A BRIDGE OF DOOM

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatreLISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED – SEXUALLY EXPLICIT SITUATIONFrightened and furious, Flaena has run away from the silvery-eyed Enchanter after he uses his crystal's powers to destroy the murderous wraith. Elfen Kluff arrives and counsels her on the fears and worries with which she wrangles. Flaena confronts her husband with all of it when he catches up with them. Gaiwan, concerned for their safety and his own, uses the Crystal of Ipahya to scry for the Queen of Dragons, unprepared for the shocking result.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatreAfter the brief sunset fight with the wyvern, the company has moved a little further on and made camp in the forest, seeking a quiet night’s rest for all. Derwon, standing a shift of their nighttime watch with Thasgar, is disquieted by something alerting his psychic sensitivities. Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatreEnchanter Gaiwan and Princess Chania’s combined company head northward, commencing her intent to seek out the fabled and forgotten Floating City at the far northern region beyond the Great Wasteland. As they travel into untamed territories of the reclaimed kingdoms, they find undesirable company tracking them and their horses.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**** LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED – SEXUALLY EXPLICIT SITUATION **** Introducing two men just arrived to Bell Bay and seeking employment while hoping to remain beyond reach of the Law of the Young Continent from which they escaped by serving on a ship hauling freight. Amazed with his luck in a dockside tavern and unaware of her true identity, Mikyel has found a gorgeous dark-haired harlot interested in him.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatreWith Enchanter Gaiwan’s and Princess Chania’s groups reunited, they escort the rescued Elf women to their home tree-top village of Thiniron. While Gaiwan worries over the deathmark placed upon him by the Queen of Dragons and the best way to avoid it for the present, Chania seeks counsel with an Elfen Seer concerning a vivid nightmare. Flaena decides to intervene in a bid to rekindle the affection between Gaiwan and she.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre*** WARNING: Violent and gory content ***Enchanter Gaiwan has escaped notice by the Queen’s deathmark and wings northward upon his bronze dragon friend, intent upon joining with Princess Chania and her quest northward toward a mythical Floating City. Her journey in the mountains has been halted by a gathering of feasting mountainmen and worse. Discovering imprisoned Elf women, she seeks to provide a desperate rescue of them from the worst cousin of the giants.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatreHaving successfully avoided the geas spell affecting all the inhabitants of Hopetown, Gaiwan and companions are granted a respite in the Magian Alliance Athenaeum, taking time to enjoy a bountiful supper, many new weapons, and additional necessary supplies purchased. A stranger in the night-shrouded town brings concern and they prepare to depart.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatreTheir flight back to civilization proper brings a brief and interesting encounter. Upon arriving at Hopetown, they discover just how far Viree’s wrath reaches. They proceed, wary of traps that may have been laid before them.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatreLISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED – EXPLICIT MATURE SCENE; ALSO DEPICTS VIOLENCEUpon learning of the terrifying decree declared upon him by the Queen of Dragons, Enchanter Gaiwan decides to call upon unusual help for getting himself and his companions out of the marshlands. The rampage of furious dragons reaches the Druid Isle and beyond – they stop to offer help, well aware of the dangers lurking.This is the last chapter of Part One, “Demons.”Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatreOut of one predicament – they hope – Enchanter Gaiwan and companions are posed with a serious conundrum wrapped in a worse predicament – escaping the Solgillon marshlands without getting in deeper than they already are. The serpentine Klituur offers to assist as much as he is able.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatreTheir raft upended in the middle of the night, Enchanter Gaiwan and his companions have been captured and forcibly taken underwater by lizard people – water-borne cannibal Grems. Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatreSeeking to avoid further confrontation with the angry swamp dragon, Gaiwan and his companions continue traversing the streams and broader lake areas of the swamp during the night, seeking any trace of the fugitive, Dark Mage Kalron, and their friend and ally, Princess Chania. Weary of the pursuit, they hurry to join with the Princess and her ship on the coast by which they can escape the marshland and any further danger.Meanwhile, Kalron, free of his shackles and wandering the swamp while seeking his own escape encounters a very unexpected hunter.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatreTensely awaiting word or sign of success in capturing the fugitive mage, Gaiwan’s companions dutifully stand ready on the island shore. Matters, unfortunately, make a turn for worse and perhaps worst.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre[The delay in publishing a new episode is due to my recovering from a moon-long bout with FE’eckian winter’s grippe. We should be back to regular postings. Thank you for your patience.]Enchanter Gaiwan and friends beach their raft on the island where Kalron is hiding. With his Elfen lovebrother, Gaiwan heads inland to finally locate and capture the dangerous fugitive.