The Lake of Destiny
978-1-907934-02-5
In medieval England, early Christians battle the forces of magic and the dark forests are filled with wolves. Laura, an eighteen year old convent girl, is chosen for a dangerous quest. She must find a magical weapon of mass destruction and keep it safe from war-mongering demon hordes. She has a rival in her quest; Ciaran, a young wizard, longs to possess this instrument of power. They meet by chance and for a time they travel together, helping each other to face the dangers that wait for them on the path. But unknown to Laura, Ciaran is hiding something — or is something hiding deep within Ciaran?
Follow the adventures of Laura and Ciaran as they travel beneath the autumn leaves, through underground tunnels and black caves, and come at last to the hidden vault of the Magician's College, with its deadly guardians.
Read the review by S J Higbee on Brainfluff
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An extract from The Lake of Destiny
She used her sword to hack away at the thick mesh of spider's webs that blocked the entrance. When she had made a hole large enough that she could get through without the sticky strands touching her clothes, she walked into the darkness of the vault. Sheathing her sword, she awkwardly lit the candle she had brought with her, only to have it knocked out of her hand by long bony fingers. She just had time to draw her sword and parry the blow aimed at her head by a skeletal hand. Glowing red eyes filled with malice glared down at her. She aimed for the space below the eyes with the strongest stroke she could deliver with her left hand. The sword did not fail her. It cut right through the thick bones of the spine, severing the skeleton in half. Bone upon bone it fell at her feet.
But the light in the red eyes did not go out. The bones clicked one against the other until the severed halves of the spine found their joining point. With a final click they came together and bone by bone the skeleton started to rise up before her.
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The World Below
978-1-907934-04-9
No human has entered the World Below, fabled land of demons, for hundreds of years. For Laura and Ciaran, it is their destination, sought yet feared. To reach it they must travel through the land of Lyonesse, fighting their many foes with sword and magic. On a faraway shore they find the hidden gate to an underground world of demonic magic and monstrous beasts. It is hard to enter and even harder to leave. The schemes of their enemies threaten their happiness, their freedom and their lives. But the greatest danger of all waits for them by the dark stream that flows through the World Below.
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An extract from The World Below
When he saw that ahead of him the passage widened into another chamber, he put out the magic light and crept forward, one hand against the wall, careful to make no sound. When the wall came to an end he knew he stood at the entrance to the chamber. He could see nothing in the blackness ahead. Then he heard a rustle and a scrape. Something was waiting for him in the darkness. Again a rustle; this time he felt the air move, as if something large had moved fast and close by.
Ciaran shouted a word of power as he aimed a blast of magic energy in the direction of the sound. White light flared as the bolt of power rushed through the air. He saw a fierce yellow eye and a great curved beak as the monster was thrown against the rough rock of the far wall. Then the room fell back into darkness and he threw himself sideways as he felt the creature hurl its bulk straight at him. He felt its feathers brush against his arm. Before it could turn and attack again, Ciaran struck with a another magical blow. Again the monster was dashed against the wall and some of its blue-black feathers fell singed to the floor. Still it was not vanquished but raised itself up and flew at Ciaran again, darting at him with the swift sure aim of a bird of prey. With a blaze of light Ciaran struck at it with all the strength of his power. The magical force stopped the bird as if it had struck a wall. It let out a dreadful screech as it fell to the floor. The loud sound made Ciaran's ears ring. It raised a wing longer than a man's arm and flapped it feebly. It gave one more screech, not as loud as before. Then the yellow eyes closed and the great hammerhawk was dead.
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Taliesin's Heir
When a friend of Laura's is killed she needs to take action. Leaving her family behind, she travels to London to track down the killers. Not long after, three demons secretly enter the city. A monster lurks deep in the river Thames. In the midst of conflicting loyalties, how can Laura keep her magic sword out of the hands of traitors and save their victims when they call on her for help?
And how can Taliesin's prophecy come true, when all the experts of the Magician's College agree there is no magic left in his wand?
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An extract from Taliesin's Heir
William clenched his fists. "You say you are the killer of Barnard of La Rochelle. If you are really the swordswoman you claim to be, you will not refuse wager of battle!"
Laura turned pale. No doubt Sir William meant to challenge her himself. Though she knew herself to be an able swordswoman, even in her short time in London she had heard tales of his prowess with a blade. He was the favourite for the sword fighting contest in the big tournament. If she refused to fight him, she would be believed guilty of treason. If she accepted his challenge, it might be the last time she ever drew her sword.
"I accept," she said, and though her heart beat fast her voice did not falter.
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Swords of Elyx Games
Dracontias Keep
The tale of a necromancer's apprentice
Play Dracontias Keep online
Edmund, a character in all three books, defends a castle in Spain against attack by demons.
Wendelflame
Follow the adventures of Wendell as he travels through time, encounters ghosts and demons, learns alchemy and magic and invents a magical weapon. His weapon, wendelflame, is used in The World Below, the second book of the trilogy.
Wendelflame is in three parts.
Melusine
What would you sacrifice to find out a secret?
Play Melusine online
Melusine is a character in the novel Taliesin's Heir by Susan Bartholomew. The game was made by Susan Bartholomew for the Nine Worlds 2014 game jam.
Susan Bartholomew is Endelyon on itch.io, a games website. Play her other games and follow her for updates.
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About Susan Bartholomew
Susan Bartholomew is the author of medieval fantasy novels The Lake of Destiny, The World Below and Taliesin's Heir which make up the Swords of Elyx trilogy. Susan has also written several short stories, some of which can be read on her website faceinterface. She also writes interactive fiction and text games using the name Endelyon.
Susan's next project is an interactive fiction about Sidonia the Sorceress. Follow her on itch.io for news about this.
Susan has appeared on several panels at Fantasycons, Eastercons, Eurocons and Nine Worlds, on a range of fantasy related topics including her favourite TV series Game of Thrones. She has read extracts from her novels at Eastercons and Fantasycons, and read her poetry at open mic events.
For Susan's next appearance, see her events page on faceinterface.
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