Oath of the Brotherhood Read online

  “Oath of the Brotherhood is a beautifully crafted allegory about finding one’s gifts and purpose. Carla Laureano has contributed a simply enchanting page-turner to the fantasy genre. I was delighted to discover it and disappointed it ended so soon. Song of Seare is a promising new fantasy series with a vast storyworld that hints at more wonder to come. I loved this book!”

  JILL WILLIAMSON

  Christy Award–winning author of By Darkness Hid and Captives

  “Carla Laureano’s Oath of the Brotherhood is a wonderfully entertaining tale of magic and heroism, betrayal and triumph. With its Gaelic flavor and engaging characters, it will have you turning pages long after the real world tries to call you away. I particularly enjoyed the author’s deft handling of the main character’s romance. Nicely done!”

  PATRICK W. CARR

  Author of The Staff and the Sword

  “Carla Laureano dips her quill in the fantasy genre with the deft skill of a master! Oath of the Brotherhood captivates and defies the norm, wrenching readers from the boredom of overdone plots. You’ll laugh, you’ll cheer, you’ll wish you could ward against the real world so you can read that next paragraph! With rich characters, killer plot twists, and an incredible storyworld, Oath of the Brotherhood will live in the hearts of its readers long after the last page is turned!”

  RONIE KENDIG

  Best-selling, award-winning author

  “Rich with Celtic lore, battle, and competing magics, Oath of the Brotherhood is a heroic coming-of-age fantasy experience and an inspiring series opener.”

  SERENA CHASE

  Author of Eyes of E’veria

  “Carla Laureano has crafted a richly detailed dark-ages epic that will captivate fantasy lovers.”

  R. J. LARSON

  Author of Books of the Infinite

  “The Laureano world seems genuine and the lead couple a brave wonderful duo… readers will appreciate Conor as a scholar warrior defending his faith and people, and Aine leading her nation in an insurgency against the evil who took over the kingdom.”

  MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

  “Laureano pulls readers into this story and does not let them go. From the first page to the last readers are gripped by the multifaceted story.”

  RT BOOK REVIEWS

  BOOKS BY CARLA LAUREANO

  MacDonald Family Trilogy

  Five Days in Skye

  London Tides

  Under Scottish Stars

  Supper Club Series

  The Saturday Night Supper Club

  Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe

  The Solid Grounds Coffee Company

  Discovered by Love Series

  Jilted (novella)

  Starstruck (novella)

  The Song of Seare Trilogy

  Oath of Brotherhood

  Beneath the Forsaken City

  The Sword and the Song

  Oath of the Brotherhood

  Copyright © 2014, 2021 by Carla Laureano

  Published by Enclave Publishing, an imprint of Third Day Books, LLC

  Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

  www.enclavepublishing.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, digitally stored, or transmitted in any form without written permission from Third Day Books, LLC.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

  ISBN: 978-1-62184-141-8 (hardback)

  ISBN: 978-1-62184-143-2 (printed softcover)

  ISBN: 978-1-62184-142-5 (ebook)

  Cover design by Kirk DouPonce, www.DogEaredDesign.com

  Typesetting by Jamie Foley, www.JamieFoley.com

  Printed in the United States of America.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Cover

  Praise for Oath of the Brotherhood

  Half-Title

  Books by Carla Laureano

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Map

  Glossary

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Behind the Story: The Fíréin Brotherhood

  Q&A with author Carla Laureano

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  For Nathan and Preston,

  May you find the path God has for you and follow it fearlessly.

  You are capable of greater things than you can imagine.

