Children's Fiction Fantasy & Magic
A Story of Day & Night
- Publisher
- CAVERN OF DREAMS PUBLISHING
- Initial publish date
- Dec 2015
- Category
- Fantasy & Magic
- Recommended Reading age
- 8 to 14
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781927899137
- Publish Date
- Dec 2015
- List Price
- $10.00
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
A Story of Day & Night
The people of Earth are weary––one side has been cursed with never-ending light; the other side with never-ending darkness. Two young maidens––Lunaria, from the dark side; Raycindia, from the light side––were bequeathed a unique book from their grandmothers and they were told they were destined for great things.
Lunaria and Raycindia meet on the Border of Light and Dark, and realize their quest is the same––to seek out the wise woman, Zemia. She is alleged to be the last of the people from Ancient Earth, and the stories the maidens had read said she would be able to help them to end Earth's curse.
Lunaria and Raycindia soon realize that meeting Zemia is just the beginning of their quest. They embark upon a perilous journey where they come face to face with the diabolical fiends that pay homage to Bulshrieka, the one responsible for the curse. To end the misery for the people of Earth, the maidens must be more courageous than ever before.
Will good overcome evil? Will the people of Earth ever be happy again? These questions can only be answered within the pages of––
A Story of Day and Night!
About the authors
Mary Cushnie-Mansour's profile page
CAVERN OF DREAMS PUBLISHING's profile page
Contributor Notes
Mary M. Cushnie-Mansour resides in Brantford, ON, Canada. She is the award winning author of the popular Night's Vampire Trilogy. Mary has a freelance journalism certificate from Waterloo University, and in the past she wrote a short story column and feature articles for the Brantford Expositor. She has published four collections of poetry; a collection of short stories; and a biography, “A 20th Century Portia.”
Excerpt: A Story of Day & Night (by (author) Mary Cushnie-Mansour; cover design or artwork by Terry Davis; prepared for publication by CAVERN OF DREAMS PUBLISHING; editor-in-chief Bethany Jamieson; associate editor Danielle Tanguay)
Chapter One The Dilemma
There was a beginning––and the people of Earth were happy. There was a war, and then there was an end to the happiness and Old Earth. New Earth was consumed by an evil force that had sprung up during this time––one that burdened the people of Earth with a misery that penetrated deep into their existence––one that saddened the multitudes to the point the ancient legends of a land once filled with goodness were almost forgotten. For the New Earth, after the Great Battle, was stayed in its tracks, leaving one side to cool under the gibbous moon, the other to burn under the searing sun. It was into such a world that two maidens were born. One who lived in darkness, Lunaria; one who lived in light, Raycindia.
There was great sadness on Earth because of this. The people and animals that lived on the dark side would cry because everything around them was difficult to see, and they were always so tired that they wanted to do nothing more than sleep. The vegetation was lifeless and creepy in its struggle for what few beams of light the moon cared to cast down from its lofty position. The animals huddled in eclipsed corners, their once grand strengths withering away.
Great sadness tormented the other side of Earth, as well, but for the opposite reason. Here, where the sun always shone, the people could not get enough sleep because even when they closed their eyes, the sun’s golden waves would penetrate through them. The vegetation was wrinkled and scorched from the constant searing of its rays. The animals scattered, trying to find a shelter cool enough to sooth their burning hides.
Thus were the tales of Old Earth––bright and happy, filled with light and darkness for all––beginning to dim with the misery cast on the people, dimming in the hearts of all but two young maidens.
Lunaria, the maiden from the dark side, tall and muscular, with long black hair and milk-white skin, would sit in her shadowy corners. Helped by the light of her precious candles, her black eyes poured through the book of ancient tales bequeathed to her by her beloved grandmother. Grandmother had instructed Lunaria to read the stories carefully, and had also said that she, Lunaria, would one day accomplish great things. Lunaria had dismissed the ramblings as those of an aged woman about to embark on her final journey; but, she obliged her grandmother’s final wish and read on. And the seeds of thought began to germinate within her mind.
Raycindia, too, was a reader of tales. Raycindia was the maiden from the light side. She was tall, but of a slight, more frail nature than Lunaria’s robust stature. Raycindia’s long curls had been bleached white by the sun and her soft blue eyes contrasted brightly against her bronzed skin.
