Ravyn Karasu's Story Sampler: Volume One: Story Samplers, #1

Please Note

This e-book is just a sampler of five books and does not contain the entirety of any publication. If you enjoy these excerpts, you are encouraged to purchase the full book or books of your choice to continue to read or learn more about the story. All of the information you need will be provided. All books are available in paperback and e-book formats (you can also find Resonance in single e-book only format).

CONTENTS

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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To everyone who has been supportive in my writing endeavors, thank you so very much.

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Special thanks to Jennifer Schricker, R.J. Gonzalez, and Sarius Impariul for helping me to create beautiful book covers.

Book: Akhetaten’s Gates

Genre: Spiritual Adventure/Historical Fiction

ISBN: 987-1-4251-6615-1

987-1-4669-7121-9

Synopsis:

Nefertiti always believed that she was destined to be a nobody, and living in her sister's shadow. All of that changed when she was pulled from death by a mysterious entity and placed in a modern world to prepare for her destiny.

Five years later, Nefertiti is returned to the land of ancient Egypt and comes face to face with a misfit prince named Amenhotep IV. Together, they form a love and bond that endures throughout spiritual adventures, political mishaps, and outrageous acts of blasphemy. Follow this semi-whimsical tale of a love that lasts throughout all hardships and throughout the tests of time.

SEVEN

Something startled me awake, making me jolt up in my cot. What was that? It was...a noise...wasn’t it? But, what sort of noise would occur way out here in the middle of the desert? Some animal, right? I soon calmed, realizing perhaps I had just been dreaming and shot awake. Awake because...oooh my! I really had to pee! I looked around, as if hoping that, by some magical phenomenon of nature, a bathroom had appeared within. Duh! No such luck. Well, no place else to go but...outside. I grabbed the flashlight and some shoes and out I went, trying my best to avoid cobras and scorpions and...any other sand dwellers. And I finally made it to my destination of the porto-potty. It was obviously never the most desirable place to be, but it sure beat doing it out in the open. It proved a purpose of which I was most grateful for. Once finished, I came out and inhaled the fresh night air deeply. It was cooler in the desert at night. It was a real relief from the scorching sun that hovered overhead during the day. Empty bladder and cool evening breeze...very nice. However, suddenly on the breeze, I heard what sounded like a chorus of voices. I couldn’t quite understand, as they were barely audible. I spun around, trying to find a source. Unsuccessful. Drake? Drake, is that you? If this is your idea of a joke, it’s not funny! It won’t work, I’m not scared!

Another whisper in the wind and I gulped at the realization that it was not Drake. It couldn’t be Drake...at least not just Drake. There were many male voices and many female voices as well. But, they weren’t familiar to me. They couldn’t be from members of the team. I would recognize them, wouldn’t I? And what stupid benefits would be gotten from this prank? Yet again it called out in such a soothing and peaceful harmony. The breeze seemed to pull me, call to me, wish to usher me with it. I wasn’t really even sure where it was coming from. Was it coming from the source of the wind? The direction the wind was heading?

I looked to the east, seeing the deep blue giving way to a dark purple. The first hints of an upcoming dawn were peeking over the horizon. Within a few hours, the sun would be overflowing over the akhet. Perhaps I should have rationalized this situation. It wasn’t every day some mystic wind called out for someone. Really, such things only happened in myths and sci fi or fantasy fiction.

*

I had to admit; the akhet sure seemed closer than it really was. Who would have thought that such an illusion could appear? No matter how much I walked, it never seemed to get closer...at least not at first. It felt like it took forever by the time I finally reached the base of the mountains. The first rays of morning were gently tickling what was left of the night sky, blanketing the desert.

Hello?! I called. Is someone up there?! Okay, that was a dumb question, or so I thought. I mean, it took a few hours to reach this place. Anything that had called couldn’t still be there. And, come to think of it...if something was here, how could I have heard it from way over there?

" Aurora..." the unison of voices whispered, sounding close, and almost as if it would break off into a soothing song.

