Cover Reveal: ‘Fire Betrayed’

Okay folks, Michelle pulled a blinder yesterday and now I have a cover for Fire Betrayed.

Wanna see it?

And because I’m generous, have an extract too:

This is from Chapter Three, Lizzy has been visiting her mother and step-father in East Marsh while the negotiations between Albon and Sumoast are taking place, but is heading back to King’s Ford.

Lizzy sat on her horse, Sir Philip and Lady Mary in the carriage beside her. The midday sun warmed the chilly air slightly, as the wind ruffled her cloak, the fur collar caressing her cheeks. The fleet waited out in the bay as the Royal Swallow swooped into the dock, dropping sails as she did. Men scurried up and down the rigging, shouts ringing across the water. The ship turned across the wind, and slid alongside the dock, slowing as sails were taken in. Men threw mooring lines out to men waiting on the dock, who tied up.

“Oh my, I didn’t know that was possible.”

“What?”

“Sailing up to the dock like that.”

“Captain Grey is a very good seaman, he doesn’t need a pilot ship to row him in.” Sir Philip smiled. “I’ve always said the man deserves more recognition.”

“Fleets was very impressed by his action in the war. I didn’t get to see them in action but I’ve heard stories.” Lizzy tapped on her pommel. “Even the Umari were astonished at how quickly his crew adapted to using cannon.”

Sir Philip nodded. “Come on then, we’d best get along to the mooring.”

The railing around the deck opened amidships, and a wide gangplank was let down on to the dock. A net was lowered, ready to bring aboard the bolts of woollen cloth wrapped in oilcloth waiting to be taken south to the capital. The men had finished securing the ship and turned to loading the material as Lizzy rode passed, ahead of her parents’ carriage.

She dismounted, looking up at the ship. She smiled. Even on a grey day the bright colours around the planks and finely executed carvings on the bowsprit were a cheerful sight. Captain Grey waved to her from the aft-deck.

“Permission to come aboard, Captain?” Lizzy shouted, her voice cracking slightly.

“Come aboard, Your Highness, and welcome.” The Captain called back, his voice travelling better than Lizzy’s from long practice.

Behind her Sir Philip helped his wife out of their carriage.

“Now, dear, have a safe journey and pass my regards to your father and brothers.” Mary hugged her daughter, kissing her on each cheek. Mary stepped back, pulling her cloak tightly around her as she shivered. She stepped back into the carriage. Sir Philip admired the newly-painted vessel before hugging his step-daughter. He slipped a small bag of ‘travelling money’ into her hand while his wife wasn’t looking and smiled. This was an old tradition of theirs, even though Lizzy’s income was several times that of her mother and Sir Philip’s, and being on a ship, she’d be in King’s Ford in the morning.

“Well, that’s it then, I suppose you’ll be off living the high-life in King’s Ford for another year, forgetting us here in the Marsh.”

“I never forget either of you, you’ll have to come and visit as soon as I have a house ready.”

Lizzy walked up the gangplank, turning to wave halfway up. Sir Philip still stood on the dock while Lady Mary leaned out of the carriage window waving her handkerchief between dabbing at the tears on her cheeks. Turning back, she continued walking the plank on to the deck, finally gripping the railing to step down on to the deck. Keeping put of the way, she watched her horse being lifted aboard and the crew carry her chest from the pile of wool bolts to her cabin. Her parents’ carriage turned, leaving as the gangplank was pulled aboard. Lizzy breathed a sigh of relief as they pulled away from the docks. Finally, she was on her way home.

“Well, Your Highness, it’s nice to see you again. You don’t get seasick, do you?”

“Not so far.”