The Queen of Magic

THE QUEEN OF MAGIC

Quentin landed, immediately pulling free his sword and charging towards the Demons.

‘Quentin!’ he heard Clive yell followed by a bunch of swear words, that despite everything made Quentin grin and his spirits soar.

Beneath his feet he could feel the vibrations caused by Nessie and the Dragons as their feet pounded the hard packed ground as they chased and slowly over took him.

Wow, they are so fast, thought Quentin as they joined the battle seconds before his own sword bit deep into the arm of a Demon as it tried to attack Serilda from behind.

Clive and Bluey were soon by his side and together they moved forward, protecting each other, Serilda, Arend and Abhaar spread out, one in front the other two either side protecting their flanks.

Nessie bellowed his war cry and grabbed a huge Demon around the waist and squeezed. In full Kraken mode he was immensely strong, not to mention huge, and the Demon kicked  his legs as he was lifted bodily off the ground, sounds of bones cracking and breaking joining the screams, yells and cries that filled the battle field.

Quentin found himself momentarily without a Demon and looked around, taking in the battle, gauging it and felt a surge of pride as his men took the fight to the foe without fear or hesitation. The handpicked men all had spears and were working together in teams, circling a Demon and stabbing it from all sides. He saw Shaun, his sword of light visible even in the daylight, it blazed so bright, fighting two Demons at once, Peter ever by his side, darting in to score a cut, weakening the beasts.

Something grabbed Quentin; hands around his middle, nails screeching as they scrapped his armour and then he was flying through the air, crashing down, the air leaving his lungs in a whoooosh!

Struggling to get up; a huge weight landed on top of him, teeth biting inches from his face, clawed hands trying to tear at his armour, and the breath! Quentin gagged on the bile that rose up his throat and filled his mouth. He grabbed at the body, his fingers gripping fur and tried to heave the animal off but it was just too big and heavy.

He felt panic stir within him as he struggled before he remembered his knife. One hand scrabbled for it, whilst his other hand trembled as it squeezed the breast’s throat, keeping the snapping teeth inches away from his face as drool landed wetly on his face and slid over his mouth.

YUK!

As suddenly as the weight had landed, it was gone. The large wolf thing yelping as it was lifted clear, Serilda looking down at him.

‘You getting up or what?’ she said.

The Hell Hound scratched its claws along her side causing her to gasp aloud before gripping her hand tight and snapping its neck.

‘You’re hurt,’ said Quentin scrambling to his feet.

‘It’s nothing,’ said Serilda one hand pressed to her side.

Quentin picked up his sword and swung it all in a single movement, the sharp blade slicing across the eyes of another Hell Hound sending it crashing to the earth, blood pouring from its face.

‘Where did they come from?’

‘No idea,’ said Serilda.

Bluey and Clive, seeing Serilda was hurt, moved closer.

‘Thought we’d lost you there for a moment,’ said Clive.

‘It was close, Serilda saved me but she’s hurt.’

Clive nodded.

Lightning fell all around them as the Magic Users strode up and joined the fight.

Castle Adventurous

CASTLE ADVENTUROUS

Quentin turned to look across the plain, instantly seeing what Clive had.

Three armoured women standing before the Horde, alone!

‘What are they doing?’ Clive yelled, his battle plans already falling apart.

‘Atoning,’ said Quentin sadly. He knew they wouldn’t last long enough for his army to reach them.

A horse burst between him and Clive and tore down the side the rise.

‘BLUEY!’ Quentin screamed.

Turning he could see the Nicola’s had vanished and knew instinctively where they had gone.

‘Two more witches just appeared,’ said Clive.

‘It’s the Nicola’s,’ said Quentin quietly.

‘WHAT!’ Clive heeled his horse.

‘CLIVE! STOP! YOUR PLACE IS WITH ME!’ Quentin said his voice booming across the valley.

‘Thanks,’ he said to Gal who had pulled his horse up alongside his.

‘Anytime.’

Clive pulled his horse up sharply but didn’t turn around, nor look back; his gaze was on the Witches, already engaged in battle.

Quentin felt his army move, sway and suddenly a section burst forth.

Chariots raced down the hillside, Queen Boadicea in the lead, her daughters in chariots of their own thundering alongside her and behind another hundred, as the Women of Briton charged into battle.

