Second Chance
Second Chance
By Sawyer Bennett
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2013 by Sawyer Bennett
Published by Big Dog Publishing
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
No part of this book can be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the author. The only exception is by a reviewer who may quote short excerpts in a review.
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Acknowledgements
I can’t believe I’m actually writing a dedication in a book I’m getting ready to publish. It’s my first so I apologize if I am a complete dork with my words.
First, to my mother, Cheryl Leone, who taught me that I could aspire to be anything I wanted to be. You led by example and then gave me the encouragement to follow. You will never know how thankful I am to be your daughter.
To my law partner, Jennifer Seate. Thank you, thank you, thank you for letting me pursue this passion. I know it has put extra stress on you and let’s just say...I’ll owe you one. A big one!!!
Seriously...I want to say thank you to my pups, past and present. Great Danes, Goldens and Berners...they were the inspiration for Big Dog Publishing. Best of all, as Piper and Atticus lay curled up against me while I wrote into the wee hours of the night, they provided me with comfort and love.
Finally, and most importantly, to my husband, Shawn. There is absolutely no way this book would be published if it wasn’t for your undying support and encouragement. The story would merely still be floating in my head. I love you...more!
The AltVeritas of Vyronas – Present Day
Laina Mercea, Chief of the Conclave of the Royal House of Clairmont, walked through town on her way to Conclave Hall. She had a meeting. One she was not looking forward to.
She glanced over at the schoolhouse, and decided to peek inside. She knew she was just avoiding the inevitable, but she still wanted to take a look. Her niece had just started teaching Vyronasian History and she was curious as to how she was doing.
Walking up the wooden steps to the school, she entered through the open door. Most doors and windows in Vyrona were always open, given the temperate climate.
Once inside, she immediately stepped to the left and leaned her back against the wall. She didn’t want to call attention to herself and ruin the lesson. The schoolhouse was only one room, and it was filled with desks and chairs, all organized in neat rows. A teacher’s desk sat at the front. Laina realized they were lucky to fill half of the seats with children. It had been a brutal four years and war had decimated their numbers.
Her niece, Shelana, was standing at the front. She was dressed in a long, flowing gown of lilac. It was simply belted at her waist and she had no other adornments. Jewelry and hair clips were hard to come by in wartime. Shelana looked up and saw her aunt, giving a short wave of acknowledgement. Laina gave her an encouraging smile back.
Shelana walked around the front of her desk and leaned back against it. “Today, we are going to learn how the AltVeritas came to be. Who can tell me what an AltVeritas is?”
A little girl with blond ringlets framing her face yelled out, “It’s the world in which we live.”
“That’s correct, Nadya.”
Shelana stood up from the desk and gracefully waved her arms in a large circle. The children all gasped as a holographic image formed in front of them. It was transparent so the kids could still see Shelana, but had enough color and substance that they could tell what it was. Taking note of the various continents and oceans, Laina realized it was a rendition of the planet Earth.
Shelana rotated the Earth model and pointed to a place just in front of the children.
“Here is where every AltVeritas started, in ancient Egypt. Now, much of what we know cannot be proven, as no written records have been found. Rather, these stories have been handed down from our ancestors.”
Shelana had a great teaching voice Laina realized. She spoke as if every detail she was revealing to her students was full of mystery and wonder.
“Legend has it that during the time of the Pharaohs, a large fragment of stone, larger than this whole schoolhouse, was found in the middle of the Egyptian desert. It was coal black, and dirty, and other than its immense size, it was not very interesting at all. It may not have been pretty, but it was different, for no other type of stone like this had ever been seen, particularly not of this size.”
“Was it a meteor from outer space?” one of the children asked.
“As a matter of fact, that is exactly what most people thought. The Pharaoh, King Khufu, certainly thought it came from outer space. In fact, he believed that this stone contained magical properties and he sought to hide it from the rest of the world. He built a giant pyramid over it that was later called the Great Pyramid of Giza.”
Shelana waved her hand to the side, and another holographic image appeared beside her, showing a picture of the Giza Pyramid. The children gave oohs and ahhs of appreciation.
“But, as is often the case, some secrets are not well kept, and people found out about King Khufu’s hiding place. Thiefs broke into the pyramid in an attempt to get the stone. Of course, it was so large, that most looters could only hammer off a piece or so to bring with them. Some pieces were sold, but most were studied by scientists, sorcerers and alchemists.”
