Trial by Dragon Fire by Phil Harris

Author:Phil Harris [Harris, Phil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vanguard Press
Published: 2020-07-13T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Rhuddlan Castle, North Wales

“So are we just passing through Holywell, or are we calling at the abbey?” Perkin asked, as Thaddeus prepared Shadow for the next leg of the journey.

“I thought it best to call in and tell Abbot Jacobus the current situation,” Thaddeus replied. “I take it you’ll not be going back there to live… under the circumstances. Plus, you’ll have to return Clover now you have your own horse.”

“Yes, you’re right of course, Thaddeus,” said Perkin, “it’s only fair that I straighten things out with the abbot.”

Vivienne turned round as she checked the straps on Paris. “Will I be allowed to enter the abbey with you?” she queried. “Being a woman I may not be able to go in, and I’ll have to wait outside.”

“When we get there I’ll ask Abbot Jacobus for permission,” said Perkin, checking his boots. Someone had built a small fire outside the stables to cook some fish, and Perkin was drying them over the fire. “The boots are pretty much dry now,” he said. “I’m almost ready to go.”

“How are you doing, Vivienne?” asked Thaddeus.

“I’m ready, Thaddeus,” she replied.

The trio rode out of the castle with their four horses, and joined the lane that led to Chwitffordd above the estuary. They were not expecting any trouble from the natives because the constable of the castle had given them the all-clear to travel.

Thaddeus was fascinated by Vivienne’s story, and the journey gave them more opportunity to chat and share experiences. With Thaddeus being a professional troubleshooter and hired killer, and Vivienne being a highly-trained assassin, they had much in common to discuss. Instinctively, the men rode either side of Vivienne to protect her in case of attack, but, in truth she hardly needed protecting. She had a perfect success rate as a killer, and had never lost a fight with anyone.

Perkin had a good look at his new horse en route to Chwitffordd, and made himself dizzy trying to think of a name for her. Presently they pulled up at a break in the woods which allowed them a good view of the estuary. “Would you like a pear, Vivienne?” asked Thaddeus.

Her beautiful eyes twinkled with delight. “Oh, yes please, I’d love one!” she sang. Thaddeus was carrying a few pears that he had bought from a woman in Penmaenmawr. They were large, ripe, and juicy, and he handed one each to Vivienne and Perkin. As they slurped at the pears, they took in the view. Ynys Mon was too far away now to be seen, but the Irish Sea, which had accompanied them all the way, was still watching over them. Not for much longer, however, as they would lose the sea once they had crossed the estuary.

“Basingwerk Abbey is just over there, in the middle of those trees,” Perkin told Vivienne.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the place where you grew up, Perkin,” she replied. Soon they were riding downhill through the woods, and near the bottom they came upon St Winefride’s Well.

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