Acabar Series: Vanessa's Rule: Acabar Series, #3

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ACABAR SERIES

BOOK 3: Vanessa’s Rule

––––––––

TERESA A. BEELER

ACABAR Series

Book 3: Vanessa’s Rule

Published by Breckenridge Crossing

Copyright © 2019 by Teresa A. Beeler

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Published in the United States of America

First Printing, 2019

Breckenridge Crossing

255 N County Road 1200

Sutter, IL 62373

www.TeresaBeeler.com

Cover Design: SelfPubBookcovers.com/NoSynonym

Table of Contents

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

Acabar Series Family Trees

About The Author

Disclaimer

Any references to historical events, real people or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters and places are products of the author’s imagination.

Chapter 1

One year ago–Summer 1151

Tonooc Island

Don’t come any closer! warned Gunnar.

Son, we only want to secure the girl.  We don’t want her escaping. Morek, his uncle explained.

Gunnar, it’s okay. I have told you that no harm would come to me. Skylar implored.

Is she speaking to you? Morek asked.

Yes. She says no one will harm her here.

That’s right. We only want to make certain she doesn’t escape.

No, she is mine. You can’t have her. Gunnar declared as he swung his sword to chest level.

What do you mean she is yours?

She is mine to guard. She is my future mate.

But, you are only five years old. Morek scoffed.

Morek, you  recall the saying of the guardians, do you not? Drukhe asked.

Huh? Morek questioned.

Let me remind you. When a Tonooc male finds his true mate, he develops the overwhelming urge to protect and to keep them close at all times. When this happens, the Gods will provide the skills and powers to ensure their mate’s safety. It says nothing about age in the saying. Drukhe explained.

Are you saying that your son is claiming that girl as his true mate at five? Morek challenged pointing his finger at Skylar.

Go ahead. Try to take her from him. I bet that even though you are older and bigger than Gunnar, he will best you. Drukhe confirmed.

Chapter 2

Late Summer 1152

Rejo

Princess Teriliyn and her companions circled above the white sands of Rejo. They searched for a clear spot inside the small village to land.

Nippal and his dragon, Leviathan, drifted over the narrow strip of trees that ringed the island.  They came to hover over the same small village that the princess and her dragon, Malandra, were circling. There were around twenty huts laid out in a circle with a long oval hut in the middle. Finger pointed at the oval hut, Nippal shouted, There in the middle. The goddess awaits.

Teriliyn swooped down for a hard landing. She vaulted off her dragon and yelled, Danerkob. Maharaaj ji. We need you now!

An awful jolt went through the Goddess’ hut. Families poured out of their homes and children cried at the awful sound. The Goddess stepped out to discover what caused the commotion. What on earth is going on? Goddess Aranyani demanded.

Amma slid off Malandra saying, Mother, the giants have captured Dereious and the other knights. We have rescued Skylar and a boy. We need Danerkob and Maharaaj ji’s help for the others.

The goddess tilted her head back to watch her son-in-law land on his own dragon. Nippal helped the two little ones down while she waited. She asked, Why do you need the help of a boy and a practitioner?

Teriliyn turned and spoke one word through gritted teeth, Tavara.

Ah. And who is this young boy?

Excuse me. I am not a boy! Gunnar insisted stomping his foot.

Goddess Aranyani turned with a raised brow, one side of her mouth raised, and addressed the boy, If you are not a boy, then who are you? And what are you doing in my kingdom?

Gunnar looked at Skylar out of the corner of his eye before he declared, I am Gunnar, future king of Tonooc and mate of Princess Skylar.

Aranyani spun around to face her daughter and asked, Is this true?

Amma nodded as she replied, According to Gunnar and Skylar.

The goddess turned back to Gunnar and said, Future ruler of Tonooc, why have you come to my kingdom without first asking permission?

Gunnar bent at the waist for the required recognition, and replied, Begging your pardon. These three took Skylar from Tonooc. My job is to protect my mate, so I had no choice but to follow. I apologize for the intrusion but I will not leave her unprotected.

Interesting. She spoke and  turned to Teriliyn, Now, I gave YOU a pass the last time you came here for a cure. You have learned no respect for me or my country. She raised her arm indicating the dirt that was kicked up on their landing.

Teriliyn realized how close she was to not receiving help and relaxed her hands and shoulders. She snapped her legs together and performed a perfect bow. Goddess, please excuse my rash behavior. I meant no disrespect. I am used to being in charge of expeditions and forgot that I was not on Acabar.

Well done, Teriliyn. Judging by the expressions on Amma and Nippal’s faces, I gather it is rare that you apologize.

Teriliyn dropped her head before she mumbled, Never.

The mumbled word caused Goddess Aranyani to place her hand over her stomach and laugh at the princess’ attempt at humility. Well, let’s go see Maharaaj ji.

The goddess turned and led the group to the longhouse. She noticed her people peered through their windows at the group as they passed. I hope my help doesn’t incur the witch’s wrath.