Shelana made a quick motion with her hands, and both images disappeared. Hands clasped behind her back, she walked up and down the rows of desks as she continued her lecture.
“Again, we have no known records, just stories handed down, but our own mythology says that someone discovered that the stone could create a doorway that led into another world…a world that co-existed on the planet Earth.”
A small boy in front raised his hand and Shelana nodded at him. “I don’t understand. How can there be another world that co-exists on Earth?”
Some of the older kids giggled, like this was the easiest thing in the world to understand. Shelana gave a sharp look around the room and the laughing died.
“That is not a silly question. It is a difficult concept to understand. Because we only have an oral history of the AltVeritas, we don’t necessarily know how or why it works. We just know that we exist on the planet Earth, but in a completely different dimension that is unknown and unseen by the people that live in Earth’s First Dimension from where we all originated.”
Shelana waited to see if there were any further questions. There were not so she started to wrap up her lecture.
“No one knows what happened to the original stone inside Giza. It is gone. No one knows exactly how it was determined the Giza Stone opened up an AltVeritas. But we do know that there could be hundreds of these hidden worlds, all co-existing on the planet we know as Earth. It is safe to say that the stone clearly had inherent magical properties, because the residents of any AltVeritas that have managed to travel among the worlds have inherent magical abilities themselves. So far, no modern science or technology in The First Dimension has been able to discover these AltVerita. Only those with magical abilities like us here in the AltVeritas of Vyronas can travel among The Veils that separate them.”
A bell rang that signified the end of class. Laina did not wait around to talk to Shelana. She gave her a wave to indicate she was leaving and left the schoolhouse.
As Laina continued to walk to the Conclave Hall, she ruminated on the concept of AltVeritas. In ancient times, they named another world that co-existed on Earth as Universitas Caecus. Somehow, in the Modern Era, it got changed to AltVeritas, which she knew roughly translated to mean Alternate Truth. Regardless, she had never given it much thought until she was forced to send someone out of the AltVeritas of Vyronas to live back in The First Dimension. That was four years ago.
Laina knew that many people with magical abilities traveled freely between the worlds. It was done with a simple, magical incantation. It was believed that when the original AltVeritas was created, the stone from Giza was used as nothing more than a way to tear open a doorway between the places of existence. Thereafter, magic allowed people travel to and fro. The doorway was often referred to as The Veil.
It was fascinating to see how different Vyronas was from The First Dimension of Earth. Like most AltVerita, Vyronas’ growth and advancement did not mimic that of The First Dimension. Because the original inhabitants of most AltVerita were those practiced in the art of magic, that was the only advancement that was considered necessary among the people who settled there.
Advancements in science, machinery, weaponry or industrialization just were not on par with that of The First Dimension. Instead, the inhabitants of most AltVerita used magic to obtain those things that they didn’t have from lack of technology. Still, magic could only do so much, and the people who settled these different worlds tended to live a more antiquated lifestyle.
In addition, the sizes of the AltVerita tended to be quite small compared to the massive population and geographical area that was The First Dimension. Whether it was lack of technological advancement, or lack of desire to push outward, most AltVerita were hardly larger than the United States as a whole, some much smaller.
Lost in her own little history flashback, Laina came to Conclave Hall fairly quickly. She entered and noticed all members were already present. In addition, she saw Carrick Dunne standing beside their meeting hall table, clearly looking unhappy to be there. He carried his 6’7” frame with ease but never for a moment would she forget what a deadly killer he could be. Even though they were fighting on the same side for now, Carrick considered her a personal enemy and she would always need to remember that.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Carrick.”
Carrick gave a curt nod but didn’t say anything.
He hardly ever gave away anything for free
, mused Laina. Carrick was Commandant of the Army for the House of Clairmont, and he spent most of his time waging their war. Carrick did not like the Conclave and with good reason. But she knew he still wanted what was best for Vyronas and so would always come when they called.
Without trying to break into the subject easily, Laina thought it best to just state why he was called.
“We have word that Empress Ralina has found Ava in The First Dimension. We fear that she may be sending some of her forces or those demons she has conjured through The Veil to capture her. You must leave at once and return Ava home.”
Laina knew this was a lot of information for anyone to process. The only subtle hint that Carrick was bothered by this news was the darkening of his blue eyes. Other than that, he did nothing more than nod, and turned to leave.
