Fantasy forests of the Enchanted Bookstore Legends: Silva Nocens & Silva Caliga
by Marsha A. Moore
When my heroine, Adalyra McCauley opens an enchanted book, she learns she has inherited the rare abilities and responsibilities of a Scribe in the fantasy world known as Dragonspeir. Each Scribe is expected to journey the entire fantasy world, through both good and evil factions, then write a lengthy account. Those recorded works contains magic with huge implications. Lyra confronts a series of quests where she is expected to save the good Alliance from destruction by the evil Black Dragon. In Heritage Avenged, the second legend, Lyra questions whether Dragonspeir magic was responsible for her aunt’s death. She resolves to learn the truth and accepts the Imperial Dragon’s appointment into sorcery training with the Alliance. Additionally, her proficiency in magic craft is the only way she can bridge the gap between her human world and her lover’s, a 220-year-old wizard dependent upon magic for immortality. Cullen is her only family now. Evil forces try to steal her inherited scribal aura. Lyra must rely on her novice training to attempt to discover the truth about her aunt and find a life with Cullen.
During her quests, Lyra travels through two amazing forests in Dragonspeir: Silva Nocens, the evil forest and Silva Caliga, the forest of the mist. These unusual magical places are inhabited by fascinating people and creatures.
Silva Nocens lies in the Dark Realm, ruled by the fearsome Black Dragon. The trees there are massive and ancient, their leaves black, absorbing whatever illumination penetrates. The floor lies mostly clear of underbrush since little light supports growth. It stinks with a stench of organic decay mixed with evil. Wicked green dragons live there, allies to the Black Dragon, along with various types of drake dragons, who toil as his minions. In this scene from Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two, Lyra and Cullen’s owl assistant, Kenzo, are attacked by trackers, a pair of dracura and an avril bird:
Lyra jumped up and held out the phoenix flame again, calling on it for guidance. She raced along its beam to gain as much ground as possible before taking cover. After a few minutes, she covered the orb and slowed, searching frantically for any depression in the forest floor. Behind one tree lay a low spot. She kneeled down and scooped out leaves, hoping the basin would be large enough for them. Barely.
“Over here!” she called to Kenzo. She sat in the hollow, her legs wrapped around a tree root, and pulled leaves over her calves.
The owl nestled next to her stomach and used his wings to drag in more leaves.
“Contego,” she stated softly but firmly, revolving a hand in the air above them. “The ward is in place. It will keep attackers out who have only minor powers.” She wondered about the abilities of the enemies. Hearing her own ragged breath, she lengthened her exhalations until it became shallow.
In a few minutes, shuffling and sniffing noises sounded…growing louder…closer. Peering between the leaves covering her face, Lyra saw the terrifying form of a half dragon creature, whose upper torso resembled a reptile. A dracura. Its forked tongue flicked out, testing the air. She remembered they track by keen sense of smell. The ward didn’t hide their odor.
Moments later, another dracura appeared, looking almost human above the waist, except for huge horse-like ears, each rotating in different directions.
The avril’s caw split the silent of the forest as it swooped above them. The huge black bird perched upon an overhanging branch.
A large clawed foot of the reptile dracura thumped against the ward, and he let out a loud grunt to his partner, who turned to examine the discovery. The reptile-dragon placed his hands on the ward.
Lyra’s heart beat in her throat, and sweat covered her forehead, despite the intense cold.
A hand ripped through the ward and grabbed a handful of her hair.
Silva Caliga lies in a neutral region of Dragonspeir. It’s a world ruled by trees and the spirit creatures that inhabit them. In Heritage Avenged, Lyra was drawn to pass through this forest on her bloodswear quest. From a distance, it called to her. She heard soft music, barely audible, a haunting tune with a harp accompanying a woman’s angelic soprano. Tiny lights flashed momentarily, then faded back into the fog. Even during a storm with fierce winds, a mist continually hung over the forest. Here is Lyra’s first conversation with the Lady of the Forest of Silva Caliga and one of the tree spirits, called circutamina:
Suddenly, the singing sounded close. Lyra was unprepared for defense. Frazzled nerves prevented her from pulling her aura out for use. It didn’t matter what danger approached; anger altered her priorities.
A large mass of hazy light appeared through the trees. So intensely white, it blinded her.
Accepting whatever horrible fate lay ahead, she watched the illumination. Although it remained motionless, the ethereal voice continued. Its melancholy tone seemed empathetic, but Lyra now questioned everything.
The light dimmed and a beautiful lady approached, carrying a large lantern.
Kenzo bolted off of the woman’s shoulder.
Against the dark of dense hemlocks, the woman’s long hip-length golden hair shimmered with silver highlights at the peak of each wave. She wore an emerald velvet cloak and a flowing white gown underneath. In her other hand, she held a simple staff made from a polished branch decorated with deeply cut runes. Around the lantern danced several butterflies, each of a different color and shape.
A small tree spirit followed, its dingy, yellowed gown flowing behind as it scampered toward Lyra.
The silver stripes of the tiger owl’s feathers looked regal in the bright light. “Lyra, I’ve brought help. Are you all right?” He landed close beside her.
Lyra shook her head.
The woman smiled and bowed her head. “I’m Ysmena, the Lady of the Forest. I protect all that lives in Silva Caliga.” She nodded at the tree spirit. “Ivri has spoken on your behalf, so you are our friend.”
“Lady Lyra, I’m Ivri, hemlock keeper. You spared me earlier today. You were able to see me before I could hide. Most with your power kill cicutamina for fun. I was careless and should have died.” The little creature bowed low, her yellowish-white hair floating forward around thickly calloused bare feet. “For your compassion, in turn, I come to your aid.”
Ysmena lifted her lantern and surveyed the area Lyra disturbed. “What is troubling you, Lady Lyra? How may we be of assistance?”
In Silva Caliga, Lyra made some good friends who taught her about the ways of the trees—information that she soon had to rely upon to stay alive in the wicked dark forest of Silva Nocens. Find out how in Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two.
Author Bio:
Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Her creativity also spills into watercolor painting and drawing. After a move from Toledo to Tampa in 2008, she’s happily transforming into a Floridian, in love with the outdoors.
Crazy about cycling, she usually passes the 1,000 mile mark yearly. She is learning kayaking and already addicted. She’s been a yoga enthusiast for over a decade and that spiritual quest helps her explore the mystical side of fantasy. She never has enough days spent at the beach, usually scribbling away at new stories with toes wiggling in the sand.
Every day at the beach is magical!
Author Links: Website: http://MarshaAMoore.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MarshaAMoore
Fantasy Faction staff page: http://fantasy-faction.com/staff-members?uid=38
Goodreads author page http://www.goodreads.com/marshaamoore
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