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatreDruid Mara takes Kalron on a raft toward an island where she believes a dragon nests. Her spontaneous companion seeks to possibly query a dragon about Gaiwan’s mysterious crystal, uncaring of the extreme danger he risks to them both. Meanwhile, close on his trail, Enchanter Gaiwan and companions arrive at the Druid Temple, seeking assistance in their search for the fugitive Dark Mage. Situations lead Gaiwan to approach a female friend – a woman with whom he almost had an intimate encounter – amongst the Druids. Her discovery of his marriage complicates matters.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre****** LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED –SEXUALLY EXPLICIT SCENE; ALSO A SCENE DEPICTING GRAPHIC VIOLENCEThe fugitive Dark Mage Kalron, now beyond the borders of the reclaimed kingdom of Ru, uses a seeing spell, trying to determine what happened to his mountainmen allies he had sent to attack and kill his unknown pursuers. A nightmare with the Marshall invading his camp alters unexpectedly to something far more pleasant and deeply sensual, yet strange. Meanwhile, Enchanter Gaiwan with his companions follow a detailed map as they follow Kalron’s trail while wondering what his ultimate goal might be in running into unexplored territories of the Southwest, then encounter rough and primitive creatures of which they were warned about by the Dwarves of Ravenpoint.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre****** LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED – STRONG EMOTION AND GRAPHIC VIOLENCE DEPICTEDFlaena is confronted by her father, Berhere, as he seeks to somehow annul her marriage to Gaiwan, a man he believes to be an evil sorcerer. Unbalanced by his fury, he decides to investigate, discovering something unexpected among their belongings, and thinks he has unveiled definitive proof of the Enchanter’s veiled wickedness.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre******Taking a detour from their chase after escaped Dark Mage Kalron heading southwest, the group arrives at Flaena’s home village, the most distant of the reclaimed Kingdom’s established Outposts. This chapter displays a challenging and pivotal moment for Enchanter Gaiwan. Flaena’s Elfen mother, Lae’na, and Human father, Berhere, greet all with joy. During supper, after hearing of their manhunt, Flaena’s father scrutinizes his only daughter’s husband, making known his extreme prejudice against mages and sorcerers like Kalron.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre******Situations are never continuously stressful. In this short episode, the manhunt for Dark Mage Kalron takes a well-deserved breather in the Dwarfen village of Ravenpoint with a bit of unannounced mischief and merriment in the bath house.(I appropriately dedicate this to dear friends and remembered colleagues who survived the floods of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina where I lived until recently.)If you notice the new clarity of sound, this is due to a professional grade equalizer being added to the Studio equipment – a Birthday present! Enjoy!This episode is shorter than usual -- have no fear -- the next one will be much longer!Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre****** LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED –VIOLENCE DEPICTEDOn his journey southwest to escape his unknown pursuers, the fugitive Dark Mage Kalron has reached Ravenpoint, a famous fortress village of Dwarfen blacksmiths, stopping just long enough to refresh himself and perhaps find someone able to cut off his wrist shackles. Continuing to follow his trail, Enchanter Gaiwan and friends head for Ravenpoint, hoping to reach it by nightfall, well aware the once-defeated mountainmen are hunting them.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre******Marshall Garnett meets with Gaiwan and company at the Magian Alliance Athenaeum and make plans for pursuit of the fugitive. Meanwhile, Dark Mage Kalron curses his bad turn of circumstances and ponders a method of harassing his unknown pursuers, unaware the Enchanter and his companions are on his trail. An unpleasant encounter during the night makes matters difficult.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre******Gaiwan and Flaena are enjoying the seashore and their honeymoon cottage. An unexpected but welcome visitor arrives and hears the tale of how the newlyweds first met. The honeymoon is interrupted by a messenger from the Marshall and bad news about Dark Mage Kalron.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre******(This is Chapter Sixteen – apologies for the number overlap confusion between chapters and episodes – it’s just how scenes get placed.)Marshall Garnett discovers the escape of probably his most notorious prisoner, Kalron. Still fettered with the disenchantment chains, the Dark Mage arrives uninvited at the keep of his former employer, Archduke Louunne. Meanwhile, a goodwife responds fearfully to her husband’s dogs barking at something unseen; Mage Trimbul and Garnett worry over how best to respond as Kalron seeks methods and means to avoid recapture.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre****** LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED –GRAPHIC VIOLENCE DEPICTED (not for immature ears). (Honestly, this episode makes me most uncomfortable, but ‘tis a necessary part of the story. )Delsee, daughter of a deputy of the Marshall, visits the lockup again while conceiving methods for a prize from her advantage over the incarcerated and doomed Dark Mage Kalron. Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre******Happy events occur all the time – this episode highlights such as Enchanter Gaiwan tells the tale of his journey to the otherworld with Paul and Marie and his struggle against the Dark Powers of warlocks and the wicked Drow. Amidst all of this, he does his best to describe a food delicacy he observed being enjoyed in the otherworld, baffling his friends. We also witness the wedding ceremony as Gaiwan and Flaena are wed.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre******Amidst his lonely incarceration while awaiting trial and punishment that will no doubt demand his execution, Dark Mage Kalron has an unexpected visitor. Meanwhile, Flaena awaits the hopeful return of her intended mate, Enchanter Gaiwan, after his adventure in other realms seeking out and assisting Paul, the Prince of Light.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre******Paul returns to Marie’s hospital room only to discover an unexpected visitor. Meanwhile, an answer to Enchanter Gaiwan’s serious conundrum is sought.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre****** LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED – STRONG LANGUAGENightmares plague Marie’s sleep in the hospital; an intruder is discovered in her room in the wee hours of the morning. Meanwhile, a university investigator grills Paul, Arthur, and Bill about the chain of unusual and mostly unexplained events with the deceased Doctor Maximillian Brinth that led to the kidnapping and incarceration of Marie, his attack and capture of Paul, the drugging of Security Officer Logan, the explosion and destruction of the Pathology sub-basement, and the mysterious disappearance of ‘Mister Gaywahn.’Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre*******WARNING! This episode may create a craving for pizza.For Marie’s protection, Enchanter Gaiwan has been nearby, unseen. A reluctant Paul is spurred by Arthur to head out and find a pizza to celebrate Marie’s awakening and apparent good mending. Gaiwan, wanting to avoid entanglements with their law, follows along, hungry and invisible.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************After a long, torturous nightmare, Marie awakens to find herself in the hospital being attended to by a very friendly nurse. Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED – STRONG LANGUAGE – MYTHICAL CREATURES AND VIOLENCE******Author/Creator’s Note: After more than a month’s concentrated labors as I sought to maximize the sound spectrum with my storytelling, I consider this complex climactic episode a masterpiece.  I hope you enjoy it.  (If you don’t, there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it.)Back on Paul’s world (Earth), the wounded Enchanter Gaiwan accompanies Paul, Bill, and Art as they seek the mysterious Room 002 in the sub-basement of the same Medical School building where they confronted Doctor Maximillian Brinth before he escaped from his lab.  Following a vision from Gaiwan’s crystal, they hope to find Marie, yet are only vaguely aware of the Dark Powers working against them.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************Gaiwan’s companions are plagued by visions, nightmares, and unexplained sensations, unaware that he has traversed between worlds as opposed to crossing regions of FE’eck. Freethinker Priest OB’louie seeks a method of providing aid to the Enchanter during his sojourn to unknown realms.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre************** LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED – SEXUAL SITUATIONS******Doctor Maximillian Brinth has been knocked unconscious. Arthur attends to Gaiwan’s gunshot wound while Paul puzzles over who is the mysterious blonde woman that has appeared and where Marie might have gone.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre************** MATURE THEME ********Two of Paul’s friends discover Enchanter Gaiwan unconscious on his dormitory room floor and, along with the destruction of his desk, wonder what violence transpired while debating calling the Police.Paul emerges from a psychic concussion to discover Doctor Maximillian Brinth and Marie taking him forcibly to his lab in the old medical school. Brinth deliberates on all the problems he must overcome quickly for a successful finish to the scheme of the otherworld evil Drow warlock, SO’kandra.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************As storm clouds gather and situations begin to reveal and entangle, here is a brief and powerful intermezzo. (Due to the brevity, we have chosen to dispense with the usual introductions and final credits.) Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre************** LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED – STRONG LANGUAGE******With Paul’s mysterious illness resurging, Enchanter Gaiwan knows of little to do except leave him to sleeping. At the same time, his curiosity about the glowing box guides him to discover strange artifacts and a friend of Paul’s. Meanwhile, his wardmate mudcat, Glink, alerts him to suspicious goings on leading to violent confrontations. ABOUT THE MEMORIAM: Arthur William Bloxham, Jr., was a classmate, dear friend, and colleague who passed via unfortunate circumstances. Years before this, he graciously provided his voice for his persona in the books. You can learn more about him on the Internet – there were several articles about him published.