The Six and the Magic Circles

By Eunice Korczak

A fantasy adventure. Six are called to save two worlds. Are they The Six? They don't know, but six kids step up to take on the mission. After all, one of the worlds to be saved is their own. Their quest for the magic circles and the golden flowers takes them over grasslands and rivers, through forests and mountain caverns. They meet with monsters including cu sith, ogres, urscades, yeti, and grusthawgs. But they also find friends and companions along the way including an elf, two dragons, and a griffin. Teen/Preteen. 189 pages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329071292

Book preview

The Six and the Magic Circles

The Six and the Magic Circles

Eunice Korczak

Nutmeghouse Publishing

2015

Copyright

Copyright 2015 by Eunice Korczak

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereofmay not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First printing 2015

ISBN 978-1-329-07129-2

Nutmeghouse Publishing

Post Office Box 370

Greenbush, Minnesota 56726

Cover Art & Design by Boris Rasin

U.S. trade bookstores and wholesalers:

Please contact Nutmeghouse Publishing

218-782-2375

[e-mail]

Dedication

To:

My Alphas:

Felix Korczak

Mark  Udstrand & Gary Udstrand

Melissa Udstrand & Leslie Udstrand

My Grands:

Leyton Udstrand

Garrett Udstrand

Madison Udstrand

Will Udstrand

Grant Udstrand

Grayson Udstrand

For Your:

Creative Ideas

Real Inspiration

Vivid Imaginations

Unwavering Support

And More:

Editing

Suggestions

Proofreading

Thank you

The Prophecy

The councilor slammed his fist to the table. For what reason do we meet to survey this cursed prophecy yet again?

The Queen gave him a hard look but answered mildly, What would you have us do, sir? Our golden flowers are disappearing. Our magic is diminishing. The faery realm and the earth realm are in peril. We can only study the prophecy and attempt to determine in what form and from whence our salvation may come. She nodded at the aide to her right.

The aide cleared his throat, peered at the angry councilor, then cleared his throat once again before reading the prophecy:

At a juncture in time, the Land of the Faery and the Land of the Humans shall be threatened by loss of the Golden Flowers, even unto extinction. In that day, hope of survival for Faery and Human alike will be Six coming unto us in magic. The Six will face untold dangers in their quest for the Golden Flowers. Survival of The Six and survival of the two worlds depends on The Six and on their ability to wield the magic of the golden circles of beauty. The Six must find the circles lost to the ages and claim the magic therein. The Six claim the circles and the circles claim The Six. Nevertheless, without the wisdom of The Six, the circles are of no import. The strength of the link between the two worlds is such that Human and Faery will survive together with the Golden Flowers or perish together without the Golden Flowers. All, all depends upon the valor of The Six.

The angry councilor scowled, but the Queen ignored him. Addressing the other councilors, she said, We must be prepared to recognize The Six, however improbable they be. And we must think on the words of the prophecy and try to understand. We must stand ready to explain what we can and help The Six save the two worlds. She dismissed them with a wave of her hand.

The councilors filed out shaking their heads and mumbling about the end of their world.

Chapter 1

The day after the big Fourth of July celebration, everyone was sitting around Grandma's living room lazily talking about yesterday's parade and celebration. Then the talk turned to the frightening state of the country and the world.

I believe we're on the edge of disaster.

It seems the whole world is ready to collapse.

Oh, I think there is no doubt that . . .

Grandma noticed the children's round eyes watching the adults’ discussion. She could almost see their ears perk up like hunting dogs' ears. It was time to distract them.

Outside with you, she told the grandchildren. You need some fresh air and exercise. Here, take this Frisbee and off to the park with you.

The kids obediently filed out the door, even though they knew Grandma just wanted to get them away from the scary conversation. The only other reason she'd shoo them outside was for getting loud and rambunctious. Which they hadn't been. So it had to be the conversation.

Out in the sunshine, they began tossing the Frisbee around. Will and Grant tossed it over the heads of Mady and the two younger boys, Garrett and Leyton. It was a game of keep-away that the older kids were enjoying far more than the younger ones.

