Betrayal, treachery, treason, deceit, perfidy—all names for the calculated violation of trust. And it’s been rife since humans trod the earth.
A promise broken
A mission betrayed
A lover’s desertion
A parent’s deception
An unwitting act of treason
Betrayal by comrades
Betrayal by friends
Could you resist the forces of misplaced loyalty, power hunger, emotional blackmail, or plain greed? Is there ever redemption, or will the destruction visit future generations and even alter history? These questions are still with us today.
Read twelve tales by twelve accomplished writers who explore these historical yet timeless challenges from post-Roman Britain to the present day.
Excerpt
“Heart of a Falcon”
By Amy Maroney
The King of Cyprus invites young Frenchwoman Estelle to join his court. At her parents’ urging, she overcomes resistance to the idea and begins to imagine a glamorous new life. But when the true nature of her journey across the sea is revealed, Estelle realizes she has been the victim of a great deception—and must summon all her courage to survive.
Rhodes, Greece
1457
Estelle
crouched motionless in the shade. Her brother’s confident voice rang out, sailing over the lemon
trees and drifting along the row of spiky rosemary shrubs where she had taken
shelter.
“Sept, six, cinq, quatre…” he called.
An irrepressible giggle rose up from her small sister, who squatted nearby.
“Shh!” Estelle put a finger to her lips.
The little girl covered her mouth with both hands and squeezed her eyes shut.
“Trois, deux, un…”
The boy’s sandals were quiet on the courtyard’s hot stone floor. Perhaps he was creeping between the potted rose bushes now, brushing past the jewel-toned blooms that Estelle so loved. She had picked a handful of roses when they first moved into this home, seduced by their velvety crimson petals. And had been roundly scolded by her mother for it.
Had four years truly passed since those early days? Their lives in France seemed but a distant memory now. Still, not a week went by without her mother lamenting their move to Rhodes or talking about their eventual return to France.
Estelle dreamed about that day, too. Rhodes Town would never be home.
A shout. Her brother’s triumphant voice. A flurry of hushing, then silence.
Her sister began to sob.
Estelle wrapped an arm around the girl and rocked her gently. “It’s just a game, chérie.”
“Ah!” her brother roared, pouncing. Her sister shrieked in terror.
Estelle shook him off. “Stop it. She’s frightened.”
“Why?” he groused. “There’s nothing to be frightened of.”
“She can’t tell the difference between games and real life,” Estelle said.
A deep male voice broke into their argument.
“Estelle!”
She turned on her heel. Papa’s rangy form filled the interior doorway.
“Oui, Papa?”
“Some important news has come today. It concerns you.”
Estelle bent close to her sister, who with her golden curls was a miniature copy of their mother. “Look, a butterfly!”
The girl darted off in pursuit of the fluttering insect. Estelle gave her brother a pointed stare.
“I know, I know,” he grumbled, following in their small sister’s footsteps. “I’m in charge now.”
Hurrying to Papa’s side, Estelle took her father’s outstretched hand. She shut her eyes for a moment as they entered the dimly lit corridor, relying on his strong hand to guide her forward. When they stepped into Papa’s little study, her mother was already there, standing by the window with a fine vellum scroll in her hands. An elaborate blue wax seal hung from it.
“Such news, Estelle!” Maman exclaimed.
Papa took the scroll from her and began to read aloud.
His melodious voice cast its usual spell over Estelle. He spoke of a kingdom across the sea, of a princess, of a palace high in the hills on the island of Cyprus. She let the words wash over her, swaying a little, eyes half-closed.
“Estelle?” her mother snapped. “Are you listening?”
She blinked. “Forgive me, Maman. It’s a beautiful tale. Go on, Papa.”
“It’s no tale, my girl,” her father said gravely. “It is an invitation from a king. For you. You’ll be in the care of King Jean, a companion to his daughter Princess Charlotte, and tutor to her child. Fortune has been kind.”
“More kind than you deserve.” Her mother’s face took on a familiar expression of pained disapproval.
“I don’t understand,” Estelle said.
“A king has summoned you to his court,” her mother said in the tone she normally reserved for babies and deaf elders. “Where is your gratitude?”
Estelle looked at her parents in bewilderment. “But how does he know of me?”
“Thanks to Michel Pelestrine,” Papa said.
She remembered the young man. Michel Pelestrine, a falconer like her father, had followed her family out of France shortly after they arrived in Rhodes. He’d lodged with them in Rhodes Town on his way to the kingdom of Cyprus.
“King Jean prefers to be surrounded by French courtiers like Monsieur Pelestrine, to keep the old ways alive,” Papa explained. “But fewer and fewer come to Cyprus from France these days. Now that his daughter the princess is expecting her first baby, the king must make provisions for the child’s education, with a proper French tutor. Monsieur Pelestrine suggested you for the position.”
