Author: Dirk Strasser
Published: 1st November 2013
Publisher: Momentum
Today I am part of the tour for Zenith by Dirk Strasser with an Excerpt of the book.
Excerpt
Zenith excerpt: Chapter Four
Metheus walked over to the fissure and beckoned Atreu to follow.
‘Stop there,’ commanded the old man. ‘Do not get too close.’ Metheus was a step away from the fissure. ‘Now, watch and believe.’
He approached the large crack, and Atreu stared as the old man closed his eyes and bent his head over into the steam. Atreu could just make out his lined features which were softened by the haze. Metheus was inhaling deeply. He then slowly stepped back from the fissure, his eyes still closed. Bending his neck back, he exhaled towards the ceiling.
Atreu gasped.
A cloud issued from Metheus’ mouth and floated upwards. As it floated it took the form of a small boy. And as soon as the image was complete, it changed. Now it was a serpent writhing with life. And then a fish. And a leafless tree. And a geyer with wings beating gracefully. And then something with long teeth dripping with blood. And then a woman. And finally an old man, fading as the image struck the webbing on the ceiling of the cave.
The air was shrouded in silence as Atreu slowly bowed his head and looked at the ground.
‘This is my art,’ said the ancient voice.
Atreu lifted his head and looked Metheus in the eyes. ‘I … I didn’t know,’ he stammered.
‘Come here,’ said Metheus. Atreu walked towards him, the old man put his hand on his shoulder and they both sat down. ‘You see, Atreu, it is in your breath that all answers are found. I have not devoted my life to nothing. You take what the Mountain offers you, and you create so that it belongs to both of you. Inhale, exhale. They belong together, you see.’
Atreu nodded. He was suddenly very aware of his own breathing.
Links:
About the author:
Dirk Strasser has won multiple Australian
Publisher Association Awards and a Ditmar for Best Professional Achievement.
His mythic fantasy series, The Books of Ascension, has been republished by
Macmillan Momentum, this time including Eclipse – The Lost Book of Ascension
for the first time in English. His novels and short stories have been
translated into a number of languages. He also founded the Aurealis Awards and
has co-edited and co-published Aurealis magazine for over twenty years.
Links:
@dirkstrasser
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