The Winds of the Heavens (Sons of Rhodri Medieval Romance Series)

What Readers Are Saying...

Anna Markland is an incredible writer who writes great books and this novella is just as great. The blurb says it all "They shared everything, but could they share a woman? Juicy medieval romance." The story grabs the reader, and keeps you enthralled until you reach the end. I loved this book, a must read for all.

Lois Lavrisa, author of
Liquid Lies

As a history buff, I found this story to be an authentic medieval experience. It is clear that Markland did extensive research to get it right. The plot has many twists which I don't want to spoil here and that will make you want to read the whole series.

J.Thorn, author of
Gold Within

A note to my readers
...

This is the third book in the series entitled
Sons of Rhodri.
These stories grew out of
The Montbryce Legacy Series
. If you have read the Legacy books you will be familiar with many of the characters in this book. If not, you will enjoy meeting them for the first time. This is the story of Rhodri and Rhonwen’s volatile twin sons, Rhun and Rhydderch.

At the end of this book you can find a glossary of characters and a lexicon of foreign words and phrases used in my books, as well as a helpful Family Tree, but don’t peek yet!

I have something of a grasshopper mentality when it comes to inspiration for my characters and their stories. If you prefer to read in chronological order, here’s a handy list.

1066—Conquering Passion

1066—If Love Dares Enough

1066—Defiant Passion

1087—A Man of Value

1097—My Dark Irish Knight (March 2013)

1100—Passion in the Blood

1106—Dark and Bright

1107—The Winds of the Heavens

1107—Dance of Love

1113—Carried Away

1120—Sweet Taste of Love

1124—Wild Viking Princess

If you like stories with medieval breeds of dogs, you’ll enjoy
If Love Dares Enough
,
Carried Away
, and
Wild Viking Princess
. If you have a soft spot for cats, read
Passion in the Blood
.

*The complete
Sons of Rhodri Trilogy
is available in paperback from Amazon.

Looking for historical fiction centred on a certain region?

English History—all books

Norman French History—all books

Crusades—A Man of Value

Welsh History—Conquering Passion, Defiant Passion, Dark and Bright, The Winds of the Heavens

Scottish History—Conquering Passion, A Man of Value, Sweet Taste of Love

European History (Holy Roman Empire)—Carried Away

Danish History—Wild Viking Princess

Spanish History—Dance of Love

If you like to read about historical characters:

William the Conqueror—Conquering Passion, If Love Dares Enough, Defiant Passion

William Rufus—A Man of Value

Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy—Passion in the Blood

Henry I of England—Passion in the Blood, Sweet Taste of Love

Heinrich V, Holy Roman Emperor—Carried Away

Vikings—Wild Viking Princess

Kings of Aragon (Spain)—Dance of Love

I hope you come to love my characters as much as I do!

Start Reading
Dedication
Other Books by Anna
Glossary
Lexicon
Contact Information
Copyright Information
Family Tree
Table of Contents

You were born together,

and together you shall be forevermore…

but let there be spaces in your togetherness.

And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

~Kahlil Gibran

For my daughter, Heather,

whose laughter warms many a heart

Llanfarran, Powwydd, Wales 1107

The arduous rescue took most of the day. Night fell as the exhausted men coaxed their weary horses into the village of Llanfarran.

Rhun turned to Rhydderch. His own fatigue was etched on his twin’s face. “What a relief! I worried we’d never get here after pulling them out of the crevice. I can’t wait to hear the story of how they fell in there in the first place.”

His brother raked his free hand through his hair. “The mishap might have ended in both their deaths. As it is, our brother’s leg is badly broken and our brother-by-marriage hasn’t wakened from his stupor.”

One of Rhun’s bowmen, part of the infantry escort, glanced up at his lord. “Good thing the ledge broke their fall,
yr Alglwydd
. The conveyance of tree limbs lashed together to hoist the Earl up was what saved him.”

“The contraption was
Arglwydd
Rhydderch’s idea, Dylan.”

Rhydderch smiled wearily. “Maybe, Rhun, but your strong arms got Rhys out.”

Rhys was tall and well-muscled, the gorge steep and narrow. It had taken every ounce of strength and endurance Rhun possessed to haul his helpless brother to safety on his back. The rope binding Rhys to him had cut deep into his skin, and the burns on his hands stung like the devil. Every muscle in his body ached. But they had saved two lives precious to their family. The thought of telling his dear sister, Carys, that her husband, Baudoin was dead could not be borne.

Dylan shook his head. “It was a disastrous end to an expedition cursed from the start.”

Rhun had to agree. The venture to gather information for road improvements in Wales had encountered a discouraging number of catastrophes, including the loss of several horses and the deaths of too many good men. Resumption would have to wait until next spring.

A rider had been sent ahead to warn of their urgent need for a bonesetter. Rhys could not travel far with his mangled leg. Curious villagers recognized and welcomed them warmly as the famous Welsh rebel patriots they were.

Rhydderch shrugged and a wry smile curved his mouth. “This cursed hair gives us away!”

Rhun shared the humor. “How many other redheaded twin warriors do you know?”

Men-at-arms had borne Baudoin’s bier on their shoulders. Rhys had been tied behind Rhun. Rhydderch rode at their side, his hand planted on Rhys’s back.

They reined to a halt and Rhydderch jumped from his horse to assist in supporting their injured brother. “It’s fortunate you gave Rhys one of mother’s potions. He’s completely out.”

Rhun felt his brother’s weight slumped against his back. “This won’t be the last time we’ll be glad we are the sons of a famous healer, and that we paid attention when she instructed us.”

Rhys was taken from the horse and carried to the bonesetter’s cottage. They had expected a man. A young woman awaited them. They exchanged a glance of surprise at the discovery of a slender maiden with ice blue eyes and hair the colour of the harvest moon hidden away in this remote village. Her unusual gown captured Rhun’s attention. Light and flimsy, yet tantalizingly opaque, its sleeves came only to the elbows.

“Lay him here.” The woman indicated the raised pallet in the centre of the cozy cottage. Her sultry voice swept over Rhun like a hot summer wind, and he and Rhydderch complied eagerly. Rhun became aroused at the glimpse of bare female arms as the bonesetter examined the injury. A furtive glance at Rhydderch showed the same reaction!

Each man coughed and turned his attention elsewhere. This was not the first time they had both been aroused by a beautiful woman, but for some reason Rhun was irked now. To ease his discomfort, he embarked on an explanation of the accident and the potion given to Rhys.

She gazed at them. “You’re Rhun and Rhydderch ap Rhodri, the sons of Rhonwen, the renowned healer, and brothers to the Prioress? I have long wished I could meet your mother. The skills she passed on to you probably saved this man’s life. I am Glain verch Llewelyn ap Aldwyn, setter of broken bones.”

Rhun’s eyes widened. She was the embodiment of her name—a jewel.

“This man—er—he’s our brother too. He’s Rhys, the—er—Prince of Powwydd.” Why was he stammering? She must think him a tongue-tied fool.

She bowed her head. “My honour to tend the Prince.” To the men bearing Baudoin she said, “Place him by the fire.”

She turned back to the twins. “You’ve suffered much this day. Go to the next cottage. My neighbours have food and pallets for you.”