Then Grant tossed it really high in the air and it landed somewhere in the lilac bushes next to the little shed by the house.

Now look what you did, shouted Garrett.

Yeah, yelled Leyton.  Now Grandma's Frisbee is lost.

Aw, it's not lost. Just crawl in there and get it, so we can go to the park, said Will.

Just a couple of years ago, the lilacs had formed a sort of tunnel up against the shed wall. The kids could scoot through it in a crouched, knees bent walk to go from the back yard to the front yard. Now though, the lilacs had grown, thickened, and spread out. Grandma said they were growing like jungle plants. She said that about the grandkids, too.

Leyton looked at Will and said, It's all grown together. There's no tunnel anymore. How will we get to the Frisbee?

Just push the branches aside and squeeze in. It can't be that bad, Will answered.

Yeah, said Grant, We can't tell Grandma we've lost her Frisbee before we even went to the park. We've got to get it and you're the smallest, so it's got to be you.

Mumbling to himself, Leyton pushed branches aside and tried to force his way through the lilacs.

Mady, Garrett. Come help me. Hold some of these branches back, so I can crawl in.

He scrunched and scrambled and pushed his way in, even if the branches scraping against his skin did hurt. When he disappeared from view, Mady and Garrett glanced at each other worriedly. They couldn't see him at all! It really was like a jungle.

Mady, Garrett! Leyton's voice sounded as if it came from a long distance. Hey, come in here. It's like a green cavern, and you won't believe what I found! And I think it's dying!

Leyton, don't touch it! called Mady. Mom says we could catch something from sick birds or animals.

Frantically, she scrambled, crouched down, then dropped to her knees and crawled into the lilacs. Garrett followed closely, imitating her, first trying the crouch-walk then dropping to a crawl.

When they broke into the green cavern, they found Leyton bending over a small figure, peering very closely at it but not touching it.

What is it? asked Garrett trying to see around Mady.

Oh, breathed Mady. Softly she continued, It seems to be a faery. She's beautiful. Mady admired her perfect but very tiny form. She looks just like a teeny, tiny human, except she has those gorgeous golden wings.

But there is no such thing as a faery, said Garrett. Then Mady moved a little, and he saw what the other two were looking at. Oh, that must be a faery, though. He said in a surprised tone. What else could it be? Well, we know Grandma's house is a magical place. But still . . .

Mady carefully picked her up and tenderly cradled the little beauty in her hand. The kids watched the tiny person in astonishment as she blinked her eyes, focused on them, and in a whispery little voice said, Hi. The beautiful little golden wings fluttered weakly.

Hi, Mady said softly. Are you ill?

I'm so weak, the faery said. The golden flowers are disappearing, you see. She sighed and closed her eyes momentarily. Then her eyes fluttered open again. Do you not feel or see an effect in this world? Is it not falling into frightful condition?

Well, I don't know, said Leyton. But the grown-ups were talking about how terrible things are in the world. Is it because of the golden flowers?

Yes, she sighed. With the strength of the golden flowers, we faeries take care of your world. Now that the flowers are disappearing, we need help from the humans of this world to save both your world and the Faery World. She looked at them with her wide violet eyes and begged, You must come with me, and you must come now if we are to save my world and yours!

The boys looked to Mady for advice. Well, said Mady, I'm not sure we should agree to anything without asking our parents.

The little faery shuddered and said, We must go now! I'll not last much longer here without the strength of the golden flowers. She faltered a bit, eyes fluttering. Suddenly she sat up, threw her tiny hands in the air and said, Now!

A golden light laced with swirling sparkling flecks flashed, then the ground opened and all three of the kids went sliding down as if they were on a snowy hill.

A loud, but disappearing, cry of Yiiiiieee! startled Grant and Will. Quickly exchanging a look but no words, the two older boys crashed through the lilac branches to investigate, ignoring the branches scratching and scraping their skin. Crashing into the green cavern without caution, they fell into the opening in the ground, sliding down where the younger ones had gone.

