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Tag: novel

Weekend Writing Warrior 3/28/21 #8Sunday

Heartsbane book 3 coverWow, it’s been a while since I’ve participated in the Weekend Writing Warriors blog hop, where each week contributing writers share 8-10+ sentences from their latest projects. I got a new job, and while a schedule of 3 consecutive 12-hour shifts each week seems like it would give me more free time, that doesn’t seem to be the case as of yet.

Anyways, this week’s excerpt is from the newest book in my Heartsbane Saga of fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings. Book 3: Little Amethyst Abaya is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, and it should be out later this week (my work schedule willing, of course!)

This snippet is from the opening prologue. Mihrimah is the daughter of the general in charge of a remote citadel.

* * * * * * *

Mihrimah half slid, half climbed down the rocky embankment surrounding the squat citadel of Yumurta. She’d traded in her characteristic purple abaya and matching headscarf for a khaki one, so that her clothing blended into the dry rocks and shrub around her; Babaanne had been quite adamant that she wasn’t to leave the citadel until her father returned.

Mihrimah had mentally rolled her eyes then and physically rolled them thinking about it now. It was bad enough that most of the men stationed at the citadel had been called to fight the wolfmen, as they called the bandits currently terrorizing the countryside, and that she was forced to stay behind. But to expect her to stay inside while her beloved Tevfik was leaving too? To not even allow her to say goodbye to him? No, she wouldn’t accept that.

Once she was down to the main road that led to the capital city of Haksuk—although road was too generous for what was barely more than a footpath—Mihrimah paused. She doubted anyone would notice her as she walked along, if any of the few women left behind were even to look out one of the citadel’s narrow arrow slits that barely passed as windows, but she didn’t want to take any chances. As soon as she was spotted someone would be sent to fetch her back, and she had to at least say goodbye to Tevfik.

* * * * * * *

And the rest of that scene:

She didn’t trust the tales of the wolfmen either. She didn’t doubt that bandits roamed the countryside but she did doubt they were as fearsome as the stories made them out to be. Men in wolfskins that cannibalized their victims? Surely it was an exaggeration to advance whatever the caliph’s agenda was. Nonetheless, she didn’t want to run across them.

Sticking to the trees and rocks alongside the road, she made good enough progress that she came across the soldiers from the citadel by late afternoon. Three dozen or so men walked in pairs or small groups, chatting and laughing. None seemed to be taking the emissary’s warning seriously, and none seemed to be concerned about leaving the passage undefended. Most likely her father hadn’t shared his concerns with the men, predominately young soldiers from small villages all over the Caliphate of Tema who were unfamiliar with the caliph’s constant scheming.

One man, however, walked alone at the rear of the column. Tevfik’s head was down as if studying his feet, but Mihrimah knew he wasn’t paying any attention to the dirt he walked on. She grinned as she picked up a small rock and pelted him neatly between his shoulder blades.

* * * * * * *

About Little Amethyst Ababa:

Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

With Heartsbane nearly decoded, Nyah finally knows the curse Prince Brandulfur suffers from and how to cure it. But when she and her friends travel to get the needed serum, a powerful caliph takes them prisoner and offers an ultimatum: a suicide mission to rescue a general’s daughter and enough serum to cure Brand’s whole court, or indefinite imprisonment in his castle.

To add to the peril, she soon uncovers a plot by Brand’s archenemy that will pull the known world into a battle between religions and cultures, with Brand at the heart of it. It seems so fantastical, no one will believe her.

But that’s never stopped Nyah before. With no one to trust, she’ll have to cast her lot in with the worst of the worst, and maybe, just maybe, at least some of her friends will make it out alive.

Little Amethyst Abaya is the third book in a series of fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings.

Weekend Writing Warrior 12/27/20 #8Sunday

Sleeping Shaman coverThis week will be the last time I share from Sleeping Shaman, my retelling of Sleeping Beauty set in my Heartsbane Saga Viking world. Next week I’m moving on to the next standalone short story in the series, “Ezichi the Beautiful,” a retelling of the Russian fairy tale “Vasilisa the Beautiful” which comes out January 15th-ish. I’d intended to start posting that one this week, but it seems like everyone wanted to know what happened with the kiss request last week, so here you go. Merry Christmas!

Protagonist Nyah bumped into Domhnall, a man she traveled with when she was with the barbarians in book 1. It turns out he’s an earl, something he didn’t tell her in book 1. He invited her and her sister to dinner, and then invited them to travel with him to a faraway country to find a cure for the curse affecting Brandulfur, another book 1 character.