Why are you calling me?! Who’s up there?! How do you know my name?! And then...why is it so strange, and yet so familiar at the same time?

" Come," the voices called. I wished to question them further, but found myself, instead, coming to their beckoning. I could not resist their command. It was like it pulled me along. So, up the akhet I climbed, not even thinking about the dangers of doing such a thing. I had no knowledge of rock climbing, and no experience, obviously. Yet, any amount of sense or logic became absent of this fact. As if that in itself wasn’t strange, I was actually able to scale the rock formation with no trouble whatsoever. Mountaineers would be so envious of my feat. Or, at least it would if I had a great mount to top off the climb. Just as I had reached the top, the rocks below me gave way, sending me sliding down the rocks into the mountain’s akhet-shaped dip. It was there I landed in a groove that was smooth, similar to a banana seat. I wasn’t hurt and realized I actually had not fallen very far. I opened my eyes, which I had instinctually closed tight in the fall and before me I saw the goal I had been searching for...

Before and hovering above me was a dull, orange being. It was...as pale as the rising morning sun. It had a soft, warm glow. It was so unreal, so impossible...but there it was. It was a giant...ball or disc of...this. Who... who are you? This creature had no body to speak of. It didn’t even have a face. It was simply that...an orb...like those commercials and cartoons...a living sun. Appearing and vanishing in unregulated intervals were countless arms and hands. It perhaps could have had an infinite amount, but it rotated out six at a time. It was so familiar...so familiar. Where...why? I knew this...thing.

" The question, it began, is who are you, Child?"

I had a sudden streak of conceit. Perhaps you could say I overreacted.

I am Aurora Dallon! Who are you?! What are you?! What do you want?! And why would you ask such a stupid question when you called me by name?!

" Aurora Dallon? My, such a sharp tongue you have. You seem to have adapted rather well to this world."

What are you talking about?! I demanded. Why are you evading my questions?! Answer me!

" Where are you from?" It asked in such a sweet and calm tone. It really irked me.

I’m from America, I spat, turning up my nose and crossing my arms like the snooty child I was. It turned a little, adjusting itself on the horizon. If it had a face, I’d almost wonder if it was casting me a side-glance.

" Are you sure? Are you sure, Aurora?"

And to that, I became rather indignant, I think I would know where I came from!

" You think?" It repeated. " To think; to know... Two totally different things."

Deep and philosophical at this time in the morning?! How annoying, yet humbling. Well, trying to get stuck up with it wasn’t going to get me anywhere it seemed. So, I gave a defeated sigh, trying a calmer approach,

Please, who are you?

" I am a being of old. I’ve known you forever. I knew of your birth; and I knew of your potential. It was I who saved you from the fate that Amun had planned and destined for you."

Amun? Just exactly how old are we talking about, here?

" Oh, very old. It rose a little higher, pushing itself a little further over the horizon. My name...is not important at this moment. You will learn it when the time is right."

Why were you calling me? I asked. What business do you have with me?

The color of the sun creature began to change, lightening from the dark orange to a shade of pale yellow. " Poor thing. You seem to have forgotten your past and all that it had entailed. Child, to save you from the wrath of Amun Ra, I plucked you from his vision and placed you here, in this strange and distant time and world. I had great plans for you, and I had to make sure that you were properly prepared."

Pre...prepared? Prepare me for what?

" Long ago, your perception was clouded and you were incapable of seeing; blind to ever imagine your importance. As you once said...Ah, the youngest never gets anything while the eldest reap all the joys. Is this not how you thought? No one was able to hold you back here. You were given the tools to move beyond just a good thinker, and to take it to the next step, gaining your confidence and independence. You are now able to live up to your potential and now house the strength to endure what it will bring to you. In a time far unlike this one, by my hands you were plucked from the jowls of death. It was I who cradled you in my arms and kept you from the eyes of Amun. The only eyes to see you...were my own."

I  thought hard about the sun’s words. Images long suppressed in my subconscious memory started to flicker through my head. And then, I knew them! Lia! Why didn’t save Lia?!

