The Gift of Volkeye Read online

  THE GIFT OF VOLKEYE

  By Wrinklegus PoisonTongue

  Copyright © 2014 by Marque Terrynamahr Strickland/Wrinklegus PoisonTongue

  E-Book Edition

  COVER ILLUSTRATION AND BOOK DESIGN BY MARQUE TERRYNAMAHR STRICKLAND/WRINKLEGUS POISONTONGUE

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of my imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Thank you for downloading this e-book. This is the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends and family to download their own copy. Thank you for your support.

  This book is for Lisa Kelly-Wilson, without

  whom I wouldn’t be the writer that I am.

  A Few Words from PoisonTongue:

  Hello, loyal reader! Greetings, fellow writers! As most of you know, it’s a brutal process making a career as a writer, and some of us go through some extremely dark moments. However, emails from fans (especially when they’re from a completely different part of the world, and English isn’t even their first language) are those little rays of sunshine that enable us to keep pushing forward. Writers, no matter how “indie” you are...no matter how few people it seems have read your book, what you do IS worth it! Don’t ever let anyone tell you different. If you touch the soul of just one person (inspiring them, or just entertaining them, and therefore helping them to get through their day easier), then, my friend, you’ve done your job!

  Within the following pages, you’ll find a set of emails, sent by my very first fans. I couldn’t help but share. Knowing that there are more people like them, who are probably searching for a writer like me, helps me to keep fighting the good fight.

  Enjoy!

  —Wrinklegus Ezekiel PoisonTongue

  (And don’t worry...I’ve eliminated the spoilers from the emails. In those portions where you find asterisks, that’s where I had to make adjustments, as to not give away key information!)

  Early Praise for “THE GIFT OF VOLKEYE”

  Alexandra Paschalidis of Frankfurt, Germany

  MAY 2009:

  Hey, KNIGHT OF THE PEN,

  I love “The Gift of Volkeye!!!” I’m only on page 180, as I have to read a book for university as well. Trust me, if I did not have to read the other book I’d be done with yours by now. LOVE IT: the characters, the scenery, details, bloody scenes (whoa), storyline, depictions. Very captivating and enjoyable! I’ve also developed a strong dislike for people with unibrows, by the way! LOL. Muah!

  Love,

  Alexandra, 100% A

  JUNE 2009:

  Guess what?! …

  “The four patients leapt from the edge of the rational land from whence they came and dove into the waters of unexplored territory, bravely setting out to receive...”

  The wording is so beautiful, Marque. *TRUMPET FANFARE*

  ***Side note*** If I hadn’t had to read 4 books for my classes, I’d have been done way sooner. Then again, I did not want your book to end!

  I am done reading your book, and it was thoroughly exciting! I’m sure I went through every possible emotion imaginable while reading. And did I mention that I’ve developed a strong dislike for unibrows...probably in the last email, no? UGH! LOL.

  I laughed my head off (Maugrimm, Peenuhs), or was utterly disgusted (Helena) while reading.

  Brilliant, coherent, ingenious and...words fail me! Your book was so captivating, and I was totally absorbed while reading. Excellent, magnificent! Talking about being absorbed into the story...could you tell me where Phyllamon & Co. resides now? I want to hunt them down! Seriously, I LOVE it, and I’m proud to have it in my bookcase!

  Thank you, Marque! :)

  Love,

  Alexandra, 100% A

  Jennifer Weaver of Vero Beach, Florida

  28th September 2009:

  Hey! OMG! I just got your package today! Wow! I did not expect you to send me TWO books! I am thrilled! Thank you times infinity! I am so touched by your kindness. Seriously, this has got to be one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me! To personally receive books by one of my favorite artists...wow, you totally made my day. Actually, you made the rest of my week! I feel so inspired I’m going to go paint something right now! Thank you, love!

  xoxo

  —Jen :)

  3rd October 2009

  I read right through the Sas book! It was delightful. And I just started reading VOLKEYE, too! Hehe :) I’m on chapter 3...I’ve been drawing all day, so I took breaks with reading. I love your pronunciation list for all the names. The whole thing is hilarious! I’ve been reading so much nonfiction lately; it’s great to read something whimsical for a change! And I LOVE fantasy above all, so it’s perfect! I can’t wait to read more about Sas...Sas kicks ass! HAHA!