Laina knew she would get no argument from Carrick. Ava was a royal heir in hiding in The First Dimension, and all was lost if she fell into enemy hands, or worse, was killed. Laina knew that Carrick could get to Ava quickly and that he would not fail. He had more motivation than anyone to see that she remained safe. Yes, Laina had made the right decision to tell him like this. Now, she needed to get ready for the certain amount of fallout that would occur when Ava returned. Laina was so very tired of this war and hoped Ava’s return would signify an end may soon be near.
The First Dimension of Earth, Wyoming – Present Day
“Scoop, lift, toss. Scoop, lift, toss”.
Ava Clairmont kept grunting out this mantra as she mucked out King’s stall. Sweat ran in tiny rivulets down her face, grabbing the dust and grime left by a hard day’s work.
“Scoop the poop, lift it up, toss it on the pile,” Ava chanted in a sing-song voice. It sounded much nicer than the way she had been groaning the words.
Her stallion, King, stood tethered outside his stall, munching on hay and watching her with dubious eyes. Really getting in the groove, Ava started shaking her hips while singing to the beat of her work. She gave a quick grin toward King.
“Come on, King, Old Man… sing with me. You gotta scoop the poop…poop for scoop…I’m a poooo-per scoooo-per”.
Sliding her shovel under the last of King’s “contribution” to her work, Ava chuckled to herself over the silly song she had created. She dumped the last of the droppings into the large pile outside King’s stall, and told herself she needed a bit of a break before she moved the pile over to the back field. Ava removed her work gloves and tossed them onto an old pine bench that stood against the far wall. A five dollar find at an old antique store in Casper. Ava mentally high-fived herself for such a thrifty yet practical purchase.
Still humming her little tune, she led King back into his stall and refreshed his water. She took a moment to admire her horse. King was a chestnut colored quarter horse with a beautiful blaze of white running down his back right leg. She thought it made him look unique. Giving him a pat along his neck, she stepped out of his stall and closed the door.
“See you soon King ol’ buddy. And let’s keep this little poop song between you and me,” Ava whispered conspiratorially.
Ava left the old barn, relishing the smell of the horses, fresh hay, and even the poop she just scooped. These were the smells of
her
ranch. Stopping at the water spigot just outside the barn door, she quickly washed her hands and wiped them dry on her jeans. Grabbing her water bottle she had left outside, she drained the rest of the contents and crossed the enclosed paddock that connected to the barn.
Looking beyond that, she saw the majestic snow-covered peaks of the Teton Mountains. It was a bright, sunny day in Wyoming and the snow glistened as if covered with crushed diamonds. The sky was a pristine blue with huge, fluffy clouds floating on a lazy breeze. They were just the sort of clouds that would cause Ava to want to spend a day laying on the front lawn, trying to imagine funny faces emerging from the various hills, nooks, and poofs that made up the cottony billows. It was warm outside for early July in Wyoming. Hell, sometimes they had snow in July.
The exertion of stall cleaning had left her shirt soaked in sweat. Her biceps burned from the constant shoveling and her lower back was sporting a nice ache. It was a feeling she relished because it confirmed that she alone had the strength to make this old ranch work. Yes, satisfaction indeed.
Ava, my dear, you can do anything you set your mind to. Climb the highest mountain, become CEO of the largest corporation in America, row a boat across the Pacific Ocean carrying nothing but a ration of Tang and saltine crackers.
Ava snickered over the image of her sailing across shark infested waters, offering peace with the deadly beasts by throwing crackers in the water.
Giving herself a mental shake to bring her mind back to the real world, Ava started mulling over the rest of the chores that she needed to complete before sundown. Walking over to a cooler sitting by the paddock gate, she itemized in her head what else awaited her attention today. She had to move the pile of poop to the north field.
Thank goodness I’ve got a front loader
. She also had to bathe her two mares, Macy and Beastie Girl. Oh, and she had to replace that loose board on the gate to the entrance of the ranch. Her muscles were already screaming in protest.
Opening the cooler revealed a large supply of ice and bottled water. Grabbing another bottle and discarding her empty, Ava removed her Stetson hat and wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her arm. Looking at the streaks of dirt left behind, Ava grimaced.
Oh well, nothing a hot shower later on won’t take care of. Just as soon as I finish saving the world.
