“Oath of the Brotherhood is a beautifully crafted allegory about finding one’s gifts and purpose. Carla Laureano has contributed a simply enchanting page-turner to the fantasy genre. I was delighted to discover it and disappointed it ended so soon. Song of Seare is a promising new fantasy series with a vast storyworld that hints at more wonder to come. I loved this book!”
JILL WILLIAMSON
Christy Award–winning author of By Darkness Hid and Captives
“Carla Laureano’s Oath of the Brotherhood is a wonderfully entertaining tale of magic and heroism, betrayal and triumph. With its Gaelic flavor and engaging characters, it will have you turning pages long after the real world tries to call you away. I particularly enjoyed the author’s deft handling of the main character’s romance. Nicely done!”
PATRICK W. CARR
Author of The Staff and the Sword
“Carla Laureano dips her quill in the fantasy genre with the deft skill of a master! Oath of the Brotherhood captivates and defies the norm, wrenching readers from the boredom of overdone plots. You’ll laugh, you’ll cheer, you’ll wish you could ward against the real world so you can read that next paragraph! With rich characters, killer plot twists, and an incredible storyworld, Oath of the Brotherhood will live in the hearts of its readers long after the last page is turned!”
RONIE KENDIG
Best-selling, award-winning author
“Rich with Celtic lore, battle, and competing magics, Oath of the Brotherhood is a heroic coming-of-age fantasy experience and an inspiring series opener.”
SERENA CHASE
Author of Eyes of E’veria
“Carla Laureano has crafted a richly detailed dark-ages epic that will captivate fantasy lovers.”
R. J. LARSON
Author of Books of the Infinite
“The Laureano world seems genuine and the lead couple a brave wonderful duo… readers will appreciate Conor as a scholar warrior defending his faith and people, and Aine leading her nation in an insurgency against the evil who took over the kingdom.”
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
“Laureano pulls readers into this story and does not let them go. From the first page to the last readers are gripped by the multifaceted story.”
RT BOOK REVIEWS
BOOKS BY CARLA LAUREANO
MacDonald Family Trilogy
Five Days in Skye
London Tides
Under Scottish Stars
Supper Club Series
The Saturday Night Supper Club
Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe
The Solid Grounds Coffee Company
Discovered by Love Series
Jilted (novella)
Starstruck (novella)
The Song of Seare Trilogy
Oath of Brotherhood
Beneath the Forsaken City
The Sword and the Song
Oath of the Brotherhood
Copyright © 2014, 2021 by Carla Laureano
Published by Enclave Publishing, an imprint of Third Day Books, LLC
Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
www.enclavepublishing.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, digitally stored, or transmitted in any form without written permission from Third Day Books, LLC.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.
ISBN: 978-1-62184-141-8 (hardback)
ISBN: 978-1-62184-143-2 (printed softcover)
ISBN: 978-1-62184-142-5 (ebook)
Cover design by Kirk DouPonce, www.DogEaredDesign.com
Typesetting by Jamie Foley, www.JamieFoley.com
Printed in the United States of America.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover
Praise for Oath of the Brotherhood
Half-Title
Books by Carla Laureano
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Map
Glossary
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Behind the Story: The Fíréin Brotherhood
Q&A with author Carla Laureano
Acknowledgments
About the Author
For Nathan and Preston,
May you find the path God has for you and follow it fearlessly.
You are capable of greater things than you can imagine.