Estelle felt as if a stone had lodged in her throat. “The King of Cyprus wants me to teach his grandchild?”
“Who better than you?” her mother said. “You taught French to that Italian girl, the artist’s daughter. You teach it to your brothers and sisters now. I don’t know why you haven’t made more headway with the servants, though.”
“And you write more beautifully than any scribe,” her father interjected, throwing an irritated glance at her mother. “You’ll make a fine tutor.”
“When will we leave, Papa?” Estelle asked.
He hesitated. The muscles in his jaw worked under his closely trimmed dark beard. “I can’t leave the island while I’m in the employ of the knights, but you’ll not be alone. We’ll put you under the care of a trustworthy chaperone. There’s sure to be a few respectable women sailing to Cyprus on the next fleet. Your mother will look into the matter.”
“It will be easy to find someone of quality to see you safely there,” her mother asserted. “I’ll make inquiries at church. Merchants and their wives travel between Rhodes and Cyprus often, I hear.”
“How far away is Cyprus?” Estelle asked.
“With the right winds, the journey takes just a few days,” Papa said. “It’s spring now and the winter gales are over. No better time to sail.”
Estelle’s throat grew dry. Her left knee began to tremble.
“I thought we were returning to France soon,” she protested.
“We cannot think about returning home yet,” her father said. “We’ll stay as long as the Grand Master needs me. One day, if God is willing, we shall all voyage to France together.”
“Where is your gratitude? The King of Cyprus will pay us in gold for this arrangement,” Maman said to Estelle. “The entire family will benefit. We need that money.”
“Sophie!” Papa’s voice hardened. “She understands nothing of our money troubles. Nor should she.”
“Why not?” Maman shot back. “We can’t live the way we used to, not anymore.”
“I have never lived beyond our means.” He fixed Maman with a stern look.
“It’s not my fault I grew up with money. There are things I find necessary to survive life on this sun-baked island. You may think them luxuries, but you’re a man.”
Estelle’s mind went to the colorful silks her mother often purchased at the market. To the brimming sacks of saffron, pepper, and ginger that frequently appeared in the kitchen. To the fragrant, lavender-flecked soaps Maman preferred.
“Besides, there will be no more funds from Toulouse, not since Papa—” her mother’s eyes welled with tears. She took a shaky breath and gathered her composure again. “You’d think a master falconer would be paid more generously.”
“That’s enough, Sophie,” Papa warned.
“Not only will you be helping your family,” Maman said, turning to Estelle, “but this is the greatest honor you shall ever know. Such an opportunity only comes but once, does it not?”
“Yes, Maman,” Estelle managed to choke out.
Papa’s brown eyes grew thoughtful. He stepped closer to Estelle, cupped her cheek with his hand. “I’ll want you to finish up those notes of mine. The German bookmaker we met at church this winter told me he can bind them together with an oiled leather cover. A book of advice and healing remedies—that shall be my gift to Michel Pelestrine, hand-carried by you across the sea.”
Maman beckoned to Estelle. “Come. Let’s see what there is to send along with you. Perhaps I’ll give you a pair of my finest silk sleeves, a velvet bodice, or two. And satin shoes. Yes, a few items in the latest French fashion, fit for a royal court.”
Papa bent down and kissed Estelle on the forehead. The familiar gesture gave her a measure of comfort, as always.
“Go on now, ma petite chérie,” he murmured. “I’ve work to do.”
She dragged her feet, somehow forced herself to move to the door. It was as if all the air had been sucked from her lungs.
I cannot leave you, Papa. I cannot leave my brothers and sister.
In her mind, the words exploded like a cannon shot. She could hear the booms, could see each letter launching over the sparkling sea toward France.
Tears burned at her eyelids, but she blinked them away.
No tears, she promised herself. No tears until I set sail, and only then when no one can see me.
Judith Arnopp
A lifelong history enthusiast, Judith Arnopp holds an honours degree in English/Creative writing, and a Masters in Medieval Studies. Judith has written twelve novels to date, nine of which are based in the Tudor period covering women like Elizabeth of York, Anne Boleyn, and Mary Tudor, but her main focus is on the perspective of historical women from all roles of life. The Beaufort Chronicle: The Life of Lady Margaret Beaufort (three-book series) covers the transitional period between Bosworth and the death of Henry Tudor. She is currently taking a break from Tudor women and writing from the perspective of Henry VIII in "A Matter of Conscience."
