Sunday, June 30, 2024

Ancient Terra: Of worlds, time and dragons




 

At the end of the Lore Series, Torrullin Valla and Elianas Danae vanish into the mists with their homeworld Avaelyn, but the story doesn’t end there. What happens to Tristan Skyler Valla, for example, about to embark on a Timekeeper journey with Alusin Algheri? Where is Karydor Danae, the reincarnate father Torrullin has yet to meet?

In EURUE: The Forgotten World, a century later, we find out about Tristan and Alusin’s future as they pit their talents against a man half-dead, half-alive lying in a hidden casket somewhere on Eurue. Gabryl embarks on a campaign to rouse the realms to Eurue’s forgotten status, using the strange spinning orbs known as daetal to further his ambitions.

In FAROCHIN: The Terraformed World, we meet Karydor as he wakes up to memory loss on Farochin ages before Torrullin has ever stepped forward as the power he will become. Karydor and Echayn Valla, his brother-in-law, soon find themselves racing to save Farochin from Felix of the Murs, who seeks to undo the terraform in order to become a god. Karydor seeks to atone before he meets his son.

In LYKANDIR: The Measured World, two kings look up to see a world on approach. King Androdin in the south and King Drakan in the north understand that it will lead to chaos, utter change. As clansmen, watchmakers and wer-men scramble for solutions, the kings find themselves face to face with the men from that world, led by Torrullin Valla and Elianas Danae. It seems Lykandir and Avaelyn seek to occupy the same space in the realm Avaelyn vanished into.

In AVAELYN: The Enshrouded World, the timelines align once more. A thousand years have passed, and Avaelyn returns to her designated place. However, many wish to keep Torrullin and Elianas at bay, and thus is their world wrapped in a shroud that blinds all to their presence. Meanwhile, the children of Reaume suffer to keep it that way, and that is simply unacceptable.

In AVIOR: The Mythical World, the true enemy is revealed, an Ancient Valla who seems hellbent on creating a seat of tyrannical power. To the world Avior, which most regard as a myth, all forces are summoned. The entire Valla family strides into battle, for only the Vallas can stop this Valla. What they discover below the surface is heart-breaking.

From the realms of time to the reality of lost souls, through hope and cruelty, we reconnect with familiar characters, and meet a host of new ones. An old sword with an agenda reappears, while a new talisman is forged from desperation … and so much more. An epic adventure, indeed!

ANCIENT TERRA



Sunday, June 23, 2024

Excerpt: Thomas at the farmer's market

 



Thomas Henson was born close to a silver-spoon-in-the-mouth situation. Society adored him … and now ignores him. Judgemental freaks. That is ISSUE FOUR.

Society, however, is in the mind. While it is a living, breathing entity, society remains a concept of intellect more than a physical one. You either take it or leave it, but Thomas cannot do this. He requires validation. He is inflated by it. He becomes more.

Ethan Danwick-Blythe, case in point.

Thomas had the misfortune to play witness to the laughing bastard’s elevated status in society. It was at a social gathering on the common before the village - farmer’s market, actually, but Thomas Henson will NEVER admit to curiosity over produce and handmade goods, and thus a social gathering it is.

Ethan Danwick-Blythe swanned in with arms loaded. Flowers, from his perfect garden! Such colours, so much greenery. A heady perfume. And was greeted as a conquering hero by all!

While he, Thomas Henson, was ignored, even shunned. Sure, he brought only his smile (his mother ever says it needs only a smile to gather the masses to you), but he used his smile everywhere and folks frowned and moved away as fast as the excuse they could imagine was uttered … why?



Thomas Henson has issues, thirteen of them, and, indeed, one of them is superstition.

When his life of luxury ends and he is dumped into an impoverished state, all these issues come home to roost, making it impossible for Thomas to stand up and take responsibility for his life. He even despises his name! Most all, however, he hates his neighbour, the ever laughing Ethan Danwick-Blythe, who has a perfect name and a perfect garden. 

Thomas is being lied to, however, and those lies will upset everything our Thomas hopes for. As he plots revenge on his neighbour, the time for all lies to be exposed approaches. This amusing little tale of self-delusion is Thomas Henson’s debut into real life.

THOMAS