Publication of ‘Gawain and the Quest for the Ark of the Covenant’.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Publication of ‘Gawain and the Quest for the Ark of the Covenant’
This is just a short post to tell all Fantasy Fiction readers, that I have finally released my second book in the ‘Grail Quests’ series. It is called, ‘Gawain and the Quest for the Ark of the Covenant.’ It is available through all Amazon outlets, including Amazon UK and Amazon USA. Two stories unravel: the continuing story of the struggle for power between Guinevere and Morgan Le Fay and a new story containing the quest for the Ark of the Covenant. Gawain gets involved with a dangerous and reckless young female by the name of Ragnell. He is fascinated by her hunger for adventure and her determination to find the lost treasure of Joseph of Arimathea.
The headstrong Gawain, finds he is attracted to this beautiful but emotionally disturbed young woman. Join with them on their exciting adventure, as they battle against; the elements, the gods, two giants, a ghost and themselves.
Gawain and the Quest for the Ark of the Covenant
After launching my first Novel, ‘King Arthur and the Quest for the Holy Grail’, about a month ago, I should be ready in a month’s time to publish the second part of the trilogy, ‘Gawain and the Quest for the Ark of Covenant.’
The story continues as the battle for power in the Celtic Kingdoms bring conflict between the two most powerful women in the land. Who will get the upper hand; Guinevere or Morgan Le Fay? Not wanting to give too much of the plot away, all I would say is that the love lives of these medieval people are just as complex and difficult as they are in our time.
Gawain and the Quest for the Ark of the Covenant
After launching my first Novel, ‘King Arthur and the Quest for the Holy Grail’, about a month ago, I should be ready in a month’s time to publish the second part of the trilogy, ‘Gawain and the Quest for the Ark of Covenant.’
The story continues as the battle for power in the Celtic Kingdoms bring conflict between the two most powerful women in the land. Who will get the upper hand; Guinevere or Morgan Le Fay? Not wanting to give too much of the plot away, all I would say is that the love lives of these medieval people are just as complex and difficult as they are in our time.
King Arthur and the Quest for the Holy Grail
preview of my new novel ‘King Arthur and the Quest for the Holy Grail’.
My new book is due out next week and you can get a preview of it by going to https://www.createspace.com/Preview/114937
Two of the most interesting and popular myths of all time are put together in my new novel, ‘King Arthur and the Quest for the Holy Grail.’ The evidence that King Arthur exists just about stands up, while the treasure given to Joseph of Arimathea (including the item the Holy Grail) is pretty conclusive, although no one knows exactly what happened to it.
The backdrop of the sixth century makes for an interesting setting for this adventure drama. Our characters, many we think we know well including; King Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot. One thing they all have in common is that they find themselves caught up in the pursuit for the Holy Grail.
Good and evil, Christian and pagan all conjure up what looks like an easy to define story, but don’t be fooled for nothing is quite as it appears.
The magical aspects of the story, combined with the romance should appeal to a young audience. While the dark doings and betrayals of many of the characters should appeal to slightly older one.
Be prepared to see strong female characters for this Arthurian story abounds with them; they include Guinevere and Lady Morgan (our antagonist and our protagonist) but several others as well, who all help to redefine our preconceived ideas for that time in history.
preview part 2
This is the second part of the chapter. The first part was yesterday. Hope someone reads it! Give me feedback, good or bad I don’t mind.
‘Were you on some quest for the King?’
The man nodded. ‘I was, but now it has become my own quest.’
He paused a moment and his eyes glazed over before he continued. ‘It was two years ago, going by the Roman calendar,’ he began. ‘The King gathered a select group of soldiers to go on a special mission with him. He swore us to secrecy.’ The man was reluctant to break that promise even now, the lady could tell. She took his hand in hers and began to plead with him to continue.
The man did so. ‘The King picked a raiding party of twelve men and we travelled to the Islands of Avalon. We knew it was forbidden to go ashore on the Gods islands, but we went because our King asked us too.
The King told his men nothing of his plan, until we reached the first of the islands. He told us that at a particular time each day the Gods were all occupied and that their treasures were left unguarded. How he knew this we did not ask.
