“I understand,” Marcelle said, nodding, “but how will I return once I get an army together?”
“The portal will remain open.” Cassabrie turned toward the gas tank’s former position. As she extended an arm, her hand disappeared. “It is very dangerous to leave it this way, but I think we have no choice. Take note, however. When you return to the Northlands, you will again be a spirit. Your army will have to march behind a ghost; prepare them for that.”
Marcelle pushed her own hand through the portal. Hers, too, disappeared. She looked into Cassabrie’s eyes, so loving, so sincere. But was she? With her ability to hypnotize someone as strong as Adrian, might she be spinning a tale even now? Once they both went on their way, would she close the portal, trapping Marcelle in a world where she could be only an animated corpse? Did this Starlighter consider her a rival for Adrian’s heart?
Marcelle drew an image of Adrian in her mind, standing tall, then bowing in his typical chivalrous fashion. Of course, Adrian was a wonderful friend and the greatest of warriors, but would he ever see her as anything but a hot-tempered she-devil?
“I perceive doubt,” Cassabrie said. “Am I the reason?”
Marcelle nodded. “There’s no use lying about it. I know what you did to Adrian.”
Cassabrie looked at the ground. Her voice became soft and gentle. “I make no apologies for my actions. I have reasons for what I did, and I cannot tell them to you now.” Setting a hand over her heart, she focused again on Marcelle. “Yet, I vow not to indwell him again. You and I are now in the same condition, spirits without bodies. Nothing matters more than rescuing our people. With all my heart, I long to be your partner in the war against the dragons and their cruelty.”
Marcelle looked into her eyes again. She was so passionate, so convincing. Either her words were truly sincere, or this gift carried more power than even the most ardent skeptic could resist. “Adrian needs our help,” Marcelle said, extending her hand, “and I will be your partner.”
Cassabrie slid her hand into Marcelle’s and formed a gentle grip. “Until we meet again on Starlight.” Her smile as sweet as ever, she pulled away and glided into the portal. In a brief flicker of light, Cassabrie was gone.
Marcelle stood still for a moment. The birds stopped singing. Everything seemed as quiet as death itself. She eased closer to the portal and pushed a finger through. It disappeared. Yes, the door to Starlight remained open.
She frowned. Was it wrong to doubt? Did Cassabrie deserve complete trust? Maybe, maybe not. Her possession of Adrian seemed so self-serving at times as she turned his passion toward herself. Yet, at the end, he escaped and battled the most powerful of dragons alone. And why? To rescue the woman whose hot temper put him there in the first place.
Yes, that was true heroism. When he dropped his sword belt and walked out of the hovel to give himself up for those children, that was the most noble act of all—more chivalrous than a tourney forfeit, more courageous than battlin
g two warriors at once, and more loving than any romance Mesolantrum had ever seen. And Cassabrie was with him all along. Maybe there was a lot more going on inside his mind than she would ever know.
Mimicking Cassabrie’s voice, Marcelle spoke into the warming breeze. “I make no apologies for my actions.”
Then, touching her hip where a scabbard should have been, she spun and marched into the forest. “Now if I can just find a good sword.”
Cassabrie’s Song
Coming in 2011 from Living Ink Books
* * *
THE THIRD STARLIGHTER
(BOOK 2 IN THE TALES OF STARLIGHT SERIES)
Bryan Davis
* * *
Adrian and Marcelle continue their quest to free the human slaves on the dragon planet of Starlight. While sword maiden Marcelle returns to their home planet in search of military aid, Adrian stays on Starlight to find his brother Frederick, hoping to join forces and liberate the slaves through stealth. Both learn that reliance on brute force or ingenuity will not be enough to bring complete freedom to those held in chains.
For purchasing information visit
www.LivingInkBooks.com
or call 800-266-4977
* * *
Coming in 2011 from Living Ink Books
* * *
SONG OF THE OVULUM
(BOOK 1 IN THE CHILDREN OF THE BARD SERIES)
Bryan Davis
* * *
While in battle against demonic forces, brother and sister Joran and Selah, teenaged children of Methuselah, escape the great flood by transporting to a desolate world. Pursued by Tamiel, a seductive demon, Joran and Selah must reconstruct the portal through which they traveled, and each piece of the puzzle provides them with a glimpse into the post-flood world. Using their talents, they are able to influence events on their home planet, including the stories that readers know so well from the Dragons in our Midst and Oracles of Fire series. Because the demon constantly stalks them, every moment is filled with excitement and adventure.
For purchasing information visit
www.LivingInkBooks.com
or call 800-266-4977
* * *
The Dragons in our Midst® and Oracles of Fire® collection by Bryan Davis:
RAISING DRAGONS
ISBN-13: 978-089957170-6
The journey begins! Two teens learn of their dragon heritage and flee a deadly slayer who has stalked their ancestors.
THE CANDLESTONE
ISBN-13: 978-089957171-3
Time is running out for Billy as he tries to rescue Bonnie from the Candlestone, a prison that saps their energy.
CIRCLES OF SEVEN
ISBN-13: 978-089957172-0
Billy’s final test lies in the heart of Hades, seven circles where he and Bonnie must rescue prisoners and face great dangers.
TEARS OF A DRAGON
ISBN-13: 978-089957173-7
The sorceress Morgan springs a trap designed to enslave the world, and only Billy, Bonnie, and the dragons can stop her.
EYE OF THE ORACLE
ISBN-13: 978-089957870-5
The prequel to Raising Dragons. Beginning just before the great flood, this action-packed story relates the tales of the dragons.
ENOCH’S GHOST
ISBN-13: 978-089957871-2
Walter and Ashley travel to worlds where only the power of love and sacrifice can stop the greatest of catastrophes.
LAST OF THE NEPHILIM
ISBN-13: 978-089957872-9
Giants come to Second Eden to prepare for battle against the villagers. Only Dragons and a great sacrifice can stop them.
THE BONES OF MAKAIDOS
ISBN-13: 978-089957874-3
Billy and Bonnie return to help the dragons fight the forces that threaten Heaven itself.
Published by Living Ink Books, an imprint of AMG Publishers www.livinginkbooks.com ♦ www.amgpublishers.com ♦ 800-266-4977
Now Available from Living Ink Books
* * *
SWORD IN THE STARS
(BOOK 1 IN THE DARK SEA ANNALS SERIES)
Wayne Thomas Batson
ISBN-13: 978-0-89957-877-4
www.SwordInTheStars.com
www.DarkSeaAnnals.net
* * *
Haunted by memories of a violent past, Alastair Coldhollow wagers his life on the hope that a sword will appear in the stars and the foretold Halfainin, the Pathwalker, would come. Meanwhile, tensions simmer between Anglinore and the murderous Gorrack Nation, threatening war on a cataclysmic scale. The fate of all could rest on an abandoned child and the decisions of those who desperately seek to identify him. Sword in the Stars is the first release in The Dark Sea Annals series.
For purchasing information visit
www.LivingInkBooks.com
or call 800-266-4977
* * *
Coming Soon from Living Ink Books
* * *
SWORDS OF THE SIX
(BOOK 1 IN THE SWORD OF THE DRAGON SERIES)
Scott Appleton
ISBN-13: 978-0-89957-860-6
* * *
Betrayed in ancient times by his choice warriors, the dragon prophet sets a plan in motion to bring the traitors to justice. On thousand years later, he hatches human daughters from eggs and arms them with the traitors’ swords. Either the traitors will repent, or justice will be served.
For purchasing information visit
www.LivingInkBooks.com
or call 800-266-4977
* * *
Bryan Davis, Masters & Slayers
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