Are you excited to read a dragon story with deeper meaning? The story is set in 1751, following Captain Julius Hawthorne as he journeys from Scotland to the remote Andaman Islands, where he discovers a society in which each person bears a forehead tattoo marking their date of death. It’s a character-driven narrative with the most significant themes—destiny, mortality, love, and the essence of human existence.
Check out this 50-second trailer: https://youtu.be/tZehho6D69o?si=kPr4OmhkeL-PQ9Jt
The US Review of Books recently recommended it as “A beautifully crafted historical fantasy, this novel fearlessly explores questions of mortality, the afterlife, and destiny. The story is at once deceptively light and compellingly philosophical, gently pulling the reader into a reflection on life’s deepest struggles… a thought-provoking, challenging, and poignant addition to any fantasy reader’s library. " The full review can be found here: https://www.theusreview.com/reviews-1/LoveVortex-and-the-Drakors-Curse-by-Pekka-Harju-Autti.html. LoveVortex and the Drakor’s Curse is currently available in eBook, paperback, and hardcover formats via Amazon KDP at https://a.co/d/d9ikgzz
More: www.lovevortexbooks.net
Are you excited to read a dragon story with deeper meaning? The story is set in 1751, following Captain Julius Hawthorne as he journeys from Scotland to the remote Andaman Islands, where he discovers a society in which each person bears a forehead tattoo marking their date of death. It’s a character-driven narrative with the most significant themes—destiny, mortality, love, and the essence of human existence.
Check out this 50-second trailer: https://youtu.be/tZehho6D69o?si=kPr4OmhkeL-PQ9Jt
The US Review of Books recently recommended it as “A beautifully crafted historical fantasy, this novel fearlessly explores questions of mortality, the afterlife, and destiny. The story is at once deceptively light and compellingly philosophical, gently pulling the reader into a reflection on life’s deepest struggles… a thought-provoking, challenging, and poignant addition to any fantasy reader’s library. " The full review can be found here: https://www.theusreview.com/reviews-1/LoveVortex-and-the-Drakors-Curse-by-Pekka-Harju-Autti.html. LoveVortex and the Drakor’s Curse is currently available in eBook, paperback, and hardcover formats via Amazon KDP at https://a.co/d/d9ikgzz
More: www.lovevortexbooks.net
Chapter 1: The Journey begins.
In 1751, the port of Glasgow was saturated with the sharp aroma of fish and tar, and the salty sea moisture clung to the skin like a sticky layer. The smoke drifting from nearby factories added an even sharper tang to the air. Toiling crowds filled the merchant ships from all corners of the globe. The streets buzzed with the sound of horse hooves and the murmur of locals chatting in the taverns.
Captain Julius also lived here. He owned brass telescopes, black pearls from Tahiti, and a thick Japanese gold ring, but he didn't have a single bottle of rum to toast his adventures.
One early August afternoon, Captain Julius returned from the harbor after repairing ships and immersed himself in his passion. He took out his oil painting supplies and began to paint a seascape. As a 42-year-old seasoned seaman who had braved the Atlantic's perils and many waters beyond, he knew precisely how the sea should appear on canvas. But that day, the painting refused to take shape, leaving Julius to sigh in frustration. With his keen gaze, his 13‑year‑old curly‑haired son Peter sensed his father's great distress. "What's wrong, Dad – you look a little restless?"
Julius set his brush aside. "I guess that's it for today. I was trying to capture the moment after a storm when sunlight hits the crests of the calming waves, but it just isn't happening. It hasn't worked in a long time, at least not how I would like. Perhaps it can only be captured on canvas when I'm at sea, on a ship's deck in the real environment.”
Peter, who resembled a younger version of Julius, asked, "Are you missing the ocean?"
"Maybe. At sea, I dream of finally being home in Glasgow. But then, when I'm home, I realize I can't quite shake off being a sailor. You've probably noticed."
"Sometimes, yes. But I guess all sailors feel that way, right?"
“I think so. There's a certain peace at sea, and a sailor feels in his bones when the ocean calls him once again.”
"Well, this is the first time I've seen you so frustrated while painting. Maybe it's a sign of something."
