Copyright © 2015, by Mary M. Cushnie-Mansour

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact the author through the website: www.cavernofdreamspublishing.com

Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination.

Ordering Information:

Books may be ordered through Cavern of Dreams Publishing

43 Kerr-Shaver Terrace

Brantford, ON N3T 6H8

1-519-770-7515

(Discounts available for volume orders)

Published by

CAVERN OF DREAMS PUBLISHING

Brantford, Ontario, Canada

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Cushnie-Mansour, Mary M., 1953-, author

A story of day and night / Mary M. Cushnie-Mansour.

Issued in print and electronic formats.

ISBN 978-1-927899-13-7 (pbk.).--ISBN 978-1-927899-14-4 (ebook)

I. Title.

PS8605.U83S76 2014           jC813'.6           C2014-906457-8

C2014-906458-6

What Readers are Saying About

A Story of Day & Night

Christine Galloway, Librarian …

I enjoyed reading A Story of Day & Night; it was quite gripping…

The Great Battle has ended and now the world is under the control of an evil force. The earth has stopped rotating on its axis leaving one side perpetually dark and cold, and the other side bright and burning hot. Two maidens living on opposing sides of the world are destined to embark on a treacherous quest to find the secret that can rid the world of this torment.

Lunaria from the dark side and Raycindia from the bright side have both managed to escape the misery that has enveloped the rest of the world. They have read the book of ancient tales bequeathed to them by their grandmothers and realize that they must journey to The Border of Light and Dark where dwells the Keeper of ancient legends, Zemia; she will help them with their quest.

There follows a series of incredibly difficult and dangerous tasks as the two maidens battle one mythological monster after another in their attempt to save the earth from its inevitable doom. Magic spells, malevolent warriors, and grotesque creatures build the suspense as the maidens hasten toward the final Battle between good and evil and the day of reckoning.

I think it is a very interesting book––when I finished one chapter I was eager to read the next one because there was always a surprise. I think if you are interested in adventure this is a really good book to read because it is about two girls on an awesome journey; they meet strange but interesting creatures, and the story has lots of excitement! … Asha, age 9

A Story of Day & Night was an enjoyable tale of good versus evil. The mythology within could have come from ancient stories explaining the constant cycle of day chasing night, and darkness chasing light. This was a real page turner, and I would definitely recommend it to my friends … Stacy Thomas

I have never read a book with this idea of how the earth stopped and the problems that followed. A Story of Day & Night was interesting and creative. I really liked it … Evan, age 13

A Story of Day & Night had strong role models for pre-adolescent girls. There are a few surprises in store for readers, particularly near the end of the novel. This story has a unique concept that is craftily ended to lead into perhaps a series … Karen White

A Story of Day & Night is a captivating tale, full of daring adventures and magical twists at every turn. A light, quick, and very amusing read, it is a tale that will grab your attention––no matter your age––and always keep you on your toes, cheering for the prophecy to come true! … Danielle

Table of Contents

This book is dedicated to all the students who attended my “JUST IMAGINE” writing workshops in the 1990s–– who listened and were inspired to pick up their own pens and write

Chapter One

The Dilemma

There was a beginning––and the people of Earth were happy. There was a war, and then there was an end to the happiness and Old Earth. New Earth was consumed by an evil force that had sprung up during this time––one that burdened the people of Earth with a misery that penetrated deep into their existence––one that saddened the multitudes to the point the ancient legends of a land once filled with goodness were almost forgotten. For the New Earth, after the Great Battle, was stayed in its tracks, leaving one side to cool under the gibbous moon, the other to burn under the searing sun. It was into such a world that two maidens were born. One who lived in darkness, Lunaria; one who lived in light, Raycindia.

There was great sadness on Earth because of this. The people and animals that lived on the dark side would cry because everything around them was difficult to see, and they were always so tired that they wanted to do nothing more than sleep. The vegetation was lifeless and creepy in its struggle for what few beams of light the moon cared to cast down from its lofty position. The animals huddled in eclipsed corners, their once grand strengths withering away.

Great sadness tormented the other side of Earth, as well, but for the opposite reason. Here, where the sun always shone, the people could not get enough sleep because even when they closed their eyes, the sun’s golden waves would penetrate through them. The vegetation was wrinkled and scorched from the constant searing of its rays. The animals scattered, trying to find a shelter cool enough to sooth their burning hides.

Thus were the tales of Old Earth––bright and happy, filled with light and darkness for all––beginning to dim with the misery cast on the people, dimming in the hearts of all but two young maidens.

