Sleeping Shaman: A Fairy Tale Retold

By E.D. Martin

Nyah thought she’d fit in better in the capital rather than in her tiny village, but life in the big city is tougher than she anticipated. When she stumbles across into familiar face, she gladly jumps at the chance for a new adventure with her barbarian friends. They’re headed to to Egwu’s home country where they hope his scholar father can translate Heartsbane, the book that holds the cure for Prince Brandulfur’s debilitating curse.

Their plans change as soon as they arrive and discover that Egwu’s family is missing, most likely cursed as well. And meanwhile time is running out for Brand, who grows weaker every day.

Nyah vows to save her friend by solving the mystery of Egwu’s missing family, but she didn’t anticipate all the obstacles in her way: a deadly rivalry between two families, a clash of powerful cultures, and a budding romance that seems destined for heartbreak. She’ll need all her wits to outsmart her opponent—that is, if she can even figure out who it is.

Sleeping Shaman is the second book in a series of fairy tales retold in a world of Vikings. If you like sassy heroines, adventures spanning the medieval world, and a touch of romance, you'll love The Heartsbane Saga, E.D. Martin's historical fantasy series.

Get your copy and start your adventure today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: E.D. Martin
• Release date: Feb 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005241193

E.D. Martin

E.D. Martin is a writer with a knack for finding new jobs in new places. Born and raised in Illinois, her past incarnations have included bookstore barista in Indiana, college student in southern France, statistician in North Carolina, economic development analyst in North Dakota, and high school teacher in Iowa. She draws on her experiences to tell the stories of those around her, with a generous heaping of “what if” thrown in.She currently lives in Illinois where she job hops while working on her novels.

Book preview

SLEEPING SHAMAN

Heartsbane Saga Book 2

by

E.D. Martin

Copyright

Sleeping Shaman

(Heartsbane Saga Book 2)

Copyright © 2020 E.D. Martin

All rights reserved.  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations used in reviews.

Other Books by E.D. Martin

The Heartsbane Saga:

Book .5: The Maiden in the Tower

Book 1: The Captive and the Cursed

Book 1.5: The Brave Little Thrall

Book 2: Sleeping Shaman

Book 2.5: Ezichi the Beautiful

Book 3: Little Amethyst Abaya

Novels:

Yours to Keep or Throw Aside

(previously released as The Lone Wolf)

Short Stories:

Tim and Sara

Not My Thing

A Place to Die

Us, Together: A Short Story Collection

The Futility of Loving a Soldier: A Short Story Collection

Going in Circles Vol 1: 10 Very Short Stories

www.EDMartinWriter.com

Sign up for E.D.’s mailing list to receive updates on

new releases and exclusive stories

Table of Contents

Copyright

Other Books by E.D. Martin

Table of Contents

Once Upon a Time

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Heartsbane Saga Book 3:

About the Author

Once Upon a Time

Sakina bint Jalal arranged the last of the spiced cakes on a tray, trying to drown out the chatter and laughter around her. Her aunt’s kitchen was full of bustling cousins and slaves, all intent on enjoying the evening. She frowned; more than a few had already drank their fill of wine, if their flushed faces and giggles were any indication. The Messenger, peace be upon him, taught that it was sinful to drink alcohol, and Sakina’s father had followed his teachings to the letter. Her uncle Fahim did not see eye-to-eye with his brother on a number of matters regarding the Messenger.

Fahim’s wife Radiya wove through the kitchen, sampling food off trays and joking with everyone. Another departure from the Messenger’s teachings; Fahim had only one wife, unlike Sakina’s father who had five wives and four concubines, and Fahim treated Radiya as his equal.

Thank you for your help tonight, Radiya said with a big smile when she reached her niece. It means so much to us that you’re here to celebrate the new year with us.

Sakina kept her eyes cast down, as was only proper for a young woman addressing an elder. I’m glad to be here, Ammah Radiya. I will forever be in your debt for the undeserved kindness you and Am Fahim have shown me.

Radiya laughed and pulled Sakina in for a hug, startling her into nearly dropping her tray. We’ve told you, there’s no need for the formalities. You’re family, so there’s no debt.

Sakina flushed and nodded.

Now, go out and enjoy yourself.