Hitting bottom, the older boys quickly bounced to their feet. They were relieved to find the younger kids looking okay, if a little mussed and breathless.

Well, that was quite a ride! said Will. Then, looking at the younger kids, he said, Good to see you're okay. He paused, Uh, you are okay, aren't you? You look weird.

Yeah, I think so, said Leyton. He seemed a little dazed.

Garrett, also looking a little dazed, nodded. But what happened, and where are we? he asked.

I think the faery took us down a hole to her world, offered Mady, with disbelief in her voice.

Something flitted around her head. It was the little faery, looking a bit healthier than before. She lit on Mady's shoulder and said, Sorry, but I had to leave your world. I couldn't breathe. I'm a little stronger here in Falhaven, Faery Land, but even here we are fading. All of us.

Mady reached up, gently plucked the faery from her shoulder, and cupped her hand for the pretty little thing. Looking grateful, the tiny person reclined and closed her eyes for a moment.

Opening them again, she said, I had to leave quickly. I had to bring you along. We need you so desperately, you see. Both worlds do. You seldom see us, but we faeries take care of your world. Without the golden flowers, we will perish. Without us, your world will perish.

The faery's eyes were a much brighter shade of violet now, but her eyelids still fluttered as if they were heavy and about to close. The poor, tiny thing seemed exhausted.

I don't know much about faeries, but I never thought they lived underground, said Garrett. How can faeries fly under the ground? That's where moles are supposed to live.

An amused smile lit up those gorgeous eyes. It may have seemed you were going underground, but you weren't.

But it was a hole in the ground and we fell into it, Garrett said.

Hmm. Let me try to explain. Do you know what a black hole is?

Garrett nodded.

Well, what we went through is something like a black hole. It's a portal between worlds, like a doorway, a magic doorway between your world and the Faery World. We faeries can make them happen. When our golden flowers are in order, that is.

Since Will and Grant had not seen her under the lilacs as the other kids had, they were shocked to see the faery.

Nevertheless, they listened closely to the conversation. Grant was half convinced he was imagining the entire scene, but as the oldest of the group he felt responsible, so he said, Well, if you made the portal, then you can make one so we can go back.

Oh, but you cannot go back! We need your help! Anyway we're all much too weak to attempt another portal without our golden flowers. In fact, we cannot close the portal I opened. Her hands fluttered, drawing their attention to the still open portal.

Well, if it's still open maybe we can go back, Will said, hope lighting his eyes.

No, said the little person. Portals are safe only one way, like your one-way streets. And we cannot do another. We're too weak.

A loud yell startled them and suddenly a boy came through the portal. Who was that? He looked a lot like Grayson, but he appeared to be about ten years old and Grayson was much older than that. He landed on his feet and with wide eyes looked at the five kids.

Whoa! What is going on? You guys all look weird, like you're all about the same age. That is strange!

Well, you look like Grayson but way younger. Who are you? asked Mady.

Don't be silly. Of course, I'm Grayson. I was looking for you and saw the Frisbee in the lilacs so went after it thinking you guys may be hiding in the bushes. I seem to have fallen down a hole hidden under the lilacs. What's going on and where are we anyway?

We're in Falhaven, Faery Land. If you're Grayson, why do you look like you're ten years old? Garrett asked.

The little faery fluttered her wings and Grayson spotted her for the first time.

A little person with wings? Can't be! Did I hit my head or something? Gray asked.

She's a faery. I'm still trying to figure everything out, but it looks like we're stuck here and . . . Grant began.

Let me explain, said the little person. The hole you fell through is a portal between our worlds. It's a one-way portal and cannot be used to return. I brought the kids here to help save both our world and yours. I'm too weak to close the portal. I'm sorry you fell through.

By this time the kids had examined Grayson and each other and discovered they had changed.

Hey. Why do we all look the same age - even Grayson? asked Leyton. It's weird.

All humans who pass through a faery-made portal become ten earth years old before arriving in our world. This is because at that age earthlings are young enough to understand the magic powers of our land and yet old enough to wield them, explained Misty. Upon returning to earth, those who are older than sixteen will not remember visiting us. Those under sixteen will remember but find they cannot share their experiences because everyone - especially adults - will scoff at the stories and explain it away as overactive imaginations.

