Of the rest of the world, all I can really tell you is what I know of the Guard. The Border Guard have fought many wars against our enemies, including vanquishing raiders from Afta and Norgang, the lands across the North Sea, but are seldom seen in Estalia itself. The Road Guard keep bandits from our towns, and the Water Guard maintain our waterways. The Mine Guard are a matter I had best not dwell on.
I am aware that Supreme Commander Felez now heads the Border Guard, only because it is a name that is thrown around. Before him, when I was young, was Commander Klant. I have heard a dozen different stories about what might have become of him, but considering no one seems to know what he even looked like, let alone what he might have done, I think it is a matter for the imagination. Regardless, though I believe the larger Border Guard vessels may have dozens, even hundreds, under one leader, and certain towns may also listen to select bodies of elders, there is no one knowingly co-ordinating any of it. We give to the local Guards and they give their services back. In turn, they are supplied by their colleagues in alternative Guard positions, for another exchange of services. The knock-on effect has led to the Guards appearing to operate across the whole of Estalia, but I know for a fact that a Road Guard working in Thesteran will likely never even know what their kin in the Metropolis are up to. Estalia operates in a wonderful system of disorder.
The Border Guard collect and distribute the finest advances of our people, including lighting and transport systems, but you are just as likely to find old remnants of machines in the wastelands as you are from a trader. Machines as we use today have been around all throughout history; a lucky explorer can find discarded ones just as valuable as the ones still being made today. It suits me; when I am not working as a transporter, I unearth and sell what I find in the locations others are afraid to investigate. Another reason I am eager to visit the Deadland. We’re not always sure where they come from, the wastes of past civilisations, but in a world where survival is everything a lot gets left by the way.
Likewise, those past civilisations have given us names, measurements and language that does not entirely make sense now. Our ignorance of the origins of the numerous names we have for Estalia, the Estal Nation, the Estalian Emprie, as well as the names we use to measure distances, or our theories about plotting time in moons and counting value in metal chips, are all evidence of how little we really understand our own place in the world. There was once something more than our individual communities, many hundreds of seasons ago. But I cannot bring up such questions, because, as anyone I might ask would also say, anything we can conceive of existing in the long past must surely have played a part in our downfall. Most people say that it is as it always was. A select few, who give me a little more time, simply say some things were not meant to be remembered.
Enjoyed reading?
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If you’d like to read on, the Estalian saga continues with Balfair’s Confinement and Aftan Whispers, check them out! And for news of Estalia and my other upcoming releases, and some free content, you can join my mailing list here.
About the Author
Phil Williams is the author of the Estalia, Ordshaw and Faergrowe series. Living in Sussex, UK, with his wife, he also writes screenplays and spends a great deal of time walking his impossibly fluffy dog, Herbert. You can find him online at: www.phil-williams.co.uk.
Connect with Phil on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/philwilliamsauthor/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/fantasticphil. If you’d prefer a longer chat you can also email him directly at [email protected].
Acknowledgements
This book wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of my family: Wiss, Fran and Chris helped my in developing the novel, and an especial thanks goes out to my mother. Needless to say, I wouldn’t be here without her – it was following her example that got me writing.
Also by Phil Williams
Aftan Whispers (Estalia Series)
As the days grow darker in the Estalian Empire, young Tyler stays positive by helping others. But when he meets a girl on the run with enemies in the highest places, Tyler's life gets complicated fast. Deni isn't afraid to kill, and she’s got a secret that could tear apart the sky.
In a mortal chase that takes them from a besieged city across the war-torn countryside, Tyler soon discovers that the Empire’s guardians are their most dangerous foe. Worse still, Deni is faced with a terrible choice: remain hidden and save herself - or expose herself to prevent the oncoming darkness.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Balfair’s Confinement (Estalia Series)
The novella that started Deni’s journey.
Isolated in the derelict estate of the engineer Balfair, with only a miserable fellow slave for company, Deni dreams of changing her arduous life. When her master drags something new from the swamp and excludes her from his secretive project, she finally sees her chance. Deni will do whatever it takes to break free - even if it means bringing the full weight of the war-mongering Guard down on Balfair.
The results may be devastating, but they will notice her at last - and she will be free.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Under Ordshaw (Ordshaw Series)
Welcome to Ordshaw. Don’t look down.
Pax is one rent cheque away from the unforgiving streets of Ordshaw. After her stash is stolen, her hunt for the thief unearths a book of nightmares and a string of killers, and she stands to lose much more than her home.
There’s something lurking under her city.
Knowing it’s there could get you killed.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Blue Angel (Ordshaw Series)
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Copyright
Copyright © 2011 by Phil Williams
The moral right of Phil Williams to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All the characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Ebook first published in 2011 by Phil Williams
ISBN-10: 1466456698
Visit www.phil-williams.co.uk online for more information and regular news regarding the writing of Phil Williams. Join the mailing list to receive free content and be the first to hear about new projects.
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