Exile's Return (Book 1) Read Online Free

there is something you wish me to discuss with my brothers then you have only to say so.’
    ‘Then I do say so, Father,’ Rosalind replied emphatically. ‘I am afraid that …’
    She paused and Godfrey took her hands in his, willing her calm. ‘Tell me, daughter. What troubles you?’
    ‘I … I’m sorry, father, but this is difficult. I do not know if I am doing right coming to you like this. If the King should find out …’ she paused again and took a deep breath. When she spoke this time, her voice was firmer, as though she’d finally made her decision.
    ‘I have discovered something you must know, Father, but the conclusions I have drawn fill me with fear. I hope I am mistaken. Yesterday I overheard a conversation which directly concerns the Church.’
    ‘Who was speaking?’
    ‘Vaughn and … the King.’
    Godfrey felt the breath sucked out of him. It was treason for her to be telling him – and treason for him to listen. But he didn’t stop her. It had cost her a lot to come here. ‘And what did you hear?’
    ‘In return for some favour, the King has agreed to support Vaughn in a new enterprise. He … intends to take hospice work away from the Church. He says that such science belongs to the Guilde and has no place among the holy. Vaughn is quite determined, Father and it scares me. If they …’
    ‘If the Guilde takes on this work, they will deny it to the poor for they would be unable to pay, yes, I know. They would also take away great amounts of Church land in the process.’ Godfrey turned away, his mind reeling. Where had the traditional brotherhood gone between Church and Guilde? For a thousand years, the two had worked together, side by side for the common good. Now it seemed Vaughn was willing to sacrifice that ancient bond for his own ends. This was terrible!
    ‘Do you know what the favour is? What did the King want in return for this support?’
    ‘I was unable to hear clearly, but I fear it has something to do with the embassy from Mayenne. You know the Duke is to stay the winter in Marsay? I am unable to believe this is innocent, Father. It is not widely known but the King has always secretly desired to take back the throne he was cheated out of – that of Mayenne. I … believe his decision to embrace Ogiers is purely to put Tirone at ease over their relationship in order that he might better prepare himself for war.’
    Godfrey met her gaze. She was serious. She believed it with all her heart. The worst part was, it made sense – too much sense. If Selar intended war against Mayenne then taking Ogiers in and treating him with all honour would be a natural first step. Lull Tirone into a deeply false sense of security. Then, when the moment came, Selar could strike …
    ‘But the King must know that the people of Lusara would never go to war for him,’ Godfrey objected, clinging on to the first thread of logic that came to him. ‘And certainly not to invade Mayenne.’
    Slowly, Rosalind nodded, ‘Yes, you must be right. I have misunderstood. He would not make so grave an error as that when there is so much at stake. But still, Vaughn is determined to succeed with the healing work. I beg you to tell Bishop Domnhall. He is the only one who can stop it.’
    ‘And I will keep your name out of it, Your Grace. You have already risked much to tell me this. Now you must go, before you are missed.’
    Rosalind actually smiled and for a moment, she was a young girl once again, untroubled by her fate and her future. Then it was gone, the hood replaced about her face. Godfrey opened the door for her and checked that the corridor was empty. In a second she was gone, leaving nothing but her scent.
    Minutes later Godfrey was on his way to Hilderic’s study.
    He was late and the old man favoured him with a frown as he slipped into the room. The others were already present: McGlashen, Payne and the stalwart abbess of Saint Hilary’s,Eluned. Mumbling apologies, Godfrey drew the