Shadows of destiny: A Pocket Full Of Shadows

By David Noakes

"Parallel worlds exist - there are an infinite number of them, each one different from all the others. Anything you can imagine is out there somewhere, anything at all, and a lot more that is stranger than you can imagine... They are all shadows cast by the archetype, which is why we call them shadows... Anyone with sorcerous powers can cultivate the ability to travel between them..." Nalini Vaidya to Danny Piekowski.

In a journey through the enigmatic realm of ever-shifting multiverse, intrepid travelers Danny and Nalini, embark on a mesmerizing journey through a kaleidoscope of shadows, and find themselves thrust into six perilous quests.
In "The Red Sphynx" they must free a god-like entity trapped by a malevolent mage's control. Armed with a mysterious enchanted dagger, they plunge headlong into a battle against dark forces. an odyssey fraught with danger and discovery, where the boundary between reality and imagination blurs, and the line between heroes and pawns is forever shifting.

They confront a malevolent sorcerer possessed by a vengeful djinn, a task fraught with ever-shifting shadows, magical creatures, and the relentless pursuit of darkness. In a realm where dreams and reality intertwine their ultimate showdown with the sorcerer unfolds in a battle that will test their abilities and their bonds. "The Amethyst Bottle" is an enthralling tale of magic, bravery, and the delicate balance between light and darkness in the Dreaming

In the cunning world of deceit and illusions, the enigmatic Danny and Nalini orchestrate a thrilling scheme to expose the swindler Archibald Belfort. As the layers of deceit unravel, it becomes a high-stakes game of wits between Danny and Belfort, where the winner takes all, including justice. "The Green Goods Game" is a thrilling tale of cons within cons, where nothing is as it seems, and everyone has a hidden agenda.

Join them on an extraordinary odyssey where normality is elusive, and the boundaries of reality are constantly reshaped.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Noakes
• Release date: May 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463822401

David Noakes

David Noakes read Law at Pembroke College, Oxford, and practised as a solicitor until called into full-time ministry in 1975. From 1985 until 1991 he served in ministry with Clifford Hill, becoming leader of the PWM ministry team and subsequently a Trustee of Prophetic Word Ministries. He was for a number of years a visiting teacher for Ellel Ministries; and he is a member of Love Never Fails, a group of ministries working together to express love and support and to uphold Biblical truth concerning the Jewish nation. David is also an Advisory Board member of the European Coalition for Israel, which works in the European Parliament to support the nation of Israel. For many years he was a member and Elder of Marlow Christian Fellowship, but David is now based in South Dorset and commits his time to an itinerant teaching ministry, which has as its chief emphases God’s purposes for the nation of Israel, together with the need for preparation of the Church for the days to come. He is a Trustee and was until recently Chairman of the Board of Hatikvah Film Trust, a ministry which produces film documentaries designed to make known Biblical truth concerning the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. David is the author of “The Biblical Basis of Intercession”; a co-author of “Blessing the Church?”, a study of the development of the Charismatic Renewal movement; and also a co-author of a book “Israel, His People, His Land, his Story” published by the Love Never Fails group of ministries which is a Biblically-based refutation of the false teachings of Replacement Theology. He has been married for 44 years to Valerie, and they have three adult married children.

Book preview

Parallel worlds exist - there are an infinite number of them, each one different from all the others. Anything you can imagine is out there somewhere, anything at all, and a lot more that is stranger than you can imagine... They are all shadows cast by the archetype, which is why we call them shadows... Anyone with sorcerous powers can cultivate the ability to travel between them... Nalini Vaidya to Danny Piekowski.

In my Father's house there are many mansions... Jesus of Nazareth

The earth as you know it is but one amongst an infinite number. We call them shadows, because all of them are cast by the source, though if the truth be known, there are an infinite number of sources, or archetypes as we also call them, all casting their own infinity of shadows. Infinity squared perhaps? I think you get the idea.

