How a Farmer's Son became friend to a Prince.

This is a chapter at the beginning of Elemental Worlds. At least, it was going to be the first chapter, but I decided to eliminate it. It tells how Pettic, the son of a farmer, came to be the friend and companion of Crown Prince Torren of Pondoria.

Later on, Pettic needs to put his own life in danger when the prince is kidnapped. 





Pettic woke up early. It was still dark, but he could hear his mother moving around in the downstairs room. Today they would have to get their chores done early. Today they were going to take the two day journey to the capital city of Ponderia.

Pettic had never been to Glitton. In fact he had never been further than a half day’s journey from the farm his parents owned. This journey was to celebrate his thirteenth birthday.

He poked his little brother in the ribs. ‘Derkil, get up. We need to do our jobs quickly. Don’t forget today is the day we’re going to Glitton.’

Eleven-year-old Derkil rolled over and opened his eyes, then closed them and rolled back.

‘Derkil, come on, get up!’

At that, Derkil opened his eyes wide and laughed. ‘Did you think I’d forget, Pettic? I’ve not been to Glitton either, remember.’

With that, the younger boy jumped up and dressed quickly. The two boys climbed down the ladder leading from their loft bedroom into the main room of the cottage.

Their mother was preparing breakfast and packing a large hamper to take with them. ‘Come on, boys,’ she exclaimed when she saw them. ‘Go and get your jobs done. Your father’s milking the cows today, so I can pack the food we’re taking, but the chickens need feeding, the sheep watering and checking over, the dogs and cats fed and the horse harnessed to the wagon.’

Their father, Brimar, was pulling down hay for the two cows to eat while they were being milked when the boys appeared. ‘Get on as quickly as you can, lads,’ he called. ‘I want to be on the way as soon after sunrise as possible.’

‘When will Yelldon be coming?’ Pettic asked.

Yelldon was a neighbour who had handed over the running of the family farm to his son the previou year. He was still an active man, though, and agreed to look after the farm while the family were away.

‘At dawn, he said,’ replied Pettic’s father. ‘I want to be ready to leave as soon as I’ve told him what’s what.’

The two boys ran to their tasks and finished before the sun poked its head over the horizon. Yelldon arrived soon afterwards. Being an experienced farmer, he did not need much instruction. It was more a case of telling him where things were.

‘Are you ready Helra?’ the boy’s father called impatiently to their mother. Pettic could swear his parents were as excited as he was about the coming visit.

Helra came out brushing a lock of her long chestnut hair from her eyes. ‘Just making sure everything is left tidy.’ She climbed onto the wagon to sit next to her husband on the driver’s seat and they trotted out of the farmyard about half an hour after Yelldon had arrived.

They drove through through familiar land for the first half-day until they reached the village of Prind. The land around was fertile and quite flat and much was produced. Here they came each week to the market to sell any surplus produce and buy things they did not produce themselves. People came from the towns around too and not only produce was exchanged, but news too.

They called in at the local tavern and bought some lunch and exchanged comments with the various friends and acquaintances gathered there before continuing onwards.

The boys found this second part of the journey much more exciting, and, truth to tell so did the adults the adults. The land began to rise into rolling downland as they left the plains behind. Here the farming was predominantly sheep. As it was summer, the spring lambs were growing quickly and many had been rounded up to go to the markets.

The first day ended with the family approaching the town of Clind Row. This town seemed like a huge metropolis to the boys who had never before seen anywhere bigger than their village. In fact, it was quite a small town.

They found an inn for the night and as soon as Brimar ensured their horse was well stabled, the family went into the inn and had a hot meal. Brimar struck up a conversation with one of the locals and stayed down drinking ale, but Helra and the boys went up to their room. Pettic wanted to stay down with his father, but Helra had insisted he was still too young, thirteen in two days or not.

The next day was much the same as the previous one, except they ate the food Helra had packed rather than eat in inns or taverns.

About an hour before sunset, a city appeared over the horizon.

‘Is that Glitton?’ asked Pettic.

‘Yes, that’s the capital city,’ replied Brimar. ‘That is unless I’ve taken the wrong road somewhere,’ He winked at his wife.

‘Oh, no,’ wailed Dirkil. ‘Could you have done that? What happens if it’s the wrong place?’

‘Stop teasing the boys,’ scolded Helra with a smile. She turned to Dirkil. ‘Yes, it’s Glitton.
There is only one road to the capital. Even your father can’t get that wrong.’

Brimar aimed a friendly punch at his wife who ducked, laughing.

The little party soon passed through the gates of the capital city. All four of them looked around in wonder. Here the houses were built of stone and looked huge to the country folk. The roads, too, were paved and not the muddy tracks they had known in the villages around their farm. There were churches with tall spires or towers that looked as if they were trying to reach the heavens, so tall did they seem.

They found an inn and asked if they had rooms, but were told all were taken due to something called “The Proclamation”.

The innkeeper sent them off down a side road to a smaller inn. ‘It’s clean and does good food, but it’s not so fashionable as this one, although I say it myself. They may have space for a family if you don’t mind sharing a room.’

That turned out to be the case they booked the room for a week and unloaded their things. A groom took their wagon into the coach-house and their horse to the stables. Brimar was secretly glad the other inn was full. This inn was, as they had been told, small, but it was clean and the landlord friendly. It was also cheaper than the other one, an important consideration for the country folk.

They ordered a meal and this time took it in their room. They were all tired after travelling and so they went to bed early. Being used to going to bed with the sun and rising with it too, it was no hardship.

