Divided We Fall
Page 15
Bridget glanced up at him. ‘He wouldn’t waste good Angalsax steel on me.’
Will shook his head but it wasn’t worth trying to stop Bridget from doing anything she wanted to do. ‘Did you see anything out there while you were playing scout?’
After a moment, Bridget shook her head. ‘No. That’s what’s worrying me – this is too easy.’
‘You’re joking, aren’t you?’ Will panted. ‘I’m terrified. We’re running blind through a forest full of Picts and reapers and my legs are about to drop off.’
‘No they’re not,’ Bridget said, ‘I’ve seen you run in training. Now shut up and listen out for any screaming, blood-craving Picts crashing through the trees – you might just be able to hear them before they slice you in two.’
Will opened his mouth to argue back but decided to save his breath.
He wasn’t completely terrified any more though – Bridget always seemed to have some sort of calming, or atleast a distracting, effect on him. And she didn’t seem to be… awkward about the woodshed kiss any more. There were bigger things to worry about.
They ran for another few minutes, their feet making little noise on the damp ground apart from the occasional twig snapping. The dark still filled the forest but the drizzle softened and finally stopped.
Gwen appeared at the front and Osbert raised a fist for them to stop. After a moment’s quiet talk with the skirmisher, he signalled for everyone to gather round.
Will closed in, leaning against a tree and grateful for the rest despite Bridget’s confidence in his running ability.
‘We’re close to Yeavering,’ Osbert said, his voice still gruff and arrogant even at his lowest volume.
Thank the gods. Will flashed a small smile at Bridget. Perhaps everything would actually work out fine. She didn’t return it.
The gliding movement caught his eye again and he saw a branch, high up dip and rise a little. Just the dark shape of a bird – surely not the same owl he’d seen before.
Gods, haven’t we got enough things hunting us?
Osbert spoke, for once keeping his voice barely above a whisper. ‘If Prince Athelston has pulled everyone inside the city, it’s likely there will be Picts watching from all round the treeline. Once we’re out in the open, we’ll form a wall around the princess and Wyatt in case the little men are brave enough to come out and try to stop us.’
Osbert turned to stare at Will. ‘The rest of you prove you’re not totally worthless - be ready to help hold off anyone or anything trying to stop the princess reaching the gates.’
Will nodded. He wondered how the rest of them were meant to avoid crossbow bolts and slingstones out in the open without shields.
‘I’ve got us this far,’ Osbert continued, ‘don’t mess up this last bit.’
Rowenna stepped forward, a little in front of him. ‘Thank you all for the bravery and loyalty you have shown so far – we’re almost home. Then we’ll gather the warbands and drive these murderers and abominations from our lands.’
Yea – can’t wait!
As one, they rose and started to walk, hands on weapons, eyes and ears alert for the least sign of movement.
In under five minutes they could see the treeline bordering Yeavering’s vast clearing. Puck waited for them there, his face unreadable. He stopped Osbert and Rowenna a few trees in from the edge.
Rowenna listened to him then suddenly broke away and rushed to the forest edge to peer out onto the grasslands.
All Will could make out was the fading moon seeping silver through a thin, drizzly mist.
He heard Rowenna’s voice though, hissing through the still, damp air.
‘That’s impossible,’ she breathed.
Then Rowenna, smart, confident, battle-trained princess of Bernicia, sank to her knees.
End Of Battle Book 1
Divided We Fall
Will’s story continues in Battle Book 2: United We Stand
What's next from Gareth Mottram?
United We Stand
Battle Book 2
Savage Pict tribes rampage through the Angalsax kingdom of Bernicia and soul-sucking reapers have followed in their wake, their undead abominations destroying all before them. Will Foundling, orphan outsider, military scholar and would-be warrior, must find a way to help his beloved princess rally her people whilst fighting hatred and prejudice on all sides and struggling to understand his growing affinity with a forbidden magic.
With only a motley collection of other outsiders firmly on his side, can Will unite friends and foes to survive the dark devastation sweeping down from the north?
United We Stand is the second in a series of novels where Will and his allies and rivals gradually discover the secrets behind the kingdom’s invasion and Will's terrifying birthright whilst battling to help save not just their people, but all of humankind.