More and more women joined, kicking their horses into action to join battle, to stand alongside the women already fighting for their lives.

Quentin watched, fuming.

‘Sir Galahad, you’re as old as the hills,’ he said.

‘Hey steady on, I am not that old.’

Quentin gave him a steady look.

‘Ok I am older than most,’ Gal conceded.

‘Tell me, with your centuries of experience, you understand women right, tell me it’s possible to understand them.’

Gal gave a bitter laugh.

‘No chance lad. No chance. They’re as changeable as the weather.’

Quentin raised his hand.

 ‘ARMY OF LIGHT

OUR WOMEN FIGHT

DO WE LET THEM FIGHT ALONE?’

The roar of anger and rage was all he could have asked for.

The Army of Light uncoiled and moved out, the Army of Heroes amongst them, eager to fight.

Quentin knew his battle plans were ruined. The best he could do was try to follow what was left and hope it was enough.

He spun.

‘ACHILLES!’

A man heeled his horse into a gallop and raced to join Quentin.

‘Prince.’

‘How many Myrmidons do you have?’

‘One thousand swords, Prince, but all handpicked by me, so worth ten times that number.’

‘Would you do me the honour of joining me? I will be going into the depths of Hell.’

‘The honour will be ours Prince. Hector, we fight together at last!’ Achilles laughed.

‘Indeed we do Achilles,’ said Gal, ‘I hope you can keep up,’ he added with a laugh.

‘Mum?’

‘I have you son, we will be ready.’

Quentin watched as his Army thundered across the plain towards the tiny knot of women fighting. Fighting and dying.

Arrows took flight and ripped into the Demon Horde with such accuracy not one fell amongst the Women of Light.

Quentin could not sit on the hill any longer and gave the signal for his troops to move out.

The Witches' Eye

THE WITCHES' EYE

THE TEAM ASSEMBLE

Quentin was standing outside the house waiting impatiently for the others to arrive.

He was dressed for adventure in khaki shorts and an olive green shirt, walking boots and on his head was a Fedora hat just like Indiana Jones wore. He had wanted a whip too but his Mum had put her foot down about that.

Quentin was not too disappointed. He tried using a skipping rope from the Gym at school as a whip but only managed to hit himself on the head with the wooden handle.

He pulled at the shorts, not overly happy about those, but knew they would be vital in the heat. And the countries he was planning to visit, they were hot!

‘Finally!’ he said aloud as cars pulled into the drive.

Doors were opening before the first car had even stopped, with Clive and Bluey jumping out and rushing up to Quentin.

‘Hello mate, this is going to be so exciting,’ said Clive.

Bluey threw her arms around Quentin and gave him a big hug and a kiss on the lips.

Quentin returned the hug and the kiss enjoying the tingles throughout his body as he always did when he was close to Bluey.

Both Bluey and Clive were dressed similarly to Quentin though they were missing a hat.

‘Cool hat, wish I’d thought of that,’ said Clive.

‘Oh I wish I’d gotten one of those instead of this,’ said Bluey pulling out a bonnet from her backpack.

Clive and Quentin tried hard not to smile at the white hat with its ribbon ties, but they failed, miserably.

‘Stop laughing, it’s not that bad,’ Bluey said, ‘look.’

She put it on and tied the blue ribbons beneath her chin.

The boys were laughing so hard they were holding their tummies.

‘Why Miss Bluey that is sure a nice bonnet you have on there,’ said Quentin’s Dad; Unwin, in his best southern drawl, which was awful.

Bluey smiled prettily at Unwin then poked her tongue out at the boys, ‘See!’

‘What’s all the laughter about?’ said Quentin’s Mum; Mel, coming out of the house and slipping her arm around Unwin, ‘Oh, I see.’

Bluey blushed and snatched the hat off her head, ‘My Mum chose it.’

‘It’s very nice,’ Mel said, though her smile was twitching and pulling her mouth into a wider grin.

‘Sergeant, Maggie, good to see you,’ said Unwin walking towards the second car as they got out, ‘And Nan, how, erm, lovely to see you?’

Unwin shot a look at the Sergeant who grinned sheepishly and nodded towards Maggie.

‘Surprised more like,’ said Nan, walking up to Unwin, ‘You put on weight?’ she added poking him in the stomach.

