The Ransom Knight by Jonathan Moeller Read Free Book Online

the end of the corridor, opening the lock. Within a fat, middle-aged knight with a red beard and hair sat against the wall, squinting at the light.
    “I say,” Sir Edmund Redmane said. “What is the meaning of this? Who are you?”
    “I am Sir Mazael Cravenlock,” said Mazael, “and we’re here to ransom you.” He considered for a moment. “More cheaply than I expected, too.”

    ###

    That night they camped in the courtyard of Castle Highstone. Mazael and Trocend both wanted to return to Knightcastle as soon as possible. Sir Edmund wanted to return as well, to offer his gratitude to Lord Malden. 
    After the others had gone to sleep, Mazael sat outside of his tent with his armor and shirt off, cleaning the wound in his shoulder. It was always best to do so as soon as possible, lest infection set in. He cleaned it with boiling wine, and then set to work stitching it closed, ignoring the pain. It hurt like hell, but he had endured much worse.
    “Do you always stitch up your own wounds, Sir Mazael?” 
    Atalia stepped into the light of his campfire. 
    “Sometimes,” said Mazael. “I should make Gerald do it, but he’s not very good at it yet. I’d prefer not to have crooked stitches.”
    “Does it not hurt?” she said.
    “Yes,” said Mazael, “but the wound let me win, so I shall not complain. Better a wound than a grave.”
    Atalia laughed, knelt beside him, took the needle from his hand, and started closing the wound. “The logic of a knight.” She worked in silence for a moment. “You should know. I talked to Trocend. He approves of what I have done…and has accepted me again as his apprentice.”
    Mazael grunted. “Your plan worked, then.”
    “You spoke to Trocend for me,” said Atalia. “Thank you.” 
    Mazael shrugged with his uninjured shoulder. “I only spoke the truth.”
    “Finished,” said Atalia. “It should heal nicely.” She hesitated again, and then kissed him upon the cheek. “Thank you. I know you were suspicious of me…”
    “You did good work,” said Mazael, glancing at his shoulder. “That ought to heal nicely.”
    She stared at him and licked her lips. “I hope it doesn’t trouble you much.”
    “Not unduly,” said Mazael. He gripped her right hand, tugged, and she fell into his lap with a faint yelp of surprise. “But I could think of one or two things that might distract me.”
    She kissed him again, harder this time, and Mazael rose and led her into his tent.

    ###

    The next morning Mazael awoke and left his blankets.
    Gerald was tending the fire, and he looked up and shook his head.
    “You seduced her,” he said. “Didn’t you?” 
    “Were you listening?” said Mazael. 
    Gerald’s face went red. “No! Of course not…but I…”
    Mazael laughed. 
    “A true knight should lie only with his wife,” said Gerald.
    “I don’t have a wife,” said Mazael, “so I make do.” He grinned and tossed a small leather pouch to himself. “I may not be a true knight…but according to ancient tradition, if a knight rescues a captive without paying the ransom, the knight may claim the ransom for his own.”
    Gerald blinked. “I…had forgotten that.”
    Mazael tipped out some golden coins from the pouch. “The knight’s squire also receives a share of the money. So perhaps I may not be the best knight for you to emulate, but perhaps this will remove some sting from the blow.”
    Gerald sighed and shook his head, but took the money. 
    THE END
    Thank you for reading THE RANSOM KNIGHT. Turn the page to read the first chapter of DEMONSOULED, Mazael Cravenlock's next adventure. 
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DEMONSOULED bonus chapter
    Here is a sample chapter from my sword-and-sorcery novel   Demonsouled , the first book in my DEMONSOULED series of sword-and-sorcery