A little fantasy from a Western novelist

Many readers know I live in Japan, even though I write Westerns under the pen name of Chuck Tyrell, I also write under my own name, Charles T. Whipple.

Not long after I came to Japan, lo those many years ago, I heard of a medieval king called Taira no Masakado. He lived in the 10th century and was a descendent of the emperors. At one point, he rebelled against the rule of the Fujiwara and declared himself the rightful ruler of the nation. In the end, he was captured and beheaded, and his head was displayed on the Gokumon Gate in Heian Kyo (present-day Kyoto). Legend has it that his eyes never closed and one day his head flew away on a column of fire, soared through the sky to land on a mound of clam shells along Tokyo Bay.

There is an obelisk to Masakado in Tokyo, very close to the Imperial palace moat. His restless spirit is blamed for much. People sicken, they bring small cups of sake to appease Masakado's spirit. Company loses money, the president brings flowers to Masakado's obelisk.

The magical power of this ancient king long mesmerized me. So I have undertaken a rewriting of history . . . from the Masacado Scrolls.

The world in which I placed Masacado (his youth name is Koziro) is much like ancient Japan. Amaterasu, the sun goddess, rules all things light and right. Lord Yami rules all things dark, and there is a constant struggle between the two for domination of the land.

All the ancient races and creatures exist in Masacado's world. Some assist his quest, others work for Lord Yami.

A cadre of people with special talents gather around Masacado to aid in his quest for the sacred talismans that will allow him to wrest the eight kingdoms of Kantoh from the clutches of the dastardly Toh. Ryo, Masacado's older sister, is The Seeker. Her special gift of reikan will help in the search. Kaku, the Kage warrior, is her Shielder, called by ancient sadame bonds. Noritsugu is The Bearer, who is responsible to carry Masacado's bride to his home of Awa Omote.

The first four novellas of the Masacado Scrolls are now bound into a single volume. Naturally, it is called Volume One.

Give me your questions and comments, and from those people I will choose three (3) to receive an ebook of The Masacado Scrolls, Volume One. FREE, of course.