They looked at one another and examined their own hands and feet. At ten, some were a little older and bigger than normal and some a little younger and smaller. Everyone became a little older or a little younger, whatever it took to arrive at the age of ten. Grayson, though, being over sixteen, was very changed. He didn't like it and just wanted to go back.

Okay, if you made the portal, you can make one going the other way so we can go home, said Gray.

I'm sorry. I cannot. I'm much too weak. All in Faery Land are weak and dispirited. Look. Half bowing, she swung her arm around as though presenting the scene. See how our magic ring is depleted?

For the first time since arriving here, the kids looked around them and noticed they were on a grassy knoll in the middle of a large ring formed by golden vases each with a golden rose. Well, not every vase had a rose. Three were empty.

Why are some of the vases empty? asked Leyton.

That's our biggest problem, the main reason we are weakened. The golden flower ring is essential to our strength. The case of the missing flowers is a mystery. And one we need solved soon, replied the little faery.

She paused and looked closely at the kids, then continued, We don't exchange names as readily as humans. Names have power, you see. When you give your name to someone, you're giving them a certain amount of power over you. But we will be counting on you to save our world, so I think it would be good to exchange names to make communicating a little easier. I'll start. I'm known as Misty.

The three earliest arrivals just happened to be lined up by age from the youngest to the oldest. The youngest spouted, I'm Leyton and this is my cousin Garrett and Mady there is my sister.

The older of the later arrivals gave a little half wave and introduced himself, Hi, I'm Grant. Then Will smiled and said, I'm Will. Glad to meet you.

Garrett pointed at Gray and said, That's my big brother, Grayson, but he's not so big now, Garrett said with a grin.

Misty smiled weakly and said, Glad to meet all of you, too. She took a deep breath. I'll make a short explanation. Then I'll take you to meet the Council and the Faery Queen. As I said, the disappearing flowers are a mystery. We've never stood guard over them, because valuable things like our golden flowers were never disturbed. We just don't do that in Falhaven. But now this is happening. The flowers disappeared late at night, when we were either asleep or dancing on moonbeams. No one saw what happened.

Doesn't anybody have any ideas? asked Leyton.

Misty sighed and her lips turned an alarming shade of blue. With a little shake as if attempting to shed a dusting of flour, she turned her head. Yes, Leyton, we all have ideas and suspicions, unfortunately. Suspicions are not common in our world, and it is painful to admit that now no one is without them. Some suspect the elves, others mistrust the trolls or the ogres or the dwarfs or the dragon or even the mischievous Nisse. We are no longer without suspicion – everyone suspects everyone else, it seems. We are no longer the trusting world we once were. She sighed.

But if everyone is under suspicion, where will we start? asked the ever-logical Garrett.

I think the place to start is meeting the Queen and the Council, said Misty, beckoning them to follow. All are weakened by the loss of our golden flowers, but all will want to meet you.

Chapter 2

Misty led them to an ethereal shimmering white castle just beyond the knoll, behind some very tall trees. All the kids stopped for a moment to admire the beautiful structure.

Come, come, urged Misty. We'd best not keep the Queen and Council waiting. Especially now when everyone's energy is depleted along with our magic. Tired and cranky, you know.

So they continued through the open portcullis and into the castle. Sniffing appreciatively, they treaded carefully on the pink veined marble floor from which a lovely rose scent emanated. Passing through the vestibule, they came to enormous carved doors.

Looks like mahogany, Grayson said as two guards opened them.

Looks like ogres, said Will as he eyed the guards.

Misty urged them through the doors with an impatient look and an extra flutter of her wings. The kids bunched together as they noticed the regally dressed group of faeries sitting at a small but long conference table up on a rostrum, a sort of stage. All were facing the door and all watched intently as the kids approached.

A beautiful faery, obviously the Queen, smiled and said, "Come children, we have things to discuss. Please sit at the