#thcchapboard

[starkemaus]

The Hawthorn Crown: Chapter Seven

Soon the pair came to a fork in the path and together they paused. Before them stood a shrine, old and half crumbled away. A withered female face carved in stone sat atop with a younger maiden face below and a babe in the arms. Dried flowers were scattered at the foot of the statue like offerings, with a few gold coins and the remains of waxy candles.

[starkemaus]

The Hawthorn Crown: Chapter Three

Without warning a guttural cry ripped from her throat and she collapsed upon the ground, turning over her basket and sending apples rolling. Villagers milling around the square stopped in their routine and turned to gape at her. She was vaguely aware of Aidan’s presence, suddenly at her side. Riona’s body began to shake as images flashed across her thoughts. She saw the village, but it writhed in flame. Piles of dead. Ships with dark sails and large fair-haired men.

[starkemaus]

The Hawthorn Throne: Chapter Five

Riona struggled in the grasp of the Saxon. “Cnéowe!” he barked at her. When she did not obey by kneeling he gripped her long braid and pulled back her head. Riona let out a cry, her mouth parting as she gazed up at the crooked grin of her captor. He laughed at her and the sound sent a chill down Riona’s spine. The laughter stopped as Aidan stepped over the threshold of the hut, their hand gripping a long thin blade dripping with fresh blood. The look of ferocity in Aidan’s eyes chilled her to her bones.

[starkemaus]

The Hawthorn Crown: Chapter Seventeen & Eighteen

Aidan awoke in a murky panic. They glanced about slowly; the movement was stiff. They tried to sit up and the attempt made their muscles ache.

“Lie back down, idiot.”

Aidan’s head swiveled sharply to the right sending a sharp jolt of pain up their neck. Orfeo sat in the flickering shadows near a small fire. 

“Where are we?”

Orfeo did not turn to look at them but rather prodded the flames with a soot-streaked stick.

“Why does that matter?”

Aidan gritted their teeth and attempted to sit up further.

“I need to find her.”

Orfeo let out a low chuckle.

“You let them do this to you over a woman?”

[starkemaus]

The Hawthorn Crown: Chapter Eleven

Gawain’s red hair glinted like spun gold in the bright sunlight. Riona clenched her teeth in a futile effort to keep her cheeks from flushing as he cast a warm smile in her direction.

“You look well,” he said, wiping his hands on a cloth at his waistband, “I hope Agravain’s bed doesn’t stink half as much as he does.” 

“I heard that!” called the middle brother indignantly, brandishing his pitchfork in Gawain’s direction. Gaheris gave a sincere laugh and Riona felt herself smiling.

[starkemaus]

The Hawthorn Crown: Chapter Nineteen

Ibrahim looked uneasy. They ran one wide hand over their face and sighed. “Where is she?” Aidan demanded. “On a farm, not far from here to the east.” Aidan leaned back and tipped their head up to the sky. “I leave tomorrow.” “You know I will not stand in your way. I only ask you reconsider.” Aidan looked back down and met Ibrahim’s gaze. The Druid was more gentle than would do them any good. “If he gets himself killed it’s his own damn fault,” said Orfeo, breaking into the conversation for the first time. “I counsel fools and wise men equally,” said Ibrahim, clapping Orfeo on the back, “But rarely can one shape the desires of one whom has already made up their mind.”

[starkemaus]

The Hawthorn Crown: Chapter Thirteen

Morgana set down her spinning and moved to the hearth. Stoking the embers of the fire she set a kettle over the flames. Riona tried to return to her own task but her fingers could not twist the wool into the neat thin thread that was required. Unusually she felt hot tears of frustration rising to the edges of her eyes. She blinked them away and brushed at her face with the back of her hand. Morgana said nothing, setting two clay cups on the table and sprinkling in dandelion and other plants. Soon the kettle was boiling and she lifted the pot with a woolen cloth, pouring the hot water onto the leaves. Without a word she handed Riona one of the cups and sat back down. Riona stared into the steaming water, the herbs swam lazily near the rim.