Spectacular Tales III Read online

The Indie Collaboration Presents

  Spectacular Tales III

  More thrilling short stories written by independent publishing’s rising stars. In this third SF collection of short fiction, The Indie Collaboration delves into the vaults of speculative fiction once more, bringing you original and innovative Science Fiction and Fantasy stories.

  Here you will find stories about Space Pirates and Barbarians, Survivors of plagues, a man doomed by time and an epic tale about Giants and Monsters.

  So done your space suit and come join us in exploring more ‘Spectacular Tales’.

  ISBN: 9781370505579

  Edited by Chris P. Raven

  Copyright retained by the Authors

  Cover Art by Book Birdy Designs

  The Indie Collaboration grew out of a group of independent authors who decided to show the world how great works of fiction can be, without the involvement of any large publishing companies, by creating a direct channel between themselves and their readers. Each author in this anthology has freely donated their time and work and are committed to the Indie Collaboration's cause:

  “We offer the best of indie writing in bite size pieces and wherever possible, for free.”

  We hope you enjoy our books.

  If you did, then please leave a review where you purchased it.

  CONTENTS

  Ufburk: Antar’s Brace by Donny Swords

  The Quarantine Zone by Ray Foster

  Gracious Dragon by Chris Raven

  Ufburk: Armour of Enthily (Part One) by Donny Swords

  Time by Dani J Caile

  The Strange and Unexpected Fortunes of Cedric Raw by Chris Raven

  Ufburk: Armour of Enthily (Part Two) by Donny Swords

  The Black Knight of Higham by Chris Raven

  The Reaver by Vernon Maxwell

  About The Authors

  Other Publications by The Indie Collaboration

  Ufburk: Antar’s Brace

  By Donny Swords

  Ufburk, now 37, carves a hulking shadow against the curvature of the small interior of the cockpit. In the distance, the sun of an alien cosmos lights the sky brightly. On his forehead, the first sign not of wrinkles, but an omen that the once-barbarians lust for adventuring is ageing him shows plainly on his countenance, and indeed, Ufburk feels old. His spacecraft withstands the torment of flying so close to the sun -somehow.

  A frenzy of lights blinks rapidly on the dash panel. Alarms sound, sonically piercing in volume, and the tones do not relent. Ufburk had encountered the same warnings as this when once, he crashed onto a desolate moon.

  And that fiasco cost him a year. Cursing, he flips open the console before him revealing a myriad of sparkling electronic switches and selects the third one.

  A strange voice, speaking Dirvak, (the language of a dead race) fills the cockpit.

  "Anoka, po."

  The speaker of those words sounds chilling to Ufburk, but he knows what he hears is synthetic, produced soullessly from the computer that runs his craft. He blinks a few times, hoping to gain clearer focus.

  "Anoka, po," chimes the automated voice.

  "Aye," says the once-barbarian, his voice full of a sandy raspiness he hopes will leave him soon.

  Ufburk flicks the fourth and fifth switches, and a panel screen emerges from a slot in the dashboard. A map screen illuminates, and the big man sees then how severely altering course will affect the time involved to complete his quest.

  He has no other choice. Thinking of his lost love, taken by that many-eyed demon stirs the substance of his resolve. The line on his forehead deepens as he plots his new route to the one he must face, a wicked wizard with many eyes and mouths, a Defiler of hope.

  For three years Ufburk had not known of any practical or impractical means that could accomplish the feat of vanquishing his sworn enemy. He'd spent years searching the ruins of the dead Dirvak worlds to find even the remotest clue, the slightest way to possibly slay the sorcerer.

  Presently, Ufburk has a chance to destroy the Many-eyed Wizard, but it is a slim chance.

  The star charts appear overwhelming, but allowing the computer to plan the route is something Ufburk has yet to learn. He sets the bearing and continuing to pilot the ship, begins to navigate beyond the range of the sun.

  The automated voice speaks up again after some time, "Anoka Avba, Fain."

  Ufburk knows those words, 'Danger has passed,' that's what they mean. He is tired, but he does not trust the ship enough to sleep. Not yet, let him move beyond the fringe of the asteroid belt before hanging it up.

  Wrestling his fatigue only makes matters worse, and the pleasant humming drone of the spacecraft, the vibration of it coursing through his seat -ah yes, he is tired, lords.

  His reflection shimmers over the cockpit window and Ufburk sighs, knowing how rank and foul he is after two solid years of space travel. It has been so long since his heels have stood on actual ground that the big man wonders if his quest might overwhelm him.

  Ufburk cares little for his life and has bent his existence to one end, to kill the Many-eyed Wizard that slew Davina, his first and only love. To think of her leaves a coldness in him now. That grey emotion, its implication is an injury Ufburk endures, but he hates the Wizard for taking his hope from him.

  Little else but the course he travels and how little of the peculiar food paste he has aboard the vessel resides between Ufburk's ears. Worse, water supplies are also scarce, and he is ill.

  "Good news travels in packs, like wolves," he hears his cousin saying as if Danno is there when of course his cousin is light years away. The heroic adventurer thinks longingly about the life he would have had if he'd not left his homeworld behind. He notices he has allowed himself to slump in his chair and rights himself. A formal expression passes over his stern and angular face.

  Ufburk's mood brightens, thinking now that had he remained home he'd have become a sheep herder. Seldom is it when Ufburk allows himself to sulk and act like a lonely child, but his comforts do not compare to the countless lives the hero is responsible for saving.

  A huge yawn escapes him, making his chest bellow and then he is coughing. His back aches from a persistent and a racking bronchial infection that he has had for several miles. The edges of his sight lose focus, and his eyes begin to water.

  And in this condition with an inconsistent fever and lack of sleep, Ufburk will travel for another year, to make a stop to gain an advantage on his enemy.