The Land of Mogan Excerpt
The Priest of Mogan looked terrifying. He raised his hands, so that the loose sleeves of his robe fell back, revealing his sinewy arms to the elbows. Both hands clasped a long, jeweled dagger above his head. (Copyright Marianne Jones, 1998 - Eden II Press)
This was the only chance Shalikka would ever get. She rushed past the startled people straight toward the altar. Because no one expected it, she was able to get up the steps without being stopped. She snatched the baby up from the altar right under the astonished Priest and ran toward the curtain at the back.
Seconds afterward, she heard shouts of outrage and the sounds of people in pursuit. She ducked under the curtain and ran down the corridor. There were many doors on either side and a bend further down. She had to make a quick decision.
Some instinct made her dart through one of the doors and close it gently behind her. Leaning against it for support and clutching the baby to her chest, for a moment she couldn't hear anything but her pounding heart. Then the rumbling sound of pursuing feet going past told her that she hadn't been seen. Soon they would be searching every inch of the Temple. She had to think.
She paused to gaze at the baby. Curiously quiet, it stared back at her with round, bright blue eyes. Then it smiled.
"You darling!" whispered Shalikka. "I'm going to get you out of here somehow. Just please don't start crying."
Glancing around, she saw that they were in a small cell. There was a bench and table, but nothing that offered any hope of escape -- except for the robe hanging on a peg in the wall. It was a slight hope, but the only one she had.
Excerpt from "The Land of Mogan", a children's fantasy/adventure novel available from Eden II Press. To enquire or order return to Home Page .