The Daughters Daring (The Daughters Daring & The Enchanted Forest Book 1) by Steven J. Thompson Read Free Book Online

when she noticed a strange orb hanging from the center of the ceiling. It was melon-sized, and its appearance changed from glass to stone, then back to glass. Dark energy and smoke roiled within it like vapors in a teapot, waiting to burst forth. Elizabeth found that the longer she stared at it, the less she cared about the faeries, or her sister, or anything.
         Elizabeth decided that this must be the source of the strange spell that hung over the Faeries, and could sap her will, too. She reached into her quiver and found the arrow with the strongest broad head. This one was steel, meant for a more dire purpose than her training arrows.
         She nocked the arrow and drew the bowstring back, stretching it to its limit. She waited to aim until the last moment, not daring to look too long at the orb, lest it capture her will. Even now, it reached into her mind, compelling her to relax and surrender. It was sapping her will and her arms trembled, but all she had to do was let go of the string.
         Elizabeth's arrow flew true. It smashed into the orb with a loud cracking sound and bounced to the stone floor, below. The orb broke open and the dark energy inside flowed, snakelike, around the room before flying out the doorway. Elizabeth felt her strength and resolve return as soon as it left.
         “Thank you,” the first faery said. Her color was already returning, along with her glow. “What was your name, again?”
         “Elizabeth Daring.”
         “Daring?" Another faery asked, flying over to them. “Oh my, yes,” she said. “You look so much like your mother!”
         “I’ve been told that,” Elizabeth said, “But how do you know my mother?”
         An angry, venomous scream pierced the moment’s calm.
         “The witch!” exclaimed the Faeries.
         “Come on,” Elizabeth said, “We have to get you out of here!”
         One of the faeries pointed to the corner “There’s a venting tunnel that leads outside!”
         A bellowing roar echoed through the cave.  It was louder than any goblin.
         “Oh no, the ogre has awakened!” The faeries fluttered about in alarm.
         Elizabeth turned her attention to the vent. A crude grate covered the opening. The ogre’s advancing steps seemed to shake the whole room. Elizabeth kept her mind on the vent and managed to pry the grate off. The faeries quickly flew into the tunnel.
         “Come with us,” the last faery said, beckoning to her.
         “I can't fit,” Elizabeth stated, “and I won't leave without my sister.”
         “We will try to send help,” the faery declared. Then, looking at the tables, she added, “Don't eat the pies. They'll make you sleepy!”
         From out in the main chamber, Elizabeth could hear a great commotion. She moved to the doorway to see what was going on out there. To her surprise, she saw gnomes mixed in with the hundred or so goblins. Tables were overturned, bowls were broken, and a slick of sweetberry goo was everywhere. She wondered if she could get through that mess to warn everyone. She had an idea and, pulling her journal from her backpack, she started writing as fast as she could.
         Looking around the make shift kitchen, Elizabeth tried to discover a way to escape. There was an open cupboard against one wall. She pulled on it, hoping it concealed a passageway to freedom. As it tipped forward she could see only a solid wall behind it, and something clattered off one shelf. Spectacles. She hadn’t seen anyone wearing them, but picked them up and tucked them into her pack to keep them safe.
    
         “Attack!” Randolph shouted from the walkway above the open cave. His gnome force suddenly appeared, surrounding the goblins, and pelting them with stones from every direction.
         Emily was only a few feet from Randolph, and had tried to stop him before he yelled. Too late. Confusion erupted, below, as goblins and