  GLOSSARY

  Abban Ó Sedna (OB-bawn oh SEN-yah)—commander of southern Faolanaigh forces

  Ailbhe (AL-va)—Conor’s céad mate

  Ailís (AY-leesh)—Aine’s mother, former queen of Faolán, now deceased

  Aine Nic Tamhais (ON-yuh nik TAV-ish)—King Calhoun’s half sister

  Alsandair Mac Tamhais (AL-san-dahr mok TAV-ish)—Aine’s father, Aronan clan chief, now deceased

  Amanta (ah-MAN-ta)—the island upon which Aron and Gwydden are located

  Aran (AHR-an)—mapper for the Faolanaigh forces

  Ard Dhaimhin (ard DAV-in)—High City, former seat of the High King

  Arkiel (ar-KEEL)—Companion who instigated the rebellion against Comdiu

  Aron/Aronan (ah-RUN)—the country of Aine’s birth on the isle of Amanta/its language & people

  Balian (BAH-lee-an)—the faith of those who follow Balus; a follower of Balus

  Balurnan (bal-UR-nan)—Lord Labhrás’s estate

  Balus (BAH-lus)—Son of Comdiu, savior of mankind

  Beagan (BOG-awn)—Fíréin tracker

  Beancaiseal (ban-CASH-el)—capital of Siomar

  bean-sidhe (BAN-shee)—a spirit whose appearance is thought to foreshadow death

  Bearrach (BEAR-uhk)—healer at Lisdara; Aine’s instructor

  Bodb (bawv)—king of Sliebhan

  Cáisc (kahshk)—feast in celebration of Balus’s resurrection

  Calhoun Mac Cuillinn (cal-HOON mok CUL-in)—king of Faolán

  Canon—the Balian Holy Scriptures

  Carraigmór (CAIR-ig-mor)—fortress of the High King and the Fíréin brotherhood

  céad (ked)—a company of men; literally, one hundred

  Ceannaire (KAN-na-ahr)—leader of the Fíréin brotherhood

  Ciaran (KEER-an)—Fíréin sentry

  Cill Rhí (kill ree)—Balian monastery

&nbs
p; Cira/Ciraean (SEER-ah) (seer-AY-ahn)—largest empire in history, now reduced to a small portion of the continent

  clochan (CLO-han)—dry-stone, beehive-shaped hut

  Comdiu (COM-dyoo)—God

  Companions—the spirit warriors of Comdiu; angels

  Conclave—the ruling body of the Fíréin brotherhood

  Conor Mac Nir (CON-ner mok NEER)—son of King Galbraith

  Cúan (KOO-ahn)—mapper for the Faolanaigh forces

  Daigh (dy)—senior member of the Fíréin brotherhood

  Daimhin (DAV-in)—first and only High King of Seare

  Diarmuid (DEER-muhd)—druid; adviser to King Galbraith

  Dolan (DOH-len)—Conor’s manservant

  Donnan (DON-uhn)—Niamh’s bodyguard

  Dún Eavan (doon EE-van)—crannog fortress; original seat of the king of Faolán

  Eames (eems)—village near Faolanaigh camp

  Eimer (EYE-mer)—housekeeper at Dún Eavan

  Eoghan (OH-in)—Fíréin apprentice; Conor’s best friend

  Faolán/Faolanaigh (FEY-lahn) (FEY-lahn-eye)—northeastern kingdom in Seare, ruled by Clan Cuillinn / its language and people

  Fergus Mac Nir (FAYR-gus mok NEER)—tanist to King Galbraith; Conor’s uncle

  Fionncill (fee-AHN-kill)—village outside of Lisdara

  Fíréin (FEER-een) brotherhood—ancient brotherhood dedicated to the reinstatement of the High King

  Forrais (FOR-rus)—Aronan town of Aine’s birth, Highland seat of Clan Tamhais

  Gainor Mac Cuillinn (GAY-nor mok CUL-in)—tanist to King Calhoun; Calhoun’s brother

  Galbraith Mac Nir (GOL-breth mok NEER)—king of Tigh; Conor’s father

  Gillian (JILL-yuhn)—elderly Fíréin brother

  Glenmallaig (glen-MAL-ag)—seat of the king of Tigh; Conor’s birthplace

  Gwydden (GWIH-duhn)—a country across the Amantine Sea

  Hesperides (hes-PAIR-uh-dees)—country within the Ciraean empire

  Innis (IN-ish)—Fíréin sentry

  Iuchbar (OOK-bar)—Balian brother and tutor at Lisdara

  Kebaran (keh-BAHR-ahn)—the ethnic group into which Balus was born

  Keondric Mac Eirhinin (KEN-drick mok-AYR-nin)—lord of Rathmor; battle captain

  Labhrás Ó Maonagh (LAV-raws oh-MOY-nah)—lord of Balurnan; Conor’s foster father

  Leannan (LON-nan)—steward of Lisdara

  Levant/Levantine (lev-AHNT)(lev-ahn-TEEN)—the country and language of the Kebarans

