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    A Small Measure of Peace & Other Stories
    A Small Measure of Peace & Other Stories
    A Small Measure of Peace & Other Stories
    Ebook49 pages46 minutes

    A Small Measure of Peace & Other Stories

    By Simon Leib

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    About this ebook

    A Small Measure Of Peace & Other Stories: Is a collection of short stories of adventure, profound loss, devotion and family honor amid a maelstrom of emotional turmoil. Life they say is a journey, that is rich in experiences of both joy and sorrow.

    A Small Measure Of Peace: A man finds himself constantly haunted by visions and dreams of a violent battle and races against time to uncover the mystery before he succumbs to exhaustion from the sleep deprivation they bring.

    Forty Three And Six: Explores the grief at losing a parent, through the recall of key moments in the life of the son as he mourns the loss of his beloved father and the journey they shared together.

    Go Tell The Spartans: A story of family devotion and honor, when a grandson loses his beloved grand mother, he then has to face the prospect of losing his home to greedy relatives.

    Four Years Gone: Reflects upon the grieving process and how time does not always heal.

    Tempus Fugit (Time Flies): A man finds himself face to face with the result of a past relationship when the child he never knew confronts him with many questions.

    The Last Goodbye: A son reflects upon his feelings for the loss of his beloved mum, the shock of her sudden passing and his attempts to make sense of it all.

    Rough Men For Rough Work: Service men and women around the world find themselves returning to civilian life every day. Yet, many are unable to readjust to a society that just does not understand the unique demands they face.

    We all seek to find that small measure of peace in life, yet, few of us ever find it.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon Leib
    Release dateOct 29, 2016
    ISBN9781370649693
    A Small Measure of Peace & Other Stories
    Author

    Simon Leib

    Born in the Leigh Park suburb of Hampshire, England, Simon grew up the eldest of four children. He worked a number of jobs after completing school, including an eight-year stint in the Royal Air Force, during which he completed two tours in the Falkland Islands and a three-year tour in Germany. After his discharge in the mid-1990s, Simon returned to England. He currently lives in Southampton with his lovely wife Andrea and very naughty tortoiseshell cat Lottie.

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      Book preview

      A Small Measure of Peace & Other Stories - Simon Leib

      A SMALL MEASURE OF PEACE & OTHER STORIES

      Simon Leib

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright © 2019 Simon Leib

      All rights reserved.

      No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way without prior written consent of the author.

      You may not circulate this publication in any format.

      Simon Leib Southampton, England

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      A SMALL MEASURE OF PEACE

      The nightmare begins as it always does with the sensation of fear, almost overwhelming in compelling me to flee — but to where? There is no sanctuary, no safety. From the moment the ambush had hit us we had been forced slowly backwards to the water’s edge and then into the shallows. I shiver; the water around my knees is so cold, my legs and feet are numb as are my fingers; I can barely feel them, let alone grip my sword. They watch from the banks, gloating; preparing themselves for the final assault. 'Here they come!’ shouts a figure to my right. He turns. No words pass between us — none, are needed. We know our duty. He raises his sword in salute — the cold seems to subside as I raise mine in return. No matter what happens, I know I am not alone. The Centurion brotherhood gives me the strength to overcome my fear, reminding me of ‘My Oath and My Honour - Never to retreat.’ My companion and I stand our ground with only a handful of legionaries. The rest lay dead on shore or have panicked and fled into the deeper waters behind, throwing off their helmets, armour and weapons in a futile hope of being able to swim to safety. ‘Stand firm! Lock shields,’ I shout issuing my final order as the enemy approaches rapidly upon us. There is the clash of metal on upon metal, grunts and cries of pain. We stab, punch and gouge at the dark figures before us. Despite their courage my men are falling to the sheer weight of numbers upon us. My companion goes down. Then - I too am falling backwards, the weight of my armour dragging me down, my lungs bursting for air as I descend into the cold blackness.

      I awake with a start! Totally disorientated having no idea where I am. The fog of sleep slowly clears, as I turn to see my wife Judith. Then I recall that I am on a coach. Outside the road signs passing rapidly by are not in English. Of course! I'm in Italy.

      ‘Are you OK?’ Judith enquires her tone one of concern.

      ‘Yeah I'm fine,’ I reply rather embarrassed. Glancing about the coach I notice the eyes upon me, a few of concern, the rest of clear disapproval.

      ‘The nightmare again?’ She asks offering me a bottle of water. Before I can reply our tour guide Claudia begins to make an announcement on the coach public address system.

      ‘I have for you information’ She begins in her clipped English, ‘We will shortly be arriving at the beautiful Lake Trasimine and will stay approximately 3 hours — you can rest, have coffee and nearby is made the finest gelato (ice cream) in Italy.’

      ‘Ge what?’ Comes a loud irritated voice directly behind me. ‘What's that stupid Itie bitch going on about now?’

      Judith just rolls her eyes in irritation at Mr Loud mouth the trip moaner. The coach pulls into the rest

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