Marcus Constantinides in Albion Sub Terra: An Tir Gallósek- The Mighty Land, Book Two

Marcus Constantinides in Albion Sub Terra: An Tir Gallósek- The Mighty Land, Book Two

Marcus and Dmitri are soldiers of the Ares Mons who came with Philippa Agrippa to Vindavia Nova. The Army has withdrawn, and they have taken up shepherding. Marcus has a new sheepdog, Rosa, a rare and valuable Agassian hound. It's time to move the flocks to the summer meadow. On the way back, there's a thick fog. Rosa suddenly disappears. The men both run after her. They are swallowed by a sea of pebbles, and end up in an underground world. It is the mysterious realm of the Two Kingdoms of Caer Hudol and Karrek Du, and the original inhabitants of the region, the Ek. The search for Rosa leads to new friends from both Kingdoms, including members of the royal families, as well as Pompi the parrot, and Fishy the lagaloor. The companions make some startling discoveries, deep underground. When Marcus and Dmitri return to the surface, they discover that an old comrade is waiting to see them, and that more adventures are on the horizon. Excerpt, Chapter 3 - Conditions for Feasting (the men are attacked by a vicious boar) Time seemed to slow down for Marcus. He noticed the powerfully rippling muscles in the boar's flank as it ran. The creature's mouth was open, exposing jagged yellow teeth. Marcus looked over at Harper. Their motionless friend was still wearing his sword. The attack had clearly been a surprise. The pool of blood was spreading. Far up above, there were torch-lights, and he heard distant shouting, as the Guards of Annuvin responded to the commotion under the bridge. He looked at Dmitri. His companion was getting ready to fight! Marcus watched him draw, flip, and prepare to crouch and jab. It was one of the Army combat drills that they had done so many times. Draw, flip, crouch, and jab. Marcus looked fondly at his friend beside him, holding his weapon out against this monstrous beast. Then Marcus quickly stepped forward two paces. He drew his sword. As the boar lunged, he flipped the blade upright, assuming a crouching position. He jabbed upwards. The boar squealed horribly. Marcus's shoulder was suddenly wrenched with pain, and he fell backwards... Excerpt, Chapter 12 - A Well-Dressed Couple (Pippa meets the An Dhew, a Gender Non-Binary Service Collective) Pippa was looking curiously at the An Dhew. "These are the An Dhew," said Dmitri. "They don't use individual names. They're a sort of... service collective." "Pleased to meet you, An Dhew," said Arghan, clasping wrists with all four of them. "I like your outfits," said Pippa, peering at them closely. "Is your group a mix of men and women?" The An Dhew recited together, "We are An Dhew. We are both. We are not one. Nor are we none. We are An Dhew." "By the Gods, that's mysterious." Pippa said, smiling broadly and exposing the gap where her tooth had been knocked out."The An Dhew declare themselves gender-neutral," Gwynalli explained, "so they don't have to conform to traditional roles. Unless they want to, then they leave the order." "That's genius!" Pippa exclaimed. "I wish I had thought of it." Arghan looked at her in surprise. "I mean back when I first enlisted," she said with a laugh. "Not any time recently."