Ruby Rocksparkle: Her Wildly Incredible Adventure

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my precious grandchildren

And great-grandchildren;

You have always brought me so much joy and happiness!

Timothy, Lindsay, Corey, Danny, Carly, Kevin,

Jessie, Jimbo, Jay, Katie; Victoria and Lane

As each one of you goes through life,

May you be blessed with the strengths of faith, integrity and courage

To enable you to stand up for what is right and true!

Acknowledgements

Special thanks go to all my family members

Who encouraged and supported me in this endeavor,

Most especially my dear husband, Joe Loftus,

Who is taking an active interest in promoting this book,

And my sweet mother, Ruth Feldi, who has always

Believed I could do anything I set my mind to.

It is she who has made this book possible.

Thank you so very much, Mother!

Many, many thanks go to my talented son, Buzz Loftus,

Who did a super job building the RubyRocksparkle.com website.

He has also helped me through my many computer breakdowns.

There could not be a better, more loving and patient son than Buzz!

Special thanks go to my dear daughter, Cindy Affronti,

Who, although she lives three times zones away, was so willing to Pitch in and help with the final proofreading.

Our Cindy is well-known for always being ready, willing, and able to Help wherever help is needed. Thank you, Cindy!

I also want to thank my good friend, Paula Ghais

Who spent many hours helping with typing and editing,

And my dear daughter-in-law, and Buzz’s wife, Barbara Loftus,

Who was the first to test the story of Ruby Rocksparkle on their children.

Last of all, but so important to this project,

My sincere thanks go to the very talented Marlene Record,

Who did a spectacular job introducing Ruby to us through her

Beautiful illustrations that are found throughout this book.

Thank you, Marlene, for helping make this a book to be proud of!

Cast of Characters

The Rocksparkle Family Members

Ruby Rocksparkle – Our eighteen year-old Heroine

Jasper Rocksparkle – Ruby’s father

Jacinthe Rocksparkle – Ruby’s mother

Ruby’s Sisters – Twenty year-old triplets Amethyst, Emerald, and Jade; nineteen year-old twins Opal and Pearl; sixteen year-old twins Garnet and Topaz, and fifteen year-old Sapphire

Ruby’s Brothers – Twenty-two year-old triplets Zircon, Iolite, and Peridot, fourteen year-old Beryl, and twelve year-old Moonstone

Characters in the Kingdom of Felicitania

Prince Alano – Our twenty-five year-old Hero, also successor to the Felicitanian throne

King Flavian – Prince Alano’s Father and ruler of Felicitania

Queen Morgana – Prince Alano’s stepmother

Brina – Queen Morgana’s Lady-in-Waiting

Edric – Minister of the king’s treasury (currency)

Rothwell – The prince’s servant and bodyguard

Geraint – Friendly guard of the Dungeon Wart-Wing

Christabel – The Wart-Wing bathing quarters attendant

Evalina – Young woman in Wart Wing

Drusy – The witch who lives in The Forest of Secrets

Hermie – Driver of the black carriage

Jack-o – Occupant of the black carriage

Nate – Occupant of the black carriage

OTHER CHARACTERS FROM RUBY’S ADVENTURE

Kane & Gar – Highwaymen in The Forest of Secrets

The Kingdom of Paragonia:

Farmer Grinspoon, wife Anna, & son Phillip

Alexander Buzzby – The Duke of Beagleberry

Cee – The Duchess of Beagleberry

The King & Queen of Paragonia

The Sultanate of Sultania:

Sultan Omar Ameen of Sultania

Leila – The First Wife of the Sultan

The Women of the Harem

Hassan – Aide to the Sultan

Malik & Najib – Thieves

The Kingdom of Amitonia:

King Vardon – King of Amitonia

Queen Linnea – King Vardon’s wife

Prince Maximillian – Twenty-six year-old successor to the Amitonian throne

Huxley – King Vardon’s Man-at-Arms

Leonora – Daughter of a Duke

Dorinda – Daughter of a Viscount

Kamella – Daughter of a Marquess

ABOUT RUBY AND HER FAMILY

The story of Ruby Rocksparkle takes place in a long-ago, far-away world of the imagination……….

Many, many years ago, on a humble farm in the happy Kingdom of Felicitania lived a family by the name of Rocksparkle. The father’s name was Jasper and the mother’s name was Jacinthe.

At the time this story takes place, it was not unusual for a couple to have very, very large families, and Jasper and Jacinthe were certainly no exception. They were the proud parents of five sons and nine daughters.