The walls of our shadow earth are very thin indeed, and all manner of beings come and go as they please. Although if you think about it, with an infinite number of shadows, but a finite number of shadow walkers, it can be quite rare to encounter someone from another shadow.

This is a collection of seven tales from seven different shadows.

Shadows of Destiny:

A Pocket Full of Shadows

by

David Noakes

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Published by:

David Noakes on Smashwords

Copyright 2015 by David Noakes

Revised and Republished 2023

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

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ISBN: 9780463822401

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Table of Contents

Part 1 – The Early Days

The Red Sphinx

White Sky, Black Heart

Part 2 – After Serpent's Nest

The Amethyst Bottle

The Green Goods Game

Nemesis in Orange Fur

Blue: Ghosts In The Machine

Part 1 – The Early Days

The Red Sphinx

We stepped from one shadow world into another, arriving with a rainbow shimmer, and paused to look around. This is it. Nalini decided. Her voice had the clipped tones of what I regard as an educated English accent.

It was evening, a murky twilight. Torches flamed here and there in the gloom, some attached to shops, others born by passers-by. Along the unpaved, winding streets drunks staggered between the heaps of sodden refuse, proud bully boys swaggered, some with their wenches, and a few whores solicited. You could hear boisterous sounds of drunken carousing, shrill voices laughing, all punctuated by unidentifiable sounds that might have been fighting, or perhaps a mugging. Flickering light beckoned from yawning doorways and shutterless windows, accompanied by the smell of stale beer, wine and vomit.

The passers-by avoided us, perhaps because we were both wearing swords and ceramic mail, implying we were dangerous and offered slim pickings. Quite possibly a few had noticed us arrive, stepping out of a rainbow shimmer, and decided that discretion was best.

Nalini stands about one hundred seventy centimeters tall, and has that slim lithe build that many people from the Indian sub-continent possess. She walks with a dancer's grace. Her skin is dark brown; almost as dark as the macchiato coffee she drinks. She has mixed Indian and Chinese ancestry, which shows in her face, and her eyes are yellow like a cat's. Today she was wearing jeans and hiking boots, and a surcoat of high tech ceramic mail. The mail is from elsewhere, and will stop quite powerful bullets.

Her hair was braided into a single long braid, and in each earlobe there was a large gold loop. Beneath her chain mail she wore an emerald green t-shirt, and about her neck was a gold torc chased with silver and red gold scrollwork. Each end of the torc cradled a single large gem, one smoky green, the other smoky red. I wear a similar torc. She also wore a gold ring set with a single large amethyst on a gold chain about her neck. On her left ring finger was a white gold band incised with black runes. I wear its twin on my left ring finger. They were our gift to each other.

I stand about one hundred and eighty centimeters tall. I'm fairly muscular with it. My hair is brown, my skin pale, my eyes blue, but with a slight Asiatic look to them that many people of Polish descent have. Today I was wearing a gold loop in my left ear, a white gold ring similar to Nalini's on my left ring finger, and a torc that was Nalini's gift to me. I was dressed in blue denim military style fatigues and a similar denim shirt, plus hiking boots. Over that I wore a coat of ceramic mail similar to Nalini's.

Our swords are similar to samurai swords, except they were hand-made by a master craftsman in a distant shadow. We also wore semi-automatic pistols, though no-one here would know what they were. This wasn't a place we would normally choose to frequent, but we had a purpose here.

Just ahead of us was a tavern displaying a painted sign of a rather burly looking ape leering out of the picture, tankard of beer in its right hand, and a stack of upturned steel helmets in the crook of its left arm. The middle finger of its left hand was extended in what must be a fairly universal sign. A torch flared in a bracket above the sign to ensure that passers-by could see it.

That's the sign from our dream.

Hmm. It probably isn't too dangerous. Nalini responded. We're supposed to go in and wait for the red man.

Are you sure he said he'd meet us here, or just to wait here?

I thought he said wait for him, but it could have been symbolic. Shall we go?

Let us shall. I replied somewhat ungrammatically. Nalini chuckled.

