Page Title

Synopsis

The middle world of Valderra is torn by war that has reached stalemate at the siege of Athalon

On Earth Brian Farr approaches his twentieth birthday unaware of his Valderran origins.

He is persuaded to return to Valderra to assassinate the Elder whom, Brian is told, is responsible for the torment of his native world. It is a deception necessary to conceal his true purpose from the Heralds; the real perpetrators of the evil on Valderra.

He is to be taken to Caramoria beyond the Heralds' telepathic reach by Tor-Veldin, when his true heritage as grandson of the Elder would be revealed. He would then use his mystical powers against the evil of the Heralds.

Unfortunately, the evil Rakes of Tersia in the east, separate him from Tor-Veldin and his companions during the journey to Carainoria before his true identity and purpose are revealed to him.

There follows an account of his journey of deception to Athalon, the capital of Caramoria and home of the Elder who is his grandfather. He is beset with doubt as to the justification of his quest while his companions strive to intercept him as they travel north, gathering their armies for the final battle against evil.

Example

Without further words passing between them they entered the church through the heavy timber panelled doors which moaned as they opened. Mandell closed them, the echoing sound of their impact shutting out this world forever.

They stood at the rear, looking down the aisle at the altar beyond. The sun gleamed through the huge round stained glass window beyond the altar. It sent a cascade of multi-coloured beams washing over the aisle and central pews, committing the remainder of the church to shadows of impenetrable darkness.

"Are we leaving from here?" The emphasis on the last word revealed a shock more profound than the actual journey.

"Why not; that is how most people leave is it not? Mandell held his face rigid to suppress a smile.

"Thanks." Barin also grinned but not without a considerable feeling of guilt. "You shouldn't blaspheme, especially here."

"Sorry," came the reply as Barin's smile became nervous laughter. The church bells sounded; a short peel followed by three bells. The sound washed the humour from the two men's thoughts as the toll heralded their departure.

As the final echo faded, Barin looked around dubiously, 'I'm still here!' he thought with a mixture of relief and disappointment. He glanced sideways at the man who was to accompany him. Mandell stood erect, looking regal as he stared into the sunbeams that illuminated him with a luminescent aura; Barin turned and squinted into the sunlight. Imperceptibly, without actually being aware of when it had started, the nervous young man became conscious of a sonorous vibration that felt as though it would consume him. Unable to move, his very being seemed to pulsate, expanding and contracting to some unearthly rhythm. The sun's rays weakened, fading to become a mere monochromatic spectrum. The shadows disappeared revealing the hidden artefacts of the church that now seemed curiously grey. The rows of seating, revealing themselves as the shadows faded, were of rich polished wood which greyed to a vibrating flatness. Imperceptibly the whole church shimmered into transparency with a ghostly hue that allowed him to see the wall behind the alter and a curious grey sky beyond the roof.

Imperceptibly he felt his consciousness expand and to pulsate, at one with time itself. His persona now enveloped the church, he felt it within him and then suburbia, that myriad of grey housing. He continued to grow outwards to the beating of the astral clock. With an insurge of exultation, his mind merged with the sky and then on into the darkness of the universe. His consciousness became one with creation seeming to hear the thoughts and emotions of every being that ever lived. Happiness, horror, fear and sadness; his consciousness reached the very souls of all creation. Time seemed to stand still; he was suspended in some miasma of the souls of the universe.

Imperceptibly he became aware of a slowing of the expansion, waves of time washed through him, pulling him away from the focal point of his departure. Then an eerie rushing contraction guided him to a new focus, the infinity of the universe metamorphosed back into galaxies, galaxies to worlds. Then, rushing towards him, as he was propelled by an ethereal cosmic wind, appeared a green beautiful world.

First, he passed over lands veiled in a sad yellow mist which shrouded it's features; he could see a magnificent spire which pierced the gloom near to an eerie band of mountains. After crossing a narrow channel of dark blue ocean, the sullen landscape became green and fresh. He travelled without apparent motion through the white billowing clouds which rushed past him until he was aware of a vast glowing white castle...