Although having fourteen children was not considered extraordinary at the time, one could not argue with the fact that the Rocksparkles were definitely a most unusual and extraordinary family.

What made the Rocksparkles so different from the rest of the people in the kingdom was the fact that they were a family with an unusual number of multiple births.

Among the fourteen Rocksparkle children were two sets of identical twins and two sets of identical triplets. You can imagine just how confusing it might be for Jasper and Jacinthe to have all these look-a-like children running around the house.

It was well known in the countryside that life in the Rocksparkle household was never dull, for tricks were constantly being played by one or another of the twins or triplets, pretending to be their sibling. As a result of these tricks, the house was constantly filled with rollicking laughter.

There are many interesting stories that could be told about the amusing antics of the Rocksparkle children, but it would take a very long time to tell them, so all these fun things will have to wait for now.

In this story you will get to know Ruby, Jasper’s and Jacinthe’s eighteen-year-old daughter.

Now, all the Rocksparkle children are nice to look at. And there are many good things that can be said of each of them. They are obedient and loving and kind children. They have lovely manners and pleasant dispositions. And they are fun to be with.

But of all the children in the family, Ruby’s special qualities make her stand out. By anyone’s standard, Ruby is a beauty! Her mane of long, wavy chestnut hair frames a face whose complexion is as fresh as the dew. With her laughing eyes of bright blue, just a hint of blush pinking her cheeks, and a contagious grin, she is really quite lovely and appealing to all who look upon her.

However, her mischievous grin, and her strong sense of fun often give her parents cause to worry about what she might be up to next.

But anyone who looks into Ruby’s lovely expressive eyes can tell instantly that whatever fun she is busy concocting, it is always harmless mischief, and never, ever amounts to any kind of meanness.

It is simply Ruby’s nature to be an entertainer, and to make people smile and laugh. Certainly, she cannot help it if she has been born with this special gift! And those around her have never complained about the good feeling they have while in her company!

But Ruby also has a daring nature that sometimes leads her into adventures that might better have been left ignored.

Jasper and Jacinthe often remark that after Ruby’s birth the gray hairs on their heads multiplied at an alarming rate. Of course, Ruby always grins and promises not to give them any more cause for premature aging.

And she sincerely means it! She really does!! But, unfortunately, there are times when one becomes part of a perilous adventure, quite by accident!!!

That is what happens to Ruby in this story. I hope you will like Ruby Rocksparkle, and enjoy sharing her wildly incredible and totally unforgettable adventure!

Contents

Chapter One A fox, a team of horses, and a royal accident

Chapter Two The Rocksparkles visit the palace

Chapter Three Queen Morgana has a problem

Chapter Four A trip into the Forest of Secrets

Chapter Five Witch Drusy receives an insult

Chapter Six A new use for the Palace Dungeon

Chapter Seven A mysterious black carriage

Chapter Eight Ruby finds the missing women

Chapter Nine Prince Alano’s responsibilities

Chapter Ten Ruby gets a new identity

Chapter Eleven Ruby’s perilous adventure begins

Chapter Twelve The Grinspoons provide refuge

Chapter Thirteen Meeting The Duke and Duchess

Chapter Fourteen Dinner and a most unusual Concert

Chapter Fifteen The Prince’s horses become ill

Chapter Sixteen Ruby finds herself in a Harem

Chapter Seventeen Prince Alano makes new friends

Chapter Eighteen Danger threatens on the return trip home

Chapter Nineteen Prince Alano receives several surprises

Chapter Twenty The King learns of treachery in the palace

Chapter Twenty-One Justice is served, royally

Chapter Twenty-Two The Prince chooses a bride

What is Your Birthstone?

Glossary

Chapter One

A fox, a team of horses, and a royal accident

Spring had come and nearly gone in the kingdom of Felicitania. The fragrant pink and white blossoms of the trees and bushes had fallen to the ground like confetti, and had disappeared with the first strong wind.

Fresh, new tender green leaves appeared from out of nowhere to cover the trees with such suddenness it seemed almost mystical. The drab winter-browned grass was now a carpet of lush velvety green.

And throughout the fields, as far as the eye could see, patches of colorful spring flowers were competing in a beauty contest with white daisies that proudly beamed their yellow faces under the warming sun.

Ruby Rocksparkle looked out the window and smiled broadly at the scene that greeted her eyes. The beauty of this fresh new season was like an invitation beckoning to her, Come out and play, Ruby. Hurry! Hurry! Come on out!

