Celts and Faeries in Of Water and Dragons

Greetings to everyone here at the CTR Book Blog. This is my first time posting here so hopefully I won’t mess anything up.  When I saw the call for Celtic authors to participate in this event, I couldn’t pass it up—all of my books have Celtic themes.

Excerpt 1 from Of Water and Dragons, Celtic historical romance/fantasy, Rated PG

This is my first book from Awe-Struck.

Experience ancient Britain like never before…

Blurb: Of Water and Dragons weaves together the Roman history and Celtic lore of ancient Britain to create an unforgettable story of love and sacrifice.

Available in ebook formats (including Kindle) and trade paperback on http://www.awe-struck.net http://www.amazon.com http://www.fictionwise.com

I wanted to make this part dramatic with a storm raging outside to emphasize the dire consequences Nemu and the other druids face for their failure to do what needed to be done. One of my favorite writing tools is to use weather to convey different moods in my stories. Druids were a huge part of Celtic life. They counseled the kings and were the ones who usually made the important decisions. This is one reason why Rome condemned the druids. Kelley

Excerpt:

Nemu stepped forward, the large staff in her hand. Ignoring Cartagh, she addressed the warriors. “You.” She pointed to the one who appeared to be in charge. “Tell us exactly what happened when you set fire to the house. I want to know every detail.”

His eyes were like the dark depths of the lochs, holding many secrets. He stepped forward, appearing fearless. “When we set fire to the house, the woman broke free and ran back inside. She kept yelling in a language I didn’t understand. All I understood was a name that she kept saying over and over again…Mar…cus. She was laughing, screaming; her eyes crazy like a beansidhe. She ripped off her clothes and…”

“And what?”

“Her belly was swelled with child.”

A loud crack resounded outside.

“And you couldn’t rescue her from the flames?” Cartagh bellowed from behind Nemu.

“We tried. The woman, she fought us, biting and scratching…” He turned his head, revealing four long deep dark scratches on his neck.

“You are warriors and you let a pregnant woman escape!” Cartagh’s thunderous accusation drowned out the raging storm.

Nemu had enough of Cartagh and his outbursts. She struck the earthen floor with her staff. “Enough!” She turned to the warriors. “Leave us now.”

“The pattern is broken,” Cartagh muttered.

“We must prepare a sacrifice to restore it,” Roric added.

“How could this have happened? He must come of his own will and if he discovers who set fire to his house…” Nemu paused, deep in thought.

She knew all about broken patterns. It was the druids who kept the peace with the spirit world, making sure the pattern was not broken. Through sacrifices, both animal and human, and chanting in the sacred groves, they were able to keep the peace. The druids counseled the kings and kept the old ways alive. They had power. The Romans tried to destroy them because of the power they had over the kings.

“How will we fight the Romans without someone to lead us?” Mohdra spoke up. Usually quiet, the healer spent most of his time alone gathering herbs in the outlying areas.

“We don’t fight. If it becomes necessary, we will retreat to the hills and the underground caves.” Nemu had survived the Romans so far by doing just that. There were plenty of deep forests and caves in which to hide. It would only be temporary until their leader was in place.

“Hide? Like cowards?” Cartagh spoke, his lined face set in a scowl.

“Have you not learned anything from your past experience with the Romans? They will slaughter us! We must fight them in a different way now. We must move amongst the shadows, unseen, unheard, until the time comes… and then we will roar!” The last words she emphasized, raising her voice.

The wind rose, too, wailing like restless unborn souls trapped in the Otherworld. A strong gust blew down the smoke hole, snuffing out the fire and then all was quiet. This storm was almost over, but far off in the distance, another one brewed, waiting to unleash its fury.

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‘Ms. Heckart draws the reader into the pages and enchants them with her words.’

Karen McGill, Coffee Time Romance

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Kelley Heckart

‘Timeless tales of romance, conflict & magic’

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

My book page at Awe-Struck

http://www.king-cart.com/Awe-Struck/category=Kelley+Heckart/exact_match=exact