Author: lazaruscarpenterauthor

Lazarus Carpenter I have lived in Wales for over twenty five years. Born in North Yorkshire, I am now an author, actor, musician and song writer, previously being a therapist, trainer and researcher, specialising in mental health. He was educated in Middlesbrough, Sheffield and Cambridge. With a fascination for Welsh History, I create worlds within worlds; magical, haunting, spirituality permeating sound moral codes of life. I live quietly with Debbie Eve (also my illustrator and our dog, Noodle in a small cottage surrounded by the beauty of the Brecon Beacons in the Valleys of South Wales.

Aurelius, the Ancient One

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In the heart of a vast mountain range, where the sun kissed the peaks every morning, and the wind whispered ancient secrets through the valleys, there lived an eagle unlike any other. This majestic bird was known far and wide as Aurelius, the Ancient One. With wings that spanned the sky and eyes that held the wisdom of centuries, Aurelius soared high above the world, watching over all who dwelled below. For countless generations, Aurelius witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations, the shifting of continents, and the changing of the stars. He saw the beauty of the earth blossom like a flower in spring and watched in sorrow as mankind’s greed and ignorance scarred the land and poisoned the air.

One fateful day, as the sun dipped low on the horizon and the world held its breath in anticipation of twilight, Aurelius descended from his lofty perch and alighted upon a great stone in the heart of a lush forest. His eyes blazed with a fierce light as he spoke, his voice a rumble like distant thunder.

“Children of Earth,” he began, his words echoing through the trees like the song of the wind, “I have seen the shadows that gather on the horizon, the tremors that ripple through the very bones of this world. A great upheaval approaches, a cataclysm that will shake the very foundations of your existence.”

The gathered forest animals and humans listened in wide-eyed silence, their hearts heavy with foreboding. Aurelius continued, his voice filled with a solemn urgency.

“You have ravaged the earth, plundered her riches, and desecrated her sanctuaries. You have forgotten the sacred bond that connects all living things, and in your blindness, you have sown the seeds of your own destruction. Unless you mend your ways, heed the cries of the earth and mend the wounds you have inflicted, a great disaster awaits you. The earth will rise in fury, and you will be cast aside like dust in a storm.”

The animals shivered at his words, feeling the weight of his warning pressing down upon them like a heavy stone. But even as fear gripped their hearts, a glimmer of hope sparked in their eyes.

“Is there no salvation?” they cried, their voices rising in desperation.

Aurelius fixed them with a piercing gaze, his eyes alight with ancient fire.

“There is always hope,” he said, his voice softening like the gentle caress of a breeze. “If you listen to the wisdom of the earth, if you cherish her gifts and honour her spirit, you may yet avert the disaster that looms on the horizon. The choice is yours, children of Earth. Choose wisely, for the fate of all rests in your hands.”

With those words, Aurelius spread his wings and soared back into the sky, leaving the humans and animals alike to ponder his warning in the fading light of evening. And as the stars blinked into being overhead, a new resolve took root in their hearts, a determination to protect the earth and all her creatures from the looming threat. And so, under the watchful gaze of the ancient eagle, the animals and people of the forest vowed to stand as guardians of the earth, to cherish her beauty and safeguard her treasures for generations yet unborn. And though the shadow of disaster still hung over the world like a dark cloud, a glimmer of hope shone in the eyes of all who heard Aurelius’

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Ernest Hemingway

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Ernest Hemingway was an American novelist, short-story writer, and journalist widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, in Oak Park, Illinois. He grew up in a family intensely interested in outdoor activities and literature. Hemingway developed a passion for writing at a young age and worked for his high school newspaper. After graduating high school, Hemingway was a reporter for The Kansas City Star. He later volunteered as an ambulance driver during World War I and was seriously wounded in Italy. This experience greatly influenced his writing style and themes. His writing is known for its straightforward prose, understated dialogue, and themes of masculinity, war, and nature. Some of his most famous works include “The Old Man and the Sea,” “A Farewell to Arms,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and “The Sun Also Rises.”


Hemingway led a tumultuous personal life characterized by multiple marriages, struggles with mental health issues, and a reputation for hard living. He lived in various places worldwide, including Paris, Key West, Cuba, and Idaho. In 1954, Hemingway was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his mastery of narrative art. He is considered one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century and has had a lasting impact on literature and how writers approach storytelling. Tragically, Hemingway struggled with depression and physical ailments in his later years. On July 2, 1961, he died by suicide at his home in Ketchum, Idaho. Ernest Hemingway’s legacy continues to endure through his works, which are studied and celebrated by readers and scholars worldwide. 

