More from Song and Sword, the first novel I published, since I’m working on a sequel and need the motivation. This follows immediately after last week’s snippet.
Dakkas has been invited to share a meal with the Humans.
They found the camp in turmoil. The young women Dakkas had been watching were in tears, shaking, being held by their parents, and the rest of the men were armed, ready for battle.
“What happened?” Thanor demanded.
“Orcs. The women were down by the river and they swarmed across and attacked them. We drove them off.”
“Are you sure?” Dakkas asked, frowning. “Orcs don’t normally attack.”
“We’re sure. We left a few bodies for the buzzards if you want to see for yourself.”
“Is everyone all right?” Thanor asked.
“Yes,” an elderly woman said. “No one was hurt and only one is missing.”
From Rebel’s back Dakkas surveyed the people, a sinking sensation gripping him. Always his eyes had been drawn to her, no matter where she was, but now…
“Who?” Thanor’s voice was grim. “Who is missing?”
“Kashrya,” came the reply from an old man clutching a staff, and Dakkas felt a blade of ice pierce his heart, even as the others seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
Blurb:
Pashevel: a simple Elven Bard — and the Crown Prince
Marlia: a Paladin of Arithen, the Elven God of Justice – seeking vengeance for the destruction of her village
Dakkas: heir to the Drow throne — if his father and elder half-brother don’t kill him first
Kashrya: raised among a tribe of nomadic Humans, she is unaware of her true heritage — or of the prophecy that made her mother an outcast
Their goal: build a bridge between the Elves and their outcast brethren, the Drow, reuniting them and undoing the damage caused in a time so far gone that history has become legend and legend has become myth.
But first, they have a problem to solve: how do you stop a war that hasn’t started?
Available for Kindle at Amazon
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Novel Notes 
This is a nice depiction of how tragedy strikes deeply for some but leaves others relieved, at least at first.
Aww, poor Dakkas!
Some are happy and some sad about it. Probably pretty realistic.
Oh, poor Dakkas, what’s happened to Kashrya? His despair comes across well!
I wonder why they are relieved. Interesting snippet.