After dinner, Nyah and Domhnall are taking a walk through his gardens, and, ever the gentleman, he asked if he could kiss her.

* * * * * * *

I nodded, and he leaned in and pressed his lips gently against mine.

It wasn’t my first kiss—I’d kissed Wynne any number of times—but it was so much different with Domhnall. He put his hand on my back, holding me to him, and a warmth suffused through my body. Eyes closed, I leaned into him before he changed into the memory of a forceful, rancid-smelling bandit thrusting his tongue into my mouth. I stiffened and pulled away.

“We should be going.” I turned and quickly walked back towards the house, calling, “Dar? Payton? We need to leave.”

Domhnall chased after me. “I didn’t mean to offend—”

* * * * * * *

And the rest of this scene:

“No, it’s nothing you did.” I cut him off. “It’s late, and Payton’s sick, and Dar needs to rise early for work, and….”

“Alright.” He studied me for a moment. “I’ll send for the cart to take you home.”

“Thank you.”

We walked in silence, meeting Payton and Dar near the gate into the street.

“Please think about coming with us to Aghlabid,” he said as we climbed into the cart.

“We will, Lord Domhnall,” Payton said. “Thank you for dinner! We’ll see you soon, I hope?”

“I hope so as well,” he responded.

“Me too,” I whispered as the cart pulled away.

* * * * * * *

About Sleeping Shaman, available now at Amazon:

The desert holds many secrets. Will death be one of them?

Nyah thought she’d fit in better in the capital rather than in her tiny village, but life in the big city is tougher than she anticipated. When she stumbles across a familiar face, she gladly jumps at the chance for a new adventure with her barbarian friends. They’re headed to Egwu’s home country where they hope his scholar father can translate Heartsbane, the book that holds the cure for Prince Brandulfur’s debilitating curse.

Their plans change as soon as they arrive and discover that Egwu’s family is missing, most likely cursed as well. And meanwhile time is running out for Brand, who grows weaker every day.

Nyah vows to save her friend by solving the mystery of Egwu’s missing family, but she didn’t anticipate all the obstacles in her way: a deadly rivalry between two families, a clash of powerful cultures, and a budding romance that seems destined for heartbreak. She’ll need all her wits to outsmart her opponent—that is, if she can even figure out who it is.

* * * * * * *

Post a link to your eight-ten sentence blog entry or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

* * * * * * *

Heartsbane Saga – fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings!

Book .5: “The Maiden in the Tower” – Carys has resigned herself to a life of servitude, locked away in a tower, until a chance encounter with a stranger leaves her daring to hope for more.

Book 1: Captive and the Cursed – When Nyah’s sister is kidnapped by barbarians, Nyah offers herself in her place. But she soon learns the barbarians aren’t what she expected, especially their cursed leader.

Book 1.5: “The Brave Little Thrall” – Fahim Al Rasheed has spent his life studying foreign cultures, but he never thought he’d actually have the chance to visit them. When his journey of a lifetime leaves him and a young barbarian king marooned in a hostile country, he’ll have to rely on more than book learning to make it back home alive.

Weekend Writing Warrior 12/20/20 #8Sunday

Sleeping Shaman coverI’m continuing this week with Sleeping Shaman, which is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty that just released this week!

Protagonist Nyah has taken a job as a maid and is so preoccupied with how she and her sick sister will make ends meet, that she ends up throwing a bucket of water on Domhnall, a man she traveled with in book 1 when she was with the barbarians. He invited her and her sister to dinner, and then she found out that he’s an earl and one of the most powerful people in the country.

We’re skipping ahead just a bit to after dinner. Nyah and Domhnall are taking a walk through his gardens.

* * * * * * *

“You look beautiful tonight, m’lady,” he said.

I hoped it was dark enough that he couldn’t see my burning cheeks. “Thank you for sending the clothing. We dinnae have much finery.”

“It’s not just the dress.” He stopped and turned towards me, taking my hands in his.

I narrowed my eyes. The last time he’d taken me aside like this, it was to persuade me to help him and Brand convince local village councils to help them raise an army for King Anslec, and he’d led me to believe I’d be given my freedom in exchange for my cooperation. It hadn’t been the case. I wasn’t sure what his motives were this time, and I wouldn’t let myself be deceived so easily.

