Hag of the Hills by J.T.T. Ryder
The Bronze Sword Cycles Duology Book One
288 Pages
Released March 1, 2022

A long time ago, at the edge of the known world a grizzled veteran recounts his past.

Brennus is a young man at the crossroads of boyhood and manhood. Growing up listening to the heroic adventures of his far roving father, Brennus dreams of being a warrior. Although, all he seems destined for on this sleepy island is a life of farming. His brother, Fennigus, chaffs at this staid life. He talks his brother and several other young men into a cattle raid, an act the druids have expressly forbade. In the aftermath of this misadventure, Brennus begins to question what he really wants in life. Lost within himself he heeds the siren call to Slighan Hill. What he does there will change his life forever.

The sidhe will guide you. They will guide your path, and that path of yours will be the warrior’s path. You will know all the pride and the pain, the death and honour, all the blood and battle, and the gold, and glory, and girls. That is what you want. Now go home and face the druids with comfort in knowing they shall not grant you death – go on the new thread we spin for you.

At first Brennus is a callow youth. He experiences several encounters, both ordinary and supernatural, that leave him shaken and questioning what he knows and wants. Fate shuffles him from one bad situation to another in which he finds very little control of the outcome.

After being at the mercy of others for far too long, Brennus puts away his boyhood and becomes the man Vidav. Finding his place in the pecking order of a motley band of mercenaries is difficult with many setbacks. Against all odds, he proves himself and leads his newfound brotherhood against the hill men.

Harsh realities are realized, and dire decisions are made. Some men are fickle with their oaths when faced with their own mortality. Some never waver. Oaths are given and upheld even faced with possible betrayal and faulty knowledge. I personally feel like I am a man of my word, but I would not be able to hold an oath in one particular instance Vidav finds himself involved in.

Ryder is an archaeologist specializing in the Viking Age and Celtic Iron Age. The knowledge this background brings to his writing does not go unnoticed. Hag of the Hills is book one of a duology. While there is some closure at the end of the novel the story continues in The Lion of Skye available August 1st. Also be sure to check out Tomb of the Blue Demons, the prequel novella to the Bronze Sword Cycles Duology, which is available for $1.99 on Amazon, or for free if you subscribe to the author’s newsletter.

J.T.T. Ryder’s official website is www.oldworldheroism.com.