The exciting Second Print Edition of HARBINGER OF DOOM by Glenn G. Thater is now available for purchase from Amazon.com. Harbinger of Doom collects the first two stories (The Gateway and The Fallen Angle) of Thater’s groundbreaking series Harbinger of Doom into a single volume. The Second Print Edition of Harbinger of Doom, in trade paperback format, features fantastic new cover art, and a valuable Appendix and pronunciation guide listing and organizing the names and relationships of all of the major and most of the minor characters that appear in the book.

In Harbinger of Doom, Glenn G. Thater transports you to a time of legendary heroes, spectacular duels, courtly intrigue, otherworldly evils, and ancient forbidden magics. This first volume in an epic series is certain to delight fantasy fans everywhere. When mad sorcerers open a gateway to the very pits of hell, releasing demons of darkest nightmare upon the world, only the intrepid knights of House Eotrus stand in their way. Claradon Eotrus recruits Angle Theta and Gabriel Garn, mysterious knights of mystical power to stand with him against the tide of chaos that threatens to engulf the world and destroy mankind. Theta and Garn take up their swords one last time against the coming darkness – a darkness from which only one will emerge. But Claradon has bought far more than he’s bargained for, when his comrade Ob discovers the terrifying secret of Angle Theta. A secret so horrifying as to shatter a man’s mind and call into question the very nature of good and evil.

THE FALLEN ANGLE by Glenn G. Thater is now available for purchase in Kindle and eBook formats from Amazon.com and many leading eBook retailers. The Fallen Angle is the second story in Thater’s Harbinger of Doom series and for the first time is now available as a stand-alone digital book. Previously, The Fallen Angle was published along with the first story in the series, The Gateway, in the trade paperback book Harbinger of Doom. This new version of The Fallen Angle features fantastic new cover art, an Appendix and pronunciation guide listing and organizing the names and relationships of all of the major and most of the minor characters that appear in the book.
THE FALLEN ANGLE

In The Fallen Angle, Glenn G. Thater transports you to a time of legendary heroes, armored knights, spectacular duels, courtly intrigue, otherworldly evils, and ancient forbidden magics. Though it can be read as a stand alone tale, The Fallen Angle is the second story in Thater’s Harbinger of Doom series and picks up shortly after the events chronicled in The Gateway. Claradon, the young Lord of House Eotrus stands accused of murder and treason by his family’s political rivals while on the trail of the chaos lord that slew those dearest to him. Claradon has recruited the mysterious knight of mystical power called Angle Theta to aid him is his quest. But Claradon has bought far more than he’s bargained for, when his comrade Ob discovers the terrifying secret of Angle Theta. A secret so horrifying as to shatter a man’s mind and call into question the very nature of good and evil.

HARBINGER OF DOOM by Glenn G. Thater is now available for purchase in Kindle and eBook formats from Amazon.com and many leading eBook retailers. Harbinger of Doom collects the first two stories (The Gateway and The Fallen Angle) of Thater’s groundbreaking series Harbinger of Doom into a single volume. This digital version of Harbinger of Doom features fantastic new cover art.

HARBINGER OF DOOM

In Harbinger of Doom, Glenn G. Thater transports you to a time of legendary heroes, spectacular duels, courtly intrigue, otherworldly evils, and ancient forbidden magics. This first volume in an epic series is certain to delight fantasy fans everywhere. When mad sorcerers open a gateway to the very pits of hell, releasing demons of darkest nightmare upon the world, only the intrepid knights of House Eotrus stand in their way. Claradon Eotrus recruits Angle Theta and Gabriel Garn, mysterious knights of mystical power to stand with him against the tide of chaos that threatens to engulf the world and destroy mankind. Theta and Garn take up their swords one last time against the coming darkness – a darkness from which only one will emerge. But Claradon has bought far more than he’s bargained for, when his comrade Ob discovers the terrifying secret of Angle Theta. A secret so horrifying as to shatter a man’s mind and call into question the very nature of good and evil.

THE GATEWAY by Glenn G. Thater is now available for purchase in Kindle and eBook formats from Amazon.com and many leading eBook retailers. The Gateway is the first story in Thater’s Harbinger of Doom series and for the first time is now available as a stand-alone digital book. Previously, The Gateway was published along with its sequel, The Fallen Angle in the trade paperback book Harbinger of Doom. This new version of The Gateway features fantastic new cover art, an Appendix and pronunciation guide listing and organizing the names and relationships of all of the major and most of the minor characters that appear in the book.

THE GATEWAY

When mad sorcerers open a gateway to the very pits of hell, releasing outré demons of darkest nightmare upon the world, only the intrepid knights of House Eotrus stand in their way. Claradon Eotrus takes up the mantle of his noble house to avenge his father and hold back the tide of chaos that threatens to engulf the world and destroy mankind. Claradon recruits Angle Theta and Gabriel Garn, mysterious knights of mystical power to stand with him. Theta and Garn take up their swords one last time against the coming darkness – a darkness from which only one will emerge.

