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@heroesoftheiaofficial
Wizard World Columbus Discount
Hey all, T.R. here! I’m returning to Wizard World in Columbus, OH this August 4th-6th as a guest representing Heroes of Theia and Storyteller Publshing, LLC.
For those interested in attending the convention, please feel free to use the code “STORYTELLER” at online checkout on WW’s site, to receive 20% off your ticket price!
I cannot wait, it’s going to be a blast--stop by and say “Hi” if you get the chance, I’ll be there all weekend! <3
Happy New Year!
T.R. here! I’m so excited for 2017! There’s a nice little following on here, and I’m not sure that any of y'all know that much about me, so I thought I’d share my New Year’s Release-alutions!
I’ve got two conventions lined up where I’ll be representing my company, Storyteller Publishing, and vending my books, with more cons yet to be added to the schedule To top it all off, this year’s upcoming publications! Beyon Author’s Additions (Spring 2017) (which will be published on this blog earlier than they will on Amazon so keep an eye out!) and Heroes of Theia: Awakening Part Two (Summer 2017)!
And on a personal note, I’ll be graduating this May with my BA in Legal Studies!
I’m so thankful for all the people in my life who are so supportive of everything I do, balancing school with these past three publications would not have been possible without my family and friends! 💜💚💙❤ Have a wonderful year everyone! 💜💚💙❤
Be courageous this year, be kind, and try to tread a path of love. Life is hard, and you can often find those who would make it all the harder, but my wish for everyone is that you surround yourselves with those who love you, and want to build you up! Stay positive, and keep pursuing the things you love, the things that drive you as we enter 2017.
To be a complete cheeseball: you can all be Heroes, and the most important person you can rise up to protect is yourself 💜
–T.R.
Happy New Year!
T.R. here! I'm so excited for 2017! There's a nice little following on here, and I'm not sure that any of y'all know that much about me, so I thought I'd share my New Year's Release-alutions! I've got two conventions lined up where I'll be representing my company, Storyteller Publishing, and vending my books, with more cons yet to be added to the schedule To top it all off, this year's upcoming publications! Beyon Author's Additions (Spring 2017) (which will be published on this blog earlier than they will on Amazon so keep an eye out!) and Heroes of Theia: Awakening Part Two (Summer 2017)! And on a personal note, I'll be graduating this May with my BA in Legal Studies! I'm so thankful for all the people in my life who are so supportive of everything I do, balancing school with these past three publications would not have been possible without my family and friends! 💜💚💙❤ Have a wonderful year everyone! 💜💚💙❤ Be courageous this year, be kind, and try to tread a path of love. Life is hard, and you can often find those who would make it all the harder, but my wish for everyone is that you surround yourselves with those who love you, and want to build you up! Stay positive, and keep pursuing the things you love, the things that drive you as we enter 2017. To be a complete cheeseball: you can all be Heroes, and the most important person you can rise up to protect is yourself 💜 --T.R.
LGBT E-BOOK GIVEAWAY
From the Heroes of Theia universe. Welcome to Beyon, the epitome of wealth and beauty, full of magic and mystery. In the time of the Orc Wars Beyon seeks to join the Centorian Empire. Princess Chelsea, beloved of Beyon, must make a choice between tradition and progress. But with assassins, thieves, and obscure riddles from the gods, the line between friend and foe, love and indifference becomes blurred. It’s a good thing for the Princess that a certain Centorian Lady has always had a knack for the straightforward.
Hey! My name is T.R. Galyean, author of Heroes of Theia. This summer I published a LGBT romance, fantasy/action-adventure, entitled “Beyon: A Love Like Immeasurable Heaven”, available on Amazon! I’m giving away 10 free Kindle downloads of “Beyon”, winners will be selected using a sort of “throwing names into a hat” system. By this I mean you can enter to win multiple times–the more entries you have the higher chance you have at your name being one of the ten selected. Entries are allotted as follows:
Liking this post = 1 entry
Reblogging this post = 2 entries/per your personal reblog.
If you follow up your Like or Reblog with a follow = 5 entries and a great big internet hug <3
Follow me here at HereosofTheiaOfficial to keep tabs on the giveaway/ if you’re interested in the upcoming “Author’s Additions” where I’ll post side/stand-alone stories that go along with “Beyon” coming this fall.
This giveaway ends Friday, October 7th, 2016 at 12AM EST, winners will be sent notification Saturday, October 8th!
Bless!
Giveaway closed!
Thanks so much to everyone who participated! I really, truly appreciate it! Winners have been notified as of yesterday!💜
LGBT E-BOOK GIVEAWAY
From the Heroes of Theia universe. Welcome to Beyon, the epitome of wealth and beauty, full of magic and mystery. In the time of the Orc Wars Beyon seeks to join the Centorian Empire. Princess Chelsea, beloved of Beyon, must make a choice between tradition and progress. But with assassins, thieves, and obscure riddles from the gods, the line between friend and foe, love and indifference becomes blurred. It’s a good thing for the Princess that a certain Centorian Lady has always had a knack for the straightforward.
