Asgoleth The Warrior: A Modern Tale of Sword And Sorcery (fantasy fiction books) Read Online Free PDF

envied them their simple freedom. She heard men laughing and joking with each other and the raised voices of others who haggled over the price of goods on the market stalls even though it was late into the night, for here, in this brightly lit area, the merchants plied their wares as long as there were customers to buy them and they were seldom short of customers. From far and wide they came to the great city of Torr to seek their fortunes, secure in the knowledge that the borders of Torr were ever under the watchful eyes of stout hearted Torran warriors. Amira was dazzled by all that she saw and heard. After this momentous night, her life in the palace was going to seem very dull to her.
    Suddenly the loud clatter of iron shod hooves rang out and Amira shrank back into the shadows as a squad of cavalrymen went thundering past. They were grim faced and more than one bore a snarl of anger on his face. People turned to stare in amazement at the commotion. Open mouthed they watched the horsemen as they swept by on their way to the city gates and the open country beyond.
    Voices were raised in query and soon, another voice, growing louder as it approached from the palace, was heard.
    ‘The princess Amira has been kidnapped! The princess has been kidnapped!’
    Cries of outrage and anger rang out and the crowds milled around in confusion. Then a young soldier, a captain of infantry, climbed up upon a vendors stall and cried out,
    ‘Citizens of Torr, hear me. You men form yourselves into groups of ten and start scouring the city. Look everywhere, whoever has done this must not be allowed to escape with our princess, move!’
    The captain swiftly gathered a group around him and led them off towards the river. Other groups went off in other directions with loud cries of anger on their lips and soon the street was almost empty. Asgoleth grunted as he watched them go then he turned to look at Amira. He grinned at her.
    ‘It seems you have been missed, Princess. Come, we had better return to the palace quickly.’
    He took her hand and made to lead her into the light but she pulled against him and he stopped and frowned at her.
    ‘What ails you girl? You need have no fear now. Soon you will be back in your palace and this night will fade and be forgotten. Come now.’
    Still she refused to move. Instead she laid her hand lightly upon his mail clad chest and looked up into his eyes. In the light from the street he got his first really good look at her and he smiled at what he saw.
    Long, foaming black hair, entwined with strings of precious gems, cascaded down over her slim white shoulders. Eyes as green as emeralds, set in a heart shaped face, stared back at him and as he looked down upon her he felt an urge to crush her to him and taste of those full, red, half open lips. For a long moment they stood thus and Amira blushed at the fierce appreciation in his gaze.
    She lowered her own gaze in confusion, knowing not how to say what was in her heart. Never before had she experienced such strange, frightening and yet so thrilling emotions as those that filled her now. He said nothing, merely holding her within his arms until she straightened her shoulders, looked into his eyes and cried,
    ‘Oh Asgoleth, When you take me back to my father’s palace I shall once again become the Princess. I shall be surrounded by armed guards and fussing maids and once more I shall be the high born and aloof royal lady.’
    She swallowed nervously then spoke on quickly before her nerve failed her.
    ‘But until then, I am just a girl and I wish to reward you for your valour in the only way a girl can.’
    Her heart pounded as she looked up at him. She could hardly believe what she had just said to this huge, wild, barbarian. She, a royal princess, offering herself to a savage! It was unthinkable that she should behave so and yet here she stood, trembling, afraid that he would refuse her.
    He stared down at her and she looked away, unable to meet his