Malice (Faithful & the Fallen 1) by John Gwynne Read Free Book Online Page A

entering the forest alone, had felt proud when he had confided in Dath and invited his friend to join him. Dath made the sign against evil, turned pale and told him he was either very
brave or more likely mad. Truth be told, it was nothing to do with bravery, which he was distinctly lacking if his encounter with Rafe was anything to go by. He just
liked
it in the
forest, although the thought of his mam finding out made him shiver even in the warmth of the sun.
    Dylan was only a hundred or so paces away, now. Corban pulled Willow to a halt and waited. Darol nodded as he drove the wain past Corban, Dylan peeling away from the cart and strolling over to
him.
    ‘Hello, Ban,’ he said, then frowned as he saw Corban’s bruised face. ‘What happened to you?’
    ‘I fell,’ said Corban. ‘I was coming to see you, maybe help with the salmon. Looks like I’m too late.’
    ‘Da had it all sacked up by sunrise. And we’ve got to get the food to Havan in time to prepare it for the feast. Another time, eh?’
    Just then Frith ran up behind Dylan and, with a loud crack, kicked him in the ankle. He giggled and turned to run but Dylan, hopping on one leg, grabbed the youngster and hoisted him into the
air, legs pumping as if he were still running. When he realized escape was futile he went limp and grinned. Dylan swung him higher to sit upon his shoulders.
    ‘You’re getting too old for this – it’s your ninth nameday soon.’
    ‘But I like it up here,’ Frith protested.
    ‘Very well, if it keeps you out of trouble.’ Dylan turned back to Corban. ‘Come with us? I can’t wait to have a look round the fair.’
    ‘No thanks. I’ve just come from there.’
    ‘All right, Ban, but you’ll be back for the handbinding, won’t you?’
    Corban nodded.
    ‘Good, then you can tell me all about this fall.’
    ‘
Argh
,’ Dylan yelled as Frith gripped his ears and gave them a mighty tug. ‘What are you
doing
?’
    ‘You’re my horse. Charge!’ Frith shouted, pulling Dylan’s ears again. Dylan grabbed his nephew’s hands in his and trotted after the wain, calling goodbyes to Corban
over his shoulder.
    Frith grinned at Corban, who raised his fist and shook it, trying not to laugh.
    For a while he just sat on Willow, watching the wain dwindle into the distance as he wondered what to do. Then his eyes turned back to the Baglun and with a click of his tongue he urged Willow
on down the road.

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    EVNIS
     
     
     
     
    Evnis took the skin of mead from Helfach, his huntsman. He unstoppered it and drank, the taste of honey sweet, the alcohol warming his gut.
    ‘It’s good, eh?’ Helfach said.
    ‘Huh,’ grunted Evnis. He had more important things on his mind than the quality of the mead he was drinking. So many years had passed since he’d sworn his oath to Asroth and
become accomplice to Rhin, Queen of Cambren. And now he had risen far, was counsellor to Brenin, King of all Ardan. That night in the Darkwood Forest seemed like another life. It had been
terrifying, but intoxicating as well. He felt some of that now: fear and excitement mixed as the consequences of that oath were emerging from the past.
    They were sitting in a dell on the southern fringe of the Baglun Forest, almost half a day’s ride from Dun Carreg. Further south a great herd of auroch trampled the moorland, the ground
vibrating at their passing. A dust cloud hovered above the herd, marking them like some enormous predator.
    ‘Where is he?’ Evnis murmured.
    Helfach looked up, shading his eyes. ‘You said highsun, so should be any time now.’
    ‘I hate waiting,’ Evnis growled. He wanted to get back to Fain, his wife. She was unwell, needed him. The worry of it chewed at him.
    Helfach grinned. They sat in silence, passing the skin between them. Then Evnis’ horse lifted its head, ears twitching.
    ‘There,’ said Helfach, pointing.
    A figure slipped between trees and made its way towards them.
    ‘Hood up,’ Evnis said,