The Stone of Cuore

by Stephen I. Carmer



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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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  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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  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:

  https://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 https://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?

  …

  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.

  …

  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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  And other eBook retailers.

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  Visit https://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 as the twins.

  “Who is it?” Ladius asked.

  Ravi shrugged and pointed at the brass plate. The names engraved had long been obscured. Then Ravi questioned the Palace Guards who just shrugged as they had no idea about the painting. With a nod and a knowing look, the twins tore off toward the vault to gather up their Staffs. Minutes later, and at a speed that would have incurred a scolding from Mister Persons, the twins held the Staffs of Doppelganger in front of the painting.

  “It was painted by Alexander,” Ravi said as his Staff uncovered the first bit of evidence.

  “About eight hundred years ago,” Ladius said. “During the reign of Queen Sina.”

  “The wizard’s name is Tancred,” Ravi stated. Then both boys stared at the two boys depicted. They stepped closer for a better look.

  “The painting is a fraud,” Ravi said with certainty.

  “Something is hidden,” Ladius agreed. “But who are the two boys?”

  “One is Platov,” Ravi said. His Staff had determined that point but Ravi shrugged as he had no idea of who Platov even was.

  “The other?” Ladius was listening carefully to his Staff. Clearly the Staffs of Doppelganger were perplexed as they could not determine the name of the second boy depicted. Tancred, the wizard was teaching the students, that much the Staffs were in agreement over. Both Staffs were convinced of a fraud. Ravi and Ladius’ attention was drawn to the unnamed student’s hand where a faint cloud had been painted. As if practicing lightning balls, the cloud was hovering at the tips of his fingers. The other student, Platov was holding out a wooden box and both appeared mesmerized by their lecturer, Tancred.

  “Platov’s face is also the wizard’s face,” Ladius finally stated as his Staff uncovered that fact. Examining the face behind the long trailing gray beard, the twins could see that the artist had indeed painted Platov’s eyes and nose. A small detail that might have gone unnoticed except that the Staffs of Doppelganger were very thorough in their investigation. With a shrug as that appeared to be the fraud that the Staffs were speaking of, the twins cast an enchantment over the paintings so that nobody else would notice it. With a snicker for cheating at the contest, the twins tore off.

  With a smirk, the Palace Guards who had witness what the twins had done, watched to see if the enchantment would keep all others from noticing. Later, a long line of visitors and castle dwellers past by the painting without taking any notice. Filing into the Great Dining Hall, students took their seats along the long tables while the Keeper’s personal guests occupied prominent seating reserved especially for them.

  Ladius and Ravi finishing their chores and then taking their places watched the door anxiously. Now to win the contest meant to not let on to anyone else what they knew. Suspicious that someone else had seen the painting, they conspired at ways to keep everyone busy. With a bit of mischief, forks and spoons kept tumbling onto the floor. The twins snickered but kept their eyes on the door.

  Then at once, preoccupied with his guests, Tommes the Keeper arrived. Wearing a long blue robe with his Staff in his right hand, Tommes stepped through the door escorted by the assistant butler, Gaylord. Jumping up from their seats, Ladius and Ravi held their hands high while watching everyone else suspiciously. The Keeper always had prizes in his pocket for the winner. At first, they were not noticed by the Keeper, but when Tommes’ eyes finally fell on the twins, he acknowledged them.

  “A new painting,” Ladius called out.

  “The wizard’s name is Tancred,” Ravi finished.

  “Platov and one other,” Ladius also stated.

  “We could not find the name of the third,” Ravi admitted.

  “Curious,” Tommes said. “And do you know who Platov was?”

  “No sir,” Ladius admitted.

  “There was no brochure,” Ravi stated.

  The other students stared dumbfounded to have missed the new painting.

  “How do you know that the painting is of Tancred?” Grey, an invited guest of Tommes inquired.

  “We asked it,” Ravi replied. Grey knew the twins carried the Staffs of Doppelganger.

  “The painting is a fraud,” Ladius said. “We learned that much.”

  “A fraud?” Grey looked puzzled. “In what manner?”

  “Platov is both the student and the wizard,” Ladius said with certainty.

  Tommes was amused that the twins had done such a thorough job of inspecting the painting. He truly had not looked at it, but he had heard from Mister Persons about Ruberta’s outburst.

  “I should like to have a better look,” Grey amused by the twins decided to step back out into the foyer. Gaylord showed the wizard to the door.

  Tommes in the meantime reached into his pocket and pulled out two prizes while the rest of the dumbfounded students stared enviously. Nobody else had taken any notice of the new painting. The twins took their prizes, two wooden boxes that when opened reminded them of tasks they still had to complete. As all of Tommes’ guests were heading for the foyer, the students all curiously followed them.

  The painting, rather large and painted with broad strokes loomed over the foyer. Faded with time, layers of dust, and darkening varnish, the scene depicted a benevolent wizard named Tancred imparting his wisdom onto youth. Everyone stared at the painting.

  “In what manner do you claim that Platov stood in for the wizard?” Grey asked as he examined the masterpiece carefully.

  “The same eyes,” Ravi pointed out while Ladius nodded with authority. But their Staffs were saying that was not the fraud. Now the twin’s attention was drawn to the box held in the outstretched hand of Platov.

  “I see the resemblance,” Grey said. “Not an uncommon practice of the day to have apprentices stand in for subjects.”

  As luck would have it, the uncanny ability of Ruberta to arrive at the very instance that any work of art was under scrutiny, she interrupted the gathering. Ladius stepped forward and touched the box that Platov was holding. A bit of paint flaked off and fell to the floor. Ruberta screeched as a work of historic art had been damaged!

  “I think there is something under the box,” Ladius sai
d. He picked at the paint dislodging another small sliver of loose paint. Ruberta stepped forward and briskly pulled Ladius’ hand back with harsh scolding words.

  “There is something in his hand,” Ravi said as he examined the other student depicted. Under the misty lightning ball, he could see the paint ridge forming a shape as if an egg were hidden.

  Grey pulled out his spectacles and stepped closer. “I believe that they have discovered something.”

  “They painted over an egg,” Ravi said even as Ruberta was pulling him away from the painting.

  “I should like to have the painting examined,” Tommes said as he too could make out the faint shape of an egg underneath a thin cloudy layer of paint. Another wizard with a magnifying loupe stepped forward. Examining the details carefully, he too agreed that something was hidden behind the cloud and box. Then he examined the ornate frame. A large oval was in the center of the bottom rail. Along the top rail were three more ovals, one in each corner and one in the center. The entire frame was gilded in gold leaf with accents of dark red along the inner edge. Years of dusting and polishing had worn away the gilding revealing a bright undercoating of red.

  “A usual style of frame for the period,” the wizard stated.

  Ruberta without delay or intimidation immediately recited the rules and procedures that would have to be followed before the painting could be examined. She knew everyone by heart, as could be expected. Tommes compliantly stated that of course only an expert would be employed for the task. Then with a twinkle in his eyes, he nominated Ruberta for the supervisory position. Seconded by two other wizards, Ruberta was given the opportunity to investigate the ancient painting. With a smug smile for having dodged the wrath of the Society, Tommes invited everyone back into the dining hall.

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  Chapter 2: The Unwilling Apprentice of Wraith

  Now we travel back in time eight hundred years where an early wizard named Platov plots his escape from the evil wizard Wraith.