An Excerpt from Chapter 5 (Intrigue in the Court of Ravendune)

Brandin led Lady Jessica to a secluded

area of the castle which looked out over the gardens. It was quiet and peaceful.

She turned to him, her expression stoic. “Lord Brandin, what do you know of your real father?”

Brandin regarded her with a puzzled expression. “I know almost nothing of my true origins. The priests brought Eric and I to our father when we were but newborns.”

Jessica looked sympathetic, her hand touching his cheek.

“You poor dear, your mother abandoned you...” her voice was soft, sweet. Brandin felt an urge to kiss her but he remembered himself.

“M’lady, you said you know who my real father is, please tell me,” he said, waiting for an answer.

She nodded taking his hands in hers. “Your true father was the father of Duke Armand of

Wolfshire. Your mother was his...mistress. Thus you are Duke Armand’s half-brother,” she explained.

“Armand’s half-brother?” Brandin repeated, disbelieving. “Yes,” she answered. “It is true, when the two of you were born, your mother disappeared with you, knowing you would never be heirs to Wolfshire- since Armand was the

Firstborn. He was the only legitimate son,” she replied.

Brandin felt anger swelling inside him. “Are you saying Eric and I are the bastard sons of the old Duke of Wolfshire?”

Lady Jessica squeezed his hands. “Please forgive me, I meant not to insult you, but I felt you and your brother should know the truth,” she was near to crying.

“My father, Lord Magnus is fearful of Duke Armand. It is said he wishes to be King of Amarcain and will wage war with those who do not support his ambition, she explained further.

“There are those in Wolfshire who would like to see him dethroned, and would welcome the rule of one of the old Dukes’ other sons,” She fell into his arms, sobbing.

“Please do not be angry,” she pleaded. “I swear before all the Gods it is the truth.”

Brandin held her, not knowing what to say. “I’m sorry Lady Jessica, please do not cry. I’m not angry with you.”

He comforted her as best he knew how, wiping the tears from her face. She looked up at him, her eyes full of sorrow. Again he felt the urge to kiss her.

Who is this girl? He wondered, why am I so attracted to her? He looked into her deep blue

eyes; wondering if she was indeed telling him the truth.

“So you are saying that since Ravendune has a surplus of Heir Dukes, that Eric or I should assume the throne of Wolfshire- if Armand is deposed?” he asked summarizing what she had said thus far. Jessica smiled at his sarcasm.

“Yes, that is what many in Wolfshire wish for.”

Brandin sighed, “M'lady, you have given me much to think of. I shall discuss this with my brother. How long will you be in Ravendune?”

Jessica smiled, replying. “I shall be here a few days more.”

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Excerpt from Chapter 2

Chapter Two: Lord Kaimar

Lord Kaimar was a giant of a man, with a barrel chest and thick, powerful arms and legs. He had a long red beard and mustache, Flecked with gray and his skin was a deep tan color. He was the Baron of Pineshare and the best friend of Duke Ryan von Ravendune. Nearly twenty years before, they had gone off to fight in the Volduvian Campaigns, when that land had sought to invade Dragonshire; one of the easternmost of the Amarcainean Dukedoms.

Since then, Lord Kaimar had been the right hand of Duke Ryan, and trained all the young Squires who sought to join the Knights of the Holy Sword from his Keep in the forest of Pineshare.

He stood atop the battlements of his keep, surveying the Initiates who trained in the courtyard below, armed with sword and shield.

Kaimar wore armor of polished steel, over which he wore a tunic of black, bearing the insignia of Ravendune- a raven; wings spread over crossed swords. At his hip hung a broadsword of steel, which had a hilt of silver and pommel of steel. At his side stood the Duke of Ravendune, who watched the initiates very closely, particularly his twin sons Eric and Brandin.

“We should have some formidable Initiates for the test of Knighthood this year,” commented Duke Ryan.

“I believe so,” answered Kaimar, stroking his long Mustache. “But only a handful of them will succeed regardless,” he added.

It had been seventeen years since the Priests of Madrin had brought the twins to Duke Ryan. When Eric and Brandin were nine, they became Pages in the service of Lord Kaimar. When they turned fifteen, they became his Squires. They took quickly and eagerly to the training in hand to hand combat and weapons required of potential Knights and were Kaimar’s finest pupils.

Both Eric and Brandin were tall, Brandin being slightly taller and both had light brown hair and hazel eyes. They were both handsome and were the fancy of every young girl of noble birth, looking to become Duchess.

Altogether there were twenty Initiates, from throughout the Dukedom, hoping to succeed in the Tournament that would make them knights. They practiced for several hours a day. The rest of the day involved maintenance of Lord Kaimar's keep and work in the stables, washing and feeding his horses.

They all slept in a barracks within the Keep and ate together in the keep's main hall.

It was early spring, and the Initiates were sweaty from their exertions. The sun was beating down on their armored heads. Occasionally, Lord Kaimar would bark out an order to one, correcting their fighting technique.

“No! Not like that, you've overextended your sword arm. Stay within your arm’s width,” he began.  “Do not reach out like that or you’re an easy mark for a counter strike,” he added.

“You there, keep your shield up when you strike! Never let your guard down like that,” he told another. He turned back to Duke Ryan.

 “Your lads are very fast learners’ M’lord. They are easily the best of this bunch.”

The Duke nodded thoughtfully. Indeed, they had progressed faster than he thought they

would. The twins fought with the confidence and prowess of seasoned veterans.

If you liked this preview, check out "The Mark of the Holy Sword," available on amazon.com createspace.com & kindle.com

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