* * * * * * *

And the rest of this scene:

“Why dinnae you tell me you’re an earl?” I asked to break the moment.

“A title shouldn’t define a man. Would you have treated me differently, had you known?”

“Brandulfur is a prince, and I treat him like I would anyone else.”

“You’re a rare one, Nyah, who sees past people’s stations to the person underneath.”

I shrugged, unsure of what to say. I’d been raised on stories of rags-to-riches heroes, in a village where the hereditary leader was barely competent. In my experience, a person’s station had little bearing on who they were or what they could become.

Domhnall was watching me intently. I looked up at him, into his hazel eyes.

“May I kiss you?” he asked softly.

* * * * * * *

About Sleeping Shaman, available now at Amazon:

The desert holds many secrets. Will death be one of them?

Nyah thought she’d fit in better in the capital rather than in her tiny village, but life in the big city is tougher than she anticipated. When she stumbles across a familiar face, she gladly jumps at the chance for a new adventure with her barbarian friends. They’re headed to Egwu’s home country where they hope his scholar father can translate Heartsbane, the book that holds the cure for Prince Brandulfur’s debilitating curse.

Their plans change as soon as they arrive and discover that Egwu’s family is missing, most likely cursed as well. And meanwhile time is running out for Brand, who grows weaker every day.

Nyah vows to save her friend by solving the mystery of Egwu’s missing family, but she didn’t anticipate all the obstacles in her way: a deadly rivalry between two families, a clash of powerful cultures, and a budding romance that seems destined for heartbreak. She’ll need all her wits to outsmart her opponent—that is, if she can even figure out who it is.

* * * * * * *

Post a link to your eight-ten sentence blog entry or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

* * * * * * *

Heartsbane Saga – fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings!

Book .5: “The Maiden in the Tower” – Carys has resigned herself to a life of servitude, locked away in a tower, until a chance encounter with a stranger leaves her daring to hope for more.

Book 1: Captive and the Cursed – When Nyah’s sister is kidnapped by barbarians, Nyah offers herself in her place. But she soon learns the barbarians aren’t what she expected, especially their cursed leader.

Book 1.5: “The Brave Little Thrall” – Fahim Al Rasheed has spent his life studying foreign cultures, but he never thought he’d actually have the chance to visit them. When his journey of a lifetime leaves him and a young barbarian king marooned in a hostile country, he’ll have to rely on more than book learning to make it back home alive.

Weekend Writing Warrior 12/13/20 #8Sunday

Sleeping Shaman coverI’m continuing this week with Sleeping Shaman, which is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty that will be out on Tuesday! Protagonist Nyah has taken a job as a maid and is so preoccupied with how she and her sick sister will make ends meet, that she ends up throwing a bucket of water on Domnhall, a man she traveled with in book 1 when she was with the barbarians.

Last week, he asked he naively asked her why she was working as a maid. This week picks up right after that.

* * * * * * *

“I went by your inn, looking for you, but they said you’d left.” He frowned. “If you need money, you need only ask.”

I shook my head and said, “Egwu and Brand already gave us so much. I dinnae want to be reliant on you as well.”

“Then at least have dinner with me tonight.” He flashed me a smile that caused butterflies to sprout in my stomach, and I mentally tried to squash them.

“I can’t. Payton and Dar are expecting me at home when I finish here.”

“They can come too.”

* * * * * * *

And the rest of this scene:

His smile widened. “I’ll send a cart for you. Where are you staying?”

Despite my reservations, I smiled back and told him where our lodgings were.

“Wonderful.” He kissed my hand, just as Lord Hankes returned with his butler and a fresh tunic. “I’m so glad to see you again, m’lady. Until tonight!”

The butler led him away to change. I hurried to my next tasks in the kitchens, trying not to laugh at the expression on Lord Hankes’ face when Domhnall kissed my hand.

Several of the household staff looked at me in awe and envy as I emptied out the little water that remained in my bucket.

“How do you know the Earl of Peithwyr?” one of the girls asked me.

“Who?”

“The earl,” she repeated. “That man you spilled the water on.”

“He’s the Earl of Peithwyr, for now,” another girl explained. “And he’ll become the next Duke of Cruithain, steward to the king, just as his da before him.”

My jaw dropped. Domhnall was nearly as powerful as Brand. Why hadn’t he told me that? What else had they kept from me?

* * * * * * *

About Sleeping Shaman, available now for preorder from Amazon:

The desert holds many secrets. Will death be one of them?

