The Changing Stone

By Robin Peatfield

The Celts. The mere whisper of their name conjures up images of a mystical time.
A culture of art, poetry, and magic, their legacy remains rooted in our history - from Vercingetorix and Boudica, to the legends of King Arthur and Merlin.
What remains today is mostly myth and folklore-but maybe not all of the Celtic traditions and way of life have disappeared...

When two college students in modern day New York discover an old stone relic, it changes their very existence. The stone was created by the ancient Druids to protect the Celtic people - it's power drawn from the inner soul of the stone's keeper.

Tom is fascinated by the ancient markings on either side of the stone and becomes obsessed with finding out what they mean. Soon he is able to decipher one side of the stone but the other side of the stone is not so easy to translate, one word can be read, it says "Beware."
When he accidently discovers the power of the stone he decides it is too dangerous to use again - at least not until he has figured out the rest of the translation.

Having tasted the power of the stone, Steve is not so convinced they should wait. He is like a junkie, desperate to try out the stone one more time. Eventually, he can contain himself no longer and uses the stone to unleash it's power. Tom is unaware of what Steve has done.

Tom enlists the help of Isobelle, a French exchange student with expertise in ancient languages. Together, they work on translating the rest of the warning and soon they are able to decipher the final words - to reveal a deadly warning.

For Steve, the power of the stone has become intoxicating and he sets off on a murderous rampage. Tom and Isobelle follow Steve's gruesome trail but they are too late.

Before the night ends, the stone's deadly warning catches up with Steve.

Supported by two gun crazed cops and a slice of "Jerry Springer," the plot is a classic horror story - with a fine blend of dark humor and wit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robin Peatfield
• Release date: Dec 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301378616

Book preview

The

Changing

Stone

Robin Peatfield

Copyright 2012 Robin Peatfield

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author of this book.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead is purely coincidental. Any actual places, products or events mentioned are used in a purely fictitious manner..

Warning, this book contains Graphic Violence, Adult Content, and Strong Language.

Published by Robin Peatfield at Smashwords.

Also By Robin Peatfield

The Peasant King

Contents

~ ~

Prologue – The Celts

The Final Battle

The Beginning

The Olde Curiosity Shoppe

Tom and Steve

Isobelle

The Change

Love and Desire

Unleashed

New York’s Finest

The Warning

A Change For the Worse

The Wind of Change

I Believe

Epilogue

~ ~

Prologue – The Celts

~ ~

The Celts, the mere whisper of their name conjures up images of a mystical time. A culture of art, poetry, and magic, their legacy remains rooted in our history—from Vercingetorix and Boudicca, to the legends of King Arthur and Merlin.

Although they dominated Europe for more than a thousand years, there was no single Celtic nation, just dozens upon dozens of individual, independent tribes and clans that shared religious practices, laws, culture, and language.

The Celtic warrior aristocracy class brought forth the age of Knights and Chivalry. Their intellectual class gave us the mysterious Druids—the high priests that led the ritual ceremonies and performed magic, building a philosophy of the natural world and interpreting the forces of nature.

Then the Romans came. Their endless numbers and superior organization proved to be irresistible. By 50BC they had subdued the Celts living in mainland Europe. A few small pockets of resistance remained in Gaul—a region roughly equivalent to modern day France—but these too would eventually be crushed.

The Romans would then focus their attention on the land across the sea, towards Britain.

Two thousand years later, the influence of the Celts and the Romans still remain.

The Final Battle

~ ~

~ Gaul, 50BC ~

At the western edge of Gaul, close to the ocean, the small village of Gergovium was the last refuge for resistance fighters. Barely a hundred men—and even fewer women and children, were housed in thatched mud huts. Not much of a resistance force, but they were proud and determined to remain free.

It was just after dawn when the sound of a heavy bell rang out and a woman screamed, Romans.

Women and children began to run in all directions, panic stricken.

Amidst the consternation, a man emerged from a hut, still dressing himself. He was an impressive sight, six feet tall with a body of steel. Thick, long red hair rested on his massive shoulders as he walked calmly through the village. He was the King. Several warriors joined him as he made his way through the maze of mud huts. No one spoke.

A returning scout suddenly appeared and ran across the village, approaching the small band of warriors. He stopped in front of the King, panting, out of breath.

Well? asked the King.

My lord, they have found us, said the scout, still breathing heavily.

How many? replied the King.

The scout was apprehensive, I counted more than three thousand.

Three thousand, are you sure? replied one of the warriors, shocked by the number.

The King held up his hand, No matter, he said, Gather the men, and find Dionerix.

A few of the warriors ran off in different directions, following the King's instructions. The King continued to walk, weaving his way through the myriad of mud huts and panic stricken women and children, seemingly heading towards one particular hut.

