Eoghan disentangled himself, looking moved by her spontaneous thanks. “Go now, you two. Your ship awaits.”
Conor took Aine’s pack and helped her into the rowboat. Eoghan loosened the tether and tossed the rope back down. As they rowed away from the dock, Conor lifted a hand in farewell and saw his friend’s answering wave.
Once aboard the Resolute, they found an out-of-the-way spot at the rail, and Conor held Aine protectively in front of him while the crewmen drew the sail up the mast and hauled in the anchor. As the ship sailed from port under its billowing canvas, he strained for one last glimpse of Eoghan, standing with the two horses near the dock.
“What will happen to him when he returns to Ard Dhaimhin?” Aine asked.
“Fíréin discipline is harsh. If he’s lucky, flogging.”
“If not?”
Conor hesitated. “Execution.”
Aine stifled a cry. Tears slid down her face, and Conor could not keep his own from welling in his eyes again.
“So many sacrifices,” she whispered. “How many people died so we could live?”
They stood at the rail until the ship picked up speed and began to track northeast toward Aron, the shoreline fading into an expanse of green-blue.
“What will Lady Macha say when I show up with you in Forrais unannounced?” Conor asked.
“She won’t be able to say anything when I introduce you as my husband.” Aine turned toward him expectantly.
“Aine . . .” Conor began, but she silenced him with a finger on his lips.
“Do you love me?”
“Of course I do. I’ve never loved anyone else. But—”
She shook her head. “I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, Conor. I don’t know if we will have a tomorrow. But I don’t want to live in fear any longer.”
He looked into her eyes and saw the truth. She had known all along. Known he would have to leave again, known this time he might not return. Still, she wanted to be his wife. His heart swelled. He took her face in his hands and kissed her until she was breathless and laughing.
“I’ll find the captain,” he said with a smile.
They said their vows on deck at sunset before Comdiu and the sea, with a dozen amused crewmen as their witnesses. Conor barely heard the words through his surge of joy when the captain joined their hands and declared them husband and wife. He could not even find the words for prayer, but he knew Comdiu would understand his gratitude for bringing them together on this path, despite all the heartaches and sacrifices they had endured along the way.
Aine smiled as Conor bent to seal their union with a kiss. The crew whistled and stomped the deck in approval, and she laughed as he led her to the low-slung passenger cabin beneath the forecastle that would be their bridal chamber.
Still, Conor could not help looking back at the ominous storm clouds gathering on the horizon. He felt a brief pang of unease, a warning their troubles could not be escaped so easily. Then he put his worries aside. If he had learned a single lesson from all that had happened, it was that Comdiu was faithful. Whatever their future path held, they did not walk it alone.
Discussion Questions
Conor has three different father figures: Labhrás, Riordan, and Galbraith. How do you think his relationships with these men influences the way he thinks about Comdiu? How do your experiences with your parents, positive and negative, affect the way you relate to God?
At several points in the book, Conor disobeys those in authority. But the Bible tells us we should obey those set above us (see Romans 13:1-5, Hebrews 13:7, Titus 3:1). When is disobedience acceptable or even required? Why (see Acts 5:17-29)?
Balians believe that an oath made to man is as binding as an oath made to Comdiu. Yet Conor contemplates breaking his oath as an apprentice, and Eoghan disobeys the brotherhood’s rules to help his friend. Are they right or wrong in these actions? Would God call you to break your word for a “greater good”?
Most of the characters—Conor, Aine, Eoghan, and Riordan—are put in situations where they must follow God’s will while others have different expectations of them. Has God called you to do something different with your life than your family, friends, or teachers expect? How can you deal with those pressures in a way that honors God but still respects others’ opinions?
In Conor’s culture, unless he is a warrior, he is not considered a man. When does our culture consider you to be a man or woman? How does this follow or run contrary to what the Bible teaches? What are your criteria for true adulthood?
Conor does not want to be a warrior at the beginning of the book. By the end, however, he is a very accomplished fighter. Did he “sell out”? Why do you feel this way?
In chapter 15, Liam retells the parable of the Talents (see Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27). Do you think everyone has a God-given talent or purpose? What is yours? How do you think you’re supposed to use it for God’s glory?
Aine is uncomfortable with the renown she gains because she feels she is just being obedient to Comdiu. Is it wrong to want public acknowledgment of our abilities? Why or why not?
For most of the book, Conor avoids killing, even at risk to his own life. But at the end, he kills to protect Aine, even when the line between self-defense and murder is blurred. Was he justified in those actions? Why or why not?
Beagan carries out his duties like other trackers, yet Conor sees that “violence lurked beneath his veneer of civility.” Why do you think that distinction is made? What is the author trying to say about motivations and heart attitude? Can two people do the same thing, and in one case, it is permissible, while in the other it is not?
John 15:13 says, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” How do the characters model this verse in their actions? What lessons can we learn from their examples, considering we are rarely called upon to lay down our lives for one another?
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 and 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
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 and 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
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 and 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 and people
Slaine (SLAHN-yuh)—leader of Conor’s céad
Sliebhan/Sliebhanaigh (SLEEV-ahn) (SLEEV-ahn-eye)—southwestern kingdom in Seare / its language and 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 and people
Tor (tor)—Conor’s céad mate
Treasach (TRAS-ahk)—Balian brother and tutor at Lisdara
Uilliam (WIL-yam)—Faolanaigh warrior
Acknowledgments
I owe a debt of gratitude to the following people, without whom this book would never have been written or published. You mean more to me than you know.
Fellow writers and friends: Eisley Jacobs, Katherine Goodman, Evangeline Denmark, Brandy Vallance, Amy Matayo, Serena Chase, Beth Vogt, and R. J. Larson. I wouldn’t have made it this far without your support, critiques, senses of humor, and late-night conversations! I’m blessed to know you.
My guardian angel and voice of reason, Lisa Bergren. Really, you have no idea how much I appreciate your friendship and your insight.
Meg Wallin, Brian Thomasson, and the rest of the NavPress crew: Thank you for the warm welcome and unending enthusiasm for this series. I couldn’t imagine a better home for this story, and I’m so thrilled to be part of the TH1NK team.
Reagen Reed, the only person I’ve ever met who has read more fantasy than me. I am grateful for both your sharp insight and your ability to keep me from embarrassing myself. I couldn’t ask for a better editor for this project.
Steven Hutson, for believing in this series wholeheartedly. I will be forever grateful that you gave me my start.
My husband, Rey, for your constant support, encouragement, and willingness to share your wife with imaginary people. I love you now and always.
My two boys: I like being a writer, but I love being your mom. You’re a big part of why I do what I do.
Mom and Dad, for being my early readers, cheerleaders, and encouragers. You told me I could do anything with hard work, determination, and prayer, and you made sure I believed it. Thank you.
About the Author
C. E. Laureano’s love of fantasy began with a trip through a magical wardrobe, and she has never looked back. She’s happiest when her day involves martial arts, swords, and a well-choreographed fight scene, though when pressed, she’ll admit to a love of theater and travel as well. Appropriately, she’s the wife to a martial arts master and mom to two boys who spend most of their time jumping off things and finding objects to turn into lightsabers. They live in Denver, Colorado, with a menagerie of small pets. Visit her on the web at www.CELaureano.com, or e-mail her at connect@CELaureano.com.
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