Nalini and I share dreams. I have explained in detail elsewhere, so I won't cover old ground again. We do more than just share dreams. Both of us are lucid when we dream, by which I mean full waking awareness brought into the dreaming state. There's a lot you can do once you gain this ability. You can visit strange places, people, and encounter beings you are normally unaware of in waking. Some call it the Dreaming realm, some name it The Dreaming, those who inhabit it refer to it as the spirit realm.

Off and on over the past few months, an odd looking figure had appeared where ever we happened to be. It looked a lot like one of those Assyrian statues - a tall man with curly permed shoulder length hair held in a circlet, a matching spade shaped beard, and wearing a jerkin and kilt. The beard and hair were coal black, as were the figure's eyes. Its skin was an iridescent, dark metallic red. The jerkin and kilt appeared to be leather with bronze disks sewn on, and the figure wore leather sandals.

It did not speak, but showed us the scene we were now standing in, and then moved the camera position into the tavern ahead. Concepts and thoughts were given us in a block of meaning. We were to go to this place in waking, and wait. The figure and the scene would then vanish.

We both presumed that the creature in that shadow needed our special skills, though for what purpose we had no idea. It might be a trap, but our intuition didn't support that. We could ignore the pleadings, or we could go and see what happened. Finally, we had visited the shadow in dreaming to look around, accompanied by the red man. If we wanted to use our shadow shifting abilities in waking, we had to get a good fix on the shadow in dreaming. Without that we would never find the exact shadow world out of the infinite number of possible shadows, the best we would be able to do would be to find something similar.

For those of you who are wondering, the earth we inhabit is but a single shadow amongst an infinite number, some similar, many quite different. Nalini and I are but two of those who can walk freely from shadow to shadow.

In this case we walked for about two hours, shifting perhaps a hundred times. I cannot say how many shadows we crossed. Each time we shift we cross from one shadow to another, but there may be many intervening shadows of which we are unaware. To complicate matters more the shadows twist and twine about each other like a writhing ball of snakes. A shadow that is near now may not be near in another five minutes. This tends to make shifts unpredictable, and certainly not boring.

We were accompanied by a creature of the spirit world, one that looks very much like a truncated telegraph pole – black, featureless, and about three meters tall. We know them simply as guides or scouts, and they often follow dreamers and sorcerers. They have their own agendas, but they will help humans, at least to the extent of giving advice and warnings of dangers. They are not visible to ordinary people.

The two of us sauntered into the tavern. We had to do this right, because if we looked like easy pickings then someone would oblige. We wanted to look like we owned the place, with a bearing that said we were ready for trouble.

The tavern was lit by oil lamps set in niches around the walls, and candles on many tables. The low ceiling was stained with their smoke. It was crowded by all manner of people in all manner of dress, varying from rags and tatters to faded finery. We surveyed the scene, searching for the red man, or at least two vacant seats.

The guide supplied a mental running commentary: rogues and ruffians, petty criminals with a sprinkling of hardened career criminals and their bodyguards. Here were perfidious pickpockets, swaggering bullyboys, sneaking thieves, heartless kidnappers and others less obvious. Many of the men were accompanied by women in tawdry finery, some strident-voiced, others big-hipped and proud. Some were dark-eyed, swarthy skinned men with blue black curly hair and beards, daggers in their belts. But there were ruffians from other countries as well. Here was a giant blond haired man, his beard plaited and forked, his eyes shouldering blue, bulging muscles under his leather, and a broadsword strapped to his waist. A buxom wench with flashing eyes and dark hair sat beside him, her hands occasionally playing with his muscles.

Nearby sat a fat figure with a small moustache and rings on his fingers. His hair hung in greasy ringlets, and there were food and wine stains on his jerkin of blue watered silk. A kidnapper from Korshemish, wherever that was, the guide informed us. He was flanked by four bodyguards – huge men with coal black skins and rippling muscles – Nubians according to the guide. They were clad in sleeveless vests of bright scarlet, and were drinking water.

