Cliff Richard

It looks like Cliff Richard has been the victim of over enthusiastic policing. Or it could be a stitch up by the police. We have to feel sorry for Sir Cliff either way.

In my novel " An Ordinary Life" Tom Houseman gets the feeling that the police have been responsible for the shooting of his friend. The detective denies this when they meet.

" The door opened and Detective Inspector Henderson walked in. Tom was immediately silent.

Marlene almost snarled. “ What do you want?”

Henderson smiled slightly. “ I am here investigating the shooting of a man on my patch. It does not matter who that man is or what he has done. The police will investigate any attempted murder.”

“ Even though you might be the reason why he is here?” Tom asked evenly.

It was obvious that Henderson was far from pleased with Tom’s question. “ What are you insinuating professor?”

Tom did not hesitate or hold back his feelings.“ You employed the oldest police course of action in making sure that your questioning of Derek Jones was given the greatest amount of publicity possible. It has been obvious for a long time that the police can influence the way the public thinks by controlling the way in which stories are reported. If those people taken in for questioning do not have the means to counter your slant on the story until they are released, the polices’ version of events is entrenched in peoples’ minds.”

Henderson looked hard at Tom. “ You had better be careful what you say Tom Houseman. Are you accusing me of trying to stitch you up?”

Tom grinned. “ Not really accusing you of having the intention of getting me sacked from the university but that is the direct result of your arresting me a few months ago. You are not so thick that you had no inkling of what would result from your actions that day.”

Henderson looked as though he was going to hit Tom. “ I can assure you that was not my intention at all. I am sorry that you lost your job though it will  not make much difference to your way of life will it?”

“ If you mean financially, no.” Tom spread his hands. “ There is also the subject of reputation. I remember in Nigeria the morning Ken Sira Wawa was executed telling my companion that that could not happen in England. I did add however that the police could make somebody’s life hell by hinting at things. He did not believe me at the time. He does now.”

“ I will speak to you again later,” he said to Marlene, glowered at Tom and turned on his heel to leave the room."

An Ordinary Life by Edmund Gubbins available from Amazon and www.createspace.com as a paperback and Kindle and www.smashword.com as an ebook to download.

The Prisoner of Parison by Eddie Gubbins

Book 3 of the fantasy series The Rombuli Saga - ' The Prisoner of Parison ' by Eddie Gubbins.

Edward and his friends had gone. Now all that was left was for the Rombuli Army to retreat back to the Alskar River. 

Silker the Commander of the Rombuli Army had said "We do not have enough trained soldiers to do anything about a direct attack on the enemy. With odds of twelve to one . we can do nothing ultimtely to stop their advance. All we can hope for is that Latask and Nelvask can hold the enemy at these places by using their magic. The other thing we can do is leave some people behind enemy lines to harass their backs and their supply lines. I have to admit it is not much of  strategy but it is the only one I can come up with at this time. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I realise it is only a delaying tactic, hoping hat something will come up in the fitire. I can see little hope of it succeeding."

Deep down they all know it is suicide but it is all that can be done until somebody leads a party to Parison and frees Tulka, the prisoner of parison. He is the leader of the magician's faction called the Covenent but has been imprisoned by the Black Elves. With his magic and the rest of the Covenent there might be a chance of confronting the Black Elves.At the same time urged on by Edward Eastland, the elves of the Golden City stir in their forest and agree to help the humans. 

Who will lead the assault on Parison  or will it need to be a clandestine mission? Where is Edward Eastland and will he come back in time to use his magic to rescue Tulka? The situation is desperate. The enemy appears to have much stronger magic and more soldiers. Will Nelvask find Edward in time and will the elves of the Golden Citry help in the war. Can Tulka be freed?

The Elves of the Golden City go to war!

" As the King’s army approached the valley, Devron and Over Master Rudric, standing on the stone keep overlooking the defensive earthwork, watched as the elves and humans fought off another assault. For over two week they had fought every day, either defending the earthwork or sending out patrols, under the protection of the elves, to disrupt the enemy in their camps or along their supply lines. Even though the earthwork was held, both Devron and Rudric knew that both the men and the elves were exhausted. They were so few against what seemed an almost endless stream of the enemy. Moreover an enemy pushed on by leaders who did not seem to balk at the number of casualties.

