Hooked on Imprisoned in Stone, Reunion #MFRWHooks

For the next several weeks, the posts will showcase magic of a darker kind. From Imprisoned in Stone,  this scene follows the post, BookQW Eager. To set the stage, Maerva, Colwynn, and Dylan are on the run from the Brethren. And now the reunion between Maerva and her brother Arcil.

Excerpt:

Despite a need to see her brother, Maerva curbed an instinct to gallop to the tavern and kept Rascal to a slow walk. The few tradesmen and sailors in the streets ignored the small caravan. Shortly, music and the off-key singing of drunken sailors announced their destination.

“Mar!”

The familiar voice from the shadowed doorway ripped through the last of her restraints. She swung a leg over Rascal’s neck, and slid to the ground—right into her brother’s arms. “Oh, Arcil.” Tears she had restrained since Gareth’s death moistened her cheeks.

The energy that had sustained her fled and she didn’t resist when Arcil guided her toward the inn’s private courtyard. “Now, Maerva, tell me. What is wrong?”

The energy that had sustained her fled and she didn’t resist when Arcil guided her toward the inn’s private courtyard. “Now, Maerva, tell me. What is wrong?” 

Several deep breaths restored her composure enough, she was able to speak. “The Brethren are after us. How soon can you be ready to sail?”

Arcil rubbed a hand over his short beard. The rasp sounded loud, even over the noise within the pub.

 “The crew is on liberty. I’m not sure I could even find them all. Will the dawn tide be soon enough? My men will be at their posts by then.” He squeezed Maerva’s hand. “Erbras is no friend to the brown-robes. You’ll be safe.” His face beamed with pride. “I have a new ship, Wayward Mist. Father wasn’t happy when I announced her home port would not be Iolair Creag, but he had no say. The council of the shipbuilder’s craft gave her to me.” Arcil’s voice rose in excitement. “Wait until you see her. The Mist is bigger and twice as fast as the Bound. It might be tight quarters with an extra three bodies, but you can sleep on the ship tonight.” He hesitated as if recovering a memory. “You said that will help shield you from the Brethren’s magic.”

His enthusiasm pushed away more of the darkness in her mind. Maerva’s breath gushed out in relief

~ * ~

Imprisoned in Stone
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