  Liam Mac Cuillinn (LEE-um mok CUL-in)—Ceannaire, leader of the Fíréin brotherhood

  Lisdara (lis-DAR-ah)—seat of the king of Faolán

  Loch Ceo (lok kyo)—lake within Ard Dhaimhin

  Loch Eirich (lok AYE-rick)—lake in which Dún Eavan is located

  Loch Laraigh (lok LAR-uh)—lake in northern Faolán; site of a Balian monastery

  Lorcan (LUR-cawn)—leader of Aine’s guard

  Lughaire (LOO-ree)—Fíréin sword master

  Macha (MAH-huh)—Aine’s aunt, chief of Clan Tamhais, lady of Forrais

  Máiréad (MAH-red)—Conor’s mother, queen of Tigh, now deceased

  Marcan (MAR-kawn)—steward at Glenmallaig

  Meallachán (MOL-luck-on)—bard

  Melandra/Melandran (mell-AHN-drah) (mell-AHN-drahn)—country within the Ciraean Empire/its language & people

  Myles (MEE-als)—Faolanaigh warrior

  Nemeton—sacred place of the Seareann druids

  Niamh Nic Cuillinn (NEE-uv nik CUL-in)—King Calhoun’s sister

  Norin (NOR-in)—the common name of the Northern Isles; origin of the Sofarende

  Odran (OH-rawn)—Fíréin tracker

  Oonagh (OO-nah)—Aine’s and Niamh’s maidservant

  Rathmór (RATH-mohr)—seat of Clan Eirhinin, a minor royal line of Faolán

  Reamonn (RAH-mun)—elder Fíréin brother, overseer of fieldwork

  Riocárd (rih-CARD)—lord of Tirnall, Galbraith’s champion, captain of the guard

  Riordan Mac Nir (REER-uh-dawn mok NEER)—Conor’s uncle, senior member of the Fíréin brotherhood

  Rós Dorcha (ross DEER-ka)—old forest bordering Siomar

  Róscomain (ros-COM-muhn)—old forest bordering Tigh and Sliebhan

  Ruarc (ROO-ark)—Aine’s bodyguard

  Seaghan (shayn)—commander of southern Siomaigh forces

  Seanrós (SHAWN-ross)—old forest bordering Faolán

  Seare/Seareann (SHAR-uh)(SHAR-uhn)—island housing the four kingdoms/its language & people

  Semias (SHAY-mus)—king of Siomar

  sidhe (shee)—the evil spirits of the underworld; demons

  Siomar/Siomaigh (SHO-mar) (SHO-my)—southeastern kingdom in Seare/its language & people

  Slaine (SLAHN-yuh)—leader of Conor’s céad

  Sliebhan/Sliebhanaigh (SLEEV-ahn) (SLEEV-ahn-eye)—southwestern kingdom in Seare/its language & people

  Sofarende (soeh-FUR-end-uh)—seafarers from the Northern Isles (Norin)

  Sualtam (SOO-alt-um)—Faolanaigh warrior

  tanist—chosen successor of a Seareann king, elected by the kingdom’s council of lords

  Tarlach (TAR-lock)—steward at Dún Eavan

  Teallach (TOL-lock)—Fíréin spear instructor

  Tigh/Timhaigh (ty) (TIH-vy)—northwestern kingdom in Seare, ruled by Clan Nir/its language & people

  Tor (tor)—Conor’s céad mate

  Treasach (TRAS-ahk)—Balian brother and tutor at Lisdara

  Uilliam (WIL-yam)—Faolanaigh warrior

  CHAPTER ONE

  The mist hung from the branches of the ancient trees like threads from a tattered banner, though the last vestiges of sunlight still glimmered on the horizon. Conor Mac Nir shivered atop his horse and tugged his cloak securely around him, then regretted the show of nerves. He had already seen the disdain in the eyes of the king’s men sent to escort him. There was no need to give them reason to doubt his courage as well.