Arthur and I led the small boats onto the shore, as the sun fell behind the mountains and the moon’s light filtered strange shadows against the trees and rocks. We wore no armor so as to make no noise and we carried only knives for we wanted no violence. Arthur led us, as if he had mapped out every step beforehand, straight to the Gods’ hoard.
We entered a large cave and had walked only a short time before our eyes were astounded by an array of gold, silver and precious jewels. Many of our men picked up these treasures with the intension of plunder, but Arthur was preoccupied in his hunt for a single item that he allowed the plunder to happen without question.
I later found out the object he was looking for was a silver chalice. A humbler drinking vessel you could not have found, but when Arthur set eyes on the object he fell to his knees in exultation. For the King this was what he had come for, but for many of his men the lore of such wonders became too much for them. Many helped themselves to all manner of valuables, though I swear I did not, good lady.’
A slight nod of her head assured Gaheris he was believed. ‘Did Arthur not see this plunder?’ the lady asked.
‘He did not seem to care what the others did, for his eyes were transfixed on this one object. He seemed to be in some kind of trance as I pulled him away from the cave and dragged him back to the boats.
It was when all the plunder were loaded that the first sign of life appeared from the Gods. A figure, with a frame of oxen and the head of a snake descended upon us. He opened his snake like mouth and fired a salvo of flames across our bows.
Arthur and I pushed one of the boats free from the bank but the rest of the men were still loading more precious items into their boat, when the God belched destruction down upon them. The flames engulfed our men and they roasted like boars on a spit. Their screams were terrible, like the cries of the damned, but we could not help them and I made Arthur realize this.
Having choked back a few tears, the man continued, although his voice lowered. ‘There is more to tell, lady,’ he stammered. ‘The beast then turned his sights on us and showered down more thunderbolts. My one abiding thought was to save the King, so I covered our bodies with a blanket and persuaded him to take our chances in the water. I heard our men screaming as the flames engulfed them.’
‘The flames, even on the water, were so intense that I feared we would perish. A great wind blew us by some miracle, along the river until we reached a river bank. Still fearful of the Gods, I remained in the water, while Arthur climbed ashore with the chalice still in his grasp.’
‘What happened to the other treasure?’ Morgan asked.
‘The boat drifted our way and rested just a short distance away. Arthur dragged it onto the shore. He told me that the Gods rarely visited this place for this was the dreaded Island of the Dead. It housed the insane and the dead, whose souls would roam forever in torment.
I still resisted Arthur’s hand as he offered to pull me ashore. Fear gripped me and I almost abandoned my King. Finally I gave in and he helped me on to the bank. The island at first looked empty and its vegetation looked much like our own. I stayed near the bank and warned our King not to venture further. Arthur showed no fear. He took the satchel with the chalice and placed it inside his shirt.
Morgan looked gripped by the tale as Gaheris continued.
‘We encountered many strange creatures on that hellish place, but none more bizarre than Ysbaddaden. He was a giant, big in size, but quiet in nature who spoke softly almost in a continuous whisper. We had come to a huge derelict castle and despite hearing desperate cries from within we decided to enter. We were met at first with ghosts of white and black mist as they formed and dissipated before our eyes. They all cried or screamed obscenities at us but none kept their form for long. I was petrified and although he hid it well, I could see the King’s fear for the first time. Reason told us the creatures we assumed were all phantoms could not hurt us. However, if our physical bodies were safe, our minds could be in mortal peril. Fear and the uncertainty of losing our minds prayed on our thoughts. We feared we would go mad if we stayed in that terrible place for any length of time.
‘Several living beings approached us in that miserable place, but we threatened them with our knives and managed to keep them at bay. There was one however, the huge figure of Ysbaddaden that we found interesting. He was in a large chamber, the best and the only room in the castle that housed a fire. He was slouched down on the ground near the blaze, muttering mournful utterances to himself when we entered. ‘Come in,’ he said. He did not move or turn his head to see us, but stared into the fire. ‘Are you dead or are you one of the living?’
We looked at each other before Arthur uttered a rather pitiful reply. ‘We are still alive.’
The giant groaned. ‘Then you must be like me, a hostage to fortune.’
