Rope Dancer by Gellis Roberta

Author:Gellis, Roberta [Gellis, Roberta]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance, General, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781402255052
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2012-05-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Telor became aware first of pain in his head and in his limbs, which slowly intensified to an excruciating peak through which he heard himself groaning and weeping. The sounds brought a shock of surprise—he was alive! At the moment, the surprise was not pleasurable, nor did he become any gladder as the pain in his arms and legs began to diminish into numbness and the agony in his skull became a dull ache. The ability to think, which soon followed, brought no comfort. Telor was under no delusion about why he had been kept alive. A common man who attacked a lord was not granted an easy death.

Still, he did not regret what he had done, only the fact that he could not remember whether he had succeeded in avenging Eurion. His blood boiled again at the memory of that stupid, common churl’s contempt of Eurion’s offer to sing. William of Gloucester, who was a king’s grandson, would not have scorned that offer. He would have known it to be worth much more than old Sir Richard’s harmless life. Instinctively, as rage flooded him, Telor struggled against his bonds and opened his eyes. The former was useless; the latter sent new, sharp pangs through his head, but he recognized his prison. He was in the small stone building where Sir Richard had stored extra arms and armor. If a spare blade had been overlooked, he might free himself. That idea made him lift his head, regardless of renewed agony, and force his numb heels into the ground to push him around.

After a rough survey, Telor stopped moving abruptly. He had not yet given up hope of finding some forgotten tool or weapon, but something far more important had suddenly occurred to him. He was alone! Not that Telor had expected guards in this secure building, but had Deri and Carys been taken they would surely have been imprisoned with him. So they were still free. No one knew he had had companions! Only the limping man, the guard at the gate, and the indifferent grooms had seen Telor’s party, and there was a good chance that the gate guard had hardly noticed them and the grooms would not be questioned. Although the motion hurt his swollen face, Telor smiled. At least he had been successful in silencing the limping man, which had been his purpose.

He rested awhile. His mind shied away from his own fate, but knowing that he had not brought a like horror on his innocent companions, he was content. There was still the hope of finding something that would free his hands and give him a quick death. If not, whatever torment awaited him, there would be peace at the end.

Comforted, Telor managed to flex his elbows enough to tip himself over onto his stomach. Then, humping his body, he was able, with infinite effort, to move across the dirt floor to the wall. If a knife or sword blade had been left behind, the most likely place would be the dark angle where the wall met the floor.

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