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CHAPTER I
CHAPTER I
*THIS NOVEL HAS NOT BEEN PUBLISHED YET, AND DOESN'T HAVE A DEFINITIVE TITLE. Writing pending professional edits.
Tommy can bring objects to life, but when his powers start triggering on their own and an out-of-control wood-axe attacks his father, he’s convinced his magic is evil.
Helped by his best friend, Lira, he finds a manuscript which could help seal his powers. But when Lira’s violin master turns senile, her parents whisk her and the book away. Now, Tommy must chase them through the Misfortunate Woods or lose his friend, the only one who can help him stop his magic hurting someone else.
In a land at war, Sisi is an orphan who can talk to animals. It’s a power she’s been taught to keep secret all her life, isolating her from her peers. Searching for a place to belong, she rescues a comet-surfer named Rero, who could be the friend she needs.
When her town is attacked by an enemy warrior who commands fearsome chimeras, Sisi is forced to question everything she knows. Turns out she is a lost princess of the enemy kingdom and Rero is an enemy spy, offering her the chance to end the war and take the throne.
Now, Sisi must choose: stay with her adoptive father and risk isolation for the rest of her life, or follow Rero and embrace the chance to find a place where she can truly belong.
When destiny delivers Tommy and Sisi to the same crossroads, they find their lives hurtling in new and unforeseen directions.
Tommy can bring objects to life, but when his powers start triggering on their own and an out-of-control wood-axe attacks his father, he’s convinced his magic is evil.
Helped by his best friend, Lira, he finds a manuscript which could help seal his powers. But when Lira’s violin master turns senile, her parents whisk her and the book away. Now, Tommy must chase them through the Misfortunate Woods or lose his friend, the only one who can help him stop his magic hurting someone else.
In a land at war, Sisi is an orphan who can talk to animals. It’s a power she’s been taught to keep secret all her life, isolating her from her peers. Searching for a place to belong, she rescues a comet-surfer named Rero, who could be the friend she needs.
When her town is attacked by an enemy warrior who commands fearsome chimeras, Sisi is forced to question everything she knows. Turns out she is a lost princess of the enemy kingdom and Rero is an enemy spy, offering her the chance to end the war and take the throne.
Now, Sisi must choose: stay with her adoptive father and risk isolation for the rest of her life, or follow Rero and embrace the chance to find a place where she can truly belong.
When destiny delivers Tommy and Sisi to the same crossroads, they find their lives hurtling in new and unforeseen directions.
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About
Daniel Teszler is a creative soul whose goal is set: conjure fun, fantastical, and meaningful stories — creating moments that make you stop to think, taking the seed of that thought and centering magical worlds around it.
Whether through written word or interacting one-on-one, he believes that fun is a crucial part of what makes an experience worth having. "Start by having fun, and all other good things will fall into place."
Mixing play with deep thinking is a way of life for him, as is singing karaoke after midnight and inventing dance moves in his kitchen. When he's not doing any of that, he sometimes plays roles with the moving stage of the Trendart Theater Company, getting immersed in the world of make-believe. The smiles and laughter of hundreds of children radiating through the auditorium energize him almost as much as unraveling the complex backstories of villains in his novels.
Whether through written word or interacting one-on-one, he believes that fun is a crucial part of what makes an experience worth having. "Start by having fun, and all other good things will fall into place."
Mixing play with deep thinking is a way of life for him, as is singing karaoke after midnight and inventing dance moves in his kitchen. When he's not doing any of that, he sometimes plays roles with the moving stage of the Trendart Theater Company, getting immersed in the world of make-believe. The smiles and laughter of hundreds of children radiating through the auditorium energize him almost as much as unraveling the complex backstories of villains in his novels.
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THE WILD GIRL
&
THE LIVING THINGS
A NOVEL BY DANIEL TESZLER
PART I
CHASM OF ASH
CHAPTER I
THE NEWSPAPER
There were seven reasons for Tommy to be afraid: seven copper coins jostling in his pocket, their metallic sound threatening to attract bandits, much like blood attracts wolves.
Lifting his boots to clear the snow, Tommy threaded up the forested hillside whilst trying to keep tears from growing in his eyes. If Mom were here, she would’ve taken the money from him and sent him back to bed – to safety. But there was no sign of her returning anytime soon; Tommy had to grit his teeth and buy the newspaper himself. He didn’t know why, only that Father had asked, and that the coin in his pocket was everything they had.
Eventually, Tommy drew close to a large number of voices. Despite the early hour, half the village blocked the path. After reaching the hilltop, he had to weave through a forest of legs and scurry to get in front of the tavern. Dozens of people stood in his way, ankle deep in the snow and blowing steam into their palms. Sunlight reflected from their skin, which ranged from inky obsidian to cool sepia, as well as every shade in between.
Had the store owner provoked this? Or did everyone want one of those newspapers? Would there be enough of them? Tommy shivered. He was small even among ten-year-olds… A mob like this could easily keep him from the paper. If the wrong fellow found out about his money, they could strip him of it, unseen between shifting silhouettes, unheard within the banter of the crowds.