Devron said to Rudric, who had become more than a comrade over the last two week, “ It is only a matter of time."

He never finished. A mental message came into his head and he let out a shout of joy. He could not stop himself pounding Rudric on the back.

With great difficulty, Rudric maintained his soldiery manner. “ What have you heard? I will never get used to this mental communication even though I have seen the Covenent do it before I met you.”

Devron turned him away from the battlefield and pointed. “ Over that ridge down the valley in about one hour will appear an army of elves. According to Corlina there will be three thousand elves and thirty lore masters or magicians as you call them. The tide is about to turn.”

Just as Devron had forecast, over the ridge at the end of the valley the elves of the Golden City marched. Riding at their head was the King flanked by Corlina and Dormont. Behind in ranks of four flanked by cavalry on either side rode the lore masters. After the riders, into view came rank upon rank of infantry, bows over shoulders, sheaths of arrows at their backs. Further back came more cavalry escorting the supply packhorses. Proudly fluttering in the breeze were the banners and pendants of the great Elven families and districts. The ground seemed to shake under their feet and when they came in sight of the earthwork a ragged cheer went up from the defenders."

" That night after eating, Dormont confronted the King. “ Your Majesty. We cannot hold out against the Hundro of the Sea Elves. They were bred for fighting and we can only put up energy shields against them. None of us possesses the power of Edward Eastland to bring one of the creatures down. In the Great Civil war that almost ended civilisation, the Golden Dragons came to our aid. Though there were only a few of them, they matched the Hundro. When the war was finished and the black elves banished, we agreed as elves never to call the Golden Dragons again. They however laid on King Manulus what they referred to as the KING'S CALL. I have no idea what that means but it is said that a true prince of the blood can make that call. I know you do not have the power of your brother or your sister Corlina. However, you are a true prince of the blood. You have an obligation to invoke the call now or we will never defeat the black elves and their allies. Call for the sake of your people and our very survival. Prince Maraud, I know, wanted you to use the Call. Don’t be angry with him for telling me. He was thinking of ways in which we might gain some advantage over our enemies.”

King Oleron looked troubled. “ The CALL has never been made since the instruction was given to King Manulus. Two things worry me as the King of the elves of the Golden City. Twenty generations have passed since the Civil War. Who knows what compromises have been made to the true blood in that time. I do know as King how to make the call. My father like his father before him passed on that knowledge just as I have to Prince Maraud and his brother. What worries me is that my blood has become so thinned over the years that the CALL will not get the Dragons to come. Then there is a question mark over the Golden Dragons. What happens if they have all died out?”

Dormont laughed. “ My King, stop trying to put off the moment. As my father always said one never knows what the outcome will be until one has tried.”

“ You win my old friend.” The King smiled sadly, his blue eyes still troubled. “ Tomorrow we will go back down the valley with Corlina out of sight of the earthwork and I will try.”

The next morning, Dormont and Corlina accompanied King Oleron down the valley away from the earthwork until they were over the ridge and out of sight of the keep. They tethered the horses near a stream on the edge of the moors and walked out into the meadow.

 King Oleron stood facing west and thought of all the words he could which might have some significance in this situation, shouting these into the morning air. Nothing happened. There was no answer.

He was close to despair. It was not going to have any effect.  Then he sank deep within himself searching for the right phrases. It was like descending a mountain through low cloud. He could see nothing. Every thing was indistinct. He concentrated even more.

Suddenly, the mist cleared, tumbrels fell into place and it was like turning a key in a lock. He knew what to do. The knowledge planted by his father became distinct.

He opened his eyes and stood upright facing confidently west. The words of the ancient language, which had become tainted and modified so much over the centuries, sprang into his mind. His thought projected these words towards the west and, after a pause, a roar in his mind told him that his call had been answered.

It was too quick for the distances involved. The King had expected a wait but, almost instantly, three great shapes appeared diving into the meadow from the west. Large beasts whose scales glowed golden in the sun. The great nostrils trailed smoke at the end of wedge shaped heads. The tails were used to guide them down.

