Read Online Blazing Earth by Terri Brisbin - Free Book Online Page B

Caught at a disadvantage because of theirlack of knowledge, the Warriors of Destiny, descendants of the ancient Celtic gods, were trying to find their way in this newly risen war between good and evil.
    Only the priests had continued strong in their faith and their ways and had searched for those of the bloodlines to guide them in this conflict that had the potential to see evil triumph and humanity be destroyed.
    The first two battles had been won but at a terrible cost. Now the third one was ahead of them. They must reach the area where the prophecy foretold the next circle of stones and the two bloodlines who guarded it. William prayed to whoever would listen that those guardians would have more knowledge than he and Brienne and Soren and Ran had had coming into this.
    â€œHere they come, Will,” Roger warned.
    Father Ander and Corann were inseparable now, always with their heads together discussing matters of faith and the challenges they faced. For one raised in the orthodoxy of the Catholic priesthood, Ander had taken his newfound role in this endeavor with more acceptance and enthusiasm than anyone would have guessed. And Corann, though raised in the faith of the Old Ones, faced his own challenges since being designated as the leader of those priests on the death of their mentor, Marcus, just over a fortnight ago.
    â€œFather. Corann. How goes it?” William asked.
    Ander held out a parchment to Will and he examined it. A list of abbeys and churches and a rudimentary map of the journey ahead of them. It ended in Amesbury.
    â€œYou think the circle we seek is in Amesbury, then?” he asked, showing the map to Roger.
    â€œNay, not Amesbury itself, but the whole area is strewn with ancient stones and curious mounds. There is an abbey in Amesbury and I will seek out more there,” Ander advised and he swept his hand across a large blank area of the map.
    â€œSo much we do not know,” Roger whispered.
    â€œAh, but we know more than we did before,” Corann said. “Yet we are not as arrogant as the others. And so far the gods have favored our efforts.”
    â€œWe will seek information on the morrow at the priory, William. The church here is now being called Christ’s Church, for it is said that He disguised Himself as a simple carpenter to fix a problem with a wooden beam in the roof. Surely, it is an auspicious place to begin our quest on behalf of good?”
    Before William could remark on the priest’s comments, his name was called.
    â€œWilliam?”
    He turned to the soft voice he knew and loved. Brienne walked to them, shimmering with the aura of her power, and gifted him with the smile he craved as much as he craved her. “Supper is ready. Come, friends. We must all seek our rest this night in preparation for our journey.”
    â€œRest, my arse,” Roger said under his breath but loud enough for the other men to hear.
    William laughed, but since Brienne’s voice called to the warblood within him, it sounded like a roar. His vision changed, too, and everything he saw now wastinged in red. Knowing it was not needed, the warblood sank back into William’s blood and waited . . . always waited.
    â€œOn the morrow, I will visit the priory here to establish our groups as pilgrims and to see what I can learn of the lands to the north,” Ander said, looking to Corann and William for their agreement.
    â€œRan is taking the river north to explore the lands to which we journey,” Corann said. “No doubt Soren will follow in the skies.”
    No doubt. Soren carried the bloodline of the god of sky and storms, so he could move as wind or clouds. His wife, Ran, was blessed by the goddess of water and sea and would become one with the river to travel along it. Though traveling by boat would be faster than riding and walking, the river narrowed and changed course too many times for their large ships to fit. And too many small boats would be