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| If Lancelot were ever made into a film, this man Javier Bardem would play the villain Rittlock. |
Since today Buck's County Publishing is featuring Lancelot in its 12 days of Christmas sale, I thought I would feature an excerpt. For today you can purchase the paperback version of Lancelot for one third off, $10, and you can select one other book free. So you get two trade paperbooks for the price of $10.
Since Lancelot is Sci Fi as well as fantasy, I wanted to feature an excerpt that hinted at the breadth of the novel. Enjoy it; please feel free to leave comments.
You can get Lancelot and pick out your free book at www.buckscountypublishing.com
Rodney watched the contemp reel that a group of pacopho had taken when Rittlock allowed them to follow him into battle. He hated pacopho because they would do anything, follow anyone to get the “truth” as they saw it, when in actuality, they wrote little more than lies and innuendoes and sensational stories the lower classes
devoured with as much vigor as a child devours chocolate.
The scene very much resembled what he had seen happening to the Gladdonites. A sudden, violent attack so swift and deadly that Bolron and his armies could not withstand it. After showing the initial assault, the CR followed with scenes of city fighting. Building to building,street to street, and hand to hand. The ending of the CR chilled him to his very marrow.
First, it showed Rittlock’s soldiers retreating. Just as Rodney wondered why he would be showing his own army’s retreat, a small squadron of warwings appeared on
the horizon. Each one dropped a single bomb over various parts of the city. Upon impact, the bombs disintegrated into white light so brilliant Rodney hid his eyes. Then there was silence over the city, and the next picture revealed the results of the bombs. Even though they did some damage at the point of impact, the remainder of the city seemed unscathed.
As his heart pounded, Rodney watched Rittlock’s soldiers, dressed in bio-breaker outfits search the buildings. Their voices reverberated as they spoke through their
mouthpieces attached to the air tanks. In each building they entered, bodies lay piled on the floor. Not a wound marred them, but their faces had frozen in death masks as they
breathed the poisonous fumes of the bio bombs and died instantly. The bio bombs were just one more violation of peace treaties signed after the first great wars.
A shiver suddenly went through him. The lethal gas of the bio bombs was the same as what had killed his wife and son. Knowing what just one capsule could do, he shuddered at the idea of an entire bomb loaded with the gas.
At that moment, he knew he was defeated. A plan began forming in his mind.
The final clip of the CR showed Bolron, his hands tied behind his back, a hood over his head, and his neck resting on a chopping block. Rittlock towered over him with an upraised sword. Just as Rittlock started to bring the blade down, the screen went black. Though there was nothing left to see, Rodney knew Rittlock would come to him next.
***
Helen and Lesa sat on the bed in their rooms and played with their dolls.
“I’m going to be a princess one day and live in a great, big castle,” Helen said.
“Don’t be silly. You know castles don’t exist anymore.”
“Castles are more romantic than skyscrapers and domes.”
“I don’t care where I live. I just want a handsome knight to be my protector and my husband.”
“Now you’re being silly. Knights don’t exist anymore.”
“Yes they do. They just don’t wear armor.”
“Lesa.”
“Yes, Helen?”
“When we grow up, you’re not going to quit being my friend, are you?”
“Why would you ask such a dumb question?”
“You’re the daughter of someone famous. I’m just an orphan who isn’t important at all.”
“You’re important because you’re my friend, and besides, my dad thinks of you like a daughter anyway.”
“I think your dad just took me in because he wanted someone to keep you busy.”
Lisa took Helen’s doll and set it on the bed. Looking gently into Helen’s eyes, she said, “You’re my best friend, and we will always be best friends.” Then she hugged Helen and held her close as her friend cried quietly.
***
Merlin sat at a small council table with Lancelot and Arthur. Lancelot studied the wizard who seemed to be far away. His face seemed sad. “Merlin, do you think we should have an outside wedding so the lower classes can watch?”
Merlin looked up. “Those lower classes form the backbone of your kingdom, and right now, they are not too fond of nobility.”
“I didn’t mean anything bad,” Arthur said. “I want to be their champion. Even if they are not fond of me, they will love Guinivere. So what do you think?”
“You will have to get someone else’s help in planning your wedding. I have other business to attend to.”
“What could be more important than planning my wedding?”
“I must attend a funeral for a friend and check up on family.”