They landed one behind the other surprisingly gently for creatures of such a size. As the King approached struck dumb by their beauty, the leader bent his forelegs and lowered his head to the ground.

“ Greetings, Oh King of the Elves.” The words vibrated in Oleron's head. “ I am Vibrus, the foremost Golden Dragon. I have answered your call. Kallis and Umbrosa have accompanied me. What can we do for you?”

King Oleron of the Golden City stood tall but was only as high as the dragon’s head. “ Thank you for answering my call.” he bowed deeply, his expression full of wonder. “ I did not know whether there were any of you left in this world.”

“ Valhalu, my father, gave a pledge to King Manulus. As you see we are a long lived species. Unfortunately we do not produce many offspring so there are few of us. How might we be of assistance?”

The King looked sad. “ Vibrus. We are troubled. After the Civil War, the Sea Elves were banished, along with the Hundro, to another time and place. We do not know how but they have found a way to return. They are once more enslaving the humans and regimenting the land. The few who are back along with the Hundro are searching the land for us. They want to be able to force us to combine our power with theirs and bring all of the Sea Elves back. We can fight the Sea Elves and the human magicians in blue robes but we are powerless against the Hundro. We would like to ask you if you will help us fight the Hundro.”

The Golden Dragon Vibrus raised his head and let out a bellow that echoed off the hills and away up the valley. “ We will challenge the Hundro, my king. You will ride to war on our backs leading the elves of the Golden City once more into battle. Mount and we go to war!” "

Available from Amazon and www.createspace.com as a paperback and kindle or www.smashwords.com as an ebook for downloading

Fantasy novel ' The Return of the Exiles' by Eddie Gubbins

The Return of the Exiles as fantasy novel by Eddie Gubbins book 2 of the Rombuli Saga series.

The Empire was disintegrating. There had been no communication with Parison for years. People reported that strange creatures had been seen. Sending troops to investigate was proving futile. As soon as the soldiers crossed the border nothing was heard from them again. The plan was to ho;d  to Rombuli while somebody found out what was happening in the rest of the Empire. Edward Eastland was given the task of finding the Walloonian army at a place called Bryant's Ridge. He has to leave his new wife Kitty behind as he sets out with her brother Boric and his friend Tag. In the event they become cut off from Rombuli. They set out to find a way back to Rombuli to help with the war effort. Edward wonders whether his powers will help them find a way back and keep them safe. As they search desperately for a way back, Edward learns more about his magic powers. Will his friends keep following his lead. As they set out they face the possibility that the Empire might not exists when they do return.

Here is an example  from Chapter 5 where Edward Eastland engages the enemy with his power.

" Taking the reins of his horse from the attendant, Edward mounted, made sure his sword was loose in the scabbard and started forward. Tag grabbed the reins and stopped his horse.

" Are you mad," Tag shouted his eyes wide with fear. " I have warned you before about this mad course of action."

" Let go my horse, Tag," Edward ordered in a flat hard voice which brooked no opposition. " This is something I have to do. There is some deep down compulsion telling me what I have to do. Let go now before I force you to let me go."

Boric's voice came from behind Edward. " Let him go Tag. I believe him. I think his time is here for this deed and we must let him have a go. Come on. We will escort him out onto the field."

Edward grinned at his friend. " Thank you Boric. One thing. When we get out there and get the attention of the rider, you must stop and let me go on my own. Just be on hand to pick up the pieces when this is all over."

" Very reassuring," Boric muttered to Tag as he nudged his horse forward alongside Edward.

Together the three friends rode through the ranks of the army looking neither to left or right. The archers and the pike men opened a path for their passage, all faces looking on apprehensively. When Edward reached the sergeant, he paused.

" See, I am not running away. Get your men ready to cover my back. It could get very sticky out there," Edward grinned.

The sergeant saluted and turned to his men. " Get ready to fire when I instruct you."

They rode away from the flank of the army, three small figures on the landscape. The opposing army appeared huge at the bottom of the slope but Edward did not look in that direction. His eyes were focused on the creature with its rider hovering above the field. As he rode forward, he was judging the distance between him and the rider. When he was sure they were close enough, he paused again.

