Teriliyn's Fire: Acabar Series, #2

ACABAR SERIES

BOOK 2: Teriliyn’s Fire

BY

TERESA A. BEELER

ACABAR Series

Book 2: Teriliyn’s Fire

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Published by Breckenridge Crossing

Copyright © 2018 by Teresa A. Beeler

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Published in the United States of America

First Printing, 2018

Breckenridge Crossing

255 N County Road 1200

Sutter, IL 62373

www.teresabeeler.com

Cover Design: SelfPubBookcovers.com/rgporter

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DEDICATION

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I want to thank my sister, Terry Lynn, whose personality is portrayed in this book. She stood up for what she believed in no matter what stood in her way. As I wrote the various antics of Teriliyn, I laughed for most, if not all, the circumstances were ones’ that resembled my sister’s life. She also was a great cheerleader and encouraged me to step outside of my square box. I miss you, sistah!

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Disclaimer

Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, and places are products of the author’s imagination.

Chapter 1

November 1150

Vanessa clenched her fists and jammed them into her sides and yelled, I AM NOT A RULER!!!!

Her father acknowledged, It has been years since you talked out loud. You must relearn how so you can rule.

NO! I will not accept the throne. I do not wish to marry nor does Teriliyn!

Recall the prophecy. When the one who does not speak voice returns, giants will as well. Repeated the voice from the dark.

Vanessa spun toward the darkened corner, peering into the blackness to decide who had been eavesdropping. "Zander, is that you?" she queried. Vanessa spotted Zander glide out of the shadowy corner, skimming over the stone floor. She swung back to her father asking, What is he saying?

King Alim glared at Zander, shifting away from Vanessa, slamming his hands on the desk, No, No, No, he insisted.

Someone must tell her if this is the fate you are pursuing. Zander relayed.

Do we not have ample to fret about with the failed crops? urged the King, clenching his hands. We may have ample inventories to make it through this season, if there is not another failure!

She threw her hands in the air, I want answers! What is this revelation? What did you mean by a betrothal? And what do you mean not adequate food? Vanessa spat.

You must tell her! urged Zander.

King Alim shook his head, angled toward the door huffing, Later!

AAAGH, you are so frustrating! When is later? Vanessa called through clenched teeth.

When the moment is perfect. He uttered.

Vanessa turned to get answers from Zander only to discover he had disappeared. OOOOOOOH!

****

The door rattled open, Vanessa twisted to look at who was coming in the library. Teriliyn, what are you doing here?

Palms held her skull, Teriliyn groaned, Must you shriek so loud? My brain feels like a bomb went off in it. And why do you appear like someone just stole your favorite tiara?

Vanessa snatched her sister’s arm and pleaded, We must stop Father! He is concealing information about the future of the kingdom.

What type of information? demanded Teriliyn.

Well for one, he declared I am betrothed! Vanessa shouted.

What is he trying to do to us? Teriliyn questioned pulling at her hair. Wait. Why didn’t you tell me about the betrothal?

Vanessa’s cheeks turned red, her fist balled as she insisted, I AM NOT BETROTHED! I don’t have an inkling who he was speaking about.

But you suggested you were. Answered Teriliyn with narrowed eyes.

Hands clasped, Vanessa growled, Why are you not listening? What is wrong with you?

My brains are about to blow up with your wailing! Teriliyn claimed.

Why, why, why, why, must I negotiate with mad people?! cursed Vanessa spinning away, hands gripping her own skull.

So, no betrothal, he is keeping secrets, and he won’t explain it. Teriliyn ticked off on three fingers.

Exactly. Vanessa gasped throwing her hands in the air.

Her fingers touched to her mouth, Teriliyn recommended, You need to locate him and make him answer your queries for us.

Hands on hips, cheeks burned, Vanessa demanded, And what are you going to be doing? It’s time to prepare for the tournament. replied Teriliyn. There is no way I am letting Father pull that betrothal stuff on me!

Chapter 2

King Alim sat at his desk and focused on nothing, "I must avoid those daughters. I need to keep the plan a secret for just a while longer to assure its success."

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!

The pounding interrupted King Alim’s thoughts, he turned towards the door and roared, Enter!

The guard cleared the door admitting Tavara. King Alim scrutinized the vacant face of the witch, eyes glared straight forwards, and there was no warmth in her countenance. Tavara, I called for you hours ago. He declared.

Tavara curtsied, Your Highness. with no further explanation.

His chest puffed at the slight, he challenged, What do you have to say for yourself?

I do not understand what you ask. I am here to do whatever you instruct. She responded without a twitch.

King Alim studied Tavara. Her arms dangled at her front, and her shoulders relaxed. He reflected, Did the memory spell wipe every image from her mind? Could I be that lucky? He questioned, Are you fit to be a valuable member of the kingdom? Do you concede to not creating troubles and to not using magic in any form?

Without as much as a flicker of a muscle, Tavara affirmed, Yes, your majesty. What do you want me to do?