  —Jen :)

  6th October 2009

  I’m moving right along in Volkeye...and really starting to get pulled into the story. It’s like a whole different kind of fantasy world than the typical knights and faeries and dragons and all that...I get the coolest visions in my head! Happy writing, my friend!

  xoxo

  —Jen

  7th October 2009

  Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone else read it! It’s all MINE! Heheh! :) But I will definitely let people know, when your book hits stores, that I have one of the original manuscripts, signed and noted to moi! LOL! They’ll be, like, “How in the world did you manage that?” And I’ll just be, like, “Well I just happen to know Mr. PoisonTongue!”

  And they’ll shake their heads and tell me I’m weird like usual, but I’ll just laugh. I’m not at the Igloo yet...I just got past the part where ******* kills his ******* and Sing is wanting to kill Phyllamon, because he’s being a perverted fucker! I had to work all day, so unfortunately the only reading I was able to get in was during my lunch break, but now that I’m home, I’m about to relax with some Bacardi and VOLKEYE!

  Hope you have a good night, hon! =]

  —Jen

  9th October 2009

  Hell freakin’ yeah! I love these chicks! They’re like Amazon warriors! I want super ******** like Bahzee! And I think Sing is my new idol! It’s just too awesome they’re not all damsel-in-distress-like. They kick that ass themselves! LOL.

  17th October 2009

  Hey! I’m 3/4 of the way through Volkeye, so I want to finish it because I’m really sucked in at this point! Then I’m going to read the prologue for your other story! =] When I get involved in one book I usually like to just finish it before diving into another. I just got through the huge battle scene where ******** was blown up by ***** ...I raced through that whole chapter! Talk about action-packed! Now the people of Rhameeryla are heading to the *****! Great writing, my friend! Bravo! I’m writing this from North Carolina, and it is freezing here! We may get some snow! Woohoo! Hope you have a great weekend, sweetie =]

  —Jen

  20th October 2009

  So I just got back from North Carolina yesterday. I spent several of my nights up there staying up past three in the morning, completely absorbed in THE GIFT OF VOLKEYE! LOL. Yeah, after the first few battle scenes, it’s pretty safe to say I kinda FLEW through that book! I think my favorite aspects, at first, were Khyeryn and Lyn Sha’s transformations...and Bahzee’s too...

  But when Teshunua became ***** that took the cake! LOL! I seriously want to see this turn into a movie one day! It would be, like, the next epic, like Lord of the Rings, but waaaayyy edgier and ju
st overall ass whooping badass!

  xoxo

  —Jen

  Saturday, 9th January 2010

  Awww, Marque, you are so sweet! OF COURSE I read your stuff! How rude of me would it be to just let your books sit there after you were nice enough to send them to me? Pretty freakin’ rude! Hehe! Besides, I LOVE IT!! Volkeye is definitely one of my favorite fantasy books of all time. Seriously, it has got to be the most unique story I have ever read, simply because it’s not just the typical fantasy story (as I’ve told you before). I love all the futuristic biomechanical stuff you blended into it!

  And thank you so much for the email! And I DO feel special, courtesy of Mr. PoisonTongue himself! Hehe! K, well I’m gonna get started on reading that email story. Tea and cookies sounds lovely!

  xoxo —Jen Jen

  Name Pronunciation

  Do keep in mind that I’m a widely travelled wizard, who is constantly migrating about the globe. So, aside from the names in this list, you’ll find that I prefer spellings used in different parts of the world. You’ll always find the U in words like “colour” or “favourite.” And when it comes to my most indulged practice, you’ll see that I prefer the word in one of its oldest forms: “MAGYK.” It will remain thus across my entire catalogue of books, so if this bothers you, you should probably acquire reading material elsewhere. However, you all should know, there are spells placed upon all of my stories! Anyone attempting to abandon them (especially if it’s over your feeble-minded ineptitude at making sense of alternate spellings) won’t live to tell the tale. You’ve been warned!

