This story is using the writing prompt Magic Jewels-what are they and what do they do. This one I thought would be a part of the Faires story originally. But I could never work out how to work it in. At some point I thought about making the jewels birthstones. But nothing came from that idea. Sitting down one day to brainstorm different prompts I thought about a scepter being found that the jewels are missing from. This is going to be another chapter book so you will only get to read the rough first draft a chapter at a time. But I do hope you enjoy it just as much. And don’t worry I’m still working on Amy’s story as well.
James looked equally mad and relieved that they found me. Cassidey however was marching so fast towards me I thought she was aiming to rip my head off.
She stopped short right in front of me and started yelling.
“How could you do this to me, to us?” Birds from the trees above flew off from the sudden loud noise. “You don’t show up to school today. You weren’t at home or at work. When we checked our find my friend app your hours away in the middle of the forest. We thought someone took you. I was scared we were going to find a body or worse, nothing at all.” She continued screaming, calling me selfish and reckless.
When she finally seemed to have yelled her anger away, she wrapped her arms around me and started crying. James also walked up and joined in the hug.
“Your right Cassidy, I am selfish for not telling you two what I was doing. And last night I realized you were right that I was turning into my dad. My mom would be so disappointed in me. She made me promise not to push people away, but I did it anyway to you two. I’m so sorry. Please let me try to make it right.”
“Of course we’ll give you another chance. We knew you would come around. We just didn’t know you would take off like that when you did.” James said immediately, breaking out of the hug. Cassidy was still catching her breath trying to get all the tears to stop so she held on a little longer.
“Well, I’m glad your both here cause the reality of what I have done is starting to hit me and I’m not sure what I should do next.” I know these two will help me see reason no matter what path I should take.
Just then the storm I felt coming earlier hit us. We all flew into the tent to take shelter from the heavy downpour as well as the bright lighting. We couldn’t help but laugh at ourselves. We ended up in a long winded typical teenage conversation. Before we knew it the sun was starting to set and the storm did not appear to be letting up. If anything, it sounded stronger. We settled in to wait for it to blow over. We would make life decisions in the morning.
Or so I thought.
That is until three in the morning. Everything felt like it had stopped. The wind, the animals, the lake, everything. Then I heard a call in the distance that had me shaking James and Cassidy awake.
“Scott, James, Cassidy! Please help. Wake up, I need your help.” The voice was pleading but also sounded ethereal.
We all looked at each other, and I could see my fear reflected on their faces.
“Don’t be afraid,” the voice continued. “I promise I’m not here to harm you. I really need your help.”
I don’t know what changed. But suddenly in my heart I knew she was telling the truth. Looking at Cassidy, I saw her face relax. She looked me in the eye and nodded. I turned to James and his face had turned into a determination to do whatever was necessary. So, we crawled out of the tent.
What we see when we step out could not physically be possible. It’s as if someone had hit a pause button on a movie. The fire was lit but not cracking. The trees seemed as if they were in the middle of being bent in the wind. The lake was so still the waves were mid crest.
That’s when I saw it lying on the ground right on the edge of the non-moving water. An ornate gold rod with gold vines wrapped around it extending over the top. At the top of each vine looked like there was a place for something to be held in place. Maybe crystal of some sort. I picked it up to examine it.
James was transfixed by something out on the lake. Cassidy was griping my arm looking between the scepter and the lake.
Then she materialized, seemingly out of nowhere.
Long black hair to her feet. She was wearing a floor length straight silver dress was set off perfectly against her olive skin. She had bright green eyes on a sweetheart face. She was breathtaking. But something was wrong. She looked so scared. That’s when she spoke again.
“James, Scott, Cassidy, I’m so thankful you have heard my call. I need your help. Please”
“What is it?” Cassidy was the first to answer. I trusted her instincts. If she had any inkling, we were in danger she would not have said anything. “I’m not sure how we can help but we need to know what’s wrong before we agree to anything.”
I nodded my head in agreement, but James looked like he was in a trance.
“James?” I said softly, trying not to scare him.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I’ve just never seen anything like this before.” James said coming out of the trance. “I’m with Cassidy, we will decide if we can help once we know what’s going on.”
“Your right to be cautious. I am as well. Though if you look around you can see the problem before your eyes. Time has stopped in all the realms. That scepter in your hand is the reason.”
“Okay you’re already losing me.” I say. “a scepter controls time in all the realms? Maybe you should start at the beginning. We don’t even know who you are.”
She takes a deep breath, and I can see the frustration on her face. She settles herself and motions for us to sit, we do, and she seems to conjure up a hologram made from the water to illustrate her tale.
“My name is Dealla. I am the daughter of Atheon. Humans know him as father time. Using the scepter in your hands he can keep balance in all the realms. Each realm has a single portal to reach my father’s temple. He has his thirteen children guard the portals to prevent intrusion into his space. I don’t know what happened, but I can feel that time has stopped in all the realms all at once. Then the scepter came through the portal. Only it’s broken. There are meant to be thirteen jewels affixed to the top of it. Its power won’t work without all the jewels. Then I felt you three. I knew that whatever happened the three of you were not affected. So, I ask that you help me find the jewels in the thirteen realms and return the scepter to my father to restore time in the realms. Please will you help me?”
James and Cassidy look at me as I turn to them. I don’t see how we have a choice. We are the only ones not frozen with time. That is obvious from looking around. What would we do if we said no. yet the fear of not knowing what we could be facing is there and I know they both feel it too.
“We need to try.” James says putting his full determination on full display.
“I will help too.” Cassidy says. There is a new fire in her eyes that wasn’t there before.
“We will follow your lead Dealla.” As I say this, I can feel warmth from the scepter as if the magic is not dead yet and it can feel the warmth in our words.
“Thank you. I promise to protect you as best I can on this journey.” Dealla vows as she smiles at us.
A Writer's Starting Line 
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