Pentigrast Read Online Free
Author: Daniel Sinclair
seek you out. And, while you may play the role of meek trapper to the simple folk of Strongshire you aren’t known as a trapper West of Quinth, longrider.”
“Yes, I was a longrider, long ago, but no more. In the year of my 21 st summer I was sworn into the king’s duty to protect the kingdom. I did my duty and 10 summers later I left the longriders behind and became a trapper, nothing more, nothing less.”
“A longrider swears an oath unto death does he not? Would you now stand by as your kingdom needs you?”
“It’s complicated. And as I said I am no longer in service to the king” Talen replied. “Besides, The great Riven Lannister of Legend is tracking this tale, what need is there of me to find such a deviant?”
“You think me a fool Talen Morgan? Riven hissed loudly. “Yes, it’s complicated, it becomes that way when a kings man decides to let fate dictate life’s course instead of action. I know who you are and what you did and I also know that you didn’t leave the longriders of your free will.”
“What I did was my duty.” Talen spat out with distaste. “And I would do so again if the needs be.”
“Ah your duty so you say. Was it not your duty to protect the queen’s only child? Then how is it that she is dead and you are not?”
Talen rose with his fists clenched and a madness in his eyes. Riven rose slowly and stood before Talen speaking softly words not wanted. “You did not kill the princess, Talen, nor did your unborn child. Your only crime was to love a woman above your station which she gave you back in kind, gladly.
“Who are you to speak to me of such things? You know nothing of me or the princess, only tales told out of turn by old crones who like to gossip. I was released from the Longriders when it was suspected that the princess and I were having an affair, I knew nothing of the child until I heard of her passing.”
“I knew, because I was there that night. I also know that the child did not kill the mother.”
Talen drew his sword and pointed it towards the old man “Lies! What game do you play at now old man? I will have your heart on the point of my sword before this night ends.”
Riven moved quickly towards Talen deftly grabbing the point of the sword in his bare hands and placing it on his chest above his heart. “Then do so. I will not stop you. The night is yet long, listen to my tale and decide for yourself. If you are still wanting for my heart at the end of my tale then I shall give it unto you freely.”
Talen let go the grip on his sword and it fell to the granite surface of the ground with a clang. Riven asked Talen to please sit and listen to his tale. He motioned to the fire and Talen sat quietly gazing into the fire with a look of confusion set upon his face. Riven sat across from him and long moments passed as Riven slowly sipped his tea. Talen broke the silence. “I know this tale already old man and it was misery enough the first time and I don’t relish reliving it through second hand accounts and gossip.”
Riven looked up from his tea slowly and saw the pain etched on Talen’s face. He looked back down saddened by the fact that his tale would further injure the man but it must be told. “It was June and the whole kingdom was abuzz with news of the coming betrothal of Princess Sarah to the king of Caledonia. It wasn’t to be a marriage of love but convenience. Caledonia would make a great ally and keep the Eastern borders of the kingdom at peace while also securing a very lucrative trade deal but, of course, you already knew all of that. Then there were the rumors; the princess was gaining weight, many believed she was anxious or upset and eating much more than usual. Darker rumors told of a secret lover and a child growing in her womb. Small folk like their gossip but when these rumors spread through the court and church the queen and council took notice.”
“Doctors,
“Yes, I was a longrider, long ago, but no more. In the year of my 21 st summer I was sworn into the king’s duty to protect the kingdom. I did my duty and 10 summers later I left the longriders behind and became a trapper, nothing more, nothing less.”
“A longrider swears an oath unto death does he not? Would you now stand by as your kingdom needs you?”
“It’s complicated. And as I said I am no longer in service to the king” Talen replied. “Besides, The great Riven Lannister of Legend is tracking this tale, what need is there of me to find such a deviant?”
“You think me a fool Talen Morgan? Riven hissed loudly. “Yes, it’s complicated, it becomes that way when a kings man decides to let fate dictate life’s course instead of action. I know who you are and what you did and I also know that you didn’t leave the longriders of your free will.”
“What I did was my duty.” Talen spat out with distaste. “And I would do so again if the needs be.”
“Ah your duty so you say. Was it not your duty to protect the queen’s only child? Then how is it that she is dead and you are not?”
Talen rose with his fists clenched and a madness in his eyes. Riven rose slowly and stood before Talen speaking softly words not wanted. “You did not kill the princess, Talen, nor did your unborn child. Your only crime was to love a woman above your station which she gave you back in kind, gladly.
“Who are you to speak to me of such things? You know nothing of me or the princess, only tales told out of turn by old crones who like to gossip. I was released from the Longriders when it was suspected that the princess and I were having an affair, I knew nothing of the child until I heard of her passing.”
“I knew, because I was there that night. I also know that the child did not kill the mother.”
Talen drew his sword and pointed it towards the old man “Lies! What game do you play at now old man? I will have your heart on the point of my sword before this night ends.”
Riven moved quickly towards Talen deftly grabbing the point of the sword in his bare hands and placing it on his chest above his heart. “Then do so. I will not stop you. The night is yet long, listen to my tale and decide for yourself. If you are still wanting for my heart at the end of my tale then I shall give it unto you freely.”
Talen let go the grip on his sword and it fell to the granite surface of the ground with a clang. Riven asked Talen to please sit and listen to his tale. He motioned to the fire and Talen sat quietly gazing into the fire with a look of confusion set upon his face. Riven sat across from him and long moments passed as Riven slowly sipped his tea. Talen broke the silence. “I know this tale already old man and it was misery enough the first time and I don’t relish reliving it through second hand accounts and gossip.”
Riven looked up from his tea slowly and saw the pain etched on Talen’s face. He looked back down saddened by the fact that his tale would further injure the man but it must be told. “It was June and the whole kingdom was abuzz with news of the coming betrothal of Princess Sarah to the king of Caledonia. It wasn’t to be a marriage of love but convenience. Caledonia would make a great ally and keep the Eastern borders of the kingdom at peace while also securing a very lucrative trade deal but, of course, you already knew all of that. Then there were the rumors; the princess was gaining weight, many believed she was anxious or upset and eating much more than usual. Darker rumors told of a secret lover and a child growing in her womb. Small folk like their gossip but when these rumors spread through the court and church the queen and council took notice.”
“Doctors,
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