" Well my friends," he said his eyes still on the creature. " This is as far as you come. Get ready to act if there is any chance that I can be rescued."

Leaving Tag and Boric sitting apprehensively on their horses, Edward rode away from the army on his own. Boric watched as though not really there, unable to help his friend. He heard

Tag gasp by his side but did not look round. Slowly Edward was being enveloped in a silver light. It shone faintly around him like a translucent barrier covering his horse as well.

When Edward stopped a good twenty metres from his friends, he raised his sword above his head and sat motionless on his horse. Suddenly a shaft of silver light shot skywards from the tip of his sword and the creature bellowed his acknowledgement that he had seen.

The rider on its back turned the creature and it flapped lazily in Edward’s direction. Edward did not move and Boric found it hard not to yell to his friend to ride away.

While the creature was hovering a short distance away from where Edward sat motionless on his horse, the rider on its back lent forward as though to ascertain who was defying him. Raising an arm, the rider sent a beam of intense white light towards Edward. Boric watched detached as the beam smashed into Edward and his horse. The barrier surrounding Edward started to glow until the light was so bright Boric and Tag had to shield their eyes. Brighter and brighter it became as the rider poured energy into Edward's protective barrier.

As Boric started to feel that nothing could survive in that intense light, the glowing corona surrounding Edward started to move. Slowly at first and then faster, the white corona twisted until it was like a mini tornado. Faster and faster it turned while the creature roared its defiance. Then Edward flicked the end of the sword and a bolt of light smashed into the side of the creature making its hide smoke. Again and again the sword point flicked away and more bolts of light smashed into the creature. Turning away, its hide smoking, the creature tried to retreat. The rider was trying to steady his stead and to raise a barrier against Edward's assault. Too late. More bolts left Edward’s sword point but now they hit the rider almost knocking him from the creatures back. As the creature started to fall from the sky, one last bolt left the sword, smashing into the rider, setting his clothes on fire and he fell backwards from the creatures back to plunge smoking and burning into the ranks of the enemy army. The creature gave one last scream and tumbled to earth behind the enemy's ranks.

The light surrounding Edward flickered, faded and went out. Tag smashed his heels into his horses flank and rushed forward. Edward was slumped over his horses’ neck, his sword dangling from his hand almost touching the ground. Tag grabbed Edward and heaved him back into a sitting position, taking the sword from his hand and putting it back into its scabbard. Tag noticed the sword was shining like silver but he had no time to think about that. Hauling Edward's horse around, he started back towards the army accompanied by Boric."

Available from Amazon or www.createspace.com as a paperback or kindle or www.smashwords.com for down loading as an ebook.

Fantasy novel ' The Teacher of the Rombuli' by Eddie Gubbins

Fantasy novel THE TEACHER OF THE ROMBULI by Eddie Gubbins, book 1 of the Rombuli Saga.

Here is an example from the novel where the hero Edward Eastland learns about his power when confronting one of the magicians from the sect called the Covenent.

At eleven o'clock precisely, Imperial Grandmaster Borovic, the Army Governor of Rombuli Province of the Parison Empire, rode into the Alskar town square surrounded by his personal escort. He was there to appraise the men from Alskar aged between sixteen and twenty six.  Standing with the rest of the men was Edward Eastland, son of the leader of the Alskar Town Council.  

As the soldiers dismounted, Edward’s eyes were drawn to a figure in a white robe beside the Governor.

A red sash held the  robe in place. A small wooden staff was thrust through the sash at his waist.  Around his neck was a heavy gold chain from which hung an amber jewel. This was one of the priests of the Empire, said by some to have magical powers. It was also whispered that these priests could read men's minds and force any man to do their bidding by shear force of their will. 

They were called  Covenenters and were bound together by training, breeding and secret incantation. It was rumoured that Tulka their leader, who resided in far away Parison, was as old as time and was the most powerful man in the Empire.  The sight of the white robed figure spread dread amongst the spectators. 

He instinctively raised his mental barriers as taught by his father  when the Covenenter looked in his direction. 