Another chuckle slipped out and she took a long drink from her water bottle. She really had a lot of pride in her ability to run her horse ranch, small though the ranch may be. Being a woman in a male dominated field of horse breeding was full of trials and tribulations, no doubt about that. But in the past few years, Ava had proven to everyone that she could do it on her own without needing a big, strong man to help her out…or any employees to help her out for that matter. So, if she wanted to equate that to “saving the world”, she would. She was darned proud of her accomplishments.
Ava thought of her parents.
God, I’d give anything for them to see what I’ve accomplished.
Ava’s parents had been killed almost four years ago in a car crash while she was in college. Whenever she thought of them, she felt a hurt so deep in her chest, it took her breath away. She missed them so much and without them, she was truly alone in the world.
Ava had no other family members, and while she didn’t think it totally weird, she really didn’t have any close friends. Oh, she had acquaintances in the horse community, but no one with whom she really could share her inner most thoughts. No, Ava didn’t have that luxury, unless she counted Bing. Bing—short for Bada-Bing—was the fluffiest, most awesomest —w
as that even a word?
— dog in the entire world. He was a Golden Retriever of the utmost variety. He was smart, and mischievous, and handsome, and warm, and he just made Ava gooey inside. When he turned those big chocolate-drop eyes her way, she was a sucker for anything he wanted.
So outside of her horses and dog, Ava didn’t have much of a social connection in Moose Gap. Being a woman in a man’s world of ranching was a little bit isolating. Her dating prospects had been a little slow lately too. Still, the solitude of her life seemed to fit Ava. She felt most at peace on the ranch, nestled and protected in the shadows of the Tetons, surrounded by raw beauty and the soft nickers of horses happy to see her every day.
Bing was usually by Ava’s side throughout the day but he was apparently off chasing a rabbit, or a chipmunk, or some other creature that would dare take his attention away from her.
Oh, I’m so pathetic
. She missed him already and he’d only been gone from her side for about half an hour.
Can you say “co-dependent” Ava?
Draining the remainder of her water, Ava put her Stetson back on and headed back to her poop pile. It was time to get those vocal chords working and sing her way through the rest of her chores.
By 8:00 p.m., Ava had everything finished outside and had polished off two microwave meals. She’d just finished a hot, steamy shower that did wonders to help work the kinks out of her sore muscles. She still had some bills to pay, but then she had the rest of the night to herself.
Should she start a new book or watch a movie? Probably a movie, where she could cuddle up with Bing on her bed and munch on a bowl of popcorn.
Hea-ven!
However, she had just bought a new fantasy romance novel and was really looking forward to losing herself in that for a while. Ava had always been a dreamer and there was no finer way to dream than reading about magical lands and a steamy, sexy love affair.
Oh, who was she kidding? She was so exhausted she seriously doubted she could last through the opening credits of a movie or the first paragraph of her new book. Looked like another night where she would be in bed and asleep before nine o’clock.
Which is fine by me. My life is exciting enough! Yup, I have plenty to do and new experiences to be had all the time.
Except…Ava couldn’t help but think that her life boiled down to one day after another of back-breaking work and early nights to bed snuggled with her dog.
It’s not that she minded hard work. Quite the opposite. Ava’s parents had instilled in her a diligent work ethic and she took pride in running the ranch. Still, she often dreamed of a day that she might meet someone with whom she could share her life.
Ava grabbed her brush and hair dryer, and went to work on her wet head while she enjoyed a little day dream. Yes, Ava dreamed, it would be nice to have a strong, gorgeous, sexy hunk of a man. One who would appreciate Ava for her accomplishments, and who would make crazy love to her every night. A man who would hang on every word she uttered and think that Ava hung the moon and stars. Oh, and he couldn’t be jealous that Bing was the number one man in her life.
That’s not asking for too much, is it?
Ava mentally frowned at herself. Why was she obsessing so much about all the ways her life was lacking. Why did she feel a need to have a man in her life? Why this...loneliness?
What the hell? Loneliness is exactly what I’m feeling!
And this was completely baffling to Ava. When had this happened, and why was she now just recognizing it?
Okay, slow down Ava and let’s Freud this a little.
Ava had always prided herself on her independence, her resourcefulness, the fact that she didn’t need to depend on anyone. The hurt she suffered when her parents were killed was so consuming, she never wanted to feel that way again. The easiest way to avoid that was to never depend on anyone again. To never love anyone again.