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Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Bast's Warrior - The Heroine #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Paranormal #time travel #alternate Egypt

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts. Mine is found at wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com and features Bast's Warrior.

Blurb
Tira flees a threat to her life and encounters two elderly women who offer her the chance to be sent to an alternate ancient Egypt with no thought of return. She has had a fascination with Egypt and can even read hieroglyphics. Once there she will be given a task. Failure could mean death. Dare she take the chance and can she find the lost symbols of the rule before an enemy finds them?

Kashe, son of the nomarch of Mero is in rebellion. His father desires him to join the priesthood of Aken Re, a foreign god. He feels he belongs to Horu, god of warriors and justice. He decides to leave home, meets Tira and joins her in the search for the symbols of the rule. Will his aid bring good fortune and will their growing love keep them from making a fatal mistake?

Previously published as The Warrior of Bast

"This engaging voyage into an ancient Egypt that includes power-hungry priests and hazardous treasure hunts entertains from page one. Familial intrigue heightens the tension, as does a kidnapping or two. The cast of characters is dynamic and complements the well-conceived plot." ~ 4 Stars, Susan Mobley, Romantic Times Magazine

Excerpt:

Tira cast her dream self aside and donned the role of practical sister. She hurried to the exit and stepped from the past into a steamy August day. Heat shimmered from the sidewalk. The air hung heavy and filled with the odors of the city and the noises of traffic. She strode along the crowded area taking advantage of every opening.

Ten days to dream. Ten days to walk the halls of the museum. Ten days to study the artifacts that had become her lodestones. She breathed the aromas of real time, spices of cooking foods, metallic scents of passing traffic and the odors of people, some pleasant and some not.

Several blocks from the apartment building the crowds thinned. In an alley she glimpsed furtive movements in the dark shadows. She hurried past. On the corner across the street a group of gang members gathered. She sucked in a breath and held her head high. For all her twenty three years she’d avoided the gangs. As she strode past she heard the usual crude remarks about her body and her attitude.

Get a life, she wanted to scream.

When she saw the ambulance and two cop cars in front of the building where she lived she halted so abruptly she stumbled. A hand caught her arm. Tira saw the gray-streaked beard of one of the winos who slept in the doorways or the alley. “Get your hands off me.”

“Don’t go home,” he whispered. “Lose yourself in the crowd and keep your head down.”

Tira saw a keen intelligence in the man’s dark eyes. Who was he? He wasn’t as old as she had imagined either. “Why?”

“Your sister’s dead. Cops’ll be looking for you. They heard about the fight.”

Tira’s stomach clenched. She blinked away a rush of tears. Though hearing about her sister’s death wasn’t unexpected another dream shattered. There would be no rehab for Luci. “Junkies O.D. every day,” she said.

“She was murdered.”

A chill slithered down Tira’s spine. A rush of acid burned her throat. What? Why? Who? Keeping her eyes on the ground she inched away from him.

“Murder. Murder.” The murmured word spread through the crowd gathered on the sidewalk and stung like attacking wasps.

The EMTs wheeled a gurney from the building. When Tira saw the body bag strapped to the frame her nails bit into her palms. Despite the heat of the day she felt chilled. A wave of guilt made her knees buckle. She stuffed her fist against her mouth to keep from crying aloud.

What now, she wondered. The apartment was a crime scene. Until the cops finished their investigation she wouldn’t be allowed inside. An officer stepped from the building. “More along, folks. There’s nothing to see here.” He stepped from the stoop. “Anyone seen her sister? We have some questions for her.”

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Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Keltoi - The other three #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Romantasy #paranormal #Warrior, #Healer #Seer

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts/ Mine is found at https://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com and may or may not complete the series.

BLURB:

Two friends have been tested and are acclaimed as a Healer and a Seer. Now the friend who will be the Warrior faces her test. When she succeeds the three travel through a tunnel and down to the lakeside believing they will be sent to an Isle where three crystals stand, one red, one blue and one green. Instead they are told they are part of the Three and three and must find the others.

Three brothers separated as soon as one of them reaches the age of five. They were taken by their father, Prime Voice of Midra in Keltoi. They have all displeased him and have been punished. They escape from their different prisons and must find their way.