The King’s eyes met mine again, as we walked further into the room. The light of the fire had a great effect on us both. Not only did it give us much needed light, but it also warmed our hearts. I hadn’t stopped shivering from the cold of the water and from the fear of my surroundings. I ambled to the fire, kneeled down and warmed myself. Arthur slowly followed, but sat nearer to the giant than to me and began to question him about the island and its occupants.
The giant told us his name and we told him ours. It is hard to describe the giant, without stating the obvious. He was just like any Celtic man of middle to old age, only four times as big I suppose. He wore a beard that was going grey and his hair had flecks of white running through the black. Arthur looked comical beside him as I watched him compel the giant into telling us his story.
‘What do you know of the Gods?’ he asked Arthur.
‘Not much, only to fear ever crossing them.’
‘You are right to fear them,’ he said. His voice fell into a lamentation. ‘They can be cruel, I should know. They have broken both my legs as a punishment, so that I should always be a prisoner in this hellish place.
Arthur pressed him for a reason for their cruelty, but his thoughts seem to make him sad. We watched the giant’s tears fall down his face and land on the ground next to us. Arthur jumped to one side to miss the large drops as they fell, but I was not so lucky and got drenched in them. Ysbaddaden apologized, as I tried to dry myself. Arthur wanted to learn more so the giant told us the story of his daughter Olwen. ‘She is the embodiment of everything good,’ he told us. ‘She has a way with her that beguiles everyone, not just young men, but everyone who sets eyes on her.’
‘Is she also a giant?’ I asked.
‘No, she is no bigger than you are,’ he replied.
The giant continued. ‘Goodness has been her downfall,’ he complained. ‘The Gods heard of her kindness and they visited her one night and beguiled her to their island. I thought I would not see her again, but she managed to slip a note to the death oarsman to take a message back over to our world. From his hand he gave it to a merchant who managed to get it to me.’
Ysbaddaden took from his right sandal a piece of parchment and began to read from it. ‘Dearest father, they will not release me from this dreadful place. Please come and rescue me. The Gods are not what they seem. They care not for any human, but use us to do their dangerous work. Many have died from a strange disease. The victims’ bodies are covered in boils and they become so sick that the can not eat or drink. They die a terrible death and I have to prepare them for burning. I am now feeling weak myself and fear my own death. Oh, father what have I done to deserve this?’The giant began to cry again, this time I got to my feet and let the salt water pass by me. I was moved by the lady’s words and went to sit near the giant and to offer him a kind word of comfort.
‘You are kind sir, but that is not the end of it,’ he said.
‘He told us he travelled to Avalon by boat, but fearing observation he left it and swam ashore without being seen. He sought his daughter and found her sick in a filthy cabin from a fever. He bathed her, gave her fresh water to drink and covered her body with an ointment that he had brought with him. He tended her for two days and in that time did not see single soul. The Gods had left her to die, but on that third day two men came to the cabin. They came to burn it down with his daughter still inside. He fought the men, who were strangely clothed, but he got the better of them by striking them down with a tree branch. He then carried his daughter to a boat, and paddled the boat for all his worth away from the island.’
Gaheris continued. ‘They travelled on their boat without disturbance until a God appeared before them at the corridor of their world and ours. The God looked no different he said than many a warrior with his scars and chainmail. So he fought him. The God was smaller than the giant, but that did not matter for he had magical powers and the strength of ten giants. Again and again he said he was knocked down, but came back and continued the fight. He was determined to save his daughter at all cost, so in an unselfish act of bravery Ysbaddaden stepped away from the boat and engaged with the God in the water. The sea water came up to his mouth, but that did not matter, for as he glanced behind, he blew with all is might and saw the vessel slowly glide towards freedom.
Poor Olwen screamed, as the boat glided away from the fight and try as she might to stop it, it continued on its course through the corridor and into our world.
‘You mean the God did not try to come after her?’
‘The giant kept him busy for as long as he could, but eventually he tired and was knocked unconscious.’
Morgan looked at the icon again
‘So this girl’s the giant’s daughter?’
‘Yes I had it painted from the description Ysbaddaden gave me.’
‘Then the giant did not lie, the girl is just as she appears in this painting.’
