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Guardian of the Gauntlet
Guardian of the Gauntlet
Guardian of the Gauntlet
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Guardian of the Gauntlet

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Camari and Mila are two sisters who are princesses and live in the kingdom of Harroway. One day they encounter Prince Denir from the kingdom of Thalon. He was given a special gauntlet that has special powers, but only when used by one who has a belief in a higher power. One day he turns Camari invisible. A problem occurs when Denir is called off to war and Camari is left invisible. Also there are two villains who are conniving to steal the gauntlet. What ensues is a marvelous adventure.
LanguageEnglish
PublisherBookBaby
Release dateApr 27, 2013
ISBN9781626757882
Guardian of the Gauntlet

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    Guardian of the Gauntlet - Lenita Sheridan

    29)

    I. The Kingdom of Harroway

    In the kingdom of Harroway in the year three-hundred-and-eight of the second sun there lived two sisters, Camari and Mila. Camari was twelve and had tawny hair and large brown eyes like those of a young doe. She was pretty, but not beautiful like her older sister who was fourteen. Mila had shiny black hair and eyes the color of a midnight sky. Both sisters were slim and healthy from walking about in the woods behind the castle. The sisters were very close, especially since they had few playmates other than their servants, and living in such a poor kingdom they didn't have many of the latter, either.

    Harroway was a small kingdom, located just east of Palinoth. It was somewhat isolated during the winter when heavy snows made the roads impassable. The long winter made it difficult to grow crops, and Harroway had few natural resources. King Shandar and Queen Varice ruled the kingdom. Their two daughters, Camari and Mila, were given the freedom to roam about forest near the castle as they wished as long as they were back by suppertime.

    The girls played very well together and rarely became jealous. Their disputes were usually about who was right. There was the time Camari had spotted a small mammal and insisted that it was an Aril, a rare mountain rodent that could sometimes be found in colder climates such as Harroway's. Mila insisted that it was only a rabbit, but Camari was sure that the animal didn't have long ears. It had scampered away so fast that neither sister could confirm her belief. Both sisters were intelligent and loved to challenge each other. To increase the stakes and excitement of their disputes they often engaged in a wager. The prize was often a ride on Lassiter, the horse they both shared.

    The princesses' rooms were on the second floor of the castle, which housed about one hundred people; over half of these were the king's army and the rest were guards and servants. The castle had only two floors, excluding the upper battlements. The main floor consisted of a banquet hall, a kitchen, laundry and barracks for the guards and the king's army. The upstairs contained bedrooms for the royal family and their guests at one end and quarters for the upper servants at the other. The bedrooms were separated by another hall which served as a sitting room; a staircase lead down from it to the lower floor. Only the princesses' nursemaid, Renna, the housekeeper, cook, butler, and chaplain had chambers on the second floor. There was no dungeon or secret passageway beneath, which Camari often regretted because she loved to explore. Prisoners were a rarity, but if there were any, they were locked in one of the towers, which stood at each of the four corners of the castle. In fact, the only time Camari could remember there ever being a prisoner was when she was only four years old, and much of this memory was from having the story told to her by her parents and older sister. A stranger had come up to the castle one day and insisted upon seeing King Shandar. It was winter and the wind was blowing fiercely. The guard took pity on him, for Harroway was a kind and friendly kingdom, and let him in. Besides, King Shandar welcomed guests since Harroway received few visitors in winter, especially as cold a one as they had had that year. The man's clothes were torn and had holes in them, but he insisted that he was related to King Shandar by marriage, something like his wife's sister's husband's brother. King Shandar was sure he knew of no such relation, but seeing that the man was hungry and in need of shelter, bid the guards to let him stay in the barracks.

    A number of odd occurrences began to happen around the castle, for which no one could find a logical reason. Inanimate objects began to act in a decidedly mischievous way. For example, when the cook would try to slice an apple, it would move from her grasp. She never cut herself, but it was exceedingly frustrating. The grooms found saddling a horse particularly difficult when the saddle kept flapping about and would never settle upon the horse's back.

    The problem was, that when the king did imprison him, the occurrences kept happening, even though he was locked up and given access to nothing. He was even watched constantly. The king couldn't prove that this man, Sir Hansoff, had done any of the deeds, but he didn't have to; he was a king. So he had the man banished from the kingdom and they hadn't had problems of that sort since nor had they heard of the man again. If you wish to read more of The Tale of Sir Hansoff, you will have to wait, for that is another story, and now it is time to get back to the princesses and their castle.

    Instead of a moat, a high stonewall surrounded the castle with gates at the front and back. The wall enclosed a courtyard, which surrounded the castle. In the back part of the courtyard was a garden in the middle of which lay a pond containing nothing more exciting than a few toads and some tadpoles. Stone benches surrounded the pond; they were backless so one could either watch toads hop or gaze at the daisies or other wildflowers, which grew in the garden.

    Behind the castle was a forest filled with both deciduous and evergreen trees. These woods were a playground for Mila and Camari. They were playing Christmas there one day when they met Denir. The sisters had a tradition of bringing gifts of food for the small animals that lived in the forest. The weather had been mild for the past two weeks with temperatures of about ten degrees above zero Fahrenheit. On this particular day, the sun shone low in a clear sky. The snow had just fallen and the branches of the trees were heavily frosted. Now and then the branches would give with the weight of the snow, causing it to cascade down in a shower of flakes. The girls wore hooded woolen capes trimmed with fur. Mila had brought decorated cones filled with seeds and nuts and breadcrumbs for the birds and squirrels. She and Camari were hanging them on the trees when they heard a loud crack, turned around and saw a tall figure some feet away, covered with snow that had fallen off one of the branches.

    Camari shrieked: It's the Great Kimbali! Run! She started to run away when Mila grabbed her arm.

    Don't be ridiculous, said Mila, being the more pragmatic of the two. It's not a snow monster! But it's obviously someone. Let's find out.

    No, cried Camari, still shaking. If it's not Kimbali it could still be dangerous!

    It's not an it. I think it's a he.

    Denir had moved closer and heard the girls arguing. It is a he, he said, laughing loudly, and my name is Denir. He shook the snow from his head.

    Mila smiled and politely held out her hand. And I am Mila. It is a pleasure to meet you.

    Denir stepped forward and took her hand, bent over it and brushed it lightly with his lips. Pleased to make your acquaintance, my lady.

    Mila giggled, echoed by Camari, who was in awe of him. Camari envied her sister's ease in social situations. Her innate shyness was often a hindrance in these areas, but when she tried to be more outgoing she either made a fool of herself or felt badly about it afterwards. Her sister never had these problems. After too many unsuccessful attempts, Camari had given up trying to be like her and often remained quiet.

    It's Your Royal Highness, Princess Mila of Harroway, Mila said, regaining her dignity.

    And I'm Prince Denir of Thalon. He smiled.

    Some prince! said Mila as she noticed his snow-covered hair, which was beginning to drip with melted bits. Thalon, that's just south of here, is it not?

    Yes, said Denir, I know you have few visitors, being the northernmost kingdom.

    We don't get to travel much, either, due to all this snow. Mila spread her arms out, gesturing at the blanketed ground.

    In the summertime, Father takes us fishing in the lakes of Palinoth, added Camari, beginning to relax a little.

    He hasn't any sons. Mother says, as we're growing up, we ought to take on more 'feminine pursuits.' Mila said this last flippantly.

    Denir laughed. My parents have the opposite problem--they have only sons. My older brother, Hamil, just married Tanira of Bredin, so now I have a sister.

    Denir had been leaning against a stump as he was talking. Mila and Camari were sitting on a fallen log. It was not as sturdy as they had thought,

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