Bride of Vanghira

By Bill Gregg

When Summita is given as a “bride” to the dark and powerful god Vanghira, she discovers shocking truths about the kingdom. The priests, the rulers, and even the general population engage in horrifying behaviors behind a veil of secrecy. The society of Gankhenata has strayed very far from the ancient precepts of Vanghira. Summita encounters the actual god, the Great Protector Vanghira, and tells him what is occurring in his beloved kingdom. The dark god threatens terrible retribution by tearing down the frontier walls that defend the kingdom and sending the northern barbarian hordes to destroy the decadent realm. Only the young girl, Summita, holds the power to save Gankhenata. Will she, or will she not?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bill Gregg
• Release date: Jul 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215714041

Bill Gregg

I write fiction from some subconscious compulsion rather than a desire for financial gain or adulation. Even though my bookish inclinations led me to a position as the editor of my college literary journal, then to five years work for a small avante-garde publishing house, I didn't pursue my desire to write fiction until later in life. I had poetry published but no stories or novels. Now, after a lifetime filled with amazing experiences, I sit down to write every day. I decided to issue the resulting science fiction and fantasy short stories on Smashwords in case there are readers for my somewhat antiquated and literary style. In addition to shorter fiction, I'm currently publishing a serialized science fiction novel, “Star Song” on Smashwords , with a new 10,000 word installment posted every month.Much of my science fiction shows the influence of my experience in military intelligence with the US Navy's Naval Security Group (NAVSECGRU, now NETWARCOM). During my tour, I flew on numerous reconnaissance missions with VQ-1 (Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One) in the Far East. After that I worked for a few years in publishing, then as a traveling folk musician. Finally, I settled into a career in biotechnology. I retired from scientific work to teach music at a fine arts academy in Upstate New York. All my life I've been an outdoorsman, and my love of nature shows through in all of my fiction. I live in the scenic Finger Lakes area of New York State where I enjoy hiking, gardening, archery, and the company of my beautiful wife and our wonderful dog, Dash.

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Bride of Vanghira

by Bill Gregg

Bride of Vanghira

By Bill Gregg

Copyright © 2023 by William Richard Gregg

Published by Bill Gregg on Smashwords 2023

Edited by Bill Gregg

Cover Design & Artwork by Bill Gregg

First Edition July 2023

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the author, except for the purpose of reviews.

This book is a work of fiction and all names, characters, places, and incidents are fictional. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is coincidental.

Summita trembled uncontrollably as she stood in the vast, shadowy hall. To her left and to her right, lamps in stone sconces barely penetrated the gloom with their feeble light. The rows of lamps seemed to diminish in size as they receded towards a distant dais. The idol on the raised platform was just visible to her eyes which had not yet accommodated to the temple's dark interior.

Gradually, the pupils of her eyes dilated, and she began to see details. The walls of the temple were elaborately carved with bass reliefs of sacred symbols, images of minor gods, and frightful demons. The supernatural images almost seemed alive in the flickering lamplight. It was as if they moved, writhing to free themselves from the stone from which they were hewn. Summita stood, rooted to the spot, filled with awe and dread as she discerned the features of the idol at the far end of the hall. Ever since she was a young child, she, along with most of the other children, had been terrified by the image that perched on the platform