The Ithildan Mirror

By Tristan Biggs

An explorer and his partner are sent on a mission to a remote planet to investigate a creature. When they arrive, they find themselves facing much more than they bargained for ...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tristan Biggs
• Release date: Jun 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463057940

Tristan Biggs

I was born in Zimbabwe (then still Rhodesia), and was brought up in a home without television. This was why I developed a great love for books. Unlike most boys of my age, I did not go for the likes of Enid Blyton - we were not allowed to read those books - or the Hardy Boys. Instead I preferred books like the Seven Chronicles of Narnia (C.S Lewis), and of course The Hobbit from which I graduated to the Lord of the Rings. I also enjoyed listening to audio dramas on the radio. When I reached my teen years, I used to smuggle magazines like 'True Confessions' and 'Intimate Confessions', so that I could mix some spice into my reading matter.I was also an avid writer, and actually enjoyed the Creative Writing part of the school's English curriculum, something that was encouraged by my English teacher at the time. A few years ago, I decided to try and publish some of my own work. My first attempt was in printed form, and was not very successful. So instead I turned to online publishing sites, and have not looked back. My work combines my love for fantasy/Sci Fi with more spicy content.

Book preview

The Ithildan Mirror

Tristan Biggs

Published by Tristan Biggs at Smashwords

Chapter 1

I sat alone in a tavern. I could not remember which city I was in, or even what planet I was on. I was surrounded by the sounds of merriment, and music all around. I could not even remember my own name, or why I was even there. My mind was a blank as I sat there in that sea of clamouring noise. I blamed my lack of memory on my having had too many whiskeys. The barmaid was busy serving drinks at one of the tables. I called to her, and asked for a refill. She smiled, and nodded in my direction.

The pretty waitress came over to me. I gazed appreciatively at her long legs, revealed below that skimpy black miniskirt, and admired her slender waist and cute little cleavage that showed where her blouse opened. I guessed that she was in her early twenties. She hardly wore any make-up, and didn't need to over-do it anyway. Her olive skin was smooth and clear, her lips full - highlighted by the lipstick she was wearing. Her shoulder-length blonde hair was curly, and her fringe fell over her one eye when she looked down. Her perfume smelt sweet as she came near to me, and its scent brought back a vague memory. But alas, it was only a flash, and was soon gone again. She smiled at me, and put her soft hand on my shoulder.

Tyrone Braelyn, I don't think Sairya will take kindly to you making eyes at strange girls like that. She jested. I looked blankly up at her. She frowned at me, shaking her head in mock disdain, Let me get you another drink.

I accepted, wondering who the fuck Sairya could be, and why she seemed so important to me, even in my dazed condition. The name did not even ring a bell. Damn it! I thought to myself, I must be really wasted!

In my state of confusion, I looked out at the happy crowd. It was then that I saw him, a man sitting alone in a corner. His face was scarred, And even from where I sat, I saw that his trouble hung over him in a dull dark shroud.

I went over and asked if I could join him.

He did not even lift his head as I approached, but seemed to study his half-empty glass with great concentration.

They say that misery craves company. I stated, half expecting him to turn me away. He showed me to a seat instead.

Why do you not join the rest? He enquired, Go and enjoy yourself while the night is young. Take my advice. Do not waste your time on the old and tired.

Believe me, I wish I could. I responded, The thing is: I haven't the slightest idea who the fuck I am. I know this sounds weird, and it’s probably because I'm more than a little pissed, but I hardly even know my own fuckin' name! If it was not for that rather sexy barmaid over there, I wouldn't have a clue. It's like my mind is a complete blank.

Lucky you, I would say. The stranger stated, After all the crap that I've been through, it would be a boon to be able to forget it all. You know, before all the shit, I never even touched alcohol, except for the odd glass of champaign at parties or weddings that is. But at least it numbs the brain for a while. But that is a long story.

If you're up to it, would you care to share it with me? I asked, I'm not going anywhere.

It's a long tale, as I said before. He replied, And not a happy one, for the most part.

Does it end well? Was my next question, as I ordered another round for the both of us.

In its own way, I suppose. Came the response.

Then try me. I insisted.

Eventually he gave in: "Okay - It all started when my partner and I were informed that there was an ancient ruin on the forest world of Morten. It is in an unclaimed part of the Galaxy, beyond the Out-worlds, and has been deserted for millennia, or so we were told.

It had been some time since my lover and I had been on a mission, and we thought that it would do our relationship a world of good. Not to mention our credit balance! I mean, a few weeks or months on a planet with no-one around, just the two of us. What more could we ask for? And we would be paid for it! In fact we were both quite stoked up about the prospect.

We caught the next transport from our home-world. This tavern is on the planet of Gilmuire, seeing you've lost your memory. Anything that happens, that is worth knowing about, originates from this planet. It is the Capital of the Galactic Coalition that encompasses all the systems, except those on the Out-worlds. Anyhow, that's enough about the galaxy, or else we'll be here all fuckin' night. I need another drink." He paused, and ordered us another round.