Hey! My name is T.R. Galyean, author of Heroes of Theia. This summer I published a LGBT romance, fantasy/action-adventure, entitled “Beyon: A Love Like Immeasurable Heaven”, available on Amazon! I’m giving away 10 free Kindle downloads of “Beyon”, winners will be selected using a sort of “throwing names into a hat” system. By this I mean you can enter to win multiple times–the more entries you have the higher chance you have at your name being one of the ten selected. Entries are allotted as follows:
Liking this post = 1 entry
Reblogging this post = 2 entries/per your personal reblog.
If you follow up your Like or Reblog with a follow = 5 entries and a great big internet hug <3
Follow me here at HereosofTheiaOfficial to keep tabs on the giveaway/ if you’re interested in the upcoming “Author’s Additions” where I’ll post side/stand-alone stories that go along with “Beyon” coming this fall.
This giveaway ends Friday, October 7th, 2016 at 12AM EST, winners will be sent notification Saturday, October 8th!
Bless!
LGBT E-BOOK GIVEAWAY
From the Heroes of Theia universe. Welcome to Beyon, the epitome of wealth and beauty, full of magic and mystery. In the time of the Orc Wars Beyon seeks to join the Centorian Empire. Princess Chelsea, beloved of Beyon, must make a choice between tradition and progress. But with assassins, thieves, and obscure riddles from the gods, the line between friend and foe, love and indifference becomes blurred. It's a good thing for the Princess that a certain Centorian Lady has always had a knack for the straightforward.
Hey! My name is T.R. Galyean, author of Heroes of Theia. This summer I published a LGBT romance, fantasy/action-adventure, entitled “Beyon: A Love Like Immeasurable Heaven”, available on Amazon! I’m giving away 10 free Kindle downloads of “Beyon”, winners will be selected using a sort of “throwing names into a hat” system. By this I mean you can enter to win multiple times--the more entries you have the higher chance you have at your name being one of the ten selected. Entries are allotted as follows:
Liking this post = 1 entry
Reblogging this post = 2 entries/per your personal reblog.
If you follow up your Like or Reblog with a follow = 5 entries and a great big internet hug <3
Follow me here at HereosofTheiaOfficial to keep tabs on the giveaway/ if you’re interested in the upcoming “Author’s Additions” where I’ll post side/stand-alone stories that go along with “Beyon” coming this fall.
This giveaway ends Friday, October 7th, 2016 at 12AM EST, winners will be sent notification Saturday, October 8th!
Bless!
From the Heroes of Theia universe. Welcome to Beyon, the epitome of wealth and beauty, full of magic and mystery. In the time of the Orc Wars Beyon seeks to join the Centorian Empire. Princess Chelsea, beloved of Beyon, must make a choice between tradition and progress. But with assassins, thieves, and obscure riddles from the gods, the line between friend and foe, love and indifference becomes blurred. It's a good thing for the Princess that a certain Centorian Lady has always had a knack for the straightforward.
A new Fantasy/Action-Adventure LGBT romance by T.R. Galyean
Available on Amazon Kindle for $1.99
From the Heroes of Theia universe. Welcome to Beyon, the epitome of wealth and beauty, full of magic and mystery. In the time of the Orc Wars Beyon seeks to join the Centorian Empire. Princess Chelsea, beloved of Beyon, must make a choice between tradition and progress. But with assassins, thieves, and obscure riddles from the gods, the line between friend and foe, love and indifference becomes blurred. It's a good thing for the Princess that a certain Centorian Lady has always had a knack for the straightforward.
Found Here
Coming soon...
The Witch Across the Lane
By T.R. Galyean
It was hard, a family from Beyon moving to live in Centorian Atheria, in what felt like the other side of the world, but Barron Jean Illan was a wealthy distant cousin of Centorian. With Centorian having patched things up with the Mages, providing them the rights they so craved, and incorporating them so heavily in his own affairs, the Barron sought the greatest of Human Magical minds to create a faction of collegiate Mages in the hopes of forming a formal Temple—in brotherhood with the Temple found in the capital—in a central location closer to the homes of many Mages who would eventually be made to make the journey all the way to Varlden’s Kant. Mariana house Rainier was the foremost Human expert in Cryromany—Ice magic. So Mariana made the move, from Beyon to Atheria, with her husband and their children, despite the adjustments that would be made.
The first adjustment was their wardrobe. Centorian’s people didn’t follow any sort of dress code as Beyon held in such high esteem. While the Barron’s lands were not poor by any stretch of the imagination, even he dressed in a fashion most common when he came to greet them at their new home the day they arrived with their belongings from Beyon. Just a cotton tunic over leather pants; his boots were worn, their color fading. He shoved a great meaty fist into husband and wife’s hands in greeting, and was surprised when the Beyonian couple greeted him with a feather-light kiss to each cheek and their children, Serci and Emile curtseyed low and gracefully.
