Shadow Over Avalon Read Online Free Page A

background like a Silver Band woman, embarrassed her. She knelt at her father’s feet, her eyes fixed on that waving scrap of cloth outside her reach.
    “I am in need of ore,” Hald continued to flick the fabric near enough to torment her. “I am told yours is of good quality, but I am not certain I can trade for this much. What did you want in exchange?”
    “The cattle of this region yield high quality milk,” a deep voice answered from behind Ashira. “We will barter for four proven female breeders and one bull.”
    “It is true our beasts are valuable, so you understand their worth will be hard to match?” His lips stretched with a half-smile.
    “The ore in exchange for one bull and four heifers, we will take our chances on fertility,” the man with the deep voice offered.
    She wondered at his sudden concession. He sounded relaxed, as if he didn’t care whether he traded his valuable ore. What was she doing here while her father conducted his business?
    “I can’t spare enough cattle for a fair exchange.” Hald’s voice dripped pleasure. “However, I can supply other breeding stock of a sort you need, so I conclude these parcels of copper are meant as a bride price. My youngest daughter, Ashira, is six years into her second decade. Do you agree to the match?” The king gave a hand signal to his guards. A precise rustle sounded as they drew their swords in a unified threat to the strangers. Hald meant to keep the ore.
    Ashira forgot how to breathe, unable to believe her father’s decree. She turned at an angry rumble to catch a glimpse of four blank-tabarded soldiers surrounding one tall, black-clad man with a thundercloud expression. Outnumbered five to one, they faced bad odds in a fight.
    “Did you really think I knew you not? Still hesitating? Doubtless overwhelmed by the honor,” the king said, taunting them. “I will hear your consent, my lord.” The trap snapped shut around the outmaneuvered men, echoing in the high-roofed hall like the dull thud of a coffin lid.
    “Agreed.” The dark man’s voice grated. “I’m leaving now, Hald. Tell your men to stand aside.”
    “You all heard and witnessed?” Hald’s smug tone aimed at his soldiers and Kieran, sealing the marriage. A roar of assent shook the air. He dragged Ashira to her feet, sending her reeling into the midst of angry, cheated men.
    Strong arms caught her before she fell, dragging her along as the strangers made a swift retreat. This couldn’t be happening. This wasn’t real. Ashira was bundled astride a horse with the man mounted behind her, his arm like a band of steel round her waist when he spurred his steed to a gallop. The drumming of hooves echoed as the gorge that housed Menhill rushed past.
    My father traded me. This thought went round and round in Ashira’s head like a mad moth attracted to torchlight – traded away for a few parcels of ore, so he could keep his precious cattle. Why did he hate her so?
    This morning’s premonition took form. Outcasts lived so close to death some people believed they could see beyond the gray veil of time. Did Copperhead’s vision include his own death when he said he would have her? Did he mean they would meet in one of the seven hells? Ashira didn’t need foresight to guess her own fate. This ruler, forced into an unwanted union, would not show weakness to his fort by letting her live. Death it was then, but she’d fight through this hell for a chance to gain the Harvester’s golden afterlife. But only those who died at peace with themselves reached the promised heaven; she needed to close off every bad thought this day.
    Puffy white clouds hung motionless in an azure sky. A pheasant flapped from cover, squawking with fright, to clatter skywards at the thunder of hooves. Lush pastures peppered with cattle flowed by. They were headed south, away from higher sheep hills.
    The company slowed on approaching a small thicket, and a whistle shrilled. Ten mounted soldiers in red