A unique book had been bequeathed to her, as well––a book that was one and the same as Lunaria’s. She, too, was instructed by her grandmother to read the stories carefully. On her deathbed, Raycindia’s grandmother had cradled her hand on her heart and whispered into Raycindia’s ear that one day she would accomplish great things. Raycindia had smiled and dismissed the ramblings as those of an aged woman about to embark on her last journey; but, she obliged her grandmother’s final wish, and read on. And the seeds of thought began to germinate within her mind.
As the maidens read through the stories, they each came upon the one that spoke of the Border of Light and Dark. The story spoke of the many who had tried to live on the border, but nothing of any goodness would ever grow from the sparse soil. Misery that was worse than in their previous homes became the lot of those people. Soon everyone stayed away and left the border to its moods of light and dark––to the forces of evil that ruled with a ruthlessness the like that could not be fully described in the books. Only those who had been there could tell the full truths of that world.
The story the girls had read told how the border led to the top of a mountain where there dwelled the keeper of ancient records. The story alluded that this keeper held within their grasp the secret that could free the world from its torment. The keeper’s name was Zemia. The rest of the story was vague; but, it had wetted the appetite of Lunaria and Raycindia, and the seeds began to sprout further within their hearts.
So it was that one hour, when the moon stood high in the sky, Lunaria called her family together and told them of her intentions.
“I am embarking on a journey,” Lunaria began. “There is something that can be done about this curse that has been cast on our earth and I feel that Grandmother knew of things and mysteries from beyond our earth––from another time and place. She bequeathed to me a unique book and told me I would one day accomplish great things. I have read much, and there is a stirring from within my breast; the time has come for me to begin my journey. I know Grandmother is watching over me from above, and she will guide my way toward the Border of Light and Dark.”
Lunaria’s mother spoke up softly: “I always knew there was something special about you, my dear child. My mother would rebuke me if I scolded you too firmly. She would tell me to let you be; you were strong-willed because the gods had decreed it so. She said your willpower would be a staying force when the time came––when it would be most needed. She said you were destined for great things and that I should be patient and nurture your strength, not harness it.” She walked over to her daughter, embraced her with a kiss, and added, “Go with my blessing, child, and may the gods watch over you and bring you home safe to us.”
Lunaria turned to her father, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes. She searched his constant face for a moment of approval. He had stood back and listened to his wife as she had rambled on, and something inside him had moved his heart to bless the child standing before him.
"May the gods guide your footsteps, child, and bring you home safe.” His constant face mellowed as he spoke.
Lunaria had one last person to bid farewell. He would be the most difficult to break ties with, for it was he that she was to be wed to within the next month. Her feet dragged on the path that led to his cottage.
“Lunaria,” he greeted her with a flashing smile. “To what do I owe this great pleasure?”
Lunaria’s gaze fell to the ground. “Samson, love of my heart, I have come to inform you that I must take a trip. I know not when, or even if I will return, but I ask your indulgence on this matter. I beg of you to wait for me until I come back to your arms, or until word is sent to you that I shall not return.”
Samson, who was wise beyond his years, had sensed in his heart for some time now the maiden he was in love with was destined for great things. He gathered her into his arms and brushed away her tears with his lips.
“Say no more,” he murmured softly. “I shall be here––waiting––only death can part us.” Thus, it was that Lunaria left her family and her love to embark on a quest.
At the same hour, on the other side of the earth, when the sun was at its highest in the sky, Raycindia gathered her family and her love, and broke the news to them of her intentions. Her mother stood by the stove, apron on waist, ladle in hand, and fought back the tears that strove to pour forth. The mother knew her daughter was special; her mother had informed her so. She had been told to be gentle with Raycindia––that one day she was destined for great things.
Raycindia’s father stood by the doorway, as though his standing there would stop his precious daughter from her journey. The baby sister bubbled and laughed at the gathering, and continued with her play.
And Leonardo, handsome and wise––Raycindia’s betrothed––poured the tears from his heart into his soul so she might not witness his pain. He smiled and gathered his love to his breast, blessing her with the words that he would wait for her until eternity, and beyond––if necessary.