“Welcome, welcome!” Barron Illan said boisterously, recovering from his surprise, “It is indeed a pleasure to meet you all, though I must say ye needn’t have gone through such a fuss to meet with me,” he said, eyeing their clothing as the four were dressed in clothing befitting a ballroom gala, Mariana in bustle and corset, her husband Andre wearing a richly colored velvet doublet and silk trousers tailor made for their arrival to their new home. “It’s an honor to have you here, Centorian was most pleased to hear of your joining our Mages Guild—he informed me that he was most impressed with your recent research on Cryomantic spells cast while standing in the light of the full moon. Said to pass along his thanks—for it was with that knowledge his mages were able to settle a rather nasty dispute with some Orc skirmishers.”
“My pleasure to serve Centorian, of course,” Mariana said, curtsying slightly.
“A Guild member will fetch you tomorrow and show you around, introduce you to everyone,” Barron Illan explained, “’ere is the key to your home. Guards patrol at all hours of the day, and if ye have any troubles with the house, a local repairman lives just up the lane and said he’d be more than glad to assist ye for a modest fee…this house,” he said, gesturing to cottage, “it hasn’t been inhabited for quite some time. There may be some need of maintenance.”
“Thank you for the warning, we’ll keep an eye out for anything,” Andre said, “We shan’t keep you sir, we’ve no idea where anything is.” He gestured to the wagon laden with crates of their possessions. “Otherwise we’d gladly offer you a visit and an apéritif. Thank you for your kindness to our family.”
“Of course,” the Barron said, “if you need any assistance unpacking, neighbors are friendly around these parts just,” the Barron leaned forward and spoke lowly, “I wouldn’t trust the lady across the lane. She’s a Witch, you see, and while that’s right and fine she’s troublesome to say the least. You never know what she’ll take it in her head to do. Best to leave her be, yeah?” And then, loud enough for the children to hear, “good day to you all, may your new home bring you peace and happiness,” he wished to the family with a nod before taking his leave.
The family saw the Barron off, and then turned their attention to their home. The home they’d been told about in correspondence with the Barron’s steward. And had never seen before.
It was…another adjustment.
Honeyed Porridge, Honeyed Words
By T.R. Galyean
The early morning light peeked up over the horizon when a father went to wake his child. Shuffling into the little bedroom room, he sat on the edge of the bed and began to gently rub circles on the small boy’s back, coaxing him awake.
“Pay. It’s time to get up, buddy.”
Payton opened his eyes and nodded silently. He lay on his stomach, burrowing deeper into his covers as his father continued his soothing gesture.
“Can I sit with momma before school?” he finally asked quietly—timidly, as he thought about the previous day.
“She’s sleeping now, I’m sure it would be fine,” his father assured him before adding, by way of apology, “Yesterday was just a rough day for her, we knew it would be—the anniversary of Ana’s death will always be hard.”
Payton slowly nodded, not daring to speak past the tightness in his throat. He finally pushed out a sigh and sat up on his knees, stretching sleep from his limbs before climbing out of bed, bare feet padding against the hard-wood floor, following the scent of honeyed oatmeal.
He speedily ate his portion as his father covered the steaming pot to save the rest for later, though he didn’t take any for himself, and Payton didn’t question it—it didn’t even register with him as he gulped down a cool glass of milk before scurrying back to his room to change.
His father came into his room to use the mirror, just after Payton had finished tugging a clean shirt over his thick, unruly hair. Payton meticulously scrubbed his face and hands, and brushed his teeth while his father neatly shaved prickles of hair from his face.
Payton gingerly tip-toed to his mother’s room—formerly belonging to both his parents, but his father had for months now been sleeping on a cot in the kitchen—and opened the door with feather-light touch. The room was dark as the once light, shimmery curtains had been torn down and replaced with thick curtains of a dark, scratchy material that blocked out all light where they hung, securely shut. The only sound was that of his mother’s steady breathing as she slept on her stomach, face half-buried in her pillow. Payton carefully took a seat on a stool at his mother’s bedside, quietly watching, and waiting for the healer’s apprentice to come watch over his mother while he went to school and his father went to work in the smith.
His mother’s eyes slipped open, and Payton tensed up as she blinked, her gaze settling on him.
“Payton,” she breathed, tears pricking her eyes, and she sniffled, weakly raising a hand to wipe at her nose. “Oh Pay, baby, I’m sorry,” she stretched out a hand, and Payton relaxed, taking hold of it, rubbing circles on the back of his mother’s hand. A silent sob bubbled up from her throat as she squeezed his hand. “I was so mean, and here you are, taking good care of your momma. You’re such a good boy, mommy is so proud of you.”
“It’s okay momma, I’m not mad. I know…I know you just don’t feel good,” Payton promised.
His mother smiled. “You have school today, don’t you baby?” she asked.
Payton nodded. “Yeah,” he said, “I have to give a report on the founding of Arcadia—Sara and I painted a picture of the capitol building, it turned out really nice. Professor Jalen saw it and said it was beautiful, and I must get my artistic ability from you.”
“Professor Jalen is such a sweet old man, did you thank him?”
