The Heretic: ACT I

By Matthew David Carroll

...The one that ties all the others together...

"“Such an easy cop out, that word, pouted out so easy, do you even know the meaning?” He quickly apologized with his eyes. “What is there to gain from worry? Is that mystery just as much a fantasy? Would you not rather realize this?” He peaked under the covers, “You weren’t so worried moments ago.”

She stole the covers and turned away from him. “Are you not worried?”

He hugged her from behind and spoke softly in her ear. “Whatever lay out there be strong. Tomorrow we could all be gone, but here we are. When the moment comes where will we draw comfort? Do you not recall a wish to sooth the most troubled days? Don’t let your fear steal this warmth, nor the fears of others.”

She turned to him and grinned.

He brushed her cheek, “Yearn to know this feeling. Let it rush into your skin. If this isn’t real than what is? What found sensations in imagination, don’t deny or fail to recognize its truth.”

(not a light read, expansive, expressive)

#Fantasy, #Horror, #Time Travel, #paranormal, #Mythic

This is a work of fiction, the product of the author’s imagination used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
© 2020

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matthew David Carroll
• Release date: Apr 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005470197

Matthew David Carroll

Hello,For those of you who are new, I hope you enjoy.If you've already read some of these, I'm glad you're back.It's been terrible for building trust and invites all sorts of nonsense, but my lack of presence is better for new readers to get into the story and character. So I'm elusive for that reason, mostly.If you're interested in getting to know me, forgive us, you can check my other social media for that, but I'm afraid you won't find much at the moment. I keep putting it off.Some of these are quick easy reads I hope will leave you laughing or with some sort of satisfied wonder (I know. I'm finishing them.) Others are over stylized with complex plot structures that require inquisition.I can't promise you'll like everything I write, but you'll know (for the most part) what you're getting into.Complex issues, simple themes. Characters opinions are their own.If you like any of them please share. I appreciate every one of you who have.

Book preview

Dedication:

Two faces

Trading places

Madness waiting patiently

The Heretic

ACT I

Copyright 2020 Matthew Carroll

Smashwords Edition

This is a work of fiction, the product of the author’s imagination used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

~***~

SCENES

The Stranger

The Herald and the Maiden

Prisoners

Interrogation

The Stranger

Lighting struck and he was left there face down on the rocky shore where the river falls fed Lake Ilium. His lower half sunk beneath the rippling water, while his cloak clumped to look like any other grey stone that marked the waterlines. The wild black curls of his hair and beard flailing in the stormy air all that gave away his existence.

He turned over choking, gasped then moaned, disoriented. Sat up, controlled his breath to calm his center. Not knowing anything of where he was or how he got there.

At the crossing above the falls, a guardsman in shabby armor, a bronze breastplate over leather, barked unintelligible orders at him, then ran back across the bridge presumably to get more men.

He threw off his soaking cloak, forced himself to his feet.

On his forearms, leather vambraces with complex stitching. He pulled back a flap on the left revealing a hidden device. He tapped commands upon its control screen and nothing.

He pressed his left temple, blinked his pale blue eyes and still was left unsatisfied.

The storm was breaking but broad aggressive voices carried.

He removed the vambrace from his arm and threw it far into the lake and watched it sink, then limped into the woods.

The guard came back with support, swore he saw a savage appear from nowhere.

Appear from nowhere? His captain mocked, marking him a coward.

They climbed down to the coast and looked around.

The guardsmen pointed, Here! He’d found the trail that lead into the woods.

The captain blew his ram’s horn sounding for the dogs.

Madness had taken over in the villages to the north and they’d been scouring the woods for those who’d