In her heart she was anxious to answer that call. She couldn’t wait to saddle her horse, Solomon, and be outdoors racing across the fields with the wind on her face, and her hair blowing wildly behind her.

But first, she had to make lunches for her father and brothers.

Reluctant to leave the window, Ruby glanced over the landscape. She wondered where she should ride today. There was not a hill or dale nearby that Ruby was unfamiliar with. She and Solomon had explored the countryside many times, and today she was eager to do some more exploring.

But where should she go? She thought about it for a minute, and then made a decision. She would pack a lunch and ride out to the river. It might be fun to do a bit of fishing while she was there. If she was lucky, and caught enough fish for supper, it would be a nice surprise for her father. He loved nothing better than a good meal of fried fish, hush puppies and cole slaw.

Horseback riding was Ruby’s favorite thing to do. Riding across the grassy meadows with only Solomon for company was never dull or boring. She loved riding alone, for then her imagination became her very welcome company.

As she rode, she liked to pretend she was no longer just ordinary Ruby Rocksparkle, daughter of a poor farmer. Not that there was anything wrong with being a farmer’s daughter, but in the Kingdom of Felicitania, a farmer’s daughter usually married some other farmer’s son. Somehow, this was a reality Ruby was not ready to accept for herself.

On Ruby’s frequent rides she more than once spied from afar, the very handsome Prince Alano, mounted on his large white steed as he rode along, accompanied by his friends. The very first time she had seen him, her impossible dreams had been born.

From that time on, she allowed her imagination to conjure up scenarios where she became a beautiful Princess who was greatly admired by the Prince. In her daydreams, the impossible was no longer impossible, and she was transported to a place where her fondest hopes and dreams came true!

In her dreams wonderful, exciting, incredible things always happened. Sometimes she imagined herself clad in a riding habit of the very finest fabric as she accompanied the Prince on his daily horseback rides through the countryside.

Sometimes she saw herself dressed in a carmine-colored velvet robe trimmed in pure white ermine. A jewel studded crown sat upon her head, and she stood proudly at Prince Alano’s side while he officiated at ceremonies.

Ruby had many such dreams, but her very favorite dream was the one in which she wore the most beautiful jewel-encrusted white ball gown that anyone could ever imagine. In her dream, Prince Alano would be smiling as he gazed into her eyes, and his strong, protecting arms would hold her as they danced to waltz music in the palace ballroom. Ruby wished the music could go on forever so her dream would never end!

Of course, Ruby was well aware that dreams are only a temporary thing. By the time Solomon crossed the fields toward home, and the farm was in view again, she reluctantly made the switch from imaginary princess back to Ruby Rocksparkle, farmer’s daughter.

Like most farm people, the Rocksparkles rose before dawn to feed and water their livestock. By the time the family was seated at the table for breakfast, the sun was often just replacing the darkness of night. After breakfast was finished, each family member was off to his or her individual chores. On a farm, there was always much to do.

When Ruby had awakened this morning, the first rays of the sun smiling down upon the new day was all that was needed to encourage her to skip quickly through her chores.

She longingly took another look out the window before she turned away to resume making the lunches for her father and brothers. She smiled, knowing that it was only a matter of minutes before she’d be outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and letting her imagination have free rein again.

Ruby, when you’ve finished there, would you mind taking the lunches out in the fields to your father and brothers? I know it’s Garnet’s turn today, but I need her here this morning. I want to fit both her and Topaz for their new Sunday dresses. They are growing like weeds and ready to burst the seams of their old dresses. We can’t have that, now can we? asked her mother.

Heaven forbid! giggled Ruby. I’ll be glad to deliver the lunches, Mother. I was planning to take Solomon out for a ride this morning, anyway.

I wonder why I’m not surprised, answered her mother with a smile in her voice. Whenever there is good weather, you and that horse are inseparable. Just be careful, and don’t ride too far! And please try not to be late for supper.

Ruby quickly made an extra sandwich for herself, and threw it into a sack along with a shiny red apple. That would serve very nicely for a picnic under a shady tree as she sat by the river, trying to catch some fish.

You know I’m a good rider, Mother. And when have I ever been late for your delicious meals? teased Ruby.

Well, don’t start now, answered her mother, remembering the dreamy moods she had observed Ruby having lately.

A short time later, Jacinthe watched from the window as Ruby mounted Solomon and rode off across the fields, her long dark hair flying in the wind behind her as the horse picked up speed.

