Kingdom

Susan Pennock

Description

Kingdom is searching. Margaret, stuck in a loveless marriage with her son as her only solace, enters Kingdom's magical realm through a picture on the wall. Unbeknown to Margaret she has just taken the first steps that will see her try and become Kingdom's saviour.Hiding in its mirror, the Darkness has been waiting, building its strength, raising its army. Now, inside a new host it is determined this time it will succeed.Upon entering Kingdom she meets many varied magicals and soon becomes aware that dark magic is on the rise. Thoughts of returning home invade her mind as she comes to realise this is not quite the place she expected it to beWatching her son being tortured is all too much to bear for Margaret and something deep and dark inside her is awoken as she and Kingdom's magicals battle to save the realm from the rise of the Darkness and its dark mistress.Can all be saved?

Sujets

• Fantasy (canción de Mariah Carey)
• Fantasy

Informations

• Publié par: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Date de parution: 09 octobre 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781800466784
• Langue: English

Extrait

Copyright © 2021 Susan Pennock

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers.

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ISBN 9781800466784

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FOR:
MUM, CHRISSIE, LEE
AND
THE JUMBLY BUMBLY BOYS
Contents
Prologue

Part I
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen

Part II
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three

Part III
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-Two
Chapter Fifty-Three
Chapter Fifty-Four
Chapter Fifty-Five


Prologue
Now its strength was returning, it needed a new host. Hearing the bell, it manoeuvred its mirror to the front of the Glasserium. Swelling in size, its glow dazzling, it blocked all others from view, making sure it was the first to be seen.
As the banishing spell was cast, fear and terror ripped through Monis, his pleas to his father ignored. Thick black tendrils began pushing into his body. He banged on the glass, mouth stretched wide as the Darkness claimed him for its own.



Part I


Chapter One
‘Margaret,’ said Dalil, as he grasped her hands, ‘you may at first feel a bit disorientated.’
‘How is this even possible?’ she replied, in wonderment, ‘if I turn back, it’s gloomy, in the distance, dark. If I look this way; bright sunshine.’
‘It’s the natural barrier between our realms. If someone should accidently stumble through, all they would see is an indistinct landscape.’
Excitement at being in another realm threatened to overwhelm her. As they approached the first buildings, eager to see the difference, her disappointment that they looked remarkably like the houses at home was acute, before noticing the strangest shaped tree she had ever seen looming skywards, stumbling in shock as what looked like hands waved at her.
Dalil laughed.
The leaves of a large branch ruffled her hair, tickling her under the chin. A warm breath caressed her cheek.
‘Welcome home.’
Confused, she looked around expecting to see someone standing next to her. A booming sound vibrated through her feet travelling up her entire body.
‘What’s that?’
‘Fingerling laughing,’ chuckled Dalil.

Sweeping her gaze across the room, Margaret noticed although bright inside, no obvious lights were visible. It certainly wasn’t coming from the windows, where not even a pinch of light appeared to show. Considering this was supposed to be a magical place, she couldn’t help thinking how plain and dull it actually appeared to be. Many of those gathered looked as equably unimpressed as she felt.
‘Guido,’ said Dalil, untangling himself from his brother’s hug. ‘This is Margaret.’
‘It’s good to meet you at last. May I, introduce Penny.’
Grasping Margaret’s hand, holding it tightly between her own. She barked questions out like a sergeant major.
‘Are you going to stay? Do you find it strange?’ peering at the brothers, she announced loudly, ‘you look exactly the same,’ all said without drawing breath.
Margaret laughed, which set Penny off. Unable to stop, her laughter turned into a bout of coughing, then into hiccups. Passing her a glass of water, catching a glance pass between Dalil and Guido, Margaret noticed how as she gulped it down, Penny’s hands shook.
‘Are you okay? You look pale.’
Locking eyes, the intensity of her gaze was making Margaret feel uncomfortable.
‘Do I know you? You remind me of someone,’ she snapped out sharply. Unsure of what to say in reply, Margaret smiled.

Watching them leave, Dalil knew Penny would not be allowed to attend any more meetings. She was too unstable. Instead of her picture being a portal. It would now become a watcher. Having magic in her or having been touched by it she would need monitoring.
‘I thought the point of being in Kingdom was for us to leave our unhappiness behind.’
‘Sometimes a person’s sadness is so deep, even here, it is impossible for them to rise above it. Her thoughts are muddled, she talks about searching for someone. At the same time she gives the impression she is talking about herself. Forever looking for something she cannot define. Penny doesn’t give herself a chance to actually see what or who is around her.’
‘What happens to her now, does she go back to her normal life? Aren’t you worried she may tell someone about Kingdom?’
‘Penny won’t remember her time here. Her memories will be wiped. Guido has had to step in several times when she has cross examined magicals. Demanding to know who they are? What realm they live in? What can they do? Even asking, if they remember her. You saw how she fired questions at you, her manic laughter. Penny has been doing it more and more lately. After consultation it has been decided even though her life in Novia may not be the best. At least there, she appears to be holding onto her sanity.’

Noticing the other greeters making their way towards the door. Margaret’s anxiety levels began to rise.
‘Don’t look so worried,’ said Dalil, ‘Elfrad will take you to the meeting. Then I will return and escort you back to your picture.’
Disappearing before she could form a reply. Glancing around it was apparent she wasn’t the only one feeling confused.
‘If you would all follow me,’ said Elfrad, smiling in reassurance as the portal took shape.
Pulsating with a ghostly blue glow the cold leeching from it felt by all, no one moved. Then, as if a collective agreement had been voiced. They all moved as one to enter the unknown.
A group of ladies chattered with excitement, Margaret followed in their wake, no excited feelings for her, instead the cold penetrated her clothes making her shiver as her stomach rolled. Funnelled into a straight line, they followed Elfrad. Passing through a long endless corridor one moment it opened out, then narrowed. The floor underfoot rolling slightly as they walked. Like being on a boat, she thought. The darkness inside the tunnel made her stumble into those in front. The chatter dying down as everyone concentrated on staying upright. The corridor finally started to become brighter as light began to penetrate it.
Shielding her eyes against its glare, unseen hands pushed her from behind, once again apologising as she fell. They were now in a chamber resembling a large round cavern with chairs arranged in a semi-circle. Taking their seats as directed she noticed like the house at the gateway, the walls appeared at first glance plain. Studying them more closely she discerned letters forming. Her eyes widened to see them chase each other across the surface, reforming into a word before jumbling up again. Tension filled the air as everyone strained forward wondering what was about to happen next.
Just as the meeting was getting interesting, Dalil and the other greeters appeared and began shepherding their charges towards a portal.
‘Why can’t we go back via the gateway?’
‘There seems to be some sort of emergency happening. Please don’t be concerned. I’m sure it’s something and nothing. You need to get your affairs in order before letting me know when you’re ready to cross.’
‘Talking to a picture, is a bit weird, even you must agree?’ giggled Margaret, at the madness of it all.

Dalil waved goodbye, breathing a sigh of relief to see her cross the beach and leave her picture. Hurrying away he passed the gateway at a trot, turning off into a side alley he headed towards a plain box like building tucked back as if in hiding. A door appeared as he walked towards it, stepping through, he felt the change in the air as it closed silently behind him.
‘Did Margaret get back okay?’ asked Elfrad, as they headed towards the meeting room.
‘Yes, safe and sound.’
‘Eldora has taken a special interest in her. Who will be her picture carer? I take it she is fully aware of the importance of who she chooses.’
‘She is going to ask her son Sam.’
‘When you go to speak to him check your surroundings thoroughly before entering the beach.