Kiss Across Time Box Two by Tracy Cooper-Posey

Author:Tracy Cooper-Posey [Cooper-Posey, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Paranormal Time Travel Romance
Publisher: Stories Rule Press
Published: 2019-04-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“SO, INSTEAD OF FIGHTING outside the walls of the burh, we fight inside?” Llewelyn asked. He still sounded deeply puzzled. Then he winced as the cart bumped and rattled.

Alex coaxed Atiya into moving just a little bit closer to the cart as it progressed across the grassy plain. Offa’s Dyke was visible on the horizon. “You don’t fight at all, my lord. No one fights. Instead, the best fighters you have take part in arranged battles with the best fighters Aethelfreda can put forward, and everyone watches.”

“Watch the fighting?”

“Your fighters will be representing you and the strength of Powys. They fight for the honor of Powys and its King. Whoever wins the matches, the final victor, will decide how the matter is settled between you and Aethelfreda.”

Llewelyn considered it.

Siorus was walking his horse along the other side of the cart. “Do you know of the Roman arenas, then?” he asked sharply.

Llewelyn looked at him, startled. “Like the arena at Caerleon?”

“Yes, that is what made me think of this,” Alex said. “Except the Romans watched slaves fight each other for entertainment. You, though, want to measure the fighting strength of the Mercians and the army wants honor restored. A fight or a series of fights between the strongest warrior you can field and hers will let you have both. You can watch how Aethelfreda’s best fight.”

“It is an interesting notion,” Llewelyn said slowly. “I do not know how it will be received among the men, however. They’re ready to fight. We are marching already.”

“I could ride ahead,” Alex said. “I could reach Chirbury by sunset. I am an unarmed physician. They would let me speak to Aethelfreda and then I could propose settling the dispute this way.”

“You?” Llewelyn laughed. “I know the temper of my men, Alexander of Cordoba. They would rather slit their own throats than have someone beg for mercy on their account.” He was speaking loudly, for everyone around him to hear.

“It would not be begging,” Alex pointed out. He already knew he had lost the argument. Llewelyn on his own might have been persuaded, but he held power only via the good will of his army. He had to keep them placated and they wanted war.

As soon as the king dismissed him, Alex dropped back along the line until he drew level with Rafe and the household retinue who had been drafted to fight.

“The king did not agree,” Rafe guessed, looking at his face.

Alex shook his head.

“Perhaps it’s better that he did not,” Rafe said quietly.

“Physician!” The call came from ahead. Siorus, astride his big war stallion, was cantering toward them. As the line reached his position, Siorus turned the horse and settled alongside them. He let the reins drop. The horse kept pace without his direction.

“I would have words with you, Alexander,” Siorus said. He pointed to Rafe. “The scribe, too. He is working with you. Let’s move out.” He directed the stallion with his knees and it moved out of the line and took a path parallel with the marching army.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.