Each of the meetings between the two warriors, the two Healers and the Two Seers is an adventure that binds them together. As Three and Three, they must meet the enemy and win.

Excerpt:

Keon sat on a bench in the salle. He held the sword he had forged in the smithy across his knees. He waited for his turn to be tested and be named a swordsman. He held back a groan. Six times in the past six months, he had been tested and each time his blade had failed. The seventh trial would see his dreams fulfilled or not. If his sword snapped again, he would be forced to leave the Citadel. What would he do then?

Tension gripped his body. His neck stiffened and every muscle felt locked. He watched the first bout begin. When this one finished, there were eight before his. He glanced at the others waiting young men. He heard their mutters of encouragement and saw them silently applaud a good move. The others of his group had formed bonds to each other. Head none. The first reason he had been ignored was because Prime voice was his father. The others believed that relationship gave him advantages. How wrong they were. His father had never shown more than cold courtesy to his son.

Keon stared at the stone floor. His thoughts drifted to the days before his fifth birthday. Once he’d had two brothers. The first had been born just minutes after him. The second had been a year younger. They had shared a small house in the forest with an elderly couple as their guardians. They had never seen their mother. Their father’s visits had been inspections and lectures. Prime Voice had studied them with cold ide eyes. There’s had been green and in Prime Voice’s opinion improper.

As he relived those days of companionship sadness flooded his thoughts. There had been three until he and his twin had reached their fifth year. Prime Voice had taken them away leaving the youngest behind. For a brief time during the trip he and his twin had had each other. He’d been taken to the Citadel. He had no idea where his twin had gone.

Shudders shook his body so violently her nearly dropped the sword. The strong pain of that separation rocked him. He couldn’t recall his brothers’ faces. Their names had vanished in the depths of time. Did they still live? Were they facing their own tests?

A stir occurred among those seated in the stands. He turned his head in unison with the other candidates. Four remained beside himself. The bouts must have happened while he’d been lost in the past.

He behallowed lip when he saw the reason for the disturbance. Prime Voice had arrived. The tall, skeletal man dressed in a black silk robe stood at the railing of the center balcony. With a swirl of robe, he sat and grasped the railing. Keon’s stomach lurched. The steady gaze of the ice eyes brought anxiety rocketing.

Four more bouts ended with each of the candidates scoring a touch or a disarmament. Keon rose. Forcing memories of his six defeats aside, he strode to the center of the arena.

Keon’s hands shook and he gulped deep breaths of air. He raised his sword to salute the Swordmaster. Je clasped the hilt n recalled the day he’d forged the blade. The heat of the fire, the pounding of the hammer and the clank of metal on metal. With one finger, he traced the edge remembering the days of work. he’d used seven rasps to sharpen the edge.

With a sudden shock, images of the six failed swords rose. All had fractured during the tests. With each new one he had changed the blend of metals. He prayed this time he had made the proper mixture.

With his sword held high, he strode to the center of the salle floor. The Swordmaster waited. He thrust fear aside and clung to hope. He dare not glance at the balcony where Prime Voice sat. He infused confidence into his stride and thoughts. When he reached the center, he faced the older man/ Th e gesture was returned. The swords touched and a metallic click filled the air.

As the bout began, Keon felt a rush of confidence. He moved with smooth strokes to counter the Swordmaster’s attempts for a touch. His feeling he might win strengthened. Twich he can close to disarming the older man, Keon wanted to laugh. This time was his.

“Don’t think to win.” The voice e heard nearly caused him to stumble. Why had Prime Voice tried to distract him. Let me be. He sent that thought toward his father pouring anger to speed the words. With ease he regains his balance and attacked.

Keon met the Swordmaster’s blade and nearly send the man’s sword flying. The two blades clashed and slithered apart. Then disaster struck. The hilt separated from the blade. Metal clattered on the stone floor.

“No.” His cry filled the salle. His spirits sagged. Once more he had failed. With bowed head, he faced the Swordmaster.

“You cane close,” the older man said. “You know how to forge a blade. That is good. You fight with skill and grace but your chances have ended. I have no idea what Prime Voice will decide.”

