Spectre of the Sword Read Online Free

“Courtenay’s manor is obviously compromised. Or do you plan
to run with me night and day until we all drop from exhaustion?”
    Rhys didn’t react other
than to indicate David. “My lady, this is Sir David de Lohr, brother of the
earl.”
    Elizabeau studied the
man as he dipped his head at her in greeting; he wasn’t nearly as big as the
earl, but she could tell just by looking at him that he had the trained,
muscular body of a warrior.  He was very handsome with pale blue eyes and a
square jaw. 
    “My lady,” David
acknowledged. Then he looked back at Rhys. “There’s an inn at Hanwell. Chris
says to take her there and stay there until he comes.”
    Rhys nodded sharply and
turned for the lady, taking her by the arm and leading her silently back
towards their hovel of bushes.  But Elizabeau wouldn’t be led away so easily.
She fixed on David.
    “So is this your cunning
plan?” she asked, belligerence in her tone. “One step to the next, hoping to
avoid trouble with no real strategy in mind? I’ll not be dragged all over
England like common baggage.  Where on earth are you taking me?”
    David removed his helm,
pulling his mail hood back to reveal cropped blond hair.  He scratched his
scalp furiously.  It was evident he was taking his time in answering her.
    “We are doing what we
must to save your life,” he fixed on her, his blue eyes hard. “If you have a
better plan, then by all means, take your own life in your hands and try to
stay one step ahead of your uncle.  He’s already killed your brother and now he
wants you. If the lords of Brittany were unable to protect Arthur, then what
makes you think you alone will be able to save yourself?” He walked towards
her, stalking, anger in his manner evident. “All you need do is command us to
leave you, Lady Elizabeau. ‘Tis you who hold the power; not us. We are your
servants.  Command us away and we shall obey.”
    By this time, he was
standing in front of her, drilling holes into her with his piercing gaze. 
Elizabeau tried not to appear too intimidated.
    “’Tis not that I do not
appreciate your devotion, Sir David,” she was considerably softer. “But it
would seem to me that there should be a definitive plan in place, safe houses
where you will take me until I can be united with my betrothed. Surely the
emperor is sending men at this very moment to aid us in our endeavor. This
marriage means as much to him as to us.”
    David had lost none of
his harsh stance. “My brother is a brilliant tactician. He would not be the
king’s champion where this not so. You must trust him, my lady. He will do what
he feels best for you.  It would make it much easier for all of us, especially
du Bois, were you to simply comply with what we ask without question or
resistance.”
    Elizabeau dared to look
up at Rhys; he stood beside her, more than a foot and a half taller, gazing
steadily at her with his brilliant blue eyes. He hadn’t said a word, nor had he
changed expression.   She was suddenly coming to feel the least bit guilty for
her difficult behavior.  A powerful chill raced through her and she pulled the
cloak about her as tightly as it would go, averting her gaze at the same time.
    “It is not my intention
to be difficult,” she said quietly. “This… this has all been a bit overwhelming
for me. I’ve never had men try to kill me before. I never knew I was going to
be a queen before.”
    David’s manner softened
somewhat. He glanced at Rhys, who was looking at the lady’s lowered head. 
David cleared his throat quietly.
    “We want you to be
queen, else we would not be risking our lives so,” he said. “We are trying to
help you achieve this, for all of England.  Do you not understand this?”
    “I do.”
    “Then it would help our
cause considerably if you would simply cooperate.”
    She looked at him,
then.  After a moment, she sighed heavily and lowered her eyes again. “As you
say.”
    David simply nodded; he
didn’t