Sakina nodded again as her aunt gave her a gentle shove towards the courtyard. Had she been in her father’s home, she would’ve spent the evening in the women’s courtyard, where they would have had their own celebration. But she was no longer in her father’s home, so she straightened her hijab and went out into the crowded courtyard. Guests chatted with each other, filling the space with laughter. In a corner, a takht played traditional Aghlabidi music on flutes, lutes, and drums.

Barely a moment had passed before she found herself looking back into the kitchen, wondering if she could sneak back in. But Radiya was watching her, so she swallowed her reservations and took another step forward. The Messenger taught that a woman must obey her elders, and Sakina would do just that.

Her cousin Ezichi approached her, her close-cropped dark hair clearly visible without a head covering. You look terrified! she said with a laugh. Ezichi was always smiling and laughing, or so it seemed to Sakina.

There are so many people here, Sakina whispered. I’ve never been to a celebration like this.

Ezichi squeezed her hand. I can stay with you, if you’d like.

Yes, please.

But having her cousin at her side didn’t improve her night. Everyone knew Ezichi, or so it seemed based on the dozens of people who came up to talk to her. At first Sakina kept her eyes down, but her cousin would have none of it.

You’re not back home in Aurasium, she hissed through her own smile when the two were alone. You can talk to men here, and smile at them, or at least look at them.

I’ll try, Sakina said, and she really did make her best effort, all the while trying to ignore her father’s disapproving voice in her head. Eventually Ezichi became so caught up in conversation with several women, also lacking head coverings, that Sakina was able to slip away to a stone bench in a corner of the courtyard.

Lanterns covered in silk hung from ropes stretched from one wall of the courtyard to the other, casting colored light down on the revelers. Men and women alike wore robes and tunics of silk and linen in all colors of the rainbow, reminding Sakina of bright flowers at an oasis during the monsoon. She’d traveled across the desert with her father’s caravan when she was a small child, before she’d taken her place with the other women of the household and focused on matters of the home, not the outside world. She smiled to herself, thinking fondly of her days spent sewing and cooking, learning how to play the lute-like oud and hunt with falcons. Someday, perhaps, she would work up the courage to ask Am Fahim for a falcon.

But not tonight. Tonight he was busy as host, moving from one guest to the next, making them feel welcome in his home. Tonight was for celebrating the new year, for looking forward to the fortune that would come, inshallah, and not the losses of the previous year.

Sakina squeezed her eyes shut and let out a measured breath, willing her mind to focus on her life ahead of her. She couldn’t change the past, couldn’t go back to her father’s house. This was her home now.

It’s a beautiful night, lalla, a man said from in front of her.

Sakina opened her eyes and focused on his leather sandals. He would not address her so respectfully if he knew her past. Yes, sidi.

You’re Sidi Fahim’s niece, right?

Yes, sidi. Her voice was nearly a whisper. Despite her aunt and uncle’s reassurances to the contrary, she couldn’t help but feel that her very presence here brought shame to their house.

I’m Makhadie ibn Munafis.

Sakina bint Jalal.

Can I sit next to you, Lalla Sakina? he asked, as he sat down anyways.

She scooted over so that she was nearly falling off the edge of the bench. If you’d like.

What do you think of Taglayt? he asked.

I haven’t seen much of the town beyond Am Fahim’s home, she answered. It’s much different than my own own village.

Are you liking it though, so far?

It’s very different. A small smile crossed her face before she stifled it. This man was not a relative or her husband to be sending the wrong message. But yes.

What brought you here?

Sakina felt as if all the air had been pulled from her body. She folded her hands across her belly and forced herself to give the response her father had demanded she use. I’m here to learn how to manage a household.

And you couldn’t do that at your father’s home?

She stole a look at him from the corner of her eye. His face seemed sincere, but could it be that the flickering light cast by the lanterns barely concealed the hint of a smirk? She was certain he knew the truth of why she was here, forced to leave her father’s home in disgrace, and was toying with her. With Ezichi gone so often, Ammah Radiya was glad to have the extra help.

Yes, Ezichi is far from the typical Aghlabidi woman. Makhadie laughed, and she relaxed. Perhaps she was being paranoid. Are you like your cousin?

Oh, no, sidi. But I don’t think anyone is like my cousin.

That’s true. He launched into a story of his own travels, laden with references to his father’s wealth and importance. She further relaxed as he continued talking about his own interests, his father and grandfathers and brothers and the Messenger knew who else. She’d had little interaction with men other than family members, but even in those instances her conversation partners hadn’t been so…self-absorbed? Boring? She tried to nod at the right moments in the conversation but eventually gave up on even that, as he didn’t even seem to notice.