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Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Seppal paranormal #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #paranormal #fantasy #romance #Healer #warrior #seer

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts. Mine is from Seppal a fantasy romance

Blurb:

In Seppal, the prophecy has been heard and the Three and Three are awaited.

Ranal’s dead mam once told him one day he would learn why he had been born. He has found two companions, boys like himself who have no home and become seaweed gatherers like he has been. His two friends are developing strange skill. He can see no change in himself but he desires a sword. Then they will be three, Seer, Healer and Warrior

Amera returns to the clan after spending the summer with the king windsteed stallion and six yearlings. What she finds is the slaughtered herd and also the clan. Only one person remains barely alive and tells her Bethera, her cousin and almost sister has been taken by the priestesses and their guards. Not knowing what to do, Amera follows the king stallion to a sheltered glen and a huge cave complex. When the stallion calls her, she follows him to the priestesses’ keep and manages to rescue her cousin and another young girl. During the next few years, her friends develop talents and are becoming the Seer and the Healer. Amera wants to become the warrior but she can’t imagine how she can gain a sword.

Now the Three and Three must join to bring justice, healing, order and change to Seppal.

EXCERPT:

Silence brought Ranal awake. Last night when he’d curled in his blankets for sleep, the wind and rain of the first autumn storm had begun. Slowly, he uncurled from his cocoon and walked to the opening leading to the hilltop above the hidden underground shelter. Before leaving his home, he grabbed three burlap sacks,

Alone. Eerie silence surrounded him. His mother had died during the last days of summer. Her body had been sealed behind a wall of rocks he had carefully fitted together. A small cell-like room had become her final resting place.

An ache of sadness caused his heart to flitter. For a moment, loneliness filled his thoughts. After drawing several deep breaths, he lifted the sacks. Mam had been his only companion for the thirteen years of his life. Not long enough but she had taught him how to survive.

He held the sacks over his shoulder and climbed the stone steps to the surface. The flight had been embedded in the sloping wall.

When he emerged, a slice of sunlight pierced the heavy cloud cover. A grove of trees thrust dark shapes that merged with the gloomy atmosphere. He walked to the narrow path leading to the shore. He hugged the wall of rocks promising safety. The other side was a steep drop to the ground. The earth beneath his feet slick from the rains made each step an adventure. When he reached the end, he released a held breath,

Ranal began collecting seaweed and hoped to finish before scavengers from town made their way to the shore. First he separated the strands of blue from the tangled clumps. When he filled a bag, he set his spoils at the foot of the path. Next he collected red strands. He finally filled a bag with green. Before dragging the filled bags up the path, he pressed each one to remove as much water as possible.

When he reached the top of the path he pushed several rocks to cover the opening. He dropped the sacks on the flat rock facing the entrance and hurried down to make himself presentable for his trip to the market. He washed in the fountain pool. Then he dressed in his best clothes. He realized he had grown. The breeches allowed his socks to show and the tunic sleeves bared his wrists.

A smile crossed his face as a memory unfolded. Mam had studied him from her sick bed. “The day will come when you’ll be tall and muscular. You’ll become a handsome man. Don’t grow up too soon.” But he’d had no choice.

He reached for the boots he’d worn days ago and found his toes were cramped. Ranal shrugged and went to the room where heaps of robes and lines of boots were stored. He had no desire to wear one of the black robes that were women’s wear. He left the room to comb his hair and braid the dark strands into a single plait.

Ranal strode up the steps to the plateau. Gray clouds roiled like the waves of the sea. After hoisting the sacks, he walked to the edge of the mesa. Before descending. He recalled Mam’s words. “Never take the same way down or up. Don’t make a path anyone can follow. Someday, you will learn why you were born. You must remain safe until that day comes.”

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Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Incal - Meet one Healer #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #fantasy #paranormal #healer #warrior #seer

Join The Authors at MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com

for some great excerpts. Mine is Meet a Healer from Incal

Blurb:

Return to the world where Midra and Midran rule. The god and goddess have two faces. Midra is Mistress of the Moon and also Mistress of the Dark Moon. Midran is Lord of lLght and Lord of shadows.

In Incal, the priests of Midran have formed three branches. The Voice of Midran in Incal rules over the mall. In the archived he has read of a tale predicting Three will come to return Midra to the rulership. He sends his acknowledged son to find the three and bring them to him.

