Mystic Isle, A Novella: Mystic Isle Series, #1

By Patricia Rice

Newly appointed priestess to the Temple of Aelynn, Tasia Olympus is burdened with the greatest task to face any leader—saving her acolytes from a tsunami and finding them a new home. Her ability to communicate with the goddess cannot tell her how to protect three dozen virgins and an equal number of soldiers and sailors as they flee their doomed island.
Experienced captain, Nautilus the Navigator can tackle storms and sea, but obeying a young  Seer who tells him to sail impossible shoals requires a level of belief that he doesn’t possess. Giving up his future for a priestess who must remain untouched was not the payment he’d expected for his years of service.
Together, they must build a new home and sanctuary out of a volcanic island that promises plenty to those willing to sacrifice all they know for a future they can’t predict.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book View Cafe
• Release date: Dec 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781611383584

Book preview

Chapter 1

Kneeling at the altar, Tasia Olympus lifted the sacred chalice above her head and trembled at the terrible power she held in her hands. At the inconceivable age of twenty-five, she was responsible for every person on this island.

Still shaken by the unexpected death of their beloved priestess and grieving, she did not feel capable of caring for a kitten without Alexandra’s wisdom to guide her. Her teacher had wrapped herself in confidence as if it were a golden robe. Tasia felt as if she stood naked in her ignorance.

Facing the altar, with her back to the kneeling acolytes, Tasia hid her terror from their sight and concentrated on the familiar ceremony. Behind her, Sirene the Musician’s high clear voice echoed against the temple’s tall marble columns in celebration of the moment—Tasia’s installation as the new priestess. Sunshine poured through the open portico. Dust motes filtered through the rays, dancing past the beautifully carved frieze of the goddess and her servants.

In the security of this ordinary routine, she trustingly opened her mind’s eye, hoping for Aelynn’s blessing. Instead, she was instantly blinded to all but her inner vision. Thunderous, raging waves crashed down upon her, impossibly sweeping through the temple, tumbling the walls and friezes. High upon the protected mountain, the temple buildings drowned in a sea of water that swept away their home and all the beloved relics they held.

Gasping in horror, stunned and shaking, Tasia fled the holy vision. Clinging to the sacred chalice to steady herself, she shut her mind down before she collapsed in front of the assembly. She wanted to leap up screaming at the horrifying images in her head—even as the maidens in the temple repeated their peaceful prayers of worship, unaware of the danger ahead.

Tasia stood and silently begged Aelynn the Goddess for answers.

The altar rattled and plaster dust drifted from the frieze.

The goddess usually came to her in visions, but terrified that the earth’s rumble was Aelynn’s means of implying urgency, Tasia swallowed hard and prayed for guidance. The rattling stopped, and she swallowed her fear. Not yet, dear Aelynn, please, give her time to think. . . 

The earth occasionally rumbled without causing more harm than a few cracked walls. Would anyone believe her if she said they must all abandon the only home they’d ever known with no more warning than that?

Her knees quaked as much as the chalice. And the marble altar.

And not just from her lack of courage.

More tremors. Was this how the gods meant to wreak their havoc? The time was now? She hadn’t even finished her first ceremony.

A stone pillar crashed at the corner of the temple. The floor beneath her knees swayed, rippling like ocean waves, throwing her off balance. She lowered the chalice to cradle it protectively in her arms like a baby and turned to view the frightened faces gazing up at her for answers. Had the floor not shivered beneath her, she would be shuddering anyway at such responsibility.

Sirene’s voice wavered but neither she nor the lute players halted until Tasia gestured. As if her break from routine was more frightening than the quaking earth, a babble of panic rose with the plaster dust filling the air.

Myra the frightened newcomer, only six years of age, turned trusting eyes to her Priestess. The student beside Myra had been here for most of the twelve years of her life and waited obediently for orders, serene in the belief that the priestess would provide answers. Even the women who had taught Tasia all she knew clasped hands and waited for her to assure them that all would be well—because she was the only one among them to whom the goddess spoke.

If Tasia had interpreted her vision correctly—all would not be well. Change and upheaval and terrible danger were their future. An impossible future. The temple sat high upon an enormous hill. No wave could conceivably reach it—but she must trust Aelynn. This must be a test of her obedience.

Her stomach clenched in dread. She loved her safe, stable home. How could she abandon all she knew with only these images in her head telling her to go?

The shaking pillars answered for her.