Nippal opened the door for the group to cross the threshold. The squeak of the door drew the room’s inhabitant’s attention. A child’s yell caused Aranyani to refocus. She watched as Danerkob ran towards his twin. He was within three feet when Gunnar stepped in front of Skylar. Gunnar drew his sword, spread his legs, and waited.

Danerkob skidded to a halt and demanded, Who are you to raise your sword here?

At the question, Gunnar nodded his head and spoke, I am her protector. Who are you?

Danerkob mimicked Gunnar’s stance, raised his eyebrows, and declared, I am her brother. She is the future ruler here. So, I would suggest you lower your weapon or feel what I can do!

Gunnar, he is my brother. Please lower your weapon. I have not seen him for over a year. Pleaded Skylar.

His nod encouraged Skylar to scoot around and embrace her brother. Brother, we need your help in a rescue of the flame battalion.

Children, let us put away the attitudes and sit. We must discuss a plan. Goddess Aranyani interrupted as she guided them to the round planning table. Now, tell me what Tavara has done, who the Tonooc are, and how they bested your husband. She asked pointing at Teriliyn.

When Tavara killed Zander, we tried to reach him but an invisible wall surrounding him and Tavara stopped us. The same wall that prevented us from helping my husband and his fighters today. The additional twenty giants that appeared out of nowhere surprised Dereious and his men. As for the Tonooc, I will let the B-O-Y explain. Teriliyn said sweeping her arm towards Gunnar.

He stood and glared at the princess, I warn you. You call me boy one more time and you will pay.

Enough! the goddess seethed, slamming her palm on the table.

Gunnar turned his eyes away from Teriliyn and addressed the goddess’ question, The Tonooc are giants of men. We keep to ourselves unless someone threatens us.

And what caused you to kidnap my granddaughter?

An old woman appeared. She told of a time soon where magic, fire and dragons would come. They would wipe out our race unless we started the prophecy. He explained.

Hands flew over her heart, Amma gasped, What prophecy?

Gunnar listened to the question as he gestured to the princess and explained, A time would come when the one who does not speak, speaks. If we didn’t have the Princess of the Giants by that time, we would lose her forever.

Gunnar detected Nippal’s head nod and asked, You have heard of this?

Yes, my sister-in-law, Amma and Teriliyn’s sister, hasn’t spoken since she was five. She tells of a different tale. When she speaks, the giants will return. Nippal explained.

Amma interrupted, Yes, Tavara the witch told of the prophecy. The giants told of an old woman; could it be her in disguise?

Don’t forget Skylar foresaw her own kidnapping. Teriliyn threw out.

"What I didn’t say was that Danerkob would  fight the witch." Skylar interjected.

Amma balled her fists, pounded them on the table as she chanted, No. No. No.

Goddess Aranyani noted the distress of her daughter as she turned to Maharaaj ji and asked, What do you foresee?

Maharaaj ji stood at his goddess’ question and addressed the occupants. From what you have told, Tavara has gained great magic. She defeated Zander, an ancient wizard. It will take much good magic to best her. Danerkob can’t do this alone. He will need additional magic.

Teriliyn stared at the practitioner with narrowed eyes to discern his meaning. Giving up she asked, What are you suggesting?

It will take Danerkob, the Nature Guardians, and me to stand a chance. The guardians must break through the shield of protection for the caves. Then Danerkob and I can draw out the witch when she realizes we broke her spell.

Amma threw her hands in the air, and cried, Why must we use the children? And how are we supposed to break the shield?

Goddess Aranyani patted her daughter’s hands and responded, Danerkob and Skylar are stronger than you acknowledge. Skylar has foreseen no harm will be done to them.

Gunnar stood and announced, I will be beside Skylar to protect her.

Teriliyn turned at the statement and murmured, Save us from the children! A little louder she stated, So, we leave in the morning.

Aranyani snapped her fingers at a servant Show our guests to their rooms. Turning back to the group, she said, We shall meet here at sunrise.

****

Nippal turned the knob and ushered his wife into their room. He prowled the room, testing the suspended corn husk bed, punching the pillow, and plopped down on the hard side chair. Wife, the children are down the hall with the nurse. Please, relax.

Amma listened to the words her husband spoke. Her gaze rose from the floor and replied, Relax?! Our children will be in harm’s way tomorrow. My family and you will be in harm’s way tomorrow. How am I to relax?

Nippal rose at her words, crossed to her, and wrapped his arms around her waist. Dear, we must rest so we can be alert tomorrow. We can’t afford to be slow of mind.  At least let us lie down and try to rest. Nippal finished as he drifted toward the bed. The side of the bed hit behind his legs and he lowered them to the corn mattress.

Hours passed as they lay together. The strain of the past weeks and the days to come were erased from their worries when sleep consumed them.

Chapter 3

The next morning, Amma and Nippal were the first to arrive in the planning room. Amma looked around the room at the five oblong tables surrounded by wooden chairs. Walls