Fragments of Grace (Prequel to the Dragonblade Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page B

greater
than you. He wants you, me, Exelby… everything. He is a greedy man that does
not like to be denied is wishes.”
    Chloë gazed off across the
compound again, her gaze falling on St. Hèver once more.  The rain was starting
to let up and pieces of blue sky were starting to appear, sending beams of
sunlight onto the earth below.  One beam fell directly on St. Hèver as he stood
there with several of his men in continuing conversation.  The sun lit him up,
like God shining his holy light upon the man. Her thoughts lingered on him.
    “What about Coverdale?” she
wanted to know. “Does he realize that if I go to Aysgarth Castle, then his
properties shall become Ingilby’s target?”
    Anton drank deeply of the warmed
wine. “Ingilby will not find out where you have gone.”
    She could see Keir as the man
broke out in the smile at something that had been said. In fact, all three of
the big knights were laughing.  But her eyes were only on Keir.
    “Aye, he will,” she sighed after
a moment, shaking her head with regret. “One of Coverdale’s men sent a message
back to Ingilby and told the man that if he ever attempted to contact me again,
then this knight would personally challenge him.”
    Anton looked up from his wine,
surprised.  “Who said this?”
    Chloë’s eyes were riveted to
Keir. In fact, she realized even to think on his name gave her a warm feeling
deep in her belly. She’d never known that kind of sensation before and wasn’t
hard pressed to admit she liked it.
    “Keir St. Hèver,” she murmured.
    Her father stood up, moving to
where she was standing against the tent opening. “St. Hèver?” he repeated.  “I
was only just speaking with him. He did not mention such a thing to me.”
    “Perhaps he has forgotten
already.”
    Anton’s gaze moved across the
muddy compound as well, spying Coverdale’s knights still in a cluster where he
had left them.  His gaze settled on the enormous knight with the kinky blond
hair and a jaw so square it was as if it was hewn from solid marble.
    “Do you not recognize his name,
Chloë?” he looked at his daughter.
    Chloë shook her head. “Should I?”
    Anton’s gaze moved back to the
busy, muddy encampment, lingering on the knights. “Keir St. Hèver is the garrison
commander for Pendragon Castle, the gateway from Cumbria to Yorkshire,” he told
her. “Pendragon guards the Mallerstang dale, a valuable and much coveted pass. 
Coverdale is wildly wealthy from the tribute he collects from those who use the
pass and it a wealth much envied, especially by the devils from Hell.”
    Chloë’s brow furrowed. “ Devils from hell?”
    Anton nodded. “That is what those
from Hellbeck Castle are called,” he said softly. “Surely you know of them.”
    Chloë was growing interested in
her father’s story. “I believe I do,” she said. “I have heard of them. If I
recall correctly, Lord Stain of Hellbeck Castle is akin to the Northumberland
Grays.”
    Anton wriggled his eyebrows. “He
is a disgraced kin.  He confiscated Hellbeck Castle years ago through a siege
against old Baron Asby and killed the old man, stealing his castle.  Three
years ago, he tried to confiscate Pendragon in the same fashion but was
unsuccessful. St. Hèver’s wife and daughter were killed in the siege.”
    Chloë’s expression shifted, morphing
in to one of sorrow as her eyes widened in realization. “I remember now,” she
breathed. “I heard about the siege of Pendragon and the death of the
commander’s wife.  That was St. Hèver?”
    Anton nodded slowly. “It was.”
    Chloë’s gaze returned to the distant
cluster of knights, her hand to her mouth in a shocked gesture. “God be
merciful,” she murmured. “The poor man. “
    Anton remembered the dark stories
he had heard of that time from Coverdale. “He was so distraught that he could
not even attend their burial,” his voice grew quiet. “He was locked in the
vault to keep him from killing himself. Then,