GLOSSARY
Abban Ó Sedna (OB-bawn oh SEN-yah)—commander of southern Faolanaigh forces
Ailbhe (AL-va)—Conor’s céad mate
Ailís (AY-leesh)—Aine’s mother, former queen of Faolán, now deceased
Aine Nic Tamhais (ON-yuh nik TAV-ish)—King Calhoun’s half sister
Alsandair Mac Tamhais (AL-san-dahr mok TAV-ish)—Aine’s father, Aronan clan chief, now deceased
Amanta (ah-MAN-ta)—the island upon which Aron and Gwydden are located
Aran (AHR-an)—mapper for the Faolanaigh forces
Ard Dhaimhin (ard DAV-in)—High City, former seat of the High King
Arkiel (ar-KEEL)—Companion who instigated the rebellion against Comdiu
Aron/Aronan (ah-RUN)—the country of Aine’s birth on the isle of Amanta/its language & people
Balian (BAH-lee-an)—the faith of those who follow Balus; a follower of Balus
Balurnan (bal-UR-nan)—Lord Labhrás’s estate
Balus (BAH-lus)—Son of Comdiu, savior of mankind
Beagan (BOG-awn)—Fíréin tracker
Beancaiseal (ban-CASH-el)—capital of Siomar
bean-sidhe (BAN-shee)—a spirit whose appearance is thought to foreshadow death
Bearrach (BEAR-uhk)—healer at Lisdara; Aine’s instructor
Bodb (bawv)—king of Sliebhan
Cáisc (kahshk)—feast in celebration of Balus’s resurrection
Calhoun Mac Cuillinn (cal-HOON mok CUL-in)—king of Faolán
Canon—the Balian Holy Scriptures
Carraigmór (CAIR-ig-mor)—fortress of the High King and the Fíréin brotherhood
céad (ked)—a company of men; literally, one hundred
Ceannaire (KAN-na-ahr)—leader of the Fíréin brotherhood
Ciaran (KEER-an)—Fíréin sentry
Cill Rhí (kill ree)—Balian monastery
&nbs
p; Cira/Ciraean (SEER-ah) (seer-AY-ahn)—largest empire in history, now reduced to a small portion of the continent
clochan (CLO-han)—dry-stone, beehive-shaped hut
Comdiu (COM-dyoo)—God
Companions—the spirit warriors of Comdiu; angels
Conclave—the ruling body of the Fíréin brotherhood
Conor Mac Nir (CON-ner mok NEER)—son of King Galbraith
Cúan (KOO-ahn)—mapper for the Faolanaigh forces
Daigh (dy)—senior member of the Fíréin brotherhood
Daimhin (DAV-in)—first and only High King of Seare
Diarmuid (DEER-muhd)—druid; adviser to King Galbraith
Dolan (DOH-len)—Conor’s manservant
Donnan (DON-uhn)—Niamh’s bodyguard
Dún Eavan (doon EE-van)—crannog fortress; original seat of the king of Faolán
Eames (eems)—village near Faolanaigh camp
Eimer (EYE-mer)—housekeeper at Dún Eavan
Eoghan (OH-in)—Fíréin apprentice; Conor’s best friend
Faolán/Faolanaigh (FEY-lahn) (FEY-lahn-eye)—northeastern kingdom in Seare, ruled by Clan Cuillinn / its language and people
Fergus Mac Nir (FAYR-gus mok NEER)—tanist to King Galbraith; Conor’s uncle
Fionncill (fee-AHN-kill)—village outside of Lisdara
Fíréin (FEER-een) brotherhood—ancient brotherhood dedicated to the reinstatement of the High King
Forrais (FOR-rus)—Aronan town of Aine’s birth, Highland seat of Clan Tamhais
Gainor Mac Cuillinn (GAY-nor mok CUL-in)—tanist to King Calhoun; Calhoun’s brother
Galbraith Mac Nir (GOL-breth mok NEER)—king of Tigh; Conor’s father
Gillian (JILL-yuhn)—elderly Fíréin brother
Glenmallaig (glen-MAL-ag)—seat of the king of Tigh; Conor’s birthplace
Gwydden (GWIH-duhn)—a country across the Amantine Sea
Hesperides (hes-PAIR-uh-dees)—country within the Ciraean empire
Innis (IN-ish)—Fíréin sentry
Iuchbar (OOK-bar)—Balian brother and tutor at Lisdara
Kebaran (keh-BAHR-ahn)—the ethnic group into which Balus was born