Tasia clung to the altar to steady herself against the rocking of the once-solid ground. In her fear, she could scarcely speak. Her first task as priestess would destroy the very foundations of Aelynn’s believers and demand unimaginable loyalty.

We must all take the boats to the shore, she instructed the nearest teacher, trying to sound calm and assured, like Alexandra ordering a new scroll. Bringing down the authority of Aelynn would add to the panic, so she needed to sound confident in her commands. "Please have your students fetch those who are not present and tell them to follow us to the galleys. I have Seen the future."

Her older vestals were watching her with alarm, but pronouncements of visions and unruffled orders reassured the youngest girls of her omnipotence. Tasia remembered a time when the whole world was a mystery in which she must trust the adults who governed her life. She had thought she’d gain confidence with maturity. Instead, she had only added more doubts.

For the sake of her acolytes, she humbly thanked Aelynn for choosing to send the vision during this particular ceremony.

For Tasia’s first appearance as priestess, the vestals in this initial audience had brought symbols of their various trades for blessing. Teachers clung to precious scrolls. Cook clung to her ladle. Gaia held her hoe. For the second blessing, the Healer would be gathering her herb seeds, and others, with their students, would be choosing their most precious tools.

The second ceremony wouldn’t happen today. At Tasia’s announcement, messengers scurried into the spring sunlight, fleeing the temple, racing down the many stairs to the various outbuildings.

The older vestals watched Tasia with uncertainty. She was young and inexperienced. Her visions had always been filtered through Alexandra’s interpretations. Those were reasons enough to question Tasia’s leadership. Still, her vestals had to obey or forsake the goddess they worshipped.

Daskala, one of her best teachers, opened her mouth to question, an unthinkable disobedience under Alexandra’s tenure. Tasia pointed at the door, refusing argument.

The ground rumbled, groaned, and cracked. The reluctant remainder of her small congregation fled.

Outside, through the terraced gardens, her messengers raced from kitchen to sickroom to classroom, warning the workers who had waited for the second blessing. Tasia hurried down the steep steps in the wake of her flock, counting heads as women poured from the outbuildings carrying whatever they had at hand when called.

All told, the goddess had barely three dozen virgins worshipping her in these heathen times, and many of them were too young for understanding. Once, the temple had housed dozens of adults and few children. War and famine had changed life on the mainland, along with their belief in a peace-loving goddess.

The ground continued to tremble as if they walked a terrible battleground of the gods. Women and children raced down the marble stairs to the top of the cliff path—a path they had not traversed since their first arrival. Tasia hurried after them, still counting heads.

A long crack opened in the steps down the slope. Children screamed. The acolytes only used this stairway to leave their requests with the sailors below, or to pick up the supplies the men hauled up for their use. Her maidens had not talked to men since they’d been brought to the temple.

As Tasia watched, loose rocks fell loose from the bluff’s edge and tumbled to the sea below. They would all be flung to their deaths if they did not hurry.

Where is Khaos? Tasia asked urgently when her count came up one head short.

She ran back to the schoolroom. I do not know why, called Daskala, shepherding the youngest to the last set of stairs to the bluff. She is old enough to find her own way.

Not if a pediment fell on her. Torn between carrying the precious chalice to safety and leading a single—very mischievous—child behind, Tasia wished for the more experienced Alexandra to tell her what to do.

The rumbling abruptly ceased, but Tasia knew it would return—bringing worse destruction if her vision was to be believed. Lacking any other knowledge of their fates, Tasia had to trust her interpretation.

The chalice must be saved at all costs, but she could not leave a child behind. And she could not send one of the women in her care into danger. Although as leader, she should be the first to share words with the men to whom they never spoke, Tasia still could not give up the child.

In desperation, she handed the sacred vessel to Charis, the small woman who acted as caretaker for the priestess.

Please, if they ask, you must tell the soldiers to man both boats and fill them with supplies. I will be right back.

Short, dark, and cross-eyed, humble Charis looked stunned and awed to be given such responsibility, but Tasia had grown up with her. Charis had never let her down.

Another pillar in the temple above crashed as Tasia lifted her best tunic and ran back up the cracking stairs. For her inaugural ceremony, she had been wearing her newest sandals, the leather still stiff and difficult to tie. Grabbing stone walls to keep from sliding, she prayed to Aelynn that the ties wouldn’t come undone.

