Radelae's Scheme: Thunderbird Tounament Book 1

By Mark McDonough

Kai has always loved the forest. He knows every blade of grass, every tree, every animal and every danger. It's been his home for longer than he can remember. Why, all of a sudden, there are people from the village invading, he has no idea. Nor why they keep wandering into the most dangerous parts – places that he has to rescue them from. If he had his way, he'd leave well enough alone. Now, if only Radelae would stop sending him on errands that take him deeper and deeper into the forest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark McDonough
• Release date: Apr 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311960436

Mark McDonough

Mark McDonough has lived his whole life in Queensland, Australia. After growing up in Ipswich, he lived for a short time in Brisbane while attending University. Work then took him to Far North Queensland for a number of years before he moved to his current home of Toowoomba. For as long as Mark can remember, there have been characters clamouring to have their stories told – everything from the depths of time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth through to the vast reaches of space where only the bravest spaceships dare to fly and everywhere in between. Most were written in secret until, one day, those characters demanded that their tales be spread far and wide. Thus, was born Stargon Books. When he's not sitting with laptop or notebook in hand, he can be found at work, with his family or out on the football field where he not only plays but also referees and Coordinates an entire competition. Ultimately, Mark dreams of the day when he can write full time but until then, as he says, "I'm a wordsmith, it's who I am; if I didn't write, I wouldn't be me".

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Thunderbird Tournament

Book 1 – RADELAE’S SCHEME

By Mark McDonough

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2015 Mark McDonough

Current Edition 2019

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to http://www.smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Thunderbird Tournament

Book 1 – RADELAE’S SCHEME

Chapter One – The Announcement

The whisper was barely an hour old when it reached Radelae. She paid it little heed but took note anyway. On a whim, she decided to follow it, to see where it led.

Taking her great green cloak down from its hook, she flung it on. The sun was bright and there was no need for the belt or even to wear the hood. Instead, she let the cloak flap around her feet, occasionally billowing out behind her in the breeze.

The path from her hut to the village was little used these days. Only herself and the boy came out this way. Rarely would anyone venture out to her. No, it always fell to her to make the journey.

In fair wind and foul, whether the grass grew lush under her booted feet or the snow rose to her knees, Radelae would tread the path whenever the need arose. And need her they did, the people of Oaken Hollow. Loathe to admit it though they were, especially to strangers, they all knew her for what she was.

The town healer. A medicine woman who’s skill with herb-craft and beast alike was only rivalled by her knowledge of the workings of the human body. Mad woman, they called her behind her back. Witch, they whispered and made the sign against evil behind their backs.

In some things they were right, in others they were so far from the truth that Radelae was prone to laugh and laugh, but always when she was alone. Their foolish stories and superstitions suited her and she was loath to do anything to dissuade them.

There’d been one like her in Oaken Hollow for as far back as memory prevailed. Some had lived in the very village, but others, like her, lived in the hut. It was more convenient to the ingredients that she needed she’d tell herself whenever loneliness overtook her.

And convenient it was. Beds of rare herbs were scattered amongst the usual vegetables found in any garden. And then there were the trails. Nearly a dozen led off from the hut in all directions, each one branching out and then branching again to take her to those most secret of forest locations, the places where the secret herbs and animals lived.

Leaning heavily on her staff, Radelae limped towards the village. The path grew longer each time she trod it and she knew why. Age was catching her up. All too soon, she knew that she’d no longer be able to make the trip, not even for the most dire of cases.

Even as she had the thought, she clucked her tongue. She was not yet prepared. A successor had to be found. One to learn the craft and to take over the duties, just as she had once done all those many seasons ago.

Once, she’d hoped that perhaps the boy, but …

The pathway grew dark and heavy underfoot.

Looking around, Radelae realised that she’d travelled the length of it without even seeing it and she chided herself.

That was no way for a wise-woman, a healer to travel. One must always be aware of her surroundings. The sound of the animals, the way the leaves moved in the trees, the feel of the wind on her cheek and the sun on her head, all of these things she needed to be aware of. These were the things that must always be known. If not for the sheer joy of it, then simply to be forewarned of danger or of the shape of things to come.

A few more paces and Radelae stopped under the hanging branches of one of the many oak trees that surrounded the village. Her eyes darted about and she tasted the feel of the village.

Yes, she realised, there was excitement in the air, a sense that something was about to happen.

A sweet smell wafted towards her and she inhaled deeply. Old Hewney was preparing one of his famous roasts. Venison, by the smell of it. And he only did that on special occasions.

And there were the young ones bustling about, running here and there, making preparations. Of course, some of them were grown with children of their own now, but Radelae knew that she’d always see them as young ones. The corners of her mouth curved up as she caught sight of Vinny and her daughter.

She’d sent the little one to her hut this morning with the news and now, Radelae supposed, she’d think their debt was paid. But did bringing the old woman the news really pay for saving the life of a newborn babe?

Well, that was a matter for later.

A flap of mustard yellow caught the edge of her vision and Radelae narrowed her eyes. There was only one known to her to wear such a gaudy cloak and she sniffed disdainfully.

Yes, there he was now, the Lord of the Shire. By his clothes, you’d not think that he’d done a day’s work in in his life.

Only a thin layer of dust covered his boots. The rich cloth of his black pants and plum shirt were far too thin to ever stand up to the rigours of forest life. And the jewellery – the ring, necklace and armbands – were far too costly to ever wear while doing an honest day’s work.

But Radelae was never one to put much store in a person’s clothes. Usually. With Lord Kendall, she was almost prepared to make an exception.

Only the thick arm muscles and the middle not yet gone to fat held her opinion back. This was a man who had worked for his living. Once. Before his father had died, leaving the Shire in his son’s capable hands.

She remained shrouded in the shadows as Lord Kendall, flanked by Gilbert, the village headman, strolled through the village. Gilbert, she knew, would be fawning over the Lord, eager to curry favour in his eyes.

The Headman’s position, unlike the Lord’s or the King’s was bestowed upon the man deemed most able in the Lord’s eyes.