Garganth

By Michael RJ Ashton

Heroes are born or made, in a lifetime or a moment. They have only their lives to lose but worlds to gain.
Unknown to each other, they fight the same battle in different worlds for the energetic realm connecting each.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael RJ Ashton
• Release date: Aug 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9780463538449

Michael RJ Ashton

I'm a nature loving writer photographer. Yoga, swimming, and meditation helps maintain the connection. I believe we have a responsibility to be custodians of the natural world, the real world; a theme woven into my fiction and non fiction books.

Book preview

GARGANTH

Legends of Light

Michael RJ Ashton

Copyright 2021 Michael RJ Ashton

All rights reserved by the author

Michael RJ Ashton

ISBN 9780463538449

Amazon ISBN: 978-0-6452600-2-1

Acknowledgements

Many thanks Mathew Godwin and Susie Marie Hows for valuable feedback during the editing process.

Cover Art - Wally Martin

Foreword

The story between realms from chapter to chapter.

Preface

Thank you Professor Ron Laura for sharing your writing regimen and ‘Sacred Earth’ for the music.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Preface

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 1

Rolling in a gentle turn above mottled green Garganth canopy Dreyso and Sheya neared the forest’s end. For three long days flying they’d camped along the Eldor’s bank. Arid lands stretched beyond to the tiny bump of a huge mountain range. Could anything live in there? he wondered watching the binary stars Abnithe and Murr’s traverse to the horizon.

He and Shea would camp here where the water skirted away into the desert. Taking a mouthful, pouring the remainder over his head bumps rose on his skin. Humanoid tracks blurred the shallows beneath his feet. ‘Watch’, he cautioned Sheya feeling her respond as she snorted glancing around. Dreyso followed the deep trail cutting a swathe to his knees leading into the Garganth. Harrup Dreyso called leaping onto her shoulders as Sheya pushed from the ground in deep wingbeats.

Flying on in last light she scooped a mouth full of water gulping it down her long neck. Subtle pressures guided her body responding to touches of hands and heel. Up ! Dreyso screamed too late as something struck the side of his head and thumped into her body. Wobbling backwards he tumbled out slamming into the water below. Caught in the current Dreysos mute form drifted into reeds.

She perched on a stone drinking, fair hair just visible in the growing dark. Something large bumped into her hands but she didn’t cry out. A moan could mean only one thing, but was it friendly? Alive at least she thought.Not moving and still warm; it wasn’t the smell of an Angrar.

Lydiel struggled dragging him into a screened thicket as whistles of the search grew closer. She waited keeping low as the calls moved away. Lydiel breathed deeply again. The Garganths predators prowled during the dark, they wouldn’t hunt for him now. Putting striker to stone in a fire pit she looked over the new arrival. The dark headed man with a strong face slurred words she didn’t understand. Not an ordinary man at all she decided. Not like the ones who’d taken her. Removing wet clothes she covered him in her cloak then rolling him onto the bundled reeds she’d cut to sleep on. Laying his clothes on the warming stones she roasted tubers. Keeping watch, turning the clothes she ate the fire her only protection. Wrapping Dreyso’s head in a cloth she yawned then curled up close to the coals. Jolting awake Dreyso grabbed for Sheya, but she was long gone. Throbbing pain stopped his opening eyes. Someone lifted his head for water, he sipped and drifted into sleep again as a gentle touch cooled his forehead.

Dark trees, firelight, and a pale form swam in a mosaic on the other side of the fire. She looked no more than a girl, beautiful, etheric. A benevolent spirit radiating within as she slept. Few except the Light Masters of the Korage came close to this strength of power. He guessed they weren't from this world and chuckled to himself waking her too. Touching the lump Dreyso winced feeling for damage. She smiled her eyes catching the coals glow. With rapid lilting words glancing at the horizon she encouraged him up. Handing him the dried clothes she left to scout the river bank.

Dreyso couldn’t believe the aches and pains. Hmm, must be what it feels like to neglect your body most of the living years, he thought pulling his riding gear on, reminding himself to strap in next time. If there is a next time? he mused.

Leaving no trace they broke camp. Follow her look said. Close to her communication flowed without words, he felt it too. He sent a silent thank you to the power keeping them alive. He should be gone, at least his body. But here I’am with my rescuerhe whispered giving a silent thank you.

Willing aching muscles on he kept up moved as she drew him on. Trusting her guidance spirit flowed into him. They skirted the destruction of a makeshift camp; broken saplings, animal bones and the smoking remains of cooking fires. One look where they’d been was enough. The smell of unwashed bodies matched the defilement.

Her eyes fluttered, mouth tightening as Dreyso willed Sheya to appear above. How much can I hope for he thought as she glanced at him and seemed to shrug. But Sheya was back in her den. The riders would come looking. By then he’d be long gone. My own stupid fault and now others are in danger. Shame rose up in him and she glanced back consoling. Dreyso felt her empathy and brightened. Come on he said. We’re alive let’s keep going motioning her forward. Two things he realised. She scanned the terrain behind and intuited the terrain ahead. They hopped upward following a stream through a deep stone cutting emerging at a rock shelf as their stars reached zenith. A waterfall curtain splashed into the pool below reminding Dreyso of the Korage.

See she said in mind speak, arms raised, beaming a smile. Dreyso nodded. You felt the energy he mind spoke. She nodded turning again to the cascade.

Safe here he felt it they will not follow she added slipping into the pool. Dreyso sat to release some tension and nurse his throbbing head.Yes we’ll be safe but how am I ever getting home he wondered. Wading in later cold water embraced his form washing away some worry. And how do I keep her safe? he wondered realising she was keeping him safe for now.

They set up in a small cave beneath an overhang beside the falls. Lydiel collected enough fuel to feed a fire keeping the cold at bay. Flames lit their faces as Dreyso considered. I’ll think more clearly when I’ve rested he decided drifting off. On the edge of his waking mind he traveled into an arena; a bright arena lit like a star.

Chapter 2

Staying low Hoey launched arms and legs pumping digging deep building momentum for a Hail Mary pass. Not impossible, Jarrad their quarterback had a great arm. Uh, huh, huh, huh Hoey pushed hard building speed taking a little longer but then was very tough to stop. He shouldn’t have agreed and didn’t want the pain killing injection. If he wanted his spot he needed to be on the field. A high school sprint sensation fast enough to attract college scouts he settled for a scholarship at UCLA. LA felt crazy fast compared to the Islands but for a six or seven season career in the NFL he’d be grateful. Hoey had a plan; football, a couple of good game boats, improve the family farm and live an island life. It was all going to plan in his third NFL season. But he missed the connection to the ocean.

Racing the sideline keeping form he risked a glance with the eyes. Yes it’ll be close they’re scrambling across field. Now Jarrad he called seeing the pass loose in his mind. He couldn’t look up, trusting it to be there.

Hoey practised a lot with his mind; start, windup, mid sprint, you name it. He rehearsed them all building neural pathways. Wherever he was Hoey practised; moves, plays, moments, and always before the game. He knew how lucky he’d been getting this far. Reaching top speed the line grew closer. ‘Just huh, huh, huh about now he looked up as Jarrads pass sailed into peripheral vision. It’s long" he realised launching himself smacking both palms on it. He was almost belly landing when a truck like hit crashed into his side. His body went limp as the lights went out.

When he woke it seemed to be morning he couldn't move. A contraption held his neck held in a firm grip, even his legs were strapped down, confusion setting in with dread.

With sedation wearing off he tried lifting an arm.

"He’s coming