The Arawn Option

Coming soon

from

C. David Belt

Roman Britannia, 61 A.D. - Marcus Scribonius--a Christian convert of scarcely five years and an Option in the Roman Army, second-in-command of a century of eighty men--has just survived a horrific battle against Boudicca and her Celtic rebels. Although Roman casualties were astonishingly light, one of those casualties was Marcus's beloved commander and mentor. Now serving under the command of a new centurion--who, for reasons Marcus cannot comprehend, already hates him--Marcus and his century are given a secret mission: an armed reconnaissance mission deep into hostile territory to investigate the repeated manifestations of a Celtic god--Arawn, Lord of the Dead.

Marcus possesses the Gift of Prophecy, although for the most part, he is unable to understand the prophecies he transcribes onto his scroll. But he does understand two things--he will face Arawn, and a great tribulation will come into his life. That tribulation arrives in the form of disturbing young woman--Maelona, the slave of his new commander. Maelona frightens Marcus, because she was once one of the terrifying Witches of Mona before she was captured, used, and enslaved. However, a prophecy states that Marcus must protect her at all costs.

Along their march deep into Cambria (Wales), Marcus and his century camp near an ancient circle of standing stones. During the night, one of the burial mounds near the stone circle opens, and out of it crawls an ancient horror. And legionnaires begin to die...

Advance praise for The Arawn Option:

I just watched a great movie--in my head, from reading this outstanding story! Attend the tale of Marcus Scribonius Audaxus, Roman legionnaire extraordinaire! Having suffered the loss of his mother at the hands of wicked men, Marcus joins the Roman army and grows to become a great leader. Also having been baptized by an original member of the Quorum of the Seventy, an elder named Aristobulus who served with Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry, Marcus experiences many great challenges that test his faith, including fighting with extremely wicked men who worship Arawn, Lord of the Dead. Marcus is not only valiant, courageous, humble, faithful, loyal, and full of integrity, but he has a special gift of receiving prophecies that proves to be a great blessing to him and those he loves. His steadfastness, couragecourage, faith, and his love prove to be a great catalyst in causing two beautiful women, a slave-turned-princess named Maelona and a mortal-turned-vampire named Branwen, to fall incredibly in love with him. This love permeates the story and plays a role in tying together the past with the future as the heroes who defeated Lilith (see Belt's "The Children of Lilith") learn all about Marcus and those who nobly fought beside him. These two heroes honor Marcus and his descendants in a final act of selfless love, and then the final prophecy is fulfilled. 'Tis an epic tale of great magnitude and a tear jerker in the end!

John Abercrombie - Bountiful, UT