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more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Why not try to make the most of what you now have rather than cry over what you never can get again.' 'But this is too much. In her first throw she hit me below the belt!' 'Stomach it and prudently communicate your displeasure later on.' Easier said than done. The advice from the voice in his heart looked perfect. But... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | From the time he gave his life to Christ, ten years ago, he had worked through his temperamental disposition to provocation. It was transformed from tantrum to sulkiness. The change was really necessary for him to continue as a faith possessor and not just a professor then. Countless times he had had to get rededicated... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'That is when he would deliver on my errand in no time at all.' She was right. The young Segun would neither greet anyone on the way nor throw banters the whole length of the fit which usually outlasted the assignment. 'Segun no longer boils. Thank God for Christ. But he can still be too sullen for comfort.' One of his... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | It was a quarter past eight. AY was having a sweet sleep on her matrimonial bed. She turned her side unconsciously. Her sleeping lips moved and muttered some undecipherable words for a long second before they were sealed again – a strange reflex for an adult, much less a female adult. Certainly, she was in the middle o... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Back in the sitting room, Segun was still lying on the three-seater. He was lost in thought, oblivious of the darkness that had crept into the room. Visibility was difficult but then his sight was not here but there, in the mind. The silhouette of shapes and figures in the room, imposed by the protracted power cut of P... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | No, I won't with my own hands destroy my home. I might not have liked her approach. Her presentation might be rude. But then there's no smoke without fire. I must get to the root of it. But till we have a heart-to-heart, I give her the benefit of the doubt. I'm learning to lean. Just then AY walked into the sitting roo... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | In the kitchen she located a box of matches and the lantern. She struck four sticks successively and failed. Each time, the reddish brown spark substance produced flame but the attached uncooperative stem stifled it almost immediately. 'Ah! Niger! Nothing is of quality again in Nigeria. Gone are the days of the popular... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | She was lucky on the fifth attempt. Quickly she suspended the transparent glass globe with the side-lever and torched the lantern's wick with the flame. The globe released. The flame regulated. Something told her to check the blue polystyrene food container. Her eyes popped when she saw the three wraps of eba, a food m... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | For some five minutes, her legs would not agree with her heart on presenting herself at the sitting room for the obvious subpoena. Her eyes surveyed the kitchen aimlessly but vigorously, like the proverbial ear-cut thief. At last she summoned up the courage and advanced towards the sofa-and-electronic-gadgetry room, al... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Sweetheart, I'm very sorry. It was not intentional. I was having some headache. So, I took Panadol and a nap to help me up.' Segun was floored by the explanation. His seething was stilled instantly, like the soup in an aluminium pot. One pleasant thought made a mockery of him. 'Women, so powerful! What is it they want... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'I'm sorry too in any way I've overreacted. I'm again sorry if I've been too harsh on you. We are still learning to understand each other. But it will no go without saying that communication builds a strong home. I wouldn't have felt offended if you had included a sentence or two about your headache in your welcoming w... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Makaru ma tarasmiku!' the man of God was in the spirit as his hands descended on the pick-and-drop braids. AY responded promptly like one being delivered; she wriggled and jerked from head to waist. 'Ah! Man of God, I feel like falling!.' 'Maskarururi! Fall! Fall! Fall!' He tipped her head and she fell, like a pack of... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | One year passed with speed. No bloated face, no protruded tum and no pale skin. AY became worried. Every time she saw her period, her tears flowed along. 'When will I become a mother?' Segun could not provide an answer to the incessant question. All he could do was to persuade her. At times, a mild reproof would do: 'J... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Only God knows that. At any rate I know this: God's plan for us is the best for us.' 'I know too. But why not let us go for a medical checkup so as to know where to direct or re-direct our prayers?' 'I have no problem with that.' Tests upon tests followed. Different gynaecologists and infertility experts were visited.... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Later in the year the couple had visitors. It was from the woman's side as usual. Segun often had wondered in his bachelorhood days why it had to be those of the wife's side who made the most calls. Reports from his married friends then elicited his quest. And up till the moment he had not yet found a solid answer. His... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | In the night of the first day, when the husband and wife had finally retired to their matrimonial chamber from the day's bustle, Segun uncorked the displeasure he had tried hard to bottle away from their guests. 'Why would Mama and Sade come all the way from Ikija to stay with us for not just one or two days but three ... