Warlords race for power while the final battle looms! (Swords Versus Tanks Book 4) by M Harold Page

Author:M Harold Page [Page, M Harold]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Warrior Metal Tales
Published: 2015-12-13T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Ranulph grinned into his visor as the Westerland nobles shuffled on their benches, edging away from Clifford. It was like that moment in a tournament when the hangers-on realise their champion is spent and try to distance themselves from his banner — without being caught in the act of desertion.

But now Ranulph was over-gripping Steelcutter. He let the four-foot blade dip and swish around the fulcrum of his thumb and forefinger. The grip smacked back into place against his leather-covered palm and he relaxed.

A ripple went through the stand as the nobles flinched. Now there was visible space between Clifford and his peers. The duke had only King Edward for company, and beyond him the unmoving Emperor and his own nobles. Ranulph’s eyes narrowed. It would be so easy to hack a path to the man who had slaughtered his family. A pity that Dacres didn’t break truces.

Ranulph raised his visor, took a lungful of salty air, then dipped his head at the young monarch. The crowd on the dunes fell silent.

"Sir Ranulph," said King Edward. "You wear fewer chains than when last you came before Us."

"And more armour, Your Grace." Ranulph knelt on the wet sand and held out Steelcutter. "Moreover, this time I can offer you my sword."

"I see your demons preserved you," said Clifford. "And you bring with you a pack of barbarian scum, and she who was once my daughter."

A stifled sob reached Ranulph’s ears. So much for Maud’s words of revenge back in the Archbishop's dungeon. "Sir," he said. "There is a greater game now than the contention between our families."

"You have no family."

"I have my name." Ranulph drew breath and fought down the anger. "Let us combine forces against the Invaders."

"What forces?" spat back Clifford. "Ha! Some barbarians plus a harlot?"

Ranulph opened his mouth to point out that the ‘harlot’ was in fact a powerful sorceress, but so far, whenever he broached the subject of magic, Maud had clamped her elegant hands to her ears and screamed.

King Edward turned in his seat. "Listen to him Uncle!" His tone was more commanding than Ranulph remembered. "It is Our Express Will that you set aside your feud."

"The King is possessed," declared Clifford looking left and right. "Ignore the demon which speaks through His Grace."

Ranulph’s fingers tightened on Steelcutter. It would be good to drive any part of the greatsword into the duke’s smug face. He threw his weight back and rolled to his feet. "Once more I leave Your Grace against my will, though this time with an escort of my own choosing."

"Wait!" blurted the King. "Sir Ranulph," he continued, regal again. "Will you take the lists against the Duke of Highcraig as Tom of Fenland’s champion?"

Of course, realised Ranulph,the naked man lashed to the ladder. He should have guessed that Clifford was involved. The duke liked his ritual executions.

“Again the demon speaks through His Grace’s lips,” declared Clifford.

“I think God should be the judge of that, sir,” said Ranulph.

Clifford laughed. He leaned over the rail.

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