His father, Idris Eastland, had warned him that morning.  “  Be wary of the Covenenter if he is there. He has some suspicions about your abilities so try not to demonstrate what you can do. Oh come off it Edward, stop making that face. Your mind communicating ability is as strong as anybody in Rombuli. Then there is your ability to move things by thought alone. I can lift things like a pen and into my hand if I am sitting at the desk. I cannot make a hammer or a knife or a saw or a file fly halfway across the workshop into my hand. I have tried and the effort leaves me weak and sweating and the tools hardly move. However, I was on the way back from the warehouse late one night when I saw you rack all your tools and tidy up the bench without moving a step.  I expect I am the only one who knows and lets try to keep it that way.  I would not like to see you confronting the Covenenter and then throwing a rock at him by your mind power. Let's try to at least keep that side of your power a secret though you will have to shield your mind if he tries to probe into it.” 

Once all the names had been ticked off  a list, Borovic gave instructions for the sergeant and two soldiers to inspect the men. As the soldiers started to walk down the lines of men, the square fell silent. The slight creak of the soldiers gear was very loud in the air as the tension mounted. The sergeant closely inspected each man, looking them up and down as though checking a prize horse. Certain men had a red ribbon fixed to their chest when the sergeant nodded to the accompanying soldiers. 

  Edward was convinced he would get a ribbon but the sergeant, after giving him a superficial glance, moved on. Edward wondered why he had escaped the scrutiny of his other friends and happened to be looking at the Covenenter as the sergeant passed. For a moment Edward felt the black eyes burning into his and the slight pressure of a probing into his mind. With ease he concentrated his mental defences. The penetrating gaze of those eyes scared him even though the Covenenter was some distance away. In one brief moment, Edward was made aware of a power in the depths of those eyes he had never encountered before. This, Edward realised was only a hint of the power which, when fully unleashed, could make men obey no matter what they were ordered to do. Once more Edward felt the probing of his mind but his defences held.  

All those without badges were ordered to disperse and rejoin their families when the men had been inspected. Around twenty were left standing in the square and Edward now had some idea why he was not chosen. All the men were of the about the same height, six feet or so, a good three inches taller than Edward. Without glancing back, Edward walked towards his family.  Morag, his sister, was comforting Matt’s wife and glancing over his shoulder saw that Matt, his best friend, was amongst those still standing in the square. As Edward came to the line of soldiers, he heard a roar from the square and turned to see what was happening. 

“ I will not leave my wife and daughter!” Matt was standing rigidly facing the Imperial Grandmaster and shouting at the top of his voice. “ I don't care whether the Emperor has ordered me to come with you or not. Tell him to find somebody else to act as his escort!” 

Edward stood rooted to the spot. He knew how short Matt's temper was, having many times felt its full force. Once in the grip of his temper, Matt tended to lash out blindly at anything or any one who got in his way. Many times Edward had come to Matt's rescue by talking their way out of difficult situations  when they had been out in the town together. In desperation, Edward thrust his thoughts into Matt’s mind. Desperately he tried to get through to Matt and make him stop. Matt's thoughts were too full of despair and anger. Edward's mental thrust met a complete blank. 

Edward stood and watched. Very deliberately, Matt tore off the red ribbon, flung it onto the ground and turned away from the centre of the square, ignoring the sergeant’s order to stop. Walking purposely towards Morag and his wife, Matt did not look back. Two soldiers stepped passed Edward, grabbed Matt by the arms and wrestled him to the ground. There was a surge from the crowd and the rest of the soldiers struggled to maintain order.  Silence once again descended on the square. 

Suddenly Matt sprang upright, flinging the soldiers holding his arms away. Letting out a roar of frustration and rage, he rushed across the square towards Borovic. Matt was too quick for the soldiers occupied as they were with the crowd and in one round house swipe he smashed the sergeant out of his way. In a daze, Edward saw the Covenenter standing directly in Matt's path. 

