Kingdoms and Crowns by Dale Osborne & Cavin Wright

Author:Dale Osborne & Cavin Wright
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Conflict, War, Battle, Trauma, Empire, Suspense, Soldier, Mercenary, Money, Gold, Ships, Ambush, Armour, Spear, Chainmail, Knife, Deceit, Sword fighting, Death, Murder, Kingdom
ISBN: 9781785380747
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2014
Published: 2014-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

Book Two

Battle Lines

Chapter One

The winter, as had been predicted, was harsh. Even in the deep south around mid-winter, snow had fallen and lain deep enough for footprints to be seen. In the north, ice formed upon the sea and fishermen were forced to smash through it each day to gain the deeper water.

Many refugees displaced and made homeless by Eric’s invasion, died of the bitter cold that gripped the land - the old, the very young and the sick. Food became scarce and many more perished due to hunger. But it was a good winter for the wild beasts, as carrion became abundant. Sharp teeth gnawed at human flesh and bone, feasting upon the fallen.

Spring was late; winter reluctant to release its grip but slowly the land began to warm. The deep snow in the north began to melt and the ground became wet and soggy. Sturdy plants, their flowers bright, bloomed defiantly in the wake of winter’s retreat. Rivers and lakes became swollen with the extra water and the former, now free of ice, rushed with fresh vigour towards its distant destinations.

For some the coming of spring could not come soon enough. Ellie, as Ewelan was now known, had endured the mundane, and frankly hideously boring life of a woman trapped in a backwater town. She had suffered her hair being hacked off; worn clothes that were not much better than rags and helped tend a flock of stinking sheep. She had given up such pretentious luxuries as regular ablutions as the only water source was outside. She now stank almost as bad as the sheep. The only consolation was that the shepherd Connor actually smelt worse than she did and therefore off-times took her mind off her own stench. It had not been perhaps the happiest time in her life, and the thought of escaping to civilisation seemed like some glittering pile of gold and gems almost, yet not quite within her reach.

She had spent some of her time planning the demise of Renald Start. It seemed to her that the task should not be that hard. The man obviously did not view Connor as a threat. He mistakenly, as many people tended to, thought that any retribution from that quarter would be too obvious and the shepherd would not dare to move against him. It crossed her mind that complacency was a tool that aided murderers most efficiently. What could be easier than to kill a fool who believed he was in no danger?

Connor entered the hut and pushed the door quickly shut. Winter may be retreating, but it was still cold out there. “Most of the snow has gone from the hills,” he announced. “Another month and we can move back to the summer pastures.”

Ellie gave him a sour look. “In another month, I intend to be on my way south. Have you so readily forgotten the deal we struck? If you think I wish to spend a second more than I need to here, then think again.

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