Above the fortress, her father’s crest fluttered in the breeze. A message left behind for her uncle. Soft footsteps on the deck made her turn. It was Dobery.
‘It was a good victory, Zastra. Worthy of a Warrior of Golmeira. Your father would have been proud.’
Zastra thought of Gonjik and Jerenik and all the others they had lost.
‘We paid a heavy price. They never mention that in the Tales of the Warriors.’
‘They don’t. But we saved more lives than we took, children among them. We have put a stop to something evil and wrong. More importantly, all of Golmeira will know that you are alive and that Thorlberd is not invincible. Hope is alive again.’
Kylen emerged from the hold.
‘How’s Zax?’ asked Zastra.
‘Sleeping at last. Master Dobery, do you think his mind will ever recover?’
Dobery shrugged. ‘I wish I could reassure you, my dear. Rest and love may provide a cure. We must wait and hope.’
‘What about the other prisoners?’
‘Much the same. The children they were training to become mindweavers will need particular attention. We must be patient.’
‘You’ve forgotten you are talking to a Sendoran,’ Zastra said with a laugh.
Kylen turned to her.
‘Zastra, you have shown that you are a friend of Sendor. You risked your life for Zax and my people. I owe you more than words can express.’
‘My uncle is too powerful for any of us to take on alone. But together we have a chance. We have seen over the past few days that Sendorans and Golmeirans, even Kyrgs, can work together.’
‘What are you suggesting?’
‘An alliance. To free all our people from Thorlberd’s tyranny.’
Kylen gave out a half snort.
‘A Sendoran and a Golmeiran alliance? Some would say that’s impossible.’
‘What do you say?’
Kylen reached out and clasped Zastra’s hands in hers. Her grip was firm and warm.
‘I say we should get started.’
‘I think we already have,’ replied Zastra. They watched the horizon until the outline of Murthen Island disappeared into the haze, the flag of her father still fluttering in the breeze.
Coming Soon
Return to Golmeira
BOOK THREE: TALES OF GOLMEIRA
Zastra and her allies have struck a telling blow against her uncle, the usurper Thorlberd, but she will not be satisfied until she has brought her brother and sister safety back to the rebel hideout of Uden’s Teeth. The search for her younger siblings means a return to the heart of Golmeira, where Thorlberd’s power is strongest, and an unexpected reunion with an old adversary.
Acknowledgements
Grateful thanks to Wendy Tomlinson and Sharon Gubby for critical review of the manuscript. Cover by Andy Boothman. Copy edited by Claire Rushbrook.
Also by Marianne Ratcliffe
Realm of Mindweavers
BOOK ONE: TALES OF GOLMEIRA
Teenage Zastra is a big disappointment to her father, Leodra, ruler of Golmeira, because she hasn’t got what it takes to become a mindweaver, one of the highly valued few who can manipulate the thoughts of others. Things get much worse for Zastra when she is roused from her bed to find that Leodra has been betrayed and her beloved Golmer Castle overrun with enemy soldiers. She escapes via the castle’s ancient underground tunnels, only to be faced with a terrible choice. Hunted across the turbulent landscape of Golmeira, Zastra must rely on her wits and the help of strangers as she tries to outrun the powerful forces set upon her trail.
‘Realm of Mindweavers is a great read, exciting, well-crafted and full of powerful well-realised characters.’ Brian Keaney, author.
Murthen Island: Book Two: Tales of Golmeira Page 25