Run and Escape

G. Harrison A.

Description

These were the secret soldiers of the Emperor that watched, reported and at times kidnapped and murdered. He knew they would be aware of his presence not long after he entered the city and would constantly stalk him to see what he was doing and with whom before they struck. He knew his only chance of succeeding was to keep the watchers guessing, that way he would not only complete his task but give him a chance of escape.

Informations

• Publié par: A. G. Harrison
• Date de parution: 26 juillet 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781839783340
• Langue: English

Extrait

Run and Escape
 
 
Book series: “Soft Madness”
 
 
Part 1
 
 
Series by A. G. Harrison
 
 
Publication as of July 2021
 
Introduction by A. G. Harrison
 
Introduction
 
From the time human felt the necessity to communicate, he realized the value of the written word and wrote by drawing on cave walls, clay tablets, stones, papyrus, parchment, paper, and today, with the development of technology, he has created e-books.
 
The object "book" is classified in industrial products, but at the same time it is a cultural good. Personally, I emphasize both of its dimensions, but mainly in its cultural dimension. I consider the book to be the most important expression of culture because quite simply, in addition to being the same work of art, it supports all other expressions of culture.
 
As an industrial product, through the many stages of its creation and before it reaches the hands of the reader, it financially supports a wide range of professions, such as writers, philologists, translators, designers, publishers, paper merchants, printing houses, bookbinders, distributors and, finally, bookstores… Let us not forget, of course, that today it also greatly supports the huge online market industry.
 
The governments of many countries, studying and delving into the economic benefits of the book, have invested and supported this industry in various ways, which flourished and offered them great financial gains.
 
Starting with the Sumerians, Babylonians and other peoples of Mesopotamia, who wrote on clay tablets, Egyptians and Romans, who wrote on papyrus, the Jews on parchment, the evolution with handwritten books images in the Middle Ages in Europe, the creation of the first wooden typographic elements and paper by the Chinese, who printed the first books, the discovery of metallic elements by the German Johannes Gutenberg during the Renaissance and the really rapid development of printing in 1450 until 1456 and, finally, during the 19th-20th century the Industrial Revolution, which makes the production of the book flourish are some examples of the value of the written word.
 
The agony and effort of all these civilized societies, over time, in various parts of the world, teaches us that the book is an integral part of human existence.
 
Throughout this course the book records and transports from the depths of the centuries ancient civilizations, which teach us about the mistakes that we can avoid or imitate the achievements of our ancestors and adopt timeless principles and values, supplies for survival. but also the evolution of the human species.
 
By reading a book, we have the opportunity to create with our imagination the heroes of history, landscapes, various objects, etc. In the pages of a book, the author, in addition to his study, research, experiences, also expresses his feelings. He makes us members of his own world and gives us the opportunity to learn.
 
It helps us to acquire knowledge but also to enrich our vocabulary, improving our own writing.
 
It contributes to our mental alertness, increases the ability to focus, improves our memory, helps to develop our analytical mental abilities, entertains us, calms us down and helps reduce stress.
 
Of course, apart from the importance of touch and contact with a hot material, reading a quality book contributes significantly and decisively to our self-education, the cultivation of critical thinking, the upgrading of our aesthetics and consequently contributes to our quality of life.
 
It conveys art, informs, cultivates the spirit and the soul, elevates intelligence, finds solutions to problems, conveys messages, circulates ideas, forms consciences.
 
I hope my books convey a message of personal experiences and you could find segments of your own truth as well.
 
Thank you in advance for being here and being ready to start reading.
1
 
 
 
James returned a tired glance. ‘The ridges are closing in so it’s probably just the humidity’.
 
Harry scoffed at the lame comment and replied with a sharp whisper. ‘No it’s something else! Something, I don’t know. Can’t you feel it?’
 
James was too tired to care and impatiently groaned. ‘As long as it’s not a troll, I don’t really care.’
 
Fifty yards latter, the forest become more difficult to ride through after another fifty it was impossible and forced them to dismount and lead their ponies and horses on foot. After another half mile of slogging it through the heavy vegetation James changed direction and headed for the low ridge hoping it would prove easier on the other side.
 
As James cleared the ridge he smiled with relief after he saw the trees were considerably thinner. They remount their ponies and rode down the slope until they reached the bottom of the small valley where they discovered a large pool. James gestured towards the water and walked his pony over only to discover the pool was fed by a spring with the overflow creating a small stream that ran off towards the northwest. Harry collected the canteens and water skins then squatted on the edge to fill them while James kept watch. After a few minutes Harry noticed the forest seemed uncomfortably quiet while James was becoming alarmed. He glanced around and failed to see the slightest hint of danger or signs of recent travellers. James eventually noticed the lack of smoke from Woodhaven. It hadn’t reached this side of the ridge, prompting him to think the area might be isolated and relatively safe. Just as he was beginning to relax and thought he was only jumping at shadows, a large bush moved on the far side of the pool, as though something big had brushed it from behind. James moaned to himself then he whispered to Harry. ‘Get your bow. We’ve got company.’ Without a further word Harry casually moved back to his pony and pulled out his bow while James drew his sword. Once he saw Harry was ready he slowly walked around the pool until he reached the bush all the time thinking about his last encounter with a troll.
 
James neared the bush and could feel his perspiration trickling down his face in contrast to the cool air. He was scared and he knew it. Nothing , he thought then he stared back at the forest, only to see more trees. He searched the ground for tracks and discovered something that took his breath away. Tracks, large tracks! Bloody hell , he silently cursed. He returned his gaze to the forest only to see the impassive trees ignoring his stare. Annoyed by the turn of events he carefully backed away then jogged back to Harry.
 
Harry readied his bow and swung it in a slow arc across the tree line until James arrived breathing heavily.
 
‘Trolls?’ asked Harry clearly dreading the answer.
 
James cursed ‘Pig!’ He put both his hands together to show the size of the impression in the dirt.
 
‘Pigs don’t grow that big,’ laughed Harry with a very sceptical tone but was more relieved to hear it wasn’t a troll.
 
‘Well you go and take a damn look!’ complained James as he dreaded the thought of adding another danger to their rapidly growing list.
 
Harry jogged around the pool while James finished filling the canteens when Harry returned he cursed. ‘Damn, that pig must be as big as an ox!’
 
James replied, ‘trolls are bad enough. I just don’t want to be tangling with giant pigs just at the moment!’
 
Once the last of the canteens and water skins were filled the outlanders mounted their ponies with Harry quietly whispering, ‘you know that cold heavy feeling that was in the air. I was just about to say I felt it again when you saw the bush move. After that it went.’
 
James gave Harry a questioning glance not sure what Harry was trying to imply. ‘Let me know if you feel it again!’
 
The outlanders continued along the stream for the next few hours at a steady pace as the trees were thinning out which made the riding easier. The afternoon was rapidly fading so James decided to look for a protected campsite, as being attacked in the middle of the night by a giant pig was a frightening thought.
 
Harry abruptly pulled up his pony. ‘You smell it? Smoke!’
 
James sniffed the air ‘I hope there elves.’ The outlanders continued along the stream until they saw a wooden cottage with smoke coming from the chimney. The outlanders slowed their ponies and cautiously watched and stopped before the door still unsure on what to do next. James thought it was best to sit and wait for whoever was inside to make the first move as he didn’t want to accidently provoke a fight. After a few minutes he thought he caught a glimpse of someone near the window and sighed when it didn’t resemble a troll then pondered do trolls live in cabins ?
 
Harry ran out of patients and gestured to James. ‘Hello! Is anybody home? We come in peace.’ Nothing happened, though James thought he caught another glimpse of movement near the window. After a few more minutes the door opened then a tall slender elf woman with golden hair and eyes like emeralds walked out onto the veranda and glared defiantly at the two strangers. In her youthful hands she held a long bladed knife to show them she was prepared to defend herself but all James could think about was her beauty. He was simply drowning in it. Never before had he seen such a beautiful creature and felt like she had paralysed him simply by her presence.
 
Harry replied with one of his typical smiles. ‘Oh mighty warrior of the elf forest please have mercy on two hapless travellers?’ The unexpected words broke James’s trance and caused him to laugh, which increased the size of Harry’s grin.
 
The elf maiden didn’t appreciate his mirth and was less than pleased. ‘Be wary humans! My skill with this knife is great!’
 
Harry put up his hands and with all the charm he possessed replied, ‘I surrender! Oh beautiful warrior maiden of the forest. To have such a beautiful captor would make al