The next morning, Helra told the boys to put on their best clothes. She had insisted they were going to the big city, home to the king, and so they should look their best.
Dirkil protested. ‘But mother, it’s not as though the king or anyone important will see us. My best clothes are so-o uncomfortable.’

Helra insisted, however, and as usual she got her way.

Shortly after they had eaten, and Helra had inspected the boys (and incidentally, her husband too) they set off to look at the city. It was huge. No one in the family had ever been in such a big place. It was busy too, and noisy. On every street corner, it seemed, there was someone selling something. Flowers here, sweetmeats there, pies too. They entered a square where a market was in full swing. The stall-holders cried their wares, calling to passers-by to look at what they had for sale. The scents of food and flowers filled the air. The boys wanted to stop and look at the wares, but their father hurried them on.

‘Why can’t we stop to look?’ asked Pettic.

‘We’ll look another time,’ replied Brimar. ‘We have a week here, after all. I thought we’d begin by looking at the palace. Today, I believe, they’ve opened it to the public because it’s the Prince’s thirteenth birthday.’

‘Just like you, Pettic,’ pointed out Dirkil.

‘Oh, I hadn’t noticed,’ replied his brother, sarcastically. ‘I thought we were here to see the king!’

They passed through some inner gates into the oldest part of the city. Here the houses were even bigger and the place looked tidy and well kept. The streets were clean and the windows of the houses were polished. Helra surreptitiously peeped into one of the windows as they passed.

‘It’s beautiful inside,’ she whispered.

They came to the palace gates and were admitted. After crossing a large courtyard with a variety of buildings in it, they arrived at the main doors and were ushered into a large hall. There were chairs in this hall as if there were going to be some kind of ceremony. The ceiling had flags hanging from it. Brimar told the boys they were the emblems of all the nobility and knights who would be called on to fight for their country in times of war. The ceiling itself had large wooden beams and the walls were covered with tapestries, mainly scenes of warfare and hunting.

Several families filled the room, all with at least one boy around Pettic’s age. Some sat on the chairs and some walked around looking at everything there was to see. Those on the chairs were looking bored as though they had seen it all before, which they may have done because they were all richly dressed. Their parents were talking quietly together as if they had known each other for a long time. These were obviously noble families, but what were they waiting for? That they were waiting for something was obvious.

After looking around at the tapestries, and Helra admiring the fine stitching, Brimar suggested they sit down ‘for a rest’.

Dirkil protested he did not want a rest. He was not tired. Why could they not go and look at somewhere else. They had seen this place now.

‘Your mother needs to sit down for a while,’ Brimar responded.

Pettic looked at his mother. She did not look in the least bit tired. What was his father up to? Anyway, he needed to go to pass water. He had been holding it in for quite a while now, and he was getting desperate. He whispered to his father who went to one of the guards standing around the room and asked.

‘Come with me, young man,’ the guard told Pettic, and walked off through a door on the opposite side of the room from where they had entered.

Pettic followed and the guuard took him down a number of corridors until they came to a door.

‘In there is the garderobe,’ said the guard. ‘I need to be in the Great Hall now and so I trust you can find your way back. If you get lost, just ask one of the servants. There are usually plenty around.’

With that, he walked off leaving Pettic in front of the garderobe door.

When he had finished, Pettic left the garderobe and started back towards the Great Hall. After a while he found he had become quite lost. He was just beginning to panic when he spotted a young boy of about his age at the end of the passage.

‘Hey,’ he called, ‘I’m lost. I need to get back to the Great Hall. Can you tell me which way to go, please?’

The boy stopped and looked round. He came down the corridor towards Pettic.

He was about the same height as Pettic but with dark hair whereas Pettic’s was fair. He had brown eyes and was wearing a dark blue jerkin over a maroon shirt. Pettic knew these were the royal colours so he assumed this boy was one of the royal attendants.

‘I can show you the way back. I’m not wanted for a while yet,’ the boy answered.

‘Thank you very much,’ Pettic said. ‘I suppose you work here. Are you some kind of page, doing your training?’

The boy smiled. ‘Yes. I am in training.What do you do?’

‘My father’s a farmer in a village two days’ drive away. We only have a small farm, but we do have two cows,’ He drew himself up a little as he said this. ‘Not many farmers have a cow. They get their milk from goats. My mother makes butter and cheese from the extra milk. It tastes different from goats’ cheese and butter.’

‘Yes, I know,’ the boy answered. ‘I’ve had cows’ cheese and milk. I prefer it to goats’.’

Pettic was pleased to meet someone who liked the cows’ milk and cheese. Most of his friends preferred the goats’ but that was mainly because that was what they were used to.

The pair chatted on as they wended their way back to the Great Hall. Pettic learned about life in the palace and the boy learned about Pettic’s life on the farm.

When they reached the door to the Great Hall the boy said, ‘It sounds a great life, living on a farm. So free. I loved the story you told about falling out of the tree you were climbing. I’m not allowed to climb trees.’

With that, he ran back the way he came and Pettic entered the great Hall once more.
His parents had been getting anxious about him and were pleased to see him back. He told them about getting lost and meeting the trainee page and how the boy had shown him back to the Hall.

‘I think we should tell him why we are here, don’t you, Brimar,’ Helra said suddenly.
Pettic looked at his mother and frowned. ‘We’re here for my birthday, aren’t we?’

‘Yes, dear, of course, but there’s something else too. Now I don’t expect it will come to anything, but the king sent out a proclamation a few weeks ago. Crown Prince Torren is thirteen today, just like you and all the other boys here today.’