Author’s Note:I
Mr. Thater’s books can be purchased from Amazon.com. Mr. Thater’s Amazon.com profile page, which includes a complete listing of his books can be accessed here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/AJWXN33RB5VA1

If you’re outside the United States or you can’t purchase from Amazon.com, you can purchase Mr. Thater’s Trade Paperback books directly from the Publisher using these links:

Harbinger of Doom (1st Edition):
http://www.createspace.com/3334712

Harbinger of Doom (2nd Edition):
http://www.createspace.com/3342167

THE GATEWAY
by
Glenn G. Thater
2005

“Ye wilt not thwart us again, harbinger of doom! We shall have this world this time.
What once was ours will be ours again!”
- The Chaos Lord Bhaal to The Lord Angle Theta.

A grayed Lord and his lieutenants stood at the fore of a small wedge of armored soldiers, veterans all. Malignant, clinging mist wafted about, sickening the men and clouding their vision. With the mist came a thunderous cacophony that consumed the night, piercing the very souls of those unfortunates within its demesne. A maleficent, skirling, bestial sound, akin to naught in nature and much in nightmare. A preternatural wailing it was, and in its wake bounded death.
“All hell’s fallen on them,” said Lord Eotrus.
Par Talbon made to move forward, but the old knight’s hand darted out and held him fast.
“We hold our ground,” said Lord Eotrus gripping the small man’s shoulder tightly. “We cannot advance in this mist and you can’t turn it all. Stern’s fate is in Odin’s hands now.” Staring into the mist he drew forth his sword from its ornate scabbard and raised the steel blade to his face – a salute from olden times – then lowered it again, though he kept it at the ready. “As is ours,” he said. “Our path is clear.”
“What’s out there Aradon?” said Brother Donnelin. “What are we facing?” “Nothing of Midgaard, my good priest,” said Lord Eotrus. “Nothing of this world.”
The wailing grew ever louder. A deep rumbling sound began and quickly intensified. Soon, the very earth itself began to shake and shudder. Archers closed ranks before their lord and his lieutenants. Swordsman and pikemen stood at the ready, eyes wide but feet planted. Several cloaked men with staffs matching his flanked Talbon.
Lord Eotrus’s gaze drifted upward to the midnight sky. “The Valkyries gather. Soon they’ll carry us home.” More quietly then, “I thought I’d have more time. Thank Odin at least the boys aren’t here.”
Donnelin and Talbon exchanged worried glances as they stood protectively about their lord.
“Here they come!”
“I still can’t see them,” said Donnelin. “Damned mist.”
“Keep your formation men!” said Lord Eotrus. “Talbon! Dispel the mist! Now!”
At his liege’s command, the sorcerer uttered forgotten words of eldritch power; secret words lost to all but the chosen few. The ancient sorcery he called up crushed the unnatural mist back against the night, though the darkness lingered beyond the limits of the soldiers’ torchlight.
Lord Eotrus’s face grew ashen and his eyes wide as the horror thundering down upon them came into view. A war cry burst from his throat and he charged forward to meet his fate. A few of the bravest soldiers followed him, but most dropped their weapons or froze in a panic. Not one even bothered to try to flee.

***
If this story has caught your attention and you’d like to read more, the complete version of “The Gateway is included in the book “Harbinger of Doom” by Glenn G. Thater. “Harbinger of Doom” is available for purchase on Amazon.com beginning in February 2008. Please feel free to leave comments below by clicking on the ‘comment’ button.

THE FALLEN ANGLE
By
Glenn G. Thater
April 2007

“How do you know these things?
Who are you Theta?
Who are you really?”
– Ob to the Lord Angle Theta

The last of them went down – cleaved in half by Theta’s falchion. Geysers of blood gushed everywhere as the Duke’s guards charged into the room. A butchery of flowing blood and spilled entrails. Several corpses soiled the exotic carpet, some still twitching as such are wont to do. The dead wore the Duke’s livery, confusing the guards. The Duke’s guest – a hulking foreign knight stood beside the bed. Nightshirt drenched red as was his face and pants. Bloodied falchion in his left hand. His expression best described as annoyed; his aspect calm. He stood unmoving, staring at the guards with his piercing blue eyes. They all stood there still as the Duke and his personal bodyguards came dashing down the hall to the apartment’s entrance. The guards made way.
Harringgold’s mouth dropped as he entered and took in the sight.
“Are these yours?” said Theta, pointing to the dead with his right hand.
“I cannot tell,” said the Duke.
He motioned to the guards who adjusted the corpses so their faces could be viewed.
“This one has been in my employee some five years,” said the Duke, pointing to a decapitated head at the foot of the bed.
“This one has worked as a guard for a few months I think, perhaps a year. The other four I do not recognize.”
“Nor do I,” said the guard captain.
“Search the bodies,” said Theta, still standing tensed. The Duke nodded to the guards who then began to search.
“Looking for what?” said the Duke.
“A tattoo; a scar, a strange coin, or some such token.”
After some minutes. “Two bear the mark of the Black Hand on their shoulders.”
“Paid assassins,” said the Duke.
“These others all wore a gold coin hung from chains about their necks.”
“Put them down on the bed,” said Theta, as he strapped on his sword belt and wiped the blade on the sheets, then sheathed it. He briefly looked at the coins, wrapped them in cloth and pocketed them.
“I’ll need another room,” said Theta.
“Of course,” said the Duke, seemingly surprised at the request.
“One with a bath, and some bandages, and a few guards at the door that you can trust more than these.”
“You’ll have it. I don’t know what to say, this should never have happened in my fortress.”
You are right, it should not have,” said Theta, giving the Duke an ice-cold stare.
“I’ll stand watch myself,” said the guard captain, “with you permission Lord Harringgold.”
Harringgold nodded.
Servants led Theta to another room, two floors up. Ob appeared along the way.
“The bastards won’t stop coming,” said Ob. “Once The Hand has a contract, they never give up. Not never. They took five years to track down old Par Tandar, down in Minco – he was hiding out as a cobbler – but they got him – hung his head from a lamppost right in front of the tower of the Arcane. Not one witness. Theta, your only chance is to head for the hills and not stop until you’re back home – in wherever it is youse hail from.”
“I’ll deal with the assassins as need be – but it will not be by running.

