Wolf In Shadow Read Online Free Page B

Nullify him and the rest count for nothing. Fletcher was not prepared to die.’
     ’But you were?’
     ’All things die, Donna. And I was pleased to repay your hospitality. Perhaps Fletcher will reconsider his plans for you. I hope so.’
     ’But you doubt it.’
     ’Yes.’
     ’Have you ever had a wife, Mr Shannow?’
     ’It is getting late,’ he said, standing. ‘Eric should be home - shall I look for him?’
     ’I am sorry. Did I offend you?’
     ’No, Lady. My discomfort is my own and no fault of yours. Can you see the boy?’
     She closed her eyes. ‘Oh, God,’ she said. ‘They have taken him!’
     ’Who?’
     ’Bard and some others.’
     ’Where are they?’
     ’They are traveling north-west, towards the settlement. They have hurt him and his face is bleeding.’
     Gently he pulled her to her feet, then took her hands in his.
     ’I will find him and bring him home. Rely on it.’
     Shannow left the house and saddled the gelding, heading him north at a canter. He avoided sky-lining himself on the crests of the hills, but still he rode with uncustomary speed. He had neglected to ask Donna how many men rode with Bard, but then the information was immaterial. Two or twenty, the plan would be the same.
     He emerged from the trees above the raiding party and sat back in the saddle. There were five men, including Bard - of Fletcher there was no sign. Eric’s unconscious body was draped across Bard’s saddle. Shannow breathed deeply, trying to stem the red rage swelling within, his hands trembling with the effort. As always he failed and his vision swam. His mouth was dry and the Bible text flowed into his mind:
     ’And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock.’
     Shannow rode down the hill and reined in ahead of the riders. They spread across the trail; two of them, Miles and Pope, were carrying crossbows cocked and ready. Shannow’s hands swept up and smoke and flame thundered from the right-hand pistol. Pope flew from the saddle. The left-hand pistol fired a fraction of a second later and Miles pitched to the ground, the lower half of his face blown away.
     ’Step down, Bard,’ said Shannow, both pistols leveled at the giant’s face. Slowly the man dismounted. ‘On your knees and on your belly.’ The giant obeyed. ‘Now eat grass like the mule you are.’
     Bard’s head shot up. ‘The Hell. . . ‘ The left-hand pistol bucked in Shannow’s hand and Bard’s right ear disappeared in a bloody spray. The big man screamed and ducked his head to the ground, tearing at the grass with his teeth. The other two men sat motionless, their hands well away from their weapons.
     Shannow watched them closely, then transferred his gaze to the two corpses.
     Then he spoke: ‘And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he rose against me I caught him by the beard and slew him.’
     The two riders glanced at one another and said nothing. The Jerusalem Man was known to be insane, and neither of them had any wish to join their comrades, living or dead, upon the grass.
     Shannow edged his horse towards them and they avoided his eyes, for his face was set and his fury touched them.
     ’You will put those your friends upon their horses, and you will take them to a place of burial. You will not, at any time, cross my path, for I will cut you down as deadwood from the Tree of Life. Go collect your dead.’
     He swung his horse, offering them his back, but neither man considered attacking him. They dismounted swiftly and bundled the corpses across the saddles of the horses standing quietly by. Shannow rode alongside Bard, whose mouth was green and who was vomiting upon the grass.
     ’Stand and face me, Man of Gath.’ Bard struggled to his feet and met Shannow’s gaze. A cold dread settled on him as he saw the eyes and the fanatic gleam. He lowered his head and