by Marsha A. Moore
In my new release, Staurolite, the fourth
book in the Enchanted Bookstore
Legends, I’m expanding and
developing the foundation of the magical lore of my fantasy world. The
characters find themselves needing the world’s ancient wisdom to solve their
own present day problems. The basis of this ages-old magical power is a group
of four mystical gemstones that parallel the four Chinese elements of nature:
air, earth, fire, and water. These stones serve as four powerful keystones
which, together, can empower the good Alliance to overcome the threatening
attacks of the evil Dark Realm. There is one controlling master gemstone, the
Staurolite, which gives this fourth book its title.
The gem corresponding to water I’ve chosen to work
with is the pearl. When I selected that particular keystone, I considered many
attributes that would make it an empowering symbol.
Pearls have been called teardrops of the moon.
Others say they that a single pearl forms from a raindrop fallen from the
heavens which later becomes the heart of an oyster.
Pearls
symbolize purity, innocence, and faith. Magically, a pearl is said to help the
wearer open to the meaning of one’s true self, enabling extraordinary foresight
and also protection from the evil eye. Interestingly, the magical properties
depend on color. Brownish hued pearls enable wisdom, yellowish ones promote
wealth, and greenish tints foster happiness. Pearls are
believed to be the main ingredient of "immortality elixir". Many
carry pearls as talismans to enhance personal integrity, calmness, and
balance, clearing the mind to be a channel for wisdom and spiritual guidance. Proponents
allege that the pearl helps balance the human body’s natural rhythms and
hormone levels with lunar cycles. Pearls are thought to have very strong
“magnetic” powers and have been used in “gem therapy” to strengthen nerves.
The
Chinese have depended on the healing properties of the pearl for centuries, treating
everything from simple eye ailments to serious heart problems, bleeding, fever
and indigestion. Even today, the Chinese still use pearl powder as a skin
whitener and a cosmetic.
But
the real magic is in beholding a pearl’s beauty and seeing it as a reminder of
“all things good and true.”
In
Staurolite, the Pearl of Pendola is
the keystone corresponding to the water element. Stolen from its place with the
other keystones a thousand years ago, the gem was lost for centuries, buried in
an evil enchanted tidal pool. Recovered by one of the early Scribes of the
Alliance, the pearl is entrusted to a sea nymph in order to maintain a balance
between good and evil in the Sea of Cogadh which separates the Alliance from
the Dark Realm. Returning the Pearl of Pendola to the set of original keystones
must happen to bring needed power back to the Alliance—an arduous task the
present Scribe, Lyra McCauley, must face. Find out more in Staurolite: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Four.
Staurolite: Enchanted
Bookstore Legend Four by Marsha A. Moore
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Romance
Description:
Lyra McCauley, current Scribe of the Alliance, is the only
one who can decode magic hidden in the recently retrieved ancient texts written
by her ancestors, the first four Scribes. Information in those writings can help
Lyra locate the four missing keystones, which will restore power to the
Alliance and allow overthrow of the Dark Realm. With peace restored, she and her
beloved, Cullen, could finally marry.
Time is short with the Black Dragon’s Dark Realm increasing
attacks to avenge the death of his heir. Many innocent lives are lost. Alliance
residents are forced into hiding. Magicals and blue dragons follow leadership
of the Imperial Dragon and the other three Guardians into battle to defend the
Alliance.
While Lyra unlocks the ancient magic, she opens herself up
to scribal powers from her ancestors. She alone can fight the deadliest of the
Dark Realm’s forces—the cimafa stealth dragons—but at a cost. The energy flux
threatens her health and ability to learn where to find the missing keystones.
Can Lyra overcome this shrewd tactic of the Black Dragon to decimate the
Alliance?
Enchanted Bookstore
Legends (series description):
The Enchanted Bookstore Legends are
about Lyra McCauley, a woman destined to become one of five strong women in her
family who possess unique magical abilities and serve as Scribes in
Dragonspeir. The Scribes span a long history, dating from 1200 to present day.
Each Scribe is expected to journey through Dragonspeir, both the good and evil
factions, then draft a written account. Each book contains magic with vast
implications.
Lyra was first introduced to Dragonspeir as a young girl,
when she met the high sorcerer, Cullen Drake, through a gift of one of those
enchanted books. Using its magic, he escorted her into the parallel world of
Dragonspeir. Years later, she lost that volume and forgot the world and Cullen.
These legends begin where he finds her again—she is thirty-five, standing in
his enchanted bookstore, and Dragonspeir needs her.
When Lyra reopens that enchanted book, she confronts a
series of quests where she is expected to save the good Alliance from
destruction by the evil Black Dragon. While learning about her role,
Lyra and Cullen fall in love. He is 220 years old and kept alive by Dragonspeir
magic. Cullen will die if Dragonspeir is taken over by the evil faction…Lyra
becomes the Scribe.