At another table sat a man with dark brown skin, a hooked nose, short cropped hair, and dressed in loose flowing robes of dark green – a Kothian counterfeiter. Drinking with him were two men with almost red skins, their heads completely shaven – Stygian bodyguards. They were dressed in white kilts and loose white jerkins, and wore curved scimitars. Toward the back was a group dressed in fur trimmed leather. They had pale skins, dark hair and Asiatic features – fierce Nanjo from the northern steppes, on a trade mission.

The red man from our dreams did not seem to be here, and the guide confirmed our suspicions. We would have to wait here and see what developed. The place was crowded, and we really wanted an empty table.

Many people stopped what they were doing to stare at us as we walked in. You could almost say there was a hiccup in the hubbub as we looked around. Many eyes were focused on us, and not all were friendly. We more or less ignored the stares while we searched for the red man, and then for a table with at least two empty seats.

There were some toward the back, but we wanted something closer to the door, but where we could place our backs to the wall. Since there weren't any, we would have to resort to some sorcery. Sorcery is really nothing more than the use of power guided by one's will to achieve a desired end. With training, and access to power, anyone could do the same.

Let's see if this works. Nalini thought to me.

We both drew some power from our torcs, and framed our desire. Within about fifteen seconds, the three men at the table nearest the Nubians suddenly remembered they were supposed to be elsewhere, and left. Nalini and I slid into the vacated seats, our backs to the wall, and smiled. We slapped each other's palms in satisfaction at trying something new and having it work.

I'll change us some money. Nalini dug half a dozen coins from her pocket. What do you think is safe to drink?

They probably water the wine and the beer. I responded cynically. The wine's probably stronger.

But the alcohol will kill most germs. It could be vinegar, though. Let's have a beer. She cupped the coins in her hands and concentrated. She drew more power, formed it into a small vortex between her hands, and let it caress the coins. This was not visible to any without the benefit of sorcerous sight. We needed coins valid for this place. We have found that if you guide the power without forcing it, it will decide what are appropriate coins. It works, but we cannot change more than a few coins at a time.

A serving wench sauntered over, swinging her hips. She had a tray with a few empty tankards on it balanced on her left hand, and a dirty looking cloth slung over her arm. She was dressed in a dark grey skirt that came to her knees, a dark green jerkin that laced at the front, but was unlaced to reveal her cleavage. I wouldn't call her pretty, but she looked pleasant enough.

Hi boys, you new in town? What'll you have? She seemed to be unaware that Nalini was female. We both had translation spells running, they have a range of about five meters, and work via some form of telepathy. We could understand her, she would understand us. If we spoke softly, no one would realize we were speaking a foreign language.

Just passing through. Which is better, the beer or the wine?

She snorted. Depends on what you're prepared to pay. The cheap stuff tastes like cat's piss, but it'll get you drunk. You boys look like you've a taste for the finer things. The dark ale's good, our sovay is good if you like yellow wine, but if you prefer black then our tilkit's good. We've other things too if you have money. She seemed to wiggle suggestively at us.

Chuckle. She's for hire, and she's taken a fancy to us. Nalini commented to me. Aloud she remarked Dark ale will do for a start. We can discuss what else you have to offer later, after we've quenched our thirsts. She smiled, the serving wench looked smug.

Good! She patted Nalini on the shoulder. You'll have a jug of ale?

We both nodded. What have you got to eat?

The wench ran through a number of dishes, most of which were unfamiliar. We settled on flat bread with two sorts of vegetable based dips, and a plate of stuffed vine leaves. I think there may have been some ground meat in them, but we ate them anyway. Food is always a gamble, but not as dangerous as it might seem. Our powers protect us from illness and disease, and none of this food hinted that it might be tainted.

The wench ran her fingers lightly down Nalini's cheek as she left to fill our order. Nalini shook her head and chuckled. If she can't tell I'm female, we might have some fun and play her along a bit. We could find some information out from her too. Bar girls often know all the news.

