Simian's Lair: A Tale From The Land of Verne

By David H. Burton

This 'Tale From the Land of Verne' is a children's short story that takes place in the world of the Grim Doyle Adventures. Enjoy reading about some of the characters you know from Scourge!

Four orphans from the land of Verne are lured into Simian's Lair - a dark abode whose purpose has been lost to the ravages of time. In it dwells an evil that must be cleansed, and from it, they must retrieve a secret that's been locked away for centuries. Join them, along with Madam Patrice and Master Rickett, on a journey where courage is found in the darkest of places.

Also includes the first chapter of Scourge: A Grim Doyle Adventure

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stonehenge Press
• Release date: Apr 17, 2011
• ISBN: 9780986594144

David H. Burton

Indie author, adoptive father of 3 boys, manager of chaos, science and technology geek, person of the queer persuasion, and purveyor of sacrilege.

Book preview

Simian’s Lair

A Tale From The Land of Verne

by David H. Burton

Published by: David H. Burton (Stonehenge Press) – Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2011 by David H. Burton

Cover art and design by David H. Burton

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

License Notes

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment. If you would like to share this book with another person, feel free to do so, or purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then feel free to purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Acknowledgements

To my partner, Humberto, and my three wonderful boys, I owe a huge thank you for all your support. I am the luckiest man in the world.

To Geographical Consultant, Laura J. Drexler, thank you very much for your talented assistance with the map of Verne.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my children - three boys that have enriched our lives and allowed us to relive our childhood.

Adopting you was the single, greatest event in our lives.

Table of Contents

Into the Lair

The Path of Fear

The Way of Courage

The Mystic's Circle

About the Author

Excerpt from Scourge: A Grim Doyle Adventure

Also by David H. Burton

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Into the Lair

Spring, a time of renewal and rebirth – when winter’s frozen grip upon the world is loosened. And, as it is in our world, it is also true for another one called Verne; a world of magic, marvel, and mayhem.

Four orphans stood about on this spring morning; a fine morning by most standards, with the singular exception that a Dragon had swooped over the city. And Dragons, as most people knew, were an ill omen.

At least, such things had been told to Sari, the ten-year old whose mother was a Sylph. She floated along the ground in a shimmering dress, as was the nature of her kind. In her wake was Widget, a lad of mixed heritage, half-Gargoyle, half-Human. He, too, was bored of watching Mount Simeon in the distance, to where the Dragon had flown.

At his side walked Roden, or Roe as most called her. She also wore ten summers upon her head, and a bow across her shoulder. She was Widget’s distant cousin, and as pure a Gargoyle as there could be. Like Widget, spiky, black hair adorned her head and she had a set of wings that spread when she was afraid or angered.

Rounding out the quartet was Maddock, a headstrong lad of eleven. And no one, not even Maddock himself, knew his true heritage.