Category: Fantasy Publisher: CreateSpace
Type: Fiction
Pages: 342
Copyright: May 27, 2011
The Dragon Ships come and Eigan, a young shepherd flees a Priestess of Frieda who seeks his life. She murders his parents when they do not bring him before her. Eigan sets off into the unknown with his trusted sheepdog and a wizened, often addled, recluse. He carries a staff, a sling, a sword he must learn to use and a magical amulet of the Triple Goddess, Madrigan. On this perilous journey, he discovers he's not who he thought he was but one who will face monsters and bounty hunters to carry out a quest to undo what evil Gods have caused. FOLLOW THE RAVEN is the saga of a youth faced with magic, monsters, fairy folks and mythical creatures hidden in his world. It is a tale of fantasy mixed with science fiction aimed at youth of all ages.
Excerpt
“The time has passed. Bring forth the children.”
Some villagers had argued about meeting the Northman’s demand. Others claimed they had no way of defending the village and giving in to the Northmen’s demands was the only manner of saving themselves. The arguments waned as almost three hundred men now gathered before the gate. All carried fearsome weapons and clearly knew how to use them.
“Perhaps they will only take one,” someone opined, joined by others. In the end, that sympathy won out.
A few parents had thought to either hide their children or send them out from the village. That was quickly shouted down. Less than a thousand souls lived in Cabron and to have no children brought forward would only enrage the fearsome warriors outside the palisade.
“We will open the gate,” Mormaer Barr called out, “but you must back away from it.”
Egillson gave the order and his men backed up a hundred paces. That seemed a safe distance from any arrows, as they did not believe the amateur guardsmen had bows of great strength. The gates opened and Mormaer Barr led twenty boys outside; Brother Jonathan followed to keep any of them from bolting. As they lined up, the villagers gasped.
A figure clad in a light yellow robe emerged from the lead ship. A cowl hid the face and all that showed below the hem was a pair of boots the same color as the robe. Nobody could mistake the Wölvani priestess and the villagers quaked in fear. Frieda’s priestesses conducted bloody sacrificial rites and used evil magic.
Brother Jonathan held up his staff with Karis’ fish symbol and fervently prayed his Lord would protect them from the heathens. He trembled when the robed figure looked up, green eyes stabbing into his. She smiled in pity at his futile efforts. He then closed his eyes and continued his impassioned prayers.
Egillson bowed in deference to her as she strode forward and walked down the line of boys, pulling forth those with red hair. She then examined each of the three by opening their shirts to examine their chests and shoulders. Finished, she then dismissed them.
“Is that all?” Her voice was soft and low, but carried for all to hear.
“No. There is another,” one of the boys blurted in an effort to curry favor and save himself.
“Who are you?”
“I am Seamus, son of Gill.” The boy gulped and stammered. He could not raise his eyes from the ground, afraid he would be the one she picked.
“And who is missing?”
“It is Eigan, son of Medoc.”
Egillson stepped forward to confront the Traenos’ agent. “Where is the other child?” his voice brooked no disobedience.
Brother Jonathan interjected himself. He had not realized Eigan was absent. At the same time, he did not wish to show fear to the heathen priestess. “Release these boys and I will find out where the lad is.”
The priestess sneered at the Karisian priest and casually waved. The boys scurried back inside the palisade and into the arms of their mothers; all except Seamus, who hovered nearby.
Mormaer Barr called out for Medoc. The man came down from his post above the gate and stood defiantly before the village headman. “Where is the boy? Why is he not in the line?”
Medoc stared at Barr in the eye. “He left early this morning to find a stray lamb. He has not yet returned.”
Seamus cried out. “He lies! He is tending their flock in the hills.” He ignored the look of hatred turned his way by Medoc and other villagers. “I know where he goes. I can lead you there.”
Barr had two men take Medoc’s weapons and led him before the Northman chieftain, the betrayer standing nervously to one side.
The priestess stepped forward to glare at Medoc. “How long have you lived here?”
Seeing Medoc’s reluctance, Barr interjected, “Fourteen years, Holy One.” The use of that word earned him another hateful look from the Karisian priest.
The priestess glared into Medoc’s eyes. “Very convenient. And from where did you come?”
Medoc stammered. “From a village to the south in the land of Albion.”
The priestess showed her disbelief. “Describe him to me,” she demanded, turning to Seamus.
“He has red hair and bright green eyes,” the boy stuttered. “Eyes of the devil.”
“Does he have a birthmark? On his shoulder?” The priestess eyes never left Medoc’s.
“I do not know. I have never seen one.” Seamus replied, concern on his face, worried that he might displease the fearsome priestess.
“Well? Does he?” She turned to Medoc, a sneer on her thin, pale lips.
“No, he does not,” Medoc defiantly responded.
The Wölvani lifted her arm and touched Medoc’s cheeks with her fingertip, “You cannot hide him from me, Ceorl. So, tell me, where he is and I will spare your life.”
“And the life of your woman,” she softly added.
“I do not know.” With surprising strength, the seemingly simple man glared back at the priestess, his hazel eyes showing no fear.
The Wölvani priestess closely gazed at Medoc.
He saw the evil magic within her deathly pale face and fought back his anger and frustration. This is how they found us, he told himself. She indeed possesses magic.
The priestess sighed. “I understand old man. However, there is no choice. I will find him if it costs the lives of all these villagers. Surely you wish to see them spared?”
Medoc did not - could not - answer.
“Where is his woman?”
Barr responded to Fiona’s question by calling out to have Arnea brought forward. Before two village men could take her arms, she shrugged them off and strode forward to stand at her husband’s side. She stared angrily at the priestess with even more defiance than Medoc.
Egillson motioned for two men to take Medoc and Arnea to the ship. “Stand guard over them.” As they did, the priestess followed. He then turned to Seamus and demanded. “Show me where the boy is.” As they moved off, Egillson turned to Mormaer Barr and said, “If we do not find the boy, we will return and you will suffer.”
Nobody noticed the raven perched on the roof of the tower beside the main gate.
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