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'No, Sweetheart I am as well surprised seeing them. And immediately I registered my disapproval. I most especially rebuffed Sade, who ought to know better, for not making contact with me on phone prior to their coming. Mama tried to explain how they attempted to make the phone contact only to be met with the news of a ... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'What?' Segun found himself being the respondent. 'I was humbled and relieved at the same time when you came in and received them with unexpected conviviality!' 'Uhmm, grammar!' 'You taught me. Honestly, sweetheart, they, who had sat precariously all the while awaiting your arrival to know their fate, stretched their l... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Olowo-ori-mi, my sweetest heart, permit me, on behalf of my family, to apologize to you. I know it has not been easy feeding the two of us much less two more mouths coming out of the blue to join the number. For love's sake please bear with us. And the patience comes with an expiry date – three weeks.' |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Please, get up,' he helped her up, 'I was not angry, only surprised. We have always been well informed of Mama's visits in the past. So I was wondering if all was well when she burst in on us this time around. But it was perplexity all the way when I got to know it was just a three week long chatty call. I tried but i... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Aluta continua! The activist in my husband has already taken over.' She feigned a clenched fist and started a mock protest song. 'Solidarity forever Solidarity forever Solidarity forever We shall always fight for our right.' Segun laughed over it but he was not done yet. 'But honestly honey, you can't imagine the kind... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Of course I am. Was it not of recent that my friend, Sayo . . . you know her now! That one that said you were two years her senior in Lantoro High School.' 'Yes, yes. That diminutive lady.' 'That's it. She forgot her phone in her friend's place but thought she had lost it. What heightened her fear was when we called t... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Honey, your friend's case is better. It only ended in teasing. Let me give you this vivid and lucid case which ended up in a broken home. A nearly five year old marriage ended on the platter of these people's negligence.' 'What!' she suspended the closing of the gaped mouth for minutes. |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'The wife's friend was trying to reach her over the phone to extracool at midnight. The husband picked it and it was a male voice he heard at the other end. Meanwhile the friend could not hear anything and her credit burned on. She abruptly terminated the call. But the husband had heard enough. He flared up and said he... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | AY suddenly assumed the posture of one in deep thought and that did not escape Segun's notice. 'Honey, what is it?' 'Let me not bother you with it. It's not all that important.' 'What do you mean by it's not all that important? I want to hear it.' 'Okay. Promise you won't be cross with me.' 'I promise,' the more eager ... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Quickly he switched position from the bridegroom to the joining priest and in line made his voice guttural to spell out the adapted creed, 'Will you, Ayoolape Deborah Oyediran, trust and love Adesegun Peter Toriola as your wedded husband all the days of your life?' With sheep's eyes she promptly thinned her voice and r... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Simple!' She said, 'Anyone who visits a couple will have more time to spend with the wife, the homemaker, than the husband, the hustler. And who can feel much more at home with the wife than her own people? Chikenah!' 'Uhm! The sage old woman has spoken.' Segun put his hands together in low ovation. 'Than-k you m-y s-... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Ah Mummy, ki lo de!' AY's heart was thumping as she collected her phone back from Mama to terminate the call from the village. 'Kosilaabi o. Ma kaya re soke!' [No problem. Don't give yourself any heartache] Mama assured her daughter. She then went ahead to explain to the two agitated children that it was her kolanut t... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | AY had gone out to plait her hair. She was not expected to be back until two hours later. That had been her grouse with the hairdressers in the locality; they were too slow. But then she must dress her hair when due; if not for her own sake at least for her husband's. Segun was still in bed though half-awake. Twenty mi... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Ay could no longer contain her impatience. She had had to wait for twenty minutes for an early bird's hair to be set. Despite the hairdresser's pacifying pleasantness she stood to go instructing the hairdresser to flash when ready for her. * * * * * * Segun's resistance weakened with the persistent stay of the tender h... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Segun was completely lost. His system was on fire. How could he escape this mountain that had come to Mohamed even when Mohamed never gave it a thought to get to it! His flesh was already caving in. Where was the libido-holding power of his bachelor days that kept him chaste till the wedding night? Or has his first car... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Get out now!' He shouted at the top of his lungs. And that one hastily covered herself back with her wrap and ran out like a rabid dog. She knew too well that the man had successfully weathered the seduction storm. Segun was still panting out the so much adrenalin pumped into his system when AY burst into the bedroom ... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'You mean she came in here and attempted to lure you into sleeping with her on my matrimonial bed. Unbelievable! Ah! Sade! My God! S-a-d-e!' she stormed out and made for the guest room where Sade sat on the floor coiled like a tightly wound spring in shame. She was given the beating of her life despite assuming a plead... