The Great Road
When Queen Adhira’s city is attacked and she’s captured by the winged sorcerer, Surtur Takkar, she calls to her twin brother for aid. As Arnon sets out on the Great Road to reach his sister, he is accompanied by a Seer prince, a stable boy with more bravery than brawn, and a reluctant hero who is the only one who can defeat the sorcerer. From warrior women to obnoxious tree-dwellers, they meet all sorts of friends and foes on their journey. Anything can happen on the open road, and loyalty and friendship are put to the test as they leave their homes behind to save the ones they love.Print: Available at Amazon, Books-A-Million, and Barnes & Noble Universal Buy Link
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Excerpt from The Great Road
Adhira released a pent-up sigh. She was about to step away from the window when something drew her attention. Down below, the torches were being snuffed out one by one. There were no figures running around and no stiff wind, but the lights were extinguished in rapid succession. It was as if a dark wave were rolling toward them.What the hell is going on?”
“What could—” She was cut off by the clamor of the warning bell from the northern watchtower. The high metal peals echoed against the stone walls of the city, and she knew what the sound meant. “We’re under attack.”
Oderrick was the first to move. “Our guards will have already locked and fortified the gate. The rest of our soldiers will have heard the bell.”
Which meant the men would be arming themselves and racing to the city’s defense. But who was attacking?
Adhira hurried with her husband down the stairs. They weren’t even halfway down when she heard the violent clang of the second bell. Now both towers had seen the threat. Nearly flying as she and Oderrick descended to the lower hall, she almost collided with one of the guards sprinting in the opposite direction. The fellow jerked to a stop, and Oderrick grasped the man by the arm to save him from a tumble.
“Who’s attacking us?” Adhira demanded.
“How many?” Oderrick asked at the same time.
The man had gone pale—something she had never thought to see in such a seasoned warrior. She knew whatever he had to report was going to be bad.
He opened his mouth to respond but was drowned out by the bellow of a battle horn. The low, dreadful howl sounded as if it might shake the very walls of the city. This was clearly no disorganized rabble attacking them.
Oderrick spoke as soon as the noise faded. “Bring me my sword and armor. I’ll join the defenses on the walls and see who dares assault us. No one is taking this city without a fight.”
The guard bowed before rushing to obey.
Her husband turned to her the moment the man disappeared. “Go back upstairs. Your personal guard will protect the palace, and I’ll send someone back with a message as soon as I see what we’re facing.”
EAdhira fought to keep her voice steady. “Be careful.”
He gave her a quick kiss and then turned his attention to donning his armor when the guard returned. Moments later, both men were gone, leaving her to worry.
Adhira returned to the high window where she had stood earlier, hoping to glimpse the threat. The entire city had fallen into darkness and now looked like a gaping abyss below her. She heard shouts and running, and then a scream reached her ears just as the clatter of weapons announced the fight had begun.
She didn’t know how long she stood there before the singing of sword blades and yells of the men grew louder. Not just louder but closer. Had the enemy somehow breached the gate? Or had some of the recent travelers they’d let in really been enemy scouts? She trembled from a combination of fear and raw fury over this assault.
Adhira felt helpless as she waited for Oderrick to send word. If only she could read his mind, then at least she would have known he was okay. When she heard the shouts of her personal guards, however, she knew it wasn’t a messenger who reached the palace first.
“Get away from the window!” her mother cried as she raced into the room.
Her mother caught her hand and started pulling her toward the door. “Something evil is coming. We have to hide.”