‘Ouch, Nooo. I don’t think so. Maybe,’ said Unwin flustered as he always was around the irascible old lady.

Nan walked past Unwin, barely leaning on the cane she carried.

‘Hello Mel, where are my great grandchildren? You’ve been married ages now. What’s the problem, he not up to the job?’

‘Nan please!’ said Mel coming forward and giving Nan a big hug.

Bluey and Clive exchanged grins and sprung forward to hug Nan.

‘Hi Nan, remember us, I’m Bluey and this is Clive,’ Bluey said.

‘Remember you, course I remember you. I’m not senile ya know. What’s the matter with you boy, cat got your tongue?’

Quentin was feeling shy and looking at his feet.

‘Come and give us a kiss then,’ Nan said, holding out her arms, ‘you’re my first great grandchild and,’ she used her cane to point towards Maggie and Mel, ‘could be the only one I see if these two don’t get a move on. I’ve not got long left ya know.’

Quentin rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Nan. When Nan had complained about not having great grandchildren he had taken that as a sign Nan was not thinking of him as family, being adopted and all, and had been overcome with shyness and disappointment. Now though, all was well again.

‘Well, yes, ok my boy, you can let go now, you’re cutting off my circulation. I’m old ya know,’ complained Nan gruffly to hide the wave of emotions she felt.

Peter Stag finally got out of the first car where he had sat and watched everyone greeting each other.

‘Peter,’ said Unwin warmly, taking his offered hand and pulling him into an embrace.

‘Hello Unwin, doing ok?’

‘Good thanks Peter, really good,’ replied Unwin.

‘Peter, welcome. So lovely to see you again,’ said Mel giving him a hug.

Technically Mel was his boss, but she wanted him to feel he was also part of the family.

Peter was suddenly surrounded by Clive, Bluey and Quentin.

Clive and Quentin offering their hands and pumping his arm enthusiastically as he shook each of their hands and returned the hug Bluey gave him with genuine affection.

He had been a lone operative all his adult life and whilst it was taking a little getting use too, he was enjoying the camaraderie and companionship of working within a team.

‘I’ve got something for you guys,’ he said walking to the back of the car and opening the boot.

Fedora hats flew through the air, one for Clive and one for Bluey and another went sailing over Quentin’s head and landed at Mel’s feet.

‘That one was for Quentin but I see he has one,’ said Peter.

‘Wow, these are great! Thanks!’ said Clive putting his on his head.

Bluey squealed in delight and rushed over to give Peter another hug before putting it on too.

Mel picked hers up and sniffed it, ‘Bit battered and stained,’ she said, ‘smells too.’

Peter grinned, ‘I know, they’re all used I’m afraid. I had many missions out in East Africa, the Sudan, and such. Sorry.’

Quentin was looking at the used and battered hats thinking they were so much better than his nice shiny new one.

‘Would you like to swap yours with mine?’ he asked his Mum hopefully.

‘Oh yes, that would be perfect. Are you sure though?’ Mel asked, knowing how particular Quentin was with his clothing.

Quentin nodded and was delighted when Mel spun the hat through the air towards him.

‘Done!’ she exclaimed.

Quentin took his hat off and threw it to his Mum and they both stuck their hats on their heads smiling happily.

‘So where’s my one been?’ asked Clive, ‘Specifically?’ as they all made their way inside.

Peter studied the hat and said, ‘Egypt.’

‘Cool,’ said Clive.

‘And mine?’ asked Bluey excitedly.

Peter smiled, ‘Jerusalem, Israel.’

‘Ohhhh,’ Bluey cooed, her eyes shining.

Peter looked at Quentin’s hat, ‘And yours I wore in Africa.’

Quentin positively beamed. Much better than his brand new hat. That hadn’t been anywhere.

‘Is someone going to put the kettle on?’ they heard Nan’s voice loud and strong coming from inside the house, ‘I’ve not got long ya know and I’d like a cup of tea before I go.’

Everyone trooped into the house. Tea sounded just the ticket.

Quentin James and the Battle of Edgewater

 

THE CODED MESSAGE

(Can you break it?)

