Nothing More: Chains of Hope

By Thomas England

Doron, once enriched in slavery, has become the world of hope and peace the people deserve. That way of life is now threatened by those who remember the days of slavery and profit.

The King, who brought forth this era of peace, must fight to keep it alive, while other unlikely heroes join the battle to take the chains off hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas England
• Release date: Oct 17, 2017
• ISBN: 9781549912894

Thomas England

His first book, "Nothing More:Chains of Hope" is the first book of a three book series. Thomas lives in Delaware where he was born and raised. Married, with 2 children, and 3 grandchildren. Thomas was a retail driven employee for many years, until he decided it was time to open up his mind, and release the world of Doron. Thomas is a new author who plans to continue the "Nothing More" series, with the 2nd and 3rd book, and beyond!

Book preview

Nothing More

Chains of Hope

Thomas R. England

Copyright © 2017 Thomas R. England

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 9781549912894

DEDICATION

Aimee.

Thank you for supporting all of my crazy ideas.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Mother. Father.

Thank you for the continued parental excitement for all accomplishments throughout my life. I hope you enjoy this.

Chapter 1

Shadow Island.

A mist covered island, constructed in the recent past by inhabitants of Athor. On the island sits a temple properly named the Temple of Shadows. Within it are dark mystical powers. Some legends speak of the temple housing the God of Death. A God that some say was created as a fear tactic while others say the God is real having its bidding done through troubled souls of the lands. That the Gods control everything that happens in the known world of Doron.

The God of Death is the natural enemy of the God of Life who is believed to be located on the island of Wray. The island of Wray holds the largest collection of books, and the mystics who train there continue to fill its halls with accounts of these legends.

Once, these two Gods were mortal. The God of Death was said to be a man, and the God of Life a woman. They were in love once. Then were tragically separated forever. When they passed into nothing more they were transformed into Gods. The woman, God of Life, because of her passion, and love for life. The man, God of Death, for his passion for control, and killing.

For the rest of eternity, it is said, they battle each other for control of the lands. Each of them trying to balance the world to their passion.

Evening approaches at Shadow Island.

Dark, grey shadows everywhere the eye can see. The points of six spires appear through the clouds as the shadows dissipate to reveal a structure. The Temple of Shadows. Cracks can be seen from foundation to highest part of the wall of this six-sided dark structure. At the western side of the temple are two large black doors standing at 10 feet each. Both with large, grey steel looped handles that serve as the way to open and close the doors.

A clanging of metal and steel is heard as one of the doors slowly opens. A man walks out of the entrance. His name is Guerin. He looks tired, worn down. A man in his 40’s should not look so beaten. As he steps out of the temple he stops. He, for a brief moment, takes a deep breath and looks upward to the sky. He holds in his left hand a pouch. Inside it, are one hundred gold pieces. His attire is that of a man that has seen some battles. He is wearing studded leather armor that appears to have taken a few stabs from a sword, or a kind of bladed weapon. On his hip is his only defense in the world. A silver sword neatly fastened to his belt.

Guerin steps down from the main entrance to the ground. He stops again to turn around, and look back at the temple. After a long stare he decides to begin his new journey in front of him. He has been instructed to continue westward to the docks where he can find satisfactory passage by boat, to the Glistening Reef. He takes his first steps toward his destination while looking back at the temple. The grey shadows begin to grow thicker, and thicker. As he walks further away the temple begins to fade away until it is no longer visible.

He begins along a path through vine covered concrete walls that show the wear, and tear of age. Up ahead he can hear the ocean waters hitting the shore, and what appears to be the sound of a boat gently knocking against the wooden docks. He is near his first destination, a way to get off this dreadful island. He sees a thick wall of vines in front of him blocking his way out of the stone walkway. He draws his sword to hack at the vines, and cuts his way through.

On the other side of the vined wall is a small beach with one boat dock. He can see a small boat through the mist, with what appears to be a lone figure in a cloak standing at the helm. As he approaches he keeps his sword in his right hand, and ties his bag of gold to his belt.

You will have no need for such weaponry here. I am but merely a helmsman for this boat. Says the cloaked figure.

Guerin still looks at him as if he is a threat. You can take me to the Glistening Reef? Guerin asks.

Aye, but not out of charity. The helmsman softly instructs.