Pettic frowned. His father continued. ‘The king sent a proclamation to ask if any boy with a birthday on the same day as the Prince would care to come to the palace today, then the prince would choose one of them to be his friend and companion. So here we are.’

Just then, the first of the boys was called and he stood and went through a door at the far end of the room.

‘Mother, Father,’ Pettic said. ‘This is ridiculous. You know one of the nobles’ sons will get it. We should go now before we’re embarrassed.’

‘No, son,’ Brimar insisted. ‘We’ve come this far and I don’t intend to leave until you’ve at least seen the prince. The king has said he’ll leave the interviewing and choice entirely to Prince Torren. It’s said the prince is not in the slightest snobbish and I think everyone here stands a chance.’

Pettic sighed. The boy who had been in to see the prince came out and another boy went in.

This went on for a while until Pettic’s name was called. He stood and looked at his parents for help. His mother gave him a little push and he crossed the room towards the little door feeling as if all eyes were on him. (Which of course they were.)

He entered a small room. There was a large table in the centre and a window behind it. Pettic bowed to the pair seated on the other side of the table. A voice he recognised bade him be seated.

He looked up eyes widening as he saw the boy he had been so casually talking to, and whom he had unceremoniously asked for help. He could hardly believe he had been in the presence of Prince Torren and not known it.

Next to the prince was a man that could only be the king. He was a tall man with the same dark hair and brown eyes as his son, but he sported a well-trimmed beard. He looked a kind man and he smiled at Pettic to give him courage.

Prince Torren also smiled at Pettic. ‘Well, Pettic, we meet again. I hope you won’t hold it against me for not telling you who I am. I’ve so little chance of talking to someone not of my family, who doesn’t treat me as different.’

‘N-no, Your Royal Highness.’

Prince Torren asked more questions about Pettic’s life on the farm. Pettic quickly relaxed and soon had both the prince and his father laughing at some of the tales he told. Eventually, though, Prince Torren told Pettic he had seen enough to make up his mind, and dismissed the other boy.

‘You were a long time in there,’ his mother said when he came across the hall to them. ‘I was wondering what was happening.’

Pettic smiled. ‘We were just talking, mother. Prince Torren is friendly. Did you know he showed me the way back from the garderobe when I got lost?’

‘What?,’ Dirkil said ‘You were talking to a real prince and didn’t know it? I’d have spotted him right off.’

‘I don’t think so. He looks normal and speaks normally too.’

It took a long time for all the boys to be interviewed. Derkin had been complaining for quite some time about being bored and Helra said she would take him out to look at the market. Thus it was that when the last boy came out, only a restless Pettic and his father were sitting waiting.

‘Why can’t we go and meet mother and Derkin, father?’ Pettic asked.’It’s not as if I’m likely to be chosen, is it? The prince’ll want someone from his own class as a companion.’

Brimar insisted they stay. They had come this far and they were not going to leave before they found out who the prince had chosen.

It was only about ten minutes after the last boy had come out that the prince and the king emerged from the little room. Everyone stood and bowed as the pair went to a platform next to the room where the interviews had been held. The king bade everyone to sit and took his place on the throne. Prince Torren stood next to his father, glanced once at him and then stepped forward.

‘I have made my decision,’ he began. ‘It was not an easy one. All of you had things to recommend you to me, but eventually I thought there is one of you I took to immediately.’ The prince paused and looked around the room. His eyes caught Pettic’s and held. ‘I would like to employ as my companion, and I hope my friend, Pettic.’

Pettic eyes scanned the room. There must be some mistake. There must be another Pettic here. But no, no one else was moving, and all eyes were on him.

The prince smiled and said, ‘Yes, Pettic, I’ve chosen you. Come up so everyone can see you.’


You can read about Pettic's adventures in the four elemental worlds he has to enter in order to rescue his friend in The Stones of Earth and Air, then in The Stones of Fire and Water.

Click on the titles or book pictures to buy.

You can get the books as ebooks or as real books.

Here is something about the book.

After the Crown Prince of Ponderia starts behaving strangely, his best friend Pettic discovers that the prince has been replaced by a doppelganger, and the real prince kidnapped.

Unable to accept the loss of his friend, Prince Torren, nor the cruel impostor to become the new king, Pettic sets on a quest to rescue his friend. After he sees the fake prince meet a mysterious man, Pettic discovers that the prince has been imprisoned in another plane of existence.

With the help of Blundo, the court magician, Pettic finds out that the only way to enter this other world are four keys, each of them associated with a different element. As Pettic sets on his seemingly impossible quest, he discovers that the four lands that hold the keys are all vastly different... and more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.

Please leave a comment. I would love to know what you thnk about it. And if you buy the books, please leave a review. Reviews are important to authors and readers. They help to tell readers if they would like the book, and help the author to get sales and exposure for their hard work.
Thank you.

A Sneak Peek at my latest work in progress. A novel set in the time of the Vikings.

This is an extract from my latest work, Jealousy of a Viking. It follows Helgha, a descendant of Adelbehrt from Vengeance of a Slave.
At the beginning of the book, Helgha helps  young man, Erik, who is lost in the forest and finds him very attractive. She begins to have dreams of a life with him, but her father has arranged a marriage with a neighbour's son.


One morning, about ten days after Erik's final departure, her father came to her. 'I've chosen a husband for you. I've decided on Gunnar Janson's son. I spoke with Gunnar yesterday and he is in agreement.'