Their little dog, Buttons, chased behind the pair until he could no longer keep up. Then he headed back toward the barn to look for other excitement. Maybe the goose or one of the barn cats would like a good chase.

Jacinthe laughed at the little dog as she saw him espy, and then chase after one of the cats. Buttons was very funny, and very predictable. He would chase the cats until they reached the barn. When they got there, they would usually turn around, and face him with their back arched high, and ready to pounce on him.

Buttons would take one look, stop dead in his tracks, and think better of the danger he might face. It always ended with the little dog turning around and heading slowly back to the house. But Buttons’ temporary defeats never seemed to stop him from the fun of chasing the cats. It was a daily thing.

‘What a tease that dog is!’ thought Jacinthe. ‘And it doesn’t seem to matter to him that the cats are on to his game! They know it takes only one hiss to win. Still, Buttons continues to chase them back to the barn where they belong. Maybe keeping them back at the barn is what his game is really about, after all.’ She chuckled as she watched the funny little dog make his retreat back to the house, as usual.

Ruby and Solomon were now almost out of sight.

How Jacinthe loved her children! She knew it wouldn’t be long before some of them would be marrying and leaving home to start families of their own. Amethyst, Jade, and Opal already had beaus who were courting them quite seriously. The girls were constantly talking about their hope chests, and the lovely things they were making to put in them for their future homes.

Jacinthe sighed. She was so used to the happy sound of their voices ringing throughout the house. It was sad to think of her home becoming quieter and quieter as her children left to marry, one by one.

And even though Ruby, with the dreamy moods she’d been having of late, gave every indication of being love-sick, she had no special beau. In fact, she showed no interest at all in any of the local youths, although they showed plenty of interest in her. Consequently, Jacinthe expected that Ruby would still be with her for the next several years.

Jacinthe put away the sad thoughts of her children leaving home, left the window, and turned back to the task of dressmaking.

Not many miles from the farm of the Rocksparkle family lived good King Flavian, his second wife, Queen Morgana, and his son Prince Alano. Prince Alano was the King’s only son, born of his first marriage to Queen Lucinda, who died when Prince Alano was just a small boy.

After suffering several years of great loneliness, King Flavian met and fell in love with Morgana, who was known to be the most beautiful woman in the Kingdom. He proudly made her his new Queen.

Although the palace and the Rocksparkle farm were not distant in miles, they were worlds apart in other ways that counted. The two worlds, so very different, were never expected to meet. It was unheard of for royalty to mix with the peasants.

While Jasper and his sons were busy in the fields, turning the soil in preparation for sowing the new season’s crop of corn, Good King Flavian, Queen Morgana, and Prince Alano who was now fully grown, were luxuriously dining in the Palace’s cheery royal breakfast-room.

Servants stood in the background, waiting to fulfill their every wish. The royals had only to ask for whatever they wanted, and it was set in front of them.

Well, Alano, how do you plan to spend your day? asked the King as he lifted a generous forkful of scrambled eggs to his mouth.

Unless you have something specific you would like me to do, Father, I think I’ll try a bit of hunting with some of my friends, answered the Prince. As he spoke, he helped himself to more sausage from a platter held by one of the servants.

That’s fine. Enjoy yourself, Alano, but be sure to bring home no more than our kitchen can use. You know how I feel about hunting more than can be eaten. He turned to his wife. And, what about you, my dear? What have you planned for the day?

Morgana turned her beautiful face toward her husband and smiled sweetly. My day will be spent with the dressmaker, dear. It is time to adorn myself in something more modern than the outmoded styles I have been wearing. I wouldn’t want to embarrass my King by looking dowdy.

The King laughed heartily, and then winked at his wife, "How could my beautiful wife ever look dowdy? That could never happen, my dear! Not in a million years!"

The Queen glowed as she basked in her husband’s praise. Flavian always knew exactly the right things to say. He made her feel so good…….so loved…….so beautiful! ‘I’m an extremely lucky woman to have a husband who cares so much for me,’ she thought, smiling happily to herself.

The King turned his attention back to his plate and finished his meal. Then he said, Well, no one asked me what I’m going to do today, but I’ll tell you anyway. I’m going to take a ride out into the country and enjoy this fine weather.

Just look outside! said the King to his family, as he stretched his arm toward the window. He rose from his chair and walked across the room to look at the view.

"What a great day! It’s clear and beautiful, and the sun is shining brightly. And just look at those clouds up there! They’re like puffy, marshmallow pillows floating happily in the sky, aren’t they?