Ten More Days.

I'm still tracking for the 16 August release date. I've spent the last three evenings trying to format the 538-page paperback for publication. In the past I paid Createspace to format my novels. Now it's up to me. The effort is all but done, and should be complete tonight. This leg of the journey is almost over. 

I've been remiss in providing the promised samples from the novel.  Here's an excerpt from the upcoming novel "The Bastard Gods", book III in the Chronicles of Fu Xi series. 





30. The Rebellion of Owls. 


 “Gods spring from Poseidon’s loins to wield power. That is thy purpose. The road to power is paved with mortal subjugation. That is their purpose.” – The Fifth Lesson of the God Poseidon to his children, from the Ancient of Ancients.
- The Chronicle of Fu Xi.
 
***
 
The enlightened men embraced the darkness, wrapping it tightly about them like the linens swaddling the surrounding mummies. The rigid dead rested against the wall, seemingly begging for a drink. Amiran sympathized. Only cobwebs and rats’ nests filled the empty wine nooks, and Amiran found that somewhat depressing, especially now that his head had begun to ache. 

While not the deepest corridor in the limestone labyrinth below the Imperial Academy, it was perhaps the most remote; only a genius or a god could pick their way through the maze to reach it. Over the years, these four men had ample practice finding this lost wine cellar. 

They gathered around the rough-hewn table. Fresh air and dappled sunlight’s scent still clung to their bleach-white togas. The red and purple stripes embroidered down their outer hems declared them Master Scholars, leaders of their respective colleges. Amiran not only chaired the College of Engineering and Metallurgy, but an additional gold stripe signified his role as Grand Master of Colleges, High Scholar of the Imperial Academy, and First Slave to Poseidon. 

A half-melted candle illuminated faces that considered Amiran with a mix of pity and trepidation. His mind raced with countless possibilities, none of them good. In fearful tones, the worried intellectuals questioned him. 

“But why is he sending you?” Olorun pressed. “It’s unheard of. You’re too old and valuable to be a common Expedition Scholar.” 

“What will we do in your absence?” queried Kalisto, Master of Astrology, as he chewed his fingernails. 

“Who will take your place, and what does this mean for the cause?” asked Theron, Master of Physicians. 

Amiran raised his hands. “You know everything I do. We must limit ourselves to the facts at hand, and wait for our brothers to arrive.”

Amiran looked around the table. We are soft men, Amiran thought. A lifetime wearing the white toga has made us this way. Perhaps our lofty spirits ask too much from weak flesh.

Sandaled feet approached beyond the chamber’s archway. Two forms emerged from the blackness and solidified in the dingy candlelight, one tall and gangly, the other shorter and dressed in a plain traveling tunic and cloak. 
​
Amiran sighed in relief. Master Gremis and Master Alec’s arrival completed the conspiracy. 

***

I hope you enjoyed the sample. If you haven't read the first two books in The Chronicle of Fu Xi series, I invite you to check them out here. 

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