Read The Heretic (Beyond the Wall Book 1) Online
Authors: Lucas Bale
The Heretic (Beyond the Wall Book 1) (22 page)
‘People never want to know the truth. It inconveniences their blissfully ignorant lives. That is why the Core is the way it is. But away from the Magistratus, there is a chance.’
‘What actually happened? On Terra.’
‘The temperature rose, and the climate began to change. During the First Cataclysm, the planet’s ice caps melted into its northern oceans, with devastating effect. Far from getting warmer, the net result was a rapid cooling of the north. The only possible response for humans was a migration southwards. Yet the change was so abrupt, and came with such ferocious storms, that many died before they could gather possessions enough to make the long journey. They had vehicles of course, but vehicles require power, and as their society collapsed, there was no power to be had, and they could only walk.’
‘They froze to death?’
The preacher shrugged. ‘Some say the storms brought with them a change in the climate that was so severe that the temperatures dropped within days. Others say it took weeks. But on one thing, every piece of information is clear. Human society was so complex, and with so many competing interests, that no one could agree on what course to take. That confusion and delay was enough to hasten the deaths of billions.’
‘But not the Corporation.’
‘Indeed.’
‘The Corporation?’ Jordi asked.
‘The Consulate Magistratus wasn’t always known that way,’ Shepherd said. ‘It was a corporation once, with more coin than anyone else. It only became the Magistratus after the Second Cataclysm. It was that war which gave the Magistratus the power they needed—a reason to make citizens submit to them. Fear of what lies beyond the Wall.’
As they spoke, a noise came from the within the forest, beyond the clearing. And as the flames played across the faces of the small group perched on logs around the fire, two figures emerged from the darkness. The preacher spoke again, this time more quietly.
‘It’s time.’
It’s a special thing that you chose to read my book. All those hours creating, writing, editing and publishing were worth every second. Without people like you, choosing to read my work, I couldn’t continue. Now you’ve finished, you’ll be wondering whether you should leave a review and tell others how great it was.
Please, please consider doing so.
It’s absolutely critical. That two or three minutes you spend writing it has a huge impact on my ability to produce yet more stories that you will love. Seriously – would
you
buy a book on Amazon that had no reviews?
Here’s the links to make it even easier:
After you’ve done that,
That’s the only hard sell you’ll ever get from me. If you want to know why it’s important, read on. If not, but you’re persuaded, please go and leave a review.
Right now. Before you forget.
Why is it important? Mostly, it’s because indie authors like me are both author
and
publisher. I arrange my own covers, my own editors and I do my own marketing. I designed my website and I write the blog which goes with it. All of this means I get to be closer to my fans. Which is great.
But it’s not like I have one of the big guys behind me, supporting my every move and writing cheques.
So I need my fans to help me continue writing great stories. Reviews are one very easy way to do this. Another is to tell all your friends about me, or even random people on the bus. A line I think works perfectly goes something like this:
“Hey, [insert name of the guy sitting next to you on the bus here], you’ve gotta read this! This guy, he’s the best sci-fi author out there right now. That Hugh Howey fella? Nothing compared to Lucas Bale. Seriously, it’s the best stuff you’ll read this year.”
Yes, that’s right, I expect my fans to lie for me too – that’s not really such a big deal is it? It’s a great way to meet people. By the way, if you haven’t read Hugh Howey – where have you
been
? Go buy WOOL right now. And try Jason Gurley and Michael Bunker too.
Thanks again for reading my debut novel. Really. It means the world to me that you chose it. Please come back for more.
There are so many people to whom you owe huge debts of humbling gratitude to when you self-publish your first book. They are the people who live with your interminable, and seemingly inane, ramblings about Amazon KDP, about Kobo and iBookstore and all the other distributors, and about ‘discoverability’. Or perhaps they have had to listen to an oratory about characterisation, story beats and plot points. They are saints, because stories, and then books, become so ingrained in who you are as an author that the excitement that comes from writing is all-consuming and intoxicating. The prospect of someone reading your work, and loving it, is heady and dizzying.
We’re like those London yuppies in the 1980’s who discovered skiing and wouldn’t bloody shut-up about it. Or your next-door neighbour, who drags you to see his new car and forces you to listen as he describes every intricate detail of the climate control system. Yes, we’re like
that
guy.
Insufferable.
So to my darling better-half, first and foremost, thank you. Really, from the bottom of my heart, you’re everything I ever dreamed of in a partner. I could also thank my boys, but they’re four and two so I doubt I annoyed them that much. And when I did, I gave them chocolate, so we’re even.
Thank you to David Gatewood, my editor, who made me believe in myself and who turned a rough draft into something infinitely more polished. Editors are like demi-gods – you never,
ever
want to piss them off and when you find one as good as he is, you put his number on speed-dial.
And to Jason Gurley, whose cover designs are almost as breathtaking and inspiring as his writing.
Also, to Alex Roddie and S.W. Fairbrother, fantastic authors who always received my emails with a smile.
To my beta readers. Thank you for taking the time and effort to read and critique this book. It is what it is, because of you.
Last, but by no means or in any way ‘least’ – to Joss Whedon, whose
Firefly
series is what started me thinking about Beyond the Wall in the first place. I named Shepherd as a nod to that wonderful show and, Joss, I hope that’s okay with you.
Lucas Bale
Copenhagen, Denmark
Lucas Bale writes the sort of intense, thrilling science-fiction and suspense stories which make you miss your train stop. The sort of stories which dig into what makes us human and scrape at the darkness which hides inside every one of us.
When he looks up at the stars, he sees the infinite and myriad worlds which are waiting for us, and which need to be explored.
His debut novel, THE HERETIC, is the gateway to the BEYOND THE WALL series, an epic story about the future of humanity and the discovery of the truth of its past.
He wasn’t always a writer, but who can say that? He was a barrister for fifteen years before he discovered crime doesn't pay and turned to something which actually pays even less. No one ever said he was smart, but at least he’s happy.
He can be found at
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