Lunaria, the maiden from the dark side, tall and muscular, with long black hair and milk-white skin, would sit in her shadowy corners. Helped by the light of her precious candles, her black eyes poured through the book of ancient tales bequeathed to her by her beloved grandmother. Grandmother had instructed Lunaria to read the stories carefully, and had also said that she, Lunaria, would one day accomplish great things. Lunaria had dismissed the ramblings as those of an aged woman about to embark on her final journey; but, she obliged her grandmother’s final wish and read on. And the seeds of thought began to germinate within her mind.

Raycindia, too, was a reader of tales. Raycindia was the maiden from the light side. She was tall, but of a slight, more frail nature than Lunaria’s robust stature. Raycindia’s long curls had been bleached white by the sun and her soft blue eyes contrasted brightly against her bronzed skin.

A unique book had been bequeathed to her, as well––a book that was one and the same as Lunaria’s. She, too, was instructed by her grandmother to read the stories carefully. On her deathbed, Raycindia’s grandmother had cradled her hand on her heart and whispered into Raycindia’s ear that one day she would accomplish great things. Raycindia had smiled and dismissed the ramblings as those of an aged woman about to embark on her last journey; but, she obliged her grandmother’s final wish, and read on. And the seeds of thought began to germinate within her mind.

As the maidens read through the stories, they each came upon the one that spoke of the Border of Light and Dark. The story spoke of the many who had tried to live on the border, but nothing of any goodness would ever grow from the sparse soil. Misery that was worse than in their previous homes became the lot of those people. Soon everyone stayed away and left the border to its moods of light and dark––to the forces of evil that ruled with a ruthlessness the like that could not be fully described in the books. Only those who had been there could tell the full truths of that world.

The story the girls had read told how the border led to the top of a mountain where there dwelled the keeper of ancient records. The story alluded that this keeper held within their grasp the secret that could free the world from its torment. The keeper’s name was Zemia. The rest of the story was vague; but, it had wetted the appetite of Lunaria and Raycindia, and the seeds began to sprout further within their hearts.

So it was that one hour, when the moon stood high in the sky, Lunaria called her family together and told them of her intentions.

“I am embarking on a journey,” Lunaria began. “There is something that can be done about this curse that has been cast on our earth and I feel that Grandmother knew of things and mysteries from beyond our earth––from another time and place. She bequeathed to me a unique book and told me I would one day accomplish great things. I have read much, and there is a stirring from within my breast; the time has come for me to begin my journey. I know Grandmother is watching over me from above, and she will guide my way toward the Border of Light and Dark.”

Lunaria’s mother spoke up softly: “I always knew there was something special about you, my dear child. My mother would rebuke me if I scolded you too firmly. She would tell me to let you be; you were strong-willed because the gods had decreed it so. She said your willpower would be a staying force when the time came––when it would be most needed. She said you were destined for great things and that I should be patient and nurture your strength, not harness it.” She walked over to her daughter, embraced her with a kiss, and added, “Go with my blessing, child, and may the gods watch over you and bring you home safe to us.”

Lunaria turned to her father, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes. She searched his constant face for a moment of approval. He had stood back and listened to his wife as she had rambled on, and something inside him had moved his heart to bless the child standing before him.

“May the gods guide your footsteps, child, and bring you home safe.” His constant face mellowed as he spoke.

Lunaria had one last person to bid farewell. He would be the most difficult to break ties with, for it was he that she was to be wed to within the next month. Her feet dragged on the path that led to his cottage.

“Lunaria,” he greeted her with a flashing smile. “To what do I owe this great pleasure?”

Lunaria’s gaze fell to the ground. “Samson, love of my heart, I have come to inform you that I must take a trip. I know not when, or even if I will return, but I ask your indulgence on this matter. I beg of you to wait for me until I come back to your arms, or until word is sent to you that I shall not return.”

Samson, who was wise beyond his years, had sensed in his heart for some time now the maiden he was in love with was destined for great things. He gathered her into his arms and brushed away her tears with his lips.

“Say no more,” he murmured softly. “I shall be here––waiting––only death can part us.”

Thus, it was that Lunaria left her family and her love to embark on a quest.

∼

At the same hour, on the other side of the earth, when the sun was at its highest in the sky, Raycindia gathered her family and her love, and broke the news to them of her intentions. Her mother stood by the stove, apron on waist, ladle in hand, and fought back the tears that strove to pour forth. The mother knew her daughter was special; her mother had informed her so. She had been told to be gentle with Raycindia––that one day she was destined for great things.

Raycindia’s father stood by the doorway, as though his standing there would stop his precious daughter from her journey. The baby sister bubbled and laughed at the gathering, and continued with her play.

And Leonardo, handsome and wise––Raycindia’s betrothed––poured the tears from his heart into his soul so she might not witness his pain. He smiled and gathered his love to his breast, blessing her with the words that he would wait for her until eternity, and beyond––if necessary.

Thus, it was that Raycindia left her family and her love to embark on a quest.