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | The weight the situation placed on her heart was not as much as the subfertility it reminded her of. In the bedroom, she wept cat and dog. All of Segun's homilies and consoling bounced off her earwax achieving nothing. The futility made him resign to the usual last resort – subtle threat. 'Is the childlessness on your ... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | It worked as it always did. She tightened her hold around her man, gave the final sob and sigh, a forced calm then ensued. Segun finished it up with a continuous stroking of her hair and the concomitant repetition of the Christian cliché, 'It is well.' Sleep saw their heaviness and, out of pity, came to soothe it. Sade... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | The heavens wailed loudly and the teardrops pursued after one another to the heart of the earth. The highlands tilted the water towards the lowlands and the lowlands emptied it into drainage. The land was thus cleansed. But the political intrigues making the rounds stained it back with a different sort of dirt – accusa... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Actually, the fire started with genuine concerns about constitution review. But because the No. 1 was at daggers drawn with the No. 2, the good intention of the former received a garb of mud from the latter before it left the boardroom for the public domain. The feedback? It could not get messier! The constitution revi... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | The venue was the red chamber of the National Assembly. The upper house, the more mature, would have the first go. Nigeria sat before the television to observe the climax of many days of horse-trading, political bickering and mudslinging. The press had had a field day. It was now the turn of the legislature to have the... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Alas! It was a stunning anticlimax. What a disappointment! The constitution amendment bill was devoid of any serious or sensible polemics. It was decided with a voice vote. When the Senate President demanded for the 'aye' of the draft bill enthusiasts, a muffled silence took over the chamber. Where were the swelling ra... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | The failed coup of the militarized democracy resurrected the poet in Segun and he put down a verse of it. Its trappings from the outset Look a coup d'état But settings at the sunset Cut a cul-de-sac Much ado about hogwash |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Segun was now aware of the pounding pressure on his rectum and he headed towards the john to ease it. As he made an entrance into the conjoined toilet-and-bathroom 1, AY exited the master bedroom for the living room. The TV had been left running. The words of the man on the screen caught her attention. The man, clad in... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Should she inform her husband of her intention? Negative! He would never be a party to seeking help in traditional, or as they now christened it, alternative therapy. Had they not once discussed an issue relating to it and Segun had made his stand known! If he was ever to use herbs and leaves for physic he would prefer... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Another deliberation was on where to visit the man – his trade fair stand or permanent address. The latter naturally sailed through because of the fear that too many eyes would be there to pry at the former. Thus she concluded the arrangements but acted as if nothing happen when her husband returned from shedding the b... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | The azure sky romanced the verdant vegetation and the rustic settlement was sandwiched in a festival of blues and greens. AY alighted from the intercity cab and took her journey to the backwater settlement. Eweje is one of the many villages and towns culturally and socially attached to Abeokuta, the headquarters of the... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Lepers never build their colony within the town walls, the old saying goes. The trado-medical centre was sited on the outskirts of the community. Leprosy. Sin. Sinister. Her heart again ran through the flashes but she came out unscathed. As she trod the sinking sandy part of the road, cacophony of school-children chatt... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Among the teacher folks in Abeokuta, only the greenhorns would not be in the know. She had had an encounter with him once, not too long ago. It was still fresh; within the post-specialisation regime of primary school pedagogy. She was tardy for her Home Economics class. On getting to the class, Mr. Adekunle was already... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | In no time, the frontage of the lair came to view. The semi-urban bungalow had a low fence of joined wooden posts, tapering at the upper ends, round it. She drew closer. Her eyes caught an object around the lintel and her heart got engaged again. It in fact skipped. 'AY, are you doing the right thing?' her conscience w... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'The Lord asked me to seriously charge you and your household not to relent in your waiting on Him. He said at the appointed time He will come and 'Sarah' will have a baby. Sister AY, it is your turn to be that Sarah. I see Gen. 18:14b read, "At the time appointed I will return, according to the time of life, and Ayool... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Patience is the word, Sister AY.' At the synapse, the words jumped on the train of Memory Present. Patience is the word, Sister AY. Patience is the word. Pa-tience-is-the-word-Sis-ter-A-Y! Each syllable hit her heart and the sounding was in thumps. The arc of cowries over the door firmly held the heavy drumsticks of s... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Madam, welcome,' a voice said over her back. Were she palm oil she would congeal to red stone. The only consolation was that it was an inviting voice. She stepped up her courage and turned in the direction of the voice. It is better to turn around and see what will kill you than to swell the rout of those feared dead.... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Have you come to see the doctor, or how can we help you, ma? You seem not familiar with this terrain.' She calmed down and tried to compose herself. 'Thank you, I – I – I've really come to see the doctor,' she spluttered. 'Why, he's at home. Please...' She brought down her voice and motioned the boy to do the same. 'W... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | The boy in his late teens, burst into a belly laugh. He must have gone at it for a minute or so before realizing the embarrassment he was causing the visitor. He adjusted, apologized and then went ahead to give an answer to the question that had tickled him so much. 'Ma, my oga is a man obsessed with the relics of the ... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | He looked out of the corner of his eyes to see if she would buy the explanation. She did. She swallowed it whole and heaved a great sigh of relief. Now, she was ready for a consultation with Dr. Were, but not without first passing a commendation note on the boy's pleasantness and intelligence. 'What is your name?' 'Lat... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Thank you, ma,' he tucked the money in his pocket as he led AY to the consulting room. CHAPTER TEN |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Segun had been pacing the corridor for two hours. Yet, no soft cry from the labour room, but AY's noises all the way. She sang, prayed, groaned, shouted and lamented. Two hours into the labour and not as much as the head of the baby came close to the obstetrician's hand. She pushed until she ran short of the breath to ... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | On the way to the theatre, AY's disposition assumed a sharp wonderment. And she engaged an unseen being in a supernal communion. |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'Who are you?... I have nothing to do with you... Leave me alone in Jesus' name... covenant? What covenant?... Yes, I was at Dr Were's place. And so what... I say leave me in... the coin I dropped in the bubbling chalky water. You know about it?... I dropped it actually into your hand? ... Liar! You are a damn liar. Ye... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | She started jerking and gasping for breath. The team forgot about the operation for the moment and quickly grasped the life-saving apparatus. She was put on oxygen and resuscitation pressure was applied on her ribcage to simulate breathing movements. But all failed, woefully failed. She passed on to an uncertain eterni... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | 'AY! AY! AY! My God! My wife, gone?! No!' On and on the emotional turmoil went. The doctor tried his best; only God knew the number of pats on the shoulder, 'Take-heart' and 'Be-a-man' that eventually brought Segun to a momentary calm. With no family member around to offer support – they had all gone out in search of m... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | The room saw its occupant's predicament and quickly wore a sombre mood to blend in, like the chameleon. Thanks to the power cut and the approaching evening shadows. Exactly a week after the demise of his better half, the haunting shadows were here again. And he was all alone to receive them. Had he not turned away fami... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Dilemma? Segun was not in a dilemma, but a trilemma; nay, a trilemma of dilemmas. The dilemmas, each historic in itself, from the Biblical to the Shakespearean – Job's to blaspheme or bless, Peter's to deny or defy and Hamlet's to be or not to be – stayed for hours in his higher mental function area. A million and one ... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Tick-tack-tick-tack-GONG! The modern pendulum clock adjacent the electronics stand hit the gavel for 1am. Segun's blankness continued. His eyes fixed glassily on the window blinds while he himself was fixated on the considerations and deliberations gallivanting his neurones. He sat still as a statue on the three-seater... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | The glassy eyes suddenly thawed and hot tears emerged in showers. The black leather cover of the Bible that had sat quietly on his lap received the loadful on its centre and then redistributed them, in-between its embossed groves, to the spine and edge. The spine drained its portion on his trousers while the water that... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | Segun was at the dining table waiting for the meal. He was beginning to grow rather impatient. Every other thing was set on the table except the food itself. The spoon and the knife lay supinely on the table-mat to his right while their counterpart, the fork, lay low in preparation for action on the left. The sweating ... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | After five more minutes the food finally arrived. It was rice and stew garnished with a lot of beef. No sooner was it placed than Segun grabbed the spoon and buried it into the profusely steaming rice. Though the eyes were suggesting the food was very hot his stomach would not want to wait a second longer. In no time a... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | As he nursed his wound, the old man, his server, came to the dining room and sat on the chair at the narrow edge of the table, opposite him. He gave him a stern look for a moment and then asked, 'Your wound, whose fault? I that brought the food or you that took the food? Whose fault, Segun? Whose fault? Whose fault...'... |