Excerpt from
Staurolite:
From Chapter One:
Ancient Scribal Magic
Lyra propped her
head with an elbow against the low library table and rubbed her eyes, paging
through the last chapter. She rearranged her weight on the floor cushion and
twisted the end of her long braid.
The Tortoise
Guardian’s wide, craggy cheek brushed against her forearm.
She jotted a few
lines in a notebook and carefully closed the cover of the ancient copy. Her
gaze rested on the faded embossed symbols—The
Book of Dragonspeir authored by Elisabeth
Walsh, the first Scribe.
“Good work. We’ve
previewed two of the lost volumes you recovered. One more remains.” The
Tortoise retracted his head halfway into his shell. “Take a break. My neck is
aching.”
“I want to keep going
and skim Scribe Brigid’s book too.” Lyra flipped through her notes.
The heavy wooden
door to the lair library banged open. In two strides, the Imperial Dragon stood
before them. “We’re under attack! Cimafa stealth dragons have stolen auras of a
high order wizard and souls of three non-magicals. They also killed one of our
blue sentry dragons.” His flared nostrils were ringed with fire and seeped
smoke. A yellow color of concern flashed in the irises of his eyes.
“How?” Lyra rolled
off the plush floor cushion, forced her stiff legs to stand, and grabbed her
wizard’s staff. “I thought they only went after higher magicals?”
“Attacks from the
Dark Realm?” The Tortoise pushed his front legs against the table edge to lift
his shell higher.
The Head Guardian
nodded. “They’re attacking in small groups for increased strength. Several
pairs and trios have simultaneously flown over our Alliance before retreating
to the Steppe of Ora into Silva Nocens. Those four people were taken in
different places all over the Alliance during the past thirty-six hours. One
cimafa attacks the victim, while the others fight our blues. Several sentries
are required to battle one cimafa, and we don’t have enough squadrons. They
typically sneak over our borders singly to pursue auras that will boost their
power—higher magicals, like you said, Lyra. Never have they purposely attacked
non-magicals.”
“Can the Guardians
fight the cimafa better than sentries?” Lyra asked.
“Yes. We can do
more by using our auras, but I will not ask the other three to fight. I’m on my
way out to join a patrol, since I’m the most capable. Losing a Guardian would
be a tremendous danger. To break the balance of the four elements would
seriously harm the strength of the Alliance.” He clasped his foreclaws against
his massive chest. “Even I must use control; the great expenditure of Guardian
power required to kill a cimafa would temporarily weaken our governance. The
blues primarily fight with physical strength, hurling lightning bolts. Unless
injured, they can recoup quicker. I alone have the advantage of using both
magical and physical means in battle.”
“Do you want me to
help?” Lyra asked.
“No. It’s best for
all if you continue your studies to unlock the clues from each Book of Dragonspeir. That will reveal a
way for the Alliance to overthrow the Dark Realm. As the Scribe, you are the
only one who can read the hidden magical code in those texts.” The leader
turned toward the door. “I’ll check with you later, when I return.”
“Head Guardian,
are the higher magicals helping?” Lyra’s voice caught in her throat. “Is Cullen
safe?”
He stooped to miss
the upper arch of the door threshold and glanced over his shoulder. “Most are
riding the senior sentries to offer additional strike force. Sire Drake will
accompany Yord in my squadron.”
Lyra stepped
forward, but the Imperial Dragon gave her no chance for discussion, bolting
down the stone corridor with tremendous strides. She stared after him,
immobilized by the shock of his news and concern for her love. After all that
she and Cullen had risked and accomplished, hoping to reach their goal of
living together…this didn’t seem possible. Moments ago, a happy life seemed
within their grasp. She stared at the gray stone floor, dumbfounded. Their
future together, once again, hung by a thread. Her mind filled with a blur of
their hard victories won over the past year.
Purchase Links for previous books in the series:
Author Bio:
Marsha A. Moore is an author of fantasy romance.
Much of her life feeds the creative flow she uses to weave highly imaginative
tales.
The magic of art and nature often spark life into her
writing, as well as watercolor painting and drawing. After a move from Toledo
to Tampa in 2008, she’s happily transformed into a Floridian, in love with the
outdoors. Marsha is crazy about cycling. She lives with her husband on a large
saltwater lagoon, where taking her kayak out for an hour or more is a real
treat. She never has enough days spent at the beach, usually scribbling away at
stories with toes wiggling in the sand. Every day at the beach is magical! She’s
been a yoga enthusiast for over a decade and is excited to be taking part in a
Kripalu yoga teacher training program during 2013. That spiritual quest helps her
explore the mystical side of fantasy.
Author Links:
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