Gaheris was full of passion and he did not even know it. Morgan saw his eyes fill with emotion every time the girl came up in the conversation. She wanted to assure him, he would not be disappointed when he finally set eyes on her.
‘I now know why she wanted to see Arthur,’ said Morgan. ‘I believe she means to obtain men and weapons to try and rescue her father.’
‘If that is the case, then I must do what I can to help her.’
‘You must speak with Gawain and find out what he knows. Then I can give you two days to look for the lady, but I need you back here by the time the trial gets underway.’
Gaheris agreed and could not contain himself a moment longer.
Morgan caught hold of his arm. ‘How did you and Arthur escape from the Island?’
Gaheris smiled. ‘That’s for another day, my lady.’
Treasure of Avalon teaser
It is difficult to get people to take a chance on purchasing a new writer’s book, so it falls upon that writer to beguile them with snippets, or teasers. I have chosen half a chapter to put on my blog to illustrate what the book is about and to give the possible reader a glimpse of the style of writing that is to be found in the book. The second part of the chapter will appear tomorrow. Please leave comments and let me know what you think. The tale is set in ancient Britain at the time of King Arthur.
They were all in attendance. Londinium was awash with dignitaries, the Queen and half of her army had descended upon it like a plague. Morgan with her supporters numbered a great deal less, but nonetheless Gawain, Gaheris, Mordred were present. All the Kings had been summoned and all, but King Ban of Benoic and King Lot of Lothian had arrived. To Morgan’s surprise Merlin had returned to her in a morose state. He apologized, but did not go into details of what had befallen him. They were all there for one purpose and that was to take part or bear witness to the trial of Lancelot. He was to be judged by the High Council, along with Guinevere, who insisted on representing her dead husband and the domain of the Middle Kingdom.
It quickly became clear that the council had two camps, those who supported the Queen and by association Lancelot, and those who believed the man to be guilty of the crimes he had been indicted for. It would be a few days before the trial would begin and that gave both camps time to prepare their cases. It also gave Morgan a chance to catch up with family members and hear their stories. Everyone had tales to tell; Gaheris on witnessing the aftermath of the massacre at Haydon Bridge, Gawain in capturing Lancelot and his encounter with Olwen, and Mordred with his tale of being spotted with Kay and being forced to eat at the Queen’s table. He did not go on to tell of his more intimate meeting with the lady later that night.
No one noticed Mordred’s more confident nature, except Morgan. She was pleased to see it, for she felt it was about time he stepped from the shadows and found his true position in society. Morgan could not be sure if King Lot would bring her son, but rather hoped he would not. She had enough to do in preparing her case to have her mind disrupted with thoughts of an awkward reunion. That time would come, but for now the lady had to concentrate on getting justice for her brother and nephew. The body of Helena had never been found and the assumption was that the lady perished like the rest. Morgan had taken special care to find Gaheris alone and in his quarters On entering his room, Morgan noticed the icon of Olwen lying on top of his dresser and picked it up to look at the pretty face of the girl she thought she recognized. ‘I know this girl,’ she proclaimed Gaheris who had just finished dressing came from behind a screen to challenge the lady’s statement. ‘You know her you say, how? Where have you seen her?’
Morgan looked at her nephew and was surprised at his reaction. It was clear the lady meant a great deal to the young man. ‘Is she your sweetheart?’ she asked.
‘No, I’ve never even seen her, but I must find out where she is.’
‘Never seen her and yet you have a painting of the lady?’
‘I know it seems strange, but I need to find her.’
Morgan thought Gawain would be the person to ask as he had seen the lady only a day earlier. Gaheris made ready to see his brother, but Morgan put her hand on his arm and addressed him in a tone not normal for the lady. ‘You will kindly tell me all about the treasure you and my brother stole from Avalon,’ she demanded.
The man knew he had no choice and agreed to tell the lady everything.
‘I should tell the full story. It is a strange tale and you’ll think I exaggerate it when I tell it.’
Morgan made Gaheris sit on a hardwood chair and she sat on another close by. ‘I need the treasure to return it to Avalon. I made a promise to the Gods that I would.’
Gaheris face looked pained. ‘I do not know where it is. It’s been stolen and I have no way of knowing where it is now.’