more-haste-the-marital-trials-of-brother-segun.epub.txt | He had been impatient and maybe AY too. Though he had his own areas of haste at his fingertips, he could not pinpoint AY's. 'Old man, the fault's mine, not yours. It's mine!' The clouds again gathered in his eyes and when fully loaded another round of showers was delivered on his laps. The swelling emotions tugged his ... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | The Amulet (Custodian Novel #1) Smashwords Edition Copyright 2009 by Alison Pensy This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share i... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author. Published by Laxsaro Publishing, Publishing on Smashwords / September 2009 ISBN:978-0-9825438-1-8 I would like to say a big thank you to the following people: First and fore... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | This is no ordinary fairy-tale, but I shall start it just the same... Once upon a time, eleven years ago to be precise, in a land, oh, just around the corner, lived a young girl called Faedra. Her mother and father doted on her, and at the tender age of just six years old, she considered herself to be the luckiest litt... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faedra sat in the cushioned hospital chair that was positioned in the hallway just outside the room her mother occupied. She could hear the voices inside the room behind the closed door. One of them she recognized. It was the voice of her father, sounding much more anxious than usual, talking with growing concern to wh... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "There must be something you can do?" Henry pleaded. "I'm so terribly sorry, Mr. Bennett, but we have never seen anything like this before," replied the doctor. "Is there a cure?" The doctor's voice rang heavily with disappointment. "I wish I could tell you there was, but we have tried everything we know and her organs... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faedra's head snapped to attention at the mention of her name and her feet grew still. She wanted to jump off the chair and run to her mother's side that instant, but knew that she should not have been listening to them in the first place. So she waited patiently until she was called. After what seemed like an eternity... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Her father was tall, standing before her and he looked tired, exhausted, in fact. His dark blonde hair looked unkempt, and his usually clean-shaven profile was half covered in a dark fuzzy overgrowth. Henry hadn't thought shaving was important since Lillith had fallen ill. He held out his hand for her. "Mummy is asking... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Lillith lay motionless in the big mechanical bed that was tilted up at the back enabling her to sit up. Faedra glanced at all the different kinds of monitors, wires, and tubes that were hooked up to her mother. She then focused on her mother's face to try and escape the fear those things were instilling in her. As she ... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Now, this is a very special gift and you must promise me that you will treasure it always," she told Faedra as she handed her the bag. Faedra's little hands could not open the box inside the bag quick enough, but after a few moments, she had pulled the wrapper off and lifted the gift from its box with care. Her eyes g... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Oh, Mummy, she's so pretty. What is her name?" "Her name is Arianne. I know how much you love horses and you know how much I love fairies, so I thought this gift was perfect. It will always remind you of me. You'll keep her safe for me, won't you?" "I promise, Mummy. I will look after her always." Lillith bent forward... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Okay, Mummy. I love you." "I love you, too, darling. Forever and ever." Court of the Light Fae, The Land of Azran The Guardian strode with purpose through the magnificent double oak doors that led him into the Great Hall of the king who reigned over the Light Fae in the Land of Azran. The sword that hung from his wais... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | The ceiling towered many stories above him, held up on either side by imposing stone pillars. The pillars were intricately carved with the figures of various royalty and nobility that had ruled this land throughout the ages. Stained glass windows that stretched from half way up the walls to high above depicted many sce... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | His eyes were diverted to the floating chandeliers that lit the hall from above. The chandeliers followed the movements of whoever occupied the cavernous room, lighting the way for that person, or persons, wherever they should be within its walls. The candles flickering behind the crystals, created dancing sparkles alo... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | The king, usually so stoic in his demeanor, sat fidgeting with his robes as he waited impatiently for the Guardian to reach him. Coming to a halt at the foot of the steps upon which the thrones sat, the Guardian got down on one knee and bowed his head. "Is it true?" the king questioned abruptly. "Yes, Your Majesty," th... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Sire, she is the next legitimate Custodian. Lillith hid it within the figurine of a fairy." "Did she, indeed?" the king smiled. "I did always admire her resourcefulness." "Yes, Sire." "Do you have any further information regarding why Lillith was on her way to see me when she was intercepted?" The Guardian hung his he... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Guardian, you are young. This was your first assignment in the World of Men. I paired you with Lillith because she had much to teach you, not the other way around. I have confidence that you have learned from this unfortunate turn of events and will not let it happen again. Make sure you do not fail little Faedra; she... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Faedra sat on the swing in the back garden, watching everyone coming and going from her vantage point. Friends and relatives she recognized, and others she didn't. It seemed like an endless stream to her. They were all dressed in similar clothing. Everyone wore black, and they looked like flies buzzing in and out of he... