A Brother’s Oath (Book 1 in the Hengest and Horsa Trilogy)
by Chris Thorndycroft

Publication Date: September 13, 2015
eBook; 282 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

The Untold Story of England’s Beginning.

Denmark, 444 A.D. Two brothers – the cold and calculating Hengest and the intrepid but headstrong Horsa – find their separate worlds thrown into turmoil by royal treachery and an evil cult thought long dead. Reunited by an oath sworn in their youth, they set off on a journey that will define their destiny and set them upon the path to greatness.

When Hengest’s family is kidnapped by an unknown enemy, Horsa knows his oath has become more than a thing of words and he infiltrates the crew of one of the most feared raiders in the northern world to find out who took them. Meanwhile, Hengest struggles to unite his rag-tag group of followers into a united people. His heart yearns for a safe haven for his family; a land that he and his followers can call their own for generations to come.

This is the first part of the thrilling saga of the two warriors who spearheaded the Anglo-Saxon migrations to Britain and whose names became legendary as the founders of the land that would one day be called England.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | SMASHWORDS

Excerpt of A Brother’s Oath by Chris Thorndycroft

The weeks had passed slowly for Halfritha since the two Danes had left in search of Horsa. The weather had improved and that meant that the children could play outside which was, at least, something. The sounds of their carefree playing, wholly untainted by the worry she felt brought her much peace.

She helped out around the farm as much as she could in an attempt to keep her mind from dwelling on Hengest, but it was not easy for her. She found her eyes constantly drifting away from her work towards the horizon, scanning the flat fields for any sign of her husband returning to her. She would then chide herself for daring to believe in such a frail hope when all the odds were stacked against it.

It was early one morning when the strangers came, appearing as a black line on the nearby rise. Aesc saw them first and called out to his sister and mother who were washing some clothes beneath the overhang of Brand’s hall.

“Get inside the house, both of you!” she snapped to her children.

The line of men were advancing as one, the low sunlight glinting off axe heads and shield rims. These were no peaceful visitors. She called for Brand and the loyal warrior came running out with his spear and several theows in tow, each brandishing a tool or a knife as a weapon.

“Close the gate!” shouted Brand. “Every man take a spear or a bow and make for the palisade!”

The gates were drawn shut and braced with timbers and the entire holding was in a flurry as women and children were hurried into the buildings and men, young and old, theow and freeman, took up weapons and positions along the low wall of wooden stakes that served as the holding’s only protection.

“Who do you think they are?” Halfritha asked Brand, her face pale.

“I’ve no idea,” he replied. “But they carry weapons and do not wear their shields on their backs. Get inside, and do not come out until I say so!”

Halfritha nodded and chased Aesc and Hronwena to the doors of the hall where Brand’s wife was helping the wives and children indoors. As she entered the hall she turned and saw two men at the palisade struck by spears and fall backwards. There was a great whooping and yelling as the attackers came upon the little settlement, circling the wall and shouting taunts.

“Come on, Halfritha!” said Brand’s wife, drawing the doors closed on the scene. “Brand will fend them off, you’ll see!”

Halfritha could sense the terror in her voice, although the good woman tried to mask it with confidence. Brand may be a warrior but there were far too many of the raiders for him and his small group to hold off.

They retreated into the confines of the hall and huddled around the hearth listening to the sounds of slaughter without. Women wept and children bawled in terror.

It was quick work for the attackers and soon the sound of victorious shouts could be heard in the grounds outside the hall. A heavy blow caused the door to shiver, straining against its bolts. All within screamed. Halfritha drew Hronwena and Aesc close to her and marvelled at their courage. Neither of them wept, but she could feel Aesc’s tense body beneath her arm.

Another blow.

The door rattled like thunder rolling across the plains. People began to pray, calling upon the gods for surely death was at hand now. A third blow cracked the bolts and the doors tumbled inwards.

The leader of the raiders was a fearsome looking man. Flame-red hair fell to his shoulders and a square-cut beard framed his ruddy cheeks that glowed as he strode into the hall. His clothes were colourful and of finely spun wool; a sure sign of a wealthy but vain man. Gold armbands and other decorative items ornamented his massive body.

“Your menfolk are dead and that could not be avoided,” he said as he strutted about in front of the terrified women and children. His accent was strong. Probably Danish, thought Halfritha. “But I would like to spare your lives if I can,” he continued. “I am here for only three of you and if those three come forward, the rest of you may live.”

All in the hall watched in terrified confusion as this brute swaggered about making his demands. Only three? thought Halfritha. This was not how raiders acted.

“Among your number is a woman called Halfritha,” said the man. “I wish her and her two children to come forward.”

The hall was silent. Halfritha tensed at the mention of her name and clutched Aesc and Hronwena close. Who was this man? And why did he want them?

The leader of the raiders watched his audience in silence and then, in one sudden movement, grabbed a nearby theow by her long blond hair and slashed her throat with his saex. There was screaming as the young girl clutched at her wound, the blood pumping between her fingers. Life drained away and she slumped forward to lie still on the floor of the hall.

“Now that was unnecessary,” said the raider, wiping the blood from his knife. “But many more of you will die if Halfritha and her children do not come forward.”

Not a single person in the hall looked at Halfritha, every one of them staring at the ground, refusing to give her away. She was awed by their resolution and their loyalty, but things had gone far enough. Whatever this man had in store for her and her children, she could not sit by and let innocent people be slaughtered on her account. In any case, this man would continue to butcher them one by one until it came to be her turn.

“I am Halfritha,” she said, rising on shaky legs.

About Chris Thorndycroft

Chris Thorndycroft is a British writer of historical fiction, horror and fantasy. His early short stories appeared in magazines and anthologies such as Dark Moon Digest and American Nightmare. History has long been his passion and he began thinking about a series set in Arthurian Britain when he was a student. Ten years later, A Brother’s Oath is his first novel under his own name and the beginning of a trilogy concerning Hengest and Horsa. He also writes Steampunk and Retropulp under the pseudonym P. J. Thorndyke.

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Blog Tour of A Brother’s Oath by Chris Thorndycroft

Monday, January 18
Review at Flashlight Commentary

Tuesday, January 19
Interview at Flashlight Commentary
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation

Wednesday, January 20
Guest Post at The Writing Desk

Friday, January 22
Character Interview at Boom Baby Reviews

Saturday, January 23
Excerpt & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews

Monday, January 25
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews

Tuesday, January 26
Review at Book Nerd

Wednesday, January 27
Excerpt at Let Them Read Books

Friday, January 29
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past