Many years ago triplet girls were born in a remote mountain town. When they were five, their dying mother sent them to be fostered by three different women. Though they had wed to find each other, their developing talents caused them to forget until twenty ears later each one of them felt the need to find her sisters.

Would the Voice of Midran in Incal learn where they were?

Excerpt:

Risa left her narrow cell in the midwives’ training center. She wore the green divided skirt and tunic favored by those of her calling. In her hand her midwife’s pouch dangled. Today she faced her final testing in the still room. When she completed the trial she would have finished her training and could seek a village to serve. Where would she go? South. The word appeared in her thoughts. How odd. She had no idea why there. Her use of talents for healing not possessed by the other midwives and students kept her status unsettled. Skirting the edge of trouble had been her lot since the day her healing talents had gone beyond dispensing herbal teas and delivering babies. Midwives cared for women, girls and male children until they reached their fifth year. Several times she had treated boys who were older. Reprimands and threats had followed each incident. She closed her eyes. Once again she heard the Eldest’s angry voice. “It matters not if he had the same fever as his sisters. You should have told the family to call an Herbalist. We are forbidden to treat males.” She had only done with her talent had urged. How could she deny a cry for help? Recalling the pounding headache when she walked away from the urging to help brought tears to her eyes. Doing what she could for the ill brought relief. Drawing a deep breath she entered the stillroom. “I’m here.” The gray-haired woman shook her head. “Where else would you be? Are you ready to be tested? You passed yesterday’s tests with high grades.” “I’m ready.” Risa tried to still her racing heart. If she passed today’s test she would be a midwife. “Prepare the following. A birthing cup for a woman whose delivery is taking too long and has stalled. Next mix the herbs to stimulate the flow of a woman’s flow of milk. Also brew a tee to halt excessive bleeding. Finally mix the end of life elixir.” Risa gulped a breath. Of the first three she felt confident she knew the herbs she must blend for each preparation. She had only prepared the last one once. She’d protested giving the woman the elixir. If she’d been permitted to cut into the woman’s abdomen she could have removed the growth. The technique was already used to remove a child from a womb. She’d done that three times and succeeded. Why not do the cutting when a life could be saved? With care she prepared each of the blends. When she finished her hands shook. She looked at the floor. “They’re complete.” The older woman nodded. “Time for dispensing. Bring the teas to the infirmary.”

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Incal Meet one Warrior #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #fantasy #warriors #healers #seers

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts. Mine at eclecticwriter.blogspot.com is from Incal

Blurb

Excerpt:

Coya dreamed of days long past. Once again she saw herself as a child of five playing with her sisters. On the day of the summer solstice they had been born and had thrived. Three daughters in a single voice had been deemed a miracle. Her dreams slid to the day they had been sent away to different places. Their Mother ailed and grew weaker everyday. The dream fragmented. She was alone, taken from her sisters by a strange woman to a series of caves. They stood at the entrance of a dark hole in a granite cliff.

“This is your new home. Here you will learn how to fight. You will learn the sword and knife and ways to use your arms and legs against the enemy. Perhaps you will be the one to aid Midra, Mistress of the Moon to her proper place in Incal.”

Those words had ended her childhood. From that day she had learned not only physical skills but reading, writing and numbers. She had also been taught about honor and justice.

Her body moved toward wakening. She fought to return to the days when she’d been one of three. For so long memories of her sisters and lain dormant. Why did she remember them now? Was this a portent of the future?

“Coya, wake.”

The voice sounded unfamiliar. She shook her head. Why must she wake? Yearning for those forgotten days drew her like a cord to remain with happy times. Twenty years had passed since she had been with her sisters. Her eyes fluttered open. The snores and breath sounds of the sleepers in the room lulled her. They slept. She wanted to join them and return to her dream memories.

“Coya, Wake.”

The voice sounded loud and drove sleep away. She slid from beneath the covers. Her feet hit the cold stones of the cave floor. She gasped at the shock.

“Come,” the voice urged. “The time has come. The moon rises full.”

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Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Nilos Meet The Heroines #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #fantasy #warrior #seer #healer

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts Mine is found at eclecticwriter.blogspot.com Nilos - Meet the Heroines.