Nyah thought she’d fit in better in the capital rather than in her tiny village, but life in the big city is tougher than she anticipated. When she stumbles across a familiar face, she gladly jumps at the chance for a new adventure with her barbarian friends. They’re headed to Egwu’s home country where they hope his scholar father can translate Heartsbane, the book that holds the cure for Prince Brandulfur’s debilitating curse.

Their plans change as soon as they arrive and discover that Egwu’s family is missing, most likely cursed as well. And meanwhile time is running out for Brand, who grows weaker every day.

Nyah vows to save her friend by solving the mystery of Egwu’s missing family, but she didn’t anticipate all the obstacles in her way: a deadly rivalry between two families, a clash of powerful cultures, and a budding romance that seems destined for heartbreak. She’ll need all her wits to outsmart her opponent—that is, if she can even figure out who it is.

* * * * * * *

Post a link to your eight-ten sentence blog entry or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

* * * * * * *

Heartsbane Saga – fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings!

Book .5: “The Maiden in the Tower” – Carys has resigned herself to a life of servitude, locked away in a tower, until a chance encounter with a stranger leaves her daring to hope for more.

Book 1: Captive and the Cursed – When Nyah’s sister is kidnapped by barbarians, Nyah offers herself in her place. But she soon learns the barbarians aren’t what she expected, especially their cursed leader.

Weekend Writing Warrior 12/6/20 #8Sunday

Sleeping Shaman cover

I’m continuing this week with that next release, Sleeping Shaman, which is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Protagonist Nyah has taken a job as a maid and is so preoccupied with how she and her sick sister will make ends meet, that she ends up throwing a bucket of water on Domnhall, a man she traveled with in book 1 when she was with the barbarians.

* * * * * * *

Domhnall simply chuckled. I blinked at his unexpected reaction. But Lord Hankes, the nobleman I served, wore a bitter scowl from beside Domhnall.

“How dare you address his lordship so informally!” Before I could react, Lord Hankes slapped my face, then turned to Domhnall. “I’m so sorry, Lord Domhnall. The girl is new to us, and she’ll be let go immediately.”

I bit back an angry retort, trying as well to push down my shame at Domhnall seeing me like this, and dropped my eyes in what I hoped came across as contriteness.

Domhnall’s mirth disappeared as he addressed Lord Hankes, his eyes flashing. “Is this how you treat the servants in your house? You owe the apology to m’lady, not to me.”

* * * * * * *

And the rest of this scene:

Lord Hankes mouth dropped open. “But, my lordship….” He gestured at the front of Domhnall’s tunic, which was soaked through.

“If my clothing concerns you so much, then go fetch me something to dry myself.”

“Yes, yes,” Lord Hankes stammered before quickly walking through the hall, calling for his butler and another maid.

As soon as he was gone, Domhnall broke into his familiar smile. “Nyah! How have you been? I’d hoped that you’d come by the castle to see us, but we haven’t heard from you in weeks. Are you well?”

Me, a commoner, try to go to the castle to speak with the crown prince of Karjaland and his friends? I stopped myself from laughing in his face. “Yes, we’re well.” And by well, I meant tired and worried about Payton’s health, our finances, and the future in general. I sighed. “I shouldn’t be talking to you when Lord Hankes comes back.”

“You shouldn’t be working for him either. Of all the households in the city, how did you end up here?”

“I most likely won’t be working here much longer, not after this.” I gave him what I hoped was a genuine smile. “I’ll try to find a better lord to serve next time.”

“You shouldn’t be working like this at all.”

“And how else can I support my sister? There’s only so much honest work for a village peasant.” The words came out more bitterly than I’d intended, but I dinnae apologize. If I was dismissed from this position, who would want to hire me next?

* * * * * * *

About Sleeping Shaman, available now for preorder from Amazon:

The desert holds many secrets. Will death be one of them?

Nyah thought she’d fit in better in the capital rather than in her tiny village, but life in the big city is tougher than she anticipated. When she stumbles across a familiar face, she gladly jumps at the chance for a new adventure with her barbarian friends. They’re headed to Egwu’s home country where they hope his scholar father can translate Heartsbane, the book that holds the cure for Prince Brandulfur’s debilitating curse.

Their plans change as soon as they arrive and discover that Egwu’s family is missing, most likely cursed as well. And meanwhile time is running out for Brand, who grows weaker every day.

