Fantasy series - Floreskand 1: WINGS

 

FLORESKAND 1: WINGS by Morton Faulkner

This is quite clearly the first volume of what is intended to be an entire sequence of stories about the world of Floreskand, a very cultivated creation – BFS Review

The sky above the city of Lornwater darkens as thousands of red tellars, the magnificent birds of the Overlord, wing their way towards Arisa.

Ulran discovers he must get to Arisa within seventy days and unlock the secret of the scheduled rites. He is joined in his quest by the ascetic Cobrora Fhord, who harbours a secret or two, and also the mighty warrior Courdour Alomar, who has his own reasons for going to Arisa. They learn more about each other – whether it’s the strange link Ulran has with the red tellar Scalrin, the lost love of Alomar, or the superstitious heart of Cobrora.

Plagued by assassins, forces of nature and magic, they cross the plains of Floreskand, combat Baronculer hordes, scale snow-clad Sonalume Mountains and penetrate the dark heart of Arisa. Here they uncover truth, evil and find pain and death.

 

Amazon UK - https://tinyurl.com/zafp24cb

Amazon US - https://tinyurl.com/4ufsaj2p

 

The author Morton Faulkner is the pen name of the writing team of Nik Morton and Gordon Faulkner. Nik hails from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside and joined the Royal Navy as a writer. He has travelled all over the world both privately and with the Navy. He gained his Open University BA Degree in 1987 and, on leaving the RN, he began a civilian career in computing. Nik has sold articles and numerous genre short stories espionage, science fiction, fantasy, horror, love, adventure and ghost, and has had 32 books published. Gordon was born and raised in the West Riding of Yorkshire. During an extended stay in hospital in his youth, he developed what turned out to be a life-long passion for Oriental culture, especially Chinese, after reading the travels of Marco Polo. He started training in Oriental martial arts in the late 1960s and after joining the Royal Air Force in the early 1970s started to specialise in Chinese martial arts and Daoist philosophy. During his 22 year career in the RAF, he was one of the founders and General Secretary of the RAF Martial Arts Federation, a post he held until his retirement from military service, when he became a full-time Daoist Arts teacher. This resulted in extensive travel within Europe and North America where he was invited to run seminars and give lectures.

Wings reviews

1.      A beautiful and atmospheric tale. The author has skilfully developed the characters in a way that you feel you are right there with them on their quest. I can say that I have read many fantasy stories I have truly enjoyed, but only a few have left that lingering haunting feeling within me. Can't wait for the next instalment.

Started reading this genre like most people with Tolkien moving on to Feist and Eddings. Grand in scale, well written and certainly the start of the next series on my bookshelf. A gripping read and well worth the wait, congrats Gordon & Nik. Gordon’s vivid imagination has been brought to life by Nik.

3.      It took a chapter or so to get into the world of Floreskand and process the characters, language and sense of place, then I was off! Great story-telling which carried me through quickly to its conclusion, making me impatient for the next book in the series. Well drawn characters with enough mystery about their back story to keep you interested. Well-written too... I could see this as a film - now you just need Vigo Mortensen for the hero and you are set.

A  A fabulous fantasy world so well described that it is easy to see oneself in it, well developed and realistic characters, an exciting plot which does not slow down throughout and makes the reader eager to read on.

A great fantasy adventure with an amazing imagination. You get totally involved in the story from beginning to end. Highly recommend.

This book will keep you turning the pages as it draws you in to the fantastic world of Floreskand

7.    Wings was a great piece of fantasy fiction which I really enjoyed.

8.      Wings is a very good read and one that I'd happily recommend to anyone. It's clear that this is just an introductory, small slice of a well thought out, detailed and interesting world called Floreskand. I'm very much looking forward to future volumes in order to find out more about this world and its people. This time around we meet Ulran, a more than competent inn-keeper, and his two companions on a mysterious quest. The quest resolves itself nicely with a very interesting twist however enough doors are left open to make the wait for the next volume a bit difficult.

Once I had familiarised myself with the world of Floreskand the characters, language etc I soon became engrossed in the story eager to find out what happens next. Great imagination. I loved the characters especially Ulran. Once I had finished the book I was eager to read the next volume in the series. I would thoroughly recommend this book it’s a great fantasy adventure. I could see this as a film.

10. A fast-paced fantasy adventure as an innkeeper, a city dweller full of surprises, and a long-lived warrior, join forces in a race against time. Their quest is to save the red tellars, the giant birds, which are the wings of the overlord. Along the way even the weather becomes a powerful adversary and the three are tested almost beyond endurance. Tensions and evocative language keep the reader turning the pages to the very end! 

