It was just after twilight, and Elder Fíor was travelling through thick forest alone and on foot. It was common enough for the clergy to travel alone; their rough-spun woollen habits and cowls identified them as clerics, granting them summa salus – complete immunity – everywhere the Conclave remained sovereign. The Elder checked over his supplies, paying particular attention to the roll of parchment. Without the Proclamation his immunity would be of little use – the men of Bhail Aibhen would probably strip him of everything but the immunity, then leave him to the wolves.

Bhail Aibhen - the Free Fantasy Audiobook  1.1. Fior leaves the trees

Free fantasy audiobook.

Reoir of the Do-íne watched from his position above Bhail Aibhen’s postern gate. He always watched from his position above Bhail Aibhen’s postern gate. He was, after all, a Waerder – a watchman. The young man was dedicated, but he had an unhelpful proclivity for daydreaming on the job.

Bhail Aibhen - the Free Fantasy Audiobook 1.2.1. Reoir at the Postern Gate

Free Fantasy Audiobook.
“Ok,” said the Captain, “north-side by the willows. He’ll take the Mór Bridge and approach from the West. What speed was he walking?”
“Captain?”
“How quickly was he moving, Langsum?”
“Hard to say, sir, it was dark, and he was on the other side of the river.”
“Hmm…” said the Captain, unimpressed.

Bhail Aibhen - the Free Fantasy Audiobook 1.2.2. Meeting the Captain

The Brégu and his closest advisors had convened in the Aldsael. This building was unlike the Heh-sael, which had been designed for large, formal convocations. Instead, the sole purpose of the Aldsael was to accommodate small meetings like this one, between the Brégu and his Council of the Few. As such, the building was a traditional roundhouse of modest size, consisting of a single room with low benches, arrayed around a central fire pit.

Bhail Aibhen - the Free Fantasy Audiobook 1.3.1. The Meeting Of The Few (1)

Bhail Aibhen - the Free Fantasy Audiobook 1.3.2. Fior Approaches the Gate

Bhail Aibhen - The Free Fantasy Audiobook 1.3.3. The Captain Extinguishes the Torches

Reoir was watching the cleric from a covered position on the hill. He had established a vantage point among a copse of trees which gave him a clear view of the West Trail. Suddenly, the lights at the Scorpion Gate went out. The torches, he thought, they’re extinguished. But no horn: we’re not fighting.

Bhail Aibhen - the Free Fantasy Audiobook 1.3.4. Reoir watches the Elder

“Well?” asked the Captain, greeting Reoir as he joined them on the parapet. “Tell me about the robes.”
“Rough-spun and interlaced” offered Reoir, breathless from the run. “Purple and silver, I think. I’m sorry, Captain, I don’t know which Order.” 
“That’s ok, the colours are enough. Was there anything supernatural? A glow or crackle? Any unexplained heat or cold?”

Bhail Aibhen - the Free Fantasy Audiobook 1.3.5. The Captain Orders the Gate Opened

“You wanted to discuss something with me, Creagan?” asked Sinead, waiting outside the Aldsael. The healer was impatient to return home after her meeting with the Few, but she had waited for the leather master anyway. The Ard knew he wanted something, and she was keen to keep her gifted new colleague on side.

Bhail Aibhen - the Free Fantasy Audiobook 1.4.1. Creagan bribes the Ard

Sinead swung the apothecary door wide, letting it slam noisily behind her.
“Goddess!” she heard Roisin cry, “was it a late one, Sinead?”
Roisin, the Ard’s apprentice, came plunging down the stone steps set into the roundhouse wall. It was rare for a building in the Bhail to have a second story, but the Ardshús was an exception in many ways.
The Ard eyed her apprentice. Judging by the copper thatch falling about your alabaster shoulders, Roisin, I’d guess you were frightened awake by the clattering door, thought the Ard. Good.