“Uh-huh,” Payton nodded. The front door to their house could be heard swinging shut, and two muffled voices—his father’s and the healer’s apprentice—filtered in from entryway.
“It sounds like Apprentice Laurna is here,” Payton said, squeezing his mother’s hand reassuringly.
But then, his mother’s entire demeanor flipped. Her warm, teary gaze turned so cold the tears froze where they were, her expression rigid, the hand in Payton’s hold was snatched away as she pulled it to her chest.
“Oh, her,” his mother hissed, turning to lay with her back to the door, to Payton. “Why is she even here? I told your father I’d be fine on my own for a day or two. He’s always here, you’re always here, she’s always here—I just need to be left alone!”
By the end she was shouting, and Payton was on his feet, unsure if he should just leave, or stay and soothe his mother.
There was a quiet rap at the door, and Payton opened it to see Apprentice Laurna and his father standing in wait. Laurna bobbed her head in silent greeting to the young boy, and his father sighed as he placed a hand on his son’s head—a reassuring gesture, another apology.
And it seemed there would be a third, as his mother hurriedly sat up in bed, and twisted around to face her son, tears streaking her face. “Pay. Pay, baby I didn’t mean you need to leave me alone—I didn’t mean like I said yesterday—I just meant it would be nice to have some time to myself. I always love spending time with you, with your father. I’m just…I’m just frustrated. I love you, baby, I do.”
Payton looked at the floor, not turning back around as he said, “I love you too momma. Feel better.”
His father stepped aside so his son could leave the room. Payton watched from the hall as his father kissed his mother on the forehead and wished her a good day.
As father and son left the house, they could hear Apprentice Laurna asking if she would like to have her breakfast at the table, instead of in bed, and just like every morning, the sickly woman offered her unsavory opinion on that.
The Old Ranger’s Cloak
By T.R. Galyean
The past few months in the field had been grueling for the four hundred Centorian soldiers, and the battle-rangers and scouts who cleared the path ahead of them the entire way across the expanse of Centorian’s empire, from Varlden’s Kant, heading to Kadrol’s Rise, which lay just on the border of the Banishment Lands, wiping out the Thralls that came as courtesy of the Drurhara—a curse inflicted upon the world by a deal made with the Kahn, which allowed him to take the people of Atheria for his Knostic armies, so long as he stayed on his side of the Mist.
But the endless Thralls, they were everywhere, growing stronger, with more numbers as the soldiers progressed south. Centorian’s warriors were growing weary. The streets were filled with ash from fallen Thralls, wooden posts and railings had fresh sword-inflicted nicks. Soldiers sat receiving medical attention from their Mages.
Drake sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose between finger and thumb; his head was pounding from the mix of exertion and lack of rest.
“Commander?”
Drake turned to look at the approaching Ranger, Antony, the dark-skinned Romani man assessing the blue-eyed Commander as he joined him.
“Everything cool here?” Antony asked.
“I’m fine,” Drake said, crossing his arms over his chest. “Where’re the others?”
“First squad and I finished our sweep of the town, Sam and Zander are giving the all-clear to the locals,” he said, “Jason’s got second squad, doing another sweep of the perimeter—some of those Thralls headed for the woods.”
“Good,” Drake said, nodding.
The Heist--Part Two
By T.R. Galyean
It was a slow afternoon in the Southern Shore Pub when Birfaiz entered, seeking his favorite seat, and a drink. There were few patrons, all sitting at the bar, except for one who sat at Birfaiz’s usual table, in the chair across from his chair. The haughty Elf sauntered through the small establishment and went to stand beside his seat, pleasantly surprised that his companion had already ordered for him.
Well, not ordered for, he realized, once he caught the scent of the exotic drink. He reached down and brought the drink to his lips.
“Aloha Spirit’s spiced rum, my favorite,” he said as he took a sip. “I didn’t realize Rollin expanded his menu to include Island Elf breweries.”
His tan skinned companion smirked at him from where she sat with her arms on the table, fingers laced together. Her brown eyes practically twinkled with mischief as she shrugged. “He didn’t. That’s a thank you.”
“Oh, really?” Birfaiz asked, taking his seat, crossing one leg over the other as he leaned back in his chair and nursed his drink.
“Yes,” the blonde woman said, leaning forward, a few of her braids spilling over her shoulders with the motion. She lowered her voice and said, “I hear the Goddesses’ Temple is closing for the week.”
Birfaiz quirked his lips into a pleased smile as he set his empty glass down, and the woman pulled a tall-necked brown bottle from off of the floor and set it on the table, refilling his drink before capping the bottle and sliding it across the table to him.
“Yes. It seems some impurities were found in their sacred spring,” he said.
“Convenient.”
“I thought so.”
“We’ll meet at the Temple tonight. Cullun will be providing us with an alibi.”
“Very good. I’ll be able to unlock the chamber, but you’ll have to already be in place—you’ll only have a short moment to do your part.”
“Don’t worry about that,” the Elvin woman said, “Unlock the chamber and then get out of there. I think you’ve spent more than enough time in prison. We’ll meet up at the spot when we’re done. If you get caught, stick to the story; last you heard I was with Cullun.”
