In 200 BC...
... frankincense was worth its weight in gold, making Arabia was the envy of the world. But wealth comes at a cost: the precious resin had to be transported along the Frankincense Road, a dangerous route through rocky mountains and barren desert.
Alia is a princess in a dwindling kingdom that lies on the Frankincense Road. Having grown up hearing tales of Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, she dreams of finding a way to restore her kingdom’s former might. When a caravan journeying to the mysterious incense lands stops to take on travellers, she sees her chance.
She soon realises, however, that her trust in the caravan leaders has been misguided. They are not mere incense merchants, but traitors and mercenaries. Alia’s journey soon turns from dangerous to life-threatening.
The Frankincense Trail is a story that transports the reader to a time and place reminiscent of the Arabian Nights tales.
Excerpt
He raised his sword and moved towards her. Alia knew she'd have to be fast. From her training with Yashir, she was used to fighting someone stronger than herself, and her only advantage lay in her speed.
Kardal performed a simple move that brought his blade down near the base of hers. She knew he meant to knock the sword from her hand, Yashir having tried the same trick countless times. Any younger sibling, however, had to learn to be devious if they were to stand a chance. At the last possible moment, she turned and spun away from the hit, then leapt forward, thrusting her sword across her body and bringing the edge of the blade up laterally as she ran straight at Kardal. She stopped; her blade edge was at his throat. Their toes almost touched.
He raised an eyebrow. "Where did a young priest learn to fight like that?"
Her breathing was rapid; she parted her teeth so that he wouldn't hear her panting. "My father taught me."
"Your father the scribe."
"Yes."
"And where did he learn to fight?"
"He... has brothers. One is a soldier. He spent time with us."
He hit hard, and there was a sharp 'ting' as he knocked her sword wide. 'You're lying,' the strike seemed to say.
Preview
Read the first two chapters of the story...
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