Sakina was wondering whether he’d notice if she slowly walked away, wondering what strong-willed Ezichi did in situations like this, when her cousin approached them.

Sakina! she exclaimed. I’ve been looking all over for you. Mother needs you in the kitchens.

Happy New Year, Sakina, Makhadie said as she stood up. "Perhaps we will meet again, inshallah."

"Inshallah," she murmured, vowing to herself to pray hard to all the gods of the desert that a future meeting with him wouldn’t come to pass.

Ezichi took her cousin’s hand and practically dragged her across the courtyard, into the kitchen.

Where is Ammah Radiya? Sakina asked as she looked around the nearly-empty room.

Stay away from Makhadie, Ezichi said in a low voice. He’s trouble.

"He approached me, Sakina responded, more passionately than she’d intended. She cast her gaze downward and moderated her tone to something more proper. Please don’t tell your father though. I don’t want him to think I acted inappropriately."

Ezichi hugged her. Father knows that he’s an ass. Just…be careful, all right? Makhadie and his father like to stir up trouble, and this part of Aghlabid and its politics aren’t what you’re used to.

Sakina nodded at the huge understatement.

She peered around as they walked back into the courtyard, but Makhadie had moved on to a group of men that included her uncle. They were all talking loudly and gesturing emphatically.

Ezichi noticed them as well. See that man in the middle, in the white turban and brown robes? That’s Makhadie’s father. He and my father don’t get along. Father didn’t even want to invite him tonight, but Mother insisted. ‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer,’ she told him. I’m sure he’ll be gloating tomorrow that he was right not to want him here.

What do they argue about?

Ezichi shrugged. Everything. Land borders and grazing rights, who has more cattle, interpretations of the Messenger’s teachings, the color of the sky…. She rolled her eyes. Tonight, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were arguing about adding you to Makhadie’s harem.

"Who would want to marry me?"

I didn’t say marry. Ezichi looked over at her cousin, then squeezed her hand. I’m sorry, that was rude. But that’s what they think of women.

Women like me, Sakina whispered.

But I don’t think that, and neither does anyone living in this house. We’re glad you’re here.

Sakina smiled, but her insides were frozen. Her family here in Taglayt may have accepted her, but that didn’t mean others did or would.

Shouts cut through the night. Fahim and Makhadie’s father had escalated their argument, and men were moving towards them. To intervene? To take sides? Oh, how Sakina wanted to be back in her father’s segregated home.

Don’t worry. This always happens. Ezichi put her arm around her cousin as they watched several men escort Makhadie and his father from the courtyard.

You’ll regret denying the nature of your whore of a niece, Makhadie’s father shouted as he was pushed out the compound gate. Before the sun sets on this year, your ancestors shall abandon you and the desert gods will take away your good fortune. So I say it, so shall it be.

Sakina gasped.

Ezichi’s fists clenched as she moved towards the men. How dare he!

Radiya moved from the edge of the courtyard to her daughter, catching her arm. She said something to her in a voice too quiet for Sakina to hear. Ezichi shook her head, but Radiya continued talking. They both turned and came back to Sakina.

Don’t worry about that spiteful man, Ezichi said. He exists only to stir up trouble, and no one listens to him.

I shouldn’t be here, Sakina said. Tears threatened to slip down her cheeks.

If you mean in our home, that’s nonsense, Radiya said. Of course you should be here. But if you mean here for the festivities, I agree. Fahim is bringing up several casks of wine to ring in the new year, and that’s no place for a young woman. She looked pointedly at her daughter.

Ezichi grinned.

Get a good night’s rest, both of you, and we’ll discuss what to do about him, if anything, in the morning.

Ezichi led her cousin into the house and to the room they shared. Once Sakina was settled in her bed, Ezichi kissed her head. Father saves the best wine for tonight, she explained with a grin before leaving the room.

Alone in the dark, Sakina tried to clear her mind and ignore what Makhadie’s father had said, but it was impossible. All of Aghlabid, it seemed, knew why her father had cast her out. Her aunt and cousin were wrong to think she’d be welcome in their community, especially if she’d only been with them a few short weeks and already she was causing them trouble.

Despite the late hour, Sakina got out of bed. It wasn’t fair to her uncle and his family to stay here. She crossed the room to the chest that held her few possessions, but