“I’m hardly an armature, Cal,” Birfaiz scoffed, pouring himself another drink. “Just make sure you don’t get caught either. You’re already in deep with the Guard Captain.”
Cal smiled, and rose to her feet, speaking loud enough to be heard by the other pub’s patrons, “Cullun and I will see you tonight,” and then, quieter, “enjoy your meal.”
______________________________________________________________
Later that evening, the moon was beginning to drop in the sky, and the suns would rise in a matter of hours. Cal stood, leaning against a tree as she waited for Cullun. Birfaiz should be joining her soon, as he’d left the Temple before her to stop by the college and pick up a few things and told her to go on ahead once she’d finished retrieving the relic.
The Heist had been, all in all, a success. The guards had been quick to respond but Cal was resourceful, and with the relic obtained, all she had to do was wait for the others before crossing the Banishment lands.
“Captain’s got nothing at the College, let’s look through here.”
“She might have gone this way!”
Guards, Cal realized, and silently slipped further into the forest, away from the approaching voices.
Entering the Banishment Lands alone.
Click Here for The Heist--Part One
This post is a piece of backstory of the character, Cal, from the fantasy, action-adventure novel “Heroes of Theia” by T.R. Galyean, available for digital download on Amazon.com.
Author’s Additions
Here is the Heroes of Theia Masterpost, which will be updated with all current and future blog posts.
The Dream Tags: Fantasy, Adventure TW: Fantasy Violence, Minor Language This is an introductory piece to acclimate new readers to the Heroes of Theia Universe.
The Heist--Part One Tags: Fantasy, Romance/Fluff. Relationship: Cal/Cullun TW: None Here we meet two of our Heroes of Theia characters. The morning of the big Heist is here, Cal and her beloved discuss their plans.
The Heist--Part Two Tags: Fantasy, Adventure, Friendship Cal&Birfaiz TW: Alcohol Cal and her best friend Birfaiz meet for drinks at a local pub. Plans are formed and carried out, when a minor complication occurs.
The Old Ranger’s Cloak Tags: Fantasy, Adventure, Friendship--Drake, Antony, Sam, Zander, Jason TW: Mentions of Fantasy Violence, Minor Language, Sexual Themes Here we meet yet another Heroes of Theia character. Commander Drake and his scouts save a town from a Thrall attack. People young and old learn some life lessons. Also, dealing with sibling rivalry is never fun.
Honeyed Porridge, Honeyed Words Tags: Fantasy, Family, Angst, Hurt/Comfort Character: Payton TW: Mental Illness, mentions of child death A glimpse of what life is like for Payton back in Arcadia, before the events at Kadrol’s Rise.
The Witch Across the Lane Tags: Fantasy, Family, Supernatural A family hailing from the lands of Beyon move deeper into the heart of the Centorian nation when their matriarch, the mage, Mariana of Rainier, is called to join an upstarting Mages Guild with designs on founding a new Mages college. Joined by her husband and their two children, the move does not go as smoothly as planned, the local Barron is selfish in his desires to boost his lands notoriety, and a strange Witch named Elva makes a disconcerting neighbor to the family of four.
The Heist--Part One
By T.R. Galyean
Cal stretched and groaned as she rolled over in bed, sunlight streaming through the window beamed right into her eyes, eliciting a soft curse to cross her lips as she sat up, pulling up the fallen sleeve of the white linen shirt she wore.
The Elvin woman blinked and stared blearily around the room as she rubbed sleep from her eyes, before her gaze fell on the shirtless man sitting beside her, his back to her, feet touching the floor, elbows on knees, his fingers laced together before him.
“Did you sleep any, vanýen?” she asked.
The Elvin man chuckled mirthlessly. “No, not really.”
Cal scooted over to be behind him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, resting her head in the crook of his neck as she gently pressed a kiss to his jaw. Her fingers traced over the silver scars of her beloved’s chest—lines, like lightning bolts, that went up one arm, to stop at the flesh just above his heart, only to start on the other side of his chest, and cross over his shoulder and down the other arm, stopping just below his elbow.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“It’s not your fault,” he said, forcing a smile as he joked tiredly, “You can’t help it that you snore like an Orc.”
Cal’s eyes widened and she smiled, giggling as she reproached him, “Cullun! I do not!” she insisted, sitting up straighter to kiss the back of his head before ruffling his thick dark curls.
Cullun smiled, genuinely this time. “So, you and Birfaiz are meeting later?”
“Yeah,” Cal said, “we’re meeting at the pub to discuss the plan. We hit the Temple tonight.”
“You’re going to discuss your plan to steal a relic from the Goddesses’ temple in the middle of a pub?”
Cal smirked, resting her chin atop his head. “No, we’re going to publicly display me reuniting with our best friend to celebrate his recent release from prison.” She chuckled. “We’ll have a few drinks, discreetly pan-out the details, and everyone will hear us talk about the three of us meeting up tonight,” she paused. “You sure you’ll be okay without us?”