  1. An expansive and well thought story, a must-read for lovers of magic and military fantasy.

 

Works in progress (2) - Floreskand: Prophecy

For many years the mythical land of Floreskand has been developed and expanded upon by its creator, Gordon Faulkner. He began during an extended stay in hospital, markedly influenced by Oriental culture, especially Chinese. In the late 1960s he started training in Oriental martial arts and after joining the RAF in the early 1970s, during his off-duty time he specialised in Chinese martial arts and Daoist philosophy. During his 22 year career in the RAF, he was one of the founders and General Secretary of the RAF Martial Arts Federation, a post he held until his retirement from military service, when he became a full-time Daoist Arts teacher. This resulted in extensive travel within Europe and North America where he was invited to run seminars and give lectures.

                                                                             Gordon

Gordon met me in Malta, where I was based with the Royal Navy. We both were involved in martial arts training, though Gordon was considerably more advanced than me! 

Me martial arts training in Malta, 1975

 

When he mentioned his mythical Floreskand, its characters, coinage, history, geology, religion and myths, I became intrigued.  So, in 1974 we decided to work on a series of novels set in this colourfully imagined land, and we settled on the pen-name Morton Faulkner. Not long afterwards, Gordon was re-posted back to UK.

These were the pre-computer days. I typed out the story on a portable Remington, with a carbon copy. We communicated by post. I’d write the story and Gordon would supply hand-written (and sometimes typed) background information. Out of this grew a 106,000-word fantasy novel, Wings of the Overlord, which had a few near-misses with a handful of publishers over the years...

Finally, in 2014 we found a publisher willing to take on the series, The Chronicles of Floreskand. Sadly, although we supplied the second installment on time, there were delays and problems in getting it published, so we amicably severed our ties. At this point, both by now getting a little long in the tooth, we determined to go it alone and self-publish. The first volume was revised and published as Floreskand: Wings and we promptly followed it with Floreskand:King, both in 2017.  This year, we completed the third book, Floreskand:Madurava and published it in May (in Floreskand, a madurava is a compass though it possesses arcane qualities too). We are now working on the fourth installment, Floreskand: Prophecy.

There are a number of recurring characters in the series. There’s Ulran, the mystical innman, Ranell his son, the despot King Saurosen, the Underpeople, also known as the Ratava, the wormlike schwarm, good and bad wizards and mages, ordinary soldiers, workers, tradesmen, generals, Aurelan Crossis, a soldier on a quest of vengeance, queens and powerful women, including Lorar, the kidnapped girlfriend of Ranell, destined for subjugation and humiliation at the hands of her tormentor, Epal Danorr… And of course there are maps – plenty of maps – and comprehensive glossaries.

Wings - Three disparate adventurers set out from Lornwater on a quest, Ulran, Courdour Alomar and Cobrora Fhord. Plagued by assassins, forces of nature and magic, they cross the plains of Floreskand, combat Baronculer hordes, scale snow-clad Sonalume Mountains and penetrate the dark heart of Arisa. Here they uncover truth, evil and find pain and death.

King - Lornwater city was ripe for rebellion against King Saurosen. Subterfuge, betrayal, conspiracy, greed, revenge and thirst for power motivate rich and poor alike. Muddying the fight are the Sardan mystics. At stake is the Black Sword, the powerful symbol that entitles the holder to take the throne of Lornwater.

Madurava - Lornwater's Madurava House signifies a change in the alignment of the sacred compass – pointing to the dunsaron. Also heading in that direction are the Ratava, the schwarm, Lord Tanellor, the daughter of Arqitor, Charja Nev, First-commander Nimentan Pellas, and almaturge Rait Falo, all destined for conflict... And we meet again Ulran, Ranell, Lorar, Epal Danorr and Watchman Dep.

The blurb for Prophecy reads:

As the events in Madurava unfold, Lornwater’s Madurava House undergoes a significant alteration in the alignment of its spirit statues, signifying the prophet is coming! Though it is not clear from which direction…

If there is any truth in the prophecy, then many of the city kingdoms of Floreskand will be shaken to their core.

Barely recovered from his ordeal in King, Aurelan Crossis sets out on a journey of vengeance against the deposed king Saurosen, which takes him into the midst of pilgrims heading for the Sacred Hills, where he will be sorely tested.

Bindar, a survivor of the strife in Wings, now trains mountain troops in Arion. In the Vale of Belet he comes into contact with the Haram Sect as well as a powerful fugitive from his past.

The ordeal for Lorar worsens as she is taken by her tormentor Danorr to Arisa…

The emperor of Tarakanda is faced with heightened political and religious tensions that threaten to destabilise the empire.

And Lornwater is still recovering from the civil strife, where factions of Remainers continue to threaten the life of the rightful king. Watchman Welde Dep finds his investigations bring him closer to Queen Tantian, risking the jealousy and enmity of the king.

The saga of Floreskand continues…

***

We hope to complete Prophecy this year (2018) and even move on to its successor, tentatively entitled Tarakanda.

