[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
responded.
Yolen and Tytido exchanged a cordial if clannish look, and Yolen said, Sir,
Clan Rantu has decided to add its strength to the fight against Onja. We want
to join your group.
They must have heard I finally got paid, Tytido thought but did not share the
comment.
Scanning the new warriors, Dreibrand was pleased and he welcomed them readily.
I accept you and your company, Yolen. It must not have been easy for you to
travel here in this cold weather.
Your decision to join us was brave and the strength of Clan Rantu is needed.
Yolen thanked his new commander, already impressed with the foreigner who he
had been hearing so much about.
Dreibrand added, You serve Lord Shan, but remember you live here as guests of
the Temu and you must follow their laws.
The Hirqua agreed to do so, and Dreibrand bade them to follow Tytido who would
introduce them to the other Yentay.
The arrival of more volunteers thrilled Dreibrand and he believed even more
would come. By spring he anticipated being the commander of a respectable
force.
After returning to the castle, Miranda and he enjoyed a private dinner. After
a servant cleared the table, he watched Miranda stir the fire. Her light brown
hair glowed like brass so close to the flames as she contemplated the iron
poker in the coals.
Dreibrand saw the melancholy look on her face as her mind drifted. Gently he
inquired, What do you want?
Puzzled by the question, she said, What do you mean?
Dreibrand pushed his chair back and stretched out his legs. While fingering
the lip of his wine cup, he explained, I mean what do you want, Miranda? Shan
says he will reward my efforts with anything he has to give. Therefore, you
can have whatever you want.
I want my children, she stated sadly.
Of course, but what else? he urged.
Helplessly, Miranda looked around before replying, Except for my children, I
have everything. I live in this beautiful place. I have good food, good
clothes, a horse, two horses, friends, a lover. She smiled.
Dreibrand pressed, But do you want a home of your own? An estate? Miranda,
you must want more.
The years of privation and abuse surfaced in her mind and they were memories
Miranda preferred to ignore. She bit her lip while subduing the painful
memories. Gathering her hard-won dignity, she said, Being free means so much
to me that I have not thought about other things.
Seeing that his question had somehow upset her, Dreibrand got up and hugged
her. When you think of other things let me know, he said.
I want to love you, Miranda whispered.
That I can provide, he murmured happily.
Their embrace tightened with kissing and their desire flared. They found their
way to the sofa and clothing was slipping free when a knock came at the door.
It is just the servant, Miranda dismissed as she pulled his shirt off his
shoulders.
Page 58
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Kissing her bared breasts and tugging at her garments, Dreibrand showed no
interest in the knock whatsoever.
Outside a man cleared his throat and called, General?
Dreibrand had wanted to ignore the disturbance, but he recognized Tytido s
voice. Heaving a frustrated sigh, he sat up and pulled his shirt back on.
Miranda sat up with him, keeping a hand on his chest. Send him away, she
commanded with a kiss.
For an indulgent moment, Dreibrand acquiesced before easing her back. He
would only be here if it was important, he determined.
Very well, Miranda accepted, replacing her clothes.
Tytido waited patiently until Miranda answered the door. He politely
acknowledged her and saluted his general, who now stood by the fireplace.
Tytido felt a little uncomfortable as he perceived that he had just
interrupted his commander on the verge of a tousling.
Sir, I have received a message for you, Tytido said and removed a scroll
from his coat.
Keenly interested, Dreibrand took it. Black wax without design held the scroll
closed. He looked to
Tytido, obviously seeking information on the source of a message.
A cloaked man gave it to me outside the barracks. He avoided the light from
the door and I could not see him. He insisted I bring it to you then ran off,
Tytido said.
Dreibrand broke the seal and read the letter. Although he had picked up the
speaking of the common language very quickly, he had not had enough
opportunity to study it in written form and he had to consult Tytido. Miranda
edged close and peered at the scroll. She longed to know what the writing
said.
Do you know where this tavern is? What does that say, the Silver Bear?
Dreibrand asked Tytido.
I think so, Tytido said with the hesitation of someone not native to Dengar
Nor.
Then take me there, Dreibrand ordered.
What does it say? Miranda asked with exasperation.
Dreibrand said, This is a message from the Kezanada. They have information
for me.
I am going with you, Miranda announced.
Stay here. It might be dangerous, Dreibrand warned.
I will not stay. I want to talk to this Kezanada myself, Miranda insisted
It is probably just a servant, not an actual Kezanada, Dreibrand argued.
