Behold a Pale Horse Read Online Free PDF Page B

Sister Gisa also provided.
    Fidelma finally rose and walked to where Magister Ado was talking earnestly to the leader of the horsemen, who was now standing by his horse. He was a tall warrior with long fair hair and bright blue eyes that were almost a violet shade. Magister Ado performed the introduction.
    ‘This is Sister Fidelma of Hibernia who travels to Bobium with us.’
    ‘I am Wulfoald, Sister. I am in the service of Radoald, son of Billo, Lord of Trebbia. You are welcome in our country.’ He spoke to her in faultless Latin.
    ‘It does not seem that everyone would share your welcome.’ Fidelma could not help the cynical response.
    Wulfoald’s left eyebrow rose a little disdainfully. He gestured towards the woodland where the attackers had disappeared. ‘Bandits, Sister. They will be caught and punished.’
    She was about to make a further remark when Magister Ado seemed eager to intervene.
    ‘We were lucky that you and your men came along, Wulfoald.’
    The young warrior gave a brief shrug. ‘We were on our way to pick up some goods that my lord was expecting from merchants at the junction of the Salt Road. We heard the warning of the birds and a cry, and so I ordered the horn to be sounded to let it be known that Radoald’s men approached. How is your companion?’
    ‘Brother Faro?’ Magister Ado seemed to realise for the first time that his young companion had been hurt. He swung round but saw that Brother Faro was sitting up and being well attended by Sister Gisa.
    There came a call from the hillside and the three warriors who had chased after the attackers were returning empty-handed.
    ‘They escaped, Wulfoald,’ their spokesman said at once. ‘They had horses further up the hill and were away before we could close on them.’
    ‘Did you recognise them?’ demanded Wulfoald.
    ‘We did not. They wore black cloaks and hoods and we could not discern their features.’
    Sister Fidelma glanced at Magister Ado. ‘Black cloaks and hoods?’ She made the comment into a question.
    Magister Ado gave an almost indiscernible shake of his head, a warning in his eyes.
    ‘Bandits,’ Wulfoald said again, with emphasis. ‘Have no fear, Sister. They will put much distance between here and their lair. They will know that my lord Radoald’s reach is long and his vengeance is swift. They will not be back. As guarantee, I shall instruct two of my men to see you safe to the walls of Bobium itself. Indeed, I suggest that this night you accept the hospitality of my lord, Radoald, at his fortress. Our physician, Suidur the Wise, will be pleased to attend to your young disciple there.’
    Magister Ado was profuse in his thanks. And while Wulfoald went to instruct his men, he and Fidelma made their way to where Brother Faro was now sitting up. The young man smiled ruefully.
    ‘It stings a little but is not too painful,’ he admitted when asked how his wound felt. ‘I have had worse.’
    ‘Will you be able to ride as far as Radoald’s fortress?’ asked Magister Ado.
    ‘I am sure of it,’ Brother Faro replied at once.
    ‘Then we will seek the hospitality of Lord Radoald.’ Magister Ado glanced around quickly at the hillside forest, as if to assure himself that the attackers had truly gone, and added: ‘As soon as you are ready, I suggest we move on.’
    ‘Black cloaks and hoods?’ Fidelma commented again in a low voice. ‘Do you not think that the same men who attacked you in Genua are the same who tried to kill you just now?’
    Magister Ado was defensive. ‘That does not necessarily follow. Lots of people wear black cloaks with hoods.’
    ‘Not many during the heat of summer,’ Fidelma replied dryly, glancing up at the cloudless blue sky.
    ‘But the nights are cold,’ he responded, almost sarcastically, before turning back to where Wulfoald and his men were waiting.
    ‘I have ordered two of my warriors to escort you to the fortress of Radoald,’ he called, indicating two of his men. ‘And now we must