Maybe she likes girls as well? I suggested.

Nah. Nalini responded, copying my Australian accent. I'm wearing mail and weapons. She's assumed I'm a guy.

When she returned with our beer, she leaned over our table, giving both of us a good look at her cleavage. Nalini suggested I run my hand up the wench's leg, and I did so. The wench simpered and winked at me. There's more if you have money.

Nalini grinned at me, telepathically suggesting a reply. I spoke I think we have the money.

Nalini added with a grin Is the merchandise good quality? and slapped the wench on her rump.

Of course! She caught Nalini's hand, placed it back on her rump. Feel that? Plump and tender, like a young chicken! She laughed.

We chuckled as well. Ah, but first, food for the stomach.

She left, and I asked Nalini, what are you getting us into? You don't normally behave like this.

Nalini shook her head. I thought you might like a change of pace. She suggested with mock seriousness. Then she chuckled. Hey, it's not often I get mistaken for a guy, indulge me!

And you think this is how guys should behave hey? You mean I've had it wrong all these years we've been together? We should have gone out to sleazy bars and picked up girls together?

No! she responded with a grin. But I've probably been in more sleazy dives like this than you have. Korum used to take me places like this with a few of his friends. That's just how they all behaved. Besides, in a place like this, we'll look odd if we don't behave like that. Don't tell me you don't know what to do.

Well, I haven't behaved like this before in this life, but somehow I feel you and I have done this sort of thing before.

She patted my hand. Yep, I'm sure we have. Her eyes had that momentary faraway look she gets when she is considering the snippets we remember of previous lives. Then she grinned at me. You and I were a couple of roistering warriors, we'd go out a-whoring together, but if there weren't any girls around, we always had each other!

She swigged down her tankard of beer, proving if nothing else that she can drink it as fast as most guys. Drink your beer before it gets cold.

The beer wasn't too bad. It was slightly cooler than room temperature, which was not good, but the overall taste was good and strong. Being a dark ale, it was the sort that hugged your taste buds as it passed, unlike pale ales that skulk past like they don't want to be noticed. I think I'm glad we ordered a jug, it's quite good. I could develop a taste for this.

Nalini was looking happy. Korum and I used to do this, and after we broke up, I tried it by myself, but it wasn't the same. I get a bit of a kick out of pretending to be a man in places like this. Besides, you know that as a girl a lot of guys will try to prove they're better. She refilled our tankards. The beer's good, but we must be careful not to become drunk. That's why I wanted the food.

It's probably a boy thing as our friend Paula would say. If they see a girl with weapons, it doesn't occur to them that every second guy she has met has tried to prove she's inferior. Since she's still alive, she's obviously better than they are. But they don't think of that. Instead, they think conquest and rape fantasies, and they find out the hard way. If they're lucky, they wind up with little more than a few bruises, mostly to their egos. Some are not so lucky.

In our early days together that happened a few times to Nalini, and since then we've taken steps to avoid further occurrences. Nalini wears a little plain jewelry, but so do I. She wears no make-up, braids her hair, wears pants, and loose tops to conceal her bust. In shadows like these, she also wears a sword and often a mail jerkin. These days, as our powers of sorcery have become better, people know instinctively to leave us alone.

The serving wench flirted with both of us, but then she flirted with a number of others as well. The food and drink cost us seventeen obals, small copper coins no bigger than a shirt button. Nalini's transformed coins were larger, seven small silver coins each worth twelve obals. The wench wanted twenty for her services, or thirty six (three silver coins) for both of us together. Nalini told her to come back later.

We waited for the red man from our dreams. We ate, we drank, we talked, and we listened to nearby conversations that our translation spells rendered intelligible. At the next table the fat man was sounding forth to the other tables near him, mostly with ribald jokes. But something else he said interested us.

I tell you, high born wenches fetch a pretty price in neighboring Korshem. Their pale skins are much prized! Softer than the softest kid leather, their breath is sweeter than sweet wine!

That led