From the pages of the ancient codex, The Anglo Saxon Chronicles, the warrior kings of Wessex and Mercia fought each other while they both battled the welsh king of Powys. Elisedd, the king of Powys’s deeds and genealogy is honored by a monument his great grandson Cyngen map Cadlel erected, the Pillar of Eliseg, which stands to this day. Welsh poems from bygone days mention Elisedd’s unique crown, fashioned from thick, twisted links of gold. He also adorned himself with gleaming armlets and anklets of pure gold. This great king was succeeded by his son Brochfael, also a character in The Prince of Powys. The legend of these eighth century AD warrior kings, Celtic mythology, and the mystic hill fort of Dinas Bran where Elisedd ruled inspired me to write The Prince of Powys. It’s a young adult novel of an ancient god, a magic sword, and a brave prince named Blaise.
I created the heroine, Branda, the youngest daughter of Ethelbald of Mercia and the hero, Blaise, the youngest son of Elisedd of Powys.
In an age of heroes, Branda, a Saxon princess helps Blaise, a prince of Powys, escape her father’s stronghold. In turn, he vows to escort the princess to her sister in Scotland so she can escape an arranged marriage. Instead, he holds her captive as his hostage in the unbreachable hill fort of Dinas Bran, where she captures his heart. Will Blaise be forced to throw away his honor for love or tear out his heart for honor?
GIVEAWAY:
I’m having a blogging contest and giving away three PDF Ebooks of the Prince of Powys to three lucky winners. Please fill this form and include your email so I can contact you if you are chosen. The winners will be randomly selected. Ends 20th March.
For more on my young adult fantasy/romance, The Prince of Powys, please visit my publisher’s site at http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615725823
and my website at http://CelticRomanceQueen.com
Here’s a short excerpt:
After sleeping off the ale, he rose at dawn recommitted to keeping Branda, and prepared for his mission in the old ways.
Scan bore the woad and the limewash Neilyn had mixed. Blaise washed his hair with the powdered limestone and water mix then spiked his mane until it stood as thick as a hedgehog's coat. With the woad dye, Neilyn painted magic symbols of the gods upon Blaise's forehead. Painted tattoos liken to the sacred images engraved on the long stones in the tombs. The swirls began small and curved into larger loops. The gods shielded him with these mystical symbols.
The druid chanted ancient words of power as Scan strummed the harp.
"Before the sky and the earth and the sea,
Before the sun and the moon and the stars,
I place a circle of safekeeping around you.
Oh Blaise, bind yourself to Bran's power,
mighty is its strain, oh Blaise.
Magical energy will enliven,
And empower you on the field of battle.
Thrust the Saesneg with the sword of Nuada.
Around you, I place a circle of protection,
To bind Bran's power to you, oh Blaise."
Scan continued to strum the harp and Neilyn drew blue circles upon Blaise's legs, arms, and chest as he continued the enchantment.
"Win your princess as Bran foretold,
So the two of you shall return to us,
To live a life full of honey,
With peace as ample as the sky.
Be this nine times eternal.
I place a circle of protection around you.
Oh Blaise, bind yourself to Bran's power."
Blaise picked up a bronze mirror adorned with Celtic tracery. The image of a warrior prince painted with the magic of the old gods gazed back at him. Pride and determination filled him with a warm glowing sensation of peace and invincibility.
Before he vaulted onto his steed, Neilyn presented him with Nuada's sheathed sword of power. Blaise drew the blade from the serpent etched sheath. The gleaming bronze hilt, curved in never-ending circles of life, mesmerized him as rays of sunlight danced upon the long, powerful sword, which glistened with an ethereal luster.
Scan bore the woad and the limewash Neilyn had mixed. Blaise washed his hair with the powdered limestone and water mix then spiked his mane until it stood as thick as a hedgehog's coat. With the woad dye, Neilyn painted magic symbols of the gods upon Blaise's forehead. Painted tattoos liken to the sacred images engraved on the long stones in the tombs. The swirls began small and curved into larger loops. The gods shielded him with these mystical symbols.
The druid chanted ancient words of power as Scan strummed the harp.
"Before the sky and the earth and the sea,
Before the sun and the moon and the stars,
I place a circle of safekeeping around you.
Oh Blaise, bind yourself to Bran's power,
mighty is its strain, oh Blaise.
Magical energy will enliven,
And empower you on the field of battle.
Thrust the Saesneg with the sword of Nuada.
Around you, I place a circle of protection,
To bind Bran's power to you, oh Blaise."
Scan continued to strum the harp and Neilyn drew blue circles upon Blaise's legs, arms, and chest as he continued the enchantment.
"Win your princess as Bran foretold,
So the two of you shall return to us,
To live a life full of honey,
With peace as ample as the sky.
Be this nine times eternal.
I place a circle of protection around you.
Oh Blaise, bind yourself to Bran's power."
Blaise picked up a bronze mirror adorned with Celtic tracery. The image of a warrior prince painted with the magic of the old gods gazed back at him. Pride and determination filled him with a warm glowing sensation of peace and invincibility.
Before he vaulted onto his steed, Neilyn presented him with Nuada's sheathed sword of power. Blaise drew the blade from the serpent etched sheath. The gleaming bronze hilt, curved in never-ending circles of life, mesmerized him as rays of sunlight danced upon the long, powerful sword, which glistened with an ethereal luster.
Neilyn bent his head down and kissed the gleaming blade. Blaise brandished it high in the air as Brochfael, Elisedd, and all the gathered Cymry praised its power.
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