Helgha hung her head. She must obey her father, but her dream of becoming Erik's wife dissolved as she foresaw a life lived with a man she did not like.

Gunner Janson's son will not make any woman a good husband. On the few occasions they met, he had treated her with disdain. He did not seem to like women and had told her once that he thought them weak. They did not know how to fight, and fighting was life.
But she must do as her father said and so she whispered, 'Yes, father', hoping she sounded acquiescent, but a feeling of tightness encompassed her chest, and her hands clenched involuntarily.

Helgha took a deep breath then carried on with her tasks with a heavy heart. She would have to obey her father, but all her dreams of a life with Erik came crashing down around her ears. Thoughts of rebellion flashed through her mind but immediately disappeared. She did not know if Erik felt the same way. Most probably he did not. They had been beautiful dreams though.

Crushing those thoughts, she left the longhouse and walked to the well. Hearing the drumming of hooves on the road, she looked up. Her stomach turned over and her heart beat faster as Erik rode through the gate. He slid from his horse and jogged over to where she stood. Taking the buckets from her he looked into her eyes. Helgha thought she saw something there. Something that made her think her dreams were not in vain.
'Hello, Helgha,' Erik said, then looked away.

Had she imagined what she saw in his eyes? 'Hello, Erik.” She felt redness creeping up her neck and infusing her face.

Leaving the other women who were at the well staring after them, the pair walked to the house in silence.

Why had he come? Surely her dream had not come true and he intended to ask for her hand in marriage. He must have some other reason to come here. Yes, that was it. He was on his way somewhere else and stopped at Thoringsby because it was convenient.

They entered the house, Erik following Helgha. He put the buckets down and spoke to Aedelflaed. 'Thank you for your hospitality the other week. I would not be alive now if it weren't for your kindness.'

Aedelflaed smiled at the young man. 'No thanks are necessary. We did what anyone would do. You could have been killed by wolves or bears out there in the dark.'

'I have something for you. To thank you. Wait a moment and I'll go and get it.' Erik ducked through the door, and a moment later returned with his saddlebags over his arm.
First, for you, Aedelflaed, I have this.' He handed over a necklace of glass beads.

Aedelflaed gasped. 'This is beautiful, Erik.'

'It was made in Jorvik. We don't make much glass there, but what we do is usually made into beads or rings, and is of fine quality. Now, for Biorn I've got some wine. I'm sure he'll enjoy it when he comes in.'

Helgha smiled at the thought. Biorn drank more ale than wine, but she felt sure he would enjoy the change.

Erik pulled something else from his saddlebags. 'For Hartvigg I have this wooden sword. He needs to learn how to fight like a true Dane. I have a Kubb set for Laeff and for Sighmund this toy boat.' Then he turned and smiled at Helgha. Her stomach turned somersaults. 'And for you, this amber necklace. The amber comes all the way from the Baltic Sea.'

Helgha blushed as Erik fastened it round her neck, and she looked at her mother.
Aedelflaed frowned. Helgha knew what thoughts passed through her mind. Like the ones passing through her own head. Why had Erik brought her such a valuable gift? Did he want to court her? Neither she nor her parents knew anything about him. He appeared to be well off if his clothing were anything to go by. But would Erik's father want his son to marry someone from a family of lower status?

Helgha sighed, pushing those thoughts away. If it were the case that Erik wanted to marry her, then his father would speak to hers. She would be the last to know.

After this, he came every week on some pretext or other, but no message arrived from his father to Biorn suggesting a marriage. Erik, however, behaved as if he and Helgha were already betrothed.

One day, Biorn tackled Erik on this subject. Helgha held her breath, half-hoping Erik would say his father would send a message to Biorn about a betrothal.

'You've been coming here a lot, Erik,' Biorn said. 'You spend a lot of time with Helgha, but we've heard nothing from your father about a betrothal.'

Erik went red and hung his head. 'I would truly like to be betrothed to your daughter, but my father would never agree. You cannot pay the dowry he would expect.'

Biorn's face grew dark, and his eyes flashed. 'You come here courting my daughter, yet you have no intention of marrying her. This is an insult to my family.'

Helgha held her breath as Erik continued to look at the floor. 'I mean no insult to you, Biorn. My father will not agree to me marrying Helgha, but if I could, I would do so.' He looked up and into Biorn's eyes. 'I'm afraid my father wishes me to marry someone who can bring wealth and influence to our family. Someone, I suspect, who is closer to Halfdan than he is.'

'Then this means I will have to defend the honour of my family. I will not have you dishonour my sons and myself.' He went to the wall and took down his shield and battle axe. 'I must kill you. You have insulted my family. Have you amused yourself with my Helgha? Is she ruined?'

Erik faced Biorn. 'Should we not fight outside?

Biorn grunted. Helgha stood with her hands over her mouth and her eyes wide. As the two men went through the door, she ran after them screaming.

'No! No! No!. Don't fight over me. Please. Father, don't kill him.'

She rushed over to Biorn and tried to pull his axe from his hands.

He shoved her away. 'This is man's business. Go back to your mother.'

Helgha fell to the floor, scrambled up and ran back towards the longhouse. Her mother appeared through the door.

'Mother! Stop them. They'll kill each other.'

Her mother looked at her. 'One of them will kill the other. That's the way it is. Erik has insulted our family by coming here as if to court you, but making no offers. Your father has to have his honour satisfied. If he fails, then it will be up to your brothers to kill Erik when they are old enough.'

I would be interestd in your opinion of this extract. Please post a comment in the comments box.

