The Dreaming Demon
The Dreaming Demon is now available to purchase from Amazon, Smashwords, and should shortly be available in other leading ebook retailers. With aspects of Haggard, Howard, and Lovecraft, this 14000 word novella will transport you to the golden age of adventure, taking you on a journey back to times when brave explorers embarked on expeditions of discovery to far flung lands with little knowledge of where they were going, or what they might find. To find out more see the trailer below.
|
|
In 1592 the monk Ferdinand de Castile set out for the New World to preach to the natives in the jungle without knowing about their Gods and the power they hold. All that survives is his journal, the ramblings of a tortured soul on the fringes of sanity, recounting tales of a forgotten city long since lost to the rain forest. Now an expedition led by Sir Albert is to attempt to rediscover this city and its secrets. What mysteries and horrors led to the city being deserted by its inhabitants and engulfed by the jungle? Why is the beautiful but enigmatic Lady Athelton so intent on following in the monk's footsteps? Will the mission lead to the discovery of a city paved with gold and jewels, and fame and fortune for all involved? Or does something more sinister lie in wait in the depths of the jungle?
A sample from this tale to give you a taster can be found below :
A sample from this tale to give you a taster can be found below :
With great care she took out an ancient notebook of cracked black leather from the drawer. It seemed to me at that moment the room became darker, and a wave of nausea overcame me briefly. I drew a deep breath and leaned forward to have a better look.
“The Spaniards proceeded in Christianizing the natives. A multitude of priests and monks descended on the land. Among them was the infamous Diego de Landa. But the man who interests us is a monk named Ferdinand de Castile.”
The name was vaguely familiar to me. I could not exactly place it. It was not one of the personalities of the age, but among those who have fallen through the cracks of history.
“Ferdinand de Castile arrived in the New World with the love of God in his heart and a will to spread this love to the natives. He was that rare priest that consorted with the natives and learned their habits and language while others were abusing them cruelly. The elders of the native people grew to trust him and showed him things that were never seen by any white man before or since. Among these they revealed to him the location of a city. A city built in time immemorial, a city in which even the streets were paved with gold.” She paused and looked at me. I was hanging on her every word.
“I shall give you a choice, sir. Follow me in this amazing discovery, this adventure of the mind, spirit and body. Or stay as you are in your current existence. You may read this book. It is Ferdinand de Castile’s journal. It may not leave this library. You will inform me of your decision in the morning.” With that she turned and left me alone, the black book lying on the top of the desk.
I made myself comfortable and looked at the journal. I was apprehensive of the propriety of spending the night at a lady's house, but under the circumstances I thought reading the diary was of utmost importance. As my hand reached for the journal I felt dizzy. The world contorted and dimmed, as if viewed through the wrong lens, and my ears were filled with a screeching sound.
“The Spaniards proceeded in Christianizing the natives. A multitude of priests and monks descended on the land. Among them was the infamous Diego de Landa. But the man who interests us is a monk named Ferdinand de Castile.”
The name was vaguely familiar to me. I could not exactly place it. It was not one of the personalities of the age, but among those who have fallen through the cracks of history.
“Ferdinand de Castile arrived in the New World with the love of God in his heart and a will to spread this love to the natives. He was that rare priest that consorted with the natives and learned their habits and language while others were abusing them cruelly. The elders of the native people grew to trust him and showed him things that were never seen by any white man before or since. Among these they revealed to him the location of a city. A city built in time immemorial, a city in which even the streets were paved with gold.” She paused and looked at me. I was hanging on her every word.
“I shall give you a choice, sir. Follow me in this amazing discovery, this adventure of the mind, spirit and body. Or stay as you are in your current existence. You may read this book. It is Ferdinand de Castile’s journal. It may not leave this library. You will inform me of your decision in the morning.” With that she turned and left me alone, the black book lying on the top of the desk.
I made myself comfortable and looked at the journal. I was apprehensive of the propriety of spending the night at a lady's house, but under the circumstances I thought reading the diary was of utmost importance. As my hand reached for the journal I felt dizzy. The world contorted and dimmed, as if viewed through the wrong lens, and my ears were filled with a screeching sound.
Copyright 2014 by Alex Avrio
