(eng) Morgan Howell - Shadowed Path 01 by A Woman Worth Ten Coppers

Author:A Woman Worth Ten Coppers [Coppers, A Woman Worth Ten]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-THREE

YAUN WASN’T given to introspection, and as he rode to his father’s manor, he didn’t ponder why he was so bitter. His thoughts dwelt only on how he had been wronged. His enmity toward his father and elder brother deepened as his journey progressed. By the time he crossed Falsten’s borders, it had become pure hatred. Then his hot rage chilled, and like a newly forged sword plunged into water, it grew hard and keen. Yaun turned cold and ruthless—the perfect instrument for Bahl’s designs.

Dusk had fallen when Yaun reached the familiar hedgerows of his father’s estate and stopped there to prepare for his homecoming. First, he tied his horse securely to a tree. Then he slashed his shirt. Next, he cut his horse and daubed his shirt in the blood. After removing his bandages, he donned the shirt again. As he waited for the blood to dry, Yaun invented a tale of his adventures. It loosely conformed to the facts, but omitted his cowardice during the battle, the trip to Durkin, and any mention of Honus. Naturally, his meeting with Lord Bahl would remain secret. Yaun’s only pure fabrication would be an account of an attack by bandits in which he received his wound in a valiant fight and captured his new steed. Satisfied with those fictions, Yaun remounted his horse and rode to the manor.

The manor house sat on a hill surrounded by neat fields. It was large and made of stone, a relic from days when neighboring Luvein was peaceful and prosperous. That prosperity had benefited the count who built the house, just as Luvein’s ruin had impoverished his descendants. Although the manor had suffered generations of neglect, in the fading light it still seemed fair. Its three towers looked majestic against the darkening sky, and the windows glowed brightly whether the glass was missing or not.

When Yaun neared the main entrance, a side door opened and a servant emerged. He bore a torch and was accompanied by two armed men. Yaun halted before them. The elderly servant called out in a timorous voice. “Who goes th…” He moved the torch closer to Yaun’s face and squinted. “Is that you, Master Yaun? I thought you were off with Alaric.”

“Yes, it’s me, Nug,” replied Yaun. “Alaric’s slain. I’ve returned with news.” Yaun dismounted and handed the reins to one of the guards. “My horse is wounded. See that it’s tended.” Then he followed Nug into the manor.

“Your father is at his meat, sire,” said Nug. “I’ll announce you at once.”

“Is my brother there, too?”

“Yes, sire.”

“That’s good,” said Yaun. “Both have been much on my mind.”

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