“I’d rather do this alone, and it provides the perfect alibi for the two of you,” Cullun said, sighing. “I understand that you have to do this. We can’t move forward until you get the weapon. Wait for me at the spot, okay? Don’t return to the Banishment Lands alone. Please.”
“Worried?” Cal asked softly.
“You have no idea,” Cullun admitted, grunting as he lumbered to his feet and Cal’s arms slipped from his shoulder. The tawny skinned woman sat back with legs curled beneath her, as she watched her beloved cross the room, looking for something. “Have you seen my shirt?” he asked.
Licking her lips, Cal cleared her throat to get his attention as she flipped a few of her blonde braids over her shoulders. Her brown eyes twinkled with amusement when the male Elf turned to look at her; first at her smile, and then he noticed what she was wearing.
“Oh. Yeah. Any chance I’ll be getting that back?” he asked.
Cal shook her head. “Not a one.”
Cullun shrugged as he went to the bed with a casual stride, and wrapped his arms around Cal’s waist. “That’s just fine with me.”
Click Here to read The Heist--Part Two
This post is a piece of backstory of the characters, Cal and Cullun, from the fantasy, action-adventure novel “Heroes of Theia” by T.R. Galyean, available for digital download on Amazon.com.
The Dream
By T.R. Galyean
The Dream
At break of dawn, a woman, cloaked in a shield of lingering night, stepped out into the pale gray-pink of the early morning sky. She stood upon a high balcony, the oncoming sunlight made the white silks she had wrapped around herself shimmer; the ocean air caused them to billow out from behind her frame with the sound of Mermaids laughing in the waters below. A Dove feather lay luminescent in the backdrop of her dark hands.
“Heroes of Theia, Awaken,” she whispered as she sent a pulse of magic through her hands and into the feather, setting the feather aflame.
The feather became a living Dove, which sprung into flight, marking a journey that had yet to begin.
The Dove circled around the Oracle’s Tower—the Eye of Theia—flying high above her Island, over the caves and pastures inhabited by the many Harpies that protect the cluster of islands upon the inland sea. The Dove flew away from the Island, transforming into a Seagull as her wings met the harsh sea-winds which allowed her to coast above the water.
She landed on a large rock that lay within view of one of the smaller islands. She looked closely at the water and could see the outlines of a few translucent Mermaids as they played beneath the water’s surface. One shot into the air, her hair and skin taking color as it met the surface and she flipped back into the sea returning to her translucent form, heading in the direction of the rock where the Seagull sat in wait.
The Mermaid breached the surface, her face and upper body taking color while her lower half, still submerged, remained translucent. She flipped her thick, dark hair over her shoulder and out of her face and lay her arms upon the rock, resting her chin on her wrists.
“Your Mistress has sent you—has she not?” she asked.
The Seagull bobbed her head in reply.
“Very well, just a moment.” The Mermaid dropped down beneath the water swimming deep into its depths before coming up once more, this time bearing a large purple box adorned in pearls and intricate designs made of sand. “All of the materials she requires are here.”
A crystal around the Seagull’s neck began to glow, and the box glowed as well before it vanished into light that was absorbed by the crystal.
“Give your Mistress my regards,” the Mermaid said before taking her leave and diving into the water.
The Seagull flew from the rock, heading south toward the great mountains that formed a circle around the inland sea—the Impassables.
Well. Not quite Impassable, if you could fly high enough.
The air, however was starting to thin, and before long the Seagull had to change her form, into that of a great Haste Eagle. She headed for a large cave, far higher than any man could reach on foot or steed alone. This cave was just big enough for her to fly through, the wind pushing her, helping her to glide straight through the cave quickly, and she shot out the other side within mere minutes, heading to Veteria, the land of the Elves.
The Eagle soon entered Veteria. She flew high over the marble buildings and straight to the palace. The Elvin palace gleamed with rays of colored light as the bright morning sun shined upon it.
The Eagle perched upon the banister of a balcony that branched off of one of the large towers. On the balcony an Elvin couple stood holding each other; the man’s hands on the woman’s waist, the woman’s hands lay on his shoulders, her head back so they could look into each other’s eyes as their painter instructed. However, the man and woman could not stop laughing at each other as they'd turned their portrait pose into a competition—each staring intensely into the others’ eyes in a standoff of wills, making each other laugh and occasionally ending in a "Stop!", "No, you stop!" dispute. This of course was much to the painter’s frustration.
“Your Majesties, would you please just hold still?” he asked for the umpteenth time as he gave them a reproachful glare over his easel."This is so much easier when they do not marry for love,” the painter said, exasperated with the young couple’s mirth.
“Oh Leo, look!” The woman turned away from her betrothed, only to rest her back against his chest as she pointed. “Isn’t she beautiful?”
A crystal worn around the Eagle’s neck began to glow. The ring on the woman’s raised index finger and the medallion her beloved was wearing began to glow as well.
