Draft of Chapter 6 - NOAH & LUKE – TALE TRAVELLERS by Alan Mark De Luzuriaga

Draft of Chapter 6 - NOAH & LUKE – TALE TRAVELLERS by Alan Mark De Luzuriaga

JACOB - LORD OF THE GREMPIRES

Noah & Luke was never as scared as they were now. They would always pride themselves in being brave. Against monsters and creatures, real or imaginary. But this was different. They did not only know where they were, they also feared that they would get stuck in this place and never get to see their parents again. Never be able to find them. And if they could not even get themselves out of this fix, how in blazes do they even get to rescue their mother and father.

Mark & Sylvia just disappeared from their very presence. One moment they were there, and the next, they were gone. Where they went and if they were taken, no one knows.

Noah and Luke took it upon themselves to save their parents from whatever evil it is that took them. They have gone into this quest knowing full well that it was dangerous and that they could not be sure if they will end up dead or even worse, erased from the tales of Libris.

The book, "Jacobi, Lord of the Grempires",  was one of the scariest books that they have read since they were a child, and it was a good place to start as any. So they picked up the book, as they were instructed by the Lord Arkivist, and "hurled" themselves into the story.

They found themselves in a dark world, unsure of the surroundings.

"It must be night time", Noah muttered.

"Well, I sure will be freaked out if this was daytime", Luke answered back. "Do you have the book with you ?"

"Of course", Noah countered, showing Luke the object in his hand.

" What in blazes is happening to the book? Luke screamed.

"What do you mean?", Noah replied.

He could not believe it even if it was happening right before his eyes. The cover of the book, which showed a picture of a Dark overlord surrounded by a mob of blood soaked Gremlin liked creatures, was fading into some sort of bright light. And instead, the image of a Dove and a Horse, the same illustration used in their parent's used book shop, was imprinted on the cover with the title -  Noah and Luke's Not So Used Books.

Of course, Noah realised. The same book that brought them here was transformed into a book that would bring them back to their home and sanctuary.

He readily explained this to Luke and his brother calmed down with the realisation that they were not as helpless as they thought they were.

" Do you mean that we can go back anytime to the bookshop? "

"It seems that way." said Noah.

"Well then, we should be on our way and see if this is where Mom and Dad disappeared to."

Noah nodded and they trotted on to the direction they were facing to having any idea where to go anyway. After walking for an hour or so, they saw some lights dancing up ahead. It looked like flames on torches, or so they hoped. Torches meant that there were occupants in the area that could point them to the right direction. They only hoped that it was a friendly group they would encounter.

"Wait a minute" said Luke. "I think we should stop and make sure that they aren't Grempires."

"Don't you remember the story at all? Grempires don't live on flatlands. They stay on mountains and live in caves. These are surely Wolfmen."

" I just want to make sure, that's all", Luke answered back. " If I remember the book correctly", Luke said with a bit of sarcasm, " Those Grempires not only suck the life out of you, but they chew on your flesh and bones as well".

"You got that right", Noah uttered under his breath.

"We better move in slowly then, and remain undetected. Follow me".

Noah then started to walk slowly, with a slight crouch towards what seemed to look like a camp site of sorts. Luke followed him quietly. This was one of the few times Luke followed his older brother without any resistance or snide remark. The thought of Grempires reminded him that now is not the time to engage in any sibling rivalry.

The two brothers gently crept up to the edge of a  hillside, looking down on the campsite below them.

Draft of Chapter 1: NOAH & LUKE – TALE TRAVELLERS by Alan Mark De Luzuriaga

Draft of Chapter 1: NOAH & LUKE – TALE TRAVELLERS by Alan Mark De Luzuriaga

 “ All stories are real. In other realities, our lives are their tales. Our words and actions  are the stories they read in their books and dream about in their sleep. “
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The door chimes rang as the door swung open. The sign hanging by the door swaying with the wind as a customer left with a bag full of used books. The N&L trademark distinctly shown in the paper bag holding it. The same logo swaying with the doorway sign. A Dove and a Horse, wonderfully drawn to spell out the names Noah & Luke. Mark & Sylvia named the shop after their two boys. The used-book store - NOAH & LUKE'S NOT SO USED BOOKS - opened two years ago and served as a home and sanctuary for the Barrett family ever since they transferred from River County.

Mark & Sylvia were busy attending to the steady flow of customers. The difficult economic times forced many folks in the community to opt for used-books. Text books and paper back fiction have become more expensive through the years and the rising unemployment made the used-book business thrive.

Luke, an eight year old precocious kid was playing on the floor in between the back shelves, his two action figures fighting each other. His older brother, Noah,  was seated in one of the stools, reading his digital e-book reader with serious focus.

Both are home schooled children and spend much  of their day inside the bookshop, either doing their school work or just hanging around while their parents work.

The door chime rang once again. After a few moments, the Desk Bell rang, and rang again.

Noah raised his head and saw a customer waiting impatiently for someone to attend to him.

"I'm sorry, my parents must have taken a break", Noah said to the customer politely, although he never saw the cashier desk left unattended before. Noah knew how to transact a sale and proceeded to ring up the customers orders and collect the payment.

"Mom, Dad, where are you? Noah called out the moment he heard the door chime ring as the custom left.

There was no answer. He called gain with a louder voice.

"Luke, can you check if Mom or Dad are out the back. I can't leave the counter".

"Okay", Luke said grudgingly as his playtime was interrupted.

A few minutes later, Luke came back saying they weren't there. Noah asked him to check upstairs. The Barret family lived on the second floor of the bookshop. A few minutes passed and Luke came running down saying they were not there either.

Noah was starting to get worried.