Morgan sighed and put her hands on her head. She slowly raised her head to look at her nephew. ‘You wouldn’t lie to me?’
‘I swear I do not lie. I believe it to be in the Queen’s possession now.’
‘That bloody woman again,’ Morgan cursed. ‘I wish it were her on trial and not Lancelot.’
‘She is behind everything evil in this land,’ concluded Gaheris.
‘Don’t exaggerate. Now tell me your tale and leave nothing out.’
‘Do you remember the time I abandoned my duties?’
‘Were you on some quest for the King?’
The man nodded. ‘I was, but now it has become my own quest.’
He paused a moment and his eyes glazed over before he continued. ‘It was two years ago, going by the Roman calendar,’ he began. ‘The King gathered a select group of soldiers to go on a special mission with him. He swore us to secrecy.’ The man was reluctant to break that promise even now, the lady could tell. She took his hand in hers and began to plead with him to continue.
The man did so. ‘The King picked a raiding party of twelve men and we travelled to the Islands of Avalon. We knew it was forbidden to go ashore on the Gods islands, but we went because our King asked us too.
The King told his men nothing of his plan, until we reached the first of the islands. He told us that at a particular time each day the Gods were all occupied and that their treasures were left unguarded. How he knew this we did not ask.
Arthur and I led the small boats onto the shore, as the sun fell behind the mountains and the moon’s light filtered strange shadows against the trees and rocks. We wore no armor so as to make no noise and we carried only knives for we wanted no violence. Arthur led us, as if he had mapped out every step beforehand, straight to the Gods’ hoard.
We entered a large cave and had walked only a short time before our eyes were astounded by an array of gold, silver and precious jewels. Many of our men picked up these treasures with the intension of plunder, but Arthur was preoccupied in his hunt for a single item that he allowed the plunder to happen without question.
I later found out the object he was looking for was a silver chalice. A humbler drinking vessel you could not have found, but when Arthur set eyes on the object he fell to his knees in exultation. For the King this was what he had come for, but for many of his men the lore of such wonders became too much for them. Many helped themselves to all manner of valuables, though I swear I did not, good lady.’
A slight nod of her head assured Gaheris he was believed. ‘Did Arthur not see this plunder?’ the lady asked.
‘He did not seem to care what the others did, for his eyes were transfixed on this one object. He seemed to be in some kind of trance as I pulled him away from the cave and dragged him back to the boats.
It was when all the plunder were loaded that the first sign of life appeared from the Gods. A figure, with a frame of oxen and the head of a snake descended upon us. He opened his snake-like mouth and fired a salvo of flames across our bows.
Treasure of Avalon is live on Amazon!
Here is the link to Amazon
I have at last published my first book, ‘Treasure of Avalon’. It can be bought on amazon in paperback form and from Kindle . Now I must find a way to sell it without seeming to be a pushy sales person. Anyone that knows me will attest I am incapable of being pushy, but shyness will not help me make many sales. A new forceful, confident and dynamic person will have to be born. I am at a crossroads in my life and somehow I must re-define my existence. This will be difficult, but I must try my best. I don’t mind making a plea for help. Any writer, experienced or otherwise who can give me advice, please contact me at any of the contacts below, facebook and twitter, or by e-mail: stephensim797@hotmail.com
Cheers from
stephensimfantasyfiction.wordpress.com
self publishing and the fear of failure
I have just about finished getting my first novel, self-published (Treasure of Avalon) and it feels great. However I have a knot tied in my stomach as I realise that my book may not be any good. I like it and I loved every minute writing it, but will anybody else like it? Self-doubt is a terrible thing but I believe I have found the one thing in life that makes me come alive. No feeling is better for me than the feeling of creating a tale, creating characters, in creating drama. I love it and will not stop even if I fail with this first one. For the rest of my life I give myself over to this calling. I will keep going no matter what. Book two is started and it follows on from the first one; it tells the stories of the people connected to King Arthur and how the cope after his death. When the first one is published I will attach a preview to every post I shall write, so that people can have a peak. I hope you like it and will want to purchase the book (which will be available in paperback and Kindle e-book form). Any other authors who want to review it can do so. I am a novice and just at the beginning of my journey.
stephensimfantasyfiction 