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The Ghost of K2

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Once upon a time, there lived a passionate mountaineer named Alex who had an insatiable love for climbing. From a young age, he was drawn to the towering peaks, feeling a magnetic pull to the heights only the mountains could offer. Alex spent his life chasing summits, driven by an unquenchable thirst for adventure and the thrill of conquering new peaks. For forty-five years, he traversed the globe, scaling the world’s most challenging mountains. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the rugged terrain of the Andes, he left no summit unconquered. His determination and skill earned him a reputation as one of the greatest mountaineers of his time, with countless stories of his daring ascents circulating among the climbing community.

However, Alex’s fate took a mysterious turn on his eleventh expedition to K2, the formidable second-highest mountain in the world. As he and his team ascended the mountain’s treacherous slopes, a sudden storm descended, engulfing them in a swirling chaos of snow and wind. Despite his experience and resilience, Alex and his team were separated in the blizzard, and he was never seen again. Rumours began circulating among the local Sherpas and climbers that Alex’s spirit still roamed the slopes of K2, his presence felt in the eerie mist that often shrouded the mountain. Some claimed to catch glimpses of a lone figure moving through the fog, a spectral mountaineer searching for the summit that had eluded him in life. Over the years, tales of Alex’s ghostly apparition grew, with climbers sharing stories of encounters with the phantom mountaineer on the slopes of K2. Some saw him beckoning them onward, while others felt his presence as a warning to respect the power of the mountains.

Today, the legend of Alex, the mountaineer who could never stop climbing, lives on in the mist-shrouded slopes of K2. His spirit is said to watch over those who dare to challenge the mountain, a reminder of the thin line between triumph and tragedy in the world of high-altitude adventure.

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John Steinbeck

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John Steinbeck was an American author best known for his novels, which vividly portrayed the social and economic issues of the Great Depression. John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. was born in Salinas, California, on February 27, 1902. He grew up in a rural setting and developed a love for the land and its people, which would later influence his writing. Steinbeck attended Stanford University intermittently between 1919 and 1925 but did not graduate. He left college to pursue his writing career.

Steinbeck’s writing career started with the publication of his first novel, “Cup of Gold,” in 1929. However, he gained widespread recognition with his book “Tortilla Flat” in 1935, followed by “Of Mice and Men” in 1937 and “The Grapes of Wrath” in 1939, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His works often focused on the struggles of the working class, the impact of the Great Depression, and the search for the American Dream. His writing was known for its social consciousness and empathy for the underprivileged. He continued to write prolifically, producing works such as “East of Eden” (1952) and “Travels with Charley” (1962). In 1962, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Steinbeck was married three times and had two sons. He lived in various places in the United States, including California and New York, and travelled extensively for both work and pleasure. John Steinbeck is considered one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. His works continue to be studied in schools and universities worldwide for their insights into American society and the human condition. Steinbeck died on December 20, 1968, in New York City at 66. He left behind a rich literary legacy that inspires readers and writers today. Steinbeck’s impact on American literature and his ability to capture the struggles and aspirations of ordinary people have solidified his place as a significant figure in literary history. 

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Marcus of Doria, the man who could never be King.

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Once upon a time, a man named Marcus lived in the prosperous kingdom of Doria. Marcus was a kind and noble soul known throughout the land for his courage, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to the kingdom. He was a skilled warrior, a trusted advisor, and a beloved friend to all who knew him. Marcus was born into a noble family with a long lineage of kings and queens. However, fate had a different path in store for him. Despite his royal blood, Marcus would never ascend to the throne. The kingdom’s laws dictated that only the firstborn son of the reigning monarch could inherit the crown, and Marcus was not that son.

Many in the kingdom saw this as a significant loss. Marcus possessed all the qualities of a great leader, integrity, compassion, and strength of character. He deeply understood the people’s needs and envisioned a brighter future for Doria. But despite his qualifications, he could never be king. Instead, Marcus dedicated his life to serving the kingdom in other ways. He became a trusted advisor to the king, offering counsel and guidance in times of peace and war. He led the kingdom’s armies to victory in battles against invaders and defended the realm against threats from within and without.

Marcus’s loyalty and selflessness endeared him to the people of Doria even more than if he had worn the crown. He was a beacon of hope in times of darkness and a pillar of strength in times of uncertainty. The kingdom flourished under his leadership even though he would never be king. In the end, Marcus’s legacy was not one of titles or crowns but of love and service. He showed the people of Doria that true greatness is not measured by the position one holds, but by the impact one has on the lives of others. And so, despite his lineage, Marcus would always be remembered as a king in the hearts of the people he served. 

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