Orphan of Destiny Read Online Free

Acre over the main city gate. Sir Thomas stood next to me, resplendent in his bright white tunic and gleaming chain mail. His battle sword hung at his side, his hand gripping the hilt. His reddish brown hair blew about his head in the breeze. Sir Basil, with his loyal squire Quincy, stood not far away. They both beamed at me. The lilting tenor of the Grail carried through the air around us, but strangely they did not notice it.
    Sir Thomas studied the field below Acre, his face a mask of seriousness. When I tried to see, to understand what drew his attention, I could not. The field appeared deserted to me, but I also heard the sounds of an invisible battle played out before us. My confusion exhausted me.
    Sir Thomas put his hand on my shoulder. “Are you ready, lad?” he asked me.
    “Ready for what, Sir Thomas?” I replied.
    “It’s almost here,” he said.
    “What, Sir Thomas?” I asked. “What is almost here? Why are you here? I left you behind. Am I to rejoin you? . . . Am . . . am I dying?”
    “No, lad. You are almost finished with your duty. But you must not come here. Not yet. Your task is not complete, and danger lies this way. You must be more careful than ever. You cannot lose. We cannot lose. Return and finish what you’ve begun. You’ve been so brave. I told you in Acre, Sir Lancelot himself had no finer squire. Remember?”
    “Yes, sire,” I said. “I remember.” The warmth of his words brought me happiness for a moment.
    “It’s true. Now go. Finish this. You can do it. We did not choose you for this duty—the Grail did. Remember it sounds only for the righteous. Go, lad. You will not face this danger alone, I promise. But still, be careful.”
    “Sir Thomas.” I bowed my head. “I broke my vow. You ordered me to tell no one I carried the Grail. Not even a brother Templar. But Maryam and Robard deserved to know. And Celia. Sir Hugh was . . . I had to . . .” In my dream, it was difficult to talk and explain myself.
    Sir Thomas gazed off to the plains below us for several long seconds. I feared he was angry, but he smiled. “Worry not, lad. You’ve chosen your friends well. I could have done no better. You’ve more than served your oath to me, Tristan. But you must finish it.” His voice was firm and filled with determination. “Do not forget, help will be there when you need it.”
    The musical sound of the Grail grew louder, and it was impossible for me to understand how Sir Thomas could not hear it. It was louder than it had ever been before. Yet Sir Thomas just smiled and nodded at me.
    Then he faded away, as did Quincy and Sir Basil. But I remained standing on the high wall above Acre, the sun shining brightly and a breeze caressing my face. I was happy. Happier than I’d ever been. With a smile, I glanced backward, studying the walls and rooftops of the city below me. Slowly, I realized that it was deserted and I was alone. If I stayed there, I would be companionless forever. Was this why Sir Thomas told me I didn’t belong here? Was he worried I would spend eternity in solitude?
    When I next woke, I heard songbirds, and waves crashing against the shore. I was lying on the ground but remembered being on a boat at some point. How long had I been out? I tried to rise, but a hand pushed my head gently back down. A voice told me to rest, and though I wished to disobey, I could not. More sleep.

    Finally I was conscious, but it was dark. I heard Maryam and Robard talking quietly. I tried to speak, but no words would come, and there was a burning, throbbing, stinging pain in my side. It was as if there was a hornet’s nest beneath the hide and muscle of my hip. Then I remembered the fight at the docks in Calais, and a crossbow bolt protruding from my side.
    Something warm, rough and damp touched my cheek, and the smell of wet dog assaulted my nose. There was another odor, a fire burning, the smell of something cooking. The sense of all these things surrounded me, and I pushed and