"That's probably true. But perhaps tomorrow will be better. Head to your room and finish your homework, son. I'll relax with my pipe by the fireplace and think about a few things."
Peter went to his room as Julius started getting his pipe ready. Soon, a knock came at the door as if to respond to Captain Julius's inner restlessness. Julius stood up and opened the door to discover a royal messenger in uniform holding a thick, sealed envelope.
"Captain Julius Hawthorne, I assume?" the messenger inquired formally. When Julius nodded, the messenger handed him the envelope, saying it was from the British government and contained an important royal order.”
Once the door shut behind the royal messenger, Julius strode across his room to his desk. He placed the envelope down and carefully broke the royal wax seal. His rough hands moved with urgency, his mind racing: 'What can it be...?' The soft crackle of the fireplace was the only sound as Julius removed a thick letter from the envelope. He carefully unfolded the letter. It was undoubtedly written in the elegant handwriting of a high-ranking royal scribe, accompanied by several attachments and maps.
"To the Esteemed Julius Hawthorne,
By the authority vested in me as a distinguished representative of His Majesty's Government, I command you to embark upon a trading voyage to the Indian Ocean, particularly to the Bay of Bengal.
Thy journey must commence by early November, for thou art well aware that the sea is at its calmest by the onset of the monsoon storms, thus providing the most favorable sailing conditions. By taking advantage of the dry season, thou shouldst be able to avoid the perils of the monsoons and are expected to reach thy destination, the Andaman Islands, in five months.
Thou art to procure valuable spices and other rare commodities from the Andaman Islands. This timing also presents the opportunity for potential trade within the Indian markets before the commencement of local holidays, thereby increasing the economic benefits of thy future trade route for both His Majesty's Government and the Honourable East India Company. Thou must immediately set about prepara-tions for this task and execute it with the utmost diligence in accordance with His Majesty's orders.
I have the honour to remain, Sir, Your most humble and obedient servant,
Thomas Pelham-Holles, the Duke of Newcastle"
The attachments outlined extensive instructions for the journey, emphasizing the significance of expanding the British Empire and its commercial interests.
Julius's mission was clear. He had to follow the royal command, even though he knew the journey would be challenging in every way. The sea voyage would be perilous, and the Andaman Islands were known to be one of the most isolated places on Earth. The indigenous people had avoided interacting with outsiders to preserve their unique culture. Getting the desired goods from the island would not be easy.
However, Julius was a seasoned sea captain, not a landlubber. The allure of maritime adventure outweighed the fear of risks. Soon, he excitedly knocked on Peter's door. Peter was deeply engrossed in reading the travelogues from his father's past voyages.
"Peter," Julius said eagerly, "what would you think about the adventure of a lifetime?"
Peter's eyes sparkled. "Really? Could I join you? I'm tired of just reading about adventures."
Julius nodded. "It's possible. It depends on you. I was also thirteen years old when my father invited me to join him on my first sea voyage. The journey was extremely tough yet also an unforgettable experience. Do you think you can handle nearly five months at sea?"
"Absolutely! You'll see how tough I am. I've been practicing difficult knots and sail handling. And I've read how to face storms in the grandfather's sailing manual."
"It's great that you're excited about the idea. "But this journey, ordered by the King, isn't just challenging—it's perilous," Julius said, his voice filled with a sense of paternal concern.
Peter sat opposite his father. "I see. But you belong to the sea. And I want to come with you. Mother would never have let me go, but it is easy for us now since she's gone."
Mentioning his wife caused Julius to close his eyes for a moment. Before Julius could say anything, Peter stated, "Mother's death changed a lot. I know that. "It changed you too, Dad. You're not quite the same sailor who used to spin tales about the strange corners of the world."
Julius stared at his son for a long moment. Mary had always been the heart of the family — strong, warm, and protective. Two years ago, she had fallen ill with pneumonia, which took her in less than a week. Mary's death forced them to find a new way to be together. Fortunately, their cat named Michi, whom Julius had brought back from his latest Far East trip, offered Peter great comfort.
"I left the seas so I could stay home with you. I've supported us with what I can—repairing boats and building small vessels at the dock."