Nyah vows to save her friend by solving the mystery of Egwu’s missing family, but she didn’t anticipate all the obstacles in her way: a deadly rivalry between two families, a clash of powerful cultures, and a budding romance that seems destined for heartbreak. She’ll need all her wits to outsmart her opponent—that is, if she can even figure out who it is.

* * * * * * *

Post a link to your eight-ten sentence blog entry or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

* * * * * * *

Heartsbane Saga – fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings!

Book .5: “The Maiden in the Tower” – Carys has resigned herself to a life of servitude, locked away in a tower, until a chance encounter with a stranger leaves her daring to hope for more.

Book 1: Captive and the Cursed – When Nyah’s sister is kidnapped by barbarians, Nyah offers herself in her place. But she soon learns the barbarians aren’t what she expected, especially their cursed leader.

Weekend Writing Warrior 10/11/20 #8Sunday

Captive and the Cursed CoverThis’ll be the last post from Captive and the Cursed, the first book in my Heartsbane series, since my second short story, “The Brave Little Thrall,” will be out later this week and I’ll be moving on to snippets from it instead.

Last week, we learned that Nyah’s sister had been kidnapped by barbarians. When her village council didn’t move quickly enough to get her back, Nyah took matters into her own hands and charged off to the barbarian camp to get her back. She demanded to speak with their leader, and a very polite man named Domhnall led her to the leader’s tent, where she’s now confronting a man covered in a horrible, painful-looking rash.

* * * * * * *

The disfigured man glared at me. “Go back to your village, girl.”

“I will as soon as you give me my sister back.”

The man shifted his glare to Domhnall. “What is she talking about?”

I am talking about the girl your barbarians captured yesterday.”

“Domhnall?”

“I’d guess she’s the sister of the girl we rescued.”

“You dinnae rescue her,” I spat at them.

“Oh,” the hideous man asked, “then what happened?”

* * * * * * *

And here’s the rest of that scene:

Swallowing down my revulsion to the disfigured man’s appearance, as well as my fear, I strode over to his table and glanced down at the maps and papers scattered on the table. Father had many of his own maps from his travels, and I’d studied them often, so I was familiar with the geography of Llogeria. “Let me recap for you. You sailed across the northern sea in your long ships, looking for easy treasure.” I traced his path on the map while I spoke. “As you make your way to our capital, you’re gathering men to you, with promises of treasure and slaves. And if they won’t willingly join you, you take them captive, like you did with my sister and her companion. Aye, I know what happened, because Dar escaped and told me everything.” I shook my head in disgust. “It’s horrible enough what you’re doing here, but you barbarians have been invading our shores for centuries. What’s worse is when my fellow countrymen put their own greed over Llogeria. This man, for example.”

I turned my ire to Domhnall. “What did he bribe you with? Gold? No, I can tell you’re a lordling so you dinnae need wealth. A title, perhaps, and land of your own. Maybe he’ll let you rule at his side when you overthrow our king? Well, you won’t overthrow him. You should know our king is raising his own army to fight back against these hordes, and—”

“Aye, we know,” the disfigured man interrupted. “What does this have to do with your sister again?”

* * * * * * *

This is obviously not the reaction she was expecting!

Captive and the Cursed is available now at Amazon, or you can read more of the characters’ exploits in the prequel short story, “The Maiden in the Tower,” for just $.99. Then post a link to your eight-ten sentence blog entry or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

Weekend Writing Warrior 10/4/20 #8Sunday

Captive and the Cursed CoverI was out of town for the past couple weekends, wandering the country for some #vanlife self-care, and although I posted I forgot to link on the WeWriWa site! If you feel so inclined, check out that post too!

Now I’m skipping ahead a bit. MC Nyah had a bit of a disagreement with her younger sister Payton regarding love – Payton, being a typical teenager, of course knows everything and is guided by her hormones. Nyah reluctantly agreed to let her go out walking with her beau, and Payton never came home. After a couple days, Nyah learned that her sister is being held captive by a nearby barbarian army. In this scene, she’s stormed into the village council meeting, demanding they get her sister back.

* * * * * * *

Earc, the village toísech, waved a piece of parchment I was sure none of the council members could read. “But I have a plan.”

“What about Payton?” I asked.

“What about her?”

“When will they release her?”

“The lord says they intend to keep her, until we pay a sum for her release.”

“And you’ll pay it, aye?”

Earc just looked at me.

