In 865AD Vikings attack the female Bramingham Monastery in the Kingdom of Northumbria. The building is looted with everything of value taken by the pagans, Abbess Jane and senior nuns are slaughtered and the younger nuns abducted into slavery. Maiden Kendra, minding the monastery sheep on the top plateau during the attack survives.

This is her story.

One other survivor, postulant Jolene finds her and together they return to the monastery. Secrets are discovered that both help and hinder, including secret tunnels, a mine and evidence of clandestine trading with Vikings.  Refugees from an nearby village are welcomed but Kendra is attacked by one of the villagers and finds her feelings confused. A knight from the King’s army arrives but is as ruthless as the Vikings. He is driven from Bramingham but places the monastery under siege. With winter coming there is every chance that they will be starved into submission.

One night, Kendra awakens to see a Viking standing there. He is Rodmaf who tells her she is the daughter of Thorodd, a dying Viking chieftain who wants to see her before he dies. Under threat of having her friends killed, she agrees to accompany him back to his village. She meets Hendrix, Thorodd’s wife and her father. She learns that her mother died giving birth to her and that Rodmaf is her half-brother. Thorodd dies and Hendrix tells her that they must leave otherwise they will be sacrificed at Thorodd’s funeral.

Can they escape and get home?

Smashwords