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | It was the afternoon, and her father was holding a wake for everyone who had attended the funeral earlier that day. She had watched in tears as her mother was buried that very morning at the local village church. Then the procession made its way back to her house, where people had been milling about ever since. Some of... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | She watched, almost hypnotically, as a well-meaning relative wandered over to where she was sitting on her swing. It was a warm summer's day and the sun shone in a cloudless blue sky. Birds were taking a bath in the little birdbath her mother had lovingly erected at some point in the past. She stared at the birds for a... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | She turned her attention to him for a moment. Uncle Leo was her father's brother and her favorite uncle. He didn't look that dissimilar from her father, especially, as they were both wearing a black suit that day, although he was a couple of years younger. He also had kind eyes, a warm hazel-brown, and tousled dark blo... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "I'm watching the birds in Mummy's birdbath, see," she pointed towards the birds still splashing water over their backs with their wings. "They love Mummy's birdbath. Mummy and I used to sit and watch the birds for ages." Her voice cracked as the truth was starting to sink in that she would never again sit with her mot... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Leo wrapped his arms around his little niece, using all his self-control to fight the tears that were welling up in his eyes, also. He had loved Lillith like his very own sister and was desperately sad to have lost her, too, but even more so, to see the pain that his brother and niece were now suffering at their loss. ... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | He had no words to take Faedra's pain away. Nothing he could say would comfort the little girl he loved so much, so he just held her for several minutes and let her sob into his shoulder. "Leo," Henry called from the back door, "I need your help in here for a moment." "I'll be there in a minute, Henry," Leo called back... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Leo planted a kiss on her forehead and straightened himself up. Faedra watched as he turned and headed towards the house before she returned her attention to the birdbath once again. A moment passed, and the birdbath became blurry behind the tears that began to well up in her eyes and roll down her cheeks. She wasn't s... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | When Faedra looked down, two molten amber eyes greeted her. This time their owner was not human. In fact, they belonged to a big white dog that was sitting in front of her. She looked around perplexed to see if she could see to whom the dog belonged. There was no one around, other than the people in the house, and she ... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Her home was a very old English country cottage located in the heart of Norfolk. You had to drive down a tiny country lane and then onto an even narrower long, dirt driveway to get to it. It wasn't the type of place you went without a purpose. Fields on three sides and a thick stand of trees at the back with a little s... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | The dog whimpered and laid his head on her knee, not once taking his eyes from hers. She was overcome by an overwhelming sense of comfort as she stared into its soft amber eyes. It was almost as if he could sense that she was in pain and wanted very much to take that pain away from her. Even as the thought entered her ... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Her father ran his hand through his hair and looked at his daughter. He was overwhelmed by how she looked like a miniature version of her mother. Every time he looked at her, he could see Lillith. The same beautiful, bright blue eyes with dark lashes that went on forever, and thick curly red hair that tumbled half way ... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "I don't know, Daddy. He just turned up. Isn't he beautiful?" "Yes, he certainly is. He looks like a Great White Pyrenees." Henry checked his thoughts. Usually he would have been very unnerved seeing a dog the same size as his daughter in such a close proximity to her, but, like Faedra, all he felt was a sense of comfo... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Henry knew the moment he looked into his daughter's pleading eyes that he was defeated. He also knew the dog could not replace her mother, but, if this dog could give her just one ounce of comfort, then it would be a welcome addition to their family. Right at that moment, gazing deep into his little girl's eyes that we... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | "Faen," she declared without missing a beat. The dog's ear pricked up. He pulled away to look at her, and Faedra thought she saw the dog smile, if it were possible for dogs to smile. She didn't know, but she didn't linger on the thought, and wrapped her arms around the giant dog's neck once more. "That's an unusual nam... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | Henry watched as Faedra lowered herself off the swing and wandered towards the house, followed closely by Faen wagging his enormous shaggy tail. Henry scratched his head at the sight. Present Day Faedra pulled down the indicator lever on the steering wheel to signal she was turning left. The soft tick-tick noise it mad... |
the-amulet-custodian-novel-1.epub.txt | She stopped her car and she smiled at him, rolling her window down as he placed his giant front paws on the car door and leaned his head in to plant a lolloping wet kiss on her cheek. She laughed as she grabbed a thick handful of fur on either side of his head and leaned her cheek against the side of his face. This had... |
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