Turning Around

G. Harrison A.

Description

An air of foreboding had descended on the town with the locals filling the inn's common room as everyone was seeking news. The Sergeant stood at the bar with his Corporal next to him then He noticed two other soldiers drinking at a table near at the centre of the room while in the corner stood the only empty table.

Informations

• Publié par: A. G. Harrison
• Date de parution: 26 juillet 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781839783401
• Langue: English

Extrait

Turning Around
 
 
Book series: “Soft Madness”
 
 
Part 7
 
 
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
 
Huge craters lay scattered like a plague of pox on the once majestic valley. A rider stopped beside the sword maiden, which was followed by another gasp. ‘What has happened here? Have the gods made war on each other?’ The other elf maiden who had led them from the elf kingdom sat quietly on her exhausted horse and reflected on the sight before her. ‘This has happened not long ago. Look over there! The ashes are still smouldering. We must be cautious! Great powers are at work here and we must not provoke them.’
 
‘Come! We shall find the shrine and free our goddess,’ whispered the sword maiden. She knew her friend was right, powerful forces surrounded them and she was about to enter their domain.
 
Progress was slow as they carefully navigated the craters with no easy path before them. The lower they descended the worse it became until finally they were forced to dismount as they feared their horses could stumble. Late in the afternoon they rounded a bend in the valley and saw a white marble villa that was surrounded by a shimmering barrier then they saw it, the shrine. The women ran excitedly towards it crying out for all to hear. ‘The shrine, the shrine’! We have found it! Only to stumble several times as they tripped over the clumps of dirt that lay on the once pristine field. They would pick themselves up and continue the run to the shrine where they stopped to catch their breath. Hildegarde found herself being embraced by the two elves that laughed and sang as they rejoiced. Finally the enormity of what she had achieved struck her hard so very hard. So many had tried and failed many of which had died or were never heard of again. Unable to carry her burden any longer she fell to her knees then held up her hands in praise to her goddess who had shown her the way.
 
Now she realised her dreams of becoming the Queen of the Teuton people would come to pass with the goddess blessing her people and they would flourish and become the envy of all the peoples of the land.
 
The two elves leaned over gripping her from under her arms and gently lifted Hildegarde to her feet then slowly they walked arm in arm around to the front of the shrine where they stopped frozen with horror, literally unable to move. They stood there motionless like the marble statue before them transfixed on the magnificent sword that had been thrust into the statue’s belly. Hildegarde gradually placed her hand over her mouth aghast from the horror before her eyes. A thin dribble of red blood slowly oozed out of the blades incision and had already formed a small pool at the statues feet. Shakily Hildegarde choked out. ‘James has beaten us! Our goddess is in pain. We must find her!’ The two elves stepped forward to grasp the sword with Hildegarde only stopping them just in time. ‘All who grasp the sword will die! Only James can withdraw the blade. We must find him, but first our Lady.’ She took a final look at the statue with its out stretched hands as if pleading, begging for release then she promised herself when this is all over, we will cross swords, outlander .
 
They left the horses to graze on what was left of the grass then they walked down the hill hand in hand contemplating on how they would get through the barrier. Hildegarde stopped before the glistening spectacle that appeared to have randomly scattered sparkles embedded in the transparent wall. She was unsure on what she should do so she picked up a piece of dirt and tossed it at the barrier and to their surprise it passed through which encouraged the elves to try their hands which also passed through with ease.
 
Once through the barrier they found a path that led towards the villa. Hildegarde glanced back and found to her surprise that their footmarks in the grass were disappearing, as each blade recovered shortly after they had lifted their feet, without the slightest hint of blemish remaining. Everywhere white marble columns and statues of incredible detail stood among the magnificent flowerbeds. The statues appeared so life like they thought they may come to life and stop them for trespassing, fortunately for them, they were content just to watch the passing of three strangers.
 
Hildegarde felt like she was living a dream by what she had seen then thought this must truly be a god’s home , and was tempted to say something until she noticed how the elves were also struck by the magnificence. Eventually they came to the end of the path where they found a large metal studded oak door that was covered with many strange designs some depicting the constellations while others depicted great events. Inevitably the three disciples began glancing at each other, as each was wondered who should knock then both the elves turned to Hildegarde. After she saw their stares she grudgingly relented and knocked with a trembling hand.
 
* *
 
Cerridwen lay in her bed recovering from the wound to her stomach. Slowly the goddess rose and stared at the remains of four crystals she used to quench her agony. While her white robes were still stained red from the blood that appeared the moment King Eadric’s sword pieced the marble statue that was known as the shine. Distracted by her ordeal she began to sense a change, a presence, elf and human. Mortals! Had the day come when others have found her valley and come to free her?
 
Cerridwen’s friends promptly returned at her revelation Great Goddess of the stars the time has come. Freedom is at hand, destroy the barrier with your might and show your disciples your greatness.Another voice continued they are too late Great Goddess show them your wrath they deserve no less. ‘ Silence! I will reserve my judgment.’
 
The goddess paused for a moment then thought, too late! They have come, too lategingerly she stepped forward still holding her throbbing stomach then her eyes widened. There is another way . She walked through the doorway and entered the great hall then glanced at the dried blood, which was highlighted by her white robes. She conside