The Circus Infinitus: To the End of the Earth

By Ethan Somerville

In 1905, the Circus Infinitus travels to the remotest reaches of the Earth, spreading its special brand of dark entertainment to Russia and Siberia. The locals welcome the Circus with open arms, and a storyteller named Bethel comes forward to translate and entertain children.

However Bethel is not what she appears, and needs Professor Abbacus to help her retrieve something very precious to her, something hidden in the woods behind her village.

She holds a secret as old as the Earth itself.

But there is another searching for her, who has been pursuing the Circus Infinitus across the world. He is determined to find Bethel at all costs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Storm Publishing
• Release date: Sep 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370715312

Ethan Somerville

Ethan Somerville is a prolific Australian author with over 20 books published, and many more to come. These novels cover many different genres, including romance, historical, children's and young adult fiction. However Ethan's favourite genres have always been science fiction and fantasy. Ethan has also collaborated with other Australian authors and artists, including Max Kenny, Emma Daniels, Anthony Newton, Colin Forest, Tanya Nicholls and Carter Rydyr.

Book preview

The Circus Infinitus Presents:

To the End of the Earth

By

Ethan Somerville

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SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

Storm Publishing on Smashwords

The Circus Infinitus – To the End of the Earth

Copyright © 2016/2017 by Ethan Somerville

www.stormpublishing.net

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please 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 you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

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Chapter 1

The beginning of the year 1905 saw the Circus Infinitus flying across a bleak, but beautiful snow-covered landscape in the far north east of Russia. Professor Icarus Abbacus clutched the railing a little too tightly as he surveyed the landscape unrolling below. An icy gust of wind sent his grubby grey scarf fluttering out behind him, and threatened to dislodge the battered, broad-brimmed hat from his head.

Whose blasted idea was it to come all the way up here? he grumbled. "There’s no-one here – not a single soul at all. I haven’t seen a settlement for miles. It’s like the end of the Earth."

Oh, there are people here, Icarus, assured a soft, melodious voice from behind him. Don’t worry, we haven’t been led on a wild goose chase.

Icarus snorted at Del’s slightly halting delivery of the common human phrase. He turned around to look up at him. He appeared completely unruffled by the chilly wind, not a single shimmering auburn hair out of place, his top hat still perched on top of his head. The Arctic blasts billowed his cloak, but only so it looked more impressive and imposing as it wafted out behind him.

Well, I hope wherever the hell we’re going has supplies, Icarus growled. I’m burning through coal like crazy.

Yes, of course they will. Del patted Icarus on a leather-covered shoulder.

Icarus simply grunted and directed his attention back out across the frozen wastes. The Ringmaster’s platitudes didn’t fill him with much confidence. Ever since he’d given himself over, body and soul, to Necronis the Unmaker, the Professor had not been able to trust him. He no longer had their best interests at heart. The ever-increasing voice of the Dark God inside his mind would one day take over completely and then what he would do then was anyone’s guess. Would he commit wanton acts of destruction? Steer the circus into a mountainside? Betray Icarus directly?

The Professor shivered and put the thought from his mind. He still liked to delude himself that their love was strong enough to overcome any obstacle …