BLURB:

Return to the world where Midra and Midran rule. The god and goddess have two faces. Midra is Mistrees on the Moon and also Mistress of the Dark. Midran is Lord of light and Lord of shadows. Rons ago, the Three and Three rose, Seer, Warrior, Healer defeated the Lord of Shadows, though remnants of his worshipers remain. As generations pass in the four nomes of the land only a few remain to honor the Mistress. Once again the followers of Midran prevail, leaving trouble to roil beneath the surface. Prophecies abound and many point to change. Will the Three and Three come again?

EXCERPT:

The babe cried. The Eldest held her against her shoulder and left the room. She encountered several midwives. “The child’s problems have resolved. Shiera is her name.” Hope rocketed like a shooting star. With one of the Three in her care, she walked to the room where the child’s mother rested.

“I have your daughter,” the Eldest said. “She is Shiera.”

Mother one held out her arms. “I like the name.” She laughed. “The priest was so sure I would have a son. Now he will leave me alone.” She cradled the babe in her arms.

To hide her smile, the Eldest turned away. One down. All I must do is wait.

“A girl. The Eldest will be pleased. Last night I sent a bird warning her how close to delivery you were.”

Those words panicked Andia. Though she’d wished for a few days to recover from the birth, the Eldest could arrive even as early as tomorrow. As soon as she reached her sleeping chamber she placed her daughter in the cradle. She sat at the table and wrote a note.

Her name is Dianan. Protect her from the midwives.

Tonight when her housemate slept, she would leave. In a flask she mixed enough restorative for the trip. Overuse could bring death but hiding her child encouraged her to take the risk.

The older woman brought dinner on a tray. Andia ate every bite of the huge meal. She returned to the bed to feed Dianan and to rest.

Long after the sun set, she dressed and swaddled her daughter in the blanket she had knit. Carrying her daughter in a sling across her chest, Andia pocketed the restorative and left the house. She walked the hardened dirt of the road glad of the full moon to guide the way. Night sounds from the forest brought comfort. Finally she reached the forge.

Before the next course appeared, the ache in her lower back spread to her belly clamping the muscles in a tightening band. She sucked in a breath. Too soon.

The moment of pain subsided. She rose. “Enjoy the meal. I must rest. My ride was long and tiring.” She hurried to her tent. Besa followed.

In the tent, she stripped off the robe. Another pain began. No, no. She sank on the sleeping mat and pulled her leather pouch toward her. Was it too late to drink the tea that might stop the labor?

Besa knelt beside her. “What should I do?”

Cala tried to send her for hot water to make a tea but a sharp pain followed by a second brought a gasp. “This daughter refuses to wait. You must help me. You know what to do.”

“Remind me.”

“Basin. Hot water. Empty blue pouch in the water and wash your hands and clean the knife. Have one of the servants bring two mugs of hit water after my daughter arrives. Hurry.”

Besa departed. Cala found the oiled leather and covered her sleeping mat. The contractions continued. Soon Besa returned. She washed her hands and knelt between Cala’s bent knees.

The pain escalated. Cala screamed and bore down. Besa lifted the babe. A loud cry sounded.

“What?” Cala asked.

“A daughter.”

“Give her to me.” Cala gasped as another strong sensation gathered. As Besa placed the infant in Cala’s chest, she screamed.

“A second child,” Besa said.

“Two girls.” Triumph rang in her voice. She laughed. One for me and one for the Eldest.

“No. A girl and a boy.” The older woman chuckled. “You will be busy.”

As Besa handed her the boy babe, Cala pushed him away. "He’s not mine.” She had no desire or need to waste her milk and love on a boy. The tiny girl in her arms deserved all she could give. At the end of this lunar she would have to leave her child with the servants so she could greet the Eldest with the sad news.

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Thursday, February 9, 2023

Thursday at eclecticwriter.blogspot.com Writing Seppal - Book 5 of Moon Rising #MFRWAuthor #BWLAuthor #fantasy #seer #healer #warrior

When I began Seppal the fifth of six books in the Moon Rising Series, I decided to use just the viewpoints of two of the characters. Both are to become warriors. The others of the trios would be shown just through the eyes of the two characters. I enjoyed writing the book this way and found it worked for me. Not sure it worked for others but only time will tell. Some day the sixth book of this series Keltoi will be written but I do have two books to finish for my current publisher before that happens. Then I will have to make a decision about what I will do.

