Sorcha Sage and the Ruby Cluster of Ravenoak

By Sarah Gallagher

Sorcha and her friends; Magnus and Edgar are headed to a celebration in the neighbouring village of Ravenoak. Once there, tragedy befalls Sorcha and her friends. Sorcha’s friends include a queen, a doctor, a blacksmith, and an assortment of others. They are put to the test, once separated, and trapped. They must rely on their instincts and determination if they are to survive.

Hooded figures bring with them murder and destruction on the backs and legs of a ruby cluster of spiders. Betrayal and conspiracy abound as a perceived slight is taken out of proportion. Fathers betray their daughters. Cousins betray their cousins. Many lives will be altered from one meek person’s sense of entitlement, along with his hooded henchmen. Rivers of blood will be spilt; terror will be felt; and friends will be lost.

Can Sorcha survive long enough to save her friends and Ravenoak from their demise and return her friend Queen Aisling to her rightful place?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Mar 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9781398488656

Sarah Gallagher

Sarah has always had a love of books, which has led to her having a creative spark and a roaming imagination. This book has been a work in progress since a medical scare, which left her with nothing but time to think and write. Australian by birth. Sarah has always been proud of her Irish heritage. Which can be seen in the character name choices.

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About the Author

Sarah has always had a love of books, which has led to her having a creative spark and a roaming imagination. This book has been a work in progress since a medical scare, which left her with nothing but time to think and write. Australian by birth. Sarah has always been proud of her Irish heritage. Which can be seen in the character name choices.

Copyright Information ©

Sarah Gallagher 2023

The right of Sarah Gallagher to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398486393 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398488656 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

To my amazing mum, Thanks for your support and believing in me when I didn't believe in myself.

Chapter 1 – Queendom

Queen Aisling emerged from her slumber violently, sitting bolt upright and waving her arms in a confused panic, heart racing in a clammy, cold sweat. The only illumination within her chambers was the hearth coals glowing. The sconces appeared to have dissipated. Removing herself from her bed, heart still racing, she runs her fingers through her raven black hair. Fighting slightly with her silk sheets attached to her wet skin. Manoeuvring herself towards her window, the stone floor cool beneath her feet. Throwing another log on the fire as she passed. As warm as Aisling was, she did not wish to be in the darkness. The darkness was suffocating. It was a clear starry night as the queen gazed outside of her window. She noticed the hearths glow from the abodes around her castle in Ravenoak.

Queen Aisling found it calming, observing her queendom in peaceful slumber. Sitting in her chair now by the fire, Aisling gazed into the burning embers. The flames dancing across her emerald-green eyes, entranced by them. Flashes of that disturbing nightmare tormenting her mind. Ruby spiders encompassing and asphyxiating her. A raspy voice repeatedly chanting Long live the ruby cluster. In a murky, shadowy confine with no air. Aisling is imprisoned and suffocating. As she exhales her last breath, she wakes abruptly. Tonight will be the third night in a row. Quite perturbing and inauspicious. Shivers running down her spine as she recalls that suffocating feeling. Claustrophobia settling in. A new experience for Queen Aisling, she had not feared much until these horrific nightmares.

The impending anniversary of her father’s all too sudden demise from this life, plagues Queen Aisling’s mind. King Brion was Aisling’s world after her mother, Queen Maeve, lost her life tragically whilst giving birth to her. As the only child and therefore heiress of King Brion, Princess Aisling became Queen Aisling five years ago at the tender age of 24. King Brion’s death was both unforeseen and atrocious. Ravenoak banded together and showed their support for the newly crowned queen. Ravenoak knew that Queen Aisling would follow in her father’s footsteps; there was no hesitation or concern regarding her reign.

Her father had been a benevolent and generous ruler to all within his kingdom of Ravenoak. Unfortunately one misplaced step was all it took to end the king’s reign. King Brion had gone for his usual ramble in the bordering forest. King Brion found it calming in the fresh air just listening to nature and appreciating it.