Tears of the Dragon by Cyndi Friberg

Author:Cyndi Friberg [Friberg, Cyndi]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: fairy, knight, medieval, medieval england
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Brother Leland sat on the edge of a soft bed, adorned in a sweet-smelling tunic, his belly full of food.

I have misjudged you.

Edwin’s ominous comment still echoed through his mind. What had Edwin in store for him now? Isolation and starvation had been ineffective. What form would his next torture take?

He heard a key grating in a lock and realized the answers were at hand.

“So, how have you found your quarters?” Edwin’s voice intruded.

“I’m quite comfortable. You have my thanks.”

Footfall. One step, two, three.

“Has a good night’s sleep and a full belly improved your willingness to cooperate?”

He was much closer now. Brother Leland turned his face toward the sound. “I have never refused to cooperate with you. I cannot solve the riddle because there is no answer. The legend is superstition, nothing more.”

Edwin laughed.

Trepidation spread its dark wings. Brother Leland began to pray.

“I expected this. You see, Leland, I realized something crucial about you yesterday. You have been conditioned by your faith to be selfless. But your faith has also conditioned you to be caring of others.”

“My lord, I cannot give you what you want regardless of the punishment you have imagined.”

Edwin continued on as if he hadn’t spoken. “I watched as Nan tended to your needs. You felt compassion for the girl; almost immediately you were devoted. Did you know her before yesterday, or do you react this way to each person you meet?”

Brother Leland didn’t answer. Fear welled up within him with sickening intensity. What was this evil creature threatening? “I have told you everything. There is no need to involve anyone else.”

“Well, I must disagree.”

The footsteps retreated, and then Leland heard muffled, urgent sounds as if someone were gagged.

“My lord? What is that?” He turned his head from side to side, searching the darkness with blind eyes.

“That would be little Nan.”

Fabric rent and the muffled sounds became louder, more distressed.

“My lord, please!” Leland rose to his feet and took a step forward, but he tripped over something and went sprawling. His knees struck the wood plank floor and pain spiked up his legs.

“Oh, she is a bit younger than I realized, but she has lovely skin, so white and smooth.”

“Do not do this evil thing,” he pleaded. “There is no reason.”

Leland tried to reach her. Scrambling about with frantic determination, he clawed at empty air. His left knee throbbed intensely, but he ignored the pain. He crawled toward the sound of the struggle, only to be kicked away. Searing pain shot through his shoulder as the boot propelled him backward.

She screamed, the sound tearing through Leland with physical force.

“Our Father Who art in heaven…” The words fell from his lips in an unconscious litany as the struggle went on. He charged in again, a pathetic charge on hands and knees. A vicious kick slammed him against the wall and his head connected with the stones. He was conscious but dazed, unable to move. Each scream, each moan, each whimper killed a piece of his soul. He could not reach her.

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