Divine Invention by Linden Forster - Book Tour
Divine
Invention
Most stories begin with either an
unforeseen turn of events or a problem.
Krank has a problem. For centuries, the
people of the island have lived on the animals and plants to be found there. It
was bliss and so the population grew. It was not until very recently anyone
noticed that the quantity of plants and animals had not. The delicate balance
of the ecosystem has tipped and food is dwindling.
The King assigned the island's two resident
self-proclaimed geniuses, the Creators, to find a solution. The fruits of their
labour ripen into the invention of the world's first aquatic transportation
device and promises to provide passage from the island to search further afield
for food and resources.
So, there it is. Problem solved. End of
story. Barring any unforeseen turn of events...
Excerpt
Intro
Since
the Creators left their home of Krank they’ve been battered by storms, forced
to climb perilous summits, been attacked by goblins and held hostage and forced
into labour by dwarves, but none of these compared the dangers they found in
the ogre pit.
Forced
to fight to the death, the Creators, Edin and Koel, as well as their new
dwarven companions, Volris and Silvor, survived the first round on skill and
luck, but with each round they are pitted against the winners of the pervious
and the fighting grows harder and with it, the chance of survival diminishes.
Extract
The
ogres came for Volris first and everyone wished him luck and strength as he was
dragged out. They returned close to midday and this time took Koel. He said his
farewells to Edin and Silvor in case of the worst (or in case one of them died).
The
ogres took him back through the camp and even down the same entrance to the
stadium. They reached the gate and Koel stared through the wooden beams into
the grounds of the arena and wondered how he had not noticed all the blood the
day before. The earth was soaked. Koel supposed there would be more blood today
than there had been yesterday. Then he started to think about where all the
bodies went. He recalled the ogre who had told them that the sacrifices would
be burned, but he had seen no sign of a big fire in the camp.
The
ogre chant stopped and this time Koel was ready.
The
gate opened and he rushed out to the arena and grabbed the nearest weapon, a
spear. He stood and scanned his opponents. There were only three. To his left,
another satyr, this one was bigger though. He had great arching shoulders,
thick black horns and when he picked up a double headed axe, he looked very
formidable indeed.
Straight
ahead of Koel was a merperson. It was not what Krankians had envisaged. Growing
up trapped on an island with a finite number of women, all of which were your
relatives, mermaids certainly conjured in the minds of many on Krank. If this
merman was anything to go by, mermaids would be nothing like their fantasies.
He did not have a tail for a start. His skin was a sickly white with bloodshot
veins running close to the surface. His hands and feet were webbed and his
fingers and toes clawed. He wore a ragged tunic. The dirt around him darkened as
water dripped off his body. His face was sharp and acute, his eyes black. In
place of hair he had red branched external gills. His body was toned and agile.
He stepped forward and picked up an inconveniently placed trident.
To
Koel’s right was the creature that made him feel the worst.
Her
hair was short and fair to match her body. She dressed all in black and wore
thigh length leather boots. She rolled into the centre of the ring and jumped
to her feet with two blades in hand.
The
merman went for her and the two danced around each other, exchanging blows. It
was clear that the merman had the strength, but she had speed and quickly spun
away from his swings before trying to jab him with her short swords. The dark
shape of the satyr loomed into Koel’s peripheral. He focused on the beast
stalking toward him and raised his spear, he hoped, threateningly.
The
satyr swung at Koel and he decided it was best not to try block the heavy axe.
He retreated a step and watched the axe swing past him. The beast struck again
and Koel dodged again. He jabbed with his spear and the satyr narrowly avoided
the thrust. He was angry about the retaliation and attacked with such ferocity
Koel had to tumble toward the centre of the arena to avoid it. The satyr
continued to swing for him manically with both hands at the bottom of the axe
handle and Koel slowly backed away until he bumped into something. He looked
over his shoulder, it was the woman.
She
had her back to him and was facing down the merman. He came at her with his
trident and she parried. The merman retreated a couple paces.
‘Hi,’
she said.
Koel
turned to face the satyr, which was closing in on him again. ‘Hi,’ he replied
out the corner of his mouth.
‘Work
together?’ she asked, but it seemed to Koel to be more of a statement than a
question.
Koel
wasn’t sure he could comprehend the idea of an alliance. He was so occupied by
the axe wielding fiend to develop any detailed ideas as to what it would be
like having to assist someone. Then it occurred to him that he might be the one
getting the assistance, ‘Yes, ok.’
Author
Bio –
Linden Forster began writing at the age of
seventeen. Divine Invention is his debut novel and it took seven years from the
idea conjuring at the back of an English class to reaching the page.
Since then, writing has become his dream
and passion. His sequel is finished and awaiting publication, while he types
the third in a darkened room.
He is a lover of nature and enjoys walks in
the country and often ventures out armed with a notepad and pen.
Social
Media Links –
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lindenforster/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/LindenForster
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lindenforster/?hl=en
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