My mouth fell open as angry tears pricked at my eyes. “You have to pay it!”

* * * * * * *

And here’s the rest of that scene:

“And where would we get the coin they demand? Maybe your father could pay it?”

Several men laughed, fueling my rage.

“So we just let him keep my sister?”

“Nyah.” Wynne came around the table and laid his hand on my shoulder. I angrily shrugged it off. “We’ll get her back. Have patience.”

“You’ve known Payton all her life. You know how frail she is. Yet none of you would spare coin for her release?” I stared around the room at each man in turn. No one would meet my gaze. “Fine. If you won’t rescue my sister, I will.”

I stood so forcibly my chair toppled over, before I stormed from the room.

“Nyah, wait!”

I didn’t slow for Wynne.

“What are you going to do? Walk into their camp and demand her back?”

I dinnae have a plan, but that was as good as any. “Yes.”

Wynne grabbed my arm and swung me around to face him. “Dinnae be so rash. The barbarians will kill you.”

“She’s my sister. I have to do something.”

“Let the council get her back. Give Father time. He’ll—”

Gillian burst out of the inn. “Nyah!”

Wynne turned towards the barmaid’s voice. Seizing my chance, I broke free of his grasp, gathered up my skirts, and sprinted out of the village towards the barbarian camp.

* * * * * * *

Captive and the Cursed is available now at Amazon, or you can read more of the characters’ exploits in the prequel short story, “The Maiden in the Tower,” for just $.99. Then post a link to your eight-ten sentence blog entry or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

* * * * * * *

About Captive and the Cursed:

She must choose: follow her head or follow her heart?

Nyah’s merchant father raised her and her younger sister Payton on tales of treasure and excitement, but after he returns home from his latest trip addle-minded, Nyah must put aside her dreams of adventure and focus on more practical matters, like her betrothal to the illiterate son of the village chief. But when a roving band of barbarians kidnap Payton and the village leaders do nothing to rescue her, Nyah has no choice but to take matters into her own hands. She offers herself in her sister’s place, doomed to travel with the barbarian army until their price is paid.

The army is led by Brandulfur, a man who suffers from a hideous, painful curse. Although he’s officially in her country to aid his childhood friend in raising an army to support the king, he’s on a personal quest for the book that holds the cure for his curse – a book that Nyah soon realizes her father stole from him.

Determined to return to her family, she’ll need all the allies she can get. But no one is who they seem, including the people closest to her. She’ll have to make hard choices if she wants her life to be the same as before – but is that even what she wants anymore?

Captive and the Cursed is the first book in a series of fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings. If you like sassy heroines, adventures spanning the medieval world, and a touch of romance, you’ll love The Heartsbane Saga, E.D. Martin’s new historical fantasy series.

Weekend Writing Warrior 9/20/20 #8Sunday

Captive and the Cursed CoverThis week I’m still snippeting from my new release, Captive and the Cursed (Heartsbane Saga book 1).

Last week the main MC, Nyah, got into a bit of an argument with her betrothed when he took her chicken and she demanded his cow. There were some comments about why she’s with him if they don’t seem to have much in common. Let’s skip ahead a bit and find out!

In this scene, Nyah’s made it home and is talking with her younger sister, Payton.

* * * * * * *

“I got our chicken back.”

Payton slowly climbed down from the loft, a scowl on her thin, pale face. “I dinnae know why you even put up with Wynne.”

“Wynne isn’t so bad. He means well, even though he did take our chicken.” I continued watching Father, who was now gesturing to a robin perched on the garden fence. “With no dowry, I should be fortunate that Earc [the village chief and Wynne’s father] even agreed to our betrothal.”

Payton snorted.

“We’ll make sure to focus on a marriage of love for you,” I promised.

* * * * * * *

And here’s the rest of that scene:

“I dinnae want to marry, especially no one in this village.”

“Not even Dar Gheen?” I teased. I’d seen her walking with the young smith several times over the past month.

Payton blushed. “No.

“He’d be a fine match.”

She avoided looking at me. “If Father were well, he would find us better matches.”

“Father isn’t well.”

We’d had this conversation hundreds of times. Our father was a merchant, often gone for months at a time. Five years ago he’d returned home for the last time, missing a hand and feverishly babbling about barbarian curses and stolen treasure. We’d tried questioning him but his mind was gone. On good days he would sit in a rocking chair by the fire or in the garden, humming and talking to himself. On bad days he raved about the cottage, smashing whatever he could reach before collapsing and spending the following days or weeks in bed, too weak to get up. Payton held out hope he’d return to his former self; I’d accepted the worst and tried my best to provide for the three of us.

