Lightning Strikes

David Hunt

Description

A prophecy foretold that will change the world. Merriam finds herself mated to four men who will do anything to protect her.
This is a story of a prophecy told millennia ago and handed down mother to daughter. The reopening of Pandora’s Box unleashes monsters and mayhem on the English countryside. But the event also releases magic into the world. The gathered companions must find and destroy the Orb, but first, they must set their own house in order. Merriam finds herself mated to four strong, caring men who will do anything to protect her. The group finds events spiraling out of control as they fend off monster attacks and make friends with new races never seen before.

Sujets

• Fantasy
• Fiction
• Harem
• RH
• Poly
• Erotica
• Harén
• Fantasy (canción de Mariah Carey)

Informations

• Publié par: iUniverse
• Date de parution: 01 août 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781663241443
• Langue: English

Extrait

LIGHTNING Strikes
Merriam and Her Merry Men 1
DAVID HUNT


LIGHTNING STRIKES MERRIAM AND HER MERRY MEN 1
 
Copyright © 2022 David Hunt.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
 
 
 
 
iUniverse
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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
ISBN: 978-1-6632-4143-6 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6632-4144-3 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2022911592
 
 
 
iUniverse rev. date: 07/20/2022
CONTENTS
The Tales of Prophecy
 
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
 
About The Author
THE TALES OF PROPHECY
My life has changed much since I began this journey. Being an Oracle of Prophecy has not been easy. My time at the temple of Athena was pleasant and placid. I spent my days deciphering the writings of the prophecy. The tablets handed down were timeworn and much faded in places. The language I learned as a child did not align perfectly with the translation. Some meanings have been lost over the eight millennia since my ancestor inscribed the tablets.
I must begin my story with the prophecy as I had translated it.
The usurper’s fool opens the Box.
The Orb Flies once more, unleashing chaos upon the world.
The Oracle gathers the heroes’ strong to send on the quest long.
Paladin bright champion of light.
Barbarian strong to right the wrong.
Archer true guards the right.
On the left the Rogue small to sense the trap and prevent mishap.
One for four flame of binding for warriors
The Cleric meek to heal the weak.
One from the past in the future last to guide and protect with lightning blast.
My task has passed through generations from mother to daughter. Nothing has been found other than the prophecy of ancient Sumeria. What horrible event could have destroyed such a shining civilization? I can tell from the translation that it was the orb. I may never know who created it or why.
I can tell you that my family left that land with almost nothing. The people of Sumeria scattered to the four winds settling in new lands. Like a pebble in a still pond, the people moved outward like a ripple. They merged and mixed with other people forming new civilizations.
Old gods vanished from history, and new gods began to arise. That is how my family became an Oracle of Athena.
There is little point in describing the process that brought my family from Sumeria to Athens. My ancestors suffered many struggles, but our line remains unbroken.
Prophecy tells me there is one who survives from that time. I cannot see him in my visions. I only get a hint that he will join us. He is the guide spoken of at the end of the prophecy.
I cannot say all that I know. The prophecy would collapse if I spoke too soon and someone acted out of place. That would bring untold disaster upon the world.
Right now, all my tools are in place. My paladin is on a mission to bring the king. Although he is not part of the prophecy, he does have a task to hold this country together. I only know that he must be present at the event.
There is not much time, so I must stay the course. I cannot let things get out of control.
Sophia Oracle of Athena
Memoirs of a fractured time.
CHAPTER
1
Southend-on-Sea
“Sergeant Thomas,” I said. “We seem to have made better time than we thought.”
“Yes, Milord, but we can use the cushion later.”
“A valid point, sergeant. We can use what we gain in time cushion later to rest.”
“Hold the men here. I will go down to the docks and secure a ship. I see at least three of them in port.”
