Legatee & The Queen Of The Winds: Part one of, The House Of Juan Novella Duology | 
Hu'ul & her Horsey
A Petite Story By Ann Crystal
Supernatural Fantasy
Art by Ann Crystal
#petitestoriesbyAnnCrystal
The following Petite Story is based on a character from the second part of my, House of Juan Novella Duology (copyrighted).
This is a standalone Petite Story. No other reading is needed to enjoy.
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“When the otherworldly tinkle of a bell sounds, be forwarned of the man named Peyton Warwick.“
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✍️😉🌬️🌱📚
#EarthHealingHopepostsbyanncrystal
#ArtisanCraftedBooks
#Legateebyanncrystal
#writtenbyanncrystal
Here is a sneak preview inside my book, Legatee & The Queen Of The Winds (Part one of the House of Juan Novella Duology).
I just uploaded these to the new fantasy book site I joined (introduced by Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks), and realized that I should also share them here for my Litten friends.
There will be six posts. I hope you enjoy this preview of my eco-fantasy.
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Was considering which of my illustrations I want for my profile, and decided on this one. It is from my, “To Be Continued“ page.
While I tried to keep the first book more on the light and cozy side, the second book becomes more serious and darker. I believe this illustration highlights this, and gives a hint to what is to come if my hero doesn't succeed.
#Legateebyanncrystal
#illustratedbyanncrystal
#craftbyanncrystal
And this was the second of several Little Libraries where I placed one of my Artisan Crafted Books 📚🥳💫💝💝.
#littlefreelibrary
#ArtisanCraftedBooks
#Legateebyanncrystal
#writtenbyanncrystal
#illustratedbyanncrystal
#craftbyanncrystal
This was the first Little Library where I placed one of my Artisan Crafted Books 📚🥳💫💝.
#littlefreelibrary
#ArtisanCraftedBooks
#Legateebyanncrystal
#writtenbyanncrystal
#illustratedbyanncrystal
#craftbyanncrystal
In the near future, I plan on obtaining a license to sell my arts and crafts (including my Artisan Crafted Books) at local vender events. However, until then, I have decided to make limited editions of my handmade books that I have started leaving in local Little Free Libraries and giving as book donations.
#Legateebyanncrystal
#writtenbyanncrystal
#illustratedbyanncrystal
#craftbyanncrystal
#littlefreelibrary
The children always began a story about the ghost of the racist cowboy by reciting those words.
I enjoyed listening to the stories that were swopped like trading cards, even if I did not believe in the cowboy ghost who was said to haunt the Rez kids, teens, and young woman from First Nations across America.
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3w
The diner I worked at was a gathering hub, and the school kids were just storming in one mid-afternoon when I noticed my kid sister did not join the usual table where a crowd of kids shared Peyton Warwick stories.
“Never would have believed you'd skip a chance at hearing a new Peyton Warwick story,“ I told my sister Linda.
Her twelve-year old eyes looked up at me, “Guess I'm just not interested in storytelling right now.“
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3w
I gasped and dramatically glanced around, “Better hope Hu'ul Mariana didn't hear you say that!“
Linda smiled softly.
Our Tohono O'odham, maternal grandmother had raised my sister and I until her death two years ago. Thankfully I was old enough to become my sister's legal guardian.
“I meant that I'm just interested in the cowboy anymore,“ Linda clarified.
****
By the time closing came, the diner was deserted.
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3w
The front, exterior of the diner had some lighting from a small lamp post. It was really the only source of light around for miles.
The diner was not exactly in the middle of nowhere, but at ten o'clock during a night without even a moon, the place felt utterly remote.
After locking the diner's door, I turned to find Linda peering around the right side of the building. Just standing, staring into the darkness of night.
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3w
“Linda?“ I called. I was walking towards my sister when I heard a bell and froze just as I reached Linda's side, who was still staring into the darkness.
The bell rung again.
“Go!“ I could only manage the single word.
My blue Ford Pinto, which I had inherited from my Hu'ul Mariana, was parked under the light post in front of the diner.
Twenty steps never felt like such an incredible distance.
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3w
I pushed my sister further in front of me as heavy footsteps sounded from behind and hot breath caressed the back of my neck.
With my keys threaded between the fingers of my right hand, I swung around to slash at whoever was trailing so closely.
No one was there.
Deeply grunted laughter echoed in seemingly every direction.
Linda had paused directly behind me.
“Get in through the driver's side,“ I told her. “Hurry!“
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3w
“Start the car!“ Linda scream before I even had the chance to tug close the driver's door. Then I realized that the car would not start. “Start the car!“ Linda demanded again.
“I'm trying!“ I shouted.
That little lamp post outside blinked off then on again.
We froze.
“Crap, there must be a leak,“ I said when a foul odor crept into the car.
We covered our noses with our hands as the lamp post blinked again.
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3w
“Do you see him?“ Linda whispered, staring through the front window.
“Who?“ I asked, failing to see anyone.
“Peyton Warwick,“ the light blinked just as Linda spoke the name, and in that second I did see someone.
Someone who was darker than the moonless night. Someone who had an unmistakable outline of a cowboy.
Someone who stood right in front of our Ford Pinto, but could only be seen when the light blinked off.
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3w
“This can't be happening,“ I yelled out, “Peyton Warwick is just a fictional character.“
The light blinked, then again, and over and again repeatedly until the light slowly dimmed and died.
Darkness enveloped the Ford Pinto as Linda reached for my hand.
We were silent, both of our eyes locked on the specter. Waiting for something to happen.
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3w
The chemical smell became nearly unbearable until a new smell wafted in and chased the foulness away.
“Is that-“ I began to ask.
“White Sage!“ Linda said.
“Old indian woman,“ Peyton Warwick's voice crackled with annoyance, “you've got no power against me.“
“Says the cowardly cowboy.“
Linda and I twisted in our seats at the sound of our Hu'ul Mariana's voice.
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3w
Hu'ul was seated in the center of the back seat, her sweet smile silently assuring us that all would be well.
“He feeds off fear, my girls,“ Hu'ul said. “Now start Horsey and drive forward with caution and confidence.“ Horsey was Hu'ul Mariana's name for her Ford Pinto.
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3w
I did not want to take my eyes off my Hu'ul, but I knew that I should do as instructed. Relieved when the sweet sound of Horsey's engine roared to life and that Peyton Warwick vanished when the headlights snapped on.
“Hu'ul!“ My grandmother was gone.
“Hu'ul faded away,“ Linda words held the sudden sadness I felt.
“I am always with you, my girls,“ Hu'ul voice sounded, “as are all your ancestors.“
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3w
My sister and I drove forward that night, forward without fear.
#petitestories
3w