Exile's Return (Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

I would that you were my Confessor. You chide so gently.’
    ‘I do so for love and care of your immortal soul, daughter. The gods bless you where you least expect it. But please, leave now.’
    She nodded and turned away. Gathering her ladies together, she left.
    Godfrey turned back to Hilderic as three soldiers lifted and carried Gellatly’s body out of the hall. The two priestsstood alone as a great silence descended like a shroud. In his mind, Godfrey saw again that moment when Gellatly had lunged forward. Now he could remember the look on the man’s face – a look of pure hatred. Nash had been diplomatic to say the least – a rare talent these days.
    With a sigh, Godfrey looked to his friend, ‘I must say, I’m glad the Bishop didn’t keep me any longer than he did. I would have hated to have missed all this fun.’
    Hilderic’s eyes rose heavenward. ‘Oh, stop it, Godfrey! I’ve never been able to understand your twisted humour.’
    ‘Perhaps not, Brother,’ Godfrey replied amiably, ‘but sometimes, I fear the joke is on me.’ Taking the Archdeacon’s arm, he walked across the open space towards the door. ‘This will be the first time in my life that I will do penance for sharing the wishes of a Queen.’

2
    There was no doubt about it – he was stuck.
    The tree was sturdy but Micah had now climbed so high that its branches were lighter and their strength questionable. Pine needles rustled under the strain of his weight while the bough beneath his feet groaned in protest. With growing alarm, he cast about for a surer hold, careful not to crush the eggs nestled under his padded tunic.
    He grabbed a handy stump which jutted out from the trunk then shifted his feet in order to gauge the next step down. But it was no use. The only way he could reach the lower branch was to slide down with his stomach against the trunk – and thereby crush the eggs he’d climbed to collect.
    Micah glanced down. His master stood beneath him, adjusting the load on the pack horse. With a sigh, Micah attempted to address the question that had been tossed up to him with such ease. ‘To be honest, my lord, I really don’t know.’
    Dunlorn glanced up with raised eyebrows. ‘You don’t know? You’ve had three years to think about it, Micah – surely you must have some idea how your family is going to react to your sudden return. They will have missed you – especially your mother.’
    ‘Aye,’ Micah nodded without enthusiasm. ‘My mother will also have been busy, I’m sure, making sure my sisters are properly married and keeping an eye on my brothers. She was never able to quite get the idea that they were grown up and could look after themselves. Apart from anything else, I’m sure I must have an army of nieces and nephews who know nothing of my existence.’
    ‘One of the trials of being the youngest child?’
    ‘With five brothers and two sisters at home I seriously wonder if they’ve even noticed I’ve gone!’
    Dunlorn turned back to the horse with a chuckle. ‘Oh, I think they’ll have noticed. And your father?’
    Micah turned his gaze to the tree-top above him, ignoring for a moment his uncomfortable predicament. It was all very good wondering how the rest of his family would take his return – but Micah already knew with heartfelt certainty how his father would react. By now it was entirely possible that his father had formally disowned him. His stomach sank at the thought. If it wasn’t for that, he could immerse himself utterly in the joy of returning home.
    Dunlorn interrupted his reverie, ‘I’m sorry, Micah, but just what are you doing up there?’
    ‘Getting supper, my lord.’
    ‘Supper? But it’s still morning.’
    Micah took hold of the trunk once more and turned outwards. Shuffling his feet along the branch a little, he strained his neck trying to see the other side of the tree. ‘Eggs,’ he said.
    ‘At this time of year?’
    ‘Aye. The grey-eyed flosson lays its eggs in