Whispering Echoes by Maya Chandel (electronic book reader .TXT) 📖

little look myself, but what I read was exceedingly entertaining,’ said Brendan, a genuine smile lighting up his dark eyes.

‘I suppose the stories are diverting enough.’

‘You should give yourself a bit more credit Daniel; the stories are very imaginative and the writing exceptional.’

‘Do you really think so Sir?’ exclaimed Daniel, his face suddenly lighting up.

‘I wouldn’t say if I didn’t; you should know that I’m quite as frank as my daughter.’

‘Well thank you Sir, it means a lot to me.’

Brendan seemed to consider him a moment before continuing, ‘You should think of pursuing your writing; I’m no expert in the field but I would say that you have a true talent there.’

By now Daniel was positively beaming. ‘I have sometimes thought about it Sir, but I’m not altogether sure I’ve got what it takes to be a proper writer.’

‘Well a little word of advice Daniel; you’ll never know if you don’t try. When I was a boy of your age I’m sure I never once dreamed that anyone should actually take my doodlings seriously, however, it never stopped me; and well for some reason unbeknown, people actually pay me for my scribblings now.’

‘I wouldn’t call your designs scribblings Sir.’

‘Well call them what you will; the moral of the story is to remain true to yourself. If your writing brings you some sort of fulfilment then you should persevere with it; and who knows where it might get you one day.’

‘I’ll try to remember that Sir,’ said Daniel, already committing the conversation to memory.

At the sound of light footsteps, they both turned instinctively towards the steps to find Evie hovering behind the bramble, a rather cautious expression on her face as she eyed the scrapbook in her father’s hands.

‘Oh, you were too late then?’ came her unusually small voice.

‘It’s alright Evie,’ smiled Daniel.

‘So we can still carry on playing the game?’ she asked anxiously.

‘Of course we can.’

The look of sheer relief on her face was palpable. ‘Do you like the stories then Papa?’ she continued in much more her usual tone.

‘I do indeed; however, I simply can’t fathom how a chatterbox such as you ever managed to keep it secret,’ he smiled as he lifted her up into the air.

‘It was rather hard,’ she admitted, at which they all burst into laughter. ‘I play the Sea Witch Papa, have you read about her yet?’

‘Yes and I’m afraid to say she sounds rather a mischievous minx, rather like someone I know.’

‘Do you want to hear of her magical powers?’ continued Evie, brimming with excitement at finally being able to relate it all to her father.

‘Of course precious,’ he smiled, setting her back on the ground. ‘However, before you do, why do I not tell you both of the notion I had when I was reading through your stories. It struck me that you might like a treehouse; we could construct it in the fashion of Captain Bravura’s ship.’

‘Oh yes Papa, yes!’ exclaimed Evie jumping up and down with joy. ‘I am so glad you know our secret, for you always make everything so much better.’

‘Why thank you,’ smiled Brendan. ‘I hope you also approve of the scheme?’

‘Yes of course,’ grinned Daniel. ‘Though I’m not sure Agnes shall; I can’t really imagine her up in a tree.’

‘Ah don’t worry; I’m sure we shall manage to coax her up. Now why we do not head back to the house; I thought I heard something about a fresh Victoria Sponge.’

‘It’s all finished Papa,’ replied Evie, at which Brendan gasped in mock horror. ‘Though of course I kept a slice especially for you,’ she added with a smile.

‘That’s my girl.’


Prelude

He rested his hands on the helm, tentatively at first, hardly daring to believe that the moment could be real; yet as he felt the gleaming brass beneath his fingers, something deep within him shifted. Gone was the lackey and all those years of drudgery for Shortleg; of having to heed to a man of no principle, simply because life had never presented any alternative, any means of escape. Yet suddenly all that was transformed; the helm he now grasped assuredly was a symbol of his very freedom, and so Bravura stood straight and proud, with the acknowledgement that for the first time in his life he was master of his own destiny!

A roaring cheer of acclaim rose from the men gathered around him, his men he suddenly appreciated, with a private vow that all who sailed aboard the Voyager would never feel anything less than equals. They would be comrades in arms as they journeyed these seas, and journey every inch they would; not a nook or cranny would they leave behind!

He looked to the broad horizon ahead, to the glistening expanse of azure blue that surrounded them, and relished in the fact that it was all theirs for the exploration. Who needed to seek treasures or riches, when the greatest treasure was already theirs; this very vessel, their means to discover and marvel the most distant of lands and places, the entire world within their reach!

Indeed who knew where each day would take them, the adventures that lay ahead; he was hungry for it, almost dizzy with anticipation. Thus it was that he turned now away from the helm, and back towards the scintillating golden mist that lay behind them in order to bid once more his overwhelming gratitude as well as farewell to the one who had made all this possible.

Claudius, King of the Fairies, still stood waiting on the empyrean banks of Fairyvale, his daughter the Princess Ophelia by his side, a wistful smile upon his face as Bravura now bowed once again before him.

‘You are pleased then, by this gift?’

‘Words cannot express my gratitude…’ began Bravura.

‘And this ship can only begin to express mine; nothing could compare to having my daughter returned to me. I consider myself most truly still in your debt Bravura. Are you quite certain there is nothing else I could grant you?’

‘Nothing Your Highness,’ smiled Bravura, ‘nothing at all.’

‘Very well then, I can see that you are beckoned by the siren call of the sea; let us not deter you from your travels a moment longer.’

Bravura bowed humbly once more, before gallantly bestowing a kiss upon the fair Ophelia’s outstretched hand.

‘Perhaps we shall meet again,’ she said, ‘albeit in less distressing circumstances.’

‘Take care Princess,’ he replied already turning back towards the majestic ship that stood poised upon the Delphic shores of Fairyvale, waiting to embark upon its maiden voyage.

‘Take care yourself, you’ll need to amidst those dangerous tides,’ she called after him, her tinkling voice floating upon the breeze.

‘I do not fear the seas,’ he laughed carefree.

‘Well you should, and most especially the Sea Witch.’

He paused to look back at her, ‘The Sea Witch is a mere myth Princess Ophelia; I have heard stories of her to be sure, but…’

‘Myth she certainly is not Bravura,’ interrupted Claudius, ‘however as to whether she need be feared, even I am unsure. She is a mysterious creature is the Sea Witch; I would certainly advise caution.’

‘Should I ever encounter her, I’ll be sure to pay heed to your advice Your Highness,’ said Bravura, a gleam of untold curiosity in his eyes as he prepared to board the Voyager. If the Sea Witch really did exist, then he was quite determined that encounter her he should! There were no mysteries of the sea that he would not discover, no secrets that he would not unlock, and no shores that he would leave untouched. Standing once more at the helm of the Voyager he felt bold, daredevil even; this was it, this was the beginning of everything to come!

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Publication Date: 01-17-2012

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