The man laughed heartily before gesturing to the bird. “Yes, Reina, she’s a majestic creature isn't she? Add her to the painting!” he said jovially, looking at the painter who looked up at the Eagle, but seemed wholly unimpressed, and he huffed in frustration as he continued his work. Reina and Leo shared a look before he winked at her in reassurance. Reina smiled and nodded to the Eagle in farewell.
The Eagle nodded her great head to the young couple before she sprang from the banister, into the mid-morning breeze.
The Eagle flew across the meadow that lay between Elvin lands and the hidden Faerie-Realm of Rua. She traveled through the thick forests, coming to land atop the portal that led to the Faerie World. On one of the short steps that led to the portal platform sat a Grover—a species of four-inch-tall men who protect the realm of Faeries. The Grover rose as the Eagle landed.
“Good morning friend,” the Grover said as he bowed. “With the Blooming Season in full swing, things have been rather hectic. Ahh, but never fear, I was able to complete your Mistress’s order.”
The crystal around the bird's neck glowed and a crystal in a golden circlet the Grover held in an outstretched hand glowed in kind. The circlet disappeared, vanishing into the Eagle's crystal.
“I wish I could be of more help," the Grover said, "but I believe the Dwarf, Nasir, will be of great use to you.”
The Eagle bobbed her head in reply before taking flight.
The Eagle flew away from Rua and to the Kingdom of Vatra, a land as dangerous as its inhabitants—a deadly mix of Vampires and Werewolves; all ruled by the Firebloods. In its midst stood a single Druid Monastery.
The Eagle made her descent into the courtyard of the Monastery, where a Dwarven Monk sat in meditation, the Eagle landed on a tree stump in front of him.
A ring on the Dwarf’s hand began to glow.
“Ahhh,” he said, as he opened his eyes. “I see what needs done.” The Dwarf rose to his feet.
“Nasir!” a loud, angry voice bellowed from the Monastery.
A taller, broad-shouldered Dwarf emerged, clad in only a loincloth, arms crossed over his bare chest as he stood at the top of the stone steps, looking down at the Monk.
“Van,” the monk said to the other Dwarf.
“Do we have business or not?” Van snapped.
“Of course, of course; have you completed the Rites?” Nasir asked.
“I've been through your ‘Cleansing Rites’ and I’ve had enough Religion. I didn’t come here to kick spiders.” Van glared at Nasir.
“Patience my good man. Our friend here has brought yet another piece of the puzzle—you will understand your purpose here after I’m finished with her,” he said, gesturing to the large Eagle. “Go inside and prepare—I assure you, you will be departing shortly.”
Van grumbled to himself and stalked back into the Monastery.
“Wait here,” Nasir said to the Eagle. He quickly entered the Monastery and a moment later, a large window to Nasir’s office opened in the second story of the Monastery and Nasir waved down at the Eagle.
The Eagle flew up to perch on the strong branch of the tall oak tree that stood just before the open window, and it was from there the Eagle watched and waited for Nasir’s work to be done. The Dwarf began to scurry from bookshelf to bookshelf, pulling out scrolls, bits of paper, and books from them. He ran to his desk and set some things down and then back around the room to put some things back where he'd gotten them, while some things he dropped to the floor in abandon.
Finally, he pulled out a fresh, untouched scroll. He began jotting down thought after thought, vital pieces of information, anything that could be of use.
At last he dropped his quill and rolled up his work.
The Eagle stood at attention as the Dwarf crossed the room to reach her, holding out the scroll to her through the open window. The crystal around the Eagle's neck began to glow and the scroll vanished into a light that floated into the crystal.
“Take that to Roderick, he’ll know what goes next.” After a pause he added, “Eagles aren’t common in the skies where you’re headed—and your size alone will attract unwanted attention. Sparrows, however, are migrating that way this time of year.”
The Eagle took off and transformed into a Sparrow in mid-flight, heading to the Dwarven lands called Borros.
The Sparrow flew until the sun was setting over the Dwarven Capital of Sparbossa, coming to land on the windowsill of a large Dwarven home. She pecked at the window, but no answer came. She feared she’d come to the wrong place.
“Why hello little friend,” said a voice from above the Sparrow’s head.
The Sparrow looked up to see a rosy-cheeked Dwarf standing in the now opened window.
“Do you have something for me?” the Dwarf, Roderick, asked.
The Sparrow nodded, hopping into Roderick’s hand. The Dwarf took her into a small workshop within the home. The Sparrow perched on a high stool. Roderick grabbed a hammer from a side table and walked over to his workbench. A crystal embedded in the hammer’s handle glowed and the Dwarf nodded and began his work.
The Sparrow’s eyes began to grow heavy as she watched Roderick work. She fell asleep to the sound of light hammering and the clinking of glass.
When the Sparrow awoke, the Dwarf was standing there, looking down at her.
“Ahh, it is about time you woke little friend. I hope you've rested enough. Your journey must now continue into the night,” the Dwarf said. His expression grew solemn. “I have already relayed the information she requires to your crystal. Take it to Zanost, he knows what to do. If there is anything else needed, your mistress knows where to find me.”
