The Witch's Mirror And Other Stories
by Ratan Lal Basu
The stories included in this collection have in their backdrop the turbulent political milieu in West Bengal, India during 1969-2011. The period was characterized by terrorism, political crimes, instability and uncertainly. The stories in this volume depict the struggles of human beings to wade through this abysmal darkness.Things are bad enough when the Holy Order's high priest has a vision compelling him to revive long-dormant public fears of witchcraft and devils. When the ancient sect shakes off its millennium of decline to start burning and beheading people, with full support from the government's new self-proclaimed autocrat, a veritable reign of terror unfolds. The inevitable resistance isn't far behind.Oppressed genetic aberrations historically known as wizards and sorceresses find themselves in the odd position of having a choice: worship the Maker and kill anyone who doesn't, or reject the Maker and die in a cleansing fire.With their continent buckling under the weight of political and religious upheaval, the small core of a fledgling rebellion must guard against annihilation before many of the reluctant participants even fully understand why they fight."Ascendancy" is book one of the Maker's Eye trilogy.