  **

  Murlach — (Mur-lock)

  Phyllamon Xyecah — (Fil-a-mon Zy-ka)

  Sing Tzi Yi — (Sing Zy-Yee)

  Zynathian Volkeye — (Zin-a-thee-yin Volk-eye)

  Lyn Sha — (Lin Sha)

  Khyeryn — (Ky-rin)

  Asha — (You really need to start reading more if you can’t pronounce this!)

  Bahzee — (Baz-ee)

  Teshunua (Tesh-u-na)

  Felix — (I’m not going to bother!)

  Helena — (See the response above.)

  Belch — (Sorry, there’s no way in hell I’m going to help you with something that you’ve been doing your whole lives!)

  Maugrimm — (This is an easy one, too, but I’ll be nice…Mawg-rim)

  Jix — (Oh, heeeeeeeeeeeell no!)

  Vlajdimir Ghurzblood — (Vlad-a-meer Goorz-blood)

  Zephranie Ghurzblood — (Ze-fran-ee Goorz-blood)

  Ya Minj — (Dude, seriously, come on! It’s two friggin’ syllables. FIGURE. IT. OUT!)

  Nhad — (Na-Hod)

  Anup — (An-Yoop)

  Zu — (Zoo)

  Rhylix — (Ri-lix)

  Mheep — (Meep)

  Dhorm — (Dorm. You know, like, that thing some of you used to live in while in school?)

  Peenuhs Dickery — (Penis Dick-e-ree. Yes, I know…I had quite a lot of fun with this character!)

  The Gift of Volkeye: Book One

  Prologue

  Tears plummeted down each cheek as he cut off his daughter’s legs and then her arm.

  A wave of nausea stole over him as he gazed upon his children’s severed limbs, which lay in a crimson pool amidst a steel container, adjacent his table. Being a doctor of sorts, who’d bore witness to many more gruesome sights than this, the man was slightly taken aback at his angst. Most of this, however, he attributed to never (before now) having to save the lives of his children. The experience was jarring for him.

  Flustered at his obligation to give blood to Khyeryn, he’d misinterpreted Lyn Sha’s needs and drained far too much blood from her limbs, thereby making them useless. He would have to give her new ones.

  Damn it to hell! I know it was you…you’ll pay for this, mark my words!

  It was clear that Khyeryn was mauled by something, because of the prominent bite marks where his arm had been. This was the first tragedy the man had faced in twelve years, and he was livid that this misery befell the children, his pride and joy. Infuriated by the necessity of his actions, he commenced with the operation.

  While examining their x-rays, his head pained from the many questions racing about. Though he’d have no evidence to support his theories until his son woke, he couldn’t help but blame his sworn enemy. Intuitively knowing that he was responsible for this calamity, the enraged father continued the procedure without conscience. If he needed to bestow his children such lethal gifts for them to protect themselves against the likes of this man, then…

  “So be it!”

  I

  Beware the Bald Man with the Unibrow!

  I

  Master, Underling, Nosy Servants, and Sing Tzi Yi

  1

  “No, Master.”

  “You have no ideas at all?”

  “None, Sire. By what means shall I create such an army? …Magyk?”

  “I thought you were brilliant, fool! I’ve waited on you all this time, and what do I have from two decades worth of your work? Nothing!”

  “Sorry to disappoint, Master—if you think you can do better…”

  Wanting to throttle his underling for the cheeky attitude, the man’s unibrow arched at the ends.

  “Tell me, why am I keeping you around if you can’t help me take vengeance?”

