Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don't forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Title of book: The Kingdom of Arke Book I Fading Light
Brief summary of the
story: My story unfolds while following the life of a young boy, named
Ryker. He is an orphan living on the streets of Tervan. The story begins while
Ryker is being chased over rooftops and through the streets of the Shuul. He
escapes his pursuer, only briefly, and is captured that night by a shadowy
being with glowing red eyes engulfed in a black cloud.
Brief description of
the world or location you created for this story: The Kingdom of Arke: Fading Light takes place on the Island of Arke, which is surrounded by a vast
sea. When The King first landed on Arke, the island was a desolate wasteland
filled with monstrous creatures. With the help of His Paladins, The King
defeated the creatures and cleansed the island. After establishing The Kingdom
of Arke, The King helped many races from other islands in the vast sea to find
safety and new homes within the Thraans and Shuuls of Arke.
If we were to visit
Arke as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
There are many sights to witness in Arke. There is the Spine
or Tsudesah as many call it, a mountain range that stretches from Mount Tsudah
to the lake Marruhs. The Tsudesah splits the island nearly in half. On his
journey, Ryker will experience many sights and places, so you’ll have to tag
along with him to see the beauty that resides in Arke.
What dangers should
we avoid in Arke? If at all possible, DO NOT travel through the streets of
either the Thraans and Shuuls on moonless night. The Shadow Keepers or Khoshekh,
as they refer to themselves, are always looking for their next victim. What they
do with those they capture is a mystery. No one has ever lived to tell about
it.
What types of
weaponry or fighting styles are common in Arke? Arke is still in the age of
the sword. So the weaponry resembles that of the medieval period in Europe. The
Drudin Gaur, are men looking to get coin through intimidation and cruelty. The
Shafel Gaur, however are men who would gladly give their life for those they
protect.
What types of
vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Arke? Horseback
and horse drawn carts and carriages are the most common form of transportation.
Many other forms of transportation will open up to Ryker as his journey
progresses, though you’ll have to find out along with him.
What types of plants,
animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Arke that we don’t see on Earth?
There are many. I can only give you the names they call themselves. Those
who did trade with them have ceased and those that did forgot what they looked
like. The Tsudians live in Mount Tsudah. The Osuhrians live in the western
plains of Arke. The Kevaak live in the massive forest to the east. The Ves live
on the peninsula near the bay of fangs. There are many other races that reside
in Arke, though even their names have been forgotten.
What role, if any,
does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Arke? If there is magic, please give some examples
of what it involves or how it’s used. Magic, in itself does not exist in
Arke. However the Venahtri, The King’s Light, does. It resides throughout the
kingdom in and around everything. Many people have completely forgotten it even
exists. Some claim it never did. Ryker will find out first hand what is true
about the Venahtri and The King.
Is there a particular religion practiced in Arke? Please describe what it involves. This will be more of an author’s note than my previous answers. I did not want to create a religion in Arke because I myself don’t believe in religion. I believe in the Bible that true religion is caring for the widows and the orphan. Religion in itself resides all around us and that is what I portrayed in Arke. I don’t want to single one act out as religion. I think that every act you do for the glory of our God and King is religion.
What is the political
or government structure in Arke? Who is
in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she? The King
left the island long ago and left His Son, with the aid of the Drudin, to rule
in his stead. What happened next is unclear; The King’s Son is gone as well.
Now the Drudin and their Gaur rule The Kingdom of Arke with an iron fist and a
ruthless heart. The people are hopelessly oppressed by the Drudin and their
greed for power. Though they claim The King himself gave them authority to rule
Arke their ways of judgment doesn’t reflect that of The Kings.
Author Autobiography:
Michael Bergman is an aspiring young author from
western Kentucky. He works full time as a marine technician and an electrician.
Michael’s family operates an orphanage located in Hinche, Haiti, which
currently provides for thirty-five children. While growing up, Michael was an
avid reader who hoped to someday become an author. He was especially inspired
by the works of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.
Michael resides in Eddyville, Kentucky, with his beautiful wife, Marissa.
Where, and in what
formats, can we purchase your book?
Please include links.
You can read a short preview of the book at http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-001016540/The-Kingdom-of-Arke.aspx
and purchase, paper, hard backed as well as ebook there.
Or if you’d rather shop on http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Arke-Fading-Light/dp/1512727121/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454279806&sr=8-1&keywords=the+kingdom+of+arke
or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-kingdom-of-arke-michael-bergman/1123305854?ean=9781512727128
Where can readers
connect with you online?
Instagram: @mbergman531
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MBERGMAN90
Email: bergmanmikep@yahoo.com
Author Note
The kingdom we live in now has forgotten and forsaken our
great and mighty God and His Son Jesus. Our world began in much the same way
that Arke did, but acts of human selfishness took us further away from the
light of the King. I believe that God helped me to create the Kingdom of Arke
to tell the story of His infinite love toward His creation.
We cannot
fathom how desperately God loves us. He loves all of us so much that He sent
His Son, Jesus, to dwell among us and teach us how to serve Him and shed light
on the world. Jesus took on the darkness of sin itself for all of us, and He
destroyed it at the cross with His crucifixion. With the darkness destroyed,
Jesus rose from the grave and poured out His spirit of light for each and every
one of us.
I hope that
this story will reveal to others the light that I have found. I want everyone
to see the terrible contrast between light and dark within this world. I
believe there is a darkness that is consuming all of us, one that we don’t even
see, that we are not even aware of.
I believe
we are allowing sin’s shadow to suffocate us and blind us from the beautiful
light of God’s love.
There is
hope. The light shall come forth and consume all shadow of sorrow and fear. It
will rise like the dawn, evaporating the cold and bitterness of night, bringing
a glorious new day.
With all my
heart, I hope the words you have read have helped you to see the light; to
see it for the first time or to see it anew. I hope these words speak into your
heart, speaking life over death and joy over sorrow. I pray that you will draw
closer to the light.
Let us
become citizens of the light, keepers of its infinite glow. Let us rid this
world of all shadow. Let us shine forth until all might see His light through
us.
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Arke. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to Mars Station, in Realm Explorers Part XCI!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to Mars Station, in Realm Explorers Part XCI!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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