Avelynn Read Online Free Page A

leave this willful scamp here with you.” He ruffled Edward’s sandy mop. “Your father requests my presence in council.”
    â€œOf course, Bertram, we’ll take good care of him.” The “him” in question was already helping himself to a bowl full of pottage and a cake of bread.
    â€œMind your manners, lad,” Bertram reproved.
    â€œSorry,” Edward replied, his mouth full of bread.
    â€œIncorrigible.” He closed the door behind him.
    â€œHow were your studies, Edward?” Ealhswith asked.
    â€œBoring. I am made to sit down and read the dreadfully dull lives of saints and martyrs over and over again until I can’t see straight.”
    â€œI suppose what you really want to learn about is Vikings and battle, then?” I asked.
    Edward grumbled into his bowl. “I could beat Ivar, you know.” He looked up. “One day I will be a great warrior and fight by Father’s side, cutting down every Viking that crosses my path.”
    I walked to the far corner of the room and picked up a practice shield and sword. “Care to back up that claim?” I swept my sword in front of him.
    Edward spent a great deal of time in my cottage. Before our mother’s death, we had shared it with her. It was only recently that he had started sleeping in the hall with my father’s thegns.
    He jumped off the bench and grabbed his sword and shield.
    â€œEalhswith will be the maiden who has been taken captive by the Viking king Ivar,” I said.
    â€œOh, help me. I need someone who is strong and brave to rescue me.” Ealhswith swooned into a heap on the bench.
    â€œBut they must get past me first,” I countered. “For I am Ivar Ragnarsson, and anyone who dares to face me will meet their end at the point of my sword.”
    â€œFear not, fair maiden, I will vanquish Ivar and rescue you.”
    Edward moved fast and attacked, but I was ready and blocked the blow with my shield. Despite being thin and lanky, he was nonetheless quite strong. We were only playing with practice swords, but a solid whack from the wooden blade would leave quite a bruise if I wasn’t careful.
    I watched his efforts, genuinely impressed. He lunged and parried, turned and dodged, evading my attacks skillfully, and used his shield when necessary to press forward or block my blows. I smiled sweetly. While he had improved, I could still easily best him, but I was trying to be gracious. I was even giving him a sporting chance by fighting with my left hand. Truth be told, I had many years of battle training on him.
    Wulfric, my father’s greatest warrior and closest friend, had been my teacher ever since I learned to stand. He impressed upon me to use my natural talents to the utmost advantage. While petite in stature, what I lacked in height, I made up for in speed and agility. However, he was not above telling me to use my feminine curves as a thorough distraction—anything to exploit a man’s weakness, he would say. But he also pushed me hard to develop strength, balance, skill, and cunning.
    The battle was fierce. Red-faced, Edward’s breath came in ragged spurts, and sweat wet his temples. His sodden hair stuck fast to his forehead. It was time for Ivar to be defeated. I waited for the next blow. Spinning on my heels, I pretended to lose my balance and gave Edward just enough time to thrust his sword toward my exposed stomach.
    â€œSurrender!” he yelled in triumph. “One more move and I’ll gore you through.”
    â€œNever. I will never surrender to a filthy Saxon.”
    â€œThen you will die.”
    He lunged, and I took the blade by locking it against my waist with my elbow. “Oh, great Saxon warrior, you alone have vanquished me.” Coughing and sputtering for good effect, I fell dramatically to the ground.
    Edward sauntered to Ealhswith. “I have rescued you, lady.”
    â€œMy hero.” She bent over and kissed his