The Stone of Cuore

By Stephen I. Carmer

Adventure 1: By the age of twelve, Platov has earned two enemies—Scorch, a ghastly dragon and Wraith the Dark Wizard. Who was Tatton? And why did Alexander the Great Artist paint the boys in his masterpiece with Lord Tancred? Step back into the Dark Ages of time, into a land of dragons and wizards.
Visit with characters of the Third Age of Timare Series as they unravel yet another mystery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen I. Carmer
• Release date: Nov 6, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452354255

Book preview

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The Stone of Cuore

By

Stephen Carmer

Illustrated by

Gregory L. Otvos

Third Age of Timare the Series

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The Celtic Dragon

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Copyright 2010 by Stephen I. Carmer. All rights reserved.

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Smashwords Edition

Discover other titles by Stephen I. Carmer at Smashwords.com

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way, stored in a retrieval system of any type, or transmitted by any means or media, electronic, or mechanical. Including, but not limited to, photocopy, recording, scanning, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this novel

are either fictitious or are used fictitiously.

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Dedication

This series is dedicated to all who have helped me along the way, particularly a large number of phantoms who have been dedicated ghost writers.

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See the illustrations full-sized and colorized in the gallery at:

http://oldmagiclibrary.net

More adventures, colorized illustrations, and fun filled pages!

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Ancient Map of Timare

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The Land of Timare

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Visit http://oldmagiclibrary.net for colorized illustrations and more!

Fun facts, fabulous fiction, phenomenal phantoms!

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Read more about the Third Age of Timare

The series

Young Adult Action Fiction

The series begins in

Episode 1: The Four Towers of Alacantar

Follow the adventures of Deki and Hanta.

Swept away into a world neither could have ever imagined, the journey begins at sea.

Discover an old world of magic, wizards, and a wicked dragon seeking to devour the Prince!

Going to a new school is tough for anyone, but what if your school was taught by ghosts?

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Episode 2: The Drums of Hadzi

The adventures of Deki and Hanta continue

Just as the dragons are sweeping down as one Prince escapes Alacantar Castle! The other Prince has vanished! The perilous journey begins!

Not to mention, the Empresses --Tara and Astanshia are about to conquer the Dragon Empire, much to Toldare’s chagrin.

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Episode 3: The Siege of the Raven Dragon,

The legendary Wolf King and the Raven Dragon are out for revenge!

The adventures continue with a startling new development.

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Available at Smashwords.com

And other eBook retailers.

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Visit http://oldmagiclibrary.net

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Chapter 1: The Secrets

The Stone of Cuore

Adventure 1

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The story begins during the time of Prince Deki at the voraciously haunted Alacantar Castle. Ladius and Ravi, twin troublesome wizards of extraordinary abilities are the first to discover that secrets are hidden in an old painting. The twins first arrive at Alacantar Castle in Episode 3: The Siege of the Raven Dragon. The Stone of Cuore begins a few years later.

Ruberta’s Book of Rules

Stop this abomination! Ruberta screeched. She was a tall imposing woman. On her long spindly nose, she balanced delicate spectacles with embedded diamonds. With a cranky pair of eyes she clenched her lips tautly whenever she was truly irritated. Ruberta was the curator for the ceaselessly troublesome Society for the Preservation of Art and Antiquities. In her hand she held a book filled with the Society’s stringent rules. Angrily waving the book threateningly at the helpless workers, she demanded that they stop what they were doing.

A rather oversized painting with a heavy gilded frame had been removed from its hanging place of centuries. Hidden in a rarely visited chamber, the Keeper of Alacantar Castle had decided on refurbishing the old apartment. Painted on hand-hewn and smoothed panels fitted together meticulously rather than on thick canvas, the technique was in the style of the old masters. Harmless as it may have appeared to remove the eight hundred year old painting, the wrath of the Society for the preservation of Art and Antiquities had been incurred. The Keeper had only intended to move the painting to another unused chamber where it would presumably hang on the wall undisturbed for another eight hundred years. The workmen were just doing their job and cared little for the historic artwork they were carrying through the main foyer of the keep.