What is the cost of passage to the reef? Guerin asks as he reaches for his pouch.

Merely one gold piece will grant you safely to your destination my friend.

Guerin looks at the helmsman sternly and quickly confesses, "I have no friends".

The helmsman smiles. It appears then that you need more than just a boat ride.

Guerin gives him a questionable look, then gathers his things, and steps into the boat. The helmsman rings a bell signifying the departure of the vessel, then lights a lantern hanging from the tip of the boat.

Make yourself comfortable. This is going to be a long ride.

Guerin sits down, and leans back. He looks back at the island as the boat departs, and feels relieved that he is finally leaving the dark, shadowy island. He closes his eyes, and decides to rest while he can before his journey begins.

Hours later the boat is making its way westward toward the Glistening Reef. The helmsman is still steering and staring off into the distance. The lantern is still fully lit as if the candle is ever burning, never melting away. Guerin wakes. He stretches, then sits up to look around and gather his bearings. How long was I asleep?

The helmsman looks down at him. Several hours. We are almost at our destination. Won’t be long now.

Guerin looks pleased. He gathers his things together, walks towards the front of the boat, and stands. He looks back at the helmsman with skepticism, but turns back around looking towards the now visible shores of the Glistening Reef.

The vessel rides the waves into the shoreline, and then stops. Guerin looks back at the helmsman.

Why are you stopping?

The helmsman pears out of his hood. The vessel, and I can go no further. You must exit here and travel the rest of the way alone.

Guerin is confused, but accepts the situation. I'd say I am going to miss our wonderful conversations, but somehow I don't think you would believe me.

The Helmsman scows at the remark, then turns to the lantern. He waves his hand at the candle, and the light flickers out. Guerin jumps out of the boat, and lands in the water which comes up to his waist. Adequate depth for swimming. He looks back at the boat, but it has vanished. He quickly spins around to look for the vessel, but it is nowhere to be seen. He looks mildly worried, but shakes it off, and begins to swim to shore.

Guerin is now approaching the sandy beaches of the Glistening Reef. Once the water is only ankle deep, he drops to all fours. Exhausted from swimming against the strong currents, he collapses on the sand, and takes a few minutes to rest. Lifting his head, he looks around the beach and tries to follow the beach front to both the north, and to the south of him.

The beach to the north goes on as far as the eye can see, and the beachfront to the south begins to fade into rocky outcrops that angle up to what begins a small mountain range. He sits up on his knees, looks back out to sea, then stands up. He begins to walk towards the fields ahead, pouch of gold on his waist, along with his silver sword. His first thoughts are to find the nearest town to secure himself a horse. He has a long adventure ahead of him, and doing it on foot would be unwise.

Guerin leaves the shore, and takes a path through fields toward what appears to be a forest ahead. Surely there must be a small village or town that he can acquire the means of travel, and supplies. He has never been north of the Ten Peaks, so he will need to find a guide to help him with his travels.

May the Gods forgive me. He whispers to himself.

Chapter 2

The Sun is low in the eastern skies as dusk falls upon the Kingdom of Falkstone. The outskirts of Falkstone are protected by walls one hundred feet tall made of mortar, and sand. The cracks between each block of mortar are so finely packed with sand that even the wind cannot penetrate them. The walls are also forty feet thick. Built to withstand any major weather event, or attack from those who wish to harm the King, and the lifestyle of the capital of Falkstone. Lower level streets and buildings are built below sea level. This was done with intent to give the appearance that the center of the Kingdom is higher than all, and forces all who live there to look up at its glory.

There are 4 levels to the kingdom. The lower level of course is for the commoners. The next level up which sits roughly twenty feet higher is for the shops, markets, livestock, and entertainment. On this level one would find blacksmiths, armorers, fruit and vegetable stands, livestock from all over the lands, as well as those who import goods from other parts of the world of Doron. Such as the Crescent Ice Islands which is home to some of the finest leather and pelts. The southern tip of Lareem where some of the world’s finest gems and metals are mined, as well as the grey woods of Athor which harbor some of the hardest wood in the lands for creating foundations and structures for homes, keeps, and other places of interest.

The third level is another thirty feet higher from the market place. Here, you will find homes of the richer folk, shrines to those who are long gone, and dignitaries of the Kingdom. This is a frequented place for visiting lords, and allies of the kingdom that arrive to pay homage and support