Then I will give him a message to take to the Kezanada. I am sick of the
problems these criminals cause. I am going to tell them that if they do not
take our side, I will convince Shan to punish them, Miranda decided.
Dreibrand s eyes widened with alarm. Do NOT speak for Shan. I already have
arranged a truce, so do not mess it up, he ordered.
Why not say that? Threats are all these people understand, Miranda
protested.
Dreibrand calmed his anger. He did not want to fight with her, especially in
front of Tytido, who observed curiously. Tytido often marveled at her
boldness, which he was not used to, but it did not offend him. He respected
his general, and Dreibrand respected her, so he minded his own business.
Dreibrand decided, You can come with us. But Miranda, promise me you will not
say that.
She looked at him with defiant green eyes, but finally nodded.
Good. I will get your coat, Dreibrand said. He went into their bedchamber
and retrieved their outerwear. From a small chest he removed two bags of gold.
Shan had provided him with this fund to use at his convenience.
When they rode down to the city, the wind was light and the snow was gentle. A
perfect and beautiful winter night. Because Miranda was with him, Dreibrand
Page 59
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
hoped his outing merely looked like a night on the town.
Tytido took a few wrong turns but refused to ask for directions. After a
couple explorations, he found the run down quarter of the city that was home
to the Silver Bear. Unpainted wooden buildings and older brick buildings lined
the narrow streets that were busy with foot traffic. The taverns were crowded
with people, gathered for warmth and a good time, but the Silver Bear was
quiet and no singing drifted through the shuttered windows. They gave their
horses over to a lackadaisical hostler, who shuffled by in the snowy gloom of
a single outdoor lamp. Two great pillars of icicles hung beside the entrance
to the tavern. Miranda looked back thoughtfully before entering.
Over the buildings and the smoking chimneys, she could see the castle high on
the mesa. A
sprinkling of lighted windows outlined the stronghold that looked so
incredibly grand in the moonlit sky speckled with clouds.
The common room of the Silver Bear had only a few occupants, who were intent
on their monotonous nightly rituals. Two Temu played at a game while a third
watched officiously and puffed a pipe. A semi-talented guitarist practiced by
the fire, content to make his own music whether he entertained anyone. The [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl karpacz24.htw.pl
responded.
Yolen and Tytido exchanged a cordial if clannish look, and Yolen said, Sir,
Clan Rantu has decided to add its strength to the fight against Onja. We want
to join your group.
They must have heard I finally got paid, Tytido thought but did not share the
comment.
Scanning the new warriors, Dreibrand was pleased and he welcomed them readily.
I accept you and your company, Yolen. It must not have been easy for you to
travel here in this cold weather.
Your decision to join us was brave and the strength of Clan Rantu is needed.
Yolen thanked his new commander, already impressed with the foreigner who he
had been hearing so much about.
Dreibrand added, You serve Lord Shan, but remember you live here as guests of
the Temu and you must follow their laws.
The Hirqua agreed to do so, and Dreibrand bade them to follow Tytido who would
introduce them to the other Yentay.
The arrival of more volunteers thrilled Dreibrand and he believed even more
would come. By spring he anticipated being the commander of a respectable
force.
After returning to the castle, Miranda and he enjoyed a private dinner. After
a servant cleared the table, he watched Miranda stir the fire. Her light brown
hair glowed like brass so close to the flames as she contemplated the iron
poker in the coals.
Dreibrand saw the melancholy look on her face as her mind drifted. Gently he
inquired, What do you want?
Puzzled by the question, she said, What do you mean?
Dreibrand pushed his chair back and stretched out his legs. While fingering
the lip of his wine cup, he explained, I mean what do you want, Miranda? Shan
says he will reward my efforts with anything he has to give. Therefore, you
can have whatever you want.
I want my children, she stated sadly.
Of course, but what else? he urged.
Helplessly, Miranda looked around before replying, Except for my children, I
have everything. I live in this beautiful place. I have good food, good
clothes, a horse, two horses, friends, a lover. She smiled.
Dreibrand pressed, But do you want a home of your own? An estate? Miranda,
you must want more.
The years of privation and abuse surfaced in her mind and they were memories
Miranda preferred to ignore. She bit her lip while subduing the painful
memories. Gathering her hard-won dignity, she said, Being free means so much
to me that I have not thought about other things.
Seeing that his question had somehow upset her, Dreibrand got up and hugged
her. When you think of other things let me know, he said.
