12 | November | 2017 | Nesie's Place

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Book Excerpts

From Chapter 2:

A few minutes later, the Chamber Elf opened the door and led them inside. The members sat in large chairs around three sides of the room while the senior member, Lord Ashur, sat alone on one end—his long white hair dangled over his bright red robe. Alex and Prince Darin saluted and knelt before him.

“Rise, both of you. Prince Darin, I see you’re with the Keeper again. What’s this adventure? I sent the Keeper to check on the cottage, not to explore.” Lord Ashur leaned forward in his large chair and gazed with amusement from under his white, bushy eyebrows.

“I apologize for the interruption, my lord, but Lady Alexin arrived with an escort of a dozen rebels, now in our custody. Apparently, they were searching for some documents, but couldn’t find them. The Keeper did. And I’d like your permission to review them.”

“Keeper, show me these documents.”

Alex unrolled the scrolls, handing him one at a time. She smiled as she watched his eyebrows move up and down.

He passed them around to the other members. “How did you find them when the rebels couldn’t?”

“They were locked inside a vault in one of the bedrooms. I missed it the last time I was there. Not only did it have these scrolls, but it also had this.” She held up the black bag and pulled out the gold chest, handing it to him.

Lord Ashur gasped and stared at the beautiful chest. “What’s in here?”

“Open it.” Alex stepped back so Prince Darin could see.

He flipped the top open and pulled back the velvet cloth. “Oh my stars!” He picked up one of the large diamonds in his hand. It flashed rainbows on the ceiling and walls.

The members stared and gasped and gathered around his chair for a closer look.

“How many are there?” Lord Mesner stared at it, captivated by its beauty.

“Five.” Lord Ashur cocked his head to the side. “Could these be the legendary Diamond Eggs?”

“May I?” Lord Root asked. “I saw them before they were stolen and disappeared. I took my Elves to see them in Weston—they’re the Crystals of Life. Years ago, my uncle, Lord Dormus, brought them to Eledon from his visit to the Star Elves.” He slid off his chair and rambled over; his blue velvet robe dragged along the floor. Lord Root was the Pixie Elf representative on the Council and the newest permanent member. He wasn’t much taller than Alex’s knees.

From Chapter 3:

Prince Darin bowed to Lord Ashur. “While I was waiting for the Keeper, one of my ship’s captains delivered an urgent report. As you know, every month, the Water Elves send supplies to Seaward Isle. Two weeks ago, two of my ships, the Rambler and the Crustacean, set sail for the island and were due to return four days ago, but they haven’t shown up yet. I’ve sent several ships out to check the entry points to Seaward Isle, but they can’t be found. I’d like the Mentors’ help.”

“Of course. The entry points are the only things holding Seaward Isle to Eledon.”

Lord Odin rose from his chair. “This could be a disaster, my lord. The Mentors must give it high priority. Seaward Isle must not detach from Eledon. It could fall into the mortal world and take us with it. It must be fixed. It can’t be overlooked any longer.”

Alex’s eyes grew wide. This was a real problem. Concerned, she glanced at her grandfather. His face was pale and he was sweating. But she also knew he was depending on her to find a solution. She didn’t have a clue.

Lord Ashur frowned. “I agree this is a problem. Members, rise as we call upon the Mentors.” He rose slowly from his chair and raised his hands. “Mentors, greetings. We call upon you to assist us.”

In the middle of the room, a small flame appeared above the white pedestal. It was slightly larger than a man’s hand and emitted no heat—this was how the Mentors manifested themselves to the Elves. A female voice came from the flame.

“Lord Ashur and members…”

With a roar, the small Mentors’ flame erupted into a large fireball, touching the ceiling. From the raging fire, a man’s ugly face appeared and his deep voice boomed. He spoke in the mortal language called the common tongue; few in the room understood what he said. Alex, Lord Odin, and Lord Root understood it because they’d lived on Seaward Isle with mortals; Lord Ashur waved his hand to translate the man’s words into Elf.

“Who killed Shinjan?” The man’s dark beady eyes glared out at them. He had a large crooked nose; his skin was pasty-white, and he had a mane of scraggly black hair. When he opened his mouth, long flames of fire flowed out like snakes. “Who killed Shinjan?”

Title: Noble Magic: The Chronicles of Eledon Book Four

Author: Joni Parker

Genre: Fantasy

Lady Alexin (Alex) battles a band of mortal wizards known as the Octagon, discovers the mysteries of the five legendary diamond eggs, and finally comes into her true powers gifted to her by her conquests and the gifts of her Titan ancestors. Tasked with the seemingly impossible, Alex must find a way to restore the entry points to Seaward Isle or see its inhabitants face certain destruction as the grid holding Eledon together threatens to fall apart.

Author Bio

Joni Parker Joni currently lives in Tucson, Arizona, but she was born in Chicago, lived in Japan, graduated high school in Phoenix, and got married in New Jersey. Not only was she married to a career Navy sailor, but she also completed 22 years of active duty service herself. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting, an MBA, and a Master of Military Arts and Sciences (MMAS) from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. After her husband passed away, she returned to the work in the Department of Homeland Security until she discovered her love of writing. She retired again and has written two series, “The Seaward Isle Saga,” a three-book series, and “The Chronicles of Eledon” with “Spell Breaker,” “The Blue Witch,” “Gossamer,” and “Noble Magic.”