Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools by Philip Caveney Read Free Book Online

long and terrible silence as the Brigands gathered themselves for the onslaught.
     
This is it, thought Sebastian. We can't fight them all. We're done for.
     

CHAPTER 7
SOME STUPID GIRL

     
The silence continued for what seemed an age. Cornelius looked slowly around at the half-circle of savages, letting them see the determination in his eyes. Then he spoke in a commanding tone.
     
'Brigands, hear my words! I, Captain Cornelius Drummel, have killed many of your number today, and be sure that I will kill every one of you who tries to put a foot upon this step.'
     
'Archers!' shouted one of the Brigands. 'Come forward and shoot these two idiots!'
     
There was another silence while everyone waited for an archer to appear, but it quickly became apparent that one wasn't going to show up.
     
'I took the precaution of killing all your archers,' Cornelius told them. T find them such a nuisance in a situation like this. And before you waste time looking for a bow, let me assure you that I always cut through the strings. I don't believe in unfair advantages.'
     
There were worried murmurs at this news. The Brigands were looking this way and that, assuring themselves that it was true. They really didn't have a single archer left.
     
'My advice to you gentlemen,' said Cornelius, 'would be to take what booty you can salvage from the rest of these wagons and leave, while your heads still sit firmly upon your shoulders.'
     
Now there was a murmur of conversation amongst the Brigands. Then one of them, a squat, red-bearded man with plaited hair and crudely executed body tattoos, shouted back.
     
'Those are big words from such a little, little man!'
     
There was some laughter at this remark but it faded quickly when Cornelius made his reply.
     
'Little I may be, but by Shadlog's bones, I'm man enough to cut off your ugly head without raising a sweat.'
     
'Cut it off? You couldn't even reach it!'
     
More laughter from the mob, but Cornelius simply smiled. 'Don't take my word for it!' he shouted. 'Please, step up here and find out for yourself.'
     
There were shouts of encouragement from Red Beard's companions and he looked around at them for moral support, before shrugging his powerful shoulders, hefting his huge double-handed sword and stepping forward to meet Cornelius.
     
'Take a step back, Sebastian,' said Cornelius calmly; and Sebastian did as he was told.
     
Watching the scene, Sebastian would have sworn that Cornelius barely moved. The manling gave an almost imperceptible flick of his wrist, the silver blade blurred into motion and the big man grunted in surprise, clutching at his stomach. He dropped to his knees, bringing his head into range of Cornelius's sword. Cornelius whirled round, the blade flashed a second time and the man's body crumpled slowly to the ground, while his head bounced down the steps and rolled back towards his comrades, a surprised expression on its face. The Brigands all stood there staring down at it in stunned amazement.
     
'Does anybody else fancy their chances?' roared Cornelius. But evidently nobody did. Muttering and cursing, the Brigands turned away and began to trudge towards the other wagons.
     
'Cowards!' snapped Cornelius, spitting in their general direction. 'Come on, supposing I tie one hand behind my back, how about that?'
     
There were still no takers.
     
'Never did come across a Brigand who had much aptitude for hand-to-hand combat,' growled Cornelius. 'A pity – I was just getting warmed up.' He glanced at Sebastian and winked. 'You acquitted yourself well, lad. We may make a soldier of you yet. Now, I'll stay here just in case any of those barbarians decide to come back for another try. You nip inside and see what it was that those guards sacrificed their lives to defend.'
     
Sebastian nodded.
     
He turned, pulled back the curtains and stepped into the gloomy interior, remembering as he did so that the last person who had tried to enter had been treated rather harshly.