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************Realizing he has somehow traveled to an entirely different world, Enchanter Gaiwan wrangles with adjusting to the unusual environment and its surroundings. On his request, Paul takes him on a tour of the campus as they seek Marie and the teacher she is meeting. Synchronicity intervenes and, amidst worries that his powers might be ineffectual in this world, Gaiwan discovers a seriously disturbing problem, perhaps the cause of all that is wrong with Paul. Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************Drifting through untold layers of the invisible planes, Enchanter Gaiwan experiences depthless agony in his journey to find Paul, unaware that he has leaped between worlds. The demigod he seeks, beset with a mysterious illness, has no idea of who or what is about to unravel.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre*******LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED – SEXUAL SITUATIONS***Enchanter Gaiwan is haunted by a nightmare and knows Time is precious as he deliberates on using the mystical Transfer Key to somehow find Paul after the plea for help. Meanwhile, though imprisoned while waiting for final judgement, Dark Mage Kalron ponders a possible route for escape from the headman’s axe.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre*************Aftermath of the Battle for Hopetown and Enchanter Gaiwan’s duel with Dark Mage Kalron. This is the final episode of Book One and features an Epilogue by the Author followed by a Preview of Book Two.Email = [email protected]

.Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************Master Mage Trimbul is awoken and alerted to the impending emergency. With Gaiwan and Chania and their companions, they puzzle over Dark Mage Kalron’s ultimate goal, aware that the town will face a violent siege this day. Warnings are made to the Marshall, allies are summoned, while all await the arrival and approach of Kalron with his hired army to attack Hopetown.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre*************The combined company of Gaiwan’s and Chania’s companions lie in wait for Kalron’s hired robbers and fighting men to arrive at their camp, then learn their battle plans for seizing and plundering Hopetown as well as much worse. Despite being outmatched in size, they determine possible methods for waylaying or defeating the robbers.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************On the Southwest road as they proceed on horseback, Lazar’s wardmate hawk spots trouble ahead – the highway robbers lying in wait with a clever trap for travelers. Gaiwan and Chania initiate their planned reverse trap in hopes of foiling the enemy.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************The combined company of Enchanter Gaiwan and Princess Chania head southwest in their manhunt for the Dark Mage Kalron and his band of highway robbers. In the evening of their first camp as everyone gets acquainted, Kluff and Chania separate from the company to follow an enthralling scent that guides them to meet, against his better judgement, a mysterious old crone, a seer residing in the deeps of the forest. Email = [email protected]

[Episode Seventeen]LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED – INTIMATE ADULT SITUATIONSKo-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************Dark Mage Kalron confers with his hired fighters and makes final plans for attacking Hopetown including defeating Marshall Garnett and stealing necessary articles from the Magian Alliance Athenaeum that will make possible the destruction of Enchanter Gaiwan. Meanwhile, on the eve of their journey with Princess Chania to seek out Kalron, Gaiwan explains to Flaena about Kluff’s past and his powersword.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************Princess Chania dines with Enchanter Gaiwan in the Brass Dragon Tavern as they discuss their impending manhunt for the renegade Dark Mage Kalron. Arriving with miner friends, an angry Caffer interrupts their meal to accost and threaten Gaiwan.email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************Enchanter Gaiwan walks a meadow near Hopetown as he contemplates upon the dragon crystal’s origins and the upcoming manhunt for the Dark Mage Kalron. Suspicion of Gaiwan is expressed by one of Princess Chania’s companions as he argues with OB’louie over unseen motivations.Email = [email protected]

LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED – EXPLICIT SEXUAL SITUATIONSKo-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************Kluff enjoys being approached by a beautiful Elf woman, then is rudely surprised by her companions. Thasgar and Gahn escape an unpleasant encounter with a former boss pleading, dealing, then scolding them for abandoning him. Gaiwan and Flaena enjoy a quiet morning together. Meanwhile, across the bridge of doom, Doctor Brinth plans for Paul’s abduction from the university as he obeys SO’kandra’s orders.Email = [email protected]

LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED – VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL SITUATIONSKo-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************Recovering from their violent encounter with thieves sent by Kalron, Enchanter Gaiwan and Flaena are suppering at the Brass Dragon Tavern and Inn when an unexpected visitor calls on them. Elfen Kluff is challenged with an accusation aimed at Gaiwan by two unknown visitors who seek restitution or revenge.Email = [email protected]

Ko-fi.com/thehearkentheatre**************While studying together in the Magian Alliance Athenaeum, Flaena learns about Gaiwan’s tragic orphaning and events that brought him to the reclaimed realm of Ru and Hopetown. But, when evening arrives, danger stalks them.Email = [email protected]