A forbidden love. An impossible quest. The accusation of witchcraft. Can love survive?
Last week I showed you the cover and blurb for my upcoming fantasy romance, Windmaster Legend. Today you are introduced to Lady Pelra as seen through another's eyes.
Excerpt:
A slight shift in the shadows behind the low stage on which a quartet from the Bard Guild performed caught Iol's attention. With quick steps, he slipped into the maze, heading towards whatever caused the earlier disturbance. He stopped behind the tall hedge that separated two of the maze paths. The movement repeated. This time the cause was clear. A woman in her mid-twenties sat alone on a cushioned bench. She held a small guitar case on her lap and balanced a slender metal tube of a flute atop the larger instrument.
Iol searched his memory for any recall of the woman. She hadn’t taken advantage of the special table set aside for the performers or taken food or drink from any of the servants. He was sure of it.
She’s probably an apprentice about to give her first solo journeyman performance, he thought. Memories of his own exam and the nervousness before it surfaced. Loathe to disturb the woman’s quiet solitude, he slipped back to the more boisterous courtyard where he sought out the head servant and questioned him about the woman in the arbor.
“No, she hasn’t eaten or taken a cup all night. I’m sure of it.” The other man glanced towards the stage. “I even took her a plate myself.”
“Thank you, Latrell. It’s not your fault. You did as you should. If she refused, it was her right.” Iol laid a hand on the older man’s shoulder. “You have outdone yourself this evening.” He glanced around to make sure no one was within hearing range. “Even old Second Seat of the House of Pirri was seen to crack a smile tonight.” Straightening, he resettled his tunic. “Keep an eye on things, Latrell. I’ll see what we can do with our mysterious bard.”
~ * ~
~till next time, Helen
Buy Links:
Paperback: Amazon / Amazon UK / Barnes&Noble
Ebook: Amazon / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Barnes&Noble / Smashwords / Books2Read
This mission to help the bard will have unexpected consequences, unless I'm mistaken.
ReplyDeleteI guess I forgot to sign up this week, but my hook is up, if you get the chance to check it out. https://eahoornaert.com/2019/02/12/mfrwhooks-7/
Am waiting for the release. Loved the other books in the series
ReplyDeleteMusic can soothe the savage beast, or so they say. Maybe this mysterious bard can soothe Iol.
ReplyDeleteThis builds the anticipation between Iol and Pelra really well.
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt, it makes me want to see how he approaches her, and how she reacts to having her quiet broken.
ReplyDeleteIntriguing.
ReplyDeleteLovely excerpt - interested to see what happens when he approaches her - loeley cover too!
ReplyDelete