  A weathered, scarred man on a dun stallion made his way from the back of the column and fell in beside him: Labhrás Ó Maonagh, Conor’s foster father.

  “It’s too quiet,” Labhrás said, his gaze flicking to the dark recesses of the forest. “The animals have gone to ground—they sense the unnatural. Keep your eyes open.”

  The twenty warriors quickened their pace, battle-hardened hands straying to their weapons for reassurance. Conor gripped his reins tighter. Now he understood the comfort a sword brought. Not that it would be of any use to him. He would be no help against dangers of the human kind, let alone whatever lurked in the mist.

  He felt no relief when the road broke away from the trees, revealing the first glimpse of Glenmallaig’s earthen ramparts and the stone dome of the keep within. The mist had already found a foothold, wreathing the top of the walls and giving the impression they stretched unendingly skyward. The moat’s stale waters lapped at the base of the walls. Glenmallaig made no pretensions about being anything but a fortress, solid and impregnable.

  “Steady now,” Labhrás murmured.

  Conor drew a deep breath. Few knew how much he dreaded this homecoming, but Labhrás was one. Other men might have taken the honor and considerable financial rewards of fostering King Galbraith’s son without a thought to the responsibility it entailed, but Lord Labhrás had raised him as he would have brought up his own child. By contrast, the king had not shown a shred of interest in Conor for his entire seventeen years.

  He swallowed hard and tried to disappear into the folds of his cloak as the drawbridge descended toward the bank. The leader of their escort gave a terse signal, and the procession lurched forward amidst a thunder of hooves on timber. Conor shuddered as he passed into Glenmallaig’s courtyard, a wash of cold blanketing his skin—too cold, considering the fast-approaching spring. The carts carrying Labhrás’s tribute to the king clattered across behind them, and the bridge once again crept upward.

  Inside the courtyard, wood smoke and burning pitch drifted on the air, stinging his nose. It should
have been a welcoming vignette, but the orange firelight only cast the mist-filled courtyard in a sickly yellow glow. Conor cast a glance over his shoulder just as the drawbridge thudded shut, sealing off the life he’d left behind him.

  Foolish thoughts. Conor shook them off as he dismounted and winced at the twinge in his muscles as they adjusted to solid ground. A hand on his elbow steadied him, the iron grip incongruous with its owner’s graying hair and finely lined face.

  “Home at last,” Dolan said under his breath, a tinge of irony in his voice. More than merely a devoted retainer, the manservant had become a friend and confidant over the nine years of Conor’s fosterage at Balurnan. Dolan knew better than anyone the fears Conor’s return stirred within him.

  A pale, skeletal man descended the steps of the double-door entry, headed for the captain. After a moment of quiet conversation, he strode in their direction with a cautious smile. Conor squinted, then drew a sharp breath. The last time he had seen Marcan, the steward of Glenmallaig had been in the bloom of good health, commanding the household with a mere word. Now his clothing hung from a gaunt frame, and shadows marked the pale skin beneath his eyes. Surely the mere passage of time couldn’t have effected such a transformation.

  “Welcome, my lord Conor,” Marcan said with a bow, his voice as calm and capable as ever. “Your old chamber has been prepared for you. Come.”

  Dolan gave him a nudge, and, reluctantly, Conor followed Marcan up the front steps into the great hall. Torches threw flickering light on the cavernous room, from its rush-covered floor to the curve of the ceiling, though they could not quite dispel the shadows at its apex. Conor’s gaze settled on four unfamiliar men standing before the dais that held the king’s throne. From their elaborately embroidered clothing, he guessed three of them to be lords of the realm. The fourth’s clean-shaven head and plain robes marked him as a cleric.

  The priest turned, revealing the black tattoos that etched his neck and curled up behind his ear. Conor halted as he met the piercing blue gaze, unable to summon the will to move. The sensation of a thousand insects scrambled over his skin.

  Lord Labhrás’s solid form cut off his view, breaking his trance. “Take Conor to his chamber,” Labhrás told Dolan. “I’ll be up directly.” Only when the servant took Conor by the shoulders and turned him down the adjacent corridor did he realize he was trembling.