**
If this excerpt from the story “The Fallen Angle” has caught your attention, you can buy the full story on Amazon.com in the book “Harbinger of Doom” by Glenn G. Thater, available beginning February 2008. Please feel free to leave comments by clicking on the ‘comments’ button below.

FOREWORD (TO HARBINGER OF DOOM)

The following stories are the first volume in a collection of the adventures of the ancient warrior-hero most commonly referred to as Angle Theta. Although the original historical manuscripts detailing the life and times of this classic warrior are still inaccessible to the general public my contacts and travels have afforded me rare opportunities to view and even duplicate some of the original manuscripts which consist of more than ten thousand documents stored in protected archives in twelve museums and universities scattered across seven countries.

Due to the inaccessibility of these documents, few modern scholars or authors are familiar with the “Thetian manuscripts”. Consequently, the general public knows little or nothing about this ancient hero who some scholars believe helped shape much of the ancient world and perhaps was the historical inspiration for the legends of Beowulf, Gilgamesh, King Arthur and others.

Until now, no scholar has attempted a detailed compilation of the entire Angle Theta saga although several notable works containing Thetian stories have been penned through the centuries. Grenville’s work “Ancient Warriors of Scandinavia” (1884) and Addleson’s “The Ancient Cities of Prehistoric Europe” (1921) both contain several stories of Theta’s exploits. The text “The Warlords” (1408) by Chuan Chien contains two tales of Theta’s adventures in ancient Asia. While there is no complete English translation of Chien’s text, the accounts contained therein serve as independent evidence of the existence of Theta as a historical figure. The essay “Forgotten Empires” by Charles Sawyer (1754) and Da Vinci’s manuscript “Of Prehistory” (1502) also contain story fragments and references to the historical Theta. The voluminous treatise “Prehistoric Cities of Europe” by Cantor (1928) presents noteworthy, though non-conclusive, evidence of the historical existence of the city of Lomion in what is now southwestern England.

Some modern scholars do not accept the historical efficacy of the Thetian manuscripts due to the relatively small quantity of corroborating archeological evidence for the ancient cities and cultures detailed therein. Thus, they relegate Theta to the realms of myth, legend and allegory. Others maintain that the scholarly texts mentioned above, coupled with the original archived manuscripts, serve as sufficient evidence to verify the historical existence of Theta the man. One can only hope that in time the archeological record will further reinforce this position.

Several years ago while researching Theta for a story that I had planned to write, I had the good fortune to meet and begin a long-standing collaboration with several leading Thetian scholars, most notably Professor Augustine DiPipcorno of the University of Padua, and Dr. Ann Lewis of The University of Indiana, who have for some years been actively translating the entire body of available original manuscripts. These professors are leading a team that is currently preparing a series of detailed scholarly texts that include all the original tales plus their commentary and thorough critique of the corroborating scholarly, historical, literary and archeological evidence.

The work you are now reading, however, represents my re-envisioning of the first volume of the Professors’ translations into modern prose with additional dialogue and descriptive language added so that these stories will be found more accessible and entertaining to the typical reader. Further, I have sometimes chosen to label certain fanciful creatures and devices described in the original manuscripts using names and words that are familiar to modern readers of fantasy and science fiction tales. The story titles are my own and are meant to be entertaining. In all cases, however, the central plots, facts, themes, and spirit of the original tales remain unchanged.

I hope you will come to enjoy the Thetian tales as much as I have. If sufficient interest exists, I will present additional Thetian stories in future volumes. Please feel free to leave any constructive comments in the comments section of my website http://www.angletheta.blogspot.com/ and/or in this work’s listing on createspace.com and amazon.com. Happy reading.

– Glenn G. Thater
January 1, 2008
New York