Thus, it was that Raycindia left her family and her love to embark on a quest.
It was unknown to each other that the two young maidens set out in search of the Border of Light and Dark. Lunaria rode an ebony black stallion called Noiria. His mane and tail sparkled of star dust, and he breathed a cool mist from his nostrils. Raycindia rode a crystal white stallion called Blanco. His mane and tail were like golden ripples of sunlight, and he breathed fire from his nostrils.
After a multitude of long, tedious hours of travel, the two maidens happened on each other on the Border of Light and Dark. They stood, each on their side, contemplating their next move. They gazed at each other, and at the barren, rocky land that lay along the line that was not fit for man or beast.
Finally, Lunaria spoke. “I see that you are from the land of never-ending light. I would have a word with you. I am from the land of never-ending darkness, and my people tire of their life. There is little will left to continue under the circumstances; all they wish to do is sleep.”
Raycindia answered: “I too desire to have a word with you. I have travelled far in search of the land of darkness so my people might have some night in which to rest their weary eyes. They tire of having so little sleep to fully rest their bodies.”
The maidens smiled to each other. They dismounted from their horses, embraced like old friends, and then sat on the ground face to face. The haziness of the border was eerie, for it was neither light nor dark. They talked for many hours, getting to know each other, sharing the stories from their grandmothers’ books and discussing a possible solution to Earth’s predicament.
Suddenly, Raycindia’s face lit up: “I have an idea,” she began. “If I was to give you some of my light, and you were to give me some of your darkness, then we would each have a bit of both and everybody would be happy.”
Lunaria smiled. “Why that is a superb idea. I wish I had thought of that. But, the question is, how are we going to carry out such a feat?” They both laughed at the silliness of such a notion.
Once again, the maidens sat reflecting, engrossed in silence. Without warning, Lunaria sprang up from her spot and declared, “I know what we must do. As the book instructed, the Chosen Ones were to travel to the high mountain situated on the Border of Light and Dark at the peak of the earth. I have read accounts that there lives the old, wise woman named Zemia. She is, supposedly, the last of the peoples of Ancient Earth and the stories written say she holds many secrets within her breast.”
“Yes, I too have read of her,” said Raycindia. “If there is anyone able to help us, I am sure it will be her.”
The maidens resumed their journey, this time with a newfound friend and companion––joined by a mysterious trust bequeathed to them from long ago. They travelled up rocky hills, down into stony valleys, across barren plains, through bushes of towering trees, and plunged headlong through rivers of turbulent waters. Finally, they reached the base of the high mountain. Lunaria and Raycindia put their hands to their eyes and gazed upward at the towering mass. The way to the top would be long and treacherous, but the maidens were brave of heart, and their steeds were as strong and steady as the rocks in the mountain’s belly.
On they pushed, through the eerie mist that covered the trail, going ever upward toward the grey smoke at the top. Suddenly, Blanco and Noiria began to snort and dance around on the narrow pathway. Their tails twitched from side to side, and the maidens could feel the quivering of their massive muscles. Without warning, a huge, black creature descended on the travellers, blocking their upward passage.
Editorial Reviews
"I think it is a very interesting book––when I finished one chapter I was eager to read the next one because there was always a surprise. I think if you are interested in adventure this is a really good book to read because it is about two girls on an awesome journey; they meet strange but interesting creatures, and the story has lots of excitement!" ... Asha, age 9
"A Story of Day & Night was an enjoyable tale of good versus evil. The mythology within could have come from ancient stories explaining the constant cycle of day chasing night, and darkness chasing light. This was a real page turner, and I would definitely recommend it to my friends" ... Stacy Thomas
"I have never read a book with this idea of how the earth stopped and the problems that followed. A Story of Day & Night was interesting and creative. I really liked it" ... Evan, age 13
"A Story of Day & Night had strong role models for pre-adolescent girls. There are a few surprises in store for readers, particularly near the end of the novel. This story has a unique concept that is craftily ended to lead into perhaps a series" ... Karen White
"A Story of Day & Night is a captivating tale, full of daring adventures and magical twists at every turn. A light, quick, and very amusing read, it is a tale that will grab your attention––no matter your age––and always keep you on your toes, cheering for the prophecy to come true!" … Danielle