Cryssa Bazos
Cryssa Bazos is an award-winning historical fiction author and a seventeenth-century enthusiast. Her debut novel, Traitor's Knot is the Medalist winner of the 2017 New Apple Award for Historical Fiction and a finalist for the 2018 EPIC eBook Awards for Historical Romance. Her second novel, Severed Knot, is a B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree and a finalist for the 2019 Chaucer Award.
Anna Belfrage
Anna Belfrage wanted to become a time-traveller but ended up as a financial professional with a passion for writing and history. She has authored the acclaimed time travel series The Graham Saga, set in the 17th century, and the equally acclaimed medieval series The King's Greatest Enemy, set in 14th century England. Anna has also published The Wanderer, a contemporary romantic suspense trilogy with paranormal ingredients. Her latest release, His Castilian Hawk, is a story of loyalty and love set against the complications of Edward I's invasion of Wales.
Derek Birks
Derek Birks lives in Dorset, England, though he spent his teenage years in Auckland, New Zealand, where he still has strong family ties. For many years he taught history in a large secondary school before turning his hand to writing historical fiction. His stories, set both in the medieval period and late antiquity, are fast-paced and action-packed—almost no character is safe. He has also produced a series of non-fiction podcasts on the War of the Roses. When he is not writing, he enjoys travel, walking, and watching films.
Helen Hollick
First published in 1994, Helen Hollick became a USA Today Bestseller with her historical novel, The Forever Queen (titled A Hollow Crown in the UK), with the sequel, Harold the King (U.S: I Am the Chosen King), being novels that explore events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Her Pendragon's Banner Trilogy is a fifth-century version of the Arthurian legend, and she writes a nautical adventure series, The Sea Witch Voyages. Her non-fiction books are Pirates: Truth and Tales, and Life of a Smuggler. She lives in an eighteenth-century farmhouse in North Devon, runs Discovering Diamonds, a review blog for historical fiction, and occasionally gets time to write.
Amy Maroney
Amy Maroney lives in Oregon, U.S.A, with her family. She spent many years as a writer and editor of nonfiction before turning her hand to historical fiction. When she's not diving down research rabbit holes, she enjoys hiking, drawing, dancing, traveling, and reading. Amy is the author of the Miramonde Series, a trilogy about a Renaissance-era female artist and the modern-day scholar on her trail.
Alison Morton
Alison Morton writes the award-winning Roma Nova series featuring modern Praetorian heroines—tough but compassionate women. She puts this down to her deep love of Roman history, six years' military service, a Masters in History, and an over-vivid imagination. It was hot that afternoon when staring at a particularly beautiful mosaic, she started wondering what a modern Roman society would be like if run by strong women. Now, Alison blogs, reads, cultivates a Roman herb garden, and drinks wine in France with her husband.
Charlene Newcomb
Charlene Newcomb lives, works, and writes in Kansas. She is an academic librarian (retired) by trade, a U.S Navy veteran, and has three grown children. When not at the library, she is still surrounded by books trying to fill her head with all things medieval and galaxies far, far away. She loves to travel and enjoys quiet places in the mountains or on rocky coasts. But even in Kansas, she can let her imagination soar.
Tony Riches
Tony Riches is a full-time author based in Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK, and is best known for his Tudor trilogy. After a career in the Royal Air Force, he held senior roles in the National Health Service and Local Government. When researching his books Tony likes visiting the actual locations and discovering elusive primary sources. In his spare time, he enjoys sailing and sea kayaking.
Mercedes Rochelle
Mercedes Rochelle is an ardent lover of medieval history and has channeled this interest into fiction writing. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, she received her B.A in Literature at the University of Missouri before moving to New York to "see the world". The search hasn't ended. Today she lives in Sergeantsville, N.J with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.
Elizabeth St. John
Elizabeth St. John spends her time between California, England, and the past. An acclaimed author, historian, and genealogist, she has tracked down family papers and residences from Lydiard Park and Nottingham Castle to Richmond Palace and the Tower of London to inspire her novels. Although the family sold a few country homes along the way (it's hard to keep a good castle going these days), Elizabeth's family still occupy them—in the form of portraits, memoirs, and gardens that carry their legacy. And the occasional ghost. But that's a different story . . .
Annie Whitehead
Annie Whitehead has written three award-winning novels set in Anglo-Saxon England:To Be A Queen, about the life of Æthelflaed, Lady of the Mercians; Alvar the Kingmaker set in the turbulent tenth century when kings died young and not always of natural causes, and Cometh the Hour, the story of King Penda the pagan king. Her nonfiction books are published by Amberley Books and Pen & Sword Books and she was the inaugural winner of the Historical Writers' Association/Dorothy Dunnett Society Short Story Award.
Social Media Links:
Love the excerpt! Thanks for sharing...this is such a great story.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting an excerpt from my story, Mary Ann!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure.
Delete