The Magical Book of Wands
Page 1
The Magical Book of Wands
A Multi-Author Anthology
By: Raven M. Williams, Rick Haynes, Krista Gossett,
E.P. Clark, J. Steven Young, Devorah Fox, Victoria Raschke,
Shakyra Dunn, Guy Donovan, Edward Buatois, Bryan Rainey,
& Nils Nisse Visser
Copyright Notice
Copyright © 2017-2018 Raven M. Williams, Rick Haynes, Krista Gossett, E.P. Clark, J. Steven Young, Devorah Fox, Victoria Raschke, Shakyra Dunn, Guy Donovan, Edward Buatois, Bryan Rainey, & Nils Nisse Visser. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Magic Book and Wand graphic by Roy3D, and can be found here, along with other work by this artist: https://roy3d.deviantart.com/art/Spell-Book-And-Wand-PNG-Stock-426410115
Contents
Copyright Notice
Foreward
Raven’s Twisted Classics presents: The Enchanted Sword
Foreward
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue
About the Author
The Wand Of Luminance
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
About the Author
Gretel’s Gift
About the Author
The Dragonbone Wand
About the Author
The Wand Whisperer
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
About the Author
An Ill Wind
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
About the Author
A Wand Needs A Witch
About the Author
The Keeper of Callister Space
About the Author
The Long Way Home
About the Author
Magen
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
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
About the Author
Spellbinders: Judas Mirror
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
About the Author
The Smallest Spark
About the Author
Foreward
Welcome to a fantastic, multi-author anthology featuring authors you’ve come to know and love each year through Virtual FantasyCon. The theme of this anthology is “Magic Wand”. Each story will feature a wand in it. So sit back and enjoy stories from Raven M. Williams, Rick Haynes, Krista Gossett, E.P. Clark, J. Steven Young, Devorah Fox, Victoria Raschke, Shakyra Dunn, Guy Donovan, Edward Buatois, Bryan Rainey, & Nils Nisse Visser.
Raven’s Twisted Classics presents: The Enchanted Sword
By Raven M. Williams
Foreward
Welcome to Raven’s Twisted Classics, a series of short stories that take classic fairytales and retells them with a twist. Some are mash-ups of two or more classics, while others are twisted retellings of just one.
This series got its start thanks to the prompting of a fellow author. She asked the question, what two stories would you mash-up into one and what would you call it? My answer: Robin Hood and Alice in Wonderland, and I’d call it Down the Rabbit Hole. Now, of course, I never intended to write it, but this same author friend kept insisting I should. After much prodding, the characters of the original stories started talking to me and my twisted version was born.
After writing and releasing Down the Rabbit Hole in 2016, another classic mash-up came to me, a combination of Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast. That short story, The Beast & the Sleeping Prince, released in 2017, followed by The Watery Kingdom (January, 2018) and a new series was born. Each tale is a standalone, so can be read in any order.
Now, you are about to embark on a twisted re-telling of Cinderella. Join James as he uses his imagination and the magic of words to change the story of this classic fairytale into something new. Are you ready to join James in The Enchanted Sword?
Prologue
James, now thirteen, still loves the time he gets to spend in the library during school. So many books to read, he wonders if he’ll ever get to them all. He smiles, thinking of the wand he got from Mark several years ago. He’s twisted so many tales with it, his personal collection of books has grown quite a bit. Today, he plans to add to it.
The bell rings, ending the period. James scoops up his books and backpack, then dashes from the classroom, making his way to the Library. Entering, he quickly heads for the section where the classic fairytales are shelved. He scans the spines, looking for the one he wants. Finally finding it, he pulls it off the shelf, looking at the cover.
“So, how will you turn out?” he whispers to no one in particular.
Sitting down, he lays the book on the floor, unzips his bag, and pulls out the old toy wand. It’s dented and scratched from the years of being stuck in the backpack with all his books. James smiles fondly, remembering the first time the magic presented itself.
“Without you, I never would have acquired new stories to read. I am forever grateful. Now, time to m
ake another.”
He points the wand at the book, while staring at the cover, muttering the silly made-up incantation Mark used that first time. He wonders what Cinderella will morph into, once the magic take holds.