Edward yelled desperately for Matt to stop, pushed his thoughts into Matt's mind and tried to somehow warn his friend. He was too late. The Covenenter placed his feet firmly apart and calmly drew his staff from his belt. To Edward, standing helplessly at the edge of the square, everything happened in slow motion. The Covenenter pointed the staff at Matt and blue flame sprang from the end. Two tongues of flame spiralled together across the square and focused on Matt. 

It was as though Matt had run full tilt into a brick wall, so abruptly did he stop. He did not fall however. Like a puppet, he was held upright in the blue corona of light, twitching as though having a fit. The Covenenter let the blue light fade and Matt slumped to the ground as though dead. 

Edward found himself running across the square towards  the place where his friend lay twitching. Skidding to a halt, Edward sank to his knees. Ignoring everybody, he grabbed Matt's wrist hardly able to feel anything because of the racing of his own heart. Feeling a slight flutter, for a while he knelt beside his friend trying to calm the wild beating of his heart on the realisation that Matt was alive. 

The Covenenter had not moved. He stood, his white robe fluttering in the breeze, his black eyes boring steadily into Edward's. His staff pointed unwaveringly at Edward's chest. 

“ Leave him where he is,” the Covenenter ordered. “ He will be unharmed when he regains consciousness.” 

“ You are evil,”  Edward spate out, feeling the full force of the Covenenter's mind trying to will him to get up. Edward easily resisted these efforts. 

Ignoring the Covenenter while turning to talk to the Imperial Grandmaster, Edward said very slowly. “ Why do you permit this? All he wants is to be with his wife and baby. If your baby was only a few weeks old, wouldn't you resist every attempt to take you away by force? No, I suppose not. All you see is duty to the Empire. Your family and your life can go hang if you get an order from the Emperor.” 

The Imperial Grandmaster stood by the table his expression impassive but did not reply. 

“ Get up and leave him here.” The Covenenter ordered in a tone which brooked no argument. “ Go back to your workshop and stop interfering in matters which are no concern of yours. I will not forget your defiance and we will meet again.” 

Kneeling in the dust by his friend’s side, Edward stared at the Covenenter almost willing him to use his staff. 

‘Go on’, Edward's mind projected, ‘ make me do what you want’. 

For a wild moment their minds locked.  Edward resisted the pressure to make him get to his feet but he wondered whether he could resist the power of the staff. In his mind he caught a swiftly hidden feeling of doubt in the Covenenter's mind.  Resignedly, he understood that too much resistance on his part could result in many people getting hurt. Sighing, he let his mental defiance slowly drain away. He did not drop his mental defences. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Edward turned to two of the young men who were staring open mouthed in his direction. 

“ Come here and help Matt to his feet.”  They looked from Edward to the Covenenter as though not certain how to react. Seeing no reaction from the Covenenter, they came and helped Edward get Matt to his feet. Edward deliberately spent some time brushing the dust from Matt’s cloths. Matt's eyes fluttered as he started regain consciousness. The two men helped Matt back into line leaving Edward alone facing the Covenenter. 

Edward brushed down his own cloths and approached the Covenenter. Thrusting his face close to the Covenenter's, Edward said in a low voice. “ We will meet again and I will remember the lessons I have learnt today. You could not compel me with your mind and maybe I could resist the power of your staff. The trial between us will have to wait for another time.” 

Turning away, Edward sensed the silent laughter of the Covenenter. Underneath the laughter, he detected doubt in the Covenenter as though for once the Covenenter was uncertain.  

Ignoring everybody, Edward walked away from the square. He passed through the crowds without looking back and on up the street towards his home. He did not hear the sergeant bark the order for the Rombuli to march. He was almost home when Imperial Grandmaster Borovic lead the column of men out of the square. 

Edward's thoughts were in turmoil. He knew that all the people in the square  had been cowed by the power of the Covenenter. Everybody watching  had been struck by their sheer helplessness when Matt had been beaten down. All they had was work calloused hands against the power of the Covenenter's mind and will. Even I, thought Edward, one of the few with any hint of power did very little to counter the power of the Covenenter. Though I may have defied him for a little while, in the end I climbed meekly to my feet and came home as though compelled by the force behind those deep black eyes. 

Available from Amazon and www.createspace.com as a paperback and kindle as an ebook for downloading.