Simon is a grizzled paladin making his way through the corporate wilderness. It's been a treacherous journey so far and he's had to battle many gods and monsters along the way... Having lived in Los Angeles, London, Johannesburg and other kingdoms, Simon spends most of his time now wrestling with pronunciation and doing a passable job as a husband and father to two ankle biters. He's always wanted to write a fantasy novel...and as an avid fan of military history too (especially from periods of which not much is recorded), he has combined these interests in his first book, Threads of an Empire. The novel is set in the 3rd century BC, in the prelude to the 2nd Great War between Carthage and Rome. It recounts the brutal adolescence of Hannibal Barcid in Iberia, and his path to becoming Rome’s greatest foe. Drawing on the dark superstitions of the time, it also tells the story of the Devorii, a sinister race intent on escaping their world and exploiting the impending human massacre. In the midst of this all, a thrall girl with remarkable power comes back to life, bringing these two worlds into violent conflict...