Return of the Wolf: The classic medieval action adventure series is back! by Steven A. McKay

Author:Steven A. McKay [McKay, Steven A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Broadsword Publishing
Published: 2025-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Robin fought the urge to open his mouth and scream for help as he felt the weight of his sword pulling him down to the riverbed. He realised his bowstring, in the little pouch he carried, would be utterly soaked, and angrily pushed the thought aside. How was that important, when he was literally dying? He thought of Matilda, seeing her in his mind’s eye, smiling at him, arms opened to embrace him, and he thought of his sons, Arthur and Henry, and his parents, and desperately wished he could see them one last time, to tell them all how much he loved them.

Something struck him on the top of the head and, enraged by that and by the fact he was drowning, he kicked upwards, fury propelling him in what he prayed was the right direction. Despite the sword, and his sodden gambeson, his powerful legs and archer’s shoulders worked in unison as he fought savagely for his life. Suddenly, he broke free of the water and gasped, desperately dragging in a breath before the current pulled him under again.

He pushed down his panic and his fear. He had his bearings now – he knew where he must swim towards, and so he urged already exhausted muscles to guide him back to the surface. This time when he broke free he saw the riverbank and forged towards it, swinging arms and legs as hard as he could. They were not fluid, powerful strokes, for his strength was ebbing with every moment his body was in the freezing water, but his silent prayers to the Magdalene must have been heard, for a sudden eddy caught him up and pushed him straight towards the shore. He felt his arms strike hard ground and, sobbing in relief and joy, he stood up, hobbling onwards for fear he might still be swept away if he did not manage to get completely free of the river.

Dripping wet, and shivering from cold and shock, he collapsed onto his knees and curled into a ball, trying to get warm without success. He gave thanks to God, Mary Magdalene, and all the saints, but his teeth were chattering so hard he could not form the words and he closed his eyes, fear rising again as he knew he was still not safe. He could not think straight, and did not have the strength or energy to get up and seek help.

His friends were somewhere nearby, weren’t they? Or had he been swept so far downriver that they were left miles behind and would not be able to find him? Could he allow himself to fall asleep, as his body craved, or would he expire from the cold if he didn’t try to get warm and dry?

"Magdalene, help me,” he prayed through blue lips, shuddering so hard that he feared he might hurt himself. That thought prompted a sardonic laugh – he would be dead soon, what did it matter if he broke a limb or two here on the shore?

He could not remember feeling so helpless in all his life.

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.