Novels by Amber Withers

Being Knighted was an adventure all of its own. I managed to single-handedly tear my specially designed dress right before entering the Throne Room, which meant Sandy had to rush a last minute repair - literal last minute. But other than that it all went fairly smoothly.Corvu and I are part of a six-man squad that are frequently sent out on missions, and since Shelia is around to teach me what kind of magic I need to know, those missions are quite smooth. I promise, I’m not in any real danger. Corvu protects me with his life, which is almost turning into some kind of game to him on how many times in a month he has to save my life. It’s a little embarrassing, one month he got up to about seven. Guess I’m still a klutz. The other squad members are a little strange and not all human, I’ll have to detail them a little later. Just know they have my back.

The next morning I woke up in the giant bed I had slept in the night before I originally left Skiora. Sandy had knocked on the door and entered, laying out a lovely casual purple dress for me. It was a hesen fabric of some kind to be worn on warmer days, which this certainly was.“This afternoon you must return to change into ceremonial wear, for your Knighting.” She smiles.“Knighting?” I question, getting up out of the bed in a pair of pyjamas I had picked up from a thrift store that said ‘I Heart New York’. She was very interested in my clothing, little did she know I brought back a dress for her.“Yes, the King has to knight you in order for you to join the King’s Guard. He’s very excited to have you.”

Days Without Them.When I opened my eyes, I really was home. It looked like time had barely moved despite being gone for an hour. I could feel my face was hot and flush, but also wet from tears. I didn’t even notice I was crying that whole time.Walking through my apartment, everything seemed...like an illusion. That’s when I saw Corvu’s old clothes on the bathroom rail. It really wasn’t a dream. Grabbing onto his tunic I wonder, will they think of me in years to come? Maybe as part of the King’s Guard they’ll be happy? Moving around my apartment slowly I go to my bed and drop the satchel by my feet. The clothes Patricia had given me lasted so long in the woods, and I was never really that cold or too hot. They were perfect. I fall into the bed and start to cry. It would stop hurting eventually. I’m sure of it.&nb

Day Twenty-Eight. The next thing I know, the three of us plonk onto the floor, the bench no longer there. I let out a short yelp as a spear is pointed into my face. “Wait!” I hear Sandy’s voice. “It’s okay, they’ve returned.” The guards pull back for a moment and appear to recognize us. As Sandy helps me and Shelia from the ground I take a look around. We’re inside the main hall and the Prince was nearby, this time in full golden armour like this father wore before. Approaching us, he looks a little relieved, “And they have the amulet! The Orcs aren’t going to be victorious today, it seems.” He chuckles. I roll my eyes and run to the nearest door. Beyond it I could see various archers lined up along all the windows. I had to find out what was going on. Through a gap between them, I could see torches below u

Day Two. But I didn’t die there, either. In fact even with my eyes closed all I remember seeing was that bright flashing purple light, then hitting my head on something solid. As I struggle to open my eyes, I make note of something in particular...I’m freezing. Why was it so cold? I put my hands down to the ground as my vision slowly comes back. Was this snow? I hear a grunting sound and I realize I’m actually sitting up against Corvu who had just banged the back of his head into a wall. Pulling back I realize the most important thing. He’s alive. I take a deep breath and look around me. This is familiar. I know where I am. “Ow.” Corvu sighs, grabbing the back of

I’m shocked. The determination and sternness of his voice almost frightens me. Why does he want the amulet now? “I thought you didn’t want the amulet.” I remark. He sighs and closes his eyes for a moment. After he opens them he takes a step toward me, then another. Mimicking his movement until I reach the bench, I practically fall into it. Leaning down to face to face with me he responds, “I don’t, but if it means they won’t torture you to death for it, then you need to give me the amulet.” He wants to protect me? He places his hands on both my knees and kneals between my legs. He was so close to me. Why was he so close to me? “Tia, if they find their way into this castle, they are going to kill you. I’m a Trickster, it would take a lot more effort for them to convince me to let them have the amulet.” The longer he stares into my eyes the harder he’s making i