The city of Mainz, once known as Mogantiacum, was a Roman fort along the Rhine. It bordered Germania, on the other side of the river, which, in the time of Adelbehrt, the slave of the book's title, was not part of the Roman empire, but of Germania.

When the Romans took him and Avelina, his sister, to sell as slaves, it was to Mogantiacum they went, along with several other captives.

Vengeance of a Slave is visiting Mainz today, and is in the market place.

If you would like to find out more about Adelbehrt and how he got his revenge on the Romans, click here. It will take you to the book's page at Amazon where you are.

You can find out more about my books by clicking on the book images, or you can go to my author page on Amazon by clicking here.

Or to find out more about me, click here to see my page on Creativia, who have published my fantasy novels.

I would love to hear from you, so please leave a comment.

Reviewers wanted

Is anyone willing to do a review of Vengeance of a Slave in return for a free copy of the book? Please let me know if you would do this. I can send you a file in any format you wish. 

There will be no obligation to review the book, but if you do, please say in your review it was a free copy. Amazon gets a bit sniffy sometimes.

Let me know if you would do this and what format you would like by emailing me at vivienne.sang@gmail.com

If you are unsure about how to write a reiviw, I did a post on 20th November to help people. Check it out here. 

Thanks.

Here's a bit about it.

Adelbhert is only six years old when he is forced to watch his father and other men from his village being crucified in revenge for an attack on the Roman city of Modiglianum.
Then he and his little sister are taken as slaves. They are sold to a merchant who takes them to the distant and mysterious island of Britannia. Here he is treated like a pet until he grows up and is no longer a pretty child.

His experiences make him hate the Romans and he resolves to escape one day and have revenge. but his hatred is eating away at his soul.

Will he get the chance to escape, and if so, can he remain free? And how can one ;young man take on the might of the Roman Army and win?

Free Book

From today, October 18th, The Never-Dying Man, Book 2 of The Wolves of Vimar Series, is FREE on Amazon.

It is only available for 5 days, until 22nd October, so hurry and get your copy.

Here is a bit about it.

After finding Sauvern's Sword, the companions set off to help a friend rescue his child from kidnappers. Instead, they stray into Erian and find preparations for war. They are drafted into the Erian army but are recognized by an old enemy, who arrests some of them and takes them to Frelli, the capital of Erian, where they are put in jail.

The Master of Erian frees them and offers them work. Meanwhile, Carthinal has to face some unpleasant truths about himself. Is his desire to further his magical career more important than his friends and country? After they discover terrible truths about the Master and his magical research, they will need to escape in order to tell the leaders of Grosmer about the plans for war.

Why not get a copy of Books 1 and 2 as well? Click on the links to buy.

The Wolf Pack. Book 1

The Never-Dying Man. Book 2

Wolf Moon. Book 3

A Sneak Peek at my new book/

I'm giving you a quick look at the next book in the saga that traces the history of a family from Roman Britain through the ages. The first book, already published, is called Vengeance of a Slave.
This second book takes place during the time of the Danish occupation of the East of England. It tells the tale of a young girl, a descendant of Adelbehrt from the first book. She is the daughter of an Anglo Saxon woman, descended from Adelbehrt, and her Danish husband. It's called Revenge of a Viking

I hope you enjoy it. I'm currently on the first rewrite, but I hope to have it published by September, all being well.

As yet I have no artwork to go with it. Apologies about that.

Helgha bent down to pick some herbs she had been looking for. The sound of hooves came from around the corner of the track. She whirled around, her ash blonde hair whipping across her face. The forest was not a safe place, especially as it was getting dusk now. All kind of dangers abounded. A pack of wolves roamed not far away, and the threat of bandits was a very real danger. She should have been home already, but a clump of the herbs had caught her eye. They were just the ones she sought and she stayed to pick enough for her mother to use to prepare the medicines.

A man appeared from round a bend in the road, leading his horse. She backed towards the bushes at the edge of the track, hoping to make herself invisible to the man, but his eyes alighted on her as she whirled, her sudden movement giving her away.

'Hey,' he called, 'Can you help me? I'm lost.'

Helgha backed further into the bushes, looking for somewhere to run. Perhaps this track, made by some animal would lead her to a wider one where she could make her escape. The man called again.

'Stop, please. I won't hurt you. I promise. I just want to find a way out of this infernal forest and back on the road to Jorvik.'

Helgha stopped. She could not go any further, anyway. A large bramble bush prickled her back, its thorns even penetrating the woollen cloak she wore.

The man had now reached where she had pressed into the bushes.

'I understand why you're afraid,' he said, 'but I'm not one to harm a young girl. Certainly not one as pretty as you.' He smiled, making his grey eyes light up.

'My name's Erik,' he continued. 'I'm assuming there's a farm or a village ahead and that's where you've come from. I don't expect you're wandering the forest at dusk if you're far from home.'

Helgha stepped out from the bramble bush, pulling her cloak free from the thorns that grasped the wool, trying to pull her back.

'No, sir,' she murmured. 'My home is just a few minutes away.'

'Then will you take me there?'

Helgha looked at the man. He was tall and had light brown hair, a beard and a long moustache as did most of the Danish men. His clothes looked of a good quality and his cloak an expensive brooch pinned his cloak.

He's not a beggar, or even a poor man, she thought Having made the decision that she ought to help him, she nodded in answer to his question and began walking along the road, beckoning Erik to follow her.

He pulled his horse to get it walking again, and it shook its head before beginning to reluctantly walk forward. Helgha had been so busy trying to make herself invisible when Erik appeared she had not noticed the animal had an injured foot.