The incantation spoken, James waits patiently, but nothing happens. No red sparks. No twisting or warping of the book. He tries the incantation again, but nothing happens.
“Now what do I do?” he mutters to himself, tossing the wand away from him, disappointment rolling off him in waves.
He picks up the book, preparing to put it back on the shelf. Might as well head for the Action and Adventure section. Just as he’s about to slide it into place, he hears a soft voice. Startled, he drops the book and looks around, but sees no one. He stoops, picking up the book, gasping when a small person appears in front of him. He reminds James of the garden gnomes his mom’s so fond of.
“Check out the book, you’ll need it,” encourages the gnome, his blue eyes blinking rapidly, as he adjusts his bright yellow shirt and red hat.
“Who are you?” gasps James, stepping back, as he eyes the creature.
“Who I am, matters not. Take the book.”
“Why?” demands James. Immediately, he hears a ‘shush’ coming from the main desk. He lowers his voice and continues, “What’s so important about a child’s fairytale?”
“You’ve been using magic to create new fairytales, yes?” asks the gnome. “You are meant to continue. A whole new generation of children will need your tales in the future.”
“But the wand no longer works. How am I supposed to create new stories without it?” murmurs James, wondering if he’s going crazy. Surely gnomes aren’t real.
“Check out the book and take it home. Before the day is out, you’ll know what to do.”
“Okay,” says James hesitantly. He’s not sure he entirely trusts the odd creature before him, however, at the same time, he’s curious.
He grabs his bag, slinging the straps over his left shoulder and heads to the check-out desk. He lays the copy of Cinderella on the counter. The Librarian picks it up, looks at the cover, then at James, her expression one of confusion and disbelief.
“Aren’t you a bit old for children’s fairytales?” she asks, still puzzled by his choice.
James kicks the front of the counter, embarrassed, struggling to find an answer to her question. Then he hears the strange gnome’s voice in his head.
“Tell her it’s for a class project.”
“It’s for a project in one of my classes,” he says quickly.
“Okay, if you’re sure,” says the Librarian. “Most boys your age head for the Action and Adventure section. I would have thought you’d select something from there.”
“Um, maybe next time,” mutters James, his embarrassment returning.
He loves those types of stories as much as the next guy his age, but he needs to finish his collection of twisted tales. He only has a few more to go. He may have to beg his mom to let him get the originals from a used bookstore. He can’t go through this every time he needs one of the classic stories.
He’s startled from his musings by the lady dropping the book on the counter.
“There you go, young man. It must be returned by Friday of next week.”
“Thanks,” murmurs James, as he thrusts it quickly into his backpack just as the bell rings, signaling the end of the period.
He rushes out the door, heading for his next class, his face still red with embarrassment at the Librarian’s words. He steps through the door of his Creative Writing class and takes his seat, waiting for his teacher to appear.
As the bell rings indicating the class start time, Ms. Wagner enters the room and begins writing on the chalkboard. James pulls out his notebook, realizing she’s listing their next assignment. He begins copying what she’s writing. As he does, it dawns on him what the mysterious gnome was hinting at.
Oh my god. That’s what he meant. We are supposed to take a classic story and rewrite it, using our own words. The magic of the wand didn’t work, because I’m supposed to come up with my own story. I can’t wait to try this!
Finished writing, Ms. Wagner turns to face the class. She grabs a stack of leather-bound journals and hands them to one of the boys sitting in the front. She hands another stack to another boy and directs them to pass them out to their classmates. As they follow her instructions, Ms. Wagner addresses the class.
“As you can see, this is our class project. Every week, you will take one of the classic fairytales and rewrite it in your own words. This week, you will do a re-telling of Cinderella. So, you’ll need to go to the library and check out a copy. No rewriting word-for-word, the story must be one of your own making, based on Cinderella. Your short story is due next Friday. That gives you a week-and-a-half to re-familiarize yourself with the popular fairytale and write your story. Any questions?”
Being in the back of the class, James is one of the last ones to receive his journal. He takes the black, leather-bound book and stares intently at it.
This will soon be filled with my own stories. That’s so cool!
His thoughts are interrupted by the teacher continuing, “Okay, open your Creative Writing books to chapter five and let’s get started.”
