Prologue.The following in an exert from ‘The Book of Faynon and Other Histories’.Property of the University of Kothmar.   Faynon.  This is what our planet is called.  It is named after the God that we believe created it.  Faynon.  He is also the leader of the Gods and Goddesses who, together, created every living thing as well as the weather, oceans, the sun, the moon, animals, plants and many ot

Chapter 2.The pair entered a dimly lit room to be assaulted by another dream, but this one was of heavily smoke, heady perfumes and male fantasy rather than an imitation nightmare.  The room was also soundproofed as they could hear nothing from the raucous noise behind them, only a light swaying music from a harp played by someone in some hidden corner of the scented, smokey room.  There was a glowing brazier in another corner that produced little light infused with the drugged and scented smoke.  A chandelier hanging from the celling holding stuttering candles provided more light but the edges of the vast room were still plunged into darkness.  Gaudy coloured silks covered the ceiling as gauzy buntings in different, fier

  Vance woke to the sensation of a cool and wet cloth being placed against the back of his head.  The smell of intoxicating perfume as well as the sound of the swaying music told him exactly where he was.  He twisted his wrists only to discover that they were bound tightly behind him as he lay on his side.  He was to be sold as a salve, but only over his rotting corpse he vowed to himself.  He groaned behind his foul tasting gag and tried to sit up. “Gently,” a light voice told him in a rich, womanly tone.  “You will be sore for quite some time I believe.  I’ve been knocked out a time or two myself.”The cool compress was moved away and soon

  Sigwulf grimaced as the sounds of distant screaming reached his ears.  Vance would have his hands full getting to their horses.  Cull began to recover before Sigwulf kicked him solidly in the face.  Cull screamed his anger and replied desperately by leaping to his feet as he produced his small dagger again, lunging at Sigwulf.  The tall knight swept it contemptuously aside with his mailed arm and plunged his own sword into Cull’s face with satisfaction.  The evil man fell back, clutching at his face as blood and worse spewed through his grasping fingers, a cry dying in his throat.  Sigwulf drew the sword back, blood fountaining up from the dread

  Sigwulf woke suddenly at a noise from the horses and rolled into a crouching position, sword in hand, eyes narrowed, and heard a mocking laugh.“A little jumpy aren’t we,” Astrid mocked him as she stroked the small mare’s dish shaped face.  The small mare dubbed ‘Swift’ by Astrid, nudged the small young woman affectionately.Sigwulf noted with disappointment that the stern lines had returned to Astrid’s face.  However, her face did soften when she looked at the little horse.“What type of horse is that?  What’s her name?”  Sigwulf asked to cover his momentary embarrassment as he stood.Astrid shrugged.  “I hav