"I've seen that you've done your best. But the seas are calling you, and I'm ready to join you. And if the King stands behind this journey, we must go," Peter said firmly.
"You're right. I wanted to know whether you could handle such a long journey. Let's go, then! But we must make sure this won't be your first and last adventure."
Peter nodded. "It definitely won't be. Can Michi come along too? There will be plenty of rats on the ship, enough food for sure."
"Alright, you two can come aboard. But once on the ship, you'll follow orders just like the rest of the crew—no reckless stunts of your own, understand?"
Peter cheered, throwing his arms in the air, his eyes shining triumphantly. “Yess, it's a deal!"
Julius rested a hand on Peter's shoulder. "That's the spirit, my boy! This journey will be a fantastic adventure. You'll have the opportunity to prove yourself and learn so much more. Prepare yourself as well as you can."
"Awesome! Where are we going?"
"We are sailing to the Andaman Islands, where you will encounter an entirely new world."
Although Julius decided to take Peter with him, he couldn't shake the thoughts of the dangers lurking ahead on the journey. How could he protect his son from the storms at sea and the potentially hostile inhabitants of unknown islands? Julius felt a profound responsibility for Peter but also wanted to show him the world and share this experience with his son, just as his father had done. He remembered his thirst for adventure at that age—he would have found his way onto his father's ship even as a stowaway.
∞
The next couple of months were spent in busy preparations. Peter got his first proper sailor's outfit. Julius studied maps and gathered supplies. At the port, sailors loaded the ship with barrels of drinking water, boxes of food, weapons, medical supplies, sail repair tools, nautical charts, and many other necessary items. One challenge was the preservation of fresh food during the long sea voyage. This required special precautions and creative solutions, such as salting and drying food to prevent spoilage and ensure the crew's nutrition throughout the journey. The preservation of drinks was also a significant concern, as the purity and sufficiency of the ship's water barrels needed to be ensured. In addition to fresh drinking water, sailors loaded barrels of beer and light wine from the Bordeaux region of southern France, as this wine was more durable and safe to drink on the long journey, helping keep the crew hydrated and healthy.
∞
On the day of departure, the crew had prepared the sails while singing cheerful sea shanties. Father and son stood at the helm of their ship, the Heaven's Voyager, looking out over the vast ocean. Peter shouted with bright eyes full of anticipation, "Ahoy! Let's set sail!" Soon, the boundless ocean stretched out before Captain Julius, Peter, and the crew. With full sails and nearly 50 crew members, the ship smoothly headed towards East India. Julius felt perfectly at home, finally back on the deck of a vessel swaying gently on the waves.
After their very first week at sea, they were ravaged by a terrifying storm. Furious winds threatened to tear the ship apart. Waves towered dramatically high, tossing the vessel like a toy boat. The crew worked tirelessly, securing the sails and ensuring the cargo was safe. Peter suffered from severe seasickness, which took a toll on his strength so that even water wouldn't stay down. Despite this, he persevered, not wanting to be a burden to his father and the crew. The storm raged for three days and nights. The entire crew was exhausted when it finally subsided, and the bright morning sun rose on the horizon. Yet despite their exhaustion and the damage to the ship, their solidarity and faith in surviving together had only grown stronger.
Although Captain Julius was in charge of the ship and responsible for its safety, he did not share the same constant physical workload as the rest of the crew. This allowed him, from time to time, to focus on his leisure passion. So, Julius brought out his painting supplies—and everyone knew that the storm had passed by then. He let his brush capture a sunrise sky over the sea. Using bright colors and bold brush strokes, he depicted the motion of the now-tranquil waves and the sunlight bathing them, portraying a new day and hope. Michi the cat proudly brought a rat to Captain Julius's feet and purred against his leg.
At night, Julius sometimes captured the silent dance of the starry sky. He was deeply fascinated by the night sky and its accurate representation, as the stars were his primary means of navigation, especially on the open ocean. He relied on his sextant and the constellations to determine the ship's location and course. To him, the stars were steadfast friends who never failed him. Julius had attended some of the kingdom's finest nautical schools, where he studied navigation, mathematics, astronomy, and the fundamentals of cartography. During his travels, he further learned about the significance of the stars, primarily from people who depended on celestial navigation, such as the Polynesians, Arabs, and Indians.
