Fantasy

0

Perser, an ex-athlete from Atlantis, is suddenly beset by goblins bent on killing him. He has no idea why tho he eventually understands it has something to do with the sword his grandfather gifted him when he was a young lad. To give him time to learn about the sword and why his life is threatened he agrees to accompnay his best friend, an elf, in escorting a sibyl to a Sibylline conference. Another good friend joins them. The juourney does give Perser the opportunity to learn more of the propeties of the blade, called Tang Gathli; it is a magical talisman. Unfortunately, Perser gains knowledge while he and his friends come under attack. It is a journey fraught with danger, a journey to include a giant, pirates, Nordh assassins, dwarves, trolls, an ancient evil and a shaperchanger. Perser learns he must acquire knowledge of the sword and do what his grandfather a famous warlock wanted him to do.

The series, I call 'The Atlantean Cycles' takes place when the government in Atlantis (capitol city of Cronopolis) had not yet succumbed to the totalitarian regime Plato loved so much. As any strong and vibrant civilisation there is a long history and the first books on the journey of Perser is late in it's history and takes place during a war. The goblins are trying to kill the humans, elves, and dwarves as well as stop Perser from completing the aegis his grandfather placed on him. Exploring the human condition in Atlantis is a theme which I feel can explain some of the human condition or the results of behavour of humans today. As I'm dealing with adults in adult situations for adults there is a modicum of sex and language (I'd rate it R).

Excerpt
Perser arrived at Sharlon’s at the appointed time. Dressed in a silken robe native to her land, she ushered Perser inside the rather typical Borderland abode. Roughhewn lumber for walls and floor, few windows, low ceiling and a large stone hearth. Furs and pelts everywhere. The parlor had large comfortable chairs with big soft cushions. Incense burned, candles were lighted. Perser at once began to feel at ease forgetting his earlier sense of peril.
“Perser in my homeland honored guests are treated with great courtesy and made to feel completely at ease. Would you please sit that I may take your leggings and moccasins off so you may be more comfortable?”
Perser, unused to this form of attention, was at first wide-eyed and disbelieving. Sharlon assured him this was customary in her culture and he dutifully complied. Smiling to himself, he mused the women of Atlantean heritage would not have found this behavior at all to their liking.
Sitting meant removing his broadsword which being bigger than most swords was strapped to his back and not his waist. This done and after placing his sword on the floor, Perser sat.
Sharlon brought Perser an herb tea, spicy and hot. While Perser sipped this delightful concoction, the Chulati woman talked softly and sweetly as she unlaced and removed his leggings.
She was saying the tea was her own mixture; mint, chamomile, cannabis and other ingredients which Perser promptly forgot. Before long, Perser began feeling very relaxed with a sense of peacefulness.
Sharlon was now saying something about a massage as she led Perser into her bedroom. Perser felt again the prickling sensation at the nape of his neck so returned to the parlor to retrieve his large blade. He placed it against the chair by her bed. Sharlon looked at Perser wonderingly but said nothing.
Perser noticed the window was without glass which was typical for Borderland houses but had fairly heavy drapes. No one would be able to see in without opening the drapes which was only mildly reassuring.
Sharlon explained to Perser he would have to take his shirt off in order to have a proper massage. Though Perser was naturally shy he was also proud of his physique and shedding his lambskin jersey was no hardship for him. Nature and training in the ‘Games’ at an early age gave Perser a powerful and fit body.
Tall for his race, at six feet and two inches, Perser possessed an expansive chest of a larger man. Muscles well defined and blessed with extraordinarily broad shoulders he was not the least abashed to show it. As the Chulati were small by comparison Perser thought Sharlon might be impressed.
Sharlon was. Not, however, for purely physical reasons. She saw in Perser a gentle soul, a caring soul. Not the ranger, adventurer most of the women in Strathford were attracted to or gossiped about. Sharlon intuitively knew Perser was not an aggressive person.
Had Perser known Sharlon well enough he might have confided in her, as he had not in anyone else, he hated to kill even rabbits for stew, in fact, any animal for any reason.
Sharlon’s gaze went to his hazel-green eyes, compassionate eyes she thought as he unlaced his jersey. He neatly, almost ritualistically folded his jersey placing it on the chair beside the bed.
Perser lay face down as was directed but diagonally with his eye to the window which was near the foot of the bed. Sharlon wondered at Perser’s eyes. Not the round, dark brown eyes of the Atlanteans but neither like the eyes of far westerners as herself. Many had wondered about his eyes.
Perser heard the rustle of silk as Sharlon straddled him sitting on the small of his back. Hardly noticeable he thought, probably not even seven stone, less than half his weight. Perser next felt Sharlon apply warm oil as she spread the lubricant on his back. ‘Now, this really does feel good,’ he thought.
“I’m going to do what we call acupressure. It’s designed to ease and prepare the muscles of our warriors. If I hurt you please let me know.”
Perser didn’t think it possible but mumbled he would. Sharlon’s gentle caresses gave way to stronger rubbing then to specific areas where she applied considerable pressure. Blessed with a high pain tolerance Perser felt no discomfort only a deeper sense of relaxation.
After perhaps a half hour, time losing its significance, Sharlon then asked Perser to roll over. Perser did, carefully so not to jostle Sharlon. She stayed straddled on Perser. Looking up, Perser could not help noticing her beautiful robe was open showing her shapely breasts, hard dark nipples and stomach.
Perser remained relaxed but tension, sexual tension, invaded his being. Sharlon began caressing his chest slowly, lovingly. Perser was as aroused by her touch as by the sight of her breasts. He looked at Sharlon seeing in her wondrous black eyes a calmness and a passion. Lips slightly parted.
He reached up and slid the robe off her shoulders. He closed his eyes and focused on the silkiness of her skin. He began caressing her. He wanted to touch every part of her body, wanting time to stand still.
As Perser began to fondle and caress Sharlon’s breasts, her breathing quickened and deepened. Her nipples, large and amazingly hard, caught Perser’s attention. Bringing Sharlon closer he lifted his neck and began to suck her right nipple. Licking and sucking her nipples increased and intensified the growing passion of both.