“It is an enormous cave system, and this hunting party has likely been out for quite some time. It is a dangerous undertaking for them, but the Unguhur do not want to eat fish constantly,” Gunther stated, another grin escaping him, as he eyed Erin’s continuing discomfort. “And, like all of us, they like to test themselves, though I admit that they do indeed choose difficult tests.”
“Nothing I would like to test myself with, anytime soon, or even remotely encounter,” Lee said, glancing back to the nearly forty foot length of the serpent, and the massive head at one end.
“I cannot say I disagree,” Gunther said, also looking upon the dead snake.
Most ironically, Lee got the impression that he and his companions were every bit as exotic to the Unguhur as the warriors’ underworld catch was to the newcomers. Lee caught the successful hunters more than once stealing curious glances towards his own party.
Though they continued in their labors, there was no mistaking that the hunters were greatly intrigued by the sight of the humans. Lee surmised that it was Eranthus’ presence as an Unguhur of great authority that prevented them from giving in further to their manifest curiosity.
Lee then noticed that Eranthus had just sent the two warriors, who had escorted them from the cavern-forest, on towards the metropolis. The two creatures headed briskly in the direction of the steep flight of stone steps. The two lance-bearing sentries made no move to hinder them as they drew up to the base of the climb.
The two Unguhur then quickly ascended the steps in fluid strides, their movements looking effortless to Lee’s eyes. The warriors finally reached some manner of stone platform or landing at the end of the long staircase, disappearing from view as they proceeded towards the massive, circular structure looming at the summit.
“Welcome to Oranim, the great city of the Unguhur,” Gunther informed Lee and the others. “There are other underground forests, such as the one that you have seen, but this is the only city for this population of Unguhur. From what I can tell, several hundred live here, perhaps as many as a thousand, a population that has dwelled beneath Saxany for many, many years.”
“This is just amazing. …” Ryan stated, his voice trailing off. He looked around thunderstruck, his eyes panning along the sights of the stone metropolis.
Lee could add nothing to his young friend’s assessment, content to stand in place, and quietly take it all in.
•
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More from Author
Stephen Zimmer
Begin Another Epic Adventure in The Exodus Gate,
Book One of The Rising Dawn Saga.
For Benedict Darwin, a prominent radio show host whose broadcasts cover the supernatural, paranormal, mythical, and conspiratorial, a new virtual reality device with a mythical setting promises some fascinating diversions. That the device was a gateway across time and space, designed for a very specific purpose, was the last thing that he suspected.
A shadow is falling over the world, as a group of financial and political elite work to bring the world together under one authority, a centuries-old process called The Convergence. They are guided from the depths of the Abyss, where Diabolos, The Shining One, rules from the Risen Throne. Diabolos hungers for not just the world, but also dominion over Heaven itself. Great powers are mustering in the TenFold Kingdom to assault Adonai’s realm like never before, to bring a great war that has gone on since before time began to a triumphant end. Only then can all worlds be remade in the image of Diabolos.
Bringing back the Nephilim, the monstrous offspring of Fallen Avatars and humans that existed before a terrible deluge destroyed them ages ago, is part of this gathering of infernal power. The virtual reality device in Benedict’s possession is a key component of that plan, and the hunt is soon on to recover the gateway device. For Benedict, Arianna, high-school student Seth Engel, and others, the path becomes harrowing and filled with peril and encounters with the fantastical; but a device can be used for other purposes, than those for which it was originally intended.
An epic adventure that takes place in a world like ours, and incredible worlds and realms beyond, The Exodus Gate opens The Rising Dawn Saga.
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Praise for
The
Exodus Gate
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“With The Exodus Gate author Stephen Zimmer sets
the stage for an adventurous new science fiction fantasy
series that is sure to entertain the reader from beginning
to end. Zimmer has weaved a tale of fantastic realms
populated with exotic creatures. Keep a sharp eye out
for this new series.”
—Mark Randell –Yellow30 Sci-Fi
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“The first book of the Rising Dawn Saga, The Exodus Gate is a promising beginning to what will probably be a thrilling trilogy in a style that is a cross between Clark Ashton Smith and C.S. Lewis for its usage of mythic and religious symbols in a fantastic mixture of the ancient and modern worlds.”
-H. David Blalock, Pure Reason Review.
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“Zimmer’s writing style is very to the point and forces you
into the story very quickly.”
-Jon Snow-Best Fantasy Books
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What I loved the most about this book is the way that the author blended several different genres together. You’ve got Sci/Fi, Fantasy, Techno-Thriller, all rolled up into one and it works. It manages to follow the conventions of all of those genres and still come off fresh. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like it.”
M.Y., Nashville, TN. from Amazon.com review
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ISBN Number 978-0-615-26747-0
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•ABOUT THE AUTHOR
STEPHEN ZIMMER, ORIGINALLY BORN IN DENVER, COLORADO, CURRENTLY RESIDES IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY WHERE HE IS AN AUTHOR AND A FILMMAKER. STEPHEN WROTE AND DIRECTED THE FEATURE-LENGTH, INDIE FANTASY/SUPERNATURAL THRILLER SHADOWS LIGHT, AS WELL AS THE 30 MINUTE SHORT HORROR FILM THE SIRENS, INCLUDED ON THE INDIE MOVIE MASTERS FESTIVAL OF HORRORS VOL. 1 DVD.
The Exodus Gate, Book One of The Rising Dawn Saga, was Stephen’s first novel. The epic modern fantasy novel was released in March of 2009 through publisher Seventh Star Press, with the second installment of the series scheduled for a late spring 2010 release.
Crown of Vengeance is Stephen’s second novel, and the first book of the new epic fantasy series Fires in Eden.
Stephen maintains an active online presence at
www.stephenzimmer.com
where information on his literary, movie, and other endeavors can be acquired, as well as links to his social networking and blog presences.
Table of Contents
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Unifier
Janus
Mershad
Erin
Logan
RYAN
Logan
Derek
Erin
Mershad
Logan
Derek
Janus
Erin
Lee
Mershad
Erika
Logan
Janus
Lee
Ryan
Lee
Erin
Mershad
Logan
Lee
Janus
Logan
Janus
Logan
Lee
Dragol
Logan
Gunther
Aethelstan
Deganawida
Dragol
Lee
Gunther
Dragol
Lee
Dragol
Janus
Aethelstan
Lee
Ayenwatha
Logan
Ayenwatha
>
Janus
Gunther
Wulfstan
Logan
Mershad
The Unifier
Janus
Aelfric
Darroks
Lee
Dragol
Aethelstan
Janus
Ayenwatha
Aethelstan
Gunther
Logan
Erika
Janus
The Unifier
Janus
Lee
Crown of Vengeance Page 71