***
Rodney put on the uniform he had worn when he was a general in the first wars. He took great pride in the fact that the uniform still fit him. The call he dreaded had come, and he waited for Rittlock’s emissaries to arrive. What puzzled him was why Rittlock had not swooped in and destroyed him as savagely as he had done to the
neighboring states. Did he intend to humiliate them before destroying them? Rodney had already concluded that he would take his own life before he let Rittlock toy with him
as a cat toys with a mouse.
Someone knocked at his door. His assistant stepped into the room and said quietly, “They’re here, Sir.”
“Let them in.”
Two men entered. They wore the uniform Rodney had come to associate with Rittlock’s army. Both snapped a salute to him. Surprised, Rodney returned it.
“Go ahead, Gentleman,” Rodney said.
“Our president Bosley Rittlock wishes to negotiate a treaty with you, his most-respected friend.”
Rodney laughed, but not out of humor. “Negotiate?”
“This, sir, outlines his proposed terms. I think you will find them mutually beneficial.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Read them, Sir. President Rittlock himself will arrive here in one week at this exact same time to finalize any details, but first, he must bury his mother.”
“Is this a joke?”
“I assure you; President Rittlock could not be any more serious.”
***
When everyone had gone, Merlin walked to the grave and dropped one rose on it. He heard a roar like a mighty dragon overhead. He looked down at the dirt. “What have we done?” he said aloud.
***
Rittlock sat facing Rodney. “Those are my terms,” he said.
“So, if we give you what you want, you protect us?”
“If you don’t, we destroy you and take what we want.”
“Why don’t you do that anyway?”
“I have reasons which are not your business.”
Beaten, but with some relief, Rodney stood. “I guess we have no choice.” He motioned to an aide who stood nearby. “Go and get the girls.”
“Girls? I only want Trilesa.”
“Helen goes too. She is her friend. It will make it much easier on everyone concerned.”
“All right then. Go get them both,” Rittlock said. “We will wait for them by the zipfire.”
The aide left in search of the two girls.
A second aide sat quietly by Rodney. “I am sorry, sir.”
“Sorry for what?”
The aide blinked in surprise. “You’re losing your daughter.”
“That is not cause for sorrow but for rejoicing.”
“I don’t understand how you can—“
“If you could think objectively for just a minute, you would understand. Rittlock has heard the prophecies. He expects my daughter will bring him a mighty ruler, one to
take over the world when he comes of age. My daughter as mother of the greatest kingdom of all time. Think what that means to me, to our land. Also, we get protection.”
“That does make sense, but it still seems cold.”
“Nonsense,” Rodney said. “Rittlock is the most powerful and most wealthy man in the known world. My daughter will grow up in his household and receive blessings and opportunities that I could never give her.”
Someone softly knocked at the door to the chamber. “Enter.”
Lesa and Helen shuffled into the room as if they feared to be in Rodney’s presence.
“You called, Father.”
“I thought you could use a little fun, Lesa. My visitor, a good friend of mine, has the sleekest, fastest zipfire in the country. When I said how much my daughter would like to have one, he told me he would give you a ride. He’s waiting for you outside.”
Helen’s face lit up.
“I don’t think I want to go,” Lesa said.
“Of course we do!” Helen shouted. “I am sorry, sir, for speaking out in your presence.” She bowed; the smile had left her face and fear replaced it.
“Don’t worry …” Rodney paused and tried to think of the girl’s name, “little girl. I don’t blame you for being excited. Now, both of you, go! One more thing, Rittlock.”
Rittlock turned around impatiently. “What?”
“If anything happens to her there will be hell to pay.”
“You don’t know hell, my friend,” Rittlock said.
Reluctantly, Lesa left the room.
“Look!” Helen saw the silvery sleek zipfire, and her mouth dropped open.
“It’s beautiful,” Lesa admitted.
“This machine runs 300 miles per hour in low gear. In space it can do Mach three.” Rittlock smiled at them. His green eyes sparkled. “Get in; we’ll take a ride.”
The door slid open, allowing Helen and Lesa to enter. Then, it quickly shut.
Rittlock looked at his advisor. “Can you wipe out any part of her memory?”
“With one so young, it might be dangerous.”
“Try it on the other one first,” Rittlock said. “If she survives, she can be Lesa’s servant. Then, we work on Lesa.”
“Yes, sir.” The man saluted.
The zipfire rose slowly off the ground, its running tires folding back into the bay area of the ship. It hovered for a brief second as the engines engaged, and after it
reached full power, it zipped away as if it had never been there.
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