Thoughts of my tasks ran through my head. Those thoughts led to Milady Sophia and the prophecy. I wondered if she was exerting some sort of control over me. I snorted and smiled to myself. She may not be a witch, but her beauty and compelling eyes make me want to obey her. That is all me wanting to follow her orders.
I walked along the docks looking at the ships there. One looked like it was about ready to sail. Walking up to the gangplank, I looked around. Seeing a sailor nearby, I asked. “Are you almost ready to sail, my good man?”
The man saluted. “Milord, we are just loading supplies.”
“Good, I would like to speak with your captain if I may.”
“Milord, I will get him now.” He turned and ran up the gangplank.
A burly man in a blue hat and coat looked over the railing at me.
“I am Captain Lomas, and how may I help you, sir?”
“Do you have cargo, captain, and are you bound somewhere?”
“We are done unloading here and are bound for Ramsgate, hoping for cargo there.”
“Well, now, captain, perhaps we can be of mutual benefit to each other.”
“And how might that be, sir?”
“I am Sir Guy of Gisborne and need passage to Ramsgate for myself and two hundred men. We are also seeking passage back to King’s Lynn.”
“You are correct, sir. We can be of mutual benefit. Standard king’s passage?”
“Yes, captain, plus bonuses for performance.”
“I do like the sound of bonuses. I, however, require some coin upfront to lay in provisions for your men for such a long passage.”
“Captain, I understand your position fully. Would two crowns be sufficient unto your purpose?” Digging into my purse, I pulled out two gold coins.
“Yes, sir, that will provide well for your men for this passage.”
“When will you be ready to sail, captain?”
“We should be provisioned and ready to go on the morning tide one hour after sun up.”
“Excellent, captain. We will camp for the night on shore and board at sunrise tomorrow.”
“Very well, Milord, we shall be ready. Do you have horses or any other heavy equipment?”
“No, captain, just two hundred men on foot.”
“Very well, in the morning, Milord.”
As the first flush of dawn was beginning to lighten the sky, I led my men down the dock to the ship. The town was quiet at this early hour, with only a few people to mark our passing. There was more activity at the docks than in town. As sailors started work and gulls circled and screeched, looking for food.
The captain called down a greeting from the deck as his men began to lower the gangway.
“All is well, I trust?”
“Yes, Milord, my ship is provisioned for thirty days for two hundred fifty men. With my crew, that will allow for ten extra people.”
“That should be more than sufficient, captain, and you know best on these matters.”
“Yes, Milord, bring your men aboard, and we will show them their accommodations. They may not be the best, but it should serve well enough for them.”
“My men are well-versed in the hardships of a long sea voyage.”
As I looked down through the main hatch below deck, they had split the hold into two tiers.
The captain pointed. “Hooks on each side for one hundred hammocks on each tier. We also set up a seagoing cook area. Of course, if the weather gets rough, the cook fires will have to be put out.”
“We are familiar with the procedure and will be on dry rations until the weather clears.”
“Yes, I see you know what you are doing. Sir Guy, I will leave you to settle in while we put to sea.”
“Sergeant Thomas, you heard the captain. By squads first ten on the upper deck last ten on the lower deck, carry on getting the men settled.”
“Yes, Milord,” said Sergeant Thomas.
The sergeant’s voice faded as I made my way up to the stern rail out of the way.
Observing the men getting the ship underway, I noticed they seemed short of hands. I spoke up, making my way forward to the captain standing beside the tiller.
“Captain, you seem to have fewer men than needed for your ship.”
“Aye, Sir Guy, a few men left on this last port call. It happens with these merchant ships. There is not much coin to be had sailing for a merchantman.”
“About that, captain, I may be able to help. I have fifty men trained in sailing. You may use them to fill out your crew and give your men a rest.”
“Thank you, Sir Guy, that would be most helpful.”
“How long will the passage to Ramsgate be, captain?”
“The winds have been light but favorable lately, and I estimate three days.”
“That would be just fine, captain. It is within my time constraint. I will head down below and join my men. I will s