Below, she heard masculine shouts as the soldiers saw the

Reviews for Mystic Isle, A Novella

[sheila1957 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Vestal Virgins must leave their island where their temple is as the priestess sees the destruction of it. As the sailors who protect their island help them leave it, they watch the destruction of the temple and their own islands and homes as they flee the storm. They find an island where they must rebuild their lives and civilization.I enjoyed this book. The world building is among the best I have read. I liked the characters, especially Tasia, the priestess, and Nautilus, the captain. They are both strong-willed and will be heard. They must lead their people and have them work together so they will all survive. They have their conflicts and each explains to the other why they feel the way they do. It is good to see them and their peoples work together. Patricia Rice's writing was excellent. I felt I was on the boat as they were racing the storm. It was so intense. I felt Tasia's when she made her choice to remain faithful to her goddess. I understood Natuilus' hurt and anger when he did not get his way. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

[merigreenleaf · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

First off, I want to preface this review by saying that I enjoy a good romance novel. I love fantasy. A story with romance, mermaids, and magic was such a hook that I requested this from LibraryThing's early reviewer program immediately. I'm also going to add that I'm usually willing to give a book the benefit of the doubt until I reach the end.Not this time.I tried, really I did. I got to 15% (thanks to my Kindle I can keep good track of how far I am in a book- I'm relatively new to ebooks and still think this is a neat feature) and even though I wasn't liking it, I gave it a while longer to see if that would change. By 25% I had to admit defeat at the hands of the dreaded beast Misogyny.I'm assuming that we're supposed to like the male protagonist (Trystan) at least a little and feel some sympathy and attachment to him because he is the main character and half of the "love" story. All I wanted to do was push him- and the other male characters who were all of a similar mold- off a cliff. When the story reached the point that his life had been turned upside down and he was fearing bad things would happen to him, I was cheering on those possibilities of exile and loss of magic so that he would grow up and become a decent character/person. (Perhaps he does; I never got far enough to find out, but I fear things probably just work out for him in the end. Alas.) Far too much of the first quarter of the story (granted that was as far as I got) was dangerously close to him wanting to rape the main female character. Her own reaction to the lust-magic wasn't much better. It skeeved me out so much that I'm surprised I didn't get a headache from all the eye rolling and teeth gnashing I was doing. I had a similar experience with the book "A Spell for Chameleon" by Piers Anthony, which my friends all heartily recommended and I hated with the burning passion of a million suns for the same reason I disliked this book. I will say that this one didn't bother me *quite* as much as Anthony's, but after fighting my way through one misogynistic book to the end, I wasn't willing to do it again.If there's one thing that breaks a book for me and instantly lowers it by at least 3 stars, it's misogyny. This isn't an automatic "I hate it", though, because if there's enough to redeem a book, there's always a chance of it gaining maybe an extra star or so despite this subject, but I just couldn't find enough good to get me past a theme that I despise and to the end of the book. It would have been different if it would have been characters fighting that outlook towards women, but having it repeated over and over again (only broken by periods of the main male character being instead only patronizing towards women- sheesh) means it broke the entire story for me.There are redeeming qualities here, so I do want to point those out. The story is well-written and, from what I could tell from what I read, there was a good deal of world, culture, and magic-building in this book. I do appreciate these things and they are what gives this the two stars that I'm using to rate it.This should have been a story I liked. It had the potential to be a book I enjoyed and I'm sad it didn't work out that way. I really hate giving a book a poor review because generally I'll find something to like in almost everything, which is obvious considering that I give most books between four and five stars. As a writer, I know how much effort and love goes into a novel, so I always feel like I'm being rude on the rare occasion I didn't like a book, but things just didn't work out between me and this one. We need to see other people. Others will probably find this book perfectly good and enjoyable- I know it has an overwhelming number of positive reviews compared to negative ones- but if you're like me and can't stomach misogyny, I'd say to give this one a miss. I'm probably not qualified to review it since I didn't finish it, but I just can't bring myself to spend time reading another three quarters of a book I don't enjoy.

[toastytoesthebear · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a great guilty pleasure of a fairy tale for adults. The settings are complex and the characters develop from their stubborn beginnings. An entertaining and fun read about magic islands, historical France, magical abilities, and good old-fashioned love.

[phoenixburning · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a pretty good read (got it through a LibraryThing giveaway). For a historical fantasy romance, it was solid. It did rely on some tropes that I don't care for, particularly: woman decides man is not for her, although she is physically attracted to him. Man persists, and woman eventually gives in.However, there was a lot of depth and detail given to these characters, and that did soften the trope-y-ness of the romance plotline. The culture of Aelynn was also detailed and well thought-out, and overall it made for an enjoyable read.

