Through Anguish

By Catrina Taylor

Zaren Rixx is a man in turmoil. He's lost his wife and child and yearns to join them in the afterlife. With pain as his guide, he refuses to accept that his family is no more. In his mind, he has nothing worth living for and strives to cease his existence, much to the chagrin of those within the village.

He struggles with his insecurities, unable to accept the lot that life has dealt him. His loved ones do their best to bring him out of his slumber, yet his stubbornness refuses to give up its claim upon his melancholy. He has no wish to deal with the world outside.

When given a task for the village, he is stirred to re-examine the foundation of his own hearts. He finds his desire to serve again and soon Zaren realizes there is more to life than the pain he has lived with for so long. With war on the horizon, he knows he'll need to become the warrior he once was. To do that, he'll need to let go of the world he knew. Forced to make a decision that will forever change him, Zaren's only hope lies in holding fast to the memories and love found deep within himself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: InExhaustibleMedia
• Release date: Sep 8, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301921911

Catrina Taylor

A unique author with a passion for her family, Catrina Taylor is in love with the written word. As an avid reader she finds her mind enjoys the worlds created uniquely in Fantasy, Science Fiction and various crossover genre. As an author, she most often plays in a universe of her own creation.Introducing us to the imaginary world of Xarrok, she has hooked readers, waiting to see where her imagination takes us next.When she is not playing in the universe of her mind, she is playing with her children who she encourages to follow her passion for words, and excel in every area they show interest. In fact, this talented word smith finds that life through their eyes is a constant lesson in self discovery, happiness and curiosity.Inspired by her everyday world of family, infused with an unquenched curiosity, and gifted with the ability to take us to places we could never have imagined, Catrina Taylor is an authour who promises to keep you fully immersed in a world of wonder and intrigue, waiting for more.Engage other readers here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/Xarrok/

Book preview

Through Anguish

by Catrina Taylor

Published by The Writing Network

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 Catrina Taylor

http://Xarrok.com

All Rights Reserved

Cover Designed by The Writing Network

License Statement

This ebook is intended for your enjoyment. The story within is entirely fictional and any resemblance to events outside the confines of this book are purely coincidental. This book may not be resold, or copied in any manner (digital or otherwise) without consent of the publisher, author or their representative. If you would like to share this book with another individual, you are requested to purchase an additional copy for that reader. If you would like to purchase either a gift copy or a copy for yourself, please visit your favorite online retailer.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

Xarrokian Titles

Xenonian Origins Series

Below the Surface

Change by Design

Mind Tricks

Through Anguish

Birth of an Empire

The Beginning

Consequences coming fall 2012

Glimpses

Memories of Hel

The first rays of light breached the blanket of darkness along the horizon, barely trickling into view through the thick of the trees.

A dark form stood against the backdrop of the funeral pyres. The sunlight barely peeked through the forest. The fire had long died down, and his village retired, but he was unable to bring himself from the place he stood. Many had tried, but his loss was great. He mourned, and he broke and inside he died. There was no anger at the people who took them from him. There was no pain at the loss, just emptiness and void. He was no longer the man he had aspired and worked to become. He was no longer husband, no longer father. He was just empty.

Many in the village had kept him from performing the Ryktr. The right to join a loved one in death and peace. The right to pass the body onto the ground that fed them, and into the circle. Most told him it was a right reserved for the aged, and those of long lives together. Long lives together were not afforded him and his bride, nor his only child, his son.

As the wood shifted and the ashes fell upon the ground, a wind blew gently, carrying the last of what remained into the sky and into the woods that were once their play place. With every passing moment, he watched. His mind wandered back to the image of his wife’s body upon the burial pyre holding their son’s body close. All that was left was the burnt wood. Finally, as if it were planned, Zaren felt himself ache.

He ached for the time he would not have. He ached that his wife died defending their son, and that they both lost. He ached that everything good about himself died with them. He ached that he was not with them to fight the intruder, and that he was not able to join them in the great circle, yet. He yearned to breathe with her again, and to climb the trees with him once more.

A pale hand touched his dark shoulder.