We don’t go right up to her house, hiding a distance away from behind a neighbouring wall we can see all the action from here. Myah has been handcuffed and is being dragged into a military squad car. Her parents appear to be yelling incoherently as they try to reach their daughter. Cecilia, crouching next to me, looks terrified. There were at least seven men in military uniform from what I could see, and each one of them was standing look out or trying to keep her parents away from Myah.“Have you guys got a place to hide?” Cecilia suddenly asks,“Yeah, in the woods next to the dairy farm, you know the one?” Axel responds. She nods,“I’m going to need to borrow it, I’ll meet you there. Axel, can you demonstrate your phasing to me?” It seemed like an odd req

Axel was excited, although I’m not sure why he hadn’t attempted this previously. The part I was not excited about was the first target.“Are you sure there isn’t someone else we can look into first?” I ask, sighing as I stand across the road from Cecilia’s family home. It looked like they had mowed the lawn specifically to fit the visiting family’s campervan on the grass instead of on the driveway, but it did end up covering most of the home itself.“Trust me, this is the best way. At least if you know, you know, you’ll know?” I looked at him with the weirdest expression I could think of, mostly because of his choice in wording. “Look, if she’s one of us, awesome, we can sit on her until the bad guys come for her. If not, you might want to consider girlfriend compatibility.&rdqu

When Monday morning came, I felt more confidence than I ever had in my life. Mostly because I was able to practice using an ability I didn’t think I could control, and also because I realized that when I went out with Cecilia that she was just as nervous as I was. It was time to be a bit braver. There was a power in me that no one else has, I should enjoy the feeling it was giving me.At the kitchen table that morning for breakfast, Bee had actually made pancakes – something she was practicing for home economics was putting different types of chocolates in pancakes without burning them, and she was getting really good.“I could get used to you cooking for me.” I joke as she attempts another pancake flip. Thankfully because of the grey colour scheme in the kitchen, it was very difficult to tell when she had dropped it or not.

Even after discussing it for the whole week – and avoiding physically seeing Cecilia at school, and having Axel do the texting to pick a meeting time because I was too nervous – we still hadn’t come up with a game plan for today. I’m standing in the middle of the mall next to the fountain, Bluetooth earpiece in place and covered by the beanie. It’s a good thing it turned out to be really cold today.“I’m not sure I’m ready for this.” I say aloud. Axel’s voice responds to me,“It’s okay, I’ll have you in view at all times and I’ll be sure to give you answers and ice breakers when you need them. I got your back.” Somehow I’m still not filled with confidence. I look up and see her app

Axel’s plan was above all the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard. He wanted to leave a note in her locker asking her to meet me at the mall – why would someone go meet a stranger in the mall? Axel went into the school early, advising he’d meet me in the library. We hadn’t seen each other all weekend since Friday night in the hidden shed. There was still half an hour before school started, yet the place was full of students. I feel the winter breeze blow right through my jacket, then I proceed to pass some students as I walk into the library. Unlike outside, the library is still very quiet. Some students curled up on the back lounge chairs and others silently typing away on the computers. I see Axel sitting on the tables to the left, where they often hold classes if research is needed. As I approached him he looks up and smirks, honestly though it looked like he was up all night, baggy eyes and messed up hair wasn’t his us

There is much to be said for books. They can help you learn and educate yourself, or they can tell stories to excite the imagination. A book can teach you how to become just about anything. I, however, don’t get to read a lot of fiction.My parents were technology based people. They believed that the best way to learn was over the internet, watching tutorials and videos. Although I do believe this, there is a lot I could have learnt from reading. I’ve noticed there is a lack of emotional connection between myself and others. It appears that reading in their younger years helped them to develop the ability to connect with one another. I can’t even bring up the courage to say ‘hello’ to the girl I like. She’s a bookworm, which is just one of the many reasons I’m interested in talking to her. From someone who reads a lot of blogs on the internet to developing a relati