I Know Not (The Story of Fox Crow) by James Daniel Ross Read Free Book Online Page A
Authors: James Daniel Ross
Northern Ridge? I’m lucky to be alive. Every society has outcasts, even barbarians. The cruel, heartless men of the north and the bloodthirsty, vicious men of the west tended to force their incorrigibles into the Northern Ridge mountains in the same way a man may place a bloody axe in a closet against a future need. The peaceful journey had been a masquerade; I was safer now than I had been since I had first awakened in the keep.
Her face made it clear she was worrying at the problem in her mind, and seemed genuinely concerned. So, the almost–beauty was not only a woman of breeding, but practical, “I can say that Walden was known for hiring mercenaries and scouts of the finest quality. He had a great treasury in the castle to pay them and always hired the best for high wages. You, it would seem, would fit his qualifications as a master–at–arms.” She turned to her nanny. “Gelia, would a head injury such as his have caused such a loss of memory even after his healing?”
Gelia’s eyes pierced me, tried to read me even through my Fog to see my inner–most being. Good luck, grandma. Her face screwed up as an inner battle against some conflicting judgments warred. I was startled to find my hand creeping toward the hilt of my sword; I had not even realized I had brought it with me from the tent. Apparently my hind–brain knows me better than I do, no surprise there .
“Yes, if he is speaking the truth, he may never retrieve his recollections in any sensible manner.”
I felt like cursing and cheering at the same time. She could have poisoned my relationship with the Lady, but did not by opting for the truth. Then again, if she spoke honestly I might never fully realize who I was. My face, of its own accord, portrayed picture–perfect resigned determination. Theodemar came forward from helping harness the horses to the carriage and the lady nodded for him to speak. “Mistress, at our present strength, perhaps an extra sword would not go unneeded if Walden and his fortress has indeed fallen.”
She set those sparkling green eyes upon me, “Well, swordsman?”
“What waits for you in Carolaughan?” I asked.
“My father has sent me to barter with a dwarven mining clan for iron.” The shock must have been readily apparent on my face, for she laughed at me. My estimation of her had already been thrown heavier into both the threat and opportunity scales. Sending a girl to barter in a far town spoke volumes of her talents in states–craft. This woman would not be easy to…
What? What was I planning to do?
“Of course milady, I would be honored to ensure the safety such a remarkable woman as yourself.” Well, I am apparently planning to protect a very intelligent and resourceful young woman with a gaggle of beardless youths in tow.
I knew I was heading for trouble because she smiled warmly at me. It was an honest smile, one that comes from the deepest part of the soul and could make any face shine like a heavenly figure. Somehow, that alone was worth it, and that fleeting second of sentimentalism felt alien. The warmth dissolved under the withering gaze from Gelia’s pale, gray eyes. Of course it rekindled when Her Ladyship paid me a fist full of gold crowns, up front, for my work.
History has shown that money is a salve unto itself for any malady of the troubled mind.
4
Vulnerability
Well, my string of good luck was holding, the lady Aelia was quite taken with me now that my head did not look like it was distended by generations of diligent inbreeding. I was quickly being looked to as her personal guard, something between a swordsman and a whirlwind composed of razors. I just had to ignore the glowering old woman over her shoulder.
Perhaps it was as simple as that: I did slay several men before Gelia’s eyes with almost
Her face made it clear she was worrying at the problem in her mind, and seemed genuinely concerned. So, the almost–beauty was not only a woman of breeding, but practical, “I can say that Walden was known for hiring mercenaries and scouts of the finest quality. He had a great treasury in the castle to pay them and always hired the best for high wages. You, it would seem, would fit his qualifications as a master–at–arms.” She turned to her nanny. “Gelia, would a head injury such as his have caused such a loss of memory even after his healing?”
Gelia’s eyes pierced me, tried to read me even through my Fog to see my inner–most being. Good luck, grandma. Her face screwed up as an inner battle against some conflicting judgments warred. I was startled to find my hand creeping toward the hilt of my sword; I had not even realized I had brought it with me from the tent. Apparently my hind–brain knows me better than I do, no surprise there .
“Yes, if he is speaking the truth, he may never retrieve his recollections in any sensible manner.”
I felt like cursing and cheering at the same time. She could have poisoned my relationship with the Lady, but did not by opting for the truth. Then again, if she spoke honestly I might never fully realize who I was. My face, of its own accord, portrayed picture–perfect resigned determination. Theodemar came forward from helping harness the horses to the carriage and the lady nodded for him to speak. “Mistress, at our present strength, perhaps an extra sword would not go unneeded if Walden and his fortress has indeed fallen.”
She set those sparkling green eyes upon me, “Well, swordsman?”
“What waits for you in Carolaughan?” I asked.
“My father has sent me to barter with a dwarven mining clan for iron.” The shock must have been readily apparent on my face, for she laughed at me. My estimation of her had already been thrown heavier into both the threat and opportunity scales. Sending a girl to barter in a far town spoke volumes of her talents in states–craft. This woman would not be easy to…
What? What was I planning to do?
“Of course milady, I would be honored to ensure the safety such a remarkable woman as yourself.” Well, I am apparently planning to protect a very intelligent and resourceful young woman with a gaggle of beardless youths in tow.
I knew I was heading for trouble because she smiled warmly at me. It was an honest smile, one that comes from the deepest part of the soul and could make any face shine like a heavenly figure. Somehow, that alone was worth it, and that fleeting second of sentimentalism felt alien. The warmth dissolved under the withering gaze from Gelia’s pale, gray eyes. Of course it rekindled when Her Ladyship paid me a fist full of gold crowns, up front, for my work.
History has shown that money is a salve unto itself for any malady of the troubled mind.
4
Vulnerability
Well, my string of good luck was holding, the lady Aelia was quite taken with me now that my head did not look like it was distended by generations of diligent inbreeding. I was quickly being looked to as her personal guard, something between a swordsman and a whirlwind composed of razors. I just had to ignore the glowering old woman over her shoulder.
Perhaps it was as simple as that: I did slay several men before Gelia’s eyes with almost