The Swordsman of Tanosa: A Short Tale of the Middle Sea Read Online Free

widened as she recognised him. Her look in that instant caused him more pain than any sword ever had, more shame than he had thought possible. The prospect of the life a winning duel in the arena could give him felt hollow, worthless. Nothing could bring back what he had lost, or heal the wound he carried inside.
    He sheathed his sword and walked back out onto the street as quickly as he could, ignoring the sound of his name being called. He walked away from her gaze. He walked away from a reminder of the life he once had and back to the life that was now his. As he crossed the threshold of the gate, the memory of the last time he had done so forced its way into his mind; having called on Nicolo to tell him he was going to ask Caroline to marry him. He had been full of hope then. He had been a fool. Just as he still was.