Spectre of the Sword by Kathryn Le Veque

Author:Kathryn Le Veque [Veque, Kathryn Le]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Medieval
Published: 2008-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

*

"Answer the question and I may spare your life," David had the man by the throat. "Deny me my answer and your death will continue to be as painful as possible."

Screams and moans sounded throughout the east gatehouse of Ogmore's massive structure. The gatehouse was large enough, and populated by enough soldiers, to be used as a prison. Christopher de Lohr and his men had been at Ogmore for three days; yesterday, they had caught a known supporter of the king in the nearby town and had promptly taken him to the castle for questioning. Wherever there was one supporter, there were usually more and with the princess due to arrive at the castle any day, Christopher was understandably cautious.

While the earl stood back and watched, his younger brother had proceeded with the interrogation. It had been going on since the day before. Since David was an older knight with a good deal of experience, he also knew methods of torture that were designed to cause more pain than actual death. A dead spy was of no use to anyone. But a spy persuaded with just the right amount of encouragement could be invaluable.

The particular method being used against the prisoner was called ‘filet'. It was, literally, filleting the extremities. Both the earl and his brother had spent years in the Holy Land and had come by methods of torture used against the Christians by the Muslims. This one was more painful that it was actually deadly, although death would eventually result if it went on. At the moment, the man had the skin of both feet sawed away from the bone. His toes were in tatters but for all he screamed, nothing valuable had come forth.

Christopher and two of his knights, Edward de Wolfe and another by the name of Max Cornwallis, stood in the shadows watching the exchange. They tended to be the more cunning and interpretive of an enemy's actions whereas David and Lawrence were higher-strung and more intent on gaining the actual information. Lawrence was ferocious warrior that was sometimes more animal than man, especially in the heat of battle, which was why he had no problem filleting the prisoner's feet as David asked the questions. Lawrence was often called upon to the dirty work because he was the one most capable of doing it.

But the prisoner was surprisingly resilient. He had so far resisted everything put to him and screamed in frustration and agony in response to David's question.

"I will say again that I know nothing of what you ask," he howled. "I was traveling home from France and have not seen nor been in contact with the king for months!"

They had heard this repeatedly. David lifted an eyebrow. "So you mean to tell me that you, the Lord of Esgarraida, who has in the past supplied John with money and men, know nothing of the latest turn of events? You know nothing of Arthur's death?"

The bloodied man looked up at him, his face pale with blood loss and pain.

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