CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
215 B.C.
The first thing I noticed was the roaring fire. Logs crackled and popped inside an enormously large marble fireplace. The ring had transported Pat and me out of the frying pan and next to the fire. Thank goodness for small favors.
The light coming from the hearth illuminated a richly apportioned room. Luxurious, thick oriental rugs covered the marble floors. The intricate designs stretched from wall to wall, providing comfort beneath our feet. Dark mahogany bookshelves lined the walls, reaching from floor to ceiling. Each shelf contained books, scrolls and ancient artifacts (or, again, futuristic devices, depending on one’s current place in time). I marveled at the numerous items. Clay Sumerian tablets sat next to a baseball signed by Babe Ruth. A Turkish scimitar rested beside a sketch drawn by Da Vinci. There was even a mint condition copy of Action Comics No. 1 on display.
Action Comics No. 1 is the comic book in which Superman first appeared. To say that it is priceless would be an understatement. The most sought after comic book ever created sat in front of me on a shelf in Ancient Greece. I had never actually seen a copy before. Yet, here it was, lying amongst other priceless treasures from every time imaginable.
“Could this day get any weirder?” I asked myself out loud. Free tip - never ask that or any variation of that sentence. Don’t ask ‘could this day get any worse?’ or ‘what else could go wrong?’” Ever. Not even jokingly because I assure you, the day can always get weirder or worse and something else can always go wrong. And if you ask those questions, be prepared for things to get weirder or worse or for something else to go wrong.
A loud creak drew my attention from the gathered treasures and to the center of the room. A large wooden desk, handsomely carved with figures from Greek mythology, dominated the space. Behind the desk, a high-backed leather chair slowly swiveled around, its unseen occupant turning to face me and Pat. It was all very dramatic. Pat grabbed my arm as the chair came to a stop. She gasped at the sight of the creature now facing us.
Seated behind the desk was a large, well-muscled Cyclops wearing, what appeared to be, a very expensive business suit. His bright red shirt stood in sharp contrast to the black suit and tie. A monocle hung from a cord around his neck. Some type of oil or grease glistened in his long slicked back hair and a well-trimmed beard covered the lower half of his face. The creature before me looked less like a feared beast of mythology and more like a used car salesman than anything else.
The cyclops’ single eye stared at me and Pat for several seconds. He finally blinked, breaking the uncomfortable silence (and losing the staring contest).
“You must be Eli Arnold,” our host said with a warm smile. “I’ve been expecting you.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Eli’s adventures continue in Books Two and Three and the series only gets better!
Book Two: The Myth of Mythology
Trapped in the distant past, Eli Arnold continues his quest to locate the fabled Keys to Forever, his brother, and a way home. Eli encounters gods, monsters, myths and legends, makes new friends, and discovers new things about himself as his epic tale unfolds. Help comes from the most unlikely of sources (you should never judge a book by its cover) and enemies hide in shadows and plain sight. Will Poseidon's Pearl be recovered? Will Eli be able to send Pat home? Will he ever find his brother? The pieces of the centuries old puzzle begin to fall into place as Eli discovers the myth of mythology.
Available now at Amazon Book Two: The Myth of Mythology
Book Three: All Roads
It’s said all roads lead to Rome, but some lead back to where you’re from.
Eli continues his journey through time as he tries to stay one step ahead of the Order of Disorder, find his brother and his friends, and recover the powerful Keys to Forever. The Order is waiting but so is a new friend, a mysterious benefactor, and a revelation so startling that it will cause Eli to question everything. Will Eli recover Vulcan’s Fire? Will he be able to thwart the efforts of his enemies? More questions arise as he struggles to find answers and a way back to where he’s from...Home.
Available now at Amazon Book Three: All Roads
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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