As the King and his entourage approached, a curious looking old man came out to greet him. The old man was a distinguished looking man, well over seventy years old. He had a long white beard that stretched down the front of his white robe. In his hand, he carried a large wooden staff. He was the oldest and wisest of all the Druids.

Ah, there you are, said the King as he drew near. He placed his hands on the old man’s shoulders and greeted him warmly, Dionerix my old friend, I need your wise council.

Dionerix and the King walked together, towards the edge of the village.

I need the magic you promised, the King continued.

I'm afraid it's not ready Sire, replied Dionerix, he sounded disappointed.

I need it now, said the King again, a hint of desperation was in his voice.

Dionerix stopped. It takes time, I cannot control the force of nature or the beast within, all I can do is to harness the powers that be. It is incomplete, I'm not sure if it will work, or if you can come back from the change, he said.

The King paused, he looked straight at Dionerix, We have no choice...

He was interrupted by one of the warriors, My Lord, the men are ready. The man glanced over towards a collection of brave men gathered at the edge of the village.

The King nodded in acknowledgment and walked towards the gathering. A few moments later he stopped in front of the men and stepped up onto a bale of hay. Brothers, he said as he raised his arms.

The warriors became silent and congregated around the King. After a small pause, the King began his speech, We have fought many glorious battles against the Romans. We have fought courageously; many of our brothers have fallen...

Aye, shouted a few men, interrupting the King’s speech.

Yes. Brothers, I am proud to call each and every one of you brother. We have fought together, knowing we would be victorious. And we have...

The King was interrupted again by a few cheers. He raised his hands and the warriors became silent once more. But this time, we cannot win. The winds of change are sweeping across our land.

The King paused as the warriors stood silent, not sure they had heard him correctly. Many looked dejected.

This time, there are too many—and we are so few he continued.

But what can we do, we have no choice. We have to fight, shouted one of the men.

The King looked at the man; his reply was solemn and grave. They will kill us all, and the women and children. As your King, I cannot let that happen.

If we surrender they will kill us anyway, replied the man.

Yes that is true, that’s why I need twenty brave men to stay with me. We will hold the Romans long enough for the rest to get the women and children away to safety.

It's not possible, you cannot hold off that many for more than a few minutes, another man called out. There was a murmuring of agreement amongst the group.

The King held up his arms again. We can, with the power that Dionerix gives us, he shouted, quieting the crowd. From the great stone circle across the sea, where the strongest and most powerful of all our holy men gather, Dionerix has created the power to save our families.

Then let us all stay and fight, a man shouted.

Aye, echoed around the group.

The King slowly shook his head sideways, Even with the power that Dionerix gives us, a hundred men is no match against the vast army before us. But a few can hold them back long enough for the rest to escape, replied the King. He raised an arm and clenched his fist, Now, who's with me?

All of the King's men stepped forward in unison, he was overwhelmed with volunteers. It was going to be a difficult decision to choose twenty from such a brave group of men.

The King carefully selected the best warriors that did not have a family; there must be no widows, and no children without a father to protect them.

After a few minutes, the King had selected his twenty men. He led Dionerix and the men into a large communal hut, the only one in the village large enough to accommodate them all. The remaining warriors looked on; waiting anxiously to see what was going to happen.

Moments later, a faint green light flashed through the cracks in the hut, followed by a ghastly, terrified scream. Then another flash of green light and another ghastly scream. The cycle of green light and screaming was repeated again and again until eventually there was silence. Not a complete silence however, there was just a faint sound of what appeared to be grunting and snorting, almost like wild animals were trapped inside the hut.

The remaining warriors looked on in horror at the hut, wondering what the terrible sounds could have been.

Shortly, Dionerix returned from the hut. You must all go now, he said.

What’s going on? What’s happening in there? one of the remaining warriors asked.

It’s better that you do not know. Only know your brothers will give you the time you need to make your escape. Remember them with honor, replied Dionerix.

Dionerix waved his arms, ushering everyone to leave, Go.

The remaining warriors rounded up the women and children and slowly headed out of the village.

Two young Druids remained behind, they were students of Dionerix.

Dionerix held out an object in his hand and offered it to one of the young Druids. Take the stone, he said.

Where? replied the young Druid.

Dionerix pointed after the fleeing tribe, Go with them, guide them to our brothers across the sea. Take this back to the holy circle of stones and seek the elders. He pressed the object into the hand of the young Druid.

But what about you? the other young Druid asked.

I am too old, I will never make it. I will just slow you down and get you all killed. I need you both to take care of the stone, guard it with your life, replied Dionerix.

Dionerix let go of the young Druid's hand, Now go, he said.

The two young Druids bowed their heads and turned away. They followed the tribe on their exodus—to Briton.

Once the village was clear, Dionerix returned to the hut and opened the door. With a chorus of ghastly screams, the rage was set upon the Romans.

The