I want to love you, Miranda whispered.
That I can provide, he murmured happily.
Their embrace tightened with kissing and their desire flared. They found their
way to the sofa and clothing was slipping free when a knock came at the door.
It is just the servant, Miranda dismissed as she pulled his shirt off his
shoulders.
Page 58
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Kissing her bared breasts and tugging at her garments, Dreibrand showed no
interest in the knock whatsoever.
Outside a man cleared his throat and called, General?
Dreibrand had wanted to ignore the disturbance, but he recognized Tytido s
voice. Heaving a frustrated sigh, he sat up and pulled his shirt back on.
Miranda sat up with him, keeping a hand on his chest. Send him away, she
commanded with a kiss.
For an indulgent moment, Dreibrand acquiesced before easing her back. He
would only be here if it was important, he determined.
Very well, Miranda accepted, replacing her clothes.
Tytido waited patiently until Miranda answered the door. He politely
acknowledged her and saluted his general, who now stood by the fireplace.
Tytido felt a little uncomfortable as he perceived that he had just
interrupted his commander on the verge of a tousling.
Sir, I have received a message for you, Tytido said and removed a scroll
from his coat.
Keenly interested, Dreibrand took it. Black wax without design held the scroll
closed. He looked to
Tytido, obviously seeking information on the source of a message.
A cloaked man gave it to me outside the barracks. He avoided the light from
the door and I could not see him. He insisted I bring it to you then ran off,
Tytido said.
Dreibrand broke the seal and read the letter. Although he had picked up the
speaking of the common language very quickly, he had not had enough
opportunity to study it in written form and he had to consult Tytido. Miranda
edged close and peered at the scroll. She longed to know what the writing
said.
Do you know where this tavern is? What does that say, the Silver Bear?
Dreibrand asked Tytido.
I think so, Tytido said with the hesitation of someone not native to Dengar
Nor.
Then take me there, Dreibrand ordered.
What does it say? Miranda asked with exasperation.
Dreibrand said, This is a message from the Kezanada. They have information
for me.
I am going with you, Miranda announced.
Stay here. It might be dangerous, Dreibrand warned.
I will not stay. I want to talk to this Kezanada myself, Miranda insisted
It is probably just a servant, not an actual Kezanada, Dreibrand argued.
Then I will give him a message to take to the Kezanada. I am sick of the
problems these criminals cause. I am going to tell them that if they do not
take our side, I will convince Shan to punish them, Miranda decided.
Dreibrand s eyes widened with alarm. Do NOT speak for Shan. I already have
arranged a truce, so do not mess it up, he ordered.
Why not say that? Threats are all these people understand, Miranda
protested.
Dreibrand calmed his anger. He did not want to fight with her, especially in
front of Tytido, who observed curiously. Tytido often marveled at her
boldness, which he was not used to, but it did not offend him. He respected
his general, and Dreibrand respected her, so he minded his own business.
Dreibrand decided, You can come with us. But Miranda, promise me you will not
say that.
She looked at him with defiant green eyes, but finally nodded.
Good. I will get your coat, Dreibrand said. He went into their bedchamber
and retrieved their outerwear. From a small chest he removed two bags of gold.
Shan had provided him with this fund to use at his convenience.
When they rode down to the city, the wind was light and the snow was gentle. A
perfect and beautiful winter night. Because Miranda was with him, Dreibrand
Page 59
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
hoped his outing merely looked like a night on the town.
Tytido took a few wrong turns but refused to ask for directions. After a
couple explorations, he found the run down quarter of the city that was home
to the Silver Bear. Unpainted wooden buildings and older brick buildings lined
the narrow streets that were busy with foot traffic. The taverns were crowded
with people, gathered for warmth and a good time, but the Silver Bear was
quiet and no singing drifted through the shuttered windows. They gave their
horses over to a lackadaisical hostler, who shuffled by in the snowy gloom of
a single outdoor lamp. Two great pillars of icicles hung beside the entrance
to the tavern. Miranda looked back thoughtfully before entering.
Over the buildings and the smoking chimneys, she could see the castle high on
the mesa. A
sprinkling of lighted windows outlined the stronghold that looked so
incredibly grand in the moonlit sky speckled with clouds.
The common room of the Silver Bear had only a few occupants, who were intent
on their monotonous nightly rituals. Two Temu played at a game while a third
watched officiously and puffed a pipe. A semi-talented guitarist practiced by
the fire, content to make his own music whether he entertained anyone. The [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]