The girl walked over and patted the animal talking gently to it before reaching down to feel its foot.

'She tripped over something and threw me,' Erik said. 'I hope she's not hurt her leg badly. She's a good horse and has served me well.'

Helgha smiled back at her companion.

'Father will have a look when we get home.' she replied. 'Have you walked far?'

'It seems like hundreds of miles,' Erik replied, 'but it's probably only a few.'

'How did you come to be lost?'

'A group of us went out hunting, then my horse tripped and threw me. The others went on and I started back towards Jorvik, but must have taken a wrong turn somewhere.'
'You must have done. We're nearly a day's journey from Jorvik.'

They continued to walk along the forest road that wound between tall trees, mainly oaks, with bramble and bracken growing beneath the canopies. The leaves had begun to turn a yellow-gold and many had dropped to form a carpet beneath their feet. The rustling of these dry leaves had alerted Helgha to Erik's approach. They swished like the sound of waves on the beaches as the feet and hooves passed through them.

The smell of fungi made Helgha stop.

'Wait a moment,' she said, and rushed off towards a fallen tree trunk where she picked some fungi from its bark.

'These are good to eat,' she told Erik. 'Mother will be pleased to have them.'

Then she continued walking without looking back to see if he followed her.

After a little while, the ground began to rise and soon the trees stopped altogether. Ahead was a cleared area around the top of the little hill. Fields surrounded the village with partially harvested crops growing in them.

As they reached the top of the hill a palisade with an open gate appeared This, then, was Helgha's home.

A large longhouse stood in the centre of the village surrounded by smaller ones in the same style as the longhouse. All the houses had thatched roofs and were built of wattle and daub.

'Tie your horse here, Erik,' Helgha told him, 'then come into the house. The Dane did as she bade him and followed her into the longhouse.

The pair entered through a door set in the middle of one of the longer sides of the building. Erik blinked in the darkness that met them. It seemed darker due to coming in from the light outside. His eyes quickly became accustomed and he looked round.
Inside, the longhouse was much as Erik expected. The fire pit lay in the centre of the single room. Smoke curled up towards holes cut in the thatched roof, These holes allowed light to enter as well as the smoke from the fire to escape. Three boys, all younger than Helgha, sat on a bench running along one side of the house. They were playing some sort of game. A similar bench ran along the other side where three women sat spinning, and weaving at an upright loom.

One end of the longhouse was closed off. Animals shifted around, and occasionally there came the lowing of a cow. At the other end another room had been closed off. This gave some privacy to the lord of the village and his wife.

A pot stood over the fire and a woman with ash blonde hair very similar to Helgha's stood stirring it. Helgha's mother, Erik deduced.

She straightened up and rubbed her back, then smiled at Helgha and said, 'You're back then. Who's this you've brought home? And did you get the herbs?'

'Here's everything you wanted. I was lucky in finding them all today. I also found these mushrooms.' Helgha handed over her basket and her mother put it to one side.

Helgha continued speaking as her mother dealt with the herbs and mushrooms.

'This is Erik. I met him just as I started for home. He got lost. He was with a hunting party out from Jorvik and his horse threw him so he became separated from the rest. He was trying to find the road back to Jorvik when he saw me.'

Just then, the door opened to admit a tall man with light brown hair. He walked over to the fire and warmed his hands.

'It's getting cold in the evenings,' he said. Then he noticed Erik. 'Who's this?'

Erik stepped forward and introduced himself. He told the man how he became lost in the forest and had been rescued by Helgha.

'So, my daughter found another stray. This one's a bit bigger than most.' He laughed and put his arm round Helgha to give her a hug. 'She has a kind heart and is always finding something that needs looking after.' He turned to the girl. 'You'd better go and see to that little fawn you brought home, although he's not so little now. He'll need to go back to the forest soon.'

Erik looked at the man. He was big and had the look of a warrior about him. He had a full and bushy beard and twinkling blue eyes that he now turned towards Erik.

'Well, you can't leave for Jorvik now. It's going dark. It'll take you nearly a day to get there. Stable your horse with the other animals. Over there.' He pointed to the room that held some cattle and pigs.

Erik thanked the other man and brought his horse into the stable end of the house, through another door. Helgha's father noticed the animal's limp and followed.

'Let me have a look at your animal. She seems to have hurt her leg.'

He knelt down and ran his hand down the leg. The mare shifted uncomfortably as the man touched a sore spot.

'Well, I don't think there's anything to worry about, he said. 'It's a bit bruised that's all. Rabbit hole. was it?'

'Yes, I think so. I didn't really see properly. I was too busy getting up and looking where my companions had gone. Then I noticed she was limping, so I couldn't chase after my friends.'

Although it was not very near the fire, the stable end of the house was warm due to the presence of the animals. When he had made his horse comfortable, Erik returned to the main part of the house.

Helgha's father said, 'Well, I know your name. You don't know mine.' He laughed. A loud and cheery sound. 'I'm called Biorn. My wife is Aedelflaed. Helgha you know. Boys, come here,' he called to the three sitting in the shadows. 'This is Hartvigg. He's seen eleven summers. Then there's Laeff. He's seen nine summers. Little Sighmund five. Helgha has fourteen, or is it fifteen. I forget sometimes.'

Aedelflaed shook her head. 'I don't know,' she scolded with a smile at her husband. 'She'll be fifteen in three weeks time. You know that as well as I do.'