The rest of the day quickly passes, and it’s time for James to head home. He enters the back door, passes through the kitchen, grabbing an apple, and heads for his room.
He calls out, “Mom, I’m home. I have homework to do, so I’ll be in my room.”
“Did you have a good day at school?” she asks, stopping at the end of the hallway.
“Yeah. I’ve got to get started on this writing project for my Creative Writing class. It’s due next Friday, and we just got it today.”
“Okay. Have fun. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready,” says his mom, smiling at her son’s enthusiasm for the project.
He nods, his mind on his story, as he enters his room. He closes the door behind him and drops his bag on the bed, opening it. He pulls out a notebook, pencil, and the copy of Cinderella, then heads for his desk.
Sitting down, he opens the book and notebook, staring off into space. Suddenly, his mind fills with words. Where they’re coming from he doesn’t know and doesn’t care. He grabs his pencil and begins writing...
Chapter One
Once upon a time in a magical realm, lives a boy named Ashby. He and his father reside in a large manor home on a large parcel of land, not far from the royal palace. The two of them live a quiet life, spending their time at home, rarely saying a word to each other. When they do go out, it’s either related to his father’s work, or they go hunting or fishing to ensure they have plenty to eat during the long winter months. Rarely do they have visitors, for his father is quite depressed since losing his wife to a strange illness many years earlier.
Then one day, while attending to some scribing for the King, Ashby’s father meets a woman visiting the palace. She’s some distant relative to the Queen, who insisted on staying with them. Spying Ashby’s father, she inquires about the man’s wife and finds out about the woman’s death. Abigail excuses herself and hurries to her room.
“Finally! I was beginning to think that woman would live forever. When she came to me, seeking a potion to aid her in having another child, I couldn’t believe my good fortune. I knew the potion I gave her was slow-working, but I didn’t believe it would take so long. Now to put part two of my plan into action.”
She grins evilly, as she plots ways to get Ashby’s father to notice her. Learning he is the official scribe of the royal court, she finds excuses to call Ashby’s father to the castle. At each visit, she worms her way into his heart, even going so far as to try and insinuate herself into Ashby’s life.
Ashby, however, isn’t fooled by her. He keeps his distance, but doesn’t say anything to his father. It’s the first time in a long time he’s seen his father happy, and he doesn’t have the heart to jeopardize it.
“Still, that woman bears watchi
ng,” he murmurs to himself. “There’s something about her I can’t put my finger on.”
As a chill runs up and down his spine, he plasters a smile on his face and acts as if everything is okay, when in his heart, he knows it’s not.
Months pass, then one day, Ashby’s father comes to him with news. He’s never seen his father so happy.
“What is it, Father? What’s your news?” he asks.
“Son, I’ve asked Lady Abigail Fairchild to marry me. She has graciously accepted. The wedding is in a fortnight in the Castle’s gardens. We must visit the tailor. You’ll need a suit,” exclaims his father, his eyes alight with excitement.
“Married? You’re getting married?” gasps Ashby, trying to force a smile, while a lead weight sinks in his stomach.
His father, a perceptive man, senses Ashby’s trepidation and seeks to reassure him.
“Son, nothing will change. You are and will remain my heir. When the time comes for me to join your mother, this home will be yours.”
“Father, I don’t care about the house. I just want you to be happy, but I must admit, I have an uneasy feeling about Lady Fairchild. Something isn’t right there.”
“Now, son. You fear change, that’s all it is. For so long, it’s only been the two of us. Now, not only will you have a stepmother, but two stepbrothers as well. Surely you realize change is part of life. There’s nothing to fear. You do want me to be happy, don’t you?” pleads his father.
“Yes, Father. I want you to be happy,” Ashby replies, his eyes downcast, unable to look at him.
The man pats his back.
“It’ll be fine. You’ll see,” assures his father. “Now come, let us get to the tailor before he closes. Otherwise, we won’t have our fancy suits in time for the wedding.”
A FORTNIGHT PASSES and the day of the wedding dawns cloudy. As time progresses, storm clouds grow and rain begins to fall, while thunder rumbles and lightning flashes brightly across the sky. Apprehension grows inside Ashby, as the intensity of the storm grows. Still, his father won’t hear a word he says, insisting a little rain doesn’t portend anything bad.