Keondric Mac Eirhinin (KEN-drick mok-AYR-nin)—lord of Rathmor; battle captain
Labhrás Ó Maonagh (LAV-raws oh-MOY-nah)—lord of Balurnan; Conor’s foster father
Leannan (LON-nan)—steward of Lisdara
Levant/Levantine (lev-AHNT)(lev-ahn-TEEN)—the country and language of the Kebarans
Liam Mac Cuillinn (LEE-um mok CUL-in)—Ceannaire, leader of the Fíréin brotherhood
Lisdara (lis-DAR-ah)—seat of the king of Faolán
Loch Ceo (lok kyo)—lake within Ard Dhaimhin
Loch Eirich (lok AYE-rick)—lake in which Dún Eavan is located
Lorcan (LUR-cawn)—leader of Aine’s guard
Lughaire (LOO-ree)—Fíréin sword master
Macha (MAH-huh)—Aine’s aunt, chief of Clan Tamhais, lady of Forrais
Máiréad (MAH-red)—Conor’s mother, queen of Tigh, now deceased
Marcan (MAR-kawn)—steward at Glenmallaig
Meallachán (MOL-luck-on)—bard
Melandra/Melandran (mell-AHN-drah) (mell-AHN-drahn)—country within the Ciraean Empire/its language & people
Myles (MEE-als)—Faolanaigh warrior
Nemeton—sacred place of the Seareann druids
Niamh Nic Cuillinn (NEE-uv nik CUL-in)—King Calhoun’s sister
Norin (NOR-in)—the common name of the Northern Isles; origin of the Sofarende
Odran (OH-rawn)—Fíréin tracker
Oonagh (OO-nah)—Aine’s and Niamh’s maidservant
Rathmór (RATH-mohr)—seat of Clan Eirhinin, a minor royal line of Faolán
Reamonn (RAH-mun)—elder Fíréin brother, overseer of fieldwork
Riocárd (rih-CARD)—lord of Tirnall, Galbraith’s champion, captain of the guard
Riordan Mac Nir (REER-uh-dawn mok NEER)—Conor’s uncle, senior member of the Fíréin brotherhood
Rós Dorcha (ross DEER-ka)—old forest bordering Siomar
Róscomain (ros-COM-muhn)—old forest bordering Tigh and Sliebhan
Ruarc (ROO-ark)—Aine’s bodyguard
Seaghan (shayn)—commander of southern Siomaigh forces
Seanrós (SHAWN-ross)—old forest bordering Faolán
Seare/Seareann (SHAR-uh)(SHAR-uhn)—island housing the four kingdoms/its language & people
Semias (SHAY-mus)—king of Siomar
sidhe (shee)—the evil spirits of the underworld; demons
Siomar/Siomaigh (SHO-mar) (SHO-my)—southeastern kingdom in Seare/its language & people
Slaine (SLAHN-yuh)—leader of Conor’s céad
Sliebhan/Sliebhanaigh (SLEEV-ahn) (SLEEV-ahn-eye)—southwestern kingdom in Seare/its language & people
Sofarende (soeh-FUR-end-uh)—seafarers from the Northern Isles (Norin)
Sualtam (SOO-alt-um)—Faolanaigh warrior
tanist—chosen successor of a Seareann king, elected by the kingdom’s council of lords
Tarlach (TAR-lock)—steward at Dún Eavan
Teallach (TOL-lock)—Fíréin spear instructor
Tigh/Timhaigh (ty) (TIH-vy)—northwestern kingdom in Seare, ruled by Clan Nir/its language & people
Tor (tor)—Conor’s céad mate
Treasach (TRAS-ahk)—Balian brother and tutor at Lisdara
Uilliam (WIL-yam)—Faolanaigh warrior
CHAPTER ONE
The mist hung from the branches of the ancient trees like threads from a tattered banner, though the last vestiges of sunlight still glimmered on the horizon. Conor Mac Nir shivered atop his horse and tugged his cloak securely around him, then regretted the show of nerves. He had already seen the disdain in the eyes of the king’s men sent to escort him. There was no need to give them reason to doubt his courage as well.
A weathered, scarred man on a dun stallion made his way from the back of the column and fell in beside him: Labhrás Ó Maonagh, Conor’s foster father.