[nora99-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed Mystic Guardian, I like Patricia Rice's writing style was nice, although the pacing could be improved. I also enjoyed the plot and was surprised at times, I though it ws fairly original, and I'd give it 3.5 stars

[bigcwigum · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was fairly entertaining. I was a little skeptical about reading something about mermaids - since typically that's not the sort of fantasy characters that appeal to me. But all things said and done it was handled pretty well. Don't worry there's no awkward tail flapping about splashing everyone within reach.As a romance and love story it was entertaining. The backdrop of the french revolution gave a nice contrast, although it was conveniently forgotten at times. The fantasy world is woven into enough real events to make it feel like a completeworld. All and all a fun, quick read.

[cheryl_nolan-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book! It is an otherworldly story of a man and a woman, both having unusual mystical powers, as well as sworn duties to perform. They are from very different cultures, so misunderstandings abound. Yet they are evenly matched. I found this book surprisingly sexy and I eagerly await the second book!

[awilliams75 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'd have to say I was entranced in this story from beginning to end. I enjoyed the switches between the two worlds where want it or not life must change for better or worse. I also enjoyed the references to the historic prejudices that were shown to those that were a bit different or had 'magic' abilities and the uprisings in France at the time. A very easy, feel good romantic novel that is wanting a sequel.

[musichick52 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a most enjoyable read. Around the time of the French revolution in Breton France, a young woman who has a special ability (mermaid's affinity for the sea and the capability to prove it) encounter a man who was forecast by her mother to be the savior of their town. The problem is he hails from a secret mystical island that regular humans cannot enter. It's located not to far from the coast of Breton. The rest of the novel it their tortured love story with tons of misunderstandings and miscommunication. They have more trouble trying to work out their complicated relationship than we, the readers, do. There is more to the tale in future volumes, I will be sure to check them out. My thanks to LibraryThing for a complimentary copy of this work.

[britt84 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm generally not really a fan of romance novels, but I did enjoy this novel - mainly because it's not just a romance novel, but combines elements of historical novels, fantasy and adventure.A young French woman with a special gift needs to find a way to help her family survive in the famine that wrecks France prior to the French revolution. She is almost at her wits end on how to steer her family through these turbulent times when she receives unexpected help from the people of Aelynn, who have special gifts just like she does.I very much enjoyed the journey of discovery Mariel makes, finding out about her own powers, and where these powers come from. The mystical island of Aelynn and the handsome and strong Trystan draw her in, but she cannot forsake her responsibilities in France. She is worked out very well as a character and I really felt for her and commiserated with her struggles. The backdrop of the French pre-revolutionary age, with it's political and military unrest and famine gives the story a very nice setting.I also enjoyed the 'adventure' part, where Trystan and Mariel need to travel trough France to get back a sacred object from the island of Aelynn. Their struggles to reach their goal in a turbulent time are interesting and keep you reading.One thing I disliked was the fact that it is, at times, derogatory to women. I understand that it was set in a time when people didn't think very highly of women, but still... Initially Mariel comes across as a strong and independent woman, but she soon gets to the point where she turns into an empty headed little girl needing and wanting protection from a man. I would have liked it better if Mariel would have remained strong and independent - because yes, it is possible for a woman to be clever and strong, even if she is in love...Also, for me, the 'romance' part could have been toned down a little - and the fact that Trystan and Mariel fight first and then grow to love each other is a bit too much of the stereotypical romance - but like I said, I'm just not a big fan of romance. I think for anybody who likes romance novels this would be a great read.

[dolphari · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In 1789, Mariel, her family on the point of starvation in France, meets Trystan, the Enforcer of Aelynn, a magical hidden island. Because of his destiny to lead, he plans to take the dispassionate Lissandra, the Oracle's daughter, as his wife. She sees him sailing away, and thinks he is the savior her mother prophesied, so she follows him in her magical form of a mermaid. Trystan realizes she mush be a Crossbreed, and that she is his destined mate. She escapes the island, and somewhat accidentally takes with her a sacred chalice. Trystan pursues the chalice, but Mariel sold it quickly to buy food for her pregnant sister. During their convoluted adventures, they fall in love, but Trystan still believes Mariel can only be his amacara, the mother of his children, but not his official wife. Trystan has a showdown with Murdoch, who was exiled from Aelynn after killing the Oracle's husband in what he claimed was an accident.Interesting enough to read, as I usually like a bit of fantasy combined with history, but I have a hard time following the rules of the fantasy world, or at the least it doesn't appeal to me, as it is based on a made-up pantheon and weird rules of marriage and a religious-sexual union on an altar.

