Blazing Earth Read Online Free PDF

the generations of Tolan’s family to tend the earth and guard its secrets. Waving him over, he prepared forthe battle between father and headstrong son that had been the way of things between them for some time.
    â€œI must accompany Lord Geoffrey on a journey, Kirwyn. We leave shortly,” he said. The mulish expression appeared in less than a moment, for his son knew what would follow next. “Githa and Durwan will see to you while I am gone.”
    â€œFather, I can—” Kirwyn started.
    â€œThis is not about your ability to care for yourself, son,” Tolan interrupted, reaching out and placing his hand on his son’s shoulder. “This is so that I know you will be well. My only requirement is that you eat supper with them and sleep in their cottage. I still expect you to oversee ours and to tend to your duties here.”
    â€œAnd Blythe?”
    â€œAh, please tell her we will need her not to cook for us. I do not know when I will return but will try to send word, Kirwyn.” Tolan purposely issued no decrees about not seeing the girl, knowing they would be ignored. He noticed the hopeful expression in the boy’s eyes. “But have a care, as I said.”
    Kirwyn nodded and smiled. “What is this about, Father?” he asked in a low voice. Others were close enough to overhear anything spoken too loudly.
    â€œI know not. Lord Geoffrey ordered me to accompany him and so I do. Langston is in charge of the fields while I am gone.”
    Kirwyn grimaced.
    â€œAye, I know. So, give him counsel as you can.”
    â€œMe? He will not listen to me,” his son scoffed.
    â€œHe will if it means he will do less work.”
    Kirwyn nodded and smiled knowingly. Langston’s laziness was widely known among those working the fields, even if the lord knew it not. The arrival of men on horseback stopped any other exchanges. Tolan patted his son’s shoulder and nodded to him.
    â€œTolan, is this your son?” Lord Geoffrey called to him. Urging his horse closer, the lord scrutinized his son’s face. “How many years does he have?”
    â€œAye, my lord. This is Kirwyn. He has ten and five years.” Tolan put his arm around Kirwyn’s shoulders and brought him closer.
    â€œHe does not have your look about him.”
    The words startled Tolan. Glancing at his son’s face and then at Lord Geoffrey, he shrugged it off. Or tried to, for a deep sense of danger swirled in his gut, making it difficult to ignore what he wanted to believe was a simple comment.
    â€œHis coloring favors his mother, my lord,” Tolan explained.
    â€œHis mother?”
    â€œMy late wife, my lord. Corliss. She died of a fever four years ago.” A strange expression passed over the nobleman’s face and disappeared in an instant before he spoke again.
    â€œAnd you have not married again? You need more sons, Tolan, to work the land with you. We will speak of this on our return.” Lord Geoffrey motioned with his hand at one of the men, who nodded. The man was charged with keeping track of the lord’s business and concerns and was rarely anywhere but at Geoffrey’s side.
    â€œWe ride,” Lord Geoffrey called out without further conversation.
    Tolan hugged Kirwyn and mounted up, following the group along the road, out of the village, and away from the fields. They traveled farther into the lands and properties owned by Lord Geoffrey and away from those controlled by the abbey and a few minor noblemen. Though he never said so, Geoffrey had a clear destination in mind and an urgency about the journey and task.
    They traveled for miles, going south, around the abbey and then toward Salisbury and its great cathedral. They passed by Old Sarum and the huge hill fort still in use by the king’s bishop. An awareness shot through Tolan as they approached the place where the earth had been pushed up into a bank surrounding the protected land within the