“It’s too quiet,” Labhrás said, his gaze flicking to the dark recesses of the forest. “The animals have gone to ground—they sense the unnatural. Keep your eyes open.”
The twenty warriors quickened their pace, battle-hardened hands straying to their weapons for reassurance. Conor gripped his reins tighter. Now he understood the comfort a sword brought. Not that it would be of any use to him. He would be no help against dangers of the human kind, let alone whatever lurked in the mist.
He felt no relief when the road broke away from the trees, revealing the first glimpse of Glenmallaig’s earthen ramparts and the stone dome of the keep within. The mist had already found a foothold, wreathing the top of the walls and giving the impression they stretched unendingly skyward. The moat’s stale waters lapped at the base of the walls. Glenmallaig made no pretensions about being anything but a fortress, solid and impregnable.
“Steady now,” Labhrás murmured.
Conor drew a deep breath. Few knew how much he dreaded this homecoming, but Labhrás was one. Other men might have taken the honor and considerable financial rewards of fostering King Galbraith’s son without a thought to the responsibility it entailed, but Lord Labhrás had raised him as he would have brought up his own child. By contrast, the king had not shown a shred of interest in Conor for his entire seventeen years.
He swallowed hard and tried to disappear into the folds of his cloak as the drawbridge descended toward the bank. The leader of their escort gave a terse signal, and the procession lurched forward amidst a thunder of hooves on timber. Conor shuddered as he passed into Glenmallaig’s courtyard, a wash of cold blanketing his skin—too cold, considering the fast-approaching spring. The carts carrying Labhrás’s tribute to the king clattered across behind them, and the bridge once again crept upward.
Inside the courtyard, wood smoke and burning pitch drifted on the air, stinging his nose. It should
have been a welcoming vignette, but the orange firelight only cast the mist-filled courtyard in a sickly yellow glow. Conor cast a glance over his shoulder just as the drawbridge thudded shut, sealing off the life he’d left behind him.
Foolish thoughts. Conor shook them off as he dismounted and winced at the twinge in his muscles as they adjusted to solid ground. A hand on his elbow steadied him, the iron grip incongruous with its owner’s graying hair and finely lined face.
“Home at last,” Dolan said under his breath, a tinge of irony in his voice. More than merely a devoted retainer, the manservant had become a friend and confidant over the nine years of Conor’s fosterage at Balurnan. Dolan knew better than anyone the fears Conor’s return stirred within him.
A pale, skeletal man descended the steps of the double-door entry, headed for the captain. After a moment of quiet conversation, he strode in their direction with a cautious smile. Conor squinted, then drew a sharp breath. The last time he had seen Marcan, the steward of Glenmallaig had been in the bloom of good health, commanding the household with a mere word. Now his clothing hung from a gaunt frame, and shadows marked the pale skin beneath his eyes. Surely the mere passage of time couldn’t have effected such a transformation.
“Welcome, my lord Conor,” Marcan said with a bow, his voice as calm and capable as ever. “Your old chamber has been prepared for you. Come.”
Dolan gave him a nudge, and, reluctantly, Conor followed Marcan up the front steps into the great hall. Torches threw flickering light on the cavernous room, from its rush-covered floor to the curve of the ceiling, though they could not quite dispel the shadows at its apex. Conor’s gaze settled on four unfamiliar men standing before the dais that held the king’s throne. From their elaborately embroidered clothing, he guessed three of them to be lords of the realm. The fourth’s clean-shaven head and plain robes marked him as a cleric.
The priest turned, revealing the black tattoos that etched his neck and curled up behind his ear. Conor halted as he met the piercing blue gaze, unable to summon the will to move. The sensation of a thousand insects scrambled over his skin.
Lord Labhrás’s solid form cut off his view, breaking his trance. “Take Conor to his chamber,” Labhrás told Dolan. “I’ll be up directly.” Only when the servant took Conor by the shoulders and turned him down the adjacent corridor did he realize he was trembling.