The Lion and the Crow by Eli Easton Read Free Book Online Page B

to learn? Yes, you do lack it. ’Tis no insult, I assure you. Do not go in to see Somerfield boldly. It will go easier if he does not suspect you are there. Don’t ask for Elaine; steal her.”
    William frowned, a deep crease on his brow. “Subterfuge would be difficult. He knows my face.”
    “But not mine.”
    William abruptly reined in his horse, stopping. His scowl was fierce. “You, Christian Brandon, are not going into that castle. I gave my word to your father.”
    “You did not,” Christian said coolly. “I did. Or rather, he ordered it of me. I never gave my pledge.”
    William looked surprised as he thought about it, recalling the exact conversation with Lord Brandon. “And it means naught to you to obey your father’s orders? Where is your fealty?”
    Christian felt his face flush with a surge of bitter rage. “I keep faith with those who have kept faith with me.”
    William shook his head in disbelief. “God save me from ever having sons like you.”
    “I would wish it on no man,” Christian said sincerely.
    William started riding again, but his face was set. “It matters not what I promised or did not promise to your father. I won’t endanger you, Christian. ’Tis not your fight and I won’t have your death on my conscience.”
    “I may not know your sister, but I know you ,” Christian said calmly. “’Tis my fight now, whether you will it or not. I won’t have your death on mine .”
    William’s jaw clenched stubbornly. “I will proceed as I have stated.”
    “Then you will die and Elaine will not be saved.”
    William said nothing. They rode in silence for an hour, ’til the sun was high in the sky. Christian suddenly said, “I will strategize on it.”
    “Now that is frightening,” William said.
    Christian chuckled darkly.
    ****

CHAPTER 10
    Three weeks into their journey, and a half day’s ride out of Whalley, they had to cross the Ribble River. The ferry was not running, and the alternative was a day’s ride out of their way. They decided to swim the horses across. But it was late afternoon and they’d been riding since dawn.
    “Let’s camp here,” William decided. “It will be safer to cross in the morning, when the horses are rested. And then we’ll have all day to let the sun dry us.”
    “As you say.” For once, Christian and Livermore looked tired. It was a hot day and the young knight gazed at the river longingly from his mount.
    “Let’s set the camp back from the river,” William said. “So we’ll not be seen by anyone drifting by.”
    They found a small clearing in the woods not far from the river and tended the horses together in silence. It was still early for supper, and there was not the usual haste to set up camp before nightfall.
    “Go bathe in the river,” William told Christian as he finished feeding Livermore. “I’ll start the fire.”
    “No, you go. I’ll make the fire,” Christian offered.
    William growled. “You are not my squire, Christian. I can start the bedamned fire for once. Go on, before I pick you up and toss you in the water myself.”
    Christian opened his mouth to protest, but the look on William’s face stopped him. He grinned. “As you wish, m’lord,” he said playfully. He took some soap from his saddlebags and ran off towards the river with a whoop of joy.
    William chuckled to himself. He stretched and started looking around for deadwood, his heart inexplicably light. Gathering the wood did not take long. William dumped it in the center of the clearing and looked at it for a moment. The sun was still warm. It would be a waste of tinder to start the fire now. Besides, he was hot and sweaty and the river beckoned. With a lazy grin, he answered.
    ****
    When William stepped from the woods onto the stony riverbank, and saw Christian in the river, his happy anticipation of a bath was snuffed out like a candle caught in the gust of a brewing storm.
    Christian was hip deep in the water, hair and skin wet, as he scrubbed at