King Alim directed, You will keep the hut on the eastern border of the village. It is ancient but you should be able to survive with no issues. You will appear as a laundress. I demand you prove yourself, then we will talk where you can move.

Tavara bowed her head in feigned acceptance saying, Yes, your highness.

With a flick of his palm, King Alim murmured, Disappear. Go to the shack and then report tomorrow morning to the laundry.

She bowed and swung toward the door, King Alim missed the smirk on her face.

****

Tavara knew of all as she departed the castle. She recognized the company of guards and the number of hounds that occupied the inner yard of the castle. She estimated the number of strides it took to get from the courtyard gates to her poor cottage door. I can’t accept those idiots thought they could erase my mind. I will teach them what it means to mess with a witch! she raved white-knuckled.

She paid attention to the withered flowers in the flower box, the overgrown track, and the sagging gate as she approached the shack. Tavara pulled the cottage door open and shrieked, What in the world? How long has this cottage been vacant? It looks like they draped the whole thing in cobwebs. How am I expected to live here tonight?

She flapped her fists in the air to clear the cobwebs, she located a broken broom and swept the floor while whacking the spiders. I could work a spell but, NOOOO that dang purple floating magician would feel the magic. What if I put itch weed on the King’s trousers? She rambled, No, he would suspect me. What if I crumbled up hogweed and placed it in the princesses’ laundry? Mm, that might work. It wouldn’t leave any clues that way either. Yes, that is the one.

The next morning Tavara presented to the chief laundress for her chores. Tavara jogged down the three flights to the wash. She noted there was no alternative entry or exit to the chamber. Ma’am my name is Tavara, and the king ordered me to show up now for work. Tavara professed with a bowed head.

Hattie huffed, rolled her eyes, and growled My name is Hattie, not Ms., Ma’am, or anything else. You got that?

Tavara replied, Yes, Hattie. Is there a job for me?

Pointing to the distant corner, Hattie directed, Go over there and separate the royal garments!

Tavara glided over to the mass. While sorting she spotted the three huge pots boiling over the fire, three stewing tubs for each royal’s clothes in the heart of the chamber, to her right she spied the drying ropes strung across the room. If I can dump a cup of crushed hogweed in the three stewing tubs, then each royal will have a rash. Staff use the long paddle stick to remove the garments, so no harm will come to the laundry staff. I can slip out tonight and find a couple clumps of hogweed. She thought with a triumphant smile.

Chapter 3

King Alim pushed all his troubles away and stared out at the lawn. He estimated at least twenty knights standing around the courtyard and at least twice as many squires. I wonder how many of the cluster below are here to view the tournament and how many of them are knights who answered my call. Teriliyn will be furious when she finds out I assembled the finest of the finest to compete this year.

His highness peered through the glass and uttered, Why, isn’t that Dereious. He would make a fine Son-in-Law. I will have to watch his performance to note how he performs.

****

Princess Amma, Nippal and the twins pushed through the horde of bodies to the castle gates. They pushed open the door without knocking and discovered an agitated Vanessa. Amma studied her sister clench and unclench her fists while muttering. Amma inquired, What has caused the amiable princess upset?

Vanessa turned, with one foot off the ground, eyes tightened, finger pointed, You! You started this all! she scolded.

Eyes lifted, mouth agape, Me? What did I do? Amma stuttered.

Not you. HIM! Vanessa snarled through clenched teeth.

Nippal halted behind his wife. What did I do? he scowled.

Vanessa accused, You gave the King the thought it was acceptable to marry all of us. He will not control me!

Now just wait one minute, Nippal demanded, pointing his own finger. I came to Acabar seeking a place to fit and breathe. I had no plans of getting tangled into an enforced wedding. He peered at his bride noticing a blush on her cheeks, teeth clenched as were her hands. He realized what he said, patting her arm, he clarified, Now Amma, that didn’t come out right.

How many times will you end up in the stables? she gritted. You have an uncanny way of getting yourself into trouble every time you open your mouth! she shouted.

Startled by the shouting, the twins jumped in their parents’ arms and howled. The sound echoed off the marble flooring and columns.

Vanessa spotted the twins and rushed to take Skylar from her father. You don’t want to be in the line of fire? Vanessa cooed to the baby. She spoke without raising her head, "Nippal, we will finish this discussion soon."

Finger pointed at her husband, Amma agreed, Yes we will!

Nippal wiped his brow and heaved a sigh of relief at the reprieve hoping the twins would distract them and forget about harassing him further.

As Vanessa bounced Skylar, Amma whispered, Now, what has you upset?

Vanessa whispered, Father is up to something. He won’t tell Teriliyn or me what is going on, but he is planning something.

Amma inquired, How do you know he is planning something?

Vanessa raised her eyebrows and asserted, When have you ever known Father to walk out of a room instead of answering a question?

Eyes raised, mouth in an open O, Amma whispered, Never.

Exactly! Vanessa crowed.