Star Axe by Duncan McGeary

Author:Duncan McGeary [McGeary, Duncan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Action & Adventure, sword and sorcery, Fantasy
Google: G-5FDwAAQBAJ
Amazon: B078X1DLFV
Publisher: Crossroad Press
Published: 2018-01-08T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XI

Molnar was impatient to leave early the next morning, announcing grandly that they were now within the dominions of Kernback. But it was not until after a hard and dusty day of riding that they began to sight tended, structured farmlands. The few inhabitants seemed to melt into the checkered countryside at Molnar’s approach. The evasion was discreet, but it was noticeable. As the two tired and filthy travelers neared the first of the large manicured estates, only one of the tenant farmers came forward to greet them. The farmer apologized profusely about the need for harvesting that had drawn the others away, but even Kenlahar could tell that he was not telling the truth. Kenlahar also saw that the man was terrified, though the Prince was virtually alone and undefended. Prince Molnar, all charm and graciousness, waved away the explanations.

This breed of farmer, Kenlahar observed, was far different than his proud, but much poorer cousins in the Borderland. The man was well fed and clothed, but fawning and servile—even to Kenlahar, a stranger dressed in little better than rags. The man led them toward a pine lodge, set beside a small, clear stream at the center of the estate. The master was away, he said, and nervously explained that this was Herald’s Manor, the land of the noble and munificent Sar Devern. The Prince of Kernback, of course, was always welcome at the Herald’s Manor.

The empty dining room was spacious and the long table was set with glittering gold and silver. But Molnar insisted on informality and simple fare, and they were taken instead to the workers kitchen. The kitchen drudges sprang to work, terrified, but pleased by the honor of the Prince’s presence as well. Midway through a luncheon of what seemed to Kenlahar to have the proportions of a feast, he saw the reason for their fear.

A thunderous approach of horses was accompanied by a roar of pain from Molnar. The Prince spat out the shattered pieces of a tooth. The kitchen slave who had served the bread cowered on the floor before him. When the soldiers entered, an ominous quiet hung in the air. The leader of the troops seemed astounded at the sight of Molnar, but immediately recovered from his surprise and bowed. “My Prince!” Then he noticed the looked of pain in Molnar’s face. “What has happened?” Molnar waved a hand toward the girl, and said through tense lips, “This slave served me bread with a stone in it!”

The commander of the soldiers hesitated, and then reluctantly shouted out crisp orders. Molnar’s vicious tone had left him with no choice. Several soldiers took her away roughly.

Next, Kenlahar was beckoned for. “You know the art of healing,” Molnar said. “Heal!” The Prince of Kernback was becoming more and more imperious as they neared the city, Kenlahar noticed bitterly. He wondered what would happen to the girl.

Within minutes he had extracted the rest of the tooth. Molnar bit down on a fluff of cloth and nodded to the leader of the troop.

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.