  The little man-creature stopped and gazed at his master.

  “Even if I had the tools to create this supposedly unstoppable army, how would we lead them to battle with someone who is rumoured to live in the empyrean…if he still exists?”

  “I’m certain he does.”

  “You’re sure he hasn’t died in all these years since he burglarized your mines, making a fool out of you?”

  Phyllamon set a menacing gaze on Murlach, a genetic scientist and breeder of beasts, as well as a brilliant drug and poison maker. Irritated, he answered, “Yes, I’m positive…I won’t go through life without facing him again. He will die by my hand, or I by his.”

  Murlach ran his hand across his oversized cranium, a head that was so large it led many to wonder why he didn’t topple over. And he was short enough that the top (which held a small patch of sweaty brown hair) merely came to Phyllamon’s waist. Also, his skin was a dull colour, a value which was somewhere between tan and smoke gray.

  Murlach shook his head in uncertainty and replied.

  “Then perhaps you must wait for the Divine to lead you to him, Master, because I have no means to help you.”

  Once again, Phyllamon sighed at this response. It had been thus for two decades, and although he’d gotten the same answer time after time, his blood churned with rage, nonetheless.

  As Murlach pondered his master’s unreasonable optimism for always expecting his answer to be different, he stepped away from him, because Phyllamon was renowned for unleashing fits of anger without forethought. He had gotten worse over the years, and those who were close to him thought that the unfulfilled vendetta to avenge his father was driving him mad.

  Growing up, Phyllamon had heard stories of the boy who slew his father. No one had intentionally relayed these tales to him, but he’d caught bits and pieces of the servants’ conversations. They were extravagant tellings of a genius young man, who lived in a flying hut he’d built, just big enough for him. Supposedly, this person beat his father to death, and it was the crowd of bystanders who spread the tale and made it legendary.

  Once, as a boy, Phyllamon overheard handmaidens reveling with passion as they described the young man delivering the final blow to his father. He’d ordered them beheaded for this blasphemy. His father had been a god in his eyes! Unbeknownst to him, Drakys Xyecah, his father, was the one of the most hated men in existence at the time.

  It was rumoured that Drakys secretly murdered Phyllamon’s mother, because she threatened a divorce, infuriated by his infidelities. Unwilling to part with her fortune, because her inheritance quadrupled his already tremendous wealth, he poisoned her. Hence, Phyllamon was raised solely by his father and had
been greatly attached to him. However, being incredibly young then, he knew nothing about the atrocities linked to Drakys, so he was unaware that his father’s murder had been in the making for some time. Were the culprit not the genius boy, it surely would have been someone else.

  Phyllamon had only been twelve when one of the servants burst into the chamber with news of Drakys’ murder. He’d longed for revenge ever since.

  “Very well,” Phyllamon said, temporarily accepting the fact that Murlach’s intelligence was useless under the circumstances. He gazed down the empty corridor for some time, then his eyes widened with realization. Phyllamon turned to Murlach.

  “We’ve been going about this improperly for years! Instead of trying to get to him directly, we can draw him out. The last we met, he swore that he would be watching my every move, and he obviously has. The ransacking of my mines, years ago, is proof!” Phyllamon began pacing. “If we terrorize the outside world, he will show his face…I know it.”

  Murlach nodded in agreement.

  “We’ll give this task to Zu, I think,” Phyllamon said.

  “I disagree, Sire. Zu is too smart for such light work. He’ll be more useful when…”

  Murlach trailed off, having no words to describe his greatest desire. Though he was always blasé with Phyllamon when giving his opinion on the matter, he was actually obsessed with gaining the knowledge to create this army. To achieve it would make him a god amongst intellectuals! Sighing, he shook his head, thinking it impossible. Though it was not in his nature to believe rumours, Murlach thought if there was one soul in existence with the type of knowledge he wished to acquire, it was Phyllamon’s long-sought enemy.