#HistoricalFiction #ScottishHistoricalFiction #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub
Book Title: The Scots of Dalriada
Author: Rowena Kinreead
Publication Date: January 26th, 2023
Publisher: Vanguard Press
Pages: 287
Genre: Historical Fiction
THREE BROTHERS
Fergus, Loarn, and Angus, Princes of the Dalriada, are forced into exile by their scheming half-brother and the druidess Birga One-tooth.
THREE FATES
Fergus conceals himself as a stable lad on Aran and falls helplessly in love with a Scottish princess, already promised to someone else. Loarn crosses swords against the Picts. Angus designs longboats.
TOGETHER A MIGHTY POWER
Always on the run, the brothers must attempt to outride their adversaries by gaining power themselves. Together they achieve more than they could possibly dream of.
Fergus Mór (The Great) is widely recognized as the first King of Scotland, giving Scotland its name and its language. Rulers of Scotland and England from Kenneth mac Alpín until the present time claim descent from Fergus Mór.
Full of unexpected twists and turns, this is a tale of heart-breaking love amidst treachery, deceit, and murder.
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Excerpt
Donald sees Cartan approaching the ring. He nudges Lorcan and says, “Keep him occupied, I’ll make sure Fergus disappears.” He runs towards the stables but can’t find him anywhere.
Cartan sees Lorcan’s unmistakeable long, lanky figure and strides purposefully towards him.
“You here Lorcan, what are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same. Why shouldn’t I be here? If you must know, I’ve been looking at the horses. Laird Donald wants a destrier, he asked for my advice.”
“Ah, any particular horse in mind? I’m looking for one myself.”
Lorcan tips the end of his nose. “Now that would be telling, wouldn’t it?” An idea forms in his mind. “Must go, I’ve business to attend to.”
He leaves Cartan standing at the ringside and ambles leisurely towards the stables.
Donald is amongst a mass of people, “I can’t find him. He must’ve seen Cartan and disappeared himself,” he tells Lorcan.
“Good. Now listen, I’ve got a plan. When the destriers are auctioned, bid for Lockwood until I rub my nose.”
“Lockwood? I thought we’d agreed on Thunderbolt.”
“Aye, I’ve no time to explain, trust me.” Lorcan finds Tormey and tells him to speak to the auctioneer. “Get him to auction Lockwood in third place, and Thunderbolt right at the end, I’ll explain later. Oh, and ask Hamish to do a demonstration on Lockwood before the bidding.”
Tormey looks a little surprised as Lorcan rushes off again, but he knows him well enough to do as bid without asking questions. Next, Lorcan goes around the ring until he finds Old Mac from the village.
“You and your friends bid for Lockwood till I pull my left earlobe.
The drinks are on me tonight.”
“Oh, right you are, leave it up to me.”
Satisfied that his plan could succeed, Lorcan takes place at the ringside and watches the sales. The auctioneer calls for attention and announces that the highlight of the fair was imminent, the auction of this year’s destriers. Eight horses are trotted around the ring whilst the auctioneer praises their compact and well-muscled build, their skill, and their swiftness, before they file out again. The first two horses achieve prices over four hundred gold pieces. Lorcan notices with satisfaction that Cartan doesn’t bid, but turns his head constantly between himself and Donald like a ball game. Hamish enters the ring riding Lockwood. Tall and majestic the powerful animal strides out with confidence. He has an elegant gait, a refined head, and an arched neck. His white coat is glossy, and his mane and tail plaited. Loud, “Oohs and aahs” accompany his movements.
Lockwood doesn’t bat an eyelid at the noise. Hamish lets him jump over two smouldering sheaves of hay. The spectators applaud. Then Hamish steers Lockwood to the middle of the ring. He demonstrates a leg yield with Lockwood moving forwards and sidewards; lifesaving on a battle field. Finally, he canters the full length of the ring, pulls Lockwood up briskly and lets him turn a pirouette to face the opposite direction. Then he trots again to the centre and rears up on his hind feet.
The applause makes Hamish’s ears ring. As he exits, the bidding begins.
The auctioneer has his instructions and begins at four hundred. Donald raises his hand, followed quickly by Cartan and Old Mac and his mates. In a matter of minutes, the bidding has reached eight hundred and fifty. Lorcan pulls his left ear lobe and Old Mac, and his friends drop out of the bidding, shaking their heads sadly.
“Eight hundred and eighty, who’ll give me eight hundred eighty?” the auctioneer bellows.
An awed silence falls over the ring. A collective holding of breath and eager expectation. The price is ridiculous, even for such a grand animal. Donald looks at Lorcan anxiously, but failing to see him rub his nose, nods to the auctioneer. The spectators let out their breath simultaneously. Lorcan grins at Cartan triumphally.
“One thousand!” Cartan shouts. A shocked silence, then enthusiastic applause.
Lorcan rubs his nose and Cartan sneers arrogantly as no one else raises his bid.
Lorcan turns on his heels quickly, and stumbling twice over stones that hadn’t been there before, rushes into the tack room. He shuts the door behind him and collapsing on a bale of straw, thrusts his fist into the air. It was a small victory but a gratifying one. Donald enters, followed by Tormey and Hamish.
“By me God, I nearly wet my truis there!” Donald exclaims. Tormey laughs and slaps Lorcan on his shoulders.
“Well done,” he says to Hamish. “You did us proud.”
“Aye, that was magnificent lad,” Donald says and Lorcan nods in agreement.
“What’s he doing now?” he asks.
There is no need to call him by name, everyone knows who he’s talking about.
“Paying the bailiff, emptying his purse,” Tormey grins wickedly. “By God, I hope that shoe holds till he’s back in Ireland. Mind you, I’d love to see his face when it falls off and he sees what’s below it.”
“Or rather the horn that’s not below it,” Lorcan grins wickedly.
“Well come on, no time for dithering, we’ve got a horse to buy.” “Oh yes, Thunderbolt, I nearly forgot!” Donald says.
Outside, the spectators are in a festive mood. When Cartan leaves with Lockwood to return to the port, a huge cheer goes up. The sale of Thunderbolt, a handsome dappled grey stallion with an unusual black mane and tail, is almost an anti-climax in comparison. Donald gets him for a fair five hundred and twenty gold pieces.
The fair is over, and everyone goes to the tavern to celebrate. Laird Douglas pays for food and drink; the evening is long. Just one person is missing, Fergus.
Rowena Kinread grew up in Ripon, Yorkshire with her large family and a horde of pets. Keen on travelling, her first job was with Lufthansa in Germany.
She began writing in the nineties. Her special area of interest is history. After researching her ancestry and finding family roots in Ireland with the Dalriada clan, particularly this era.
Her debut fiction novel titled “The Missionary” is a historical novel about the dramatic life of St. Patrick. It was published by Pegasus Publishers on Apr.29th, 2021 and has been highly appraised by The Scotsman, The Yorkshire Post and the Irish Times.
Her second novel “The Scots of Dalriada” centres around Fergus Mór, the founder father of Scotland, and takes place in 5th century Ireland and Scotland. It is due to be published by Pegasus Publishers on Jan.26th, 2023.
The author lives with her husband in Bodman-Ludwigshafen, Lake Constance, Germany. They have three children and six grandchildren.
Website: https://www.rowena-kinread.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RowenaKinread
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rowena.strittmatter
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowena-kinread-6b054b228/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rowenakinread/
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