Dark Destroyer Read Online Free PDF

leave.”
    Alexander was slopping up peppery gravy with his bread. “I was planning on leaving as soon as the weather clears a bit,” he said. “It is a four-day ride to Lioncross but I would hate to get caught in a snowstorm. When it looks as if there will be more than a day of clear, I will take the chance and leave.”
    Gates fed Jean the last of the fat off the bone. “I can go with you to help with the men and wagons,” he said. “I should like to pay my respects to your father and convey Lord de Lara’s thanks for the generous loan of the men.”
    Before Alexander could reply, Jasper shook his head. “Nay, Gates,” he said. “I have other plans for you.”
    Gates looked up from petting the dog on the side of his big head. “What is that?”
    Jasper suddenly didn’t seem so jovial. His manner took a sharp turn and he seemed rather frustrated, in truth. He swallowed a mouthful of wine before speaking.
    “My wife wants me to send men to St. Milburga’s Priory to retrieve our daughter,” he said. “Gates, do you remember Kathalin? Of course you do not. A foolish question. She had been sent to foster before you ever entered my service. Do you ever remember me telling you of her?”
    Gates shook his head. “Nay, my lord,” he replied. “Other than a few mentions now and again, I do not know much about your daughter.”
    Jasper grunted, scratching his ear in a decidedly unhappy gesture. “Nor do I,” he admitted. “She has been gone from me so long that I do not much remember the lass. My wife sent her away because she was never much good with young children around. Any manner of screaming or childhood drama would send the woman into fits, so, much as her brothers were, Kathalin was sent away to foster at five years of age. That was fourteen years ago. We have sent yearly donations to St. Milburga’s, of course, and we have paid well for her education there by the nuns, but we received a missive several months ago from the Abbess at St. Milburga’s informing us that Kathalin wishes to commit herself to the cloister. She asked for our blessing and permission to do so.”
    The knights were listening with some interest because it was surprising to them that Jasper was speaking on something other than Poitiers and the wars in France. It was diversified dinner conversation that was a relief to them all.
    “She wishes to become a nun?” Gates clarified. “It seems to me that if your daughter has been in a convent all of these years, then taking her vows would be a natural progression.”
    Jasper lifted his eyebrows, holding up his cup to the nearest servant for more wine. “That was my thought as well,” he said, “although I had hoped to make a political match with her, marry her to a warlord somewhere. I suppose it is just as well that she remains in the convent and I do not have to supply her with a dowry. However, my wife does not want her to take her vows and has demanded I bring her home. Now, suddenly, she wants to be a mother to the girl. It is a stupid notion, I think. We do not even know the girl though she be our daughter. It seems like bringing a stranger back home.”
    That was evidently the basis for the frustration he felt in the situation because he slurped up his wine and demanded more food, his manner growing agitated. Jasper only seemed fond of his dogs and sons and men, never the womenfolk in the family. It was apparent that he viewed his daughter’s return as the introduction of an unwanted element at Hyssington. He had little tolerance for women and their drama. Gates glanced at Alexander and Stephan before speaking.
    “So you want me to ride to St. Milburga’s and escort her home?” he asked. “There is a St. Milburga’s in Ludlow, I believe.”
    Jasper was already nodding. “That is where she is,” he said. “Take Stephan with you and fifty men. As you know, the Welsh have been launching raids along the Marches to steal what they can because of the harsh winter and I’ll