A Bird of Sorrow

by Shea Godfrey

Jessa faced her and lowered Zephyr Wind, the flat of Tannen Ahru’s sword sitting upon Darry’s right shoulder. Jessa swallowed her sudden emotion, though she could hear it in her voice. “I name you my Lady Darrius Lauranna Durand, Princess Consort and First Lord to those who would serve me.” Jessa lifted the sword over Darry’s head and dropped it upon her left shoulder. “Warrior of the Fox People, and my chosen champion.”

  Zephyr Wind rose again and tapped Darry’s right shoulder before Jessa pulled the sword back, the edge of the blade brushing against a rich golden curl.

  Darry touched at the weight of her hair with a quick hand and stood with a smooth, easy push of strength. She took Jessa in her arms, and Jessa’s heart leaped at the touch upon her lips. The kiss was hot and sweet, and not the least bit tame.

  Darry released her and Jessa caught at her breath as her lover stepped back, placing a heavy lock of hair in the palm of her left hand. “For you, sweet Jess.”

  It was as soft as a midnight caress, and Jessa closed her hand tightly as she pulled it to her chest. “Bloody hell, Akasha,” she groaned. “Not the hair!”

  Darry laughed happily and pulled her close again amidst the laughter and shouting that filled the hall with warmth and joy.

  Jessa grinned, feeling a tad wicked in the best sort of way—she couldn’t help it. “It’s mine now,” she declared as her eyes moved in a greedy manner over her lover’s mouth, Darry’s lips wet and full as she smiled down at her. Hinsa trailed about the back of Jessa’s legs until she had circled them both.

  Darry’s eyes were filled with emotion, and for just an instant, Jessa thought she could see the stars within them, and the constellations as they spun back through time.

  Characters

  The House of Durand

  Owen Marcus Durand: High King of Arravan. Second son of Niklaus Durand and the Lady Marget of House Winnows. Inherited the throne upon the death of his elder brother Malcolm, who was slain in the Sunn Wars (the Lowland War), and left no heir.

  His wife, Cecelia Karina, High Queen of Arravan. Formerly of House Lewellyn.

  Their son, Malcolm Edmund, Crown Prince of Arravan. Prince of Ishlere and Duke of Treemont. Liege Lord of Kenton and Barrister to the High Court, and second to the High King in Council

  Their daughter, Emmalyn Jillaine Marget, Princess of Arravan. Widow of Evan Kilcullen, killed in a riding accident. Betrothed to Royce Greyson.

  Their son, Jacob Cullidan, Prince of Arravan. The Prince of Spies and the Bookworm Prince. King’s Councillor and Scholar. Liege Lord of Hockley. His wife, Alisha May, of House Pfinster.

  Their son, Wyatt Alban, Prince of Arravan. Major in the King’s Army, Commander of the King’s Seventh. Liege Lord of Yellow Rock.

  Their daughter, Jacey Rose, Princess of Arravan. Deceased. Died at age four.

  Their daughter, Darrius Lauranna, Princess of Arravan. The Golden Panther. Captain in the Kingsmen (Renounced Title and Rank). Cha-Diah, daughter to the golden panther, Hinsa.

  Darry’s Boys, and the Lanark River Estate

  Bentley Greeves: Blooded Lord; former Kingsman, First Lieutenant. A seventh son of Lord Treemont Greeves.

  Arkady Winnows: Bastard son of General Winnows; former Kingsman, First Lieutenant.

  Etienne Blue: Orphan; former Kingsman.

  Orlando Davignon: Bastard son of Lady Jenna Belknip; former Kingsman.

  Lucas Kilkenny: Bastard son of Lady Sarah Whetston; former Kingsman.

  Jemin McNeely: Orphan of Artanis; former Kingsman. (Sister: Marlee)

  Lucien Martins: Bastard son of General Nasha; former Kingsman.

  Tobe Giovanni: Blooded Lord; former Kingsman. A fifth son of Lord Eaman Giovanni.

  Sybok of the Great Salt: Orphan, washed ashore in Alirra Bay. Found among the remains of the Lady’s Skirt, a ghost ship spice trader from Wei-Jinn. Youngest of Darry’s Boys.

  Theroux Cain: Bastard son of Lord Harper; former Kingsman.