The barmaid came over to give us our drinks, and the stranger's face lit up. He put his arm round the young woman's hips, and she hugged his shoulders. I could see that they were old friends.

Thank-you Tess. Said he with a smile.

Any time Old-Timer. She joked, kissing him on the cheek. As she turned to leave, he patted her lightly on the bum. She looked back at him, and waggled her finger. Then she blew him a kiss, and went to serve at another table.

Lovely girl, isn't she? He commented.

That she is indeed. I agreed, You're old acquaintances I see.

Yes, we go a long way back. Right, where was I? He continued, "Ah yes. We went to the office of a Mr Aiden Reese. He was the curator of one of the museums in the city. The moment we walked into his office, we could smell credits. His secretary offered us a seat, and we almost felt uneasy about sitting on his chairs as if we would spoil them.

Soon a well-dressed young man entered the room. He smiled and greeted: Ah, the illustrious Terrence Barnet, and the lovely Sharna Ellis. A pleasure to finally meet you. My name is Aiden Reese. Shall we convene in the boardroom?

We followed him, and when we arrived, he offered us both a drink. While we were drinking, he called in one of his specialists, an historian to be precise.

This is Doctor Thea Cormyth. He introduced the woman, whom I judged to be in her mid-forties, She has something that I think you should become acquainted with before you go. It's a manuscript that is purported to have originated from one of the ruined buildings on Morten. I think you might find it of some value, although it may just be some sort of folklore. Nonetheless, she has transcribed it, and this chip has a copy on it so that you can peruse through it on your own time. Now, I will leave you in the company of my very capable assistant - Doctor Cormyth.

She thanked Mr Reese, and then began to give us the background for our mission. She said that, to date, there had been little information as to what exactly happened to the original inhabitants that built the temple, as well as the city that surrounded it.

The only clue was a reference to some form of creature that attacked them. This being fed on its victims, but in a rather unusual, if not spectacular way. If the prey was male, it appeared as if he had been sexually involved with the beast, and that while he was getting off, his genitals would be removed and devoured. If the victim was female, somehow this fiend would destroy the prey's internal reproductive system, and then feed off the blood and other fluids that poured out as a result of such mutilation.

She continued: ... What made things even worse - if not more than a little gross - was that, once these parts had been removed, it seems that the rest of the body was left at the mercy of the wild scavengers that are native to the planet.

Oh goody. I joked, An alien sex maniac.

She laughed, and continued. She told us that, not only did this being, known in folklore as the Ardammarn, feed on others in this peculiar manner, but that it also somehow infected some of its victims, almost as though it carried some sort of disease. The information showed that it would 'seduce' its victims into having intercourse with it, as this infection seemed to be sexually transmitted.

... It seems that this creature is some form of shape-shifter, and has the ability to have either male or female sex organs, depending on the gender of its victim. Those who are subject to this, soon become infected themselves, and transform into beings much like the original. Although our research did not give details, it appears that the Ardammarn acts as some sort of 'Queen' - similar to in a colony of ants for example - and that those she has infected become her slaves. Except for one lucky individual, usually male, that becomes her 'Drone', with whom she can mate, and produce after her own kind. Doctor Cormyth concluded.

Okay. I responded, Is there any evidence that this Arda-thingy still lives on the planet, or even existed at all? I thought the place was deserted.

Our initial reports show no evidence that the creature, or creatures, still exist. Some hieroglyphs on the wall in the main chamber indicate that they were around at the time when the glyphs were carved, but there is no sign of them now. The Doctor assured.

Fine. So no more psycho-alien rapist out there. I jested.

That appears to be the case, yes. She replied, Of course, these records ended before the humanoid population on Morten disappeared. But our initial analysis indicates that the Ardammarn referred to in the texts, along with all of its offspring, seems to have disappeared with the builders of the temple and surrounding buildings.

What you're saying, is that there might be others. I added.

There is a slight possibility. She admitted, The reason is that we haven't been able to ascertain whether these beings feed only on humanoids. It might be that they also prey on large animals, although there is no evidence. I have to admit, we have no knowledge either way.

Okay, so I don't have to ask what the catch is. We've pretty well got it. I concluded, So where do we come in?

I'll tell you. Replied Reese, returning to the room, We're asking the two of you to ascertain whether the temple would be a worthwhile site for an official archaeological expedition. Nothing is actually known about the people that built that city, but the architecture is similar to that of the Founders. That is according to one of our scientists' reports. The man seems to have disappeared. As part of your mission, we would like you to perhaps find out what happened to him and his team. There were three of them, himself and two female assistants.

Oh great! I sighed, Didn't anyone tell him and his team about that Arad-whatever?

Alas, no. Admitted Cormyth, We only discovered that part of the glyphs from the report that he sent just before he disappeared. We'd only deciphered it three days later.

The so-called 'Founders' are believed to be the people who were responsible for colonising the galaxy. Their descendants still live on many of the Out-worlds, and they have great influence over the region, which is why these outer planets are