'Well she's fourteen now.' argued her husband, and turned to Erik. 'It's late. You must stay here tonight and tomorrow. Give your horse chance to recover. Then I'll show you the road to Jorvik. Your companions. Will they be anxious about you?'

Erik laughed. 'I expect so, and when they return to Jorvik without me my father will no doubt punish them before sending them out to find either me or my body.'

When Aedelflaed served the stew, they all sat round eating. Erik noticed a shield hanging on the wall opposite him.

'You were a warrior then?' he asked Biorn.' When did you come here?'

'I came with the Great Army. We conquered this area. The Anglo-Saxons were weak fighters. It wasn't too hard.'

'And you decided to stay?'

'Not straight away. I went back. Then I came again. I met Aedelflaed and stayed. The land is good here. Rich and fertile.'

'Many came to settle here. My own family did. My father also fought with the Great Army and was there when they took Jorvik. He still tells tales of that battle, and how the Anglo-Saxons tried to fight back, and we killed their leader.'

Helgha sat looking at Erik throughout this conversation. She was trying to memorise his features. She knew when he left in a couple of days she would not see him again. She thought he was the finest man she had ever seen. He was handsome and tall with the body of a warrior.

He turned to look at her and she blushed. Erik smiled and that made her face heat up even more. He knew she liked him. That idea embarrassed her but why it did she was unsure. She was only a young girl, but she was of marriageable age. There were many girls her age who were married.

Her parents would find her a suitable husband, and she would endeavour to be a good wife, but she wanted to remember Erik. She could dream of him at night and imagine his kisses, but only if she could remember exactly how he looked. That was why she had been watching him carefully, noting how he held his head and threw it back when he laughed. She noted the way he smiled at the little boys and how his voice changed when he spoke to them. He loved his horse, too. she noted how he patted it and spoke in a low voice so as not to startle it. Yes, she had enough stored to remember this man who had come so unexpectedly into her life, and just as quickly was going to leave it.

That night as she lay in her bed, she wept silently for what could not be.

The next day, Erik went to examine his horse's leg. It seemed less painful when he touched it, but it still made the animal toss his head and snort. He had hoped to be able to leave that day, but he did not want to harm his horse, and so he agreed with Biorn to stay one more night.

Helgha watched as Erik tended the animal. She stroked its soft nose and whispered to it as it shifted uncomfortably under Erik's ministrations. She loved the horse. Its warm smell and brown eyes looking so trustingly at her. Erik looked up and smiled.

'He likes you,' he told her.

'I like him, too,' she replied. 'I like all animals, but horses are special.'

Biorn came to speak to Erik. He looked at the horse's leg and said he did not think Erik should ride him for a few days.

'I need to get back to Jorvik, though,' Erik said, getting up from where he had been kneeling while he looked at his horse's leg.

Biorn thought for a moment.

'Well,' he said, scratching his beard, 'I could lend you one of mine for a few days until yours is better. I'll tend him well.'

Helgha could not help the smile that broke out on her face at this. Erik would need to return to get his horse. She would see him again.

Erik rode out later that morning on his borrowed horse and Helgha returned to her tasks dreaming of his return.

She spent time with Erik's horse. She groomed him and took him apples. He welcomed her with a gentle whicker whenever she came near him. She leaned against his side and spoke gently.

'You are so lucky,' she told the horse. 'He'll come back for you. You'll be living with him, seeing him every day. When he comes back it'll be the very last time I'll ever see him.'

The horse seemed to look at her with sympathy in his brown eyes. Or so Helgha thought as she returned reluctantly to her tasks.

When Erik returned for his horse, Helgha ran to take her father's animal and lead it back to the barn. Erik walked with her and smiled down at her.

'How is my horse?' he asked.

'He seems to be better,' she replied, not daring to look at him in case she blushed. She could not let him see her blushes because she would never see him again after today. He had brought her father's horse back and had only come to collect his own and then he would ride away forever.

Interview with author David Kummer.

Last week I published my review of David Kummer's book, Until We Burn. This week, I have the pleasure of introducing you to David.

David is a promising young author, who has already published quite a number of books. He is one to watch for the future.His books are generally in the fantasy or horror genres.

Welcome to Dragons Rule OK, David.



1. What is the first book you remember either reading or having read to you?

One of the first books I remember my dad reading to me is C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series. He would read two or three chapters a night, and we zoomed through all the books. I really enjoyed those, and still do, as well as the memories it brings.

2. Who is your favourite author?

My favorite author is Mark Edwards

3. What is your favourite book?

Probably "The Magpies" by Mark Edwards. It was surprising and I read it in two days.

5. Apart from writing, what is the thing you enjoy doing the most?

I play basketball quite a lot, and work. See below.

6. If you weren't a writer, what job would you do?

I want to be an English teacher once I get out of college, probably for middle school or high school.

7. If you have a "proper" job, what is it?

I do landscaping. And most of the time the heat index is well over 100 degrees, so that's fun.

8. Why do you write?

Honestly, I just enjoy it and it's something that's now a part of my everyday life. I'm so immersed in it, I don't think I could separate without losing a part of myself.

9. How old were you when you published your first book?

I was 15 years old, but 14 when I wrote it.

10. Do you write to music? If so, what music inspires you?

Occasionally, I will listen to soundtracks while writing. But when I'm not writing, I'm constantly listening to music. I prefer Alt-Rock, and my favorite bands are the Killers, Death Cab for Cutie, and lately Arcade Fire. Also, Twenty One Pilots, who I saw in concert back when they were still a tiny band with no fans.