" It would have totally defeated the purpose. Her life meant that you would never proceed beyond the boundaries she created for you. She was the wall that you had to climb, the obstacle you had to surpass. The eldest will not steal your glory from you, now. You would never know your true radiance without her death. You are a vital part to assisting my manifestation. I grew very angry with Amun and his arrogance."

So all of this is simply for revenge and no real admirable cause? I asked, getting a little offended. That is so petty. So, you use mortals as pawns for the divine temper tantrums?

" It is not like that, Child. It is much deeper than that. You will understand this in time. Such a light radiated from you, and Amun grew angry...and fearful that you could threaten his plans. So, he wished to snuff out your light. I saved it, placing it in a sanctuary inaccessible to fallen gods."

Fallen? I asked. I don’t understand. If ancient gods are fallen gods, then you too should be one of them.

" Gods are made and forgotten," it said, trying to explain it to me.

" But, I am the sun. I am eternal. I am not like the other ancient gods. I am not a figure comparable to mankind in any way. I am not an imagined vision. I am as I am. The sun is the sun and will always be so. Without the sun, there is nothing. I am a rather passive deity, Child. But, do not think too lightly of what I am capable of. I am a very powerful entity as well. I was attracted to your natural desire for intelligence and independence, and your potential for leadership. This is such a delightful combination of character traits to an avatar like you."

So, what is it you want of me now? I asked.

" I want you to be you. Five years have passed since your ordeal and so shall be it. A new light shall befall upon that world and he awaits. He knows, for I have bestowed it to him... a beautiful lady shall come."

So then what? You plan to take me somewhere else? How will I know what to do? You are still evading me, and avoiding giving me clear answers.

" It will come to you, Child. The knowledge will regenerate and generate as you need it. I will not let anything happen to you. You are a survivor and... you are who I love. You...and him. Besides, it suddenly let out a chuckle, ...imagine how dull the world of theology would be if gods simply said things plain and simple. It would create a lack of opportunities for mortals to prove just how intelligent they are."

I peered back from the direction I had come from so far. I could see the speckle of the camp. The sun disc wanted to take me from all that I could remember. Was this...what I wanted? A part of me feared this...unknown that would be unfolding before me. I was uncertain of this transition and a piece of me wanted to abandon any grand destiny. I wanted to remain with Darla and Bernard and perhaps learn to be what they wanted...a normal girl, and I could be their daughter and grow to be a powerful woman here. But, this thing had said that a powerful life awaited me elsewhere. It was exciting and a real answer to my prayers. I had wanted something definite I could see with my own eyes to intervene and give me a solution to my despair over being the misfit. Something inside me wanted this...and that excitement mixed with the uncertainty made me feel ill. If this...god was looking out for me, it would have to turn out alright...right? After all, it had gone through all this trouble to save my life and give me this chance. Didn’t I...owe it to the thing to at least try? What about them? What will happen to them? Won’t this...hurt them? It’s like...taking their child from them again.

" You must bid them farewell. But, you needn’t worry. Your presence among them in this world will be just a pleasant dream...a distant memory of fantasy. This is not your time, Child. You belong in your own time. Please, forgive me for any pain or loss you may feel, or any trouble you feel I have been for you. I will do all that I can to make it up to you."

I really wasn’t able to agree or protest either way. The hands reached out and took hold of me. It brought me close to it, holding me in such a comforting manner, cradling me. It was rising higher and higher into the sky as dawn broke finally into morning. It grew warmer and brighter, forcing me to shut my eyes so tight. I couldn’t even really imagine what sort of adventures could be resting before me. It created such aggressive butterflies within me. But the legacy I was about to engage... it would live forever...

EIGHT

My body ached as I opened my eyes. I was no longer embedded in the arms of that creature, nor was I at the archeological campsite. Instead, I was lying in the middle of a lush garden by a man-made stream. This was nothing like the place from whence I came. This was much cooler and smelled of