G 18 19

1605

1666

62  11  12 9 2 11 14 31   1 14 3 69 6 2 3

8 9 17 3 17   20 2 6 28 2 6’ 31  22 2 20 48 11 6

138 2 4 6 12 4 6 111   14 12   12 9 17   31 5 4 17 31

20 4 5 17   14   12 14 20 20   133 48 20 20 69   20 4 1 12 31

12 9 17   9 17 14 28

12 9 3 17 17   2 6 17   2 6 17

12 9 17   22 14 48 31 17 8 14 69   1 3 2 11   12 9 17

31 12 14 4 3 31   9 14 31   11 48 22 9   28 17 22 14 69

14 6 28   3 2

138 17 12 4 12 4 2 6 17 3 31   22 14 6 6 2 12

20 14 6 28   14 6 69   1 14 3 17

12 9 17   48 6 28 17 3 22 3 2 1 12   2 1   12 3 17 14 31 26

14 6 28   138 20 2 12   4 31   31 12 4 20 20   12 9 17 3 17

Quentin James and the Arctic Adventure

Bluey took her foot off the break and slammed it on the accelerator and the car leant into the corner and shot out onto the straight road, picking up speed again.

Explosions erupted to the right and left of the car, the gravel and dirt pattering across the roof and bonnet.

‘Woo hoo!’ cried Bluey, ‘Fantastic! Explosions and helicopters, you went all out Unwin.’

Unwin looked back between Clive and Quentin strapped in on the back seat to see a helicopter weaving back and forth behind them, trying to line up to shoot again.

‘That’s not one of ours,’ Unwin said, ‘Drive!’

Bluey pressed the pedal to the floor again, and the car leapt forward. Just in time as twin explosions threw up fire and dirt behind them.

‘Is this a company car?’ yelled Clive.

‘Not the time Clive,’ yelled back Unwin.

Bluey spun the car around the bend and into some trees.

One tree exploded into splinters.

‘Well that’s not very green friendly,’ Bluey said, her eyes glued to the road ahead as it rushed at her.

‘Press the centre panel on the radio,’ Clive called out, ‘trust me.’

Unwin glanced back and then pressed the panel as Clive had asked.

The panel whirled and spun and came away in his hand.

‘Give it to me,’ Clive screamed above the sound of helicopter that was right above them.

Unwin flipped it backwards and Clive caught it deftly.

They all ducked as the sound of gunfire burst into life.

Holding it like a games controller Clive pressed buttons.

‘Get ahead of the helio, about ten metres,’ he instructed Bluey

Bluey was swerving right and left to avoid the gunfire and on hearing Clive’s command, spun the car to the left, taking another path through the trees, momentarily leaving the helicopter behind.

Clive focused on the image of the helicopter weaving across a tiny screen in the controller, waiting for it to line up.

As Bluey powered the car forward, Clive waited for the green light and with a cry of ‘YES.’ he pressed a button. There was a sudden whoosh and seconds later the helicopter disintegrated in a huge explosion, a secondary explosion ripped the last sections apart and it fell to the ground as a pile of scrap metal.

‘Woo who!’ screamed Bluey, fuelling her cry with the fear and adrenaline that raced through her veins.

The car shot out of the woods and tore along the dirt path, Bluey sliding the car onto the road putting her foot hard down on the accelerator. The car shot off as the tires bit into the tarmac pushing it even faster.

‘OK Bluey, you can slow down now,’ said Unwin.

‘Not unless those blokes in the car behind are friendlies,’ Bluey said glancing in the rear view mirror.

Unwin looked behind and frowned, ‘Clive?’

‘Hang on; let’s see what we’ve got.’

Clive tapped the button on the left of the controller scrolling through the options.

Cyber Sleuths

‘We have to get to the ant hill before they all come out,’ yelled Becky.

Colin and Pete nodded and raised their guns.

Colin was the first to fire. He pulled the trigger in a long burst. The first dozen tore apart an ant, bits and pieces of its shell, the legs and finally his head flying off as the bullets ripped through him but the rest went harmlessly into the air.

‘Short bursts, remember, three rounds at a time,’ ordered Becky.

Pete pulled his trigger and fired a short burst of three rounds, each thumping into an onrushing ant. Two tore chunks off its hard shell; the third buried itself right between its eyes.

It crashed down, head first and lay still.

‘There’s more coming, we have to move,’ called Becky as she surged ahead firing all the time.