11. A question I can't answer, myself. Where do you get your ideas from?

Most often, I get them from a setting I see. I've had one short story come from a dream. Usually, I'll be in a situation and think "What if this terrible thing happened?" so then it does in my story.

12. Do you have any pets?

My family has two dogs, but at one time we had four. Also, two cats.

13. Are you a dog or a cat person?

Dog

14. When you go out to eat, what type of food do you prefer?

I like Chinese, or buffalo wings.

15. Do you prefer the city or the country?

I prefer small towns, like Hanover, Indiana where I live. Somewhere in between the country and the city.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to get to know you better, David.

You can contact David on the following links.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014606114521
My blog- http://davidkummer.com/

Newsletter- http://eepurl.com/bPgy4n

Goodreads Account- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14106755.David_Duane_Kummer

Blurb:

Cyrus Street never forgot about his home. It was always in the back of his mind, with the memories, the nightmares. Alluring, always pulling him back. There were so many questions unanswered. Something he left behind.

When he finally returns, he's drawn back into a world even worse than he remembers. Werifesteria, with its dark secrets and murky past, never changed. It remains a cesspool, a danger. There's something about the town unnerving, yet enticing. It isn't normal. It isn't sane.

As soon as Cyrus steps back into it, the murders begin. He's the only one can catch this madman, if he can only control his mind.

Everybody remembers the fire. Everybody remembers him. But there's a darkness he's buried inside his own head. And unless he can remember, the entire town will burn.

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Until-We-Burn-Psychological-Thriller-ebook/dp/B07CXL1RSC

Release of Wolf Moon

At last the wait is over. You can now buy Book 3 of The Wolves of Vimar, Wolf Moon.


The group called Wolf have been enlisted into the Erian Army against their will, and they soon learn that an invasion is planned into their homeland of Grosmer.
As the heroes make their escape, they accidentally stumble upon an old Dwarven city, and become friends with them.
Facing enemies on all sides, the five must find where their loyalties lie, and save their homeland from certain destruction.

This part follows the 5 members of Wolf who were not arrested and taken to Frelli. Their adventures and discoveries are no less astounding than those taken prisoner. Strange people and impossible creatures cross their path, and they need to use their wit and imagination to get home.

You can buy your copy of Wolf Moon by clicking on the picture above, or on this link.



If you haven’t already purchased books 1 and 2, you can get them by clicking on the links below, on the book image here or on My Books page.

The Wolf Pack

The Never-Dying Man

If you have read any of The Wolves of Vimar series, please would you leave a review. Reviews are important to authors and readers alike, as they help readers find the kind of books they like, and authors to connect with their readers. Thank you.

Please leave a comment and I’ll get back to you.

An interview with Kado, a character from Renee Scattergood's Shadow Stalker books.

Renee Scattergood has agreed to interview Kado, the guardian of Auren, one of the main characters in her Shadow Stalker books.
Welcome, Renee and Kado, to my blog.


Hello Kado! I want to thank you for joining us all the way from the Dark Isle today. I know it’s just a leap through the shadow world for you, but we’re so glad to have you here.

Kado: I’m honored to be here. Although, I should add that we do not leap through the shadow world. We move through it or more to the point it moves around us. It’s called a shift.

That’s good to know. Leaping through the world of spirits is probably not the best idea. So, the first thing I’m sure everyone is wondering is, were you born on the Dark Isle?

Kado: I was.

What was it like?

Kado: Life on the Dark Isle is difficult. It’s a dangerous place to live with all the venomous plants. The villages are kept safe enough, but outside the villages it is quite treacherous if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Also, there’s life as a shadow stalker which is equally difficult.

How so?

Kado: Training starts pretty much when we are old enough to walk and talk. Learning to shift into the shadow world is scary when you’re young. It’s also risky when learning to deal with the demons that protect the borders of the shadow world. They recognize fear as aggression, so you can see how that might make things tricky at first.

Yes, very much so. Is it true that shadow stalker children live with a foster family who trains and raises them from the time they are born?
Kado: Yes.

Why is that?

Kado: Well, as I mentioned, the training is difficult and often dangerous. Parents form a bond with their children that makes them want to shelter and protect their children from danger. Over time, we learned it’s more effective and less stressful on the parents to let someone else take that responsibility.

That makes sense. So, you didn’t know your real family growing up?

Kado: Oh no. Shadow stalkers value family. We maintain close ties with our families while we are growing up. Most often children remain in the same village as their parents. In some cases, when they are raised in other villages, they visit with their parents several times a year.

So, are you still close with your family now?

Kado: The only surviving member of my family is my daughter, Shai. And yes, (smiles) we are quite close.

Oh, I’m sorry to hear about your family. How did you lose them?

Kado: Most of them died when the Galvadi invaded the Dark Isle over twenty years ago. My niece, Calista, and wife, Raven, were the only survivors. My wife died several years later, on a mission to rescue Auren’s father from the Galvadi. Cali died a couple years ago as a prisoner of the Galvadi.

So basically, the Galvadi killed your entire family. How awful.

Kado: (deep breath) Yes, it is, but things are turning around. At least I hope they are. If Auren is successful, the Galvadi will be no more.

That’s good to hear. Well, that’s all we have time for today. Again, thank you so much for joining us.

Kado: (nods) It was my pleasure.


I hope you've enjoyed that interview.
Renee's books can be bought from Amazon.  follow this link to buy the first part of the Shadow Stalker books.


https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Stalker-Part-Episodes-Bundles-ebook/dp/B00VI2ZCY8/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Feel free to add a comment. I love hearing from you all.