∞
Michi enjoyed the journey on his own. He roamed freely around the ship, keeping the rat and mouse population under control. This was crucial for preserving the ship's provisions and ropes. Occasionally, he would climb from the hold up to the deck and then ascend to the highest yardarm, surveying the open sea around the ship. Michi was more than just a pest controller for the crew—his presence brought a sense of home and provided companionship during long working days. Many sailors believed that the cat brought good luck to the voyage and treated him like a guest of honor.
Peter's role on the voyage was demanding, and he had considerable responsibility for someone his age. Although he was only 13, his father entrusted him with important tasks that contributed to his development and growth as a sailor. Peter's duties initially included straightforward yet physically demanding tasks, such as tying ropes, adjusting the sails, and cleaning the deck using seawater, sand, and occasionally soap. He received guidance from experienced sailors who mostly gave him patient advice and encouraged him to develop his skills. Peter had to prove his worth to the crew as a young sailor. It wasn't easy - he had to earn respect among sailors through actions. He had to learn to manage heavy, tangled ropes quickly and effectively. At first, his hands were sore and blistered, but consistent practice and advice from the crew helped him improve. Peter also needed to learn how to work in a team and communicate well with the other sailors. All of this required courage and confidence, but over time, he earned the crew's respect through hard work and determination. During the voyage, Peter grew stronger and matured from a young boy into a responsible and skilled young sailor.
After the ship had crossed halfway, the water supplies began to dwindle alarmingly. Everyone did their best to ration the remaining water and wine, but the situation became critical. Despair began to grip the crew. Julius, however, remained calm and focused. He gathered the crew together and recounted stories of past voyages and challenging situations he had survived. Julius's reassuring words lifted the crew's morale. As if in answer to their prayers, they stumbled upon a small uninhabited island in the Indian Ocean, where they found a freshwater stream along with plenty of coconut trees and mangoes. They replenished the ship's stores and continued their journey.
∞
After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached their destination, the Andaman Islands—specifically, the main island of Andaimans. The view from the sea was breathtaking. Mountainous tropical forests rose majestically in the island's interior. The sandy, white beaches stood out sharply against the vibrant green jungle and the clear seawater. The shallow waters varied from deep blue to light turquoise, depending on the depth and sunlight. They saw coral reefs glowing under the water, creating an astonishing range of colors visible above the surface.
As they approached the shore, they noticed a group of islanders watching the ship and its crew with cautious but curious eyes. Among the observers seemed to be the tribe's chief, who appeared to be calming down the other inhabitants.
The islanders were adorned with colorful beads, feathers, and other decorations. This tribe had lived on the Andaman Islands for thousands of years, and their clothing reflected their deep-rooted connection to nature.
Julius knew how to handle the landing. The ship was loaded with weapons, including some cannons, in case of hostile encounters. Julius observed the situation and was prepared to respond to violence.
Through his spyglass, Julius noticed tattoos on the foreheads of the tribespeople. It seemed each person had a different date marked on their forehead — Julius wondered what they meant.
Although many islanders carried spears and bows, Julius felt relieved to see they had no intention of using them. The ship glided forward slowly, and the landing proceeded surprisingly peacefully. There was no need for weapons.
After a successful landing, Julius decided to take a risk and walk alone along the shoreline towards the village chief. The local inhabitants watched the unfolding events with great curiosity.
After a moment of hesitation, the local leader, standing tall with an impressive posture, broke into a warm smile and greeted Julius. Surprisingly, the man spoke fluent English with ease. He introduced himself as Aarav.
The ship's crew soon followed. Julius handed over the gifts they had brought: delicate fabrics, metal tools, and ornaments. Aarav gladly accepted the gifts and seemed to particularly appreciate the metal tools, which were quite different from their own tools made of wood and stone. Aarav, in turn, offered the ship's crew fresh fruit, coconuts, and fresh fish. The crew members eagerly devoured the food, as the journey had been grueling and the diet extremely monotonous.
