The Serpent's Tale (A Fangborn Story) by Dana Cameron

Author:Dana Cameron [Cameron, Dana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-09-09T23:00:00+00:00

It was not four hours later, and dark as dark could be, when a tremendous banging roused the sleeping household. Hugo dressed hurriedly.

“Sir Hugo!” Father Gilbert supported one of the villagers, who was shivering, covered with scratches and dirt. Fynch and Toly were hard on his heels, a zealous light in Fynch’s eyes.

“What news?”

“Bad news. The child’s shirt has been found.”

“And the baby?”

The anguished look on the villager’s face was enough to tell the worst had come to pass. “Nothing. But the cloths were… bloodied. And bits of… flesh were found nearby.”

The men crossed themselves. Hugo and Gilbert shared an anguished look: A savage killer they couldn’t track? Who did not reek of evil? What was happening? What good were their powers if they couldn’t trust them to reveal the truth?

“Where?” Hugo asked.

“By the river. In the woods, near Fletcher’s place.”

“The men are still there?”

“Gathering there, Sir Hugo. Some have twisted ankles from walking all night in the dark, and one has a bad cut.”

“We’ll all go,” Fynch said. “I’ve just learned that the stolen items were discovered, interestingly, by the river. Also near Fletcher’s place, if my source says rightly.”

Hugo and Gilbert exchanged a glance. His source was, no doubt, the busybody miller, trying to make himself important.

“Sir Hugo, Father Gilbert—I think we’ve found our villain.” Fynch was excited, his eyes ablaze. “He shall not escape me, or my Order’s questions.”

“Fletcher is a good man, an honest man. I know him well. It cannot be him.” Hugo could not say he knew everyone in the village by scent and would have known immediately if one had descended into evil ways.

“Do not show yourself too partial, sir.”

“And there are three homes at that end of the village,” Hugo continued. “We must inspect the place carefully, make very certain before we accuse anyone. And you must leave the justice in my village to me.”

“So long as it is full justice, and all involved are rooted out. If I am not convinced, I will go on my own. I’m perfectly ready to raze all three houses and, if need be, the entire village, to expose the villains. If you resist, I shall summon my lord kinsman’s soldiers.”

“Father,” Hugo said, desperate, “I suspect we’ll need your help before the night is through. If you would get the tools of your healing arts, and meet us?” He gave his Cousin a freighted look; they’d need all their powers at hand to save their villagers from the militant predations of the Order.

Gilbert nodded. “The child’s family also will need comfort. I will fetch my things and meet you. It is a short distance from my house to that part of the village. I will not be long.”

Hugo exhaled deeply; his kinsman had understood him.

“I trust you will hurry, Father,” Hugo said. “We need all haste, to prevent more misfortune.”

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