But just as soon as the words were about to come forth, she closed her mouth tight. The druid’s statement hung in the air like fog in a gulch, and Brocca thought once or twice she’d explain.

Their conversation waned as they plodded through mossy fields. The druid shook his cloaked head, aiming his words at the ground. Patrick taught that if one accepts baptism in the Lord’s name, one may dwell on the promise that long-suffering for Jesus will result in a reward in heaven.” “Nay, it does not bother me to be a slave. She swallowed hard, hoping to steady her voice. If this druid, her new master, had meant to be cruel, he would never have allowed her to ride.īrocca clutched the mare’s blond mane and cleared her throat, causing the druid to glance back at her. How could he have been so heartless to force her to leave Leinster while she was expecting his child?īrocca took comfort in one thing. The child within her bounced with every hoofbeat, but riding was far easier than stumbling along a rugged trail. How should she answer? Her lot as a slave would soon cost her dearly. She wiped away the moisture and patted her large belly.

He was her new master now.īrocca gazed down into the man’s frosty blue eyes as he traipsed alongside the horse.Ī chilly midday mist coated Brocca’s eyelashes. “Does it bother ye? Being a slave, I mean?” The aged druid guided Brocca’s way while she rode horseback through the rocky slopes spanning the southern part of the Irish isle. “If God sends you down a stony path, may he give you strong shoes.” Used by permission Interior Artwork by Deirdra Doan Draper Cover Model/Stock provider Janna ProsvirinaĮBook Interior Design by Penoaks Publishing, Used by permission of Hodder and Stoughton Ltd.Ĭover Design by Kim M. Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version,copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

The right of Cindy Thomson to be identifiedĪs author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designsįirst published in the UK in 2005 by Monarch Books (a publishing imprint of Lion Hudson plc),

Brigid of Ireland by Cindy Thomson