Maybe writers who have hit proverbial brick walls with their works will be consoled by our experience. Many traits are required of a writer – and among them are perseverance and self-belief. Never give up!

***

More about Gordon:

He is a member of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding and a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society. In 1990 he had the first of what was to eventually become annual trips to China. These trips take students to study at the Beijing University of Physical Education (BUPE) and visit various research establishments, hospitals, temples, markets, bars, etc. He is the Principal Instructor of the Chanquanshu School of Daoist Arts which he founded in 1983; it now has in excess of 300 registered students. At a ceremony held at BUPE he became Ru Shi Dizi (an outstanding and close disciple) of Professor Zhang Guangde, the creator of Daoyin Yangsheng Gong which is a part of the Chinese National Fitness Program. And at a Ba Shi ceremony in a temple on Mount Wudang, Central China, he was initiated as a 15^th generation Wudang Boxing disciple of Daoist Master You Xuande. He is the author of Managing Stress with Qigong. Gordon and his wife, Maria have two children and six grandchildren and live in the Scottish Highlands.

The saga continues...

Just out this month, third in the ongoing fantasy series FLORESKAND. This one is titled MADURAVA.

Floreskand - a very cultivated creation

Morton Faulkner's FLORESKAND Fantasy novels – REVIEWS

1: WINGS – four new reviews; now totalling 7 x 5-stars

This book took a few chapters to get in to but in the end provided a gripping read with a lot of interesting twists. Well worth reading and certainly the next series to be added to my bookshelf.

A great fantasy adventure with an amazing imagination. You get totally involved in the story from beginning to end. Highly recommend. I have also bought Volume 2 King.

A great fantasy/adventure read and a real page turner. You get so involved with the characters I caught myself holding my breath more than once!

Brilliant read, looking forward to more in this series!

 

2: KING – three new reviews; now totalling 4 x 5-stars and 1 x 4-star

A great read again getting you more involved in the story of Floreskand with many more interesting characters. Another page turner full of anticipation and adventure. Can't wait for the next volume. Well done to the authors for creating a wonderful story.

Great follow up to volume one. Fantastic adventure with myriad twists and turns to the plot. I am eagerly awaiting the next volume of this gripping series.

Excellent follow up to "Wings", thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.

***

Our thanks to all our reviewers! - Morton Faulkner

In its final phases prior to publication in April: 

3: MADURAVA

Coming later this year:

4: PROPHECY 

and

5: TARAKANDA

'... leaves you wanting more.'

A few reviews are starting to come in on Amazon - thank you, readers!

The latest is for Floreskand: King, the second in the Morton Faulkner fantasy series.

"Long anticipated follow up to Floreskand: Wings (Wings of the Overlord) and not a disappointment. The story took a while to get into full flow as there was a lot of scene setting and getting to know characters but it all made sense when everything came together. Nice twist at the end linking in with Wings which was set at the same time in Floreskandian history, but I won't spoil it for you. This story widens the scope of history and certainly leaves you wanting more."

And more is on its way soon... the work-in-progress, Floreskand: Madurava. 

Available from Amazon as a paperback and an e-book here

To Be King - cover reveal

Knox Robinson have released the cover for the upcoming paperback To Be King (Book Two of the Chronicles of Floreskand).  The artist has captured the essence of the story, we feel.

To Be King - sequel to Wings of the Overlord

TO BE KING

When Ulran and Cobrora Fhord left Lornwater on their quest to resolve the mystery of the red tellars (Wings of the Overlord), the city was ripe for rebellion against King Saurosen, holder of the Black Sword.

In charge of the Red Tellar Inn, Ulran’s son Ranell is drawn into a conspiracy with nobles to support Prince Haltese, the king’s heir, to overthrow the tyrant. Inevitably, as a mining disaster and a murder in a holy fane stoke the fires of discontent, open rebellion swamps the streets.

Conflict turns into civil war, where the three cities’ streets become a battleground. Conflict is not confined to Lornwater, however. There’s fighting below ground in the mysterious tunnels and caves of the Underpeople, and within the forest that surrounds the city, and ultimately in the swamps and lakes of Taalland.

Subterfuge, betrayal, conspiracy, intrigue, greed, revenge and a thirst for power motivate rich and poor individuals, whether that’s Lord Tanellor, Baron Laan, Gildmaster Olelsang, Lord-General Launette, ex-slave-girl Jan-re Osa, Captain Aurelan Crossis, Sergeant Bayuan Aco or miner Rujon. 

Muddying the fight are not only bizarre creatures – the vicious garstigg, the ravenous lugarzos or the deadly flensigg – but also the mystics from the Sardan sect, Brother Clen, Sisters Hara, Illasa and Nostor Vata.

At stake is the Black Sword, the powerful symbol that entitles the holder to take the throne of Lornwater.