Pete saw a group of ants over to her right moving at incredible speed.

The ants were almost on top of Becky before she realised the danger and fell onto her back firing up at the first ant that loomed large in her vision. She saw her bullets trace a line along its body and it ripped apart, innards splashing down all over her.

The other ants jabbed at her with their heads and she could see their pincers snapping at her.

Colin and Pete jumped into the middle firing wildly. Those that weren’t killed outright were pushed back under the hail of bullets.

Colin pulled Becky to her feet, and they formed a circle, firing short controlled bursts, very aware of how little ammo they had left.

Quentin James and the Global War Games

 

 

Whether feminine intuition or simply luck; Esme couldn’t say, but she called a halt and motioned for everyone to take cover.

‘Let’s take a minute or two to get our bearings and agree on the plan in case I’m hit.’

It was a good idea and her team melted into the jungle, forming a rough circle so they had all approaches covered.

‘Contact,’ they all heard whispered over their headgear.

‘Where?’ hissed Esme, annoyed she had to ask.

‘Sorry Leader, Scorpion 2 here, I am at your one o’clock.’

Esme looked forward and slightly right and would not have seen Norman had he not told her where he was. His cover was impressive.

‘Ok everyone, get nice and small and let them pass.’

Hearts beating fast her team curled up small and hid, trying to hold their breaths, even though their helmets would mask their breathing. Hands curled around their guns, fingers hovered over their triggers, palms slick with sweat.

Esme tensed as she saw glints of gold and red moments before the figures of the Dragon soldiers materialised out of the greenery.

 

 

Quentin James and the Jacobite Gold

Tiptoeing down the stairs he felt his usual excitement at being out at night. There was something special about night time; it was so quiet, so still, he had tingles along his skin, the hairs on his arms standing up. He loved that feeling.

When he walked into the lounge he stopped in surprise. Unwin was there. As he looked closer he could see it was not Unwin, but someone who looked a lot like him, much more like him than the portrait hanging in the great hall. He also noted, though without any shock or fear, that he could see the fireplace right through him.

‘Hello.’

The spectre turned around.

‘Hello my boy, you’re the one called Quentin, am I right?’

‘Yes Sir, it’s a pleasure to meet you.’ 

Quentin stuck his hand out to shake and the ghost naturally took it and shook it.

This surprised Quentin, not that he had shaken his hand but it was dry and firm. For some reason he had expected it to be wet and soft, like mist.

‘I,’ said the ghost ‘am Cluny.’

‘Yes sir. Do you mind if I put my presents under the tree?  I don’t want to disturb you.’

‘Not at all my boy, please go ahead. I must say you are very polite, I would have thought you would have gone running and screaming when you saw me, are you not afraid?’

Quentin tilted his head onto his shoulder and thought about that.

‘No Sir.’ 

He placed his presents under the tree.

The ghost of Cluny was a little taken aback. He had sent grown men running from the house before and here was this mere boy, seemingly unfazed, that he stood there. Well more floated he thought and rose a little higher.

‘Why are you not afraid?’ asked Cluny, ‘Weren’t you afraid of the crashing door and the jiggling head?’

‘A little,’ he admitted, ‘but I think you were testing us, to see if we were of brave heart.’

Quentin looked at the ghost.

‘You’re not that scary you know,’ he said, ‘should I be scared of you?’

Cluny considered the question finding it most odd to be having a conversation with a young boy.

 ‘Well no, I suppose not,’ he conceded, ‘what about all those moans and groans and rattling chains last night?’

Quentin smiled.

‘That was not you.’

‘So sure are you?’ challenged the ghost

Quentin nodded.

‘Yes you’re a real ghost; that other stuff was just to scare as off. Whoever that was, is looking for the gold.’

‘Gold you say; gold?’ the Ghost’s features took on a guarded look, ‘and what makes you think there is gold around here?’

Quentin James and the Loch of Arthur

This was the best feeling on the world, thought Quentin as they paddled across the Loch in canoes. They were two to a canoe and Quentin and Clive were sharing. They had taken off at pace only to go in a circle. It took a while for them to get sorted with Unwin and Ryan showing everyone how to propel the canoe through the water. Now they were moving together down the Loch, enjoying the speed as they cut through the water with a hiss. The weather was the best; deep blue skies, the sun already rising, promising another scorching hot day and they were off exploring, it was so exciting.