  Matthias Brave: Bastard son of Lady Tenley Crane, died in childbirth; former Kingsman.

  Matty the Younger: Orphaned son of Lady Jana Bee, died in childbirth, given over to the Orphanage in Lokey by his grandfather. Father deceased. Former Kingsman.

  Ramon Kenna: Seneschal of the Lanark River Estate. Widower.

  Lady Abagail Rourke: Head Cook and Mistress of the Lanark Estate. Widowed.

  Bette Kenna: Cook and Lady’s Maid of Lanark. Daughter to Ramon Kenna.

  The House of Lewellyn

  Cullidan Bryce Lewellyn: Lord of the Seven Spears and the Ring of Stone Towers, Lord of Dunbrale, A Lord upon King Niklaus Durand’s Council. Family lands held east of the Taurus Mountains to the Escalade River, and west to the Ibaris Plains. Father to the High Queen Cecelia Durand.

  His wife, Jacey Jillaine, formerly of House Blaylock. Deceased.

  Their son, Jacob Cullidan, lost within the Abatmarle Forest. Deceased.

  Their son, Sullidan (Sully) Duncan, heir to Dunbrale. Acting Lord of the Seven Spears and the Ring of Stone Towers. His wife, Miriam Miri, formerly of House McGorhess. Their son, Thaddeus Culliden, heir to Dunbrale. Deceased. Died at age seventeen. Their daughter, Nina Lyall. Betrothed to Hammond Marsh. Their daughter, Melinda Mary. Their daughter, Wilhelmina Ash. Their son, Brecken James, heir to Dunbrale. Their son, Aiden (Pip) Jace.

  Their daughter, Cecelia Karina, High Queen of Arravan.

  Their daughter, Tearsa Murdina. Deceased. Died at age twenty.

  The House of Bharjah

  Abdul-Majid de Bharjah: King of Lyoness and Lord of the Dark Ridge Mountains. Monarch of the Black Sands and Butcher of the Plains. The Jade King. Assassinated by Lord Almahdi de Ghalib while in Council. Deceased.

  His son, Sylban-Tenna. Current King of Lyoness.

  His son, Lybinus, Prince of Lyoness. Deceased.

  His son, Qasim, Prince of Lyoness. Potentate of the Dark Ridge Mountains.

  His son, Malik-Assad, Prince of Lyoness. Champion of Lyoness.

  His son, Rashid-Warith, Prince of Lyoness.

  His son, Rasul-Rafiq, Prince of Lyoness. Commander of the Southern Armies.

  His son, Abdul-Azim, Prince of Lyoness.

  His son, Trey-Jak Joaquin, Prince of Lyoness. Deceased.

  His son, Kartus-Leh, Prince of Lyoness.

  His daughter, Jessa-Sirrah, Princess of Lyoness. The Nightshade Lark, and the Woman Within the Shadows. Priestess of the Vhaelin.

  His son, Kaliq Khaliq, Prince of Lyoness.

  His son, Ali-Naz, Prince of Lyoness.

  Jhannina de Cassey LaMarc de Bharjah: Shaman and Prophet of the Vhaelin Gods. Daughter to Radha and mother of Jessa-Sirrah. She of the Sunlit Voice. Stolen from the Plains by King Bharjah and made his wife. Deceased.

  Serabee El-Khan: Lord and High Priest of the Fakir. Slayer of the Stag, and Lord of the Lost Sword. First Councillor and confidant to King Abdul-Majid de Bharjah.

  The Red-Tail Clan, Plainsmen of the Ibarris

  Lady Radha de Cassey LaMarc: High Priestess of the Vhaelin. Red-Tail Clan of the Ibarris Plains. Slayer of Secrets, and Mistress of the Black Shawl. Grandmother of Jessa-Sirrah and mother to Jhannina.

  Luka Menden: Leader of the Red-Tail Clan, People of the Plains. Lord of the Long Grass.

  Mesa: War Chief of the Red-Tail Clan, People of the Plains

  Durasha: Warrior of the Red-Tail Clan, People of the Plains

  Enders: Warrior of the Red-Tail Clan, People of the Plains

  Alain: Warrior of the Red-Tail Clan, People of the Plains

  Tannen Ahru: Ancient War Chief of the Red-Tail Clan. Last known survivor of the Sacred Mountain Massacre. God’s Blood Child, and Ghost Rider of the Seven Hills. Loquio of the Wind, and warrior of the Fox People. Chosen champion of Neela Jhannina de Hahvay. Cha-Diah, daughter to the speckled lynx, Hashiki. Deceased.

