Sign of Blood - Torn Asunder - Coming of Age Chapters 1 - 3 (Arrant Avenger Book 2)

Paris, France
The grand manse of Duke and Duchess Le Mason was a crown jewel in the city of light. The highborn people of Paris knew well its gilded halls that the lowborn only dreamed of glimpsing. The Sun King Louis XIV was their honored guest at their annual Christmas celebration. Everyone in attendance felt like they were visiting the third level of heaven.
Paris, France
It was fifteen years later and the mood of Paris had not improved. War and the threat of invasion was on the lips of every man, woman and child. They no longer gossiped about the baby boy born with the stigmata. The soon and coming king that the people feared was the king of Spain.
Bordeaux, France
Cassidy, the younger of the two sons of Duke Le Mason ran along a narrow path through the French countryside. The western provincial lands were covered for hundreds of miles with centuries-old vineyards. His black cloak and leather boots kept him hidden as if he were nothing more than a fleeting shadow.