Payton joined me at the window and leaned her forehead against the glass. “If I were to marry, however, I would want it to be a prince, or one of the merchants who passes through and travels the world. Or a traveling prince.” She wrinkled her nose. “Wynne is none of those things. Why, he can’t even write his own name.”

“He can write his own name! He just can’t write anything besides it.”

* * * * * * *

Captive and the Cursed is available now at Amazon, or you can read more of Storm’s exploits in the prequel short story, “The Maiden in the Tower,” for just $.99. Then post a link to your eight-ten sentence blog entry or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

* * * * * * *

About Captive and the Cursed:

She must choose: follow her head or follow her heart?

Nyah’s merchant father raised her and her younger sister Payton on tales of treasure and excitement, but after he returns home from his latest trip addle-minded, Nyah must put aside her dreams of adventure and focus on more practical matters, like her betrothal to the illiterate son of the village chief. But when a roving band of barbarians kidnap Payton and the village leaders do nothing to rescue her, Nyah has no choice but to take matters into her own hands. She offers herself in her sister’s place, doomed to travel with the barbarian army until their price is paid.

The army is led by Brandulfur, a man who suffers from a hideous, painful curse. Although he’s officially in her country to aid his childhood friend in raising an army to support the king, he’s on a personal quest for the book that holds the cure for his curse – a book that Nyah soon realizes her father stole from him.

Determined to return to her family, she’ll need all the allies she can get. But no one is who they seem, including the people closest to her. She’ll have to make hard choices if she wants her life to be the same as before – but is that even what she wants anymore?

Captive and the Cursed is the first book in a series of fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings. If you like sassy heroines, adventures spanning the medieval world, and a touch of romance, you’ll love The Heartsbane Saga, E.D. Martin’s new historical fantasy series.

Weekend Writing Warrior 9/13/20 #8Sunday

Captive and the Cursed CoverMy new book, Captive and the Cursed (Heartsbane Saga book 1), just launched last week, so I’m going to continue posting from it.

So far we’ve been introduced to Storm Llanfaell, a “merchant” who managed to rob another country’s treasury before being caught and brought before the king, who ordered him put to death, but someone at the court intervened and his life was spared, although he was cursed and went a bit mad as a result.

This week we’re skipping ahead to his daughter’s POV. She definitely has her father’s spirit. (I think I maybe posted this years ago, in a slightly different form, in case it seems familiar to anyone.)

* * * * * * *

I stomped across the village green, a chicken tucked under my arm and my long blonde braid swinging down my back, not caring who witnessed my ire.

“Nyah, wait!”

Against my better judgment, I stopped with a huff and waited for Wynne Maddox to catch up. Maybe he wanted to apologize.

“You’re being ridiculous,” he said as he reached me.

Or maybe he dinnae.

I glared at him and said, “You stole my chicken; I took my chicken back. What’s so ridiculous about that?”

He glared back. “I dinnae steal anything.”

* * * * * * *

And here’s the rest of that scene:

“Oh, really?”

“Really. First, my chickens went missing, and Father must have eggs for breakfast. It’s only right, for him as toísech. And second, we’re betrothed, which means what’s yours is mine. So if I take something of yours, it’s like taking something of mine. Right?”

“Then give me your cow.”

His jaw dropped. “What? Why?”

“If we’re betrothed and what’s yours is mine, then it’s my cow. And my father must have milk with his breakfast porridge.”

“Your father dinnae even know when it’s time for his breakfast,” Wynne muttered.

* * * * * * *

Captive and the Cursed is available now at Amazon, or you can read more of Storm’s exploits in the prequel short story, “The Maiden in the Tower,” for just $.99. Then post a link to your eight-ten sentence blog entry or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

* * * * * * *

About Captive and the Cursed:

She must choose: follow her head or follow her heart?

Nyah’s merchant father raised her and her younger sister Payton on tales of treasure and excitement, but after he returns home from his latest trip addle-minded, Nyah must put aside her dreams of adventure and focus on more practical matters, like her betrothal to the illiterate son of the village chief. But when a roving band of barbarians kidnap Payton and the village leaders do nothing to rescue her, Nyah has no choice but to take matters into her own hands. She offers herself in her sister’s place, doomed to travel with the barbarian army until their price is paid.