  Adal de Hinsa: Ancient Leader (Loquio) of the Fox People, or the Cha-Diah Tribe. Mother of Tannen Ahru. Cha-Diah, daughter to the red wolf, Pallay. Deceased.

  Jace Ahru: Ancient War Chief of the Fox Peo
ple. The Yellow Haired Knife. Father of Tannen Ahru. Cha-Diah, son of the great sandcat, Letty. Deceased.

  Enoch: Ancient Shaman and Holy Man of the Fox People. Teacher, spiritual leader and Keeper of the History of the People. Sorcerer, and Cha-Diah child.

  Neela Jhannina de Hahvay: Ancient Vhaelin High Priestess, and Shaman of the Red-Tail Clan. Bringer of the Dark, and the Song Reaver. Direct ancestor to Radha, Jhannina, and Jessa-Sirrah. Taken by the Vhaelin amidst the Blood Fires Ritual. Deceased.

  The House of Salish

  Duncan Salish: Lord of the Kastamon Valley and the Southern Taurus Range. Eldest son of Lord Winston Salish, the former Lord of Kastamon Valley. Known for the Kastamon gold mine, named after the matriarch of the Salish family, Jules Ama.

  His wife, Deidre Lea, formerly of House Yarlen.

  Their son, Verl Aman, heir to the House of Salish.

  Their son, Nigel Merrin.

  Marteen Salish: Duncan’s brother, and Prince Malcolm’s First Councillor. Deceased.

  Melora Salish: Duncan’s sister, and the Lady of House Salish in the city of Lokey. Salish family representative at the Royal Court. Banished from Court by the High Queen. Her husband, Lord Jameson Carls Hardt of the House of Hardt. Their daughter, Kella Ama.

  Anton Salish: Duncan’s youngest brother. His wife, Garwin Jane, formerly of House Temple.

  The House of Greyson

  Armistad Greyson: Blooded Lord, first son of the Greyson line. Abdicated from the Greyson line in favor of his younger brother. Sworn man to the High King, and Owen Durand’s First Councillor and member of the King’s Council.

  Davis Greyson: Lord of Hollow Sun, the Greyson lands. Second son, inherited family lands upon the abdication of his elder brother.

  Royce Greyson: Blooded Lord and third son of the Greyson line. Betrothed to Princess Emmalyn Durand.

  Kingsmen, Soldiers, and Blackstone Residents

  Grissom Longshanks: Commander of the Kingsmen, General in the King’s Army.

  Kingston Sol: Captain under command of Longshanks, Kingsman.

  Captain Dalaidus: Captain of the City Guard.

  Landon Runners: Lieutenant, officer of the King’s Seventh.

  Danvers (Danny) Giovanni: Lieutenant, officer of the King’s Seventh.

  Toliver Martis: Lieutenant, officer of the King’s Seventh.

  Dougal Lewellyn: Master Sergeant, the King’s Seventh. Right-hand man to Wyatt Durand.

  Abel Jefs: Captain of the Palace Guard, under command of Longshanks. Heir to Lord Fenton Jefs. Current First Councillor to the Crown Prince Malcolm Durand.

  Mason Jefs: Commander of Fenton’s Brigades, hired soldiers and sellswords loyal to Lord Fenton Jefs. Former Kingsman, and current Solstice Champion.

  Margery Jaspers: the High Queen’s Lady.

  Tessa Winjers: Head Cook of Blackstone Keep.

  Thomas Silvan: Seneschal of Blackstone Keep.

  Servants of the Gods

  Master Haba Una: The High Priest of Gamar, Lokey Temple.

  Master Kaleb Leeds: A Priest of Gamar, Lokey Temple.

  Mistress Clare Bellaq: The High Priestess of Jezara, Artanis Temple.

  About the Author

  Shea Godfrey is an artist and writer working and living in the Midwest. While her education is in journalism and photography, she has spent most of her career in 3-D animation and design.

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