The Vanishing Sculptor

Praise for
The Vanishing Sculptor

“Have you ever looked at a painting from a distance and thought it beautiful, only to draw nearer to it and realize it was more exquisite, complex, and wonderful than you ever imagined?
The Vanishing Sculptor
by Donita K. Paul is like that. I began reading and liked it. As usual, I found myself happily enveloped in a vivid world full of emerlindians, tumanhofers, and dragons. But then, just when I thought the work was beautiful, something deep within me started to tingle… and I began to see that
The Vanishing Sculptor
was far more than simple entertainment or escape. I had one ‘aha!’ moment after another. Clues everywhere, right in front of my eyes, blossomed into truth, until at last I put down the book and swam in the rich waters of adventure, peace, and blessed melancholy—the rare state revealing that you’ve been touched by the story of an inspired author.
The Vanishing Sculptor is
sure to be loved by readers and re-readers of every age.”

—W
AYNE
T
HOMAS
B
ATSON
, best-selling author of the Door Within Trilogy,
Isle of Swords
, and
Isle of Fire

“Donita K. Paul never fails to satisfy the imagination and delight the soul. In
The Vanishing Sculptor
, she takes us beyond the boundaries of her beloved DragonKeeper chronicles and opens up vast new realms of wonder. The adventure of Tipper, the sculptor’s daughter, will strike a responsive chord in the heart of every reader who has ever faced a seemingly impossible challenge. This is fantasy that truly illuminates reality!”

—J
IM
D
ENNEY
, author of the Timebenders series

“The Vanishing Sculptor
is a delightful tale of otherworldly adventures laced with heavenly meanings. Author Donita K. Paul skillfully transports you to a fantasy world populated with emerlindians, tumanhofers, speaking grand parrots, wizards, and magical librarians; where flying dragons communicate and mysterious portals whisk you across the world. Readers young and old will love journeying along with the enchanting questing party on their mission to save the world and discover a loving God.”

—M
EGAN
D
I
M
ARIA
, author
of Searching for Spice
and
Out of Her Hands

“Stunning beginning to a new series! Rarely does an author recapture the exquisite charm and the bold freshness first discovered in her initial series. Donita K. Paul fans are in for a treat as they uncover new wonders and enchantment in the world of Chiril. New readers will revel in the magical blend of mischief and mayhem woven with wittiness and intrigue throughout this engaging tale. From the zany disposition of Lady Peg to the spirited charm and wit of Tipper, her youthful daughter,
The Vanishing Sculpture
tingles our most fervent emotions of love, joy, and hope. An exciting complement to the DragonKeeper series, and a fantastical adventure for inaugural audiences of all ages.”

—E
RIC
R
EINHOLD
, author of
The Annals of Aeliana, Ryann Watters and the King’s Sword
, and
Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith

O
THER
B
OOKS
by D
ONITA
K. P
AUL

DragonSpell
DragonQuest
DragonKnight
DragonFire
DragonLight

God has blessed me by bringing young people into my life. The days
would be so boring if I dealt only with adults. This book is dedicated
to my readers. They keep me on my toes and motivated to write.

Jessica Agius
Mary Darnell
Hannah Johnson
Alistair and Ian McNear
Rachael Selk
Rebecca Wilber
Kayla and Joshua Woodhouse

Contents

Acknowledgments

Map

1:
A View from a Tree

2:
Needed: One Painting

3:
The Proper Light

4:
Impropriety

5:
Somewhat Truthful

6:
Dreams?

7:
In Disarray

8:
Healing

9:
Unbalanced

10:
Changes

11:
To and Fro, Back and Forth

12:
Boss Inn

13:
Unexpected Alliances

14:
Transportation

15:
Slight Change of Plans

16:
Baaa!

17:
Baa-Baa-Boom!

18:
A Little Trouble Here

19:
A Little Trouble There

20:
Dragons!

21:
Frustration

22:
Uncooperative

23:
Disobliging

24:
Contrary

25:
Old Sage

26:
Going Places

27:
Fayetopolis

28:
Bamataub

29:
The Bug Shop

30:
Plots and Plans

31:
Calm Before the Storm

32:
Nefarious Affairs

33:
Injury

34:
Flight?

35:
Boscamon Returns

36:
Dressing Up

37:
A Blessing

38:
A Pain

39:
Ohidae Grand Hotel

40:
Mushand’s Gallery

41:
Falderal?

42:
Fair Trade

43:
A Shopping Trip

44:
Help!

45:
Invasion

46:
Amassing an Army

47:
Going to the Ball

48:
Comeuppance

Appendix (People, Glossary)

Acknowledgments

“Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory” (Proverbs 11:14, NASB). Each of these people, at one time or another, offered wisdom, encouragement, practical help, or inspiration to me in developing
The Vanishing Sculptor.
Thank you.

• Mary Agius
  Jessica Barnes
  Evangeline Denmark
  Kory Denmark
  Michelle Garland
  Dianna Gay
  Jack Hagar
  Jim Hart
  Shannon Marchese
  Lyndsay Gerwing
  Beth Jusino
  Krystine Kercher
  Shannon and Troy McNear
  Paul Moede
  Jill Elizabeth Nelson
  Aaron Pieffer
  Joel Rauser
  Faye Spieker
  Darren Stautz
  Tiffany and Stuart Stocton
  Case Tompkins
  Beth and Robert Vogt
  Holly Volstad
  Peggy Wilber
  Kim Woodhouse
  Laura Wright