Holding his breath, Tommy shifted closer to the tavern, trying to catch a glimpse of the vendor or spot a clue about what was going on. But the vendor wasn’t there. And frankly, so close to the crack of dawn, why would he be?
WOSH!!! Something flew above. Tommy covered his ears, the fierce roar coming closer. Winds spiraled in, trees jostled and a blizzard formed. Between half-closed eyelids, Tommy spotted the source of the cyclone.
Held up by a racket of whiny propellers, a gray figure hovered within the icy fog. One could describe it as a flying statue, a man of stone and gears, or a rocket wielding war machine. Typically known as the Mechanical-Man, this was Nyrmoon’s most terrifying guardian. Even the mention of its name made Tommy shiver. If the newspaper hadn’t been so important he would’ve simply bolted out of there. As it was, Tommy swallowed his nerves.
But what did it want? Had it flown here for the same unknown reason everyone else had gathered? Did it come down to punish naughty children like the older folk liked to claim would happen one day?
The vendor, a rather short man with sparse sideburns, worked his way to the front of the crowd, holding a tall stack of frost-filled newspapers. “Hey kid, help me out? Keys in my pocket.” he nudged Tommy.
“For a discount?” Tommy joked, dug his hand into the man’s coat and pulled out a large ring of keys, while glaring at the flying statue and the group of people forbidding it from landing. Tommy had this inexplicable feeling that the Mechanical wanted a newspaper too. Could that be? Did statues want things?
Finally, Tommy twisted the lock open. The store owner pushed the door clear with his boot, entered the shop, and dropped his stack onto the counter. Tommy remained outside, puzzled by the crowd who tossed snowballs at the Mechanical-Man, forcing it to fly off.
“Didn’t you want to come in?” The shopkeeper rested his hand on Tommy’s shoulder. “Don’t worry kid. That thing probably won’t hurt you.”
“Probably?” Tommy swallowed.
“Eh… I wish I could promise, but with magic and fire… you never know.”
Part of the crowd pushed in, quickly snatching newspapers, and filling the vendor’s purse with coppers as they muttered. “That abomination will be the death of us, I swear!” “Madness got a hold of it!” “Got a hold? It’s always had a hold! It was born of madness!”
“They look so furious.” Tommy shivered.
“They’re scared. But I wouldn’t stress myself out about it. See… the Mechanical is here to defend us if the Noiz attack. The villagers are here to defend us if the Mechanical attacks. It balances out, so I'd reckon we’re quite safe.”
“And what if the villagers attack?” Tommy asked.
“I dunno, smart ass…” The vendor chuckled.
Tommy grabbed a newspaper and flung two coins on the counter “Alrighty! Gotta go! Father’s waiting.”
But as he tried to slide out of the shop, the postman dashed in. “Are there–” he gasped, “–any newspapers left?”
“Sold out!” The vendor raised his shoulders.
Tommy stopped on the threshold. Why did everyone act so strange? What was so important about this newspaper?
Captured by curiosity, he peeked at the title-page.
THE PROTECTORS OF LANODIFRI PREVAIL!!!
The brave souls of the Fri did what our forefathers could not! They held their ground, kept their capital standing, and live to fight another day! The Noiz have been beaten back!
Did it say capital? Tommy’s legs numbed. Mom lived in the city which the Noiz had attacked. Spirits! What if she was killed?
With shaking fingers, he shuffled to the list of dead and missing, praying not to find her name. Bloody ices! The victims’ filled half the pages!
“What’s your name, little boy?” The postman asked.
If Mom were on that list, her name would be easy to miss. Tommy checked it over and over–
“Thomas March?” The postman cleared his throat.
“Can’t you see I’m busy?” Tommy raised his head for a moment.
“You are Thomas March! I knew I recognized you!” The postman dug into his handbag and offered and envelope. “Telegram for your family.”
Tommy swatted the envelope away. “I don’t have to– wait!” He looked the postman in the eyes. “From who?”
“Doesn’t say exactly. But it came from LanodiFri.”
“It’s about mom!”
Tommy snatched the mail and tore it open, sliding a tiny parchment into his palm.
His heart rattled and stomach churned.
Mom’s destiny hung on the writing within this mail: words which could be her last. Spirits, please don’t let that happen!
Finally, he looked down. But the letter contained no words. Nothing, except for a tiny symbol:
π
Tommy jolted. “What happened? Where is the writing?”
“Huh?” The postman peered at the message, then scratched his chin.
“Where is the writing?” Tommy slapped the paper. “Where is it?”
“Son, I think that is the writing.”
“Why? How? There aren’t any words!”
“Telegrams are expensive. You pay for each symbol. If that’s all they could afford, they may have tried to use it as a code.”
Tommy turned the paper over in his hands but found nothing of use. “What code?”
“That symbol is Pi. Something to do with measuring a circle. Does a circle mean anything to you?”
Tommy racked his brain, but couldn’t think of anything.
“Maybe you know someone else who can decipher this–”
“Father!” Tommy dashed clear of the counter, his eyes tearing up. If it came from his mom, Father could decipher it. “I have to go!” He whimpered and ran out.