When asked about his impressive language skills, the tribal chief explained that a decade ago, a British ship had wrecked near the Andaman Islands. One of the survivors was a young English teacher. Grateful for the hospitality and kindness shown to her, the British woman taught the islanders English. Aarav, eager and capable, quickly became her best student. Over the years, Aarav learned the English language and adopted some English customs as well as knowledge of history.
Aarav invited Julius and Peter to continue their conversation at his home. As they entered the cozy living room, a loud, squawking greeting came from the rafter, "Welcome to the meeting!" Peter noticed a large, light-green parrot serving as the house guard and master of ceremonies. Peter stepped closer to admire the bird, which spoke more phrases to him: "Nice day today," "I'm a good bird," and "Treats, please!" Aarav proudly shared that this Alexandrine parakeet knew over 50 phrases, which it usually recited to visitors at Aarav's home. Julius explained to Peter that the parrot's name was related to Alexander the Great, who had brought the species from his conquests in South India to Europe.
While Peter made friends with the colorful bird, Julius shared stories of his life in Glasgow, the bustling ports, and his distant sea voyages. Aarav shared tales of his ancestors, the island's traditions, and the burden of leadership that now rested on his shoulders.
Julius inquired, "Aarav, I know that many ship crews have found it impossible to interact with your people in the past. Tell me, why did you welcome us with such open arms?"
Aarav replied, "We have long been unwilling to meet foreign intruders and have defended our independence, sometimes violently. One reason for this is the plagues, which, according to our ancestral knowledge, nearly wiped out our tribe once."
Aarav continued, "However, we are living in extraordinary times now." Our oracle Nalini foretold that a ship would land here this week, playing a significant role in our people's future. Her description of the arriving ship matched yours perfectly, so I asked the people to welcome you. Initially, our people were understandably confused by this unusual reception, but Nalini and I persuaded them by stressing that it was the strong will of our ancestors.
"How strange. We must be sailing under lucky stars," Julius mused, adding, "Nalini must be a truly influential figure in your tribe."
Aarav nodded. After a moment of silence, Julius approached Aarav with a question that had been on his mind since their arrival.
"Aarav, why do you all have strange dates on your foreheads?"
Aarav looked deeply into his eyes and replied in a calm, low voice, "It’s the date of our own death."
Love Vortex and the Drakor’s Curse is a refreshingly original fantasy fairy tale, set against the rich backdrop of the 18th century. Blending seafaring adventure with timeless moral lessons, it explores themes of respecting the end of life, living fully in the present, cherishing nature, and fostering harmony within a community.
The story follows Captain Julius, a seasoned and wise mariner, respected by his crew for his steady hand and calm authority. Long absent at sea, Julius harbours a quiet yearning to rebuild the strained bond with his son, who sails with him on a voyage to explore distant lands. Their destination is a remote, little-known island where the crew hopes to establish trade links.
Upon arrival, Julius and his son encounter a startling truth: the islanders live under an ancient curse, each bearing a tattoo on their forehead marking the exact date of their death. This singular knowledge shapes every interaction and decision on the island. Life here is lived with an intensity and purpose shaped by the certainty of its end.
Fascinated, Julius ponders the impact of such knowledge on love, trust, and community. He considers whether knowing one’s allotted time fosters greater kindness and unity, or whether it constrains ambition and limits joy. The islanders’ way of life prompts philosophical questions about mortality, the meaning of existence, and the choices people make when time is finite.
Threaded through the narrative are moments of quiet wisdom and gentle reflection. The presence of a dragon adds a layer of myth and wonder, enriching the tale without overwhelming its human core. While the voyage offers adventure and discovery, the heart of the story lies in its meditation on what it means to live well and love deeply.
I found Love Vortex and the Drakor’s Curse both enchanting and thought-provoking. Its originality lies not only in its imaginative setting but also in the way it draws readers toward deeper truths. Much like an Aesop fable, it offers a lesson to value those around us, to treasure the fleeting gift of time, and to live with awareness and gratitude. A captivating read for those who love their fantasy rich in meaning as well as magic.