As they paddled, Ryan pointed out the local wildlife they could see along the shore but the surprise was when they spied battlements along the rock face.

‘Look,’ cried Clive, ‘a castle in the cliff.’

Ryan brought his canoe around expertly and told them about the ruins.

‘This is the Castle on the Loch; it has no other name I know of. Impossible to get to except by repelling down from the top.......’ 

All the kids looked at Unwin excitedly.

‘Forget it! NO ONE is climbing down the rock face to the castle. AM I CLEAR?’ he called, in his loud, stern, no nonsense, you have been warned, voice.

‘Yes sir,’ all the kids said looking glum.

‘It is said the only other way in, is through secret passageways and tunnels,’ Ryan continued.

The kids smiled and look at each other secretly.

‘Unwin didn’t say we couldn’t explore the castle, only not to climb down the rock face. All we have to do is find the tunnels,’ Clive whispered to Quentin.

Quentin James and the Undercover Agent

Without wasting a second, Bluey jumped over the low brick wall and ran along the ridge of the roof, heedless of the ground being a very long way down.

Quentin didn’t stop to think either and went after her.

Bluey, with her natural perfect balance, raced along the roof, clambering over low walls and jumping the gaps. The red eyes had disappeared almost immediately, but she hoped she’d catch him up here.

Suddenly she heard a cry behind her and almost skidded off the roof as she tried to stop her herself too quickly.

‘Quentin!’ she cried. Racing back the way she had come.

She ran right past the point where Quentin hung from his fingertips, the ground seemingly trying to drag him to his death, waiting for his body to smack into it with a bloody splat!

‘Here.’ she heard him cry, the fear and desperation in his voice making her tummy flip.

She turned around and slowly made her way back along the spine of the roof tops looking down either side to see if she could see him, fearing she wouldn’t be in time.

‘Please help.’

His cries cut her, and she sobbed, she couldn’t find him.

‘Where are you, I cannot see you?’

Again Quentin cried, ‘Here.’

Out of the corner of her eye Bluey saw his hand waving.

Oh thank god.

‘Hold on, I’m coming.’

She raced along the roof until she was standing opposite where he had slipped down. She didn’t know what to do, how could she get to him?

Laying down she tried to stretch out her arm, but it was just too short. Another sob escaped.

The roof was so tiny. She thought about sliding down herself but knew that would only end up with both of them plunging to their deaths. She lowered her body down, holding on to the ridge.

‘Grab my boots,’ she cried.

She felt his hand on her boot.

‘Yes! Climb up me, I can hold you.’

She felt his weight pull on her arms, the strain immediately taking its toll.

Wow, he is heavier than I thought. She felt her hands slip.

‘Quick! My hands are slipping.’

She felt Quentin struggling below and then to her horror she felt her boots suddenly move an inch.

‘My boots, they’re coming off,’ she cried.

She could feel his efforts to heave his body up and her boots slid another two inches off her feet.

‘Quentin, hold on, this is not going to work,’ she yelled, ‘quick!’

She felt her boots slide off her feet and a moment or two later heard them smack onto the courtyard below.

SPY NEWS 10th November 2016

SPY NEWS 24/9/16

SPY NEWS 19/9/16

SPY NEWS 15/9/16

New FOUR star review on Amazon

4.0 out of 5 starsGood Job!

By Amazon Customer on September 1, 2016

Format: Kindle Edition

This is a great book for the whole family to read. I can see where this book can be passed down from generation to generation. Excellent job in the technical writing as well as the creativity.

New FOUR star review on Amazon.com

4.0 out of 5 starsGreat book. I think the characters were well thought ...

By Amazon Customer on August 30, 2016

Format: Kindle Edition

Great book. I think the characters were well thought out and the plot is a page turner. There are some technical errors but its definitely worth the read and I highly recommend it. Great Job!

 

The technical errors - the reviewer was commenting on my use of Single Quotes for speech, whereas in the US they use Double Quotes. He felt this was a Technical Error on my part.

 

 

THE UNDERCOVER AGENT

 

New art work

 

by

Jason Moser

maverickdesignworks.com

 

 

 

QUENTIN JAMES AND THE BATTLE FOR EDGEWATER

 

 

 

OUT NOW!