Ara
by B.R.
Eddy
Release
Date: Fall 2014
339
pages
Summary
from Goodreads:
Ara Vertrees is an advisor to the King
in Jimalia, a thriving island nation in the middle of a vast ocean. Her macaws
are trained to fly home to the palace to repeat confidential information. When
their messages become more and more troubling, she finds herself in the middle
of a crisis she never expected. Ara's story is full of adventure, friendship,
mystery, love and loss. Join Ara and her companions as they fight pirates,
uncover deception, find love and fight for Jimalia.
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Archer placed both hands firmly on the desk, “We will need to act quickly. I must confront him.”
Ara nodded, “Aye, he must be taken by surprise, we can’t allow him any time to prepare.” She
looked directly into Archer’s eyes, “You must sharpen your swordsman’s skills. He will not cede
to you peacefully. It will come to swords.”
Archer snuffed, “My swordsmanship is exemplary.”
Captain Upshaw faced him aggressively, “You mustn’t underestimate him. He is many years
your senior and served the navy when he was your age.”
Archer laughed, “He’s a fat old man! I have a clear advantage over him, my victory is sure.”
He was startled by the distinct ring of a sword being drawn from its sheath. All jumped in the
small space, Ara’s sword sang over the table, her face was mad with rage, “Outside now!”
Ara was furious. The damn fool! She chased him out into the officers’ lobby where he fumbled
at his sword hilt. Although she was speaking to Archer, all fled the chartroom to escape her
swinging sword. She chased Archer out onto the deck where his humiliation would be seen by
all, as it would come to pass if he didn’t put his arrogant ways behind him. Except this bout
would not end in his death.
Archer finally freed his sword from its sheath and faced her, but before he could find his footing
she sliced his shirt with a controlled swing under his defenses, “He will rend you to ribbons! He
has served in battle and is familiar with fighting to kill. If you honestly think your fancy little
fencing training by instructors who were too afraid to offend a Cannon gives you a ‘clear
advantage’ then you’re a dead man walking!” She struck his blade down hard, rage fueling her.
The hilt of her own sword rung from the strike so hard that it hurt her hand. She sliced at him
again, this time at his shoulder, this time finding skin. “My own young apprentice could oust
you, and I am just a court lady!”
The men around them hooted and hollered, excited by the confrontation. Shells were being
collected left and right for betting. They were all around them, up in the shrouds and on the aft-
and forecastles, stomping their feet and chanting something Ara couldn’t distinguish. She was
entirely focused on Archer.
Archer roared and charged her sloppily. She snuffed in distaste as she stepped aside calmly,
leaving one foot planted for him to trip over, which he did. He yelped as his face cracked against
the deck loudly.
His sword slid away from him, he groaned as he flipped over to his back, grasping his head. Ara
stood over him, pressing the tip of her blade to his throat, “You’re dead.”
The men cheered and hollered. Archer’s face burned red.
“Now…” She sheathed her sword and took a breath, “You must sharpen your swordsman’s
skills.”
He sat up and hung his head for a moment, but then retrieved his sword and found his feet, “Aye,
councilor.”
Archer placed both hands firmly on the desk, “We will need to act quickly. I must confront him.”
Ara nodded, “Aye, he must be taken by surprise, we can’t allow him any time to prepare.” She
looked directly into Archer’s eyes, “You must sharpen your swordsman’s skills. He will not cede
to you peacefully. It will come to swords.”
Archer snuffed, “My swordsmanship is exemplary.”
Captain Upshaw faced him aggressively, “You mustn’t underestimate him. He is many years
your senior and served the navy when he was your age.”
Archer laughed, “He’s a fat old man! I have a clear advantage over him, my victory is sure.”
He was startled by the distinct ring of a sword being drawn from its sheath. All jumped in the
small space, Ara’s sword sang over the table, her face was mad with rage, “Outside now!”
Ara was furious. The damn fool! She chased him out into the officers’ lobby where he fumbled
at his sword hilt. Although she was speaking to Archer, all fled the chartroom to escape her
swinging sword. She chased Archer out onto the deck where his humiliation would be seen by
all, as it would come to pass if he didn’t put his arrogant ways behind him. Except this bout
would not end in his death.
Archer finally freed his sword from its sheath and faced her, but before he could find his footing
she sliced his shirt with a controlled swing under his defenses, “He will rend you to ribbons! He
has served in battle and is familiar with fighting to kill. If you honestly think your fancy little
fencing training by instructors who were too afraid to offend a Cannon gives you a ‘clear
advantage’ then you’re a dead man walking!” She struck his blade down hard, rage fueling her.
The hilt of her own sword rung from the strike so hard that it hurt her hand. She sliced at him
again, this time at his shoulder, this time finding skin. “My own young apprentice could oust
you, and I am just a court lady!”
The men around them hooted and hollered, excited by the confrontation. Shells were being
collected left and right for betting. They were all around them, up in the shrouds and on the aft-
and forecastles, stomping their feet and chanting something Ara couldn’t distinguish. She was
entirely focused on Archer.
Archer roared and charged her sloppily. She snuffed in distaste as she stepped aside calmly,
leaving one foot planted for him to trip over, which he did. He yelped as his face cracked against
the deck loudly.
His sword slid away from him, he groaned as he flipped over to his back, grasping his head. Ara
stood over him, pressing the tip of her blade to his throat, “You’re dead.”
The men cheered and hollered. Archer’s face burned red.
“Now…” She sheathed her sword and took a breath, “You must sharpen your swordsman’s
skills.”
He sat up and hung his head for a moment, but then retrieved his sword and found his feet, “Aye,
councilor.”
About the Author
My name is Brit and I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California. My work with animals brought macaws into my life. They frightened me, moved me, hurt me, loved me and made me grow. I hope that my novel will help people understand these birds better! They are breathtaking and intelligent, but do not make good pets for most families. They require a lot of space and attention, can be very destructive and can easily outlive you. They can be incredible companions to the right people. Please keep all these things in mind when considering a macaw as a pet!"
My name is Brit and I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California. My work with animals brought macaws into my life. They frightened me, moved me, hurt me, loved me and made me grow. I hope that my novel will help people understand these birds better! They are breathtaking and intelligent, but do not make good pets for most families. They require a lot of space and attention, can be very destructive and can easily outlive you. They can be incredible companions to the right people. Please keep all these things in mind when considering a macaw as a pet!"
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