Alexandra Ott - Legend of the Realm

Seekers of the Wild Realm

Legend of the Realm

Alexandra Ott

Otts fast-paced fantasy highlights the importance of persistence, especially with regard to changing societys (rather set) ways.

Kirkus Reviews

Recommended for all collections. A lovely story of friendship, empowerment, and the effectiveness of people working together.

SLJ

This well-executed story offers a wonderfully imaginative world for young fantasy fans to dive into.

Booklist

Rules for Thieves

The Shadow Thieves

Seekers of the Wild Realm

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the authors imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

ALADDIN

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Childrens Publishing Division

1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020

www.SimonandSchuster.com

First Aladdin hardcover edition June 2021

Text copyright 2021 by Alexandra Ott

Jacket illustration copyright 2021 by Cathleen McAllister

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

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Jacket designed by Heather Palisi

Jacket illustration copyright 2021 by Cathleen McAllister

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Ott, Alexandra, author.

Title: Legend of the Realm / by Alexandra Ott.

Description: First Aladdin hardcover edition. | New York : Aladdin, 2021. |

Series: Seekers of the Wild Realm | Audience: Ages 812. |

Summary: Bryn, Ari, and their dragon Lilja discover a sick baby gyrpuff

and join the rest of the Seekers in trying to determine if

a dreadful plague has returnedand if human forces brought it back.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020049089 |

ISBN 9781534438613 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781534438637 (ebook)

Subjects: CYAC: DragonsFiction. | MagicFiction. | PlagueFiction. |

Sex roleFiction. | Adventure and adventurersFiction. | Fantasy.

Classification: LCC PZ7.1.O88 Leg 2021 | DDC [Fic]dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020049089

F OR M OM , D AD ,

AND K ATIE

I ts finally time to see the dragons.

The moment the sun peeks through the window of our hut, I leap out of bed and rush to help Mama prepare breakfast, skipping through the kitchen with excitement.

Whats wrong with you? Elisa asks, giving me a suspicious look as she sits at the table. Her dark, braided hair is messy from sleep. What are you so happy about?

Its dragon day! I announce, ladling oatmeal into her bowl so enthusiastically that it sloshes over the side.

Mama, Bryns spilling breakfast! Elisa yells instantly. She has recently entered the tattletale stage of being six years old. And, of course, her favorite target is her older sisterme.

Careful, Brynja, Mama says without looking up. Shes preparing a cup of tea steeped in starflower leaves for Elisa, who drinks it every morning to keep her coughing fits away.

Papas uneven footsteps suddenly fill the room as he enters the small kitchen. Well, someones up early this morning, he says cheerfully. Whats the occasion, Bryn?

Dragon day! I announce, grinning up at him. Papa, a former Seeker himself, is the only person in this hut besides me who properly appreciates dragons. Elisa goes through different phases of fascination with magical creatures, but I think shes back to unicorns at the moment.

Ah, thats right, he says, leaning his cane against the wall and settling into his seat. Theyre giving you the whole tour, eh?

Dont you ride on a dragon, like, every day? Elisa asks. Whats so special?

Im going to meet all the dragons today, I say proudly. The Seekers have finally given me and Ari permission to go into the Valley of Ash, where the dragons live. Ive been dying to see it.

Oh. Elisa ponders this for only a moment. Finally, she declares. Youve been a Seeker for forever.

Actually, its been only a month, but I dont disagree with her sentiment. After Ari and I were appointed Seekers, I thought wed begin the job right away and start entering the Realm frequentlybut that hasnt exactly been the case.

The other three Seekers on the Council, who have all been doing the job for ages, have insisted that Ari and I need more training before were allowed to enter the Realm on our own. Which is ridiculous, because I thought the whole point of the Seeker competition was to train us before we started the job.

Of course, I have a sneaking suspicion that I know why the Seekers are doing it. I didnt exactly win the job in the most conventional way. In fact, I didnt have any formal training at all, the way Ari did. But youd think that defeating our oldest enemies, the Vondur, and driving them off the island wouldve been proof enough that I can handle things. Its particularly absurd given the fact that Id been in the Realm by myself before becoming a Seeker, but it didnt seem wise to mention that to the Council, since I was definitely breaking the rules at the time.

So far Ari and I have seen only bits and pieces of the Realm, as the Seekers have given us a gradual tour, insisting that one of the older Seekers accompanies us at all times to show us the ropes. But weve encountered only the tamer creatures so faruntil today.

Mama sets the cup of starflower tea down in front of Elisa and glances at me. Bring back some more flowers when you get a chance, Brynja. We need more tea.

I sigh. I can only go when the Seekers give me permission.

But you are a Seeker, Elisa says, slurping her tea.

I couldnt agree with her more. I thought being a Seeker meant being able to go into the Realm whenever I wantednot having to wait for one of the older Seekers to tell me its okay. They claim this training period is only temporary, but they also havent said anything about when it will end.

Surely it must be soon, though. Once theyve introduced us to dragons, which are the most dangerous creatures in the entire Realm, then what else is there for us to learn?

Papa senses my dejection and gives me a pat on the shoulder. Have patience, Seeker Bryn. Your time will come soon enough.

I sigh again. I hate patience.

I hate it so much, in fact, that I rush through the rest of breakfast, say quick goodbyes to my family, and hurry out the door before Mama can insist I help with the dishes. Outside, the air is crisp and cool, a breeze from the sea stirring the leaves of the garden. I tug my official Seeker cloak over my shoulders and set off down the path toward the village.