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Sunday, February 5, 2023

Seppal is featured at electicwriter.blogspot.com as Sunday's Book #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Fantasy #seer #healer #warrior

Now the Three and Three must join to bring justice, healing, order and change to Seppal.

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Thursday, February 2, 2023

Thursday Writing Incal #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #fantasy #seer #healer #warrior

When I began Incal, I thought first about the three young women who were to have a main rile in the story. With a dying mother, as young children, the triplets were separated and each one taking to a different place to grow up. Part of the story concerned them finding each other before they could begin their quet. Then I looked at the three young men. One was the son of the villain. Until I was further into the story, I learned they were half-brothers though only one was recognized by the father. The city of Quito was important in the story since that's where the fighting priests had their training place and where the Voice of Midran in Incal had his base. There may be my favorite characters in the four books ending the series.

The mountains of tis land were interesting to use and some of this was based on reading I had done about the Incas when researching another book. Having bits and pieces to use in other stories is alsays great for a writer.

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Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Meet the third trio from Moon Summoned #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #epic fantasy #romance #seer #warrior #healer

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks Here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some intriguing excerpts. Mine is found at eclecticwriter.blogspot.com and features the third trio from Moon Summoned

Blurb:

Three Moon Summoned women. Ashiera the Seer who controls the winds and sees into the thoughts of others. Dian the Warrior who controls fire and fights with the sword. Egeria the Healer who controls fluids and heals those who are injured. They are joined in their battle by Sieper a sailor who knows the winds, Kobe once sworn to the Lord of Shadows and Jetan a healer of animals. These three vow to help the three women against those sworn to Evil.

Lugal the Cabal reads the winds and thoughts. Sargon the Gladius controls fire and the armies of the Lord of Shadow. Lugal the Cabal has knowledge of herbs and uses them for evil. These three with their cohorts will face the three and three sworn to the Mistress of the Moons.

Editorial Review: Janet Lane Walters has written a story that will take you to another time and place. She gives vivid descriptions of her characters and their role in this story. Ms. Walters has constructed a civilization so real that you will feel its very existence. A place where men rule women as chattel for their sexual needs, and three evil rulers who drain their bodies of their very essence for spells and to gain power. There is betrayal and treachery inside of plots, as each priest plans to rule alone. Ashiera, Egeria, and Dian are bound to the spirits of the ones who came before them. They discover a truth that will astound them, and have them doubting their chosen path. They will experience a love that is forbidden and discover that two stand together better than one. I could feel the emotional struggle between love and destiny, described so passionately by the author. I hope Ms. Walters plans to continue this story. I could feel that this is just the beginning of this tale. Janet Walters book, Moon Bright, Moon Dark will go on my keeper shelf, beside such authors as Charlotte Boyett-Compo and Nancy Gideon. I give this story Five Hearts and recommend it highly. Enjoy!

Excerpt:

The harsh rasp of a strange man’s voice woke her. Where was she? Dried scallas and peppers hung from the rafters of the -- loft? She put her feet on the rough wood floor. Memories surfaced slowly. She was Egeria and this was her home. She turned her head and stared at the huge empty bed. Where was Malara? Egeria had no memories of ever sleeping alone in the loft. Always her sister had been with her.

“Where is she?” the stranger bellowed. “Malara ails.”

“Don’t shout. Egeria’s moon-touched and slow, but she obeys.”

The sound of her father’s voice drew her to the opening where a ladder led to the lower floor of the farmhouse. She stared at the stranger. Who was he?

“She should be here to tend the fire and fetch the eggs for my breakfast.”

Egeria frowned. Why did this man give orders? The farm was Malara’s legacy from their mother. She smoothed the skirt of the dress she’d slept in and pulled on the fleece-lined ankle boots. As she climbed the ladder, a wave of dizziness nearly made her fall.

She glanced around the large main room. Fireplaces stood at either end. Around one was a circle of chairs. Near the second, a more massive one, stood a long table flanked by benches and chairs at the ends. On the wall near a door, an open cupboard held dishes. Pans and kettles hung from hooks on the stone wall of the hearth.

