Good afternoon readers! Today’s post is a free sample chapter from AVALON LOST, my debut YA fantasy novel. Paperback release date is tomorrow, February 8, 2024!!!
I chose Chapter 6 for today’s sample. It’s told through the point of view of my male protagonist, Will Owain, and showcases one of the fast-paced action scenes that readers can expect to find throughout this book. In other words, if you like this chapter, you are likely to enjoy the whole novel.
Thanks so much, and happy reading! :)
Chapter 6: The Left-Handed Warrior
Will Owain panted for breath and tightened the left-handed grip on his sword. They’d only started fencing practice in the Sacred Wood an hour ago, but he was already tiring.
“Don’t let your guard down, Will. Unless you prefer to begin Journeyman's Training with a few missing appendages.”
Master Raven sure means business today. Even after a month of training, this isn’t as easy as it looks.
The Watch had granted Will permission to work one-on-one with Raven before joining his fellow journeymen in October. They’d focused on strength training, especially as Will’s injured wrist continued to heal.
Will was grateful for this chance to prepare. He knew how much his father, Lord Madoc, wished to have him at Gwynedd Castle this time of year, learning the ways of a young prince. Still, when Will visited home to ask his permission, his father had not refused him.
“Go back to the Watch, and with my blessing,” he had said. “Yet do not forget your poor father, who waits for your return.”
Will could no sooner forget his father than his throbbing right arm. He would never have left him, if it weren’t for this new chance to rescue his mother.
Curse the black day that made me choose between them. Will wiped the sweat from his eyes, watching Raven’s movements. Curse the hour that tore my family apart.
Zing!
Will ducked as Raven’s next attack swung where his head had been a split second before. He stumbled over a few tree roots to retreat from his master’s lightning-quick offense.
An opening!
He sucked in a breath of pine-scented air and swerved his blade up to meet his master’s shoulder. The blade just grazed Raven’s watchmen insignia, an image of an owl clutching a blazing torch.
“First blood,” Will gasped, lowering his arm a bit.
Raven struck him with the hilt of his sword. “We’re not finished.”
With his right cheek still stinging from Raven’s blow, Will raised his guard again and whipped out a Romantic stance–an upwards diagonal slash–at his opponent’s torso. When Raven began to parry, Will lifted his blade, drove his master’s sword into the ground, and brought his blade up diagonally across Raven’s now vulnerable chest.
“Better.” Raven’s eyes darted behind Will’s shoulder. “Now say there’s a second enemy, behind and to your right.”
Will didn’t hesitate. With one fluid motion of his left hand, he slung his sword into his belt, pulled out his hunting knife, pivoted and threw the knife inches deep into a tall cedar behind him.
Strong arms wrapped around his neck and chest. Will felt the point of a knife jabbing into his ribs.
“Now say I miraculously survived your deadly attack,” Raven whispered into his ear.
Will twisted his body weight to one side, pried the knife out of Raven’s grasp, and sent his right boot crashing into his opponent’s toes. He used all his remaining strength to wriggle himself free and step back a few paces from his master. Despite the coolness of the forest air, sweat poured down his temples, stinging his eyes.
Raven regarded him thoughtfully. “By this point, your unstoppable opponents may have noticed your injured arm. They may try to exploit your weakness.”
With a nimble movement reminiscent of a panther, Raven launched himself at Will. He sent his left leg flying towards Will’s bandaged right arm. When Will pulled his arm aside, Raven grabbed it and sent Will reeling into a bed of pine needles.
But Will drew his sword as he hit the ground and pointed it at Raven’s throat. With his left hand.
“It’s not my weakness anymore,” he said, glaring at his master. “It’s my strength.”
Raven stood still and quiet above him. A ray of morning sun slipped through the dense cover of the Sacred Wood, lighting up his dark locks and catching the golden flecks of color in his otherwise pure brown eyes. Like Will, Raven was of average height and slighter build. A stranger couldn’t have judged how dangerous he was by his looks alone. But Will knew how strong and deadly his master could be. Will had fought him a thousand times and more, and never once had he ever felt like he’d defeated his master.
Raven offered his hand.
“We’re all finished for today,” his master assured him.
Will seized his hand gladly then, and let Raven help him back onto his feet. He shook off a few pine needles and squinted in the sunlight.
“But we’ve hardly even started.”
“You don’t need any more practice. Four weeks of training with your left hand, and, as you said, you’ve already made it your strength.” Raven clasped his apprentice’s shoulder. “You’re ready, Will.”
Will’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“Ready for what?”
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