The O’Shea Chronicles

The Ogre Menace

By Seamus

This book is a work of fiction.

People, places, events and situations are the product of the author’s imagination.

Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or historical events, is purely coincidental.

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

© 2014. Seamus. All rights reserved.

All work is fully owned and is the property of the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieved system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Printed in the United Kingdom.

Books available by Seamus…

The Leprechauns TaleThe Ogre Menace

Books still to come from Seamus…

The Leprechaun Prophecy (parallel to Voyage of Discovery)Voyage of Discovery (parallel to The Leprechaun Prophecy)

The True Master (conclusion of the series)

Visit the website….

www.theosheachronicles.com

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER Prologue1 A Call for Help2 A Familiar Path3 Preparation 4 To the Beach and Beyond5 A Favour Returned 6 Unknown Territory7 Reunited8 Mallaidh9 A Change of Direction10 The Confrontation 11 All at Sea12 A Common Foe13 Cap in Hand 14 The Council of Kings15 Clash at Sea16 Mauretania17 Life in the Desert18 Eve of the Battle19 Stand-off 20 Ships on the Horizon21 Ambiorix22 The Interrogation 23 King Teutates 24 Ogres on the March 25 The Battle Begins 26 Flamnach27 Goblins28 Ogres in Retreat29 A Wizard at the Gate30 An Intriguing Acquisition31 The Journey HomeEpilogue

NÍ NEART GO CUR LE CHÉILEThere is not strength until

there is unity

Players

Adam Dylan’s brotherAmbiorix An ogre soldierAmber Heir to the fairy throneArthur Pixie knightBrennus Ogre soldierBridie Neave’s apprenticeCameron Brownie rebel leaderCait Dougal’s sweetheartDerry Twin sister of DougalDougal Twin brother of DerryDylan Adam’s younger brotherFearghus Dougal’s friendGaston Esprit follet prince Izzy The brownie rebel leaderJonty Finn’s brother Liam Fairy foresterMazarin Esprit follet wizardNeave Fairy wizardPhil Flying fairy dragonTeutates Ogre kingTurloch Dougal’s friendTyler Fairy sailor Vercingetroix Ogre soldier

PROLOGUE

The pretty seaside town of Clew was a hive of activity. Cooking fires burned in small whitewashed cottages, sending a sweet, woody smell out into the cobbled streets.

Fairies bustled along the pavements, carrying fresh bread, fish and vegetables they had bought from the market in large wicker baskets.

Down at the docks, fishermen readied their boats for another busy day, preparing nets and bait to take out on the calm welcoming water, for today was market day, an important day for the small fishing village and its hinterland. On the first Monday of every month, merchants came from all over the fairy kingdom, bringing their wares and goods to trade. However, more importantly to the residents and nearby farmers of the coastal village, the traders brought money, and that was good news. Merchant wizards used magic to keep the fish, meat and produce fresh, enabling it to be transported to Sarasidhe and beyond.

Tom, one of the village’s oldest and most respected fishermen, was mending a ripped, tattered sail as he watched the stunning sunrise. The sky was burning red, and the golden glow of the sun was just beginning to break through the misty haze of dawn. His worn-out eyes always loved this portentous sight.

‘Red sky in the morning – I think I’ll stay ashore this day.’His equally old and weathered friend Pat laughed. ‘Any excuse to stay on dry land in the

comfort of the Fisherman’s Arms.’‘Will you be joining me, Pat?’‘Aye, as soon as I fix this net, Tom.’The two men lapsed into a comfortable silence as they finished their chores, all the while

dreaming of the tempting pint of stout waiting for them in their favourite tavern, their taste buds coming alive at the thought.

Tom looked up from his net as something in the distance caught his eye. He saw a large ship sailing towards the shore.

‘Pat, what do you make of that?’ ‘Make of what, Tom?’ ‘That ship – it’s huge,’ he replied, gesturing in the direction of the vessel.Pat looked over to where his wizened old friend was pointing.‘I don’t know, Tom. I’ve never seen anything like it before.’‘I suppose it could belong to those giants we heard about a couple of years ago.’ The fishermen continued to watch as the ship sailed towards them, gradually getting closer,

until it finally dropped its anchor less than a quarter of a mile from shore. Two large longboats were then dropped into the water. Pat and Tom looked on in horror as large armed figures climbed down rope ladders and

clambered into the waiting longboats.‘Dear God, we’re under attack!’ yelled Pat.The two fishermen sprung to their feet, running towards the village centre, screaming.‘We’re under attack, we’re under attack!’As they cried their warnings, catapulted stones smashed into the dock behind them. Pat risked a quick glance back over his shoulder; his eyes went wide, as already half of the

boats in the small fishing fleet were ablaze in the harbour.The unknown invaders, at least twice the size of the fairies of Clew, rushed ashore, their

armour clanking, echoing the sounds of impending doom. The largest amongst them shouted, ‘Kill them all, burn this village to the ground. Let the fairies of Connaught know the ogres have returned!’

The screams of terror quickly turned to screams of pain and death, as fairies were slaughtered where they stood, the white cobbled streets of Clew turning a deep crimson as fairy blood ebbed from the dying bodies.

The ogres went about their task with unbridled enthusiasm, killing every man, woman and child, leaving the bodies where they fell.

Within two hours, the small, prosperous village of Clew was wiped from the face of Connaught forever.

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