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

gaze. Then he laughed and swept her into his strong arms.
    ‘By all the gods there be girl, no man could ask a better reward than that.’
    Their lips met and she thrilled to the lawless passion of his kisses, the touch of his hands upon her body. Finally, gasping for breath, her head awhirl and her eyes ablaze with a primal hunger, she pulled away from him and gasped,
    ‘Asgoleth, I must return to the palace at once,’
    She saw his frown and quickly touched slim fingers to his lips.
    ‘Hear me Asgoleth. When the clamor has died down, I will send a trusted maid to you. She will guide you by secret ways, to my chamber. There I would learn from you how a warrior of the north treats a woman.’
    She looked up at him, boldly now and there was a challenge sparkling in her eyes. He held her at arm’s length, drinking in her beauty, and then he laughed once more.
    ‘Aye girl, you will learn and I will be happy to teach you.’
    They kissed once more, fiercely and then he glanced out into the street.
    ‘First things first though eh? Come, let us go.’
    Together they eased out into the confused crowds that were making their way to the palace. Amira snuggled close to her huge protector and, wrapped in the folds of his cloak, none guessed that she for whom they all searched was among them. She wanted to reveal herself to them, let them all know that she was safe but Asgoleth forbade it. He wanted to keep her identity a secret lest there be more enemies close by among the throng. She was pleased and snuggled even closer, enjoying his mastery over her.
    As they drew near the palace they beheld scenes of uproar and confusion. Squads of horsemen clattered in and out of the palace gates. Armed men ran hither and thither chased by the bellows of harassed officers. The palace itself was lit from top to bottom and blazed like a sparkling jewel in the night.
    Citizens gathered thickly about the walls, staring in wonder at all the activity. Asgoleth grinned at her.
    ‘There are so many people looking for you that I think I might have to carve a path to the gates with my sword.’
    She gasped and glanced at him with concern in her eyes and then she realised that he was jesting with her and she smiled back at him. He grinned and taking her by the arm, he began forcing his way through the dense crowd. Men cursed as he pushed past them but they swiftly subsided into silence when they beheld his mighty stature and grim face. It was not long before he and the princess arrived at the palace gates
    They were met by the leveled spear points and nocked arrows of angry and suspicious sentries. An officer strode forward and demanded,
    ‘What do you want here barbarian?’
    Before he could answer, Amira stepped in front of Asgoleth and said,
    ‘Do you not recognise your princess, Captain?’
    A stunned silence descended on the Captain and then his face creased into a grin of joy.
    ‘Princess Amira! You are safe, may mighty Solus be praised. Come, enter swiftly, your father is distraught, he fears you dead.’
    The spear points were lifted and the sentries stepped back to let them enter, with wide grins on their faces. Amira and Asgoleth entered the palace and the guards closed in protectively around them as the crowd cheered wildly. They were ushered quickly through the long torchlight corridors of the palace towards the throne room.
    Asgoleth received many curious glances as he strode along beside the princess. He towered over the soldiers who were escorting him and in his plain mercenary harness he looked like a lean and dangerous wolf among a pack of hounds.
    At last they swept into the throne room and were greeted by a momentary silence. All eyes were on the princess and the huge barbarian beside her. Then the king rose from his throne and strode over to meet them. Soldiers and courtiers stepped quickly out of his way to let him pass and he grasped her to him and held her tightly.
    ‘Amira, my daughter, you are safe thank Solus! I thought I