Elusive Enchantments (3 complete short stories)

By Alain Gomez

Sometimes the romance is simply in the elusive fantasy. "Elusive Enchantements" is a collection containing three complete short stories:

Shabti - The son of a poor merchant, Harry Peterson has his eye on finding wealth in the Valley of the Kings. In the midst of desperately sacking tomb after tomb, Harry encounters a woman who seems to be as mysterious as she is beautiful.

The Sacrifice - Set during the Spanish Civil War. The Captain of a naval vessel is sent away on a secret mission to destroy an enemy fort. Before he leaves, his fiancée begs him not to go. But he tells her he would give his life to protect Spain....

Forbidden Instinct - A childhood friendship blossoms into romance for Isa Ro'si and Alec Thompson. A human orphan living in an elfin town, Alec leaves Isa to become a soldier in the hopes that he may become a worthy suitor. Isa's father, however, seems to have different plans for her future...

Short Story Collection, approx. 10,000 words

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alain Gomez
• Release date: Sep 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465809674

Alain Gomez

Alain Gomez lives in San Diego and has been writing since she was sixteen. She works in the field of music but has continued to pursue her passion for writing as an independent author. Though she generally sticks to writing shorter stories, Alain enjoys experimenting with a variety of genres including romance and thrillers.

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Elusive Enchantments

By Alain Gomez

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Published by Alain Gomez at Smashwords

Copyright 2010 Alain Gomez

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Shabti

Journal of Harry Peterson

June 30, 1890

It’s hot here. Hotter than I expected. The travel posters of Egypt in the London train station make this place appear romantic. That was the last thing that came to mind when I stepped off the boat. My first impulse was to go back to England. But I set my resolve.

I must make this trip count. I must make my fortune. When I return home I will be a famous explorer. A rich, famous explorer. I will no longer just be the poor son of a poor merchant destined to work forever in his father’s shop.

July 6, 1890

This place is barbaric. I’m at a loss as to why the English even bothered to come here in the first place. Surely we have better sense than this.

Travel here is slow. The few marked roads they have are often blocked by enormous herds of sheep and goats. It has taken me nearly a week to travel to the place they call The Valley of the Kings. Kings! Kings of what? Sand? Dirt?

It looks as if there are other explorers camped around this Valley of the Kings. A few of them said they prefer to be called archaeologists.

Tonight I set up my own camp. I’ll look for workers on the ‘morrow.

July 7, 1890

It was easier hiring help than I expected. It seems the natives know about the excavations that happen in this area and they wander from camp to camp looking for work.

I hired a foreman and five diggers. The foreman was no more qualified than the other diggers but he spoke broken English. I needed a translator.

I told my foreman I was looking for precious metals and gems. I promised him a percentage of whatever we found. He did not seem very impressed at the prospect of earning a fortune but was willing enough. Does he not value wealth and comfort?

We spent a few hours today going over a map one of the workers brought. Many of the tombs had already been opened up but my foreman seems to feel that there are many more left to be discovered.

We shall see.

July 8, 1890

Today was a complete waste.