“What kept you?” A muscular man with red hair grabbed her arm. “See to your chores.”

“Who are you?” Only garbled sounds emerged. Where were her sister and her brother?

“Idiot.” The man pushed her toward the hearth. “The fire. The eggs. Can’t you remember anything from one day to the next?”

Egeria raked ashes from the banked fire. She added kindling to the glowing coals. When the flames leaped high, she reached for several logs. This return to a routine stirred memories. She donned her cloak and lifted the egg basket.

Just before the evening meal, Egeria heard an equis neigh. Radan opened the door, shouted a greeting and ran into the yard. “Jetan, come to the house. Why did you take so long to reach the farm?”

Egeria watched the men. The newcomer’s green eyes shone with laughter. His light red hair hung in a braid to the middle of his back.

“Been busy. Stopped here and there to earn coins by tending beasts.” He pointed to the equis. “This beauty was a gift from the Thamaturg after I treated his favorite mare. I’ve coins aplenty.”

Radan laughed. “For poor boys we’ve prospered. Look at my farm and house. Makes Pa’s look like nothing to brag about. There’s an orchard and a woodlot across the road that’s mine, too. Trag, take his equis.”

They brushed past Egeria. Their faces showed they shared a heritage, but the younger man was taller and leaner. He moved with a lithe grace. His eyes held none of the anger that smoldered in his brother’s eyes.

“Set a second place,” Radan ordered. “Jetan comes to stay a bit. Tave, fetch the jug of fermenti and move your things into Trag’s room.”

Malara offered hot herb-scented cloths. The man washed and sat at the table.

“My thanks, lady,” Jetan said.

Radan punched his brother’s shoulder. “No thanks needed. She does what is right to honor a guest. Have you grown soft since I last saw you?”

Jetan shook his head. “Just using the manners Ma taught us.”

“The family? Have they recovered from the earth shakes?”

“Last I heard. Not been home for more than a year. Ma was ailing. Pa beat her bad when the last born was a girl. Couldn’t help her so I left. I won’t go back.”

Radan poured fermenti into two small cups. “Neither will I. We’re best gone. Nothing for us there.” He touched his cup to Jetan’s. “You can find a place here. Lots of families need a man with coins to pay their taxes.”

Egeria placed a platter of fried pullet and hearth-roasted taters on the table. Radan gestured to Malara. “She’s first woman of my court. Carries my quickened seed.” He pulled her onto his lap. “Next week I’ll go to Angara and fetch a second woman.”

Jetan pointed to Egeria. “And her?”

Radan snorted. “Moon-touched. Locals believe to bed her will bring ill luck. Don’t want to stir them so I leave her alone.”

Jetan lifted a piece of pullet from the plate. Moon-touched? He could swear he’d seen awareness in her blue eyes. His gaze followed her movements at the hearth and his body heated with thoughts of plowing her. If he could win her, there would be no thoughts of sharing with Radan. Where did she sleep? Though if she was proscribed, he’d have to be wary. “Maybe I should visit the pens. Been near three months without a woman.”

Gamish, the Thamaturg, sat on the high seat in what had been the banqueting room of the house he’d taken from a wealthy merchant. She’d protested the seizure. To solve the problem, he’d stopped her heart.

He’d made changes in the house for his was an austere nature. Gone were the paintings, sculptures and delicate furniture. The white marble floor had been metamorphosed into a livid blue that reminded him of the merchant’s face at the moment of her death. The changes pleased him as did the extensive glass-covered gardens where he grew the herbs and flowers he used in the censor.

He lifted a dirose from a vase and watched the oily liquid drip from where he’d removed a thorn. He took care that none of the oil touched his skin for the burns were slow to heal.

His thoughts weren’t completely on his guests. He had other concerns. The servants of the Lord of Shadows had won their first battle with the creatures of the Mistress, but a second confrontation would soon take place. The things his minions and fetches had revealed had convinced him that somehow the Three had escaped to complete the ritual of transfer. Somewhere in Keltoi there were women who could hold her power. Surely they were as yet as weak as suckling babes. If he could find them before they learned control, he could subvert them and thus bring defeat to his co-rulers.

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