The army is led by Brandulfur, a man who suffers from a hideous, painful curse. Although he’s officially in her country to aid his childhood friend in raising an army to support the king, he’s on a personal quest for the book that holds the cure for his curse – a book that Nyah soon realizes her father stole from him.

Determined to return to her family, she’ll need all the allies she can get. But no one is who they seem, including the people closest to her. She’ll have to make hard choices if she wants her life to be the same as before – but is that even what she wants anymore?

Captive and the Cursed is the first book in a series of fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings. If you like sassy heroines, adventures spanning the medieval world, and a touch of romance, you’ll love The Heartsbane Saga, E.D. Martin’s new historical fantasy series.

Weekend Writing Warrior 9/6/20 #8Sunday

Captive and the Cursed CoverMy new book, Captive and the Cursed (Heartsbane Saga book 1) launched this week, and the response has been great! I’m so excited to be able to share the beginnings of this world with everyone.

Today’s excerpt is from Book 1: Captive and the Cursed, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. So far we’ve been introduced to Storm Llanfaell, a merchant so confident in his latest exploit that he’s thrown caution to the wind, and of course was promptly caught by the king’s guards. His crime? Stealing the entire contents of their treasury. We’re skipping ahead just a bit to where he’s been taken before the king, Gudrodar.

* * * * * * *

“The gold and jewels you’ve stolen from me mean nothing,” the king said. “They are but objects and can be easily replaced. If it were just those things, I would cut off your hand as if you were a common criminal before hanging you.”

The king nodded, and two of his huskarlar moved to Storm’s side. The one on his right grabbed him, one hand at his wrist and the other at his forearm.

Storm gritted his teeth against the agony in his shoulders. His mind was still too clouded with alcohol to devise a plan, so he did what he always did in situations like this: stall. “You aren’t the first to try to hang me, and you won’t be the last.”

“Enough, thief. I have no further use for you if you refuse to cooperate.”

* * * * * * *

And here’s the rest of that scene:

Gudrodar stood, moving into the light, and Storm gasped. Angry weeping rashes bulged across the king’s face and hands, interspersed with deep scars. His left eye was swollen shut and his lips so disfigured they could barely move. This must be the curse Storm had heard rumors of. The king gripped the chair’s arms tightly, swaying slightly, and the young man moved closer to his side. Gudrodar waved him away. “Illfuss, what say you about his fate?”

The man who’d helped capture Storm stepped forward. “The god of the Llogerians demands an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. I think he would also find it fair to demand a life for a life. He has taken from you any hope of a cure for your curse. Let him be marked as a thief, and then let him share in your curse as well, before he hangs in the morning.”

“So be it,” the king said.

The second huskarl raised his axe, and Storm struggled to free himself from the first’s iron grip, still not ready to admit defeat.

“Father.” The voice of the young man to the right of the king echoed through the hall, and the huskarl paused, axe in midair. “Might I suggest otherwise?”

* * * * * * *

Captive and the Cursed is available now at Amazon, or you can read more of Storm’s exploits in the prequel short story, “The Maiden in the Tower,” for just $.99. Then post a link to your eight-ten sentence blog entry or join the fun at the Weekend Writing Warriors website.

* * * * * * *

About Captive and the Cursed:

She must choose: follow her head or follow her heart?

Nyah’s merchant father raised her and her younger sister Payton on tales of treasure and excitement, but after he returns home from his latest trip addle-minded, Nyah must put aside her dreams of adventure and focus on more practical matters, like her betrothal to the illiterate son of the village chief. But when a roving band of barbarians kidnap Payton and the village leaders do nothing to rescue her, Nyah has no choice but to take matters into her own hands. She offers herself in her sister’s place, doomed to travel with the barbarian army until their price is paid.

The army is led by Brandulfur, a man who suffers from a hideous, painful curse. Although he’s officially in her country to aid his childhood friend in raising an army to support the king, he’s on a personal quest for the book that holds the cure for his curse – a book that Nyah soon realizes her father stole from him.

Determined to return to her family, she’ll need all the allies she can get. But no one is who they seem, including the people closest to her. She’ll have to make hard choices if she wants her life to be the same as before – but is that even what she wants anymore?

Captive and the Cursed is the first book in a series of fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings. If you like sassy heroines, adventures spanning the medieval world, and a touch of romance, you’ll love The Heartsbane Saga, E.D. Martin’s new historical fantasy series.

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