Estuary


 
 
 Acclaim for
 ESTUARY
 “Sometimes you just need to check speculation at the door and sink into an utterly absorbing tale, taking you to a dreamy place (Italy), introducing you to fascinating people (time-travelers) and casually learn about a time period you might not know much about (medieval). Diving into the deep end of this first book in the Oceans of Time will bless you with a refreshing ‘break read,’ as well as a restorative opportunity to consider how families are sometimes uniquely brought together by God . . . a theme close to my heart. I’m eagerly anticipating book two!”
 —Tricia Goyer, bestselling author of 80 books, including A Daring Escape
 “Estuary will whisk you away into a richly woven world of danger and beauty—and sweeping romance. Full of twists and intrigue that will keep you turning pages, this riveting tale delves into the ties of family that span centuries and the parts of ourselves we discover in long-forgotten places. Fans of the original River of Time series—as well as new readers, diving in for the first time—will discover charm, heart and courage brought to life in a breathtaking new way. This spellbinding novel a must-read. Highly recommended!”
 —Kara Swanson, Christy Award-winning author of Dust and Shadow
 “Lisa Bergren weaves a beautiful story in this unique time jump novel. Medieval Italy provides the backdrop with knights, battles, and strong women. A definite recommendation for both those who love her River of Time series and fantasy.”
 —Morgan L. Busse, award-winning author of The Ravenwood Saga and Skyworld series
 “Fabulous and utterly satisfying! Estuary is a glorious return to Bergren’s much-beloved River of Time series. Beautiful portrayals of love, betrayal, and courage are as gorgeous as the Italian countryside in which they’re set. This story will delight Bergren’s longtime fans and have new readers searching caves for that portal back to medieval Italy to meet the infamous She-Wolves of Siena. Nock your arrows and get ready to ride—this is one story you won't want to miss!”
 —Ronie Kendig, award-winning author of the Droseran Saga
 
 Books by Lisa T. Bergren
 The Oceans of Time Series
 Estuary
 The River of Time Series
 Waterfall
 Cascade
 Torrent
 Bourne & Tributary
 Deluge
 River of Time California
 Three Wishes
 Four Winds
 The Remnants Trilogy
 Season of Wonder
 Season of Fire
 Season of Glory
 The Gifted Series
 Begotten
 Betrayed
 Blessed
 View more of Lisa’s books
 at lisatawnbergren.com
 
 Estuary
 Copyright © 2023 Lisa T. Bergren
 
 Published by Enclave Publishing, an imprint of Oasis Family Media, LLC
 Carol Stream, Illinois, USA.
 www.enclavepublishing.com
 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, digitally stored, or transmitted in any form without written permission from Oasis Family Media, LLC.
 This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.
 ISBN: 979-8-88605-046-2 (printed hardcover)
 ISBN: 979-8-88605-047-9 (printed softcover)
 ISBN: 979-8-88605-049-3 (ebook)
 Cover design by Kirk DouPonce, www.DogEaredDesign.com
 Typesetting by Jamie Foley, www.JamieFoley.com
 Printed in the United States of America.
 For my beloved River Tribe,
 who never tire of tales from Toscana.
 I so appreciate each and every one of you!
 Table of Contents
 Cover
 Acclaim for Estuary
 Half-Title
 Books by Lisa T. Bergren
 Title Page
 Copyright Page
 Dedication
 Prologue
 Chapter 1
 Chapter 2
 Chapter 3
 Chapter 4
 Chapter 5
 Chapter 6
 Chapter 7
 Chapter 8
 Chapter 9
 Chapter 10
 Chapter 11
 Chapter 12
 Chapter 13
 Chapter 14
 Chapter 15
 Chapter 16
 Chapter 17
 Chapter 18
 Chapter 19
 Chapter 20
 Chapter 21
 Chapter 22
 Chapter 23
 Chapter 24
 Chapter 25
 Chapter 26
 Chapter 27
 Chapter 28
 Chapter 29
 Chapter 30
 Chapter 31
 Chapter 32
 Chapter 33
 Acknowledgments
 About the Author
 Other Fantasy Series
 PROLOGUE
 Luciana Betarrini
 In all my daydreams about time traveling to medieval Italy, none included being in a wagon, bouncing over cobblestone streets, with my hands tied behind my back. And yet there I was, my bound brother behind me, and the Perugian crowds calling us all sorts of foul names in an ancient form of Italian. Some threw rotting fruit at us.
 Seriously. Rotting fruit. I thought people only did that in movies.
 But I’ve gotten ahead of myself. You probably want to know how two modern college kids ended up in medieval Italy, before the Medicis and da Vinci were around, and a little after the Black Death had killed every third person in the country.
 I blame it on my brother, Domenico.
 Nico was a bit obsessed with our Betarrini relatives, to the point of convincing our dad that we should spend the summer as volunteers in the refurbished Castello Forelli, a big tourist attraction in Tuscany. He won Dad over by claiming it’d be “educational” as well as a connection to our lost Italian relatives. Not that Dad cared much—only what it cost. But Nico was totally convinced he had a lead on some medieval treasure. An ancient scepter and miter of some corrupt pope who’d sheltered with the Medicis for a time. And he had it in his head that if we could just bop back in time, he’d find a way to nab it.
 Admittedly, The Great Betarrini Disappearance Mystery was all the clan—the few we were connected to—could talk about last Thanksgiving. My dad’s uncle and that side of the family gathered on the Jersey shore every year, and once in a while, I accepted their invitation and made Nico go with me. We’d never really had extended family connections, but for some reason, last year, all the commercials showing big, happy families had made me push Nico to bail on Dad in LA—who never made a turkey dinner but preferred to take us out—so we could hang out with Uncle Vinny and his five kids and twenty-plus grandkids. It was always a madhouse being with them, but they did their best to include us.
 I could still see Uncle Vin—Dad’s eighty-year-old uncle—lifting his bear-paw hands