The Firebrand

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

“[Bradley] makes a strong statement about the desirability of women having control of their destinies and about the cruelties men inflict upon them.”—
Library Journal

“I recommend
The Firebrand
wholeheartedly. It has everything a reader needs—color, drama, and spectacle.”

—Rambles

“There are two books you should know that relate to [Kassandra]. Number one:
The Iliad
. Number two:
The Firebrand
by Marion Zimmer Bradley, which is actually
about
[Kassandra] and a
very
good fiction book.”

—Paleothea

“Stirring ... Paxson’s bright fusion of fact and myth is a fine tribute to Bradley and the real-world triumphs and tragedy of Boudica.”—
Publishers Weekly

“Marion Zimmer Bradley would be proud of this. . . .The story line smoothly combines ancient history with fantasy elements to please fans.”—
Midwest Book Review

“Magical. . . . [
The Mists of Avalon
] devotees won’t feel let down by
Ancestors
. . . provides plenty of pleasurable reading hours.”—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram

“An elegant stylist, Paxson captures the awe, tragedy, and resounding mystery of ancient Britain and mist-enshrouded Atlantis.”—
Publishers Weekly

“Paxson fashions an entirely new entry in the Avalon saga. . . . [Her] storytelling features the requisite veins of mysticism, but, like Bradley, she excels at bringing the vast sweep of imagined history to an accessible level . . . a rich and respectful homage that will dazzle readers longing to revisit Bradley’s sacred, storied isle.”—
Booklist

“Once again, Diana L. Paxson has beautifully elaborated on Marion Zimmer Bradley’s beloved Avalon saga with this dramatic new installment . . . [an] extraordinary journey.” —SFRevu

“Paxson is an excellent choice as successor to Bradley for this series. Her style and the details of the plot retain the sense of the mysterious past and the feminist awareness that was an underlying theme in the originals.”

—
Chronicle

“Stunning . . . This rich and moving novel merits its place beside Bradley’s fantasy classic.”—
Booklist

“A strange and wondrous story that no fan of the previous Avalon books should be without.”—SF Site

“
Priestess of Avalon
does a stunning job of recapturing the legendary power of the original. . . . [It] brings rich imagery to its prophetic scenes.”—The Green Man Review

“The story flourishes and comes to life. . . . [Bradley’s] fans will not want to miss it.”—
VOYA

“Bradley creates a powerful tale of magic and faith that enlarges upon pagan and Christian traditions to express a deeper truth.”—
Library Journal

“It is obvious that Diana L. Paxson did a lot of research, finding clever ways to meld fantasy to reality, making the portrait of this famous woman both vivid and believable. . . . The politics of religion and of running an empire make for some good reading.”—SF Site

“Amazing and enthralling . . . [
Priestess of Avalon
] is true to the style and tone of Bradley’s other works. Diana Paxson is a very talented author in her own right and excels at taking historical figures and bringing them to vibrant life. . . . With magic, deep, and layered characters and a sweeping narrative,
Priestess of Avalon
is sure to delight Bradley’s many fans, and make many new ones for the talented Diana Paxson.”—Readers Read

“Combines romance, rich historical detail, magical dazzlements, grand adventure, and feminist sentiments into the kind of novel her fans have been yearning for.”

—
Publishers Weekly
(starred review)

“Compelling, powerful.”—
San Francisco Chronicle

“Bradley’s women are, as usual, strong and vibrant, but never before has she so effectively depicted the heroic male . . . an immensely popular saga.”—
Booklist

Also by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Also by Diana L. Paxson

ROC
Published by New American Library, a division of
Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street,
New York, New York 10014, USA
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First Roc Mass Market Printing, April 2009

Copyright © Marion Zimmer Bradley, 1987

eISBN : 978-1-101-02888-9

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Prologue

All DAY the rain had been coming down; now heavy, now tapering off to showers, but never entirely stopping. The women carried their spinning indoors to the hearth, and the children huddled under the overhanging roofs of the courtyard, venturing out for a few minutes between showers to splash through the brick-lined puddles and track the mud inside to the hearthside. By evening, the oldest of the women by the hearth thought she might go mad with the shrieking and splashing, the charging of the little armies, the bashing of wooden swords on wooden shields, the splintering sounds and quarreling over the broken toys, the shifting of loyalties from leader to leader, the yells of the “killed” and “wounded” when they were put out of the game.

Too much rain was still coming down the chimney for proper cooking at the hearth; as the winter day darkened, fires were lighted in braziers. As the baking meat and bread began to smell good, one after another the children came and hunched down like hungry puppies, sniffing loudly and still quarreling in undertones. Shortly before dinner, a guest arrived at the door: a minstrel, a wanderer whose lyre strapped to his shoulder guaranteed him welcome and lodging everywhere. When he had been given food and a bath and dry clothing, the minstrel came and seated himself in the place accorded the most welcome guests, close to the fire. He began to tune his instrument, leaning his ear close to the tortoiseshell pegs and testing the sound with his finger. Then, without asking leave—even in these days a bard did as he chose—he strummed a single loud chord and declaimed: