The Wolf's Howl by A.L. Tait

Author:A.L. Tait [Tait, A.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781760148119
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

I can see that Gerard has exceptional sword skills. The big, brusque man is fighting three of his fellow guardsmen at once, the sword flashing in the weak sunlight as he thrusts and parries, hither and thither, lighter on his feet than I would ever have imagined.

The perpetual sneer on his broad face has disappeared, replaced by a fierce concentration and, occasionally, even a bright smile as an opponent backs away, to be replaced by another.

In fact, all of Airl Riding’s guards are well-trained, working as one as they perfect their skills across different disciplines. In one corner of the courtyard, two men wrestle, throwing one another to the cobblestones with a ferocity that I fear will result in broken bones. Three others practise with bows, releasing arrow after arrow into a scarecrow that is stuffed with straw and dressed in rags, propped against a fence.

I cannot help but admire their skill as they hit their target time and time again, each allowing for the ferocious wind with a precision that illustrates hours of practice in such conditions. I wonder at the advantage they would have in a battle conducted on Glawn soil, where other bowmen would no doubt struggle with the wind.

‘I had not thought to find you here.’ Reeve settles against the stone wall beside me. I have tucked myself against the outer wall of the garden, taking advantage of the shelter and shadow provided by one of the alcoves I had noticed from Lady Cassandra’s window. The garden wall forms one side of this area of the courtyard, with the castle’s exterior walls and the stables providing the others, creating an area at once open and yet outside of the daily life of the castle.

The perfect training area.

‘They are skilled fighters,’ I say to Reeve, not bothering to answer his opening statement. ‘Airl Buckthorn will do well to have them on side should he need them.’

Reeve glances left and right before answering. ‘I am not convinced they are on side.’

I say nothing, knowing he will go on. And he does, explaining what he has learned about the five guardsmen and Jonty.

‘You have been busy,’ I say, raising my eyebrows at him. ‘And the Norwood charm has been used to good effect.’

Reeve bows and blushes. ‘I’m not sure that anyone would refer to my father as charming,’ he says with a laugh. ‘I fear that all due credit must go to Lady Rhoswen.’

A shadow passes over his face at the mention of the good lady, and I know he is remembering her illness.

‘She has done well, it has to be said,’ I say, and there is no teasing in my voice now. ‘But those girls would not have been as open with me as they are when they flirt with you, Reeve of Norwood. And look what you have discovered.’

Reeve frowns, his thoughts turning in a new direction, as I’d hoped they would. ‘I just wish I could figure out what it all meant – how the cook is tied into all this, for starters.

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.