A Gathering of Mourners

(Swords with Souls)

Fantasy Fiction

By Dan Watt

(Author of BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

– Adult content –

A Gathering of Mourners

The sun is just going down as Sir Oliver rides on Alberta towards the Ostrowski household with his uncle. He sees others riding down the same laneway. Like his uncle and himself, they all either have thick woolen capes with hoods on, or blankets rolled and tied behind their saddles. The glassblower, Ippakness, whose mother, Tallulah, claims she saved him from his father’s people, the giants who first brought Ippakness’s people over the ocean as slaves and food. She said she escaped with baby Ippakness over the Westerly Mountains. This was the story Tallulah told everyone when they first arrived and no one believed her.

After seeing the giant with the double set of teeth in the cave at the hidden farm, he is more inclined to believe her now. Ippakness is getting on in age. Yet his tied back hair is a mix of black and shimmering red. His face, with its high cheekbones, is still as flawless as ever. The visor of his hunting hat is pulled low to keep the sun from his sensitive blue eyes with their specks of brown.

Just behind Ippakness is Madame Swan riding her Cleveland Bay mare, Fylste.  Beside her is a female figure on a thoroughbred, wearing a blue cloak with the cowl covering her head.  Tassels of red hair flicker in the wind. The female has a bow over her left shoulder and a short sword dangling from a cotton belt. He snorts. It would seem his forced upon sister is here.

Behind Madame Swan is Sir Afamefuna and his lovely wife Lady Marigold, a fitting name for the golden hew the sun gives her normally straw coloured hair. They are both dressed in finery. Sir Afamefuna rides upon the notorious Akhal-Teke stallion, Egharevba. Egharevba’s short hairs shine golden in the sun. Meanwhile, Lady Marigold is chattering at her husband as she rides on her pony, Elva.

Coming up last is the carnival, led by Haashir sitting at the front of a covered wagon beside a hooded figure. Up ahead is his giant bodyguard, Jedreck, riding a horse of immense size next to the six pulling horses.

Upon seeing Jedreck, he remembers that he needs to get close enough to the giant to look in his mouth.

“Excuse me,” he says to his uncle and presses his heels lightly against Alberta’s barrel.

This will be my last post until after the New Year

I highly recommend you check out Darren Joy’s Plagueborn series you can see more by clicking his name above or going to Darrenjoy.com

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Be Safe, Positive, and remember to Enjoy Life!