The Sparrow nodded, and the Dwarf led her to an open window where she took off, becoming an Owl as she met the night sky.
The Owl flew in peace for a while, joining in the flight of other owls. The sounds of the other night-creatures echoed through the air as they flew. It was when all noise and companionship stopped that the Owl became uneasy. She looked down and saw why no other creature dared to fly near her.
The Mist, a place of torment where many souls of the dead reside.
As the Owl flew over-head, she could see a small fleet of Gorgon ships racing to get away from the Mist. Arms and hands were reaching out from the Mist, trying to grab hold of the ships and pull them in. The Gorgons—Humans that are Orc-like in size and strength—were towering over their Cirkin slaves. Whips came down harder to quicken the pace at which they were rowing the large ships. With each strike of the whip and row of oar the Cirkins changed form. They are beast-Humanoid creatures who can hold the appearance of a Human, and transform into an animal-Human Hybrid with the ease one has with breathing.
The Cirkins rowed hard and strong, but still, the arms of the Mist caught one of the ships and pulled it in. Yet it was not the hands and arms they feared the most, but what lay beyond the Mist, what the Mist kept at bay. Knostics: the Kahn and his legion of Death Knights who vowed to bring forth The Most Terrible Thing to devour the world in blood and fire.
Finally the Owl passed over the dreaded Mist and found herself in the land of the Orcs, entering the capital city of Warwick. Flying high above the stone and copper plated buildings to the castle, the Owl entered one of the tall towers through an open window. She flew straight into a laboratory where the Orc Alchemist, Zanost, was busy at his work table.
The Owl’s crystal began to glow as she perched herself on the back of a chair, a faint light coming from somewhere in front of the Orc.
Zanost grumbled, “Fickle woman…” and, “…Elvin witchery…”, and even at one point “…needs more Cowbell”, as he kept working, mixing, writing, reading, and mixing some more. Zanost turned after a few hours of his working; cursing, and grumbling.
“Here, this should be what that woman wants,” he said. The vial in his outstretched hand began to glow along with the crystal around the Owl’s neck, the vial disappearing into the crystal.
“Now, if you’re done here, leave. I got things to do,” Zanost said, turning away from the bird. He shouted as to be heard in another room, “Xzisirus, get off your ass! We have business.”
The Owl flew from the laboratory, back into the night sky, and became a Raven as it was nearing daylight.
Her next destination took her over the land of the Humans. She came across a Murder of crows, and decided it was best to blend in, and so the Raven joined them.
The Murder soon came upon the Human capital of Varlden's Kant. A man below was being chased down a busy street by a pack of guards. The group was so large it seemed the man had gotten into trouble during shift changes. The man raced down the street, turning into an alleyway. The Raven cawed at him as she flew overhead.
“I don’t have time for this!” the man snapped at the Raven. He ran down the alley that led to a large lumber yard behind a carpenter’s workshop.
The Murder perched atop the wooden fence surrounding the lumber yard; the gate was open. However, just as the man was reaching it, the Raven cawed again, and the gate slammed shut.
“Damn it!” the man shouted, kicking the gate, pounding on it with his fists, but it wouldn’t budge. “Do we really have to do this now?”
The Raven cawed again as the group of guards rushed through the alleyway, coming to stand like a wall behind the man.
“Stop!” a young guard shouted at him, though his voice wavered and the hand holding his flintlock pistol shook as he aimed at the man.
The Raven cawed again, and the crystal around her neck lit up; the crystal in the man’s bracer began to glow as well.
“Magic!” a guard shouted. The guards panicked, and began firing their weapons at the man. The man dropped to his knees as a mixture of crossbows and pistols fired at him, hitting their mark.
But the man appeared uninjured.
“Oh gods,” murmured a guard.
“Reload!” shouted another in panic.
The man chuckled humorously. “Let me help you with that.” He rose to his feet, turning towards the guards with hands outstretched.
All of the bullets and bolts he'd absorbed blasted forth from his hands at once, the guards dropping lifeless to the ground in unison.
The man looked at the bird. “I was only running to spare their lives. Whatever your Mistress is looking for, it had better be worth it,” he sighed, rubbing at his forehead as if to squeeze a headache away. “The place she seeks, I know where it is.”
The crystal in the man’s wrist band glowed, and the crystal around the Raven’s neck glowed.
The Raven nodded at the man, and then cawed at the gate, which swung open. The man bowed to the Raven and ran through the gate before more guards could come.
The Raven took off again and quickened her pace as she entered the Banishment Lands. She wanted to spend as little time as possible in this dangerous place.
Mistress? The Raven called out in her mind, The mission is a success. I’ve gathered everything you require.
Good, her Mistress’s voice soothed, return to me at once.
The Raven was struck hard and fast by something that sent pain rippling through her form. She began falling from the sky. A feeling of dread and torment filled her as her body screamed in the need to take flight and return to her Mistress. She could not fail!
Her body hit the ground with a lonely thump. Waves of energy rippled out from around her impact—those waves collapsed back in on themselves, sending a single, white Dove's feather floating into the air.
And then the Dream changed.