[poetchick · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I kind of liked this book but it wasn't something I would go out of my way and buy

[labrat35 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers Program in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and the writing was excellent. It had a great flow and I really liked the main characters. Would recommend.

[jayblac21 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great PNR/ Fantasy romance I finished within a few hours and can't wait to read the next one if you enjoy PNR this is for you I found no boring points or dead spots the story flowed well. The main characters Mariel and Trystan fight their feelings only to come together in the end to protect both their people's it's a great story check it out!

[kirathelibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

punky Mariel, a rather uncommon commoner who can swim underwater like a mermaid, follows his ship to its destination: the secret, magically guarded isle of Aelynn. Despite mutual attraction, the golden man—actually Tristan l'Enforcer, Aelynn's loyal guardian—refuses to help Mariel or her town—so Mariel helps herself, escaping with an old chalice that she sells to buy wheat for her village. Little does she realize that the relic is Aelynn's most powerful sacred artifact, the Chalice of Plenty—and soon Tristan shows up to recover it.

[jtt047 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book free in exchange for a fair and honest review.A strange tale about a long-waited god who could save them, and a mermaid trapped in the human world, who can’t show her true self. And of course a meeting of the two, that will change their lives forever.That is in a few words the story of this book, which I found really interesting. Right from the start the author puts you in the right mood. It is set in France, at a time when people were suffering… and life was even worse in the small village where Mariel was living, because she had not only to care for herself, but for her pregnant sister too. Mariel’s hopes start to rise when she sees a tall blond stranger, Trystan, who according to a prophecy will save her village. But of course things are never so simple or easy…She follows him to a strange, new place and there after many mishaps and arguments, the two heroes come closer together and the romance begins.The book in general offers very lively descriptions of both the places and the people that are mentioned. One of my favourite parts of the book was the description of how the main characters’ eyes change colour depending n their mood (truly loved it). And then there were the teasing dialogues between Mariel and Trystan. It was sometimes initiated by him and continued by her and vise versa. It was really refreshing to read and very enjoyable as it releases the tention you tend to feel when reading very intense chapters. One of such a scene is when Mariel sees an exotic fruit and after a brief description Trystan ends up telling her that some call it a Banana.(I really laughed out loud reading that part!!) As for the romance, although it is anticipated right from the start, it evolves slowly into something deeper for both of them. They both learn that they must change their attitude and their beliefs and even go against what is expected of them to do, if they wnt to be together.The ending (even though it is not actually the end, since there’s a second book that continues the main storyline) is something I hoped would be happy but I didn’t actually expect it to turn out quite that way. In general, I must say I found it pleasant to read and it has some ]very interesting twists that will keep you guessing right till the very end.

[dotland101 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sensual, passionate, mystical love story in the time of turmoil which soon led to the "Reign of Terror" in France. When Trystan, the Guardian of Aelynne, the Mystical Island was mistaken for a golden god that Mariel's mother prophesied of which had become the village legend, and who was believed would be the one who would save the village in the time of famine and starvation. But when Trystan's ship didn't stop, Mariel had to do something and fast. So, she dived into the sea and followed him, or rather stowaway to Aelynn, the island that is unknown and forbidden to the Other Worlders. How did Mariel managed to get through the protective barriers? For only the Aelynners and Crossbreeds could do that. Mariel didn't know that what she was called a "Crossbreed" because she had special ability to swim like a mermaid and could talk to dolphins. Trystan and Mariel both felt the strong attraction that drew them physically together, but marriage and children were not for Mariel. She didn't want to stay on Aelynn, she needed to go back home to take care of her pregnant sister, and find a way to feed her family and friends. Trystan didn't want Mariel to leave, for he believed that Mariel was his "Amacara", in other word, his soul mate. But how to convince Mariel to stay on Aelynn and make her take the vow of amacara that would bind them as mates together for all eternity? What about the marriage and wife? That's another matter, another vow and possibly and very likely in Trystan's case... another woman altogether, would Mariel okay with that? Amacara is to produce heirs, preserve bloodline and pass on his guardian ability, but what about love?