Today we have a sneak peek from author Pat Frayne’s young adult fantasy book, Topaz and the Evil Wizard (Book 1 of the Tales of Topaz the Yellow Conjure Cat):
Magic and mystery await parents and young adults on this mystical journey. The peaceful Kingdom of Knownotten has fallen on dark times. Fairy and Elf children are disappearing and no one knows why. Topaz, the last Yellow Conjure Cat, is determined to find out what has happened to the children and put a stop to it. Joined by friends, Topaz encounters many trials on this journey. Child and parent alike will be able to relate to the difficulties these characters have to overcome in order to accomplish their objectives and yet remain true of heart.
Topaz and the Evil Wizard is available from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and Smashwords.
And now, from Topaz and the Evil Wizard…
CHAPTER ONE
After a long restless night of too little sleep the dawn finally came. The young Fairy girl, Orange Blossom awoke to find she’d forgotten to take off her dress. She ran to Thistle’s room. She didn’t really expect to find him there. Nevertheless, it didn’t help to soften the disappointment she felt at seeing his bed had not been slept in. Their parents were out of town, and she wasn’t sure what she should do. Staying out all night wasn’t something her brother had ever done before. He would never leave her alone after dark to worry about him with their parents away. Besides, Thistle liked to eat. It wasn’t like him to miss a meal, especially his supper.
There was only one explanation she could think of that would account for her brother’s behavior. Something awful must have happened to him. He might be hurt and laying somewhere in the forest half-dead and unable to get help. Or maybe he had drowned while swimming alone in the lake that sat in the middle of the meadow. All sorts of dreadful thoughts ran through her mind sending her imagination on a wild goose chase of horrors. Being alone and having no one to talk to certainly didn’t help.
Orange Blossom decided to go out and look for Thistle. The meadow was the first place that came to mind. Thistle knew most of the animals there, and when his chores were done the meadow was where he spent most of his time. With no thought for a morning meal, she left the cottage hoping she might meet up with her brother somewhere along the path.
On the way there she couldn’t help but recall the scary tales their parents so often told about the Wizard of Scarford. He had once been the King of Knownotten. It was during his reign that many Fairy and Elf children had disappeared, never to be seen again. Everyone knew these old legends. They had been told and retold many times over to entertain and frighten each new generation of Fairy and Elf children. Just the same, the legends were true.
By the time she reached the meadow the young Fairy girl was close to tears. There was no sign of Thistle anywhere. The only tracks she’d seen on the trail were those that had been made by the animals. It was the same on the path to the lake. To make matters even worse, none of the animals she talked to had seen her brother the day before.
Where could he be? Orange Blossom thought, fighting back the panic she felt. The young Fairy was at a loss for what to do next, so she sat down on a large rock to think.
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A magical story, full of suspense and strong friendships that overcome evil powers. I recommend it to young and old alike.