BANDITS OF BASSWOOD BY E.P. BELLOWS

BANDITS OF BASSWOOD
Author: E.P. Bellows
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 195
Genre: Children's Fantasy

John William Drake was born an explorer; just like many, many Drakes before him. His adventure really began with the discovery of a book hidden in the ceiling, followed by the mysterious disappearance of his father. He lived every day in misery until his twelfth birthday. A new friend gave him an invitation he could not turn down… follow me and change your destiny.

He never imagined being captured by bandits and taken to a ship riddled with river rats was part of his fate. Not just any bandits – the Bandits of Basswood; known to be a ruthless and wild crew of thieves. Trying to escape would be a ridiculous idea. No one has ever escaped and lived to tell about it. Uncovering traces of his missing father gave him hope and upped the stakes. John William was determined to get off the ship alive and search for the missing pieces of the puzzle. The chase out of Basswood was on. He took a chance to change his destiny and ended up on a wild ride to solve the most important mystery of his life.

CHAPTER ONE

THE UNNAMED GUARDIAN

The sun dimmed to a subtle orange glow as it drifted below the tree line, marking the near end to another day in Copious Forest. Within those trees, the Guardian of Copia weaved cautiously between the dense branches. One snap of a twig would bring unwanted attention. He was carrying something so precious, if lost, the unimaginable would inevitably follow.

He pulled his sweat-drenched cap off his head. The breeze cooled his dirt crusted reddish brown curls. The shadows cast from the trees stood as giants looming over him. Shadows and darkness usually lead to visitors.

The Guardian moved swiftly to find an opening where the sun still crept intricate carvings out by its leather strap. “You will be safe with me for the rest of my years.” He rubbed his fingers along the surface.

The forest fell silent. “Who’s there?” The guardian shoved his hat on his head. He peered into the shadows. The surrounding trees rattled. A chill shot up the guardian’s spine. Snap! Twigs and other bits of forest crunched.

“Show yourself!” The branches on every tree rumbled and the echo of vicious snarling closed in on him. He lightly stepped over to the darkness through the trees around him. Trembling, he raised his arm to the branch in front of him and shifted it over.

As he peeked through the gap, hundreds of squinty green, glowing eyes stared back. Time came to an abrupt halt. He tried to scream but no words came out. His feet were anchored to the ground as they slithered closer, and closer. “Shadow jumpers!”

Before he could make a move, the beasts pounced. Razor-sharp claws and teeth engulfed his body, pulling him to the ground. He wrestled and kicked as claws tore through his clothes.

The medallion was yanked from his grip. “No!” the guardian roared. The strap of the medallion yanked his wrist to and fro as it unraveled. “Get off me, you pests!” He grunted. With his last bit of strength he grabbed hold of the shadow jumper wrestling the medallion away and threw him into a tree trunk.

That only enraged the beasts who pounced with even more ferocity. The guardian’s head bounced off the ground.

A sliver of moonlight pierced the trees creating a faint beam of light on the forest floor. The guardian strained and stretched his arm as far as it would go. The beam’s reflection bounced off the very tip of the medallion. The shadow jumpers hissed and pulled away.

Seizing his opportunity, he leaped to his feet. Claws ripped at his back as he darted through trees. The guardian burst through a thicket of branches into a small, sparse pocket where the moonlight shined through, unobstructed by tall trees. The vicious beasts squealed, and within seconds, disappeared back into the shadows.

Breathless and battered, the guardian collapsed to his knees.

“Well, this is a fine mess.” He pulled at the remains of his blood-soaked shirt.

The medallion still dangled from his wrist. “Some guardian I’ve turned out to be.” He untangled the strap and slipped the medallion into his pocket.

he trees in front of him rustled. “Oh, not again…”

A pudgy green creature with long, gangly limbs and bulgy eyes stumbled into view. “There you are! What kept you? How much time do you think I have to twiddle my fingers around waiting for you?” The frog-like creature tapped his foot with fisted hands on his hips.

“Oh, am I late? Sorry about that, Ferdinand.” The guardian groaned and struggled to his feet.
“What happened?” Ferdinand’s eyes bulged even more.

“Oh… this?” The guardian held out his arm, revealing his wounds. Bloody claw marks covered the symbol on his arm.

Ferdinand grabbed his arm and held it close to his eyeballs. “Your guardian symbol – I can’t even make out the feathered wings under all of your blood. Clearly you tangled with something in a nasty disposition.” Ferdinand squinted suspiciously.

“I can’t get anything past you. Yep, that bush I fell into was terribly angry with me. It chewed me up and spit me out… so to speak.” The guardian slid his torn sleeve over his cuts. “I suppose my guardian wings have been clipped. It is time to go home and nurse my wounds, wouldn’t you say?” Telling Ferdinand about his encounter with the shadow jumpers would only cause him to panic.

Ferdinand huffed. “Well, since you are late and have kept me waiting, I’d say the hour has come and gone. Now follow me; let’s get this over with.” He followed Ferdinand to the thick base of a beautiful tree dripping with emerald leaves. Specks of twinkling light popped off the trunk until a portion of it dissolved into a hole large enough to hop through. “This is it.” He shielded his eyes from the intense light bursting through the trunk. Ferdinand lunged into the hole and disappeared.

The guardian clutched the medallion sitting securely in his pocket. “If this works, Copia will be safe forever.” He took a deep breath and backed up to get a running start. At full speed, he dove headfirst through the hole. The light embraced him as he traveled through before shooting him out the other side. He took a tumble into Fern Forest and lay on his back. The night sky was a glorious sight. He gazed at the stars hovering over the tree tops. There were no beasts to hide from, the burden was lifted. He finally had nothing to fear.

“Until next time, my friend!” Ferdinand shouted.

The guardian gave him a hearty wave and watched him leap back through the tree. In seconds, the trunk closed up and all that remained were a few lingering specks of light.

“It is so good to be home.” A broad smile spread across the guardian’s face. He stretched his body across the forest floor, absorbing the familiar smells. “Oops, I almost forgot…,” he chuckled and shoved his hand into his pocket. “Wait a minute…” his fingers scraped the seams. He yanked the pocket inside out… then the other pocket. All that remained in both pockets was clumps of dirt and a few tiny lint balls – but no medallion.

“It’s gone – how could it just – just disappear?” He scoured the ground for hours with no luck. “What was I thinking… trying to take something sacred out of the realm? Azra’s Pith is done for.”

Images of the shadow jumpers discovering the medallion sitting in plain sight at the passageway ran through his head. “They will unlock the lost city and destroy the realm. I must get back to Azra’s Pith.” The guardian pounded his fists against the broad trunk.

“Ferdinand – please, come back!” There was no response; he was alone and back at home. He would have to wait for a special key to appear to return to Azra’s Pith. That could take weeks – or even years.
The glow of a lantern shined though the trees in the distance. “Who’s out there?”

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