Aye, Madam, Horace, the foreman of the work crew stepped forward while his workers trembled under the stern glare of Ruberta. We have our orders to move this painting.

You will do nothing of the sort! Ruberta rudely interrupted Horace. I demand to see the Keeper! The removal of historically significant artwork is strictly forbidden.

The assistant butler Gaylord, having heard the ruckus in the foyer, quickly arrived to investigate the matter. When he realized it was Ruberta again causing a disturbance, he quickly disappeared to find the Keeper. The workmen in the meantime set the rather large painting down on the floor to await further instructions. Ruberta with her nose turned upwards, her graying hair stuffed loosely under a colorfully flowering hat, resolutely remained within two steps of the painting. She clutched the book of rules tightly in her hand and glared conspicuously at the workers and Palace Guards.

Mister Persons, the perfectly punctual personal assistant to the Keeper, arrived to handle the situation. Well-mannered and versed in the appropriate manner in which to handle all important visitors, he recognized Ruberta immediately. She had a manner of always making herself a rather painful thorn in the personal assistant’s side. With polished manners, Mister Persons smiled politely at her.

The painting may not be removed! Ruberta stated after making a long argument. She pointed out nearly every relevant fact and rule in her tidy ribbon tied book.

I believe the painting is being taken to a more advantageous location where it may be viewed by the many visitors to the castle, Mister Persons tactfully replied, but he knew that the painting was destined for a distant chamber in the South Tower.

The painting will not be moved another step! Ruberta laid down the law and held her book of rules up as proof of her authority.

The painting cannot stay here in the foyer, Mister Persons pointed out. The workmen have other matters to accomplish.

Then you will hang it on the wall right here, Ruberta demanded. She pointed to a small space between two paintings of rather foreboding and important wizard hanging in the most privileged position. The rather large painting held up by the workmen would fill the entirety of the wall and she knew the wizards would have to be moved. Looking a bit miffed, the eyes of the portraits turned and took notice.

Until you have the express written authority from the Society for the Preservation of Art and Artifacts, the painting will remain here in the foyer! Ruberta spoke forcefully and if there was any question of her authority in the matter, she pointed out a particular page in her book of rules for Mister Persons to personally examine.

Knowing that incurring the wrath of Ruberta would only bring a dozen more Socialites to the castle, Mister Persons was compliant. With a clap of his hands, he ordered the foyer gallery to be rearranged. The old painting of a noble looking wizard posing with two young students would be hung in the most prominent position. Ruberta remained firmly planted until the work was completed to her exact and imposing specifications.

This work of art was painted by Alexander! Ruberta screeched as she studied the faded signature near the bottom. Imagine, just carting it off to be thrown away. This is a priceless masterpiece!

I am humbly apologetic for any misunderstandings that might have been incurred, Mister Persons replied with a courteous bow. The painting was only being moved to a better location. He straightened his round top hat, and then his red bowtie before glaring over the workmen expectantly.

Truly this was an exceptional old masterpiece painted by a renowned artist of antiquity. Mister Persons had no real objection to exhibiting it prominently. His only regret was that Ruberta had appeared at the precise moment that the workmen were bringing the rather oversized painting through the foyer. Now that he thought about that, he decided that Ruberta had an uncanny ability to do just that sort of thing. Mister Persons reassured her that the proper procedures would be followed in the future while the workmen rearranged the gallery.

Dinner was expected to be served shortly. Ladius and Ravi, two troublesome teenage identical twins that lived in the South Wing came by. Stopping dead in their tracks examining the new painting, both stepped closer. A bit of a contest had developed among the students of the castle to take notice of any new paintings and be the first to announce that fact at any meal. To win they would need the name of the wizard depicted and be able to describe any details of significance. The secret to winning the contest was to keep everyone else from noticing the new wizard hanging on the wall. And be the first to raise their hand when Tommes, the Keeper arrived for dinner. This painting was different as it showed more than just a famous wizard. The twins studied it carefully and then not seeing any details that hinted at the names, they examined the gilded frame and attempted to read the worn inscription engraved on a brass plate. Normally, a brochure was placed on the table, but for this painting there was not brochure either. The two boys depicted near the wizard were about the same age