The Battle Project
The books will be linked to a new strategy card game which will appeal to lovers of Hearthstone, Magic, Summoner Wars and Chess. You will be able to recreate many of the battles from each novel using a changing board and decks of cards (and/or an app at some point). Live and change the Battle story using the creatures, characters, warrior types and locations from Will’s world.
A young middle grade version of the novels and a linked educational book are also being written.
Catch up with all the latest news and offers at
https://www.facebook.com/battle.novels
Jason Willow Trilogy
(YA)
You are seventeen. One night your dad crashes into your room and orders you to pack. You have to leave your entire life behind, friends, home, school – everything and you have half an hour to do it.
And he won't tell you why.
Jason Willow and his sassy, older sister, Miranda, have suffered this half a dozen times. They have trained in a deadly martial art since before they could walk and are constantly told to trust nobody. Now they have had enough.
The trilogy follows Jason's frantic fight for survival, from his final midnight move to a brutal school lost in the Yorkshire Moors, to a Scottish castle and then across Europe to deserted mountain towns, wolf ravaged forests, crumbling mansions, Venetian canals, violent Goth festivals and beyond, to the gates of Hell itself.
Supernatural powers, secret pasts, demons and dark creatures, corrupt cabals, love triangles and fatal betrayals weave into this epic story of the hidden war against demon control of mankind.
About the author…
Hi. I have published all three YA, paranormal action books in my JASON WILLOW series and I am now deep into an Anglo-Saxon / Pict fantasy series which is linked to a fabulous new strategic card game (see Battle). I am also working on a children’s multimedia book full of monster and magic and a near-future, dystopian film script.
To better manage the creation and marketing of all this stuff I have escaped from full time secondary/primary school teaching and now juggle my writing with part-time teaching and working for an educational charity.
Away from writing and work, I have four wonderful children and a wife to play with. I have trained (badly) in various martial arts over the years but now I follow the less painful pastimes of racquet sports in sunny Hertfordshire, UK.
You can read all about my world-shattering success (!) and latest developments at:
Twitter @garethmottram
https://www.facebook.com/JasonWillow.novels
https://www.facebook.com/battle.novels
Smashwords Author Page
Goodreads Author Page
One Last Thing…
If you’ve enjoyed the book and think it’s worth sharing, please take a few minutes to review/rate it.
Thanks a million.
Discussion Guide
Battle Book 1: Divided We Fall
General Discussion Suggestions
When answering/discussing the following questions, try to draw out specific evidence from the book to back up your arguments.
&nbs
p; It's often fun to play devil's advocate and challenge opinions.
P.E.T.E.R. paragraphs (or similar) are often a good technique if you like having a structure for your arguments (especially if you are studying for secondary school examinations!). The acronym stands for: Point – Evidence – Technique – Effect – Response. Useful guides and examples can be found by searching for PETER paragraphs online.
Warm-ups and Quickies
Did you enjoy the book? Give either a strength or a weakness in five words or less.
Who was your favourite character and why?
What scene do you remember most vividly?
What other book(s) would appeal to a Divided We Fall fan? Why – what's the similarity?
Did the blurb set up the story and feel of the novel well? Would you change the blurb in any way?
Characters
Does Will make good choices in the novel?
Bragg is a "good guy" really. Discuss.
Is Rowenna just toying with Will’s obvious affection for her?
What drives Will to train so hard to get into the shield wall?
Would you want Bridget as a friend?
Given the fantastic world of Will Foundling, were all the characters believable?
Themes
Discuss how "be yourself" and/or “value everyone’s contributions” themes are explored in the novel.
Story
The action sequences go on for too long. Discuss.
Would the story be as good without any magic in it?
What do you think of the cliff hanger at the end of Book 1?
What do you think will happen in Book 2: United We Stand?
Writing Style
Is the reader let into Will’s head enough? Do we know his thoughts, his feelings?
Compare/contrast the way the author wrote dialogue between Will and Bridget and between Will and Rowenna.
Did the author's writing style help you become immersed in the story or keep jolting you out of it?